Island Dispatch, 2008-08-29

              773-7676 $1.00 Island Dispatch For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 Niagara ftTl Dm Front'er Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune www.wnypapers.com V01.64 No. 24 20 Pages August 29, 2008 Special Kids page 4 Island MVA page 5 Black Belt page 9 Inside The Dispatch Church 6 School., 8 Sports 9 Classifieds 14 Crossword 15 Service Directory 19 Picture Page 20 GI receives money for 'Gateway to the Greenway' Fisherman's Landing project funded by Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund The first projects to be approved and funded by the Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee were announced Tuesday at a check presentation ceremony held at Isle View Park in the City of Tonawanda. Among the projects is Fisherman's Landing, developed by the Town of Grand Island, which received its check for $400,482. The funding was made by the Standing Committee as a result of the federal relicensing of the New York Power Authority's Niagara Power Project. Three approved projects received money after they were deemed consistent with the Niagara River Greenway Plan. In addition to the Fisherman's Landing project, the other two projects and the funding levels are Shoreline Trail Signage, submitted by Erie County, for $205,000, and Scajaquada Creekside Trail Improvements, presented by the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, for $1,215407/' "Grand Island is extremely pleased with the selection of Fisherman's Landing for funding in the first round of Niagara River Greenway projects," said Grand Island Town Supervisor Peter Mc- Mahon. "The project will convert an unused wastewater treatment plant into a recreational asset and a gateway to the Greenway on Grand Island." Today's announcement symbolizes an important step forward in making the Niagara River GreenwayGreenway Trail a world-class recreational destination for Erie County residents and visitors alike," said Erie County Executive Chris Collins. "Erie County's shoreline is one of our great assets and, today, along with our partners, we are taking yet another step to capitalize on its potential. I want to thank the New York Power Authority for its support and congratulate Holly Sinnott, Erie County's Commissioner of Environment and Planning, for her leadership as chair of the Erie County Standing Committee overseeing these important projects." "The New York Power Authority sees these first projects in Erie County as an important foundation to support the recreational, economic and environmental benefits that the Niagara River Greenway will bring," said NYPA Trustee D. Patrick Curley. McMahon hopes for a fall demolition of unused buildings on the old treatment plant property next to the south Grand Island bridge. Coupled with $250,000 from the state, the town can complete the project with no impact on the Grand Island property taxpayer, McMahon said. He said Grand Island's project proposal was so thorough, the Greenway Committee highlighted it as a model on which other Greenway communities base their own proposals. Fisherman's Landing will be developed by the Town of Grand Island. A park will be built on an New York Power Authority Trustee, D. Patrick Curley of Orchard Park, at far right, and Erie County Executive Chris Collins, at left, present a symbolic check for $400,482 to Mary Cooke, Grand Island Town Council member, and Peter McMahon, Grand Island town supervisor, for Fisherman's Landing. The project features a new park on the Niagara River with recreational and fishing facilities, and is one of the first projects to be funded by the Buffalo & Erie County Greenway Fund Standing Committee for the development of the Niagara River Greenway in Erie County, (photo courtesy New York Power Authority) . GI suffers flooding after unique storm by Larry Austin It's been a rainy summer, but Sunday's Island rainstorm was off the charts. "That's the worst flooding that I can remember," said Grand Island Town Supervisor Peter McMahon. Multiple areas on the Island suffered what he called "poor drainage flooding" after several inches of rain fell in a short period of time, causing plugging of storm sewer grates and overwhelming the sanitary sewer system. Some parts of the Island that saw streets flood included areas in the Grandyle Village and Falconwood sections of town. McMahon was roaming the Island and reported flooding east of Baseline Road. Almost every road had some degree of flooding, he said. The sanitary sewer system located in the middle of the residential streets was submerged in water, forcing backups into homeowners' basements in some cases. "I don't think we could build a system big enough to hold that amount of water that quickly," Mc- Mahon said. McMahon also cautioned residents to stay out of the water in such instances because of the presence of overflowing sewage. Woodlee Lane in Grand Island's south end experienced flooding following a high-volume rainstorm Sunday, (photos by Elisa DiTutlio) Another toll protest plonned by Larry Austin Rus Thompson didn't intend to celebrate a dubious anniversary when he planned a Grand Island bridge toll protest two weeks ago. It was 50 years ago this week that the Island Dispatch reported the Town of Grand Island had authorized spending $500 to argue the legality of Grand Island tolls in court. Saturday, there won't be birthday cake and candles noting the milestone. "Fifty years later?" Thompson said via e-mail. "We are still fighting the tolls that have been here for 73 years." Thompson plans a grass roots toll protest for between 2 and 3 p.m. on Saturday at Isle View Park SEE TOWN, continued on page 2 SEE TOLL, continued on page 2 Open Labor Day, Monday A \ 255 whHe Oak in nsSTll I Unda Kuhdbach mEI ~__ fls^—^f "' E?? Oab golf Course and marina. Ranch siyb FPtS| ©ZO-l/iy /rfflUflL l"'"8$ to i jKlllF'l''ftM Back to School Community Fashion Shows ? WJj1 w* ba two story Great room with cherry *v.™. ' 773-2573 / v H&ilhioi m^^Vlli{ll IISSf Saturday,September6thand 13that Ipm r ~J>t^mMM{^TS-^des^^^m*r",eIJ: '\ md,slondßlvd- Wj&m / r*ei*8. 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