Island Dispatch, 2008-10-10

              Island Dispatch V01.64 No. 30 October 10, 2008 For Home Delivery of the Island Dispatch Call 773-7676 773-7676 $1.00 Niagara Vw. Publications proud publishers of Island Dispatch Lewiston-Porter Sentinel Grand Island Penny Saver Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune www.wnypapers.com 20 Pages On a Mission page 6 Celino & Barnes page 9 Vikings page 12 Inside The Dispatch Church 6 School 8 Sports.. 12 Classifieds 14 Crossword 15 ; Service Directory 19 Picture Page ,20 Fire Prevention Week culminates in open house Lt. Joe Torregrossa of the Grand Island Fire Co. is a popular guy in Island schools in October. Its Fire Prevention Week on Grand Island, and Torregrossa made the rounds to several schools and day care centers preaching the gospel of fire safety."They're learning how to prevent fires from happening; what to do in case of a fire; how to get out of the house," he said of his PowerPoint demonstration. "And just simple tips to stay safe and not get hurt." Kids learned some history, do's and don'ts, and safety techniques during the hour-long talk from Torregrossa and other GIFC fire personnel. He let kids know that stopping a fire from even starting is the best firefighting technique. This is the third year for the advanced PowerPoint presentation, he said. "The fire extinguisher use has really gone over since we've been doing that They look forward to it," he added. Children were also enthralled by firefighters in their turnout gear. See page 3 for more on how the GIFC is going Aboye and Beyond this week. Watch for children crossing Grand Island Boulevard today as they walk down the street from Sidway Elementary School to the Grand Island Fire Co. firehall for an open house. Lt. Joe Torregrossa of the Grand Island Fire Co. watches as Alexis Fredricks of St. Stephen School demonstrates for her fellow students how to use a fire extinguisher during a school assembly, (photo by Larry Austin) Grand Island Central School District District in line for grant money by Kathleen Duff Grand Island Superintendent of Schools Robert Christmann announced to the Board of Education Wednesday evening that the district will be receiving a large amount of money from an Irene E. WitkowsM Agrawal Foundational grant. Christmann has had preliminary talks with Mrs. Agrawal's husband, who established the fund in her memory. Both Niagara Falls High School and Grand Island High School will receive an initial amount of $100,000 and later each will be awarded $1 million. The funding will go toward a leadership development program for high school sophomores, with a special emphasis on learning to speak and write effectively. Christmann promised more detail to follow in a press release. Also in his report, Christmann told trustees he has been chosen to serve as vice-president and treasurer for the New York State Council of School Superintendents. Located in the state capital, the council provides professional development, legal services and legislative advocacy to school superintendents across New York state. Next year, Christmann will be president-elect of the organization and will be inaugurated as president in 2010. He thanked the school board for allowing him time to serve in these capacities. In other business, Assistant Superintendent of Business and Finance Loraine Ingrasci told the board that contractors have completed all repair work on the Veronica E. Connor Middle School roof, and the new emergency generators and VoIP phone system have been installed. Extensive work on the high school pool is scheduled for March 2009. Total cost on these capital a surplus of $40,177 at this time. Christmann took the opportunity to emphasize that further capital Grand Island Town Board Back to the drawing board Joe Synakowski of the Disabled American Veterans presents a. DAV flag to the Grand Island Town Board during Monday's board meeting in Town Hall. Synakowski said the DAV has existed on Grand Island since October of 1973, and in appreciation of the town government's long-time support, the DAV presented the flag for Town Hall display. Councilmembers Mary Cooke and Richard Crawford posted the flag following a proclamation. The DAV supports patients at the Veterans Adminstration Hospital, and recently joined with the local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion to purchase a van that transports patients to the VA, Synakowski said. "The DAV is an important part of the veteran service organizations here on Grand Island," said Town Supervisor Peter McMahon. "And as you heard, they're involved in a number of community service projects that are aimed at directly benefitting the residents of the community who are disabled veterans." At the presentation were, from left, councilmembers Susan Argy and Gary Roesch, McMahon, Synakowski and councilmembers Cooke and Crawford, (photo by Larry Austin) SEE CHANGES, continued on page 2 October 19th - Niagara Orleans Model Engineer* j Watch fOF the Islaildwide DrSDatcH if Ul,d<LSSb<,eh #T %—"1 mmmt&reTr&m€moOpenHouse Wam*4pm Wmlm Ana T7io ¥*®PlOs%i** Is*« s*« the trains «whisti* as tfc«y *fH& IN YOUR MAILBOX FRIDAY, OCT 17TH ?X2sra /"ItomfSl19! journey through tfi« miniature cl*„»S„j i„„i ....<..„. „. .„..-.—■**»... //J «/J / |S>»,_» "*«BJ 1 WutfffHCtll town and countryside' • Expanded local NIAGARA FRONTIER PUBLICATIONS 2423 Grand blond Blvd. f'JH / ro^rB0m » § Wfllmifllfß «wmaMl«W«ttJ««l«-««a Island Dispatch-Grand Island Penny Saver ygj-fv PJSH / *1 P*,,, I millllfHllWf The Haunted House at The Summit Ma/J .Ctw-ial feature etnript; Niagara-Wheatfield Tribune. Uwlston-Porter Sentinel ppl«! / <,L„„Y" Uhda M \f*Wraff Begin* on October nth X , ft, 773-7676 ,«v www, indakutebach.eom / ™r'ltakeean, / Open Fridays. Saturdays and Sundays! . Pre-VieWS jeosoAal ** * **"° /£Csk ' Of fhe />J.I "* / Visit www.summitniasara.com for details and hours i»i_._.._, WWWWnVD3DerS COITI fFJ WiWMK" E«« ofc. indopondoMiy —■ ~„„ "*"ci" 0 X j.jlji Jtti u 111py™ JSIIEWTSUTi "Wrapups ravorite! »»w vi.vti■/papcis.«/ill \JX j. North owrwitiKuMM ' <r