Island Dispatch, 1991-03-01

              ISLAND  DISPATCH This issue of the Dispatch is dedicated to Ist Lt. Thomas C. Utz, a logistics officer, who is serving with Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf. See Islanders In The News, page 4. God Bless America and swiftly return our men and women in victory, unharmed, from the Middle East. SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716> 773-7676 50c 24 PAGES VOL. 47 NO. 51 • Mar. 1, 1991 Hawking Papers  For Kids Day  Grand Island Lions Club members took the corner of Baseline and Whitehaven Roads early Wednesday morning to sell Kids Day editions of the Buffalo News for the benefit of Children's Hospital. Rick Jackson  and Bert Nixson braved £j frigid temperatures as did other group volunteers organized by the Knights of Columbus in support of the annual event. _________ Photo by BarM Lare Private Golf Course May Violate PUD A NUMBER of Grand Island golfers who have enjoyed the facilities of the River Oaks Golf Course, a public operation since it was opened in 1973, now question if it can legally be converted to a private entity. The concern is based on rules and regulations of the River Oaks planned unit development (PUD) as it was approved by the town board in 1970 and revised in 1985. The course is part of 527 acres of River Oaks land now owned by Niagara Associates Group who propose turning it over to private management. Memberships for that purpose are now being solicited and about 100 golfers have already paid the fee, Niagara representatives announced at a recent information meeting. Supervisor LaVerne C. Luther Monday said he will confer with Town Attorney Richard J. Couch regarding the PUD rulings which are said to include the golf course in open space set aside for public recreation use. It was not known at edition time whether the status of the project as it pertains to PUD regulations will be discussed at Monday's 8 P.M. meeting of the town board. MEK Isle Pipeline Opposers Go To Washington THE FEDERAL Energy Regulatory Commission is now well aware of Grand Island's opposition to having a gas pipe line constructed across the town. Protesting the Empire State Pipeline project, earlier approved by the State Public Service Commission, at a meeting in Washington, D.C. yesterday were Councilman James H. Pax, Legislator Charles M. Swanick and GICAP (Grand Island Citizens Against The Pipeline) representatives Sam Akinbami and David Watson. Pax went prepared to state reasons why a route proposed by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company should be given favorable consideration. It would not only bypass the Island but have much less affect on the environment, was one of them. Doesn't Empire's proposal conflict with President Bush's "no net loss of wetlands" policy, he also asked. The Islanders also requested that FERC call for a full environmental impact statement on Empire's route and Tennessee's alternative before reaching a decision. MEK Weather ■ THE OLD Farmer's Almanac says: Mar. 1-2: Snow, mild. Mar. 3-5: Snowstorm. Mar. 6-7: Clear, cold;