Island Dispatch, 1991-08-09

              ISLAND DISPATCH Weather - the old Farmer's Almanac says: Aug. 9-11: Thundershowers, cool. Aug. 1215: Clear and warm. Aug. 16: Thundershowers. August 13 Caribbean Extravaganza (Unique) 7PM Rain date 8/15 i' I.i ,  SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 50c 24 PAGES VOL. 48 NO. 20 • Aug. 9, 1991 US Engineers Hold Up Pipeline Permit GRAND ISLAND scored another point - and a big one - this week in its fight to keep a natural gas line from being built across the town. The US Army Corps of Engineers reported it is halting a review for the line's construction permit because the Canadian National Energy Board disapproved allowing the proposed Blackhorse Extension which would connect with the existing Kirkwell line, operated by TransCanada. ANR Co. of Detroit requested the permit to build the proposed Empire State Pipeline across Canada to Grand Island and then on through Wheatfield to a point near Syracuse. Information received Monday from Legislator Charles M. Swanick noted the Corps informed ANR that in view of the Canadian decision, it is "denying without prejudice your request for a Department of Army permit." ANR was further told without the Blackhorse Extension, turned down by CNEB, "there would be no need" to construct that pipeline in the United States. The Corps announcement followed TransCanada's decision to appeal the CNEB ruling. Empire's backers then petitioned the Energy Board for an "expedited review." "We are pleased with the Army Corps of Engineer's decision," Swanick said. "We hope the Canadian Board's decision will also prevail during the time of review." But for the time and hopefully forever more, Grand Island can continue to be free of having its environment disrupted by a pipeline it doesn't need. MEK No Bridge Tolls For Islanders, Hoyt Advocates IF THE THRUWAY tolls are maintained beyond their 1996 expiration, Grand Island residents should be spared, Assemblyman William B. Hoyt said earlier this week. "I will oppose continuing any tolls for Grand Island residents," Hoyt informed the Grand Island Citizens Bridge and IVansportation Committee. "Grand Islanders have no choice but to use the bridges, and have been paying tolls long enough." Noting that the Transition Advisory Council, appointed by the Thruway Authority to make recommendations on the Voters Approve School Budget, Bus Proposition THE GRAND Island School District budget and the purchase of four replacement buses were approved by voters Wednesday when about 1800 voters turned out at the polls at the High School. In a 1110 to 688 vote, the $23,820,229 budget passed. Purchase of four school buses was favored, 992-804. Nearly 200 residents registered for the first time. The turnout, about 1800 voters, was said to be average. National Honor Society Spruces Up ECO Isle Fence THE PROGRAM to transform a former military barracks for use by elementary school teachers as an indoor learning center at ECO Island continued this week. Members of the National Honor Society turned out to assist in the painting of a fence in front of the building in preparation for silhouettes of animals and birds being painted on the fence. The Society members need 24 hours of service during the coming school year and this two-day session added to that goal. Diane Tiede, teacher at Huth Road School, is the State Education Department for Environment Education Liaison for Erie I BOCES. She and Peggy Bastian are working this week coordinating some of the work at the center, preparing it for the coming school year. Classes from all the schools on the Island will be able to use the facility, which includes not only the classroom setting but also a nature trail complete with identification guides so that the learning can continue out in nature. The inside area will contain hands-on activities concerning plants and animals found in this little area of the world. Lin. Annette Smith. Wendy Scheffler. Dava Jones and Sal ly Gorton. Not shown working on the other side of the fence were Karin Maurer. Jennifer Moretti. Susan Szczublewski and Christine Wendel. Photo by Barb! Lara CONTINUED ON PAGE I ——————————————————___——^—^__^_^_____________