Island Dispatch, 1992-05-01

              ISLAND DISPATCH MAIL TO: I Remember To Vote Tuesday! An election to fill the seat of the late Assemblyman William B. Hoyt will be held Tuesday, May 5 on Grand Island and other areas included in Assembly District 144. Candidates are William B. "Sam" Hoyt 111, Democrat-Liberal endorsed; Killian Vclter, Republican, and Alfred T. Coppola, Conservative endorsed candidate. Island polling places for all 15 districts will be open from 6 A.M. to 9 P.M. Tuesday and all are handicapped accessible.  SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 50< 24 PAGES VOL. 49 • NO. 5 MAY 1, 1992 Islanders May Be Treated To Lower School Taxes WHEN FINAL assessment figures arc in, district residents may have a very slight tax reduction, compared to the present rate of $21.75/$ 1000, according to school district business manager Larry Schallcr. As approved unanimously, the $25,238,224 budget for the coming school year adds less than a penny to the tax rate, an increase of about .03 percent, reflecting a last-minute prediction of a 2.25 increase in assessed valuation by tax assessor Jim Milne. The Voice of the People was clearly heard by the school board, which voted Monday night to provide for kindergarten aides and to retain two elementary EOP (Educational Opportunity Program) remedial teacher aids in the '92-93 budget. For several weeks, in a well-organized effort, parents and teachers had been urging the board not to cut those two areas. Cost of the kindergarten program, with the addition of aides, is set at $245,000 and the district will be employing five full-time teachers rather than nine part-time. The vole for aides, which was greeted with applause by the large crowd, was 5-2 (nay: Bauman, McCowan). Board IVesident McCowan commented, "If we're reducing the program (by onehalf hour) why is it necessary to add aides? We didn't need them last year." He added that research is mixed on the advantages of teacher aides at the kindergarten level. A $50,000 district-wide computer technician position, added to the budget last week, was removed Monday night with the comment that there was no job description and that there was no need for the position in the first year of the district's computer update program. Lions Conduct Boulevard Clean Up The Lions Club of Grand Island cleaned up the Boulevard last Saturday in recognition of Earth Week. Workers covered territory from McDonald's northward despite rainy conditions. Jeff Cooke was chairman of the work project. Pictured leaving the parking lot at McDonald's are Pat Paterson, Merle Wilson, Lee Nowocicn, Jesse Cooke, Mary Brandoni and Mary Cooke. AH participants were given coupons for cheeseburgers and.a coke from McDonald's which supported and appreciated the clean up. Photo by Barbl lan- Islanders Discuss Recreation Needs A PROPOSED town recreation master plan received input from interested residents at an informational meeting Thursday (April 23) in the town hall. To be formulated by Kolz Associates at a cost of $18,000, it will deal only with recreation and open space areas rather than all of Grand Island to be covered in the $35,000 master plan, now in its final stage by Saratoga Associates, Inc. Ferry Village area homeowners voiced concern about the lack of a playground in their neighborhood, pointing out that the park and playground at Cox and liast River road has been discontinued. "We just want our old one back," Cathy Suszck of the Ferry Village Area Residents Association, said. "We definitely don't want another boat ramp," said another Association member, calling for more ball diamonds and programs for boys and girls. John Gorton, head of the Grand Island Soccer Club, said there is a need for soccer fields to accommodate the growing interest in the sport. Connecting bike paths should also be part of the proposed plan, another speaker said. Jeff Sun/ spoke about the use of open space for nature trails and snowmobiling. Planning board member John Trianda said open space also increases the density of development, reducing the demand for town services and the school system. He also reminded the current subdivision ordinance calls for 10% open space or fees in lieu of land. The intent is to use money acquired to purchase land for recreation. Buying waterfront property for residential recreational use was once considered, he said. The recreational use plan as well as the comprehensive master plan, underway since early 1990, may be completed by September, residents at the meeting were told, the public information meeting was called by the town board's appointed Parks and Recreation Board. James R. Sharpe is board liaison. MFK Now Say "Charge It" At NFP IN A continuing effort to provide belter service for its customers, Niagara Frontier Publications now accepts credit cards for all display and classified advertising. The following credit cards may be used by telephone for your convenience for all Tribune transactions: MasterCard, VISA, Diner's Club and Carte Blanche. CONTINUED ON I'ACE 15