Island Dispatch, 1993-03-05

              ISLAND DISPATCH Visit The Zonta Antique Show Tomorrow & Sunday at the GI Holiday Inn See Treasures, page 5 SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 20 PAGES VOL. 49.» NO. 49 MAR. S, 1993 Pipeline Co. Seeks To Buy Island Acreage fl Hi: EMPIRE Pipeline velopcrs have approached the Wright Trust, owners of 70 acres of Love Road property, with an offer to purchase the land for easement purposes and then turn 60 acres over to the town for park land or green space. James Allen, attorney for the Trust, appeared at Monday's Town Board meeting to explain the situation as it now exists, including the fact that the courts have already decided against the town on the issue of Eminent Domain and that a lawsuit could be brought against the Wright Trust if it refused to sell its property. The Wright Trust, in a letter to the board signed by Trustee Shirley Wright asking for an opportunity to appear before the board Monday, staled, in part: "We realize that the pipeline developer would wish to have the cooperation of the town as a condition to undertaking this obligation; however, it is our belief that this kind of arrangement would benefit everyone involved. The Trust would be relieved of a property tax burden it finds difficult to pay, the town would improve its recreation and green space areas iind the pipeline developer would be able lo make this contribution as a show of good faith in its desire to be a good neighbor to ihe people of Grand Island." The board listened attentively to the attorney but took no action, merely agreed to "receive and file" the information given. M.E. Klingel Gone Fishin' On a sunny, cold day, great for ice fishing last Sunday, Chris Taylor, 12, and Jim and Josh Lichtenihal, ages 9 and 8, cut a hole through the one foot thick ice on Woods Creek. They dangled their minnow baited hook and bobber in the small hole, and quickly pulled up two Northern pike and a huge carp. They had been fishing about an hour this first day out and, buoyed by their success, thought they might move down farther under and past the Baseline bridge to continue on their quest Photo by BarM Lare Erie County Gets High Marks In Financial Survey A NEW study reports that when it comes to managing its finances, Erie County does a better job than any other large county in the state. The survey by the National Association of Counties shows that Erie County was the only big county in the stale to meet its budget targets in 1992. The study shows that the stale's other large counties, Monroe, Nassau, Onondaga, Suffolk and Westchester all spent more money, and took in less, than they had projected. While Lrie County is expected to finish 1992 with a slight surplus, 65% of counties nationwide are projected to finish the year with a deficit. In response to the survey's results, County Executive Gorski said, "We're both pleased and proud to be recognized by the National Association of Counties. "It's a tribute to our budget department and all our department heads for running as tight as ship as we possible can. "When two of every three counties in the country arc facing a deficit, I'm very proud to say that we'll finish 1992 with a slight surplus for the fifth straight year." The county's financial record comes despite the recession and the ever-increasing cost of slate mandated programs. Over the past five years, the Gorski administration has cut 10% of the workforce, 750 jobs, and merged seven departments in its continuing efforts to make county government as cost effective as possible.