Island Dispatch, 1993-07-16

              ISLAND  DISPATCH r« i Pr, rvn park —' Grand Island Days At Two Flags Over Niagara Tomorrow & Sunday, July 18 & 19 See page 3 for details. SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716)773-7676 50* 20 PAGES VOL. 50 • NO. 15 JULY 16, 1993 Supervisor Pax Visits Pipeline Drilling Site AS PART of a recent agreement reached by Supervisor James Pax and the Empire State Pipeline, which included a commitment to "work together" for the benefit of Grand Island residents, Pax visited the pipeline directional drilling construction site this past week and discussed with construction officials the current operational status of the project "This was one of the regular onsite examinations I am doing," stated Pax during his tour of the site. "In fact, I'm going to be out here every week. Not only do I want to assure residents that the job is being done to specifications, but I want to be readily available should any issue arise during construction that requires direct communication between Empire and Grand Island." After meeting with Empire officials at the site, Pax announced that they have successfully completed the initial stage of boring. The pilot boring to Canada has been completed," stated Pax. "A hole 9 7/8" in diameter has been made under the river channel. The reaming operation has now begun to enlarge ihe hole to 17 1/2". "Due to the advanced technology used in the directional drilling process, Empire was able to come within three feet of the stake marking the exit point on the other side of the river. They were remarkably accurate in this procedure." Pax also announced the onground construction on Grand Island will begin on the west-side of the Island and will start between July 29 and August 3. Earlier this month Pax said a number of safety and environmental improvements have been made in the construction of the pipeline. Empire agreed to increase the thickness of the pipeline beyond requirements, move the shut down valves closer together, establish an integrated safety monitoring response system with National Fuel and provide natural evergreen screening as needed around each of the aboveground facilities. Officer McNamee Cited For Humane Treatment Of Dog JULY 4 was a busy day for Grand Island Police Officer Ron McNamee. It began with a call be answered to assist an animal in trouble. When be arrived on the scene, he found good neighbors attempting to help a female Chow deal with abandonment heat dehydration and general deterioration. The seven-year-old dog was left for more than eight hours tied to a short strap in the beat of the day. Because the local veterinarian was not available, McNamee rushed the dog to the Emergency Veterinary Hospital at Kensington and Main streets in Snyder where be was met by the hospital staff who did everything they could to save the animal; however their efforts were in vain. It is expected that the residents of Pleasant Trail who left the dog will be charged under Sec. 356 of the Agriculture Market Law (i.e. failure to provide proper and wholesome food, shelter, air and water). The misdemeanor is punishable by not more than one year in jail and/or $1,000 fine. Supervisor James Pax recognized McNamee with a citation for his kindness and careful handling of the animal. Photo by Barbl Lore Recreation Programs In Full Swing At GI Playgrounds RECREATION summer programs have begun for Island youth and are located at 11 nth Road, Ransom Village, Colonial/Driftwood, Kaegebein, Ed Ball and Tower from 9 A.M.-4 P.M. Monday through Friday. Playground programs also underway are those at the Nike Base, 9 A.M.-3 P.M. Monday - Friday; Cox Road, 10 A.M.-4 P.M., Monday & Thursday; and at Havenwood from 1-4 P.M. Tuesday & Wednesday. Major craft days are Monday mornings; however, Havenwood has crafts on Tuesday mornings only. Also available to Grand Island's young people are: • Ponytail soft hall instruction at the Sidway Grounds Monday through Thursday, 9 A.M.-noon for girls nine -15 years old. • Special Olympics at the Nike Base from 9 A.M.-3 P.M., Tuesday and Wednesday and at the high school pool Friday. • Swimming lessons at the high school pool with open family swim Fridays 10 A.M.-2 P.M. Lifeguards arc on duty. • Tennis instruction for youths are conducted at Kaegebein, Havenwood and Nike Base courts. MEK GI Insurance Advisory Group Named SUPERVISOR James H. Pax is establishing an Insurance Advisory Committee to assist him in evaluating the town's insurance coverage. The committee will consist of Town Attorney Will Wiles, Town Assessor James Milne, David Stone and Robert Piatck, who are both in the insurance field, and Pax. After this evaluation, the advisory committee will make a recommendation to the town board with suggestions regarding Grand Island's coverage with specifics on a process for bidding out insurance, Pax said at Tuesday's town board meeting. MEK Town Meetings Monday, July 19: Town Board Meeting, 8 P.M. WEATHER: The Old Farmer's Almanac says- July 16--17: Rain. July 18-20: Clear & mild. July 21-22: Rain, seasonable.