Island Dispatch, 1993-09-24

              ISLAND DISPATCH  With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 50tf 24 PAGES VOL. 50 • NO. 25 SEPT. 24, 1993 SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 The Dispatch Has A Temporary New Address: 1854 C Whitehaven Rd. H (behind Rockwood Bros. Collision) Help Center Alive And Well THE HELP Center in the Town's Nike Park has a new lease on life. Town officials Monday agreed with a recommendation by Councilman James R. Sharpe that another part-time counselor be employed, ending controversy over the merits of the long-time operation. Still to be resolved is the hiring of a clerk, returning the staff to its original status. A previous recommendation that a part-time deputy town clerk fill the half-time spot cast a shadow over the future of the Center. Can the Town afford its operation. Councilman Gail Lazcnby argued at one point. Along with his recommendation Monday, Sharpe also submitted a petition signed by 99 residents requesting the Town "keep the Help Center open and well staffed for the good of parents, children and the community in general." The plan may have aided in the board's decision to advertise for a second counselor, indicating the Center will continue to serve Islanders in need of the services it offers. MEK Town Meetings Tuesday, September 28: • Cable TV Commiitcc Meeting, 7:30 PM. • I ji viroiuncntal Conservation Commission Meeting, 7:30 P.M. 1994 Town Budget Being Prepared TOWN TAXES for the coming year will be reflected in the 1994 general fund budget soon to be released as well as those for sewer, water, lighting and refuse districts, it was announced at Monday's Town Board meeting. All will be available in the Town Clerk's office prior to a public hearing yet to be scheduled. Adoption of the '94 spending plan is expected to take place the Thursday after election day in November. About the district budgets submitted Monday, Supervisor James H. Pax noted sewer taxes will be slightly lower while the sewer service tax rate will increase. Water rates will remain the same, he said, and the cost of refuse pickup will also continue to be $147 per single family residence. MI ■X WEATHER: The Old Farmer's Almanac says - September 25: Showers, milder. September 26-28: Cold, rain. September 29-30: Clear & warmer. October 1: Sunny, warm. Candidates' Nite THE GRAND Island Chamber of Commerce and Quality Quest Coalition have joined forces to host a "Candidates' Night" October 21 in the Town Hall Court Room. "While we may not always agree on issues, both groups have the welfare of Grand Island and its citizens at heart," Chamber President Richard Crawford, Sr. said in announcing the 7:30 P.M. meeting. Candidates for town government who address questions of concern to Island voters are James 11. Pax and Marion Fabiano for supervisor; James Sharpe, Paul Mock. Mary Cooke and Peter McKee for councilman; Norm Mrkall for highway superintendent and Eric Reimann for peace justice. MEK WELCOME  TO  SIDWAY  Sidway Welcomes Kindergartners The re-opening of Sidway School Monday was a grand occasion as another chapter in the school's varied history officially got underway. The mood was festive as Superintendent Paul Fields and School Principal Arlcne Lewis welcomed kindergartners to the first day of school with a big sign and balloons that decorated the entrances. Ashley DcMaria, anxious to meet her teacher and see her classroom, is walked inside by her mother, Dcanna. For more on Sidway, see page 8. Photo* by Mary Stewart