Island Dispatch, 1993-10-15

              ISLAND DISPATCH The Dispatch Has A Temporary New Address: 1854 C Whitehaven Rd. j (behind Rockwood Bros. Collision) SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 50tf 24 PAGES VOL. 50 • NO. 28 OCT. 15, 1993 Islanders Protest Loss Of Toll Books FEW RESIDENTS, if any, are looking forward to the E-Z Pass electrical payment system which begins operating Oct. 26 on Grand Island bridges. Senior citizens at the Golden Age Center have joined the move to have ticket books continue to be sold by signing petitions available at the Center. "We the undersigned are strongly opposed to the restrictions of the new E-Z Pass to be used on the Grand Island bridges. We believe the additional choice should be extended, and that the $5 ticket books should remain an opotion. These would be submitted at the manned booths," the petition reads. Supervisor James H. Pax expressed concern over the Thruway's announcement that the commuter books wiii be discontinued, indicating that residents will have to take advantage of the E-Z Pass or pay SO cents to cross the bridges to reach their homes when returning from the mainland. Pax, in a letter to thruway Chairman Peter Tufo in September, requested the Authority "retain the sale of commuter books for our lesidents." "There is no alternative route on or off our Island without using the Thruway bridges," Pax reminded Tufo, adding "I respectfully await your positive response to the continuance of our commuter books." A recent survey of Islanders showed there is an overwhelming desire to be able to purchase the books, especially on the part of residents who are not daily users of the spans. A brochure being distributed by the Thruway Authority lists three plans for obtaining the E-Z Pass tags. One, available only to residents, notes proof of residence is required and a minimum of $10 is to be prepaid for bridge tolls "plus other Thruway facilities. $20 or more may be deposited." Also the account must be replenished when it reaches $4 (if paid by cash, check, or money order) or $2 if paid by credit card. The Grand Island commuter tag plan for frequent bridge users calls for being charged a minimum of ten trips monthly "at the same discount rate currently offered." Vikings Triumph For Homecoming! Still Undefeated On Way To Division Crown For more, SCC page 14. Photo by Barbi Lare Gorski Updates Role In Indian Lawsuit: Crangle Protests "WE WILL say pow what we have already said publicly: We feel this (Indian) lawsuit is totally without merit and has caused needless worry and concern to the people of Grand Island," County Executive Dnnis Gorski recently informed Islanders. In an updated statement on the controversy, Gorski said, "From the moment the lawsuit was filed, I directed our County Attorney Ken Schoetz to personally handle this case and to use whatever manpower was necessary to defend ourselves. Over the past several weeks, he and his staff have amassed past cases, treaties, maps, and letters, all of which indicate that the Senecas have no rightful claim to (Islanders') property, houses and businesses." In outlining "facts the County Attorney will rely upon," Gorski said, in part, "In 1764, the Seneca Nation gave Grand Island to Sir William Johnson as war reparations for the 1763 Devil's Hole Massacre. Johnson, a British citizen, then gave title to Grand Island to the King of Great Britain. This transfer occurred long before a United States even existed, no less a law requiring congressional approval of all Indian land sales." The Senecas rely heavily upon the 1794 Treaty of Canandaigua in their lawsuit as giving them title to Grand Island. But the Treaty specifically excludes all the islands in the Niagara River, including Grand Island, from land given to . the Senecas by the Canandaigua Treaty," he said. About the Treaty of Ghent, signed in 1814 to end the war of 1812, Gorski said it resulted in Britain giving Grand Island to the United States in exchange for the U.S. giving Wolfe Island in the St. Lawrence River to Britain. "That treaty was ratified by Congress," Gorski said. And about the 1815 Treaty in which New York Slate "bought" the Island from the Senecas for $ 1000 and annuity of $500 per year "forever". Gorski said "According to then-Governor Tompkins, it was solely to demonstrate 'friendship and liberality' toward the Senecas." "We pledge to you that we will continue to do everything we can to fight this matter with all our resources, expertise and personnel," said the County Executive. But Joseph F. Crangle, counsel for the Seneca Nation, Monday called Gorski's statements "political hogwasb." "The Senecas will make their case in a court of law, not in the arena of political hogwash," Crangle is reported to have said, referring to Gorski's letter to Islanders and his political status. On Grand Island, residents prefer to wait and see. MEK CONTINUED ON PACE 2