Island Dispatch, 1993-11-05

              ISLAND DISPATCH Remember Our Veterans  during Veterans Day Ceremonies, led by VFW Post 9249, 11 AM. Thursday, Nov. 11 at DeGlopper Park SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 500 20 PAGES VOL. 50 • NO. 31 NOV. 5, 1993 Republicans Take Control Of Town Board THE GRAND ISLAND Town Board, dominated by a 3-2 Democratic majority for the past 10 months, will resume Republican leadership January 1 when Supervisor James Pax and Councilman James Sharpe, joined by newly-elected Mary S. Cooke, are sworn into office. Pax was re-elected Tuesday by an overwhelming 69% of votes cast for the office. Sharpe won reelection to another four year term with 3,483 votes and Cooke, on a third try, was elected to the board with 3,457 votes. There were no contests for Peace Justice Eric Reimann who garnered 5309 votes and Town Highway Supt. Norman Mrkall for whom 5,309 votes were cast Democrats who put up a good fight were Councilwoman Marion Fabiano (1,841 votes) who attempted to unseat Pax as supervisor, Councilman Paul Klock (2,664 votes) who sought to retain the seat to which he was elected for one year in November 1992, and Peter McKee who polled 1,692 votes in his first try for a board position. Tenth District Erie County Legislator Charles Swanick received 4,049 Island votes in his win over Republican James Mesmer, town resident, who mustered 1,841 votes in the town. Grand Islanders cast 1,510 yes votes and 2,381 no votes for proposition 1; 1,548 yes and 2,327 no votes for proposition 2; 1,298 yes and 2,510 no votes for proposition 3; and 1,414 yes and 2,392 no votes for proposition 4. Erie County Sheriff Thomas Higgins was re-elected over his Republican opponent Salvatore J. Fancta Republican Mary Lou Rath won the senatorial post over Judith Katz, 38.062 to 22,524. Erie County Family Court seats were won by Janice Rosa and Margaret Olszewski-S/cur. Senator Anthony Masiello was elected Mayor of the City of Buffalo. All results noted are unofficial. The many political signs on Grand Island, mainly for local candidates, began to disappear early Wednesday morning. They may be the last to be seen here if town officials successfully push for legislation to ban them in future election years. MEK Councilman James Sharpe, Supervisor James Pax and Councilwoman-elect Mary Cooke celebrate at Del & Herb's election night. Photo by Mary Stewart Whitehaven May Go Unplowed THERE WILL BE no plowing of Whitehaven Road between Harvey and East River Roads this winter if at any time there is a return of the hazardous condition that existed last year when the road buckled during freezing periods. The Town Board Monday agreed to inform the county of its decision, which met with the approval of Highway Superintendent Norman Mrkall. v Noting that the town is under contract to plow the county road, Councilman Gail Lazenby recalled extreme difficulties experienced during the 1992-1993 cold weather period. The town's request to have the county relieve the situation has resulted only in a study but so far no definite action, Lazenby said. Every attempt will be made to plow Whitehaven Road within the normal parameters set by Grand Island Highway Superintendent Mrkall. When pavement heaving or other road conditions exist that make snowplowing impossible or unsafe, as determined by the highway superintendent, Whitehaven Road from Harvey Road to East River Road will not be plowed. Should such a determination of inability to plow be made by the highway superintendent, he will direct the erection of signs warning motorists that the speed limit is decreased, that the road is A Special Salute To The Vikings Today In Their Quest For Another Section VI, Class B-l Football Title CONTINUED ON PACE 3 For story, see page 13.