Island Dispatch, 1993-12-17

              ISLAND DISPATCH  Countdown To Christmas: 9 Days! ~ VOL, 50 • No. 37 20 PAGES 50c With The GRAND ISLAND NEWS GRAND ISLAND, NY (716) 773-7676 SERVING THE GRAND ISLAND COMMUNITY SINCE 1944 Kaegebein Students Wrap Up Christmas Students at Kaegebein School were able to buy Christmas gifts for their families at this years Christmas Korner with the help of their teachers and store volunteers. Chris Wright, David Blonski and Thomas Maddi are pictured making name tags to put on their packages. Photo by Mmry Stewart Hoyt Presses Parks On River Lea IN RESPONSE to numerous concents raised by Grand Island residents regarding the sadly deteriorated condition of the beloved River Lea House in Beaver Island State Park, Assemblymember Sam Hoyt met with State Parks officials last week to discuss possible options for restoring the historic landmark. "A 1989 effort to repair the house failed primarily because the work didn't go far enough,' Hoyt reported. "We are now facing a situation that will require more than just a coat of paint." River Lea, built in 1849 and linked closely with tbe 22nd US President, Grover Cleveland, has been designated a Western New York landmark. Currently, the Grand Island Historical Society is using a portion of the site as an educational center and research library. In 1989, the late Bill Hoyt spearheaded an effort to restore the exterior of the house, but controversy erupted when objections raised by historic preservationists would not allow for a thorough replacement of the building's cedar siding which has been severely damaged by weather and age. As a result, only a portion of the exterior was replaced and fresh paint merely added limited and superficial benefits. "Parks officials have indicated a strong desire to completely re-side the house with cedar after installing insulation to protect it from persistent moisture problems," stated Sam Hoyt. He added that reconstruction of its exterior should allow the house to provide the public with many more years of pleasure anil educational endeavors. Cost, however, is a major factor. Hoyt related that according to Parks personnel, River Lea is not part of the agency's five-year plan and, therefore, large-scale renovations for the house arc not expected to be included in Parks' operating budget for the coming year. "This effort is going to require some creativity and cooperation," Hoyt said. "Parks people, historians, preservationists and private citizens - everyone I've spoken with - agrees that the exterior of the house is falling into disrepair. The problem is finding the money to fix it up. Parks has told me that they'd be ready to begin work as soon as they're able to purchase the necessary materials and receive approval to remove the old exterior, but the funding is not immediately available." Hoyt is currently awaiting a cost estimate for the required restoration from State Parks administrators. Santa Arrives On Grand Island Tomorrow SANTA will arrive on Grand Island tomorrow for what looks to be a regular stop on bis Christmas event list. He will arrive via helicopter (reindeer and sleigh were unavailable) at 2:30 P.M. during Grand Island's First Annual Old Fashioned Christmas at tbe gazebo of the Town Center Park (formerly Bells Market). Sparks Trading Post will be providing hay rides and free pony rides for the kids. Children and adults will all be encouraged to attend and take part in the Christmas carol sing-along that will be led by the Cirand Island Youth Players. The 26-foot Christmas tree, which was provided by John Gross and T. Rail, will be lit at dusk. Councilman Jim Sharpe will be the Master of Ceremonies and will read the winning raffle numbers. Refreshments will be available for all courtesy of Tops Markets Grand Island's First Annual Old Fashioned Christmas is a collective group effort of more than 45 businesses and groups on the Island. All have chipped in to make this a yearly event of which the Island can be proud. Four Public Hearings Slated For Monday Night PUBLIC HEARINGS, beginning at 8 P.M., will dominate Monday's Town Board meeting. Scheduled to be considered is the 1994 contract with the Grand Island Fire Company for fire protection and first aid services. If approved, $502,550 will be paid to the volunteer company in quarterly installments. Its unsalaried firefighters, as of Dec. 6, answered a total of 917 calls. Public bearings will also be held to obtain input on the proposed establishment of two lighting districts. District 24 in River Oaks and District 25 in Woodstream Meadows. A fourth hearing will involve proposed Local Law Intro. 4 which would "prohibit the erection of any sign, placard, poster or other display, urging support of any candidate for public office, or any political party or political cause, erected in any place or affixed to any tree, telephone pole, road sign or post in any place likely to attract the attention of the public while traveling along any public highway within the Town of Grand Island." Political signs would be banned from lamp posts, hydrants or "boxes covering same" as well as buildings and fences. MEK Town Officials To Be Inaugurated THE INAUGURATION of Grand Island's elected officials will be held 12-3 P.M. Saturday, Jan 1, in tbe Grand View Restaurant at River Oaks. Officials to be inaugurated are Supervisor James H. Pax, Councilman James R. Sharpe, Council woman Mary S. Cooke, Town Justice Eric L. Reiman and Highway Superintendent Norman J. Mrkall. Tbe Master of Ceremonies will be Hon. Francis B. PritcLard, who will perform the installation of the elected officials. Presentation of certificates of election will be made by Ralph Mohr. The Rev. Paul E. Robinson'of Trinity UM Church will offer the invocation, and Msgr. Richard M. Cahill of St. Stephen's RC Church will give the benediction. A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.