Island Dispatch, 1994-09-23

              THE ISLAND DIPATCH X-PRESS 1 HOUR DRY CLEANERS "Trust the X-Perts" Drop off your clothes with confidence 2275 Grand Island Blvd. Town Hall Square Ca11... 77KLEAN Mon-Fri - 8:30-7 PM; Sal - 8 AM- 8 PM September 23,1994 20 Pages 500 Furniture Inc. Interior Dkskjn Service limn: Mm , Wed.. A Thun. 9-9 I'ri, * S»l. 9 to 5 • Tue». 9III Nomi 6001 I'.hvi H.I IP.-rto PicUnJ PUm- NI-, NV MXM 297-6666 Vol. 51 • No. 25 Isle Coaching Legend To Be Honored At UB FOOTBALL excellence represented by the Dick Offenhamer Award presentation will be saluted in ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, Oct 15, during the 16th Annual UB Civic Day. This year's honoree is none other than Grand Island's venerable football coach Gene Masters who has been responsible for building a football dynasty here. A varsity football coach for 38 years, Masters started his coaching career at Brocton Central High School in 1957. After a six year tenure, be moved to Grand Island to take charge of the Vikings, the first football team of a brand new school. Thirty-two years later he is still on tbe job. Gene's own participation in sports was encouraged by his father at a very early age. Instilled in him was a competitive desire and love of sports. His father took time every evening to practice with him and his brother and sports became an important part of their lives. Gene, who played high school sports at Tonawanda, was named athlete of the year during his senior year. He played semi-pro football for the North Tonawanda Loggers in 1950 and the Fredonia Orioles in 1959. Gene played college football for the Univ. of Buffalo in 1951 before leaving for military service in 1954. After serving in Korea, he returned to college at lowa State and in 1955, he married high school sweetheart the former Marjorie Keller. He finished college in 1957 at tbe Univ. of Buffalo. After 38 years of coaching, Gene's record is 214 wins ranking him second of area winning coaches. Amassing a total of 18 championship seasons, his teams have been in Rich Stadium nine times resulting in four overall championships. Asked if he will continue? His reply is "as long as tbe Good Lord wants me, I will continue bis work: teaching young men what is right and then doing what is right through football." His commitment and dedication to athletics and players is uncqualed and that's why Grand Island's football field is named Masters Field for Gene Masters who is a legend in bis own time. The 16th Annual UB Civic Day, a sporting occasion that brings together community and campus to honor a leading citizen for outstanding contributions to football excellence, fair play and dedication to youth, sport and the game, will feature as guest speaker, former Buffalo Bill Jerry Butler. A 4 P.M. champagne dinner in the atrium of the University's new Fine Arts Center adjacent to Alumni Arena precedes the 7 P.M. UB Bulls football game against Illinois State. Tickets to the event honoring Masters as the 1994 Dick Offenhamer Award recipient are $20 per person. Included is dinner, a game ticket and free parking. The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, WNY Chamber Alliance and the UB Division of Athletics cordially invite all to this very special event for sports minded Islanders. For reservations, contact UB Assistant Athletic Director Tom Roller at 645-3178. Gene Masters, Grand Island Varsity Football Coach WEATHER: The Old Farmer's Almanac says - Sept. 24-25: Sunny, warm. Sept, 26-28: Cool, showers; then clearing. Sept. 29-30: Rain, turning cool.  Public Hearing To Air Budgets SUPERVISOR James H. Pax, submitting tentative 1995 budgets Monday for the Town's Special Districts, noted the total cost of operating all the Special Districts is estimated at $6,160,385 for 1995, up 2.2% from $6,025,416 for this year. A public hearing November 10 will provide taxpayer input. Increases in the costs of sewer operations are somewhat offset by a decrease in garbage district costs, Pax said. He said the costs in the town-wide garbage district will decrease due to a lower contract price negotiated with the waste disposal firm based on the success of the recycling effort The tentative budgets for the town-wide General Fund, townwide Highway Fund and town-wide Fire Protection District will be submitted September 30 to the town clerk. Pax said a summary of each of the Special Districts' budgets shows: • Refuse and Garbage District: This town-wide district has a budget of $813,550 and total taxes of $800,550. The annual charge for a single family home will decrease to $135 in 1995 from $147 for 1994. • Water Districts: Total budget of $2,946,014 with total taxes of $876,022. The town-wide water storage and distribution district tax rate will remain the same as 1994's rate of $.55. The nine individual water districts have various rates and assessment methods; all of those districts will be the same or slightly lower than 1994 rates. TL.c cost of water will remain at the current rate of $1.75 per 1,000 gallons in 1995. • Sewer Districts: Total budget of $2,284,567 with total taxes of $470,432. The five individual sewer districts have varying tax rates based on the cost of debt service for the sewer plant and lines. The tax rates for two districts will decrease slightly while the remaining three districts have modest increases. Sewer users also pay a sewer rent charge per 1,000 gallons of water use based upon the underlying cost of operations and maintenance of the sewer plant and system. These costs continue to rise due in part to various requirements of federal and state regulators, and, therefore, the sewer rent changes will increase. Pax said. Sewer rent rates will vary by district, ranging from $3.86 to $3.95 per 1.000 gallons of water use in 1995. "These rates represent a 5% to 1% increase over the prior year's rates. The combined effect of the changes in sewer rates and taxes should average about a $20 increase in sewer costs for average households," Pax said. • Lighting Districts: Total budget of $116,254 with total taxes of $112,768. Each of the 27 individual districts has its own rate. The rates will increase or decrease modestly based on the underlying utility costs of electric and gas expected in each district MEK State Officials Tour River Lea RIVER LEA Tuesday moved another step closer to being considered a State historical preservation site. About ten Albany officials, accompanied by Niagara State Parks Commissioner Mario Piastm, toured the Grand Island Historic- Society museum; and headquarters to assess its value for State preservation. Led by State Commissioner of Parks, Recreation am Historical Preservation Joan K. Davidson, tbe State Capitol representatives appeared impressed with the landmark that dates back lo the middle of the 19th century. Among those who conducted the tour and explained the background of the stately home in Beaver Island State Park were Society President Rose Reid, Veronica Connor, Jane Duffy, Dorothy Bascomb, Fred Killian, Shirley Luther, Joan Reville and Marion Klingel. MEK