Island Dispatch, 1995-08-18

              THE ISLAND DISPATCH Inner Pages: • School Board names personnel, announces new phone numbers. • Town Board Agenda. Advertising • Graphics Brochures • Business Coras Invitations A Specialty Printing | 773-7676~~ j August 18, 1995 20 Pages 65c Vol. 52•N0. 19 Plan Gains Momentum: Workshop Set For Thursday THE PROPOSED Ferry Village master plan, for which $75,000 has been allocated, was discussed pro and con Thursday afternoon at a meeting in the town hall of the committee in charge. A workshop to allow public input will be held 7:30 P.M. Thursday, August 24 at Kacgebein School. A survey to obtain the opinions of a cross section of Island residents was also aimed at the move to preserve, at least in part, what was once the town's main business and residential area. Included in the questionnaire was a list of issues that may face the village over the next decade, such as land use, maintaining the area's character, commercial development and regional waterfront use. Residents were given the opportunity to express their rating of characteristics in and around Ferry Village. The survey is expected to provide input on such issues as residential affordability, access to the waterfront, municipal service and visual quality. The lengthy questionnaire sought to determine to some extent the public's opinion on land uses to be encouraged or discouraged, such as residential, commercial, recreational and professional. One such "yes" or "no" question was: "Are there any cultural or architecturally significant resources in Ferry Village?" The master plan team of more than 30 includes the town board, two village residents, three members of the State Parks, Recreation & Historical Preservation Committee, representatives of various town boards and commissions, and the Empire State Development Corp., which has replaced the Horizon Waterfront Development Commission. Funding for the plan being prepared by URS and Foit-Albert Associates, is being provided by the town and State and Parks Commission, with each contributing $25,000. MEK The above map shows the area to be covered by the proposed Ferry Village master plan, Town Meetings: Monday, August 21: • Town Board, 8 P.M. Tuesday, August 22: • Cable TV Committee, Town Adm. Office. 8 P.M. • Env. Conscrv. Committee, Conference Room, 7 P.M. Island Democrats Back On The Ballot THE GRAND Island Democratic slate is alive and ready to take its place on the ballot in November. An attempt by the town Republican Committee to oust the Democrats from the 1995 election met defeat Wednesday when Judge Glownea upheld the County Board of Elections' earlier split decision that the Democratic petitions were valid. As of Wednesday, Town Clerk Nancy Samrany and Councilmen Marion P. Fabiano and Gail J. Lazenby will now challenge their Republican endorsed opponents Nancy Gorrell, Andrea Moreau and Richard Crawford, Jr. Republican Town Justice Francis B. Pritchard will also appear on the Democratic line for re-election according to Judge Glownia's decision. He also has Republican and Conservative endorsement. However, Pritchard is not yet home free on the Democratic line. Attorney Sandra Styka who has the endorsement of the American Independent and state Right-to-Life parties, said Wednesday she will oppose the long-time judge in the Primary election in his bid for Conservative as well as Democratic votes. Endorsed for re-election by the Republican Committee are Supervisor James H. Pax, Receiver of Taxes Marlene McCarthy, Pritchard and newcomers Nancy Gorrell for town clerk and Andrea Moreau and Richard Crawford, Jr. for council. Pax also faces opposition in the Primary election. Councilman James R. Sharpe will seek to wrest the Republican endorsement from him. Unchallenged is the Conservative endorsement of Pax, Samrany, Lazenby, McCarthy and Crawford. MEK School Board Adopts Tax Rate by Lee Cohen THE SCHOOL Board adopted a tax rate of $23.278/51,000 of assessed valuation for the 1995-96 school year at Monday night's meeting. The figure is five cents higher than the June budget projection and a total increase of 4 percent over last year's tax rate. Superintendent Paul Fields explained the June figure represented an estimate and that assessments were not as high as had been anticipated by the town. Health Care Plan was named school physician with a retainer of $9,450, up $450 from last year, but with no increase in fees. At Tony Brindisi's suggestion the board approved Project MAP, sponsored by the Telephone Pioneers of America. Arlene Lewis was the only principal to express interest in the project, which will result in a 20x30 ft. map of the United States being stenciled and painted in Sidway's back parking lot. The work will be done by retired telephone workers at no cost to the district. A donation to the district of computer software by Dr. Richard McCowan was gratefully accepted. The board approved participating in BOCES cooperative bids for computer supplies and equipment, okayed business office and data center checks, minutes, budget transfers, received investment, payroll and treasurer's reports and heard a report on the School-to- Work program. Sue Gill called attention to the community education program and complimented its coordinator, Jim Mazza, for the "phenomenal job" be and the advisors are doing. She was particularly pleased with the new Saturday schedule for children. She also commended Marty Allen for his work as conductor of the new community band. Trustees Hear School-To-Work Grant Plans by Lee Cohen GRAND ISLAND is part of a consortium that has received a $50,000 planning grant to develop school-to-work partnerships. If the plans are approved, the consortium could receive up to $350,000 from the state as part of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act of 1994. Tim Oldenburg, Grand Island coordinator and Mike LaFever, Tonawanda City' Schools coordinator for curriculum and staff development, explained that the program is designed to help prepare students for the world of work. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 Weekend At A Glance Friday REALITY CAFE CLOSED Saturday REALITY CAFE CLOSED Sunday MIDWAY REUNION MEETING, 1 P.M.. 1444 Whitehaven Rd. 'NDRAISER PICNIC for Town Clerk Nancy Samrany, 2-6 P.M.. ' Stony Pt.