Island Dispatch, 1995-10-06

              THE ISLAND DISPATCH 20 Pages Vol. 52 • No. 26 Inner Pages: • Sports Highlights • Town Board Action ML. Pj Advertising • Graphics Bfochues • Business Cords Invitations A Specialty Printing 773-7676 I October 6, 1995 650 Library Introduces Electronic Catalog Officials on hand when the Grand Island Memorial Library formally inaugurated its on-line public access service, examined the equipment. Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski tried his hand at the controls of the new electronic catalog, Beacon, while library board president Barbara Bin. Legislator Chuck Swanick, Supervisor Jim Pax and Library Director Lynn Konovitz looked on. Andrew LaLonde. 3, passed by while checking out some books and Gorski gave him a quick lesson on the keyboard. There arc several stations located throughout the library on Bedell Road. Photo by Barbi Lare VFW Donates To Youth Court The Veterans of Foreign Wars organization on Grand Island has donated some of its Bell Jar account to support the Youth Court on the Island. The gaming rules stipulate that a portion of die income be turned back to the community. For the presentation, Jo Ann Thompson, vice president of the Auxiliary and Jack Thompson, representing the VFW. presented the checks of $100 and $1,000 to Town Supervisor James Pax. School Superintendent Dr. Paul Fields, Councilman Mary Cooke and Town Justice Bud Pritchard were also present. The funds will bolster the program which allows the young people to be brought before the Youth Court and are required to serve the community as their penalty. In addition, through their community involvement, they receive training in that field. Youth are also trained to handle the procedures of the Court. Photo by Barbl Lare Youth Court Needs More Funding A PRESENTATION about the workings of the Island Youth Court by Town Justice Frances Pritchard and Councilwoman Mary Cooke resulted in VFW and its auxiliary voting to support the project with funds from its Bell Jar accounts, Cooke disclosed at Monday's town board meeting. "Hopefully, Youth Court will continue to be a project jointly supported by the town, school and community," she said in a joint statement with Councilman James R. Sharpe. Cooke also announced the appointment of Elaine Niro as secretary of the Enrichment and Referral Center in Nike Base Park and the sponsorship of a Haunted House program in the adjoining Realty Cafe October 27-28. Both the Center and the Cafe are partially funded by Erie County Supportive Services, she said. MEK No Tax Increase Expected: Sheriff's Substation to Move SUPERVISOR James H. Pax Monday reiterated much of the 1996 town budget he presented to the Golden Age Club at its recent meeting. The tentative spending plan, as noted elsewhere in this issue, will allow the Island tax rate to remain at $2.13 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Referred to the town board for study and approval or amendment was a general budget of $4,044,818, a highway budget of $1,422,591 and a fire protection budget of $568,000. The supervisor's budget calls for no increase in the general and highway tax rates and one cent less for fire protection than in 1995. The town board Monday agreed to sign a lease to allow the Erie County Sheriff's Department substation to vacate its present headquarters in the Town Hall Plaza and move operations to 1770 Grand Island Boulevard, north of Staley Road. MEKhngel Community Invited To Gala Opening Of Sidway Addition THE GRAND Island Central School District and Board of Education has issued an invitation to the community to celebrate the gala grand opening of the Charlotte Sidway School addition. The grand opening reception will be held 7-9 P.M. Tuesday, October 24. The public is invited to tour the school and new addition. Highlights of the addition include the gymnasium and locker rooms, a multi-purpose room, a computer lab, and the art room. Other exciting additions to Sidway School include the new outdoor fitness center and the painted USA mural in the back parking lot. Neighbors Oppose Family Life Center AN APPLICATION for a special use permit to allow building a family youth center at 1780 Love Road, aired at a public hearing Monday, met with opposition from nearby homeowners. Proposed by Bible Presbyterian Church on property it acquired in 1978 across the road from the Grandyle Plaza, the church-oriented facility would provide ministry to youth and adults , "people of all ages". Pastor Robert Vandermey said. "We need more room for youth fellowship and large gatherings," be said, noting that architects, landscapers and builders have been involved in planning the building. A petition against the Center stated, "We believe it will be too big of a building for that small of an area" and "too tall" and "should be built in a more rural area." The request for a special use permit, needed in compliance with town law, was referred to the planning board for study and recommendation. MEK Island Chamber Of Commerce To Present Candidates Night THE GRAND Island Chamber of Commerce will present its annual Candidates Night 4:30 P.M. Saturday, October 21 in the Grand Island Middle School auditorium. The Chamber of Commerce, working for the business community and citizens of Grand Island, is presenting die program for the welfare of the voters in die town. Candidates for the supervisor, town council, town justice and town clerk positions have all been invited to attend. Library Offers Columbus Day Program THE GRAND Island Memorial Library will be open 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. on Columbus Day, Monday, October 9. A free movie program for children will be offered at 2 P.M. The approximately one hour program will include The Remarkable Riderless Runaway Tricycle, The Reluctant Dragon, Five Chinese Brothers, Island of the Skog, and The Elephant Who Couldn't Forget.