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Grand Island weathers the storm in ’06 by Karen Keefe,
Kathy Duff and Alice E. Gerard
It wasn’t the Blizzard of ’77, but the storm dubbed “The October Surprise” would have to be the biggest story of 2006 for Grand Island, by many people’s reckoning. Also in 2006, change was on the horizon for both the town – with the installation of sewers on Grand Island Boulevard – and its school district, where many top-level changes brought new faces. It was also a year that marked important anniversaries for the library (its 60th) and the high school (its 40th). Here are some of the year’s top stories: No. 1: Lights Out and Branches Down The town was in the direct path of a devastating snowstorm Oct. 12 through 13 that dumped up to 20 inches of snow, dragged limbs from trees, tore down power lines and turned out the lights for nearly 70 percent of Island residents. A state of emergency was declared on Friday the 13th and lifted by the following Monday. Parts of the town were spared from the power outages, and that meant that Grand Island was more fortunate than many parts of Western New York. “We probably have fared better than most,” said Town Supervisor Peter McMahon. Four days after the storm hit, virtually all power had been restored to the Island, while much of Buffalo, Cheektowaga, Amherst, and the Town of Tonawanda remained in the dark for the better – or worse – part of a week. Praise for Town Crews National Grid trucks were plentiful, as were tree-trimming trucks, as crews worked to restore normality after Mother Nature unplugged and pruned the region. The utility companies brought in crews from across the Northeast to help in the recovery effort, while tree-trimming crews from as far away as New Orleans, who had seen heavy-duty service after Hurricane Katrina, were seen in front yards of Grand Islanders. The town Highway Department received plenty of praise for speedy, efficient work hauling debris from downed tree limbs. Town workers were on the job 24/7 during the first couple of days, and overtime costs were estimated at $53,000 by Oct. 17. “It has been a heroic effort on the part of people involved,” McMahon said. The town spent as much as $150,000 on storm-related expenses just in the first week after the storm. Costs included the purchase and rental of equipment for repairs and cleanup, such as $17,000 for a new chipper for grinding and hauling downed tree limbs and $20,000 to replace a destroyed lift station. The town also provided assistance to neighboring communities of Clarence, Elma and the Town of Tonawanda, lending dump trucks, portable generators and stop signs. Neighbor Helping Neighbor Neighbors bonded with each other as they coped with the storm’s effects, just as they did during the fateful Blizzard of ’77. People with gas-powered chain saws and generators helped neighbors who didn’t have the tools, the know-how or the strength to cope with the storm. McMahon’s Family Restaurant at one point offered free pancakes and coffee to customers; churches provided assistance with meals and manpower, and hardware stores such as Tru Value and Marston Power Equipment had a steady stream of customers needing generators, chainsaws and batteries. With approximately 360,000 customers powerless at the height of the storm’s fury, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was summoned to assess damage claims and provide assistance. Erie County crews and equipment were on loan to help the town clear brush. Highway Superintendent Ray Dlugokinski and his deputy, James B. Tomkins, coordinated town crews and the independent contractors, were provided through the county from as far away as the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was the best and worst of times, with Dlugokinski remarking on the one hand: “I have never, in my 43 years here, seen this type of destruction,” and on the other hand, observing that the cooperation and appreciation shown by residents was heartwarming. Harrowing Buffalo Experience “When two feet of snow fell during the Oct. 12-13 surprise storm, my house-sitting experience turned from quiet and relaxing to terrifying,” said Dispatch contributing reporter Alice E. Gerard. “Late in the evening of Oct. 12, on my way to my friend Ellen’s house from choir rehearsal, I had to dodge falling tree limbs. The next morning, a huge tree limb crashed in Ellen’s back yard, landing on the power lines, and cutting off electricity to several houses in the neighborhood,” she said. Trying to stay warm and to take care of the birds and fish that had been entrusted to her care turned out to be a dramatic adventure, Gerard said. “By the time that I left Ellen’s house, it was colder in her house than it was outside. The parakeet and the canary, which never stopped singing, survived the chilling experience.” No. 2: Sewer District for Boulevard In other town news, Grand Island’s potential for commercial development got a shot in the arm, thanks to an infrastructure improvement many had sought. Sewers were installed along Grand Island Boulevard, south from Tops Market to the South Grand Island Bridge, at a cost of about $700,000. The construction was made possible, in part, by a $240,000 grant from U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter. The town bonded $540,000 for the construction project, and commercial and residential customers of the sewer district will bear the ongoing costs. “Business owners have been asking about the possibility for this to go in for 10 to 15 years,” said Councilman Dick Crawford. “The real importance for commercial and residential development is the tie-in to a sewer district, over septic systems, which have inherent problems that occur over time,” he said. “This will afford a cleaner system for businesses,” he said. No. 3: Boulevard Redesign A $2.7 million grant to redesign the Grand Island Boulevard and Staley Road intersection was announced in late October. The grant, secured by Assemblyman Sam Hoyt, D-Buffalo, was good news for commuters and retailers along the boulevard. Congestion and lengthy backups, especially during the morning rush hour, should be alleviated with the redesign of the intersection, Hoyt and town officials said. Turning lanes will be added, as well as traffic light modifications. The Town Board also would like to add bike paths and sidewalks, if the funds from that pot of money can accommodate those improvements, as well. “When the work is done, it’s going to solve one of the most significant travel problems that we face during rush hour – and that’s getting through this intersection onto the Thruway,” McMahon said. “It’ll benefit a significant number of residents of Grand Island,” the supervisor added. The redesign and upgrade could take well into 2007 or even 2008, depending on the design, McMahon said. No. 4: New Subdivisions The Town Board handled an impressive number of requests regarding housing subdivisions either proposed or expanding into new phases of construction. Some proposed housing developments involved rezoning requests, others fell within zoning code guidelines, but had ramifications that concerned prospective neighbors, such as the anticipated impact on traffic, noise level, the environment, available green space and overall quality of life. One such development is the Waterford Park Subdivision, proposed to go in near the S-curve on East River Road between Broadway and Fix Road. Developer Thomas Giambra is looking for the go-ahead to put in 70 single-family homes to be built on 80-by-100-foot lots. The homes would be built in five phases over five years, subject to market demand. The 40-acre parcel is zoned R-1D, or medium-density, single-family residential. Giambra does not need any zoning variances. “It conforms to town subdivision regulations,” said Assistant Municipal Engineer Robert Westfall. Nearby residents of the proposed development have questioned the safety of adding another intersection near the S-curve for entrance and exit to the subdivision. Erie County Legislator Michele Iannello, D-10th Dist., held a forum on Nov. 13 for residents to hear and comment on a county traffic engineering report on Waterford Park. “I’m not opposed to the homes,” said resident June Beeles. “I’m very, very, very opposed to where the road (is) to be put.” East River Road Resident Nan Hoffman said the road near her home already is dangerous, without adding another element. “We’ve seen quite a few near-misses,” she said this week, noting that skid marks were recently added to her front lawn, and mailboxes have been damaged and flattened by cars careening out of control. “This happens quite frequently,” Hoffman said. She said residents, still unsatisfied with the county’s traffic report, watch the Town Board agendas for any news on Waterford Park. Giambra said he has listened to residents’ concerns and tried to work with them. “We’re doing everything the way you requested it,” he told residents at the forum. “We’re trying to make it as nice as possible. No. 5: Changes in School District The year 2006 proved to be a year of change for the Grand Island School District, mainly through changes in top administrative positions. After three years as Grand Island school superintendent, Dr. Thomas Ramming retired as of July 6 and was replaced in an interim capacity by Dr. Larry Zacher. Zacher led the district through a long superintendent search process which, after being abandoned once and playing at least a part in the resignation of Board President Michael Dallessandro, resulted in the December appointment of William Christmann as the new chief. Richard Little replaced Dallessandro as Board President. Retiring in 2006 were High School Principal Dr. James Dempsey and Assistant Principal William Miller, being replaced by Sandra Anzalone and Christopher Swiatek, respectively. At Charlotte Sidway Elementary, Denise Dunbar came on board in April 2006 as principal, permanently replacing Frank Cannata. Other notable personnel changes included the retirement of a much-loved trio of music teachers: Allan Ripley, Sherman Lyke and Clarke Elliott. No. 6: Budget Squeaks By On the budget and finance side of the Grand Island district in 2006, a $45 million plus budget was passed on May 16 by Island voters with a very narrow margin of 55 votes. This vote had come after months of revisions, discussion and debate on the part of school trustees. In December, voters also passed a referendum to accept New York state building aid and EXCEL grant money, together totaling $3.9 million, aimed at health and safety improvements and repairs to be made on all district facilities. No. 7: Salamone’s Win On the student side, 2006 may well be remembered for Alexi Salamone’s winning of a gold medal at the 2006 U.S. Paralympics National Sled Team. The graduating class of 2006 was the first class to begin kindergarten at the reopened Charlotte Sidway Elementary in 1993. No. 8: Class of 1966 Reunion Members of the Grand Island High School’s first graduating class celebrated their 40th reunion during the weekend of June 30 through July 2 with a tour of the school, parties, and a ride on the Grand Lady. They shared memories of having been the first class to enter the school when it opened in September 1963. Previous classes had been sent to neighboring communities, including Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Tonawanda. The first graduating class had a big impact on the school. Members of that class helped to select the school colors, the mascot, and the school anthem. They also designed the yearbook, the school ring, and the school newspaper. Also invited to the reunion were teachers and members of the classes of 1965, 1967, and 1968. Among those who attended were retired physical education teacher H.J. Cougan and retired art teacher Lee Tetkowski, who made the event a family affair by bringing along her daughters Diane Pokorski, who was a member of the class of 1967, and Mira, who graduated in 1970. No. 9: Library Celebrates 60th At the Grand Island Memorial Library’s 60th anniversary, Mary Cooke, president of the Friends of the Grand Island Memorial Library, announced that the library was wired for Wi-Fi, making it one of just 14 libraries in the Buffalo and Erie County library system to offer wireless service. Library patrons are now able to access the Internet on their own laptop computers, thanks to a $600 expenditure by the Friends of the Grand Island Memorial Library. Also at the anniversary celebration, storyteller Lynn Ryan provided entertainment. The winners of an anniversary contest, in four different age ranges, were announced and were each presented with $25 gift certificates to a book store. The winners were: Lauren Curtin, with her drawing of “Oh Where, Oh Where, Has My Little Dog Gone?” written and illustrated by Iza Trapini (kindergarten and first grade range); Marissa Freedman, who wrote a book report about “Uncle Andy’s,” written and illustrated by James Warhola (for the grades two through grade five category); Jane Cooke, with her bookmark design (grade six through grade eight range); and Tiffanie Dickenson, with her book bag design (high school group). According to Library Director Lynn Konovitz, “I think that the future is certainly technology. We recently added wireless so now anybody using the library can use the library through our wireless applications. More and more technology and new inventions are coming to the library.” No. 10: Relay Raises $110,000 Grand Island’s 2006 Relay For Life raised more than $110,000 for the American Cancer Society, with 67 teams and more than 1,000 people participating at the Grand Island High School track. Organizers called the Relay “A celebration of hope, life and survival.” Relay Co-Chair Mary Dunbar-Daluisio, a cancer survivor herself, thanked participants and characterized the uplifting event. “It brings us a lot closer and makes us stronger,” she said. “We are united and we are very determined.” Planning is already under way for the 2007 Grand Island Relay For Life, and organizers say it will be bigger and better than ever. The Relay, in a sense, captures a lot of the spirit of what makes Grand Island great: Neighbors sharing the work of raising hope and helping others.
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