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40 Years Ago, March 1, 1972
Niagara Savings and Loan on GI
Ground breaking for the new Grand Island branch of the Niagara Savings and Loan Association took place Friday, Feb. 24, at 10 a.m. at the Grand Island Plaza on Grand Island Boulevard.
Present for the launching of the new office were Raymond P. Griffin, supervisor of the town, Joseph Master, representing the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce, Robert L. Smith, president of Niagara Savings, Frank W. Markovitz, vice president, and members of the association's board of directors.
Approval for the new office was granted by the New York State Banking Department in 1971 and the building is expected to ready for occupancy later this year. Cost is expected to be in the neighborhood of $80,000. ...
30 Years Ago, Feb. 26, 1982
School Board approves increased tax exemption for elderly
Grand Island residents 65 years of age and older can claim a 50 percent decrease in school taxes in 1983 if their net income does not exceed $9,200. Currently the exemption is based on an income of $8,000.
The School Board Monday following a public meeting passed a resolution in favor of increasing the maximum income by $1,200.
The 1982 Grand Island tax roll listed 74 senior citizens who were able to qualify for school tax exemption, providing their income was $8,000 or less. The exempt assessed valuation represented $14,751.11 in school taxes.
At present there are 12 senior citizens (in addition to the 74) who qualify for the town exemption based on a maximum income of $9,200.
20 Years Ago, March 6, 1992
Electronic bridge toll collection to begin here
The electronic bridge toll collection tested by 200 Islanders earlier this year has been successfully completed, according to Assemblyman William B. Hoyt.
Grand Island residents who prepay their tolls on a monthly basis next year will be able to go through toll booths without having to stop and pay for their trip, Hoyt said.
The program will begin in 1993, according to the New York State Thruway Authority, he said, "and the Thruway is appreciative of the help of Grand Island volunteers."
About the electronic devices, he said they will save time and energy. "Traffic tie-ups should be greatly reduced, since the average number of cars that can pass through a toll in an hour will increase from an average of 250 with the current stop and pay system to nearly 1,500 with the electronic one."
10 Years Ago, March 1, 2002
New skate park receives first delivery of equipment, will open this spring
Last summer, the Grand Island Town Board approved a proposal by Paul Irving to construct a skate park on the Island.
Earlier this week the first stage of the project took off, as the equipment that will entertain Island youths at Grinders Skate Park arrived at the 30,000-square-foot facility, located at 2088 Grand Island Blvd. The park will consist of obstacles such as a city center, a 13 foot half pipe, a vertical wall, a snow plow, a semi bowl, quarter pipes, grinding rails, mini ramps, fly boxes and pyramids. Skaters have their choice of numerous daily passes or a season pass. The park is expected to open as soon as weather permits this spring.