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Let's Go Back for Feb. 7, 2014

by jmaloni

*Taken from the Feb. 7 Island Dispatch

Tue, Feb 11th 2014 04:40 pm

40 Years Ago, Jan. 30, 1974

Dairy Center open

Island residents Wilbert and Ruth Giles have opened a Dairy and Beverage Center on the boulevard where they sell milk by the glass, gallon and half-gallon. The new center also carries fruit juices, chips and bread in addition to a full line of domestic and imported beer and ale.

Mr. and Mrs. Giles have three children who are attending classes at Huth Road Elementary School, the Grand Island Middle School and the high school.

Before opening the beverage center, Mr. Giles had become active in Junior Football, where he has been a coach for the 95-pound league. The couple's son, Ozzie, was a winner in the "Punt, Pass and Kick" football competition.

30 Years Ago, Jan. 27, 1984

Residents have their say about signal

About 75 Grand Island residents, many of them parents of Kaegebein School students, Wednesday complained bitterly about the flashing traffic signal at Broadway and South Broadway. At a 2-1/2 hour meeting in the school with State Parks and Recreational Regional Director Mario Pirastru, Legislator Charles M. Swanick, two DOT representatives and one from Assemblyman William Hoyt's office, the dangerous intersection and the inadequate red and yellow light were criticized by more than half of those present. (They) also voiced objection to a study, which ... would be conducted by DOT next summer.

"What does it take to get some action? We live here and we know the situation," said one parent at the meeting, adding, "Don't waste our money on another study!"

Kaegebein School Principal George Wenner ... said about 140 schoolchildren in the 5-12 age group cross the parkway, "not to mention others who do not attend Kaegebein School."

... A crossing guard is no longer stationed at Broadway and the parkway. ...

20 Years Ago, Jan. 28, 1994

Community to discuss EZPass concerns

Island residents concerned with the EZPass system and the ongoing objection to having commuter toll books discontinued are urged to attend a community meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 8, in the high school on Ransom Road.

Arranged by James Watts of the local committee concerned with EZPass, the session will present an opportunity for Islanders to state their views, pro and con, on the change in toll collection at the north and south bridge entrances to the town.

Thruway Administrative Services Director Michael Zimmerman in a recent communication stated, ... "With respect to your continued request to restore commuter books, I must inform you that we are unable to do so. ..."

10 Years Ago, Jan. 30, 2004

Extension of Greenway eyes for Island

The Friends of the Buffalo-Niagara Rivers met recently at the Grand Island Holiday Inn to discuss their ongoing projects designed to preserve and protect the local watersheds.

One particular topic of interest for Grand Island residents is the current "Lake to Lake Greenway" project. It is a proposal that was created by the Buffalo Olmstead Parks Conservancy. The concept is to create an open greenway and bike path, stretching form Lake Ontario to Lake Erie. ...

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