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Let's Go Back for Sept. 19, 2014

by jmaloni

•Taken from the Sept. 19 Island Dispatch

Fri, Sep 26th 2014 02:25 pm

40 Years Ago, Sept. 11, 1974

Governor visits Grand Island

For the first time in local history a New York governor visited Grand Island.

The occasion centered on two events: Gov. Malcom Wilson's informal appearance at a Republican Club reception and a "coffee hour" and luncheon of the Western New York State Weekly Newspaper Editors, both held at the Buffalo Launch Club on East River Road. Wilson stopped on his way to Niagara Falls and the dedication of the Earl Brydges Library in that city.

Homer Livingston, chairman of the Grand Island Republican Party, hosted the coffee hour and had charge of security arrangements.

Continuing his "low key" style of campaigning, the governor - who has never lost an election and who holds the longest record of continual office in New York history - freely mingled with guests and thanked them for their graciousness in electing him to public office. About 500 persons, including Erie County Executive Edward Regan, attended the affair.

30 Years Ago, Sept. 7, 1984

Fire chief calls delays warning for future

Many Island residents got an unpleasant surprise Tuesday when the Thruway Authority closed one of the northbound North Grand Island Bridge lanes for emergency repairs.

The unscheduled work was begun with little or no public notice, according to Grand Island Fire Chief Peter McMahon, representative for emergency services on the Grand Island Bridges Reconstruction Advisory Committee. He reported that rush hour traffic was backed up for more than 1-1/2 miles and delays of up to 15 minutes were common. The local fire chief warned residents, "This is example of what we can expect, once the major reconstructions get underway. ..."

20 Years Ago, Sept. 9, 1994

Extend bike path to GI Blvd., Pax says

The Beaver Island Parkway bike path, to be extended from Red Jacket Road to the South Grand Island Bridge, may also be continued to Grand Island Boulevard.

Supervisor James H. Pax, at Tuesday's Town Board meeting, recommended the $20,000 originally earmarked for the path, now approved for full funding by the Department of Transportation, be used for the addition.

"This would connect our town with the Tonawandas and Buffalo bikeways now existing along the Niagara River," Pax said.

"Eventually future projects such as the Buckhorn Marsh bike path at the North Grand Island Bridge connecting to Grand Island Boulevard will tie our community to Niagara Falls as well."

The board referred the suggestion to the Bike Path and Sidewalk Committee for study and recommendation.

10 Years Ago, Sept. 10, 2004

Community Center discussion resurrected

Back in the late 1990s, an ad hoc committee worked with the Grand Island Town Board's knowledge to put together a project idea for a community center at Veterans Park.

An $8 million referendum was put up for Island residents and it was narrowly voted down.

Now several years later, discussion about a community center has resurfaced.

The Parks and Recreation Committee Advisory Board sat down with the Grand Island Town Board on Tuesday evening to see if the community center plan could be looked at again since there seems to be a need and a want from the residents on the Island.

Parks and Recreation Advisory Chairman Paul Belter said the advisory board is looking for a road map to work with the Town Board, the town engineer and the Parks and Recreation Department to see how they can proceed.

"We hope to reach a viable conclusion," Belter said.

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