Let's Go Back for March 4, 2011

40 Years Ago, March 3, 1971

Flooding plagues Island

"Extreme flooding conditions" existed on Grand Island last weekend, according to Supervisor Raymond P. Griffin.

He said the worst flooding he has seen on the Island plagued residents, especially along Long, Huth, Stony Point and Glen Avon roads. Town employees were working all weekend on the problem, he reported.

He stated high winds were adding to the situation by forcing drainage ways such as Woods Creek to flow upstream and suggested a dam might be needed to remedy this problem.

The sewer and water department and the engineering department are working on concrete plans to handle drainage problems, and $25,000 has been allocated in this budget for drainage improvements.

30 Years Ago, Feb. 27, 1981

Many interested in casino gambling issue

"I believe the jury is still out," Assemblyman John Sheffer told a crowd of about 150 Wednesday about the stand state legislators appear to be eying on the issue of casino gambling in New York state.

Speaking at a meeting in Trinity Church sponsored by the Grand Island Ministrium and Ecumenical Task Force, Sheffer said about the economic ramifications of the issue, "I call it a moral versus a pocketbook issue and if enough of the labor movement believe this, we are in serious trouble."

... Admitting there is a serious unemployment situation here, the assemblyman questioned whether casinos would remedy the situation, pointing out when they opened in Atlantic City, most of the jobs were filled by out-of-state people.

20 Years Ago, March 1, 1991

Private golf course may violate PUD

A number of Grand Island golfers who have enjoyed the facilities of the River Oaks Golf Course, a public operation since it opened in 1973, now question if it can legally be converted to a private entity.

The concern is based on the rules and regulations of the River Oaks planned unit development (PUD) as it was approved by the Town Board in 1970 and revised in 1985.

The course is part of 527 acres at River Oaks land now owned by Niagara Associates group who propose turning it over to private management. Memberships for that purpose are being solicited and about 100 golfers have already paid the fee, Niagara representatives announced at a recent information meeting.

Supervisor LaVerne C. Luther Monday said he will confer with Town Attorney Richard J. Couch regarding the PUD rulings, which are said to include the golf course in open space set aside for public recreation use. ...

10 Years Ago, March 9, 2001

County Legislature approves Adelphia proposal

With a vote of 16 to 1, the Erie County Legislature authorized the county to enter into a memorandum of understanding with Adelphia Communications for construction of a $125 million corporate headquarters to be located in the City of Buffalo's inner harbor region.

"This is one of the largest economic development opportunities this region has ever seen," said Legislature Chairman Charles M. Swanick, D, Kenmore. "We are taking a major step forward in building the city's waterfront and creating hundreds of quality job opportunities."