Let's Go Back for Aug. 26, 2011

40 Years Ago, Aug. 25, 1971

School seeks Nike site

What was once a base for destructive weapons may become a base for educational pursuits. If the Grand Island School Board can sell the federal government on the idea.

The huge Army Hercules Missile Base on Grand Island has been declared surplus by the government and the board Monday officially adopted a resolution seeking to take it over. ...

The former Battery 41 installation is near West River Road between Whitehaven and Staley roads. It consists of 80.11 acres of land plus 38 easements, comprising a total of 106.6 acres. The site contains 39 multi-purpose buildings and other structures. Veronica Connor, schools superintendent, said personnel have visited the site several times and have determined a number of immediate public uses for the property.

30 Years Ago, Aug. 21, 1981

Sign ordinance back in the limelight

A proposed sign ordinance that has been hanging fire for several years surfaced again on the Town Board agenda Monday night.

Supervisor LaVerne C. Luther announced that a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance will be considered at the Sept. 21 meeting ...

The ordinance has long been in the planning stage. The Grand Island Chamber of Commerce in May 1974 conducted a survey, which indicated most Island businesses favored updating or revising present rules. Town Attorney Edward W. Kinney and Building Inspector Harold Doerr presently are preparing a final draft of the sign ordinance to be aired at the Sept. 21 hearing.

20 Years Ago, Aug. 23, 1991

Town fights for free bridge crossings

Three Grand Island residents spoke against the New York State Thruway Authority Transition Advisory Council's recommendations Wednesday at a hearing held ... in Buffalo. In the council's preliminary report, it states, in part support for the principle that those who use the thruway should pay for it. The council also urges the legislature and the governor to continue the tolls and the operating conditions.

"Any effort to continue tolls beyond 1996 will be considered as a betrayal of the citizens who voted for the original formation of the Thruway Authority," Island resident Nancy Killian Baney stated.

Gail J. Lazenby ... suggested the authority "give the citizens of Grand Island a break now by saving time and a break later by removing tolls."

... The 1996 date to remove tolls was arrived at in 1982 when a deal worked out by Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan between the Federal Highway Administration and the state permitted the use of federal funds to repair the toll road, provided the Thruway would lift tolls when all of its original debts were paid, in 1996.

10 Years Ago, Aug. 24, 2001

Garden club to create memorial garden

East Park Garden Club is creating a bird and butterfly garden at the Charlotte Sidway Elementary School. The garden will be dedicated to the memory of Hazel Link, a lifetime Sidway PTA member and longtime member of the club.

East Park has already received a $200 grant from the Eighth District Federated Garden Clubs of New York State Inc. to use as seed money for the project. To ensure success of the Hazel Link Memorial Bird and Butterfly Garden, the club needs to raise funds to pay for the design, statuary plants, garden sculpture and labor for this endeavor.