Let's Go Back for Aug. 30, 2013

40 Years Ago, Aug. 29, 1973

Professional positions filled by School Board

Monday evening's school board meeting was mainly devoted to the hiring of personnel to complete the school's staff prior to the next Thursday's opening date. A department chairman, 12 teachers and seven auxiliary personnel members were added to the 1973-74 school roster. In addition, five appointments were made to the non-professional staff.

James Ace was hired by the board to fill the vacant position of English department chairman. Ace will direct curriculum and staff for grades 6-12.

Marilyn Burak, an elementary teacher, was hired. Jennifer Howells, a sixth-grade teacher at the middle school, and Harry Thaxton III, also of the middle school, were given permanent staff appointments. These three teachers have served in other capacities prior to the board's action at Monday night's meeting.

30 Years Ago, Aug. 26, 1983

Where did he go?

Scanners, telephones and barking dogs were working overtime late last Monday afternoon in Ferry Village as Erie County Sheriff's deputies and residents scoured wooded areas and fields for the three men who robbed the Bedell House.

It all started when owner Charlotte Guenther saw three men in the closed tavern while she was making a routine check. Shortly after that, the burglars spotted arriving sheriffs and took their leave.

It was later reported one suspect had been picked up on Beaver Island Parkway trying to hitch a ride. Minutes later, another man was picked up near Elmwood Road. While the third man remained at large (he was picked up the next morning), the neighborhood had the jitters - would he steal a car? A boat? Was he hiding in the woods until darkness fell? Did he go to Beaver Island and mingle with the crowd?

Warning to future burglars: stay out of Ferry Village!

20 Years Ago, Aug. 27, 1993

Indians seek to reclaim Grand Island

The Seneca nation of Indians this Wednesday began legal action aimed at repossessing Grand Island and evicting its property owners. It also wants a return of about 300 acres of land on the Cattaraugus Reservation now being used by the New York Thruway.

Calling the sale of Grand Island to the state "illegal," the Senecas claim the thruway property was improperly obtained in 1954 because the federal government, according to the Seneca Nation President Barry Snyder, never ratified the transaction.

"Ridiculous" is the word heard most frequently around town in discussions about the Seneca's lawsuit. Few residents, if any, seem to be taking it seriously. One landowner, however, did inquire at the Town Hall if he should pay his taxes.

10 Years Ago, Aug. 29, 2003

Construction will not delay opening of school

The halls of Grand Island High/Middle School and Huth Road facilities may have been without students for the majority of the summer, but crews have spent the past several months working on numerous projects at the aforementioned sites.

Despite a rainy summer that has delayed progress on the construction, School Superintendent Thomas Ramming announced during Monday's Grand Island School District Board of Education meeting that school will start on time.

"The first day of student attendance will be Sept. 3, and while we expect some inconveniences, school will be ready for students on that day," Ramming informed the Dispatch.