Let's Go Back for Nov. 9, 2012

40 Years Ago, Nov. 15, 1972

Board approves annual budget

The Grand Island Town Board approved the proposed town budget at a special public hearing held Thursday, Nov. 9, in the Town Hall. The town rate has been set at $5.76 per thousand assessed valuation, no increase over last year's rate.

In part this is due to the fact that no elected official in the Town of Grand Island received an increase in his wages. This was agreed in order to keep the burden on local taxpayers at a minimum. ...

The supervisor's salary is $16,200; councilmen receive $4,800; town justices receive $7,000; and the town clerk receives $9,328. ...

The amount of money to be raised for the general fund is $177,118.42. ...

30 Years Ago, Nov. 12, 1982

Fantasy Island may open next summer

There is good indication that Fantasy Island will be purchased by a new company and again open for business next summer.

Title to the 850-acre theme park has been taken over by the Buffalo division of Chemical Bank, its major secured creditor when Fantasy Island Inc. filed for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Act in May.

Several potential buyers have inspected the park and rumor has it that a sales agreement may soon be reached. A theme park owner in Lake George is said to be among those interested in the facility.

"Fantasy Island was the area's largest employer of teenagers and I want to put them back to work, Peter Falcon, Chemical Bank's president, said in commenting about the possible sale.

20 Years Ago, Nov. 13, 1992

'Pooper-Scooper' Law in place

Erie County Legislator Charles M. Swanick announced that the "Pooper-Scooper" Law, which he sponsored, was recently signed by Erie County Executive Dennis Gorski and has been filed in Albany.

Under the law, dog owners using Erie County parks and other recreational areas who do not clean up after their pets will face fines up to $100.

The law comes after Swanick received numerous complaints from park users who have encountered dog excrement on walking trails and bike paths throughout the county park system. The law will be enforced by county and local law officials.

10 Years Ago, Nov. 15, 2002

Vikings battle to end, but fall at the Ralph

All season long, the members of the Grand Island Vikings football team had one common goal - make it to Ralph Wilson Stadium for the Section VI Class A title game.

This past weekend the team achieved that goal by taking on the Sweet Home Panthers in front of approximately 3,000 fans at the Orchard-Park-based stadium. The Vikings came in attempting to avenge their only loss of the season - a 26-13 heartbreaker to the Panthers in Week Three, but one again were turned away, this time falling 23-16. ...