Let's Go Back for Oct. 7, 2011

40 Years Ago, Oct. 7, 1971

Senior class petitions town

At a public hearing held last evening in the matter for a "special use permit," townspeople again demonstrated.

The highlight of the board's proceedings involved the appearance of Miss Deborah Bonsack, president of the 1972 Class of Grand Island High School.

Miss Bonsack, accompanied by more than 30 of her fellow students, addressed the assembled citizens and presented a petition bearing the signatures of 3,124 of the townspeople who support the senior class in their request for a signal light at the intersection of Love and Baseline roads, where last week a member of the class, Robert Tomkinson, lost his life in a traffic accident.

Miss Bonsack, in presenting her remarks, compared recent events in an area high school where students left their classroom, protesting and demonstrating against society, with the activities of her own class, but with the blessing of its faculty and with the cooperation of the community who evidenced a common concern by signing the class' petition.

Supervisor Ray Griffin promised his support in assisting presentation of the petition before the County Legislature.

30 Years Ago, Oct. 2, 1981

Cable TV comes to Grand Island

Cable TV is now on reality on the Island, with the first customers of Island Cable now enjoying programs available through the operations of the 120-foot tower with an eight-foot microwave antenna on top, built on Baseline Road.

President Michael Gast in August announced he hoped the first phase of cable TV would allow hookup of some viewers by September, and that is just what happened. After Island Cable received federal approval and made final tests and adjustments, customers along some portions of Baseline Road and in the duplex area were wired for service. Grandyle Village, East Park, Hennepin and Red Jacket roads may even now be part of the hookup. "We plan to install at a steady pace ... immediately," he said.

20 Years Ago, Oct. 4, 1991

Pipeline decision defended

Grand Island has the backing of U.S. Sen. Alfonse D'Amato and the New York Coalition of Elected Officials on Empire State Pipeline in its efforts to keep Empire State Pipeline from constructing a gas line across the town.

The senator said ... "I applaud the decision of the Army Corps to halt its review of the Grand Island pipeline route pending Canada's National Energy Board's review of its decision to deny the right to build the Blackhorse Extension Link proposed by Empire's Canadian counterpart, TransCanada Ltd." The Army Corps should base its decision on "merits and not on the bases of undue pressure," D'Amato said.

10 Years Ago, Oct. 5, 2001

2002 budget released at board meeting

During Monday's Town Board meeting, Town Supervisor Peter McMahon released a tentative budget for 2002.

If the budget remains as is, it appears Grand Island residents will face a 5 percent hike in overall town taxes. According to the proposed budget released by McMahon, the combined tax rates for the highway and general funds would increase to $4.78 per $1,000 from the current $4.55. The general fund would increase by 4 percent from 2001, while the highway fund would see roughly a 6.2 percent increase. McMahon said increases can be attributed to rising health care costs and workers' compensation expenses.