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Let's Go Back for Nov. 30, 2012

by jmaloni
Fri, Nov 30th 2012 06:30 pm

40 Years Ago, Dec. 6, 1972

Blue Water puts in ice boom

Monday, Dec. 4, marked an historic event for Niagara River history and for Grand Island residents. The construction of an ice boom, a structure for the purpose of blocking the destruction of ice movement along the shore, was begun. The task is being performed by local contractors from the Blue Water Construction Corp.

Blue Water, a local concern of which Jack W. Senn is senior vice president, is not without its significance to Niagara lore. Mr. Senn is the third generation to work on the river. Mr. Senn's grandfather, Captain Bert J. Senn, was captain of the "Erie Beach" and the ferryboats, once the only link between Grand Island and the mainland. His son, Mr. Senn's father, George Senn, was an engineer for the Corps of Engineers and an engineer on the ferryboats "Orleans" and "Grand Island."

30 Years Ago, Dec. 3, 1982

Legislators continue chemical plant protest

An application to the state Department of Environmental Conservation for a permit to establish a waste trans-shipment facility at 4000 River Road in the Town of Tonawanda, across the river from Grand Island, is still being questioned by county Legislators Charles M. Swanick and Leonard R. Lenihan.

... The legislators claim, "The public has the right to know if this facility has or could have an effect on the environment," inasmuch as the proposed additions constitute a major change in the operation of the facility.

"This facility will be handling up to 10,000 tons of waste material at a site located on the Niagara River near several heavily populated areas and as such, handling toxic waste, which is located along a water supply for thousands of people, should be required to provide an environmental impact accounting, they informed DEC. ...

20 Years Ago, Dec. 4, 1992

Town and school officials reaffirm pipeline opposition

Town and school officials reaffirmed their opposition to the proposed high-pressure natural gas pipeline at a joint meeting Monday night at the high school.

Although the town has been given 90 days notice to reply to sell land for a right of way or face eminent domain seizure procedures, Supervisor Jim Pax said that the land was taxpayers' property "and we're not going to sell it."

Councilman Gail Lazenby said that Empire Pipeline is trying to scare property owners by threatening eminent domain. He noted that if land is acquired under such procedures, the owners still must be paid fair market value for the property.

Empire has apparently acquired about 30 of 70 parcels of land it wants, and town officials urged remaining owners not to cave in to Empire's tactics because the Army Corps of Engineers may see that as a sign that the pipeline has little opposition.

The Army Corps of Engineers, which has jurisdiction over rivers, streams and wetlands, is the last hope of pipeline opponents and a ruling is not expected until spring.

10 Years Ago, Dec. 6, 2002

Independence Party now official on Island

The first organized Grand Island meeting of Erie County's Independence Party was held last Tuesday at the Peppermill Restaurant in Grand Island with Mike Sendlebeck sworn-in as party chairman. Its purpose was to establish Island Independents as well as those from Erie and Niagara counties into once complete group. "Before this, nine people told Grand Island, Orchard Park, etc., who their candidates were, but now they have a choice," said Anthony Orsini, Erie County chairman.

"Basically, we want to provide people with a third choice," committee member Hank Gull added.

Sendlebeck revealed his goal as "bringing good government to Grand Island."

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