Let's Go Back for Jan. 24, 2014

40 Years Ago, Jan. 16, 1974

Hockey school planned

The Buffalo Sabres have announced formation of an eight-week summer hockey school at the Leisure Rinks Southtown facility.

Sabres captain Gerry Meehan will coordinate instruction at the school, with a staff composed of some of his teammates and other experienced hockey personnel.

"We're pleased to associate young players - from beginner to experienced player," said Sabres' General Manager/Vice President Punch Imlach. "Gerry Meehan has a depth of experience in hockey instruction and plans a school which will be second to none in providing improved hockey skills."

The Buffalo Sabres Summer Hockey School will operate from July 8 to Aug. 31 and will offer a program of three hours ice time daily, power skating sessions special drills and scrimmages to meet the needs of boys at all ability levels, including daily scrimmages and weekly games. ...

30 Years Ago, Jan. 13, 1984

Educator notes low per pupil cost here

A long-time resident and teacher on Grand Island, Lenore Tetkowski, gave the Island Dispatch a copy of a letter she sent school board members this week that said she supported the "Grand Island negotiating team" and its "fair decision to reject the fact-finder's report."

President Joanne McCartin of the Grand Island Teachers' Association reported Dec. 23 that the recommendations turned down by teachers included a 6 percent salary increase, which she described as "too low for a two-year period" because Grand Island salaries  "would continue to fall behind other school districts."

The perception that the district has fallen behind other schools in salaries may be borne out by Tetkowski's statement to school board members that "the Grand Island school budget plus some additional information supplied by the school district indicates that the cost per pupil in Grand Island is $3,374, substantially lower that the state average of $3,848," reported by Commissioner Gordon Ambach of the State Education Department. ...

20 Years Ago, Jan. 14, 1994

Two Flags to have new owner

Two Flags Over Niagara, still remembered as Fantasy Island, is in the process of being sold.

Park President Edward J. Lewi said the sale could be soon be announced but as of Monday he did not identify the potential buyer. Martin Shows, an area amusement ride company, has been reported to be interested in buying the theme park.

The current owner, George R. Wood of Lake George, owned the former Fantasy Island in the 1980s, sold it to International Broadcasting Company in 1989 and bought it back last year after IBC went into bankruptcy.

10 Years Ago, Jan. 16, 2004

Cell phones and 911 emergency dispatching

Recently retired communications supervisor Dan McMahon notes that the Grand Island Fire Co. has successfully handled its own emergency dispatching since 1985.

Currently, all 911 calls are handled on a 24-7 basis by trained emergency medical dispatchers, who are able to initiate immediate life saving intervention in a medical emergency, or quickly dispatch firefighters to a burning structure. Because unnecessary delays are all but eliminated, treatment is substantially enhanced, and property loss is significantly reduced, McMahon pointed out.