EDITOR TEDDY LINENFELSER
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Editor or addressed to: Letters to the Editor, 1871 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY 14072
"Throw All The Bums Out!" - Sept. 2010
"Throw All The Bums Out!" I wholeheartedly agree that the "bums" should be
dismissed but I say that we need to keep the experienced lawmakers who deliver on their
promises day after day, year after year as they fight for their constituents. Sam Hoyt and
his staff take our issues seriously. Consider a few recent examples: preventing toll
increases for Grand Island residents, voting "no" on state budgets that did not contain
needed cuts and leading the fight to eliminate costly redundant public authorities.As a constituent who approached Sam with a concern regarding an injustice perpetrated by a state agency, I can personally attest to his prompt response and determination over a period of many months to get matters taken care of. He gets results because he works hard and has the experience and expertise to solve problems.
We need to keep this fine Assemblyman who has delivered for Grand Island over the years. Because he stands up to the political machines and big money, there are those who want someone less independent in this position. For this reason, he faces another well-financed primary fight and general election challenge. Those of all political persuasions need to return this truly remarkable public service to the New York State Assembly.
Peg Price
Posted September 2, 2010
Thank you from the sponsors of Grand Island Community Veterans Awareness
Day - Sept. 2010
We would like to extend an immeasurable and heartfelt thank you to all of those
American Patriots who supported our call for monetary, personal hygiene and snack products
in support of our Pink Love Project for the women veterans and the Military Morale Initiative
for care packages sent weekly to the active duty troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan which took place on Friday, August 29, 2010 at the First Grand Island Community Veterans Awareness Day hosted by McMahon’s Restaurant. The heartwarming response was more than we anticipated and certainly so very much appreciated, not only by us but by all of the recipients of our mission work. Your generosity will help us continue both of these ministry programs for many months to come.And certainly without the help of all of those who assisted us with their time and resources we could not have made this event a reality and words cannot truly express how sincere our thank you is to each and every one of you.
Trinity United Methodist Women
Posted September 2, 2010
In Praise of My Friend - August 2010
I have had a friend for the last 40+ years of my life that I wanted to share about. She is amazing! Through our friendship I have watched her and admired her for her thoughts, decisions and most importantly her actions in life. Recently I visited the Island for her daughter’s wedding. I keep in touch with her and knew she had lots happening this summer. I was still blown away to see her in action.The wedding was in full planning stages when my friend's other daughter graduated from High School and had a large graduation party in June. Then August arrived and the wedding took place. It was beautiful. There were about 125 people from all over attending-and hundreds of homemade cookies that my friend had made for weeks prior to the wedding. I learned cookie dough can be frozen. Many behind the scenes things were taking place by my friend as well to ensure a smooth day for the bride and groom. The day after the wedding - yes, the day after my friend threw a surprise 50th Anniversary party for her in-laws. She figured everyone would be in town-what a great opportunity to surprise them. See, my friend thinks of other people all the time. At the anniversary party my friend had made many home made dishes again. Many things can be frozen including appetizers. It was all coordinated perfectly. Throughout all of these events my friend and her husband sold their home and bought a new one, Yes, just another minor thing to throw in there. They choose for sale by owner so did all the work themselves. Selling a home can be a project and buying another quite the ordeal.
My friend has a wonderful, supportive husband who also is a giver. I believe good people attract other good people in their lives.
I continue to learn from her and feel honored to know my friend - my friend Audene Affuso who continues to teach others by her actions. Thank you Audene for being a teacher to me in my life. I am blessed!
Tracy Roesch Williams
Posted August 19, 2010
A Biggie Mistake & Where’s the Representation? - August 2010
As reported in the August 13th Dispatch, candidate for state assembly Brian Biggie weighs in on the Veterans’ Park cell tower debate. Mr. Biggie joined Councilwoman Cooke in chastising Sam Hoyt’s stance and accused him of not talking to the town. What Mr. Biggie failed to realize is that Mr. Hoyt took the time to talk to his constituents, listened to our arguments and saw the supporting documentation, something Mr. Biggie has not done before taking a stance. He would have seen the mistakes the town has made in the past few years that put them in a position of approve it or be sued. Mr. Biggie did not talk to those of us opposed to the tower but rather joined the Town Board’s current strategy of attack Sam Hoyt and spread misinformation. We need representation, not a rubber stamp.As a fellow Republican I would advise Mr. Biggie to research a topic before taking a stand on it. Even a cursory review of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Places parkland alienation handbook would have been enlightening. It would have revealed to him that the Town should have contacted Assemblyman Hoyt and Senator Thompson long ago and that the Geis land is indeed protected whether the town considers it part of the park or not. I invite Mr. Biggie to review the 3” binder full of information pertaining to this issue that I have. He would see the email from the town’s legal counsel that confirms the Geis land is protected, something Mary Cooke seems to think is still open for interpretation. He would also see the zoning code and subsequent use variance that were issued for the cell tower despite Councilwoman Cooke’s claim that the site did not need a variance. Mr. Biggie would also find the 1995 letter from the Geis’ lawyer which clearly states the land was not intended for a maintenance building contrary to what the Dispatch reported Councilman Roesch said. I’ve heard Supervisor McMahon say there are proponents of the park location. If there is anyone outside of Mr. Biggie and the Town Board where are they? At the Planning Board Meeting, the public hearing, two Zoning Board meetings and at the Town Board meeting only Verizon’s lawyer spoke in favor of the project, not a single resident spoke up in favor of it.
The issue can be looked at in the simplest of terms, the coverage propagation maps tell the story. I invite Mr. Biggie and anyone else who would like to see the maps and judge for themselves to contact me at ProtectVetsPark@yahoo.com
The Town Board’s acceptance of adequate coverage and subsequent P.R. complain to try and save face beg to ask another question, where is our representation? I will not weigh in on the downsizing debate but there are two things I think Grand Island residents should know. First, do you know that every single vote the town board has had this year has been unanimous? There have been 14 board meetings and not a single dissenting vote. So what is the difference if they vote 5-0 or 3-0? Secondly, I find it curious that at every window in the Town Clerk’s office is a stack of copies of the anti-downsizing editorial that appeared in the Dispatch a few weeks back. No discussion of the pro’s and con’s or list of issues, just the editorial to keep the status quo.
Craig Eddy
Posted August 19, 2010
Right Sizing Town Government - August 2010
Over the years, steps have been taken to downsize the town government and reduce costs to Grand Island taxpayers. One noticeable example was the combination of the Receiver of Taxes Office with the Town Clerk’s Office. The Town Conservative Party was responsible for that initial suggestion. We have a reputation for advancing fiscal responsibility that’s well deserved. People therefore, naturally assume that we’ll support Kevin Gaughan’s efforts to downsize the Town Council – we don’t!Reducing the number of councilors serving from 5 down to 3 would seriously hamper the coordination and functioning of town government, its departments, would lessen sound fiscal oversight, as well as reducing and hindering our government’s responsiveness to its citizens.
And what would we gain? We’re not, as one Islander seemed to think, going to merge with some other entity to save tax costs. We’re not the Village of Kenmore or Williamsville. We’re not a tiny landlocked island inside a larger township; whatever happens at the polls we will still be an island in the Niagara with all the unique services that must be provided.
So what does one hope to gain? The petitioner who came to my house told me he wants to reduce the town council by two members; the goal being to save two salaries, benefits and possible future retirement payments. He asked me if I realized that our town was started with not five but three town councilmen.
That’s true. If we reduce the town board we’d save two salaries (totaling less than $40,000.00). We’d recoup the town’s contribution to health insurance for those who choose to accept it (not all do); and we’d save the minimal amount contributed to retirement.
What would we lose? I wonder if those collecting petitions are telling people that when the population of Grand Island grew that we automatically gained those two council positions.
They replaced two town justices who previously served both as council members and justices. This was necessary in response to a growing population and an equally expanding workload for both the council and the court. Presently, to serve our town, this part time position requires approximately 30 hours per week from our councilors not including time spent running for office. They participate in 23 board meetings per year and over 100 workshops. Of course, participating in each of those meetings require hours of preparation from each member. The four members serve as liaisons to the ten Advisory Boards. Citizens serving on these boards deal with issues vital to the well-being of our community and depend on the active involvement of council members. Over and above these regular meetings, are meetings with the police, the courts, and the school district. These efforts have produced revenues and an increase in service to the taxpayers of our town.
Our council members work tirelessly for the welfare of our community and are our biggest and best fiscal watch dogs. They were responsible for an insurance savings of $100,000 per year. They’ve done away with “take home cars” for government town positions.
The list could go on. Grand Island is served well by our council of four plus our supervisor. To redistribute this load among the two remaining councilors would be impossible.
We will lose accessibility to our councilmen. We will lose the careful research and collaboration that have netted costs savings to the town time and time again. We will hamper communication between council members and we would create a volatile situation. The stability of the board could be lost in a single election.
Downsizing a town board might be the right decision for other local municipalities; but it would surely be a costly mistake for our Island.
Kevin M. Backus
Conservative Party of Grand Island
Chairman
Posted August 12, 2010
Visitor Likes Bake & Brew - July 2010
I enjoyed a great lunch at Dick and Jenny's Bake and Brew. What a treat to find authentic Southern cooking right here in Grand Island. I did get to meet Jenny. She if just full of Southern charm. I hope that the folks in Grand Island continue to support this special restaurant.Tim Broussard
Sulphur, Louisiana
Posted July 21, 2010
Is the Town of Grand Island Selling Out Public Safety for $800 a month? - July 2010
Yes the title may sound extreme but please bear with me and see for yourself. For almost 3 years now the Town of Grand Island along with Verizon Wireless have been in the process of approving a new cell tower at one of several proposed locations around the north end of Grand Island. The current proposed location in Veterans’ Park, amongst many issues, is a potential hazard to public safety.When Verizon approached the town in 2007 they proposed multiple locations farther north along Huth Road that according to their radio frequency tests yielded the most coverage area. The only issue was those locations did not meet the town’s setback requirement, a requirement that not only did not exist a few years ago but is amongst the most stringent in western New York. So much so that one of Verizon’s lawyers said it would not hold up in court. At least two existing towers on the Island would not meet that setback if they were proposed now. Another new tower in the Fix & West River Road area was granted a variance to the setback requirement last week. The town also likes to cite wetlands as a reason as well, yet Verizon’s drawings show no state or federally protected wetlands at the Huth Road location.
Verizon was asked to look for alternative sites which Verizon states need to be within a ¼ mile radius of the “ideal” location. The Veterans’ Park location is over a ½ mile away. So why does the town insist on destroying the character of our park? Why wasn’t a variance to the setback pursued for the Huth Road sites? Why chose a location of the park that is surrounded by federally protected wetlands and a town “Enhanced Environmental District”? Why did the Zoning Board grant a use variance to install the tower in an “Open Space” district that doesn’t allow tower with no internal discussion? Why not locate the tower where is serves the most area? The only other reason is the lease money the town would receive if the tower is on town property. No lease has been negotiated but Supervisor McMahon has previously said the town receives about $10,000 a year for a tower, or about $800 a month.
Verizon’s own cell phone coverage propagation maps for Grand Island show that if the tower is moved that far to the southwest significant coverage gaps will exist at the north end of the Island including on the Niagara River. Not only is a coverage gap a threat to public safety, but it could result in more cell towers in the future to fill those gaps. The independent report commissioned by the town confirms the coverage gaps and the possible need for additional towers in the future. What if it were you or your family who had an emergency in Buckhorn State Park, on the Niagara River or along East River Road and could not get a signal?
The town continues to push the Veterans’ Park location despite the following reasons not to:
1. The coverage gap shown by the Verizon’s propagation maps and confirmed by the town’s independent expert.
2. The park is protected by state law against parkland alienation that requires the State Legislature passing a law allowing alienation. Both State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt and State Senator Antoine Thompson are on the record against this location.
3. The family that donated the land to the park is against this use of the land.
4. The access road to the tower is in violation of a deed restriction if a proposed Parks & Recreation building is not built that would share the access road. A building that has been talked about for at least 15 years and is no closer to construction.
5. Despite the town switching to a “veterans themed bell tower” design, the family of Lt. Col. Terrence Crowe, for whom there is a memorial to in the park, also opposes any tower in the park.
6. Opposition by over 550 people, so far, from across Grand Island who have signed the petition against any tower in the park.
7. The park location is by Verizon’s own admission outside of their alternative search area.
8. The proposed location is adjacent to a town designated “Enhanced Environmental District” and borders federally protected wetlands.
9. The proposed location is less than ¾ of a mile from an existing cell tower.
10. The destruction of one of the last undisturbed wooded sections of the park. Installation of a 125 foot tower and associated equipment destroys the character and beauty of the park.
Despite all that the town continues to push the park location, why? For $800 a month? Money that the town said would go to the general fund and not even to the park. Is it worth the risk to public safety?
If you agree that Veterans’ Park is not the location, that the tower should be sited where it does the most good please contact the town board at townboard@grand-island.ny.us and myself at protectvetspark@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Craig J. Eddy
Posted July 8, 2010
Thanks From St. Stephen's Parish Players - July 2010
The St. Stephen's Parish Players wish to extend a big "THANK YOU" to the gentleman that leaped into action to help when our '57 Belair blew a radiator hose in the middle of Saturday's parade. After hearing the loud 'pop', several spectators rushed over to push. This spontaneous pit crew was assembled and ready before the steam cloud dissipated. They stayed with the car until it was safely parked at the end of the parade route. Their generous efforts kept the parade moving along 'without a hitch.
Posted July 8, 2010
