Published: October 08, 2006 09:17 am            

HISTORY: What happened in Grand Island 10/8

50 years ago

n 50 years ago

n The Citizens Committee for a Clean Niagara River met at city hall in North Tonawanda to make the Niagara River a "Class A river free from pollution,” according to the Oct. 4, 1956, edition of the Island Dispatch. They requested Albany "do something and make the river fit for drinking, swimming and fishing.” The oil spill of one week ago, which was an inch thick on Grand Island’s shoreline, was also discussed.

n A resident offered observations on "1956 vandals" who threw a glass bottle into the street. "The difference between these 1956 vandals and the ones I ganged with as a kid is that we always ran after some act of deviltry," the anonymous resident wrote. "These kids walked on as calmly as if they had tossed cigarettes over their shoulders." Did the writer do something about it? "I walked up to them intending to speak out but decided otherwise when I noted their hard faces … and clenched fists around two more pop bottles."

n Oakfield Road resident and chief engineer of the Niagara Stare Park Commission gave a tour of Beaver Island State Park to New York State Gov. Averell Harriman.

25 years ago

n Island residents got together to discuss the legality of bridge tolls and had "no intention of discontinuing their arguments," according to the Oct. 9, 1981, edition of the Island Dispatch. At that time, the entrance to the south bridge began at the Scajaquada Expressway, miles away from the island. Fighting the good fight were Mr. And Mrs. Daniel Baney, Joyce Schlifke, former councilman Paul E. McCarthy and Assemblywoman Carol Siwek.

10 years ago

n A sulfuric acid spill on Schwegler Drive brought more than 30 firefighters to the area. A clogged sewer drain was responsible, and emergency workers spent two hours to neutralize the spill, according to the Oct. 4, 1996, edition of the Island Dispatch. Fortunately, nobody was injured during the incident.

n Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schwabl won $15,000 from Four Seasons Sunrooms for a glass solarium they built on the second floor of their River Road home.” according to the Oct. 4, 1956, edition of the Island Dispatch. They requested Albany "do something and make the river fit for drinking, swimming and fishing.” The oil spill of one week ago, which was an inch thick on Grand Island’s shoreline, was also discussed.

n A resident offered observations on "1956 vandals" who threw a glass bottle into the street. "The difference between these 1956 vandals and the ones I ganged with as a kid is that we always ran after some act of deviltry," the anonymous resident wrote. "These kids walked on as calmly as if they had tossed cigarettes over their shoulders." Did the writer do something about it? "I walked up to them intending to speak out but decided otherwise when I noted their hard faces … and clenched fists around two more pop bottles."

n Oakfield Road resident and chief engineer of the Niagara Stare Park Commission gave a tour of Beaver Island State Park to New York State Gov. Averell Harriman.

25 years ago

n Island residents got together to discuss the legality of bridge tolls and had "no intention of discontinuing their arguments," according to the Oct. 9, 1981, edition of the Island Dispatch. At that time, the entrance to the south bridge began at the Scajaquada Expressway, miles away from the island. Fighting the good fight were Mr. And Mrs. Daniel Baney, Joyce Schlifke, former councilman Paul E. McCarthy and Assemblywoman Carol Siwek.

10 years ago

n A sulfuric acid spill on Schwegler Drive brought more than 30 firefighters to the area. A clogged sewer drain was responsible, and emergency workers spent two hours to neutralize the spill, according to the Oct. 4, 1996, edition of the Island Dispatch. Fortunately, nobody was injured during the incident.

n Mr. and Mrs. Peter Schwabl won $15,000 from Four Seasons Sunrooms for a glass solarium they built on the second floor of their River Road home.

        

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