The Sun and the Erie County Independent from Hamburg, New York • Page 1

I I 1. cancer patients see page Frontier baseball starts 4- See page 25 andthe CrC COUttt? BJnbepenbCItt Est. 1875 The Newspaper of Hamburg, Boston, Eden, North Collins, Brant and Evans Boston land purchase would ease soccer field congestion 1 7 -acre parcel located on Boston St. Road Youth home plan opposed But agency officials say project is likely to move forward "If you look around here in the valley, there's not a lot of open area where we could develop land," says Rood. Rood says the town's youth soccer program has seen dramatic growth in the past decade and with it the demand for more soccer fields.

The town currently has 53 acres of recreation land, including soccer fields, baseball By RICK ADAMCZAK Knowing her town was in serious need of more space for athletic fields, when Boston Supervisor Lisa Rood saw a large parcel of land near the Town Hall was up for sale, she wasted little time at pursuing the opportunity. The result could be warmer playing weather for the town's 300-plus youth soccer participants. With limited space, the soccer programs have to wait for the softball and baseball programs to end, which pushes the soccer season into late fall. "I saw the 'For Sale' sign and we starting rolling on it right away," says Rood. "I saw it up for sale on a Wednesday and that Friday we had a special meeting for it." Rood says there were other parties interested in buying the land, which is used mostly for growing hay, but the town came out in front with a purchase cost of $103,500.

The offer has to be approved by the Town Board, but Rood says she doesn't expect any opposition. The 17.5-acre parcel is located on Boston State Road directly across the street from the State Police barracks and to the north of the United Church of Christ. The land abuts the backyards of homes on Liebler Road and Rood says the town may erect a fence along the property line. "We will be sensitive to the people of Liebler Road," said Rood. It's unlikely the town will develop or use the land this year since the property became for sale after the current budget was approved.

To take advantage of the year delay in using the land, Rood says the town may hire Peter J. Smith Co. to analyze the town's use of its parks and to assess how the town can best use its facilities. "If you look around here in the valley, there's not a lot of open area where we could develop land" Lisa Rood Boston Supervisor facility could open by the end of May. The project can move forward without any town approval since it is properly zoned.

"If they contacted one of you, that's one more than they had to. This is an information meeting," said Hamburg Supervisor Patrick H. Hoak. "I've checked with our Legal Department. If it goes to court, we lose.

I'm not going to expose the Town of Hamburg to lawsuits." Berkshire, which is contracted by Erie County to provide the service, is also planning a similar facility for Hopevale. Boys would placed at the McKinley location and girls would go to the Hopevale site. The youths typically stay in the homes for about two to three weeks. "The best I can do is have minimum impact on a neighborhood and, where possible, make it an asset," said Hare, who was commissioner of Erie County Youth Services before joining Berkshire. Many residents were concerned about the safety of neighborhood children arid the possibility of the PINS kids wandering through area streets and neighborhoods.

"These kids will never be in your neighborhoods or in your playgrounds or the mall or on your streets. The only time you'll see them is. if you drive by the campus. These children will not be interacting with your kids," said Hare. "There is never a moment when these kids are not within eyesight of a supervisor.

They are See Youth Home, page 3 By RICK ADAMCZAK Despite strong opposition from residents at an information meeting Tuesday night, it appears plans for a home for troubled youth on McKinley Parkway will move forward. A boisterous crowd of more than four dozen residents filled the Hamburg Town Hall meeting room to voice their opposition to the in a meeting that lasted more than two hours. TH tell you why we're all here we don't want it," said one resident immediately as the meeting began. Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth is planning to open two eight-bed group homes for youth who are designated as persons in need of supervision (PINS). The facility would be located on McKinley Parkway in an apartment building just beyond the Cambridge Square apartment complex and just before the road turns into Willet Road.

A second building is planned for the site. The building is owned by a bank and has only one tenant remaining. John Szalay said he and his wife, Susan, are about to complete the purchase of the site, after which they would lease it to Berkshire. Despite complaints about possible drops in property values and potential problems with the troubled youth, Berkshire Regional Director L. Nathan Hare told The Sun he expects the project to move forward and the and softball fields and lighted tennis courts.

Rood says the town is also looking into upgrading and improving the bathrooms and concession stand at the existing recreation fields. With a need for senior and youth centers, Rood said a shared facility could eventually be built on the new land. Hoak to seek third term as Hamburg supervisor i A -j Hoak says he got into politics through the influence of his father, Bertrand, who was a state Senator in the mid-1960s. "I was inspired by my father. I had an immediate attraction and was glued to his hip.

I saw the joy he had in helping other people," says Hoak. Hoak first ran for office in 1985, losing a close race for Town Board to Karl Henry. "I had a lot of people tell me 'you ran a good race, so keep so I decided to run again," remembers Hoak. In 1987 he was elected to the Town Board and then in 1993 he defeated Bev Smalt for the supervisor's post. Four years later he gained re-election by defeating the late Lou Billittier.

By KICK ADAMCZAK In the past two decades, movers have made rare visits to the Town of Hamburg's supervisor's office. Current Supervisor Patrick H. Hoak hopes to keep that trend going. The Democrat has announced he will seek a third term in office this fall. "I enjoy what I do and there are more goals I want to see us reach," said Hoak, who served as a town councilman for six years before his election to If victorious in November, Hoak would be the second straight supervisor to win three consecutive terms.

Rep. Jack Quinn won three straight elections, but left office midway through his third term to make a successful run for Congress. John Michalek served as the interim supervisor in 1993. Hoak says that his accomplishments in office include work on improving programs for senior citizens, such as the senior daycare center, consolidation of services, especially in the Buildings and Grounds Deparment, and keeping taxe rate increases below the rate of inflation. He also notes the improvements at the town ice arena, re-accreditation of the Police Department and maintaining a strong bond rate.

Hoak also says the town's relationships with state Senator Dale Volker and state Assemblyman Richard Smith have helped the town secure a number of state grants. PATRICK H. HOAK.