Some residents who joined the Village Energy Group, our village fuel cost-saving program, received a letter from ECONnergy entitled, "Explanation of Offerings." The letter should be ignored by any resident or business that joined the Village Energy Group last September and since.

It seems that when the KeySpan ESCO folded last year, ECONnergy purchased its list of 65,000 customers. Unfortunately, ECONnergy's marketing letters were sent to some folks in error. ECONnergy apologizes. Questions? Call Lauren Killigrew at village hall at 326-6300.

The Floral Park Library Board of Trustees President Dom Longobardi announced library trustee appointments at a recent Floral Park Library Open House. Mary Hawkins-Conway and Mary McLaughlin will serve on the five-member board, which is responsible for our village library programs and operation. We welcome them to the library board and thank them for their willingness to serve.

Over 10 years ago the village initiated a very aggressive campaign against illegal apartments within Floral Park. Since that time prosecutions for illegal apartments have taken place. Property owners have had to appear in court and pay fines of $1,000 or more for violating our local code. Follow-up inspections are mandatory as a means of preventing the illegal apartment from future availability. Periodically, the Building Department (326-6319) is notified of what is suspected to be a basement apartment (all illegal in the state) or an illegal apartment in a house in the neighborhood.

While Floral Park has a number of legal two-family homes, some known as pre-existing (code) non-conforming, there are property owners who have created illegal apartments. Many of these landlords are absentee landlords, meaning they do not live in the village and want to have more than one rental at a location. These particular situations often lead to property maintenance issues.

Illegal apartments have a negative impact on the community. While providing an extra income for the property owner, others must pay taxes for the services provided for the apartment dwellers such as garbage pickup, police and fire protection and possibly the education of children residing at the address. Additional cars and parking situations are also of concern.

The village board is continuing to follow-up on reports of illegal situations with appropriate investigation of every complaint. While it is true a housing shortage exists on Long Island, illegal apartments, if allowed to proliferate, have the potential of changing the character of Floral Park as a village.

A packet of information and identification materials, through a program called WHALE - We Have A Little Emergency - is available through the Floral Park Fire Department. WHALE started in 1990 and is now recognized in 34 states and used by emergency personnel. It came about when a Virginia child caregiver wondered what would happen to children in her care if she were in a car accident and unable to communicate with rescuers.

An envelope containing a child car seat tag and WHALE logo stickers for proper placement on the child seat and windows will alert rescue workers called to an accident scene. Parents, friends, grandparents, neighbors, babysitters and others may travel with a child and have an accident. If injured the adult may not be able to provide information about the child.

The Floral Park Woman's Club recently offered the WHALE kit to its members. WHALE kits are available for pickup at our village hall reception area.

Centennial Gardens and Bird Sanctuary has become the site of many interesting tree species. Recently, those who have made donations toward the wonderful variety of trees, as well as garden benches and other enhancements, were recognized at an informal ceremony at the Gardens.

Former mayor Steve Corbett and I thanked those present for their volunteer work in the Gardens and for the generous donations from individuals, families and local community groups. Dennis McEnery of the Conservation Society board spoke about ongoing projects.

Some of the fascinating names of the trees planted are Paperback Maple, River Birch, Weeping Copper Beech, Hydrangea Tardiva, "Ivory Silk" Lilac and Snow Fountain Cherry. Would you like to make a donation to Centennial Garden and Bird Sanctuary? Give me a call at 326-6303. The village plan is to open the garden for passive recreation in 1908, Floral Park's centennial year. Hundreds of residents, including Scouts and neighbors to the site, in addition to our Public Works crews, have worked hard and continue to work to change the sump to a vista of nature for all to enjoy. Public tours are available periodically. When in the interior area, it feels like being in a true nature preserve. Markers are in place to help identify species of trees and more.

A special thank you to Jiffy Lube Manager Andre Harrison and Jiffy Lube, located at Jericho and Tulip Avenues, for the generous support of the Gardens through an all-day customer special last Saturday.

On Oct. 23, the Substance Abuse Prevention Council will kickoff Red Ribbon Week, a nationwide program. One of the highlights of the week will be an evening program in Floral Park-Bellerose School's auditorium Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Father Francis Pizzarelli, a dedicated and well-respected speaker on the topic of drug and alcohol abuse among youth, will present "You Make A Difference." Parents and young people are encouraged and welcomed to attend.

In addition to the special program, village streets leading to our local schools will be tied together in spirit by a display of red ribbons. According to Council President Patricia Dreyer, members of youth groups will venture to use red ribbons to create a drug and alcohol abuse awareness message while promoting the idea of healthy lifestyles for all. I will sign an official proclamation declaring Red Ribbon Week Oct. 23-31 in Floral Park.

The Floral Park Committee concerned with residents with disabilities will hold a meeting on the topic of "Meeting the Needs of Villagers with Disabilities" on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Recreational/Pool Building, which is accessible and parking is ample.

The meeting will have two segments. The first will include a presentation by Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged Director Don Dreyer. He will discuss programs and services available through the county. The second segment will provide a forum for residents to discuss local services and accessibility in general within the village.

Access to local events, activities and to our public facilities is an important part of village life. Trustee Gerry Bambrick serves as liaison to the village committee, which meets periodically to discuss quality of life issues important to people with disabilities. We are seeking public input and welcome your attendance at the meeting.

Floral Park Memorial High School Homecoming 2003 parade and festivities were as much fun as ever. The parade stepped off at 11 a.m. with colorful red and white uniforms and dress, the pomp only a high school marching band can offer and handcrafted class floats depicting "heroes." Principal Gloria O'Connor, PTSA leaders, Sewanhaka Central High School District board members and other dignitaries led the parade. I think the parade dazzled onlookers.

Note: A police department GEM, a battery operated mini-car, was seen along the parade route. Recently three GEMS were given to the village through a grant program.

The weekend would not be complete if I didn't visit the Breast Cancer Awareness Day event at the Recreation Center. Rain put a damper on the festivities but I still was able to purchase some great zucchini bread and have a bite to eat. The committee worked hard and I congratulate them for their efforts.