I am very optimistic about 2004. While it is a time to reflect, I like to look forward and consider the positives a New Year can bring for our families and our nation. Right now the Terror Alert is elevated to orange so naturally people see it as a grim reminder that the world has changed significantly since 2001. Perhaps it's good we are so busy this time of year. Fortunately, Saddam Hussein is in captivity. Entering a New Year gives fresh hope for a peaceful world. Regardless of ethnic, cultural, religious or geographic location, holidays worldwide are celebrated with candles. The flickering candle flames remind me of stars twinkling. Candlelight makes faces glow, gives warmth to a room, graces our dining tables and gives a sparkle to a New Year's celebration. Most of all candlelight helps us find charity, peace and love in our hearts. As we light our candles to welcome 2004, let us remember the true meaning of the holidays we share with family and friends today and those we have known and cared about over the years. Please light a candle for our men and women in the military stationed here and abroad.

As I wrote about candlelight, I began to think about articles I've read about candles and fire safety. Across the nation, because of the popularity of candles, fires related to candles have taken lives, caused injuries and destroyed millions of dollars in property. Here in Floral Park, candle-related fires over the past years have caused property damages. Fortunately, no serious injuries have occurred.

Nearly half of all candle-related fires are due to inattention to basic fire safety or misuse of the candles. During this holiday season even more people are likely to light candles. Please follow these tips to keep you and your loved ones safe. To prevent candle fires, always keep a burning candle in sight, never burn a candle near anything that can catch fire and keep burning candles out of reach of children and pets.

Some additional tips include trimming wicks to one-quarter inch prior to use. Always use an appropriate candleholder placed on a stable, heat-resistant surface. Keep burning candles away from drafts, vents and air ducts. Extinguish the candle if it smokes, flickers too much or flames become too high. Keep the wax pool free of wick trimmings, matches and debris. Extinguish the flame if it comes too close to the holder. Place candles at least three inches apart. Have a Happy New Year!

Throughout 2003, I have found taking what I call a "ride about" the village with management personnel and the trustees the way to assess ongoing projects and to seek ways to improve our community. Deputy Mayor Phil Guarnieri, Public Works Superintendent Ken Tymecki and I took such a "ride about" recently. We visited nearly every street in every section and all the parking lots in the village. The ride gave an opportunity to evaluate and discuss the progress on certain public works projects. For example, at the LIRR station, the six electrical towers that were to be painted by LIPA have not been done due to weather conditions. Delay was also caused because the LIRR had to consent to the project and will need to have flagmen on duty the days the painting is being done. By the way, LIPA painters under contract will use gloves - not brushes - to paint the towers. Painting will be done on weekends so commuters will not be affected. We stopped at the Woodbine Municipal Parking Field (behind Associated Food) and discussed ways to improve the lot this spring, including relocating the handicap parking spaces, possibly repaving as well as addressing the islands and lighting. We also looked at making some improvements to the municipal parking lot on Jericho Turnpike, known as the "A&P Lot." After several hours and a yellow pad with notes, we found the "ride about" the village very productive. I've touched on just a few things we noted. The village is 1.5 miles square and it has 37 miles of roads. The public works department has several sub-departments, including building maintenance, parking fields, street lighting, highway, storm drains, sanitation, recycling, parks, trees and more. Very good suggestions were made at the fall public meeting, which was sponsored by the Citizens with Disabilities Committee. The idea of a large print version of Village Items, the village's newsletter, was among the suggestions. Copies of the newsletter, in large print, are now available at the library. Uncertain as to how many copies to make available, more will be made if requested. Residents unable to go to the library but would like a copy of the large print version should call village hall at 326-6300 and give their name and address to Evelyn. The opening and dedication of the new Recreation/Pool Building, original cinder block summer building was built in the '60s ... Total reconstruction of the shared Public Works Building/Recreation Parking Field, originally paved in the '60s and now safer with more spaces, better storm drainage, improved lighting and paved asphalt with a base adequate to support heavy duty public works trucks ... Over 150 young trees planted...Carnation Avenue reconstruction project completed...Borrowed money for capital projects at rates lower than 1 percent ... LIRR commuter parking fields resurfaced...Blackout and blizzards contended with ... Accepted a new fire department pumper engine ... Additional holiday decorations displayed ... Spirit Weekend and Spirit Awards presented ... Fire Prevention Day a success ... Red Ribbon Week, sponsored by the village's Substance Abuse Prevention Council ... Gardens and trees planted at Centennial Gardens ... Village's Cultural Affairs presented summer entertainment in the park and art shows in the spring and fall ... Extensive library and village hall repairs ... Over 1,000 responses to fire, rescue, emergency calls ... New police department computer system, paid through grant funds ... Active Aircraft Noise Abatement Committee with meetings with NE Regional Helicopter Counsel, FAA and government official ... and much more.

The economy appears to have taken a turn for the better. Our residents can be pleased with the investment they made when they purchased a home in the village. Real estate values are excellent. It is most satisfying to see property owners accept the responsibility for maintaining their houses and commercial properties. There has been a trend, and it's expected to continue, whereby property owners are making significant renovations to their houses, buildings and property. Mortgage refinancing, on the other hand, has slowed down.

Floral Park is fortunate to have a community of people who care about preserving and improving the quality of life. Quality of life of course begins with the care and maintenance of our own property. This not only pleases the neighbors it helps keep the character of the village. Painting, landscaping, backyard and porch clean-up, repairs and chimney caps are some of the things homeowners can do to maintain their property.

Store and office owners can spruce up their signs, have attractive windows, sweep their sidewalks and put their garbage and recyclables out properly after dusk and on the right day. This reduces litter and makes the business area more inviting. Landlords in the commercial areas should inform their tenants not to place garbage in the street receptacles. Last year the village added early Sunday morning pick-up of pedestrian trashcans in commercial areas to help prevent litter. Street cleaners make several passes each week and now start their work at 5:30 a.m.

The sentiments of residents and business owners regarding quality of life matters are echoed by the village board on a steady basis all year round through communication directly with the public via a village newsletter, newspaper articles, 4VS - Channel 18 Mayor's Round Table, civic meetings, Covert Avenue Chamber and Floral Park Chamber meetings, the village website and action through legislation and enforcement of local codes.

Periodically, I have held "Open Door" sessions to give residents an opportunity to discuss just about anything with me. My next "Open Door" will take place Thursday, Jan. 8 between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Understand that I can't discuss pending legal matters involving the village. In the past, people have discussed village services, offered suggestions and voiced their complaints. I have found the meetings productive. Often action by the village is taken to correct certain situations brought to my attention. In the past, discussions with individual and small groups took about 10 to 15 minutes. Please arrive at village hall anytime between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. Enter the front door and go to the reception window. Village Administrator Ginnie Appel will be there to assist you. I have an Eagle Scout Board of Review following the "Open Door" session. Floral Park does not want illegal apartments. Basement, attic and other apartments created in a typical home degrade the values of neighboring homes. It stresses the village's operating budget because of the additional services, such as garbage pick-up. Illegal apartments place a burden on the taxpayers who do not enjoy an income from an illegal apartment. The village has not and will not tolerate illegal situations. All illegal situations brought to our attention are investigated and usually resolved through the court system and stiff penalties imposed. Note: New York State fire code does not allow anyone to sleep in a basement.

Capital budget planning for the village board includes a 10-year tentative schedule for replacing fleet vehicles. Our fleet has remained at approximately 100 vehicles for several years. The village's chief mechanic, Steve Beausheane, keeps our fire, police, public works and other department vehicles operational beyond their expected service life.

Only after management personnel and Steve make a recommendation to proceed to replace a vehicle on the schedule do we begin the purchasing process. The village administrator and department head check the New York State government contract lists to see if the village can get a better price for a truck or car than the price offered on the open market. If the state contract offers savings, the village does not need to go through a bidding process and can buy the vehicle through the contract vendor.

In addition to state government contracts, the village can take advantage of Nassau County and other government contracts. This saves the village thousands of dollars each year. The village has not only saved money on vehicles but on the purchase of items, such as carpet, outdoor furniture, trashcans, computers, sand, salt and asphalt and more by checking the availability of items already contracted by other levels of government. Several years ago sandblasting at the Floral Park Pool was done through a county service contract. In recent years the Nassau County Village Officials Association formed a purchasing cooperative. Items, such as cleaning supplies and paper, can be purchased through their program.

Currently, our Department of Public Works is in need of two dump trucks. By purchasing replacement trucks through the NYS government contract, the village will save $5 to $10,000. The purchase price is approximately $78,000. The capital budget estimate was $85,000.