www.gardencityny.net

MayorPBee@gardencityny.net

By Peter A. Bee

I would like to extend appreciation to the Garden City Chamber of Commerce for their efforts in the Pineapple Ball. Thanks are expressed not only to all who were visible in the planning, but also the people who were behind the "scenes" in this wonderful event. Congratulations once again to this year's honorees; Gerard P. Lundquist, Citizen of the Year; Dennis C. Donnelly, Community Achievement Award recipient; and Stuart H. Lubow, Business Person of the Year Award. The 12th Annual SEPTA Street Fair is a multi-prong event that has become one of our special traditions. It is a wonderful opportunity to bring the family downtown to Seventh Street and enjoy the street fair, shop your local merchants and at the same time contribute to making this event a great success for SEPTA. It also is a reminder to us that strolling along Seventh Street is a really nice thing to do any day or evening, especially during good weather and is one of the many features that makes Garden City such a special village. The street fair will be held this Friday, May 2, from 2 to 9 p.m. There is no rain date.

Storm water pollution is anything that gets in the path of a raindrop. Every time it rains storm water is carried directly to our surface waters. That means that storm water pollution can have detrimental effects to creeks, lakes, rivers and the oceans into which it drains. Storm water can carry sediment, trash, automotive fluids such as used oil and antifreeze, grass clippings, leaves, yard waste, excess fertilizers, animal waste, pesticides and anything else that gets in its way.

Something that we can do as citizens to prevent storm water pollution are:

Never dump anything down a storm drain. All storm drains flow directly to creeks and lakes. Take used oil, paint and other household hazardous waste to recycling centers. Check your car for oil and/or other leaks. Pick up after your pets. Dispose of animal waste properly in a trash receptacle or flush it down the toilet. Apply fertilizers and pesticides exactly where you want them. Avoid over spraying them onto sidewalks, driveways or streets. Reduce the amount of fertilizers you need to apply by testing the soil in your yard first. Adjust sprinklers to that you're not watering the street or sidewalk. Redirect roof gutters to lawns, natural areas or rain gardens. Take your car to a car wash instead of washing it on the driveway. Sweep up yard debris instead of washing it away. Bundle yard waste at the curb for pick-up. Blow leaves and grass clippings back into your yard instead of leaving them in the street to wash down the storm drain. Use a compost bin to turn yard waste into a useful gardening product. Replant bare areas to avoid soil erosion. Keep invasive plants from growing in your yard. Remove them before they have a chance to grow and spread. Avoid planting exotic plants. Select only plants that are native to this area. Report spills, dumping or suspected water pollution to the village. Clear clogged storm drains as blocked drains cause drainage problems. Participate in community-wide clean up days and other events. Alert neighbors to the storm water pollution problem.

The next board of trustees meetings will be held this Thursday, May 1, and Thursday, May 15. The meetings will be held in the Board Room at Village Hall. I encourage residents to periodically utilize the village's website for information regarding the village's operations, as well as items of seasonal and special interest. The address is www.gardencityny.net. Also please be aware that I have a village email address and would be delighted to hear from village residents about their concerns - it is as follows: MayorPBee@gardencityny.net.