Mineola, Garden City and Verizon Test Noise at Plant

Timetable on Results Still Unknown

Mayor Jack Martins revealed last week that sound engineering consultants from all three parties involved in the Verizon noise issues visited the site recently and conducted noise tests. Martins visited the site briefly during the tests, but had to wait outside until the tests were completed.

According to Martins, although he tried to go there to monitor the tests, Verizon did not want anyone who wasn’t certified to participate or be present during the tests. Only the consultants were allowed inside the building.

Thousands Step Out for Lustgarten Foundation’s Annual Walk

It was a sight to behold as a sea of people came out for the Lustgarten Foundation’s annual Walk for pancreatic research at Nassau Community College in Garden City. In its 10-year history, the Walk has grown to more than 4,000 participants, and raised more than $6 million for research initiatives. This year, participants as old as 90 to young infants united in memory of lost loved ones and showed support for those suffering from one of the most deadly forms of cancer there is.

Garden City Hero Honored for Military Service

Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy recently held a series of meetings to honor a local constituent for his service to the country, as well as meet with others that have been assisted by her office. Congresswoman McCarthy presented Mr. Peter LaMantia with his war medals that he never received. Mr. LaMantia is an 86-year-old World War II Veteran from Garden City. He served in the US Navy from April 1942 to March 1946. Mr. LaMantia is pictured with his wife and children and was awarded the following medals: American Theater Medal; Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal two stars and WWII Victory Medal Philippine Liberation Medal.

Resident Voices Concern Over Gas Leak

Board Issues Permit to National Grid for Emergency Repairs

As many village residents are enjoying summer days outside, one homeowner recently voiced concerns over the foul smell of gas in her neighborhood. Jane Cerny, a resident of Middleton Road, told the board of trustees that her quality of life and that of her neighbors is being adversely affected by what she claims to be an ongoing gas leak that National Grid has yet to repair.

Garden City Chamber of Commerce News

Businesses Are Showcased at Chamber Luncheons

The Garden City Chamber of Commerce provides the opportunity for every member who sells, distributes or manufactures a product or service, to display their products, brochures, giveaways or novelties at all Chamber luncheon programs at the Garden City Hotel. The hotel graciously provides the clothed tables for exhibitors. This innovation, which began in 2003, offers a great opportunity to make new business contacts and to promote exhibitors’ products or services. The Showcase starts at 11:30 a.m. during the reception/networking period before luncheon, served promptly at 12:30 p.m.

Village Board Raises Fireworks Permit Fee to $500

After a lengthy debate, the village board of trustees voted in favor of increasing fireworks permit fees from $100 to $500. The fee hike was announced on the very same day that the Cherry Valley Club submitted their fireworks permit for their annual Labor Day Carnival on Monday, Sept. 6. Deputy Mayor Donald Brudie and Trustees Nicholas Episcopia, Lawrence Quinn and John Watras voted against and Mayor Robert J. Rothschild, Trustees Dennis Donnelly, Brian Daughney and Andrew Cavanaugh voted in favor of the increase. The mayor voted twice and broke the tie.

Trustee Dennis Donnelly made the motion to update the fee on permits for fireworks. “I know that the permit fee at the moment is $100 for fireworks. I would like to make a motion to make that $500, which would better equip the village to recoup some of their costs in issuing permits for the fireworks,” Donnelly said.

Verizon, Garden City Finally Retain Consultants for Noise Issues

Sound Tests Commencing

Mineola Mayor Jack Martins revealed last week that Garden City and Verizon have finally retained consultants to address the noise issue plaguing Mineola residents on 13th Avenue. Sound tests have begun, according to Garden City officials.

Both consultants will be coordinating with Mineola’s sound abatement consultant, Manhattan-based firm Lally Acoustical Consultants. Martins said that once tests are taken, results would be available at the next board meeting in August.

BOE Holds Annual Reorganization Meeting

School Construction Projects on Schedule

The Garden City Board of Education recently held their annual Reorganization Meeting for the year 2010 at the Central Administration building. Colleen Foley was sworn in as school board president and Barbara Trapasso was sworn in as school board vice president. During a regularly scheduled meeting that followed, agenda items included updates on the recent bond referendum projects and elimination of the 15-student minimum for low-enrollment classes.

EAB Requests New Laws to Stop Low-Flying Aircraft

The Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) continued its discussions regarding the low-flying aircraft over the Village of Garden City and the incessant noise that accompanies it. EAB members and village residents told a representative from Congresswoman McCarthy’s office that new legislation is needed to decrease the amount of aircraft flying over the Village of Garden City, as well as harsher penalties for planes that fly below FAA altitude regulations.

Alternative Plan to Save St. Paul’s Proposed to Village Board

It was a full house as residents and the board of trustees listened to the Committee to Save St. Paul’s and Garden City Historical Society present an alternative plan that would save St. Paul’s School from demolition. The proposal calls to establish a conservancy and would require an $8 million preservation and renovation of the building’s exterior and rehabilitation of major rooms on the first floor and chapel, which they say would cost the same or even less than the demolition.