Mayor's Report: July 16, 2010

Fourth of July

I am pleased to report that this year was a safe one in our village. The Police Department has reported that it was a relatively quiet one and there were only a few incidents reported.

Mayor's Report: July 9, 2010

Sanitation/Recycling Guidelines - 2010/11 Schedule

The Sanitation/Recycling Collection Schedule and Guidelines for 2010/11 were mailed to residents last week. I encourage you to review the schedule and to please retain it as a reference source for the upcoming year. If anyone has not received a copy, please call the Department of Public Works at 465-4003.

Concert at Gazebo

Once again, compliments are due to the Recreation Department for arranging the 2010 season’s outstanding Concert Series at the Village Gazebo, located on the Village Green at the corner of Stewart and Hilton avenues.
Next week’s program is scheduled for Thursday, July 8, and will feature Buddy Merriam and Backroads. The program will begin at 7:15 p.m. and admission is free. Please bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a very pleasant evening. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Cultural and Performing Arts Center at Cluett Hall at the St. Paul’s School. Please call the Recreation Program Line (742-5888) with questions pertaining to the concert.

Board of Trustees Summer Meeting Schedule

During July and August the Board of Trustees will meet once a month. The dates are Thursday July 15; and Thursday, Aug.19 at 8 p.m.

Village’s Website

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. For your convenience, listed on the village’s home page under the heading of the Department of Public Works are guidelines for Garbage, Rubbish and Recycling.

Around the Town: July 9, 2010

Children’s Summer Festival

With the arrival of the warm summer months comes the opportunity for parents to spend more time having fun with their kids. One great way to spend quality time as a family is by attending one of the town’s Children’s Summer Festival shows together.  

Letter: GC Community Coalition and PTA Thank Local Merchants

The Garden City Community Coalition and the Garden City PTA wish to thank the merchants for the their continued participation and support of our pre-prom event Prom-a-Palooza. Due to their generosity the Prom-a-Palooza has just celebrated its fifth year. The collaborative effort among the community, the merchants, and the school district has resulted in a new Garden City tradition — Prom-a-Palooza. Participating merchants were: Adelphi Deli; Culinary Heights; DC-3 Deli; Dolce Café; Grimaldi’s; Key Food Marketplace; La Bottega; Manor Deli; My 3 Son’s Bagels; Natural Market; Pellegrini Meats; Prime; Reisterer’s Bakery; Seventh Street Gourmet; Stop & Shop (West Hempstead); and Stop & Shop (Carle Place).

Mayor’s Report: July 2, 2010

Shop and Dine in Garden City — Support the Local Merchants

Working under a special permit from the village, food establishments on Seventh Street, New Hyde Park Road and Franklin Avenue have placed tables and chairs outside their shops and restaurants for your convenience and enjoyment. Please stop by to let the merchants know that you appreciate their efforts and enjoy the many fine tastes of Garden City.

Mayor’s Report: June 25, 2010

Congratulations to the Garden City High School

Girls Lacrosse Team and Girls Track and Field

I would like to offer congratulations on behalf of the board of trustees to the Garden City Girls Lacrosse team, Coach Diane Chapman and Director of Athletics Nancy Kalafus for winning its fifth straight title with a 20-10 win over Bedford’s Fox Lane at SUNY Cortland last Saturday. This is the third time Coach Chapman has led the girls to five straight state crowns for the Garden City Girls Lacrosse Team. The Trojans finished this season 21-0. It is truly a testament to the team for all their hard work and dedication this season.

Around the Town: June 25, 2010

Hempstead Town’s July 4 Celebration

The Town of Hempstead proudly takes part in the celebration of our nation’s independence with our Annual Independence Day Celebration and Veteran’s Salute. The salute will occur on Saturday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Mayor’s Report: June 18, 2010

Pool Season Begins

One of the most attractive facilities within the village is our Garden City Swimming Pool. The 54th season began on Saturday, June 12. All residents are encouraged to become members of the Swimming Pool and enjoy all that it has to offer to all age groups. There is a membership level available for everyone.

Water Conservation - Local Law 3-1987

We all want to keep the environment clean and green. However, I would like to remind the village residents that although we want to have beautiful lawns and flowers, we must keep in mind the village's law with regard to water conservation (Local Law 3-1987) is now in effect. The restrictions are:
Lawn sprinkling and garden irrigation only from April 16 to Nov. 30 of each year and only during the hours of 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The days a person may water are:
Odd numbered properties on odd-numbered days.
Even numbered properties on even-numbered days
Properties with no numbers on even-numbered days.

Automatic sprinkler systems:
All newly installed systems must have moisture sensors approved by the Department of Public Works. For more information please call 465-4012 regarding sprinkler systems.

Miscellaneous
• All home car washing must be done with hoses fitted with spray nozzles with automatic shut-off.
• Use of water for washing down driveways or walkways is prohibited.
Please cooperate by observing these restrictions. The police department has been requested to issue appearance tickets to those persons found to be in violation of this law.

Annual Test for Backflow Prevention Assembly Units

Residents who have in-ground sprinklers are advised that their sprinklers must have certification of their backflow prevention units.
Please take a minute to schedule an appointment with a certified backflow prevention assembly tester who is certified by the Nassau County Department of Health. If the test discloses that the assembly is not operating satisfactorily, please have the necessary repairs made and the assembly retested by the certified tester. On completion of a test showing that the assembly is operating satisfactorily, the certified tester should complete a Test and Maintenance Report Form and forward to Village Hall Department of Public Works. An untested backflow device is considered a potential hazard to the residents of the village.
If you have any questions regarding this matter, please feel free to call Steven Bayard at 465-4024.

Board of Trustees Meetings

The next Board of Trustees Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2010. The meeting dates for the summer will be as follows: July 15 and Aug. 19. The meetings will be held in the boardroom at Village Hall and will begin at 8 p.m.

Village’s Website

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. For your convenience, listed on the village’s home page under the Heading of Recreation is a listing of the hours for the Community Park Pool for the months of July, August and September.

From the Desk of Senator Craig Johnson: June 18, 2010

Statement from Senator Craig M. Johnson
On School Property Tax Cap

“For years, special interests have blocked the passage of a cap on school property taxes. While such legislation has twice passed the Senate and is supported by the governor, it has never seen the light of day in the Assembly. As we have witnessed this week, Governor Paterson has the power to change that. I am calling on him to include the tax cap in next week’s budget extender legislation. Governor Paterson has a golden opportunity to secure a legacy as a friend of New York’s property taxpayers. He must show leadership, seize this moment and take this very important first step toward taming out-of-control property tax increases in this state.”

Letter: Defeat the Repeat

I attended yet another BOE Budget meeting, the usual suspects were in attendance. Couldn’t see where the PTA members were hiding their pom-poms. However, in a $90 million budget, they really sharpened those pencils and found a whooping $284,000 in additional savings. Later, we were regaled about the marvelous achievements our students were making on the state tests. Little mention was made of the dumbing down of those same tests by the education bureaucracy so that they look good. Much effort went into this presentation, they really earned my vote. Not!