Three months have passed since my swearing-in. Again, I thank everyone for their support through letters, calls and conversation. From my perspective, it appears the summer will be busier than usual here at Village Hall. Our village auditors are still working to close the 2000-01 fiscal year. The Village Board has several work sessions planned to review finances, insurance issues, to update our five-year capital expenditure plan.

During the last three months, I've received numerous letters. A few letters were signed "Concerned Citizen." These letters can't be answered but I do consider the content. Most letters are very courteous and express a genuine concern, a valid complaint, a problem of some sort or perhaps a constructive suggestion.

Some letters pertain to things over which the Village has no jurisdiction. For example, the local elementary or high school handles school district issues through district school boards. Another example involves roads like Jericho Turnpike, which is a New York State road. Floral Park cannot regulate the speed limit, install traffic lights and is restricted in actions such as signage, which would effect access to the Turnpike.

My intention is always to answer a letter one way or another. I often call people directly to get information or clarification. If it is a matter that I feel a department head can readily address, I pass it on through the Village Administrator Ginnie Appel and get a follow-up report. Sometimes I meet with residents to discuss their particular written concerns. Since I don't make all decisions, a good number of items are placed on the Village Board meeting agenda. The trustees and I discuss the matter and take action when deemed necessary.

Twice in recent weeks vandalism occurred in our most pleasant and prettiest Village spots, Heritage Park and Centennial Gardens/Bird Sanctuary. In the early morning hours, red spray paint marred the flagpoles, flags and signpoles at the Gardens. Within hours our Department of Public Works restored the area to its original pristine appearance.

Early Sunday morning, July 8, lamposts were downed and benches uprooted at Heritage Park. Was it a drunken bar patron? A gang of youths? An unhappy resident? The charming park will be restored this week regardless of whom the culprit(s) may be.

There is talk of a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the one(s) responsible for such destructive behavior. Police investigations started immediately and will continue. Patrols have increased and new security measures will be instituted at these locations. Anyone with information please call Police Commissioner Mike Reid at 326-6400.

Fortunately, Floral Park has been successful in obtaining grant funds for roads, trees, the library, playground, fire protection equipment and much more. At present, we have an application pending for federal financial assistance for the upgrading of our Village Hall heating system. Through the efforts of our State Senator Mike Balboni, we will receive a Department of Transportation Multi-Modal Grant of $250,000 for the reconstruction of Carnation Avenue between Tulip and Crocus Avenues.

In August we will be applying for a state environmental grant for a Centennial Garden project. I am very pleased that a state representative will be meeting with us later in the month to assist us in the grant process.

Floral Park makes a concerted effort to seek and apply for grants. Many grants are limited to non-profit organizations but there are a number of opportunities for villages. Since the late '80s, the competition has increased as municipalities have become more sophisticated in the grant application process.

Today we learn about governmental grants through the Internet, municipal workshops and meetings of associations like the New York State Conference of Mayors and the Nassau County Village Officials. Usually, federal grant information is available through the same sources.

Grants have their own sets of criteria. Our Village may not meet the demographic, geographic or financial requirements. For instance, to apply for funds available under the Clear Air Clean Water Bond Act, Floral Park would have to be located on a coastal waterway. Many grants are matching grants. This means 50 percent of the cost of the project is reimbursed at the completion of the approved project. In this case, the Village would need to have the money on hand for the project and be willing to wait for the reimbursement.

Once the decision to apply for a specific grant is made, the most important part of the process begins. The application process entails writing the project description and the request for funding. The required documents such as photographs, maps and financial data are complied. I have found when doing this phase, I always try to remember a stranger will review and read the material and it should be clear and concise. Most importantly, it must include all the required information and materials. When awarded a grant, no matter how large or how small, it's very much like winning the lottery.

It was a pleasure to install the newly elected officers of Floral Park Chapter the American Association for Retired Persons (AARP). I accepted, on behalf of the Village, a $500 check to help defray the cost of our first true historical marker.

Village Historian Walter Gosden and Floral Park Historical Society volunteers are overseeing the project and planning the Spirit Weekend public ceremony at the Tulip Avenue site. The marker will display the Village seal and will read "Site of Home and Seedhouse John Lewis Childs, Founder and First President of Floral Park. Publisher, State Senator, Author." A special thank you to the AARP for their many generous donations to worthy local causes.

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is an autonomous board made up of five appointed residents representing the North End, West End, Hillcrest and South side sections of the Village. The ZBA conducts monthly hearings to provide an opportunity for property and business owners to seek variances or relief from the local zoning code. The code serves as the official guide for fences, driveways, additions, business signs and a lot more.

Property owners, after checking with the Building Department, may learn that a variance is needed in order to change their property in some way. An application must be submitted along with the required documents and then a hearing is scheduled. The final decision to either grant or deny a variance rests solely with the ZBA and the criteria set by law. The Village Board is prohibited from ZBA involvement.

In a recent discussion with Mayor Van Buskirk of Bellerose Village, I was reminded that the Bellerose Village code doesn't allow for any fences. In Floral Park, fences are allowed but they are regulated as to height, placement and style. A fence permit is also required. Sometimes a property owner will seek a variance for a particular fence installation.

Our code is probably one of Floral Park's most important documents in terms of maintaining the character of the Village.