It was heart wrenching to see the results of house fires that occurred at two different locations but on the same day last week. Everyone is saddened to know that our neighbors have suffered property damage and the loss of household and personal items. We can be thankful that no lives were lost. We are grateful for the professional response of our police, fire and rescue personnel and for mutual aid from neighboring fire departments. In 2001, FISH volunteers made 513 trips to doctors and hospitals. The 32-year-old organization quietly performs an important role within the community and deserves a star for its neighborliness. The group is always looking for volunteer telephone coordinators and drivers to give just one day a month. Interested? Call President Laura Rassiga at 437-0808. Last year, FISH was unable to accommodate 60 requests for assistance. Local churches and other service organizations are to be commended for supporting FISH with their operating expenses.

Last March, aircraft traffic patterns and noise increased significantly. Since the events of Sept. 11, our Noise Abatement Committee's efforts were appropriately reduced. Residents are asked to resume calling the Village Hotline at 326-6300 from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. to report over flights between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. and noisy helicopter over flights as well. Please be sure to give your name and address and the time. A tally of calls will be maintained and will be important in discussions with officials.

Village representatives are attending the monthly meetings of the Town and Village Aircraft Safety and Noise Abatement Committee. I have written letters to government officials about our concerns and I will be encouraging the residents who call the hot line to contact them as well.

Grievance Night, the third Tuesday in February of each year, provides an opportunity for residents and commercial property owners to notify the village that they believe their property assessment is higher than it should be and request a review. This year, there were 50 percent less residential grievances submitted and about 160 commercial grievances. The village tax rate is linked to the outcome of these grievances and other factors. By the end of March, after the village assessor, Gay Taffel, does her analysis of the requests for reductions, we will know the financial impact of this year's grievances on the operating budget for 2002-03. The last village-wide property reassessment took place in the early '70s. Nassau County is still in the process of a countywide reassessment.

Central Park has now become a target for the infamous long-horned beetle. Over the past few years, our Public Works Department has been on the lookout for the creatures. Swift action is necessary when trees are found to have an infestation. The closest place where the beetles have been found is Bayside, only a few miles away.

The beetles discovered here in the US are thought to have entered the US in wooden shipping crates from China. They attack hardwood trees such as Maples and Oaks and can destroy thousands of trees in a short time if not detected. They have no natural enemies so man must do a thorough job in destroying any infested tree by cutting it down, chopping it up and burning it. The state and federal agricultural authorities are waging a war on the beetles, but it will be difficult to eradicate them.

Our Recreation Center with its playing fields, basketball, tennis, volleyball, handball and multipurpose courts support hundreds of enthusiastic youngsters and adults wanting to add competition and sporting fun to their lives. During the winter, regardless of the temperature and other weather conditions, it is necessary to allow our playing fields to rest. This helps to guarantee a safe, grassy turf in April when outdoor activities begin to emerge. The various playground courts offer opportunities for sport activities on the unseasonably fair winter days. It's the first time I've seen so many tennis players enjoying the courts all winter long.

The Substance Abuse Prevention Committee-sponsored Drug and Alcohol Abuse Informational (two-session) workshop has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. on March 4-5 at Village Hall. Dr. Kurt Kaplan of Molloy College will conduct the two-evening sessions, which is intended to update community leaders and the public on the topic. Police Commissioner Mike Reid will also make a presentation.

Several representatives of local schools and service groups had signed up for the workshops when due to unforeseen circumstances it had to be canceled. If interested in attending, please call 326-6311 to reserve a spot. Unfortunately, since Sept. 11, there has been a marked increase in abuse of alcohol and illicit drugs. Teenagers often associated with experimenting with these substances are not the only people vulnerable to habituation and addiction. Child abuse and domestic violence is often a result of such abuses. Attend the workshop to get up-to-date information.

Sept. 11 will be remembered forever. But since that day, and in the days ahead, a new generation will be born. What would a fitting memorial be for the Floral Park residents lost when the WTC was destroyed?

"In Remembrance of Sorrow for Other Times," a New York Times article by David Dunlop, reads "...it is worth pondering how other memorials...have conveyed their message across the generations. And it can elevate the soul to step away from the chatter and partake in the contemplative hush that the best memorials offer. Created out of grief or resolve...Those commemorating large scale tragedy assume an astonishing variety of forms...but each embodies the notion that even the most appalling catastrophe is part of a living continuum."

The village board, after receiving many letters and suggestions regarding memorials for the victims, has decided Heritage Park is the most suitable place. The village has already started the process of placing bricks in the park in their honor but we know the community would like to do something special. At this time, the exact form of the memorial has not been determined. This will take some time but ideas are being reviewed and suggestions from the victims' families and the public are welcome.

Attending the annual Parent-Teachers' Association Founder's Day celebration is an event I always enjoy. The event, hosted by the John Lewis Childs PTA, recognized a number of past PTA and PTSA presidents from the John Lewis Childs and Floral Park-Bellerose Elementary Schools and Floral Park Memorial High School.

As an active member in years past, the meeting brought back memories of newsletters, flower sales, balloon launches and long lasting friendships with other parents. My fondest memory took place in 1979. As PTA president, I organized an event to highlight the 50th anniversary of Floral Park-Bellerose School. Forty or more moms were given all the items needed to bake sheet cakes. Food Fair (now Key Food) donated the cake mixes and icing.

Early in the morning, on the appointed day, parents brought the cakes to the science room where they were decorated. At precisely 1 p.m. cakes and juice were taken to the classrooms. Principal Arthur Dagnes announced over the PA system that everyone was invited to sing Happy Birthday to FPBS. Blue roses dotted the cakes coated with white icing. The eyes of the boys and girls dazzled as, in unison, over 1,000 voices sang the familiar words. The birthday party was fun and a perfect example of parents, administration and teachers working together. The youngsters had a lesson in history as well. PTA was founded over 100 years ago in order to foster this type of cooperation. I congratulate the local PTAs in their success in fulfilling an important role within our community.

The annual meeting of the Four Village Studio was held recently. Approximately 45 volunteers work at the studio located on the second floor in the "west wing" of our Village Hall. Many are young people interested in a career in television. They attend training and become a part of the hustling, bustling team that produces, directs, tapes and edits programs for local viewing.

Jim Green, operations director, reported the upgrade of technical equipment was completed in 2001. He announced that local weather information would be added later this year.

Mayor Arlene McMullan of South Floral Park and I spoke briefly at the meeting thanking the 4VS board members, Jim Green, program hosts and the talented volunteers for their commitment to Channel 70. The studio has received several awards since broadcasting started in 1998.

Tax dollars do not fund the studio. The studio is funded through a percentage of the franchise fees collected by Cablevision from cable subscribers. Grants and contributions help to support the studio.

Volunteers are important to the viability of 4VS. The studio is always seeking people interested in training sessions or even hosting a show. For information about 4VS, which serves Bellerose, Stewart Manor, South Floral Park and Floral Park, call 326-1150 or visit www.fpvillage.org.

Congratulations to Marie Keegan of the Floral Park League for Mercy Medical Center who was honored recently for 36 years and 8,000 hours of volunteer service. The League meets monthly and supports Mercy Hospital through fund-raising activities and volunteer work at the thrift shop and in the hospital.

Recent news reports jarred everyone when it was reported that nearly 300 million Monarch butterflies died due to cold weather conditions in Mexico after their long migratory flight from Canada. This prompted me to remind property owners that it's relatively easy to help the butterfly population. It just so happens that I visited a butterfly farm in January and learned that by adding certain plants around the house, a variety of butterflies are likely to appear. It is my hope that the village can do plantings at Centennial Gardens and other park areas to attract more butterflies. However, I realize drought conditions this year will be of genuine concern for our Public Works Parks Department, Beautification Committee and gardeners in general.

Master Gardener Eileen Daly, through her work with the Cornell Cooperative Extension Service, sent me helpful information. The Extension Service's Horticultural Department can be reached Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 454-0906. Call to get expert guidance regarding butterfly plants and answers to any indoor or outdoor gardening questions and concerns.