Recent graduation ceremonies at Floral Park Memorial and Sewanhaka High Schools recognized the milestone achievement of local young people in the Class of 2004. With yearbooks and diplomas in hand, senior year and graduation will be fondly remembered by the graduates in the years to come. Now that summer is here many are preparing to attend schools of higher learning while others have taken employment or are still undecided about their future plans. The village board and the community are proud of the graduates and wish them much success and happiness in whatever they choose to pursue in the years ahead. Best wishes to all 2004 graduates. Water Authority of Western Nassau County (WAWN) is planning extensive water main work on Tulip Avenue during the summer - still no confirmed start date. This WAWN capital project involves Tulip Avenue's business section and adjacent streets. While this is not a village project, Public Works Superintendent Ken Tymecki will be meeting with WAWN representatives and the contractor to help make the water delivery system project a success. Looks like work may be done at night and during daytime hours. It is our hope that businesses and residents in the area will not be inconvenienced...I have sent letters to inform the residents and business owners in the project area. The water authority will be notifying the public. For more information call the WAWN at 327-4000. There's Only One of You," a public seminar to be held at Citibank, located at 215 Jericho Turnpike, on Tuesday, July 20, at 4 p.m. will focus on identity theft and fraud. According to Citibank Manager Barbara Wagner, nearly 250,000 identity theft complaints were filed in 2003. Avoid being the next victim by keeping the essential elements of your personal identifying information in order.

The Floral Park Tennis Ladder has been in existence for over 25 years and during that time, there has been spirited play, dozens of tournaments, tennis socials, award ceremonies and unbounded fun for hundreds of players who have come through the Floral Park Recreation Center.

Recently, some of the players have distinguished themselves by competing against some of the best players that New York State has to offer. Captained by Ted Ferrara, the 7-0 mixed doubles team won the New York City Metro title at Flushing Meadow Park and then in mid-June in Schenectady, finished in the top two places in the state tournament. The team will move on to the Northeast Regionals, which will take place at Stony Brook University on Aug. 28-29 and involve teams from several states on the East Coast. Good luck to Tara Moreno, Mary McGowan, Helen Geteson, Glenn Stephens, Terry McLaughlin and Chris Schneider.

Sidewalk and curb replacement costs continue to be the responsibility of the local residential and commercial property owners. The village sidewalk program follows a schedule that addresses replacement of sidewalk slabs and/or curbs in the four sections of the village over a period of approximately 8-10 years.

While the village program follows a cycle taking it to the South Side, Hillcrest, North End, West End and back to South Side, property owners are expected to keep their sidewalks and curbs in safe condition at all times. The property owner should always notify the Public Works Department before sidewalk work is planned. Most property owners do not take the initiative to replace sidewalk slabs or curbs outside of the village inspection cycle. The village program is important community-wide, particularly in the commercial areas where there is more pedestrian traffic.

Sometimes the village will receive a letter stating that a sidewalk condition at a particular location is hazardous. Regardless of the section of the village, an inspection is performed immediately. It may mean cement slab(s) or curbing will need to be replaced by the owner to prevent an accident.

At the present time sidewalks and curbs in the West End are being inspected. Depressions, cracks, chips or the elevation of a sidewalk slab may indicate the necessity for replacement. The inspector will mark cement slabs or curbs with an orange dot. The decision is largely based on assessment experience. Yes, sometimes inspections are questioned. In these cases, a supervisor will reinspect.

Floral Park, designated Tree City, U.S.A., has the added concern of village tree roots that may lift sidewalk slabs or curbs. Our inspectors and supervisors try to work with residents were such conditions exist. Rarely are healthy trees removed. Unfortunately, many of the mature Pin Oaks cause sidewalk problems.

Curbing is more costly than sidewalk slab replacement because it requires pouring concrete at a greater depth and it is more work for the contractor.

The village must notify residents immediately after the sidewalks are inspected and marked so that the cement work can be completed within a specified time period because of the liability concerns. In order to help reduce the cost to property owners in the village, bids for sidewalk and curb work are sought through a public bidding process. The contractor submitting the lowest bid is selected to do the work. However, property owners have the right to select their own contractor but must inform the Public Works Department so that arrangements can be made for the required inspections during the work period.

Swimming Pool has record membership...Centennial Gardens nature overlook bridge has arrived but is being stored at the contractor's yard until the completed concrete base, which will support the structure, has cured. This will take a few weeks...Birch Street asphalt overlay has commenced. Delay was caused by a problem with contractor's milling equipment...Children are enjoying summer vacation. Please reduce speed when driving around the village. Speed limit is 30 mph - avoid exceeding...Speed limit near schools is 20 mph...When parking on the street please do not block residential driveway entrances...Dead ends are not parking lots...Call Public Works at 326-6320 to report street light outages...Call Nassau County Department of Health to report rats or mice, also call Public Works...LIRR tells me old ties will now be removed from along rail line in August...If you are an officer of a local service, sport or fraternal group, please give names of new officers and meeting information to Sue at village hall at 326-6300. We try to keep a list in case of inquiries...No news from the Village Officials Association (NCVOA) regarding renewal of fuel cost-saving program due to expire in the fall...Commemorative bricks can still be purchased for installment at Heritage Park. Applications available at village hall. Engraved bricks cost $85.

On June 21 I was delighted to accept a most generous check for $500 from the local AARP chapter. The donation from the group will help defray the cost of the new flagpole located on the front lawn of village hall. It was a pleasure to install and congratulate the officers of AARP for the next year, including Arthur Connolly, who will continue as president.

I also presented certificates of appreciation to Katherine O'Connor and Mary Rubbo for their service as directors. Recipient Lillian Winklehaus was unable to attend the event. Philip Mastandrea was presented with a pin and certificate from the National Association recognizing his contributions.