The following are reports from the Sept. 21 Floral Park board meeting at village hall.

Deputy Mayor Phil Guarnieri said he attended Spirit Days Sept. 17-18 and although the weather was not congenial it dot not dampen Floral Park's spirits. "Everyone who attended had a wonderful time," he said. There was a very good turnout for the Spirit Awards on Saturday, which was held inside the Recreation/Pool Building.

Because of the rainy conditions, the Department of Public Works did a good job clearing streets of branches and small trees that had fallen. In fact, Trustee Guarnieri said a small tree had fallen in front of his house.

He also reported that Public Works is continuing to stripe the streets with white paint; it just completed Plainfield Avenue and Zinnia Street. Public Works will be further enhancing stripes on the road with yellow paint.

Trustee Guarnieri said the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Centennial Gardens bridge will take place Saturday, Oct. 23 at 11 a.m. Trustee Guarnieri encouraged everyone to come and join the celebration. "A remarkable job has been done at Centennial Gardens and that bridge will be the jewel of the Gardens," he said.

Trustee Guarnieri said he and Mayor Ann Corbett met Sept. 23 with representatives of the Long Island Rail Road Third Track Task Force to review technical studies that were recently done.

Trustee Kevin Greene extended an invitation to any organization interested in a fire safety program to contact the department chief or village hall as the fire department is more than willing to go to organizations to make a presentation.

He noted that on Sunday, Sept. 19, Hook and Ladder Company along with Mayor Corbett, christened the new ladder truck. On Sunday, Oct. 17, at 4 p.m. a dedication ceremony for the Lieutenant Keith G. Fairben Walk at the corner of Holland Avenue and Jericho Turnpike will be held. Everyone is invited to attend the ceremony.

Trustee Greene said Mother Nature did not cooperate this year for Spirit Days; despite the rain, the weekend was still a success. Friday evening was well attended. People went on amusement rides, listened to music and ate food. Many people attended the Spirit Awards Saturday at the Recreation/Pool Building. Trustee Greene congratulated all of the Spirit Award recipients and thanked them for their commitment and dedication to the village.

Considering the weather, the 2K and 5K races were well attended. Approximately 50 people ran. Ten babies competed in the Beautiful Baby contest. "All the babies were beautiful and it was difficult to make a selection so names were drawn out of a hat," he said. The winners were Thomas Klein and twin girls Emma and Sarah Cheslock.

Trustee Greene thanked Recreation Director Kurt Meyfohrt and his staff for the great job they did this year and also thanked the Department of Pubic Works and the Floral Park Police Department for all their cooperative efforts. Trustee Greene also thanked John Parks from D&J Refreshments, Mike McGuire from Trinity Restaurant, which supplied food, and the Women's Club, which sponsored the Beautiful Baby contest.

Trustee Gerry Bambrick reported that he, Building Superintendent Steve Siwinksi, Village Attorney John Ryan and outside consultant Albert D'Agostino will be attending civic association meetings to report on proposed changes to the zoning code regarding sub-divisions. The Hillcrest Civic held a meeting Thursday, Sept. 23. The South Side Civic will meet Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Recreation/Pool Building. The North End Civic will meet Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m. at Reliance Firehouse. The West End Civic will meet Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Recreation/Pool Building. The committee would like residential input as they finalize the proposal that will be made to the board of trustees. Trustee Bambrick also reported that the library has begun fall hours, including Sundays from 12-4 p.m. The Library director is currently compiling the new schedule of activities, which will soon be available.

Trustee Tom Tweedy reported that the fall schedule of programs has begun at the Recreation Center. All but three programs were fully enrolled. Additional classes are being added to accommodate the waiting lists. There is a minimum enrollment requirement and only three programs did not meet that number. Trustee Tweedy was happy to report that senior programs have seen a dramatic increase in enrollment.

He also noted that the 2K and 5K races for Spirit Days were not as well attended as in the past due to the bad weather. He thanked the Substance Abuse Education Committee, including Chairperson Pat Dreyer, Joanne Caldon and Pat Mangan, who helped prepare for the pasta party the night before the race, along with the recreation staff. The ladies also served as moderators for the Floral Park Memorial High School Key Club, MADD and SADD members. Key Club, MADD and SADD were the wait staff for the evening.

Trustee Tweedy also thanked Liz Watts and Laura Ferone for all their help and especially ex-Chief and Chef Bob Kloepfer of the New Hyde Park Inn, who prepared the donated pasta. The Substance Abuse Education Committee had many brochures available and helpful handouts for everyone to read and use. Lastly, Trustee Tweedy thanked Recreation Director Kurt Meyfohrt and his staff for all their hard work and the flexibility they showed in making last-minute changes because of the bad weather.

Mayor Corbett thanked the staff of the Recreation Center, police department, Department of Public Works and all village staff for their work in making Spirit Weekend a success. Even though it rained, most of the events took place and were well attended.

The mayor thanked Trustee Greene and Recreation Commissioner Tweedy for their leadership role and, particularly, Recreation Director Kurt Meyfohrt for his planning work and flexibility when rainy weather became more than just a forecast. "All of the staff members at the Recreation Center were terrific," she said.

Mayor Corbett said the pasta party Friday night was fun and thanked the parents and teens from MADD and SADD and the Substance Abuse Education Committee for getting together and having the party despite the gloomy weather. "The 2K and 5K races on Saturday morning were invigorating for the athletes," she noted. Many trophies were given out to all those who braved the threat of rain and left with smiles on their faces.

On Saturday, the Spirit of Floral Park Awards ceremony was held and it was a very well attended event. The awards were given to individuals and groups of people who have contributed to the betterment of Floral Park and its residents over the years. Individual recipients were Maria Wortmann, recently retired John Lewis Childs Elementary School Principal Frank Cozart and Adele Werthmuller. Recently retired mayor of Bellerose Tom Van Buskirk and his wife, Roberta, received the Good Neighbor and Friend Award. Group Spirit award recipients included FISH, the Floral Park/Bellerose/Stewart Manor Association of Girl Scouts, Floral Park American Legion Post 334, Floral Park American Legion Auxiliary Post 334 and the Floral Park Junior Woman's Club. Information about each of the recipients and their good works can be viewed on the village's website, www.fpvillage.org.

At the invitation of Scout Master Dunbar, Mayor Corbett said that she had the pleasure of visiting with Boy Scout Troop 482 at Floral Park-Bellerose School Sept. 20. The mayor talked about the Constitution and the rights Americans enjoy. She also told them that in the 1960s when she lived in the south side of Floral Park she attended South Side Civic Association meetings but was not allowed to be a member - only men could become members. The mayor asked the Scouts what they thought she did and they answered, "protested." That was a good answer but the truth is the mayor volunteered to make coffee and serve cake and pies to the men and listened in on their meetings. Mayor Corbett said she had a great meeting with the fine youngsters and encouraged them to staying in Scouting.

Recently, she attended the Vision Long Island Conference, sponsored by the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce. Presentations centered on the revitalization of downtown areas in communities across the county. Transportation issues and the development of the Nassau Hub were discussed. At the end of the program, a Newsday reporter interested in Mayor Corbett's thoughts about downtown areas and how local governments in the county could help bring vitality back to their business areas spoke with her.

Mayor Corbett reported that the Floral Park chapter of AARP, in cooperation with the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, will offer the influenza and pneumococcal vaccination program at the Floral Park Recreation/Pool Building Daisy Room Monday, Nov. 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The program is for Floral Park-Bellerose seniors age 60 and older and their spouses, even if they are under age 60. Seniors do not have to be a member of the AARP to receive shots.

Mayor Corbett reported that on Sunday, Oct. 17, at 4 p.m. on the corner of Holland Avenue and Jericho Turnpike, dignitaries, the village board, the Floral Park Fire Department and representatives of Columbia Presbyterian Emergency Medical Services will gather to dedicate the first block of Holland Avenue to Lieutenant Keith Fairben. A memorial sign with his name on it will be unveiled by his parents, Diane and Ken Fairben. Keith, who was a paramedic with Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, responded to the call for help at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 and gave his life in an effort to save others.

"Keith was a valued member of the Floral Park Fire Department and served our community with enthusiasm, competency and a gentle, caring spirit," Mayor Corbett said. "His emergency medical skills helped many local adults and children when they were in need of medical emergency aid."

She reminded residents that the Covert Avenue Chamber of Commerce's 10th Anniversary Merchant's Street Fair is taking place this Saturday, Oct. 2. Elizabeth McFarland Breast Cancer Awareness Day will take place at the Recreation Center this Saturday, Oct. 2. The Floral Park Chamber of Commerce Street Festival on Tulip Avenue will take place Friday, Oct. 15 and the Centennial Gardens bridge ribbon cutting ceremony will take place Saturday, Oct. 23, at 11 a.m.

The mayor also reported that the village was notified that it has been awarded a $25,000 matching grant for the purchase of police protective vests. The village has also been notified that, through the efforts of New York State Senator Michael Balboni, it has been awarded a $50,000 grant for the cost of village hall's handicap chair lift and for various other items, including a traffic/vehicle speed monitor. The mayor personally thanked Senator Balboni on behalf of all Floral Park residents during the recent tower ladder truck dedication. The new truck was dedicated to the men and women of Hook and Ladder Company who served in the past, who are currently serving and all those who will serve in the future. The Hook and Ladder Company is currently 111 years old. It was the first fire company in Floral Park. "It has a wonderful history of volunteer service," Mayor Corbett said. "It was great to see former Hook and Ladder truck driver Father Bowman at the dedication."

Mayor Corbett thanked Fire Chief Bill Watts and members of Hook and Ladder Company for giving her the honor of christening the new tower ladder truck. The mayor said she did not strike out; on first try she missed contact, on second try she tapped it and on third try she cracked the bottle in half.

On motion by Deputy Mayor Guarnieri, seconded by Trustee Tweedy and carried unanimously, Mayor Corbett recessed the meeting at 8:45 p.m.