John T. Collins, a partner at Margolin, Winer, Evens,LLP, CPA, firm in Garden City brought his children, son Sean Collins, 19 and a sophomore at Yale University, son Ryan, 17 and a senior at Garden City High School, and daughter, Caitlin, 14 and a freshman at Sacred Heart Academy to witness his wife's last meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Incorporated Village of Garden City as the trustee from the West. Sean Collins delivered a moving tribute to his mother which brought the trustee, as well as several audience members, to tears as he spoke of "the value of a common sense point-of-view and a sense of humor" that she had imparted to her children. He told the members of the board, Village staff, and residents in attendance about his personal struggle at Yale where he and several fellow students were "thrown off the air" by the college's station management who were changing the students' rock format and how because of his mother's lessons in fighting for what one feels is right and standing up for oneself, even, sometimes especially if, one happens to be the underdog. He credited his determination with his mother's dedication to issues in the Village and her personal causes. He commented that from the "one half of the phone conversations" he's heard over the last seven years of his mother's tenure on the board, she is certainly the best trustee and advocate for the Village "and the best Mom I've ever seen."

Elliott Tulkoff, representing the Central Business Alliance, rose during the open portion of the meeting said that they had been searching for someone to act as Master of Ceremonies for the Spring Festival to benefit SEPTA who cares about special education, who cares about Garden City, and who has a sense of humor, but can be serious when need be. Tulkoff expressed the CBA's view that Collins as a Special Education teacher, a resident who had donated seven years to the Village as a trustee, and "the people's trustee" with a great sense of humor they felt that she was the ideal choice. He asked if she would do them the honor and Collins thanked him for his comments and agreed to emcee the April 26 event to be held on Seventh Street.

Village Administrator Robert Schoelle, Jr. stated during his report that both he and his staff were going to miss Eileen Collins and commented, "I can't believe it's been seven years!" Trustee Torino said that, "Eileen Collins' energy and efforts will be sorely missed" as well as her work for the children of the Village. Trustee Kettner thanked her for her "guidance" and wished her "Godspeed" as he commented that her willingness to help and act as a sounding board for ideas would be missed. Trustee Asselta, who reflected on their shared time on the board as they had begun their service on the same day seven years ago, also thanked her for her "energy and enthusiasm" and expressed respect for her ability to be direct and added that she had "never been too shy to speak her mind." Asselta also thanked the Collins family for "sharing her with us all these years" and added, "your gain is our loss."

Trustee Lewis noted that while he and Collins had "started out on opposite ends" they did find a more common ground upon which to work together and said that he wanted to "thank you for everything." Trustee Hecken said that he had been inspired by her ability to chair a meeting. Council recalled an executive session in which Collins had spoken so passionately about an issue that all of the minds previously divided unanimously agreed with her. He also spoke fondly of her "great sense of humor."

Mayor Tauches stated, "We are losing a great lady here tonight who has always had the presence of mind to say what should be said when it should be said. She is wonderfully articulate." He concluded, "We know where to find you and you know where to find us."

Former Trustee Jack Curry spoke about the flood of memories he had thinking of Eileen Collins and commended her on her service to the Village and wished her heaven itself in an old Irish blessing. Former Mayor Jack McGowan commented that he does not normally attend meetings anymore, but he came out to recognize the service of this resident from the West. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Althea Robinson thanked Collins for her service to the Village and said that "fairness is what stands out in my mind" when reflecting on Collins' years on the board. CPOA President Barbara Miller thanked her for her fairness and commended her as the only female president of a POA, to one of three women in the history of Garden City to serve on the Village Board of Trustees. She invited Collins to attend any CPOA meetings as their honored guest. Newly elected Trustee Don Jenkins, elected to take Collins' position on the board, commented as the outgoing president of the WPOA and an incoming trustee that he truly appreciated Collins' honesty, integrity, objectivity, and sense of humor and would try his best to fill her shoes.

Mort Yuter, a resident and regular at board meetings, thanked the Collins family for having enabled Eileen Collins to serve the Village for so many years. He thanked her for her "freshness and sense of humor" and joked that she had "really livened up these meetings" which he said he's been attending for 25 years, some of which he jokingly characterized as "really boring." He commended her for never being afraid to ask a question and said that there was no question "of her heart and conviction." He said that he views Edgemere park as "Eileen's park" because of her work in advocating the need for the park on behalf of the children of the Village and said that when he sees the roller hockey rinks proposed for the Community Park, he'll always see them as "Eileen's rinks." He also wished her luck in her future endeavors and said that he had thought she ought to give running for lieutenant governor a try.

After the meeting, Mary Zimmer of the CBA told Garden City Life that she was very pleased that Eileen Collins agreed to act as M.C. for the Spring Festival. She said that the CBA had been looking at organizations in the Village and wanted to help a group that was gaining recognition and working for a good cause and they had decided to aid the Special Education Parent Teachers' Asscociation (SEPTA). She commented that they "were thrilled last year to be able to donate $5,000 in proceeds from the Spring Festival to SEPTA" and to help educate the public about the work that SEPTA does in Garden City. She said that Collins was the perfect choice for the Master of Ceremonies because of her long history as an advocate for special education, her work to help the business community through aid with the parking issue on the Traffic Commission and the revitalization efforts, and her work for the children of the Village.

Trustee Collins told us on her way into an Executive Session that the she feels that as a special education teacher who now teaches a fifth-grade inclusion class at Willow Road School in Franklin Square, she has a direct involvement and personal interest in this cause. She said of the Spring Festival, "It's gonna' be a blast!" She added that the Spring Festival incorporates "all [of her] loves: people, children, the Village, and people who have a cause to be championed!"

SEPTA President Colleen Folley stated that each principal of the elementary schools received a $1,000 grant from the money raised at last year's event, to spend on special education children's academic needs. The money went to the start of a summer elementary special education program for the summer of 1997, reference resources in the middle school resource rooms, a scanner, zip drive, and printer for SEPTA to enable them to continue to communicate with the public and the schools. SEPTA and the CBA agree that the festival is an opportunity to promote tolerance and understanding of what the special education programs do for the children and to funnel money to the principals who then define how to best create a direct relationship between the funds and a special education child.

Eileen Collins also gave her last report as a trustee at the meeting and announced that the 7S parking program is no longer a pilot and is now permanent. There is a cul-de-sac planned for Ninth Street and Tenth Street, but no action was taken at the last Traffic Commission meeting. The Traffic Commission met with representatives from the County about the Stewart and Clinton intersection plans and the report was "very similar" to the one already given at the EPOA meeting. The new Traffic Commission will have its first meeting on April 16. She thanked everyone for their support, particularly her husband and children, and said, "I hope more women get involved in this Village."