There appears to be some misunderstanding concerning the purpose of our letter addressed to Mayor Tauches and the Board of Trustees and the poll which it addresses. Controversy seems to have arisen as to why the poll was taken, why distributed to those involved, and the questions asked.

In order to set the matter straight:

*The poll was not taken to determine the success or the need for the Spring Festival. Without question the Festival truly was a community event benefiting a worthy cause with all monies going directly to programs to benefit SEPTA's children. The poll only questioned the closing of Seventh Street on a Friday, and the impact, negative or positive, it had on our local merchants. (It has been incorrectly stated that the Chamber has requested the closing of Seventh Street on a Friday for the Fall Festival. Rather, for the past 19 years, the closing of the street has been for the Chamber's Saturday festival in conjunction with the Garden City High School's Homecoming Parade.)

*The Chamber, as the voice of the merchants, took on the task of conducting this poll in order to respond to the numerous complaints from our membership and to comply with the inquiry of the mayor concerning the effects of the closing off of our "Main Street" on the busiest business day of the week. There were no negative responses from any of the merchants polled about the Festival itself. The reasons were obvious, (a) the Festival was well received and (b) the poll did not address any questions concerning it.

*We felt an obligation to send a copy of the poll along with our letter to all the merchants who participated in the inquiry. It was never intended to go beyond that scope.

The Chamber of Commerce exists to help the business community in Garden City and in so doing, it is also aiding the lifestyle and the health of the Village as a whole. In order for the Chamber to represent the varied and diverse businesses of its membership, it is often necessary for us to make a choice, and we chose that which will benefit the majority.

Marlene Knoth

President of the Chamber of Commerce