Last Sunday marked the graduation of Adelphi University's Class of 1999. My colleagues on the Village Board of Trustees and I join all the residents of our Village in extending congratulations to these outstanding young people. They have been a credit to our community and I am sure they will continue to reflect well on Garden City as Adelphi University's Alumni, We wish the Class of '99 the very best and congratulate you on your many accomplishments and contributions.

I am pleased to report that the Village of Garden City has been recognized with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

This award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

It is with pleasure that we announce that Garden City has been named as the recipient of the prestigious Campaign Safe and Sober Award for 1998. This award is sponsored by New York, Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee and Mother's Against Drunk Driving. This award has been received for outstanding commitment to traffic safety.

With the arrival of spring, it is great to see increased pedestrian activity along Seventh Street and New Hyde Park Road. It brings into focus just how great a place our business community is and raises expectations over how great our Franklin Avenue will be this summer when the construction has concluded, trees and shrubs planted and the street furniture and lamp posts installed.

Please show your support for our merchants and continue to shop in Garden City. Let the business owners know how they can better serve your needs. You will be pleasantly surprised with how quickly they will accommodate.