Reports from those in attendance at the last Board of Trustees' meeting all include the tennis match style debate between current board trustee from the West Donald Jenkins and current WPOA Nominating Committee member and former trustee from the West Eileen Collins, whose departure from the Board created the vacancy Jenkins now fills. The debate centered around the condition of the tennis bubble to some extent and particularly the construction of the two new roller hockey facilities at Community Park. What people saw at the meeting was almost a complete re-enactment of correspondence by Collins and Jenkins, which has been made available to this paper, as they were submitted to the Village and made public records and are discussed as follows per request of one of the authors.

Several years ago children came out to Village Hall to present testimony for the need for a roller hockey facility, which was at that time proposed for the St. Paul's property. Because the proposed location was close to Stewart Avenue, many residents argued that it was too dangerous. The Board agreed and plans to look for an alternate site commenced. The Board and Recreation Commission agreed to create the facilities at Community Park on the far south end of the property, beyond the pool, miniature golf course and playing fields. During her years on the Board of Trustees, Eileen Collins acted as an advocate for the young athletes petitioning her fellow Board members for action. Citing the Mineola rinks by the PAL and by the Mineola Pool, plans finally commenced to transform the asphalt slabs into enclosed, lighted, safe and contemporary facilties.

As the work began some roller hockey experts questioned the location, arguing that the property had once been landfill and would continue to settle and shift, cracking and damaging the rinks over time. Others practiced on the rinks and commented that it was better than nothing and that before this they were playing in the parking lots behind the west Franklin Avenue stores like Saks Fifth. The plans were to have a ribbon cutting celebration at Community Park once the lighting was installed on both rinks and all of the surfacing, fencing, and other work was completed, some time this fall.

In a letter dated Nov. 8 and addressed to Mayor Hecken by Collins, she notes, "Well, I am not a good tennis player, but I am able to see a gully in the surface when I play. The court is actually so poorly leveled that I was afraid to run for some balls as I thought I might lose my balance in the existing depression. I do not think we are getting our money's worth and I feel very badly because I was Recreation Trustee when the facility opened." She continues, "The other facility is the new, poorly constructed and poorly managed from the conception, Roller Hockey Rinks. I am sorry my name has grown synonymous with this project."

Collins adds, "The two rinks are way below the standards I have seen my son or his friends play on in neighboring communities. I believe instead of the usual Recreation Department defensiveness, this project should be torn down and started anew. The taxpayers have already been cheated and there is danger lurking for our residents here. Safety and liability should be of a major concern to you and the Board. The Garden City style is absent from this project and I am not going to rest until we have a top rate facility."

Jenkins, as Commissioner of Cultural and Recreational Affairs responded to the letter in his own dated Nov. 16, which while replete with comments thanking Collins for her input and congratulating her on her past efforts to ensure that a roller hockey facility be built, contains a controversial passage which was then repeated by Jenkins at the last Board of Trustees' meeting before the public.

Jenkins commented with regard to the roller hockey rinks, "I cannot answer the style issue, as I am not certain exactly what that means. If it means that we did not build a Rolls Royce, and instead are driving an acceptable Chevrolet, then shame on all of us, and maybe from now on we should not represent ourselves in a fiscally prudent manner, regardless of the position we hold in the Village. From now on, let us do everything by outside contractor, eliminate our qualified employees, and increase all of our budgets ten-fold to maintain our style. You have taught me something valuable. I will look to initiate this philosophy when we budget for the St. Paul's Park Plan. In maintaining the philosophy of Garden City style, let us see if the Vilage wants a $100,000 custom made exterior fence, versus a functional and conservative $50,000 fence. Regardless, I will shoot for the higher cost, and if I have to settle, I'll be responsible. (P.S.: This approach is definitely not my style.)"

He adds, "As you well know, as a trustee, holding the responsibility for this commission is not an easy one, especially when you inherit half completed projects, or those where a totally different approach is required. Is tearing down the rinks as built the answer? Or is making them safe and functional as built the right approach? Nevertheless, if it is the feeling of the majority that tearing down the facility, rebudgeting and then building anew should be the approach, then maybe again through your efforts, the efforts of others, and communication to me and the Board, it can get accomplished. Budget season is right around the corner. Do we need to budget for all new, or just for money to enhance what we already have? When it is completed for the spring, lights erected, and the organization strengthened, will it be as bad as commented?"

With regard to the tennis bubble problems Jenkins noted, "You may not want to hear the details of coordinating the repair, but it involves utilization of the proper equipment, the problem of the machines fitting through the access door of the bubble, gasoline generated equipment increasing CO2 levels in the structure, obtaining the materials in a timely fashion, and available manpower to facilitate the job the right way. Maybe the time frame involved to rectify this problem is unacceptable to many, but finding the right company to do this work is critical, and maintaining a cost effective way to implement the repair is also critical."

He adds, "Eileen, I do not know if there is a viable solution to the settling problem. Is twice a year grading and additional underground footings the answer? Maybe not! Your concerns are truly valid, your complaint and safety concerns are well justified, and your comments, also expressed by others, are certainly appreciated, and will be taken seriously. We anticipate these repairs will rectify the problem for the balance of the season. We will also look to work closely with Century Tennis, Inc. in the future to explore proactive methods to maintain as level a playing area as possible."

Following receipt of Jenkins' letter and his comments at the Board of Trustees' Meeting, Collins again wrote to the mayor and carbon copied her letter to Recreation Commission and POA officials, the Board of Trustees, and Village Administrator Robert Schoelle. Outraged and insulted by the conflict that had occurred she wrote, "I am insulted by [the paragraph quoted above containing the Rolls Royce comparison]... An elected official of this Village has no place taking such a 'cheap shot' or sarcastic tone with any resident. ...I am asking you and your Board to issue a formal apology to me. Trustee Jenkins' public apology will not suffice as the entire paragraph is far worse than excerpts he delivered at the Thursday evening meeting of Nov. 18. I am particularly offended because I spent seven years serving this community and sat on that Board with all but two of the present trustees. You [the Board of Trustees] had the letter at your place and yet with the exception of Trustee Torino, you remained silent."

Collins went on to write, "For the record, when I referred to style I meant a well installed and safely constructed facility or place we can all be proud of as residents of the Village of Garden City. I submit to you that Edgemere Park has style. I believe New Hyde Park Road and Seventh Street have style. The manicured gardens of our public parks and the Garden City Pool have style. The Roller Hockey Rinks do not come close to the tradition upon which this community has been built."

She continues, "It is the installation and not the materials with which I take strong issue. Once the Recreation Department realized the alignment was so poorly done, was the initial supervision or lack thereof ever questioned? Was a company representative called back to review the quality of the installation work? Did he feel it was safe and up to standards? Did Trustee Jenkins and the Recreation Commission take immediate steps to question and correct the employees who did the poor job? If they were asked to do something that was out of their area of expertise, did the department offer them any support or training from knowledgeable people in the field? I still feel there is an accountability issue."

The next Board of Trustees' Meeting will likely be an arena for more discussion on this subject. For those interested in weighing in with their opinions there is always an open portion of the meeting at which time residents may comment on non-agenda items. This takes place at the end of the meeting. The next meeting will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2 in Village Hall. Those interested in following the discussions of the Recreation Commission relative to this or any other issue can attend their meetings also. The Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs meets on the second Thursday of each month at 8 p.m. in Village Hall. Also, letters to the editor on this subject can be sent here to Garden City Life and letters addressed to either the Board of Trustees or the Recreation Commission can be sent to Village Hall (351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530).