During the past two weeks, I have attempted to alert residents that the village will be closing a portion of Chestnut Street, between Franklin Avenue and St. James Street South at the Long Island Rail Road trestle, for a six week period which began on Monday, Sept. 11, in order to reconstruct the road.

Please be aware that traffic will be detoured away from Chestnut Street during the construction. Please give yourself additional time to get to your destination as traffic volumes will increase on Stewart Avenue.

All motorists are reminded that last week marked the opening of the 2000/01 school term in Garden City. Hundreds of youngsters are walking to and from school, many for the first time. Please pay particular attention when driving in the area of recommended pedestrian routes and school yards, while the number of students who will be walking to school will be dramatically increased. This will not be any different from prior years in that a few preoccupied young people will inevitably dart out from in between parked cars or fail to look for oncoming traffic when crossing the street.

While the police and crossing guards are on duty at school crossing zones, many children will be crossing at unprotected areas. Parents are urged to discuss safe practices with their children and to remind them that it is very difficult for passing motorists to see them and effect a stop.

A reminder to motorists that the posted speed limit in the area of schools is 20 miles per hour.