The issue of public parking was once again raised at the most recent village board of trustees meeting.

Russell Matthews. from the Albanese Development Corporation first raised the issue of parking by addressing a flier about tax certioraris that was handed out during the public parking forum that was held on Feb. 15, titled "Debunk the Tax Myth." Matthews objected to many of the statements made in that flier. Later in the meeting Russell Miller, a resident of the central section, stated that the information included in that flier was correct.

Though there was some tension at the Feb. 20 board meeting when the issue of parking was brought up, many of those present commented on the civility of the parking forum. Eileen Murphy, a resident of the East who was not in attendance at the public parking forum, commented on the many positive comments she heard following the forum. Murphy noted that in the past at these forums there was often a hostile atmosphere but from all reports the most recent forum was nothing but civil. "It's a great tribute to people who are passionately involved on both sides of the issue," said Murphy.

Murphy then questioned the board about their feeling about the meeting. Mayor Harold Hecken stated that he had a positive impression leaving the forum and Trustee Bruce Torino said that he found the forum to be very good and informative and that there were many things that he learned from it.

When questioned by Matthews about when they planned to vote on whether or not to buy the Albanese house to develop additional parking, Hecken stated that he had not yet had the opportunity to discuss that with the other trustees.

In other village business, the board approved the request of a resident to put a statue on the library grounds to honor Maria Locopo, a longtime Garden City teacher who passed away last spring. This item was deferred from the last board meeting because the trustees wanted to get input from the library board and Trustee Peter Bee announced that the library board was "favorably disposed" to accepting such a gift. The approval of that item was unanimous.

Mayor Hecken also announced that the hearing of the Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals about the possible expansion of Roosevelt Field was postponed at the village's request. The hearing, which was originally supposed to be held last Thursday has been postponed until March 21. Hecken announced that the village would hold a status meeting at 7:30 p.m. on March 7 to prepare for the upcoming hearing.