On behalf of the Village Board of Trustees and the residents of our Village, we extend a sincere expression of gratitude to Trustee Bruce A. Torino, who will end his term of service to the Village next week. We also extend our sincere appreciation to his spouse and family for having shared him with us and for the many sacrifices that he made for our village.

I extend my appreciation for the service he has rendered this village as trustee over the past years and wish him well in all his endeavors. Garden City is a better place because of him having been here and given so much of himself for our Village.

It is a pleasure to welcome Peter Negri and Jon Segerdahl to the Board of Trustees and to extend congratulations to them on their election as Village Trustee. I look forward to working with each of them. Congratulations is also to be extended to Allen S. Mathers for his re-election as Village Justice. We appreciate the vital role he plays in the Village operation as well as the extraordinary hours he contributes on our behalf. The Annual Organizational Meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, April 2, at 8 p.m. at the Village Hall.

It has recently been reported to the Village that there are incidents on a Village-wide basis where motorists have been observed passing stopped school buses with their flashing lights displayed. This is a matter of great concern which bears immediate attention of all Village residents and increased enforcement by our Police Department.

The New York State Motor Vehicle Law (Section 1774a) stipulates the following:

* It is illegal, and very dangerous, to pass a stopped school bus when the large red lights located on the bus are flashing. Flashing lights mean the bus is picking up or discharging students.

* You must stop whether you are approaching the school bus from the front or overtaking it from the rear.

* You must always stop for flashing red lights, even on divided and multi-lane highways and on school grounds.

* The first time fine for illegally passing a school bus is a $250 fine, 5 points on your license, and/or possibly 30 days in jail.

Please obey the law and do your part to protect our young people.