On behalf of my fellow trustees I want to take this opportunity to thank those residents who took the time to vote in our village election. We thank you for entrusting to this board your confidence and your belief that it has the capabilities to continue to make our Garden City the outstanding village that it has been for over 100 years.

I want to thank our outgoing mayor, Harold Hecken, for his nine years of service to our village as mayor and trustee. His leadership, vision and involvement have provided a sound foundation upon which we will face our future changes.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the mayor of the Village of Garden City. In my tenure, on the Village Board of Trustees, I have had the pleasure of serving with five mayors and 14 trustees. During this period there have been a number of critical issues that have faced the board of trustees. Due to the participatory nature of our government, it seems at times to take longer to come to a determination. I have often thought that this process has yielded better resolutions than the road to quick decision. We, as a board of trustees, have an obligation to address all facets of an issue. Going forward this board of trustees will address many issues and I am confident that we will act in a manner appropriate with the duties and powers entrusted to us.

It is a pleasure to welcome Peter Negri and Jon Segerdahl to the Village Board of Trustees and to extend congratulations to them on their election as village trustees. I look forward to working with them and extend to them my very best wishes for what I know will be very productive terms of office.

All residents are asked to assist in the task of cleaning up our community to make it look like a beautiful "Garden City." We can do that by picking up paper, cans, bottles and other debris which may have been deposited on the streets and other public areas near their homes. A few minutes of cooperative effort by all of us can make our village look 100 percent better.

Residents are also reminded that rubbish should not be placed on the curb before the evening prior to the collection day. It is a detraction from the aesthetics of the village and poor treatment of one's neighbors to ignore the village law which specifies that rubbish should not be deposited at curb side before the evening prior to collection.

There is a proliferation of shopping carts appearing on the streets of the village. The Village Code prohibits the placement of these carts upon any public place. I urge all residents to return the carts to the store when you are finished with them. Please be considerate of your neighbors.