Saturday, April 21, marks the opening of the 2001 Little League Baseball season. The annual Little League Parade will step off promptly at 9 a.m. from Village Parking Field 9E onto Tenth Street and proceed south on Franklin Avenue to Seventh Street, west on Seventh Street to Hilton Avenue, north on Hilton to Stewart Avenue for ceremonies at the Village Green.

With the opening of Little League, parents are especially encouraged to pay particular attention to driving safely in the area of Village athletic fields. As youngsters are on their way to and from their scheduled games, many of them will dart between parked cars and will fail to look while crossing the street. Let's make this season not only a happy one but also a safe one in our Village.

I also want to compliment the many residents who give so freely of their time and talent as managers, coaches, officers and directors of the Garden City athletic Association. Please plan to attend the parade and give them and the players your support.

The Village's 2000 Annual Report was mailed to residents last week. The purpose of the report is to provide residents with an account of the stewardship of Village affairs by the board of trustees during the past fiscal year. I encourage you to review the report and to please retain it as a reference source - especially if you have children of school age.

The Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department will conduct the second of its monthly STOP (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) program this Sunday, April 22. The program, which is being held at various locations throughout the Town of Hempstead, will make hazardous waste facilities accessible to as many residents as possible.

The April 22 program will be held in Long Beach, Pine Street. The hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.