(Senator Kemp Hannon wrote this letter to Joseph Pecora, commissioner of the Nassau County Department of Public Works, with regard to two potentially dangerous traffic situations that exist in Garden City. This letter is published at the request of several village residents.

A copy of this letter was also sent to Garden City Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo, Garden City Mayor Robert Lewis, Garden City Village Administrator Robert Schoelle, Jr., Garden City School Superintendent Stephen Leitman, Garden City Middle School Principal Edward Sallie, St. Joseph's School Principal Miss Devine and Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta.)

I am writing to you today with regard to two potentially dangerous situations that exist in Garden City. One is at Cherry Valley Avenue in Garden City, at the Garden City Middle School, and the other is the corner of Franklin Avenue and Fourth Street in Garden City (the location of St. Joseph's Church).

Regarding the situation at the middle school, I've received complaints from a number of residents concerning the potential for a serious and fatal accidents at this location. As you are no doubt aware, the Garden City Middle School is situated along Cherry Valley Avenue, immediately to the west of this road, while the Garden City Schools Administration Building sits immediately to the east.

Teachers and children cross this road at all hours of the day, especially just before and after school (when a crossing guard is present). There are, however, many times during the day (especially when after school activities and sports let out) where there is NO crossing guard present. The complaints cover safety deficiencies in both situations (with the guard and without the guard).

There is only a flashing yellow light on one side of this wide, four-lane road to warn traffic of the school children crossing. A number of suggestions have been made for additions to this site, including installing a permanent red light; installing flashing red lights with a button installed on a device that would cause traffic from all directions to stop; moving the crosswalk south; putting in traffic signals; building a pedestrian bridge; and extending the hours for the crossing guard.

It would appear the county and village have already wrestled with this site previously (as I infer from the installation of a flashing light on one side of the road and a crossing guard at certain times), but increased traffic (both pedestrian and cars) has increased the risks. The potential for a serious injury to children, teachers and parents is a very real danger, as the crossing guard is not present at all times or is hardly visible at dusk or at night.

With regard to the second situation on Franklin Avenue and Fourth Street, I've again received complaints from a number of residents and parishioners as to the chances of serious and potentially fatal accidents at this location. According to eyewitness accounts, this intersection is the site of numerous accidents and vehicles traveling on Franklin Avenue in either direction (north or south) frequently drive in excess of the posted speed limit of 30 mph.

The nearest traffic lights to this intersection are on Franklin Avenue at Sixth Street and Franklin Avenue at Meadow Street. While it may appear as though the light at Sixth Street is in relatively close proximity to the intersection in question, the reality is that cars traveling north will try to "beat" a yellow light at Sixth Street and those heading southbound, particularly if they have passed the intersection at Sixth Street, race toward the Meadow Street intersection, as this light is frequently green for southbound traffic.

If would appear the installation of a full traffic light at this location will greatly improve both pedestrian and vehicular activity, especially as the newly configured entrance/exit of the Doubleday office building parking lot is now lined up exactly opposite Fourth Street so as to create a new four-way intersection.

I will be requesting a meeting with all concerned to discuss traffic improvements as suggested. I would anticipate some discussions among the parties concerned in the wake of this letter and then I will be calling to set up a meeting where we can determine how to best solve these two hazards. I thank you in advance for your time and attention to this matter and I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

Senator Kemp Hannon