On behalf of the village board of trustees and the residents of our village, we extend a sincere expression of gratitude to Trustee Brian Murray, who will end his term of service to the village next week. We extend our sincere appreciation to his spouse and family for having shared him with us and for the many sacrifices he made for our village. It is a pleasure to welcome John Watras to the board of trustees and to extend congratulations to him on his election as village trustee. I look forward to working with him. The board of trustees and village staff join me in extending wishes for a very Happy Passover and Easter to all residents of our village.

All residents who now possess a refuse (Village Yard) permit will be required to obtain a new permit prior to May 1, 2002. The village began issuing these new permits on Monday, March 18 at a cost of $5 each. Beginning May 1, 2002 no vehicles will be allowed in the yard without first obtaining the new sticker.

Those residents who wish to obtain a permit can do so by bringing a current vehicle registration to the Clerk's Office at Village Hall, 351 Stewart Avenue between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Residents are reminded that village offices will close at noon on Friday, March 29 in observance of Good Friday and will reopen on Monday, April 1. Correspondence may be dropped in the letter slot at the front of Village Hall. The annual Easter festival and antique car parade, sponsored by the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Easter Sunday, March 31. The parade will flow from Parking Field 9E and will proceed south on Franklin Avenue to Seventh Street, west to Hilton Avenue, north to Stewart Avenue and will terminate in Parking Field 7N, opposite Village Hall. Please take the time from your busy day and bring the family down to see a great Garden City event.

A reminder that the Long Island Blood Services, in conjunction with the employees at Village Hall, will be holding a blood drive on Tuesday, March 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the second floor meeting room of the Fire Department headquarters building on Stewart Avenue. The need for blood has again reached a critical level so please consider donating.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call Ronni Evans of Human Resources at Village Hall at 465-4171 or 465-7170.