Special thanks to Dr. Gerald Orva and representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, police, special police and Department of Public Works for making the Easter Parade the success that it was. It was most gratifying to see all of the smiles on the faces of those in attendance.

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 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's 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.

Saturday, April 13, marks the opening of the 2002 Little League Baseball season. The annual Little League Parade will step off promptly at 9 a.m. from 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 Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department will conduct the second of its monthly S.T.O.P. (Stop Throwing Out Pollutants) program Sunday, April 14. 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 14th program will be held in Long Beach on Pine Street. The hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Under the program, residents are able to take polluting materials to the facility and have them disposed of by a registered professional disposal company, free of charge. The facility will not accept the following materials: ammunition, explosives, fireworks, infectious or medical waste, propane or oxygen tanks, radioactive materials, unlabeled materials and fire extinguishers.