The board of trustees will soon approve plans and drawings, which are currently being finalized and prepared, for a village memorial that will honor those residents lost at the World Trade Center and their families, according to Robert Schoelle, village administrator. Representatives of those families will have final input regarding these plans.

The location now being considered, in deference to requests by the families, is the Village Green. Plans call for the names of the deceased to be carved into the monument. Originally, plans included erecting the monument on village property on Seventh Street, north of the Long Island Rail Road with a flagpole, granite benches, bronze markers, a paved walkway and landscaping for approximately $20,000.

Resident James Murphy III, who lost his son, Jim, Sept. 11, recently went before trustees at a public meeting and said, "As you know, the remains of many of those killed have not been recovered and are likely to never be recovered. As a result, a memorial such as the one planned by the village is all that many of the families will have to memorialize those lost.

Speaking for his family, Murphy suggested several changes, including placing the memorial at the Village Green due to the more contemplative and private setting that the families and others are more likely to feel comfortable visiting. "This also would be close to the benches that our family, the Dunne and Tompsett families have installed in the memory of their family members lost that day," he said.

Murphy also felt erecting the memorial at the Village Green would enable it to be seen and appreciated by village residents that go to that area to take photos or attend summer concerts and other community events.

"This is preferable to being where people are rushing and have their minds on making trains. As you know, not all Garden City residents commute from the Garden City station," he added.

Once plans have been finalized, Schoelle will be writing to each family and enclosing a copy of the plans as well as information on plans for the Inc. Villages Memorial program on Sept 11.

"The representative group of families has provided a great deal of assistance to the village on this project. It was agreed by all that the most important issue is to determine the best design and location," Schoelle said.

"Our family is extremely appreciative of the concern and thoughtfulness that the village officials and residents have offered us at this time," Murphy said. "We particularly appreciate the kindness of Robert Schoelle and his staff ..."

Garden City village trustees approved a motion back in June to proceed on plans for the erection of a memorial. The June 6 board meeting was the first time officials discussed the memorial in public and although it was not on the agenda that night, village trustee Peter Negri brought forth the motion in order to have the memorial completed and dedicated on or before this Sept. 11. Schoelle, said he'd be in a better position to discuss the dedication date and program once plans are finalized.