I agree with the comments from The Nassau County Historical Preservation Society concerning the importance of St. Paul's to Garden City. Every effort should be made to preserve this structure. Of course the main problem is the rehabilitation and maintenance costs. One cannot ask the citizens of Garden City to pay higher taxes in order to rehabilitate this money pit. The building is in such deplorable condition that it will require much more funding than the numbers being thrown around. I am always skeptical when someone tells me it will be a small tax increase to cover the expense.

Also, I believe some citizens should not presume that we are willing to pay ever-higher taxes to rehabilitate this structure. It is the height of selfishness to think that way. Because we may be a wealthy community does not mean we like to throw money at the problem. As far as I am concerned other sources of funding must be found. Don't forget we have not seen the end of ever-increasing taxes without building in the additional taxes for St. Paul's.

I have seen pictures of the demolition of the old Garden City Hotel. Although this may be a tremendous loss of history for the village, the replacement building added a sense of prestige to our beautiful community. The reputation of the current Garden City Hotel is worldwide. If the building is demolished, any replacement can be as tastefully done as the Garden City Hotel. If the building is that important then other sources of funding can be found.

Has anyone attempted to contact our congressional delegation in an effort to get funding through a federal appropriation? How often do we read in the newspapers where congressmen or senators set aside funds in a bill for various projects within their districts. It seems to me the importance of this historical building to Garden City and Nassau County should be funded. I believe this is also classified as "pork barreled" politics. Why not? If it saves the building, we should at least try. For those who are uncomfortable with involving outsiders in village life, I say think of the alternative.

Here is another approach. A few months ago I asked a question concerning the 1 percent Nassau County tax reassessment. The question was, "Nassau County provides police, sanitation, etc. for many communities within the county. In Garden City we provide our own police, sanitation, etc. and yet pay the same 1 percent tax. Are we overpaying the county tax for services not rendered?" It seems a fair question.

If we are overpaying the tax then each citizen within the village is owed a refund. My proposal is that the village can come back to its citizens and ask us to apply some of this refund to the rehabilitation of St. Paul's. Does that not seem fair? After all, if the village makes the effort to lower our taxes in some way, the grateful public might be willing to pay some extra tax dollars for St. Paul's.

Another approach might be to charge a fee for those businesses that use the Garden City name and reside outside our village. If it is so prestigious to use our name, then let these companies pay for the privilege. Otherwise, let them relocate within our borders. Of course, this might require legal action, but it is another way to get additional monies to pay for this structure.

I have proposed three ways of funding this important project without increasing our taxes. Maybe if we think "outside the box" there is a way to fund this historical site. I am sure there are many more solutions. Higher taxes will not work! If it is to be saved, we must think of alternative funding solutions, otherwise I fear it will become a memory like the old Garden City Hotel.

Arthur R. Bevilacqua