I had the honor of being invited, along with other local mayors and police officials across Nassau and Suffolk Counties, to meet with Secretary Tom Ridge of the Department of Homeland Security and mayors of the United States Conference of Mayors. It was a privilege to attend along with Police Commissioner Cipullo and Inspector Thorn. We are fortunate that our commissioner is not only president of Nassau County Municipal Police Chiefs Association but is also a member of "Zone One Counter Terrorism Committee For Long Island."

The important meeting was very well organized by neighboring Mayor Jim Garner of Hempstead. Mayor Garner is president of the US Conference of Mayors. The event was hosted by Hofstra's President Dr. Stuart Rabinowitz, where it was held on Friday, July 25. In attendance with local mayors were numerous member mayors of the US Congress of Mayors. Our counties and country were well represented, including 53 police commissioners/chiefs from agencies on Long Island.

The overall message that Secretary Ridge put forth was that America was up to this international challenge. He indicated that we were far better off than we were a year ago but emphasized that the United States is only secure when its hometowns are secure. He also emphasized that state and local homeland security plans for first preventers and first respondents are what help to build a national infrastructure. Such plans require partnering with private citizens, the commercial sector, religious sector as well as educational entities. The result of such partnering will help to make each community as safe as it can be.

Ridge stated that he understood the financial ramifications of the federal government "raising the level of threat" in terms of the expense the local municipalities as well as big cities incurred for police and related personnel overtime. He briefly touched on the three major criteria used to appropriate funds. The weighting system includes evaluating a particular location's population/density, critical infrastructure (target); and the threat information.

Very important to homeland security nationally is the role that the public at the local level can play by reporting to their respective police department any unusual or suspicious activity no matter how trivial.

You will be comforted to know that during my discussion with Commissioner Cipullo following this meeting that he reassured me that he and his department are well aware of our and surrounding critical infrastructure and that he is highly confident that our police force is well trained and their attention to homeland security is at the highest level possible. However, he emphasized, as did Secretary Ridge, the important role that citizens of community play in alerting local police about anything that appears suspicious or unusual; that in fact this has always been an essential part of Garden City Police Department's general security plan. I encourage residents to be aware of their surroundings. You know your neighborhood the best - go with your intuition and observations - as Commissioner Cipullo says, "report anything and everything."

Lt. Col. Coffey of the 2nd Battalion 25th Marine Base of Garden City notified the village late Friday afternoon (Aug. 1) that over 300 Marine reservists of the 2nd Battalion who had been stationed in Iraq had landed two days earlier in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. They would be arriving in Garden City on Sunday, Aug. 3. The base sought our assistance in providing for a smooth arrival and reception for the Marines and their families/significant others. The village was happy to offer the Stewart Avenue Athletic Field directly across from the base as a site for families to wait and for Hoffman Delicatessen, which the base uses for such events, to set up food and refreshments for all. In addition, village police were available to assist in traffic and crowd control at site. Special thanks to our Volunteer Fire Department who worked in concert with Mineola Fire Department volunteers, stationing their respective trucks on either side of Stewart Avenue and extending the ladders across Stewart Avenue where they proudly flew the American flag.

A crowd of thousands, mainly family and friends representing nine different states, who had assembled early Sunday morning eagerly waited for the returning Marines. Their excitement was felt by all. When the buses arrived around 12:30 p.m., cheers and clapping began and there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd. Sgt. Gertrudis Aviles was assigned to me during this event. She explained to me that the Marines did everything as a group. So all waited very patiently behind the gates in the hot sun as each Marine turned in their weapons and completed what seemed like endless paperwork before they would be allowed to walk through the gates as "a troop" to join their family and friends. Trustee Watras and I were privileged to have this opportunity to welcome them back and offer a special "thank you" to them on behalf of the trustees and entire Garden City Community for the bravery they displayed to protect freedom and liberty for all. We were very impressed but not surprised to see how professional and patient they were during the wait. As one Marine said to me, "You may think this is hot, but we were in 140 degree temperatures. This is cool to me."

A special thank you to Col. William Forsch of the First Marine Recruiting District of the same base along with Lt. Col. Coffey who managed to find Gunnery Sgt. James Dupont and Sgt. Dennis Cashin, both of Garden City, so that we could greet and thank them personally. They remarked on the fine welcome and especially noted the flag flying across Stewart Avenue. We know that James' wife Kathy and Dennis' mother Barbara are not only happy to have them back but are tremendously proud of them as we are. I look forward to having an opportunity to talk with these men in the near future.

Compliments are due to the recreation department for arranging this season's outstanding Concert Series at the Village Gazebo, located on the Village Green at the corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues. This week's program is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 14, and will feature Jive Five - who will sing some rhythm and blues hits that made them famous such as What Time is It and Never, Never.

The program will begin at 7:15 and admission is free. Please bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a very pleasant evening. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Cultural and Performing Arts Center at Cluett Hall at the St. Paul's School. Please contact the recreation department (465-4075) with questions pertaining to the concert.