For what's being dubbed the "largest blackout in history," it was thankfully uneventful, with no major incidents to report. According to Mayor Barbara Miller, who went to Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo's office immediately after the power failed Aug. 14, said, "We should really compliment residents for their tolerance and cooperation with all municipal officials."

She also complimented the village's higher administrative staff, particularly Commissioner Cipullo and his staff and Fire Chief Thomas Foley and his firefighters and volunteers.

"I think that right now there's an evaluation going on of the blackout plan to determine if there are any changes to be made," she explained.

Lieutenant Kenneth Jackson of the Garden City Police Department noted last week that the department's 911 emergency system remained operable throughout the incident with police radios and other types of important equipment placed on generators.

"We had officers out directing traffic. We had minor incidents with calls for assistance but nothing serious to report. We had the cooperation of village residents so we couldn't have asked for anything better," he said.

(Editor's Note: For coverage of the Garden City Fire Department's response to the blackout, please see accompanying story, "GCFD Helps Keep Village Going During Historic Blackout.")