The Garden City community is invited to gather on the Village Green, at the corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues, at 6 p.m. Thursday evening, Sept. 11, to participate in the Village of Garden City's unveiling of its monument of remembrance for those residents who lost their lives in the horrific attack on September 11, 2001.

We hope that the dedication of this monument will help those who lost a loved one to continue to heal. At the same time we recognize that this monument is testimony to the fact that these individuals will never be forgotten by their families/significant others and this community.

This solemn program is being conducted at a time that affords those residents who wish to attend religious services at their respective house of worship the ability to do so.

Now to a different issue that is a difficult subject for me to bring to the attention of our residents and business community without sounding like I am reprimanding the entire community. Often it is the very people who read this column who do not need the reminding, so please forgive me if I am preaching to the choir. However, I still need the community's help in this matter.

I am sure that I am not the only one who is distressed to see a few residents, as well as business individuals and/or visitors to our community, marring the village's beauty by not adhering to village codes, which help the community maintain the quality of life for everyone. Listed below in alphabetical order are some of the laws that are frequently violated along with a brief description:

Alarms: Residential and commercial alarm systems must be registered with the police department within 10 days of installation. Users are responsible for all false alarms, for which penalties can be imposed.

Alcoholic Beverages: Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in open containers on public property is prohibited, e.g. parking fields and playing fields, parks, tennis courts.

Animals: dogs must be licensed. Owners are responsible for keeping dogs on a leash or on their property. Owners must remove dog waste from public streets.

Door-to-Door Solicitation: Permits are required for door-to-door solicitation. Homeowners can file notices of objection at village hall requesting that salespeople or other solicitors not visit their homes.

Garage Sales: Permits are required to hold a garage sale for a period of no more than three consecutive days, excluding Sundays and holidays.

Noise: Power gardening, lawn maintenance and building construction equipment may not be operated before 8 a.m. weekdays and before 9 a.m. and after 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Parking: Parking on the street during the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. is prohibited.

Rubbish: Wednesday curbside placement of rubbish is not permitted prior to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Sidewalks: Residential and commercial owners are responsible for maintaining and cleaning the sidewalks and paths in front of or abutting their property.

Signs: There are several rules dealing with signs. A common one violated by residents is allowing contractors to display their signs; a common one by commercial establishments, especially retail stores, is adhering advertisements directly on windows or doors when they are required to be one foot away from the glass. Contact the Building Department for further information regarding size, location and approval requirements.

Snow and Ice Removal: Residential and commercial owners, lessees or occupants of homes are responsible to remove ice or snow from sidewalks and paths within 24 hours of the cessation of a storm.

Trees: Permits are required for (1) planting of trees between curb line and property line of the street and (2) removal of two or more tress annually.

Water Conservation: Lawn sprinkling is permitted from April 16 to November 30 during the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Properties with odd-numbered addresses are permitted to sprinkle on odd-numbered days. Even-numbered addresses or those with no address are permitted to sprinkle on even-numbered days.

The board of trustees and I realize that reporting a suspected violation, especially by a neighbor or business colleague isn't something that any of us want to do. My personal suggestion is to take the first step and be a good neighbor and remind that person of the code that is being violated before making a report. Most of the time I have found that an individual who is not complying with the law is simply unaware of the code. Please step up to the plate if you want Garden City to remain "a special place." It takes all of us working together toward that end. Thereafter, if taking the first good neighborly step doesn't bring the desired outcome and you believe you are observing a suspected violation, call the police department at 742-9600. Your call will result in an investigation and, if necessary, an appearance ticket will be served, which is answerable in Village Justice Court