There are many things that make the Village of Garden City the extraordinary place that it is. I believe that the most important is the people who make up our Garden City community and the caring for others that is displayed each day. Such was the case last Thursday when residents came to the village's "Unveiling of its Monument of Remembrance" and attended services throughout the day and evening at their respective houses of worship.

I do not want the village's program to pass without extending the board's sincere appreciation to the Garden City Clergy Fellowship, the Garden City High School and Garden City Police and Fire Department Color Guard for their significant assistance. We are most grateful to Mr. Robert Ludwig and the Garden City High School Chamber Choir and Women's Chorus and to the Reverend Bill Harmon, Rabbi Stephen Wise Goodman and Monsignor John D. Gilmartin for their readings and moving remarks.

I remember the words of President George Bush, Governor George Pataki and former mayor Rudolph Giuliani on that horrific day in 2001, which I heard repeated at the first anniversary and heard echoed by Mayor Bloomberg and local mayors that I talked with last week. The best tribute we can express as a community of citizens and as a government - in addition to holding our respective unique tributes to the memories of those lost on September 11 - is to go on with everyday activities, as mundane as they seem. Adults go to work, children go to school and government as a 24/7 operation, continues with business as usual.

It is in memory of those lost on September 11, 2001 and to all those men and women who have lost their lives since that time and all those who continue to put their lives on the line on a daily basis in America's fight against terrorism that we go on with "business as usual" to demonstrate that democracy and freedom reign in America. As was said last Thursday evening, "God Bless Garden City and God Bless America."

The playing fields look magnificent. Everyone was very excited about the "grand reopening" of the fields for soccer on Saturday morning, Sept. 13. On behalf of the board of trustees, I extend my compliments to the Board of Commission of Cultural and Recreational Affairs as well as to members of the Recreation Department and Department of Public Works, staff and consultants for bringing forth this phase of the project on time.

Saturday, Sept. 13, 2003 has been proclaimed "Mary Baker Eddy Day" in the Village of Garden City.

Mary Baker Eddy is recognized as a 19th century author, teacher, publisher and healer, despite restrictions against women and despite illnesses. Her legacy will be highlighted in an exhibit, "This is Women's Hour," in the Swirbul Library at Adelphi University now through Oct. 20.

Your village has spent a good deal of time and money to beautify our central business district in order to make it appealing to residents and businesses. Our local food markets on Seventh Street and Franklin Avenue have also made a significant investment in purchasing high quality shopping carts for our use and convenience while shopping in their stores. Regrettably, these carts are not being returned to the prescribed areas by the markets and are being left within the parking fields and in the areas of the apartment houses.

In consideration of your neighbors, merchants and community, I urge residents to return these carts to their respective stores. Please don't place the village in the position to have to expend manpower and time to impound the shopping carts. The residents' efforts will go a long way in keeping our village the beautiful place that we all want it to be.

The Colonel Aaron Ogden Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution has asked me to proclaim the week of Sept. 17-23 as "Constitution Week" in Garden City.

Our nation's Constitution, adopted September 17, 1787, provided a fundamental document for freedom and independence, which has become a way of life in our great nation. All of us have cause to pause and reflect on our heritage. Residents are urged to fly the flag all week in observance.