My colleagues on the village board of trustees join in thanking the residents who made the effort to attend the Nov. 13 public forum at the middle school on the subject of the future of the historic Main Building at St. Paul's. We appreciate the courtesy you exhibited in allowing questions and comments to be presented and responses made by the panelists. Many of the points of view and comments had great merit and will be considered by the board.

As promised at this forum, an additional forum will be conducted to obtain additional input and to hear from the experts a more in-depth discussion on "potential" private uses for the Main Building. Given everyone's busy schedules, the additional responsibilities of the board and holidays upon us, the only reasonable date is to hold it on Dec. 4. It will take place in the auditorium of Stewart School. To this end, I have asked the board of trustees to begin the board meeting at 7 p.m. so that it can be adjourned or recessed by 8 p.m. to accommodate the public forum on private uses of the St. Paul's Main Building/10-acre site. A panel of experts will make a presentation, as was done at the previous forum, and then questions and comments will be taken from the residents. The trustees and I will be there to listen to your questions and concerns.

Those residents who attended the previous forum, regardless of which option they supported, charged the board to keep moving forward in order to make a decision on St. Paul's. I have been moving the board towards this goal since I took office last April. Sometimes I am accused of moving too fast - other times too slow. Let me set the record straight. This summer, I presented the board of trustees with several schema, with time lines, for making a decision. The process has been discussed and adjusted accordingly. I believe that the board has a responsibility not to prejudge any situation. As mayor, it is my job to make sure that the board listens to all the data before making a decision, but it is also my job to keep them moving forward. So I ask for your continued patience.

I believe that the public should be given objective data by experts and that the board should listen to the public's reaction to the information before determining what the advantages and disadvantages of public or private options are. Furthermore, if a public option is chosen for St. Paul's I will recommend to the board once again that we should use the same methodology that was used when we purchased St. Paul's - we should hold a binding bond referendum and let the public decide. Mark your calendars for Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. in the Stewart School auditorium as we look forward to your input.

The board of trustees and I extend sincere Thanksgiving wishes to all of our residents and their families. At the Thanksgiving holiday, I feel that it is appropriate to pause for a few minutes and to reflect upon those things that we may take for granted and how fortunate we are to live in this wonderful community. In doing so, I quickly acknowledge the many employees of the police, fire and public works departments who worked around the clock on Thanksgiving to assure the safety and comfort of our families. I also want to acknowledge the members of the volunteer fire department who remained ready to leave their homes to come to our aid. We thank each of these fine people for the sacrifice they make in leaving their families during this holiday time to attend to the welfare of our residents.

Village offices are closed this Thursday, Nov. 27, in observance of Thanksgiving Day. For your convenience, correspondence for the village may be placed in the "Letter" drop slot at the front door.

Residents are reminded that there will be no garbage or recycling pickup on Thanksgiving Day. Those scheduled for recycling are asked to put their recyclables out on Thursday, Dec. 4.

The Turkey Trot Committee of Garden City, Inc. will conduct its 26th annual Merrill Lynch Turkey Trot this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27.

The race will form at the St. Paul's School with the 1.4-mile run beginning at 9:30 a.m. and the 5-mile run scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. the route of the 5-mile race will be as follows: starting on Stewart Avenue in front of St. Paul's, east to Cherry Valley Avenue, continuing south on Rockaway Avenue, west onto First Street onto Cambridge Avenue, north on Whitehall Blvd., continuing south onto North Avenue to Cherry Valley Avenue back to Stewart Avenue, then west onto Stewart Avenue past St. Paul's and north on Hampton Road. The final lap will be continuing south on Rockaway to the finish line at St. Paul's.

Net proceeds will be donated for the benefit of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.