(Editor's Note: The following is an open statement to Garden City residents from fellow village resident Robert Alvey regarding St. Paul'.s)

"Are you interested in showing support for saving St. Paul's? As a follow-up to the recent vote by the village trustees to 'move forward' with public use of the former St. Paul's School building and the approval by the Preservation League of New York State to list the historic landmark as one of 'Seven to Save' for 2004's efforts, Garden City residents are invited to make a stand Jan. 8.

"The 'Friends of St. Paul's' ad hoc group, which applied for the Seven to Save listing, will be joined by the Preservation League and Society for Preservation of Long Island Antiquities representatives to briefly discuss their potential work effort for the next year on behalf of saving St. Paul's from demolition.

"Join us starting at 3 p.m. on the front steps of the building on Stewart Avenue. Rain or shine, the press event will start at 3:30 p.m. This building must not be lost. It has been held hostage from public use for nearly a decade as the village tried to ignore a New York State law prohibiting the building and land from being sold to private developers. Even now, efforts to change the law are being made. It is still under threat of being demolished. It is critical that all residents, who do not want to see the loss of Garden City's Tiffany windowed historic masterpiece, come and spend a brief moment to 'make a stand' for support. For further information and updates, contact Rob Alvey at 326-1720 or www.friendofstpaul@aol.org."