I am an Estates section resident and am aghast at the position and tactics of the Mauk-Rothschild incumbent trustees. They sneer at the views of the vast majority of Estates residents: both vigorously support commercial, high-density apartment house development at St. Paul's. For shame!

One would expect our trustees, if they were representing our (Estates residents') views, to adopt a N.I.M.B.Y. (Not In My Backyard) position. But they do not. Why?

Now I understand that Mr. Mauk is trying to mislead the Estates residents by claiming he is trying to save St. Paul's. What a joke - it is hypertechnically "true," if retaining just the façade of St. Paul's, as an entrance to a "North Shore Towers" type complex is saving St. Paul's. His claim is conclusive proof that he is desperate, desperate to retain his unpaid position and undermine our interests resulting in a huge financial windfall for developers. Why?

Mr. Mauk's position cannot stand the light of public scrutiny and discussion. He is disdainful of his constituency and elitist and certainly too long in office.

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It is now perhaps more than ever, essential to expect an impartial review of all the options relating to St. Paul's. Singularly, to regain the trust and confidence of all the residents, trustees must publicly acknowledge and verify that they have no conflicts of interest.

They must agree that they personally, and the companies they own or are employed by, will not have any contracts or other beneficial involvement in the development (regardless of whether it's eventually decided to be private or public) of St. Paul's. This should be for a fixed period of time - perhaps five years.

If any trustee cannot honestly disavow any conflicts, they should have enough self-respect, not to mention respect for the rest of the community, to recuse themselves from voting on this issue and creating a potential conflict of interest. Only when we are assured that these all-important decisions are based solely on what's best for the Village of Garden City and all its residents can we expect a truly responsible solution.

I make this request of the mayor and all trustees that this action take place now - and immediately - before any more precious time is involved with referendums, committees or reviews. These declarations should be documented as well as published and circulated by all of the POAs [Property Owners Associations].

Honest, forthright, open discussion and participation. No trustee, regardless of his or her individual position on this most critical discussion, should be uncomfortable to accept such an oath. Accordingly, no responsible resident of Garden City should expect anything less.