Under New York State law, the official year for villages with March elections, which includes Garden City, begins at noon Monday, April 5, 2004 (the first Monday in April). The official year marks the beginning of the term of office of all newly elected officials. The organizational or annual meetings of these villages are usually held to coincide with the beginning of their official year, but there is no requirement in village law that these events must take place on the same day. This year the official year is the same day as the beginning of Passover, causing us to schedule our organizational meeting to Thursday, April 15.

The Garden City Police Department commenced a cell phone donation program in January 2002. This program was initiated to help collect cell phones so they can be used for victims of domestic violence as well as senior citizens.

Prior to our donation program, calls about donations were referred to the New York City Police Department program. Due to the amount of calls that we received, we began accepting these phones rather than referring the caller to New York City. We began to spread the word through the community, local civic groups and Adelphi University that we were accepting cell phones.

To this date, our department has collected 240 cell phones and more than 300 various cell phone accessories. We have donated these phones and accessories to "Victims of Domestic Violence" of the Nassau County District Attorney Domestic Violence Bureau and to "Lifeline for Seniors Project" for the Town of Hempstead.

Daylight-savings time began Sunday, April 4. Residents are reminded that clocks should be set one hour ahead. Residents are reminded that village offices will close at 12 p.m. Friday, April 9 in observance of Good Friday and will reopen on Monday, April 12. Correspondence may be dropped in the letter slot at the front of village hall. The board of trustees and members of the village staff join me in extending wishes for a very Happy Easter and Passover season to village residents.

The annual Easter festival and antique car parade, sponsored by the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for 1 p.m. Easter Sunday, April 11. The parade will step off from Parking Field 9E and will proceed south on Franklin Avenue to Seventh Street, west to Hilton Avenue, north to Stewart Avenue and will terminate in Parking Field 7N, opposite village hall.

Please take time from your busy day and bring the family down to see a great Garden City event.