Before choosing the library option when completing the public opinion survey regarding St. Paul's, residents should be aware that the "Information Sheet" shows certain costs to taxpayers. These numbers were prepared by the firm of Einhorn, Yaffe, Prescott (EYP) and by Todd Harvey, consultants who have a clear vested interest in St. Paul's becoming a library. EYP is also a construction management firm and Mr. Harvey is a library architect. At this time, their estimate of more than $26,000,000 to convert St. Paul's to a library contains, for example, no projection for operating costs.

Residents should know that several years ago, EYP was commissioned to study the conversion of the first floor of St. Paul's to house village hall and other municipal departments. At that time, they estimated the cost at approximately $24,000,000. When they were questioned, EYP admitted that their estimate did not include a number of necessary costs and it was discovered that EYP's number was nearly $15,000,000 too low. The plan was scrapped.

It is not at all clear that there is a need to move or expand the library. In fact, library trustees have neither officially asked for more space nor submitted a detailed list of what should be included in the new facility.

Home Rule legislation must be enacted by the New York State Legislature before the village can consider designating any portion of the St. Paul's property for private use. Our locally elected state legislators must introduce such legislation.

Proponents of the library at St. Paul's insist that an extremely detailed plan for the private use of St. Paul's would have to be in place before our legislators can introduce Home Rule legislation. Village counsel has clearly stated otherwise, in public.

Contrary to what the proponents of the library at St. Paul's would have everyone believe, Home Rule legislation does not mean automatic privatization. Home Rule would simply create a level playing field by enabling the village to adequately explore the possibility of private use for the property. Without Home Rule, it is very difficult to find developers who will spend the amount of time and money required to design a detailed proposal for St. Paul's when they know the village has no authority to either seriously consider or accept it.

It should also be noted privatization would not cause the village to lose control of the property because the village would continue to control the zoning. Proponents of moving the library to St. Paul's oppose any consideration of Home Rule legislation, thereby blocking fair consideration of the possibility of privatization, an option that could save St. Paul's while benefiting the taxpayer by generating tax revenue.

The Village of Garden City is not only St. Paul's. We believe that most people would say they moved here because of our schools, our recreation programs and our municipal services, all of which are supported by our tax dollars.

While saving St. Paul's may be important, ensuring the future of our village programs and services, as well as our schools, is more so. As the cost of running the village and schools rises each year, so does the need to decrease services and programs.

To date, the projected increase in the school budget is 9.6 percent. We are currently paying for the $38,000,000 bond issue that was needed for improvements to all of the school buildings. In the near future, at an anticipated cost of at least $5,000,000, we will have to purchase the playing fields adjacent to and used by the Garden City Middle School, but which are owned by the Cathedral and leased to the school district.

Recently, 71 Clinton Road was removed from our tax rolls when it was purchased by BOCES; and no tax revenue is received from the Nassau County complex. It will take several years for the full impact of the new property reassessments to appear on our individual tax bills.

We hope that residents who complete the survey will send a message to the mayor, three village trustees and proponents of the library and public use only at St. Paul's, that stonewalling consideration of any other option not only is unfair, it is dangerous, irresponsible and can no longer be tolerated.

Nicholas and Dorothy Episcopia

Past EPOA Presidents