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When this column appears, most people will already know that, as the Central Property Owner's Association's Nominating Committee's unanimous choice for village trustee from Central, I was not successful for that bid for re-election following the challenge process. I want to personally thank the CPOA Nominating Committee and all the people who supported me, and those who volunteered so much time and effort on my behalf.

Being gracious, I congratulate Mr. Lamberti on his victory. I must say that I'm greatly disappointed that he decided to place so much emphasis in his campaign on the parkland resolution concerning St. Paul's without fully vetting the facts. In so doing, he voiced many simply inaccurate or misleading claims about the effect of that resolution on the village and its residents, in particular that the taxes for residents would be increased as a result of the parkland resolution. He was not alone, as certain trustees rushed to publish "information" to their constituents in order to discredit the resolution without verifying the facts.

I remain confident that the parkland decision was a good one, and that once the dust settles, it will be clear to everyone that this resolution serves the best interests of the residents. First, in no way does it place the state in control of the property, nor does it make the state a "regulator." Instead, it uses state law as a protector of the land and ensures that if a decision is ever reached to sell part of the property (which I hope the residents never allow to happen) or burden the property with a long-term lease the village and the taxpayers will receive fair compensation. This is what I think so disturbs the commercial interests looking to develop the site.

Second, contrary to other misleading claims, the parkland designation will not prevent the village from using the property for almost any conceivable recreational or social use. That includes a community center or senior center, which are uses the designation would allow. That is what the property is for. Might I remind residents that the concept and related cost figures for moving village hall and/or the plan to move the library and create a community center at St. Paul's, which had verified cost estimates, either never received sufficient support (i.e., village hall) or was prevented (i.e., the library/community center) from being brought out to the public for a binding bond referendum. As we often said to those who opposed those plans, "bring the cost out to the residents through a binding bond referendum, if it doesn't pass then you were right."

Third, the nursery school cottages are not further threatened by the parkland designation. The nursery school is there now because the village, notwithstanding the public trust designation, made a decision that such a temporary use was appropriate and the plaintiffs in the Kenny/Rafferty case agreed. The nursery school has a short-term license agreement that they understood from the beginning may or may not be renewed. If the village decided it needed that property for any reason, the agreement would have to be terminated. That is true whether the parkland resolution was in effect or not. So, the claim that the parkland resolution would force out the nursery school was a less than accurate representation of the facts and certainly created unnecessary stress for the parents and children as well as the staff of the nursery school.

Keep in mind that the "private option" submitted a couple of years ago for commercial development - assisted living at St. Paul's - required further development outside the current footprint. It also included demolition of the cottages as well as Ellis Hall. The same recommendations for demolition of the cottages as well as Ellis Hall was repeated by the Mayor's Committee on St. Paul's in their report in March 2002. These recommendations were included again last year in the village's RFI (Request for Information) for private development within the footprint, yet developers submitted proposals that went outside of the footprint. I can assure you that this will almost certainly happen if private developers gain control of the site, so keep that in mind going forward. Private development is much more of a threat to the cottages and other outlying buildings than the parkland resolution.

Finally, the claim that the parkland resolution and so-called Segerdahl resolution will cost the residents $12 million for stabilization and therefore increase taxes was equally misleading and, as intended, it succeeded in eliciting the predictable response from many voters. It was misleading on two counts. The cost of stabilizing St. Paul's per the cost-estimator has a range up to $10 million and would be further verified through the process - which is why Trustee Segerdahl proposed going through the necessary process of retaining specs and plans for the detailed costs of determining the best way to fund the project. But more importantly, the expenditure of the money for the specs and plans was claimed by my opponent as costing $2 million and would increase taxes. Money for the maintenance of the St. Paul's Historic Main Building is and has been in the budget (currently at about $1.9 million) so even if the $1.9 million was spent it would not increase your taxes. But more importantly this was explained at a board of trustees meeting to those in attendance. It was indicated that proposals would be requested from two experts to provide to the board of trustees what the fee would be to draw up specs and plans for stabilization. The board of trustees had not received this information to date. If fiscal strategies are not available for phasing in stabilization without bonding then our recommendation would be to bring out a binding bond referendum for any significant amount of money and would require a binding vote by the residents. The village budget is not approved by residents as is the school budget, but, my view is that we bought the property with a binding bond referendum and any unusual amount of expenditure should be voted on by the residents.

Unfortunately, it is my view that the composition of the board will shift noticeably to the side of those favoring commercial development. The parkland resolution will act, in my view, as a further check to those who would prefer to sell this valuable piece of property to commercial developers and ignore the intentions of those who voted to purchase it in the first place. I have always voted in the interests of the residents. Since I have no doubt the parkland resolution serves to protect those interests, I believe my efforts were not in vain.

Until my term expires on April 4 at noon, I will continue to work with that goal in mind. I also urge more residents to get involved, to come to meetings and to pay close attention to what is happening to St. Paul's and other pieces of greenspace throughout the village, as this will affect our future and the future of our wonderful community for generations.

Garden City's Tree Management Program is used as a model by many universities. Under our program, village street and park trees are inspected annually. Those trees that are in questionable condition are monitored during both the growing and dormant seasons and, if necessary, treatment is performed. Only when in the judgment of our trained arborist, Michael Didyk, that a tree is dead, dying or hazardous, is it marked for removal.

Residents who wish to have a street tree planted by the village are encouraged to write to the Director of Public Works, Robert Mangan, P.E., with their request prior to Feb. 18. We will make every effort to accommodate your request.

Village offices will be closed this Friday, Feb. 11, in observance of Lincoln's birthday. 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 garbage and recycling pickup on Lincoln's birthday. The holiday week collection schedule is as follows:

	Garbage	Rubbish
Western Half of Village	Monday and Thursday	Wednesday
(west of Rockaway Avenue)
Eastern Half of Village	Tuesday and Friday	Wednesday
(east of Rockaway Avenue)

Village offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 21, for Presidents Day. For your convenience, correspondence for the village may be placed in the "letter" drop slot at the front door.

There will be no garbage or recycling pickup on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 21. Those scheduled for recycling pickup on Monday, Feb. 21, are asked to put their recyclables out on Monday, Feb. 28.