As mayor, I was honored, in April 2003, to have been appointed to the executive committee of the Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA). This is an association of 64 villages. The executive committee consists of 17 mayors. It has been a wonderful experience working with these individuals. The two meetings I attend each month - executive board meetings and the general membership meetings - provided me with knowledge from the educational programs but also from other mayors who openly shared their issues and strategies.

As a member of the executive board we are briefed on issues very early which enabled me to discuss matters with our village administrator, staff and board. Issues, such as the HUB, Wang proposal at the Coliseum, affordable housing, LIRR's third track on the Main Line, county reassessment, etc., are major issues before us. As reported, I have asked selected members of the village's executive staff and the village's Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) to follow these issues and keep the board of trustees informed.

My appointment to the executive board and attendance at these meetings alerted me to a number of opportunities that villages might use to save money as well as be more efficient in its operations. For example, the NCVOA uncovered a little known state law that indicated municipalities were eligible for a phone "discount." It provided us with information about a company that conducts audits for villages to determine if they are billed correctly. Staff researched this opportunity and recommended that we engage that company. I am proud to say that by doing so the village saved a significant amount of money. For example, the following refunds/reductions were realized: 1) $1,000 monthly reduction from Lightpath; 2) approximately $1,000 monthly reduction from Verizon; and 3) $31,450 refund from Verizon over billing.

I have also worked on several NCVOA committees, such as the Education and Emergency Management Committee (EMC) and was a member of the Nominating Committee. On the EMC I have attended Homeland Security meetings from the mayoral perspective along with Bob Mangan, director of Public Works and Police Commissioner Cipullo, both attend management meetings from an executive staff perspective. My thanks to both DPW Director Mangan and Commissioner Cipullo because we have an excellent Emergency Management plan, which is a model for others and they are an asset to the countywide EMC. You should be comforted that our village's executive staff is so well-trained and have the village's safety at the forefront.

The village executive staff has developed their appropriation requests for the Operation and Capital Budget, which were submitted to Village Administrator Robert Schoelle. The POAs and Chamber submitted requests for the capital budget. Trustee Negri, as commissioner of finance, has worked closely with Village Auditor Jim Olivo and Village Administrator Robert Schoelle to bring to the board of trustees the operational budget first so we could discuss it, and more realistically, plan for appropriations to the capital budget. This was a request I made with the finance commissioner and was delighted to see Commissioner Negri bring to fruition. We have completed a number of sessions, which were meetings in public, and held one public meeting Saturday, Feb. 5, at 8:30 a.m. Next meetings are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 24, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 26, at 8:30 a.m. (if necessary) and Thursday, March 3 at 7 p.m. In addition, the finalized budget will be presented to the public in conjunction with the board of trustees meeting at 8 p.m. March 18. Again, I want to thank Trustee Negri for chairing these meetings and always challenging us, as well as staff, to think of ways that we can accomplish our goals in a cost efficient but quality way. Residents are encouraged to use the village website: www.gardencityny.net. Over the past few months several improvements have been made to the site to ensure helpful information to our residents and to those visiting our village. The website provides general information regarding the various departments as well as upcoming meetings and village activities. In addition, direct "links" are provided to the Garden City Athletic Association and Garden City Centennial Soccer websites and the LIRR. If you have questions regarding the village website, contact Village Clerk Brian Ridgway at 465-4053. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some winter water facts and tips that were recently sent to me. Outside water faucets should have a valve inside which can be shut off during winter months. Purchasing an insulated hose faucet cover will also help protect the valve from freezing. Frozen pipes can result in damage to your home and repairs can be costly. If you have experienced freeze-up problems in the past, it is suggested that a faucet be allowed to flow with a steady drip, which will help prevent the recurrence of a freeze-up. To prevent pipes from freezing, you can insulate them and keep your thermostat set at no less than 60 degrees. Village offices will be closed on 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 Feb. 21 are asked to put their recyclables out on Monday, Feb. 28.