Prior to the March 3 board of trustees meeting, Trustee Peter Negri, who represents the Central section and has one year remaining on his current two-year term, informed Mayor Barbara Miller that he is resigning, citing health concerns. His resignation will be effective upon completion of the process of a request from the mayor to the Central Property Owners' Association (CPOA) for a designated replacement.

If Trustee Negri officially steps down prior to Mayor Miller leaving office, she would then appoint someone from the CPOA to sit on the board only until the new mayor (Trustee Gerard Lundquist) takes office. Then he would make the next appointment.

Last November, while undergoing a coronary stenting procedure to address blockages in his arteries, complications ensued and Trustee Negri suffered a heart attack. "My health up until that point in time was excellent," he said. "Shortly after the procedure, it was strongly recommended by family and friends that I curtail business and civic activities. It was at this time, in November, that I made the decision to end my term as trustee early, but only after my duties as finance commissioner and the work that the entire board performs on the 2005-2006 budget was completed."

Trustee Negri noted his decision was not made lightly and certainly not without regret but with the knowledge that family and health concerns are of primary importance. His involvement in village activities began, as did all of my fellow trustees, with the property owners' association - initially, as a concerned resident, later as a director, membership chair, liaison to various committees and commissions, and finally as president.

"The years spent working with the CPOA were challenging and rewarding and gave me a thorough understanding of our unique form of village government. I treasure the friendships made during those years, and they endure to this day," he said.

In 2001, Trustee Negri was chosen to run as trustee from the Central section. During his four years on the board, he served as fire commissioner, commissioner of public works, two terms as commissioner of finance, chairman of the Audit Committee, Ethics Committee and as a representative to the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical Society and the Public Library. In addition, he served on the St. Paul's Committee and the Public "P" Zone Committee, working on rezoning the county properties.

"I found each and every assignment challenging and thoroughly rewarding," he admitted. "I firmly believe that the hard work and dedication that the trustees must bring to these assignments, coupled with the superlative staff of professionals that work under Bob Schoelle, make the Village of Garden City the very special place it is. In particular, the service, courage and leadership that Barbara Miller has provided as trustee and mayor is especially noteworthy."

Trustee Negri further noted his concerns, and those of his fellow trustees, along with all whom have or currently serve on the POA boards and the various commissions, remain the same today as when he first became involved, namely maintaining the village as the premier residential community it has always been; providing a high level of village services in a cost effective and efficient manner; and preserving everything that has made the village what it is today - a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

"The tremendous rise in property values that benefits all of us is certainly a tangible indication of the success of this board, and previous boards in helping to meet the first objective," Trustee Negri noted. "The service provided by our police, fire, public works and all supporting village departments is truly outstanding."

He noted that despite a $10 million drop in the village's tax assessment base, coupled with a significant rise in healthcare and associated benefit costs, Garden City has been able to provide these services with changes in tax rates that are quite close to the changes in the overall Consumer Price Index. "This has been especially true over the past four years - an accomplishment that board members and all village employees can take pride in," he said. "Our efforts to preserve all of the things that make the village special, particularly when it comes to historic buildings such as St Paul's, has certainly not been without a significant amount of time and hard work, and an even greater amount of dissent and difference of opinion. I firmly believe that we can make the entire St Paul's campus, with the playing fields, recreational facilities, community center, senior center, as well as suitable private use, the cultural and recreational heart of the village. I will continue to dedicate myself to doing all possible, including public and private fund-raising efforts, to help make this goal a reality."

He thanked all for the opportunity to be of service, noting it's been an honor, and ended on this note: "Many challenges face the new board. Although I will not be involved as a trustee, I will do all that I can to repay in some way the benefits this wonderful village has provided to my family."