On Memorial Day, I had the privilege of attending the parade and Memorial Day ceremony. I would like to commend the efforts of Jennifer Rumbelow and the middle school students on the planning and construction of the Veterans' Garden. I would also like to recognize the contributions of Senator Kemp Hannon and the William Bradford Turner Post No. 265 and the American Legion Auxiliary, specifically Commander Frank Nedelka, Past Commander John Donovan and Legionnaires Michael McMahon and Herb Blauert. Colonel Russell Catalano, 42nd Division Rear Area commander, was also present, representing the famed Rainbow Division's 69th regiment.

Please keep all service personnel who serve our country proudly, and their families, in your thoughts and prayers.

The seventh annual Belmont Festival at Garden City will be held this Friday, June 10, from 6 until 10:30 p.m. along Seventh Street and Franklin Avenue. The parade will step off at 7 p.m. from Village Parking Field 9E, proceed south on Franklin Avenue and west on Seventh Street to the Village Green. This exciting family event will include street performers, antique and vintage cars, fire trucks, parading horses, the Nassau County Police Pipe Band and the Garden City High School band. Six bands will be entertaining along Seventh Street throughout the evening. Make it a part of your family's weekend plans.

In order to accommodate the event as safely as possible, Seventh Street will be cleared of parked vehicles starting at 4 p.m. and will be closed to all traffic at that time. Parking fields to the rear of the stores (7S and 7N) will remain open.

This past week the village mailed copies of the 2005 Splash Garden City Pool newsletter containing pool membership applications to each residence in Garden City. This marks the annual countdown to the opening of the Pool this Saturday, June 11. Please read the edition of Splash and familiarize yourself with all of the special events that are planned for the pool as well as the new membership category, the late day individual.

On opening weekend, June 11-12, pool staff will host an open house to all non-member Garden City village residents to give everyone an opportunity to see what a unique pool facility the village operates.

As you sample the fare from our Franklin Avenue and Seventh Street restaurants June 10, I ask that you take a minute to meet the proprietors and return at another time to enjoy a delightful meal - you will be pleased with the quality, selection and excellent customer service. Regardless of the weather conditions during each school day for the past nine months, our school crossing guards have been at their designated posts to watch over our children. Please take a minute during the next few weeks to thank them for doing such a fine job to protect our young people.

The village mailed tax bills earlier this week to residents and their banks. The first half of village taxes is due during June and will be delinquent and subject to a penalty if payment is not made by July 1.

If you have a question, please call the Tax Department at Garden City Village Hall at 465-4156 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.