The village board of trustees and the executive staff join me in extending sincere compliments to outgoing Superintendent of Schools Stephen Leitman for the outstanding job he did during his tenure as superintendent of our school district. We thank him for his many accomplishments and extend our best wishes to him and his wife, Gale, for many years of healthy and happy retirement.

We also welcome his successor, Dr. Robert Feirsen. The Incorporated Village of Garden City, the school district and Adelphi University maintain a close relationship and the practice of sharing our resources. We look forward to greeting Dr. Feirsen in the near future and working with him.

Residents are reminded that written comments on the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Proposed Main Line Corridor Improvements Project (Third Track Project) are being accepted by the LIRR until Aug. 31.

The village board of trustees and the village's Environmental Advisory Board have joined with our neighboring villages along the 11.5 miles of the LIRR Main Line between Queens Village and Hicksville, expressing the position that it is premature to embark on an environmental review, including scoping session. There is a need to first present evidence that building a third track is operationally warranted and economically feasible from the point of view of the LIRR, adjoining neighbors and the taxpaying public.

The villages have the opportunity to change this project and I urge you to express your in-depth questions and concerns in writing to the LIRR. Under the federal scoping process, the LIRR is required to pay strict attention to the questions raised and to provide detailed responses to these questions.

Residents can provide their written comments directly to the LIRR or address them to the LIRR and channel them through their property owners' association, the village's Environmental Advisory Board or the village board of trustees. The address for the LIRR is: Peter Palamaro, LIRR Public Affairs, Jamaica Station 1131, Jamaica, New York 11435.

The address of the village board of trustees and the Environmental Advisory Board is 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York 11530

All residents are requested to please water the village trees that were planted adjacent to their property. The high heat condition recently experienced has been stressful on all plant materials, in particular, to the newly planted trees.

I encourage all residents to water the trees that were planted by their property during the spring season. It will go a long way to assuring their survival.

The recreation department's miniature golf course has been delighting village residents for many years. The course is refurbished each spring, with greens being rebuilt and new obstacles added to keep the course challenging. The course is directly adjacent to our tennis courts and is open for play seven days a week until 10 p.m. The greens fee is $1.50 for residents and $2 for a non-resident guest. The course is open every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The miniature golf course is an ideal location for a child's birthday party. For reservations or information, call Community Park at 483-2525. Please note that birthday party reservations will only be taken Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This week's program is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 4, and will feature Tom Wagner and the Village Music Makers - always a village favorite. The program will begin at 7:15 p.m. and admission is free. Please bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a very pleasant evening. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Cultural and Performing Arts Center at Cluett Hall at St. Paul's. Please contact the recreation department (465-4075) with questions pertaining to the concert.