The 51st annual holiday tree lighting ceremony took place on the Village Green Dec. 4 and it was a wonderful community event.

I would like to begin by thanking the Village Parks Department employees who decorate our village each year for the holiday season. In addition, a special thank you to the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and to Astoria Federal for its sponsorship once again, which this year provided us with music from the Village Music Makers and talented Garden City High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble. A thank you also is extended to Riesterer's Bake Shop for the holiday cookies and to Chief Moran and the members of the Garden City Fire Department for providing the hot chocolate and for arranging the safe arrival of Santa Claus. Thanks also to our Recreation Department and Village Maintenance Staff for clearing the snow and to our Police and Special Police for assisting with crowd control in the area.

On behalf of the village board may I extend my best wishes to everyone during this holiday season.

The village board of trustees' Dec. 15 meeting will be held in the Garden City Middle School auditorium. It will begin at 8 p.m. and follow the published agenda. Following the meeting we will have a report from Karen Backus, president of K. Backus & Associates, on the status of the consulting team's findings on private redevelopment of the Historic Main Building at St. Paul's as well as the next steps that it will be taking on this most important assignment.

With the winter season upon us, I would like to take this opportunity to remind village residents and merchants to cooperate when there is a snowstorm by shoveling walks within 24 hours following the snow fall. The following suggestions are offered in an effort to reduce inconvenience to residents and to assist the village in serving your needs.

* If possible, wait until the village plows the street to clear the snow from your driveway entrance. If you can't wait, shovel to the right onto your curbside, since most snowplows push to the right. Do not shovel snow back into the cleared street. This will reduce the accumulation of snow which will be pushed back into your driveway. This is a chronic problem. Plow operators have been reminded to reduce the speed of their vehicles in order to lessen the amount of snow that is pushed back into driveways. Please be aware that the Department of Public Works cannot shovel out driveway entrances nor can it plow any private property.

* When you hear that a storm is expected, move your car off the street into your driveway. This will speed up the plowing operation.

* Park your car, or cars, as close to the end of the driveway as is safely possible. This eliminates the need for shoveling the entire driveway to free your car when the storm has ended and the roads are safe to travel.

* If you are unable to shovel snow or are going to be away, make arrangements to have the snow cleared from your sidewalk. Please remember that you are responsible to shovel your walk within 24 hours after the storm. The police department will enforce this. This is also applicable to the business community.

* When using power equipment to blow snow, please do not blow the snow in the street.

* Please clear snow away from all hydrants so that the fire department can reach them without delay. Also, make sure that the snow is not blocking the address to your house.

* To facilitate safe garbage collections, a walk should be made from the sidewalk to where the garbage is kept. If this is not possible, it is suggested that the garbage be carried to the curb for pickup.

Again, thank you for your cooperation.

I know that I often mention "Shop Garden City" and there is no better time than now to mention it again. Residents in the Village of Garden City are very fortunate in having a vital business community comprised of merchants who are committed to serve us from their shops along Franklin Avenue, Seventh Street and New Hyde Park Road. I urge each of you to continue to patronize these local businesses during the holiday season and throughout the year. Our business community wants to know how they are doing, so take a minute the next time you are shopping and let them know what you think about the quality of their products and their attention to customer service.