(Editor's Note: Due to space constraints, this is Part I of the annual Year in Review. Part II will appear in next week's issue.) The 10-member Garden City East Nominating Committee selected Nicholas Episcopia as candidate for election to the position of village trustee. In making their announcement, the Committee stated that they paid particular attention to Episcopia's views on St. Paul's, taxes, controlled development both to the east of the village and within its borders, as well as budgets. Frank Ruggiero challenged the EPOA Nominating Committee's unanimous decision to bring forth Nick Episcopia as candidate for village trustee. Despite the lack of name recognition and without the benefit of being a sitting trustee, Ruggiero believed if anyone could pull off a surprise victory, it could be he. The Pell Terrace resident, who moved to Garden City from Queens in 1992, said the greatest problem facing Garden City today is one of a delicate balance between maintaining a quality of life and minimizing the taxpayers' costs to preserve Garden City's residential character.

Thomas Lamberti wanted to put an end to "surprise, confrontation and steamroller tactics." He also wanted to ensure the viability of Garden City's participatory democracy. The First Street resident challenged the CPOA Nominating Committee's unanimous decision to bring forth Barbara Miller - current village mayor at the time - as candidate for trustee.

Lamberti admitted the decision to challenge an incumbent, let alone the mayor, was a tough one but he became gravely concerned for Garden City's future when Miller's resolution to designate the entire St. Paul's property "parkland" passed Dec. 16 by a 5-4 margin.

The Estates POA Nominating Committee brought forward Robert Rothschild to serve another two-year term as village trustee. "Besides the determination of the future of St. Paul's, trustees need to focus on a number of issues that continue to impact the entire village," Rothschild said. The WPOA unanimously selected Gerard Lundquist candidate for mayor. At the time of the nomination, Lundquist was Garden City's deputy mayor. He served three terms as trustee and had been on the board since April 1999. Prior to his tenure as trustee, Lundquist served the WPOA since 1995 in several capacities, including president, vice president and director. Don Dreyer, director of the Nassau County Office for the Physically Challenged, received the prestigious Secretary of Health and Human Services Department Award for his work supporting the civil rights of disabled persons. In congratulating him, Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy presented Dreyer with a framed copy of the Congressional Record recognizing his efforts.

"We need a new vision," County Executive Tom Suozzi said during a special meeting Jan. 25 at Hofstra University. "A vision that protects our suburban dream, preserves our quality of life and expands our tax base."

His goal: turn the Nassau HUB, which he says has been disjointed for 25 years, into the "Nassau Centre," which could be home to new jobs and new commercial tax revenues. The county executive discussed different modes of transportation, pedestrian and bicycle greenway connections that could link culture, education and recreation as well as commercial and retail nodes and a new central business district he dubbed the Hempstead Turnpike Oval. Suozzi's most important focus, however, is on the new Nassau Centre - from Mineola to Roosevelt Field Mall and Eisenhower Park, down to the Nassau Coliseum, EAB Plaza, Nassau Community College over to Museum Row and Hofstra University, Mitchel Field Industrial Park in Uniondale and downtown Hempstead, back up through Garden City and returning to Mineola.

At the Jan. 13 board meeting, then-mayor Barbara Miller appointed a Mayor's Committee on Public Needs for the current resolution on the St. Paul's Historic Main Building: First Floor and Chapel. Former board trustee Eileen Collins accepted the role as chairperson, charged with selecting a stellar panel of residents to interview all village/resident entities to determine what the public use needs for the St. Paul's Historic Main Building were, per the specified guidelines.

Collins had to select a manageable number of panel members, which had to include at least a representative from each POA, school district for focus on children/teenagers, representatives for the elders and Ocker as a staff member. The panel had to review all past and current recreational public use/needs data, the Adelphi senior survey, previous surveys, past needs assessments and more. Further, the panel had to interview all possible entities. The committee had to determine the community's needs for the identified public space of the Historic Main Building and prepare a report.

At a press conference Jan. 18, then Nassau County District Attorney (DA) Denis Dillon and Harvey Levinson, chairman of the Nassau County Board of Assessors, announced plans to utilize the prosecutorial and investigative resources of the DA's office to assist Nassau County's town and city governments in the prosecution of illegal housing.

Dillon agreed on a plan to supplement the efforts of town attorneys engaged in detecting and prosecuting illegal housing cases within the Towns of Oyster Bay, North Hempstead, Hempstead and the Cities of Glen Cove and Long Beach. The DA's office agreed to help execute existing bench warrants and assist in identifying and locating the owners of the most egregious offenders in the Town of Hempstead. Pertaining to the Oyster Bay and North Hempstead Towns as well as Glen Cove and Long Beach, the DA's office agreed to assist by investigating and prosecuting the owners of multiple family dwellings.

Levinson was honored that the former district attorney embraced his suggestion "to use the power, prestige and resources of his office to assist local governments in combating the huge, black-market illegal housing industry in Nassau County."

Each year at the February meeting of the William Bradford Turner post for the American Legion, the Legion honors individuals who have performed outstanding service for Garden City. During this Law and Order night, the achievements of an individual who has served to protect and/or assist village residents are recognized. This year the Garden City Special Police honored retired Captain Felix Jakubowski.

In 1981, Jakubowski joined the Special Police and rose through the ranks during his 24 years of service to eventually become captain. He served in this capacity for 14 years - the longest duration of service for a captain in the history of the organization - and single-handedly recruited more individuals than any other member.

Results of the Feb. 1 run-off elections in the village's central and eastern sections were as follows: Tom Lamberti of First Street (Central) and Nick Episcopia of Claydon Road (East) proved victorious. Both winners' names appeared on the ballot for the March 15 village election.

Lamberti, who challenged the CPOA Nominating Committee's selection of then-mayor Barbara Miller as trustee, bested her by 99 votes: Lamberti received 350 votes while Mayor Miller received 251 votes.

Episcopia, the EPOA Nominating Committee's selection for trustee, bested challenger Frank Ruggiero of Pell Terrace by 296 votes: Episcopia received 467 votes while Ruggiero received 171. Episcopia replaced former trustee, Jon Segerdahl, who didn't challenge his POA's nomination of Episcopia.

An incident in the summer of 2004 at Grove Street Park incited ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) members to come before the Garden City village board Feb. 3 and demand a sign at the facility, which reads "For Garden City Residents Only," be taken down.

Accusations made by ACORN members pointed to a "test" they performed at the site. Members alleged that when an African-American woman and three African-American teens from Hempstead and Roosevelt attempted to enter Grove Street Park, a park employee informed them that they could not because the park was to be used by Garden City residents only. When asked how he knew they weren't village residents, members claimed the attendant responded, "I know everyone in Garden City." ACORN members emphasized, however, that the park employee never asked the group for proof of residency.

Days later members claimed a Caucasian woman from Carle Place and three Caucasian teens from out of state entered the park with no questions asked. Members said the park employee never asked for proof of residency and even said, "Thanks for coming," when they left. Members urged the board to "stop discriminating against parks visitors and open Garden City parks to everyone, regardless of skin color or residence."

The New York State Attorney General's Office, authorized to enforce the state's anti-discrimination laws and handle cases that affect large numbers or "classes" of citizens, did contact village officials with regard to a complaint ACORN filed.

During the final phase of renovations to convert the Garden City Historical Society's 1872 A.T. Stewart-era Apostle House into a museum, lead contractor David Schulteisz uncovered a section of the April 4, 1903 issue of The New York Times while repairing and refinishing the oak floors on the first floor.

"Quite often in older houses, materials such as the carpet and newspapers were used as shims on top of the sub-floor to level the finish flooring above," Schulteisz said. "Other items, such as milk and beverage bottles, can be found in the walls and floors."

At a press conference at his home in East Meadow, Greg Peterson announced his bid for Nassau County executive. "As a father, homeowner, taxpayer and businessman in Nassau County, it is clear that our county is at a crossroads. People are being taxed out of their homes by county tax increases and by the debilitating effects of the hidden tax of reassessment," he said.

Peterson was critical of the Democratic majority of the legislature and Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi. "Since the Democrats took control of the county legislature in 2000 and were joined by Tom Suozzi in 2002, Nassau taxpayers have endured budget-busting tax increases at the county level," he said.

Suozzi, in his 2005 budget presentation, said, "We have balanced every budget. We have had surpluses each year. We have built 'rainy day' and other reserve funds of over $100 million. We have paid off over $100 million in debt early and we have received the stamp of approval from every independent analyst of the way we have conducted our financial affairs. In fact, we have achieved the lowest cash flow borrowing in over a decade."

PAVES (Paid and Volunteer Employment Service), a nonprofit corporation which served the youth and residents of Garden City since 1967, closed in February. PAVES provided a list, updated in the spring and fall, of high school and college students from the village able to do various tasks for residents who called PAVES' telephone message recorder. Residents then called a person on the list and contracted directly with him or her to do the task at hand, such as snow shoveling during the winter.

"As with all volunteer organizations, it has been increasingly difficult to find persons in the village with the time and interest to do the work involved to provide the service," Bill Bellmer, PAVES treasurer, said. "But the principal problem has become the possibility of lawsuits, however frivolous, faced by adult volunteers..." Although liability insurance is available for such occasions, Bellmer added, it is expensive and still does not solve the problem of the time and effort required for a defense.

Parents For Megan's Law, a not-for-profit child advocacy and Megan's Law watchdog group, released a study that graded the 50 states on the strength of their own Megan's Law. New York State earned an "F" grade, failing because of the poor way in which information regarding the whereabouts of potentially threatening sexual predators is disseminated.

Specifically, the survey evaluated a community's level of accessibility of sex offender registration information, the extent of information available and national participation in civil commitment laws. States received a letter grade based on the results of 10 questions. According to the Parent's For Megan's Law website, the national Megan's Law average and most occurring grade was "F" (58 percent).

Outraged by Nassau County's plan to sell parking lots adjacent to the Social Services Building at 101 County Seat Drive, Mineola Mayor Jack Martins filed a lawsuit in February against the county, its legislature, planning commission and its office of real estate and development. The lawsuit sought to stop the sale of the parking lots until the county provided adequate on-site parking to accommodate the cars that currently park in the lot.

"It's time for the MTA to come clean on the filthy train stations across Nassau County," Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin demanded at a Feb. 11 press conference. "From rampant pigeon droppings and crumbling stairways to exposed electrical wiring, many local stations have evidenced unpleasant, unsafe and unsanitary conditions."

Every Nassau County resident pays taxes that are put toward station maintenance. Annually, Nassau County transmits money to the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) for this purpose. Clavin wrote Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman and County Executive Tom Suozzi, asking that they withhold station maintenance payments to the MTA until conditions improved.

Jane Levine, Nassau County's chief deputy comptroller, responded to Clavin's letter, stating, "We agree that the LIRR is paying insufficient attention to the physical condition of its Nassau County stations ... Although our meetings resulted in some improvements, clearly much more needs to be done," she said.

Levine further noted that the New York State Public Authorities Law mandates that the county's annual contribution for LIRR station operation, maintenance and use be determined by a mathematical formula - not by the actual audited service provided by the MTA. "Unless the MTA agrees (or is forced to agree) to a change in this formula, the county must pay the statutorily mandated amount. Little would be accomplished by Nassau County withholding its mandated contribution to the MTA ... Should the county fail to pay the statutorily required annual contribution, the law provides that the state comptroller 'shall withhold an equivalent amount' from state aid," she explained.

On Feb. 23, Judge Jeffrey S. Brown sentenced Omar Syed Afzal, of Mineola, to two to six years in prison for the deaths of two Garden City teens as the result of a car accident Dec. 23, 2003.

Afzal was arrested July 29, 2004. He pled guilty to second-degree vehicular manslaughter, a Class D felony, and driving under the influence of marijuana while heading northbound on Nassau Boulevard when he lost control of his 1998 Ford Explorer, hitting a tree before rolling over.

The accident ejected two rear passengers, Garden City High School student Alison Reilly, who was pronounced dead at the scene, and fellow high school student Christine Caroleo, who succumbed to injuries at Winthrop-University Hospital nearly a month later. Afzal and two other female passengers were taken to North Shore Hospital where they were treated and released.

Prior to the March 3 board meeting, Trustee Peter Negri, who represented the Central section and had one year remaining on his two-year term, informed then-mayor Barbara Miller that he was resigning, citing health concerns. His resignation was effective upon completion of the process of a request from the mayor to the CPOA for a designated replacement.

In November 2004, while undergoing a coronary stenting procedure to address blockages in his arteries, complications ensued and Trustee Negri suffered a heart attack.

In 2001, 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. He thanked all for the opportunity to be of service, noting it had been an honor.

"Nassau taxpayers deserve a taxpayer watchdog, not a lapdog," Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes Donald Clavin of Garden City said as he announced his candidacy for county comptroller March 2.

Clavin announced his intention to restore public trust in the Nassau comptroller's office as he stood in front of Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman's office in Mineola. The receiver of taxes handed out handcuffs as he discussed plans to "handcuff" what he described as the comptroller's wasteful spending and lackluster performance.

Evan Stavisky, political consultant and spokesperson for the Weitzman campaign, said, "Don Clavin's partisan, political attacks aren't surprising since he is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the discredited political machine that nearly drove Nassau County into bankruptcy. Howard Weitzman is the most independent comptroller in county history. He blew the whistle on fiscal and management problems at the county jail and other agencies. His audits and fiscal expertise have saved taxpayers millions."

Joseph Troiano for Mayor

Incumbent Joseph Troiano was Village Party candidate seeking re-election as Stewart Manor mayor for his second four-year term. Prior to becoming mayor in April 2001, Troiano served as a trustee between November 2000 and March 2001.

John Egan for Trustee

John Egan was Village Party candidate seeking re-election as Stewart Manor trustee, a position he has held since 2001. He too, during his first term, focused greatly on quality of life issues.

Kristina Lynch for Trustee

Kristina Lynch was Village Party candidate seeking her first term as Stewart Manor trustee, replacing outgoing trustee for recreation, Kenneth Ruff. Lynch has resided in Stewart Manor since 1994 with her husband, Christopher, and their two children, Kyle and Cara.

Philip Milone for Village Justice

Philip Milone was a Unity Party candidate seeking his first full-term as Stewart Manor village justice, after completing the remainder of former Justice Joanne Chevallier's term. Members of the Village Party endorsed Milone.

Charles Wang, co-owner of the New York Islanders, admitted his Lighthouse project was not going to fix Long Island. He did, however, believe the ambitious plan would make Long Island a more attractive place to live, work, do business and raise a family. "We are hoping to give Long Island a swift kick in the butt as a catalyst to do something," Wang said.

The Lighthouse project proposes to transform the five-acre Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum - the second oldest arena in the National Hockey League - with new seating, widened and modernized concourses, a state-of-the-art sound system, video boards, additional washrooms, restaurants and bars and 50 new luxury suites. Moreover, the plan hopes to revamp the site's surrounding 72 acres, which currently make up a parking lot.

The project calls for a 50,000-square foot athletic complex with two ice surfaces, a basketball court and health club; the world's tallest lighthouse and Long Island's tallest building that will feature a five-star hotel, condominiums and an observatory deck; and the Plaza, a public performance and recreation space complete with an amphitheater, outdoor cafés, shops and restaurants, are also slated for construction.

Further, the property's existing exhibition hall will be renovated and expanded into the Island's largest conference center to host a broad range of events while a proposed Sport Technology Center will host organizations focused on all aspects of sports technology, including enhancing performance, health and rehabilitation.

Wang completed a Memorandum of Understanding with County Executive Tom Suozzi, who said the Lighthouse project could bring tremendous economic, cultural and social benefit to the Island.

Then-mayor Barbara Miller broke two more tie votes with regard to St. Paul's resolutions during the March 3 board of trustees meeting. Then-trustee Jon Segerdahl introduced the first approved resolution, which requested village staff immediately draw up an RFP (Request For Proposal) for the joint public/private use of the Historic Main Building subject to several provisions.

Then-trustee Peter Negri brought forth the second approved resolution, which requested that Village Counsel Gary Fishberg prepare a contract with Beatty, Harvey & Associates, LLP for design plans for the stabilization of the St. Paul's Historic Main Building subject to the board's review and authorization for execution by the mayor.

Trustee voting broke down as follows: then-mayor Miller and then-trustees Segerdahl and Negri and Trustee John Watras voted in favor of both resolutions while Trustee John Mauk, then-trustee Gerard Lundquist and Trustees Robert Rothschild and Peter Bee voted against both. Then-mayor Miller broke the tie in both cases.

After touring the St. Paul's Historic Main Building and interviewing more than 20 local organizations, the appointed Mayor's Committee - tasked to explore public needs for space that might be accommodated by use of the first floor of the St. Paul's Main Building - revealed several conclusions.

The report stated there was a strong demand from various Garden City groups for space. "A true cross section of village groups, representing all age groups, have a need for space ... and St. Paul's has the space to satisfy many of those needs," the report stated.

The committee believed the use of St. Paul's would be multigenerational, with adults using the facilities during the school day, children using it after school and a mixed use of children/working adults in the evening. Senior citizens and members of the American Legion requested space outside of the building for activities such as picnics while other groups requested space to showcase awards, trophies and citations.

The committee also found that the presence of the village's recreation department offices would enhance the management of the St. Paul's building. Finally, the committee believed the basement should be added to the plan for public use. After touring the site, particularly the basement, the committee found considerable space ideal for public use.

"There is a reason that the St. Paul's building was placed in the heart of the village. By being centrally located it was meant to be seen by all and accessible to all. Based upon the needs of the various groups within Garden City, a public use of St. Paul's would be a vital part of village life," the report added.

Jon Segerdahl, who represented the eastern section of Garden City since first being elected back in 2001, attended his last board of trustees meeting March 17. "It has been my privilege to serve as a trustee for these past four years. I have served with two mayors, Lewis and Miller ... As a trustee I have learned much from both of them," he said.

During his tenure, Segerdahl served as a liaison to the school board, building department, department of public works and the cultural and recreation commission (two years). He worked toward the planning and implementation of the open field improvements at St. Paul's. He worked to reorganize the village's recreation department, secure the services of Recreation Director Kevin Ocker and upgrade and bring his position in line with other department heads. He introduced to the board of trustees the concept of tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and veteran's tax exemptions for co-op owners.

Segerdahl also served as a member and chairman of the Public Information Committee with regards to the village's volunteer recognition dinner, Village Facts and Annual Report. He chaired the Zoning Change Committee for Accessory Structures. Moreover, he was a member and chairman of the Village Traffic Commission. He put forth - and the board passed - his resolution to provide a plan for the future of St. Paul's.

To help further the village's beautification efforts, 16 local business owners and managers that use Parking Lot 7S forwarded a petition to the board of trustees suggesting that the dumpsters and grease barrels be permanently removed and replaced with a community compactor and grease receptacle.

Representatives from Leo's, Feldis Florist, Garden City Pizza, Bagelman, TCBY, Hoffmann's, Garden City Bistro, Culinary Heights, Inc., among others, praised the village for its successful beautification of Franklin Avenue and said they only wanted to enhance those efforts, not detract from them.

"We know that efforts have been made to rectify this problem in the past by adding more dumpsters; however, this has only ... made a bad situation worse," the joint letter stated. "We believe our proposal will solve this problem and enable us to beautify the rear of our establishments and be a part of the continued efforts of the village, thus making it a pleasurable shopping and dining experience for the residents of Garden City."

Garden City

Mayor-elect Gerard Lundquist (West) received 472 votes. Trustee Robert Rothschild (Estates) received 457 votes, Nicholas Episcopia (East) received 471 votes, Thomas Lamberti (Central) received 466 votes and Village Justice Allen Mathers received 462 votes.

Stewart Manor

Incumbent Mayor Joseph Troiano, who ran unopposed, received 183 votes. Incumbent Trustee and Police Commissioner John Egan received 185 votes. Village Party newcomer Kristina Lynch, who replaced outgoing Recreation Trustee Kenneth Ruff, received 189 votes. Incumbent Village Justice Philip Milone, who sought his first full term after completing the remainder of former Village Justice Joanne Chevallier's term, received 160 votes.

Former mayor Barbara Miller presided over her final meeting as the first female mayor in the history of the Village of Garden City March 17. On completing her two years as mayor and three years as trustee, she said she was proud to have been the village's first woman mayor and fourth woman trustee. "I was proud as mayor to serve with 67 other women or 11 percent of the 616 mayors servicing New York State. I only hope that other women in Garden City will follow," she said.

In thanking her fellow board members, Miller noted, despite differences, that they did make important decisions. "I have always believed that what ever the vote all had the best interest of the village in mind," she noted.

The Garden City Police Department reported the arrest of Raymond Beck, a 50-year-old male white from Rockville Centre, for public lewdness. According to reports, on Friday, March 25, at approximately 7:30 p.m., an 18-year-old Garden City woman was walking on Westminster Road near the St. Paul's complex when Beck allegedly approached her and exposed himself while making lewd remarks. The victim fled and immediately called Garden City police. She later positively identified the subject, who was later arrested.

Long Island Assembly Republicans representing Nassau and Suffolk counties were united in calling for the creation of an Empire Zone in Nassau County. Several business leaders and members of local chambers of commerce joined the Assembly members to show support for their efforts.

Empire Zones, administered through the Empire State Development Corporation, provide business-friendly combinations of tax reductions, energy savings and other incentives to encourage businesses to locate or expand in New York and create jobs.

"Nassau County is surrounded by 13 Empire Zones. It's crucial we act on legislation now to ensure Nassau County residents and businesses have full access to the benefits available to them," Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell said. "This program has helped many communities throughout the state prosper by attracting businesses looking for certain incentives. Empire Zones aid local economies and have brought thousands of jobs to some areas, but Nassau County has been at a consistent disadvantage."

Firefighters and EMTs from Roslyn to Montauk gathered outside the East Farmingdale firehouse March 31 to hear Senator Charles Schumer's tax credit proposal. Schumer's effort, the Supporting Emergency Responders Volunteer Efforts, or SERVE Act, would offer active members of volunteer fire-fighting and EMS organizations a $1,000 tax credit. "These men and women are the best of America and we admire them," Schumer said.

Under the SERVE Act, any taxpayer who is a volunteer firefighter or EMS worker for the full year is entitled to a refundable tax credit of $1,000. If they work for part of the year, they are entitled to a pro-rated amount. According to Schumer, a refundable tax credit means that, if the credit exceeds their federal tax liability, they would receive the remainder as a tax refund. "It would be a couple of hundred bucks off on your taxes and that's money in your pocket," Schumer said.

Schumer was expected to introduce the bill in the Senate April 4.

Gerard Lundquist made his mayoral debut April 4 during swearing-in ceremonies at village hall. Mayor Lundquist is Garden City's 41st mayor and, interestingly, the fifth from Hathaway Drive. Aware of the pressing issues that lie before him and the new board, Mayor Lundquist welcomed the challenge as his predecessor, former mayor Barbara Miller, handed over the gavel.

To his fellow residents, Mayor Lundquist said: "I welcome the challenge of being mayor. I believe I can make a difference. I will to do my best as a leader, homeowner, taxpayer and neighbor. I believe the board will be able to accomplish much over the next few years, working together with our residents, village staff and the business community..."

Justice Allen Mathers sworn in returning trustee Robert Rothschild and new trustees, Nick Episcopia (East) and Thomas Lamberti (Central) among friends and family.

Trustee Thomas Lamberti was deeply honored that his fellow residents elected him to office. "I owe that to two people - my mentor in law George Lawrence Hubbell ... and my friend for life, Eileen Murphy. I know that the two years I'm in this office, they both will guide me and I hope to fulfill the trust that the residents put in me..."

Trustee Nick Episcopia thanked his wife and family, members of the EPOA, the many residents whom backed him in the election and the EPOA Nominating Committee. "I assure you I'll do my best to try and cooperate with the other members of the board of trustees in achieving our goals of a truly wonderful community," he said.

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Bucaria administered the oath of office to Justice Allen Mathers as his wife looked on. Trustees unanimously adopted Garden City's proposed $50,056,695 village budget for Fiscal Year June 1, 2005 through May 31, 2006 - an increase of 3.44 percent from that of last year's - during a hearing April 4. A $35.86 tax rate was required to balance the budget, an increase of 5.97 percent over that of 2004-05. The increase required the "average home" (one assessed at $13,200) to pay an additional $266.64 in village taxes per year.

Residents concerned about possibly compromising Garden City's uniqueness asked pressing questions of County Executive Tom Suozzi's HUB proposal during a public hearing April 5. Although he wanted residents to leave the meeting with an open mind, many instead left frustrated, getting few definitive answers from staff and Suozzi himself, who arrived late and left halfway through the meeting.

Deputy Mayor Peter Bee, who spoke as a Garden City citizen, frankly stated, "All of us in Garden City know, as well as everybody else, that traffic and taxes have gotten worse. True, we need to look at ways to address those issues ... We have to be careful that our cure is not worse than the ills we face. The concepts that are being advanced ... appear to many residents of Garden City to thrust a sword through the heart of Garden City. I can assure you that Garden City will not fall on that sword," he said.

Patricia Bourne, director of Nassau County's Planning Commission, ensured residents the proposal is not intended to create an urban system in any way nor is it the county's desire to negatively impact property values.

For the sixth year in a row, a survey conducted by a partnership of leading music and educational organizations identified the "Best 100 Communities for Music Education in America." The 2005 list included the Garden City Union Free School District.

Because of an unprecedented tie, this year's "Best 100" actually comprised 101 communities. The 2005 roster included school districts and enabled them to stand out despite the many pressures on music programs across the country. The complete results, along with background information on music education and the survey, can be viewed at www.amc-music.org.

At a press conference held in front of the Garden City Post Office April 15, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray voiced strong opposition to County Assessor Harvey Levinson's proposal to implement a Nassau County income tax.

"Today people are lining up at post offices around the country to pay federal and state income taxes," she said. "If the county tax assessor has his wish, Nassau residents will be lining up on April 15 next year to pay federal, state and county income taxes. Does Nassau County really want the dubious distinction of being the only county in the state to have a local income tax?"

Levinson, to Supervisor Murray's surprise, showed up at the press conference. He rebutted the supervisor's accusations, stating that he was not proposing a Nassau County income tax but rather proposing that a state-commissioned committee study the feasibility of eliminating the residential school property tax and replacing it with a modest income tax.

After heavily weighing parents' concerns regarding proposed changes to the district's kindergarten program, former Superintendent of Schools Dr. Stephen Leitman announced April 20 that he opted to implement a program in which all kindergarten students would attend school for five days a week, between 8:30 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. In the program's former format, students attended for three full days and two half days.

"Everybody in this room is on the same side ... All we're trying to do is look at ways of improving the school system and [its] programs," Dr. Leitman prefaced before a public meeting with parents April 19. "We are looking to make a change in a program to benefit children. The administration and board of education have listened very carefully to the comments made."

Dr. Marylou McDermott, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction K-12 and principal of the district's three primary schools, presented three options the district believed addressed parents' concerns regarding the length of day, extended time for socialization and an opportunity for small group instruction.

Option #1 would have kept the program in its current format of three full days and two half days for all students. Option #2 suggested implementing a full five-day program where kindergarten students would arrive and leave (3:05 p.m.) the same time first-graders would. Option #3, which Dr. Leitman accepted, suggested all kindergarten students attend school for five days a week between 8:30 a.m. and 2:20 p.m.

Initially dispatched as a mass casualty incident at South and Washington Avenues in the early morning hours of April 17, numerous emergency agencies across the county made their way to the scene - the Nassau County Supreme Courthouse.

Additional information indicated a problem in the building. A fatal chemical released into the air claiming dozens of "victims," including local Boy Scouts who lay "nauseous, dizzy and unconscious" on the front lawn when local police, fire and EMS workers rushed to the scene.

The Office of Emergency Management conducted the mock disaster, dubbed Operation Unity, to demonstrate how multiple agencies, primarily first responders, communicate and manage a disaster. The MIS/WMD (Mass Casualty Incident/Weapons of Mass Destruction) drill proved to be the largest terrorism exercise in the county's history.

"A training exercise like this will allow us to continue to enhance our ability to respond to medical emergencies and disasters, including terrorist attacks," County Executive Tom Suozzi said.

To better meet the competitive needs of a growing university, Adelphi President Dr. Robert Scott came before the Garden City board in April to request a special use permit to construct a performing arts building, a sports complex with one large gym, an 8,000 square foot child activity center and a maintenance building and garage on campus.

Dr. Scott assured the facilities upgrade was not intended to increase enrollment but rather enable the university to better serve the Garden City community and ensure satisfied students remain at Adelphi through graduation.

Garden City Fire Department chiefs swore in April 21 during a brief ceremony before fellow firefighters, friends and family. Mayor Gerard Lundquist administered the oath of office to Garden City's newest chief, Edward Moran, a 24-year member of the department. Fire Commissioner and Trustee Tom Lamberti administered the oaths of office to the department's first, second and third assistant chiefs. First Assistant Chief John Casey is a 25-year member of the department. Second Assistant Chief James Meehan is a 10-year member of the department. Third Assistant Chief William Graham joined the Garden City Volunteer Fire Department in 1996.

Nassau District Judge William O'Brien sentenced a former nanny caught on tape abusing a then 10-month-old from Garden City to 10 months in jail. Bella Zalamea, an Ecuador native who lives in Bay Shore, worked as a nanny for the Hayes' of Garden City up until April 2004.

The couple became horrified when they discovered, through a surveillance "nanny cam" they had installed in their home, Zalamea repeatedly slapping and even attempting to smother their 10-month-old daughter with a stuffed toy. The baby suffered no injuries.

The incident occurred Nov. 3, 2004 at approximately 9 a.m. Police Officer Florio arrested Zalamea Nov. 4, 2004 and transported her to the 3rd Precinct with Detective Cavanagh for processing. She pled guilty to endangering the welfare of a child. Judge O'Brien signed an order of protection keeping Zalamea away from the Hayes family.

Earlier this year, 16 local business owners and managers who use Parking Field 7S forwarded a petition to the board of trustees suggesting that the dumpsters and grease barrels be permanently removed and replaced with a community compactor and grease receptacle. Petitioners stated that adding more dumpsters in the past, in an attempt to rectify the problem, actually made a bad situation worse.

According to Robert Mangan, director of Public Works, the village's sanitation vehicles only have the ability to empty 1.5 cubic yard small dumpsters. "Any compactors would have to be privately installed and emptied by private carters whose sanitation vehicles could service such dumpsters," he explained. Moreover, because of the current layout of 7S, the installation of a compactor to service the entire field would result in a loss of parking spaces, Mangan said, adding that it would also require an electrical hookup.

The Parking Field 7S resurfacing project is currently in the village's capital program for construction in 2006-2007. "The village will look into incorporating a compactor into the project design," Mangan added.

The board of trustees welcomed its newest trustee, Donald Brudie of Cathedral Avenue, at the May 5 meeting. Mayor Gerard Lundquist appointed him to serve the remainder of past trustee Peter Negri's term; Negri resigned for health reasons.

A 29-year resident of Garden City, Trustee Brudie is a practicing attorney and was instrumental in the erection of the pedestrian crossing signs on Seventh Street. He and his wife, Barbara, were also a moving force behind the installation of lighting at the "S" curve located at the southern gateway of Cathedral Avenue, which for many years had been an accident-prone roadway.

The board of trustees adopted a policy May 5 for the "non-discriminatory enforcement of the residency requirement in neighborhood parks." After seeking opinion of counsel during an executive session, Mayor Gerard Lundquist noted it was the village's policy that Garden City parks, including Hemlock, Tullamore, Grove, Edgemere and Nassau Haven, are to be used by Garden City residents only and their guests.

"While we are enforcing the residency requirement, recreation staff will not challenge residency based on race, color, sex, age or other protected classifications of park users," Mayor Lundquist explained. "We are going to enact the policy and deliver it to recreation staff and Recreation Director Kevin Ocker for its establishment as a policy for the upcoming summer period..."

Trustees asked Village Administrator Robert Schoelle, Jr. and Recreation Director Kevin Ocker to enact the policy with its staff and report back to the board on a periodic basis to keep them abreast on how the policy is being implemented and any issues or successes with it.

Back in February, the ACORN organization alleged that Garden City's park attendants used racial profiling to keep tabs on the residency of park users rather than asking for ID.

In May, Recreation Director Kevin Ocker provided an overview of the open space improvements that were taking shape at St. Paul's.

Back in December 2004, the board of trustees appropriated $1 million for several improvements at the recreational complex, particularly a new comfort station, playground and a sanitary sewer connection.

Garden City School District

Garden City residents voted in favor of the 2005-06 proposed $81,011,068 school budget, which reflected a budget to budget increase of 6.51 percent and a tax levy to tax levy increase of 5.81 percent. The voting broke down as follows: 1,631 residents voted yes while 1,179 voted no. Further, residents elected Kenneth Monaghan, who ran unopposed, to another term on the board of education.

Elmont School District

Residents also passed the Elmont School District's proposed $58,023,082 spending plan for the 2005-2006 school year, which represented a 5.54 percent increase in spending over the 2004-2005 year. The voting broke down as follows: 1,262 residents voted yes while 827 voted no. School board president Aubrey Phillips (1,407 votes), who ran unopposed, was re-elected; and Elsie Meckenbourg-Guibert (1,149 votes), who ran unopposed, was also elected. Stewart Manor encompasses this school district.

Saying that the county had moved beyond the dark days of crisis, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi announced his run for re-election. Suozzi, a Democrat who was elected four years ago to the post that was held for three decades by the Nassau GOP, was opposed by challenger, Republican Greg Peterson.

"Over four years ago we stood before you and told you of the mismanagement, the patronage, the deficits and the machine politics that had brought Nassau County to the brink of bankruptcy. I told you that we could, with your help, solve the fiscal crisis in Nassau County," Suozzi said May 22, in front of numerous supporters on the steps of the County Court Building in Mineola. The county executive criticized the Nassau Republican Party, which he held responsible for creating the fiscal mess that existed in Nassau County.

The Peterson campaign had been critical of Suozzi for raising taxes 19.4 percent in his first budget as county executive. Peterson spokesman Rick Belyea questioned whether the county received its bond upgrades on the backs of the taxpayers. Further, the Petersen team also believed the county executive should stop blaming the prior administration for the county's financial problems.

As he officially announced his bid for Hempstead Town supervisor, County Assessor Harvey Levinson promised supporters they'd have a loud voice if he took the reigns. His main reason for running was simple: property taxes in Nassau County, particularly the Town of Hempstead, are out of control. "Today is our day. Today we begin to fight to take back our town," the Garden City resident exclaimed to rousing applause.

At a podium in front of the Levittown Veterans Memorial Park in her hometown, Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray announced her bid for re-election. She said she wanted to build upon a "legacy of solid finances and top notch services."

"We show the highest level of respect for our taxpayers, giving residents real value for their tax dollar," Murray, who became the first woman elected to the position of supervisor in Hempstead Town's history, said. She was appointed in January of 2003 and officially elected to the position in November of that year.

By Kyle Bradford Smith

On what must have been one of the best Memorial Days weather-wise in recent memory, Garden City paid its homage to the men and women who serve and have served in the military. As always, the American Legion, under its commander, Frank Nedelka, and its master of ceremonies, John Donovan, put on a terrific event, aided this year with some special additions.

Bill Bellmer and Kyle Bradford Smith of Garden City arranged for a New York State historical marker. In a moving ceremony, this was dedicated on Memorial Day at Garden City Middle School and was later installed on Commercial Avenue just off Clinton Road, the site of the front entrance to Camp Mills back in 1917.

The marker provides a brief summary and location of this historical site. Garden City has a significant background in military affairs going back to its inception; Alexander T. Stewart became aware of the potential of the Hempstead Plains for his planned community or "garden city" from his work with the Union Army, which had a significant training base here then, Camp Winfield Scott.

The historical marker for the Civil War camp is on the corner of Washington Avenue and Eleventh Street. Before the Revolutionary War, the British cavalry used these plains for cavalry maneuvers and off-duty racing. The marker at Stewart and Hilton Avenues indicates this part of pre-Garden City history. Of course too, Army aviation fields and aircraft factories dotted the landscape over the past century.

In appreciation of Garden City's help toward the Rainbow, Colonel Catalano and Sergeant Major Holsinger from the Rear Area detachment at Fort Drum in upstate New York represented the unit at the parade and ceremony. The highlight was a flyover of the middle school by three Army Blackhawk helicopters. These birds were from the 42nd Aviation unit stationed at MacArthur Airport and were commanded by CPT McCauley.

On the evening of June 9, a legion of Rotarians, along with friends and the family of John and Melinda Alford, gathered at The Garden City Hotel to honor them as recipients of the 15th annual Community Service Award. This prestigious award was established in 1991 to memorialize Maurice and Kay Kirby's spirit of volunteerism and extraordinary contributions within the Village of Garden City.

The Alfords epitomize the spirit of this award. For years, Melinda and John, along with their five children and a multitude of volunteers, have been preparing and delivering holiday meals and visits to those in need. With the continued help of so many, the Alfords say they intend to continue to "bring a meal and a smile to those who are alone on the holidays."

Former Nassau County Court Judge Daniel Palmieri of Garden City was nominated to seek a second term on the County Court by the Nassau County Republican Committee at its recent annual convention.

"I appreciate the opportunity to return serving the people of Nassau County as a judge of the County Court," Palmieri said. "For 15 years I was a District Court, County Court and Acting Supreme Court judge working to enforce the laws of this state justly, with civility and impartiality."

Palmieri, in private practice as senior counsel at Reisman, Peirez & Reisman of Garden City, lost his bid for re-election in 2004 by an extremely narrow margin - 0.008 percent - less than four votes in each of the county's election districts with more than 500,000 votes cast county-wide. Palmieri served as a County Court judge from 1995-2004.

Stating that she wanted "to help ensure that the county residents are served by government leaders who understand that higher taxes and higher fees are not the answer to every challenge the county faces," Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell declared her candidacy for Nassau County clerk at a news conference in Mineola.

"I am running because I love public service and serving my fellow residents. I believe I have compiled an excellent record of constituent service while in the Assembly and this office provides me with an opportunity to expand on the record," O'Connell stated.

Former county clerk, Karen Murphy, a Republican, did not seeking re-election.

Echo, the Garden City High School newspaper, enjoyed another year of excellence in journalism. Winning local and national recognition for their tabloid published four times during the school year, students garnered 23 awards in prestigious competitions.

Donald McPherson, executive director of the Adelphi University Sports Leadership Institute, proudly announced the 20th anniversary of Athletes Helping Athletes (AHA), a nationally recognized organization dedicated to training high school student athletes to become leaders and address social issues.

To mark the special occasion, a dinner was held honoring founder, director and Adelphi alumnus Warren Breining, Class of 1974, June 4 in Adelphi's Ruth S. Harley University Center. Honorary dinner co-chairs were National Hockey League Hall of Famer and former New York Islander Pat LaFontaine and Naismith Hall of Famer and basketball legend Nancy Leiberman. All proceeds went toward supporting the Sports Leadership Institute and expanding its programs and services.

"Affiliated with Adelphi University for many years, Athletes Helping Athletes officially became a signature program of the university's Sports Leadership Institute in January 2005," McPherson said. "I'm very pleased to honor Warren, a friend and colleague whose devotion and contributions have impacted the lives of so many young people and communities."

The evening included dinner, a video tribute to Breining and a "roasting" by friends.

Ten years after the enactment of legislation creating New York State's Sex Offender Registry, the New York State Senate acted on the 10th Anniversary Omnibus Sex Offender Registration Reform Act.

The bill (S.4793-B) would strengthen Megan's Law in 25 ways, including mandatory notification by police when a registered sex offender moves into a community, lifetime registration of all sex offenders, requiring information about all levels of sex offenders to be posted on the Internet and GPS monitoring for the worst offenders.

The legislation was the result of three public hearings held by the Senate Majority in Albany, Long Island and Brooklyn. Law enforcement officials, teachers, school officials, parents and advocates participated in the hearings to discuss a variety of issues surrounding sex offenders and Megan's Law. Megan's mother, Maureen Kanka, who partnered with Senator Skelos in 1995 to champion the passage of Megan's Law in both houses of the Legislature, spoke at the first hearing in Albany.

Dr. Stephen Leitman, former superintendent of schools, celebrated his retirement at Chateau Briand with district personnel, family, friends, village administrators and educators.

The message was loud and clear. Residents living along the Long Island Rail Road's (LIRR) 11.5-mile Main Line Corridor did not - and still don't - want a third or fourth or fifth track installed. They do however, welcome the elimination of on-grade crossings in New Hyde Park (Covert Avenue, 12th Street and New Hyde Park Road), Westbury (School Street) and New Cassel (Urban Avenue) and believe that phase of the LIRR's highly controversial Main Line Corridor Improvements Project should be tackled now.

In order to collect input from local communities for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the LIRR held scoping meetings June 14 at Jericho Terrace in Mineola, June 16 at Floral Terrace in Floral Park and June 21 at Antun's in Hicksville. Residents and elected officials alike - from several of the nine villages to be affected by the project - urged that the MTA/LIRR derail the third track proposal altogether. Comments from all three scoping meetings were to be entered into a project record. Visit www.mta.info/mta/planning/mainline for more project information.

Longtime Garden City resident Vic Devita and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset co-coordinated an interfaith prayer vigil in front of County Executive Tom Suozzi's office June 22 in hopes of persuading him and the Village of Garden City to include at least some affordable housing at the 25-acre 101 County Seat Drive site. The county executive, who was personally invited to attend, did not. "Right here in our own backyard we have a tremendous problem," Devita said. "So many of our young people cannot stay any longer with us, they cannot afford to live where they would love to stay..." During June, the Garden City Police Department observed an increase in youth-related activities, including but not limited to alcohol possession, drug possession, loud parties, criminal mischief, criminal trespass, harassment and larceny. In addition, there were acts of violence toward police officers in which youths threw full containers of alcohol at officers responding to youth-related calls. Police said in one instance, youths who were running from an alcohol-related incident intentionally damaged a police vehicle.

At the third and final scoping meeting the Metropolitan Transit Authority/Long Island Rail Road (MTA/LIRR) held to collect community input regarding their intentions to install an additional track to the 11.5-mile Main Line Corridor, Mayor Gerard Lundquist stated for the record that the Village of Garden City too opposes the proposal.

"I would like to publicly state my village's opposition to the third track ... I have composed a letter that was unanimously approved by our village board of trustees and presented tonight by the Garden City Environmental Advisory Board," Mayor Lundquist stated.

"We are opposed to the third track and believe the Environmental Impact Statement process should not continue until fundamental questions have been adequately answered. These questions will be forwarded to the Long Island Rail Road prior to the Aug. 31 deadline. The Village of Garden City does however support the modifications to eliminate grade crossings that will result in increased safety, improve vehicular traffic flow, fewer train whistles and better service."

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation sponsors a school spruce-up grant every year for public and private schools who wish to improve their property by planting trees. In order to qualify for a grant schools are required to submit plans of the site that they would like to spruce-up as well as an action plan for maintaining the plantings.

The school was awarded $300 for three trees and an additional tree the district purchased. Additional plantings were purchased for the area under the windows of the guidance department as well. Doug Sheer, the environmental club advisor, said, "We're fortunate to have been awarded a grant for the last two years but these awards would not have been possible if not for the help of so many people, including the men of the building and grounds department, teachers, students, former students and parents. The entrance to the school has certainly been enhanced by this project."

On June 26, in keeping with the Garden City tradition, the Class of 2005 marched onto the high school field to Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1. The Senior Women's Chorale gave a magnificent rendition of the National Anthem and the Alma Mater. Adelphi University President Dr. Robert Scott offered a "formula for life" - a motivating message to the Class of 2005.

Assembly Republicans launched a petition drive to help get a civil confinement law passed in New York State. They rallied at a June 27 press conference in Mineola. The legislation has passed the Senate for years and Assembly Republicans were confident Governor George Pataki would sign the bill into law once it passed his desk.

The legislation, Assembly Bill No. A.2693, extends greater protection to the public by establishing procedures to civilly confine persons who have committed acts of sexual violence and are likely to re-offend. It also establishes a procedure for identifying a "sexual violent predator," defined as a person who has committed a sexually violent offense and who suffers from a mental abnormality.

Through the petition drive, Assembly Republicans hoped to put pressure on their Democratic colleagues to get the legislation to the Assembly floor for a vote. They also urged passage of the following proposals to strengthen Megan's Law: prevent convicted sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of a school or school grounds (A.1654); require the most dangerous sex offenders to wear electronic devices linked to Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites in order to monitor their whereabouts (A.8158); expand the information available about sex offenders on the Division of Criminal Justice Services' website to include information on all (not just Level 3) registered sex offenders (A.1701); require law enforcement officials release information on Level 2 and Level 3 sex offenders - those at the highest risk of committing additional crimes - to vulnerable populations in the community (A.1654); and require lifetime registration for all sex offenders on the New York State Sex Offender Registry.