I want to address what appears to be some misunderstanding regarding my statement at the June 15 board of trustees meeting that the names of the consultants and related fees paid for studies of the Historic Main Building at St. Paul's would be posted on the village's website. This was not posted immediately following the board meeting because we wanted to provide the entire list of consultants and needed to verify the respective cost figures. Once this tabulation was completed, the information was issued to the local newspapers and posted on the website (www.gardencityny.net).

In an effort to continue to keep residents informed, we will also be posting responses to frequently asked questions about St. Paul's and the recently issued Village Facts on St. Paul's.

I am pleased to report that this year was a safe one for our village. The police department has reported that it was a very quiet one and there were no incidents reported.

The Village of Garden City continues to invest a great deal of time and money to keep our central business district attractive and clean to make it appealing to our residents and to encourage people to shop in Garden City. While the shop and business proprietors are required to keep the front and rear of their properties clean and swept, the village supplements these efforts by having personnel remove paper and debris and to operate a sidewalk sweeper throughout the business district several times each week. The streets and parking fields are swept once a week and the sanitation department collects refuse and garbage within the business district seven days each week.

In consideration of your neighbors, merchants and community, I ask that everyone do their part to keep our business district as attractive as it can be by returning shopping carts to their respective stores, using the street trash containers for refuse and by properly disposing of cigarette butts so that they don't collect in the flower beds and in the gutter.

Residents in the Village of Garden City are very fortunate to have a vital business community comprised of merchants who are committed to serve our many needs from their shops and restaurants along Franklin Avenue, Seventh Street and New Hyde Park Road. I urge you to continue to patronize these local businesses throughout the year. Also, while you are in their store take a minute to comment to the merchant on their selection and quality and compliment them on their attention to positive customer service.

Once again, compliments are due to the Recreation Department for arranging the 2006 season's outstanding Concert Series at the Village Gazebo, located on the Village Green at the corner of Stewart and Hilton avenues.

This week's program is scheduled for Thursday, July 13 and will feature Anthony Terranova and the Little Big Band - a mix of big band music through contemporary.

The program will begin at 7:15 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 the St. Paul's School. Please contact the Recreation Program Line (742-5888) with questions pertaining to the concert.