With the arrival of Labor Day and the anticipation of school reopening comes the third harbinger of autumn - the closing of the Garden City Swimming Pool. Much to the credit of the pool staff, village residents experienced another safe and enjoyable pool season. My compliments to Kevin Ocker, Ed Fronckwicz and the entire recreation staff. Due to the observance of Labor Day, there was no garbage or recycling pickup Monday, Sept. 4. Residences west of Rockaway Avenue had their garbage collected Tuesday and Friday and those east of Rockaway Wednesday and Saturday. Rubbish was collected Thursday. Those residents scheduled for recycling pickup on Monday, Sept. 4, should place recyclables out Monday, Sept. 11. All other recycling days remain the same. Responding to comments and concerns over the amount of available meeting space in Garden City, I requested that an inventory of meeting space be conducted for properties owned by the incorporated village, the school district, Adelphi University, as well as the houses of worship. Through the cooperation of each of these agencies, there is an abundance of meeting space available to community organizations, most without fees. For additional information on meeting spaces, contact Village Clerk Brian Ridgway at 465-4053 or via e-mail at bridgway@gardencityny.net. A full inventory of meeting space will be available on the village website (www.gardencityny.net) soon. Town of Hempstead Councilman Edward A. Ambrosino has mailed a Point of View Survey to each village residence. He is seeking input on a range of issues from evaluating services that are provided by the Town of Hempstead to the MTA Long Island Rail Road's proposal to install a third track through Bellerose, Bellerose Terrace, Floral Park, New Hyde Park and Garden City on the LIRR's Main Line. I encourage you to complete the survey and to express your opposition to the proposed installation of a third track and to return it to Councilman Ambrosino. If you have misplaced your copy of the survey, there are additional copies available for your use at Garden City Village Hall.

It was a pleasure to have participated in the official opening ceremony of the village's new Senior Center at St. Paul's Thursday, Aug. 24. It is a beautiful facility that will be utilized and enjoyed by our resident seniors and their guests.

Special thanks for this project are due to Deputy Mayor Peter Bee and Commissioner of Recreational and Cultural Affairs Kevin Ocker for their vision and responding to the needs of our seniors for additional space beyond the Senior Recreation Center at Golf Club Lane and the Public Library.

As reported in earlier editions of this newspaper, all of the construction to renovate this cottage was performed "in house" by highly skilled members of the recreation maintenance staff. However, without the volunteer assistance of a number of village residents, this project would not have been possible. Special thanks are due to Barbara Maiello Ruggiero, architect, PC, for donating her professional services to design the facility and assist during the construction phase. Beautiful counter tops were donated by Anthony Pipitone of Renaissance Marble Works of New Hyde Park, hand-painted wall murals were created by Merry Agucce and Treemendous Florist Ltd. donated the floral arrangements and interior design services were donated by Agnes Mathers.

Heavy rains during the past week have, unfortunately, slowed progress on this project. Contractors will continue to install decorative blocks around the tree pits and prepare for the repaving of the field, which will occur in mid-September.

All motorists are reminded that this week marks the opening of the 2006/2007 school term in Garden City. Hundreds of youngsters are walking to and from school, many for the first time. Please pay particular attention when driving in the area of recommended pedestrian routes and schoolyards, while the number of students who will be walking to school will be dramatically increased. This will not be any different than prior years in that a few preoccupied young people will inevitably dart out from in between parked cars or fail to look for oncoming traffic when crossing the street.

While the police and crossing guards are on duty at school crossing zones, many children will be crossing at unprotected areas. Parents are urged to discuss safe practices with their children and to remind them that it is very difficult for passing motorists to see them and effect a stop.

A reminder to motorists: the posted speed limit in the area of the schools is 20 miles per hour.