With the warmer weather approaching and so many youngsters beginning to spend time outside and along Seventh Street, I would like to mention that according to New York State law, no person less than 14 years of age, shall skate, glide or in-line skate, skate board or ride a scooter unless they are wearing a helmet. The helmet must be a good fit fastened securely on the head of the wearer with helmet straps securely fastened.

Any person who violates the provisions of the law shall pay a civil fine of up to $50. But more importantly, the safety of the youngsters and those around them are paramount. Please make sure your child is wearing the proper safety equipment.

Over the years, my predecessors have used this column to encourage residents and those who work in Garden City to shop in our local stores and shops and to dine in our restaurants. Choice, quality and attention to customer service is the norm.

The village has started its spring tree planting utilizing our contractor, Soundview Construction. We plan to plant approximately 300 trees and shrubs throughout the village. A portion of the trees planted will replace the 87 trees that were removed by our private contractor, Harder Tree Service, over the winter months. The village also removed over 50 trees throughout the year with our own tree crew. The spring tree planting replaced those removed and also adds many additional trees to our village.

It should be noted that our tree removal contract called for the pruning of 975 trees, which together with those pruned by the village forces, result in a safer village. The preventive maintenance program, which is repeated each year utilizing outsourcing combined with village forces results in a safer village and reduces overtime which is required when storms cause tree damage.

Residents are urged to vote on the school district's budget Tuesday, May 20, at the Garden City High School gymnasium. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you have any questions regarding the school budget, you may contact the school district's business office at 478-1040. The next board of trustees meeting will be held Thursday, May 22. The meeting will be held in the Board Room at Village Hall at 8 p.m. The May 15 meeting had to be rescheduled.

On Monday, May 26, under the direction of the William Bradford Turner Post #265 - American Legion, the annual Memorial Day observance in our village will commence with the memorial church services at 9 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation.

The traditional Memorial Day Parade will step off promptly at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Stewart and Cherry Valley avenues. It will proceed north on Cherry Valley Avenue to Tenth Street, east on Tenth to Franklin Avenue, south on Franklin to Seventh Street, west on Seventh Street past the Reviewing Stand, which will be located just west of the Library, and then on to Garden City Middle School where official ceremonies will take place. Residents are urged to honor the men and women who gave their lives for our country by attending these services.

Retail sales will be prohibited in the village on May 26 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with certain exceptions. The village ordinance, which follows closely the state statute, provides that all trades, manufacturers, agricultural or technical employments, are prohibited, as well as all manner of public sale or offering for sale of any property on Memorial Day between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Exceptions are: restaurants, catering services, prepared items such as tobacco, bread, milk, eggs, and so forth, service station products, medicines, delicatessen items and alcoholic beverages.

I encourage residents to periodically utilize the village's website for information regarding the village's operations, as well as items of seasonal and special interest. The address is www.gardencityny.net. Also please be aware that I have a village email address and would be delighted to hear from village residents about their concerns - it is as follows: MayorPBee@gardencityny.net.