Village Launching New and Improved Website

www.gardencityny.net set to go live this Friday

Web-goers are just one mouse click away from finding everything they want or need to know about the Incorporated Village of Garden City. Thanks to the joint efforts of Village Clerk Brian Ridgway and Recreational Department employee Tom McGerty, the village’s upgraded website www.gardencity ny.net is officially ready to go live on Friday, Jan. 13.

On Monday, Jan. 9, Ridgway and McGerty, who has a background in computers, gave members of the press an exclusive preview of the site and talked about the project that has been a year in the making.

Garden City Life’s Top 11 Stories of 2011

11. Committee to Save St. Paul’s Presents Restoration Plan To Village Board

The Committee to Save St. Paul’s (CSSP) restoration plan for one of Garden City’s few remaining historical treasures was the focal point of the public work session Oct. 6 at Village Hall. According to the CSSP, the Cathedral School of St. Paul’s is an irreplaceable landmark and a world-class asset for the Village of Garden City, which should be enjoyed for generations to come when renovations are completed. The CSSP’s goal is to stabilize the building, preserve its historic features wherever possible, and provide the public with a space that will be an active community activities and events center. CSSP President Peter Negri said that the annual average cost to Garden City residents would be less than $100 and funding for the St. Paul’s Restoration Project will be sought through public and private grant sources, tax credits and private donations. The CSSP’s proposal has yet to be voted on by the board of trustees.

First Responders Honored on December 22

County Executive Mangano, the Nassau County Police Department officials, Nassau Fire Service and Emergency Medical Service, Emergency First Responders and their family and friends were in attendance on Dec. 22 for “Nassau County First Responders Day” at the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan to honor those who died that tragic day, 9-11-2001. The Nassau County Police Department Ceremonial Unit, Pipe Band, Color Guard and Buglers participated in a fitting tribute to our heroes.

Garden City’s Own Nelson DeMille Talks to Garden City Life

For this best-selling author, there is no place like home

Christmas came early for this Nelson DeMille fan. In years past, bounding down the stairs behind my children on Christmas morning to find a Nelson DeMille novel on the top of my gift pile, or to see one peeking out from my stocking, was enough to put a smile on my face. But this year, on Dec. 11, I was granted a special wish: to sit down and chat with the man behind such famed characters as John Sutter, John Corey and Kate Mayfield.

I was introduced to DeMille’s novels back in 1991, as I commuted to work aboard the LIRR. As I sat in my seat, I recall seeing several other passengers engrossed in the same book, The Gold Coast.  My interest was piqued, so I purchased a copy. Before long, I wasn’t traveling through Woodside, Forest Hills and Kew Gardens to pick up the Hempstead line but was transported to “the Gold Coast, that stretch on the North Shore of Long Island that once held the greatest concentration of wealth and power in America.” I was hooked.

GC Residents Pledge $11,300 Donation for St. Paul’s Repairs

Trustees vote to reject Committee to Save St. Paul’s Offer

In the true spirit of the holiday season, Garden City Mayor Donald Brudie announced at the Dec. 15 board meeting that residents Bob and Pat Kaliban offered a gift to the village of $11,300 to pay for repairs to the roof and clock tower on St. Paul’s main building after it was damaged by Hurricane Irene in August. However, the feeling of “goodwill towards men” soon dissipated as the board trustees became inflamed during arguments over procedural matters and whether or not donation should be accepted by the village for public property.

Holding a cashier’s check in hand, the mayor read a letter from the Kalibans regarding the donation: “We are truly saddened, and at the same time, incensed that out trustees do not see fit to even repair storm damage to the main building of St. Paul’s. It’s difficult to watch an elected group of men dance around the semantics of the situation while allowing water damage to further destroy the interior of so stately an edifice.”

Garden City School District Wraps Up 2011

Board of Ed approves CSEA contract agreement, district’s state aid picture remains uncertain

The Garden City Board of Education wrapped up its 2011 school year with a final meeting held on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at Garden City High School. The Board unanimously approved a contract agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) for 170 district employees. The Superintendent of Schools also announced that the district could be receiving aid from New York State next year.

 At the start of the meeting, Board of Education President Colleen Foley bestowed a certificate of appreciation to John Sullivan for over a decade of “dedicated and devoted” service to the Garden City Union Free School District as a member of the Audit Committee and also welcomed longtime resident Frederick Leuffer as its newest member.

Governor Signs Tax and Jobs Bill In Nassau County

Cuomo calls tax break lowest in 58 years, bill calls for MTA payroll tax repeal

Six months ago, Governor Andrew Cuomo traveled to Lynbrook to sign the 2 percent tax cap legislation, a bill he called a decade-long battle for that legislation in New York State. On Monday, Dec. 12, Cuomo visited West Hempstead’s Cornwell Avenue School to sign the Middle Class Tax Cut and Job Creation bill, which has been touted by the governor and supporting senators as bringing real tax relief to businesses and the middle class in New York State.

The state legislature passed the bill on Dec. 7.

Garden City Gets ‘Crunchified’ at Roosevelt Field!

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay opens Bobby’s Burger Palace, receives Hempstead Town spatula

It’s been documented that the first hamburger sandwich was served in 1900 in New Haven, Ct. After more than 100 years of flipping out for burgers, Americans can still recapture the ultimate burger experience at Bobby’s Burger Palace at Roosevelt Field Mall.

On Monday, Dec. 5, Town Supervisor Kate Murray and Hempstead Town officials held an official ribbon-cutting ceremony to welcome celebrity chef and restaurateur Bobby Flay to Garden City. “America’s largest township and America’s favorite chef are cooking up a recipe for success together and if anybody knows how to put the right ingredients for success together, it’s Bobby Flay,” Murray said.

Board of Ed Updated on Investment Bond Projects

Trustees consider approving additional ‘B list’ items

The Board of Education wrapped its final work session of 2011 with a discussion centering on the current status and accounting of projects funded by the $36.5 million 2009 investment bond. After it was announced that completed projects have come in under budget, board members weighed in on what additional ‘B List’ items may or may not be undertaken using the surplus of monies available.

On Oct. 27, 2009, residents approved Garden City School District’s $36.5 million bond referendum by a vote of 1140 to 829, to fund upgrades to all nine of the district’s buildings to meet basic safety and code requirements, as well as reclaim learning space for academic growth, according to the district’s website.

Chamber Hosts 57th Annual Tree Lighting

The Garden City Chamber of Commerce held its 57th annual Village Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 4, at the Village Gazebo. Sponsored for the 17th year by Astoria Federal Savings, the event featured the Crash & Burn rock band with a selection of holiday tunes and the Garden City High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble directed by Robert Ludwig.