Mayor’s Report: September 6, 2011

Tropical Storm Irene — Tree-Age (Triage)

Although Long Island was said to be fortunate that “Hurricane” Irene was downgraded to a “Tropical Storm,” it was still horrendous, heaping major power outages and inordinate tree damage to our village. I commend the residents who exercised extreme caution driving through the village with most of the traffic signals not operating and with downed trees everywhere. Village Administrator Schoelle and I were out on Sunday, Aug. 28 separately and again on Monday, Aug. 29 together surveying and assessing damage throughout the village.

Letter: Understanding the Job of a Member of the House of Representatives

This letter is an answer to a letter published 8/25/11 of the Garden City Life by Thomas P.Brosnan entitled, “Pelosi’s puppet at it again.” He is charging that Carolyn McCarthy (CMC) is a puppet voting as she is told. He alleges that CMC does not read bills before she votes. Specifically he mentions the debt-ceiling bill, Obama Care, Cap and Tax. He says she is going to destroy the health care sector, Cap & Tax, the energy sector, fiscal reform and the financial sector. All without any thought on her part, as a mindless puppet vote. Apparently Mr. Brosnan must spend most of his time in CMC’s offices in Washington and Nassau County to know all that as a fact. He also says CMC along with Obama, Reid and Pelosi are going to destroy something even more. He suggests they will destroy Agriculture, Defense and NASA.

Mayor’s Report: August 30, 2011

In Preparation For Hurricane Season

I was recently reviewing a publication by the American Red Cross on the subject of hurricane activity. It was interesting to note that many Long Islanders don’t believe our area is in danger of being hit by a major hurricane. Although there have been other hurricanes as recent as 1991 that have struck Long Island, two stand out as pivotal storms that affected many Long Island communities. The devastation from the 1938 hurricane — dubbed the “Long Island Express” was enormous. The storm reshaped the shoreline of Long Island and created great economic and human loss. In 1985 Hurricane Gloria hit one September day and nearly leveled portions of central and eastern Long Island. The Island’s east end is on the list of the top 10 most vulnerable mainland United States areas prone to hurricanes.

Letter: First Steps First For St. Paul’s

[Editor’s Note: The following was read by William Slatterly at the August 18 Garden City Board of Trustees meeting].

Good evening, My name is William Slattery and I reside at 174 Kilburn Road. I am here tonight to offer my comments on Trustees  Daughney’s and Demaro’s recent proposal to convert St. Paul’s into a multiuse recreational center. Although I serve as the President of the Estates POA, I come here tonight as a private citizen to offer up my personal comments since the Estates Board of Directors has not formally reviewed and commented on the proposal. The Daughney/Demaro St. Paul’s Proposal will be a formal agenda item to be discussed at our September POA meeting. The timing and importance of this particular proposal has, however, compelled me to come here tonight to offer my own personal comments.

Mayor’s Report: August 23, 2011

Best Wishes to Our College Bound Students

Throughout the next two to three weeks, many of our young people will be leaving for college. Some for the first time; others to conclude course requirements, which will lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees. My colleagues on the Village Board join me in wishing them a safe journey and a most productive year. We are very proud of the accomplishments of our young people and look to them as our ambassadors to the many cities, towns and villages throughout the country, which will be their temporary homes.

Welcome Adelphi Students

Next week will mark the arrival of Adelphi’s Class of 2015 onto the Garden City Campus. It gives me pleasure to welcome the students and to compliment them on choosing Adelphi. The board of trustees and I wish President Scott, his faculty and staff, as well as the Class of 2015 and all students, a most productive year.

Letter: Pelosi’s Puppet At it Again

Well Carolyn’s [McCarthy] voted for another bill she hasn’t read: The Debt Ceiling Compromise. She must subscribe to Pelosi’s tagline: “You have to vote for a bill, before you know what’s in it!” You can’t make this stuff up. What do we overpay her for?

Mayor’s Report: August 16, 2011

Traffic Signal - Franklin Avenue and Seventh Street

Superintendent Robert Mangan, of the Village's Department of Public Works, recently contacted the Nassau County Department of Public Works with the request that they adjust the timing of the traffic signal at Franklin Avenue and Seventh Street. I am pleased to report that Nassau County has made an adjustment to the traffic signal and they have extended the pedestrian timing crossing on Franklin Avenue.

In order for the pedestrian to get the extended timing, the pedestrian must press the pushbutton on the corners of the intersection and then wait for the “Walk” signal to be displayed.

Mayor’s Report: August 11, 2011

Hurricane Season

I recently received a letter from the President of the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) on the subject of making preparations for the upcoming hurricane season.

The following are several of the tips for residential emergency planning that were listed. Please review them with your family:

• Develop a family plan for survival and property protection. Rehearse the plan so everyone knows what to do.

Letter: Mangano, Republican Party Should Pay Back Taxpayers for Failed Referendum

Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s attempt to sneak through a massive tax hike was overwhelmingly rejected by voters on August 1st.

Mangano and the republicans in the legislature should never have tried to sell the people of Nassau on the bad idea of raising their property taxes to build Charles Wang a new Coliseum.

Mayor’s Report: August 2, 2011

Emergency Notifications

In the Incorporated Village’s efforts to provide the most reliable communications with residents and businesses within the village, we have implemented Swiftreach Networks, Inc., (Swift 911) as our emergency notification service provider. Swift 911 is a computerized telephone calling system that is used to notify the village’s residents and businesses of an emergency situation such as a severe storm evacuation or a dangerous situation. When the system is activated at Village Hall, each resident and business within the Village of Garden City receives a telephone message with the emergency alert.