Mayor's Report: May 14, 2010

Moody’s Investors Service Assigns Aaa to the

Village’s $6.8 Million General Obligation Bonds

Your board of trustees and I are pleased to announce that the Incorporated Village of Garden City has earned an Aaa rating from Moody’s Investors Service, Moody’s highest rating, for the upcoming issue of $6.8 Million General Obligation Public Improvement Bonds. Concurrently, Moody’s has affirmed the Aaa rating on the Incorporated Village’s outstanding parity debt.

Parking at St. Paul’s

It is gratifying to see all of the community activity at the St. Paul’s Complex during the afternoon and evening hours during the week and throughout the day on weekends. When visiting St. Paul’s please drive with caution and be aware that the children may not be paying attention to vehicles entering and exiting the complex.

It is also important to only park in the paved areas that have been designated for parking.  Please do not park on the unpaved areas as it leaves ruts, which are dangerous and unsightly. Do not park in the areas that have been designated as “fire lanes.” These lanes have to be left open to allow access by fire apparatus.  Persons parking in the fire lanes will receive parking tickets.

Curbside Plastic Collection

A number of thoughtful residents have been inconvenienced by placing the used flower containers and flowerpots in with their recycling box. Village personnel advise that although these items may have the recycling symbol, they are not recyclable by the village.

The type of plastic containers that can be recycled in your recycling box are beverage, food, detergent, milk and non-toxic household cleaners. Some examples of a No. 1 plastic container would be soda, mouthwash, salad dressing bottles, peanut butter jars, etc. Examples of a No. 2 plastic container would be milk jugs, water, juice and shampoo bottles, as well as liquid detergent containers. All containers must be rinsed of all food or beverage residue.

Other plastics with the symbols “3” through “7” are to be disposed of as garbage or rubbish. Examples of non-acceptable plastics include, toys, utensils, cups, plates, motor oil, plastic containers, etc.

Any questions should be referred to the Department of Public Works at 465-4030.

Spring Cleanup

All residents are asked to assist in the task of cleaning up our community to make it look like a beautiful Garden City. We can do that by picking up paper, cans, bottles and other debris, which may have been deposited on the streets and other public areas near their homes. A few minutes of cooperative effort by all of us can make our village look 100 percent better.

Residents are also reminded that rubbish should not be placed on the curb before the evening prior to the collection day. It is a detraction from the aesthetics of the village and poor treatment of one’s neighbors to ignore the village law, which specifies that rubbish should not be deposited at curbside before the evening prior to collection.

Please observe the village’s Sanitation Guidelines by adhering to the following instructions:

1. Rubbish should be placed at the curb Tuesday evening or early Wednesday morning.

2. Sharp objects, such as broken glass, sharp pieces of metal and knives should not be placed loosely in plastic or paper bags. Proper precaution should be taken, such as placing them in cardboard boxes tied with string or tape.

Other helpful information regarding village recyclable and sanitation collection can be found in the Welcome to Garden City Handbook, which is available at Village Hall.

Board of Trustees Meetings

The next board of trustees meeting will be held on Thursday, May 20, at 8 p.m.

Village’s Website

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. For your convenience, listed on the village’s home page, under the Heading of the Department of Public Works are guidelines for garbage, rubbish and recycling.

Letter: The Importance of Your Local Library

One of the most important services any community enjoys is its public library. You wouldn’t think so judging by the actions Governor Paterson and the New York State Assembly have taken on funding libraries and library systems in the State’s 2010-11 state budget plans. The governor has recommended that state aid to library systems and their member libraries be reduced by $4.2 million. The Senate has rejected this recommendation, but the Assembly is still debating it.

Mayor's Report: May 7, 2010

The Mens’ Association Sport Fair/Woodstick Classic

On Saturday, May 1, the Mens’ Association of the Garden City High School (TMA) hosted its Annual Sports Fair and the Boys Lacrosse Woodstick Classic at the Garden City High School against Manhasset High School. There was both Junior Varsity and Varsity Baseball and a full day of lacrosse.

Mayor’s Report: April 30, 2010

GC Chamber of Commerce Honors: Joanne K. Adams, Honorable Allen S. Mathers and Nasser Samman

The eighth annual Pineapple Ball was held on April 23 at the Garden City Hotel. The Garden City Chamber of Commerce honored the following distinguished members of our community: Joanne K. Adams, community relations director, New York Racing Association as Citizen of the Year; Honorable Allen S. Mathers, Village Justice Incorporated Village of Garden City with the Community Achievement Award; and Nasser Samman, general manager of the Garden City Hotel, as Business Person of the Year. I would like to congratulate each of the honorees on their well-deserved recognition.

From the Desk of Congresswomn Carolyn McCarthy

McCarthy Announces Help for Homeowners Event

Although our economy is on the road to recovery, there are still many people who are hurting. People are trying to maintain their mortgage payments so they are able to stay in their homes. HOPE NOW and Making Home Affordable are programs that work with people to help them achieve that goal.

Mayor's Report: April 23, 2010

GC Chamber of Commerce Honors: Joanne K. Adams, Allen S. Mathers an Nasser Samman

The chamber’s eighth annual Pineapple Ball will be held next Friday evening, April 23, at the Garden City Hotel. The chamber of commerce will honor the following distinguished members of our community: Joanne K. Adams, as Citizen of the Year; Honorable Allen S. Mathers, with the Community Achievement Award; and Nasser Samman, as Business Person of the Year.  I would like to congratulate each of the honorees on their well-deserved recognition.

Chiefs of the GC Fire Department

The board of trustees join me in extending our sincere gratitude to Chief William J. Graham for the dedicated and professional level of service that he rendered to our village during his tenure as chief of the Garden City Fire Department. Special thanks is also extended to the wives and families of all of the dedicated volunteer firefighters for sharing their husbands with the village and for all of the sacrifices that they make to assure that we are protected.

I am pleased to report that as a result of the fire department election held, Chief William J. Graham will remain in his position as chief of the Garden City Fire Department, along with returning members as follows: First Assistant Charles S. Cavarra, Second Assistant Chief William Castoro, and Third Assistant Chief Joseph Nadolny. We wish them well and thank them for their continued involvement.

Recycling Containers

It has recently come to my attention that residents who move out of the village are taking their recycling containers with them upon their move. Please be advised that these containers are the property of the Village of Garden City and should be left for the next village resident’s use.

Board of Trustees Meetings

The next board of trustees meetings will be on Thursday, May 6, and Thursday, May 20, at 8 p.m. The meeting will be held in the boardroom at Village Hall.

Village’s Website

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. For your convenience, listed on the village’s homepage, under the heading of Administration, is a sub-heading “Water Billing Information,” which includes information on water reading.

Letter: May 18 School Budget Vote Matters

Roughly 55 percent of Garden City resident’s property taxes go to Garden City Schools (32 percent village; 13 percent county). While we believe there is less waste in our schools than our village, the trend of uncapped employee benefits devouring our village infrastructure (i.e. roads, buildings) is also eating our children’s education. Garden City’s roughly 7,500 households are fully responsible for any pension and healthcare cost inflation for Garden City’s roughly 1,500 active and retired unionized employees (school 1,000, village 500). We believe our school and village administrators have to make a public commitment to limit resident exposure to ever higher employee pension and healthcare benefits, or residents should continue to get out and vote otherwise. The next opportunity is the May 19 resident school budget vote, so let us explain.

Mayor's Report: April 16, 2010

Shop and Dine in Garden City Support the Local Merchants

Beginning on April 1, under a special permit from the village, food establishments on Seventh Street, New Hyde Park Road and Franklin Avenue, have placed tables and chairs outside their shops and restaurants for your convenience and enjoyment. Please stop by to let the merchants know that you appreciate their efforts and enjoy the many fine tastes of Garden City.

Around the Town: April 16, 2010

Lacrosse Academy

The warm weather is here and summer is right around the corner, but there’s still time to plan your child’s summer activities. Fresh off a successful 2009 season of instructional clinics, the Town of Hempstead Lacrosse Academy (TOHLA) is ready to face-off for its sixth anniversary season.

More than 1,200 youngsters graduated with honors from the Town of Hempstead Lacrosse Academy last summer. Weeklong clinics at nearby town parks team top flight coaches with aspiring players to improve skill level and enhance enjoyment.

Mayor’s Report: April 9, 2010

Little League Parade

This Saturday, April 10, marks the opening of the 2010 Little League Baseball/Softball season. The annual Little League Parade will step off promptly at 9 a.m. from Village Parking Field 9E onto Tenth Street and proceed south on Franklin Avenue to Seventh Street, west on Seventh Street to Hilton Avenue, north on Hilton Avenue to Stewart Avenue for ceremonies at the Village Green.