As a resident of Glen Cove for the past nine years, I was unaware that the Glen Cove Downtown BID existed. In April I opened my business in Glen Cove that happened to be in the BID area. As a business in the BID area, I automatically became a member and quickly learned about the BID and what it does for business. I was equally pleased to learn that as a resident of Glen Cove the BID offers me tremendous services as well, all of which are free.

Downtown Glen Cove is a beautiful shopping and entertainment area, but I felt it did not offer enough to the residents of Glen Cove. I felt the potential was there but enough wasn't being done. I spoke with Francine Ferrante, the executive director of the Glen Cove Downtown BID and she explained to me exactly what the BID offers, what they have done for the past seven years and what they are looking forward to in the near future.

The BID stands for Business Improvement District and it enhances the services of the city government in an effort to improve and develop. They are a not-for-profit organization whose financing comes from a special property assessment. Throughout the year they are involved in many programs and events, but many residents are not even aware of them. They are responsible for the downtown Glen Cove street banners, flower baskets, new litter receptacles, maintaining the three brick walkways on School Street and Glen Street. They employ a person for 15 hours per week, in addition to the city's sanitation and beautification, just to pick up litter in the downtown. They have just created a new business directory which is being distributed to real estate offices, hotels, etc., in an effort to encourage new business in the downtown. They are responsible for seasonal holiday decorations, Jazz In The Square, the Craft Fair/Fall Festival, Halloween Parade, Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in Village Square, the Winter Festival, which includes downtown horse and carriage rides as well as dinner with Scrooge and pictures with Santa, all of which are free events.

Future plans are for benches in the downtown and specially themed events for families in an effort to make Glen Cove a more vibrant and exciting community.

I decided to support this great organization by volunteering my time to them and donating to their cause. I feel as a community we can only benefit more and look forward to more events and downtown improvement by helping in any way we can. Anyone who is interested can make a donation either by volunteering time or by monetary contribution. Please contact Francine Ferrante at the Glen Cove Downtown BID office at 14 Glen Street, Suite 302, Glen Cove, NY 11542; 759-6970, or at glencovebid@aol.com. By even the smallest contribution, you can help make a big difference in the future of our downtown.

Alan Cygielman, Mgr.

Altour International