City Hall was a-buzz with the chatter of high school students prior to the city council meeting of Dec. 9. High school music teacher Ed Norris was there with his Select Chorale to give meeting-goers a glimpse of what the chorale had done just last week when they played Carnegie Hall. After the echoes of 35 young, sweet voices left the chambers, the meeting commenced. No one else sang.

The business portion of the meeting was not long, with the mayor and council approving three resolutions and voting on appointments to committees and groups.

Public comments began with Dante Nieri, longtime Glen Cove resident, accusing the city of "discrimination" when it came to picking up leaves. Saying that years ago, leaves could be raked into the gutter and picked up by the city's vacuum trucks, he remarked that on some blocks that still goes on, at one point "just 200 feet from my house." Mayor Mary Ann Holzkamp referred to the ordinance now in effect, which has been in effect for an estimated 10 years, that requests residents place leaves at the curb in clear plastic bags for pickup. (The reason clear plastic is preferred is to avoid the city having to pay for the bags as garbage.) But be they in clear or opaque, leaves need to be bagged. When Mr. Nieri questioned what the vacuum trucks were doing, it was explained to him that the city picks up leaves that are blown by nature into the streets. Mr. Nieri seemed to prefer equality and the vacuum process for all.

Another criticism from Mr. Nieri involved the fact that during snow emergencies, cars are always parked on the odd side of the street, meaning 50 percent of the taxpayers do not get their side of the street plowed. The mayor explained that once one side is done, cars can be moved and plows can plow the even side of the street the next day. Years ago, Mr. Nieri pointed out, residents would park their cars on their driveways, and there would be no cars on the street. Mayor Holzkamp said she would like things to be that way, also, but now more and more families have more cars than driveway space. Mr. Nieri remarked that people also would "pull right up on the grass and be out of the way" but the city council fell short of considering a resolution on that.

William Boeddner, a-56 year resident of Glen Cove, continued on the subject of leaf disposal, questioning the official ordinance which prohibits people from pushing leaves in the street. He was cited twice for doing so, but was told by a code enforcer that he would not be ticketed if he bagged his leaves. "The purpose of this law is a bargaining chip," said Mr. Boeddner. "I said no." He closed by stating, "Falling leaves are the down side of Arbor Day," and as he left the podium he commented that Sea Cliff picks up its' residents leaves.

Glenn Howard, longtime resident of Glen Cove and officer in the Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce complimented the city on the snow removal. Estimating that there are about 100 miles of streets in Glen Cove, he feels the city does a better job than most municipalities. He said the reputation of Glen Cove continues to spread, and when he was in Queens last week, he encountered someone who complimented the mayor on the great job Glen Cove did with snow removal.

Mr. Howard then branched out to leaves. He bags. "If the ordinance is confusing, rephrase it," he suggested. "Taxpayers can save money if they bag their own leaves." On the subject of snow, Mr. Howard said that the driving force to get cars off the road so plows can do their work should be community spirit.

Mr. Howard then requested, in the name of the chamber of commerce that School Street and Glen Street have at least the crosswalks cleared so people can shop. The mayor requested that Kevin Monahan take care of that on Wednesday.

Jed Morey took to the podium with a few questions, none involving leaves or snow. He questioned the removal of the rad waste at the waterfront, and was told that the city is just waiting for final approval from court on the settlement that has been made. Envirocare, contracted by the EPA, will be in charge of the removal. The city has received $30 million for the cleanup, and Mr. Morey was told that the amount will be enough to remove it all. The subject of the ferry was discussed. City attorney Dan Deegan told Mr. Morey that the city has been doing a search for a ferry design team, and has narrowed it down to five. They will be meeting with public works and other city departments.

Swezey's Department Store is seeking tenants for their newly empty building, as is the city. The company would like to lease it, as opposed to selling it. The mayor is reading proposals.

Janet Blatt had questions concerning drinking water. "With the new apartment house ready to rent, and housing planned at the waterfront...with all this building, are we going to reopen the Carney Street well?" Mayor Holzkamp was shaking her head while Ms. Blatt spoke, knowing what her

concern and question would be. "Absolutely not," she answered. Ms. Blatt spoke about the contaminated water that runs under buildings, including the Glen Cove Day Care Center. The two women were in total agreement, Mayor Holkamp saying that if additional water is needed the city will build a new well, or get more water from another existing source.

The meeting ended with a reminder that Glen Cove will be celebrating the season with a Winter Holiday Festival this Saturday and Sunday. Sponsored by the BID, the fun will include music from award-winning middle school and high school bands and choirs, a barbershop quartet, a parade at 1 p.m. on Saturday, a fashion show, a visit from Frosty the Snowman, and special events at many downtown establishments. You can also enjoy dinner with Scrooge at Page One or lunch with Mrs. Claus at Coles House. Come celebrate a part of the holidays right in your own backyard. For further information, please contact Francine Ferrante at the BID office at 759-6970 or visit the website at www.glencovedowntown.org.