Last Wednesday's public meeting of the Mineola Village Board was the first since the tragic attack on the World Trade Center. In a ceremony, the village invited representatives of the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department and Mineola Volunteer Ambulance Corps since both organizations contributed to the rescue effort at the World Trade Center.

As was expected, the mood in the village was somber as Mayor John P. Colbert spoke about the events of Sept. 11. The fire department presented the flag and all those gathered said the pledge of allegiance and sang God Bless America, led by village attorney John Spellman. A moment of silence was observed.

One of the messages of the evening was that residents need to stick together during this difficult time. Mayor Colbert said that if you see someone who was affected by the tragedy, give them a hug. But perhaps the most important message to reflect on from the recent events is that we can never take life for granted because, as the mayor said, we don't know what tomorrow will bring.

The mayor thanked everyone in the village, including those from Winthrop-University Hospital and those who aided the American Red Cross and others who helped in any way during the crisis. Mineola, he said, was more fortunate than some of its surrounding communities, which lost a number of residents in the disaster.

Following the attack on the Twin Towers, the mayor said he tried to find out what Mineola residents may have been missing. To his knowledge, as of last Wednesday, one resident who worked in the World Trade Center and a firefighter who lived in the village temporarily were lost.

"This is not a happy time," Mayor Colbert said. "But we have to really go to New York and show these people that we can still do what we've always done."

Deputy Mayor Lou Santosus, an ex-chief of the Mineola Fire Department, said that the ecumenical prayer service that the village held with the cooperation of Chaminade High School the Thursday after the tragedy seemed to help.

During the course of the meeting, new American Legion Post 349 of the American Legion Commander Sal Cataldo read some editorials written about the pride of America.

Ex-chief of the Mineola Fire Department Walter Crosby was at Ground Zero at the time of the attack. Chief Crosby suggested everyone should appreciate their friends and family as well as life in general. Although he said it would be difficult, Chief Crosby said he would be able to get back to a feeling of normalcy.

In order to show patriotism, the village has displayed "God Bless America" signs on Willis Avenue, Roslyn Road and Mineola Boulevard. There are also flags displayed along Jericho Turnpike.

* Deputy Mayor Santosus reported that 200 trees are expected to be planted in the village in November.

* The village will soon begin working on a project to redo Second Street, Union and Senate. The village will be working on the project in November and the remainder of the paving will be done in April.

* The Mineola Historical Society will be having a garage sale on Oct. 20, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its headquarters on Westbury Avenue.

* It was reported that the CVS project slated to go into the Reese Buick property on Jericho Turnpike between Emory and Andrews Roads is 98 percent complete with asbestos abatement. The asbestos abatement is holding up the permit to demolish the existing building for the purposes of erecting the new CVS. Village Superintendent of Building Michael Giardina said if the village doesn't soon receive the demolition permit, it will send back the building permit it granted.

* The number of properties in the village: 4,656 residential, 839 commercial.

* Resident Sal Cataldo expressed his concern with the tax revenue the village will lose from businesses displaced as a result of the railroad project on Roslyn Road. Mr. Cataldo also expressed concern about the possibility of Koeppel Ford selling its property to Chaminade High School, resulted in the loss of $24,000 to $29,000 in tax revenue lost.

* Resident Bill Urianek expressed his concern about the village's bonding debt. Mr. Urianek cited approximately $11 million in bonding, including $3.994 million approved by voters via a 1998 bond referendum to renovate the library. The other funds were not approved by voters.

* To avoid confusion, the village's commercial vehicle law is in effect, which means commercial vehicles (those with commercial plates, buses, taxis, landscaping vehicles, limousines, etc.) cannot be parked in residential areas overnight. The village has been accepting special use permits for the purposes of granted permission on an individual case basis. However, on Aug. 22, the village held a hearing on eliminating the special use permit provision. However, the village board did not vote on that provision. The issue still being considered by the village is whether residents would be allowed to keep commercial vehicles inside of their garages. It is possible the provision would be voted on it on Oct. 17, when the village board is expected to hold additional hearings.

* Village attorney John Spellman confirmed the rumor that Chaminade High School has entered into negotiations with Koeppel Ford to purchase property. The area now used for the showroom could be used as a lobby to a gymnasium, which would be located behind the showroom, for the school. The western end (Saville Road side) would be used by the school for a parking lot for approximately 80 to 90 cars. The school and the dealership have reportedly entered into contract pending an environmental survey. In addition, Chaminade, as part of the package, would purchase a piece of property next to Great Neck Games on Jericho Turnpike that's used for the storage of cars. There are no plans for that piece of property yet, but it is part of the deal. Mr. Spellman said as a contract nears its final stages, he expects a community meeting would be held.