The Garden City News (3/8/24)

Small price increase for pool memberships

BY RIKKI MASSAND

At its meeting on Wednesday February 28 the Garden City Board of Commissioners of Recreational & Cultural Affairs approved proposed GC Pool membership rates for summer 2024. The rate schedule will now go to the Village Board of Trustees for final approval.

The Garden City Pool, which is operated as a separate enterprise fund, has had a positive balance for several years. A decade ago the situation was more fragile as there were capital projects performed to enhance the facilities that resulted in significant debt to climb out of.

Rec. and Parks Superintendent Paul Blake explained that he’s proud of the work the department has done on pool finances, and the current position is to have $260,814 less in the form of a Village of Garden City contribution to the enterprise. The “Contribution from Village General” for 2024 is proposed at $539,186.

“We are knocking it down from a contribution of about $800,000 this year to the contribution of $539,186. That is moving in the right direction towards getting everything back into the black ink as the enterprise should be,” he said.

Increased rates offset higher costs

Blake said the increases are at least 3.5% across the board of membership categories. For a family membership (more than two people) the 2023 rate was $525, now proposed to increase to $540 – or 3.65% higher

See page 68

This year’s Hoops for Hope event took place on Wednesday, February 28th at Garden City High School. Garden City residents came to support the Challengers and raise funds for the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation, which helps adolescent and young adult cancer patients. Please see full coverage on pages 66-67.

New

to focus on public beautification

BY RIKKI MASSAND

The Garden City Board of Commissioners of Recreation and Cultural Affairs (Rec. Commission) were introduced to two new employees at its meeting on Wednesday, February 28. Both hires started their work in Garden City in the first two months of the year.

New village arborist hired

Six weeks ago Joseph “Joe” Umana started work as the new village arborist and horticulturist; a specialist to help Garden City’s flora flourish and address safety and beautification matters with trees, shrubbery and landscapes. He is a Nassau County native, and a Kellenberg High School and University of Delaware alumnus. Superintendent of Recreation and Parks Paul Blake said Umana has gotten off to a breakneck start and is running the village’s tree crew, “he’s making a big impact on the way these fellas do their jobs.”

“We have seen a really positive difference already! Joe is taking charge of all village plantings going forward, and he’s already helped us make nice changes in the species of trees we’re buying. He has also helped us bring in some new suppliers, and Joe is taking over a lot of the responsibilities we used to contract-out,” Blake explained to the Rec. Commission.

Last Wednesday night Mr. Umana offered insights and his ambitions for the greenery and tree program in the village, including the goal of working towards a more seasonal feel in the environment. He believes the Rec. Department will be proactive on plantings to make the Village’s flora exuberant and attractive.

“We want to take things (like the plantings of new species) back for the village and we want to show residents that the village and the people working for the village can do this job and keep Garden City looking the way in which it always has, Umana explained

He developed a love for nature and especially plants as

See page 48

Photo by Ed Rotondo

In the past we’ve joked that every kid growing up in Garden City gets to have their photo in the GC News at least once. Well, now we can add that every resident will probably have a letter to the editor published at one time or another.

This week we have a whopping 44 letters printed in the paper, mostly about the upcoming Board of Trustees election, scheduled for Tuesday, March 19th. In addition to the letters, we also have several articles written by the candidates about why they would like to be elected to the Board of Trustees.

We endeavor to print nearly all the

letters that we receive whether or not we agree with their contents. We don’t set a specific word limit, but we ask that writers try to be succinct (and no one really wants to read a wall of text).

We have one more issue before the election, so if you’d like to advocate for one candidate or another you can still get your letters in. Please send them to editor@gcnews.com. The deadline is noon on Wednesdays for each Friday’s paper (but if you want to be nice to us feel free to send them a day or two earlier!) Letters need to be signed by at least one individual.

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for

Trustee on March 19th of this year.  Garden City is very fortunate to have such a professional and experienced group of trustee candidates.  Charlie Kelly, Mike Sullivan, Larry Marciano, and Richard Williams have distinguished careers in law, finance, and business ownership. The three incumbents (Charlie, Larry, & Mike) are doing a fantastic job of working through the tough issues facing our Village right now.  In addition, Richard Williams has done great work on the Zoning Board and on the Business Development Committee.  As a founding member of Say No to the Casino, his work has been invaluable.  I know all four of the candidates personally, have worked with all of them, and whole-

heartedly endorse them for Village Trustee!  I encourage you to vote Row C on March 19th.

Monica Kiely

Impressed with Nedelka

To the Editor:

As a resident of Garden City, I never really focused on local government and issues, just what I read in the Garden City News.

Lately, I have been reading about the upcoming election. One group is in power and another group wants to be in power. With all the promises being made about topics like St. Paul’s, it seems to me that nothing is really getting done. A lot of credit being taken for little progress. Each side throwing barbs at the other. Yet, St. Paul’s remains an issue for decades.

I have been reading about Larry Nedelka, running as an independent in

See page 23

Why I am running for re-election as Trustee

BY CHARLES KELLY, TRUSTEE, VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY

I am seeking re-election as a Village Trustee to (i) complete the work I have begun on traffic and legal issues for the Village and (ii) to assist in completing the transition from a closed sclerotic electoral process and hostile Board of Trustees to an open and competitive election yielding a transparent and responsive Board of Trustees.

Regarding traffic and legal issues, I have served as Chairman of the Traffic Commission and Chair of the Law Committee for the past two years.  There are several serious issues before both groups that need decisions by experi-

See page 36

Trustee Charles Kelly speaking at rally against the proposed Sands Casino.

Candidate seeks grant for water infrastructure

NYS Assemblyman Ed Ra with Larry Nedelka, a candidate for Garden City Board of Trustees.

Larry Nedelka recently met with Assemblyman Ed Ra to discuss securing $2 million in funding from the State to help residents with the expense of replacing pipes from their homes to the water mains. Nedelka is a candidate for Village Board of Trustees

“Lead in the water is a serious issue in the Village”, commented Nedelka, “because it has a direct impact of the health and well-being of our residents.”

The Village has determined that the lead is not being conveyed through the See page 34

Traffic issues affect all Garden City residents

SUBMITTED BY THE COMMUNITY AGREEMENT PARTY CANDIDATES

Your Community Agreement Party candidates for Village Trustee believe a new approach to this worsening problem is needed now. In reality, our issues of speeding, ignoring stop signs or disregarding multiple parking regulations are caused by both Village residents and motorists passing through the Village. We believe a multi-faceted approach, targeting both groups, is required if we are going to make progress on this complicated issue.

Enforcement and Accountability: Collaborating with Village police, we should bolster enforcement efforts to combat traffic violations effectively. Increased patrols in high-risk areas and busy through streets such as Clinton Road, Franklin Avenue and Nassau Blvd. will serve as deterrents to reckless driving behavior. In addition, we should have increased police patrols in Village neighbors to deter running through stop signs.

Strategic Infrastructure Upgrades: Given Garden City's distinct character

distinguished by tree-lined streets and historic architecture, infrastructure upgrades must be thoughtfully executed to preserve the Village’s charm while enhancing road safety. The redesign of the 7th Street crossing is a positive example of how infrastructure upgrades can make a difference. We need to have a more comprehensive plan for these types of changes, potential costs, etc. if we are to continue these improvements.

Partner with Surrounding Communities: creating a cohesive group of communities to leverage Nassau County to address the traffic problems on the major county roads that intersect our Village. Clinton, Franklin, Nassau Blvd are all county roads and an effective plan to control traffic on these thoroughfares requires county approval.  The Village’s ability to make needed changes will be greatly increased if the Village and the surrounding communities act together.

Community Awareness Campaigns: Leveraging our strong sense of community, we should launch a comprehensive awareness campaign to See page 34

One of the finest and most admired properties in the village, this once in a lifetime opportunity awaits the most discerning buyers. Nestled in the heart of the most prestigious location in town, this iconic colonial is the epitome of luxury living. Boasting a generous 1.5 acres of meticulously manicured grounds with in-ground pool, hot tub and tennis/ pickleball court, this property is a true oasis of tranquility with the sophistication and craftsmanship of a bygone era.

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ST. PATRICK’S DAY MENU

• Irish Potato Soup • Scotch Broth

• Barrel Corned Beef & Cabbage (Cooked or Raw)

• Our Own Corned Beef Hash

• Boneless Lamb Stew with Potatoes, Mixed Veggies

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New Village Arborist to speak at EAB meeting March 12

New Village Arborist Joe Umana

New Village Arborist Joe Umana will speak at the next scheduled Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) meeting, to be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at Village Hall at 8:00 p.m. Please note the change in date and time. Mr. Umana has a degree in Plant Science, Horticulture and Landscape Design and maintains certifications

in Arboriculture as well as Municipal Arboriculture. He will provide an update on the Village’s tree planting program, the Lantern Fly, Ash Borer Beetle and the Southern Pine Beetle. He will also review plans for future plantings, specifically reviewing various species. A Q&A session will be offered following the presentation.

POAs plan lectures on aviation history

Ray Donnelly, Garden City resident and Cradle of Aviation Museum Docent, treated the residents of Garden City to two evening lectures, digging into the early history of aviation in Garden City and the ties of A.T. Stewart's new railroad to the Hempstead Plains. Flight was born on a sandy beach in North Carolina, but flight’s babyhood was here on Long Island: The Cradle of Aviation! After hearing the tales of the early flights down Nassau Blvd., seeing how many streets were named after aviators and discovering the pilots who graced our homes, Ray will take participants through the Cradle of Aviation for a hands-on demonstration of Long Island’s contribution to flight.

From the early canvas planes flying over the Hempstead Planes to the Lunar Modules that landed on the moon, Long Island has always played a critical role. The tour will be interactive and will conclude with a Q & A session. Photos will be allowed.

Please use the following link to reserve your spot: https://www. eventbrite.com/e/poa-cradle-of-aviation-museum-tour-tickets-857591127147

* Space is limited and priority registration will be given to residents who attended the previous lectures. There will be a waiting list.

For more specific questions, please email Marie Ilardi at rytom5489@aol. com

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Legion meeting to highlight Boys, Girls State programs

The William Bradford Turner American Legion Post # 265 will resume its monthly meetings on Wednesday, March 13, at 7:00 p.m. at the Garden City Senior Recreation Center at 6 Golf Club Lane.  At 7:30, there will be a presentation on the highly competitive Boys State and Girls State programs for high school

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juniors.

This year Boys State is scheduled for June 28 through July 3 at SUNY Morrisville; Girls State is scheduled for June 30 to July 6 at SUNY Brockport.  High school juniors and their parents are invited to attend this informative and timely presentation.

Come celebrate the visionary women of Garden City

It’s not too late to join friends and neighbors for a Friday Night Cocktail party celebrating Garden City’s history. On Friday, March 8, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Senior Center, the Property Owner’s Associations are hosting a free event open to all Village residents. You’ll see the beautiful artwork of local artist Michael White and learn more about the Visionary Women of Garden City, including Cornelia Stewart and Olive Tjaden.

Did you know that Cornelia Stewart was the one who spearheaded and led all the work for our beautiful Cathedral? Or that Hubbel’s Pond was originally called Lake Cornelia and was used for boating and ice skating by all Village residents? You may not have heard of Olive Tjaden, but her influence on Garden City is immense. You can still see her first office at 109 7th Street, opened in 1928. She designed over 200 homes in the Village, each with a unique character and sense of style.

Cornelia Stewart gave Garden City purpose.  Olive Tjaden gave us character.

Be sure to join us on Friday, March 8, 7:00–9:00 p.m. at the GC Senior Center. Registration is free, and you can RSVP at http://TINYURL.COM/ MRYRZR5Y or use the QR code in this article.

Join your friends and neighbors for a fun Friday night, celebrating two of Garden City’s most impressive historical figures. On Friday, March 8, you will have a chance to hear a bit

about Olive Tjaden, the first licensed female architect in New York State who opened her office in Garden City in 1928. Local artist Michael White will share his paintings of some of Tjaden’s GC homes, highlighting the amazing contribution she made to the overall character of the Village. Your home may be one of the over 200 homes Tjaden designed in Garden City!

We will also be highlighting the important work of Cornelia Stewart. Many know her as the wife of AT Stewart. But, after his death, Cornelia was the one who continued the work, ensuring the completion of many of our most important buildings in the Village. We’ll have fun information, period costumes and an update on the development of Cornelia’s Garden.

Several RYLA participating students in Rotary’s Youth Leadership (RYLA) Awards Program.

Rotary Youth Leadership (RYLA)  Students to Speak Next Tuesday

Each year, it has long been the tradition of Mineola-Garden City Rotary to invite our Rotary-sponsored Youth Leadership Program (RYLA) District 7255 student representatives to speak of their RYLA experiences — and how they have achieved benefits through their participation in RYLA’s intensive program.

Next Tuesday, March 12, 12:15 p.m., at Mineola’s Davenport restaurant, Rotary will welcome RYLA senior leaders who have well benefited through the program for the past 3 three years.

RYLA is an intensive training program that brings together youth and adults to further develop character and leadership skills and learn about Rotary.

RYLA aims to explore and expand the leadership potential of its student participants all across Long Island, Queens and Brooklyn.  It strives to instill lessons of leadership through its week long and weekend retreats.

Through teamwork, RYLA students

learn about the importance of working with others and are provided with transferable skills that can aid them in their pursuit of employment or higher education.

RYLA, run entirely by students, has touched the hearts of thousands of students across 7255 District. Currently, the program is thriving with past events held at maximum capacity.  Please join us to hear more about RYLA and its amazing student program.

Learn How Rotary’s Camp Pa Que Tuck  Serves Special Needs individuals

On Tuesday March 26, 12:15 at Mineola’s Davenport restaurant, Rotary will welcome Patrick Barry to peak on Rotary’s Camp Pa Que Tuck’s dedication to benefit special need individuals on Long Island and beyond.  Camp Pa Que Tuck serves the effort from many Rotary clubs throughout our District 7255 to best serve the special needs community.

To register for either of the above Rotary Lunch Meetings, (fee, $40), please email Club President Meg Norris at editor@gcnews.com.

Soccer team will “Egg Your Yard”

The Garden City Varsity Boys Soccer Team is ready and willing to EGG YOUR YARD! Think of the boys as the Easter Bunny’s helpers and choose from two options to surprise your family Easter morning.

Option 1: the team delivers candy filled eggs to your front stoop on Friday,

Women’s Health Care of Garden City committed to personalized care

By John L. Gomes, MD

John L. Gomes, MD, founded Women’s Health Care of Garden City in 1995. It has remained an independent private practice, providing personalized obstetrical and gynecological services.

He employs the technical advances of conventional medicine with an integrative approach to navigate women through difficult pregnancies into the menopausal years. He treats a wide variety of OB/GYN conditions and is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.

All tests are conveniently done on the premises, and a dedicated, compassionate staff is on call 24/7.

He is committed to excellence in patient communication, education and support, as many patients come with anxiety associated with past experiences and future concerns.

Dr. Gomes received his undergraduate degree from Brown University, and his Doctor of Medicine from Columbia University.

He is both Board Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Women’s Health Care of Garden City is located at 1000 Franklin Avenue, Suite 200, Garden City.

March 29 or Option 2: the team hides candy filled eggs in your front yard on Saturday, March 30, starting at 7 p.m. 25 eggs for $20 or 50 eggs for $40 Venmo Danielle-griffin147.  Please specify which option you would like. Orders must be received by Sunday, March 24.

Garden City Real Estate Market Information

159 Chestnut Street

The information about the homes and the photos were obtained through the Multiple Listing Services of Long Island. The homes presented were selected based solely on the fact that they were recently sold.

Long Island Sales Data From One Key MLS

Date: 3/6/2024

Sold price: $1,326,000

4 bedrooms, 2 full baths

Architectural Style: Exp Cape

Property size: .2 acres

Annual taxes: $16,172

MLS number: 3523465

The Seller’s Team: Jennifer Sullivan, Compass

Greater NY

The Buyer’s Team: Gwendolyn Levy, Compass

Greater NY

Beautifully renovated 4 bedroom, 2 full bath expanded Cape situated mid-block on deep 146 ft. property. The main level features an open and inviting layout with a spacious sun-lit living room, dining area, 2020 renovated open concept kitchen that seamlessly connects to the family room, adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows offering picturesque views of the enormous backyard. 2 bedrooms and a beautiful bathroom complete the main level. Upstairs you will find the primary bedroom with a large walk in closet, additional guest bedroom with cedar closet and updated full bathroom. Other highlights include: lower-level playroom, CAC, recessed lighting throughout, new landscaping, double wide driveway, large brick patio & low taxes. The open floor plan of this home and huge backyard make it the perfect setting for entertaining guests. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the charm and warmth of this special home.

203 Whitehall Blvd

Date: 3/6/2024

Sold price: $1,300,000 3 beds, 2 full baths

Architectural Style: Ranch

Property size: .21 acres

Annual taxes: $18,690

MLS number: 3510608

The Seller’s Team: Sandi Polinsky, Goldilocks Real Estate

The Buyer’s Team: Sandi Polinsky, Goldilocks Real Estate

The Golden Opportunity everyone has been waiting for is finally here! This 3 Bedroom, 2 bath Ranch home that sits on an oversized 70x133 flat lot in the prestigious Estates Section on Whitehall Blvd is just right for Anyone & Everyone! This Golden Great boasts Natural Gas Heat/Cooking/Dryer, WBFPL, IGS, hardwood floors throughout, newer roof, windows , SS appliances ,Weil-Mclain Burner, Sep HW Heater, Extra Sun Room w/ Jalousie Windows, 1 car attached garage. 2 rear Bow Windows, Vinyl Siding & a full basement. Whether you choose to ‘Colonialize” it by adding a second story, knock it down to start over, or renovate it as a modest home, this home will be sold “AS-IS” to the highest bidder! Close to H.O.W, Country Clubs, GC Schools, shopping, restaurants, highways. Put a gold lock on this gem & live the Garden City Lifestyle!

70 Harvard Street

Date: 1/12/2024

Sold price: $1,040,000

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths,

Architectural style: Cape

Property size: .14 acres

Annual taxes: $14,618

MLS number: 3504279

The Seller’s Team: Elizabeth Breslin, Howard Hanna Coach

The Buyer’s Team: Patrick McCooey and Alexander Olivieri, Compass Greater NY

Nestled amidst a picturesque neighborhood, this enchanting Cape Cod-style home exudes timeless charm and warmth. Stepping inside, you’ll immediately be drawn to the inviting wood-burning fireplace, creating a cozy focal point in the living room. Sunlight pours into the sun-drenched family room through a multitude of windows, casting a natural glow that illuminates the heart of the home. The updated eat-in kitchen has quartz counter tops and stainless steel appliances. With two full baths, three generously sized bedrooms, and a private yard adorned with a tapestry of beautiful plantings, this residence seamlessly combines comfort and aesthetics, making it the perfect retreat to call home. Conveniently located near LIRR, park and shops.

104

Kevin

1183

Michelle

Helen

Erin

243

Michelle

$959,000

Michelle McArdle: M 516.306.4134

Helen

Erin

THE VIEW FROM HERE

My First Spring Training Program

BY BOB MORGAN, JR.

When you reach a certain age, there aren ’ t that many first times in your life. However, I attended a spring training game for the first time ever, on Monday, when the Yankees played against the Florida Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida.

It ’ s not like I haven ’ t attended a lot of baseball games in my life. The first game I ever went to was at Yankee Stadium on July 28, 1961, with my father ’ s father, who was a member of a Knights of Columbus group that organized a bus excursion. (My father, despite having been a sports writer, was not much of a baseball fan.)  Sadly for me, the Yanks, although on their way to a word championship that year, lost the game 4-0.

That was the first of many hundreds of major league games I have seen at the various incarnations of Yankee Stadium and at Shea Stadium/ Citi Field (not to mention the odd game while traveling in other cities). I ’ m thinking the most famous game I ever witnessed in person was the no-hitter by Jim Abbott, a one-handed pitcher, at Yankee Stadium on September 4, 1993, a very exciting performance by a courageous athlete. Honorable mention might go to the Yankees ’ 15 inning playoff win against Seattle in 1995, when Jim Leyritz homered at around 1 in the morning.

In the 1980s, when I was in law school at Vanderbilt, I went to many Nashville Sounds minor league games, when the Sounds were the Double-A farm team of the Yankees (immediately below the Triple-A Columbus Clippers in the hierarchy). Although most of the players would not make it to the majors, a few did, including Don Mattingly. One pretty good member of the Sounds who never made it to New York as a player was Buck Showalter, who did go on to manage both the Yankees and the Mets.

For all of this exposure to baseball, I had never actually seen a spring training game in either Florida or Arizona, where for many years (dating back, at least, to the time of Babe Ruth) teams have gathered to prepare for the upcoming season by getting in shape and playing a series of exhibition games (that don ’ t count in the standings) with other teams. A key dynamic is that vet -

eran players, in addition to trying to achieve peak physical condition, seek to retain their positions on the roster, but they are challenged by younger upstart players, coming from the minor leagues, who very much want to make the big leagues.

Anyway, on to the game, which the Yankees ended up winning 3-2. Roger Dean Stadium is named after the local Chevrolet dealer and seats around 6900 people (it was filled) and serves as the spring training home of both the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals. Thus, in my game, the Marlins were the home team and the Yankees, the visitors, although about 2/3 of the crowd, at least based on crowd noise and team logos worn, favored the Yankees. Ticket prices start pretty low ($20-30), so there were plenty of kids and families in attendance. The place is perfectly comfortable, although the level of lighting at a night game is not what you would see at a major league stadium. Rather atypically, even for an exhibition game, the game was not televised, either back to New York or Miami, which did mean that you didn ’ t see the instant replays of game highlights that you have come to expect.

The biggest downside of spring training baseball, especially this early in the year, is that you do not get to see many of the regular players on the team you came to see . For example, in my game, Clarke Schmidt, who likely will be in the Yankees pitching rotation, started the game (and pitched well), and there was an appearance by bullpen mainstay Ian Hamilton, but the only other likely starters to play were Anthony Volpe and Glaber Torres, along with likely backup catcher Austin Wells. No Aaron Judge, new acquisition Juan Soto, Anthony Rizzo or Giancarlo Stanton.

Still, there is something uplifting, about spring training baseball. It ’ s always hard to predict, but I am sure I saw at least one star of the future. Many of the players made themselves easily available for autographs for the kids and there was a certain amount  of camaraderie among the players of the two teams as they walked off the field after the game. It ’ s a different side of our national pastime, but worth checking out.

Georgetown Hall of Fame

On February 9, Erin Elbe Davidson was honored at

Georgetown Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for her superior athletic achievement in women’s lacrosse. Erin is one of the most decorated student athlets in the history of Georgetown Athletics. A graduate of Garden City High School, Erin and her family, husband Jack and their three children, Jack, George, and Maddy, reside in Garden City.

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The

“Guys and Dolls” at Chaminade High School

Ruby Murphy, Keiran Cook, Seamus Breslin, and Olivia Macchio in character on the Darby stage.

Chaminade High School brings you back to the Golden Age era of musical theatre comedy with their endearing production of “Guys and Dolls.” Set in bustling New York City with its storyline revolving around love and gambling, “Guys and Dolls” is sure to capture your heart with its dice slinging, glitzy showgirls, and high-stakes romance.  Upbeat and memorable tunes will bring you back to that time period with classics like “I’ve Never Been In Love Before”, and “Luck Be A Lady”.

Garden City is proud to have four resident teens in the cast of this production: Seamus Breslin (Chaminade HS, senior) as Nathan Detroit, Olivia Macchio (Garden City HS, junior) as General Matilda Cartwright, Keiran Cook (Sacred Heart Academy, junior) as a Hot Box Girl, and Ruby Murphy (Garden City Middle School, 8th grader) as a Hot Box Girl and Havana Dancer.   The four teens chatted about the cast and what the audience can expect to see.

“This is my eighth and final production with the Darby Players at Chaminade High School, and this will be one of my favorites. I will miss the comradery of this talented and tight-knit theatre group, with many friends from Garden City”, says Seamus Breslin.

Keiran Cook and Ruby Murphy

describe stage details from the show,  “The Hot Box Girls have some fun dance numbers that are reminiscent of NYC showgirls, I think the audience is going to really enjoy the music and choreography”, says Keiran.  Ruby adds, “One of the cool things is that this is a costume heavy show, so expect to see many bold and colorful costumes – also with many quick changes.”

One of the most touching coincidences of the show is with cast member Olivia Macchio.  “I am a junior and I will be playing General Matilda Cartwright. Ironically, this is the same exact role my mom played in her high school production of Guys and Dolls, also in her junior year! I was thrilled when I was cast as General Cartwright because of the role, but also because it is so nice to have this special connection with my mom.”

There is a lot of enthusiasm for this show which is sure to be a hit with the audience.  You can see “Guys and Dolls” this weekend and next at Darby Auditorium in Chaminade High School with both evening and matinee performances:  March 8, 9, and 15 at 7:30 p.m., and March 10 and 16 at 2 p.m. Get your tickets at:  https://chaminade-11501. ticketleap.com/.

Do you have grandchildren?

Enter our “World’s Most Beautiful Grandchildren” contest! Just send in your grandchildren’s photos and a brief description of the child (or children) along with your name and address to editor@gcnews.com

105 Kingsbury Road, Garden City

$1,629,000 | 4 BD | 2.5 BA

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday March 9, 1-3 & Sunday March 10, 1-3

Pristine Mott Tudor renovated to perfectly blend traditional elegance and contemporary comfort from its timeless exterior to the sophisticated updated interior. This home boasts 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. The first level features an entry foyer leading to the living room with coffered ceilings and new overhead lighting. The open-concept dining room and spacious family room create an inviting atmosphere for entertaining and everyday living. The gourmet kitchen showcases Wolf and Subzero appliances, radiant heated floors, custom cabinetry, and quartz countertops. Off the kitchen is a mudroom and side entrance. Second level has a large primary en-suite with built-ins, a walk-in closet, and Porcelanosa bathroom. Three additional family bedrooms and another full bathroom complete the 2nd floor. Private backyard with outdoor kitchen and turfed seating area. This home has new plumbing, heating, CAC, electric, smart lighting, whole house water filtration system, reverse osmosis, EV charger, radiant heat, security system, all new pavers and more. 105 Kingsbury Road offers a rare opportunity for a truly move-in-ready home!

Julie

The

M:

The

Adrienne

FOR SENIORS fyi

Garden City’s Senior Center is open.  Please visit the Senior Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for further information on activities and events!

Trip to Nassau County Museum of Art and Lunch

Friday, April 12

Trip to the Nassau County Museum of Art, and lunch at Mim’s. Bus leaves at 11:15, tour at noon $20 check made payable to the “Nassau County Museum of Art”, lunch at 1:30, $40.00 cash. Register at the Senior Center front desk by April 5.

Trip to See “A Bronx Tale” at Argyle Theatre

Sunday, May 5

Trip to the Argyle Theatre in Babylon to see “Bronx Tale” and lunch at La Famiglia restaurant. Tickets $63 and Lunch $50. Register at the Senior Center front desk by March 29.

Trip to Molloy University to See “Sweet Charity”

Sunday, June 2

Trip to Molloy University to see Sweet Charity. Tickets are $53, make checks payable to “Molloy University”. Register at the Senior Center front desk by May 2.

Butterfly Memory Café

The Village of Garden City Department of Recreation and Parks is proud to present the Butterfly Memory Café on March 12 at 12:30 p.m. at the Garden City Senior Center.

The Memory Café is a program designed for persons with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their caregiver to promote social engagement with others also navigating their way through dementia’s journey. Activities include crafts, music, reminiscing, art, and movement. Light refreshments will be served.

There is no charge to participate, but space is limited. Please call to reserve your space. RSVP to Hannah at 631-647-7622 or hannah@agentletouchseniorcare.com

Chess 4 Community

New monthly program, Play and Learn, open to all levels and ages, beginner to more experienced players. The program will take place on the following Fridays at 3–4 p.m.: March 29, April 26, June 28, July 26 and August 30.

Yoga Classes

Time for Senior Center Yoga is as follows–

Chair Yoga: Tuesday at 11:15, Friday at 11:45, Mat Yoga: Thursday at 11:15.

The Garden City Welcoming Club

Upcoming Events

Ladies Spring Cocktails!

Let’s come together to celebrate the start of Spring with some delicious bites and cocktails!  Join us at Stone Street Grill on Wednesday, March 20, from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. for this fun, festive, and lively event.  Ticket includes passed appetizers, beer, wine, and cocktails – and not to mention some great raffles that will benefit the P.E.A.C.E. program!  Tickets are on sale now!  Check out our website for more information: www.thegardencitywelcomingclub.org

Mindfulness Event at Oh My Goodness!

The Garden City Welcoming Club and Inspiring Wellness are having a Mindfulness Event at Oh My Goodness! Kids ages 3 to 12 will learn yoga poses, tips and tools to help regulate their emotions, and make a craft they can take home and use as a mindfulness tool. It is sure to be a fun and positive event for adults and kids alike!  For more information please contact: welcomingclubfamily@gmail.com

Date: Saturday, April 6, 2024

Time: 9:30a – 11:00a

Calling All Sponsors!

The Welcoming Club of Garden City is actively seeking local businesses, merchants, and individuals to sponsor the 2023–2024 season. Sponsorships start at $550 for the year and are a great way to promote your business across the Welcoming Club of Garden City social media channels and at our exciting events planned throughout the year. Sponsorship donations are tax deductible and 100% of the sponsorship fee goes directly to this year’s chosen charity, P.E.A.C.E Afterschool

Program. For more information, please email Philanthropic Chair Lindsay Weber at GCPhilanthropic@gmail.com.

Follow Us!

Facebook: The Welcoming Club of Garden City

Instagram: @gcwelcomingclub

Join A Group

Book Club

Enjoy a good book amongst friends. The book club meets every 6 weeks to discuss the page-turner of choice. For upcoming book club events, please email WelcomingClubBookClub@ gmail.com.

Craft Club

The Craft Club is a great way to meet with friends and get crafty. No experience necessary. We meet every few months to create a seasonal craft. If you are interested in joining, please email GCCraftClub@gmail.com.

Supper Club

Bring your significant others out for this one! This is a great way to make new friends as a couple. You will be paired up with 3-4 other couples to set up a rotation of dinner events. Host your new friends at home or head out to try local restaurants. Please email GCSupper@gmail. com for more information.

Bunco

This simple dice game is usually played in a group of 12. It is a great way to meet people and make new friends. The game is easy to learn and fun to play. If you are interested, please contact WelcomingClubBunco@gmail.com.

Toddler Activities

A great way for you and your little ones to make new friends. Activities include stroller walks each week around our beautiful village and a visit to the park. We also set up playgroups with kids of similar age. Please email welcomingclubtoddleractivities@ gmail.com for more information.

Come join the fun and make a difference! We invite you to join the club! For just $50 a year, you will have access to lots of great events and many fun members-only clubs and events. Complete the easy online membership form today at www.thegardencitywelcomingclub. org in the “Join” section of the website. While you are there, browse the site for lots of great information about the club.

World Quality Corp.

Old World Quality Corp.

Old World Quality Corp.

www.oldworldqualitycorp.com

www.oldworldqualitycorp.com

www.oldworldqualitycorp.com

Old World Quality Corp. www.oldworldqualitycorp.com

www.oldworldqualitycorp.com

Muldoon - Owner and Garden City Resident

Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden City Resident

Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden City Resident

mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net

Renovations, Painting, Kitchens, Plumbing, Heating Conditioning, Custom Spaces, much project too OWQC!

741-8226

Valley Ave, Hempstead 11550

Renovations, Painting,

Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden City Resident

Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden City Resident

Vinny Muldoon - Owner and Garden City Resident

The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on St. Paul’s has been working along with the Trustees as we more towards a decision on the St. Paul’s Main Building. I hope many residents will find time to attend one of the Community Center presentations scheduled at the Garden City Library March 16th and March 23rd!

In exploring all possible financing options for a St. Paul’s project, the Village Board of Trustees requested that special real estate counsel provide a legal analysis of the St. Paul’s Alliance plan to finance phase one of preserving the St. Paul’s Main Building. The plan suggested an average annual cost of approximately $400 per household.

Village’s tree planting program, the Lantern Fly, Ash Borer Beetle and the Southern Pine Beetle. He will also review plans for future plantings, specifically reviewing various species. A Q&A session will be offered following the presentation.

St. Paul’s Advistory Committee

Presentation

In summary, counsel, taking a broad view of the plan, concluded it is not viable as presented. Reasons cited include:

• The St. Paul’s Alliance plan does not work without changing the parkland designation of the St. Paul’s property. The BOT does not intend to nor is it considering changing the parkland designation.

• The St. Paul’s Alliance plan cannot reduce construction and labor costs. As long as St. Paul’s is a Village-owned property and the project is supported in whole or in part with Village revenues, as the Alliance proposes, it will remain subject to competitive bidding and prevailing wage or higher labor costs.

Join the Mayor’s St. Paul’s Advisory Committee for an afternoon at the Garden City Library March 16 and March 23 at 2:00 p.m. to hear what the Committee has learned from visiting seven tri-state area community centers. Members will present how they operate, how they are funded, and most importantly, how they serve the residents of their communities. Members of the St. Paul’s Advisory Committee are Walter Beal, Bill Kavan, John Cantwell, Jim Apostilides and Soraya Gage. Visit the St. Paul’s page on gardencityny.net to stay up to date, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Submit questions to stpaulsquestions@gardencityny.net.

Tree City USA

Custom Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Custom Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too big or too small for

Custom Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Custom Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too big or too small for OWQC!

Custom Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Custom Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too big or too small for OWQC!

We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

We are a full service general contractor providing everything from small repairs to full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

WE

Custom Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Custom Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too big or too small for OWQC!

Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp

Office: (516) 741-8226

Office: (516) 741-8226

Office: (516) 741-8226

Office: (516) 741-8226

136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550

Email: Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com

136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550

136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550

136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550

We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

Custom Homes, Renovations, Extensions, Roofing, Painting, Bathrooms, Kitchens, Mudrooms, Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Custom Mill Work, Exterior Spaces, Masonry Work, and much more. There is no project too big or too small for OWQC!

Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp

Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp

Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp

Email:

We are a full service General Contractor providing everything from small repairs through full house builds, with meticulous attention to detail no matter what size your project is.

• The Village’s Aaa Moody’s rating allows it to borrow funds at a lower interest rate than the St. Paul’s Alliance plan, principally because the Village can borrow in the municipal bond market at triple tax-exempt rates.

As we move forward, the Village BOT is committed to exploring all possible financing options and will always take seriously its fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the residents of the Village.

Village Arborist

Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp

Office: (516) 741-8226

Email:

Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com

Instagram and Facebook: @Oldworldqualitycorp

Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com

Email: Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com

Email: Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com

136 Cherry Valley Ave, West Hempstead 11550

Email: Jenn@oldworldqualitycorp.com

New Village Arborist Joe Umana will speak at the next scheduled Environmental Advisory Board (EAB) meeting, to be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024 at Village Hall at 8:00 p.m. Please note the change in date and time. Mr. Umana has a degree in Plant Science, Horticulture and Landscape Design and maintains certifications in Arboriculture as well as Municipal Arboriculture. He will provide an update on the

The Village of Garden City has earned recognition as a 2023 Tree City USA. The Arbor Day Foundation’s program highlights a community’s commitment to planting and caring for trees. Garden City is part of a network of more than 3,600 Tree City USAs with a combined total population of 155 million. This is the 33rd year Garden City has been designated as a ‘Tree City.” In April 2023, the Village celebrated Arbor Day with the planting of a River Birch behind the Gazebo on the Village Green, not far from a sugar maple planted a few years ago. A tree planting ceremony on the Village Green is being planned for April 27 to celebrate Arbor Day 2024. The Recreation and Parks Department is also gearing up for the spring tree planting cycle. According to Paul Blake, chairman of the Board of Commissioners of Cultural and Recreational Affairs, 217 new trees have already been planted, and an additional 65 trees will be planted later in the spring.

Volunteer Opportunities

As we approach the end of the Village’s fiscal year, and the annual organizational meeting, I would like to take a moment to share with residents the opportunities to vol-

See page 42

Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan

Catalytic converter thefts

Catalytic converters were stolen from a vehicle parked on Kilburn Road and a vehicle parked on Stewart Avenue on February 28th.

Excessive speed

On February 28th a South Avenue motorist was charged with excessive speed and passing a Stop sign.

Burnt food

Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to a local bank for a fire alarm on February 28th. They determined it was activated by burnt food.

Suspended registration

A Clinton Road motorist was charged with driving with a suspended registration and excessive speed on February 28th.

Suspended license

A 7th Street motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and illegal U-turn on February 28th.

False alarm

GC Police responded to the Post Office for a fire alarm on February 28th and determined the cause to be a faulty air duct. Another false alarm occurred on March 1st when construction dust activated the alarm.

Suspended documents

A Franklin Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and a suspended registration on February 28th.

School alarm

Garden City Police responded to a local school for a burglary alarm on February 29th. Upon investigation, the building appeared to be secure.

Arrest for leaving scene

On February 29th Garden City Police Detectives arrested a motorist for allegedly leaving the scene of an auto accident that occurred in Nassau County Field #14.

Excessive speed

A Clinton Road motorist was charged with driving with a suspended registration and excessive speed.

Unlicensed operation

A Clinton Road motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and excessive speed on March 1st.

Vehicle damaged

On March 1st Garden City Police investigated a report of a damaged vehicle that occurred in the past in Parking Field 7S.

Speed in school zone

A Franklin Avenue motorist was

charged with excessive speed in a school zone and unsafe lane usage on March 1st.

Arrest for public lewdness

On February 29th, a male subject in a black sedan approached two females walking on Grove Street and commit ted a lewd act. Garden City Detectives were assigned to the case, and as a result of their investigation, a 50-yearold male from Westbury was arrested and charged with Public Lewdness.

Burnt food alarms

THE OFFICE CAT

Juveniles cited

On March 3rd two juveniles were cited for allegedly removing a bike and a phone from Grove Street Park.

Identity theft

On March 4th a victim reported that their identity had been stolen and used to gain unauthorized access to his bank accounts.

Aggravated unlicensed operation

On March 1st Garden City Police and Firefighters responded to two locations for fire calls and determined the cause in both cases was burnt food.

Alarm error

On March 1st, Garden City Police responded to a residence for a duress alarm and determined it was set in error.

Seventh Street charges

A 7th Street motorist was charged with unsafe speed, illegal U-turn, and failure to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk on March 1st.

Unlicensed operation

On March 2nd a Franklin Avenue motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and unsafe lane usage.

Unauthorized accounts

On March 2nd a victim reported that their identity was stolen and used to open unauthorized financial accounts.

24/7

Unlicensed operation

A 6th Street motorist was charged with unlicensed operation, unsafe lane usage, and improper license plates on March 2nd.

Easy

Free

Graffiti found

Graffiti was found on a Franklin Avenue traffic light box on March 3rd. It was subsequently removed.

Dog reunited with family

A Garden City Police officer responded to Pine Street for a found dog. Using the Department’s chip reader, the owner was identified, notified, and reunited with the dog.

Unregistered vehicle

On March 3rd a Stewart Avenue motorist was charged with unlicensed operation, unregistered vehicle, and defective brake lights.

A Cathedral Avenue motorist was arrested for Aggravated Unlicensed Operation (nine suspensions) and excessive speed on March 4th.

Check fraud

On March 4th a local business reported that a forged, fraudulent check was cashed against the company’s bank account.

Expired registrations

Two Cherry Valley Avenue motorists were charged with driving with expired registrations and speeding in a school zone on March 4th.

Panic alarms

On March 4th Garden City Police responded to a business for several panic alarm activations and determined they were set in error.

False alarm

The GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence for a fire alarm on March 4th, but found it was set in error.

Trespassing

Garden City Police are investigating a report of two male subjects allegedly trespassing inside a Commercial Avenue building on March 5th.

Aggressive driving

On March 5th a Merillon Avenue motorist was charged with several aggressive driving violations in a school zone.

Unlicensed operation

A Franklin Avenue motorist was charged with unlicensed operation and unsafe/improper turn on March 5th.

Forged checks

On March 5th a business reported that two forged, fraudulent checks were cashed against the company’s bank account.

EXPERIENCE, DEDICATION, COMMITMENT

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Larry Nedelka

Independent Candidate for Village Board

Donated Worn Flag Drop Box to American Legion

Santa Claus For F.D.’s Operation Santa Boy Scout Merit Badge Counselor

From page 2

the Village election, and I am impressed. His record of accomplishments in government is exactly what the Village needs now on the Board of Trustees.

We need new ideas on the Board of Trustees. We need Larry Nedelka.

Andrea Y Li

Expertise and character

To the Editor:

We are fortunate to have some very good candidates for us to choose from in this election. I am writing to endorse three of those individuals for Trustee who I know very well and admire.  I am happy to endorse our current Trustee Bruce Torino. I served with Bruce when I was your Deputy Mayor and Trustee. I have known him for over 25 years, and he was an outstanding colleague, Trustee and is a Partner in a very successful Law Firm. Bruce has deep government experience, having also served in the past as a Trustee in addition to his current service.  Bruce is well informed on every topic, always comes well prepared to meetings, seeks input, and brings a thoughtful independent view and forward thinking to issues that affect our Village. We need a thoughtful and independent trustee now more than ever. He strives to do what is best for the residents and our Village, and he is tireless in his efforts. Bruce was invaluable as our Fire Commissioner, an integral member of our Legal Committee, Board Liaison to the St. Paul’s Committee, a key leader on our Fire Safety Committee driving positive initiatives and outcomes for our Fire Department, a Board Liaison to the Library, a big supporter of the Hilton Hall resident’s requests for more parking permits and handicapped spaces and is a constant  advocate and voice for our Senior Citizens.

I am also happy to endorse Judy Courtney, who I have known for most of my life. I admire her consistent dedication to the Village through her terrific work and leadership with the EPOA for decades, her involvement in critical village-wide issues, and her ongoing volunteerism including years of service to the Recreation Commission. Judy brings fresh ideas and challenges the status quo when she feels it will negatively impact our Village or residents. In addition, Judy’s Human Resources Management, Corporate Strategy experience across multiple industries, her success building high performance teams, and leadership will be a welcome addition to the Board of Trustees. In addition, Judy is a constant advocate, and does tremendous work, for people with special needs and those with disabilities, of which we need more of in Garden City.

Larry Nedelka is also an excellent candidate for Trustee who I want to endorse. I have known Larry most of my life, and I had the pleasure of

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email:

working very closely with Larry when I was Fire Commissioner and on our Fire Safety Committee. His 50 years of service to our Garden City Fire Department, including seven years as a Chief, was invaluable to me as Fire Commissioner, our volunteer fire fighters, and the safety of our residents. His experience and contacts within Federal, State and Local levels of Government is needed right now as we address ongoing issues with both Nassau County and New York State Governments. He spearheaded an initiative that amended NYS and Federal Labor Law…not an easy task! He can make a difference for us as the Board of Trustees deal with many labor issues including union negotiations. His extensive government experience, coupled with his success for the Town of  North Hempstead as their Finance Commissioner, would be an asset for the Board of Trustees. Larry has demonstrated great service to our community and will continue to do so as a Trustee.

With so many pressing issues, we need smart, well-informed, dedicated, and independent individuals to serve all residents…Village-wide. I urge you to vote for Bruce Torino, Judy Courtney, and Larry Nedelka. Their expertise and character to serve as Trustees is unmatched.

Tom O’Brien, Former Deputy Mayor and Trustee

Worked tirelessly

To the Editor:

I am writing to endorse Judy Courtney for Village Trustee.  I have known Judy for over a decade and worked with her closely when, as a Village Trustee myself, I served as the Board’s liaison to the Recreation Commission on which Judy served.  I found her to be hard-working, prepared, thoughtful and a consensus builder.  In that role and in so many other capacities, she has worked tirelessly over many years in service to the Village on a wide range of projects, initiatives and issues.  In the process, she has earned the trust and respect of the many people with whom she has come in contact.  She is a terrific communicator and committed to using those skills to promote greater transparency and accountability in our Village government.  In my experience, those are precisely the qualities that we need more of on the Village Board.

At a time when our Board is far too polarized, we need more people like Judy who have demonstrated the ability to put factionalism aside and work collaboratively and collegially in service to the Village, with no need to claim the credit.  I wholeheartedly support her candidacy and I am confident that, if elected, we will all be better for it.

Richard V. Silver

Facts: Executive compensation

To the Editor:

On social media a question was raised concerning my individual role in securing an increase in the compensation paid to the Village’s Executive Staff. Some people thought I personally had the ability to authorize raises. I do not, and did not. While I was in favor of adjusting their compensation to make up for the impact of inflation I could not take individual action. In fact no single trustee has that legal authority. It is only upon the resolution of the majority of the Board that action can be taken.

On being elected Trustee I because aware of issues that had not been addressed for years. I believe leadership matters and actions should be taken not deferred. Merely because the Board can and did in excess of four years ignore the issue of Executive Staff compensation does not mean it should. Years of inaction and deferral is a direct insult to those whom we the Board and residents of the Village look to and rely upon to make this Village the preeminent community it is. Absent their effort this village would be mediocre.

The obligation we individually as Trustees, accepted by our oath of office, and collectively as a member of the Board of Trustees was to identify those

issues that need to be addressed by the village, articulate the actions that must be undertaken to best resolve those issues, perform the requisite investigation or assessment on what is needed be done and then execute or implement the resolution of those issues.

Procrastination and kicking the can down the road was not and should not be one of those options the Board takes when confronting a difficult issue. However, that is exactly what this and prior Boards had done by failing to address the executive compensation issue. It is solely the Board that has the authority to redress.

Upon being elected I learned the executive staff had no compensation adjustments in periods ranging from 3 years to 4 3/4 years. Yet each was subject to greater performance expectations and increased responsibility, while inflation has also had a negative impact on realized compensation.

Accordingly, for 6 months I conferred with my fellow trustees, provided them with documentation and charts to consider. Contrary to the false claim, there was discussion at an executive session. Ultimately it became clear there was substantial and almost total resistance by the FABGC trustees to resolving this situation. It appeared to me this refus-

See page 24

From page 23

al to act was  part of a plan to replace members of the executive staff or have them leave out of frustration.

Ultimately, realizing the futility of seeking compromise with the FABGC trustees to have a positive result on executive compensation, I offered the below resolution which appeared on the Agenda, see below, for the February 21, 2023 Board Meeting:

• Board of Trustees discussion concerning there having been no adjustment made to the compensation to the Executive Staff for many years and following that discussion the compensation to the Executive Staff be adjusted and increased in accordance with the February 17, 2023 Executive Compensation analysis provided to the Mayor and Board of Trustees February 17, 2023 which was consistent with the initial recommendation first presented to the Board on August 31, 2022 and times subsequent thereto.

The vote on the forgoing resolution was as follows:

AYES: 4         (Mayor Veneziale, Trustees Digan, O’Brien and Torino)

NOES: 4        (Trustees Chester, Flanagan, and Kelly) Note that under Subdivision II, Section 3 of the Board’s Rules and Procedures, to determine whether a tie exists, Trustee Marciano’s absence shall be considered a negative vote. (Per §28-1 of the Village Code, Mayor Veneziale case an additional favorable vote to break the tie.

The resolution was declared adopted. Bruce A. Torino, Esq. Village Trustee

Love for the community

To the Editor:

This letter is written in support of Vinny Muldoon, whom we have known for over 28 years and who we endorse as a candidate for the Board of Trustees.  The common thread for many people who first meet Vinny, including us, has been Vinny the contractor whose reputation is unblemished and whose projects continually improve the landscape of this beautiful community.   However, we have been fortunate to know Vinny as more than a contractor, but as a neighbor, friend, husband, father, businessman and an extremely benevolent and charitable person that deeply cares for the values and the future of this community and its residents.

Vinny is a self-made man who understands the importance and value of hard work and strong, but fair leadership and the need to work with and listen to others to achieve progress and attain goals.  Vinny’s professionalism, business sense, perseverance, passion, honesty, integrity, compassion, and his love for this community are all assets that make him a strong candidate for Trustee.  Please join us in voting for

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Vinny on March 19th.  Thank you.

Steve

and Katie Colavito

Muldoon’s conflicts

To the Editor:

While it seems to be a topic that is difficult to discuss, it is an important discussion and needs to be had. Clearly Trustee Candidate Vinnie Muldoon is a very popular resident.  Raising the topic is in no way intended to impugn the character of a long-time resident with a history of contributing to the community.   However, conflicts of interest are a concern in any government or organization, and even the unintended perception of one can do damage to an organization. Ignoring them does not make them go away.  It just delays the inevitable problem.

Some conflicts of interest are so obvious as to not need to be discussed.   An example is Trustee Torino, whose son sat on the Ethics Committee that passes judgment on the BOT, of which he is a member. It is so obvious that it would not seem that it needed to be discussed at all if not for the fact that Trustee Torino is involved in suing the Village to return his son to the Ethics Committee.  It’s a shame to be wasting the Village’s time and money because Trustee Torino, as would many parents, places his and his son’s desires over the Village.  But if that is what President Evelyn Fasano and the Central POA thinks is best for the Village that is their right.

Some conflicts are easily handled by recusal.  Trustee Bruce Chester’s potential conflict of interest if he sold municipal insurance to the Village is so clear, that it hardly seemed necessary for Bruce to declare he would not sell insurance to the Village under any circumstances, but he still did.

Mayor Mary Carter-Flanagan is an Administrative Law Judge at New York State Worker’s Compensation Boards and recuses herself from Garden City employee compensation cases, even though they could not go before her in  court, and which she has no potential monetary benefit in the outcome.  But the recusal clearly alleviates any perception of a conflict.

Some conflicts of interest are more subtle and need to be thought through. Former Mayor Venezuela, an award-winning architect, did not just say “I’ll do no business with the Village or St Paul’s”.  He pledged to do no business in the village.  Why?  Because if he did do business in the Village, even just a resident’s home, he would have to go thru the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) and/or the Architectural Design and Review Board (ADRB), both of which he appointed some or all of its members. There would be no possibility of recusal.  His client would also have to go before the Building Department whose

employees report to him for their salaries, reviews, and ultimately livelihood.  Saying “I’ll do no business with the Village or St Paul’s” clearly would not be enough in the case of former Mayor Veneziale.

Some conflicts of interest cannot be resolved by a recusal.  Whether a trustee exerts overt pressure on Building Department employees or not, is not the issue.  The issue, whether asked or not, is if the Build Department employees are going to show favoritism to a trustee that has control of their livelihood.  If they are extremely busy, are they going to favor a trustee’s business over a competitor to stay on their boss’s good side as they figure out their work schedule?  Is a Building Department employee really going to put a stop work order, no matter how appropriate, on their boss’s company? When there is a disagreement over a fee, or the Trustee’s company wants a refund, is the Building Department employee really going to say “no”?  If two construction companies go and bid on a remodeling job that requires a variance and one of those companies is owned by a trustee, are homeowners going to favor the trustee’s company because they might perceive the Building Department will be more accommodating to a trustee’s business, giving that trustee an advantage over other construction companies? Will every McMansion that is built be viewed as a trustee getting a favor whether the trustee requests the favor or not? And are we all naïve enough to think that no trustee, ever, would ever ask for such a favor of their Village employees?

And the perception of a conflict of interest can be as damaging as a real conflict of interest.  Is a trustee running that operates a business in the village, where his livelihood depends on the ADRB, the ZBA, the Building Department  co-operation, going to open the floodgates of lawyers, architects, engineers, and others running for trustee because they have business in front of the Village and want favorable treatment or the perception of favorable treatment?  Is a lawyer that loves to divide corner lots, ruining the aesthetic of many a neighborhood, going to run for Trustee to make sure his sub-divisions get approved by the ZBA?

Since 2020, anyone can run, and that is a good thing.  Anyone can vote for anyone and that is a good thing.  But supporters of a candidate with a business in the village should not dismiss the legitimate concerns about conflicts of interest and the perception that will lead residents to have diminished faith in their elected officials.

Everyone has a right to run. But that doesn’t mean it is right for the Village.

Donald MacLeod

Negativity

To the Editor:

Recent posts and letters show that disgruntled CAP candidates and some of their supporters love the negativity don’t they? That is an easy way to go- to criticize, but to accomplish anything, way harder.

What has happened is things changed when FABGC  Trustees were elected, much got done - protecting parkland and Village property in keeping with Village traditions and infrastructural constraints from inappropriate use, now with St. Paul’s in the hopper- a master plan , preserving green space, an overall Village traffic plan. These CAP criticisms after years of CAP/POA feudal rule -letting St. Paul’s deteriorate and remain unsolved, bungling monster pole LIRR issues, trying to make traffic control planning a divisive sectional activity, insisting on adherence to an arbitrary, ineffective rotational system of gov’t. under a legally unenforcible Community Agreement ring hollow . It is easy to take shots as the CAPs do, while their past, cited above, has significant failures.

Turn about is fair play. Let’s look at their lineup, negatively.

Bruce Torino - conflict of interest as Trustee reps his son in a dubious lawsuit against Village; just before the Oct. poll proposed an ill-conceived  senior tax exemption relating to paying for St. Paul’s to get votes for saving the building and launch his campaign for re election.

Judy Courtney - a lengthy period of participation without definable accomplishments or results’ Still clinging to an antiquated, nonbinding Community Agreement rotational system of governance. (Kudos to the WPOA which announced at the recent WPOA event that it was removing Community Agreement language from its bylaws this April).

Vincent a/k/a Vinny Muldoon -  running as a popular contractor - certainly knows it all within his residential housing sphere but what of his knowledge of or experience with governance and the conflicts of interest between his business dealing with residents (his client base)  and Building Dept. and potential role as a fiduciary trustee?

Jessica Tai - has lived in Village for a short time; speaks emotionally about St Paul’s; On Facebook In response to a Meg Norris, GCN, opinion piece, Ms. Tai’s questionable comments seemingly discounting prioritizing the preserving  of Village land green spaces,  she notes “so many green spaces” while championing of “affordable housing”. There is, of course, nothing inherently bad about affordable housing but shouldn’t we as The Village preserve green space, parks, where possible to maintain what we, certainly many long time residents,

view as the continued plan for our community?

It is time for seasoned Trustees to continue to provide residents with objective information as was done during the two Oct. Village presentations which featured bond counsel,  both the Village treasurer and attorney and CMA on bond and resident costs. Not wise to slow the St. Paul’s decision train down by getting those with no gov’t experience involved.

FABGC candidates have longevity — have lived in Village for decades. Life and government experience matters when evaluating candidates to hold a fiduciary role.

FABGC candidates possess both qualifications and experience, no conflicts, no election law issues, many accomplishments while still cleaning up years of CAP/POA trustee ineptitude or inaction.

Let FABGC Trustees/candidates build on their successes. Vote for them!

S. G. Gorray

Unwavering support

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my support for Vinny Muldoon for Village Trustee. There are countless folks in this village who have, at one time or another, used the services of Mr. Muldoon and his company for work on their homes. I have as well. That just happens to have nothing to do with why I support him. What I’ve come to learn about Mr. Muldoon is that he has certain traits I admire. He’s never forgotten where he came from and what was instilled in him along the way. He’s a charitable man…..when someone is in need of help he doesn’t wait to be asked, he acts. He’s honest. He does things for the right reasons, not personal gain. And if he looks you in the eyes, tells you he is going to do something, and shakes your hand on it, you can take that to the bank.

When a person as I described wants to step up and give his considerable time and talents for the betterment of this village and our families, he has my unwavering support and vote.

Robert Hart

Did a tremendous job

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Mike Sullivan for re-election as Village Trustee. I have known Mike for over 50 years. We graduated Garden City High School together and were teammates on the lacrosse team through Junior High and High School. Mike went on to have a fantastic academic and athletic career at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. After graduating, he went on to participate in the Olympic Games in Team Handball. Trustee Sullivan eventually went on to get his MBA at NYU which led to a long career in banking.

Mike took over as Head of the

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Finance Committee after my term was completed and has done a tremendous job watching over our Village expenditures and budgets. Mike is also a member of the Village Traffic Commission which has worked hard to improve traffic and pedestrian safety throughout the Village. I fully support Mike Sullivan for Trustee.

Terry Digan, Former Village Trustee

Stellar reputation

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my support for my good friend Vinny Muldoon. I have known Vinny for over twenty years both personally and professionally and I can attest to his incredible character, work ethic and commitment to all that he does. Vinny is also just a great guy, caring, kind, involved and super passionate.

Vinny has a stellar reputation which he has earned through his unwavering dedication to quality and customer satisfaction. I have used his company Old World Quality for a number of projects and each time I have been thoroughly impressed by his impeccable workmanship and the professional team he has assembled.

I am confident that Vinny possesses the necessary skills, experience and unbridled enthusiasm to make a significant contribution as a village trustee. I wholeheartedly endorse him and encourage you to cast a vote in his favor.

Dolores McDonnell

Vote for Charlie Kelly

To the Editor:

My brother, Charles P. Kelly, is running for reelection to the Village board of trustees. Charlie has done a remarkable job in two years, working with Police Commissioner Jackson, DPW Superintendent Borroni, and his fellow trustees, to recommend and implement additional pedestrian crossings and speed bumps, and to move forward  agenda items set to improve safety on Stewart Avenue, Clinton Road, and other busy roads across our Village.

From a disabled perspective, I marvel at the new crosswalk on 7th Street. My caregiver now can cross 7th Street without pushing my wheelchair through the snow, puddles, or debris gathered at the bottom of the curb ramp. Also, the bump outs and parking restrictions along 7th Street now allow for clear sight lines and a safer journey for all Village residents, and especially for those with mobility limitations.

Over the next two years, Charlie hopes to continue implementing street improvements, which will make Garden City a leader in pedestrian and traffic safety. Please vote for Charlie Kelly on March 19, 2024.

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Gerry Kelly

Best choice for GC

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my strong support for Judy Courtney as a candidate for Village Trustee. Judy is my longtime friend and a lifetime resident of our village, who has done so much for our community. Over the years she has been an avid volunteer, having served on the Recreation Commission, Mobility Committee, and Continuing Education Committee, to name just a few.

She has consistently dedicated her time and energy in making Garden City a better place for everyone.

Judy is also open to new ideas and listens to the concerns of her fellow residents. She is not afraid to speak up for what is right, and she is willing to work with others to find solutions. She is passionate about preserving Garden City’s charm and character, while also enhancing its services and amenities.

Get out and vote for Judy Courtney for Village Trustee on March 19. She is the best choice for Garden City, and she will serve us with integrity, compassion, and dedication.

Carol O’Rourke

Outstanding candidate

To the Editor:

While my husband and I are relatively new to Garden City, we have lived in very similar suburban communities (Bronxville, NY and New Canaan, CT) and are very familiar with the workings of local government.

When I first learned of Vinny Muldoon’s candidacy for Village Trustee, my first reaction was, “Hurrah, the perfect candidate for our town and how lucky this town is to have someone of Vinny’s caliber running for office!”

We completely trusted Vinny over two years ago with the extensive renovation of our now wonderful home in Garden City. His work ethic is exemplary: no detail is missed, each facet of the job is completed to the highest level of satisfaction and perfection, schedules are followed and deadlines are met, any problems are quickly and satisfactorily solved.

These qualities are part of Vinny’s modus operandi and I know Vinny will apply them to his role as Village Trustee if he wins this election. Please join me in casting your vote on March 19th for Vinny Muldoon! He will be an outstanding Village Trustee!

Ann Peloquin

The Path Forward for St. Paul’s

To the Editor:

Some situations become so toxic that no discussion can occur without suspicion or recrimination, often resulting in stalemate and inaction. The fate of St. Paul’s fell into this morass quite a while ago.

The simple act of setting a date for the opinion poll elicited tear-filled and angry responses at board meetings last fall, as though the poll itself would result in immediate demolition and the fields outside would become a toxic wasteland, false notions fueled on the social-media-outrage-rumor-mill.

Despite protestations that the poll was occurring too soon/too late/on a bad weekend, etc., the FABGC Mayor and Board Members pressed forward, and in one of the largest voter turnouts in village history, a clear majority opted for preservation.

Far from putting the subject to rest, this mandate set the table for pitched debate on the way forward, with loud voices advocating to save every brick, others being more mindful of the cost of the options, and more than a little invective and misinformation thrown into the discussion for seasoning.  Even the removal of the irreplaceable stained glass (which should have been protected long ago) for protection and restoration by a renowned expert triggered strong criticism.  Isn’t it possible that there are multiple legitimate and sound practices in preservation as in many professions?

Preservation of St. Paul’s will be among the largest initiatives - if not the largest - that this village has ever undertaken and the impacts will be long-lasting.  Given the heat around this subject, it’s critical that village leadership use a transparent and methodical process to determine next steps, and that’s what our FABGC team is doing.  Each step has been explained in full-page ads, in the Mayor’s report and the village website.

Names of members of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee, as well as their activities, have been published and publicized.  Communication has been thorough.  The fate of St. Paul’s is a sensitive topic and this team has acted accordingly.  It’s unlikely that village residents will come to a 100% consensus (there’s that 39% who voted “demolition”) but this team is showing that they will find a path forward that will honor the will of the majority of the people, and isn’t that what we expect from representative government?

I’m heartened to see this methodical process moving at a deliberate pace.  I’m voting the FABGC line on March 19 so that this team can continue being good stewards of our village, its finances, and its legacy.

George Krug

Appreciation for Vinny

To the Editor:

I was a Garden City resident for over three years, between 2020 and 2023. We lived in one of the Apostle houses on 9th Street. Given the complications presented by Covid, our move from Manhasset was complex, as we wanted to do some work on the house prior to moving in. I

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can’t thank my lucky stars enough for having found Vinny to help me during that period. Vinny was very humble when I met him, and he clearly communicated what was needed to complete the work in such a short span of time. He did an amazing job, finishing on time and within budget before we moved in. He is a man of his word. Over the next few years, we undertook several home improvement projects with Vinny. My appreciation for his workmanship and professionalism only grew with each additional project.

When we decided to move upstate, Vinny was gracious enough to come and check out that place to provide 2nd opinion to support the buying decision.

Overall, Vinny is very professional, very knowledgeable, very thoughtful and above all a great human. Garden City will greatly benefit from having him on its board of trustees!

Venu Kannan (ex-GCFD)

Impact on quality of life

To The Editor:

I had the pleasure of growing up, and attending the public school system, in Garden City throughout the 1980s and 1990s and then returning years later with my family.   Garden City residents care deeply about our community; that is one of the hallmarks of this special place we call home.  This is evident in the upcoming village Trustee elections, as others have so eloquently written in recent editions of the Garden City News, when we will have competitive elections with some compelling new, independent and returning Trustee candidates.

With that said, I wanted to share my perspectives and personal experiences with one group in particular: the slate of FABGC candidates which includes current Trustees Larry Marciano, Charlie Kelly and Mike Sullivan along with Richard Williams, a longtime Garden City resident with strong ties to the community.

This group of people has had a strong impact on the quality of life in our village; as the election approaches, I wanted to highlight some of the good work that has been done over the last few years including:

- Traffic Commission work like adding stop signs at Westbury and Wyatt and others like the intersection of Kensington and Somerset (which took nearly 35 years to put in place a full, four-way stop after a near-fatal accident occurred involving a family friend in the late 1980s)

- Putting in place overnight truck restrictions on Clinton Road

- Preserving green space for current and future residents, including Franklin Mews, Norris Park, Stewart Manor Field and Triangle Park where families and children gather daily with their bikes, to play football or soccer,

walk their dogs and build snow forts

- Strong opposition to the casino from the very beginning

- Prudent fiscal management for certain projects, including the maintenance of Garden City’s Triple A (AAA) bond rating

More can be found at: https://www. fabgc.org/

John Apostolides

Stories from across the pond

To the Editor:

For anyone who lives in Garden City you don’t have to be in the village long before you hear of the name Vinny Muldoon. Since he started working in town in 1992 he is known by nearly all in Garden City and beyond and I may have the distinction of knowing him the longest in GC.

Vinny and I crossed paths for the first time when we were 12 or 13 on a hurling field wearing opposing jerseys to represent our parish. I was from South Galway and Vinny from East Galway which led to an immediate heated rivalry and to boot we both had a hurl in our hand made from an ash tree to play this great game.

This rivalry continued for a few years until we were both lucky enough to be called up for trials to represent our county at Under 18 level, a great honor. While we both made the team and now traveled on a bus to play challenge matches against other counties the bus was still segregated by what part of the county you were from. It wasn’t until after we played Cork in a match and headed back to a bar/restaurant for some food did Vinny and myself find we were the first two people with 20 pence on the pool table and now were facing off with pool cues in our hand, I was sensing a pattern. Turns out as we were playing pool we both realized we were both sneaking an underage, under the table pint of Guinness and this was the ice breaker and first of many things we have in common and a friendship that has lasted nearly 40 years. Getting to know and like Vinny is a very quick process if given a chance which I learned after a few years and glad I did.

In the early and mid 1980s many young Irish were leaving in droves to come to America to work and make a better life for themselves. At the local Friday and Saturday night discos a lengthy list of names would be read out by the DJ of young people leaving for the US in the coming week. Vinny and my own name would make that list in the Summer of 1986 with Vinny going to Boston and I to New York.

We continued on this side of the pond to wear the Maroon and White and represent Galway in both cities and some weekends Vinny would be flown down by Galway to play in NY when we got to keep in touch but it was a short visit.

Hurling started to fizzle out and many clubs got smaller, I had moved from The Bronx out to Long Island and quickly neither one of us were playing anymore and we lost touch.

One beautiful summer day myself and my girlfriend Rita went to Eisenhower Park to hit some golf balls and after we got two mats Cleveland golf showed up with a big promotion for a new driver they were coming out with. It must have been advertised because the range filled up very fast with people and as we were nearing the end of our bucket of balls I heard a loud voice in a now somewhat refined Galway farmers accent ask if there were any mats available.

I looked around and couldn’t see who said it but turned to Rita on the mat behind me and said “Vinny Muldoon is here”. She couldn’t believe I knew he was here based on a voice but I was sure. After we finished our bucket I tracked him and Dina down on their mats and had some chit chat and the girls said we should get together for dinner. Vinny said ‘Ya know what, how does Friday night sound’?

Once you get to know Vinny he has no back burner, things do not get put off. If people want to get things done he will take the lead and make things happen. We had a great dinner and found out he had now moved to New York in 1992 and his dream that night was to move to Garden City with Dina and start up his own company. Old World Corp is now 30 years in business and Vinny, Dina and clan long time residents.

A few years ago I got a call from Vinny asking for a favor which he had never done but it also came with a you can’t say no! An uncle of his who had passed was being honored by the Galway Hurling club of NY at their annual dinner dance for his contributions on both sides of the pond. Anyone who knows Vinny knows how much family means to him and being there to honor his uncle and represent his family was a big deal.

Two of his brothers flew in from Ireland, Vinny took a table of 12 at the dinner and a little get together at his house for some prinks as they say in Ireland before 12 proud Galwaymen hopped in a limo heading for Woodside. I was seated beside a guy named Alan I had never met and as we got talking I innocently asked how it was working for Vinny. he said Vinny was the best boss ever, treated everyone with respect and treated them well, the only drawback was that even though he was the boss he out worked everyone. Alan said he was the hardest working person he ever met.

One of the ways Vinny and Dina have already given back for many years is their charity work in town for those who have fallen on hard times. Some events have been at their house, some

featured on George to the Rescue but I would say many go under the radar and not publicised. Vinny is always willing to help even on weekends and left an event once when he got a call from a woman whose sewer was backed up and husband away. Vinny goes himself and doesn’t pass the buck for someone else to go when someone’s basement could get destroyed. There’s a lot of these stories.

Lastly maybe something about Vinny most may not know. He is the seventh son of a seventh son which in Irish folklore means he is a gifted healer. Many in Ireland used to take people suffering from ringworm, cowpox, eczema and other ailments to a seventh son of a seventh son to be cured either by their hands or them breathing on the affected area.

With St Patricks day right before the BOT vote, if anyone feels as sick as a small hospital or hungover like a light bulb, go see Vinny to be cured but he may have to rub his own head first. Whatever it takes, please make the small effort to go out and vote for him, I promise he will make a huge difference and make things happen and work tirelessly to get things done. He has too much pride to fail or let people down.

Billy Glynn

Shape a brighter future

To the Editor:

Growing up in Garden City, my familial connections run deep as my parents still reside here, and my late grandparents once called this community home. Ingrained in the fabric of this town from a young age, I cherish countless memories and invaluable relationships fostered over the years. Witnessing firsthand the unwavering support extended by this community during times of both triumph and tragedy, I developed a profound appreciation for our community.

After a decade in Manhattan, my husband and I decided to return and settle in Garden City, excited to build our family and offer them the same joys of living in this town that shaped my upbringing. During our time away, I remained connected to Garden City’s evolution, and upon our return, I actively sought avenues to contribute and enhance areas that I felt warranted support.

My commitment to Garden City and its community runs deep, and my commitment to its growth and prosperity remains unwavering as I strive to give back and enrich the community that has given me so much.

Jessica grew up differently, but her love for the village is the same as mine. Her global experiences have instilled a profound appreciation for the unique spirit that is Garden City. She understands how special and rare this village and community is. She is passionate and

dedicated to using her skills and sense of teamwork on the Board to broaden the accomplishments of the Village of Garden City.  I have witnessed her dedication to this town on countless occasions regarding multiple topics. Some of them are included below.

Jessica’s Positive Impact on our Village Community: Jessica, an active member of our village for the past several years, has devoted herself to enhancing the beauty and family-friendly atmosphere of our town. Despite the canceled promenades, her dedication to community improvement shone through. Grasping the essence of community spirit, she proposed a captivating fall fair in a local park. Swiftly initiating a petition and presenting it to the Board, Jessica’s efforts materialized into a festive celebration hosted by the POAs, where my family and I enjoyed a memorable time.

Library Enhancements: Jessica, drawing upon her extensive 20-year teaching experience and her role as a devoted mother, would propose innovative ideas and interactive activities to be available for the community. Her vision includes expanding programs for all age groups, promising to support more residents in our recently renovated library in collaboration with the Library Board and Friends of the Library.

Jessica’s Advocacy: While many of us have questions about the proposed casino, Jessica fearlessly represented our voices at the Town of Hempstead Scoping Session. Standing before a large audience, she voiced her questions to Sands citing projected impacts that it may have on our village, leaving a lasting impression on the town council.

I believe Jessica will serve as a dedicated, respectful, and effective trustee. Jessica’s tireless efforts for this campaign reflect her genuine desire to serve her fellow residents and uplift the community of Garden City.  Please consider supporting Jessica Tai on March 19 and join in shaping a brighter future for our beloved town.

Danette Ceriano Brunelli

Works tirelessly

To the Editor:

My brother, Charles Kelly, is running for reelection as a Village Trustee. Charlie has lived in Garden City most of his life and raised his children here. Charlie is currently serving as Chairman of the Traffic Commission and Chair of the Law Committee.  He serves on these committees, striving to make the Village better for all of us. He gives all resident requests thorough consideration, exploring all possible solutions and works tirelessly to address issues raised.  Please keep this in mind when you vote and cast a vote for Charlie. Thank you.

Mary McCarraher

LETTERS

Vote for Jessica Tai

To the Editor:

Jessica Tai has my vote.

I first became aware of Jessica Tai at a few Village Board meetings last summer when she questioned the wording of the St. Paul’s poll and her ideas of a community center at St. Paul’s that could offer a wide variety of activities, including S.T.E.A.M., Finance, Arts, computer and technology instruction and physical activities to accommodate the diverse interests of our residents. As a fairly new family in town, she would bring a fresh set of eyes to the issues facing our Village. In addition, as a parent with school-age children she would bring a completely different perspective to the Village Board. Willing to listen, work with and have the Village’s best interest in mind Jessica would make a fine Trustee.

Getting to know Jessica better over the past few months, seeing her speak out against the Sands Casino at the Town of Hempstead hearing and her willingness to listen to people’s ideas I am confident she is ready for this position.

I encourage you to vote for Jessica as well as Judy Courtney, Vinny Muldoon and Bruce Torino on March 19.

Marie Ilardi

The right guy

To the Editor:

I first met Vinny Muldoon in 2004 when we were both working on a residential construction project here in Garden City. It was a complicated project, and he and his team carefully focused on the many aspects and issues that go into building a new home. Vinny was very involved in the many details and offered numerous ideas to improve the end result — a beautiful home with very happy owners.

Since then, we have worked together many, many times and his involvement and commitment, enthusiasm and attention to detail has never wavered.

I believe these same qualities will follow Vinny to his new position as a trustee. He has a passion for the Village, raising his family and focusing his business here and has invested his time, energy and resources in many community projects. His interests are to pay back all that the Village has provided to he and Dina, and to improve Garden City for future generations. His enthusiasm and energy to get things done shows him to be the right guy at the right time.

I wholeheartedly endorse Vinny Muldoon for the position of trustee. The Village will only benefit with his addition to the Board of Trustees and I heartily encourage every resident to ‘giddyup’ and vote for this ‘lad’ in the upcoming election. Thank you.

Brad Gustavson

Restore civility in election

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter to express my support for Vinny Muldoon as one of the four Candidates for the Community Agreement Party (CAP). I decided to write this public letter because I am deeply concerned with the division, gossip, calumnies, lies and misinformation spread by so many of our neighbors. I have known Vinny and Dina for over 20 years.

As many of you are aware, I am passionate about my Catholic faith and my desire to help those who are ill, grieving and suffering. Over the last 20 years, I have been coordinating prayer intentions for many of our neighbors. We have witnessed miracles and also tragedies. Dina and Vinny have been a constant and reliable resource coming forward to fundraise and to help our neighbors in need. Speaking for my family and many friends, we can attest to the character, generosity, compassion and positive enthusiasm of Dina and Vinny. Further, Vinny’s leadership, experience in the construction industry and commitment to excellence will be an invaluable addition to the Board of Trustees, especially with respect to issues of infrastructure, water quality and the future of St. Pauls. I am grateful that Vinny is running for the position.

Another reason for writing this letter is because someone approached my husband and me addressing concerns about Vinny Muldoon and others running under CAP. We found the comments troublesome as they did not make sense to us. We researched and found the truth by reviewing information available on the Village of Garden City website. The website contains factual information, including the budget and minutes of the meetings of the Board of Trustees (BOT), that is available to all members of the Community. In addition, there are YouTube videos of the meetings. These can be accessed through this link: https://www.youtube.com/@JusttheFactsMedia

For those discerning and searching for facts, I suggest visiting the website and watching the videos. This has become necessary due to the gossip, lies and misinformation disseminated by some members of our Community.

I encourage the members of our community to listen to the recent podcast produced by Garden City New York Media with the four CAP candidates. The video is available on Facebook and also on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=UW0_bOCfUjg&t=8s.

At 15:29, Judy Courtney discusses the history of Garden City. She states that we are not a political community and that we always had collaboration, teamwork and partnership.

I am confident that Vinny’s election

will help restore the level of civility and respect that has been lost.

Marta Waters

Vote for Judy and Jessica

To the Editor:

As we celebrate International Women’s Day today, we are fortunate to have two extraordinary women running for trustee.

Very few residents have given so much to the village as a volunteer than Judy Courtney. Judy has a lifelong passion for her hometown and for giving back to our community. She has been the leader of our POA engagement committee that has organized a number of social events to bring residents together such as the Family Fall Festival and the Women of Garden City event being held tonight at the Senior Center. As a human resources professional, her skillset will be extremely valuable to our Board of Trustees as personnel costs are the village’s largest expenditure. She will bring her many talents to make the village an employer of choice.

Jessica Tai is a very bright and enthusiastic person. As an educator with young children, she will bring unique insights to the board. She is very committed to listening to the voices of all residents and for finding solutions to both the big and small issues facing our village. She came to the Town of Hempstead hearing with me and spoke in strong opposition to the proposed mega casino. She understands the existential threat of the casino to our village and along with Judy will fight hard to make sure it does not happen.

On March 19th, be sure to vote for Judy and Jessica for village trustee.

Rich Catalano

An invaluable asset

To the Editor:

One of the most significant decisions you can make in your life is where to call home. For me, it boiled down to three essentials: safety, community, and character.  Our town, with its storied past, tree-lined streets, and welcoming public spaces embodies all that I hold important.

Nestled in one of the older homes in our community, my family and I have had the privilege of experiencing the timeless charm and enduring quality that define our town. When the time came to update, there was no question in our minds: we opted for Old World Quality and entrusted the work to the Muldoon Family.

Preserving the character and heritage of Garden City is paramount. That’s why I am wholeheartedly endorsing Vinny for Village Trustee. Vinny shares my appreciation for the unique essence of our community and is dedicated to safeguarding it for generations to come.

Vinny’s caring nature, understandSee page 28

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ing demeanor, and unwavering commitment makes him the ideal candidate. He recognizes the importance of maintaining the fabric of Garden City, ensuring that it remains a safe and welcoming environment for all residents.

As a Village Trustee, I have no doubt that Vinny will work tirelessly to safeguard the interests of Garden City. His passion for our community’s well-being will be an invaluable asset in shaping its future while honoring its past. Vote Community Agreement Party! Vote Vinny!

Danielle Lupo

A man of his word

To the Editor:

We met Vinny Muldoon just about four years ago. Our family was in the midst of caring for our son who was in the hospital battling a serious medical issue. At the same time, we experienced a massive water issue in our basement that needed to be addressed immediately. We called several people to assist but no one was immediately available. In a panic, we reached out to a friend to a friend who recommended texting Vinny’s wife, Dina Muldoon. After texting with Dina for maybe 15 minutes, she said “Vinny will be there TONIGHT, he can help! Let’s get your boy comfortable! It’s all about the kids!”At 5 pm sharp, Vinny was at our front door with a huge smile and ready to help!

We will never forget him saying with such warmth and kindness “I’m a man of my word and I promise we will get this done!”

Like many, we had always heard of Vinny and his company, Old World Quality and how amazing they were. We had seen the Irish flag in front of many houses, but we did not know him personally. What we came to learn was he was so much more than the work he delivered. As he said, Vinny is a man of his word! He has an incredible commitment to his customers and incredible work ethic, but more importantly he has tremendous love of family and immense love of our community!

Four years later, we still receive regular check-ins from Vinny - every text starts and ends the same:  “How’s our boy?” “God bless you guys”

When you think about voting next week, please consider Vinny Muldoon. This is a man who has helped our family and many others during difficult times.

He is a “man of his word.” Our community needs a leader without a personal agenda, someone we can trust and count on, someone who will show up when no one else does.

We cannot think of a better man than Vinny Muldoon.

The Scarlata Family

Vote with your head and heart

To the Editor:

It is difficult not to notice the ongoing spirited debate that has taken place among and on behalf of our trustee candidates. Although this is a sign of a community having good civic health, the tactic of accusing Vinny Muldoon as being disqualified from running is not fair or reasonable.

The stated position used by the purveyors of the tactic is that Vinny owns a successful company and could conceivably misuse a trustee position to his benefit by funneling all kinds of goodies his way, thus constituting a fatal conflict of interest. Those who are using such a vile, filthy tactic are being despicable. Vinny Muldoon came to the USA and built a successful company while over the years spreading an enormous amount of goodwill within our community, this despite his being in an extremely rough business. Whether for or against him, isn’t that the kind of person we want to run for trustee?

I have met all nine trustee candidates, and had the privilege to work with a few of them. They are willing to offer part of their personal lives to serve our community, and they are all worthy of our vote. The tactic used on Vinny, I believe, should not soil any candidate or political party. For instance, Mike Sullivan (FABGC) is one of the most decent and honorable people I’ve ever met, while Judy Courtney (CAP) has impressed me to the point that she is the only candidate I have ever publicly endorsed (yes, not even Ronald Reagan…).

So, ignore the tactics used against Vinny, because they are not just or valid. Vote for or against the candidates not solely because they are new or incumbents, and not solely because they belong to a political party. Vote with your head and heart, not your intestines. Mayor Flanagan needs and deserves the best group of people as trustees, so vote for the candidates that you think are the best to serve on the BOT.

Vote your conscience.

Bill Cuomo

Support FABGC: Promises Kept

To the Editor:

The Village election season is in full swing, with the usual surge in letters to the editor, Meet-and-Greets, and hyperbolic commentary on social media.  It can be a bit overwhelming to the casual observer, but it is also an essential part of our republic.  Elections should be about ideas, policies, results, character, and the quality of representatives in government.

Grass roots movements are driven by motivated groups of people who feel ignored, marginalized, or dismissed by their government representatives.  We have certainly seen it nationally with

MAGA, the Tea Party, and environmentalists, to name a few.  In New York, we have witnessed a rise in suburban activism to counter Kathy Hochul’s authoritarian, environmentally irresponsible, and tone-deaf housing mandates and threats to local zoning.

Garden City has been particularly active with Parents United rising up to counter mask mandates, distance learning, and the potential intrusion of woke ideology in the classroom.

Some of the key leaders of the Say No to the Casino effort are Garden City residents who have engaged diverse leaders across communities offended by Bruce Blakeman’s backroom dealings with the Las Vegas Sands and the economic/societal risks associated with gambling.

ReVAMP (Resident Voters Against Monster Poles) came about in 2020 when Estates area residents and supporters organized to protect and defend the quality-of-life of their neighborhoods in the wake of the MTA/3TC’s creation of a dozen 90’ high steel monster poles that forever changed the landscape of Garden City.  Residents, Mayor Trouve, and fellow Trustees had been unconscionably kept in the dark by the GC Village Board of Trustees’ secretive Third Track Committee regarding unilateral and unauthorized concessions they made in September 2019, enabling these execrable eyesores to be erected in March 2020, at the height of the COVID lockdowns.  The opaque interactions by the Third Track Committee were exactly what former Mayor Episcopia ominously warned about in 2017, highlighting that the committee was not transparent with the Board or Village residents, which could put their homes and neighborhoods at risk.

While Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin, at least, attempted to assist residents on the monster poles, the Village BOT (consisting entirely of POAnominated trustees) deflected, dithered, and delayed for eight months before ultimately authorizing legal action in late 2020, well after the monster poles were a fait accompli.  In an ironic twist, the Estates Property Owners Association coldly refused to advocate on behalf of impacted Estates property owners, but, instead, posted on its own website in June 2020 a Newsday interview with MTA leader Janno Lieber taunting Garden City as NIMBYs.

With this as a backdrop, the grass roots movement of FABGC (For a Better Garden City) developed in late 2020 and early 2021 to overcome the institutional stasis that had rendered the BOT and POAs unresponsive to residents.  Besides the monster poles debacle, FABGC highlighted some of the other “greatest hits” of the exclusively POAdominated BOT:  existential threats made against the historic and self-fund-

ed Garden City Casino; the elimination of paid firefighters on short-notice with little to no public debate; the village’s expenditure of $100,000 in fighting handicapped parking on Seventh Street; the dubious expenditure of $400,000 in creating a third parking lot at Stewart Field, undermining the quality-of-life for Raymond Court residents; the proposed demolition and rebuilding of the historic Edgemere Firehouse (with $342,000 spent on a consultant); the bizarre and vengeful intimidation of the Garden City News by attempting to remove its status as the paper of record; and the cessation of a lease for the Cathedral Nursery School.

CAP/POA candidates labeled FABGC as “interlopers” or “rogues” for politicizing elections (heaven forfend!), threatening to undermine the traditions that ensured equal representation on the board (and all committees) from each POA (regardless of vast population differences among the sections) and the rotation of the position of Mayor among the different POA section’s trustees on the Board.

FABGC countered that the Village is fully integrated (not a loose affiliation of four sections), that elections cease to be meaningful unless there are alternatives to choose from, that nominees for the Board and Committees should be open to any resident (not just POA members and nominees), and the position of Mayor should not be considered a “time share”, but a position of leadership earned through an election.

Upon sweeping the 2021 and 2022 Village elections (and doing well in the 2023 election), the FABGC-led BOT focused on key items: undertaking quality-of-life issues to reduce noise pollution and increase traffic safety throughout Garden City; addressing the water quality concerns that had been identified more than a decade ago; forcefully representing the interests of village residents in their issues with the MTA Third Track project; securing a longterm agreement with the Garden City Casino , with requirements for capital upgrades and repairs; allowing the Andy Foundation to return to St. Paul’s as a unifying community event; restoring quality-of-life to the Raymond Court community; and holding a Village-wide vote on St. Paul’s to address a persistent issue of what to do with the landmark structure.  These items are, in fact, promises made and promises kept.

In addition, this FABGC-led Board has secured parkland designation for eight parks and greenspaces in Garden City, protecting these public areas for residents and against the anti-suburb politicians in Albany.  More parkland designations are expected.

This FABGC-led Board acted expeditiously to prevent adult-oriented businesses and short-term rentals (Airbnb-

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email:

style) from opening in the village.  This Board acted to address flooding on Meadow Street, a persistent and recurring concern that had been problematic for years.

This FABGC-led Board has—with the assistance of resident volunteers such as Paul Rothenbiller—moved forward with re-greening the Third Track adjacent areas and providing some natural buffers to the light pollution emanating from Merillon Station.

Meet-and-Greets by the Mayor, Trustees, and the Village Administrator are ongoing and available to the entire Garden City community.  At Village Board meetings, resident comments are not relegated to the end of meetings, as in the CAP/POA past.

In contrast to the CAP/POA tradition of uncontested Village elections that might tally 200-300 voters (2013-2020), the last three elections have fostered far greater engagement, discourse, debate, and participation (to the tune of about 10-15x more voters) within the Garden City community.  Of course, sometimes the rhetoric and social media posts from all sides have been overheated and needlessly personal, but democracy is not always orderly, and politics are not always polite.

That said, I hope that Garden City voters will consider the positive results and outcomes generated by the FABGCled Board from the last three years.  I believe results and responsiveness to resident needs should be the paramount considerations in the March 19 vote.

Charlie Kelly was one of the co-founders of ReVAMP and has been a forceful and effective advocate for Village residents.  He prominently espoused the concerns of Raymond Court residents and chaired the Traffic Commission, which has been almost universally praised for its work in traffic calming, addressing speeding concerns, and improving pedestrian safety.  His leadership, sharp legal mind, and basic decency are assets to the BOT.  He deserves re-election.

Larry Marciano has been a humble and diligent trustee who brings financial acumen, resident outreach, and a service-first orientation to the BOT.  Currently Deputy Mayor, he has served as a liaison to the GC Library, assisted Charlie Kelly on the Traffic Commission, and personally interviewed residents in the Country Life Press area to safeguard their neighborhood from MTA actions.  He has worked with the Business Development Committee to ensure that various large non-profit entities’ payments cover the cost of their village services.  He deserves re-election.

Mike Sullivan is an even-tempered financial leader who has chaired the Finance Committee of the BOT, with exceptional leadership on analyzing and presenting cost and financing options

for St. Paul’s.  This work will be ongoing, and his insights/expertise will be critical in budgeting, planning, and oversight to ensure Garden City taxpayers are protected on the largest potential municipal project in this village’s history.  He joined with Charlie Kelly, Larry Marciano, and Ed Finneran on the Traffic Commission to achieve improved public safety.  He deserves re-election.

Richard Williams is a co-founder of the Garden City chapter of Say No to the Casino, a grass-roots organization dedicated to opposing the Sands Casino at the Nassau HUB.  He has spoken before the Nassau County Legislature and Planning Commission and engaged with bipartisan leaders on the county legislature in his advocacy efforts.  His entrepreneurial, financial, and legal background have proved important in his service to the village on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Mayor’s Business Development Committee.  I believe he deserves your vote.

James Kumpel, co-founder of ReVAMP

Give truth a chance

To the Editor:

I have lived in Garden City for nearly 40 years.  I have known Vinny Muldoon since he generously volunteered at a BOT meeting to use his company resources (at no cost to the village), to stabilize the crumbling clocktower at St. Paul’s.  He was in the process of doing just that when he was rewarded with a visit from the Garden City Police, who accused him and his crew of trespassing.  The police had been sent by one of the sitting members of the BOT, a man who had made it clear he wanted the building demolished.

Since that time, Vinny has never hesitated to help the people and organizations in need in our Village.  And his honesty is legendary, both to the homeowner contemplating a project - large or small - and to the organizations he gives so generously of this time, expertise and Old World Quality resources.

Because the Historical Society Museum, one of the original 1872 “Apostle Houses”, was in such dilapidated condition and we were just beginning the Capital Campaign to restore it, I asked Vinny six years ago to help.   After taking an extensive assessment, he told us he would help us — but we needed to understand if the restoration was going to be done right — and that’s the only way he would do it — it was going to take time and we needed to be patient.  I urge everyone reading this to go to 109 Eleventh Street, where the Historical Society sits shining on its little hill, and see the exterior of the museum gloriously restored.  The work continues and we pay for projects with money raised and we trust Vinny and

See page 32

Why I ask for your vote

SUBMITTED BY RICHARD WILLIAMS, CANDIDATE FOR BOARD OF TRUSTEES

I am incredibly proud and privileged to call Garden City my home. It is where Jeanne and I raised our children and all 5 are GC residents, with their children – 27 in total.  My roots run deep into the future.

My reasons for running and asking for your vote are very straightforward:

• Passionate about solving issues

• Delivering the best answers

• Committed to excellence

Experience

• Member - important Zoning Board Of Appeals – protecting our homes and property values

• Business Development Committee – led presentation on lessening residential tax burdens

• Say No to the Casino – founder, spoke against Sands before NYS legislators, County and TOH

• Educated as a lawyer; trained in operating businesses, big and small

• Raised 5 great children, coached teams Approach

• Only what is best for all residents

• Consensus Builder

• No conflict of interest or Appearance of Conflict

• Will never do business of any kind involving GC

Focus

• Tackle the big issues

• Respond to residents with respect, civility and understanding

• Keep an open mind and listen

• Reject personal attacks

• Performance oriented

• Credibility in key

• Act as quick as possible

Why I run on the FABGC Ticket

For years, the CAP/POA run government was extremely disappointing.  The facts are: Big issues, like St Paul’s, were ignored. A GC traffic plan, it never existed. Moratorium on vape shops, never considered. Lead in some pipes, never addressed. Denied handicap parking, cost GC $125K. Parkland sold off in the dead of night. Monster polls at the RR station. Clinton Road trucks, ignored. Meadow Street flooding, never fixed. Closed Cathedral Nursery School, despite parent pleas.  And more.

Under CAP, it just didn’t work, things never got fixed. Maybe it was the CAP trustee selection process, maybe a lack of commitment, maybe focusing on wrong issues – whatever it was, it no longer worked.

Many nice and decent people are POA members. Just like FABGC supporters, all our friends and neighbors. POA/CAP leaders, who hand selected nominees, failed us on the big issues. Most recent example: POA’s and CAP don’t oppose Sands gambling casino; a huge, obvious threat to GC, on our doorstep. It is a threat to our property values, safety, way of life, GC businesses, environment, and, most importantly, our children. That alone told me that POA/ CAP system doesn’t see, understand or are afraid to tackle big issues.  FABGC focuses on performance. FABGC trustees know the importance of being results oriented. FABGC addresses big issues. Their action is immediate and spot on. Charlie Kelly, Larry Marciano and Mike Sullivan, my running mates, have the invaluable traits of being independent thinkers and committed to the residents. FABGC trustees treat citizens with respect, attention, and appreciation; no condescending, self-important ways of some POA trustees.

I run because I love this town. Making GC even better for every generation - from the young to our seniors and everyone in between; for every resident and their family.

Please vote for me, Rich Williams, for Trustee.

Richard Williams

Returning Trustee from the Estates. Many residents have seen Charlie on weekends walking through the Village and sitting by intersections observing traffic patterns. As Chairman of the Village Traffic Commission, he led a total transformation of how Garden City approaches our traffic problem by taking a village-wide approach. Charlie is particularly passionate about pedestrian safety.

Making Drivers and Pedestrians Safer

Re-greening the area around the 3rd Track

Richard is currently a member of the Garden City Zoning Board of Appeals directly involved in protecting the character of the Village. He is a founder of the ‘Say No to the Casino’ association voicing opposition to the Sands Casino. He led the presentation of the Garden City Business Development Committee’s plan to lessen resident tax burdens.

Prohibiting Adultthemed businesses

Supporting major GC Library construction

Moving forward to resolve St. Paul’s.

Richard Williams

Charles Kelly

FOR A BETTER GARDEN CITY

Returning Trustee from the West had a busy year on the board. Mike is on the Traffic Commission which has implemented many safety features around the village, and as Chairman of the Village Finance Committee. Mike worked with Village staff to present residents the cost options for St Paul’s with concise information vetted through 3rd party experts.

Protecting

Larry is a returning Trustee from the East and served as Deputy Mayor for the last year.

Larry is a member of the Traffic Commission as well as the Liaison to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Architectural Design Review Board, in addition to helping lead the Business Development Committee, working to get healthcare providers and Adelphi University to pay for Village services.

Prohibiting

Designating green spaces as official parkland

Fighting

LarryMarciano

Mike Sullivan

FABGC candidates hold Meet and Greet

SUBMITTED BY JOHN CANTWELL FOR THE FOR A BETTER GARDEN CITY

The FABGC Candidates; Trustees Charlie Kelly, Larry Marciano, Mike Sullivan and Candidate Richard

Williams met with residents at Proust on February 29 to hear their concerns and enjoy themselves.  It was an fun event with friends, family and supporters.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

From page 29

he has never let us down.

Like Alexander Stewart, another Irish immigrant who came from a modest background, Vinny is a self-made man.  His reputation and integrity are what drives him and makes him extraordinary.  His motive for running is simple, and consistent with his philosophy of business and life: he sees what needs to be done, he knows how to get it done right and will be an incredibly effective trustee who will speak the truth, be transparent and represent what the residents of Garden City want.

Francine Ryan

Unconditional commitment

To the Editor:

As a lifelong Garden City resident,

and a four generation Garden City family, I can assure you that the wellbeing of our village is utmost in my heart.   Therefore, it was a delight to my ears when I learned Vinny Muldoon was throwing his hat into the ring, for a spot with the Trustees of our village.  Having had Vinny, and his team, work with our family since he opened his doors, I have witnessed unequaled ethics, positivity and industriousness in every situation.

Large or small – always with calm and confidence – he gets the job done. From a mud and water flood into my basement, from an outside water pipe that cracked and leaked into my home, Vinny left a North Shore meeting, and in 15 minutes, was in my home, directing emergency plumbers, sewer workers and clean up workers who left my home sterilized

and spotless in only a few hours ….. To the “Hurricane Sandy”, when we had 15 one hundred year old oak trees crash down on our property… without even calling him, Vinny was at our home, inspecting the damage and making sure we were taken care of.  Be it a crisis situation or one of our many planned renovations, we have been so privileged to have him on our side … He cares !!!

This dynamic Irishman, has spoken of his gratitude to this country that gave him opportunities … and, he has now immersed himself into our wonderful village, that he and his family loves so well.  His many volunteer acts of Community Service here, are simply standard procedure for his principled character.   I have no doubt that Vinny Muldoon will be tireless in his uncondi-

tional commitment to better our community, with honor and decency.  My husband and I urge our fellow residents to learn more about Mr. Muldoon in this crucial decision.

Deborah Hussey

Gets things done

To the Editor:

I am writing to express my strong support for Judy Courtney as a candidate for village trustee. Judy is a dedicated and visionary leader who always steps up when something needs to be done. She has the experience and the skills to serve the Village well.

Those of you who know Judy can’t deny that her experience and dedication to the Village of Garden City is excep-

See page 34

Candidate Richard Williams speaks with residents during meet and greet.

Trustee Larry Marciano (right) with residents at Proust.

From left to right: Trustee Mike Sullivan, Trustee Charlie Kelly, Trustee Larry Marciano, Candidate Richard Williams and Proust’s newest employee.

VOTE MARCH 19TH

St. Paul’s Fieldhouse 12pm - 9pm

VOTE FOR

VINNY MULDOON

& HIS 3 CAP CANDIDATES!

VINNY IS A PROVEN LEADER IN OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1992

VINNY HAS THE EXPERIENCE OF RUNNING A LARGE SCALE ORGANIZATION FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS

THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE BOT WITH THE SPECIALIZED ENCE TO HEAD UP SEVERAL KEY CAPITAL OJECTS IN THE VILLAGE “HARD WORK AND ATTENTION

VINNY WILL ANSWER EVERY QUESTION THAT RESIDENTS MAY HAVE AT BOARD MEETINGS OR AT ANY OTHER TIME “RESPECT ALL RESIDENTS”

VINNY WILL TACKLE “ALL” THE ISSUES IN OUR LOVELY VILLAGE, NO MATTER THE SIZE OR SCOPE TO IMPROVE FOR ALL “GET THE JOB DONE”

VINNY AND HIS FAMILY LOVE THIS VILLAGE AND WILL DO ALL HE CAN TO IMPROVE IT IF ELECTED TO THE BOARD

VINNY WILL WORK WITH & HELP LOCAL BUSINESSES TO SUCCEED AND WORK AS A TEAM WITH THE VILLAGE

VOTE FOR 4 CAP CANDIDATES ~ TOP ROW!

VOTE LINE A ALL THE WAY!

MULDOON, COURTNEY, TAI AND TORINO

Traffic issues affect all

Community Agreement Party candidates: Vinny Muldoon, Jessica Tai, Judy Courtney, and Bruce Torino.

From page 3

educate motorists about how each of us can help improve road safety.  Forge partnerships with local organizations, schools, businesses, and community groups to amplify the reach of traffic safety campaigns. Collaborative efforts can include hosting joint events, distributing educational materials, or coordinating volunteer initiatives to raise awareness about road safety.

Increased Resident Input: Open channels of communication from motorists to the Traffic Commissioner and the Board of Trustees. We will

encourage—not prohibit—Village officials to meet with individual residents, business groups and the Property Owners’ Associations to learn about specific traffic issues, whether affecting a few streets or a larger area. More importantly, unlike the current BOT, we will carefully consider the input from all these groups before we make decisions that impact the residents of our Village.

As with everything we propose, working together with all Village residents will move us forward.

Candidate seeks grant

From page 3

water mains. Pipes running from the mains to the homes are the source of the lead.

“I contacted Ed to secure the funding from new and existing sources to provide relief to those residents who have to replace their water pipes from the street. The Village has made free testing available to residents and even waived fees for permits to complete the work.” noted Larry,” However, the waiver runs out in May.”

“I’m glad that Larry reached out to me for a way to help residents with the expense of making their drinking water safe,” acknowledge Assemblyman Ra.

In 2017, the State approved a Lead Service Line Replacement Program as part of the Clean Water Infrastructure Act. This program requires the Department of Health to provide selected municipalities with grants to replace lead service lines. Ra will now request that additional funding be allocated to this program in the soon to be adopted

state budget and an award be made to the Village of Garden City for service line replacement.

“My idea,” continued Nedelka, “is that the $2 million in funding will assist residents financially for the replacement of these pipes.”

“As the state works to invest in clean water, replacement of lead service lines will be an expensive proposition that would otherwise fall on homeowners,” concluded Assemblyman Ra, “if we work together to secure funding through this program, we can help Village residents with this unexpected expense.”

“I appreciate Ed’s interest and enthusiasm with this funding,” stated Larry Nedelka, “and the first resolution I will offer as a member of the Board of Trustees will be to extend the waiver of permit fees specifically for pipe replacement indefinitely, until all affected homes are safe from lead in the water.”

From page 32

tional. As a life long resident of Garden City, GCHS Class of 75, Judy understands the history and traditions that are so important to the character of the village. Raising her daughter, now also a resident (Tricia Courtney Erlagen, GCHS Class of ) as well as many nieces and nephews (Foxens of all ages) she has been actively involved with the village’s progress, conflicts and successes in a growing community where she has lived and dedicated her efforts. Experience brings wisdom, and Judy now has her first grand daughter as a GC resident. She recognizes the needs of future generations through Mary Kate’s eyes.

She will represent all members of Garden City with integrity and energy. Judy has been involved in many civic and social activities in our village, including many leadership roles. She has a keen sense of what makes Garden City a great place to live, and how to improve it for the future. She listens to the residents and their concerns and works hard to find solutions.

One recent example of Judy’s leadership and initiative is the Family Fall Festival that she organized last year, when the promenade events were cancelled. Judy and her team rallied volunteers to create a fun and safe event for the whole family, with games, food, and crafts. Over 500 residents attended the festival, and it was a huge success.

Judy Courtney is the kind of person who gets things done. She is honest, passionate, creative, and collaborative. She cares deeply about our village and its people. She cares, she has lived the life, walks the walk, talks the talk. Please give her the opportunity in this role to help lead in the wonderful Village of Garden City that you are all so fortunate to live in.

Vote for Judy!

Katy (Foxen) Faivre

Return to civility

To the Editor:

My husband and I have known Vinny Muldoon, and his family, for over twenty years. During that time we have dealt with him professionally, renovating our previous home, and as the builder of our current home. We have also had the pleasure of his company socially on many occasions over the past two decades. In all of these numerous interactions with him, Vinny has never had a cruel, untrue, negative comment regarding other residents or other businessmen.

There have been so many letters written on his behalf supporting his run for Village Trustee. There is no point to reiterate the obvious - love for the community, tremendous work ethic, philanthropic efforts, etc. He is truly a pillar of the community.

My husband Michael was the CPOA President a few years back, and the amount of time volunteers spend in their positions is overwhelming. Many, if not most, volunteer for positions while also having careers. Our fellow residents do this to ensure Garden City, “our” village, remains one of the most sought after towns to reside on Long Island .

I can not speak for the other candidates representing the CAP, but I can tell you Vinny Muldoon works morning, noon and night. The fact that he is willing to find the time to volunteer his efforts to preserve the integrity of Garden City is amazing.

We have been residents of Garden City for close to 30 years. What has happened to our (divided) village, and the atrocious behavior by some should not be tolerated by any of us.

It’s time for a change. It’s time for ladies and gentlemen to take back control of our village. If you value honesty, civility, character and respect, vote for Vinny Muldoon, Jessica Tai, Judy Courtney and Bruce Torino on March 19th.

Christine Tiedemann

Committed to Village

To the Editor:

I have lived in Garden City for 40 years.  I am concerned about a deterioration in our community.  I realize we are not living in a bubble, but we can’t allow breaking of laws, and letting the beautification and infrastructure be put to the side for any reason. Our Village and all of its wonderful attributes can be lost if we do not stick with the agreement to keep it strong.  It must be maintained including the education in our schools, water system, railroads, Library, merchants, storefronts, community gatherings, All of our parks, 7th Street, Franklin Ave, religious Institutions and of course St. Paul’s.

I am voting for Vinny Muldoon with complete confidence because of his honesty and his commitment to our Village that we are trying to keep safe, strong and beautiful.  Vinny will address the tough decisions.  He will take on each issue with complete transparency and listen to the residents when needed before moving forward. He will investigate the options and seek out the experts in each field before giving his opinion and will make his choices based on what is in the best interest of Garden City. As far as I can see, safety is becoming a huge problem everywhere and Garden City is not immune to it.  Our Village needs to keep the traditions and laws that have kept us safe. We must support our Police and Fire Departments. They are always there for us without question.

Vinny is committed to this Village. He believes in the preservation of its

See page 36

The

An Open Letter To My Garden City Neighbors

Garden City needs government that is competent, civil and representative of our collective interests. Sadly, these qualities are severely lacking in this FABGC administration.

LET’S END THE FABGC SHADOW GOVERNMENT’S CONTROL OF OUR VILLAGE!

INCOMPETENT

• No architects, engineers, lawyers or Public Finance Professionals on the Mayor’s “re- imagined” St. Paul’s Committee — only FABGC Founders and Friends

• Repeating tasks and projects already completed by prior St. Paul’s committee

• Failing to purchase and standardize fire safety vehicles and equipment after tragic events exposed the Village’s vulnerability, sacrificing resident safety for a false narrative of budget savings

• Accusing the Architectural Design Review Board (“ADRB”) of approving the opening of a “vape shop” when the responsibility belonged with the Board of Trustees

• Failing to comply with Preservation Industry protocols for the removal of the St. Paul’s stained glass windows to demonstrate a false preservation narrative

UNCIVIL

• FABGC Leadership demeaning and bullying Village employees

• FABGC Leader using intimidation tactics such as screaming at Trustees, volunteers, and residents during public board meetings

• FABGC Trustee Marciano disparaging fellow Trustee and resident and refusing to apologize

• FABGC Trustee Kelly silencing, ridiculing and scolding Village residents and volunteers

OVERREACHING

• Directives and Agendas dictated by FABGC executive committee, not Village residents

• FABGC Leadership dictating which residents and Village organizations Trustees can and can’t meet with

• FABGC Leadership disparaging and sabotaging the original FABGC Mayor’s Committee of St. Paul’s for failure to adhere to FABGC Leadership’s instructions

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED. THIS IS REALITY. BUT IT IS YOU, NOT THEM, WHO WILL DECIDE OUR VILLAGE’S FUTURE!

VOTE TO RETURN THE VILLAGE TO VOTE CAP, NEW LEADERSHIP FOR ALL OF GARDEN CITY!

Ryan Mulrooney

Garden City resident

From page 34

history, and its government.

Vinny has a sense of community which will keep this Village solid for years to come.

Vinny Muldoon has my vote because he will stick to the jobs at hand and not give up until all of the issues are signed, sealed and delivered to the Garden City Residents as promised.

Tara Connolly

A positive impact

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter with great pleasure to highly recommend Vinnie Muldoon for Village Trustee in the upcoming March 19th election. My late husband, Joe, and I have known Vinnie for twenty five years and I am confident he possesses the qualities and

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email:

dedication required to excel as a Village Trustee.

I have witnessed his leadership skills and his hard work ethic; he built OWQ from a two man operation to the successful business it presently is. Vinnie has a strong sense of community service especially to those who need a helping hand. He feels privileged and proud to live in the village and is committed to the well-being of Garden City and its residents. I know he will work diligently to represent the best interests of our residents by focusing on the small details and the big picture. Vinnie is committed to fostering collaboration and consensus among diverse groups which is crucial to being an effective Trustee.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly

endorse Vinnie Muldoon for Village Trustee. His passion for community service, leadership skills and dedication will make a positive impact on our Village.

Ellen Iamascia

You won’t be disappointed

To the Editor:

Back in the early 90’s, my wife and I moved to Garden City with our 3 children and a couple of years later needed to do some renovations on our home because we were expecting our fourth child. I didn’t know any contractors and wasn’t looking forward to construction based on war stories I’ve heard about with budget overruns and delays.

Luckily, I happened to stop by a house I passed daily on Brook Street that was undergoing a beautiful reno-

vation. It appeared that the project was well organized, very clean and being done fairly quickly. The truck in front had some construction company name on it so I knocked on the door and asked the young worker who answered the door who I should contact to get a quote. The young worker with a strong Irish accent said if I could wait a few months, he was going to be starting his own company and if I gave him the opportunity, I wouldn’t be disappointed. There was something about this guy that we instantly felt he was sincere, honest, friendly, hardworking and confident. We arranged a meeting at our house and he listened intently and then gave us some of his ideas and insisted we would not be disappointed if we hired him. We did hire him and not being disappointed

See page 38

Why I am running for re-election as Trustee

From page 2

enced skilled professionals soon and I believe continuity on these committees would be quite helpful at this critical juncture.  For example, before the Law Committee is the issue of the closed Sixth Street Extension.  Although we are still in discussions with Cathedral Officials, if no resolution is reached soon, the Law Committee will need to make a major litigation decision.

As to the Traffic Commission, we are at a crossroads with two studies, the Stewart Avenue Road Diet and the Village Wide Speed Limit Reduction Study, appearing on the next TC Meeting for consideration.  In addition, the TC has just begun Reimagining Garden City (RGC), the Traffic Commission’s signature initiative, which incorporates Vision Zero and Crosswalk Connections.  This initiative is certainly at risk in this election. RGC is the initiative by which the TC seeks to make the Village, its roads and sidewalks more connected, more pedestrian and bicyclist friendly and more thoughtful of the disabled residents and visitors.

For two years, the TC has established new protocols for requesting traffic calming (e.g., speed humps) and traffic control (e.g., stop signs) devices, made all decisions fully transparent and been responsive to every resident inquiry within 24 hours.  Now, the other slate of candidates seeks to take residents back to when the POAs controlled the review of requests for traffic control devices.

Back then, getting a stop sign was akin to obtaining citizenship.  Now, the process starts with a resident’s email to the TC and then, if appropriate, it moves to GCPD and DPW for input.   Any resident who has dealt with the new protocol knows how quickly responses are

received and, if appropriate, action is taken.

At this point, the TC has had traffic studies completed covering the entire village. The beginning of the implementation of the recommendations in these traffic studies has yielded roadway changes including, but not limited to, on 7th Street (bumpouts and raised crosswalk), 4th Street (speed humps), 3rd Street (speed humps), First Street (crosswalk to community park, speed radar signs and restriping project has begun), North Avenue (signage added to block cut thru traffic), South Avenue (crosswalk completed, a major connector to the Cathedral and downtown for Adelphi students and Adelphi section residents), Parking Lots (change in parking lot signage to prevent over nite parking near residences), Clinton Road and Washington Avenue (nighttime ban on trucks) and improvements to the Stewart School crosswalk with more changes coming, Arthur Street (new stop signs and discussion of changing 11th Street entrance), Magnolia Avenue (emergency meeting of the TC held to add stops signs at Garden & Magnolia and on streets entering Magnolia), Homestead School, Stratford School and Tanners Pond Road (final design changes to Stratford Avenue intersection and roadway changes underway), Middle School (extensive changes to Cathedral Avenue and 7th St crossing to make the intersection safer for middle school students going to 7th St/library after school), Mott Section (addition of no left turn signs on Old Country Road entrances for every street to reduce court cut thru traffic in the mornings; discussions with many residents on best method to reduce evening cut thru traffic from the courts and 11th Street), enforcement initiatives on North Avenue (re new sig-

nage), 7th Street (illegal u-turns), speeding (various locations).

Over the last two years, the TC has held public presentations at the Library of every traffic study for resident comments before any decision on implementation of recommendation is done.  The TC has answered hundreds of resident emails. A team has been established with the GCPD and DPW to conduct follow-up and, if appropriate, studies of the suitability of the action requested.  The resident is advised of these steps as they proceed and of the final decision on the request. The TC is proud to have made pedestrians safer in the Village and keeping the TC together (three of the four TC members, myself, Trustees Marciano and Sullivan are candidates) will allow us to continue that process.

As to running for re-election to assist in completing the transition from what was the electoral process and the conduct towards residents on the CAthe POA BOT four years ago to what is the process on the BOT now, the changes have been night and day.  The election statistics speak for themselves, from a rubber stamp by two hundred voters to thousands of voters is a stunning turnaround.  As for the conduct of the BOT towards residents, it is also night and day.  I was one of the many disrespected residents posing questions with a response that went from never having a question answered or even acknowledged as a question (“thank you for you comment” was the usual reply if there was one) to making the meetings now so open for resident comments that some residents have spoken for over 10 minutes and questions have been answered.

Of course, the biggest change is neither the elections nor the BOT conduct at meetings but that, in only three years, the BOT has begun to clean up what

was left behind by the POA/CAP BOT, including, but not limited to, (i) decades of neglect and inaction on the St. Paul’s Building, (ii) the physical, legal and visual mess that the Merillon Avenue LIRR station/Main Avenue area was reduced to because of an absence of responsibility, (iii) the negative effects of the Raymond Court $400,000 parking lot that never should have been built have been reduced thanks to new signage, the work of the BOT and the assistance of GCPD at major Stewart Field events, (iv) the $125,000 fight against handicapped spaces on 7th Street has been replaced by the addition of handicapped spaces without any litigation and (v) inaction on any of the sorely needed pedestrian safety measures has been replaced by an active and engaged TC.

Regarding charitable works, I will not speak here of all my charitable endeavors over the years as that is not how I was raised but I am happy to mention the one public one, founding of and operation of the John M. Kelly Christmas Basketball Tournament at St Joseph’s School for over a decade with the legendary CYO Director Jeff McGoldrick at which we entertained hundreds of parents while their children played basketball games over the Christmas break and we raised tens of thousands of dollars for charity while doing it.

In summary, I am proud to have helped FABGC introduce Choice to Village elections, Change to BOT Meetings, Cleanup to what was left behind and Communication to Village government. For Choice, Continued Change, to finish the Cleanup and Communication, vote Row C.

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

BECAUSE YOU MATTER!

BECAUSE YOU MATTER!

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Larry Nedelka

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Fiscal Manager, Nassau County Board of Elections

Independent Candidate for Village Board

BECAUSE YOU MATTER!

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Fiscal Manager, Nassau County Board of Elections

BECAUSE YOU MATTER!

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead Director, Long Island Area Development Agency –

BECAUSE YOU MATTER!

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

BECAUSE YOU MATTER!

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

BECAUSE YOU MATTER!

BECAUSE YOU MATTER! Fiscal Manager, Nassau County Board of Elections Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead Director, Long Island Area Development Agency –Economic Development

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

BECAUSE YOU MATTER!

Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors

Fiscal Manager, Nassau County Board of Elections Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead Director, Long Island Area Development Agency –Economic Development

Economic Development

Director, Long Island Area Development Agency — Economic Development

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors

Grew up and attended school in Garden City.

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors

Fiscal Manager, Nassau County Board of Elections Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead Director, Long Island Area Development Agency –Economic Development

Grew up and attended school in Garden City.

Fiscal Manager, Nassau County Board of Elections Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead

Finance Degree, Fordham University

Grew up and attended school in Garden City

BECAUSE YOU MATTER!

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors

Finance Degree, Fordham University

Grew up and attended school in Garden City.

Boy Scout Troop 56 – Life Scout

Fiscal Manager, Nassau

Director, Long Island Area Development Agency –

Finance degree from Fordham University

Economic Development

Finance Degree, Fordham University

County Board of Elections

Boy Scout Troop 56 – Life Scout

Ex-Chief, Garden City Volunteer Fire Department

Boy Scout Troop 56 – Life Scout

Fiscal Manager, Nassau County Board of Elections Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead Director, Long Island Area

Fiscal Manager, Nassau County Board of Elections

Grew up and attended school in Garden City.

Boy Scout Troop 56 — Life Scout

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors

Ex-Chief, Garden City Volunteer Fire Department

Development Agency –

Finance Degree, Fordham University

Ex-Chief, Garden City Volunteer Fire Department

Fiscal Manager, Nassau

Boy Scout Troop 56 – Life Scout

Economic Development

Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead Director, Long Island Area

Ex-Chief, Garden City Volunteer Fire Department

Knowing where to look, who to speak with, and how the system works are all important facets of getting the jobdone as Village Trustee

Development Agency –

Grew up and attended school in Garden City.

Economic Development

County Board of Elections Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead Director, Long Island Area

Ex-Chief, Garden City Volunteer Fire Department

Finance Degree, Fordham University

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors

Knowing where to look, who to speak with, and how the system works are all important facets of getting the job done as Village Trustee.

Boy Scout Troop 56 – Life Scout

Knowing where to look, who to speak with, and how the system works are all important facets of getting the jobdone as Village Trustee

Knowing where to look, who to speak with, and how the system works are all important facets of getting the jobdone as Village Trustee

Finance Commissioner, Town of North Hempstead Director, Long Island Area Development Agency –Economic Development

Vote for Experience and a Fresh New Perspective

Development Agency –

and attended school in Garden City.

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors and attended school in Garden City.

Vote for Experience and a Fresh New Perspective

Ex-Chief, Garden City Volunteer Fire Department

Economic Development

Knowing where to look, who to speak with, and how the system works are all important facets of getting the jobdone as Village Trustee

Degree, Fordham University

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors

Deputy Commissioner of Jurors up and attended school in Garden City.

VOTE LARRY NEDELKA ON MARCH 19TH

Vote for Experience and a Fresh New Perspective

Larry Nedelka

Knowing where to look, who to speak with, and how the system works are all important facets of getting the jobdone

Troop 56 – Life Scout

Independent Candidate for Village Board

Degree, Fordham University

Vote for Experience and a Fresh New Perspective

Larry Nedelka

March 19th

From page 36

was an understatement.

This young Irishman named Vinny Muldoon and his staff of one, Alan, renovated our basement and third floor in less than a month all while Mary was 7 months pregnant. Each day I got home from work, Mary raved about how great they were and any of our construction fears faded. They weren’t disruptive at all and left the place as clean as can be each day, completing the job exactly as planned and promised.

The next 30 years are history and a great American success story. Anyone who knows Vinny or knows someone who knows Vinny will attest to his dedication, commitment and love of Garden City and the USA. When Vinny takes on a job, he will see it through to the end with incredible attention to detail and unwavering passion and drive. If you vote for Vinny for Village Trustee on March 19th, you won’t be disappointed!

Robert Cole

Judy works with people

To the Editor:

I am writing in support of Judy Courtney, one of the candidates of the Community Action Party (CAP), for trustee.

For over 100 years the Village of Garden City has worked under the Community Action Agreement. Although not perfect, it has helped to make Garden City the special community that it is.  Most residents are not even aware of how many committees there are and how they work and how they make the village unique. The Community Action Party tries to bring back the spirit of working together, with a 9 point agenda to enhance this special community.

I, along with my wife Leah, have lived in the village over 50 years. During that time, I have been very involved with the EPOA. I have seen and worked with Judy Courtney over the years and have always been impressed with her. She has served on and led many committees, has been vice president and president of the EPOA, has been to all the meetings, has given numerous reports, has listened to and has made all kinds of suggestions and in her own personable way worked with people to get things done.

Meanwhile, Trustee Marciano has been a disaster. He has never been to an EPOA meeting, never served on or attended any committee meetings, never listened to any residents when they had a concern, and has never given a report to the residents as to what is going on or what he might be doing. He has never participated in anything.

Trustee Kelly, in his recent letter to editor, remarked how trustee Marciano’s wife told him to get off the couch. Maybe he’s still on the couch instead of attending the EPOA meet-

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

ings. If Marciano does decide to get off the couch and attend an EPOA meeting,  he would need to use a GPS to find his way.

Judy Courtney is the complete opposite of Marciano. She works together with people to solve present and future problems. She works hard to keep Garden City a special place.

I hope everyone will vote for Judy Courtney for trustee.

John Pittoni, Esq.

A “can do” attitude

To the Editor:

I have lived in this Village for over 35 years and over that time a house needs attention.

I first hired Vinny to update the outside of my home — his habit of unearthing the root cause of a problem before fixing it and his incredible attention to detail turned my typical 1950s split level into an endearing cottage.

Over the years he and his team have been called to renovate and solve different problems. All along the way, Vinny has always been responsive. Case in point — ten years ago when a horrible winter storm caused an ice dam to form and I had non stop water dripping from the ceiling, one call brought two guys to the house within an hour to make temporary repairs.

Fast forward to two weeks ago on a late Friday night when power was lost in my basement (48 hours before the start of a vacation) … on Saturday electricians were at the house diagnosing the issue. Vinny Muldoon has never deviated from who he is — he is just as responsive today as he was ten years ago. He has a “can do” attitude and gets things done! He knows how to prioritize issues, is responsible and has never disappointed.

My experience with Vinny is that he always gets the job done and more.

Diane Geyer

Supports Trustee Torino

To the Editor:

As a member of the Friends of the GC Library Board of Directors, I’ve worked with Trustee Bruce Torino, appointed by the mayor to be the liaison between the GC Village BOT and the GC Library BOT, for this significant library renovation project.  Bruce is the village trustee who attends the monthly Library BOT meetings. His upbeat demeanor and ‘How Can I Help’ attitude are welcome and appreciated.

Trustee Torino has met with various departments to incorporate their concerns about the safety and security of residents visiting the library.  Based upon his experience, he recognized the danger of the current library doors.  Other library safety issues included preventing cars from driving up the library walkway, enhancing the exterior lighting along with other build-

ing issues.

At each Library BOT meeting, Trustee Torino reviews the status of the various projects. The Friends of the GC Library are very appreciative of his assistance and thank him for completing the many tasks needed for the successful renovation of the library.

Trustee Torino has also been appointed by the mayor as the liaison between the GC Village BOT and the St. Paul’s Alliance.  Trustee Torino shares his wealth of knowledge and professionalism with all members of the St. Paul’s Alliance.  He encourages the participation of all members, reviews the options and initiates a thoughtful, logical plan.  He gets things done.

Trustee Torino is an intelligent, considerate leader on the GC Village BOT and should continue to share his expertise with residents in the years to come.  On Election Day, March 19th, I will vote for Trustee Torino and the other three members of the Community Agreement Party – Jessica Tai, Judy Courtney and Vinny Muldoon - because they ask for and listen to the thoughts of the residents.

Kathie Wysocki

Best of Garden City

To the Editor:

I am writing to offer my strong support to be elected as a Trustee.  Judy represents the best of Garden City and has devoted years working to make the village even better.  She also helps promote a unified, open and friendly culture, rather than the divisive and closed government that FABGC has created.

I encourage everyone to turn out to vote for Judy at the upcoming election.

Robert Foxen

High integrity

To the Editor: As a resident of Garden City for more than 15 years and someone who is concerned about the welfare of our Village, I would like to voice my support for Vinny Muldoon as Garden City Trustee.

I have known Vinny, both professionally and personally since 2007.  I believe him to be a man of high integrity and foresight.

Having raised his family and run a successful business in our Village, Vinny has a vested interest in the future of our community.  I believe him to be an honest, hard working and dedicated individual who has a true passion for the continued prosperity of Garden City and is someone who can lead this Village in a way that will benefit all of our residents.

Please consider voting for Vinny Muldoon and his team on March 19th.

Elizabeth Murray

Vote for Vinny Muldoon

To the Editor: We have been residents of Garden City for over 30 years. Vinny Muldoon

will be a terrific trustee for the Village of Garden City.  He will always work with others and get the job done with the highest of quality.  Our Village can use a trustee with Vinny’s passion and experience.  No question — he loves our Village and our great country.  Please vote for Vinny.

John Sokolovic

Vinny steps up to help

To the Editor:

The sudden death of my husband left myself and my three young girls in dire straits. Word travelled in our GC community and before long, I was attending a fundraiser for the girls at Vinny’s house on St. Patty’s Day. Vinny has a heart of gold, steps up to the plate time and time again and has the ability to motivate others to help people in need. A vote for Vinny is a vote for our community…he will give back to the community which he has served for 25+ years.

Elaine Cunningham

Leave women’s sports alone

To the Editor:

Mr. Allen blasted Nassau County Exec Bruce Blakeman for “attacking” transgender boys and men who demand to participate in girls and women’s sports.

It’s a shame that such legislation is necessary.

It’s girls and women’s sports that are being attacked by those who refuse to acknowledge the unfairness of male bodies competing against female bodies.  Obviously women are put at a distinct - and forced - disadvantage in this situation, which results in females being less interested in playing sports, and especially in competing in sports.

Women’s sports have been just fine all along until the transgender crowd insisted that a) they won’t participate in male sports, b) they won’t participate in a new and separate category of sports, and c) that they must bully themselves into women’s sports.

Mr. Blakeman’s common sense rule coincides what female athletes expect and what county residents have told him they expect — females only in female sports.  If you ask parents of high school or college aged girls how they’d feel about a guy who wants to believe he’s a girl playing sports with their daughters, I think you’d find most parents saying it’s absurd.

It’s hard to imagine anyone really feeling successful or proud of his athletic achievement and actually think they “won” when it was only by invading women’s sports and competing against females. Yet that’s what they’re demanding across the sports world.

Mr. Allen names a women’s law group that applauds male transgenders playing in female sports. How does that

See page 40

VOTE MARCH 19TH

ST.PAUL’S FIELD HOUSE 12:00PM - 9:00PM

JUDY COURTNEY FOR VILLAGE TRUSTEE A VOICE FOR ALL RESIDENTS

CURRENT FABGC TRUSTEES

Refuse to attend POA

Resident meetings, despite numerous invitations

Refuse to provide any written updates to POA residents

Won’t allow Village staff to attend resident meetings to answer your questions

Stacks Village committees with only one group

JUDY AND CAP CANDIDATES

Will attend all resident meetings as invited, listening to all residents

Will encourage Village staff to attend resident meetings, opening up dialogue and feedback

Promise that all Village committees include varying perspectives and opinions

From page 38

compare to the dozens of American and foreign sports teams and participants who say they are appalled by transgenders who are effectively ruining female sports? In fact, a number of these athletes have dropped out or forfeited competitions rather than participate in such blatantly unfair settings.  Think of other females who won’t try out for the team in the first place.

I agree with Bruce Blakeman should be listening to his constituents, and that’s what he did on the transgender issue in order to protect women’s sports.

Where Blakeman isn’t listening to his constituents is on the nightmarish casino proposal.  A Feb. public hearing found that over 90% of comments were against the casino, many citing data on communities that bring in a casino seeing an increase in crime, traffic, DUI’s, personal debt, lowered property values, and of course gambling addiction.  Even divorce rates go up after a casino moves in.  Hofstra went to court to oppose the casino and won but Blakeman continues to fight Hofstra’s opposition.

The civic association, Say No to the Casino, had this to say last week after Blakeman called a rally to promote gambling: “Mr. Blakeman needs to understand that he works for the people of Nassau County, not Las Vegas Sands (LVS). Mr. Blakeman’s false accusations today that Hofstra colluded with Steve Cohen is nothing short of defamatory. Enough is enough. The County’s dirty fight to win a casino license is unfairly targeting a prestigious academic institution that has sought to defend its student body and neighboring communities from the significant, pervasive, negative impacts that casinos bring...We request that Mr. Blakeman lead an effort to invest in a future for the site that will serve the best interests for County residents, rather than line the pockets of Las Vegas Sands and its surrogates.”

The outrageous and selfish bullying of transgenders is forcing our legislators to take time away from real issues like the looming cloud of the the nation’s second largest casino in our midst.

Patty Knap

Thanks for supporting Hoops

To the Editor:

It is really hard to find the right words to say thank you. I know I am going to leave people out. I want to thank EVERYONE who helped make this year’s Hoops for Hope a success. It all started with my brother’s idea and every year it grows.

The planning is so important. The principals at every school are a huge

help. Mrs. Madden at GC Middle School jumped in when this started and always says Hoops for Hope is “her favorite day of the year.” We are really lucky to have Mr. Ramirez as our Athletic Director. We had many meetings about Hoops for Hope and he always answered my emails. He is behind this event and has been awesome to work with.

GCHS Principal Mr. Steingruebner has also been great to work with. He and Assistant Principals Perrotta and Cohn always make sure we have everything we need that day.

Every dollar raised at Hoops for Hope goes to the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation, started by the Menges family, in honor of Bobby Menges. Bobby was a GCHS student who died of cancer. I’m Not Done Yet provides services for teens who are battling cancer. I worked with Bobby’s mom Liz and I could never find the right words to describe what she is like. She is patient, kind, organized and always has so much energy. If you came to Hoops for Hope or made a donation please know that your money is definitely going to a good cause.

The energy in the gym did not just magically appear that afternoon. Thank you to the GCHS Kickline and Cheer teams. Everyone loves watching you perform. Stratford and Stewart students make tons of posters that line the gym walls that day. Thank you to all of the elementary and primary school students who came and to their parents who brought them. To the GCHS and GCMS student athletes who were there:  thank you. Fans support us all year. It was great to see so many athletes come to support the Challengers. Thank you to the Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball players who helped out. To everyone else who came that rainy afternoon, including GC residents who don’t even have kids in the schools, thank you. Every single one of you there that day made a difference.

And of course to the challenger athletes, their buddies and coaches who make us all smile when we watch them play:  I hope you had as much fun as we all did.

Like I said that day, I want to ask everyone to keep this going. I am a senior so it’s time for my sister to organize this. Next year I want Katherine to tell me that the event was as successful as it was this year.

It has been an honor to continue what Timmy started.

Michael O’Hanlon

P.S. Please consider coming back for a regular season Challenger game at GCHS: March 11, 3:30 pm vs. Oceanside; or March 20, 3:30 pm vs. East Meadow

Are you a professional?

Our Professional Guide is sure to bring results. Call 294-8900 for rates and information.

I took this photo recently along Cherry Valley Avenue just south of the Garden City Pool complex. You may have noticed this new sign the Town of Hempstead put up - “West Hempstead.”

It’s a bit confusing at this location. You see, it is true at this point the road and the land on the east side of the street is West Hempstead. However, the land on the west side of the street (where this sign has been placed) belongs to the Incorporated Village of Garden City. This includes the Garden City Nursery School, the G.C. Public School Bus garage and the G.C. Sanitation Municipal Yard.

So, the sign should be moved a couple of hundred feet south to where our incorporated Village ends. Hopefully, one of the trustees reading this can do something about it because, you know, borders matter.

Monday Night Bridge Results

The winners of the Monday, March 4, 2024 games:

North/South:

1st Place: Liz Tetro and Carol Cook

2nd Place: Grace Basile and Joan Cowie

East/West:

1st Place: Peggy Burns and Carrie Flapan

2nd Place: Tommie Dodge and Terry Schoenig

BRUCE TORINO

For Village Trustee

Who am I?

A Garden City resident for many years who raised my two sons here and cares deeply about the community. My proven track record speaks to my commitment:

H A three-time Village Trustee (1997-2001 and 2022-2024), a Recreation Commissioner, a Fire Commissioner, a leading member of the Zoning Board, and a member of the legal and finance committees

H A winning fighter for the Village against urbanization - as an attorney, led the litigation to stop the expansion of Roosevelt Field

H Preserved quality of life by leading the fights against a mega-grocery store from destroying 7th Street and turning St. Paul’s into an assisted living facility operated by a soon to be bankrupt company

H A leader who works collaboratively to get things done: the redesigned playground at St. Paul’s, the fire department’s comprehensive fire protocol to protect residents, new library doors to address the needs of the disabled

H A volunteer who understands that his job is to serve the residents, not to please the dictates of a select group with a hidden agenda

H A person who believes elected officials should never be dismissive of the residents and serve best when they encourage and consider every resident

Elect Bruce Torino –A proven leader who collaborates across all Village groups to deliver results and Gets Things Done.

From page 20

unteer for the Village on one of the Village Boards and Commissions. These positions are an important part of our Village governance, and serving on these Boards or Commissions is an opportunity for residents to share their talents and contribute to our community in a meaningful way. Most of the terms that are expiring each year will be filled at the organizational meeting, with the exception of the Library Board where the staggered five year terms expire on December 31st of each year.

The appointments are made based on resident interest, resident qualifications, Village needs, and the absence of any conflicts or appearances of a conflict. For those who have submitted resumes in the past and were not appointed to a Board of Commission, I would ask that you contact our Village Clerk to confirm your ongoing interest and to make sure she has a current resume and letter of interest on file. If you are presently on a Board or Commission and your term is expiring, please contact the Village Clerk and advise whether you have an interest in continuing. If you do, please confirm that the Village Clerk has an updated resumé and a letter detailing your ongoing interest. While in the past there may have been a practice of continuing the same people in these positions indefinitely, I see merit in giving opportunities to new residents to participate and bring new ideas and expertise to the Boards and Commissions, though I also understand the benefit of continuity and experience particularly in certain positions. That being said, I, along with the Board of Trustees, will make the decisions recognizing the importance of the positions and in placing the candidates in the positions who we believe will best serve the Village.

We are considering expanding the Beautification Committee at the upcoming Organizational Meeting to include additional responsibilities and are hoping that we receive resumes from residents who are interested in helping with and expanding our ongoing beautification efforts throughout the Village. With progress being made towards a decision on St. Paul’s and the historic Toll House in need of repairs and refurbishing, I welcome letters of interest and resumes from residents with passion and interest in our Village’s history. Resumes and letters of interest should be emailed to Village Clerk Kelly Galanek at kgalanek@gardencityny.net. The following Boards and Commissions have openings effective April 1, 2024:

Architectural Design Review Board: This Board examines the exterior design of buildings for the purpose of maintaining appropriate standards of appearance with respect to the spe-

mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net

cific buildings and their relationship to their surroundings. Seven members of the Board are appointed for three-year terms.

Civic Beautification: Working with the Village Arborist, the Committee assists in selecting the type and placement of flowers and trees on the Village’s many public properties and pursuing the long-held goal of making the Village an official arboretum.

Planning Commission: This seven-member Commission is appointed for terms of three years. The group reviews plans for the development of vacant areas, streets, parks, and other public places, and subdivisions of private property to assure consistency with established community standards. With the exception of a one-family dwelling on a single plot, the Planning Commission also performs site plan reviews for all new buildings, additions to buildings, altered land use activities, and projects containing more than one home. The Commission also conducts studies and is advisory to the Board of Trustees on matters relating to zoning, parking, and other issues.

Board of Ethics: The Board of Ethics recognizes that there are rules of ethical conduct for public officers and employees which must be observed if a high degree of moral conduct is to be obtained and if public confidence is to be maintained in our unit of local government. This Board ensures that all Village Officials and Employees are conducting themselves in such a manner. This Board is appointed by the Mayor.

Recreation Commission: This Board must have at least five members but can have up to eight members. The Commissioners oversee the development of the Village’s Recreation Program.

Environmental Advisory Board: The Environmental Advisory Board is responsible to the Board of Trustees and reports on environmental matters affecting the Village. The Board can have at least six but not more than eight members appointed to four-year terms. The Chairperson is a member of the Board of Trustees. The Public Works superintendent serves as Recording Secretary.

Thank you to all the residents who are volunteering for the Village and to those looking to get more involved!

2024 Village Election: What you need to know

The General Village Election for 2024 will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The polls will be open from 12 Noon to 9:00 p.m. in the evening and will be held at the St. Paul’s Field House. The names of all those who are running for Village office is as follows:

For A Better Garden City Party

Trustee - Two-Year Term

Charles P. Kelly

Trustee - Two-Year Term

Richard A. Williams

Trustee - Two-Year Term

Michael J. Sullivan

Trustee - Two-Year Term

Lawrence N. Marciano, Jr.

Community Agreement Party

Trustee - Two-Year Term

Vinny Muldoon

Trustee - Two-Year Term

Judy Courtney

Trustee - Two-Year Term

Jessica Tai

Trustee - Two-Year Term

Bruce A. Torino

Common Ground

Trustee - Two-Year Term

Larry Nedelka

Early Voting

It’s never been easier to vote in the Village Election scheduled for March 19, 2024. Absentee ballot applications and early mail ballot applications are both available online on the Village website under the Business/Clerk’s office. Applications are also available in the lobby of Village Hall. Whether you are submitting an absentee or early mail application, if you are requesting your ballot by mail, the application must be received by March 12. If you are requesting to pick up your ballot in person at Village Hall, we must have the application by March 18. ALL absentee or early mail ballots must be received by the close of polls, 9:00 p.m., on the day of the election, March 19, to be counted. Ballots received after this day/ time will not be counted.

Daylight Saving Time

On Sunday, March 10 (Daylight Saving Time), New Yorkers will set their clocks forward one hour. The Garden City Fire Department in conjunction with Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) is urging everyone to check their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at that time. Homeowners with alarms that have sealed, non-removable batteries should test the alarms to see if they are functional and check their expiration

dates. Alarms equipped with removable batteries should have their batteries replaced and then test the alarm. Smoke alarm tips from FASNY and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• Test alarms at least once a month by using the test button.

• If you have an alarm with a removable battery, be sure to check the batteries every six months, and change the batteries every year. If a battery is starting to lose its power, the unit will usually chirp to warn you. Do NOT disable the unit.

• Vacuum or blow out any dust that might accumulate in the unit.

• Never borrow a battery from an alarm to use somewhere else.

• Never paint a smoke or CO alarm.

• Install at least one smoke alarm on every floor of your home, including the basement, and in, or near each sleeping area.

• Smoke alarms should not be installed near a window because drafts could interfere with their operation.

• Families should also develop and practice a home fire escape plan.

• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for testing smoke alarms and replacing the batteries.

For more information on smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and other information on fire safety and prevention, visit www.gcfdny.com | www. fasny.com | www.nfpa.org

Happening in Garden City

Monday, March 11th

1:30 p.m. Movie Matinee: A League of Their Own at the Library

Tuesday, March 12

11:15 a.m. Chair Yoga with Maggie at the Senior Center

8:00 p.m. EAB Meeting with special guest Village Arborist Joe Umana at Village Hall

7:00 p.m. An Old Fashioned Irish Sing Along with Kevin Westley at the Library. Must register.

Wednesday, March 13th

10:00 a.m. Exercise with Felicia at the Senior Center

Thursday, March 14th

7:00 p.m. Piano Recital and Lecture at the Library

7:30 p.m. Budget Work Session I at Village Hall and via Zoom

Saturday, March 16th

11:00 a.m. Volunteer Day at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary

Vote for Richard Williams

GARDEN CITY TRUSTEE

involvEd

•Member of GC Zoning Board of Appeals – protecting the character of our Village

•Led ‘Business Development Committee’ Plan to lessen residential tax burden

•Founder of ‘Say No’ to Sands Casino Committee

Mutli-GEnErAtion GArdEn city FAMily

•Three (3) generations of the Williams Family -all current Garden City residents

•Children attending all GC Schools, K-12

•Lax, FH, Track, Soccer & Basketball parent. Coached GC Teams.

ExpEriEncE And EducAtion

•Involved in Zoning, Business Improvement, Lower Tax Burden

•Finance, Operations and Business Experience

•Vape Shop/Rules & Regulations

•Graduate of St John’s Law

• Pro Bono work for GC and others

VOTE FOR RICHARD WILLIAMS – VILLAGE TRUSTEE

IN MEMORIAM

Ernest Kaufmann

Ernest Kaufmann died peacefully on February 25, 2024, and joined his beloved wife, Bridget, in Eternal Life.

Ernie was the oldest of three children who resided in Forest Hills, Queens. He was a standout student and athlete while attending Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. Ernie was a member of Loughlin’s award-winning Cross Country Track Team and established lifelong friends. After graduation, Ernie spent the next years studying at St. Joseph’s College / Mary Immaculate Seminary and College in Princeton, NJ. He received his BA in Philosophy but after much soul searching, he decided to leave the seminary.

Next, Ernie served his country by joining the Air Force Reserve Recovery Squadron.

His professional career began with CBS. After several years, Ernie went to Uarco Company on Madison Avenue, designing and selling business forms. He stayed with Uarco until his retirement in 1990.

Ernie met his wife Bridget Lynch at Our Lady of the Angelus Church in Rego Park, Queens. They were married in 1959 and had three girls: Barbara, Christine and Eileen. Ernie and Bridie moved the family from Forest Hills to Garden City, Long Island, and became active in St. Anne’s Parish. They became involved in Marriage Encounter and made a multitude of new friends. Ernie joined the Liturgical Committee He also became a lector and an Extraordinary Minister. Bridget joined him as an EM and both were Pre-Cana teachers. In addition to the church, Ernest read weekly to the 3rd grade class at St. Anne’s School for many years.

Life for Ernie turned into commuting into the city for work by day, jogging in the evenings, and the occasional golf game at Eisenhower Park on the weekends. As an avid Mets fan, a yearly Opening Day at Shea was a must. Ernie and his buddies started playing tennis together which continued for the

Ernest Kaufmann

next 40+ years.. Somehow with all these activities, Grandpa Ernie was a devoted grandfather to all his grandkids.

In the later years, Ernie noticed Bridget having problems with her memory. He would stay by her side and enlisted the help of his daughters to assist. Together, they moved into The Regency at Glen Cove. Staying together was the number one priority. Bridget left this life in November 2023. Ernie was so unhappy without her. His time to join her came three months later on February 25th.

Ernest is survived by his three daughters – Barbara Sigwalt (Michael), Christine Digan (Terry), and Eileen Dignam (Dan); his brother Eric Kaufmann and his wife Carol Kaufmann; his sister-in-law Anne Nelson; nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Bishop Laughlin Memorial High School and Safe Harbor at The Regency, Glen Cove.

Have you lost someone?

If you would like to post an obituary for a loved one, simply send a short biography of them with (if desired) their photo, details of their funeral/visitation services, and/or any donation requests to editor@gcnews.com, or call our office at 516-294-8900 to inquire.

IN MEMORIAM

Virginia M. McNamara

Virginia "Ginny" M. McNamara

89, long-time resident of Garden City, passed away peacefully on February 29, 2024 after an extended illness.

Born in Manhattan on July 9th, 1934 she was the daughter of Raymond J. and Ruth Connolly. Beloved wife of the late William "Bill" J. McNamara Jr, loving mother of Erin McNamara Nothel (Steven) of Garden City, devoted and caring grandmother of Laurel Erin Nothel. Ginny was predeceased by her younger brother Kenneth Connolly and is survived by her sister Terese "Terry" Corroon (Dave). She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, numerous grand-nieces, grand-nephews and one great-grandniece.

Ginny was raised in Garden City and was a 1952 graduate of the Garden City High School and attended SUNY Cortland. Her husband Bill was a 1953 GCHS graduate. Special to her was that her daughter Erin was also a graduate of GCHS 1982, as well as her granddaughter Laurel, class of 2015. Ginny took great pride in watching her granddaughter play sports at the GCHS. Ginny enjoyed many of the offerings that Garden City provided her. Especially

important to her was the friendships she enjoyed at the Garden City Pool, the Garden City Community Club and her exercise classes at St. Paul’s.

A mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday March 7th at The Church of St. Anne's Parish and interment at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Hospital

IN MEMORIAM

Richard E. Pate

Richard Edward Pate passed away February 21, 2024, in Springdale, AR.  Dick was born February 17, 1933, the son of M.T. and Jessie Pate, in Camden, Arkansas.  Dick lived a full and wonderful life.  He was much loved by family and extended family.  He was always a kind and thoughtful man and enjoyed sharing good times with family and friends.  He loved painting in his spare time and baking chocolate cakes and brownies for special occasions.

After serving his country in the army, he started his career in the oil fields of El Dorado, AR, wearing a hard hat.  When he retired, he was executive vice president of Merit Oil and had lived in Garden City, and in Philadelphia, PA.  He was greatly respected by his

peers and employers as a very astute businessman and a man who could be depended upon to keep his word in business transactions.  He was the epitome of the American dream.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley A Pate, his son Michael and wife Jayne, son Scott, and his grandchildren Ashley and Will, Jeremy and Courtney, Jessica, and Shane and Tia. He also had great grandchildren Finley, Hayden, Sophie, and Tucker.  He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, and in-laws who spent many wonderful hours in his company.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Sarah Bradshaw and Dottie Eisenstadt, and brother L.T. Pate.

As per his instructions no funeral or memorial services will be held.

Virginia M. McNamara

Laszlo Jurak, Athletic Director at the Waldorf School from 1963–1994.

Laszlo Jurak

The Waldorf School of Garden City has announced that Laszlo Jurak, Athletic Director, physical education teacher and coach at The Waldorf School of Garden City (WSGC) from 1963-1994, passed away on Monday, March 4.

Coach Jurak had an enormous

impact on the Waldorf School community and its athletic program. He was a tireless advocate and leader for Team Handball on Long Island, across the United States, and around the world.

He was born on June 2, 1931, in a farming village in Hungary and moved to Budapest with his family when he was seven years old. According to a 1986 profile in The New York Times, he was interested in sports as a child, so he joined a basketball club and in his senior year made the all-star team. At 18 years old, he worked for two years as a salesperson before enrolling in the University of Physical Education in Budapest.

After Soviet troops moved into Hungary during the 1956 uprising, he took a train to Vienna from the Olympic Camp where he was training with the Hungarian National Basketball Team and asked for political asylum at the United States Embassy, emigrating from his native Hungary and arriving in the United States in December 1956.

He attended Bard College for three months to learn English before enrolling at New York University to study for a master's degree in physical education; while at NYU in 1963, it was recommended that he apply for a position on the faculty at The Waldorf School of Adelphi College as a physical

education instructor, athletic director and coach. After he was hired for the position by the Faculty Chair, John Gardner, he eventually transferred to Adelphi University and completed his master’s degree in 1971.

Throughout his time at WSGC, Coach Jurak built a dynamic physical education curriculum rooted in building core strength through gymnastics and motor skill development. During his tenure as Athletic Director and Coach his teams flourished – winning nineteen boys’ soccer league championships, and enjoyed three separate winning streaks of forty games or more without a loss, one in the 1960’s, 1970’s and 1980’s. In boys’ basketball his teams finished as league runners-up on many occasions, finally winning the league championship in 1986. To recognize his coaching excellence, the Waldorf School soccer field was named in his honor in 2003.

Coach Jurak was a player and coach for the U.S. Team Handball National Team and served as an administrator and board member for USA Team Handball for over 55 years. He was a lifelong ambassador for the sport, advocating for it around the world and organizing competitions throughout his life, including at Adelphi University, where he also coached. Coach Jurak is

credited with scouting and developing more than 15 Olympians and more than seventy-five men’s and women’s U.S. National Team members and is the U.S. all-time winningest coach, having won 22 U.S. national handball championships.

Coach Jurak also served as a tennis instructor for Garden City Parks and Recreation well into his 80s, fostering a love for the sport in countless young people and was as adjunct professor of Physical Education at Adelphi University.

Laszlo Jurak was larger than life, he leaves behind an incredible legacy through the thousands of students and athletes he taught, coached, and mentored throughout his life.

Coach Jurak is survived by his wife Ingrid, former Early Childhood teacher at WSGC, son Christian’87 and grandson Alex. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, students and athletes.

A public wake will be held on Friday, March 8, 2024, at: Park Funeral Home, 2175 Jericho Tpke, Garden City Park, NY 11040 from 4:00pm - 8:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Laszlo Jurak Athletic Fund at WSGC.  Please select “Laszlo Jurak Fund” within the drop down list under “designation”.

New arborist to focus on public beautification

From page 1

a child, and when he was a Kellenberg sophomore, at 15 years old.

“I picked up a part-time job working on the grounds, and I fell in love with plants and working with my hands. When it became time to attend college I entered as a business major, I was unsure of a career path but I knew I loved horticulture and landscape design – so I changed my major to Plant Science/Horticulture, with a concentration in Landscape Design, before I even took any classes,” Umana told the Commission.

He pursued the program and earned a bachelor’s of science in plant science at the University of Delaware. Next, Joe headed down to Disney World for an internship with the Magic Kingdom theme park.

“When I came back home I worked for a few local companies, and in May of 2014 I started working with Harder Tree & Landscape here in Garden City, where I ran all their NYC operations and their major installs, maintenance, condominiums, parks, rooftop terraces, everything throughout the city.” he told the Rec. Commission members.

Three years ago Umana and his wife bought a home in Suffolk County, so he began to work exclusively on Long Island. He said he pursued the opening in the Village Rec. Department because he truly loves and enjoys horticulture and arboriculture.

He believes the village Rec. and Parks Department can and will do a better job of the planting program, with different species needing to be in the mix in the key commercial areas.

“To have my name attached to this

village, Garden City and the place it is and the reputation that it has for plant life, presents a big deal for me. I didn’t come for the money, I came for the reputation and for being able to look back generations from now and to be proud of what I did and what I was a part of here,” Joe Umana explained.

In addition to his degree Umana is a certified arborist, a municipal specialist arborist, a certified nursery landscape professional and a pesticide technician. He said he also teaches a class at Western Suffolk BOCES to homeowners and business owners. Umana is also currently studying to become a board-certified master arborist, and he imagines a future career step in consulting arboriculture work.

“I have a wealth of knowledge in landscapes, horticulture and arboriculture but I am a student of the game; I’m always learning and looking to better myself and get better and hone my skills. I didn’t come here to play any games, I have a plan and intentions but this remains a daunting task as Garden City has over 12,000 established trees here, nine parks and within the last three years we’ve put another 500 trees in the ground,” he said.

Superintendent Blake commented on the February 23 notification his department received, that Garden City is again listed as a “Tree City USA.” He said this is an important recognition, and a 2024 flag would be arriving for the village to display.

Along Nassau Boulevard, in the center medians the Rec. and Parks staff has planted several cherry trees and crepe myrtle plants, and more are on the way.

“In the spring we envision Nassau

Boulevard being all cherry blossoms, which I’ve always wanted to do,” Blake said.

Umana said that in summer the flowers from crepe myrtles will accentuate the look. He added some long-range ideas on increasing the tree and plant varieties and other initiatives to have Garden City remain true to its name:

“Essentially what Paul and I are working on together is making the village seasonal, so we have stuff flowering in spring and then other stuff flowering during summer, so that differentiates –right now everything we have are shade trees, which are beautiful and majestic trees, but we lack a lot of seasonal flower color. The other thing is that a lot of the trees are oversized for the plot,” he said.

Umana said a 30-inch strip of the lawn might contain a gigantic oak tree, which has an over eight-foot-wide flare. He explained the common concern that sidewalk spaces and curbs suffer, and the concrete would need to be redone in such scenarios.

“Roots are disturbed there, and then structurally the trees are not safe –when you have these big storms including Sandy in 2012, look what happened. Trees went down all over the place and that happens because of a reason. We are now trying to move towards things that that present the village with more color, and trees that give us a less invasive root system so we do not deal with the same type of buckling of those sidewalks – we need trees that will not have major health/safety impacts if the limbs come down or damage occurs. It will allow the Rec. and Parks staff and department to operate from a

LEGAL NOTICES

standpoint of risk assessment, planting whatever poses the least risks to our residents while still making improvements,” Umana noted.

Central section beautification to be handled in-house

With a timely update on the services provided by landscaping contractors Con-Kel Landscaping, Superintendent of Recreation and Parks Paul Blake announced that in the Central section of the village, his department crews and staff will begin maintaining the Central section of Garden City including all of the Seventh Street, Franklin Avenue and Hilton Avenue commercial areas. Con-Kel will continue its contractual services in the village by handling the workload in the three other sections of the municipality.

According to Blake, a recent meeting involving the Garden City Chamber of Commerce leadership and village officials highlighted the need for “stepping up the appearance” in the village’s Central section, head-to-toe and all around, because “It’s high visibility and it’s the Fifth Avenue of Garden City, so we want to make sure we get it right.”

“This is what people see when they think of Garden City. They might be on Seventh Street and it isn’t clean enough or there are decorations missing – Last year we did not put the big Easter eggs out on the pine tree next to Nassau Federal Credit Union and everybody went ballistic,” Blake explained.

Trustee Michael Sullivan, liaison to the village Rec. Department, asked Blake about the maintenance and beautification involving the large planters after there were some complaints noted

New arborist

on their appearance. Blake reviewed the procedures for addressing planters and seasonal flowers.

In a discussion on “the concerted effort” to have many parts of the village, and especially the Central section “looking the way it should,” Superintendent Blake shared that village employee Tom Gordon serves as a “contractor relations person” – in this role, he follows the Con-Kel Landscaping crews on their rounds in Garden City. He enforces the work outlined per the contract.

Blake told the Commission, “Since Tom has been doing that (Con-Kel’s) work has gotten increasingly better. Frankly last summer was better than the year before (2022) and it did take a little time to get there. Con-Kel also lost a key foreman to retirement last year.

There are areas outside of the business district that don’t need all of the hedge-cutting, trimming, and shrubbery work that we do need in the Central section because of all our municipal parking lots –those are all village properties that we have to maintain. Our department does that as well.”

We Fetch You More

Fun in the works for Kids and Teens at the Library!

The Library staff has been working on great activities for Spring. From popular favorites to new and seasonal programs, there’s something fun for everyone! (New or seasonal activities are in bold). Here are just a few - there’s more in store!

Hands on play

Lego Club; DUPLO lego; Brio train set! Crafting with Friends; Young Engineers; Teen Paint Night;

Music and Stories

Play Hooray Babies; Music for Aardvarks! Jump for Joy; Teen poetry display with poetry by community teen volunteers; Tot’s night out;

Engaging activities

Spring Egg Hunt (preschool)! and Egg Scavenger Hunt (everyone) featuring eggs decorated by our teens! Chick Incubation Program!

Caring for our feelings Friendship bracelets for community service (teen); Kindness cards for community service; Calming Corner (coming later in 2024; thanks to a NYS Grant)!

Giving back (teens)

Teen volunteer opportunities for children’s programs; VolunTeen Artists; Teen Advisory Board; Check back for more great activities; on the website www. gardencitypl.org, facebook, or by following our newsletter (subscribe on our home page).

About to hit a milestone?

Share your life accomplishments with your neighbors! Put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper, (and it's free of charge for subscribers!) Email editor@gcnews.com

It’s What’s Happening for Young Adults Through the Library

Chick Incubation ProjectEggs Arrive March 19, Chicks Begin Hatching April 8!

The Library’s Annual Chick Incubation program is returning this year! Eggs will arrive on Tuesday, March 19 and are scheduled to begin hatching Monday, April 8. Chicks will be returned one week after they hatch. Eggs are picked up from Cornell Cooperative Extension at Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, NY and chicks are returned back to Cornell Cooperative Extension at Suffolk County Farm in Yaphank, NY. Before they hatch, make sure to enter a name into our annual Name the Chick contest for your chance to name one of our chicks!

“College Admissions in Today’s Challenging Environment!” with Your College Navigator

Michael Binder

Learn about the college admissions process at the program “ College Admissions  in Today’s Challenging Environment! ” featuring presenter Michael Binder. This program will be held on Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. and is for all 9th, 10th and 11th grade students and parents.

In this 1 1/4 hour session, students and parents will learn:

• The KEY STEPS students must take to maximize their admissions and scholarship potential

• How to determine which colleges are TRULY BEST FOR YOU

• How to DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE your chances of getting into your targeted colleges

• Show you how to get colleges to want you BEFORE you apply

• Identify what 9th, 10th, and 11th graders should be doing NOW!

This program will be presented By: Michael Binder, MS, MBA President and Founder, Your College Navigator, LLC www.ycnavigator.com

All attendees will receive the Complete Year-by-Year Guide to College Admissions Success!

Registration is required and begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper. Please indicate all those attending from your family when you register on Eventkeeper.

Paint An Egg for our Egg Scavenger

Hunt for Community Service

Earn community service by painting a foam egg at home for the Garden City Public Library’s Egg Scavenger Hunt Project! Registration began Tuesday, March 5. Each volunteer will receive one egg and a set of paint pens to decorate their egg at home. Egg and paint pens must be picked up at the

Library. Paint pens must be returned to the library. Volunteers’ eggs will be used in the Library’s Egg Scavenger Hunt! Eggs are due back no later than Thursday, March 14. Volunteers are also welcome to use their own supplies that they have at home. Volunteers will receive two hours for participating in this project, at the discretion of the Tweens and Teens Department. The eggs will be used until the end of April. Afterward, participants can pick up their eggs until May 17. Eggs will be held no longer than May 17. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Poetry for Community Service

Tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 can earn community service by writing poetry for the Tweens & Teens Department National Poetry Month Display in April! Beginning Monday, March 4, volunteers can write and submit poems. Each volunteer can submit up to five poems and volunteers must use a different shape for each poem they submit. Volunteers’ poems will be displayed as they are submitted outside the Tweens and Teens Room throughout the months of March, April, and May.

Volunteers must come to the Library to pick up a volunteer form and shapes to write their poem on. Shapes to write poems on and the volunteer form can be found inside the Tweens & Teens Room at the Library. If supplies are low, please check back another day for more supplies.

Volunteers must use the shapes provided by the Library to write their poem on and must cut out their shape before submitting their poem. Poems should be legible and written in large enough print and with a dark pen, sharpie, marker, etc so they can be read from a distance. Volunteers can also decorate their shape. All poems should be original work.

Volunteers must return a volunteer form with their poems; volunteers do not have to submit all five poems at once and should do an additional form for poems they submit at a later date. Poems will be accepted until April 30. Please return poems and volunteer forms to the Community Service DropOff Box on the metal cabinet in the Tweens and Teens Room.

Volunteers will receive one hour for every poem they submit, at the discretion of the Tweens and Teens Department.

If you have questions, please contact the Tweens and Teens Department at: https://www.gardencitypl.org/youngadult-department/contact-the-youngadult-tweens-teens-department/.

Volunteers Needed: Preschool DUPLO LEGO Club

Volunteer to help children ages 1½–5 (not in kindergarten) during the monthly children’s program, Preschool DUPLO LEGO Program! The March session will be held on Tuesday, March 12. The Preschool DUPLO LEGO program runs from 4 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 3:30 p.m. to help set-up before the start of the program and stay after to help clean up until 5 p.m. Volunteers must be in Grades 6–12 only. Registration to volunteer began Tuesday, March 5, online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Teen Crafternoon: Free Paint and Craft

Paint and craft at a special Teen Crafternoon: Free Paint and Craft on Wednesday, March 13, at 3 p.m. We'll have a variety of art supplies you can use to paint and craft, leftover from previous Crafternoon programs. Please note there's a limited amount of each craft supply, so registrants may not be able to do every craft project. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration begins Tuesday, March 5, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org).

Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Tween Thursdays: Scratch Art Keychains

Join us for Tween Thursdays and design your own keychains during the Scratch Art Keychains program! This program is for tweens in Grades 4–7 and is a joint program with the Children’s and Young Adult Departments. The program will be held Thursday, March 14, at 4 p.m. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, March 5, online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. It is Library policy that parents of children under 10 attending a program remain at the Library throughout and meet the child upon completion of the program. Tweens in Grades 6 and 7 who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Volunteers Needed: Reading Pals

Volunteer to read to and then do a craft with children ages PreK–Grade 2 during the program Reading

Pals! The March session will be held on Tuesday, March 19. The Reading Pals program runs from 4 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 3:30 p.m. to review the material before the start of the program and stay until 5 p.m. to help clean up. Volunteers must be in Grades 6–12 only. Registration to volunteer begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Tree Ornaments for Community Service: Egg Ornaments

Earn community service by painting ornaments for the Garden City Public Library’s Tweens and Teens Department’s Ornament Tree! Each volunteer will receive three ornaments and a set of paint pens to decorate their ornaments at home. Paint pens must be returned to the Library. These ornaments will be used to decorate our new ornament tree each month!

For the month of March ornaments are eggs, which will be used to decorate the Tweens and Teens Ornament Tree in April. Registration begins Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited; check Eventkeeper for availability. Completed ornaments must be returned by Thursday, March 28, to the Library.

Registrants will be asked to pick up their ornaments at the Library in order to participate in this community service program. Volunteers must return three decorated ornaments and their set of paint pens in order to receive community service. Volunteers will receive two hours for every three ornaments they submit, at the discretion of the Tweens and Teens Department. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Teen Paint Night

Join us on Wednesday, March 20, at 7 p.m. for Teen Paint Night. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org). Space is limited; check Eventkeeper for availability.

Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Tweens and Teens

Dungeons and Dragons

Join us for Tweens and Teens Dungeons and Dragons and learn how to play the fantasy role-playing game

It’s What’s Happening for Young Adults Through the Library

Dungeons and Dragons by participating in one of our monthly Dungeons and Dragons Meet-Ups! Beginners are welcome! Each meet-up will feature a new self-contained, one-shot adventure and players will be assigned premade characters to play. Please register via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) to participate in this program. The March session will be held Thursday, March 21, at 4 p.m. Registration begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper. Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Teen Gamers

Kick off the weekend with our Teen Gamers program! We will have our Nintendo Switch consoles for teens to use as well as tabletop board games and Magic: The Gathering cards for teens to play with. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 and will be held Friday, March 22, at 3:30 p.m. Registration begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. Teens who complete an online survey after the program can receive community service for participating in this program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Friendship Bracelets for Community Service

Make Friendship Bracelets for friends and Library patrons during Friendship Bracelets for Community Service, which will be held on Monday, March 25, at 4 p.m. at the Library. Inspired by the Taylor Swift Eras Tour, create Friendship Bracelets to trade and give to friends and for the Library to give to patrons. At least one bracelet you make must be used for the Library to give out to patrons in order to earn community service. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration is required and begins Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Volunteers Needed: LEGO Club

Volunteer to help children Grades K–5 during the monthly Children’s program LEGO Club! The February session will be held on Tuesday, March 26. The LEGO Club program runs from 4 p.m.–4:45 p.m. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 3:30 p.m. to help set-up before the start of the program and stay after to help clean up until 5:15 p.m. Volunteers must be in Grades 6–12 only. Registration to volunteer begins Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.

Library Board meeting rescheduled

There will be a Regular Meeting of the Board of Library Trustees on Monday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m. in the small meeting room on the lower level of the Library. This meeting was origi-

nally scheduled for Monday, March 11. Further details will be posted when available on the Library’s website, www.gardencitypl.org.

Roof replacement nearing completion

The Garden City Public Library’s roof replacement project is nearing completion. Abatement has been completed, as well as the roof work. The containers have also been removed from the

parking lot. Masonry restoration work is ongoing; the project will take a few more weeks to complete. This work has no impact on Library hours and services.

gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

VolunTeen Artists

Are you artistic? Then join us on Wednesday, March 27, at 6 p.m. for our VolunTeen Artists program and work on art projects for the Library! Participants will earn community service by participating in this program. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Registration begins Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org). Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Chess4Community: Play and Learn

Join us for Chess4Community: Play and Learn on Friday, March 29, 2024, 10 a.m.–11 a.m. All ages and levels are welcome. Registration is required. You must register for each session you want to attend. Register online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl. org). Space is limited, so please check Eventkeeper for availability.

Chess4Community is launching engaging chess sessions designed to bring together players from diverse ages and skill levels. Participants will be thoughtfully paired based on their playing experience, ensuring a balanced and competitive environment. Throughout these sessions, players will face off against equally matched opponents and receive valuable instruction, offering tailored advice and teaching new strategies and skills.

Can’t make it on March 29? This program will run once a month from 10 a.m.–11 a.m. on the following dates:

• April 26, 2024

• June 28, 2024

• July 26, 2024

• August 30, 2024

Registration is required for all sessions. You must register for each session you want to attend. Register online via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org). Please note registration ends two days prior for each session.

Tweens and Teens

Best Books Committee 2024

Earn community service by reading and reviewing recently published Young Adult books throughout the

year and help the Tweens and Teens Department create the Best Books lists for 2024! Volunteers should be in Grades 6–12. Volunteers will be asked to read new books aimed at Grades 6–12 and published between January 1, 2023 and December 6, 2024. Volunteers will then fill out a feedback form, which includes a 300-word review. Volunteers can use the Library’s monthly reading lists beginning in January 2024 to help get ideas on what to read!

To access the feedback form and earn community service credit, scan the QR code on the flier which can be found outside the Tweens and Teens Room. You can also access the feedback form by going to https://forms.gle/ Wy6HqY69envMHjHd8.

Tweens and Teens Around the World Recipe Cards for Community Service

Earn community service by participating in the Library's Tweens & Teens Department Around the World Recipe Card Community Service Project! Each volunteer can submit up to five recipe cards representing their cultural heritage. Recipe cards and volunteer forms can be found at the Library. Volunteers’ recipe cards will be available for other patrons to browse in the Tweens and Teens Room at the Library.

Volunteers must use the recipe cards provided by the Library to write their recipes on. Volunteers must have previously made the dish they are submitting a recipe for and must include a review of the recipe in the form of coloring in stars on the recipe card (a recipe can receive up to five stars). Recipes should be legible and written as neatly as possible. All volunteers should cite the source in which they found the recipe on their recipe card (a source can be a cookbook or website, but can also be a family member or neighbor). Volunteers must return a volunteer form with their recipe cards; volunteers do not have to submit all five recipe cards at once and should do an additional form for recipes they submit at a later date.

Recipes will be accepted until May 2, 2024. Please return completed recipe cards and the volunteer form to the Community Service Drop-Off Box on the metal cabinet in the Tweens & Teens Room. Volunteers will receive one hour for every recipe they submit, at the discretion of the Tweens & Teens Department.

See what's happening at your library!

From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library! Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!

CONSIDERING ST. PAUL’S FUTURE FACTS MATTER

In exploring all possible financing options for a St. Paul’s project, the Village Board of Trustees requested that special real estate counsel provide a legal analysis of the St. Paul’s Alliance plan to finance phase one of preserving the St. Paul’s Main Building. The plan suggested an average annual cost of approximately $400 per household.

In summary, counsel, taking a broad view of the plan, concluded it is not viable as presented. Reasons cited include:

» The St. Paul’s Alliance plan does not work without changing the parkland designation of the St. Paul’s property. The BOT does not intend to nor is it considering changing the parkland designation.

» The St. Paul’s Alliance plan cannot reduce construction and labor costs. As long as St. Paul’s is a Village owned property and the project is supported in whole or in part with Village revenues, as the Alliance proposes, it will remain subject to competitive bidding and prevailing wage or higher labor costs.

» The Village’s Aaa Moody’s rating allows it to borrow funds at a lower interest rate than the St. Paul’s Alliance plan, principally because the Village can borrow in the municipal bond market at triple tax-exempt rates.

As we move forward, the Village BOT is committed to exploring all possible financing options and will always take seriously its fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the residents of the Village.

The assessment of the St. Paul’s Alliance proposal for St. Paul’s Recreational Complex, prepared by Ruskin Muscou Faltischek P.C., can be found on the St. Paul’s section of gardencityny.net.

News from the Children’s Room

Winter 2024 Programming

Preschool Duplo LEGO

Tuesday, March 12, at 4:00 p.m.

This 30-minute  STEAM free-play program is for children ages 1½–5 (not yet  in kindergarten) and their caregivers. Librarians will put out Duplo LEGO bricks and children, along with their caregivers and Teen Volunteers, will play, create and build. No registration required. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Garden City Library.

Tween Thursdays

Thursday, March 14, at 4:00 p.m.

Join us for Tween Thursday and design your own Scratch Art Keychains. This program is for tweens in Grades 4–7. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend this program. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Garden City Library.

Registration is ongoing.

Crafting With Friends

Saturday, March 16, at 10 a.m.

Children ages 2–5 (not yet in kindergarten) and their caregivers can join Mary Maguire and make an Easter Basket Craft. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl. org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend this Registration begins  program.This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.

Registration is ongoing.

Crafting With Friends

Saturday, March 16, at 11:15 a.m.

Children in Grades K–5 can join Mary Maguire and make an Easter Basket Craft. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.

Registration is ongoing.

Tots Night Out

Monday, March 18, at 7:00 p.m.

This fun program is for children ages 2½–5 (not yet in kindergarten) and their adult caregiver. Join A Time for Kids and enjoy music, movement and literacy and make a feathered friends craft. Online registration on Eventkeeper www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is Sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.

Registration is ongoing.

Reading Pals

Tuesday, March 19, at 4:00 p.m.

This fun 30-minute program is for children ages 4–second grade. Under Librarian supervision, Teen Volunteers read to the children and then they do a craft together. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is Sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.

Registration begins March 12 at  10 a.m.

Jump for Joy Toddlers

Saturday, March 23, at 1:30 p.m.

Jump for Joy with Joyce Oddo! This fun movement and music program is 45 minutes long and is for children ages 13 months–5 years (not in kindergarten), and their adult caregivers. Online registration on Eventkeeper  (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required.You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.

Registration begins March 12 at 10 a.m.

Preschool Spring Egg Hunt

Tuesday, March 26, at 10:30 a.m.

This fun scavenger hunt is for children ages birth–5 (not in kindergarten) and their caregivers. Children will look high and low on the main floor of the Library for eggs filled with candy. Children should bring a basket or tote for the candy they find inside the eggs. Children take the candy home but leave the eggs at the Library. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library card is required. You must do a  separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.

Registration begins March 12 at  10 a.m.

LEGO Club

Tuesday, March 26, at 4:00 p.m.

This fun STEAM program is for children in Grades K–5 only. Come with old friends, meet new friends and have fun building whatever your imagination dreams up. No registration necessary. Seating is on a first-come, first served basis. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.

Crafts For Grades K-5

Wednesday, March 27, at 4:00 p.m.

Children in Grades K–5 can join a Librarian and get crafty and creative in this fun STEAM program. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gar-

dencitypl.org) with a Library card is required.You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Library.  Registration begins March 19 at 10 a.m.

Chess4Community Play and Learn Friday,  March 29, at 10:00 a.m.

All ages and levels Welcome! Chess4Community is launching engaging chess sessions designed to bring together players from diverse ages and skill levels. Participants will be thoughtfully paired based on their playing experience, ensuring a balanced and competitive environment. Throughout these sessions, players will face off against equally matched opponents and   receive valuable instruction, offering tailored advice and teaching new strategies and skills. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl. org) with a Library card is required. You must do a separate registration for each child you wish to attend.

Registration is open and ends 2 days before the program

Mother Goose Storytime

This fun 30-minute storytime is for children ages birth–2 and their caregivers. Join a Librarian and enjoy stories, music and rhymes and books. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library Card is required. A separate registration is required for each session and for each child you wish to attend this program.

• Tuesday, March 12, at 10:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, March 5, at 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, March 19, at 10:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, April 2, at 10:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, March 26, at 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, April 9, at 10:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, April 16, at 10:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m.

Preschool Storytime

This 30-minute program is for children ages 2–5 (not in kindergarten) and their caregivers. Join a Librarian and enjoy stories, music and movement. Online registration on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) with a Library Card is required. A separate registration is required for each session and for each child you wish to attend this program.

• Tuesday, March 12, at 11:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, March 5, at 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, March 19, at 11:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, March 12, at 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, April 2, at 11:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, March 26, at 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, April 9, at 11:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, April 2, at 10:00 a.m.

• Tuesday, April 16, at 11:30 a.m.

Registration begins Tuesday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m.

What’s the difference?

Did you know… … the difference between the Library & the Library Board & the Friends of the Library?

Library Board of Trustees

The Garden City Public Library is chartered as an educational corporation by the State of New York and maintains a legal existence separate and distinct from the Village of Garden City. The Library is governed by a 5-member Board of Trustees responsible for its oversight. The Library Board of Trustees has authority over policy-making, the expenditure of Library funds and administration.

Relationship with the Village

The Village Board approves the overall amount of funding proposed by the Library Board to be appropriated for Library purposes, however, only the Library Board has authority over the

expenditure of Library monies. The library cannot solicit funds. Library Trustees are appointed by the Mayor and Village Board. A member of the Village Board is usually assigned the role of Village Liaison to the Library. The Liaison attends Library board meetings in a non-voting capacity.

Relationship with the Friends

The Friends of the Garden City Public Library are a separate 501(c) (3) organization governed by an independent board. The Friends’ mission is to provide financial support and other assistance to the Garden City Public Library to enhance the programs and services available. They do not provide personnel funding.

For more information about the library, check the website www.gardencitypl.org, facebook, or by following our newsletter (subscribe on our home page).

You’re Invited

Where: Garden City Library

When: March 16 at 2pm & March 23 at 2pm

Join the Mayor’s St. Paul’s Advisory Committee for an afternoon at the Library to hear what we learned from visiting seven tri-state area community centers. We’ll present how they operate, how they are funded, and most importantly, how they serve the residents of their communities.

Visit the St. Paul’s page on gardencityny.net to stay up to date, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions. Submit questions to stpaulsquestions@gardencityny.net.

Walter Beal Bill Kavan

John Cantwell

Soraya Gage

Jim Apostilides

PTA Fundraising Dinner Tickets Now on Sale!

Purchase your tickets today for the PTA Annual Fundraising Dinner, which is sure to brighter than ever before! Visit https://www.betterunite. com/2024gcptadinner by scanning the QR code for detailed information and to purchase before the event sells out!

Every ticket grants access to delicious David Burke dinner buffet, a performance by the HS Jazz Band, live DJ, dancing and a chance to win fabulous prizes. Tickets can be purchased individually, in small groups or as a full table of 10. For full tables, an option to

Garden City PTA News

pre-purchase alcohol for your table will be emailed to the purchaser. For individual or small group ticket purchasers, if you want to be seated with specific people, email your request to dinner@ gardencitypta.org.

This is the PTA’s biggest fundraiser of the year, with 100% of the net proceeds directly supporting our children in all seven Garden City Schools. Don’t miss this fantastic community tradition!

Not able to attend the Dinner? You can still support the PTA with a donation via the registration page, by donating to or participating in our raffle and virtual silent auction. Raffle Basket donations ($250+) and Silent Auction donations ($500+) are welcomed until March 22; email dinnerdonations@gardencitypta.org for all the details.

Join Us at the Joint MS/HS PTA Meeting, March 12

Please join us for the latest MS/HS joint PTA meeting, happening March 12 at 9:30 am in person at the High School. The agenda includes helpful updates for both schools and great information for incoming high school students. Keep an eye on email for the full agenda in the coming days, and we’ll see you there!

Parents interested in joining us for a pre-meeting coffee with Superintendent

Sinha are also welcome to arrive early at 8:45. Just sign up for the “Brewing Connections: Coffee Chat with the Superintendent” event here: https:// bit.ly/3SsN8Tl.

Register Now for At-Home Art Event with The Whitney

Calling all GC artists! We invite all K–5 art-lovers to join us for a special night of at-home art making with educators from the world-renowned The Whitney museum. Children will be introduced to the art of The Whitney collection artist Ruth Asawa, best known for her  wire sculptures. Less commonly known is Asawa’s lifelong passion for drawing, which she described as her “greatest pleasure and the most difficult." Children will use their own art supplies at home to create drawings inspired by the work of this incredible Japanese-American artist. Check out the required materials and register at https://bit.ly/3IghpQD.

Spots Still Available for Student CPR-AED Training Class

GCPTA's Health & Safety Committee has opened registration for its CPR / AED training workshop happening on Wednesday, March 13, from 9am - 1 pm, at the GCHS. While school is closed, your MS and HS students are invited to spend the day with instructor Ken Soloksy (Security Director at Lenox Hill Hospital & retired NYPD Academy Instructor). This is an Adult/Pediatric CPR/AED/Lifeguard class, and DOES satisfy the standard for lifeguards working this summer. The session will cost $65, and pre-registration is required. Students who would like to participate can sign-up NOW at the main office of both the Middle School and High School.

Join Our 2024-25 Executive Committee

We’re happy to announce the GCPTA is now accepting nominations for the PTA Executive Committee for the 2024–25 school year. Upcoming open

positions include:

• President Elect

• Executive Vice President

• Vice President of Communications

• Vice President of Legislation

• Vice President of Curriculum

• Middle School Director

• Homestead Director

• Locust Director

Visit https://gardencitypta.org/ nominating-form for more info and to nominate yourself or someone you know before March 20, 2024.

Mark Your Calendars

Grab your calendar to mark down these important upcoming dates & deadlines from across the school district. You can keep an eye on the PTA website and the GCUFSD website “Events” page for even more detail on what’s happening across all seven schools.

• March 12 – Joint MS-HS PTA Meeting

• March 13 – Schools Closed; HS/MS CPR Class Offered

• March 25 – The Whitney virtual art event

• March 28–April 1 – Schools Closed, Easter Break

• April 3 – PTA Fundraising Dinner

Your Membership Matters!

Please take a minute today to visit www.gardencitypta.org to rejoin for the new 2023–24 school year. While there, click the “Get Involved” tab to see the many volunteer opportunities with the PTA overall, and with your child’s specific schools. We can’t wait to work with you this year!

Let’s Connect @GardenCityPTA

Website: www.gardencitypta.org

To Get Real Time InformationTurn on Notifications

Facebook: Facebook.com/ GardenCityPTA

Instagram: Instagram.com/ GardenCityPTA

Twitter: Twitter.com/ GardenCityPTA

News from the Garden City Public Library

Monday Movies

Monday Movies presented by the Friends of the Garden City Library: March 2024 - “Celebrating the Ladies and the Irish”

3/11: “A League of Their Own,” 1992,  128 minutes

3/18: “Brooklyn,” 2015, 111 minutes

3/25: “Erin Brockovich,” 2000, 130 minutes

March Programs

Yoga Night Out

Wednesdays, 7:00–8:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

**Wednesday, Mach 13

Wednesday, March 20

Wednesday, March 27

Wednesday, April 3

**Wednesday, April 10

Kimberly Mercadante is back with her popular Yoga Series!   Join her for a yoga class for beginners.  All are welcome! This is a series of 6 classes to be held on Wednesday evenings starting March 6 and continuing through April 10, 2024. A separate registration is required for each class.  Register online via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) or call the Reference desk at (516) 742-8405 x 5236.

**Please note the new start and end dates.

Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Alzheimers Association3 Part Series: Part 3 Monday, April 2, from 7:00–8:30 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Managing Money: A Caregiver’s Guide to Finances - This interactive program offers information about how caregiving impacts finances, preparing for discussions about finances, and steps to lower chances of financial abuse. You will also learn about legal and financial documents that should be put in place.

Registration is required for each session on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) or call the reference desk at (516)742-8405 x 5236 or or email:  Speaking of books@gardencitypl.org

Empire Safety Council Defensive Driving

Friday, March 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Receive 10% reduction on automobile/liability insurance and qualify for a license point reduction.

Register in person at the Garden

Teen Crafternoon

City Public Library. Space is limited, so check with the Reference Department for availability.

Register separately for each person. Registration is in person at the Reference Desk.

Proper ID is required when registering an absentee party. You must bring a $33 check made payable to ‘Empire Safety Council’  and current Library card with you to register.

Bring your valid New York State driver's license and a pen to class.

Contact Adult Services (516)742-8405 ext. 5236.  Email: Speakingofbooks@ gardencitypl.org

An Old-Fashioned Irish Sing-Along for St. Patrick’s Day with Kevin Westley *Tuesday, March 12, from 7:00–8:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Join us for an Old-Fashioned Irish Sing-Along for St. Patrick’s Day with Kevin Westley.  Songs include IrishAmerican songs such as “Danny Boy,” “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” “An Irish Lullaby” and “ McNamara’s Band.” Song sheets will be handed out, so all can join in the singing.

Registration with  Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) beginning

February 12, 2024

Contact Adult Services (516)742-8405 ext. 5236.  Email: Speakingofbooks@ gardencitypl.org

*This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Mary Maguire’s 50 Best Masterpieces of Europe - Part 2 Thursday, March 28, from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Join us for Part Two of Mary Maguire’s lecture on the 50 Best Masterpieces of Europe.  Are you planning a trip to Europe soon or have you traveled in Europe and want to relive precious memories?  Are you looking to make the “Grand Tour” of Europe? If so, this is the must-see two-part lecture series.

In Part Two, our journey takes us through the Renaissance, into the Baroque, and all the way to the viewing of Picasso’s “Guernica.”

No registration is required.  For additional information please contact the Reference desk at (516)742-8405 x 5236 or email at Speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org

Teens spend an afternoon painting and crafting together during Teen Crafternoon: Free Paint and Craft, which was held on Thursday, February 22, at the Library.

March 1, 2024

4 Days in Paris: Musee D’Orsay Highlights Day 1

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

On my first morning in Paris, as I set out from the Hotel Napoleon just across from the Arc de Triomphe in the tony 8th Arrondisement, at 10 am for a beautiful walk down ChampsElysee to Place de la Concorde, passed the Grand Palais, across the Seine, passed the National Assembly to my destination, the Musee d’Orsay, I am immediately under the city’s spell.

Paris is regal. Majestic. Monumental. The scale of the boulevards, the buildings, the structures. It is big and bustling, but curiously, you don’t feel choked or overwhelmed – probably because no structure is taller than the Eiffel Tower and you can see out, and because the city is designed around open spaces –the wide boulevards, gigantic plazas, parks, the Seine flowing through. There are places to sit, even water fountains and misting stations, while the smaller neighborhoods, with their narrow twisting roads, are quaint and quiet (little traffic).

The level of grandeur is breathtaking, and for a moment I am thinking that only a monarchy could have built this, a democracy never would have. But in the next, I am reminded that only the Revolution opened them for public purpose.

It is essential to plan your visit to Paris’ top museums and attractions in advance, and pre-purchase timed ticket, or book a time if you have the Paris Museum Pass (http:// en.parismuseumpass.com/) or Paris Pass (parispass.com), and try to book as early a time as possible, or evening hours.

And though it is better to try to visit on weekdays, considering that

The grand Musee D’Orsay, one of the most important museums in the world, famous for its collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist artists including Van Gogh, is housed in a magnificent Beaux-Arts train station built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900 © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

the Musee D’Orsay is closed on Monday (I book my Le Louvre visit for that day), I pre-booked my visit for Sunday.

Musee d’Orsay

The Musee d’Orsay is housed in what had been a truly grand train station, a Beaux-Arts jewel built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. It is famous for its fabulous collection of French art from 1848 to 1914 – paintings, sculpture, furniture, photography - including the largest collection of Impressionist and post-Impressionist masterpieces in the world.

Here you can experience for yourself (in relative peace, mind you) the exquisite works of Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gaugain and Berthe Morisot – actually it seems just about

all my favorite paintings by my favorite artists, as well as being introduced to outstanding works I am unfamiliar with.

The layout of the galleries is exquisite, and the views from the fifth floor gallery where the Van Goghs are displayed and from the Restaurant (you look through the massive clock to Sacre Coeur on Montmartre, like those scenes in the movie, “Hugo”) take your breath away.

Though the Musee D’Orsay is one of the largest museums in the world and the second most popular to visit in France after Le Louvre, it doesn’t feel large or crowded or intimidating. The clever layout – a warren of smaller galleries off a main, open hall – makes it feel more intimate and calm, even as I stand in front of such a popular painting as Van

Gogh’s “Starry Night”. The way you realize just how vast the museum is - at any time about 3,000 art pieces are on display – is by realizing you’ve been there for four hours. Time melts away, like the humongous clocks you get to see through to Paris’ magnificent skyscape.

The museum has 24 Van Goghs including such renowned works as L’Arlésienne,  Bedroom in Arles,  Self Portrait,  Starry Night,  Portrait of Dr. Gachet,  Doctor Gachet’s Garden in Auvers,  Saint-Paul Asylum, SaintRémy,  Self Portrait.

The Van Gogh gallery on Level 5 has an added attraction: the most magnificent views across the Seine of Le Louvre to Montmartre from one set of windows, the Eiffel Tower from another.

There are 81 Renoirs including “The Swing” (significant when I visit the Musee de Montmartre and see the spot where he painted it!), and 18 by Toulouse-Lautrec, plus James McNeill Whistler’s famous “The Artist’s Mother’, better known as “Whistler’s Mother.”

Thank goodness, the really excellent notes are presented in French and English (not so in many other places).

Besides the full-service restaurant, there is an absolutely delightful café in the lower level – reasonably priced and very comfortable, where I get refueled.

Open from 9.30am to 6pm daily, except Mondays; late night on Thursdays until 9.45pm

Musee D’Orsay, Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, 75007 Paris, https://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/

Ile de la Cite

From the Musee D’Orsay, I stroll down the quai along the Seine, with

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

4 Days in Paris: Musee D’Orsay Highlights Day 1

Continued from previous page

the marvelous book/magazine sellers, to the Pont Neuf (the oldest bridge in Paris) to Île de la Cité, a small island in the center of Paris where Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle are found. It is the historic heart of Paris.

I am really interested to see the progress on the restoration of NotreDame Cathedral, after that devastating fire of April 15, 2019.

There is an excellent photo exhibit by photographer Tomas van Houtryve with notes documenting the dramatic story of the restoration.

A short walk from Notre-Dame, in a small park, I come upon Holocaust Memorial to the 31,000 Parisians sent to Auschwitz.

Also close to Notre Dame on the Ile de Cite is Sainte-Chappelle, famous for its stained glass windows.

Sainte-Chapelle is considered one of the finest examples of Rayonnant period of Gothic architecture. Built between 1238-1248, the royal chapel was commissioned by King Louis IX to house his collection of Passion relics, including Christ’s Crown of Thorns – one of the most important relics in medieval Christendom. It served as the residence of France’s kings until the 14th century.

Adjacent to Sainte-Chapelle is La Conciergerie, the palace where MarieAntoinette was held before her execution (it’s closed by the time I arrive).

La Sainte Chapelle, https://www. sainte-chapelle.fr

Walking back to the Hotel Napoleon, I stroll alongside the full length of Le Louvre museum – once a palace –stunned by how large, and how exquisitely ordained it is (I will be visiting the next day), through Tuileries Garden to the Place de la Concorde, the larg-

est square in Paris, where King Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette and Robespierre were executed by guillotine during the French Revolution. I walk by the Petit Palais (where there is a Sarah Bernhardt exhibit I wish I could have seen; free admission to the collections!), to the Champs-Élysées.

Eiffel Tower

I get back to the Hotel Napoleon and rest awhile before heading out again to see the Eiffel Tower at night.

The Eiffel Tower is one of most beautiful structures in world – so elegant, so graceful, seemingly as light, delicate and intricate as filigree. I am surprised to learn that the design was criticized, even ridiculed when Gustave Eiffel, the engineer whose company designed and built the tower from 1887 to 1889, proposed it.

Nicknamed “La dame de fer” (“Iron Lady”), it was constructed as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair, and to crown the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution. (The tower also was supposed to be a temporary installation, but Eiffel pushed to have its lease extended and ultimately, became a permanent fixture of the city.)

We marvel at its beauty but in 1889, the tower was celebrated more as a historic feat of engineering: the first structure in the world to surpass both the 200-meter and 300-meter marks in height. At 330 meters (1,083 ft.) high, the Eiffel Tower is equivalent to an 81-storey building, and still is the tallest structure in Paris, dominating the skyline from wherever you are. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years until dethroned by New York City’s Chrysler Building in 1930.

NUTRITION NEWS

Strong Bones

BY CHARLYN FARGO

No matter what age, we need strong bones. And building strong bones starts early in life. We continue to build bone

The tower has three levels that visitors can reach, with restaurants on the first two. The top level’s upper platform is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground – the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union.

It is fascinating to learn that the top level was actually a private apartment built for Gustave Eiffel’s personal use, which he decorated with furniture by Jean Lachaise and invited friends such as American inventor Thomas Edison. Today, you can’t visit the entire apartment, but there is a reconstruction of Gustave Eiffel’s office. Through the windows, you can see wax figures of Gustave Eiffel and his daughter Claire being visited by Edison.

There is also a new immersive experience that takes you inside Gustave Eiffel’s office (accessed by scanning a QR code on the first floor). While waiting for the lift on the first floor, you can also peruse historical documents with monitors, tactile screens, display cases, digital albums and photocopies of objects.

There are also new  guided tours which must be booked online

The Eiffel Tower is one of the highlights of visiting Paris – in fact, one of the most-visited pay-to-enter monuments in the world, with almost 6 million visitors a year. It is almost essential to book a timed ticket ahead of time.

The wait for tickets – if they are not totally sold out – can be long. If you have interest in going to the top, book your tickets as soon as you know your dates for Paris. (Online tickets go on sale 60 days in advance for the elevator.)

https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/ rates-opening-times

But for a completely different experience (and if tickets for the elevator are sold out), you can also climb the stairs

– from ground level to the first level is over 374 steps, and 300 more to the second, making the entire ascent 674 steps – about 20 minutes per level.

Stairway tickets for the second floor are sold online (up to 10 days in advance) or sold on-site. If you want to go to the top, you would need to purchase “stairway + lift” tickets.

Other experiences: Madame Brasserie offers a lunch and dinner menu on the first floor (reservations strongly advised; the reservation includes the ascent to the 1st floor of the Eiffel Tower, but not to visit to the 2nd floor or to the top).

Reservations for dining or eating at the Jules Verne (2nd floor) must be made on  the dedicated website. (The visit of the Eiffel tower is not included.)

You can book your ticket for the top of the Eiffel Tower and add a glass of champagne at the  champagne bar. The champagne bar at the top is open every day, from 10.30 am to 10.30 pm.

I would say the most enchanting time to experience the Eiffel Tower is at night.

Eiffel Tour, Champ de Mars, 5 Av. Anatole France, 75007 Paris, France, https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/planning-smooth-visit

I stand in a park at the tower’s base, where there is a festive atmosphere among the throngs of people gathered –but for the Olympics, there will be a stadium built in front of the tower, before walking back to the Hotel Napoleon.

More planning help from the Paris Tourist Office, https://parisjetaime.com/ eng/. Online ticketing at https://parisjetaime.com/eng/tickets

Next: Day2 Highlighted by Le Louvre

© 2024 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com

until the age of 30, and then we strive to maintain that strong foundation. That’s why calcium -- and other nutrients -- are so important to kids and teens.

Calcium is a key component to healthy bones, but it can’t act alone. It takes a village of nutrients all working together to help your body maintain or retain its healthy structure, according to Mayo Clinic.

It may surprise you to know your bones are always changing. Old bone is broken down and replaced by new bone until that magic age of 30, when bone mass is at its peak. After that, while bone replacement continues, new bone doesn’t keep up, and we begin to lose bone mass.

We can keep bone loss minimized by eating a “healthy bone diet,” doing weight-bearing exercise, limiting alcohol

and not smoking.

What are the best foods to eat? Milk, cheese and yogurt, of course, because they are good sources of calcium. And calcium absorption is aided by vitamin D (fortified in milk and yogurt) and magnesium (needed to properly regulate calcium and vitamin D). Our bones also need phosphorus (to neutralize acidic foods that could be harmful to bones), potassium (also helpful in neutralizing acids) and vitamin A (essential for cells that build bone).

Here are some good sources of those nutrients:

Magnesium: green vegetables, seeds, nuts, legumes, whole grains and avocado.

Vitamin D: fatty fish (such as swordfish, salmon or sardines) and egg yolks.

Continued on page 5

Crossword Answers

Women’s History Month: Honoring Jane Goodall

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

March is Women’s History Month and as I did my research I had the chance to read about the accomplishments of women in the U.S. and around the world.

Many people consider Jane Goodall to be the world’s #1 expert in chimpanzees. She was only the second researcher to attempt to study chimps in the wild. Through nearly 60 years of groundbreaking work, Dr. Jane Goodall has shown us the urgent need to protect chimpanzees from extinction.

Born on April 3, 1934, in London, England, she spent 45 years studying wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania. Honored as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Goodall was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace in 2002. She has received many awards including the French Legion of Honor, the Medal of Tanzania, the Kyoto Prize and the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement. Goodall made many contributions to science and environmentalism plus she led a fascinating life.

Always an animal lover, Goodall wanted to study animals in Africa. When a close friend invited her on a trip to Kenya, Goodall worked hard as a waitress to pay for her journey. When she arrived in Kenya in 1957, she met anthropologist and archaeologist Louis Leakey. He hired Goodall as a secretary but later invited her to study chimpanzees in Tanzania. It was the opportunity of a lifetime for Goodall. She accepted Leakey’s invitation in July 1960 and at the age of 26 Jane Goodall traveled from England to what is now Tanzania and ventured into the little-known world of wild chimpanzees.

To begin her studies, Goodall observed chimpanzees for days at a time in the great forests of Gombe from a hilltop she called “The Peak.” Gradually earning the trust of one of the chimpanzees, Goodall unconventionally named her new animal friends rather than assign them numbers. David Greybeard became Goodall’s first chimp friend and she gave the other chimpanzees names as well including Fifi, Goliath and Flint.

Living among the chimps, Goodall observed their human-like behaviors and personalities. She saw that chimps can be bold, friendly and mischievous. Where many researchers saw “prim-

itive” apes living a simple existence, Goodall found highly intelligent, emotional creatures living in complex social groups. She saw the chimpanzees hug and kiss each other, forming family and community bonds that could last through their entire lives according to a writeup in lifesciences.byu.edu.

Goodall realized what she was observing challenged almost every conventional notion about chimpanzees. Before Goodall published her work many people believed that only humans could make and use tools and the belief that chimps were passive vegetarians. Goodall also noted the difference between chimps and humans is our sophisticated language. The idea that we have much in common with chimps, including more than 98 percent of our genetic code, is now widely accepted. Chimp life was still a mystery 60 years ago and we can thank Dr. Jane Goodall for studying them up close and documenting what she observed.

For safety reasons Goodall was accompanied by her mother. Goodall credits her mother with encouraging her to pursue a career in primatology which was a male-dominated field at the time.

Goodall has said that women weren’t accepted in the field when she started her research in the late 1950s. As of 2019, the field of primatology is made up almost evenly of men and women, in part thanks to Goodall’s trailblazing.

Dr. Leakey sent Goodall to the University of Cambridge in 1962. She had no degree but Goodall was the eighth person to be allowed to study for a Ph.D. at Cambridge without first having obtained a bachelor’s degree. She went to Newnham College, Cambridge, where she received her B.A. in natural sciences by 1964, which is when she went to Darwin College, Cambridge, for a Ph.D. in ethology. Her thesis was completed in 1966 on the “Behaviour of free-living chimpanzees” which described her first five years of study at the Gombe Reserve in Tanzania.

In 1977 she established the Jane Goodall Institute which is a global community-centered conservation organization, and JGI’s program Roots & Shoots in 1991, which encourages young people around the world to be agents of change by participating in projects that protect the environment, wildlife

or their communities.

Jane Goodall retired from her research in 1986 and summarized her 25 years of work in her book “The Chimpanzees of Gombe.” Since then she has been an activist. Today Dr. Jane Goodall is widely recognized for being a British primatologist, ethologist and anthropologist. Goodall was married, divorced then widowed at age 46. She has a son, Hugo Eric Louis van Lawick and three grandchildren.

About her life and career Goodall has said, “When I look back over my life it’s almost as if there was a plan laid out for me - from the little girl who was so passionate about animals who longed to go to Africa and whose family couldn’t afford to put her through college. Everyone laughed at my dreams. I was supposed to be a secretary in Bournemouth, England.”

“A sense of calm came over me. More and more often I found myself thinking, ‘This is where I belong. This is what I came into this world to do.’”

“Even as a child, I was utterly in love with the wonder of nature, the miracle

of life, the infinite variety of species and the mystery of the universe.”

“When I was 10 years old, I loved - I loved books, and I used to haunt the secondhand bookshop. And I found a little book I could just afford, and I bought it, and I took it home. And I climbed up my favorite tree, and I read that book from cover to cover. And that was ‘Tarzan of the Apes.’ I immediately fell in love with Tarzan.”

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

BY TOM MARGENAU

I’ve always taken pride in the fact that I do a pretty good job of explaining Social Security rules in simple and easy-to-understand language. But every once in a while, I’m reminded that something I say or write that I think is pretty clear and simple can be misinterpreted. Here are some examples.

Q: I am 62 and have spent most of my life as a homemaker and mother. So I don’t have my own Social Security. My husband is 68 and just filed for his Social Security last week. In a recent column, you wrote that before a wife can claim benefits on her husband’s record, he has to be getting benefits himself. So do I have to wait until his checks start coming in before I can file on his account?

A: No, you don’t. If I previously wrote that the husband “has to be getting benefits” before his wife can file on his account, then that was a poor choice of words. Or rather, not enough words. What I should have said is that he has to be getting benefits or have filed an application for benefits. So you can and should file a claim for spousal benefits right now.

I make these points because many women are always asking me if they can file for spousal benefits before their husband files for his retirement benefits. And again, the answer is no. He has to have filed his own Social Security claim before any dependents can get benefits on his account.

Q: In a prior column, you wrote that a husband has to have filed a claim for Social Security before his wife can get benefits on his record. My husband died at age 63 before he ever filed for his Social Security. I am just turning 60. So does that mean I won’t be able to get widow’s benefits on his record because he never filed for his own Social Security?

A: No, it doesn’t mean that. In that prior column you are referring to, I was answering a question from a woman whose husband was still alive and who was wondering if she could claim spousal benefits even though her husband hadn’t filed for benefits yet. But it is a whole different story for widows. There is absolutely no rule that says a husband must have filed a Social Security claim before his wife can get widow’s benefits on his record. In fact, there are millions of women, especially younger women, getting widow’s benefits on the records of husbands who died before reaching Social Security age, or who were over the minimum Social Security age (usually 62) but had not yet filed for benefits.

And now let me tell you about the options you have as a widow -- if you also are due benefits on your own Social Security account. For example, if you are not working now, you could take reduced widow’s benefits at age 60. And then at your full retirement age, you could switch to 100% of

That’s Not What I Meant To Say

your own retirement benefit. Or you could wait until 70 and get an extra 30% added to your benefit. Or, if your husband’s rate is much higher than yours, you could wait until age 62 and file for reduced retirement benefits on your own account (62 is the earliest you can do that) -- and then at your full retirement age, switch to a 100% widow’s rate. Or if your own benefit is so small as to not really be a part of your Social Security picture, then you can simply file for widow’s benefits at whatever age you choose. You would get about 70% at age 60, or up to 100% if you wait until your full retirement age to file.

Q: In a prior column, you said a man has to be getting Social Security before his wife can file on his record. Well, my husband is 60 and has been getting SSDI for about five years. I am turning 62, not working, and I will have a very small Social Security check on my own. But does my husband have to be getting real Social Security before I can file for spousal benefits on his record?

A: Your husband is already getting “real Social Security,” so you can file for spousal benefits at the same time you file for your own Social Security.

You said your husband is getting “SSDI.” That stands for Social Security disability insurance. In other words, he is getting Social Security disability benefits. And so many people think that disability benefits are somehow just not “real Social Security.” But they are. They are just as “real” as retirement benefits. So your husband is getting the same kind of Social Security as a retiree gets. He’s just getting those benefits a little earlier because of his disability.

Q: In a prior column, you said that a person must have worked in five out of the last 10 years to qualify for Social Security. But that can’t be true. My wife worked from age 18 until age 50. Then she stopped working to concentrate on taking care of her aging parents. When she filed for her Social Security at age 62, she was granted benefits even though she hadn’t worked in the past 12 years. What’s going on?

A. What’s going on is that in that prior column, I was explaining the eligibility rules for disability benefits. And those rules include the “five out of the last 10” requirement. But to get Social Security retirement benefits, the rules simply say you must have 40 Social Security credits (sometimes called “quarters of coverage”) to qualify. Because you can only earn four Social Security credits per year, that essentially means if you’ve worked 10 years, anytime in your life, you are “insured” and eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has two books with all the answers. One is called “Social Security -Simple and Smart: 10 Easy-to-Understand

Fact Sheets That Will Answer All Your Questions About Social Security.” The other is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon. com or other book outlets. (If ordering the “Simple and Smart” book from Amazon,

click on “See all formats and editions” to make sure you are getting the 2024 edition.) Or you can send him an email at thomas. margenau@comcast.net.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

If you don’t know or are aware of it by now, our housing inventory is as low as I can ever remember going back 50+ years. That and our higher interest rates compared to our lowest 2.50% rates back in 2020-2021 have drastically altered the purchasing and selling decisions of many over the last 4 years. Moreover, prices have been another major stumbling point for the majority of purchasers in being able to find their, “next place to call home.”

Once a home, HOA, condo, or coop is found, there is no time to waste in securing an inspection and the most crucial contract to be signed and executed by both parties. Having your commitment letter will also be critical in proving your qualifications and capability in making sure you can complete and finalize the transaction; especially in the purchase of a coop, when one must get approved by a coop board.

The speed, in which you or you and your significant other make a decision, whether a purchase or even a rental in our current market, will many times determine the success and outcome of whether or not you will take possession of the property.

In this still frenzied and the strong demand in the market, one cannot vacillate or hesitate in making that important decision. For most, it is one of the most important decisions that you will ever make in your lifetime. Moreover, time is of the essence in our current housing market which necessitates and dictates a very quick decision especially when an offer is accepted.

What is worse is when a bidding war occurs, which seems to be the norm lately on Long Island, you must be ready, as they say, to “do or die” to be able to come out the triumphant winner. Unfortunately, after the price, then your emotions set in and this can be a very scary, worrisome, and devastating situation. Some need a home and can surely afford the cost of ownership. Then some want to buy a home,

The Need for Speed

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

and when reality sets in, it’s called “champagne tastes and beer pockets” as they are potentially going overboard in what their budget realistically says that they can qualify for as per their lender. Banks are being much more conservative in their decision-making and no longer provide financing just because you are breathing and have a pulse as they did before the implosion of our market in 2008.

I will provide weekly stats for the previous month with a different town throughout Nassau County so my readers will be aware and updated as to how their market is progressing. This week I will highlight Great Neck where I reside.

you still using your passé paper card? Do still use a rotary dial phone, of course not. So get on board in 2024 and order your digital card by scrolling all the way down to the bottom and click on the link, “Get your Connect Card.”

Never let your emotions get the best of you, your wife, and/or girlfriend, no matter what. Although your decisions may in most occurrences have to be quick and decisive, you aren’t yet committed and contractually obligated until the papers are executed by both you and your seller. As I have mentioned in previous columns, this may be the most expensive purchase of your lifetime, and you must be financially and mentally prepared to pull the trigger, to not lose the home to another hungry bidder.

Unfortunately, some are not truly ready and may not have been properly advised by their agent, mortgage person, or attorney as to the pitfalls and issues in the best and most efficient way to approach their purchase. A checklist of important things to think of should be made in advance of going out and searching for a place. Your agent should be the most knowledgeable in their expertise and years of experience to be able to guide you along in going over what is most important. It comes down to educating the client, which will minimize and hopefully eliminate the major mistakes that can come along the way during the process of either searching or the eventual purchase; which could cost substantial sums of money and cause unnecessary stress in the end.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 42+ of years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.) and has earned his National Association of Realtors “Green Industry designation for eco-friendly low carbon footprint construction with 3-D printed foundations, Solar panels, Geo-thermal HVAC/Heat Pumps).

Save my New digital business card with/Videos,Virtual and Drone Tours/ photos/Bio/Reviews to your cell, PC or Laptop contacts: https://onetapconnect. com/turnkeyrealestate-philraices Are

He will give you a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and his Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

He will also provide you with “free” regular updates of what has gone under contract (pending), been sold (closed) and those homes that have been withdrawn/ released or expired (W/R) and all new listings of homes, HOA, Townhomes, Condos, and Coops in your town or go to https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” no obligation 15-minute consultation, as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s market without any obligation or “strings” attached call Philip at (516) 647-4289.

Residential Sales: 1/2022 1/2023 1/2024

Average Sale Price: $1,219,194 $1,219,705 $1,296,936 (+6.4% yoy)

Median Sale Price: $1,200,000 $1,290,000 $l,260,000 (-2.3% yoy) (1/2 the homes are more and 1/2 the homes are less than the numbers shown)

Condo Sales:

1/2022 1/2023 1/2024 (-31.8% yoy)

Average Sale Price: $525,000 $550,000 $375,000

Median Sale Price: $525,000 $550,000 $375,000

Average and Median prices were exactly the same yoy

Coops Sales: 1/2022 1/2023 1/2024

Average Sale Price: $257,640 $227,000 $324,500

Median Sale Price: $270,000 $230,000 $370,500 (+33.7% yoy)

Courtesy of the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (LiRealtor.com)

Strong Bones

Continued from page 2

Phosphorus: soybeans, fish, meat, milk, eggs, legumes and whole grains

Potassium: fruits (especially bananas and oranges), vegetables (especially potatoes), scallops, beans, whole grains and squash.

Vitamin A: sweet potato, beef liver, spinach, carrots, cantaloupe, mangoes, fortified foods and eggs.

To help your bones, fill your plate with low-fat dairy, whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean protein.

Charlyn Fargo is a registered dietitian with SIU School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, and the current president of the Illinois Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. For comments or questions, contact her at charfarg@aol.com or follow her on Twitter @NutritionRD.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

ARTS AROUND THE ISLAND

Arts play critical role in Long Island’s well-being

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

We may take it for granted, but the arts writ large are a vital component of Long Island’s economy, society, community, and even make the difference in how successful our young people will be in school, career and life, where people choose to live, where businesses choose to locate, and how healthy we are.

Just how vital was demonstrated at a recent presentation of findings of a national study, Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 (AEP6), in which Long Island arts organizations participated for the first time – giving the region specifics on its slice of the massive arts economic and social benefits pie.

National data collected for the Arts & Economic Prosperity Study 6 (AEP6) reveals that just America’s nonprofit arts and culture sector is a $151.7 billion industry, supporting 2.6 million jobs and generating $29.1 billion in government revenue (for-profit entities like Hollywood film studios not included). On Long Island, data collected by the umbrella organization, Long Island Arts Alliance, showed that arts and culture nonprofits (think Gold Coast Arts Center and Long Island Arts Council at Freeport) generated $330 million in 2022, supported nearly 5,000 full-time equivalent jobs, and generated $15 million in state and local taxes.

The findings should arm these local non-profit arts groups and organizations with the ammunition they need in approaching county, town, city and village governments for funding, and even alert boards of education to the danger when they target arts programs in schools for funding cuts to meet the state’s mandated budget cap. The study shows the significant return on investment in arts– in quality of life, liveability, community, economic productivity. And who can put a price on promoting empathy and reducing depression and anxiety, the need for medication and shortened hospital stays?

Great Neck Plaza gets it: the village just renewed its annual contract with the Gold Coast Arts Center; for its $2500, it gets various cultural events (see https://theisland360.com/great_neck/ great-neck-plaza-oks-contract-with-

gold-coast-arts-center/)

“Our world now needs a better way to foster empathy and understanding among people of different cultures, ideologies. Arts play pivotal role, in a powerful and humanizing way, to communicate experience across cultures, social groups, fix social inequalities,” said Dr. James Lantini, a board member of the LIAA which led the study and organized the conference at the Tilles Center to present the findings. “Engagement from a young age - increases empathy, reduces bias in children.

That may seem too touchy-feely for elected leaders who tend to make decisions through an economic lens. “Their priorities are jobs, jobs, jobs. So we connect their priority of jobs to arts and culture, our product,” said Randy Cohen, the vice president of research at Americans for the Arts, the national advocacy organization for arts and culture which has conducted the study every five years since 1994.

Of the $330 million in spending on arts on Long Island, 89% comes from local residents and 11% from people coming from outside Nassau or Suffolk, and while locals spend on average $33.96 per person on top of the admission, nonlocals spend $63.83, while those who overnighted averaged $311 per person, per event in added spending. The arts event was the primary purpose for the visit for 76% of the respondents.

Another benefit of these nonprofit arts organizations is how they provide an outlet for volunteerism: 16,988 Long Island volunteers contributed 624,000 hours, a $22.3 million value (not included in the $300 million economic impact).

This study only examined the economic and social impacts of nonprofits, but when the for-profit sectors are added in, the arts nationally amount to $1.02 trillion – 4.4% of GDP –supporting 4.9 million jobs in 2021. New York State’s share of that is $144 billion – representing 7.6% of the Gross State Production – sustaining 450,457 jobs.

“The arts diversifies economies and stimulates job growth,” Cohen noted. “There is a causal relationship with growth in arts jobs and growth of all employment in region or state. So when you invest in the arts and arts jobs go up, all jobs go up because of diversification.”

There is a virtuous cycle of supporting the arts, using arts to cultivate creativity and innovation in young people, quality of life and community spirit that encourages people to come and live, and businesses to locate in those communities because of access to quality of life, community, and innovation workers.

“Our number one export is highly educated young people, which is devastating. What would keep them? The responses are consistent: they want arts, culture, festivals, public art in the built environment - that’s another

economic benefit of a vibrant arts and culture community,” Cohen stated. At the same time, employers are looking for “innovation” workers, and use arts education and engagement as a measure.

Arts have another economic and social benefit: Arts promote physical and emotional healing - shorter hospital stays, fewer medical visits, reduced medications and depression, strengthens mental health, and consequently, saves money.“We are rediscovering the centrality of arts to our lives. Arts build empathy and understanding: 72% agree with the statement that  arts and culture provide shared experiences with people of different races, ethnic, ages, beliefs; 63% say arts & culture help them better understand other cultures in community,”  Cohen said.

Cohen also makes the case for arts education: “The research is clear, students whose education is rich in arts perform better academically, better grades, test scores, lower drop out rates that cut across all socio-econ strata. Theater and the arts engage kids in school, give meaning to their classes. They see the world and interpret it through the arts.”

A longitudinal study of 25,000 students in 1000 schools found that arts education not only benefited all, but helped level the playing field between affluent and low-income students.

Roger Tilles, a member of the state’s Board of Regents that sets education policy and an arts activist (the Tilles Center for Performing Arts at Long Island University is named for his family), said the Regents are proposing to change graduation requirements to include infusing arts and music into all levels, even elementary and pre-K. They aim to reverse the pattern in many school districts over the last 20 years of laying off music and art teachers, a consequence of concentrating resources to comply with No Child Left Behind. “That was so counter-productive to critical thinking, problem solving. We did a whole reevaluation of what we want kids to learn. Employers, parents and students want critical thinking, information literacy, problem solving, and arts.”

(To read the report, visit longislandartsalliance.org/aep6.)

The Gold Coast Arts Center’s children’s theater program performs “Little Mermaid.” The Village of Great Neck Plaza recently renewed its annual contract, entitling the village to request cultural programs © Karen Rubin/news-photosfeatures.com

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of March 3-9, 2024

In just one month, the U.S. will be treated to a spectacular solar eclipse. Of course, I’ll be telling you about it in the coming weeks, but remember that you’ll need to have proper solar filters for your eyes, binoculars, telescope or camera, and vendors are selling out. You can find sources of these from the American Astronomical Society (eclipse.aas.org); just click “Resources” and place your order soon!

In the meantime, our evening sky to the south is glistening with the most brilliant stars of the year, including such beauties as Sirius, Betelgeuse, Rigel, Procyon, Castor, Pollux, Aldebaran and more. We can see all of these even under bright city lights or moonlight.

The sky to our north, however, isn’t so fortunate. That’s OK because here we can find some notable stars and star groupings.

Most important is the North Star, known to astronomers as Polaris, which stands directly above the Earth’s north pole and marks the celestial hub about which the heavens revolve. On opposite sides of it lie the easily recognizable star groupings known as the Big Dipper and Cassiopeia. These famous patterns, unfortunately, are formed by fainter stars that are tough to spot under city lights or moonlight.

With the moon out of the sky this week, it’s a good opportunity to get

The Celestial Giraffe

away from the city to explore this celestial area more closely. Specifically, I thought it would be fun to seek out a less well-known constellation called Camelopardalis, the giraffe.

I’m guessing that you never knew there’s a giraffe (or a “leopard camel” as the ancient Greeks knew it) represented among the stars. Most people don’t.

This rather obscure constellation almost certainly wasn’t passed down to us from antiquity. Astronomers believe that it was most likely invented by the 16th-century Dutch theologian, cartographer and astronomer Petrus Plancius, but some think it was named by German astronomer Jacob Bartsch who published Plancius’ star maps in his 1624 constellation book.

Though Camelopardalis is outlined by extremely faint stars, with some imagination you might be able to trace the shape of an inverted giraffe. To find it, however, you will need a fairly dark sky away from the effects of urban light pollution.

First, go outside shortly after dark this week and allow yourself half an hour or so to adapt to the darkness. Now face north and you should be able to find the Big Dipper standing on its handle in the northeast. More to the northwest, look for five stars that make up a sideways “M”; this is Cassiopeia. Between them, of course, lies the North Star. And finally, look overhead for the bright star Capella.

If you connect Cassiopeia, the Big Dipper and Capella with imaginary

lines, you’ll create a large, nearly equilateral triangle, at the center of which lie the stars of Camelopardalis.

Now appearing upside down, Camelopardalis can be traced from two stars that mark its legs, four that form its body and two more that mark its long neck and face. So if you’re up for a good

challenge, this is the time to stick your neck out and search for the celestial giraffe!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com.

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

“I got an invitation on Facebook to join the Magnetic Eyelashes Fan Club,” I told my husband as I stared at my computer screen.

“What does that even mean?” he asked incredulously.

“It’s a group on Facebook for people who like magnetic eyelashes, I assume.”

“Is that a thing?” he asked.

“Apparently,” I said. “Although I don’t wear fake eyelashes, magnetic or otherwise, so I don’t know why I got an invite.”

I sighed. This wasn’t the first time I’d been invited to join an obscure club on Facebook. It seemed like recently the invites were coming faster and faster and the clubs were becoming more and more specific. There was the club for “People Who Prefer Camels with

One Hump, Not Two.” Yet another club called “When I Was Your Age Pluto Was a Planet.” And the ever-popular “Friends Don’t Let Friends Wear Mom Jeans.” I was invited to each of these, and I can’t fathom why. I don’t really have any opinions one way or another about any of these, and especially the number of humps a camel should have. I’m more concerned with not getting too close to a camel so I don’t get spit on.

Since my Facebook friends were the ones who were inviting me to join Facebook groups, it occurred to me that I didn’t need to stop getting Facebook group invites. I needed to get some new Facebook friends.

“I got another invite for a group called ‘I Always Push the Door That Says Pull,’” I continued.

“What is there to talk about in that group?” my husband wondered.

“Not much, I guess. I think it’s more about keeping out the people who pull the door that says ‘push,’” I said.

“You know, there is a way to stop getting these group invites,” said my husband.

“What?”

“Stop going on Facebook,” he said.

“I can’t do that,” I replied.

“Why not?”

“Because then I wouldn’t know what stupid Facebook groups my friends are all joining.”

He sighed and left the room. But the issue gnawed at me. Every time I went on Facebook, I was being bombarded by invites. In the past 24 hours, I got invites to “People Who Suffer from the Fear that Somewhere, Somehow, a Duck is Watching You,” “Gnomes are People, Too,” and the somewhat relatable “I Use the Word Thingy When I Forget

What It’s Called,” which is a group I might actually join. It got to the point where I was so busy deleting group requests that I almost didn’t have time to tell all my friends I secretly prefer camels with one hump.

“You know, all these invites got me thinking,” I finally said to my husband. “I decided I’m going to start my own Facebook group.”

“What is it?” he asked.

“People on Facebook Who Hate Facebook Groups.”

Tracy Beckerman is the author of the Amazon Bestseller, “Barking at the Moon: A Story of Life, Love, and Kibble,” available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble online! You can visit her at www. tracybeckerman.com

COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM

The ancient Greeks called the giraffe a “leopard camel.”

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INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now!

Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516-279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information. Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

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Outstanding berry grilled cheese

The Sweet Sheep Grilled Cheese

Grilled cheese is a beloved comfort food that can be enjoyed any time of the day. Although there isn’t much that needs to be added to cheese to make it delicious, the inclusion of tart strawberries and blackberries in this recipe titled “The Sweet Sheep Grilled Cheese” from “The Reading Terminal Market® Cookbook” (Camino Books) by Ann Hazan and Irina Smith pushes this sandwich over the edge of deliciousness. An additional cookie butter spread and

Makes 5 servings

2 cups Valley Shepherd whipped sheep milk ricotta

1 cup mascarpone cheese

10 slices soft brioche sandwich bread

3⁄4 cup blackberry jam

1 cup hulled and diced strawberries

1) In a bowl, mix together ricotta and mascarpone.

2) On a clean, dry surface, lay out five slices of the brioche. Spread equal parts blackberry jam on each slice. Place a large spoonful of the mascarpone ricotta mix on top of jam (it may be helpful to use a piping bag) until all the mixture is used.

3) Evenly divide strawberries, peaches, blackberries and chocolate chips among each slice. Spread the speculoos cookie butter on the remaining five slices of brioche and place on top of the first slices.

chocolate chips makes this grilled cheese much more dessert than lunch, and can be an indulgent treat anyone can enjoy.

1 cup diced peaches

1⁄2 cup cleaned blackberries, cut into quarters

3⁄4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup speculoos cookie butter (see note)

1⁄2 cup softened unsalted butter

4) Spread the softened butter in a thin layer on the outer parts of the brioche. Grill in either a panini press or in a hot pan. Slice and serve hot. Note: If speculoos is too hard to find, here’s how to make it. Place 2 cups of ginger snaps in the bowl of a food processor and blend to very fine crumbs. Add 4 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter, and process until a smooth paste forms (similar to consistency of peanut butter). Refrigerate leftover portion and bring to room temperature when using.

Peanuts shine in this stir-fry dish

Thai

1) Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil over high heat. Add noodles and remove from heat. Let stand for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until noodles are softened but still firm. Drain, rinse well in cold water. Drain and set aside.

2) In a small bowl, combine chicken stock, fish sauce, soy sauce, sugar and hot pepper flakes and stir well. Set aside.

3) Heat a wok or a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the oil and swirl to coat pan. Add garlic and toss well, until fragrant, about 15 seconds.

4) Add pork, spreading into a single layer. Cook, undisturbed, until edges change

Peanuts work well in sweet desserts and are commonly found in the form of peanut butter swirled with jelly atop bread for lunchtime sandwiches. However, peanuts can be an ingredient in savory dishes as well. In fact, peanuts often are included in the popular Thai dish “Pad Thai,” which is Thailand’s variation on a traditional Chinese stir-fry. It’s salty, sweet and often spicy. Try this version, courtesy of “300 Best Stir-Fry Recipes” (Robert Rose) by Nancie McDermott.

Serves 2 to 4

4 ounces dry rice noodles

1⁄4 cup chicken stock or water

3 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon hot pepper flakes

3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

4 ounces boneless pork (such as loin or tenderloin) or skinless chicken breast or thighs, thinly sliced

8 to 10 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 egg, beaten

1⁄2 cup chopped garlic chives or green onions

2 cups bean sprouts, divided

1⁄3 cup chopped roasted salted peanuts

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

4 lime wedges

color, about 1 minute. Toss well. Add shrimp and toss well. Cook, tossing often until shrimp are pink and firm and pork is cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Add noodles and cook, tossing often and pulling to separate noodles, for 1 minute.

5) Add chicken stock mixture, pouring in around sides of pan. Cook, tossing often, turning and scraping noodles to heat and soften them, until noodles curl up and are tender and shrimp are cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more. Add an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons of chicken stock or water as needed to keep noodles from sticking or burning.

6) Push the noodles to one side

and add remaining 1 tablespoon of oil. Add egg and swirl to expose to hot pan. Cook, undisturbed, until edges have begun to set, about 15 seconds. Cook, stirring often, until egg is softly scrambled but still very moist, about 1 minute.

7) Add garlic, chives and 1 cup of the bean sprouts and cook, tossing often, until they have begun to wilt, about 1 minute more. Add peanuts and lime juice and toss well. Transfer to a serving platter. Place the remaining bean sprouts and lime wedges on one side. Serve hot or warm, mixing in the raw bean sprouts and squeezing a little lime juice over the noodles just before eating.

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Can you guess how many jelly beans are in this jar?

Can you guess how many jelly beans are in this jar at the Garden City Public library? Stop by the library before March 27 and take a guess! You might win a prize! The jelly bean jar is on the Friends of the GCPL book sale shelves (behind the circulation desk).  You can write your guess on the form provided.

The number of jelly beans in the jar — and the winner — will be announced on Wednesday, March 27 in front of the Friends’ Book Sale shelves at 4:00.  We hope to see you there!

For information on the Friends of the Garden City Public Library, please see gardencitypl.org/ friends

Boys 3rd Grade

Boys 4th Grade

Boys 5th Grade

Boys 6th Grade

Girls Grades 4–6

S:10.3"

An electric afternoon at Garden City High School

Hoops for Hope was a huge success! Students and teachers from all of the schools and Garden City residents came to support the Challengers and the I’m Not Done Yet Foundation which helps adolescent and young adult patients who are fighting cancer and other serious, chronic and long-term illnesses. Teamwork and kindness made the afternoon happen. Photographer Ed Rotondo donates his time every year to take so many great pictures. Event Coordinator Michael O ’ Hanlon asked that everyone keep this going next year!

Varsity Basketball player Braden Soutar and Challenger buddy cheer for a Challenger.

Tipoff!

The 2024 Challenger team with coaches, buddies and Girls and Boys Varsity Basketball players.

The cheerleaders led the fans in cheers the entire game and put on an amazing halftime performance.

Varsity Basketball captain Matt Liberopoulous cheers on player Logan Parker.

Ryan Schwantner and Matt McCoy take the ball down the court.

Photos by Ed Rotondo

An electric afternoon at Garden City High School

Timmy, Michael and Katherine O'Hanlon with Liz Menges of I'm Not Done Yet Foundation.

The JV Kickline wowed the crowd!

Event organizer Michael O'Hanlon welcomes everyone.

Teachers like Mrs. Rigley-Romero come to support the event.

GC Varsity Kickline.

Senior Anna Cooke sings the national anthem.

GCMS Challenger coaches Goodwin and Pappas.

The GCMS Hoops for Hope crew are always a huge help.

Small price increase planned for pool memberships

From page 1

year-over-year.

For families of two people the rate proposed for 2024 is $377, an increase of $12 from the 2023 rate of $365, or 3.5% more.

The same 3.5% increase would be in effect for Individual memberships (going up from $292 to $303); Senior Couples going up from $335 to $347; Senior Individual memberships rising from $221 to $229 and Garden City School District family memberships from $623 to $645. The rate for a non-resident caregiver would increase from $252 to $262, representing an increase of 3.75%.

Commission member Michael Ryder asked Superintendent Blake about the increase in membership rates for 2023, above the 2022 rates. Blake explained that similarly 3% to 4% was approved for each category. He noted the increase resulted in some odd numbers including the $221 for senior individuals.

“They are moderate increases as we are reflecting that our expense budget will go up a little too, as we’re seeing some increase to the cost of lifeguards as the New York State minimum wage has gone up. It’s now $16 per hour and we pay that for all pool attendants, and lifeguards start a bit higher than that. We’re also seeing increased fees for contractual services but this pres-

ents a modest increase – it shows us having about $100,000 cash-positive for this year…What we’re trying to do is the modest increases to cover expense increases while continuing to provide good Pool facility services,” Blake told the Rec. Commission.

The proposed 2024 Garden City Pool rates would see no changes for guest fees. Individuals age 13 and older would pay $15 daily; children under 13 would be $12 daily and seniors 65 and older would also pay $12 daily for admission. Blake noted that on summer pool days after 5 p.m. and on the days which have a noon to 8 p.m. schedule only, the fees are all reduced by $1.

Upon reviewing the increases to membership costs, Commission member John Cantwell believed there could be a benefit to raising the rates slightly higher than proposed. He commented that adding just nine more dollars –$549 for a family membership instead of the $540 – would result in a substantial increase to the gross profit of the Pool Enterprise.

Superintendent Blake spoke about the Rec. Commission’s review of pool rates in prior years and the emphasis on “making sure the increases do not tank the memberships.”

In addition, Blake says based upon

the target market studies of purchases of pool memberships, the biggest factor is the weather during April and May, at the time when registrations go live online and the Rec. Office begins taking the orders.

“We went and researched each year we included a membership rate increase and we compared that data with the weather in each season, with info on the average weather for April and May and going back to 1972 when it was the first increase for the Pool. When we compared the data, the only time our memberships really dropped was when we had a cool, rainy April and May. We had some years of approximately a $20 increase per membership category, and the total number of memberships actually went up in those years! And we saw the same last year after a cool April and May,” he told the Commission. Longtime Rec. Commissioner Judy Courtney recalled how inconsistent the membership levels were, but the numbers are attributed to the fluctuations in weather.

Blake also shared the impact from the last go-round of rate increases, and said that trend should be averted.

“Rate increases really don’t impact our total number of memberships, especially since these membership rates had

gone up to $600 a couple of years ago – a 19% drop in the rates occurred in 2019, and we are staying well below what the peak price was in 2017 and 2018,” Blake said.

He told the Commission that at times, there is a real surge in the number of pool memberships once the season –which starts in early June – gets underway. Courtney concurred and noted that a number of people join the pool after its opening day.

Blake commented, “We do well selling the memberships right up until the Fourth of July. Actually two years ago it became really hot out and in July we had 100 more members join than in the year before. The weather is the driving factor.”

The fantastic slide at the Garden City Pool is a 2025 capital budget. Superintendent Blake said the village Rec.

“The slide will be open and functional all of this summer, and a new slide will be in place by next summer (2025). We are hopeful of getting the slide project out to bid this summer and having work on this start right after the close to the 2024 season in September. The install has to be fully complete, and functional with our hard date for pool opening in June 2025,” Blake reported.

Garden City Kiwanis Club announces scholarship

The Garden City Kiwanis Foundation is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the 2024 Kiwanis Service Scholarship. The scholarship is open to any high school senior residing in the Garden City School District and is awarded in recognition of a student’s commitment to community service.

Applications have been provided to

the Guidance Department of Garden City High School and to many of the private high schools in the vicinity. Interested students should contact their guidance department. The application may also be obtained by emailing Carole Russo at cartaxpro@aol.com. The deadline for submitting an application is April 16, 2024.

Garden City f ifth graders shine on stage

Garden City fifth graders at Stewart and Stratford Avenue schools wowed audiences with their productions of “Finding Nemo Jr.” and “Willy Wonka Kids.”

The fifth grade students at Stewart and Stratford Avenue schools captivated audiences with their remarkable musical productions of “Finding Nemo Jr.” and “Willy Wonka Kids.”

At Stratford Avenue School, the talented fifth graders presented an outstanding production of "Finding Nemo Jr." Under the direction of Matthew Byrne and Riana Bader, the students brought the magic of the ocean to the stage. Their dedication and hard work truly shone brightly during each and every show.

Meanwhile, at Stewart School, the production of “Willy Wonka Kids” was

Recreation Pickleball News

Beginning the week of January 7, Recreation and Parks will add a Friday night and a Sunday morning session of pickleball.

• Friday Nights- 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. beginning January 19

• Sundays – 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. beginning January 7

The above session will run through the end of March and then be evaluated for participation.

We will continue to run pickleball from 9:30 to noon, Tuesdays through Fridays.

All sessions will be open to residents only and will allow continuous round robin use during that session.  No group may reserve a court and play on their own. The cost per session will be $6.00 daily or with a pass, $5.

Family Fun Time on Sundays

On Sunday afternoons beginning January 7, St. Paul’s Field House will be open for “Family Fun” for Village families.  This open time provides the opportunity for families to enjoy various gym activities in an indoor environment.  The gym will be available for use from 2:45 to 4:45 p.m. each Sunday until March 10.

This time is designated for family time only.  No organized practices or workouts will be allowed.  Although there will be staff to monitor activity, this is not a drop

off program.  We ask the elementary aged children be accompanied by an adult.  For the safety of our users, no lacrosse or baseball equipment, or any other sport involving stick equipment will be allowed.

Adult Art Class at Cluett Hall

The Garden City’s Department of Recreation and Parks will offer an adult art class this winter.  This eleven week program will teach the beginner as well as the advanced student the art of painting portraits and landscapes/still-life in pastel from photographs.  Arleen Rueth Urban, the instructor for this program, is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America.

Classes will be held Fridays from 9 to 11:30 a.m. The cost of this program will be $ 140. This class is open to adult residents who reside in the Inc. Village of Garden City.  Classes are held in St. Paul’s Cluett Hall beginning Friday, February 9.

The first lesson includes a portrait and landscape demonstration. At that time, a supply list is provided.  Demonstrations will be available as needed throughout the program.  Each student will receive the individual attention required as they move at their own pace and level of expertise.

To register for this session please visit the Recreation and Parks office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. If you have a password, you may register online at gcreconline. gardencityny.net.

Looking for a Trusted Real Estate Advisor and Community Expert? Let Maureen guide you with all of your real estate needs!

Garden City Public Schools

a magical journey into the whimsical world of Willy Wonka. The cast, crew, parents and staff received a well-deserved round of applause for their outstanding production. A special thank you goes to Meredith Lavin for her extraordinary vision that brought the show to life.

Both productions were a collaborative effort involving students, teachers and parents who worked tirelessly to ensure their success. From the beautiful singing and scenery to the digital sharing of the playbill through QR codes, the fifth graders’ performances shone bright.

Attention students!

Graduated from school? Have an outstanding GPA?

Made the honor roll or the Dean’s List? Scored an internship or a study abroad opportunity? We invite you to send details of any of these things and more, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be seen in our paper!

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GCMS Wings soar thru RVC Cyclones

Garden City beat Rockville Centre 10-2 this past Sunday night at the Long Beach Municipal Ice Arena. Seven players recorded points for the Wings with Breaker Seidenberg leading the way with 4 goals. Steven Toro and Ryan Chalupa each had 1 goal and 2 assists while Ryan Schoppner and Liam

Mijares added 2 goals. Doran Hanrahan and Eamon Harrington contributed an assist each. Lucas Ferrucci was stellar in goal recording 17 saves, many of them highlight reel worthy. The Wings are back in action vs St. Mary’s this Sunday night.

Henrik Erroll in the offensive zone.

Pierce Harrington with a shot on net.

Lucas Ferrucci with the save.

Ryan Schoppner getting pre-game fatherly advice.

Islanders ride

4-game winning streak

Islanders at a recent practice session at the Northwell Ice Center.

BY TONY SENA

On Tuesday evening March 5th at the UBS arena, the New York Islanders defeated the St. Louis Blues in a dramatic come from behind victory 4-2.

The Islanders desperately needed this victory to stay in contention for the playoffs which start in mid-April. After falling behind 2-0 early in the game, the Islanders fought back to tie the score at 2-2 before the end of the second period. Early in the third period, the Islanders got a timely goal by Bo Horvat to take

the lead 3-2. They continued to play an aggressive style throughout the remainder of the game and even added an empty net goal by Mat Barzal to complete the victory.

The Islanders now hit the road for a west coast road trip and will return to the UBS arena on Saturday, February 16, against the Ottawa Senators at 2:00 p.m. The Islanders look to extend their winning streak as they take on some tough teams in the western conference. Let’s Go Islanders!

Little League Opening Day Baseball Parade

Excitement is mounting as the highly anticipated GCAA Little League Baseball Parade makes its grand return. Mark your calendars for GCAA Little League’s Opening Day on April 6. The parade kicks off at 9:00 a.m. when the streets will come alive with vibrant colors, cheers, and the unmistakable sound of youthful exuberance.

The parade, a beloved tradition in our village, promises a delightful spectacle for all ages. Setting off from Franklin Avenue, the procession will wind its way down Seventh Street, painting the village with the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship. It’s not just a parade; it’s a celebration of teamwork,

perseverance, and the unbreakable bonds forged on the baseball diamond.

The parade’s return will be greeted with open arms and jubilant cheers from residents and players alike. As families line the streets, decked in team colors, the air will be filled with anticipation and excitement. From the smallest T-ball players to the seasoned veterans of the diamond, every participant will be cheered on with infectious enthusiasm. It’s a testament to the power of sports to unite a community and inspire the next generation of baseball players.

So, dust off your baseball caps, grab your pennants, and come to the parade!

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Bayside, NY 2-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3525352. $898,000.

Wyndham West, #M34 Garden City, NY 3-bedroom, 3-bath. MLS# 3516608. $1,350,000.

Wyndham East , #M33 Garden City, NY 3-bedroom, 3-bath. MLS# 3491207. $1,499,000.

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