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From page 26

TO THE CASINO” all day, every day. Silence is not an answer.

Richard J. Williams

Westerman report unclear

To the Editor:

I must object to the contents of the subject letter published in the June 23rd edition of the news. While castigating the mayor for her alleged misconduct with respect to the St Paul’s issue, the letter seems to characterizes the Westerman report as model of clarity and disclosure.

From my perspective the Westerman report is replete with ambiguity and totally lacks what I would call “full disclosure”. As for the mayor, I heartily endorse her request for a re write of the Westerman report to respond to the many questions it does not address. For example, precisely what does adaptive reuse mean? And assuming the Village opts for adaptive reuse, what can the adoptively reused structure be used for? And how long must we wait for adoptive reuse to be accomplished.

George Kane

The ledger

To the Editor:

A vitriolic “letter” authored by several former profiled leaders of the defunct Committee (appointed by adaptive repurpose zealot Mayor C. Veneziale) prominently appeared in last week’s Garden City News. It now attacks the current Mayor just like the Committee did last August when in a cowardly manner ( by reading a letter from someone who was not even at the meeting) it unleashed defamatory accusations and statements about then Trustee Carter Flanagan. The long term result was she was vindicated by becoming Mayor.

By the way because this Committee no longer exists these letter attackers label themselves with titles they no longer have a right to use. Moreover, they have no authority to speak for anyone except themselves. George Kane of the former Committee sub Finance group has already indicated he and others were kept in the dark and clearly some did not adequately participate in the Committee’s process. (see GCN 6/9/23, Kane letter. p. 2.). Did the 38 members actually ever tour the building? How many of the 38 members of the defunct Committee got the opportunity to contribute? At a webinar held by then candidates Beach Harrington and Judy Courtney, Bob Orosz, a Finance sub Committee member, spoke and I heard him say words to the effect that communication within the Committee was poor. Did they collectively make decisions? Does not seem so.

The former Committee was quite upset last November when Mary Carter Flanagan disclosed the detailed 60 page Erwin & Bielinsky report which

To The Editor

Committee had overlooked, discounted, and/or neglected , (“A six page report” said Mr. McDonough when the Trustee Carter Flanagan asked him about it at last November’s Board meeting) (see my letter p.2 GCN 12/09/22). The Committee would have had good reason to feel the heat because this report significantly criticized the Save St Pauls Committee 2011 plan in which Mr. McDonough and the former mayor, Cosmo Veneziale, participated. There are distinct similarities between the 2011 plan and the past Committee’s half loaf $49M adaptive reuse phase 1 renovation Committee suggestion. Take a look at http://www. slideshare.net/jamesncohen/save-st. pauls-presentation where the Save St Pauls group’s claim that the cost would be supported by a 15 year bond, (see slides 31-33), and not a 30 year bond as now asserted based upon something called “lease appropriation” printed on the last page of the Committee’s Town Hall handout on March 13.

In addition Mayor Cosmo Veneziale, both blatantly and covertly, sought to wrongfully derail Mary Carter Flanagan as a sitting Trustee and potential candidate for mayor. Can’t forget that one! This was a spectacular failure seeking to prevent her from holding office. The result was she became Mayor and Mr. Veneziale received the least votes of any candidate running for the Board last March. I think this was a referendum against Mayor Veneziale and his Committee.

On the other side of the ledger last year the current mayor, then Trustee, did propose setting a deadline on the Committee’s activities. I got pulled into this as an old FDEM guy. I thought the deadline was too abbreviated. FDEM was interested in hearing what the Committee had to say about demolition and listened to their presentation in November. ( But alas the park component never specifically estimated by Mr. Kuhl , a signatory of the “Letter”). Does his animus for the current honest Mayor further call into question his non-itemized, not crystal clear, $15m park evaluation? Thus far the Mayor and Board has never addressed the park concept which Westerman did not evaluate at all and will apparently not seek a further independent evaluation of demolition, (not at all “crystal clear” in my humble opinion) but only looking into cost storage of any salvage items- the stain glass windows regardless of whether the building is to be demolished or not. (see 6/23/23 Mayor Update p. 22).

Finally, the bitterly nasty attack “letter” also relates to several construction proposals presented by the Committee at the Mar. 13, Town Hall inappropriately characterized by the then Committee as bearing the names of two Trustees and a prominent individual resident. In essence the Committee provided scenarios with jacked up costs to make illusory comparisons with its half baked phase 1 plan. As per the June 16 week’s Mayor Update adaptive reuse and facade concepts are being addressed to obtain objective evaluations. This is vitally necessary. Our Mayor is trying hard to do what should be done. After all, the Board has a fiduciary responsibility to all residents. The defunct Committee had no such fiduciary obligation and seemed to act in a manner serving only its creator and its own agenda.

Perhaps the upcoming Mayor Update columns will begin to illuminate the ultimate findings within the Westerman report even before the next Board meeting 3 weeks away and outline further actions to be taken. I, as do many, have summer plans so if not attending the next Board meeting, do zoom it or watch on YouTube. Let’s learn what the Board has to offer.

S. G. Gorray

Calling St Paul’s graduates

To the Editor:

I have been fortunate to spend the last couple of months working with Village Historian William Bellmer to identify the provenance of one of the stain-glassed windows in the St Paul’s Chapel. We know five windows are Clayton and Bell windows, the famous London manufacturer, that were installed in the building when it was erected in 1882 and documented in the Hempstead Inquirer in that same year. In addition, we have documented the Tiffany window that was placed in the chapel in memory of the Newcomb family’s son, Thomas, who died as a student while attending St. Paul’s in 1892. It is named “The Conversion of St Paul” and is listed in the Tiffany 1910 catalogue as having been purchased for the St Paul’s School, Garden City, New York.

I was fortunate enough to be able to tour with the Mayor, Trustees Chester and Finneran and Village employees to document that the windows are still in good shape. (Some are, and some are not). Mr. Bellmer was invited as well but declined as he has been in the building multiple times. However, there is still one window Village Historian Bellmer cannot find documentation for its provenance. It is a window in memory of Lillian Parker Marsh, the St Pauls School’s Headmaster’s wife, who died in December 1928. Tiffany & Co stopped producing windows shortly after that period, so it appears unlikely the window is a Tiffany window as many believe. However, it would seem to still have some historic value for our Village, as well as the Cathedral as Walter Randall Marsh served in many positions in the Diocese.

I am trying to contact any St Paul’s Alumni, or member of the St Paul’s Alumni Association that might have yearbooks or a more likely, a history of St Paul’s from this period. The search is further hampered by the fact that the school did not publish yearbooks from 1907 thru 1937. The hope is that the Mayor and the BOT will consider, and the residents will support, that there are several, unique historical pieces in the St Paul’s Building that are at substantial risk of being lost forever. These include the five Clayton and Bell windows from the London firm (a couple in need of repair); a spectacular Tiffany window; a rarely mentioned 500lbs. (estimated from pictures) bronze bell that has been sitting in the clock tower unused since the electric clock was installed; an amazing blue, but damaged, skylight which might be able to be repaired and repositioned in the Village and several others that should be documented.

One thought is to move the Tiffany window to the large brick wall in the library as you enter so that after decades of being hidden, all the residents can enjoy the spectacular piece of GC history and protect it at the same time. I’m sure the Trustees would love to hear suggestions for the bell as well. In addition, it is my personal hope, that the 100-200 Bibles and Choral Books, many from the early 1900’s, that have been left scattered in the Chapel pews, can find a safer home. Any help from any alumni, alumni association, resident or amateur historian would be greatly appreciated. If so, please contact William Bellmer at Historian@GardenCityNY.net or Donald Macleod at dmacleod2424@ gmail.com. Thank you.

Having no special expertise in early 1900’s stain-glass works (except for a love of color), bronze bells or antique skylights, I am entirely indebted to William Bellmer, John Kordes and several others for their help, incredible knowledge and recommended readings.

Donald MacLeod

Unelected official?

To The Editor:

Elections. We all know that people run for office and are elected. Our Village elections were this past March and a new mayor, Mary Carter Flanagan, and several new trustees were elected. We are hopeful as a village that our elected officials can address the most important concerns of the residents properly.

Unelected officials- there is one resident who has not been elected, to my knowledge, to any position in the village. I am certain this person is also not employed by the village. However, Mr. Donald MacLeod is given latitude in every direction the Village turns.

My question therefore is, what is the role of this person in the Inc. Village of Garden City?

A simple question, which hopefully can be answered, by someone with authority. Thank you!

Eileen K. Read

The Children’s Room Reopens

The Children’s Room is open to the public; some finishing touches may be ongoing until the project is completed. Children and parents have been enjoying reading in the new storytime room and having fun coloring and playing with puzzles.

Summer Reading Club

This summer’s theme is What’s Cooking at the Library? There are 2 clubs, a preschool club for children ages 2 –5 (not entering kindergarten in fall 2023) and a club for children entering grades K–5 in fall 2023. Summer Reading Club registration started June 12 at 10 a.m. on Eventkeeper. Please come to the children’s desk to pick up the goody bag. Fun programs include the Young Engineers; a family sensory storytime, storytimes for children from birth–5 years (not entering kindergarten) and we are bringing back the popular Talent Show. Tie-Dye - Science teacher Chris Buchman will be instructing a creative fun tie-dye program.

Creative Arts Contest

June 12 – July 26

Fourth and fifth graders can get creative this summer by entering our