The Garden City News (4/4/25)

A G REAT S TART

Garden City High School Trojans boys lacrosse team secured two impressive wins over formidable opponents, setting an assertive tone for the 2025 campaign. See page 60

Village admin budget decreases

BY RIKKI MASSAND

On Thursday night, March 27, Village of Garden City Administrator Ralph Suozzi presented the municipal administration department budget for the fiscal year beginning June 1 to the Board of Trustees. The proposed budget reflects a 4% decrease—approximately $89,000—from the adopted 2024–25 budget of $2,035,000.

As proposed, the Administration Department’s salary-related expenses will

decrease from the current fiscal year’s adopted budget of $1,283,000 down to $1,222,000 – a decrease of $61,000 or 5%, due to lower salary costs as the exempt position of Secretary to the Board of Trustees (previously held by Courtney Rutt Rosenblatt) was replaced with the Nassau County Civil Service personnel officer job title, at a lower salary. The village’s Administration budget includes 13 full-time positions and one part-time intern position; representing a reduction from three-

part time positions in the current year. Benefits and taxes are not included with the budgeted totals for Village Administration costs, and Mr. Suozzi noted that they are estimated to be approximately $536,000.

“The Village Administration Department works in coordination with all other departments to coordinate and deliver quality services to the residents regarding day-to-day operations by providing tools, resources and guidance necessary for our employ-

See page 22

Non-organic treatment planned for St. Paul’s fields

BY RIKKI MASSAND

At its March meetings, the Garden City Village Board of Trustees discussed spring field conditions at St. Paul’s, with a detailed review and maintenance plan presented by Assistant Superintendent of Recreation and Parks Andrew Hill and Trustee Vinny Muldoon, the board’s liaison to the department.

The discussion culminated at the Thursday, March 20th board meeting where the trustees approved the one-time application of a non-organic (pesticide) crabgrass pre-emergent.

This chemical treatment requires the playing fields at St. Paul’s to be closed for a 48-hour period during Easter weekend (April 19 and 20). According to Mr. Hill this schedule coincides with pre-planned field closures so no practice sessions, games or events are being moved. A cost for the crabgrass pesticide application was not stated in the related March 20th agenda item. At the prior board meeting (March 6th) Assistant

See page 22

Salaries drive 2% increase in GCPD budget

BY RIKKI MASSAND

On Tuesday night, March 25, Garden City Police Commissioner Ken Jackson presented the Village Board of Trustees with the financial details of a projected 2% increase in the Garden City Police Department’s (GCPD) operating budget for fiscal year 2025–26.

Salary-related expenses account for 95% of the department’s budget, which is projected to increase from $10.828 million in the current fiscal year to $11.091 million—a $263,000 rise.

Commissioner Jackson reported that Police Department salaries include overtime, longevity pay, holiday pay, night differ-

See page 62

We’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to two members of the Garden City Board of Trustees who will be leaving the board next week.

Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan and Trustee Bruce Chester have served as members of the Board of Trustees during a rather contentious period of time, especially with the decision on St. Paul’s looming large.

Members of the various village boards, and also the school board, put in a huge amount of time as volunteers to try to make their home town a better place. This is often on top of their regular day jobs, and responsibilities to their own families.

Although there is sometimes acri-

mony over specific issues we hope that residents can look past it and appreciate the hard work of these individuals.

The St. Paul’s survey is now in the mail to residents, and we hope everyone will take the time to fill it out. We are still disappointed that the survey did not include options such as demolition and facadism, but that ship has sailed. Those who want to can write in those options.

Since the survey has already been printed and mailed, let’s at least try to give the board as much information as possible about what the wishes of the residents are.

To the Editor:

During my term as Mayor, I formed the Mayor’s Saint Paul’s Committee to determine the feasibility of repurposing Saint Paul’s Main Building. My charge to the 38 resident volunteers, all with relevant professional backgrounds in Architecture, Engineering, Law, Finance and Construction was to conduct unbiased research on how to effectively, efficiently and fiscally repurpose Saint Paul’s Main Building, if possible. I, as Mayor, harbored no preconceived notion as to what could be done with Saint Paul’s Main Building and I asked that of all the resident volunteers. Initially, we pursued an up or down assessment of the building and also vetted the concept of Facadism proposed by the FABGC leader Donald MacLeod. After 15 months of hard work by the members of the Committee conducting research, analysis and five Town Hall meetings, the Committee issued the most comprehensive report to date. To provide preliminary cost estimates, Westerman Construction was hired by the Village in response to a Request for Proposal seeking qualified firms with experience in historic buildings.

In light of the aforementioned, I find the 11th Hour reporting of emails “suddenly” discovered by Mayor Flanagan to be purely politically motivated. To attack Frank McDonough, who was chairman of the Program and Use Analysis Subcommittee and others involved is unwarranted and unprofessional. Frank McDonough did not influence the cost estimator’s work as is alleged. The process of developing a preliminary program for Saint Paul’s, area analysis and square foot costs is Standard Operating Procedure for any alteration or new building. Any competent Architect, Engineer or Developer knows this.

The actions by Mayor Flanagan are nothing new. She attempted to hijack my Committee in the Summer of 2022 only to be dismissed, since I

as Mayor had the authority to form such a Committee. In fact, I also formed the Village Fire Safety Committee and Building Development Committee which were all terminated by Mayor Flanagan upon her taking office with no justification. Instead of building upon all the research and analysis by the Committee, she disregarded the work of the resident volunteers. She delayed the request to clean the building for safe access to conduct survey work. As Mayor, she delayed payment of the cost estimator’s fee until he rewrote the cost estimator’s report based on the 19 questions she raised.

Adding more insult, she attempted to determine if I had a business relationship with Westerman Construction to discredit the cost estimate report. Myself nor my firm never worked with Westerman Construction. Mr. Westerman’s firm was selected via a formal Village RFP which I endorsed as Mayor for all projects and consultants. I am proud to say the Mayor’s St. Paul’s Committee did exceptional work in the research, analysis, documentation and public meetings to provide residents with the information necessary to determine the fate of St. Paul’s Main Building. To date, I have seen no report by Mayor Flanagan’s Advisory Group. I urge the Garden City News to include as “Related Stories” the June 22, 2023 Letter to the Editor by members of the Saint Paul’s Committee and the Committee on Saint Paul’s Report to the Board of Trustees, dated March 16, 2023 which was removed from the Village website when Mayor Flanagan first assumed office and is still not included. Cosmo Veneziale, Mayor, Village of Garden City from 2021 to 2023

Ambiguous options on survey

To the Editor:

A lot of falsehoods about FABGC (For A Better Garden City) have been circulating around the village for the past few years. Fortunately, the origins See page 42

St. Paul’s survey arrives in resident mailboxes

Residents will find the important St. Paul’s survey in their mailboxes starting this week. Every household will receive this survey, which focuses on three critical areas: the types of programs residents desire within the building (based on resident feedback in the recent Recreation survey), potential uses for the structure (based on the October ‘23 Resident poll), and the financial commitments they are prepared to make.

Additionally, the survey includes a set of questions regarding the possible inclusion of an indoor pool complex, which was frequently selected as a preferred choice in the Recreation poll. An indoor pool may or may not be included in St. Paul’s, but is included in this survey to further gauge resident interest.

The survey will be open for responses for a few weeks. Residents can be

assured that all responses will be kept confidential. Completed surveys should be returned in the provided addressed envelope to ETC, the company responsible for tallying the results. The compilation and analysis of the results are expected to take a few weeks.

Results of the survey will be shared with the Board of Trustees and the community by the end of June. This survey represents a valuable opportunity for residents to voice their opinions and influence the future direction of the Village. The Board of Trustees will use the collective input to ensure they move forward in a direction that reflects the majority’s wishes. For any questions regarding the survey or the St. Paul’s project, residents are encouraged to contact the team via email at stpaulsquestions@gardencityny.net.

How Much Is My Home Worth?

Our Custom Home Value Report provides you with the information you need to get a better idea of what your home might be worth given current market conditions.

Your report will supply details on:

Buyer Demand | Statistical Data | Nearby Homes for Sale

Scan the QR code and enter an address to get up to three estimates of your home’s value today.

The survey on St. Paul’s will be arriving in mailboxes starting this week.

Home Happens Here

Fifteenth Street, D1 Open House Sunday, April 6th 12-2pm

Discover the delightful Cherry Valley Co-ops, the only garden apartment complex in town. Join us to see our first floor, one bedroom unit offering a nicely sized living room and bedroom, galley kitchen, full bath, in-unit washer/dryer and central air. There are hardwood floors through-out. The unit is perfectly convenient to the Mineola LIRR train station, Winthrop Hospital and Garden City's bustling main street. As a resident, you will enjoy Garden City's resident amenities as well. Escape the hustle and bustle while living among beautiful trees and walking paths with benches. There is something quite lovely about watching the seasons change!

Offered at $335,000

Dana Eaton Kate Crofton Denise Donlon

Patricia Aprigliano Susan Bashian Andrea Bharucha Suzanne Blair Liz Breslin Barbara Chmil

Deirdre Albertson

Arlene Conigliaro Roberta Clark Colleen Ciullo

Cheryl Adams McAuliffe

Maribeth Quinn Sean R. McCoyd Jayne McGratty Armstrong

Roseanne McMahon Barbara Moore

Patricia O'Grady Julie O’Neill Rita Paiewonsky Louisa Pironi Jill Palmeri

Tony Leondis

Bill Eckel

Sharon Redmond

Anny Ko

Theanne

Find the right fit at the Volunteer Fair

To celebrate National Volunteer Week (https://www.pointsoflight. org/national-volunteer-week/), on Wednesday, April 23, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, the Long Island Volunteer Center is sponsoring a Volunteer Fair at the Garden City Public Library. Over 15 local community organizations will be recruiting volunteers to help expand their programs and services. There is no charge to attend and all ages are welcome. In addition, youth will be eligible for community service hours. Service activities around the Crayon Initiative and creating Kindness Cards will be conducted. Confirmed tablers to date include (more to be announced): AARP, American Red Cross, A.T. Stewart Exchange, Book Fairies, Cathedral of the Incarnation, Crayon Initiative, Ethical Friends of Children, Faith Mission, Friends of the Garden City Public Library, Garden City Bird Sanctuary, Garden City Fire Department, MineolaGarden City Rotary Club, NYU Langone Hospital-Long Island, Salvation Army Hempstead Corps, SCO Family of Services, South Shore Child Guidance

Center, and The INN.

Volunteers expand the needed programming and impact of nonprofit organizations across Long Island which touch the lives of the most vulnerable and maintain a safety net for so many unable to care for themselves particularly those who are food or housing insecure. While the people and program numbers are staggering, the economic impact is also tremendous—many volunteers in New York not only contribute their time (which according to independentsector.org is valued at $37.29 per hour), they also regularly donate to nonprofit fundraising, donate new and gently used goods they have locally purchased and use their own means of transportation to get to and from volunteer assignments. But the intrinsic value of volunteering is most felt within—finding a passion and living it through service brings out the best in ourselves.

Any questions, please call 516-5645482 or email info@longislandvolunteercenter.org.

CMF Bingo Night on April 24

The Children ’ s Medical Fund (CMF) will be hosting a Bingo Night on Thursday, April 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Garden City Community Church, 245 Stewart Avenue.

The event is open to kids aged 10 and younger with a caregiver. $35 per child includes: bingo card, pizza, dessert, drink, and three raffle tickets. Additional food and raffle tickets available — cash or Venmo.

The event will benefit the Children ’ s Medical Fund / Cohen Children ’ s Medical Center

LIVC Youth Advisory Board members helping plan the April 23 Volunteer Fair, from left DJ McDonogh, Caileigh McDonough, Lizzy Hagopian, Ali Bennett, and Cecilia Renz.

Introducing 111 Arthur St.

Every once in a while, a very special property comes to the market. This is one of those times. Is this the home you have been waiting for?

Built in 1929, this stately and refined three-bedroom, 3.5 bath brick center hall Georgian Colonial is situated mid-block on gorgeous 75 x 200 property. Featuring classic design, elegance, and superior craftsmanship both inside and out, the home was thoughtfully renovated, adding the expanded eat-in kitchen, great room, and mud room you have been hoping for. The renovation seamlessly combined the original layout and design with the added space that beautifully accommodates today’s lifestyle, and the results are stunning! The great room with soaring ceilings, gas fireplace and French doors to the courtyard patio is perfect- a true showstopper and sure to become one of your favorite spots. Additional space includes a full third floor with great storage and bonus space, a screened porch o the sun room, full basement and a detached two-car garage.

The backyard o ers an expansive courtyard patio and deep greenspace, ideal for everyday living and playing, lacrosse and soccer nets or entertaining on a grand scale. The possibility of adding a pool should be discussed with the Village Building Department.

Within close proximity to both the Garden City and Mineola LIRR train stations and the restaurants, shops, fitness studios and o ces of our vibrant 7th St and Franklin Avenue, this home provides the perfect adaptation of elegant town and country living.

Every inch of this home is meant to be lived in and enjoyed. Shall we take a look? Call me to schedule your private appointment.

O ered at $2,399,000 Taxes $31,636 Shown by appointment only.

Cheryl Adams McAuli e

516.383.4316

Email: cmcauli e@coachrealtors.com Web: www.cmac11530.com

Because there is a di erence

70th Annual Easter Sunday Vintage Car Parade

For the 70th year, the Chamber of Commerce Annual Easter Sunday Vintage Car Parade kicks off on Sunday, April 20th at the new start time of 12:00 pm.

The parade will step off on Franklin Avenue at Tenth Street with antique, classic and special interest cars throughout the metropolitan area expected to participate in the lineup.

Spectators are welcome to preview the hundreds of magnificent vintage car vehicles at the staging area in Parking Field 9E on Franklin Avenue between Ninth and Tenth Streets from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. when the parade begins. The procession of cars will head south on Franklin and west on Seventh Street to Hilton Avenue where it will disperse.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY SPECIALS

$12 Personal Pizzas $6 Shots of Jameson $7 Pints of Guinness

Try Our St. Pat’s Cocktails!

Salted Caramel Martini, Guinness Black Irish, Irish Iced Coffee

Dine-in only! Available in the dining room and at the bar.

GRIMALDI’S PARTY PACKAGES

$32/person • 3-hour package

Coffee • Tea • Soda

Mixed Green Salad/Caesar Salad

Antipasto/Tomato & Mozzarella

Assorted Pinwheels

One Large Calzone per Table

Unlimited Pizza w/ Toppings

$35/person - +Pasta Course

$40/person - +Chicken/Eggplant Entrée

$24/person - Beer/Wine Package

$34/person - Open Bar Package

11:30AM–4PM. Starting at $32/person. Call for details. Holidays excluded.

Various sponsorships providing many benefits are available. The chamber gratefully acknowledges our past sponsors and encourages anyone who would like to participate as a sponsor to contact the Chamber of Commerce at 516-746-7724 or visit www. GardenCityChamber.com. This is a great opportunity for a block, a local team, a Cub, Boy or Girl Scout Troop, a school or any group to get together

a support this nostalgic Garden City tradition! Please include any logo you’d like the Chamber to use on the website! The Chamber’s mission, the dedication to the prosperity of the quality, character and vitality of our greater community, is only possible through the generosity of our member and sponsors. At nerly 450 members, the GC Chamber is the largest Community Chamber of Commerce on Long Island!

The Chamber asks that you to patronize its sponsors, without whom tit would not be able to offer programs to the business community and the general public. Special thanks this past week to: TCBY, Lou Fernandez: Allstate Insurance, Landscaping By Lutz, Combined Resources Consulting & Design, Inc., Barnwell House of Tires, The French Workshop, Paul’s Auto Collision, The Law Office of Marc A. Paz, P.C., Ethan Allen, Helen Keller Service for the Blind, Leo’s Tavern, Il Gufo, Coach Realtors, La Botega, Revel, Old World Quality Corporation, Biz Auto, Ivaronne Bros., Tap Room and, opening soon at the corner of Franklin Avenue and Seventh Street, Dog Club.

St. Joseph’s Knights, Novena shine

The St. Joseph-Bishop Baldwin Council No.15809 and the St. Joseph Parish Respect Life Ministry experienced a heartwarming welcome from parishioners attending the seven Masses celebrated at the Church of St. Joseph on the weekend of March 29 and 30.

With KofC Grand Knight Joseph Levano, who addressed the gathered parishioners after each Mass, St. Joseph’s parish celebrated the Founding of the Knights of Columbus (March 29, 1882) and launched the 34th Annual Spiritual Adoption Novena.

A central part of the celebration at last Sunday’s10:30 AM Mass was the commemoration of deceased Knights who served the parish. They were men of faith who were instrumental in the successful events and volunteer efforts of the Council since its founding in 2014.

Must present this ad for discount. Not to be combined with any other offer.

The names of fourteen deceased Brother Knights were solemnly announced: Edward T. Brown, Vincent E. Cashman, Michael Cassano, Leo A. Dohn, John O. Gilsenan, Joseph A. Harvey, Robert D. Kaliban, James E. McGloin, John F. McGowan, Nathan Mistretta, John A. O’Connell, Rudolph E. Panico, “Buzz” Santini, and “Jack” Searson.

In his remarks after all the Masses, GK Levano offered a compelling description of the good works of the Knights of

Grand Knight Joseph Levano’s address after each Mass brought loud applause from parishioners.

Columbus.

“The Knights of Columbus is an

See page 20

Cathedral Choir presents Choral Evensong for Lent

BY CANON LARRY TREMSKY

The Cathedral Choir will sing Choral Evensong for Lent this Sunday, April 6, at 4:00. Choral Evensong has been in use in the Anglican Church (of which the Episcopal Church is part) since the 1550’s. It is still sung every day in nearly every Cathedral in England.

The Service consists of prayers, two readings from scripture, hymns and texts sung by the Choir. Unlike most other services today, most of Evensong is sung by the Choir alone, giving the congregation a chance for peaceful meditation and reflection.

Music for this Evensong will include the Short Service of Orlando Gibbons,

the great English composer of the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque eras. Gibbons held the position of organist at Westminster Abbey in London until his untimely death in 1625, Other music to be sung includes works by Richard Ayleward and Henry Purcell.

The Evensong will feature our Taylor and Boody Continuo Organ, a gift from parishioner Sally Schreier in 2020. This organ is designed to be used with music of the era of Gibbons and Purcell and brings a lever of authenticity to the performance.

This service is free and open to all. The Cathedral is located on Cathedral Avenue and Fifth Street in Garden City.

Events under the Moon. Photo ©twobytwo

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 1-3PM

127 NEWMARKET ROAD, GARDEN CITY

Welcome to 127 Newmarket Road, an exquisite 6 bedroom, 3.5 bath colonial located in the Estates section of Garden City. The home has over 3,600 interior square feet and perfect for entertaining or everyday living. The first floor features a gracious entry foyer, spacious living room with gas fireplace, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen, family room with wood-burning fireplace, office, laundry room and powder room. The upstairs has a primary bedroom with en-suite bathroom and large walk-in closet, 3 additional bedrooms and a full bath. There is a renovated eat-in kitchen with custom white cabinets, Thermador stainless steel appliances, including a 6-burner stove and double oven, marble countertops, large island and separate bar area. Some additional highlights of the home include updated bathrooms, 4-zone central air conditioning, 5-zone gas heating, radiant flooring, hardwood floors, a finished basement with large recreation room, walk-up attic, in-ground sprinklers and a 2-car detached garage. The oversized backyard with lush landscaping and rear patio makes it perfect for entertaining. This home has incredible curb appeal and is in close proximity to the LIRR, shopping and restaurants on 7th Street, schools and the park. Don’t miss this one! Asking price $2,599,000

We bring a unique perspective to the table, blending traditional values with modern expertise. Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, we are dedicated to providing personalized service tailored to your needs. When you choose our Mother/Son team, you gain a partner who truly understands the importance of long-term success and building a legacy for generations to come.

Garden City PTA News

Save the Dates!

Grab your calendar and mark down these important upcoming dates across the school district. 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.

• April 9 - GCMS PTA Meeting, 7:30 p.m. via Zoom

• April 24 - Joint Stratford & Stewart PTA Meeting (time, location TBA)

• April 24 - Parent University Presents… An Interactive Workshop with representatives from Apple (7–8:30 p.m. at the GCMS Library)

Get Your Sportswear

matthewminardi@danielgale.com

c.516.456.3091

The spring PTA sportswear fundraiser is open now through April 25. Grab all new GC gear for grandparents, parents, students, pets and more! Scan the QR code to start shopping or go to https://gcptas25.itemorder.com/shop/ sale/

Attention students!

Garden City Real Estate Market Information

79 Magnolia Ave.

RECENT REAL ESTATE SALES IN GARDEN

CITY

Date: 03/21/2025

Sold price: $1,875,500

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath

Architectural Style: Colonial

Property Size: .26 acres

Annual taxes: $23,485

MLS number: 817713

The Seller’s Team: Ann Heaney and Matthew Heaney, Compass Greater NY

The Buyer’s Team: Fortune Heaney and Lisa Heaney, Danile Gale Sothebys

Nestled on a beautiful sized 75 x 150 lot, this timeless home offers a harmonious blend of comfort and elegance. The inviting living room features custom built=ins, wood burning fireplace and hardwood floors. The formal dining room is placed in between the kitchen and living room, perfect for entertaining.

The rear of the home boasts a delightful four season room with a wood floor, ideal for year-round relaxation. The heart of the home is the beautiful kitchen, complete with a central island, that opens to an expansive family room overlooking the beautiful yard with specimen plantings. Exceptional millwork and hardwood floors elevate the entire space.

The second level includes a cozy primary ensuite with a wood burning fireplace and dressing area with multiple closets. There are two additional well-appointed bedrooms and a full bath. The expansive third floor offers versatility, serving as an additional bedroom or private home office.

The lower level adds even more functional living space with a large play area and a separate utility room.

With it’s charming design, thoughtful layout, and exquisite craftsmanship, this Magnolia Avenue gem promises a lifestle of warmth and sophistication.

Date: 03/27/2025

Sold price: $969,000

3 bedrooms, 2 full bath

Architectural Style: Split Ranch

Property size: .2 acres

Annual taxes: $17,144

MLS number: L3590845

The Seller’s Team: Michelle Mcardle and Erin Fleishmann, Douglas Elliman Real Estate

The Buyer’s Team: Michelle Mcardle and Erin Fleishmann, Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Welcome to 5 Hamilton Place, a beautifully updated 3 bedroom, 2 bath split located on park-like property in the Central section of Garden City. This home offers almost 2,000 interior square feet of living space and perfect for both entertaining and everyday living. The first floor features a spacious living room, formal dining room and eat-in kitchen. The lower level has a family room with large window overlooking the backyard and access to the garage. The upstairs has a primary bedroom with en-suite bathroom, 2 additional bedrooms and a full bath. Some highlights of the home include hardwood floors, a woodburning fireplace, 2-zone gas heat and a 2-car attached garage. The private backyard with lush landscaping and rear enclosed porch make it perfect for entertaining. This home has incredible curb appeal and in close proximity to the LIRR, shopping, restaurants, schools and the park. Don’t miss this one!

This informational page is sponsored by Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Houses featured on this page were sold by various real estate agencies

5 Hamilton Place

Garden City real estate, reimagined.

Baymack

Lauren Grima Lic. RE Salesperson Principal Agent

Pedro “Pete” Diaz

Karen Guendjoian Lic. RE Salesperson Principal Agent

Athena Menoudakos Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent

Alexander G. Olivieri Lic. RE Salesperson Founding Agent

Patrick M. McCooey Lic. Assoc. RE Broker Founding Agent

Maureen

Kathleen

Alexandra Parisi Lic. Assoc. RE Broker

Lauren Canner Lic. RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

Catherine Anatra Lic. RE Salesperson

Menoudakos Team

Demetrios Arnidis Lic. RE Salesperson McCooey Olivieri Team

Kathy Thornton

Jennifer Sullivan

Danielle Nero Lic. RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

Daniel Niebler Lic. RE Salesperson Baymack Team

Kate Russo Lic. RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

Julie Whicher Lic. RE Salesperson Baymack Team

Christina M. Hirschfield Lic. RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

Susan Gillin Lic. RE Salesperson Jen Sullivan Team

Adrienne McDougal Lic. RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

Ryan Mullins Lic. RE Salesperson Jen Sullivan Team

Frank Morabito Lic. RE Salesperson Pete Diaz Team

Amanda Keller

Team

Kerry Flynn

Team

Denice Giacometti Lic. RE Salesperson McCooey Olivieri Team

Mairead Garry Lic. RE Salesperson McCooey Olivieri Team

Carolyn Fowler Lic. RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

Alyson B. Esposito Lic. RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

Chelsea Costello

RE Salesperson Laura Carroll Team

List this spring with the #1 brokerage in Garden City.* Reach out to connect to a Garden City agent.

Licensed

laura.baymack@compass.com M: 516.537.3050

4 BD | 2.5 BA | 2,140

Beautifully renovated Colonial located midblock in the desirable Mott Section, blends traditional elegance with modern comfort. This property boasts gorgeous hardwood floors throughout. It features a chef’s kitchen with all new cabinetry, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, a large farmhouse sink, and an eat-in island. All three bathrooms were completely renovated with the primary bath boasting two separate oversized vanities with marble countertops and glass tile walk-in shower. The first floor also has a spacious living room with woodburning fireplace, a formal dining room with attractive built-in cabinetry, powder room and family room with large picture windows. The second floor offers a primary bedroom with en-suite & walk-in closet, three additional bedrooms & full hallway bath. New CAC, finished basement, generous sized backyard with inviting stone patio.

3 BEDROOMS

2 BATHS

1,660 SF

$1,189,000

GARDEN CITY 143 CHESTNUT STREET

6 BEDROOMS

5.5 BATHS

3,400 SF

$2,799,000

OPEN HOUSE

SATURDAY 4/5

11:30 AM–1 PM

Move-in ready 3 bedroom 2 bath cape on a 60x100 lot. Conveniently located near Hemlock School, parks, shopping, and major highways. The first floor features a bedroom with an adjacent full bathroom, while the second floor offers two additional bedrooms and another full bath. The galley kitchen with induction cooking includes an eat-in area and flows into the open-concept dining and living room. A spacious great room with a gas fireplace adds warmth and charm. The full basement includes an egress window for added convenience

Stunning 2025 new construction on a tree-lined street, close to Locust Primary School and Grove Street Park. Built by the renowned Maxim Builders, this home boasts 9-foot ceilings on the first floor and a fully finished basement. Exquisite millwork, coffered and tray ceilings, and a grand three-story wrap-around staircase with a double-story foyer and herringbone white oak floors elevate the design. The lush 60x150 property includes a paver stone patio and a detached two-car garage.

3 BEDROOMS1 BATH2 HALF BATHS TAXES $15,425.27 $1,299,000

Charming 3-bedroom, 1.55-bath brick colonial nestled on an idyllic, tree-lined suburban street. Just a stone’s throw from the Stewart Manor train station, as well as shopping, restaurants, and houses of worship. The sun-filled, open layout features a living room with a wood-burning fireplace, an open dining room and kitchen combination, a den, and a powder room on the first level. The second level offers three bedrooms and a full bath, with additional recreational space on the walk-up third floor. Showings by appointment.

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.

Spring has sprung at Garden City Nursery School

The children of GCNS are enjoying the sunshine, spending longer mornings exploring our one-acre outdoor campus, climbing, swinging, biking, even hunting for worms! With the new season brings new lessons: we are studying the weather, learning about “lion” and “lamb” days, reviewing spring colors, and having fun celebrating the spring holidays.

Registration for the 2025–26 school year is underway, and spots are filling up fast! Limited spots remain for the Playgroup (2s) and Nursery (3s) classes, while the Pre-K program is already full and accepting wait-list positions. The GC Nursery School is excited to share its

newest offering, the GCNS Transitions class, designed to bridge the gap between pre-K and kindergarten for older 4s and young 5s (those born between August 2020 and January 2021). Transitions will meet Monday–Friday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., preparing children for elementary school through a combination of playbased learning and Pre-Kindergarten Foundation work. Enrichment opportunities will include music classes with  Ms. Krysta, amongst other offerings. For more information about any of the programs, or to arrange a school tour, please visit  GCNS.org and reach out to the front office!

St. Joseph’s Knights, Novena shine

From page 8

international fraternity of Catholic gentlemen, founded over 140 years ago by Blessed Fr. Michael J. McGivney”, GK Levano explained. “While global in scope, the great works of the Knights start at home, such as in this parish and in our community.”

“I was inspired to join our Knights of Columbus Council after listening to Jesus’ Gospel message of what do you want me to do? Here I am Lord!

“The Knights have helped me and my fellow Knights to answer Christ’s call to serve others by assisting real people, or as Jesus might say ‘neighbors’, with real needs right here in our community. We work to put our faith into action.”

GK Levano listed some of the many Knight’s activities and services.

“We have established an annual December coat drive for needy kids, and we host a youth, free-throw basketball competition each January. We arrange a biannual parish blood drive, deliver wheelchairs for veterans, and support St. Joseph School and Religious Education. In addition, we provide for our seminarians and help to organize and staff parish events and Scouting activities. Brothers can often be seen assisting at Masses as ushers, eucharistic ministers and adult altar servers. We regularly bring Holy Communion to the homebound, and today, we honored our deceased Brother Knights. Also, we created a beautiful, 72-panel display of Eucharistic Miracles from around the world that has been viewed here at St. Joseph’s and has been loaned to parishes on Long Island and the New York area.”

In addition, our Knights’ council supports the Respect Life Ministry of the parish in all aspects. GK Levano explained, “Today, for example, following all the Masses, we Knights will distribute more than 400 Spiritual

Adoption In-Home Novena Enrollment/ Prayer Cards to parishioners who are invited to pray for unborn children and their mothers.”

This year marks the parish’s 34th Annual Spiritual Adoption Novena which runs from March 25, the feast of the Annunciation, to December 25, Christmas.

GK Levano reminded parishioners to return the Enrollment portion of their prayer card back to church this weekend (April 5 and 6).

Additional prayer cards will still be available in the weeks ahead in the bookrack in the main entrance of the church for anyone who missed the opportunity to join last weekend.

In summation, Grand Knight Levano invited the men of the parish to consider joining the Knights by visitingkofc.org/joinus, and using promo code: BLESSEDMCGIVNEY.

“The Knights offer an excellent opportunity to serve others. As a Knight, you are free to do as much or little as you can offer. No contribution of your time is too small, and it is always greatly appreciated.

“What I found was just an hour here or an hour there could make a big difference to the people in need. It also makes a positive impact on the Knight providing the assistance. Please believe me, when you see the smile on the faces of children receiving a new winter coat, you will not question your decision to be a Knight.

“This is your invitation to say, ‘Here I am Lord’.” Joining the Knights might help answer your question before Holy Week, “What did I do for Lent?” As John Lewis, a prominent civil rights leader and U.S. Congressman said, “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”

Grand Knight Levano’s words were met with loud and lasting ovations from parishioners seated in the pews.

Non-organic treatment planned for St. Paul’s fields

From page 1

Superintendent Hill said Recreation and Parks reignited a focus on the playing fields following the winter, including doing the lining and other preparations for spring sports. He said the work being done will help the athletic fields “look better than ever.”

“As we know practices will start up, we continued our efforts to increase the quality of the fields at St. Paul’s. We’re working closely with Alternative Earthcare Inc., our provider of organic fertilizer and working closely with Trustee Muldoon for the next steps forward to increase the quality of playing fields,” he said. Hill reported to the board that a meeting was scheduled for St. Patrick’s Day, Monday March 17, as the Recreation & Parks Department invited an expert from Cornell University, as the contact already scheduled a trip to Long Island to visit Bethpage State Park.

Trustee Jessica Tai, co-chair of the Garden City Environmental Advisory Board, asked about an increase for the pre-emergent chemical’s use on all of the fields at St. Paul’s instead of just for parts of the area. She noted that discussions took place on the crabgrass treatment and environmental impacts, since only the closed sections at St. Paul’s were treated with the same materials last year.

Assistant Superintendent Hill said the plan was to treat all the St. Paul’s fields. On March 6th he advised the board a decision on the full-scale treatment would need to be made by the month’s end.

“Alternative Earthcare’s proposal at the moment would be for their first treatment in April to include that pre-emergent, which would be put on the fields at the same time the fertilizers are placed. It works out well for us

because when they lay the pre-emergent they have to close the fields for 48 hours, and we can schedule this for Easter weekend – after the village’s Easter Egg Hunt nobody uses those fields as there are no sports going on, so we can close them then, from Saturday afternoon to Monday afternoon (April 21st),” he explained. The village typically closes the fields on Easter weekend every year, and Hill also said there were sod treatments done on the fields during Easter weekend in prior years.

At the March 20th Board meeting, he said the fields are experiencing a “severe crabgrass issue” because the grass that the village Rec./Parks staff ‘wants to see grow’ is being starved with the crabgrass thriving.

“The only way to manage that is with a non-organic treatment, and though it goes against our organic program, if we can get this done while the fields are closed it will be safe for everybody. We will monitor there, to make sure nobody goes on those fields while they’re treated,” Hill said.

Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan asked Hill about the pre-emergent treatment process, and if there were discussions among the Rec. Commission and some EAB members. She wanted to know the plans for closing the fields at St. Paul’s and monitoring them between April 19th and 21st. Hill said the staffing (cost) has held Recreation back from having employees watch over the grounds during weekends, but for Easter weekend the department will pay overtime costs to make sure this treatment and closure of fields goes as planned.

“We know it’s a big problem that people are concerned about children getting on the fields right after they have been treated. We also know that after 48 hours the fields would be safe to play on (Monday late in the afternoon). For those 48 hours where we close the

fields we’ll make sure we’re monitoring them. But this is really the only time we can close the fields with how busy they are, and it’s the only time of year we can apply this crabgrass treatment to make sure that it’s successful,” Hill said.

Trustee Tai suggested social media posts advising that the fields are going to be closed for treatment from April 19th to 21st, and Mayor Carter Flanagan noted how important the flags/small signs are to be placed in open and visible areas so no one walks over there with their children or pets. Hill agreed, and he said there will also be email blasts sent to all the sports organizations that use village fields so they can reshare and advise their member families.

Trustee Muldoon said he wants to make sure there is a strict policy in place for closing the fields during times of heavy rain and any weather that could cause more damage, if people were to spend time playing and running on them during muddy conditions.

“Part of the problems over the last 20 years is overuse of the fields, especially with wet conditions turning them into basically dirt fields, and then when things dry out they become dried-up fields. We want to make sure we move ahead with regulating this,” he commented.

Hill noted that some days when the rain is pouring down the matter “is cut and dry” as the fields are closed. Some of the spring days in particular can be questionable, but for Thursday March 20th there was a closure required following an on-site inspection by Recreation and Parks staff.

“The fields seemed pretty wet and when we went out in the afternoon and saw them, with the forecast for the next several hours, it was a decision reached (to close the fields) at that point with only the fog and moisture in the air. They were never going to dry out for

the afternoon/early evening,” he told the board.

Hill said there will continue to be times when staff might have to be second-guessing, but protecting the fields and grounds for the playing season is the top priority.

“We are not trying to disappoint anyone but we will err on the side of caution – and that mindset will continue once we get these fields where we want them to be. We’re still going to keep that protective belief,” Hill said.

Also at the last Board meeting, Trustee Muldoon shared that since becoming a trustee in April of 2024 he’s observed a great team effort among the Recreation and Parks Department staff with Hill’s leadership and key players including Village Arborist Joe Umana. Residents have also commented to Trustee Muldoon about the good levels of response and fast turnaround time when people reach out concerning trees or other matters.

Landscaping Contract Renewed

Two weeks earlier, at the March 6th meeting the Board approved a renewal of the village’s contract with Brightview Landscaping of Smithtown, for maintenance of Garden City’s municipal grounds and greenspaces in all areas except the Central section and Franklin Avenue/Seventh Street business district. The contract was originally awarded at the April 1, 2024 Village Board meeting and the trustees’ action last month exercises the first renewal year option included, with the same rate in effect.

“This is the company that’s been taking care of landscaping around the village, and this represents official authorization to extend them for the second year of their contract,” Assistant Superintendent Hill said.

Village administration budget decreases

From page 1

ees to perform their functions to the best of their abilities. The Administration budget includes budgets for the following cost centers – the Board of Trustees, Village Justice, Administration including the Village Clerk and Deputy Clerk, personnel, elections, central data processing (IT), publicity and the village historian. This budget represents a reduction of $88,961 in operating expenses from the adopted budget this current year of $2,035,000. Overall the Administration budget is decreasing 4% from the adopted budget and 0% from forecast – mostly due to a salary-related decrease,” Suozzi noted.

In addition, during the budgeting process a decision was reached for Central Data Processing (IT costs) to trans-

fer expenditures for Maintenance of Software, which reached a $245,000 in the 2024-’25 adopted budget, into Third Party Services for next year. Third Party Services include IT consultant fees, Court Collection Services (FBS), ADP Payroll Services in prior years, Village of Garden City publicity and more. Garden City’s Finance budget ADP Payroll is now a part of the Finance Department’s annual budget.

The Village Administration budget line item for Third Party Services is set at $426,000 – reflecting a 24% increase, or $84,000 more than the adopted budget from the current fiscal year of $343,000. The line item actually presents a decrease of $43,000 from the 2024-’25 forecast budget of $470,000.

Administration’s Capital Projects

Last Thursday Administrator Suozzi shared details of the budgeted Capital Projects for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. There are two major projects for Administration, involving the facilities of Village Hall – the Computer Room Renovation project (budgeted for $242,000 in the coming fiscal year), which underwent a significant change from its original program, and the Data Processing project (budgeted for $123,000 in 2025-’26).

The village has encumbered just $12,000 of the $242,0000 for Computer Room Renovation, with $230,000 remaining budgeted expenses. For Data Processing the year-to-date actual expense is just $5,000 with another $8,000 encumbered – with $214,000 in the remaining project budget.

Suozzi told the Board last Thursday, “the space for the new Computer Room

has stored many old pieces of equipment, most of which have now been auctioned off or discarded, and we now have A/C units in place.” He shared that the room is designed and the next steps include meeting with Verizon and LightPath (network provider) with regards to equipment needs.

For the Data Processing project, the administrator explained that the upgrades to services are needed to replace existing units that reach their lifespan of three to five years, “before performance issues surface.”

“These expenditures are also tied to the timeline for the Computer Room renovation plus additional cabling projects and firewall upgrades,” Suozzi said.

Trustee Judy Courtney asked about

See page 51

NEXT STEPS for St. PAULS !! NEXT STEPS for St. PAULS !!

The St. Paul’s Conservancy…

Congratulates and welcomes the recently elected new mayor and trustees and notes their significant fiduciary responsibility as a unified Board.

Looks forward to an open and full discussion concerning the BCI Survey and the future of St. Paul’s Campus.

Salutes the Board of Trustees St. Pauls Committee Co-Chaired by Messrs. Tauches and Catell and invites their review of the Conservancy’s suggestions.

Will continue its 20 year Mission of sharing with residents fact based, unbiased, professionally sourced information.

Please study the Conservancy’s soon to be announced 3 Part Financial Plan for St. Paul’s which will describe:

1. The financing alternatives for St. Paul’s;

2. A Village-wide, integrated Capital Projects Infrastructure Strategy; and,

3. A proven financial technique that can reduce St. Paul’s annual Debt Service, Operating & Maintenance costs and future capital costs.

The St. Paul’s Conservancy is an IRS recognized 501c3 charity whose membership is open to all Village Residents. Please join us and assure the future of the St. Paul’s Campus for Garden City families and our Community.

Peter Coll & Frank McDonough Co-Chairs

25 YEARS OF TURNING

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For 25 years, we’ve transformed uncertainty into unwavering assurance, creating sophisticated spaces where care and comfort naturally intertwine. Because the best decisions often begin with ‘I’m not sure.’

When Expertise Meets Compassion – Confidence Follows

For a list of all locations in the tri-state area, visit: thebristal.com

President Trump and Tariffs

BY BOB MORGAN, JR.

This is written the day before the so-called Day of Liberation declared by President Donald Trump, on which Mr. Trump says that he will finally lay out his administration’s policy on tariffs. But even up to now, Mr. Trump had shown an unusual willingness to expend political and economic capital on tariffs.

Tariffs, which impose a tax on goods imported into the country, are not at all new to the American political scene. 100 or 150 years ago, in addition to raising revenues, proponents of tariffs argued that they were necessary to protect "infant" American manufacturers, and industrial workers from predation from foreign producers. In general, tariffs were favored in Congress by Republicans, who tended to represent manufacturers and opposed by Democrats who (at least outside New York) represented rural and agrarian interests.

However, tariffs took a big political hit after the imposition in 1930 of the Smoot-Hawley levy, which was blamed for freezing global trade for many years and prolonging the Great Depression. In the aftermath of the Depression and World War II tariffs were generally lower and more reciprocal. Indeed, Republicans tended to favor this overall free trade orthodoxy, although occasionally challenged by Ross Perot and others. This consensus was also generally shared, for example by the Democratic Clinton Administration, which shepherded through the North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

When President Trump was first elected in 2016, he showed considerably more interest in tariffs, putting through a number of increases, some of which were continued by his successor, Joe Biden. Mr. Trump also arranged for a successor to the NAFTA treaty called USMCA. Nevertheless, tariffs probably ranked behind immigration and other subjects in Mr. Trump’s focus of attention.

Now that Mr. Trump has been elected again, however, he has decided to make tariffs a centerpiece of his policies. Mr. Trump and his allies advance a number of rationales for

this new emphasis.

The first rationale, somewhat predictably, is obtaining revenue to offset the renewal of the 2017 tax reductions. Second, Mr. Trump also seeks to use tariffs against some countries to achieve noneconmic goals, such as stopping Mexico (and, more dubiously, Canada) from importing illegal immigrants and fentanyl into the United States. Third, Mr. Trump argues that many trade deals previously entered into the United States are unfair to the United States and discriminate against American producers and manufacturers. It depends on the situation, but Mr. Trump has some support for this contention.

On the merits of Mr. Trump’s tariff initiatives, it is possible that the tariffs will have the intended effect of reviving United States manufacturing. However, this seems doubtful, at least in the short term, since there is long lead time in decisions to relocate business facilities. In addition, there is considerable question of whether the policy of the United States government should be to encourage manufacturing of goods rather than more hi-tech industries. Consumers may be relatively satisfied with existing choices in, say, automobiles, even if some models are foreign made in whole or part.

The political challenge for Mr. Trump related to tariffs is that a principal reason he won the election in 2024 was dissatisfaction with a wave of inflation under the Biden Administration and dissatisfaction with the economy in general. Right now, many business analysts are predicting a wave of price increases as the tariffs take effect. Meanwhile, the stock market, which affects the finances of many voters, both directly and through their 401(k) accounts, has not reacted well to the talk of new levies, and especially to the back and forth of proposals being negotiated

It’s not that there is no case whatever for imposing tariffs on the products of some countries in some situations . But Mr. Trump needs to consider if the emphasis on tariffs is worth the political and economic price.

BOE candidates: EPOA to host forum

To all interested Board of Education Trustee Candidates:

The EPOA will be hosting a Town Hall for any interested candidate running for the Board of Education at

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

its upcoming meeting on April 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center located at 6 Golf Club Lane. All residents are invited to attend.

CPOA monthly meeting on April 8

The Central Property Owners’ Association (CPOA) will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, April 8, at the Senior Center, starting at 7:30.

Village Trustees Bruce Torino and Yvonne Varano will give reports about developments in the Village and take resident questions. Committee and board reports will also be presented.

Follow the CPOA: Instagram: @gardencitycpoa; Facebook: Garden City Central Property Owners Association ; Website: gccpoa.org

Advertise in our papers!

If you own a business or have a service to provide, we’ll create professional advertisements to promote it and help you be seen by thousands of local readers! Call 1-516-294-8900 to inquire!

Concert to benefit Doctors Without Borders

On the afternoon of Sunday, April 6, a Benefit Concert for the charity Doctors Without Borders will be held in Garden City at the UU Congregation of Central Nassau.

Four distinguished musicians — Michael Sansonia, Paul Guzzone, Mike Malfesi, and Bob Mastro — unite as "Four Old Friends" to perform classics from the last fifty years while raising money for a great cause.

Tickets are $30 each and include din-

ner. All proceeds go to benefit Doctors without Borders, which cares for people affected by conflict, disease outbreaks, and disasters in more than 70 countries.

The concert starts at 4 p.m. and dinner will be held at 6 p.m.

UU Congregation of Central Nassau is located at 223 Stewart Ave, Garden City. For information please call 516-248-8855 or email uuccnbenefit@ gmail.com

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. Have you lost someone?

William O. Dwyer

William O. “Bill” Dwyer of Garden City passed away at the age of 91 on March 21, 2025.

Bill was born in Brooklyn on March 31, 1933. He was a graduate of The University of Notre Dame and St. John’s Law School. Bill spent his professional career first practicing law at Satterlee, Warfield, and Stephens in New York from 1958 to 1966, at which point he began working at Fairchild Publications, where he was senior vice president. After attending the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University in 1974, he began working at Moody’s Investor Services in 1975. He served as president of Moody’s from 1981 to 1988, president of Dun & Bradstreet Financial Information Services from 1989 through 1990, and president of D & B Corporation Japan from 1990 to 1993, when he retired. In 1996 he returned to serve as president of Moody’s until 1998. He served on the board of The Garden City Golf Club, as a trustee at St. Joseph’s College in Brooklyn, and as a trustee of The Village of Garden City for 8 years, the last 2 of which he was mayor. Bill lived in Garden City from 1962 until his passing.

Bill is survived by his wife Maureen Dwyer, his spouse of 67 years, his children James Dwyer (Jennifer), Kathleen Dwyer, and Mimi Haeffner (Pete), his 5 grandchildren Brendan, Ian, Matthew, Brian, and Sarah, and his sister, Kathleen Clarke.

A wake was held at Fairchild Sons funeral home, in Garden City, on Wednesday, March 26. A funeral mass was held on Thursday, March 27, at St Joseph Church. Donations may be made, in his memory, to Parkinson’s Research Foundation, P.O. Box 96318, Washington, D.C. 20090-6318

Some people prefer traditional funeral services. Others prefer cremation. Some want an elaborate ceremony. Then there are others who don’t want any ceremony at all. When it comes to funerals, there are as many options as there are people, and we take pride in being able to say we offer them all.

William O. Dwyer

Additional Faciilities and Spaces that could be included in Option B only

Indoor Courts/Gymnasium

Indoor Field Space

Age 50+ Programs

Special Needs and Adaptive Programs

Additional Activities and Events that could be included in Option B only

For those that feel the upcoming St Paul’s Survey should have included Demo and/or Facadism, or, in light of the GC News story “Did 2023 Committee Stack the Deck?” (https://www.gcnews.com/articles/did-2023-committee-stack-the-deck/), you are concerned with the fairness of the process, you may express your thoughts by filling in demo and/or façadism in answer to question 8a.(8)________________ (See the Example Below.) Below is all you need to fill out.

Indoor Pool (costs not included in Ballpark estimates)

Indoor Track

Basketball/Tennis/Pickleball//etc.

Swim lessons/water fitness/competitive swimming

Soccer/Lacrosse/Field Hockey

Indoor walking/jogging

Based on the information and descriptions above, please indicate your preferences in questions 4, 5, 6, and 7.

4. O OPTION A (Adaptive Reuse): How likely would you be to support a project that preserves the exterior of the St. Paul’s Main Building in its current form with some changes and upgrades to the interior?

(1) Very likely (3) Neutral (5) Will not support (2) Somewhat likely (4) Somewhat unlikely

5. O OPTION B (Par tial Replacement): How likely would you be to support a project that involves preserving selected sections and architectural features (interior and exterior) of the St. Pauls Main Building in their current form while replacing or expanding other parts with new construction?

(1) Very likely (3) Neutral (5) Will not support (2) Somewhat likely (4) Somewhat unlikely

6. O OPTION C (Mothballing ): How likely would you be to support a project that involves preserving the entire exterior of the St. Paul’s Main Building with new roof, gutters, leaders, repointing and masonry repairs, windows and doors, landscaping and irrigation and partial paving. Interior work will only include abatement and partial interior demolition (of deteriorated areas) and interior structural repairs including temporary lighting and power. The building is refurbished on the exterior and will remain unfini shed on the interior.

(1) Very likely (3) Neutral (5) Will not support (2) Somewhat likely (4) Somewhat unlikely

7. Based on your personal preference, rank the three options below.

A. Adaptive Reuse – Preserve the exterior of the St. Paul’s Main Building in its current form with some changes and upgrades to the interior

B. Partial Replacement – Preserve selected sections and architectural features (interior and exterior) of the St. Paul’s Main Building in its current form while replacing or expanding other parts with new construction

C. Mothballing – Preserve the entire exterior of the St. Paul’s Main Building with new roof, gutters, leaders, repointing and masonry repairs, windows and doors, landscaping and irrigation and partial paving. Interior work will only include abatement and partial interior demolition (of deteriorated areas) and interior structural repairs including temporary lighting and power. The building is refurbished on the exterior and will remain unfinished in the interior

P Please rank your three choices using the letters next to each option 1st: 2nd: 3rd: Will not support any option:

8. Did you select “Will not support” for any the options presented in questions 4-6?

(1) No (skip to question 11) (2) Yes (please answer question 8a) 8a. Please indicate why you selected “Will not support” for any of the options presented in questions 5 -7.

(1) Don’t care about the building

(2) Cost of renovation/Village can’t afford

(3) The renovated building won't be useful to us

(4) Existing footprint will not support community needs

(5) Village already has all needed spaces

(6) The Village could not handle this type of project

(7) None of these options apply

(8) Other:

9. How likely would you be to support allowing people who do not live in Garden City to pay higher fees to use a renovated St. P aul’s Main Building to help cover the operating costs of the building?

(1) Very likely (3) Neutral (5) Will not support (2) Somewhat likely (4) Somewhat unlikely Potential Village Tax and Cost Options

If you feel the current survey neither encompasses the full range of the possibilities, nor can fully reflect community sentiment for the St. Paul’s building, please go to www.stpaulsopenletter.com and join hundreds of others to sign the Open Letter to be counted.

The information below presents a “ballpark figure” of potential costs for various options, as well as an estimated Village tax impact for your home (based on your estimated market value of your home). It is important to note that these costs are only approximations based on our current information and will be adjusted as we get more information. We believe they are directionally correct and are designed to give you an idea of what costs might be.

10. What do you estimate is the current market value of your home?

Old World Quality Corp.

mcarterflanagan@gardencityny.net

In this my last mayor’s column I want to thank you, the residents of the Village, for a truly amazing four years. It was an honor and a privilege. The Village is something I am passionate about, and being part of actions to preserve and protect it has brought me great joy. I have enjoyed getting to know so many of you and working with you in different capacities. What makes our Village so special is you, the residents. Our Village will always need strong leadership to keep Garden City the amazing place it is today, and I highly recommend getting involved.  I also want to sincerely thank our very talented Village staff who I have had the pleasure of working with over the last four years.

Paul’s, unique knowledge of the building and our community, and brilliant minds. The report on the webpage under “2024 Data Driven Approach” sets forth the research and conclusions of this group and it is a resource that is there for possible use in the future.

Many of the actions I am proudest of are the ones that have positively impacted the quality of life of residents and the preservation of our community’s character. They have all involved working collaboratively with trustees and members of boards and commissions. I thank them all for working on these important Village matters. We opted out of the sale of marijuana products in the Village, restricted vape shops and other uses, passed a common sense summertime ban on gas powered leaf blowers, passed a law prohibiting short time rentals (AirBNBs), took measurable steps to preserve and improve our tree canopy with the hiring of an arborist, a new tree policy and amendments to tree code, designated over a dozen Village properties as parkland, placing an added layer of protection on green space in our Village, waged a robust and sustained opposition to the LV Sands Casino Project at the HUB, undertook a Village-wide study on traffic calming which provided new tools and a scientific approach to make our streets safer and address cut through traffic and speeding, and passed a much-needed new pool code for the Village. There was even more, but I mention these to highlight what local government can accomplish when people work together.

One of the most difficult issues in our Village is the St Paul’s saga, and while I have not been able to solve that one, I am sharing the insightful closing report of my Mayor’s Advisory Committee on St. Paul’s. I had the honor of working with five incredibly talented residents with diverse skills and opinions on St

I have been a strong advocate for transparency as a candidate and at every step of the way as I served our Village. That my term ended with my release of emails uncovering something very ugly preceding the 2023 Public Opinion Poll is unfortunate, but it had to be done, and I did it because you, the residents of this great Village, deserve this type or real transparency. If you are concerned that we are going down a similar path again with a questionable St. Paul’s Survey, I share your concerns. As Louis Brandeis wrote, “sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants.” If I’m remembered for my commitment to upholding the Sunshine Laws, I’ll take that, and I only hope future boards follow my lead.

St. Paul’s Survey & Follow Up Questions on Indoor Pool

Residents should receive the St. Paul’s survey in the mail this week that was prepared by Mayor Elect Finneran and Trustees Courtney, Muldoon, Tai, Harrington, and Torino. It is an opportunity for residents to let their desires be known, even if that means writing it in, and I encourage residents to participate in the survey. Moreover, the second part of the survey is an opportunity to provide input on a potential indoor pool project separate from the St Paul’s options described in the survey. The pool questions are a separate issue from the St. Paul’s questions, as none of the St. Paul’s options for which cost estimates were prepared include a pool, but are needed to follow up on the interest in an indoor pool demonstrated by residents in the recreation survey. This will provide the Board of Trustees further information on resident interest in an indoor pool facility in the Village and willingness to fund such a project. Completed surveys should be returned to ETC in the envelope provided. ETC is the company responsible for tallying the results. The compilation and

See page 55

Mayor Mary Carter Flanagan

False alarms

Officers responded on March 26 to two locations for medical alert alarms that were activated in error.

Multiple charges

On March 26, an 11th Street motorist was charged with multiple infractions including unlicensed operation, operating an unregistered and uninsured auto, and displaying improper plates.

Brush fire

On March 26 officers assisted firefighters at the Country Life Press Railroad Station, where they extinguished a brush fire.

Motorcycle violations

A Washington Avenue motorcyclist was charged on March 26 with unlicensed operation, operating an unregistered vehicle, and driving an uninsured motorcycle.

Burnt food alarm

GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence on March 26 for a fire alarm triggered by burnt food.

Suspended license

On March 26, a 5th Street motorist was charged with driving with a suspended license and failing to stop at a Stop sign.

Gas odor investigation

A residence was the scene on March 26 when GCFD and GCPD responded to an odor of gas. Firefighters traced the problem to a leaking dryer hose and rendered it safe.

No truck zone

A Clinton Road truck driver was charged March 26 with driving in a non-commercial zone, not wearing a seatbelt, and operating an uninsured vehicle.

Hazmat spill

On March 27, GCFD and GCPD responded to the Adelphi University Science Building for a hazardous material spill in a hallway. The building was evacuated and cleared. Medics evaluated three individuals who were exposed during the incident; one individual was transported to a local hospital as a precaution.

Check fraud

A check that had been placed in the mail on March 27 on 6th Street was reported stolen, altered, and cashed fraudulently.

Unsafe driving

A Clinton Road motorist was charged March 27 with unlicensed operation, excessive speed, and two unsafe lane change violations.

False alarms

On March 27, GCFD and GCPD responded to a fire alarm caused by burnt food and another alarm set in error.

Suspended registrations

On March 27, two Stewart Avenue motorists were charged with driving with suspended registrations and uninsured vehicles.

Vehicle violations

A Clinton Road driver was charged March 27 with operating a vehicle with a suspended registration and an unregistered auto.

Medication disposal

On March 27, thirty-five pounds of medications were collected as part of the Drug Take Back Program and were properly disposed of.

License infraction

A motorist on 1st Street was charged with driving with a suspended license on March 28.

Multiple alarm calls

On March 28, GCFD and GCPD responded to several alarms: one triggered by burnt food, another by someone smoking, and two set in error.

Identity theft

A victim’s identity was stolen and used to open a fraudulent cellphone account, according to a report taken by officers on March 28.

Public demonstration

March 28 included police presence for traffic and safety assignments during a demonstration held on Franklin Avenue.

Attempted theft

On March 29, officers responded to Meadow Place after a witness reported seeing a male suspect attempting to steal a Dodge Charger. The suspect fled in a white sedan. The investigation is ongoing.

Suspended license

A Stewart Avenue driver was charged on March 29 with driving with a suspended license, unsafe lane use, and operating a cellphone while driving.

Registration and insurance

On March 29, a Franklin Avenue motorist was charged with driving with a suspended registration and operating an uninsured vehicle.

Tax fraud

March 29 also saw a report of iden-

tity theft in which a victim’s information was used to file fraudulent tax returns.

Restricted license

A Clinton Road motorist was charged on March 29 with operating a vehicle in violation of a restricted license and driving without insurance.

Fire alarm

GCFD and GCPD responded on March 29 to a fire alarm at Adelphi University. The cause was identified as a curling iron.

Traffic violations

A motorist on Stewart Avenue was charged March 29 with unlicensed operation and failure to obey a red traffic signal.

Crash and rescue

On March 30, officers and firefighters responded to 1st Street and Cathedral Avenue where a vehicle had struck two trees. The driver was extricated and transported in critical condition to Winthrop Hospital.

Alarm activations

On March 30, GCFD and GCPD handled a fire alarm caused by burnt food and two alarms that were activated in error.

Driving violations

A Washington Avenue driver was charged March 30 with driving with a suspended license and without insurance.

Credit fraud

A report was filed on March 30 concerning identity theft involving an unauthorized credit card account.

Vehicle violations

A Stewart Avenue driver was charged on March 30 with driving with a suspended registration and operating an uninsured vehicle.

Graffiti found

Offensive graffiti was discovered March 31 on the MTA retainer wall on Railroad Avenue. MTA personnel were notified and removed it. The investigation is ongoing.

Bank fraud

On March 31, officers investigated a report involving multiple fraudu-

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Quick

Remote

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Rotary to Present Centennial Commemorative Gifts to Villages of Garden City & Mineola

This spring, in commemoration of its Centennial celebration in 2025, our Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club will present to both villages of Garden City and Mineola two meaningful gifts.

Garden City has once again earned the designation as “Tree City USA” and Rotary will gift to the Village an 8 ft. Linden tree to be planted at the Village Arbor Day celebration this April 25 on property just west of the Garden City Public Library.

Historically, for several decades, a new tree has been planted on Village property in celebration of Arbor Day. Given Garden City’s longtime commitment to the planting, care and celebration of trees, Mineola-Garden City Rotary looks forward to having our 100th anniversary commemorative tree celebrated on Arbor Day 2025.

Rotary thanks Village arborist Joe Umana for working with Rotary on the tree selection and placement coordination in conjunction with the Board and staff of the library.

Later this spring, as our Rotary club’s commemorative gift to the Village of Mineola, we will donate a “Peace Pole” to be placed in Mineola’s

Memorial Park, and we thank Mayor Paul Pereira, and Mineola’s Village Board of Trustees for selecting this commemorative designation with a ceremony to be planned. To learn the significance of a “Peace Pole,” please read on …

Peace Pole Message:

“May Peace Prevail on Earth,” Peace Ambassador to Report

Next Tuesday, April 8, 8 a.m., at the Carle Place Diner, Carle Place, Rotary will hold a breakfast meeting at which we will be pleased to host as guest speaker, Kevin Mann, 3-term president of the Rocky Point Rotary Club who also serves as the Peace Ambassador for Rotary District 7255.  Kevin will report on Peace Poles as monuments that display the message, “May Peace Prevail on Earth.”

The Peace Pole donated by our Club to the Village of Mineola will carry that message in English along with 8 additional languages of the world and is referred to as an affirmation of peace intended to inspire unity among people of all cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds.

The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Peace Pole Project.  Started in Japan in 1975, to date there have been more than 250,000 Peace

Italian Bistro

next Tuesday, April 8, at 8 a.m.

Poles “planted” around the world with more than 100 Peace Poles “planted” on Long Island as part of Rotary District 7255’s Peace Initiative.  Rotary District 7255 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Peace Poles with an island wide celebration on November, 22 2025.

To check out a map of Rotary peace poles on Long Island, please visit rotarypeacepoles.world or for more information, email kevinmannmail@gmail. com.

To reserve for a great breakfast of choice (fee $20 payable at the door), please email mineolagardencityrotaryclub@gmail.com.

Reserve Now to Hear Congresswoman Laura Gillen, Guest Speaker on Tuesday, April 22 Join Rotary on Tuesday, April 22,

12:15 for its lunch meeting at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant featuring Congresswoman Laura Gillen, former Supervisor of the Town of Hempstead.  Congresswoman Gillen is serving her first term as congresswoman on the House of Representatives where she serves the people of New York State’s Fourth District.  Congresswoman Gillen currently serves on the House of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; she sits on sub committees of Highways, Transit, Aviation, on Water Resources and Environment plus the House of Science, Space and Technology.

To reserve and enjoy a great lunch of choice in Davenport’s private dining room (fee: $40 payable at the door), email mineolagardencityrotaryclub@ gmail.com.

EPOA scholarship 2025

The Eastern Property Owners’ Association has announced that it will once again award a $1000 scholarship for 2025 to a graduating high school senior who resides in the Eastern section.

The candidates, or their family, must be dues paying members of the EPOA.  They must be currently attending public or private high school and plan to attend college full time in the fall.  The focus of this scholarship is community service.

Our

Candidates need to submit an application which can be accessed from the EPOA website at www. gcepoa.org or obtained from the Garden City High School Guidance Department.  Should you have a question, you can call Barbara Garry at 516-248-1486 or by email at contactus@gcepoa.org

All interested, eligible seniors are encouraged to apply.  The deadline for applications is April 16, 2025.

Do you have a service to advertise?

Kevin Mann, Rotary peace ambassador, pictured with his wife Aida, will speak during breakfast at the Carle Place Diner

Exciting happenings at St. Joseph School

SUBMITTED BY ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL

Across our community, families are seeking something more when it comes to their children’s education. Right here in Garden City, St. Joseph School is answering that call—offering a dynamic, enriching, and values-based experience that prepares students for success in school and in life.

At SJS, learning begins with a strong foundation in literacy. Our evidence-based reading curriculum is thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of today’s learners, ensuring every child builds the skills needed for lifelong reading success. Beginning in kindergarten, students also engage in a comprehensive writing program that develops their voice and confidence as writers across all grade levels. With a strong emphasis on vocabulary and spelling explicit instruction, students grow into articulate and effective communicators.

Our classrooms are places of active discovery. Through project-based learning, students dive into real-world topics, work collaboratively, and practice their presentation skills—preparing them to think critically and speak confidently. Meanwhile, our robust STEM program enhances the academic experience with exciting, hands-on exploration in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students in Grades 4 through 8 also benefit from a fully renovated Science Lab, where inquiry and innovation come to life.

The arts are alive and thriving at St. Joseph School. Students have the opportunity to join the Paul Effman Band Program, where they learn to play instruments under the guidance of professional musicians. Our Drama Club brings the stage to life each year with a full-scale musical production— complete with detailed sets, professional costumes, and audio engineers managing sound and tracking. Weekly art classes take place in a dedicated art space, where creativity is nurtured through hands-on projects that allow every student to express themselves.

St. Joseph School students are introduced to Spanish in Nursery, giving them a valuable head start in world language acquisition and cultural appreciation. Middle School sports offer three seasons for both boys and girls, including soccer, basketball, volleyball and baseball. And when it comes to physi-

cal education, our gymnasium provides an energetic space for fitness and fun, with exciting upgrades on the way— including player and spectator benches, a branded gym floor, and new wall padding—creating a space our entire school community can be proud of.

Our Family Association (FA) hosts monthly community-wide events, bringing together students, parents, and faculty for joyful gatherings rooted in fun, faith, and fellowship. These events help foster the deep sense of connection that makes St. Joseph School feel like family.

For families needing added flexibility, we offer Early Morning and After School Care, led by our own teachers and staff. Students receive support with homework, engage in hands-on crafts and activities, and enjoy structured play—creating a meaningful and balanced extension of the school day. In addition, our wide range of after-school clubs ensures every student has the opportunity to explore new interests and talents.

Most importantly, our smaller class sizes allow us to truly know each child. At SJS, students are seen, heard, supported, and celebrated. This personal approach helps each student thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.

Beginning this fall, St. Joseph School is excited to offer a new “Pre-K and a Half” class—designed specifically for children who are ready for more than a traditional Pre-K experience but may not yet be developmentally ready for the full structure of kindergarten. This transitional Pre-K program bridges the gap by providing a more enriched academic environment with continued emphasis on social-emotional growth, hands-on learning, and foundational skill-building. With a thoughtfully paced curriculum, small class size, and nurturing guidance from experienced educators, Pre-K and a Half offers the perfect balance of challenge and support to help young learners thrive with confidence.

There’s a renewed energy in our halls—and we invite you to come experience it for yourself. Private tours are available for all grade levels by calling our main office at 516-747-2730. We’re also hosting an Early Childhood Information Session on Sunday, April 6th, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Email

Getting married?

Please sponsor our generous donors, without whom our programs would not be possible:

Barnwell Tires • Biz Family Autos • Coach Realtors

Combined Resources Consulting & Design

Dog Club • Ethan Allen • French Workshop

Helen Keller Services for the Blind • Il Gufo Ivaronne Bros. • La Botega • Landscaping by Lutz

Come see why St. Joseph School is such a special place to learn and grow! $20 Per Car for Early Registration $25 Per Car for Walkups

Law Offices of Marc A Paz • Leo’s Tavern Lou Fernandez: All State Insurance

Old World Quality Corp. • Paul’s Auto Collision Revel • Tap Room • TCBY

Photos from the Village Archives Garden City Hotel # Realized

An aerial view facing northeast of the almost-completed Garden City Hotel #4 on a colorful October day in 1982, by Skyviews. This nine-story hotel was financed by builder/developer Myron Nelkin and designed by architect Theodore Bindrim, also known for his design of the Franklin Office Center on Franklin Ave. at Thirteenth St. The hotel has 280 guest rooms and a 5830 sq-ft grand ballroom. It opened on 20 May 1983, ten years after the previous hotel was demolished. Construction of the two Wyndham Apartment buildings on the site will be started in 1987.

At the bottom left is the School Administration building and the Cathedral House [demolished in 2021], and at extreme right the Library. At top is the Franklin Ave. business district with Mineola in the distance.

Archives identifier: gchj05. Views toward other directions can be seen at gchj02 [SE], gchj03 [S], gchj04 [SW], gchj06 [NW]

A selection from the extensive Village Archives. Others can be seen at www.NYHeritage.org - click on Organizations, G, and Garden City Public Library. Comments/questions: email Historian@gardencityny.net

You are cordinally invited to attend the

Francis Faustino, MD, MBA, FAAFP Chairman, Department of Family Medicine, NYU Langone

recognizing Thursday, April 10th, 2025

Tom Crowley, CPCU, CRM, CIC Partner, EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants

Immediate Past District Governor, Rotary District 7255 (GEO Long Island)

Cocktails 6:30pm Dinner 7:30pm

214 Jericho Tpke. | New Hyde Park, NY

Business Attire Required

Registration, Journal Ads & Raffle prizes can be purchased by going to www.rotacareny.org

Questions: RotaCare.Events@gmail.com

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!

“Museum of the Moon”

Installation at the Cathedral

Friday, May 2

Join us for a trip to the Cathedral of the Incarnation for a tour, and viewing of Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon installation. The Recreation bus will leave the senior Center at 10:15 (tour is at 10:30) or you can also sign up and meet us there. A box lunch will be provided. Cost, $14 cash. Register in person at the Senior Center front desk. Lunch selections will be made available at time of registration. Deadline April 25.

Pop-Up Class

Friday, May 9, at 12:15 p.m.

Join us at the Senior Center for a complimentary 50-minute pop-up class with new instructor Cathy. Includes a mix of cardio, resistance training (please bring your own 2–3 lb hand weights), and work using a small Pilates ball. Space is limited, to register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Hula Hoop Class

Tuesday, May 13, at 11:00 a.m.

Join us at the Senior Center for a complimentary pop-up Hula Hoop class with new instructor Jeannie. Hoops will be provided, come and enjoy a fun mix of music, with a great variety of activities using hoops. You will stretch, learn the basics, tricks and choreography. To register, please stop by the Senior

FOR SENIORS

Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Balance and Fall Prevention

Tuesday, April 22, at 11:00 a.m.

Timothy from Spear Physical Therapy will be here to instruct everyone on how to properly use the new balance and fall prevention equipment at the Senior Center. Register at the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Trip to Molloy College to See “Legally Blonde"”

Sunday, June 8

A trip to the Madison Theatre at Molloy University to see “Legally Blonde” $48.00, please make checks payable to “Molloy University”. The bus will leave from across the street from the Senior Center at 2:15, show is at 3:00. Deadline is May 8. Register at the Senior Center front desk.

AAA Offers Help with Real ID/ Enhanced Licenses

Tuesday, April 8

Alice from AAA will be at the Senior Center from 11:00-1:00 to tell you all you need to know about the Real ID/ Enhanced License process. She will have the forms you will need, and let you know what you need to do to obtain one. No reservations necessary.

Complimentary Oral Cancer Screenings

Friday, April 11

Dr Fitzgerald and Dr DiVanna from the Garden City Center for Dental Excellence will be at the Senior Center at 11:00 to perform complimentary oral cancer screenings. Refreshments will be offered as well, reservations are nec-

Monday Night Bridge Results

Duplicate Bridge : Winners March 2025

The winners of the March 10 games: North / South:

1st Place: Grace Basile and Athena Philippides East / West:

1st Place: Carrie Flapan and Dian Kendrick

The winners of the March 17 games: North / South:

1st Place: Grace Basile and Athena Philippides East / West:

1st Place: Carrie Flapan and Dian Kendrick

The winners of the March 24 games: North / South:

1st Place: Pat Fontaine and Athena Philippides East / West:

1st Place: Carrie Flapan and Dian Kendrick

The winners of the Monday, March 31 games: North / South:

1st Place: Joan Kiernan and Claire Burns East / West:

1st Place: Tommie Dodge and Terry Schoenig

essary, please call the Senior Center at (516) 385-8006.

Trip to Raynham Hall Museum

Wednesday, April 23

Trip to Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay. Recreation bus leaves at 10:30, guided tour begins at 11:30, lunch will be on your own at one of the many nearby restaurants, all within walking distance. Fee: $8.00, make checks payable to “Raynham Hall Museum”, register at the Senior Center front desk.

Trip

to See “Fiddler on the Roof”

Sunday, May 4

Trip to see “Fiddler on the Roof” at the Argyle Theatre in Babylon, and lunch at La Famiglia. Cost is $67 for the show ticket, check made payable to the “Argyle Theatre” and $50.00 cash for lunch, paid at time of registration. Register at the Senior Center front desk. Registration deadline is April 4.

Mobility and Flexibility Maintenance

Tuesday, March 25, at 11:00

PT Timothy Caputo from Spear Physical Therapy will be at the Senior Center, giving a presentation about Mobility and Flexibility Maintenance. To register, please stop by the Senior Center front desk or call (516) 385-8006.

Chair Yoga

New Chair Yoga schedule for Tania at the senior center. Beginning TUESDAY, March 4, 9:15–9:45 Meditation, 9:45–10:45 Chair Yoga class.

Trip to West Point

Tuesday, June 10

Trip to West Point for a tour and lunch at the Thayer Hotel. Tuesday, June 10, charter bus leaves from across the street from the Senior Center at 8:00 a.m., and it will depart West Point to return home at 3:00. To register visit the Senior Center, $153.oo check made payable to “Amazing Destinations”. DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO APRIL 4TH. We are now opening up this trip to non-residents.

Save the Dates for Future Trips:

Sunday May 4: “Fiddler On the Roof” (Argyle Theatre)

Sunday, June 8: “Legally Blonde” (Madison Theatre at Molloy University)

Sunday, August 3: “The Music Man” (Argyle Theatre)

Chess 4 Community

Join us for Chess 4 Community’s Play and Learn at the Senior Center, every other Friday 3:00–4:00. This program will resume in the fall, dates to be announced. All ages and levels are welcome. No registration is required, just stop by and play!

Senior Center Lunch Group

Join our Senior Center Lunch Group at 12:30–3:30 on Wednesdays, or, if you miss your pool friends, join the Garden City Pool Chat Group at the center, on Thursdays beginning at 1:00–3:30. For both groups, coffee and tea will be served, just bring your lunch and chat!!

HOLA to offer scholarships to seniors

HOLA of Garden City, a non-profit social organization for Hispanic families in Garden City, has awarded a scholarship to one Garden City High School graduating senior for the past several years.

This year, HOLA is proud to announce that we will be awarding two scholarships; one for a student nominated by the high school language depart-

ment and one for a student within the HOLA community.

These scholarships are aimed to encourage the study of the Spanish language and appreciation of Hispanic culture.

Members may inquire by emailing info@holagardencity.org. GCHS students can inquire with the language department.

JUNK? GET CASH!

If you’re looking to sell something, place an ad in our Classifieds section! Call 516-294-8000 for rates and details.

Adult Services at the Garden City Public Library

Monday Movies

Monday Movies presented by the Friends of the Garden City Library at 1:30 p.m.: April 2025

April 7 - “Hoosiers” - 1986, 115 Minutes

April 14 - “Harvey” - 1950, 104 Minutes

April 21 - “Chocolat” - 2000, 121 Minutes

April 28 - “Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows” - 2011, 129 Minutes

Programs

Below is our schedule for Adult Services. More programs and information will be available soon.

April 2025

Learn How to Use Libby, Hoopla, and Flipster

Tuesday, April 8 from 11 a.m. to 12 noon in the Small Meeting Room

Learn how to use these library services to download ebooks, magazines, audiobooks, and  more onto their device, whether it be a Kindle, iPad, laptop, smartphone, tablet, or other  ereader.

Registrants should bring their device, any password(s) associated with their devices, and library card with them to the program.

To register, please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal. com/. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.

Yoga with Kimberly Tuesday, April 8

NEW DATES:  Tuesdays, April 15, April 22, April 29, May 13, May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10 7 p.m.–8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Kimberly Mercadante is back with her popular Yoga Series! Join her for a Yoga Class for beginners and more. All are welcome! This is a series of eight classes continuing through April.. To register, please register online at gardencitypl.org.   For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.

This program is funded  by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.    Italian Part 2 Fridays, April 4, April 11, April 18 11 a.m.–12 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Italian - Part 2, taught by Mrs. Lea Brunetti.  This program will pick up where Italian Part 1 left off.  Patrons who did not take Part 1, but have a limited background in Italian,  are welcome to join.

May dates will be announced soon!

The film “Hoosiers” will be shown at the Garden City Publix Library on April 7.

To register, please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com/. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.

Mary Maguire Presents “The Hermitage” Wednesday, April 2 - Part One Wednesday, April 16 - Part Two Wednesday, April 30 - Part Three 2 p.m.–3 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room:

Come along with us as we wander through the majestic halls of that jewel of Russia, located in St. Petersburg - the Hermitage Museum. It is unfortunate that for the foreseeable future, we will not be able to view these treasures in person, but that makes this virtual tour all the more relevant. The collection includes artwork by Leonardo Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Ruben, Picasso, Matisse, Monet, Gauguin and Cezanns.  In Part 3, a special visit will be made to the Carl Faberge Memorial room to explore the gorgeous collection of jeweled Easter eggs — each one valued at millions of dollars.

Defensive Driving Course with The Empire Safety Council

Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

Join us on Saturday, April 12, 2025,  10 a.m.–4 p.m., for a Defensive Driving Course with the Empire Safety Council.

Receive 10% reduction on automobile/liability insurance and qualify for a license point reduction. Register In person at the Garden City Public Library. Space is limited, so check with

the Reference Department for availability. Register separately for each person. 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.

Mah-Jongg (Register for each one separately)

to select museums and cultural institutions. You can make a reservation to borrow a Museum Pass from one of the member institutions in our Museum Pass Program.

Some museum passes are now available to print from home.  If you do not have access to a printer, the library will be happy to print the pass for you. These passes will be good for one day only.

Thursday, April 10, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room Thursday, April 10, 4 p.m.–6 p.m.        Saturday,  April 19, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room  Thursday, April 24, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.         Thursday, April 24, 4 p.m.–6 p.m.

Please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com/. For additional information contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl. org.

April Book Discussion - Featuring Long Island Read’s 2025 Book - “On Fire Island”

By Long Island Author Jane L. Rosen

Tuesday, April 15, from 7–8 p.m. in the Large Meeting Room

To register, please register online at LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal. com/. For additional information, contact Adult Services at (516)742-8405 ext. 5236 or email speakingofbooks@gardencitypl.org.

Museum Pass Information

Print From Home for Some Passes! Through the generosity of the Friends of the Garden City Public Library, the Library offers free passes

Please note that not all museums participate. Passes for the following museums still need to be picked up at the Library: 9/11 Memorial & Museum, NYC (2 adults & 2 children); Empire Pass, Long Island Children’s Museum, Garden City (2 adults & 2 children); MoMA (the Museum of Modern Art), NYC (5 visitors) and Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Old Bethpage. The following Library Museum Pass rules remain in effect.

• Museum passes are available only to Garden City Public Library cardholders in good standing who have signed the Museum Pass User Agreement. Museum passes may be reserved in advance and must be checked out by an adult (18 years and older) family member.

• Reservations will be taken up to one month in advance of the desired date, subject to availability on a firstcome, first-served basis. Reservations can be done in person at the Reference Desk or over the phone at 516-742-8405 x5236.

Additional rules and information are available at the library.

Learn Italian at the Garden City Public Library

Mount Sinai South Nassau is Improving Health Care on the South Shore

The new Fennessy Family Emergency Department at Mount Sinai South Nassau doubles the size of our previous emergency department, o ering 54 private exam rooms with clear lines of sight for physicians, nurses, and support sta . Our new emergency department also o ers a separate triage area, dedicated areas for children and behavioral health patients, and has been designed to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.

The Fennessy Family Emergency Department is located within the new Feil Family Pavilion, opening later this year, which will have 40 new critical care suites and nine new operating rooms, designed to support the most complex surgeries on the South Shore.

To learn more visit www.mountsinai.org/feilpavilion *Patient shown is not an actual trauma patient and is shown for advertising purposes only.

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

Garden City teens and tweens can earn community service credit for painting eggs to be used in the Library's Egg Scavenger Hunt.

Paint Eggs for Community Service at the Next Teen Crafternoon

Paint eggs for our annual Spring Egg Hunt during Teen Crafternoon: Egg Painting for Community Service! This program will be held on Friday, April 11, at 3:30 p.m. and is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. Register online at https://gardencitypl.libcal. com. Teens will earn community service for participating in this program. In order to earn community service, at least one of the eggs the participant paints must be given to the Library to be used for the Library ’ s Egg Scavenger Hunt.

Chick Incubation Project Begins Tuesday, April 15!

The Library’s Annual Chick Incubation program is returning this year! Eggs will arrive on Tuesday, April 15 and are scheduled to begin hatching Monday, May 5. 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!

Upcoming and Ongoing Library Programs for Tweens and Teens

These programs are for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 unless otherwise noted. Registration is required for these programs on LibCal at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com.

Teens who complete an online survey after specific programs can receive community service for participating.

Registration is live online at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:

• Monday, April 7, at 3:30 p.m.: Inclusive Storytime Adventure Volunteering (Grades 9–12)

• Tuesday, April 8, at 4 p.m.: Teen Advisory Board (Grades 6–12)

• Wednesday, April 9, at 5:30 p.m.: Perler Bead Art for Community Service (Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, April 10, at 4 p.m.: Tweens and Teens Yarn Group (Grades 4–12)

• Friday, April 11, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Crafternoon: Egg Painting for Community Service (Grades 6–12 )

• Saturday, April 12, at 3 p.m.: Teen STEAM Workshop: Recycle Challenge with Chris Buchman (Grades 6–12)

• Tuesday, April 15, at 10 a.m.: Practice PSAT/SAT/ACT with C2 Education (Grades 8–12)

• Tuesday, April 15, at 7 p.m.: Results Session with C2 Education. If you cannot attend the Results Session, please contact C2 Education at greenvale@c2education. com.

Registration begins Tuesday, April 8, at 10 a.m. online at https:// gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:

• Tuesday, April 8–Thursday, April 17: Ornaments for Community Service (Grades 6–12)

• Wednesday, April 16, at 7 p.m.: Teen Craft Night (Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, April 17, at 4 p.m.: Teen Creative Hour (Grades 6–12)

• Friday, April 18, at 3:30 p.m.: Teen Gamers (Grades 6–12)

Registration begins Tuesday, April 15, at 10 a.m. online at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:

• Tuesday, April 22, at 3:30 p.m.: LEGO Club Volunteering

(Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, April 24, at 4 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons (Grades 6–12)

• Thursday, April 24, at 7 p.m.: ABCS of Student Loans with Welcome to RealLife (Grades 11–12)

Registration begins Tuesday, April 22, at 10 a.m. online at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com for the following programs:

• Tuesday, April 29, at 4 p.m.: Tween Thursdays: Drama Workshop (Grades 4–7)

• Tuesday, April 29, at

Perler Bead Art created by the Tweens and Teens is on display. A new program will take place on April 9.

The chick incubation project will begin on April 15.

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

7 p.m.: Friendship Bracelets for Community Service (Grades 6–12)

• Wednesday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m.: Teen LEGO Club (Grades 6–12)

Ongoing Take-Home Community Service Opportunities

Looking to volunteer? Check out some of our ongoing take-home community service opportunities for tweens and teens in Grades 6-12. Please check at the Library for more information on each of these opportunities; all volunteer projects should be submitted at the Library with a Volunteer Form, which can be found outside the Tweens and Teens Room.

• Ongoing: Kindness Cards for Community Service - No registration required. Up to 10 cards can be submitted per volunteer monthly.

• Ongoing to Wednesday, April 23: Tweens & Teens Art & Poetry Showcase for Community Service - No registration required. Up to three pieces of art and three poems can be submitted per volunteer.

• Ongoing to Wednesday, April 30: Poetry for Community Service - No registration required. Up to five poems can be submitted per volunteer.

• Ongoing to Monday, May 5: Around the World Recipe Cards for Community Service - No registration required. Up to five recipe cards can be submitted per volunteer.

Make Perler Bead Art to Display in Tweens and Teens Room for Community Service

On Wednesday, March 12, teens created Perler Bead Art to display in the Tweens and Teens Room! Patrons can now stop by the Tweens and Teens Room and see the display. Want to create your own Perler Bead Art and add to the new display? Then join us for our new volunteer program, Perler  Bead Art for Community Service, which will be held again on Wednesday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m.! Teens will earn community service credit by making Perler Bead Art to display in the Tweens and Teens Room. Perler Bead art teens make must be left for the Library to display in the Tweens and Teens Room in order to earn community service. Registration for the April session is required and begins Tuesday, April 2, online at 10 a.m.on LibCal at https://gardencitypl.libcal.com.

Garden City Library Board to meet

The Garden City Board of Library Trustees will hold a public meeting on Monday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Library's large meeting room on

the lower level. Further details will be posted when available on the Library’s website, www.gardencitypl.org.

Environmental Tip of the Week

Feed Our Pollinators!

Pollinators such as butterflies, are not only beautiful, they are a crucial part of the ecosystem and help sustain the food supply. They transfer pollen which is critical for the production of vegetables, fruits and seeds.

Be sure to check the back part of The Garden City News each week for the latest in GC sports.

Scientists have shared their concerns about threats to pollinators and therefore our food supply. The loss of habitats, use of pesticides, disease and predators all diminish pollinator populations.

The good news is that YOU CAN HELP FEED POLLINATORS! Pollinators (bees, butterflies) drink nectar and in the process transfer pollen among plants, enabling plant fertility. You will help feed pollinators when you plant nectar producing plants.

Butterfly Bush is a favorite of butterflies, including monarchs, pictured below here in Garden City. Their name says it all: Butterfly Bushes feed and attract many pollinators, including bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. They produce bountiful nectar laden blooms during the summer through autumn. Butterfly Bushes prefer full sun and well drained soil and are easy to maintain. A list of other plants beneficial to pollinators may be viewed at https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/16-044_02_MNPL_ Northeast_web-screen.pdf.

Garden City PTA Reflections winners and awards ceremony

National PTA Reflections is a nationally acclaimed student recognition program to encourage artistic creativity in the classroom and at home. Thanks to your support of the Garden City PTA, we can sponsor this very popular program which includes categories in accessible arts, dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography and visual arts.  This year, hundreds of GC students participated in Reflections and we were thrilled to have two national Award of Merit winners among them. Congratulations to all students who were honored at the ceremony, and a special congratulations to the two Garden City students who received “Awards of Merit” at the New York State Level for Visual Arts: Katie Zhao (Middle School) and Olivia Ding (Stratford)! We look forward to seeing all of the submissions for next year's theme, “I Belong!”

*Advanced to the Nassau Region Competition

***NYS Winner

Hemlock School

Visual Arts

Vivian Liu - 1st*

Rosie Mae Iannucci - 2nd

Sophia Surguladze - 3rd

Henry Peeples - Honorable Mention

Photography

Barret Brink - 1st

Literature

Alessandra Ziniti - 1st*

Homestead School

Visual Arts

Jasper Chen - 1st

Lillian Hu - 2nd

Wyatt Griffing - 3rd

Kai Noble - Honorable Mention

Photography

Kai Noble - 1st

Kai Noble - 2nd

Dance Choreography

Kai Noble - 1st*

Clara McDonough - 2nd

Locust School

Visual Arts

Yangming Zhang - 1st

Dean Smith - 2nd

Giovanni Belton - 3rd

Audrey Lam - Honorable Mention

Photography

Connor Breusch - 1st

Dance Choreography

Leia Curtin - 1st*

Giuliana Varrone - 2nd

Stewart School

Visual Arts

Lifan Zhang - 1st

Willow Griffing - 2nd*

Stella Vaillant - 3rd

Eliza Haanraadts - Honorable

Mention

Photography

Rian Jaiswal - 1st*

Nora Banks - 2nd*

Jayden Li - 3rd

Mikayla Haroutunian - Honorable Mention

Literature

Ellie Liu - 1st

Kayli Zhang - 2nd

Kelsie Hogan - 3rd

Rhys Murphy - Honorable Mention

Dance Choreography

Aurora Curtin - 1st*

Eleanor Ciullo - 2nd

Abigail Gomes - 3rd

Music Composition

Elisabeth Phinney - 1st*

Sehej Sohal - 2nd

Film Production

Anthony Oliveri - 1st*

Stratford School

Visual Arts

Olivia Ding - 1st***

Skyler Ding - 2nd*

Allison Hu - 3rd

Ethan Chen - Honorable Mention

Photography

Madelyn Ryder - 1st*

Charlie Clark - 2nd

Charlie Clark - 3rd

Charlie Clark - Honorable Mention

James Trongard - Honorable Mention

Literature

Dominic Ziniti - 1st*

Ela Saka - 2nd

Eliana McDonough - 3rd*

Andrew McDonough - Honorable Mention

Dance Choreography

Aria Noble - 1st*

Kyriaki Hosken - 2nd

Music Composition

Oliver Clark - 1st*

Film Production

Aria Noble - 1st*

Emilie Cheng - 2nd*

Ethan Cheng - 3rd

Garden City Middle School

Reflections winners at Stewart School.

Reflections winners at Homestead School.

Reflections winners at Locust School.

Reflections winners at Hemlock School.

Garden City PTA Reflections winners and awards ceremony

Reflections winners at Stratford School.

Visual Arts

Natalie Yu - 1st*

Katie Zhao - 2nd***

Grace Banks - 3rd

Leanne Ng - Honorable Mention

Photography

Liam Iudica - 1st*

Caitlin O’Mullan - 2nd*

Luke Iudica - 3rd

Liam Iudica - Honorable Mention

Literature

Emma Hughes - 1st*

Alexandra Aw - 2nd*

Grace Santare - 3rd

Alexandra Pontone - Honorable Mention

Music Composition

Hannah Cianciotto - 1st*

Garden City High School

Visual Arts

Tiffany Zhang - 1st*

Samantha Racich - 2nd*

Elisa-Maria Santos - 3rd

Kathy Su - Honorable Mention

Photography

Keira Regan - 1st*

Elsie Ross - 2nd*

Kristen Scarantino - 3rd

Katherine Pupke - Honorable Mention

Literature

Sarah Phinney - 1st*

Tessa Frascogna - 2nd*

Jennifer Roller - 3rd

William Egan - Honorable Mention

Music Composition

Sarah Phinney - 1st*

Visual Arts NYS winner by Olivia Ding.

Reflections winners at the Middle School.

Visual Arts NYS winner by Katie Zhao.

Reflections winners at the High School.

From page 2

The

Friday, April 4, 2025

of many have come to light with the release of some village emails on the St. Paul’s project which are available for the public to read. (https://tinyurl.com/ stpaulsemails)

When FABGC was founded in the fall of 2020 its only agenda was to bring transparency to our village government. At the time, communication from the BOT was at a low point. Residents were frustrated with the BOT’s mishandling of the Garden City Casino, the debacle at the Merillon Ave train station, the selling of land behind the pool and Franklin Mews, the upcoming Edgemere Firehouse renovation, and the lack of action on St. Paul’s. Village residents were unhappy with how the BOT was making decisions and spending money with almost no resident input.

Year after year, a small group of people were deciding who should represent the residents of our village. These individuals who came through their respective Property Owners’ Associations (the Community Agreement Party) ran mostly unopposed in elections with low voter turn-out. FABGC knew that the village needed a change and residents deserved a choice. We set out to find good and honest individuals who wanted to serve as village trustees and we formed a party. The requirements to run on our ticket were transparency, avoidance of perceived or actual conflict of interest, and listening to the residents of the village. We also asked that any future FABGC BOT members give the village a fair and resident driven process for St. Paul’s, setting their personal views aside. Although almost all of our FABGC founders were in favor of saving St Paul’s, we were committed to an unbiased process. FABGC believed the trustees needed to listen to the residents and give them choices which took into account what they wanted and what they were willing to spend. It should be noted that FABGC stood behind these principles when we chose, in two separate elections, not to support Cosmo Veneziale and Bruce Torino for re-election, for the simple reason that they put their personal interests regarding St. Paul’s above that of the village. We believed they were no longer working in the best interest of the residents who elected them. Also, somewhere between those two elections, FABGC was branded as the demolition and façadism group by the opposition. With the release of the 27 emails, we now know there was actually a campaign of misinformation. The Mayor Veneziale St. Paul’s Committee even had the audacity to put the names of FABGC trustees and founders on the official Westerman report that was released to the residents of the village. Committee members denied their involvement, and the truth was only

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

recently revealed in the village emails. It’s clear from these emails that a lot went on behind the scenes to discredit FABGC, all because we believed the residents should have a voice in the future of St. Paul’s.

So here we are in 2025 with the CAP BOT trustees, in their desire to save St. Paul’s, having decided not to include all the available options in the upcoming survey. They offer a fill-in option which adds ambiguity to the survey results and leaves them open to interpretation. This process is not supported by FABGC.

FABGC is proud of the work accomplished by the trustees we supported and we continue to advocate for an open and honest government in the village that we all love.

Submitted by Effie Campbell on behalf of the founders of FABGC

Has nothing changed?

To the Editor:

A little over a decade ago I was a two-term GC village Trustee ousted by the “save every brick” preservationists. They will do everything they can to try to silence those of us who do not march to their drum.

In 1993, Garden City purchased the St. Paul’s property for $8,500,000 by a 2726 to 374 vote. Residents were told this price was at a discount because many of the structures would need to be removed. In 2008, the vote was 2,272 to 1,857 in favor of demolition over mothballing. In 2024, we saw 1,704 votes for demolition. Read the many letters to the editor complaining that the costs for total “adaptive re-use” are grossly understated while proposals for partial use or demolition show exaggerated costs. The save every brickers are still trying to silence us.

Garden City should do what Munich did after WW II. Remove crumbling structures. Display treasures (stained glass) in places where all can see. Use some of the original material in more appropriately configured buildings that project optimism for our future. We should not tolerate the sham voting strategies used before WW II. We should hear everyone’s voice.

Write “demolish” on the open line of the survey.

Laurence Quinn

A desperate attempt

To the Editor:

I read the GC News article Did 2023 Committee Stack the Deck? written by Meg Norris, the Publisher and Editor of the Garden City News. Meg provides the link to the “trove of emails.” The A Word from the Publisher states: We urge residents to take a look and draw their own conclusions.

As requested, I read all the emails and went back to read documents available on the Village Website. I have also

listened to BOT discussions and St. Paul’s presentations. I have concluded that this seems to be a desperate attempt by some to yell, “fire, fire,” but there is no fire. This seems more like the story of the boy who cried wolf. I believe this is an attempt to interfere in a negative way with the upcoming survey and to discredit the work currently being done to find a reasonable solution for St. Paul’s. As someone pointed out on social media, these are serious allegations that affect the reputation of many, including village staff. I have drawn my own conclusions and posed some questions. They are enumerated below.

1. These emails are from 2022-2023. Please keep this in mind as we have had several BOTs from 2022 to 2025. The Westerman report is key to this analysis. If there are issues with the report, why are the concerns raised now? Who chose the 24 selected emails? Did a Village employee send the emails to the Mayor? Why now? Who requested them? Why did Mayor Flanagan share the emails with BOT, Village staff and others? Did Mayor Flanagan call an emergency meeting of the BOT and legal counsel to address this issue? Did Mayor Flanagan share with the trustees the source of these emails? How about Mayor Flanagan’s fiduciary responsibility? How come Mayor Flanagan failed to speak clearly and openly about this at the BOT meetings and pursue legal action against Westerman? How much did we pay Westerman for his services?

Further, Trustee Larry Marciano raised concerns about pricing in an email dated March 23, 2023. At the August 17, 2023 BOT meeting, several residents brought up their concerns and Mayor Flanagan dismissed all concerns regarding the October Opinion Poll. There was plenty of time to address all issues, especially the pricing concerns raised by Trustee Marciano. The recordings of the BOT meetings prove that the allegations are unfounded.

2. The Village website includes Westerman’s credentials (https://www. gardencityny.net/DocumentCenter/ View/438/RFP-Response-WestermanConstruction-Co-Inc---October-12-2022PDF)

Why would such a reputable and experienced company place its reputation at risk? Further, the validity of the numbers was addressed in the Board Questions/Westerman Responses (PDF). I recommend that residents review the list of questions posed by Mayor Flanagan and the responses by Westerman. The report is accessible at this link:

https://www.gardencityny.net/ DocumentCenter/View/1809/BoardQuestionsWesterman-Responses-PDF Westerman begins his response by stating the following:

“Mayor Flanagan, My response to your questions. NC = no charge but to the manner in which this is disseminated needs to be determined. I would propose a simple two-page supplement. I would issue this supplement when we are paid our last invoice. AS = This would involve add service as we feel we completed the report, and it was accepted by the prior administration. “

I found the response to item 11 very interesting. See below:

11. To address feedback we received about changes in numbers or uncertainty, please note where numbers are not based on actual cost estimates but are based on “cocktail napkin” numbers. Where numbers provided by others, please include source. We are contractors and we performed actual cost estimates with industry information.

3. The Village website contains several reports from paid professionals, including preliminary reports submitted by Westerman and video presentations. I have reviewed the cost amounts shown in every report. I have listened to Westerman’s presentations. The key question is why the very informative, clear, specific and detailed final report published on September 28,2023 was revised into a new report dated October 3 2023. The October 3 report includes the following note:

“NOTE: That these are only cost estimates on three potential projects when there are many other alternatives that could be considered by the Village and priced. Further design studies and programming are required in order to develop final construction costs. This is simply to illustrate the costs of these particular alternatives. Demolition, Adaptive Reuse, Facadism. Pricing in this presentation has been adjusted from the original report to reflect community input and consultation with other members of the Board of Trustees as requested by the Mayor. This presentation is based on the options which will be included on the fact sheet as examples.”

I encourage residents to review both reports and draw their own conclusions.

The link for the September 28, 2023 report is https://www.gardencityny. net/DocumentCenter/View/2088/ Westerman-Report-with-ExecutiveSummary-FINAL---September-28-2023PDF

The link for the October 3, 2023 report is https://www.gardencityny.net/ DocumentCenter/View/2097/St-PaulsInformation-Session-WestermanPresentation-October-3-2023-PDF

4. I find the allegations made not credible. The St. Paul’s Opinion Poll Fact Sheet sent to households and delivered to residents at the voting poll showed the following amounts: Adaptive Reuse Full Preservation Phase 1 ($60.4 million), Facadism Partial Preservation

($43.1 million), Demolition ($14.7). The Fact Sheet was controlled and managed by Mayor Flanagan using the October 3, 2023 report. Several residents and trustees argued at the BOT meetings that it was premature to conduct the poll as the research was in process and not final. At the August 17, 2023 BOT meeting (https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=WclWPWpW3ko), Mayor Flanagan stated that all the required information was available. Trustee Chester made reference to the Alliance and acknowledged the tons of information available on the Alliance website. This is the reason he supported going ahead with the 2023 Opinion Poll. He said “we can make an educated decision after the poll.”

I believe that the September 28, 2023 report provided a much more complete and clear picture of scenarios and estimates. Later on, Mayor Flanagan stated that she was surprised by the results of the poll (61% for preservation and 39% for demolition - https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=UOy24rCEKyw&t=5s).

5. As I mentioned above, I read ALL the emails and find that they are helpful and provide further clarification. The emails continue to confirm that the Village has hired professionals (e.g., architects, mechanical engineers, Westerman) to evaluate St. Paul’s. One can see the thorough and exhaustive analysis that has been performed and consideration of all options. The emails discuss goals and strategies. One of the emails includes the feedback provided by the architect. I fully understand what they mean and this is further clarified by Frank McDonough’s response to the GC News. Frank provides reasonable explanations, especially for the issue of facadism.

With respect to facadism, my understanding is that it is more challenging because the 19th century construction techniques used to build St Paul’s were similar to the building of a castle in the Middle Ages. Exterior walls are tapered from a narrower top to a broader bottom to support significant weight of exterior walls. All weight is distributed downward, not outward. Additionally the design of the roof makes supporting the upper sections of the exterior walls extremely challenging. Consequently, St Paul’s as a facade project has extraordinary engineering and steel framework construction challenges. These challenges could be extraordinarily difficult and expensive.

I am not concerned with the emails selected to be shared as they reflect the normal process when one is working on a project.

6. I encourage residents to review carefully the information provided on the upcoming survey, listen to BOT discussions, ask questions and reach out to the trustees.

The BOT meetings are the best

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

source for gathering information, asking questions, sharing concerns and providing recommendations. The meetings are recorded. The Village Website has valuable information.

I thank Trustee Muldoon for his passion and leadership. He has spent countless hours going through all previous reports submitted by paid consultants, speaking to professionals in our area and NYC to provide cost estimates for St. Paul’s repairs and renovations and developing videos that keep residents informed and engaged. Some of the new videos help residents get a glimpse into the current condition of St. Paul’s. In addition, we have a new St. Paul’s Committee led by Mr. Bob Catell and Mr. Frank Tauches Jr.. The names of all the members of the Committee and their resumes are listed on the Village website (https://www.gardencityny. net/DocumentCenter/View/3012/MeetThe-St-Pauls-Advisory-Committee)

The source of the cost estimates provided in the upcoming 2025 survey is disclosed on the Village website (https://www.gardencityny.net/291/ANew-Approach-for-2025)

I believe that these are men and women of character and integrity who are contributing their time and talents to provide a reasonable solution for St. Paul’s. The process for selection of the members of the Committee was discussed at BOT meetings. As far as I know, the BOT approved the current Committee.

7. With respect to those concerned with the overall impact on the financial strength of the Village and the effect on other key priorities, I am confident that these issues will be addressed at the appropriate time by the BOT, the Village staff and all other appropriate individuals. Please remember that the financial review will proceed later on. I am confident that no one wants the financial strength of the Village to be at risk.

I continue to keep an open mind and appreciate the current efforts to bring St. Paul’s to a resolution. The BOT has worked diligently to produce a survey that is comprehensive and that will lead to a solution for St. Paul’s.

I have taken the time to write this letter because I am deeply concerned with the on-going mission of some to discredit the efforts of trustees, volunteers and anyone with whom they disagree. We must do better. We must create a positive environment so residents step in to volunteer their time and talents. Why would anyone want to contribute to make this a great Village if they know that their characters will be attacked and their professional opinions and experience discredited?

I hope that the false accusations will not discredit the survey and that the majority of “households” will engage and respond promptly.

I close by inviting residents to watch the 2019 drone videos of St. Paul’s posted on the website (https://www.gardencityny.net/444/ Videos-and-Photos-of-St-Pauls-inRecent-) and the videos released by Trustee Muldoon. At the March 23, 2024 St. Paul’s presentation, Soraya Gage stated that when you actually go into the building it is a game changer in terms of your perception of St. Paul’s.

Marta Waters

Rebuttal to Alliance leader

To the Editor:

I have the privilege, along with FABGC, of being mentioned prominently, and repeatedly, in Mr. McDonough’s response to the GC News’ questions regarding the behavior of Mayor Veneziale’s St Paul’s Committee.   Editor Meg Norris asks Mr. McDonough, “The impression I got from reading this email is that the question of Facadism is being treated as a political one, instead of as a legitimate alternative for St. Paul’s. Can you comment on whether the committee examined facadism with open minds?’

I do not want to address each and every statement that Mr. McDonough puts forth in his 20-point treatise, with his response longer than the article itself.   While disagreeing with many of Mr. McDonough’s statements, he is however accurate when he states at no time did “MacLeod provide architectural plans, funds to support” the concept and other work that would be needed to flesh out an architectural plan. (Mr. McDonough seems to forget his Committee was funded by the Village.)  There are two reasons for this.  First, I do not have a plan for what should go behind the facade. I suggested a process!  We have a recreation survey that was upcoming.  Those needs should drive the process, not my preferences, or any individual’s preferences.  If the village residents demand 20 pickleball courts, so be it. Put them in a multi-purpose structure behind the St Paul’s façade we all love.  More basketball courts……… build them.  Place for lacrosse and soccer practice………. have at it.   If a pool was the priority, put it in the structure. If dance space was the number one request……build it. Friday night movies?  Put up a screen.  People want to run during the winter months, put in an indoor elevated track.  It should not be a “Macleod Plan” as Mr. McDonough’s group so cynically labelled it after doubling its cost to make it look “amateurish and expensive” as Mr McDonough wrote, it is a residents plan.  That is the entire idea……… build it to fit the needs of the residents.  Not make up uses for a building with small 500 rooms built for school children.

The second, and more important reason I did not present specific plans, structures and costs behind a façade

is, and I have said for years, is I do not believe any resident group should be serving this function involving such an important and emotional issue in an independent committee. Especially on costs!   Those supporting Adaptive Reuse have minimized construction problems, timetables, pretend they will receive “grants and donations” sizable enough to affect the economics, create crazy “Conservancy” structures and pretend they can do the labor cheaper and borrow at better rates, maybe even a Senior Tax Exemption (so funny!), etc., and underestimate the total costs every step of the way in order to make their proposed plan look less expensive vis-à-vis the alternatives.  Supporters of Facadism would probably do the same (although new construction is easier to estimate than rehabilitation of a derelict building).  It would be a race to the bottom. It would be a race to underestimate costs each and every step of the way.  It is a horrible and asinine way to run a Village. I think having residents drive these types of professional decision making, worse still, selecting wellknown biased residents, is wrong and bound for disaster.  Mayor Veneziale’s Committee with 32 members that were almost all decades-long ardent preservationists was a disaster before it started.  Just look at the 27 emails.

On a related note we see committee leaders again and again hiding behind “amazing resumes” and “volunteers working thousands of hours.”  The absolute best resumes in the world are irrelevant if the individuals do not have the personal integrity, or are too biased, to be straight with the residents, to be honest, and not put their fingers on the scale to unfairly support their favored project. The 27 emails demonstrate this to be true.   And being a volunteer is no excuse, no matter how many hours you worked, for misleading the residents.  If you can’t be honest, or can’t resist the pressure, don’t volunteer.  Coach intramural soccer where the Village doesn’t have hundreds of millions of dollars of debt riding on the outcome.  The “well, they are volunteers” excuse needs to stop when hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake. I vehemently disagree with Trustee Muldoon who frequently boasts of his “ballpark figures” as having “cost the village nothing” because of our “amazing volunteers” and his aversion to using lawyers and consultants, to “save money” when hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake.  If we go down a $90,000,000 path that eventually costs the village $180,000,000 so that Trustee Muldoon can say he saved $100,000 or $200,000 in costs for professional and certified cost estimates, we deserve the crippling debt that will follow. Despite Trustee Muldoon’s excellent reputation in the residential work he does, Trustee Muldoon’s lack

See page 44

The

Friday, April 4, 2025

page 43

of knowledge and experience on large projects show thru here.  As Walter Beal and Jim Freel, Sr, both experts in commercial projects, not residential work, will confirm;  honest, professional, experienced and correct planning and estimates make or break large development projects.  With so many members of Trustee Muldoon’s Committee from the McDonough Committee, his group is incapable of that.  (Read Walter Beal’s https://www.gcnews.com/articles/reality-check/ and Jim Freel Sr.’s https://www.gcnews.com/articles/ financial-risks-of-st-pauls/ ) Trustee Muldoon’s total confidence on a type of project he has never been involved with in Garden City, using union labor that is entirely different from his workforce, to the point where he boasts he will “guarantee” the project, should give every resident pause. Please read the two articles above it you have not.

Mr. McDonough has 20 points in his response to the GC News, and he might sincerely believe what he writes.  But when it comes to the corruption of the process and his argument that facadism was treated fairly and honestly and impartially, I’d like to let Mr. McDonough’s words speak for themselves from the emails that the GC News printed:

From: Frank McDonough

Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2022 3:24 AM

To: Cosmo Veneziale

Cc: Bill Garry ; Joseph A Jabour ; Brian Gemmell ; Paul Capece ; Willian Alisse ; J. Peter Coll ; Michelle Beach Harrington ; Betsy Andromidas ; Brian Gemmell

Subject: Re: NO Alternative to Facadism

“Folks:

Facadism is a HORRIBLE architectural concept f too many reasons we all agree on

BUT

Facadism is a  FABULOUS political concept f us bc we can Hang Facadism around our friends  Neck and make his BoT puppets look amateurish and expensive

SO

Pls be sure that Facadism is advertised today in GCN and Social Media  and discussed publicly Sept 6/13 at the Tues nite mtg

We must allow FABGC to own Facadism and we will WIN

No public evaluation of Facadism and we loose”

This, in conjunction with the unexplained  doubling of the costs of facadism immediately before the Village St Paul’s presentation, can only lead to one conclusion.   No one, no one, can read the 27 emails and not think that his committee and the process wasn’t corrupted to favor Adaptive Reuse and for political

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

and elections purposes.

Why Trustee Harrington did not raise the alarm as to this corruption of the process, or continued to berate Mayor Flanagan for not meeting with Alliance Leader Frank McDonough, who she supported with her  “Mary, Frank really knows a lot” still needs to be answered.  Trustee Harrington should be explaining this at the next BOT meeting.  Hopefully, Village Counsel will be in attendance.

On a personal note, after two years of suggesting facadism be studied as a compromise so the village can move forward with the St Paul’s Building, and start addressing other desperately needed issues; potential Cathedral Development, Sands Casino, Western Firehouse, etc., it is clear that many Save Every Brick leaders and prominent members of the Historical Society are beyond compromise and sense of fair play. While we might all expect this in national politics, or Albany, how many would believe our neighbors would mislead us to the extent that these 27 emails demonstrate?   I now reluctantly agree with John Kordes and Mayor Flanagan.  The St Paul’s Building is a cancer, and as painful as surgery is, sadly it needs to be cut out for the good of the entire village. Donald MacLeod

Survey should be rewritten

To the Editor:

Owing to shocking revelations, headlined in the March 28th edition of the GC News, it would be grossly wrong to proceed with the Trustees’ scheduled nearterm mailing of the second St. Paul’s Survey. There are literally dozens of unanswered, crucial questions which would render the survey’s interpretation useless, misleading and even bogus.

Apparently, during 2022 - 24, there was considerable manipulation of the estimated costs of renovating the main St. Paul’s building. Specifically, the data was managed to reduce the cost of full preservation of the building, while boosting the estimated costs of facadism, moth-balling and demolition. Myself and a few colleagues -  Steve Gorray  and I - have been strong advocates of demolition over the past 5 years. We formed an FDEM Committee (For Demolition). Our views have been muzzled somewhat by some members of the Board of Trustees and influential residents. FDEM has been quiet in recent months but its views live on--with comments and continual Letters by each of us. We viewed our lobbying as David v Goliath, or our water pistols v those with fire-hoses and lots of money for advertising. FDEM has had no operating funds, but lots of interested fans.

The loudest anti- demolition and facade, vocal group, has been led by resident Frank McDonough and his

Alliance team. Frank has been strongly advocating to save, and thus preserve, the structure, ever since Garden City purchased it in 1992, for roughly $8 million. These two forces--the Bof T and Alliance, have, in effect, quashed opinions of proponents of demolition and / or facadism, i.e, partial renovation. These truths were visible in the wording of the October 2023 Opinion Poll. The questions on that poll did not properly allow for choices of demo or facade. This is also true regarding the coming-soon Survey. On it there is no mention-- or choice provided-- for demo or facade-- believe it or not! And the Board has provided no acceptable explanation for these grievous omissions. Clearly, up to now, the preservationists have controlled the dialogue and poll wording-- and thus the interpretive outcome-- of the 2023 Survey, as well as for the upcoming Survey #2. I believe the save-the-entire-building groups fear that demolition is a growing threat of a defeat-- coming in last- in a hypothetical, fairly-worded, survey, that demolition-especially with the new revelations of the GCNews. I reiterate: the survey, now in the mail to residents, must be postponed and re-written - honestly and objectively.

Personally, I had a good “taste” of Frank McDonough’s style and views, as a member of the 34-person 2021 Mayor’s Committee On St Paul’s. I was chosen for the 7-member “sub-committee on Programs and Usage” of repurposed, adaptive re-use space at St Paul’s-chaired by Mr McDonough. We met weekly, beginning in late November 2021. .By mid April 2022, I became fedup with McDonough’s one-dimensional views to preserve St Paul’s. He knew I was pro-demolition and gave me shortshrift. I was clearly marginalized in the deliberations of the subcommittee. That is, the lone-wolf, voice in the wilderness, of the group.

Thus on April 20, 2022 I submitted my resignation from the subcommittee, to Mayor Veneziale, and co-chairs Deveney and Schoelle. I was asked to reconsider by the Mayor but refused, believing that my voice and views would be freer and unshackled as an independent voice.

At public forums subsequent to my resignation Mr McDonough stated that on several occasions he gave me opportunities to espouse demolition. This simply was not true. In three months, There was virtually zero discussion of taking the building down.

McDonough, behind the scenes, has quietly continued to advocate his Alliance views in the last year. Lots of talk, expensive newspaper ads, but few specifics have been provided on the nature or costs of his St Paul’s plans. He is a master salesman, but weaker on details. His “Conservancy” idea, to finance a project cheaply, has

been quiet lately. Frankly, I believe it is going nowhere and to date has had little traction and low odds for success. He has also never placed his name as a signature on full-page, Alliance GCN ads.

In short, it appears that Garden City is facing some embarrassing investigations as to the “shenanigans” committed by some Trustees and residents . Were any laws broken? Cost estimates for St Paul’s are “all over the place”-- from $50mil up to $120 million, vs smaller estimates provided by our consultant, BCI, and Trustee, home-remodeler. Vinny Muldoon - depending importantly on never-decided uses, and wide financing variables. Who knows? No one! Estimates are being made for unknown usage. It is shooting in the dark! There have been literally hundreds of suggested proposals for use of the building. And the latest unusual proposal is for fully developing 30,000 square-feet-- the first floor and “moth-balling” the top-three floors, for future development.

The stakes in this drama could be huge: 1) the image of GC as a rich, well-managed, financially sound Village; 2) maintaining a AAA Moody’s credit rating. and 3) growing likelihood of demolition of the hugely controversial, 150 yr old, but dilapidated structure. annual, cumulative hikes in each resident’s taxation- for the next 15 - 30 years--could exceed $25,000 - and that’s just for “Phase One” of a multi decade plan, and based on the assessed market value of each home. Garden City’s bonded indebtedness - now about $100 million, in a full- preservation scenario, could rise by a staggering 50%. Yikes! This probably dictates a scaled-down project.

Bottom Line: This story, in my view, describes a potential victory for demolitionists, and facadism. and a defeat for preservationists-- including the Garden City Historical Society. Hopefully we can bring to a conclusion the most important financial issue in Garden City’s history. In short, Garden City does not need the enormous costs of saving the building. We have more than enough.

P.S. For residents interested in some revealing details of this fiasco, we recommend: 1) a March 13th Letter, online, to GCN from experienced resident, Walter Beal, re the strong case for demolition and 2) Online, 27 emails from many “players” in this drama, received by GCNews Editor, Meg Norris, this week.They are worth reading. Meg’s Headline in the March 28th edition is: “Did the 2023 Committee Stack the Deck?” There is evidence of finger-pointing, by Trustees, Village officials, consultant Westerman, Mayor’s St Paul’s Committee members and prominent GC residents. It’s a mess.

Fasten your seat belts!

George M. Salem

Committee controlled by small number

To the Editor:

I was a member of the finance sub committee of the St Paul’s Committee which former mayor Cosmo Veneziale had set up several years ago. As a financial professional (CPA, MBA etc.) I wanted to contribute my talent and experience to the Committee. After many months of meetings of the larger Committee, it became apparent to me that I had been invited to the sub committee as window dressing. Notwithstanding my (and several other sub committee members’) efforts to contribute to the ongoing discussion about what to do with the building and of equal importance, how to finance whatever was to be done, the window dressing role became more and more apparent. I was not provided with an opportunity to discuss the plans (or the draft report) being prepared by the Westerman organization. The Committee was controlled by a small number of members whose sole intention was to preserve the structure at any cost. I was shocked and disappointed when the Westerman report was issued to the public and I had not had the opportunity to review or comment on it.

Fast forward to today and the same folks who managed the process of the Committee of which I was nominally a member are still controlling the process. I’m looking for a home in Mineola. George Kane

A

DeMille horror story?

To the Editor:

I don’t know what to believe after reading last weeks articles re St Paul’s. High finance, intrigue, back channel correspondence…is this an old Nelson DeMille manuscript?

I am a proponent of demo and can’t for the life of me understand how anyone thinks a ~$100+ mil open ended commitment to a 140 year old building that isn’t needed makes any sense. Throw on top top lawsuits, environmental studies, a 30-50% contingency and other unforeseen obstacles and we’re looking at a decades long fiscal nightmare.

As for the uncovered emails the content seems to be directed towards a desired outcome, namely inflating the cost of facadism and “skinny down the costs” of adaptive reuse, aka, preservation. In response, Frank McDonough provided plenty of info but didn’t seem to directly address those points nor explain what he meant when he said “hanging Facadism around our friends neck”. My initial thought after absorbing his plethora of words was obfuscation. Another troubling development that was never explained was how Westerman doubled their cost per sq foot estimate for facadism literally overnight. Add in the blatant omissions on the village survey of demolition as a

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

choice and the affect of bond interest on resident’s taxes and we have the making of a dirty process.

I can’t wait to read this weeks letters to the editor!

Tim Deignan

The Garden City folly

To the Editor:

Appearing on the current St. Paul’s rigged survey, Trustee Muldoon uses $68 million for adaptive reuse, $83 million for partial replacement, and $35 million for mothballing. Information from the village website was posted by CMA along with the interest on these amounts of $24,127,794 for adaptive reuse, $29,490,496 for partial replacement, and $12,508,543 for mothballing on a 15-year bond. The ballpark figures that appear in the survey only show the principal or hard costs but do not include the prevailing interest rates as they appear in the CMA report. These numbers also do not include all soft costs, contingencies, maintenance, and overhead which could easily be millions more. The inclusion of interest alone will increase the numbers as follows and are coming closer to being more realistic in adding tens of millions or even a hundred million dollars more to the Village debt resulting in increasing residential taxes.

Using the reported principal and interest the numbers now appear as follows: $68M + $24,124,794 = $91,627,794 (Adaptive reuse), $83M + $29,490,496 = $111,990,496 (Partial replacement), and $35M + $12,508,543 = $47,508,543 (Mothballing) but these numbers still do not include all additional costs as stated above. A great deal of money to be spent so that we can occupy less than a third of this huge building for meetings, art, and dance programs, etc. while taking on the high cost of maintaining the whole structure. Paying fees to participate in any of the programs or activities, along with paying off 15-years of village debt is a total waste of resident’s money. You must write in the word Demolition on this forced survey to be counted because the BOT will not allow it to be used in any of the survey questions.

A folly is defined as a costly ornamental building with no practical purpose (sound familiar), especially a tower or a mock-Gothic ruin built in a large garden or park. It is time to do away with our folly that has been a financial drain on our village’s residents for the last 30 years.

Bob Orosz

Survey #27 unworthy of belief

To the Editor:

Even now, (this letter posted around twilight this past Tuesday) with the survey already mailed out to residents, Trustee Muldoon has failed to post his support information which he promised.to present to support the cost of

his preservation options ( Survey Qs # 4,5,6) offered at the Town Halls way back on Feb. 11 and on March 6. At the latter meeting he brandished a bunch of papers presumably representing support info but NOTHING has yet been posted despite the fact the survey was in final form as noted by Trustees Finneran & Courtney at the beginning 3/20 BOT meeting and already in process of being mailed out to residents!! But Trustee Muldoon has kept both Mayor Flanagan and residents in the dark.

This is not an attack on Trustee Muldoon’s integrity, it is to raise questions about his methodology, experience and competence. To that point the 3/14 Walter Beal “Reality” letter coupled with the recent letters by former banker experienced in real estate project lending, Jim Freel, “ Financial Risks” and James Kumpel’s “ The Burdens of “Idolatry” (both p. 35) raise fresh questions about the connection between the survey and objective realities facing residents about any St. Paul’s preservation solution. Seems the Trustee Muldoon 10% contingency for preservation projects is considerably off course, BY 40 to 100PERCENT and the imposition of project cost on residents and the Village totally underplayed.

Trustee Muldoon actually said at the last BOT he would post documentation when sources (44 listed on the VGC website) provided permission from them was obtained. (1 hr. 45 min. ) So they may have refused to do so even though their names were prominently displayed on the VGC website and on a poster at the Town Hall?. At the last BOT meeting he represented he had contacted the Village Clerk that we would start posting some material around Monday, March 24. That didn’t happen. Doesn’t this seem like a page out of the Frank McDonough playbook when he told the Mayor at BOT meet on 2/o6/25 at 1hr. 46-52min. that at next meeting he would provide information on his conservancy plan? Of course that didn’t happen, did it, he hasn’t even shown up since! The supporting information for Trustee Muldoon likewise still a no show without explanation while instead Trustee Muldoon seems to have the time to post one video after another, but does not have the time or inclination to post the promised data so that residents can fill out the survey intelligently!

In view of last week’s emails appalling disclosures, no doubt the tip of an iceberg of meetings and unknown calls and other communications concerning members of the Mayor Veneziale St. Paul’s Committee some of whom are now on Trustee Muldoon’s Committee there must be pause for thought- is the survey corrupted by the input of those individuals? Moreover, the Mayor’s disclosures of numerous emails show there was tampering by Committee members with Westerman Construction’s cost estimates. There is also disturbing interface

with Trustees Torino and Harrington and the Dept. of Buildings. Don’t these factors demolish the Trustee Muldoon cost estimates entirely as unworthy of belief, unreliable and based upon bias? Trustee Muldoon has displayed his own bias by trashing demolition and facade, harking back to the Alliance pre Poll hype about the alleged dangers of demolition and inflated facade cost perhaps fearing residents may actually exercise common sense rejecting all preservation options? - Going to Q #8 and 8A on the survey and writing demolition or facade. Predicated on more than enough animal fertilizer amassed from manipulated previous Poll results to cover all of the ST. Paul’s fields - the survey is based on selective information, not transparency, and driven by blind devotion to the memory of a dilapidated building instead of the welfare of residents.

In related news I want to thank Frank McDonough for in an email dated 1/15 /23, including me and Bob Wolff among the “Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse”. We had both been part of the 6 member WPOA Committee on St. Paul’s led by later to be mayor Cosmo Veneziale. We learned a lot. Then George M. Salem, a fellow Horseman, and I founded FDEM. During the course of the several Town Halls presented by the Committee headed by Frank McDonough under Mayor Veneziale it became clear that the Committee had taken a left turn from presenting a balanced picture of potential solutions for St Paul’s but instead Town halls and later ads and emails from Hicksville became a road trip for preserving the building, culminating in a warped inflated facade cost, no cost estimate for a park/demolition concept at the presentation to the BoT in Mar 2023. Hence Mr. McDonough’s email admonition to Mayor Veneziale, as well as a Village employee and high profile Committee members was to shut down inquiry by the Horsemen and FDEM/ Salem. Really outrageous to learn from this 1/15/23 email that Mr. McDonough advised them (and probably others) to ignore questions from specific residents! Tampering, meddling, undue influence, pick one or more that apply.

But rest assured the several Horsemen will continue to speak out! C’est la vie, c’est la guerre, now the emails come to light that the Committee leaders were selling their vision, misleading rather than objectively informing residents, thus tainting the later Oct. Poll. and which now permeates the current survey. The survey cost estimates are unsupported while real experts such as Mr. Beal and Mr. Freel dispute them. So fill on Q.# 8 # 8A the word demolition and/or facade on the survey.

S. G. Gorray

Dedicated to success of schools

To the Editor:

We are writing to express our strong support for Erin Debrich as a candidate for the Garden City Board of Education. Having known Erin for many years, we have seen firsthand the qualities that make her exceptionally well-suited for this important role. She is smart, thoughtful, informed, and collaborative—qualities that will serve our schools, students, and families well. Above all, she is deeply passionate about advocating for children and ensuring they receive the best possible education.

Erin has already demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Garden City community through her leadership roles in both SEPTA and the PTA. She has worked tirelessly to support students of all needs and abilities, build strong relationships between families and educators, and promote initiatives that enhance the educational experience for all children. Her ability to listen, engage in meaningful discussions, and seek balanced solutions reflects her dedication to making informed and fair decisions—an essential trait for any Board of Education member. Beyond her leadership and advocacy, we know Erin as a loving mother, a wonderful neighbor, and someone who always puts the needs of others before her own. She cares deeply about the well-being of our community and has consistently shown her willingness to step up and take action when needed. Whether through her volunteer work, her involvement in school initiatives, or her everyday kindness and generosity, she has proven time and again that she is committed to making Garden City the best it can be for our children and families.

Our Board of Education needs leaders who are knowledgeable, collabora-

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

tive, and truly dedicated to the success of our schools. Erin embodies all of these qualities, and we have no doubt that she will work tirelessly to support students, teachers, and parents. We strongly encourage our fellow residents to vote for Erin Debrich in the upcoming election on May 20th. With her leadership, we can continue to strengthen our schools and provide the highest quality education for all students.

Kerrin and Mark Prewett

Supports Debrich for BOE

To the Editor:

I am honored to offer my full support for Erin Debrich as a candidate for Board of Education trustee. I have had the privilege of knowing Erin for over 30 years, sharing every stage of life with her—from childhood to adulthood, through our journeys as young professionals and young mothers. Throughout all these years, one thing has remained constant: Erin’s unwavering dedication to the well-being of others. She is the kind of person who shows up, gives generously of her time and talents, and supports those who need her. She is a natural advocate, and there is no one better suited to champion the needs of our children.

Erin’s commitment to education is both deep and longstanding. She has been actively engaged in our school district, attending Board of Education meetings for years and staying well-informed about the challenges and opportunities facing our schools. Her background in literacy education, coupled with her leadership in the PTA and SEPTA, equips her with the insight and experience necessary to make meaningful contributions. She understands the complexities of our education system and is ready to bring thoughtful, informed leadership to the board.

Erin Debrich is exactly who Garden City needs on the Board of Education and who we as parents need in our

corner. I wholeheartedly encourage you to support her in this election— our schools and our community will be stronger because of her leadership. Christine and Jon Cruickshanks Blood donors needed

To the Editor:

We would like to remind and ask you to come and donate whole blood or Automated Red Blood cells at your local community blood drive this Sunday.

The St. Joseph – Bishop Baldwin Council # 15809 Knights of Columbus in Garden City is sponsoring a Blood Drive on Sunday, April 6, 2025 , from 7:30 am – 1:30 pm in the St. Joseph School gymnasium located at 121 Fourth Street, Garden City.

This will be our first Blood drive of the 2025 year. Our second and Fall Blood Drive will be on Sunday October 19, 2025 from 7:30 am to 1:30 PM. Blood is still critically short supply due to the worldwide covid issue and many other groups still not holding their regular Blood Drives such as colleges. Overall Blood donations are down 30 percent and if only one percent more of eligible people would donate the shortage would disappear. So please help if you can! You can save many lives! Just remember when it comes to giving blood it is better to be the one giving it than the one receiving blood! In 2024 we collected a total of 99 units of a combination of whole blood and Double Red (counts double so each equals two units )

We are off to a good start so far this year with 18 people preregistered.

Please see above attached info about the Automated Red Blood Cell donations sometimes called the “Alex” machine.

If you have O negative, O positive, B negative or A negative we could really appreciate if you can make an Automatic Red Blood cell donation this Sunday.

Our founding Grand Knight and past Co-blood drive chairman Worthy John

Russo always does the Alex donation and helps twice as many people. Please consider following his example if you can. It is easy and does not take that much more time and has additional requirements so if you are not sure schedule a whole blood donation and ask our staff when you arrive if you qualify for the auto double red procedure.

If you are going to donate, please consider registering for an appointment. This helps blood center staff make sure we have enough staff to get people in and out quickly. We have a goal of 57 pints total donated, let try to make it happen!

Click on link below to schedule an appointment: https://donate.nybc. org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/323088

If you can donate, please consider coming out and helping your community.

Everyone who donates will get a free raffle ticket from the NY State Knights of Columbus for a first prize of $25,000 and 12 additional raffle prizes as well. Please call 1 800 933-BLOOD to donate at any time that works for you. Or call Joe Levano 732-904-2661 . Please remember to eat, drink and bring your donor ID card or an ID with and photo. Anyone 17 to 75 can donate blood, if you are 16 you need your parents permission, those permission slips can be emailed to you or filled out on site if your parent is with you. If you are over 75 you can donate if you have a Doctors note.

It helps if you can please register ahead of time as it helps with the blood drive staffing as saves everyone time as well, but walk-ins are welcome as well! Joe Levano, Blood Drive Chairman, And Grand Knight Knights of Columbus Bishop Baldwin Council 15809 St. Joseph’s Church

Estates POA announces 2025 scholarships

The Property Owners’ Association of the Garden City Estates (Estates POA) announces that it will be awarding up to three 2025 Yuter-Newman Estates POA Scholarships and that the application is now available.

This merit-based scholarship will be awarded to one or more 12th grade students (from any public or private high school) that reside in the Garden City Estates section. The applicants must be accepted to, and planning to attend,

a four-year college full-time in the fall. The selection of the winners will be by the Estates POA Scholarship Committee and will be based on academic excellence and the level of involvement in local civic causes and community service. To download an application, visit the POA’s website at www.gcestates. org/scholarships. Applications must be received by Wednesday, April 30, 2025 to be eligible.

Are you a professional?

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

LEGAL NOTICES

Village administrator budget decreases

From page 22

these capital projects and related budget expenses, and if the two major projects would be completed before the May 31, 2026 end of FY 2025-’26, or if they would carry over. He acknowledged they should be fully complete by then.

Deputy Mayor Bruce Chester asked about the existing Computer Room in the basement of Village Hall, and how that would be evolving with a project. According to Administrator Suozzi the Computer Room was poorly placed in a large room down there which had pipes carrying water. “We have had leaks in the vicinity of that although we were

fortunate to not have any problems but the telephone closet which was really a storage room for old computers was identified as the better space for it – the new Computer Room will be a little smaller though we would not need as much space,” Suozzi commented.

He said in preparation for this important project at the municipal building, when the renovation of the Business Office at Village Hall took place the technician who installed an A/C unit in the upstairs installed another unit for the Computer Room, to prepare the settings to handle equipment properly.

“We’ve also abandoned the early

design concepts that were probably ‘legacy Computer Room issues’ like static, requiring anti-static floors. Intelli-Tec has given a new take on this so the project was much easier to put together,” Suozzi shared.

After a question from Trustee Vinny Muldoon about the projects for Village Hall, Administrator Suozzi spoke about the fiber optic cable that was installed, with boxes in each location, “instead of running 100 wires from point A to B.” He again credited contractor Intelli-Tec for making important suggestions for the modernized offices. In addition they have taken on the project to standardize the

LEGAL NOTICES

firewalls and switches, which is included in the $214,000 project budget remaining.

Administrator Suozzi said if there were any problems, with the same hardware and software setups there would be a more feasible route for IT support (with visibility into the network) to address and fix any problems that arise. Suozzi added that Intelli-Tec can view the issues at any ports or workstation unit at Village Hall.

“We’ve come a long way and I would say we’re in the 8.5/10 range of being done as we get to having the Computer Room and cabling projects all done by next year. We would just budget for our status quo with the rotations of the serv-

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Apressea LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/07/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Apressea LLC: 89 4th Street, Garden City, New York 11530. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of ReveMedic LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/15/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Joanne Brown: 41 Maple St Freeport NY 11520. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of XOXROBINXOX LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/05/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to ROBIN SOHN: 156 Woodmere Blvd. South Woodmere NY 11598. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Notilt,LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/06/2024. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Kenneth Molloy: 67 Hilton Ave. D24 Garden City, NY 11530. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Blueverb LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/02/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to SSNY: 15 Crestline Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Ascend Professional Pathways, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/23/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to United States Corporation Agents, Inc.: 7014 13th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NASSAU COUNTY NOTICE OF FORMATION OF ALIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Notice of Formation of Masada Cornerstone Care LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/12/2025. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Oliver Rein: 1 Cove Lane, Great Neck, NY 11024. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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NASSAU COUNTY LEGAL NOTICE

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK  COUNTY OF NASSAU

Nationstar Mortgage LLC, Plaintiff,  -against-

Janice Roberson, State Financial Acceptance Corp. its successors and/or assigns, Madison Home Equities, Inc. a/k/a Madison Resources Ltd., American General Finance, Inc., its successors and/or assigns, Nassau County Clerk, Defendants.

Index No.:  614125/2024  Filed: August 9, 2024  SUMMONS

Plaintiff designates Nassau County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the county in which the mortgaged premises is situated  TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S):

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service; or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York; or within sixty (60) days if it is the United States of America.  In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT

THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to expunge, from the record, a Mortgage dated March 27, 1995 and recorded in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on December 13, 1995 in Liber 17123, Page 379 as assigned, a Mortgage dated April 2, 1999 and recorded August 3, 1999 in Liber 19773, Page 224 and a Mortgage dated July 9, 1999 and recorded in the Nassau County Clerk’s Office on October 13, 1999 in Liber 19923, Page 239 as assigned, and to compel the determination of claims to the real property located at 132 Oak Avenue, Hempstead, NY 11550 with a tax map designation of  Section 36, Block 077, Lot 1  Dated: Bay Shore, New York                                      August 8, 2024                                      FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISS WEISMAN & GORDON, LLP  /s/BY: Linda P. Manfredi   Attorneys for Plaintiff  53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, New York 11706  (631)969-3100

Our File No.: 01-100134-T01

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE TO BIDDERS

Notice is hereby given that bids  for the following will be received  at the Garden City Union Free School District, 56 Cathedral  Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530 until 10:30a.m. on Tuesday, May 5th  2025 at which time and place  bids will be opened and read  aloud.

"Printed Forms" 2025-2026

Copies of the specifications and instructions may be obtained at  the aforesaid Business  Office between the hours of 8:30 am  - 4:00 pm Monday- Friday up to  the time of the bid opening.

Dana

DiCapua Assistant Superintendent

for Business & Finance Garden City UFSD

Let our Service Directory help you find the right company for the job!

NASSAU COUNTY PUBLIC NOTICE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK NOTICE OF COMPLETION OF 2025 ASSESSMENT ROLL

Pursuant to Section 1410 of the Real Property Tax Law, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Assessment Roll of the Incorporated Village of Garden City, New York, for the year 2025 has been completed and was filed in the office of the Village Clerk, 351 Stewart Avenue, in said Village, on the 1st of April, 2025, where the same will remain on file subject to public inspection for view on the Village’s website: gardencityny.net for a period of fifteen (15) days after the date of this notice.

NASSAU COUNTY

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF A LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY

Application for Authority filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/6/25 for Compass Expert Services LLC (LLC). Office Location, Nassau County. LLC formed in State of Delaware (DE) on 2/3/25.SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. The Post Office address to which the SSNY shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon him is: 146 Adams Street, Garden City, NY 11530.The principal business address of the LLC is 46 Adams Street, Garden City, NY 11530. Certificate of Formation for LLC filed with Secretary of State of DE at 401 Federal St #4, Dover, DE 19901.

Kelly Galanek, Village Clerk Dated: April 2, 2025 Garden City, New York

Too much junk in your house?

Place an ad for it in our classifieds section! Call 516-294-8900 for more details.

Museum Hopping and Shopping in Hanoi, Vietnam

BY GERI BAIN FOR TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Hanoi is the last stop on a 16day journey through Vietnam and Cambodia with my 30-year-old daughter. We built our itinerary around a one-week AmaWaterways Mekong River cruise (AmaWaterways. com) which began with a pre-cruise stay in Ho Chi Minh City and finished with a post-cruise stay in Hanoi. Here are highlights of Hanoi:

We check into our hotel, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, happy we decided to spend three days here before flying back to the U.S. The hotel’s Heritage Wing, where we are staying, completed a full renovation last year, maintaining its luxurious French Colonial feel. We are thrilled to find that our Metropole Suite is actually comprised of three rooms—a living room with comfy chairs and a couch that is a sofa-bed, a parlor/ office and a master bedroom with a king-size bed, plus two oversized bathrooms with Toto smart toilets and two balconies with great city views. The hotel’s central location allows us to walk to everything we want to do and has a lovely pool and spa for recharging (www.sofitellegend-metropole-hanoi.com).

More importantly, the hotel’s rich history, decor, art collection and permanent “Path of History” exhibit create a kind of live-in history museum where we can relax and still feel immersed in the city. The hotel served as the official guest house for government guests and delegations under Ho Chi Minh. Walking through the hotel’s “Path of History” hall, we see that its list of past guests reads like a Who’s Who of the 20th and

21st century, from writers Somerset Maugham and Graham Greene to U.S. presidents. Photos of more recent political conclaves hosted here include a 2019 meeting between President Trump and Kim Jong Un.

In addition to the actual history exhibit, over the course of our stay, we take in the entire hotel as we would an art museum, studying the sculptures and scenes of contemporary and historic Hanoi that decorate the stairwells, lounges, and other public spaces of the hotel.

A tour of the hotel’s historic bomb shelter, free to hotel guests, turns out to be a much broader lesson in history. Our guide shows us photos of visiting diplomats and other hotel guests huddled in the small underground space during the Vietnam War (known as the American War in Vietnam); sometimes they were roused to retreat to the shelter

multiple times a night. We also see heart-wrenching photos of the effects of the war on the city, its surroundings and its people. Especially haunting is standing in the shelter and listening to the song “Where are you now, my son?” by Joan Baez, putting words to her experience when she emerged to witness the devastation caused by bombings.

We come to the Hoa Lo Prison expecting to learn about the American POWs held here during the Vietnam War, most famously John McCain. Facetiously called the “Hanoi Hilton” for the torture and harsh treatment that McCain and other American soldiers received here, the small area of displays and videos of happy Christmas moments and proclamations of how well they were treated is startling.

But that exhibit is only a smidgen of the museum. Its main message is

the cruelty of French colonial days. We learn that the prison was built by the French Colonial government in 1896 for political prisoners. We see a portable guillotine, torture instruments and a life-size recreation of a room lined by prisoners shackled side-by-side on long concrete slabs. The museum is mainly dedicated to the horrific treatment of the Vietnamese at the hands of the French, to the heroes who lived and died here, and to the communist education and revolutionary fervor that fomented here, making the Hoa Lo Museum a proud Vietnamese heritage site.

As we walk through the grand Gate of the Temple of Literature, we are amazed to realize that we are entering a university that was founded in 1070. The school was first open to members of the Royal families and later to exceptional students of other social classes. It stopped serving as a university in 1779, but it has never veered from its purpose to honor, worship and provide a place to learn the wisdom of Chinese philosopher Confucius. Students and their parents still come here to burn incense, make offerings and pray for success before important exams. We see people waiting their turn to touch a statue of a crane standing on the back of a turtle. We’re told that rubbing the belly of the crane and the head of the turtle bring good luck, and not just on exams. Never wanting to pass up a chance for positive energy, we respectfully take our turns as well.

Throughout our travels in Vietnam and Cambodia, we’ve come to appreciate how much architecture in this region is imbued with symbolic meaning. A great example is One Pillar Pagoda which dates back to 1048. The pagoda, which sits on a sinApril 4, 2025

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The Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius, is still a pilgrimage site in Hanoi, Vietnam © Geri Bain.

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

Museum Hopping and Shopping in Hanoi, Vietnam

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gle pillar on a small lake, is designed to give form to a lotus flower like the one in a legendary dream by an 11th-century heirless emperor. He dreamt that the Buddhist goddess of mercy sat in a lotus flower on a lake and handed him an infant son. When he did indeed have a son, he had this pagoda built in gratitude. We observe a number of women placing offerings of flowers, fruit, wine, and trios of incense sticks in front of a shrine to the goddess of mercy to pray that they too will have a child.

From what we’d read and seen on this trip, Ho Chi Minh--“Bac (uncle) Ho” as he is affectionately called—was a beloved selfless leader. Interestingly, he had stated in his will that he wanted to be cremated with his ashes buried in three regions of the country. But in 1969 when he died, his followers embalmed his body and built the grand mausoleum we are visiting today. We pass through security to enter the grounds of the Presidential Palace where the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is located. We wonder why there are no lines to enter and file past his glass coffin where people come to pay their respects and we learn that the mausoleum is closed for its annual maintenance.

Nevertheless, we’re impressed by the grandeur of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, which was inspired by and resembles Lenin’s Tomb, but with Vietnamese flourishes, and we sense the reverence it inspires. The setting is also impressive. The Mausoleum is across a large plaza/parade ground from the National Assembly and down the green

BY CHARLYN FARGO

A few healthy lifestyle changes can make a big difference in your blood pressure numbers, according to a study of 14,000 Chinese individuals. Researchers followed the individuals for up to 10 years and found that those who made healthy changes in their lifestyle had a significantly lower risk of death.

Just what are those healthy lifestyle factors to adopt? Being at the right weight, not smoking, eating a healthy diet, working out daily and getting enough sleep.

Participants who were overweight, smoked, had poor dietary habits, were sedentary and had poor sleep habits didn’t see a reduction in mortality rates even if they were taking blood pressure medication.

Those who took blood pressure medication and improved their lifestyle had the lowest risk of death from any cause, including heart attack, stroke and cancer.

To make a difference, the researchers

we see the imposing Presidential Palace, built by the French during Hanoi’s colonial days. Uncle Ho declined to live there as he said it was too grand for a man of the people. Instead, a traditional stilted house was built for him on the grounds of the Palace.

I had just read “Bronze Drum” by Phong Nguyen, a historical novel about the Trung Sisters who led a women’s uprising to overthrow the Han Chinese in 40 A.D., so I am excited when my daughter points out an exhibit devoted to them at the Vietnam National Museum of History. The sisters had used bronze drums to inspire and communicate with their warriors, and we admire an array of drums with intricate carvings.

The museum is divided into two buildings. The main building takes us from the first humans through the end of the Nguyen Dynasty in 1945 and is a great consolidation of the history we’ve been learning throughout our journey. The second building takes us from 1858 and the struggle against the French colonial government to the present.

As we admire the sculptures and artifacts of the many ethnic groups and cultures throughout Vietnam’s history, we get a sense of the depth and diversity of its people today. A constant theme is the nation’s long history of fighting to maintain and develop their own unique civilization and pushing back invaders.

At the Vietnamese Women’s Museum we see detailed exhibits that cover women’s roles in family life, heroic women in history, and both ethnic and high women’s fashion. It’s among the best small museum’s we’ve seen; it’s well organized, well-labeled with short

videos, and there’s an excellent audio tour.

Its mix of architectural styles, parks and shopping make Hanoi a great walking city. One minute, we are on a wide tree-shaded boulevard lined by elegant turn-of-the-century French buildings, the next we are in a twisting medieval alley in the Old Quarter, where many streets still have the names of ancient trades. Some, like Hang Gai (Silk Street), still reflect their current shops. The huge, buzzing Dong Xuan Market sells everything imaginable, but the goods seem oriented to locals and don’t match what we saw in Ho Chi Minh City for style or price.

We head to the elegant shopping streets and dip into some luxury brand shops expecting bargains, but prices seem higher than back home. We decide the best values are found in the artisan shops. We are especially drawn to the wonderful hand-made lacquerware at Hanoia, a small boutique near our hotel, and Tired City, which sells prints, bags and t-shirts featuring the art of over 200 local artists who receive 10% of every sale.

We take a coffee break at quirky “Train Street”, timing our visit for a train passage. This narrow ancient street is lined by small eateries with barely enough space for the train to zip through and it is fun to watch as we sip our new favorite drinks—hot or cold Vietnamese coffee made with condensed milk.

Our anchor as we explore Hanoi is Hoan Kiem Lake, just a few blocks from our hotel. Every evening, we join locals for a stroll around the lake. One

Lowering Your Blood Pressure

found you need at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week (30 minutes per weekday), 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night and to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and lean dairy.

That’s the same findings that a study by the National Institutes of Health’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute found earlier. Researchers studied 810 men and women with mild hypertension or prehypertension who were not taking medication to control their blood pressure. Participants were divided into three groups -- two behavioral intervention groups counseled and given goals for weight loss, physical activity and sodium and alcohol intake. One of those groups also received guidance on the DASH diet, an eating plan boosting fruits and vegetables and limiting salt. The third was a control group.

Goals included a 15-pound weight loss, 3 hours per week of moderate physical activity, daily sodium intakes of no more than 2,300 milligrams and limits of one alcoholic drink per day for women and

night, we cross the pretty red Rising Sun (Huc) Bridge, where young couples pose for photos with the city lights as a backdrop. The bridge leads to the Ngoc Son Temple (Temple of the Jade Mountain), which sits in the middle of the lake. We pay the small admission fee and enjoy tranquil views of the city reflected in the lake. Inside, carvings depict Vietnamese history, folklore and Confucian literature. From its start, this temple has honored both warriors and scholars, and stands as a symbol of Vietnamese resilience and pride.

We leave Hanoi wishing we could stay longer. Another deep-tissue spa treatment. More time to relax in one of the ubiquitous cafes. More time to take in the vibes of this vibrant capital and to explore the history and legends of this fascinating and welcoming country.

Travel

Tips

Many museums and sites close for lunch so check hours in advance. Also check for special shows and exhibitions; the Mother Goddess exhibition had specific but limited show times that we learned about too late.

Get the required visa at Vietnam’s website, evisa.gov.vn, where the fee is $25 (if you use a visa service it costs something like $197) and at Cambodia’s website (evisa.gov.kh), where the fee is $30, but give yourself enough time to get the confirmation.

© 2025 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com

two per day for men. Those following the DASH diet aimed to eat 9-12 servings of fruits and vegetables per day and 2-3 servings of low-fat dairy products and to keep their total fat to no more than 25% of total daily calories. To keep track, participants kept food diaries, counted calories and sodium intakes and recorded their physical activity.

Both behavioral intervention groups significantly reduced their weight, fat intake and sodium intake. And the DASH group increased their fruit, vegetable, dairy, fiber and mineral intakes.

The results of this study were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. While about 37% of the participants had high blood pressure at the study’s start, by the end that fell to 32% in the control group, 24% in the intervention group without DASH and 22% in the group following DASH.

The bottom line? Your lifestyle matters when it comes to controlling your blood pressure. Eat healthy, exercise regularly.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

Crossword Answers

A large cup of coffee: nice & hot or frozen?

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

I’d say that for as long as I can remember I have been an avid coffee drinker because it seems that way but that’s not exactly true. When I was in high school my mother said my sisters and I weren’t allowed to drink coffee because it wasn’t good for kids. We would see her enjoying a nice hot cup of coffee each morning and we were curious.

In high school at St. Agnes in Rockville Centre I’d occasionally see my teachers on their break time drinking a cup of coffee and they looked forward to it and enjoyed it.

By the time I was a senior in high school my mother relented because I was almost 18 years old and when she said okay, I could try some coffee and see how I liked it, I was off and running. Since then drinking coffee has been one of life’s daily pleasures, a chance to meet friends and relatives at a coffee shop, and these days I feel picking up a frozen coffee is a treat I can get at a drive-thru or inside the shop where I can sit and relax for a while.

I’ve been lucky in that the caffeine in coffee really doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t keep me awake at night even after I’ve had some coffee or a frozen coffee. Some friends of mine limit their coffee drinking to the mornings and certainly no later than 2 p.m. because it affects them.

I’ve attended weddings with friends and relatives and sometimes over a nice slice of wedding cake we’ll enjoy a cup of coffee. The next day some people have said they were awake late into the night. I’ve told my friends occasionally to lay off the coffee because the caffeine impacts them but no one has ever told me that.

Caffeine hits some people but others, not so much. The really sensitive people even get affected by decaffeinated coffee which contains a little bit of caffeine. Laughing when my friend, Anna, said she didn’t get any shut-eye, I said sorry and began to commiserate with her because being sleepy during the day isn’t fun.

A frozen coffee is a decadent treat that’s for sure but I watch the calories and try to limit the sugar that’s in a cup by asking the server to leave out the sugar. It’s not as tasty but it still hits the spot when a friend and I feel like treating ourselves and spending some time catching up with each other to share the latest news. I’ve also gotten in the habit of choosing a sugar-free syrup - and there are lots of flavors to choose from.

On a really good “health conscious” day I will skip the whipped cream and opt for skim milk rather than whole milk. To me it tastes similar and I elim-

inate some calories.

My friend, Peg, started using a drip process to make coffee during our senior year in high school and one day after school she showed me how to do it. It sounds the way it is so Peg added water to a filter containing coffee grounds then allowed the water to drip through the filter into a coffee cup.

During college I found my coffee routine then after graduating while on an internship I found a kinship with fellow coffee lovers then onto full-time permanent jobs in NYC. In time specialty coffee shops became popular and frozen coffee drinks were more appealing to me than plain coffee.

My parents used a percolator and that’s a handy machine when making 8-12 cups of coffee. An electric coffee percolator is a kettle that has two chambers: a lower chamber for the water and an upper area with a basket or filter to hold the ground coffee beans.

When the water heats it goes through a vertical tube that passes over the coffee grounds before dripping back to the bottom of the pot. Percolator coffee is brewed multiple times so every time the flavored water drips down, it’s passed once again through those grounds and it creates a great cup of coffee. It smells delicious as it’s percolating.

As a young adult drinking coffee, my friends and I would experiment with whatever method of brewing coffee was being talked about. Drip coffee, percolated coffee and using a French press were all discussed in various newspapers and one weekend when my Aunt Laura was staying overnight at my house she showed my friend, Marie, and me how to use a French press. The machine looks complicated but once we got used to it, it was easy.

Explaining that we had to boil a kettle of water, Aunt Laura then added the coffee grounds to the pot. She poured the hot water over the coffee and said the coffee has to steep she said so we let the coffee brew for 4 minutes. She strained the coffee and pressed the plunger down, pushing the coffee grounds to the bottom of the press. When it was ready she poured five cups of coffee and said it’s as simple as that.

When we were making brunch for relatives the coffee turned out great. We got lots of compliments on the coffee and the food we served. It takes a few minutes longer to prepare when using a French press so patience is a must but it was worth the extra time.

Eventually Keurig machines arrived and people started using them. Those single serve K-pods are handy when I’m in a rush to be somewhere and I can make the coffee stronger or lighter depending on what buttons I press: strong or mild strength, 4 ozs. or 8 ozs., etc.

My friend, Scott, and I like to debate the merits of lattes vs. cappuccinos. On cold winter days I’ll drink hot lattes and he prefers cappuccinos so we discuss the pros and cons. A latte has more steamed milk than espresso so it results in a creamier, milder coffee flavor. Cappuccino has equal parts espresso, steamed milk and foamed milk which creates a more layered appearance and a stronger coffee taste.

When the barista makes a hot latte and adds a design on top of my hot latte, I’m always impressed by that art. Hearts, stars, swirls and ghosts atop a cup of joe all make me smile. I should be used to it after all this time but I still like it.

I recently came across a short description of coffeehouses by Australia native Hengtee Lim called “The Haunting of Kuromame Kissaten.” He writes:

“The door to the coffeehouse is always locked. People who try to pull or push on it find it unwilling to budge. But for the curious, the ones who see the lights and smell the coffee and refuse to give up, the door will sometimes open.

They knock - once, twice, and then once more - and the door is said to creak open upon the echo of the third knock.”

At 5 a.m. some of my friends are anxious to enter their favorite specialty coffee shop. I ask what the rush is but they say it’s morning now so the sooner the better. I laugh because that does, indeed, seem a bit early to me.

Social Security Fraud Allegations Clarified

BY TOM MARGENAU

There is so much misinformation about the Social Security program and the conduct of the Social Security Administration that I simply cannot keep up with it. I feel bad because I’d like to write my normal columns in which I help my readers understand the intricacies of the program so that they can make the right choices when they file for Social Security benefits. But because of all the misinformation out there right now, I just feel compelled to respond. Besides, more than a few readers have asked me to help them sort through all the craziness.

Today I’m going to address two recent allegations of supposed fraud or malfeasance. One involves alleged direct deposit fraud. The other involves incorrect payments to Social Security beneficiaries. As you will see, in both instances, the allegations have been blown way out of proportion.

Let’s start with the direct deposit issue. I want you to read the following statements and tell me which one you think is true.

“Government officials report there is $100 million in Social Security direct deposit fraud each year.”

“Government officials report Social Security direct deposit fraud is at a low rate of only one-sixteenth of 1%.”

Both statements are correct, because they both say the same thing. In other words, yes, there was $100 million in Social Security direct deposit fraud last year. But that represents only 0.00625% of Social Security’s $1.6 trillion annual payments to beneficiaries, almost all of which are made through direct deposit.

You would think that government officials would be patting themselves on the back for having such a tiny amount of fraud in the direct deposit processes, but not in today’s world of Department of Government Efficiency oversight. The acting commissioner of Social Security, a DOGE disciple, citing the “$100 million” fact is claiming there are big problems with the Social Security Administration’s current policies for requiring people to identify themselves when calling the agency’s 800 number or using its online services when doing any kind of business with the agency. Beginning at the end of March, he will be requiring most people who want to file a claim for benefits or conduct most other businesses with the agency (such as changing their direct deposit account) to go into their local Social Security office and provide proof of identification in person.

Even though $100 million is a tiny fraction of Social Security’s overall budget, it’s still $100 million. Steps should be taken to fix the problem, but these are too drastic. It would be as if your car had issues and needed a simple tune-up, but instead, you replaced the entire engine.

The second recent accusation of fraud

involves an alleged $9 billion in incorrect payments to Social Security beneficiaries. Once again, I will have you read two statements.

“Officials report $9 billion in incorrect Social Security payments made last year.”

“Officials report less than 1% of Social Security payments are made incorrectly.”

Once again, both statements are correct. More than 99% of the time, Social Security benefits are sent to the right person and in the right amount. But because the Social Security budget is so huge (it makes up about one-fourth of all federal spending), even a less than 1% error rate involves a lot of money.

And of course, $9 billion is a lot of money. (I’m reminded of former Republican Senate Minority Leader Everett Dirksen’s quote about the federal budget: “A billion here and a billion there and pretty soon we’re talking about real money.”)

But here is the deal about those $9 billion in incorrect payments each year. Most of it is not the result of bureaucratic incompetence. Rather, most of the incorrect payments happen because beneficiaries fail to report important information to the Social Security Administration which affects the amount of their monthly benefits.

And most of that is the result of one antiquated law -- the “retirement earnings penalty.” This is the law that puts a limit on the amount of money a Social Security beneficiary under full retirement age can earn. The rules are complex, but here they are in a nutshell. “For every two dollars you earn over an annual limit ($23,400 in 2025), one dollar must be withheld from your annual benefits.” Sounds simple, right? Believe me, it’s not. Here is a typical example of how that law plays out and why it leads to so many incorrect payments.

Bob files for Social Security at age 62 in early 2025. He is working part-time but says he will make less than $23,400. So the SSA starts paying him regularly. Then halfway through the year, Bob starts working overtime and now expects he will make about $30,000. After a few months, he finally tells the SSA about this. So now he has been paid incorrectly. He is charged with an overpayment and his future benefits are adjusted. But then Bob gets laid off and now his anticipated earnings are back to less than $23,400. So once again, Bob has been paid incorrectly and his benefits are adjusted a second time. Then at the beginning of 2026, Bob calls the SSA and says, “Oh, I forget to tell you that I got hired back around the holidays and I ended up making $31,000 in 2024.” So once again, Bob has been paid incorrectly and for a third time, his benefits are corrected.

And guess what? There are millions of “Bobs” out there being incorrectly paid every single year. If Congress would simply repeal the “retirement earnings penalty” law, a big chunk of the $9 billion in annual incorrect Social Security benefits

would be eliminated.

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 oth-

er is “Social Security: 100 Myths and 100 Facts.” You can find the books at Amazon. com or other book outlets. Or you can send him an email at thomas.margenau@comcast.net.

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Will higher ed, entrepreneurial spirit be a steppingstone to homeownership?

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

Seeking higher education, whether a 2 year Associates Degree, a 4 year BA or BS Degree, or even a Masters or PHD, could lead to greater opportunities that would not normally be available without that valuable piece of paper. A society is stronger and more successful when a family structure is solid and complete. But what we are experiencing today is a divergence from what is truly needed. It does start and begin with how the parents guide, teach and bring up their children, while simultaneously; the teachers and the school system will also come into play. Having the proper mentors will always be tantamount in the educational growth of an individual as well as who the children hangout with too. This should be somewhat of a seamless process; but it is easier said than done. The bi-product of a quality school district is higher and more stable real estate prices. There is a direct correlation between towns having higher home prices and appreciation and the statistically stronger scoring schools. A 5% improvement in test scores will translate into a 2.5% increase in values. See https://www. newhomesource.com. In a study in Sept 4, 2024 article by Julie Taylor from https://www/Realtor.com, the average price of a home in an above average school district was 78.6% higher, according to GreatSchools.com than schools in a surrounding county or lower priced locations.

If you are lucky and fortunate and born with the ability to be creative, have natural talents and ideas that most do not, will potentially enable you

to be successful without any more than a high school or college education. Although this is not the norm, college may or may not be a necessity for everyone, especially with today’s’ exorbitant costs. Succumbing to student debt for the foreseeable future may not be in the cards for many going forward. This unfortunately has been a detriment to homeownership. I believe college is no longer a guarantee for a better job, as there are many educated unemployed people with a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Today, the bare minimum requirement for many companies is earning a Master’s Degree to get your foot in the door to compete for a higher paying position in corporate America.

ing prices will be and the greater appreciation over the long run. Moreover, those school districts can attract more qualified personnel through better pay and benefits.

I remember when I went to school the majority of teachers lived locally within my community. Today, housing prices have forced most new teachers to have to live in areas farther away from where they teach, where prices of homes, condos, coops are more affordable whether buying or leasing. Our future will be defined and determined by how educated and/or entrepreneurial our workforce is and will be a major component in who will be a homeowner.

$200. https://educationdata.org/student-loan-debt-statistics

Unfortunately, due to looming, exorbitant and the overwhelming burden of student and credit card debt; and unless ideas leading to solutions are created, the GenZs, GenX and even Millennials may never experience the joy and satisfaction of that “white picket” fence or the future wealth building benefits of homeownership.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate,l = located at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck.

BY JEFF RUGG

Q: A gardener friend moved and left me with several bags of ingredients for making potting soil. I have never made potting soil before. What proportions should I use? Do these ingredients go bad at some point?

A: First, I want to make a slight distinction between potting soil and potting mix. When you use the word soil, it implies that one of the ingredients will be soil either from the garden or dug up from somewhere else. So, potting soil includes some dirt.

Potting mix, on the other hand, doesn’t include any soil. It is a much lighter weight mix that is designed to allow for good water drainage and good air circulation in some kind of container.

When you are trying to make better garden soil, you may add some of the ingredients that we would use in a potting

Twenty plus years ago, both my daughter and son, had only earned under graduate degrees. Fast forward to today, both would have needed a minimum of a Master’s Degree to be considered entrance into their very ambitious professions. Competition is fierce and even having a PHD, may soon be the standard to secure a higher paying position. However, today, opting or dropping out of college and becoming an entrepreneur can start with just one single idea as some notable individuals have had. The bottom line, the higher scoring school districts, generally the better the education; and as mentioned, the stronger the hous-

AI is also coming into the picture and will be a determining and defining factor in one’s advancement or possible detriment to those job seekers, who might have much less choices due to further automation and jobs being replaced. Moreover, as baby boomers pass, there could be less purchasers of homes, condos and coops, resulting in monumental price declines. Exorbitant high personal (student loans of 1.77 Trillion and credit card debt of 1.2 Trillion) and the 37 trillion national debt continues to grow daily, and Real Estate taxes increasing, squeezing and looming over everyone in the U.S. The average student loan debt per borrower is $38,883. Today, the average student loan interest rate is 6.53%. The average student loan payment is over

For a free 15-minute consultation, value analysis of your home, or to answer any of your questions or concerns he can be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.Com and you can search properties at your leisure and convenience at: https://WWW.Li-RealEstate.Com

bit.ly/4bXWVu6 (facebook.com) bit.ly/4inVqaR (X.com) bit.ly/4bVSwrs (linkedIn) bit.ly/4inVK9z (Instagram) bit.ly/4bQH14x (YouTube)

mix, but other potting mix ingredients don’t work in the garden. The ingredients of a potting mix can be changed to match the type of plant you are trying to grow. For example, a cactus will get a different mix than a hibiscus.

Most of the bagged soil mixes at the garden center are going to have peat moss as the main ingredient. It holds water very well and still allows some water to drain away, letting air into the mix. However, some people think that peat bogs are being destroyed and that peat moss should not be used in soil mixes.

The often-recommended substitute for peat moss is coconut coir, also known as coconut peat. Like peat moss, it holds some water and allows the rest to drain. It is created from coconut husks that are left over from coconut oil and coconut water production. Coconuts are grown in many countries. Both palm oil trees and

coconut palm trees are planted in areas that are destroying tropical jungles that are the habitat for orangutans. So, coconut coir may not be the best solution for potting mixes.

Pine bark fines are small pieces of pine bark less than 1/2-inch in size. They can be bought in bags or, in some areas, in bulk. Small amounts of other kinds of bark or larger pieces can also be used. Pine bark fines are a good renewable ingredient that hold water, allow drainage and help lower the pH of the mix so it is good for citrus, blueberries and azaleas.

The next most common ingredient is mature compost. You can make your own or buy it in bags. If you buy it, try to get several bags from different companies. You will find the quality varies considerably. A lot of the nutrients in the potting mix come from the compost.

Perlite and vermiculite are varieties

of volcanic material that hold water and open soils for good water drainage. Vermiculite looks like small mica fragments, and it stays in place when mixed in. Perlite looks like white sand, but it is so light that it often floats to the surface of the flowerpot and washes over the pot when watered heavily or during a rain.

Fertilizers can be added according to the label directions. Slow-release fertilizer can last the whole summer for annuals. Like I said, different plants grow best in different soil mixes. Some like really good drainage; some like a low pH; some like a lot of organic matter; and some like lots of fertilizer. The proportions you use will depend on what kinds of plants you use. One common mix you will hear about is the 5-1-1 mix. Usually, when you see such a designation, you will think N-P-K

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Broke?

BY MARY HUNT

How’s your health? Not your physical fitness, but your financial well-being. For most of us, how much we earn tells us how we’re “feeling” financially. But your income is only one part of the equation. How much of your income do you actually keep?

Not very much, I’ll bet. Your income is low, you say; you’ve got bills to pay. Rents are sky-high; grocery costs are through the roof. Who can possibly save?

My answer: You can. Yes, you can save money!

COME ON; JUST DO IT

Want to save $1,000, $3,000, $5,000 or more? I’ll help you get there. Every day, my mission is to encourage you in myriad ways to spend less and save more. I know that you can do this! So, let’s get started.

PICK A GOAL

Saying you want to save a million bucks is admirable, but let’s face it: That is not reasonable. To reach a goal, you need to make it specific, realistic and measurable, something like, “I’m going to save $500 within the next five months by transferring $25 every Friday to my savings account.” Much better.

Most experts agree you need an emergency stash equal to at least three months’ income -- your net take-home pay. Does that seem impossible? For now, why not set your goal as the amount of one paycheck? That’s an amount just about everyone can scrape together with enough determination. When you’ve done that, try for two paychecks and then four. Soon, you really will reach that three-months’ goal.

NEED SOME MOTIVATION?

Get visual and hang up a picture of the item or event you’re saving for. If you’d just like to have some money in the bank, make a calendar to post on the fridge,

and check off all your savings deposits. (You’ll be amazed at how great you’ll feel writing those down.)

JUMP IN

If you’re going to commit to the program, this is the most important thing to know: Pay yourself first. Before you pay your bills every week, before you buy groceries and gas and clothes for the kids, you’ve got to put something into your savings account. Even if the amount is sometimes less than you were hoping to save, set it aside anyway. As long as you’re headed in the right direction, even the baby steps count.

WATCH IT GROW

Don’t just stash the cash under your mattress! Open a savings account where it will be safe, and you can watch it grow.

But more importantly, it will be safe from you! And as you add regular deposits, you’ll see it grow.

Here are five things you can start doing today to save money:

NO. 1: SELL OUT

Go through every cupboard, closet and drawer. If you aren’t using it regularly,

get rid of it on eBay or have the mother of all yard sales.

NO. 2: GIVE IT UP

If you’re going to take this seriously, you’ve got to say goodbye to that little vice (fancy coffee drinks, cigarettes, candy bars, bottled water). It can really add up; saving $5 a day gives you $1,825 a year.

NO. 3: THINK TWICE

I came close to paying full price -$100 -- for a replacement charger for my phone. But the thought of spending that much money gave me a rash and sent me to eBay. In no time, I bagged a regular charger plus one for the car for less than $10 with shipping. Need something for one-time use? Borrow it from a friend or neighbor (and encourage them to do the same).

NO. 4: CUT THE CARDS

You use plastic to pay for stuff because it’s convenient. So, stop using it. It shouldn’t be so convenient to spend your money. Curb all those impulsive purchases. That’s a lot of money you can free up for savings.

NO. 5: BANK THE RAISE

The next time you get a raise (or bonus), save at least half. Let’s say that raise improves your monthly take-home pay by $200. If you save half and do that for the next 10 years, that money you didn’t miss (because you never saw it) will grow into $12,000, and that’s not taking into account any interest you might earn along the way.

Here’s the thing about saving: At first, it’s going to feel like a hardship (like dieting, all you can think about is what you can’t have). During my worst years, when I was spending with reckless abandon and racking up debt, I would have told you with all sincerity that we didn’t have enough money to save.

But once I jumped into saving (just a few dollars at first), something amazing

happened: I began to feel a new sense of self-worth, dignity and calm. The more I saved, the better it felt. The better I felt, the more I wanted to do it again and again. And again. This will happen to you, too.

And as you watch your balance grow, prepare for a surprise: Saving will become addictive. Try it. Save money. See if it doesn’t become habit-forming. Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/contact/, “Ask Mary.” This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate.com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.”

COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

(nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium). In this instance, it is 5 parts pine bark fines, 1 part perlite and 1 part peat moss. It is a

good mix for citrus

and many other types of plants.

One last word: All of the ingredients discussed here can be very dusty. They can cause lung problems if breathed in. Some of the ingredients can harbor fungi and fungi spores that can also cause

lung problems. Wearing a mask when mixing or planting potting mixes is wise. Goggles for the eyes may also be a good idea. Wash your hands after mixing these ingredients, especially compost.

Email questions to Jeff Rugg at info@

STARGAZERS

Smallest Full Moon of the Year

BY DENNIS MAMMANA

Week of April 6-12, 2025

Make plans now to step outside just before sunset on Saturday, April 12. If you do, and if the sky is clear, you’ll be able to watch the beautiful full moon rising over the eastern horizon.

Now you may say that it looks close enough to touch, but much of what you’ll see that night isn’t real. It’s an optical trick known as the “moon illusion” that our brains play on us to make the moon appear larger than it really is.

Many of us learned the moon’s distance while we were in grade school, and some of us still remember it: about 240,000 miles from Earth. The key word in this sentence, however, is “about,” because the moon doesn’t remain at a constant distance.

That’s because the moon orbits our planet not along a circular path but rather along an elliptical path -- sort of a squashed circle. And this means that, over its monthly journey, the moon swings closer and farther by about 25,000 miles. So that distance many of us remember is close to its average distance of 238,855 miles.

Fortunately, the moon’s distance doesn’t vary much more because that would mean that its gravitational pull would also be more variable. Without a relatively constant gravitational attraction from our celestial neighbor, our ocean tides might never have made it possible for life to emerge from the seas eons ago, and we certainly would not be around to ponder this issue!

As large as the April 12 full moon may appear, it will lie near apogee -- its farthest point from the Earth. At a distance of some 252,264 miles, this full moon will be the farthest (and the smallest) of the entire year, despite what your eyes and brain may tell you!

Nearly seven months later, on Nov. 5, the full moon

will occur while near its “perigee” -- its closest point to Earth. At this time the moon will lie only 221,726 miles from us and will appear as the largest full moon of 2025. At these times you will hear it referred to as a “super moon,” even though there’s really nothing “super” about it.

It’s not difficult to measure how much the moon’s size appears to change because of its varying distance.

the Earth.

Of course, casual stargazers don’t need to know the moon’s exact distance, but astronomers who study the moon, as well as scientists and engineers who send spacecraft there, certainly do. So to get the most precise measurements, they bounce powerful laser beams off reflectors that were placed on the lunar surface decades ago by Apollo astronauts and can measure

If you have a camera with a telephoto lens that can capture a closeup shot of the moon, take a picture on April 12 and another on Nov. 5, using the same gear and settings. When you put those two images side by side, you’ll see just how little the moon’s apparent size has changed as a result of its varying distance from

The Eyebrows Have It

the moon’s distance to an accuracy of less than 1 inch!

All we need to do is go outdoors on April 12 and enjoy the view!

Visit Dennis Mammana at dennismammana.com. COPYRIGHT 2025 CREATORS.COM

BY TRACY BECKERMAN

As I perused the latest fashion magazine, I noticed something about the models.

They all had big eyebrows. Big, perfect eyebrows. Big, sculpted, perfectly groomed and arched eyebrows. And I did not.

Not that I’m comparing myself to a model, because that would be impossible on just so many levels. I could not make myself 6 feet tall, 115 pounds and willowy without a body transplant. But I could have fabulous brows. Apparently, all I needed to achieve uber-eyebrows was a kit.

“This eyebrow kit has a dark wax to define and shape your brows, along with a setting powder,” said the eyebrow lady at the eyebrow salon. “There is also a brush to create an arch for your brows and another to help fill them in. You also get a stencil to get the perfect

shape and a lighter pencil to go under your brows to help highlight the arch. And there is a trimmer to help with the unruly eyebrow hairs that can’t be tamed.”

I looked at the array of tools and counted. All total, there were seven items needed to achieve the perfect eyebrow. That was more than all the other products I used on my whole body every day. Still, I was curious to see what I would look like with fabulous brows, so I jumped in the beauty brow chair and let her work her eyebrow magic on me. When she was done, I actually looked like a supermodel ... from the eyebrows up.

I was so excited I bought the kit for a gazillion dollars and ran home to give it a try. I scrubbed off my perfect, professionally shaped eyebrows and followed the at-home directions.

It took me an hour, and when I was done they looked amazing. ...

If I wanted to look like Jack Nicholson.

I recognized the problem: The arch was too high, making me look like someone surprised me, all the time. I added some more color under my arch. It was an improvement.

Now I looked like Eugene Levy. Thinking it might help, I extended the brow line in both directions. Now I looked like my Great Uncle Hy, who had eyebrows so big and thick, they looked like they could reach out and shake your hand. His eyebrows were so legendary, we actually called him Great Uncle Hybrows.

At this point I was pretty sure the Jack Nicholson-Eugene Levy-Old Jewish Man look was A) not the eyebrow trend I’d seen in the magazines, B) would probably scare small children and C) actually made me look like a schnauzer.

I decided to wash the whole thing off

and try again.

This time I pointed the stencil down and filled it in a little darker. Now I looked like a villain from a Disney movie. The dog took one look at me and ran out of the room. I’m convinced he thought I was Cruella de Vil.

After my fourth try, I decided I did not have the talent, money or time to continue this endeavor. So I did the one thing I knew would give me great eyebrows like the magazine models.

I cut them out of the magazine and taped them to my face.

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 2025 CREATORS.COM

LOST IN SUBURBIA

On April 12, stargazers can observe a full moon at its farthest distance away from Earth.

ONE CALL TO 516-294-8900 AND YOUR AD WILL APPEAR IN 6 LOCAL NEWSPAPERS. CALL TODAY

Garden City News • Mid Island Times Bethpage Newsgram • Syosset Advance Jericho News Journal • Floral Park Villager

DEADLINE FOR CLASSIFIED ADS IS TUESDAY AT 1:00PM.

2 EASY WAYS TO PLACE ADS:

1) Directly on website: gcnews.com & click on “Classified Order”

2) Email Nancy@gcnews.com

Please include your name, daytime phone number, address and ad copy.

Visa and MasterCard Accepted

EMPLOYMENT

SITUATION WANTED

A HOME AIDE/CAREGIVER

Caring, Honest & Reliable woman with 10 years experience available to care for your elderly loved one. Personal grooming, dispense medications, cooking, cleaning. Checkable references. Licensed driver with own transportation. Please call 516-383-7150

COMPANION HHA PCA

Seeking position Monday through Friday/weekends. 29 years experience with Parkinsons, Alzheimers, Dementia, Cancer Patients. References available upon request. Call Miss Browne 516-302-7564

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MARKETPLACE

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Transform your space, maximize your value: Are you looking to add value to your property and enhance its appeal? Look no further!

At Invited Sales, we offer a comprehensive range of services tailored to meet your needs:

Personal Property

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WE BUY HOUSES FOR CASH AS IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Get your fair cash offer today by calling Liz Buys Houses: 1-888-704-5670

MARKETPLACE

Antique & Vintage Items

Jewelry-Crystal-Silver Furniture-Mirrors-Tabletop Artwork-Lamps

Consign, Shop or Visit the Yellow House 109 Eleventh Street Garden City 516-746-8900

Mon-Fri 10-4 (Wed to 6pm) Saturday 12-4 (entrance & parking in back)

Consignments by appointment atstewartexchange@tgchs.org All proceeds benefit The Garden City Historical Society

Appraisals and Evaluations: Get expert insights into the true value of your personal property.

Estate and Tag Sales: Simplify the process of selling estate items with our professional online and in-person tag sale services.

Home Updates:

From carpet removal to one-day floor refinishing and contractor services, we handle it all to refresh your home effortlessly.

Staging Services: Elevate your space with our curated selection of furniture, accessories, lighting, and decorative items for a stunning transformation. Explore our captivating before and after photos showcasing homes where we’ve added significant value, making them stand out in the market:

Visit:

InvitedSales.com today to discover how we can help you achieve your property goals! Please Call: 516-279-6378 Or Text Tracy Jordan: 516-567-2960

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Sports Cards, Pokemon Cards, Comics and Art. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048

AUTOS WANTED

***AAA*** AUTO BUYERS $Highest$ Ca$h Paid$

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AUTOMOTIVE

AUTOS WANTED

GOT AN UNWANTED CAR??? Your car donation to Patriotic Hearts helps veterans find work or start their own business. Fast free pick. Running or not! Call 24/7: 1-888-251-3135.

WE BUY 8,000 CARS A WEEK

Sell your old, busted or junk car with no hoops, haggles or headaches. Sell your car to Peddle. Easy three step process. Instant offer. Free pickup. Fast payment.

Call 1-855-403-3374

REAL ESTATE FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENT

APARTMENT FOR RENT

Garden City South Near Adelphi University 2nd Floor, 2 Bedrooms

$2,800/month

Available Immediately Call 516-993-1207

HOMES FOR RENT

HOUSE FOR RENT

GARDEN CITY

Pristine 3 BR Ranch with hardwood floors, 2 updated Baths and a partially fenced yard.

Close to park & K-1 School. High ceiling unfinished Basement w/laundry great for play, exercise or storage. One car garage. Dogs case by case. Tenant pay 1month fee. NTN screening required. 38 Maxwell Rd, Garden City MLS #831521

$6,500/month

Contact me for a showing!

Irene “Rene” Blair Real Estate Salesperson

Certified Buyers Representative 516-248-6655 ext 2205 cell: 516-721-9185

ireneblair@danielgale.com

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY FOR RENT

COMMERCIAL SPACE

Need to find a new space for your Commercial business?

Whether searching for a small industrial building or a large retail space in Long Island, all needs can be addressed with one call to:

Pamela Karmaniolos

Associate Broker

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With over 15 years of experience she will simplify your search!

SERVICES

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You need a local expert provider that proudly stands behind their work. Fast, free estimate. Financing available. Call 1-888-920-9937

CONSUMER CELLULAR

the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-844-919-1682

GET DISH SATELLITE TV + INTERNET! Free Install, Free HD-DVR Upgrade, 80,000 On-Demand Movies, Plus Limited Time Up To $600 In Gift Cards. Call Today! 1-866-782-4069

INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT?

Don’t accept the insurance company’s first offer. Many injured parties are entitled to major cash settlements. Get a free evaluation to see what your case is really worth. 100% Free Evaluation. Call Now: 1-888-454-4717. Be ready with your zip code to connect with the closest provider

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ATTORNEY

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HOME IMPROVEMENTS

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HEALTH SERVICES

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SERVICES CLEANING

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CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

Enjoy a bite of a lemony treat Lemon

Bars

Makes 12 bars

Adjusting diet is a necessity for someone with food allergies, intolerances or a condition like irritable bowel syndrome. Although an individual may understand the need to avoid certain foods, it can be difficult

For the crust

1⁄2 cup (1 stick) very cold

unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for greasing the pan

1 3⁄4 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour

For the filling:

4 large eggs

1 1⁄4 cups sugar

3 tablespoons gluten-free all-purpose flour

Grated zest of 2 lemons

To make the crust:

1) Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter.

2) In a blender, combine the flour, powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt and pulse 10 times in 1-second bursts.

3) Add the butter and coconut oil. Pulse 4 to 5 times more, in 1-second bursts, until the mixture resembles sand.

4) Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan and press the crust into the bottom and

to pass up on foods when so many people around you are enjoying them, especially when they are tasty desserts. Fortunately for lemon bar lovers, this recipe for “Lemon Bars” from “The Complete IBS Diet Plan” (Rockridge Press)

2⁄3 cup powdered sugar

1⁄4 cup cornstarch

1⁄2 teaspoon sea salt

4 tablespoons very cold coconut oil, cut into pieces

2⁄3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1⁄3 cup unsweetened plain rice milk

Pinch sea salt

slightly up on the sides.

5) Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until just brown.

To make the filling:

6) While the crust bakes, in a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar, and flour. Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, rice milk, and salt. Pour the mixture into the warm crust.

7. Bake for about 20 minutes until the filling is set.

8. Cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. Refrigerate before cutting into bars and serving.

Love to write?

We’re looking for writers in our community to compose articles on local topics, opinions, reviews, worthy places to visit on Long Island, and even pieces of fiction. We aim to feature at least one new article and writer each week in our Discovery magazine section.

Email submissions: editor@gcnews.com

• Attach article and any photos (1MB), along with your name and contact info.

• Articles must be between 1,500 – 3,000 words.

• Each writer will be reimbursed a stipend of $25.⁰⁰

Village administrator budget decreases

From page 51

ers – it’s going to be maintaining versus building. And besides the hardware and software investments by the village we are protected under the Cybersecurity umbrella,” he explained.

Trustee Muldoon received the answers to his questions on these IT projects and said, “We still have work to do, but we are generally in good shape!”

Project for digitization of records

Another Capital Project for Village Administration is the Digital Scanning of all permanent municipal records and files – converting them from paper and microfilm to a digital format – with an estimated expense of $123,000. Mr. Suozzi said this includes digitizing the Board of Trustees minutes; Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals minute books, public hearing transcripts and departmental records, etc.

“Retention of these records is mandated by New York State municipal law. Currently these records are housed in

many areas including the vault room and ‘cage’ at Village Hall, Storage Room B and more. This will remain an ongoing project as new records come on line each year – no new funding for this is requested for fiscal year 2025-’26 however it is anticipated that new funding will be needed in the next five years when the current funds are depleted,” he shared. The village has encumbered $34,000 for this project, with a remaining project budgeted cost of $89,000.

Suozzi advised that the plan for digitizing files, and covering all the costs, is to deplete the budgeted funds available first and then come back within three to four years and request another budgeted sum, as there will probably be a need for another $100,000, give or take with the many sets of records involved. “And there’s more files and documents coming each year,” he noted.

Trustee Courtney recalled the mid2010s when the village continued a long and costly journey to complete the Digital Scanning capital project for all Garden

City Building Department records. She asked about the timeline involved for the same initiative with the Administration and Clerk’s office records. She asked about the costs for digitizing Village of Garden City files overall, and Administrator Suozzi noted that the Building Department scanning project was finished a few years ago. For the scanning (budgeted) needs of the Building Department, the costs are allocated from the Operating Budget and no longer as a capital project.

In response to Courtney’s inquiry, Administrator Suozzi said the job ahead involves records management with the Village Clerk and Deputy Clerk overseeing the project’s completion, “including their working with other departments.”

“We have paused scanning additional materials because the current scans have to be verified, and Clerk Galanek would like to sit down with the scanning company to discuss a process for continuing with this more efficiently, requiring less time. Right now we have about 100 boxes

of documents scanned and we have probably another 400 or 500 downstairs to do, and there are additional records too. We will only have to scan the permanent village records and no temporary records, and then there’s coordination with the other departments,” he said.

The last Village Administration capital project for FY 2025-’26 carries a cost of $3,000, for Construction in the Administration and Finance Department offices. The project has seen a year-todate cost of $1,000 with another $2,000 encumbered, and nothing remaining to budget.

Suozzi updated the trustees last week: “This project was completed in March with the delivery of one last piece of furniture, and I thank Superintendent of Building Giuseppe Giovanniello who designed the space internally along with the major input of Village Treasurer Irene Woo, for reorganizing the office space strategically – making it into a modern and efficient municipal office space.”

analysis of the results are expected to take a few weeks and should be shared with the Board of Trustees and the community by the end of June. For any questions regarding the survey or the St. Paul’s project, residents are encouraged to contact the team via email at stpaulsquestions@gardencityny.net

Stay Connected - Download MyGardenCity app

Nearly 700 residents have already downloaded the new Village App, MyGardenCity. Have you? Stay informed by downloading it today to receive important notifications and easily access all the latest from Village Hall, the Garden City Library, Recreation and the Senior Center!

Public Hearing - Proposed Village Budget

Following four budget work sessions the Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on the the Tentative 2025-26 Operating and Capital Budgets during the Monday, April 7 annual organizational meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall and via Zoom.

Local Law - Trees

The Board of Trustees adopted a Local Law to update Chapter 188 of the Village code regarding trees, adding a new article about planting on private property, amending another article about infested, dead or dangerous trees, shrubs and bushes, adding a section about permits, and adding another section about penalties, among other things. To read the Local Law in full, click the Government tab on the Village website. This Local Law shall take effect immediately upon filing in the office of the New York Secretary of State in accordance with Municipal Home Rule Law.

2025 GCAA Baseball / Softball

Opening Day Parade

April 5, 2025, marks the GCAA Baseball/Softball Opening Day Parade, set to kick off at 9 a.m. The parade will begin on Franklin Avenue, proceeding south from 10th Street to 7th Street. Participants will then travel west on 7th Street to Hilton Avenue, head north on Hilton Avenue to Stewart Avenue, and finally, make their way east on Stewart Avenue to the Village Gazebo, where

the Opening Ceremony will be held. To ensure a smooth experience for parade attendees, please note the following important details:

• Parking Field 9E will be closed at 8 a.m. for parade assembly. Plan your arrival accordingly.

• Motorists can expect road closures along the parade route between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. We advise using alternate routes to reduce travel disruptions.

Happening in Garden City

Friday, April 4

11:00 a.m. Learn Italian at the Library. Must register.

Saturday, April 5th

11:00 a.m. Long Island Music for Aardvarks at the Library. Must register.

Monday, April 7th

7:30 p.m. Budget Public Hearing and Organizational Meeting at Village Hall and via Zoom

1:30 p.m. Movie Matinée: Hoosiers at the Library

Tuesday, April 8th

11:00 a.m. Learn Libby, Flipster and Hoopla at the Library. Must register.

7:00 p.m. Yoga With Kimberly at the

THE OFFICE CAT

From page 29

lent transactions on a victim’s bank accounts.

CO alarm

GCFD and GCPD responded to a residence on March 31 where a carbon monoxide alarm was activated by a faulty detector.

Misplaced vehicle

Officers responded March 31 to a report of a missing vehicle in a parking garage. Officers determined that it had been misplaced as it was found parked nearby.

Harassing calls

On March 31, officers investigated a report that an individual had received harassing phone calls.

Alarm calls

GCFD and GCPD responded to fire alarms on March 31, one triggered during a battery change and another set in error.

Vandalized vehicle

Unknown individuals damaged a vehicle’s windshield while it was parked in Parking Field 7N on March 31st.

Traffic charges

A Clinton Avenue driver was charged on March 31 with speeding, and with operating a vehicle with both a suspended license and registration.

Truck violations

A Clinton Road truck operator was charged March 31 with unlicensed operation, unsecured machinery, and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Library. Must register.

Wednesday, April 9th

10:00 a.m. Baby and Me Yoga Ages Birth-17 Months at the Library. Just register.

11:15 a.m. Toddler and Me Yoga Ages 18 Months-5 Years at the Library. Must register.

Thursday, April 11th

7:30 p.m. Adult volleyball and soccer at the Field House. Nominal fee.

Saturday, April 12th

10:00 a.m. Defensive Driving Course with Empire Safety Council at the Library. Must register in person.

Tuesday, April 15th

7:00 p.m. Book discussion: On Fire Island at the Library. Must register.

Wednesday, April 16th

2:00 p.m. Mary Maguire Presents “The Hermitage” Part II at the Library

Saturday, April 19th

10:00 a.m. Easter egg hunt at St. Paul’s Fields.

Sunday, April 20th

12:00 p.m. 70th annual Easter Sunday Vintage Car Parade

Saturday, April 26th

9:00 a.m. Flea Market at the Bird Sanctuary. Free entry.

Mailbox theft

On April 1, checks placed in a mailbox on 6th Street were reported stolen, altered, and later cashed.

Financial fraud

Officers investigated an April 1st report of fraudulent activity targeting a victim’s financial accounts.

Truck violations

A truck operator on Clinton Road was charged April 1 with multiple overweight violations and operating a vehicle with defective tires.

Gas leak

Officers assisted firefighters on April 1 after they detected a natural gas leak on Stewart Avenue and notified National Grid.

Unsafe driving

A Stewart Avenue motorist was charged on April 1 with driving with a suspended license, making unsafe lane changes, and speeding.

Check fraud

On April 1, officers took a report involving fraudulent checks being cashed from a victim’s bank account.

Fire alarms

April 1 saw GCFD and GCPD responding to multiple alarm activations: one caused by burnt food, another by a faulty sensor, one triggered by construction, and a final one due to an electrical issue.

Adult Evening Programs at the Field House

The Recreation Adult Programs in the Field House begin on Wednesday, October 16 according to the following schedule:

Mondays - Mens’ Basketball 7:30–10 p.m.

Wednesdays - Mens’ Basketball -   7:30–10 p.m.

Thursdays - Adult Volleyball 7:30 – 10 p.m.

These programs are open to residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City who have graduated high school OR adults who can show proof of graduating Garden City high school (diploma, student ID card). A picture ID is required to sign in to any program.  For further information, please contact the Recreation Office at 465-4075.

A fee schedule will be place for any resident adult interested in participating in Adult Activities in St. Paul’s Fieldhouse.  The fee schedule is as follows:

10 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 10 visits, $50

5 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 5 visits,  $25

A participant may also “pay as you go” but payment will only be accepted by check or credit card only, NO CASH ACCEPTED. “Pay as you go” prices will be $6.  Passes may be purchased at the fieldhouse when arriving for your sport.

Please note - A resident participant may bring in 1 non- resident guest. This rule will be strictly enforced.  These guest must arrive and leave with the resident.  There are no passes for non- residents.  The daily fee for the non-resident guest is $8.

To purchase one of the passes, please fill out the attached application and mail to or visit the Recreation Office at 108 Rockaway Ave. You will also be able to purchase a pass from our St. Paul’s staff.  All payments must be made by either a check made payable to the “Inc. Village of Garden City” or credit card only, no cash will be accepted.

St. Paul’s Fieldhouse Adult Pickleball Program

Pickleball will begin again in St. Paul’s Fieldhouse on Tuesday, September 17.  This program is open to Garden City residents only, Tuesdays through Fridays, 9:30 to noon.

Each session will consist of open play with everyone attending round robining in to play.  If you attend the first session you must pay again to stay for the second session.  There will be no reserving of courts for individual play.  A monitor will be available for any person wishing to learn the game.  The fee schedule to attend is as follows:

10 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 10 visits, $50

5 Play Pass – good for any Fieldhouse sport for 5 visits,  $25

A participant may also “pay as you go”. “Pay as you go” prices will be $6.

To purchase one of the passes, please visit the Recreation Office at 108 Rockaway Ave. You will also be able to purchase a pass from our St. Paul’s staff at the time of attendance.  Check or credit card payment is preferred.

Indoor Track Hours at Cluett Hall

Mondays: 1 p.m.–8 p.m.

Tuesdays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and  5 p.m.–

9 p.m.

Wednesdays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; 1 p.m.–

4 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

Thursdays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and

1 p.m.–8 p.m.

Fridays: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.; 2 p.m.–

4 p.m. and 5 p.m.–8 p.m.

Saturdays: 1 p.m.–5 p.m.

*Walk at your own risk. Hours are subject to change. Please do not open the windows on the track.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt at St. Paul’s!

Our Annual Easter Egg Hunt will take place Saturday, April 19, at 10 a.m. sharp! The hunt will kick off at 10 a,m, and is usually over by 10:05 a.m. so please be prompt. We encourage all residents within the age range to participate! The Easter Bunny will be in attendance! No registration necessary.

2025 Spring Art & Science Splash! Registrations Open

Our art and science classes are designed to inspire and educate your child in an environment where giggles and grins are encouraged. Children will get messy with paint, clay, slime and so much more! Instructors (who are called “Mess Masters”) provide all the materials necessary for your child to participate in the class and no additional purchase is required to attend. We also offer weekly classes, workshops, camps, homeschool classes, art kits and gifts for kids Registrations are now Open. Dates and times can be found on their website. Forms can be obtained at, • Online: https://forms.gle/1QeEM5J7texByRbq8

Lego Engineering Camp

April 14 – 18, Grades K–2nd, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., and Grades 3–6th, 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Using creativity and engineering skills to create all types of Lego designs! Register at info@funconceptsengineering.com (Open to all residents and non-residents.)

Nassau Haven Park Kids Spring Golf Clinic Programs

Designed for all ages and abilities, our enrichment curriculum follows a 5-level progressive skill development so that students can set goals to achieve and progress at their own pace. Our low student-to-coach ratio allows for individualized attention — meeting each student where they are in their journey & progression. Session dates are Thursdays, May 29 – July 24,

5:15–6:15 p.m. at Nassau Haven Park.

Trip to Yankee Game (CANCELLED!)

Tickets must be purchased by 3/20/25 or we cannot book the trip!

Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays @ Yankee Stadium on July 31st: $90 gets you ticket, food, soft drinks, & ride to game. There are only 40 spots available for 4th – 8th graders. We will leave from St. Paul’s parking lot at 10 a.m.. We will return at the end of the game. Pleas sign up at the Recreation Office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. Cash or checks (made out to the Village of Garden City) only. These tickets will go quickly, sign up as soon as possible!!

The Upcycle Acadamy Fashion Summer Camp

www.FutureFashionStars.com

Color Illustration - Flat Sketching Silhouette / Shape / Proportion Sustainability - Trend Spotting DesignUpcycling - Styling & More!  Look Book

Photoshoot & Fashion Show on the last day of camp!! Keep the designs you create. All apparel and upcycle materials provided.

Garden City Recreation CenterThe Cottages, Weekly Monday–Friday, 12:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.,

July 7 – 11: Behind the Seams - Intro to Fashion

July 14 – 18: Love Story - Pastel and Pretty

July 21 – 25: Pop Star - Stage Worthy Style

July 28 – August 1: The Good Vibe Club - Sweats with Graphic Messaging & Sun Bleached Denim

AGE 8–11 // FEE: $395 per week

2025 Men’s Spring Softball League Team applications are now online at: www.gardencityrecreation.org, or stop by the Recreation office for forms: 108 rockaway avenue

• Rosters and fees are due by Tuesday, April 1

• The league will begin play the week of April 20

• Fees– $650 for 8 game season plus playoffs for eligible teams

• Space is limited and teams must meet eligibility requirements

For more info, please contact the Recreation Department at 516 465-4075

Pioneer Sports Volleyball Clinic

Volleyball Clinic: Tuesdays, March 4 to April 8, 6:30–7:30 p.m. This program is a learn and play clinic for grades 3-5 at The St. Paul’s Fieldhouse. The cost of the program is $150 per child.

Stay Up to Date On All Things Recreation!

Follow our new Instagram and Facebook “GardenCityRecreation” for all Recreation content! Any questions regarding programs or facilities can be directed to our new Recreation email, GCRec@gardencityny.net .

USA Sport Group and Pulse Sports are Gearing Up for Summer!

USA Sports Group, a longtime partner of the Recreation and Parks Department of the Village of Garden City, will be running Summer Camps from children ages 5–12.  It will be a multi-sport program with an adapted curriculum running from June through August.  For more information, please go to Pulsecamps. com

Attention: Tennis Players

Beat the winter DOLDRUMS and get some exercise while having fun!

Prime tennis court time is available: all days and all times.

Get ready for your spring and summer leagues with a contract for the remaining weeks of the indoor season.

Daily reservation times are also available!

We have Women’s League openings! Looking for 2.5 to 3.0 players for our women’s Monday doubles league: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please call the Recreation office to book a seasonal court or for more information: 516 465-4075

For daily reservations, call the Tennis Center Office: 516 483-2525

Chess Wizards Spring Session

Garden City Recreation and Parks has again partnered with the very popular “Chess Wizards” to offer after school programs for Garden City children ages 6 through 12 who want to learn the game of chess!

Chess Wizards is a fun way to have kids experience the excitement of chess. Kids will play in mini tournaments, have interactive lessons with chess pros and play cool chess variants like bug house. It is proven that chess enhances cognitive development in children, improves both verbal and mathematical skills, and increases all levels of academic performance! Playing chess stimulates the mind and helps children strengthen skills such as focusing, visualizing goals, abstract thinking, and forming concrete opinions.

Instructors (who are called “Wizards”) provide all the materials necessary for your child to participate in the class and no additional purchase is required to attend. All students will receive a trophy, puzzle folder and wizards t-shirt. Come join the fun!!!

This program is a 10-week session. Class will be held on Tuesday’s from 4 to 5 pm in St. Paul’s Center (108 Rockaway Avenue) beginning April 1. To register please visit www.chesswizards.com.

Spring Session of Youth Tennis Lessons

Registration begins on Monday, March 24

The Spring Session of Youth Tennis Lessons will begin play on Monday, April 21st with the registration for these lessons beginning on Monday, March 24th. The Spring Session will be 8 weeks long, with

Pre K Girls

Team 1 - Purple Grapes:

Hadley Hay

Katherine Ryder

Coco Bossi

Team 2:

Katherine Furman

Natalie Gustavson

Madison Heath

Team 3:

Olivia Gnatowski

Sara Gross

Brielle Horvath

Team 4 - Mint Chocolate

Chips:

Louise Inman

Janie Finneran

Team 5 - Pink Princesses: The Whole Team

Team 6: The Whole Team

Team 7: Brielle Shackel

Team 8:

Amelia Bowen

Elena Theoharis

Stella Javian

Pre K Boys

Team 1

Sam Ofenloch

Matt Servino

Team 2

Landon Kearns

Darren Barry

Soccer Players of he Week

Team 3

Henry Davis

Max McKay

Team 4

Joseph Filosa

Kieran Madan

Team 5

Hunter Appelt

Jack Blagojevic

Team 6

Markus Lattanzio

Jackson Gallaro

Team 7

Thomas Mitchell

Liam Tempesti

Team 8

Austin Zulic

Parker Mangan

Kindergarten Girls

Team 1 - Kicking Peacocks

Isabella Lanza

Ilaria McCrossen

Team 2 - Pink Diamonds

Charlotte Eng

Sofia Abitabile

Team 3 - Purple Gummy

Bears

Eleanor Reilly

Quinn Reilly

Team 4 - Purple Ponies

Annie Reilly

Olivia Vazquez

Team 5 - Green Apples

Hanna Abdelfatah

Camilla Lione

the lessons occurring Monday through Thursday — which would put the Spring Session ending around the second week of June. Once registration opens, you will be able to sign up on the Recreation website, gardencityrecreation.org, or in person at the Tennis Clubhouse and at the Recreation Office located at 108 Rockaway Avenue.

Please visit the recreation website for fees, and meeting dates.

Team 6 - Blue Cotton Candy

Olivia Finneran

Emmy Breslin

Team 7 - Blue Cobras

Michela Martorana

Collins Quigley

Team 8 - Pink Butterflies

Brooke Lempa

Alexandra Zuvich

Kindergarten Boys

Grey Sharks:

JD Ferrari

Michael Regina

Green Dragons:

Cooper Reilly

Tigers:

Johnny Dipierro

Nate Mitthauer

Team 7

Finn Harrington

Tudor Brumariu

Red Fireballs:

Kevin Reynolds

Alessio Leschinksi

Team 4:

Patrick Bishop

Harvey Li

Team 6

Jace Falk

Miles Alloca

Team 3

Marco Riolo

Jack Salazar

For further information, call the Community Park Tennis Office at 516 483-2525

Youth Summer Tennis Camp

Be on the lookout for upcoming information on our Summer Youth Tennis Program as we are currently developing plans for the Summer Tennis Camps.

Hooray- Hooray

1st Grade Girls

Team McAuliffe

Liliana McAuliffe

Brynn Genova

Team Balkema

Caroline Doyle

Charlotte Ferranti

Team Urban

Katherine Sileo

Ava Armieri

Juliana Torhan

Team Groarke

Morgan Coelen

Lila Groarke

Chole Monahan

Team Munnelly

The whole team

Team Scroggins

Grace Hurley

Stella Scroggins

2nd and 3rd Grade Girls

Dominators:

Meredith Garvey

Emilia Maione

Alexandra Theoharis

Jacqueline Viola

Team Lightning: Hailey Kambhampati

Madison Annello

Lady Goldkickers: The Whole Team

Shooting Stars:

Addison Gallagher

Hailey Kruk

Mini Golf at Community Park is opening for the season on Saturday, April 19, at 10 a.m.

Special: All games are $2 per person for the month of April

Tennis Players: reminder the Tennis Center is closed on Sunday, April 20  (Easter Sunday)

Tennis Contract Holders: No contract time during the Spring Break (Sunday, April 13 through Saturday,

Team 5:

Emme Horn

Sophie Loesch

Violet Iannucci

Team Power:

Maisie Dillon

Penelope Chabot

2nd & 3rd Grade Boys

Team 1

Ciaran Manley

Luke Lefler

Team 2

Walker Schrubbe

Niko Lazos

Team 3

Braden Connolly

Team 4

Matthew Coratti

Quinn Delolio

Team 5

Stephan Davi

Peter Collins

Team 6

John Bilello

Michael McCarthy

Team 7

Owen Hage

Matthew Nicholson

Team 8

Boreas Zhong

Sahaan Iyer

April 19) Reduced court rate during this week: $36 per hour all day! Senior rates are also in force during the designated times.

Summer Tennis Camp Information is coming soon! The tennis camps begin on Monday, June 30, under the direction of our experienced pros, Rick Bates and Justin McMackin. Registration will begin on Monday, April 14.

GARDEN CITY RECREATION AND PARK NEWS

Garden City Girls Varsity Lacrosse begins 2025 season

Girls celebrate the beginning of their season and welcome new teammates.

The Garden City Girls Lacrosse team is gearing up for another exciting season! There is a fresh surge of talent and energy with eleven new players joining the roster, including juniors Daly Prybylski, Ella Clark, Jessy Martin, Katherine O’Hanlon, Kennedy Palmer, Kiera Ruoff, Liana Kelly and Nora Donahue, sophomores Stella Goettelamann and Claire Arendt, and freshman goalie Teagan Gately. This dynamic group is set to join the 27 returning players from last year’s roster, making for an exciting mix of experience and new potential. The team will be led this year by senior captains Kyle Finnell, Tori Ottomanelli and Kathryn Monaco, who are ready to guide the squad towards a successful season.

The team’s first non-league game kicked off with an intense matchup

against Bayport-Blue Point, a rivalry that is always very competitive and exciting. With the added element of a shot clock, the pace of play was taken to a whole new level, intensifying every possession. Garden City struck first, with senior Arci Haffner putting the team on the board. Soon after Kyle Finnell fired in a goal assisted by Averie Smith. As the 2nd quarter began Kathryn Monaco made her mark, scoring with a perfect assist from Ashely Clark. Averie Smith came through with the fourth goal of the game, tying things up 4-4 at half time. Tori Ottomanelli broke the tie for Garden City with a clutch goal, assisted by Ashley Clark, giving the Trojans the lead. Kyle Finnell finished the game with a hat trick! Her first goal came off a perfect assist from LeeLee Gaffney, the second was all her with an unassisted

finish, and the final goal was an 8-meter shot. The senior-led defense, featuring Ellie Andersen, Meaghan Lynch, Brooke Hopkins, and Brynn Reilly, was nothing short of relentless in shutting down Bayport’s offense. Their communication and teamwork were remarkable, making it difficult for the opposition to break through. Meanwhile, Kate Connolly was absolutely incredible in goal, racking up 7 saves against some of the top players on Long Island. Her poise and skill under pressure were key in keeping the team in the game. Unfortunately, the Trojans walked away from the game with a tough 9-8 loss, but they can hold their heads high with a performance they can be proud of. Despite the narrow defeat, the team

showcased incredible heart, skill, and determination from both their offense and defense.

The girls kicked off their first league game on Monday night against Long Beach, and they were unstoppable from the get-go! Kathryn Monaco put Garden City on the scoreboard first, and it didn’t take long for Ashley Clark and Averie Smith to follow up with two quick goals. Arci Haffner added to the momentum with a clutch 8-meter goal, and Kathryn Monaco found the back of the net again shortly after. To close out the quarter, Averie Smith scored once more, finishing off a perfectly timed pass from Regan Baker. Early in the second quarter, Tori Ottomanelli fired off an unassisted goal with a power-

Averie Smith blows past Long Beach’s defense to score one of her 3 goals of the game.

Meaghan Lynch stops Bayport’s offense.

Sophomore Grace Brantuk wins the draw!

Garden City Girls Varsity Lacrosse begins 2025 season

ful rip from the top of the 8-meter, further extending Garden City’s lead. Garden City came out firing in the second half, with Kyle Finnell getting on the board early, thanks to an assist from Averie Smith. Deanna Prisco won the next draw control and capitalized on an 8-meter to add another goal. Arci Haffner followed suit with a goal of her own, also off an 8-meter. To cap off an explosive third quarter, Averie Smith scored her third goal of the game.

Kyle Finell scored 2 quick goals to start the 4th qtr both off assists from Kathryn Monaco. LeeLee Gaffney scored the final goal for the Trojans extending the lead to 14-6 for the win. The girls were able to maintain possession for much of the game thanks to outstanding draw control by Grace Brantuk, Regan Baker and Katie Horn.

Please follow the Garden City Girls Lacrosse team @gcgirlsvlax for the girls upcoming schedule and updates on their season.

Stratford Ave. School hosts Family FLEStival

On March 27, students and families from Garden City’s Stratford Avenue School and Stewart School’s fourth and fifth grade attended Family FLEStival. Held at Stratford Avenue School, this exciting event celebrated the students’ participation in the Foreign Language in Elementary School program— where they have been learning Spanish— by displaying their hard work and creativity.

Students from the Stewart and Stratford orchestras welcomed attendees with a special and impressive performance at the entrance to the event. Following the orchestra, the Osorio family— parents from Stratford— treated the audience to a lively Latin music performance.

Throughout the evening, families explored a variety of student projects including posters and artwork, all highlighting the students' Spanish language skills. The event also featured digital displays, showcasing the students’ creative use of the language through interactive videos and posters.

Additionally, participants engaged in interactive activities such as a puppet show, FLES bingo, storytelling and arts and crafts.

The Family FLEStival was a great opportunity for students to share their learning, connect with families and celebrate the importance of Spanish language education in a fun and engaging way.

Kate Connolly makes one of her seven saves against Bayport.

Brynn Reilly with the clear to the offensive zone.

Katie Horn dominates the draw verse Long Beach.

Garden City students participated in the Family FLEStival at Stratford Avenue School.

Photo courtesy of the Garden City School District

Trojans launch season with two commanding victories

In a season-opening display of grit and precision, the Garden City High School Trojans boys lacrosse team secured two impressive wins over formidable opponents, setting an assertive tone for the 2025 campaign.

The season began with a thrilling 12-7 victory over Ward Melville High School this past Saturday. The Trojans’

offensive barrage was led by Charlie Koester, who electrified the crowd with seven goals. Brayden Robertiello contributed significantly as well, tallying two goals and dishing out four assists, while Anthony Asaro, Blake Cascadden, and Ben Smith each found the back of the net. Behind the sturdy framework of a disciplined defense lead

Athlete of the Week: Charlie Koester scores one of his 8 goals.

by Luke Lesuer and Andrew Dengler, standout goalie Jake Schlipf marshaled the squad to stifle a high-powered Ward Melville attack, limiting them to just seven goals—a performance that under-

scored the team’s balanced attack and resolute defensive strategy.

The momentum carried over into their second outing against Syosset High School on Tuesday, where the

Michael Berkery

Owen Wuchte

Anthony Asaro on his scoring run.

Garden City opens their season on Military Appreciation Day

Luke Cascadden faces off.

Ben Smith scores one of his two goals.

Goalie Jake Schlipf makes the save.

Trojans launch season with two commanding victories

Trojans prevailed 11-4. In a game that saw shifts in momentum throughout, Anthony Asaro was a constant threat. He opened the scoring and notched a second goal to propel Garden City to a 5-3 lead, even as Syosset clawed back to narrow the gap in the third quarter. Ben Smith extended the advantage with a timely goal, and a well-executed feed from Asaro set up Berkery to score, pushing the lead to 7-4. Robertiello then delivered an unassisted goal to further punctuate the Trojans’ dominance. Asaro, whose relentless drive remained a focal point of the offense, not only tallied a ninth goal but also assisted on Ben Smith’s subsequent score to put Garden

City at 10-4. The final push came courtesy of Merritt Ruckh, who sealed the victory with an 11th goal.

The performances over the past week highlight a team poised for success. The Trojans’ offensive firepower, coupled with disciplined defensive play by Owen and Declan Wuchte and stellar goaltending by Jake Schlipf, promises an exciting season ahead for Garden City High School lacrosse. As the team looks to build on these early triumphs, both players and fans alike will be watching closely to see if the early-season momentum can be sustained throughout the grueling campaign ahead.

Islanders cling to playoff hopes

BY TONY SENA

The New York Islanders are in a desperate fight for the remaining wildcard position that would qualify them for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The team has gone through a tough stretch over the past five games and have lost ground to the New York Rangers, the Montreal Canadiens and the Columbus Blue Jackets. Each of those teams are now ahead of the Islanders in the standings with eight regular season games remaining.

Team Captain Anders Lee in speaking with the media this week said,

“we’ve been in this position before in the past two seasons and have come through both times.” Anders Lee was referring to the remarkable comebacks the team made in 2023 and 2024 when they clinched a playoff spot during the final week of the season. It will be an uphill battle but the team remains confident. The Islanders have a home game this Friday night against Minnesota at 7:30pm and again on Sunday afternoon at 12:30pm against the Washington Capitals. Fans can get out there and see some great hockey this weekend at the UBS arena. “Let’s Go Islanders!”

Andrew Dengler

Coach Patrick Roy speaking with the media following a team practice this week.

Friday, April 4, 2025

Salaries drive 2% increase in GCPD budget

From page 1

entials, special duty pay and uniform allowance. Benefits and taxes are not included in the numbers, however they represent approximately $7.2 million additional costs – including benefits for retirees.

According to the March 25 budget presentation, “The proposed tentative budget is increasing 2% primarily due to contractual increases in salary-related costs” The police department brought on several new young officers last year. At this time, the Village’s Police Department headcount includes 69 full-time employees; 55 officers and 14 civilians, plus a part-time staff of 17 school crossing guards and part commuter attendants.

Non-personnel expenses for 2025–26 include $147,000 for software maintenance, $120,000 for gas and oil (as police vehicles operate 24/7), $92,000 for equipment maintenance, $91,000 for uniforms and cleaning, and $51,000 each for telephone costs and materials/supplies. An additional $26,000 is budgeted for printing, postage, and stationery. Smaller line items cover radio traffic control, medical services, youth programs, consultants, and special police costs. The department also maintains a $15,000 annual budget for travel and training.

Jackson told the trustees, “Equipment expenses remain basically the same with the exception of the maintenance of software and uniform accounts due to anticipated price increases. On the revenues, for the fines and fees collected, the proposed 2025-’26 tentative budget at $2.1 million is increasing 11% from the 2024-’25 adopted budget amount of $1.9 million, primarily due to the anticipated increases of the fines collected from parking and traffic tickets. That’s good, but my revenue is less accidents, a safer environment and people moving into portable lights for safety. We have done that very well in the last few years.”

Total GCPD revenues for 2025-’26 are expected to reach $2.156 million for the village, up another 5% over the adopted budget this fiscal year.

A few additional police revenues are not represented in the GCPD budget materials, but appear in other village line items. Jackson said the department controls the selection Nexus action report program and workers’ compensation insurance reimbursement.

Federal aid to the Police includes a police traffic services grant, and the aggressive driving (safety) grant. The department uses a lot of the funding for extra caution in the community at the beginning of the school year. Jackson says sometimes the police have access to Secret Service grants and at times there are ballistic (bulletproof) vest purchase reimbursements.

“The federal government usually reimburses us half the price for a new vest for a new officer. Sometimes the

states including NY State will also jump in,” he advised.

Public Safety grants to the Garden City Police include regular DWI enforcement and special holiday DWA enforcement initiative.

These grants differ from DWI enforcement grants because the commissioner can determine the best times to send to officers on routes for overtime to catch DWIs, “and try to limit the accidents because of that.”

Jackson commented that all DWI enforcement grants are dates usually associated with holiday weekends and picked by GTSE – the Government Traffic Safety Committee – and they vary from year-to-year.

“We could have St. Patrick’s Day weekend, we could have Labor Day weekend, we could have Christmas, they still change it every year so people don’t know what schedule we are doing for targeted DWI enforcement,” he shared last Thursday.

In addition the GCPD was able to lease 14 License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras for three years, and order a new drone for surveillance and footage.

A revenue stream for the GCPD and village Commissioner Jackson discussed with the Board is the vehicle impound fees. “We are forecasting a slightly higher amount as we’re making a lot of car stops and we are impounding a lot of cars,” he told the board last week.

Police Dept. capital projects budget

Last Tuesday Commissioner Jackson told the Village Board $623,000 remains unencumbered, and the main driver of expenses will be implementing new police body-worn cameras. Jackson said the GCPD has a remaining budget of $375,000 for that one, but this involves some negotiations with the union, in order to formalize procedures and tally the associated costs. He attributes that to the rising product costs from the number one provider of the body-worn cameras that police departments use.

A capital project for Police Department data processing, which is budgeted at $734,000, of which the village has encumbered $364,000 with a year-to-date expense (paid) of $169,000. The project includes funds for a new management system. The $201,000 in the remaining project budget is pushed back further past FY 2025-’26.

Jackson reportd that the expense is being offset due to grant funds in the budget line.

On the Police Department’s gun range project reimbursal and other longer-term items, Jackson said there is positive news to report.

“We have started demolition, we will be doing more and hopefully by June it will be done. This year another phase of the police radio replacement project has been completed. We have 500mHz radios in the Nassau County System, and they

will switch it over to 800mHz. What we have been doing every other year is purchasing mobile and car radio with tri-bands; the tri-bands are employed because we will be able to hit the 800 frequency as well as the 500 frequency and also we have a legacy system that we had before this modern stuff and right now is being used for the NYU-Langone ambulance, and that is also our backup system. We are able to keep all three running,” he explained at the budget session last Tuesday night.

Commissioner Jackson also said the Garden City Police might be getting some radios funded by Nassau County through the aid grant process.

“I worked with them, the executive director of the Nassau County Chiefs of Police Association, and we worked out a deal that we get some of the radios when they get them so it would help us out. It’s definitely a savings,” he told the trustees.

Another Police Department capital project is Data Processing, and the budget includes funds for a new records management system.

The GCPD capital budget includes a purchase of three “ruggedized” mobile data computers that are equipped with thermal cameras. Jackson called these computers “life-changing for police use.”

“Years ago, we had to do a report inside. Now because of these computers officers can take photos with them, they can go inside the business and write a report there. They are completely mobile. They are ruggedized, and they hold up. We do create the tickets through them. We do all our checks, our license checks, federal checks and warrant checks. Everything goes through them and they are just excellent computers,” he explained.

With a rundown of operations, the commissioner said the GCPD is able to prolong the life of its vehicles, despite the heavy wear and tear, due to the excellent work of Garden City’s Village Shop mechanics. “We have a large fleet, a lot of people, part-timers, and we keep police cars running 24/7 to make sure you have cars available for emergency situations. It’s a tough job but those guys really do a great job down there. I always appreciate that and thank Department of Public Works Superintendent John Borroni, for all of their outstanding work!” Jackson commented to the board.

For other Garden City Police capital projects, enhancing police vehicle equipment remains an ongoing project.

“We usually enter the price for three vehicles. We are looking at a purchase of two Ford Explorers and one heavy-duty pickup truck (designed for truck and weight enforcement). If we get in a bad accident we lose a car, sometimes the engine blows and we might buy a different car. But this is what we are

anticipating. What we do with our car because of the amazing in-house village mechanics, when a car is deemed not to be functional for the police anymore, they go down to the Water department, Recreation and Parks Department Police force retirements, staffing Mayor-elect Trustee Ed Finneran asked Commissioner Jackson about the breakdown of the GCPD force. He questioned, “Do you foresee more retirements? We didn’t see many this year but I am remembering there were a couple or three over the last two years, so please comment on our force overall,” Finneran said.

Jackson said the GCPD did experience plenty of retirements up to last year (2024-’25). “We had a lot of people who hit the 55-year-old mark, having made it to 32 years on the job, as that’s the next level of pension. But we still have a few among us, me included, in that age bracket. But the GCPD now is very young and I would say just on top of my head that maybe half of my department is five years into the career or less close to it, and my night tour is very young. They do have city (NYPD) time but there’s a village time.”

The commissioner said several of the officers on the ‘night tour’ have just two or three years experience or less. “We are a very young force so there’s really a steep process in the salary-step scale. But I would say in the GCPD ranks, we have about one-third with 20 years and probably another one-third with less than five years on GCPD,” Jackson said.

Trustee Vinny Muldoon wondered if there is any average on the amount of GCPD officers that retire every year. He said he knows the numbers will vary. “Is it a five? Is it two? Or is it none?” he asked.

Commissioner Jackson said a few years ago, it was four or five officers a year, but right now there has just been one or two per year for the last couple of years.

“It’s very hard to figure out because if a guy has that magic number (20 years’ service) and they are 55, or they combine to reach 32 years’ work, they could go (retire) at any time. So it’s very hard to figure that out. One of the reasons why we’re able to keep our salaries low is because of the higher retirement rate before, and we were replacing senior officers with younger officers,” he told the Board.

According to the police commissioner, the GCPD does very well with its recruiting efforts, and in recruiting interns.

“We also hired some good code enforcement officers to do the internships, as they are learning about the police world. The police are paramilitary, they learn very well and they become very good cops when they go to other jurisdictions. They are very regimented,” he shared.

DoorPrizes

Volunteer Fair

Garden City Public Library

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 from 5:30 to 7 pm

Find ways to give back and build community.

NoFeeto Attend

Over 15 organizations will be seeking volunteers to expand essential programs and services, including:

American Red Cross • A.T. Stewart Exchange • Book Fairies • Cathedral of the Incarnation • Crayon Initiative • Faith Mission • Friends of the Garden City Public Library • Garden City Bird Sanctuary • Garden City Fire Department • Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club • NYU Langone Hospital/Long Island • South Shore Child Guidance Center • The INN • Ethical Friends of Children and more!

Questions: info@longislandvolunteercenter.org 516-564-5482 www.longislandvolunteercenter.org

St. Joseph Tyro beats Long Beach

Congratulations to the St. Joseph TYRO - 10th grade CYO basketball team. They beat the undefeated Long Beach Catholic squad for the TYRO CHIP on February 28th at LBC. The team was lead by a veteran networking system that coached everyone up to contribute. A true team effort! Great job St. Joseph!!! Missing from the picture are Joseph Arlia, and Jack Vessio

Thunder Youth Football registration

The 2024 Thunder 10s.These boys will begin their final season of Thunder Football together this fall. They have learned how to play football the right way, while forming friendships and memories that will last forever.

Registration for the 2025 Garden City Thunder season opens April 1. Please visit www.GCThunder.com for online registration.

Thunder Football is open to boys ages 7–11 (next year’s 2nd through 6th grade) who live in Garden City and want to compete against other towns in Nassau County. The teams are coached by volunteers who teach the fundamentals of football, sportsmanship and how to be good teammates. Registration ends May 15.

Sports Events

Get rid of your unwanted items by placing an ad for them in our Classifieds! We have reasonable rates, and you’ll have prompt results! Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for rates and other info.

Thunder Diez 10s

GC Elite Lacrosse enjoys a day at West Point

On Saturday March 29, the 2029 boys GC Elite club lacrosse team traveled to West Point, NY for a scrimmage against Massapequa at historic Michie Stadium. Prior to the game, Army men’s lacrosse head coach Joe Alberici took time to speak to both teams about how he defines toughness and about the importance of giving 100% effort in everything they do on and off the field.

After a hard-nosed game where the GC squad came out on top, the GC Elite players were treated to an inspirational conversation with UNC men’s lacrosse assistant coach and Garden City product Peter Murphy before the team and their families enjoyed the summer-like weather with a tailgate party on the shore of Lusk Reservoir. Then it was back to Michie Stadium to watch one of the best games of this NCAA men’s lacrosse season as GC Elite head coach Kevin Hegarty’s alma mater, the 9th ranked Army Black Knights beat the 5th ranked UNC Tarheels 13-12 in an exciting back and forth battle.

It was a fun and rewarding day as this team of boys who are committed to their sport, their community, their families and to each other to made memories and grew as people and players.

Front row (left to right):

Brady

Kirchner, Peter Fecht, JP Caputo, Mason Murphy

Back row (left to right): Coach Kevin Hegarty, Luke Herrera

Not pictured: Braden Parker, Michael Polizotto

UNC Assistant Coach Peter Murphy speaks with the GC Elite players

GC Elite’s Zach LaRosa (77) wins the opening draw at historic Michie Stadium

Army head coach Joe Alberici addresses the teams prior to their game.

The GC Elite Team.

Kellen Garvey, Owen Grant, Cannon Halsted, Nicholas Canner, Luke Vendetti, Kevin Hegarty, Thomas Breheny,

O’Sullivan, Zach LaRosa, Christian Ferrari, Donovan Carroll, Will Debusschere, Will Gaffney, Ryder

GC Elite midfielder Keving Hegarty (2) beats the Massapequa goalie for a score

New Listings at The Wyndham

This beautifully appointed 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath Condo offers a luxurious and comfortable living experience. The bright and sunny, spacious living room flows effortlessly into the dining area, creating an open, inviting atmosphere. The dining area provides easy access to a private terrace, which overlooks the beautiful & scenic pond and is ideal for both relaxing and entertaining. The Condo also boasts an updated HVAC system, in-unit laundry, and abundant closet space, with the added bonus of a storage unit in the basement for extra convenience. This home offers the ideal combination of style, comfort, and practicality—don’t miss the opportunity to make it yours.

MLS# 837845. $948,000.

MLS# 804189. $6,500/mo.

RENTAL

RENTAL

MLS# 804224. $6,300/mo.

The Wyndham offers resort-style amenities, including a clubhouse and fitness center with a new indoor saltwater pool, spa, gym, exercise room, and updated locker rooms with a sauna. Residents enjoy a party room with a fireplace and catering kitchen, all conveniently connected via an underground tunnel. The beautifully landscaped grounds feature a serene path around the pond, 2 gazebos, and a fantastic BBQ area with tables and seating. Additional perks include a 24-hour doorman, concierge, valet services, a garage, and a private storage cage. Schedule a showing today to explore any of these 3 fantastic units.

Scott Wallace Real Estate Salesperson Gold Circle of Excellence

516.248.6655 ext. 2245 c.516.521.4065 scottwallace@danielgale.com scottwallace.danielgale.com

Marianne Imperial

Real Estate Salesperson

516.248.6655 ext.2259 c.516.314.9100 marianneimperial@danielgale.com marianneimperial.danielgale.com

111 Cherry Valley Avenue, Unit #M23, Garden City

100 Hilton Avenue, Unit #604, Garden City 2-bedroom. 2.5-bath.

111 Cherry Valley Ave, Unit #804, Garden City 2-bedroom. 2.5-bath

New Listing

Open House: Saturday, April 5th & Sunday, April 6th | 1:00pm - 3:00pm 9 Mulberry Avenue, Garden City, NY

A beautiful prime Mott Section home. This stunning 4-bedroom, 2-full-bath fieldstone Expanded Cape home awaits your visit. Ideally located mid-block on an oversized 80x100 beautifully landscaped property, this stunning home truly has it all. Enjoy every mindful detail in this impeccably kept home. Beautiful sun-lit living room with wood-burning fireplace, gorgeous formal dining room also with wood-burning fireplace. Completely renovated chef’s kitchen that offers island seating, separate breakfast room/butler’s pantry with wine refrigerator/beverage center, and table seating. This beautiful kitchen graciously boasts an open flow to den/great room for ideal relaxation which includes a 3rd fireplace for home entertaining as well as an exit to a new outdoor brick patio. Included on the 1st level is a lovely primary bedroom and 2nd generous sized bedroom as well as a completely updated full 1st floor bath. Upstairs, 2 over-sized bedrooms await as well as a beautiful full hall bath. Enjoy a gorgeous fully finished basement offering tall ceilings, large recreation space, possible office space, a full modern laundry center, and mechanicals. Other amenities of this wonderful home include central air conditioning, custom moldings throughout, renovated baths and kitchen, updated mechanicals, a new roof, fenced yard, new outdoor brick patio, in-ground sprinklers and so much more. Close to transportation, shopping, and parks. Don’t miss this terrific Garden City opportunity. MLS# 841430. $1,475,000.

Kathleen Lucchesi

Real Estate Salesperson

Gold Circle of Excellence

Garden City Office

516.248.6655 ext.2227, c.516.320.0802

kathleenlucchesi@danielgale.com

Sat. 4/5 & Sun. 4/6 | 1:00-3:00pm

Garden City, NY

4-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 841430. $1,475,000.

Garden City, NY

4-bedroom, 3.55-bath. MLS# 834097. $2,549,000.

3-bedroom, 3.5-bath. MLS# 841465. $1,250,000.

Stewart Manor, NY 3-bedroom, 1.5-bath. MLS# 826839. $925,000.

Mineola, NY 1-bedroom, 1-bath. MLS# 833476. $349,000.

Garden City, NY 4-bedroom, 2.55-bath. MLS# 831833. $1,899,000.

Floral Park, NY 5-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 831776. $995,000.

Garden City, NY Studio, 1-bath. MLS# 840065. $325,000.

Garden City, NY 4-bedroom, 3-bath. MLS# 810062. $1,899,000.

Rockville Centre, NY 5-bedroom, 3.55-bath. MLS# 840205. $1,398,000.

City, NY 5-bedroom, 4.55-bath. MLS# 828069. $2,399,000.

City, NY 4-bedroom, 3-bath. MLS# 805421. $8,500/mo.

Mary Krener

Heaney

Heaney

Lynn Puccio Cheryl Trimboli Scott Wallace

Arthur Anderson Jessica Brantuk

Ann Collins

Claudia Galvin Rene Blair

Christine Cudahy Manager

Linda Mulrooney Eileen O’Hara Diane Piscopo

Daureen Hausser

Stephanie Marchan

Aimee Escher

Patrick Gibbons

Matthew Minardi

Kathy Lucchesi

Susan MacDonald

Brigid Marmorowski

Patricia Dickson Kathleen Lichtman

Garden

Garden

Marianne Imperial

Alesya Busel

Garden City, NY

2-bath. MLS# 831521. $6,500/mo.

Atlantic Beach, NY

Wyndham West, #PH2 Garden City, NY 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath. MLS# L3579709. $2,500,000.

Wyndham West, #M23 Garden City, NY 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 837845. $948,000.

Wyndham West, #804 Garden City, NY 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 804189. $6,500/mo.

Wyndham East, #604 Garden City, NY 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 804224. $6,300/mo.

Oliver Grandison

HOUSE