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Supply Drive Great Success

To The Editor:

I would like to thank all those who helped in contributing to the major success of the “Back to School Supply Drive” at St. Joseph’s Church on August 21st and 22nd. An overwhelming amount of school supplies were donated as well as time and effort by many people to make the collection a success. The needy children of Long Island thank you for your incredible generosity.

Stephen Giordano

Our Pool Is A Gem

To The Editor:

I would like to comment on recent letters regarding admittance to the Garden City pool. As a lap swimmer, I go to the pool at about the same time most days. The Sunday preceding Labor Day was cool & showery. I arrived & parked at the entrance, went in & found a few children in the children's pool as well as two people swimming laps. There were a couple of hardy folks under the awning, sitting in chairs. The next day, Labor Day, was The Perfect Summer Day & when I got to the pool, I had a problem finding a parking space. There was a wait for the lap lanes & there were no lounges & very few chairs to sit on. It seems to me that a "daily admittance policy" would exacerbate this all or nothing situation, putting a strain on the facilities & the staff. Our town pool is a real gem - & special kudos to the lady who worked on the stunning floral plantings. It is truly worth the price of admission.

Betty Pupke

Dismissal

To The Editor:

The Garden City News has a long tradition of printing contentious opinions about our various institutions. Naturally, the differing points of view are colored by personal experiences and circumstances.

Last week, for the first time I can recall, a writer took such exception to an earlier writer's reasonably presented view on our pool economics, that she felt that person should consider leaving town. Wow!

Her cold dismissal was evocative of Marie Antoinette's reaction when told that the starving poor of Paris were complaining that they had no bread. "Let them eat cake!"

Frank Kiernan

Outraged

To The Editor:

I also was outraged to see the parking lot east of Franklin (bet. 10 and 11 Sts.) redone - when it was never more than half full. Destroying all the trees and leaving a big (mostly empty) ugly expanse of blacktop leads me to wonder:

1) Who is responsible for making this decision?

2) What will the cost of this "renovation" add to the Village tax bill?

Blanche Muller

P.S. And - in your "Word from the Publisher" - I hardly think the tragedy of September 11th should be referred to as "this unfortunate incident" !

A Response

To The Editor:

Response to “Our Beautiful Garden City Pool” by Lynne Richner

As a resident of Garden City for 11 years I wanted to express my thoughts on the GC Pool. When my children were young, I also thought the pool was “perfect”. Each year major improvements were made and I couldn’t be happier. I felt the cost was justified for a family of 5. At approx. 12 yrs old, each of my children did not want to go anymore. The local park, sleep away camp, family vacation all kept them away from the pool. I didn’t mind when only 4 of us were going to the pool. Then we were down to 3 (even then my husband didn’t use it often). 2004 had me signing up my 13yr old alone since the option to attend if her friends were was important. She went twice. I actually thought about going as her “guest” on some of those hot evenings but wouldn’t be allowed. Knowing I would maybe go a handful of times in the evening, the single adult membership is too high. If I understand the pool’s finances correctly, it is self-supporting and therefore needs the commitment of memberships. But somehow, there should be another level of membership so all residents can attend.

Sandy Iadanza

Extreme Disappointment

To The Editor:

I would like to register my extreme disappointment and sadness that the Village of Garden City appears to have already forgotten the 23 Garden City residents and the almost 3000 other people who were killed on Sept 11, 2001.

My husband, Stephen Kevin Tompsett, was killed while attending a technology conference at windows on the world in the world trade center. This year, a short three years after we were all attacked, Garden City Village has decided that any type of recognition of those lost is a "private matter". While I do not expect fanfare on the level of last year's dedication of the Village memorial, could the Village not have asked for a minute of silence during the day? Suggested a candle-light vigil at the memorial in the evening? Just called on Villagers to remember?

Towns in Nebraska are remembering, other towns on Long Island are remembering but Garden City, who lost 23 people can't remember?

Dorry Tompsett

A Tribute To Mark Barbatsuly

To The Editor:

It is with great sadness that the Garden City Chamber of Commerce acknowledges the passing of Mark Barbatsuly this past week. Mark was an outstanding businessman, a great volunteer, and a true gentleman. To say that his friends from the Chamber, fellow Rotarians, his customers and business associates will miss Mark Barbatsuly is truly an understatement.

Mark was the second generation owner, along with his sister Carol Efthimiou, of Barbatsuly Bros., Inc. He joined with his father, Tom Barbatsuly in the well known Garden City fur business in the mid 1960's. The Garden City business operating for the longest period of time, Barbatsuly Bros. has remained on Franklin Avenue for more than 50 years.

Over the years, the Barbatsulys have been dedicated supporters of every single Chamber project and venture. Mark served on the Chamber Board as a director and finance chairman for many years in the mid-to-late 1970's. In 1987, the Chamber honored him as fourth in our roster of 18 Business Persons of the Year. In 1996-1997, Mark served on the Village Business Planning Coalition. He was a diligent worker, along with our Chamber committee, on the presentation of "Wonderful Wednesdays" and Fridays on Franklin" lunchtime band concerts in the late 1990's. Mark's great baritone voice graced some 20 of the Chamber's Village Tree Lighting Ceremonies as vocalist with The Village Music Makers.

On behalf of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce, we extend our very sincerest and heartfelt sympathy to Mark's entire family.

Jerry Unger, President

Althea Robinson, Executive Director