Road To Nowhere

To the Editor:

The “road to nowhere” keeps plodding along as witnessed by the comments published by the Garden City News, dated November 26th, relative to the recent Board’s public hearing. Confusion still reigns! So what else is new? I chuckle at the comment made by Mayor Miller - i.e. “We are at a point of compromise.”

Compromise what? She and a handful of her followers who want to have Village related operations moved into the dilapidated St. Paul’s structure versus the aptly phrased comments by resident Nicholas Episcopia indicating that “the survey adequately covered all possible uses for the building and the majority of respondents (40.1 percent) favored private use, either residential condominiums or an assisted living facility. I don’t know how much clearer this can be to the people. We believe that this reflects the will of the respondents, the will of the people, which is what we think the job of the Board of Trustees is. It’s not to reflect or to be pressured by special interest groups.” In addition, as Trustee John Mauk stated as concerns stabilizing the St. Paul’s building, “The project will cost a lot of money and the Village residents have said they are not willing to have their taxes increased to pay for it!”

This begs the question as to why bother to go to the expense and waste of time (and I say also to exclude professional assistance) for an RFP. Let’s put the horse before the cart and go directly to State Senator Kemp Hannon to ascertain his feelings about “Home Rule” legislation. In the ten plus years that this debacle has been raging I haven’t heard one comment to indicate State Senator Kemp Hannon’s position. To my knowledge, State Senator Kemp Hannon has never once volunteered his feelings or aspiration. Did anyone ever consider that maybe his intricate associations may sway him against such legislation? Think of it! If Home Rule legislation would go to Albany, what are the chances of it passing? Remember, we have to face the facts!

In view of the foregoing, it appears that Mayor Miller’s position on compromise is waning away and it would be creditable if Mayor Miller’s comment would be changed to “I capitulate to the wishes and desires of the Garden City residents.”

Joseph H. Hayes

Leaf Removal Program

To the Editor:

The Village’s Department of Public Works Leaf Removal Program is now in its fifth full week. We are currently completing our third pass through the Village. This has been our most successful campaign to date due to good weather, high performance of our excellently maintained equipment, and good cooperation from landscapers and residents. Our website updates have helped in communicating with the residents.

I would like to commend our crews who have worked hard in this arduous task and commend them for their excellent attendance which has allowed for all equipment to be utilized. I would like to commend my Supervisors under the direction of Dave O’Brien, Deputy Superintendent Department of Public Works, Highway Supervisors Bill Keahon and Fred Sylvia, and Parks Department Supervisors Mike Didyk and Henry Bryant and our Garage Mechanics under the direction of Henry Batz.

Please note that after December 1st landscapers will be required to remove all leaves and are not allowed to place them into the street. We will complete this pass and make one final pass through the Village. The Department of Public works will then concentrate on cleaning the park areas. Village staff would again like to thank all residents for their patience and cooperation.

Robert J. Mangan, PE

Director of Public Works

Loss of Trees

To the Editor:

One of the articles on the front page of The Garden City News on November 6th complains about the removal of trees and shrubs which are cut down when houses are enlarged or replaced into “mega-mansions.”

A case in point is a house on Fenimore and Glen where one 47 year old pin oak and a crab apple tree were removed.

When I called the Building Department several months ago, I was told that the trees had to be removed because a new garage was being built on the Glen Road side. Actually, only the crab apple tree was in the path of the garage.

Thank you Mr. Episcopia for complaining. Gradually our Village is losing its character because many of the renovated and new replacement buildings do not conform to the character of the neighborhood despite the rulings of our Zoning Board.

As I indicated in the past, the Village is hungry for more taxes. So, almost anything goes. Nor is there any real enforcement of the time frames permitted.

Joseph A. Calamari