Returnees Welcome

To The Editor:

While I know I am a relative “newcomer” to our wonderful Village having moved here in 1985, I do want to share some factual information in light of Former Mayor James Dooley’s letter of last Friday. I did not have the honor of working with Former Mayor Dooley but I do know he cares deeply about Garden City as do the thousands of VOLUNTEERS who participate in this great Village.

Garden City is truly steeped in tradition. It is a fact that Former Mayor Peter Gall from the Central Section returned to the Village Board after being Mayor and served as a Trustee. I served on the Village Board with Mayor Allan Mathers from the Estates Section and also had the privilege of working with him when he returned as a Trustee nominated by the Estates Property Owners’ Nominating Committee and elected by the people after his term as Mayor ended. Shortly after I left the Village Board to pursue my dream of becoming an Elementary School Principal, former Mayor Frank Tauches from the Western Section of our Village was appointed back to the Board (to fill a vacancy from the Western section) by then Mayor Hal Hecken who hails from the Eastern Section of Garden City. This practice, which is clearly documented, is aligned with our Community Agreement. A tradition of loyal leadership returning to the Village Board for continued service, while perhaps not as common, is, in fact, part of our history.

I commend all these Mayors and Trustees for their many, many years of service to our Village! When they each made the decision to “return”, they gave even more of their time and their energy at the expense of time spent with their families because they cared deeply. While there were critics who questioned the “returnees” motivations or views, the process was followed and they returned for more hard work and tough decisions with the occasional public criticism that comes with the territory.

This can happen because of the fortitude of our Property Owners’ Associations, their nominating committees and the strength of our Community Agreement.

In closing, I believe that the Central Property Owners Association has unanimously renominated my friend and colleague Barbara Miller to return as their Trustee. This is their charge and I am sure they, like all of our nominating committees, have taken their charge very seriously. I wish Barbara and all the nominated candidates all the best in their bids for election to serve the people of Garden City at this very critical time in our life as a Village. As I learned early in my service as a WPOA director, President and Village Trustee, we can and should be able to agree to disagree. When we are moved to get involved, we can be a part of helping make things better one small step at a time!

Tradition…Garden City is Tradition.

Eileen Collins

Decorations Overdone

To The Editor:

Our family have lived in Garden City since 1977. When it was Christmas time the creche was displayed at Franklin Ave. and Stewart Ave.

People hung wreaths on the front door illuminated by a flood light.

Now the decorations are completely overdone - blow up Santas and lighted candy canes!

It is a shame that the school children can’t even sing a song with “Christmas” in it. The true meaning of Christmas is being forgotten.

Joan Hoffelder

Thank You

To The Editor:

I would like to thank everyone who donated Boy Scout uniforms and monetary donations fo rmy Eagle Scout project. We stood outside Saint Joseph Church to collect uniforms for Scouts in Nyeri, Kenya. We received over 200 articles of clothing, which will greatly benefit the Scouts, who do not have uniforms. Thank you again for your overwhelming generosity.

James Craven

Life Scout, BSA Troop 243