Letters To The Editor

Spectacular

Printed by request:

Mr. Peter Osroff

Principal

Garden City Middle School

Dear Mr. Osroff,

This past weekend’s performances at the Middle School of Getting to Know...The King and I was spectacular. It would be wrong not to publicly recognize and commend Mr. and Mrs. Lee and their staff on the outstanding job they accomplished in putting together this show. For four months they have spent countless trying and tiring hours each afternoon after school with over 100 of our middle school students. Their patience, dedication, and support are greatly appreciated.

The time and effort spent with all the children has really paid off. After seeing both performances with friends and family, I can honestly say that each and every guest that I bought enjoyed the show immensely. I received phone calls from out of town guests raving about the talent and enthusiasm exhibited with each member of the cast.

Also, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank your for the generosity brought forward in donating a portion of the proceeds to go toward a scholarship fund named in honor of my brother, Stephen Dooley. It had been extraordinarily generous of the staff to remember him.

Keep up the great work and we look forward to seeing many, more shows in years ahead with our talented middle school pupils.

Katie Colavito

Why?

To The Editor:

"Why"? That is my question.

I attended the Board of Education meeting on Monday, March 21st primarily to hear the discussion regarding changing the current Kindergarten program. I, like many others, had concerns about changing a program that has been in place for only six months. I just wanted to understand "why" the board was considering a change to five full days. We were told there were no financial gains. We were told it wasn't for academic reasons. Then "why"?

Could someone on the Board please answer that question for those of us sending a child off to Kindergarten in September?

Christine Mage

Thank You

To The Editor:

I am writing to thank all of the residents of Garden City who so generously donated food to Cub Scout Pack 7’s “Scouting For Food” drive last Saturday, March 12. Boys from cub pack 7 stood outside both the Food Basket and Grand Union, from approximately 8:30 in the morning to 3:00 in the afternoon, soliciting food donations from shoppers. Thanks to your generosity, we were able to make a substantial contribution of food to Island Harvest. Thank you to the Food Basket and Grand Union for the use of their premises. On a sour note, however, it was very disappointing that the manager of NorthFork bank on Seventh Street refused to allow the scouts to exchange some change they had received during the food drive, for dollars, in order to enable them to purchase more food to donate. We had probably about $10 in change to convert, but the manager was adamant that without an account she wouldn’t accommodate us, regardless of what a good cause it was for. Unfortunately there are some businesses that are not as community minded as others.

Tara Christie Miner

Committee Chairperson

Cub Scout Pack 7

Foolish Choice

To the Editor:

Why is the program changing?

Having just left the school board meeting I was impressed by two things; First was the inability to provide a compelling reason to change the current kindergarten program to 5 full days and second was the board's determination to support the change despite the obvious overwhelming opposition to it. It makes no sense to change a program that has been in place for only 6 months and is receiving high marks by all involved, including the board. Parents and other concerned residents showed up en masse to make this point. All who spoke voiced their opposition until their voices were shut down and Mr. Monaghan stopped the discussion, refusing the many raised hands of those still waiting to speak. After all was said and done, the reason for the change never did materialize.

But again, it is apparent that the retiring Dr. Leitman with the support of the board is determined to push this through despite the lack of reason and regardless of the letters, petitions and voices. I can only assume by this that they feel we do not count. The only question that remains then is this: Is it wise to ignore and brush off this many voters so close to a budget vote? With the last vote as close as it was, and a large group of residents frustrated and looking to send a message, that would be foolish. As foolish as changing the current kindergarten program.

Wayne Nuzzolo

What Is The Rush

To the Editor:

I am a parent of a child entering kindergarten this fall, as instructed I registered in January for the coming school year. I am shocked that at registration I was not informed our school superintendent was trying to change the program to full day kindergarten, after having the new program in place for only four months. I have since attended the past two board meetings. Monday night's meeting was standing room only. Parents were not given adequate answers to why we must change our program so rapidly without community support, and research. The board could not address all the questions, nor did they have all the answers in the time allotted at this meeting. More time is needed for the important issues that affect our community and our small children.

Dr. Leitman has resigned; we do not have a superintendent hired for the fall. The new superintendent should have the opportunity to make this decision after time and consideration, not people who are leaving our school district and will not be here to oversee this transition. What is the rush? Let our children and teachers get use to the program that was just implemented by our school board.

Ann Costigan

What Is The Rush

To the Editor:

I am a parent of a child entering kindergarten this fall, as instructed I registered in January for the coming school year. I am shocked that at registration I was not informed our school superintendent was trying to change the program to full day kindergarten, after having the new program in place for only four months. I have since attended the past two board meetings. Monday night's meeting was standing room only. Parents were not given adequate answers to why we must change our program so rapidly without community support, and research. The board could not address all the questions, nor did they have all the answers in the time allotted at this meeting. More time is needed for the important issues that affect our community and our small children.

Dr. Leitman has resigned; we do not have a superintendent hired for the fall. The new superintendent should have the opportunity to make this decision after time and consideration, not people who are leaving our school district and will not be here to oversee this transition. What is the rush? Let our children and teachers get use to the program that was just implemented by our school board.

Ann Costigan

What Is The Rush

To the Editor:

I am a parent of a child entering kindergarten this fall, as instructed I registered in January for the coming school year. I am shocked that at registration I was not informed our school superintendent was trying to change the program to full day kindergarten, after having the new program in place for only four months. I have since attended the past two board meetings. Monday night's meeting was standing room only. Parents were not given adequate answers to why we must change our program so rapidly without community support, and research. The board could not address all the questions, nor did they have all the answers in the time allotted at this meeting. More time is needed for the important issues that affect our community and our small children.

Dr. Leitman has resigned; we do not have a superintendent hired for the fall. The new superintendent should have the opportunity to make this decision after time and consideration, not people who are leaving our school district and will not be here to oversee this transition. What is the rush? Let our children and teachers get use to the program that was just implemented by our school board.

Ann Costigan

Light Rail

In Future?

To the Editor:

County Executive Tom Suozzi announced on March 8th that the Nassau Hub Major Investment Study (MIS) was planning its next public meeting for Tuesday, April 5, 2005 from 7 PM to 9 PM at the Nassau County Social Services Auditorium, 101 County Seat Drive. The Hub is defined as the area bounded by Old Country Road, Merrick Avenue, Clinton Road and Hempstead Turnpike. The heart of the Hub includes Roosevelt and Mitchel Field areas and more recently adds Hofstra, the Community College and Adelphi University.

The County Executive has previously stated that as part of the HUB development he has a verbal agreement with Charles Wang to erect a 60 story "light house and tower" in the center of the 79 acre Nassau Coliseum parcel to include hotel, condominiums, affordable housing and commercial development. Obviously development of this magnitude will bring thousands of people into the area.

A proposed light rail transportation system connecting the HUB center with Mineola and Hempstead could transverse portions of Garden City. . Many of you may remember some 50 or so years ago when the County presented plans to develop County Seat Boulevard along the old railroad right away and how we fought to derail an undertaking which would have split the Village in two. A light rail system is now closer than you think and could have as great a devastating result.

In his announcement, Mr. Suozzi states that: "Nassau County continues to engage community residents, civic leaders, stake holders and others to help identify viable transportation solutions and redevelopment options for the Nassau Hub area." Further that: "its consulting team has been actively working to complete all remaining design, ridership demand forecasting, and cost estimation tasks."

The Public meeting is an opportunity to receive an update on the scope of the HUB transportation plans and to become actively involved in areas where the plans most impact Garden City. The County Executive concluded his announcement by stating that "our active involvement in this important study is critical to its success." It certainly is, so please include the public meeting on your agenda!

Former Mayor

Harold P. Hecken