Where?

To The Editor:

During my weekly reading of the Garden City News , I read with much interest the article “ Major Issues Face Board of Trustees” in the September 16, 2005 issue of the paper. Trying to keep up to date on all of the “hot subjects” can sometimes be very challenging.

What caught my particular attention this week, was the discussion of an assisted living facility perhaps being located on the property currently owned by the Cathedral of the Incarnation. In this article it was noted that Mr. Ed Finneran, a resident living near the proposed site, stated that he is opposed to the development by Sunrise Assisted Living. Mr. Finneran of course has every right to either agree or disagree with the proposal set forth. Mr. Finneran further stated that he and his neighbors do not want the facility in their neighborhood quoting “I think that the Cathedral should be urged to speak to Sunrise to go to a different area in Garden City. We’re all for that, we just don’t need it in the Central Section”.

Mr. Finneran, I would suggest that since you said to put this facility in some other area of Garden City, you would please also advise us as to which area/areas you would suggest for the assisted living facility. I am sure that would be most helpful to everyone involved!

I hope Mr. Finneran will rethink his approach on expressing his thoughts on this or any subject and include what might be good for everyone in Garden City.

Judith A. Dolan

A Crazy Thought?

To the Editor:

Here's a crazy thought:

Why not put the Sunrise Assisted living project at the Newsday site instead of at the Cathedral site? Then the residents will be near Roosevelt Field & The Source shopping and restaurants. Their children and grandchildren could stop by every time they go or come back from shopping, and there wouldn't be any additional students added to our overburdened school system.

Robert Reid

Details Needed

To The Editor:

The Long Island Railroad has held open meetings on a proposal to add a third track to the eleven-mile stretch from Bellerose to Hicksville. The communities affected would be Bellerose, Floral Park, New Hyde Park, Garden City, Mineola, Westbury and Hicksville. the stated reason for the third track is to operate an increased number of trains in order to increase the number of passengers, however, at present; the number of passengers is significantly down. Trains are not full now. Adding more trains will not increase passengers.

The LIRR, under the MTA, must explain th need for the third track in detail. For example, some questions to be addressed are:

- is the third track needed to increase the number of freight trains and, therefore, increase revenue lost by decreased ridership?

- Will the third track be on the North or South side of the present tracks? Which homes, businesses,a nd other properties will be affected and in what manner?

- Will hazardous freight be transported on this line?

- How will the communities along this route benefit from a third track?

- Will road crossings be improved? How will they be improved?

- Will sound barriers be erected along the route?

The LIRR (MTA) is vital to our communities. It provides desperately needed public transportation to NYC and Long Island. The third track may provide the needed revenue by running more freight trains. It may reduce the number of trucks transporting goods on the lIE and have an overall beneficial effect on the environment or it may produce more problems than it solves. Answers to the above question must be forthcoming before a judgment can be made. the hearings that were recently completed did not answer these questions.

The most important point is, the MTA woks for the taxpayers of New York State. collectively, we are like the stockholders of the entire company. our MTA must answer the detailed questions connected with the third track proposal to us, the taxpayers and passengers. We all want to make intelligent, informed decisions regarding our communities an safeguard the health and welfare of Long Island residents.

MTA, give us the specific details of the plan before the end of October. Do not make a decision to try to push through a plan without including those communities that will be most affected.

Thomas Whalen

Western Garden City

Resident and WPOA member

Commends Andy Foundation

To the Editor:

It is my pleasure to write to you today to commend The Andy Foundation for its outstanding efforts towards improving the lives of so many children. The Andy Foundation has generously contributed to the support of our beloved patients here at the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop University Hospital. The Board of the Foundation has provided us with nearly $40,000 this year alone. The "NFL" day event, recently held in conjunction with the Schmitt Family, and so many members of our wonderful community, enabled us to be the recipient of a new state of the art CBC machine, which enables our oncologists to obtain immediate lab results, thus enhancing medical care with the latest technology. In addition, the wonderful young members of The Andy Foundation Board, have personally visited our Center, volunteered their efforts and purchased new PlayStation, XBox Video Game System, and DVD players for all of the patient exam rooms at the Center. This entertainment equipment provides a welcome distraction for our young patients from their stressful treatment.

Please know that we are so grateful to our friends at The Andy Foundation for their commitment to and love of all of our special young children!

Maria Kavan

Development Specialist

Cancer Center for Kids

Winthrop University

Hospital

Remarkable Response

To the Editor:

Thanks to the readers of the Garden City NEWS for their part in the remarkable response to our request for "gently used" clothing and other household items collected on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 24 and 25 in St. Anne's Church parking lot.

Our semi-annual "Clean Out Your Closets Weekend" drive helped fill two gigantic truckloads of goods delivered to the St. Vincent de Paul store in Garden City Park. The income from sales of these items is contributed to the needy.

We're particularly grateful to one lady who, finding the trucks packed to their limits, followed them in her car and happily unpacked her contribution at the store!

Thanks, again.

John Fetherston,

St. Vincent de Paul

Conference St. Anne's Church

Voter Registration

To the Editor:

More than anyplace one can think of Garden City is a community of long established traditions. Prominent among these is consistently ranking among the State's leaders in voter registration and turnout.

Our citizens prefer to be participants, not observers, of the forces changing our world. They demand responsible governmental policies and responsive government officials. And year after year, they have overwhelmingly identified the Republican Party as most faithfully representing their principles of sound government.

One reason for this is another of our Village's traditions -- producing outstanding Republican elected officials at every level of government. The Garden City Republican honor roll is long-the late Congressman, Jack Wydler; former State Senator and US Attorney General for Civil Rights, John Dunne; Senator Kemp Hannon, chair of the Senate Health Committee; Senator Mike Balboni; Town Receiver of Taxes Don Clavin; former Town Supervisor, Jim Bennett; former Town Councilmen Joe Kearney and Tony Imbarratto; and many judges who call Garden City home, including County Court Judge Daniel Palmieri, running again this year.

If you haven't had the chance yet to register, may have recently moved, have allowed your registration to lapse, or need to register by absentee, rejoice as there is still time.

Voter Registration: Applications are available at the Board of Elections lobby, Garden City Post Office, and the offices of Senator Kemp Hannon and Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell located at 224 Seventh Street.The application must either be hand delivered to the Board of Elections, County Seat Drive, or be postmarked no later than October 14, and received by October 19; In person for honorably discharged military or naturalized citizens after the 25th day before the election between October 14-28.

Voting Absentee: Applications are available as above. Last day to postmark application or letter of application for a ballot is November 1. Last day to apply in person or postmark ballot at the Board of Elections is November 7. All mailed ballots must be received by November 15, at the Board of Elections. Last day to deliver ballot in person to the board is November 8. For military voters the last day for the board to get the application if not previously registered is October 28, and if previously registered November 1. Last day to apply personally if previously registered is November 7.

Register now and you'll be able to join your Garden City neighbors in electing our local favorites, Donald Clavin running for County Comptroller, Daniel Palmieri for County Court Judge, and Maureen O'Connell running for County Clerk in this November's elections. Once again, help Garden City continue to elect an outstanding honor roll of Republican candidates on Election Day, November 8.

The Garden City Republican Committee