Letters To The Editor

Proposals Need Discussion

To the Editor:

Everyone who is following the issue -and on whatever side of the argument - should be quite concerned by the report made on October 5 by the Board of Trustees Special Committee for the St. Paul's matter. We are now told that several formal responses to the Village's Request for Proposal have been received, but that the details, and even the identification of the responders, will not be made public, so that the Committee can better proceed with its negotiations with the interested parties.

Even if the Special Committee or the full Board has the legal authority to keep its own confidence during these discussions (a proposition that deserves some pointed legal analysis), the attempt to proceed in secret is an affront to the public trust that should be the guiding principle for this Board. No issue facing the Village is more important or has raised more debate and consideration among our residents than the resolution of the St. Paul question. Actions by a Special Committee, acting in secret, and comprised of members who have each publicly indicated a settled preference for one side of that question, is an invitation to further contention, mistrust and irresolution.

Mayor Lundquist, speaking at the June 15 Board of Trustees meeting as reported in the Garden City News on June 23, assured us as follows:

"Although we are encouraged by the interest that has been expressed, there is no substitute for detailed, financially-reliable proposals that the Board and the entire Village can examine and discuss," said Mayor Lundquist. "Only after the proposals have been thoroughly checked out and discussed will the Village be in a position to make an informed decision."

Who is in control here?

Andrew J. Cavanaugh

Not In Spirit Of Grant Program

Are we really considering applying for a grant to finance the reconstruction of Saint Paul's? I am embarrassed that our town would even consider asking the taxpayers of the state of New York to assist us in this endeavor.

Does anyone honestly believe that the St. Paul's project is consistent with the spirit of the grant program? Which category in the grant program description does it fall under? Stabilization of residential neighborhoods? Removal of obsolete commercial or residential buildings? Attraction of new residents through rehabilitation residential properties; Attraction of commercial, industrial, retail or mixed use development through rehabilitation of vacant, abandoned, surplus, or condemned surplus properties?

The Saint Paul's situation is the result of years of indecision and incompetence on the part of Garden City residents and our leaders. We need to fix this problem ourselves rather then lining up for government giveaways like pigs at the troth. If we choose to renovate the building then we should absorb the costs.

By all means, let's resolve the St. Paul's issue, but let us not ask others to fund our desire to have an aesthetically pleasing building on Stewart Avenue.

Anthony Heavey

Trying To Make Sense Of School Spending

To The Editor:

I recently met with both Mr. Albert Chase, our new Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance, and his Assistant, Ms. Tara Ferraro. Both of them were very accommodating and tried their best to answer my questions.

The arrival of my new school tax bill which has increased more than 15% over the last year prompted my request for the meeting. I wa trying to understand and rationalize some of the expenses that appear on the Garden City School Budget spread sheets. Upon reviewing the spread sheets I had noticed that there was a difference between the adopted salaries of administrators, which are based on contractual negotiations, and the actual year end expenses incurred by these employees. I was told that the actual expenditure column at the end of the year includes benefits or perks which could raise the person's salary some 10% or more above their base amount, which is already anywhere form $100,000 to over $200,000.

Then there is the question of overtime which seems to be out of control. Is all this overtime really necessary? Who is responsible for its authorization? Even though the school district keeps creating new positions and hiring more staff, adding to our budget expense, the overtime still continues to climb. Why??

The spread sheets are difficult to decipher. They do not contain an index which would tell the reader what the codes mean. I was told that most people would not understand them. Maybe people would be in a better position to understand these sheets after being given all the appropriate information and key to the codes used. I also asked that the booklet that is mailed to all the residents before a budget vote be changed in order to provide the average person with more information. I was told that this matter would have to be taken up with the Superintendent before any changes could be made.

I have attended some of the school budget meetings and the school board keeps verbalizing a need for more transparency. I could not agree with them more. But if your read the school budget booklets and look at the section entitled 'Central Administration,' all the Administrators' salaries are buried in amongst staff salaries and supplies. Where is the transparency there? On the next few pages entitled 'Program and Capital,' teacher and staff salaries, office supplies, and equipment expenses are listed separately. Are our Administrators too embarrassed at the amounts of their salary and benefit packages to clearly state what they are receiving? As a taxpaying resident of Garden City, I want to know how my money is being spent. We have a right to know and our school board has an obligation to show us all these costs, including the justification for these expenses, and should not just bury them from plain sight.

Bob Orosz

Shocked By Increase

To The Editor:

I just received my 2006-2007 Fiscal Year School Tax bill and I was shocked to learn that my school taxes had risen $1219 (from 5,355 to 6,574), an increase of 22.76% present. Yet the total Tax levied for the G.C. Public Schools reflected a percentage change from the previous year of 5.24%. How does a 5.24 increase result in an actual 22.76% increase? You figure it out?

It appears that most of the Superintendents from the time of Robert Dena to the present have created new administrative positions or increased the number of teaching positions. It would be nice to know what group exists that asks for proof of the need versus the want of these positions or additions? Also, are they seeking proof of savings or performance enhancements that can be effected from such additions? We need controls over this run-a-way train!

I have been a Garden City home owner for over 44 years and I paid the School Taxes before during and after the 20 plus years after my children had been out of school. I wonder, why is the home owner the one who is saddled with the onus of these taxes? There is a tremendous inequity in this system! It is worthy to note that the state of Michigan is the last state that eliminated the property owner tax as a means of funding the Public Schools and that state is prospering! If it is good for Michigan it should also be good for New York! I urge all of the New York homeowners to contact their elected state officials and strongly recommend that they adopt the same procedure on system that the state of Michigan instituted! We need a fair and equitable plan for the payment of School Taxes!

Joseph Hayes