Board Of Trustees News
By Stephanie Mariel Petrellese

The following issues were also addressed at the November 16th Garden City Board of Trustees meeting:

After some discussion, the Board voted to award a bid to Harris Miniature Golf Courses, Inc. for $462,100 to renovate the mini-golf course at Community Park. The course will be upgraded with 18 holes, new landscaping and water features, and provide revenue to the Village. Trustee Nicholas Episcopia was the opposing trustee in the final vote of 6-1-1. Trustee John Watras arrived after the vote was taken.

Saying he was "not satisfied with the economics presented" in an informational packet received by the Board, Trustee Episcopia recommended that the Board get more details on how the investment money will be recouped. In light of the many problems experienced with the contractor who constructed the playground and support building at St. Paul's and the fact that there was only one bidder on this project, Episcopia also called for a more thorough investigation into Harris' background.

Other trustees disagreed, saying that the issue was exhaustively examined during budget time. Trustee Robert Rothschild recognized the problems the Village had with the contractor on the playground project, but said that even with the most thorough check, "stuff happens." Cameron Engineering has been retained for $169,000 by the Village to serve as the consultant for the entire Community Park Rehabilitation of Recreational Facilities Project. Now that the contract for the miniature golf course and fencing around the course has been approved, Cameron will provide inspection services throughout Phase I and Phase II. Phase I includes the demolition of the old miniature golf course and the construction of the new course. Phase II includes the demolition of the platform tennis courts and clubhouse and the construction of a new clubhouse and four new platform tennis courts.

Trustee Thomas Lamberti expressed his displeasure at a recent advertisement placed in Newsday by Posh Ultra Lounge, the nightclub owned by the Garden City Hotel. Lamberti called the ad "offensive" and said it degrades women. He said he is not satisfied by the response he received from Patrick Smalley, the hotel's executive vice president, and will pursue the matter further. In August, hotel representatives said at the Board of Trustees meeting that the nightclub will be closed once a certificate of occupancy is sought for new condominiums they plan to build in the hotel.

Former Mayor Harold Hecken gave an update on several issues that may affect the Village. Current Mayor Gerard Lundquist said it is the responsibility of all residents to monitor the projects that will impact their community. The first issues Hecken discussed were the proposed redevelopment of the Nassau Coliseum and surrounding area and the possibility of a light rail transit line that at the present time is designed to pass along Franklin Avenue through the Village.

Redevelopment is part of a larger Hub plan, which calls for a transportation link in the center of Nassau County connecting Long Island Rail Road train stations with activity centers. The Hub includes the EAB Plaza, Nassau Coliseum and Eisenhower Park on the southeast side, and the Source Mall to the north. It encompasses Nassau Community College, Hofstra University and Roosevelt Field, and extends west to the Nassau County Government offices in Mineola. Hempstead Village and Mineola are also included because of their Long Island Rail Road lines. The technology being considered for the transportation link includes a Bus Rapid Transit system, Light Rail Transit system or an Automated Guideway Transit system similar to the Airtrain JFK at John F. Kennedy Airport. More information on the project can be found online by visiting www.nassaucountyny.gov.

The county's proposed housing development on Ring Road near Roosevelt Field is another issue that residents should note. The Village wanted to purchase the 11-acre property from Nassau County to be used as a park but has not received any response to repeated letters inquiring into the status of the property.

Another issue Hecken is monitoring is the property near Nassau Community College that Avalon Bay wants to purchase from the U.S. Navy and develop with 120 to 150 homes. They also propose giving some of the property to the college.

Robert H. Stark, Jr., president of the Eastern Property Owners' Association, listed several resolutions that his organization's Board of Directors recently passed. Citing the already difficult parking situation in the area, the EPOA opposes the relocation of Family Court to County Seat Drive. They support the purchase of the property on Ring Road for use as a park and open space and they support the Village's opposition to development of a light rail line through Garden City. Mayor Lundquist responded that County Executive Thomas Suozzi has verbally committed to the Village that the Family Court will not be relocated.

Trustee Rothschild said residents are very concerned about the loud recorded Long Island Rail Road announcements that are played seven days a week at various times at the Nassau Boulevard and Country Life Press stations. He said the LIRR has not been very receptive to resident complaints about the problem, which is seriously affecting their quality of life.