From The Mayor's Office www.Gardencityny.net

By Peter A. Bee

VILLAGE'S WEB SITE

I encourage residents to periodically utilize the Village's website for information regarding the Village's operations, as well as items of seasonal and special interest. The address is www.gardencityny.net. Also please be aware that I have a Village e-mail address and would be delighted to hear from Village residents about their concerns - it is as follows: MayorPBee@gardencityny.net.

LITTLE LEAGUE PARADE

This Saturday, April 14th, marks the opening of the 2007 Little League Baseball/Softball season. The annual Little League Parade will step off promptly at 9 a.m. from Village Parking Field 9E onto Tenth Street and proceed south on Franklin Avenue to Seventh Street, west on Seventh Street to Hilton Avenue, north on Hilton to Stewart Avenue for ceremonies at the Village Green.

With the opening of Little League, parents are especially encouraged to pay particular attention to driving safely in the area of Village athletic fields. As youngsters are on their way to and from their scheduled games, many of them will dart between parked cars and will fail to look while crossing the street. Let's make this season not only a happy one but also a safe one in our Village.

I would like to take this time to congratulate the Garden City Athletic Association on their 52nd year and thank their officers, directors, managers, coaches and all that are involved in such a wonderful organization. Not only do they touch the lives of so many youngsters, they have been a valuable asset to our community. Please plan to attend the parade and given them and the players your support.

FULTON AVENUE PLUME - GARDEN CITY PARK

Recently News 12 Long Island had a story on the Fulton Avenue Superfund Site located in Garden City Park and its effect on the Village of Garden City water wells. The Village has had an Air Stripping Treatment System in place since 1988 in order to treat this plume and remove impurities while supplying water which meets or exceeds all Federal and State Drinking Water Standards. The Village has upgraded the air stripping treatment system numerous times over the years at great cost. The Environmental Protection Agency has currently completed its Remedial Investigation on the plume and held an informational meeting at Village Hall on March 6 2007. They announced that they will be now starting their design phase of the Superfund Process and will attempt to lessen the impact of the plume on the Village wells. The Village Water Department will continue its aggressive testing and remediation program to assure safe high quality water to our residents.

The Village has engaged a prominent environmental law firm with the intention of recovering capital as well as operational costs which have been expended in order to continue to supply clean water to our residents. We will continue to monitor the regulatory agencies to see that our interests are protected.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EASTER AUTO PARADE

Special thanks to parade directors, Mr. George Nigohosian and Chris Smalley along with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanas, Police, Special Police and Department of Public Works for making the Easter Auto Parade the success that it was. It was most gratifying to see all of the smiles on the faces of all of those in attendance.

CHIEFS OF THE GARDEN CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Board of Trustees join me in extending our sincere gratitude to Chief John P. Casey for the dedicated and professional level of service that he rendered to our Village during his tenure as Chief of the Garden City Fire Department. Special thanks is also extended to the wives and families of all of the dedicated volunteer firefighters for sharing their husbands with the Village and for all of the sacrifices that they make to assure that we are protected.

I am pleased to report that as a result of the Fire Department election held, Chief Casey will remain on in his position of Chief of the Volunteer Garden City Fire Department. He will continue to be aided during the coming year by returning members as follows: First Assistant James J. Meehan, Second Assistant Chief, William J. Graham and Charles S. Cavarra as Third Assistant Chief. We wish them well and thank them for their continued involvement.