From The Mayor's Office www.Gardencityny.net

By Peter A. Bee

SEPTA ANNUAL STREET FAIR

It was wonderful to see everyone, young and old, enjoy the Street Fair. The children seemed to have a wonderful time on the many rides that were available. I would like to thank SEPTA's Festival Coordinator, Meg Nix and her leadership team including her husband, Chris Nix along with Maddie Pittella, Tara Walsh, Paula Sessa and Kathy DuPont for implementing once again an event that not only was a fund raiser but brought all sectors of the community together; residents, businesses and education. Also thanks to all who worked hard behind the scenes for all their hard work on the planning of the street fair. Of course, my compliments to the Garden City Police Department for keeping it an "uneventful" event and to the members of the Village's Public Works Department for the excellent clean up they did after the Street Fair.

SPORTS FAIR 2007

The Men's Association of the Garden City High School is presenting its Annual Sports Fair on the lower field at the Garden City High School on Saturday, May 12 at 8:30 a.m. The Spring Sports Fair will again focus on the student athletes of the Garden City High School and Middle School. The events will begin at 8:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:00 p.m. There will be multiple athletic contests featuring middle school, junior varsity and varsity baseball, softball and lacrosse.

Families are encouraged to attend the day-long event and enjoy some of the community spirit which makes our Village the great place that it is.

SHOP IN GARDEN CITY

Over the years my predecessors have used this column to encourage residents and those who work in Garden City to shop in our local stores and shops and to dine in our restaurants. Choice, quality and attention to customer service is the norm.

TREE PLANTING

The Village has started our spring tree planting utilizing our contractor, Soundview Construction. We plan to plant 379 trees and shrubs throughout the Village. A portion of the trees planted will replace the 157 trees which were removed by our private contractor, Harder Tree Service, over the winter months. The Village also removed over 75 trees throughout the year with our own tree crew. The spring tree planting replaced those removed and also adds many additional trees to our Village.

It should be noted that our tree removal contract called for the pruning of 825 trees, which together with those pruned by the Village forces result in a safer Village. This was demonstrated during the past Noreaster where there were no emergency calls for trees or large branches coming down in the streets or right-of-ways. The preventive maintenance program which is repeated each year utilizing outsourcing combined with Village forces results in a safer Village and reduces overtime which is required when storms cause tree damage.

SCHOOL BUDGET VOTE

Residents are urged to vote on the School District's budget on Tuesday, May 15th , at the Garden City High School Gymnasium. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. If you have any questions regarding the school budget, you may contact the School District's Business Office at 478-1040.