Letters To The Editor
Email: editor@ gcnews.com
Strict Parking Enforcement Printed By Request:

Mayor Peter Bee,

Village of Garden City

Dear Mayor Bee:

Thank you for making yourself available through email to the residents of our beloved Garden City. My family and I have been residents for 26 years with one of my daughters and her family also living here for five years.

Over the years we have been more than happy with our time here and would have to search seriously for any concerns or problems. However, I do have a pet peeve which has annoyed me over the years and it has to do with the enforcement of parking rules in the village by parking officers, not the police.

It is commendable that residents are always encouraged to support the local merchants in the village and this is quite evident in many of the various village publications, newspapers or flyers but I have noticed that the village parking agents are not lenient or courteous with villagers and their parking activities. For example, some time ago my wife was given a parking ticket for parking near (repeat near) the handicapped parking slot in back of Baskin Robbins. She had stopped there to pick-up someone coming out of Baskins. While sitting in her car, the Garden City Parking Agent came upon her and without even asking her to move her car, immediately began to write a ticket. As a courtesy, perhaps it would have been nice to ask her to move her car particularly since she didn't realize that she was violating the law parking only near the handicapped parking space which she explained in vain to the parking agent. She was ticketed and fined $250.00.

Just recently, I observed two cars parked illegally at the back of the Key Food Market. Both drivers where emerging from the store when the parking officer came upon them and again immediately began writing the ticket without even giving the drivers (both senior citizens by the way) an opportunity to move their cars.

No doubt that the parking officers are doing their job but in my view this kind of ultra strict enforcement does not encourage me or perhaps others to shop at the stores in the village when one can easily choose other nearby merchants with mall type parking faculties or parking lots in front of their shops where parking regulations are non existent. Even in Manhattan, parking agents and the police almost always give one an opportunity to move their cars if parked illegally while waiting to pick-up or drop someone off. How nice it would be to have this type of courtesy extended when appropriate to village residents who I would guess in the majority of cases are paying the lions share of the traffic tickets issued in the village in addition to our somewhat high taxes.

So there, I've had my say and leave the matter in your good hands with the hope that parking officers will be somewhat more lenient before rushing to issue parking tickets to village residents who are trying to support Garden City merchants. I am not suggesting that parking officers should ignore parking violators but when the driver is present it would nice to have the officer ask the driver to move the car rather than to employ the "gotcha" attitude now enforced.

Joseph Giacoponello

"In Perfect Harmony"

To the Editor:

Albert Einstein wrote that the Universe is a perfect symphony and every great symphony, needs a conductor. My latest experience at Winthrop University Hospital resemble a perfect one. The ensemble, under the direction of doctor Reese Wain, performed brilliantly, in superlative perfect rhythm. The CT Scam showed an abdominal aortic aneurysm in need of immediate repair. Dr. Wain, the gastrointestinal surgeon explained in great detail, in lay terms, clear and simple language the nature of the operation as well as any possible risks involved. The operation was indeed successful and my life saved once again thanks to the effective coordination-cooperation of Winthrop personnel and the extraordinary skills of a young, dynamic, humane and brilliant doctor by the name Reese Wain. Those were the words used by my sons in-situ witnesses to describe such performance. This is the second time that Winthrop has given me another chance. The previous incident, a heart attack, was equally and masterfully repaired about two years ago. Thank you Winthrop and doctor Wain from the bottom of my now working heart and aorta.

I am extremely lucky, grateful and pround to have as neighbor a first class Institution called Winthrop University Hospital.

Anthony Moreno

Thanks For Memories

To The Editor:

Having completed 50 years residing on Harvard Street and rapidly approaching 94 years young, I would like to thank many people and organizations I use, as my lovely wife of 66 years resides in a fine residency home. With aid from Able Bus and some friends, the nine mile trip to visit my wife and recall old friends is no bother. Forgive me for not getting to the point. Pies, cookies, flowers, phone calls and rides to the doctors, kind neighbors on nearby streets and a special thanks to

Ann Corcoran, a good friend to my wife and me.

St. Anne's Church led by Father John, a strong priest and fine administrator when it counted. The Deacons and other members who assist at Mass; and lastly, the wonderful ladies who deliver meals. Some who assist in this manner do not reside in the village but the smiles and kind words mean a lot.

I write this in case I do not wake up after my many naps, still here with a good strict housekeeper. Since November 20th I've had no care and I was badly hurt in a fall south of here. I use a cane and can't get up the stairs but it could be worse.

Thanks for the memories!

Jim Donoghue

A Tribute

To the Editor

One of our very valuable Librarians has retired. Mrs. Lucy Jaffe has served this community for 22 years. First as a patron then as a co-worker of this beautiful library, I experienced a wonderful relationship with Mrs. Jaffe.

I always remember her "service with a smile", no matter how trivial the subject of the research was when presented to her. When the object of my request was complicated, she didn't leave a "stone unturned" to help me find the sources that provided me with the information I needed. Her efficiency and proficiency to locate materials just rivaled her knowledge about the subject matters.

It was such a pleasure to work with her. Although she doesn't live in Garden City, she was knowledgeable about this Village's history and very genu-inely interested in it and protective of it. She was part of the team of our Librarians who make our Library so richly endowed with information that we, the residents, as well as others enjoy using for work or pleasure.

I know she will be missed, but I join all the other patrons who have come in everyday this past week, to wish her the best on her retirement and let her know how much we appreciate all she did and was for this community.

Mathilde Bellmer

When Will Work Be Done?

To the Editor:

Edgemere Road south of Stewart Ave was torn up 3 weeks ago to resurface. In this period of time the road has de-graded substantially. There are huge washouts in several spots. It is almost impossible to turn from Edgemere Road onto Yale Street because of large depressions. Several near accidents have occurred because cars swerve to avoid holes in the road and the sewer covers raised above the surface.

Why was the road torn up so far in advance of the resurfacing and when can we expect the work to be done?

Arthur Albro