Letters To The Editor
Email: editor@ gcnews.com

Time To Move Forward

To the Editor:

I would like to congratulate the Board of Trustees for their courage in initiating the process by which the issue of St. Paul's is finally resolved after all these years

By designating the Avalon Bay proposal as the developer of choice the trustees now have the ability to finalize the details by which St. Paul's is restored to its original appearance as well as insuring its vitality for generations to come.

The committee to save St. Paul's should also be congratulated for achieving its goals of saving the building, historic restoration, preservation of community space as well as saving the Chapel. The committee's proposal in the end didn't differ very drastically from Avalon Bay's submission. The main dichotomies between the proposals were in the number of rental units and the overall financing of the project.

I whole-heartedly urge the committee to save St. Paul's to join forces with Avalon Bay in helping to secure Sen. Hannon's agreement to introduce the necessary home rule legislation, which would remove the parkland designation from the property.

As we move toward the holiday season may the bitterness and acrimony that has permeated the St. Paul's issue be rele-gated to the past and may we all look forward to a beautiful restored iconic symbol of Garden City's pride.

Dennis Donnelly

President Eastern property owners Assoc.

Betrayed

To the Editor:

I feel betrayed. We have Board of Trustees that was put into office by the people. I had assumed this meant they would listen to the people. The trustees have not had one meeting to explain to the residents of Garden City their plan for the St. Paul property, not have they asked us for our comments and input. They have had numerous consultants give their opinions, at taxpayers expense. At the last meeting, they announced that they had chosen Avalon Bay over the Committee to St. Paul's (the only remaining bidders), they also voted to authorize further funding for their latest consultant, Karen Backus. I challenge the board to publicize the total figure that has been spent on consultants (taxpayer's money}.

The Committee to Save St. Paul's has presented a well thought out plan to keep St. Paul's under Village control, restoring and preserving the historic interior and exterior features creating meaningful community space in areas of the main building and staying within the footprint of St. Paul's without new development on the site. This Committee is comprised of successful business men, who are very dedicated. They have invested private funds for their research, and searched for a development partner with experience in historic preservation. Not one penny of Village funds has been spent on their endeavor. Unlike the Village Board, they have had numerous public meetings, well publicized, and attended by residents eager to explore the best options for St. Paul's.

My husband and I have been residents for over 40 years. We have been proud of this beautiful village with historic homes and buildings. We feel this sets us apart and keeps our property values above other communities on Long Island.

Please, Garden City residents, wake up! Are we being coerced by a group of trustees who are zealots in their desire to privatize St. Paul's and diminish our community's rights to that property which we purchased for the public. Without the proper and attentive redevelopment of St. Paul's, we could see the destruction of this historic building or infringement on our playing fields. Let your voices be heard, call your trustee, contact Senator Kemp Hannon, attend board meetings and public presentations [if our trustees ever schedule them} and talk it over with your friends and neighbors.

Kristine Harder

Horrible Tax Burden

To the Editor:

Recently, I received another 'flyer' from Legislator Vincent T. Muscarella requesting that I sign it and return. The flyer reads: "YES, I am tired of rising property taxes due to increases in assessed valuation and I support your proposal to freeze assessed valuation for 5 years. Place this legislation on the Legislative Calendar for a hearing as soon as possible." This will be the second or third time that I receive such a request within the last few months however, an affirmative signed response to our elected Legislator is not what is needed. Although well intentioned, this proposal does not solve de actual problem: Our present horrible tax burden. This proposal, if introduced, merely ties the homeowners to another five years of anxiety and despair. Taxpayers are just fed up with the ever increasing taxes year after year after year. We don't need a temporary Band Aid solution but rather, a bold reform. The present tax burden is just to heavy to carry. What is 'immediately' needed is not a freeze of the present assessment valuation but rather, a significant decrease . That reduction in the assessment, should be tied the continuing market value decrease of our homes. It is the correct, fair and honorable thing to do. Not an easy task, I know. Too many obstacles, red tape, politics....but perhaps, our legislators will, in this instance, receive a good magical dose of profound and practical wisdom resulting in a superb and memorable performance on behalf of constantly punished, tired and abused taxpayer. It is possible !!

Anthony Moreno