Letters To The Editor
Email: editor@ gcnews.com

Thanks For Donations

To the Editor:

For the past 17 years, St. Joseph's Respect Life Society has hosted a Christmas-time baby shower to coincide with the completion of a 9-month prayer program. We call the program our Spiritual Adoption Prayer Crusade. It begins each year on the weekend nearest the feast of the Annunciation (the time it was revealed to Mary, the mother of Jesus, by the archangel Gabriel that she would conceive a child to be born the Son of God).

From March to December, St. Joseph parishioners and Garden City residents pray daily for unborn children who are in danger of abortion. The prayer program also includes special prayers for the mothers and fathers of these babies.

Then in December we host a baby shower to collect gifts to be distributed to Long Island's caring maternity homes. The response of Garden City residents has been remarkable, as we collect carloads of gifts for the babies and mothers each year.

Thank you to all who so generously donated their gifts last weekend. We were able to gather many items that will directly assist unwed or needy mothers and their babies.

We extend particular gratitude to those who made beautiful hand-knit blankets, sweaters, hats and booties. Some of the gifts had notes of encouragement for the expectant mothers. Wrote one participant, "May you have Christmas Peace and Christmas Love. Have a Healthy New Year. [signed] Your Friend in Christ."

Thank you also to the Garden City News for printing our stories and letters over these many years.

The outpouring of love for the babies and their parents was clearly evident this year. God Bless everyone.

Merry Christmas and Peace on Earth.

St. Joseph's Respect Life Society

P.S. Look for the beginning of our 18th Annual Spiritual Adoption Prayer Crusade in March 2008.

Is Locust School Anti-Christian?

To the Editor:

On December 7th Locust School held its Kindergarten "Winter" Festival. We were "offended" by the anti-Christian message in both the multi-purpose room and the selection of song the children sang.

The flyer accompanying the program displayed a menorah, yet there was no reference to a créche. The assembly (multi-purpose) room was decorated with numerous children drawn pictures of menorahs and snowmen; yet again, no reference to any Christian symbols. The program included the children holding candles while singing a Jewish song, yet no Christian or even Christmas songs were sung.

The front foyer in Locust School has a Christmas tree and a menorah, yet no créche or Christian symbols. The Christmas tree is NOT an acceptable Christian symbol.

I called the principal, Jean Ricotta, to complain and question the lack of any balance or fairness in the displays or program. She mentioned that the program was a winter festival and not a holiday program. When I asked what the menorah had to do with winter, she couldn't provide an explanation.

Why the anti-Christian attitude at Locust School?

I propose the Board do the following:

* Direct the Locust school principal to immediately remove all reference to the menorah from the school and music program or have an equal number Christian pictures displayed; such as créches, angels, three kings, advent candles, etc.

* Ensure that the Locust School staff has sensitivity training on the importance of having a balanced program, if reference is made to any religious group.

* Be transparent and rename the "Winter Festival" back to the "Holiday Festival or Program". If the Board wants a "winter festival", have it in January when it is winter.

There is no place in Garden City for religious bias.

Thomas Ryan

Merry Xmas

By John Ellis Kordes

You probably have seen the expression "Merry Xmas" many times but where did it come from? Is it just a modern abbreviation taking Christ out of Christmas or is it an over 500 years old expression with a story? It's the latter.

"Xmas" was a common expression in Europe during the middle ages. The term originated with the Greeks as "X" is the first letter of the Greek word for Christ, Xristos (pronounced Kris-toss). 16th Century Europeans understood that the term was Greek for "Christ's Mass." Later Christmas, unfamiliar with the Greek reference, mistook the "X" as a sign of disrespect (some still do).

Another use of "X" for Christ was during the same period when a person could not read or write they would sign their name simply by making an "X". This was a legally valid mark and to show their sincerity. They would kiss it as they would the bible when an oath was sworn upon it. Thus, the "X" became associated with a kiss and that is why when you sign a greeting card today you put a little "X" to represent a kiss.

Merry Christmas

To The Editor:

With the holiday season upon us comes the time for peace, reflection and for giving thanks. Writing on behalf of all the employees of the Incorporated Village of Garden City and your families, I extend to each of the residents of Garden City and your families our very best wishes for a Merry Christmas.

We look forward to a fruitful productive and Happy New Year in the hope that 2008 will bring peace to the world and good health and happiness to each of you and your loved ones.

Robert L. Schoelle, Jr.

Village Administrator

STAR Deadline Coming Up

To the Editor:

I want to remind homeowners they have until December 31st to apply for their STAR rebate check. Over 50,000 NY residents have still not applied. This is money available to all residents who have STAR, and you should take advantage of it.

If you have not yet applied, visit www.nystax.gov and click on "NYS STAR 2007." From there, you will be able to apply quickly for your rebate.

If you have any questions, you may wish to call the STAR Hotline at 1-877-678-2769. As always, you can also call my community office at 516-739-1700.

Don't leave money on the table.

Kemp Hannon

New York State Senate

Outraged

To the Editor:

I cannot believe that Adephi has been granted a permit allowing a 57,000 sq ft four story dorm after a previous town meeting produced only negative responses from all of Garden City's residents that were present. To totally disregard all that was stated in a public forum smacks of "foul play"! Why would our board members vote to pass this measure on the sly and unchanged? Are they not elected to represent us for the common good? Every comment regarding perilous traffic, distruction of Mr. Stewart's grand plan, the need for increased EMT services, increased fire apparatus, increased police etc. was completely ignored. One wonders in a hypothetical situation could there be illicit behind the scenes activity?! I have two words for our trustees and they are not Merry Christmas!

Joseph D. Cipriani, M.D.