Comments Misinterpreted

To the Editor:

At a recent Board of Trustees meeting, I observed that the St. Paul's project is a "marginal development." Those comments were misinterpreted by Mr. Jonathan Schwieger in his Letter to the Editor of June 27, as a criticism of the AvalonBay redevelopment proposal. That's exactly the opposite of what I was saying.

My comment was intended as a summary of what we have learned from the study of various options for the future of St. Paul's over the years. Experts in the field, hard economic analysis, and the market, have all repeatedly confirmed that the redevelopment of St. Paul's is a risky project for anyone to undertake. Potential economic returns from the project are marginal at best. That means, as we have also learned, that it is difficult to find any private entities willing to invest in the redevelopment. It also means that economic returns to the Village from any redevelopment probably won't be all that great, and certainly not what some have demanded.

The principal benefit to the Village from a private redevelopment of the Main Building is that it avoids the cost of demolition, or the even more significant cost of restoration, that would otherwise have to be paid by the residents and taxpayers of Garden City. That has been the primary objective of the Mayor's Committee for St. Paul's from day one. As proposed, the redevelopment would also place the building on the tax rolls, although full taxes would not be paid for several years. In the event the redeveloped building is conveyed, or if the developer realizes significant return from increased rental fees over the years, the Village would also share in that "up-side." Such returns could be considerable for the Village, but they could also be something less than that.

As for the AvalonBay proposal itself, my own impression is that it is a quality proposal on several accounts. The development will require some sacrifices, such as additional development on the property, which most of us would prefer to avoid. The end result, however, is that the building will be saved. All of us as residents will have to decide in the months ahead whether such salvation is of paramount importance, or whether the sacrifices required are too great. After years of studying the problem and searching for solutions, I don't perceive that there are any other realistic options for the building other than demolition. Mr. Schweiger and I differ in this regard, but I am firmly convinced that more time and more study isn't going to produce any better choices. In any event, nothing about the redevelopment AvalonBay is proposing can be accurately characterized as marginal in anyway.

John Mauk

Use Same Standard

To the Editor:

Absent additional undisclosed circumstances affecting impartiality and independence, whatever incentivizes trustees to pursue the Avalon "deal" stumbling from month-to-month and year-to-year is not obvious. Recent public statements are confounding at best, evince a lack of competent due diligence these past two+ years at worst. Bee: The incomplete mayor's committee report will be presented to and accepted by the board at another meeting. Accepting the report does not mean the board approves its contents. Episcopia: No impact on village services or parking at the recreation area and no need for additional infrastructure and personnel. Lamberti: As of this date, no one has analyzed the impact of this proposal on village services or the option of requiring Avalon to fund a private sanitation service, hence opinions are premature. Mauk: The deal is of marginal benefit at best for residents. Get real people - this has been studied at length by experts in the field for 14 years and none of them have been able to come up with a way of saving this building. It's either the Avalon deal or demolition. Casey Stengel: Can't anybody here play this game?

Suffer the little children to come unto us with market rent and they shall have their nursery school lease renewed for two more years. Years ago, more than a year after the Cathedral first presented its business proposal to rent the deteriorating vacant cottages for a much-needed childcare facility, a mother and the Canon Pastor appeared before the board to plead for a decision on their long-standing application, noting the Cathedral needed to make, and will leave after termination, expensive renovations. They were treated rudely, to the embarrassment of those present, with a gratuitous lecture that the village does not give away its property. (How times have changed!) Lamberti wants a "market analysis" of fair rent to be paid by a religious-affiliated nursery school for a two-year lease renewal to 2010. Frankly, the village should lease the cottages to the Cathedral for a dollar; blessings of wisdom and prudence might descend on the board. Who could object to a two-year lease renewal for childcare? Nevertheless, obtaining a "market analysis" is cutting edge due diligence. The board's effort to assure the village is paid fair rent in this tiny transaction is commendable, and good practice for a big deal. Such a "market analysis" should set the standard for fair rent to be paid by Avalon for the 99-year century of tsuris ground lease, as well as for other village properties leased below market to private interests for commercial uses, such as club and recreational activities. (Query: Isn't a 99-year ground lease equivalent to conveyance of the fee interest, i.e., an outright sale?)

What to do? Do as Mauk counsels: Get real people! It's summertime - again. See you in September to kick off the 15th year of six figure maintenance/repairs, high-priced consultants, incomplete committee reports, wasted board meetings, more time-wasting maneuvering, more dissension, more indecision - more taxes. Anyway, your trustees should be busy this summer studying some expensive consultant's "market analysis" of fair religious-affiliated nursery school rent for a two-year lease renewal. Meanwhile, suffer, little children....

J. J. Dolan

Letters Distort Facts

To the Editor:

Reading letters that appear regularly in the GC News from the small but highly organized group of residents who represent the interests of the Committee to Save St. Paul's and its several offshoots makes me wonder if I am attending Board of Trustees (BOT) meetings in some parallel universe. Last week's charges of rudeness by Trustee Episcopia toward Trustee Lamberti are absurd and simply not true.

Sit in the back of the room, as I do, and you will be appalled at the behavior of these same complaining residents, who routinely talk loudly over speaking Trustees, who laugh at Trustees they don't like, who repeatedly make the same baseless charges in long-winded speeches, who publicly insinuate unethical behavior by Trustees without ever producing facts. A rotating group follows these phony charges up in weekly letters to the editor.

I too applaud Trustee Lamberti's hard work but I would extend my thanks to Trustees Episcopia, Mauk, Rothschild, Brudie, Lundquist, Watras and Mayor Bee. As a resident of the East and an EPOA director, I personally know that Trustee Episcopia spends innumerable hours serving the interests of Garden City residents. I am happy to hear from him as Chair of the BOT's Public Information Committee-finally, something appears in the GC News on the AvalonBay proposal that isn't authored by a partisan of the Committee to Save St. Paul's.

Speaking for myself, I would like to see the BOT hold a work session in public (similar to those held by the School Board) on the AvalonBay proposal prior to their scheduled July 17 meeting. The topic: the Report of the Mayor's Committee on St Paul's that is about to be presented to the public.

Trustee Lamberti, chairman of the Mayor's Committee on St. Paul's, and the other Committee members should present their report to the BOT. The Trustees should take the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the Committee's findings. Having Karen Backus present to answer questions would also be helpful.

Since the Mayor's Committee makes recommendations to the Trustees (for instance, to authorize additional monies to be paid to consultants), it would be helpful to the public to hear Committee members discuss their findings with the Trustees. This way we could learn the concerns and thoughts of all Trustees as they consider the content and format of the Committee Report and its ramifications. I want the benefit of their analysis--straightforward and in public.

To the BOT and members of the Mayor's Committee, I would add this: You have spent countless hours of your personal time over several years studying the St. Paul's question. Let us know what you think. Don't continue to allow the public discourse on St. Paul's to be dominated and distorted, as it now is, by one special-interest group. Your silence is a disservice to the residents and, ultimately, to yourselves.

Christine Mullaney

What Is Going On?

To the Editor:

Cathy Wood's letter to Trustee Lamberti printed in the July 4, 2008, Garden City News and Ray Dowling's letter to the editor in the same edition point to the continuing discomfort that many Garden City residents feel about the Avalon Bay proposal. Both letters highlight the incorrectness of Trustee Episcopia's statement that parking would not be affected by Avalon Bay's parking requirements. Also in the Wood letter is the Mayor's admission to Cathy Wood that parking definitely would be affected. And I quote, it certainly is a "no brainer" that it would be affected, for the Dowling letter specifically enumerated various traditional events and the great parking needs required in and around St. Paul's as a result.

After reading the Wood and Dowling letters, I began to wonder what is really going on behind the scenes in Village government? These public and private contradictions puzzle me greatly. We need transparency, ethics, and honesty in assessing the impact of this proposal.

One area where the impact must be assessed is how our schools would be affected, specifically, our school system's ever escalating budget and the taxation needed to support it. Is it not true that rental units such as those proposed at St. Paul's (many, many rental units) would contribute little or nothing to the Garden City School System while a good number of renters would be sending their children to our schools? If such is the case, upon whom does this increased tax burden fall? The property owners, of course! Yet some of our Trustees representing the property owners persist in considering this obviously counterproductive Avalon Bay plan. Such an expensive proposition for us property owners demands, as Cathy Wood so appropriately stated: the Board of Trustees needs to vote unanimously when the vote finally occurs. It is my view that they should vote no! I pay enough taxes for my property without subsidizing those who do not contribute a dime to our schools. I also agree with Cathy Wood that Trustee Mauk--who recused himself from the Mayor's Committee on St. Paul's to "avoid the appearance of impropriety"--should definitely not cast a vote on the issue. This would assure Garden City residents (most of whom are property owners and some of whom are represented by Trustee Mauk) that the decision was probably unbiased and avoided the appearance of a conflict of interest. Is that not what a true gentleman would do under the circumstances?

The Honorable Senator Kemp Hannon is observing the lack of consensus on the Avalon Bay proposal and, I am sure, is monitoring the Board of Trustees' actions and behavior. What could he be thinking when he sees these 'gentlemen' in action. Let us hope they behave as gentlemen should, with courtesy, honesty, and integrity when it comes to discussing and voting on the Avalon Bay matter.

Francis N. Elmi, Ph.D.

Attorneys On Payroll

To The Editor:

Recent articles in Newsday and the American Bar Association Journal indicted that some agreements between lawyers hired as employees and Long Island School Districts may have failed the ethics test, twenty-three of Long Islands 124 school districts had one or more private attorneys on their payrolls listed as full time or part time employees and earning pensions and medical benefits.

Unofficial inquires relating to this Ethical Matter have brought no response.

Mr. Luke Bierman, General Counsel to the New York State Comptroller States that each case will need to be evaluated individually and that "We Expect it will be a very long Effort"

Possible violation of the Ethics rules as announced in the model code should be of prime interest to all concerned and should, if applicable, be made public by School boards.

Joseph A. Calamari

PS Since the rumored salary of the previous Library Director (thank you for the correction) was incorrect, I apologize. It is interesting to note, however that the correct amount was not published because of self imposed limitations. In this day and age transparency in government would be served by placing all titles of Village and School employees and their salaries on line. What do you think?

Remember Garden City

Printed By Request:

Dear County Executive

Thomas Suozzi,

I am the Village Historian in the Village of Garden City. I was recently shown the enclosed invitation to the upcoming celebration at the old Nassau County Court House on Franklin Avenue by our Village Administrator. You are planning to celebrate the 108th anniversary of the July 13, 1900 cornerstone laying by Theodore Roosevelt (for some reason the invitation says 109th). The transformation of the old Court House building and property is amazing. All Nassau County residents should be pleased with the results especially those of us in Garden City as that is where the building is located and that is why I am writing to you.

When Queens County split in half the eastern part became a new county called Nassau on January 1st, 1899. The location for the Seat of the new county caused heated debates. As railroad transportation ruled the day it was decided that the Seat had to be within a mile of either the Hicksville, Hempstead or Mineola railroad stations. The site that was selected was one offered as a gift by the Garden City Company (formed in 1892 by the heirs of Cornelia Stewart, wife of A.T. Stewart). The site was south of Old Country Road in Garden City but within a mile and serviced by the Mineola Railroad Station and would receive its mail from the nearby Mineola Post Office. This situation continues to this day.

However, the County Seat has expanded greatly within Garden City's borders over the century and constitutes a large amount of tax exempt property in Garden City and receives services from Garden City. The Village of Mineola has had nothing to do with it yet they still are referred to as the County Seat.

Although its all a bit confusing, Franklin Avenue is a Garden City address as it becomes Mineola Blvd. when it crosses Old Country Road (the border of not just Garden City and Mineola but also the Town of Hempstead and the Town of North Hempstead). So on Sunday, July 13th when you celebrate this beautiful and historic building and grounds I would hope you will acknowledge the Village and taxpayers of Garden City who have graciously hosted without compensation the Nassau County Seat of Government for over a century.

John Ellis Kordes

Village Historian

Garden City, New York

Thank You Nino

To The Editor:

Would you believe a constitutional right of "the people" actually means not just groups of people but individuals as well? for some "enlightened people" the right of "the people" only applies when "the people" are in groups of people. Especially groups of people that are acceptable to the "enlightened people." Nino thinks differently.

In the Heller case, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, in his majority opinion wrote, "The Constitution leaves the District of Columbia a variety of tools to combat the (violence) problem…but the enshrinement of Constitutional rights necessarily takes certain policy choices off the table." Policy choices like the van on all self defense handguns in the homes of law abiding citizens and legal residents of Washington D.C.

A recently anointed presidential candidate opined at a San Francisco gathering that "Americans cling to guns out of bitterness." Justice Scalla noted that a handgun is the preferred weapon because "it can be pointed at a burgl;ar with one hand while the other hand dials the police." It seems we have a disconnectedd presidential candidate and a plain talking, common sense, constitutionalist Justice from Queens County. One acknowledges the framers of our constitution and the majority of present day Americans. The other acknowledges neither.

Edward W. Powers

Awesome Sendoff

To the Editor:

This is a thank you letter to all the firefighters, policemen & women and anyone else who got up in the middle of the night to give our Marines and Sailors from the 2nd Battalion 25th Marine Regiment a great send off.

According to my son Sgt Peter Oliva, the send off was awesome and unexpected. I know I speak for all of the family members of 2/25 when I say a heartfelt thank you, especially , those of us from Long Island, to know that our Marines and Sailors are appreciated for the sacrifices they make to serve our great country.

I can only hope you are there next year to help us celebrate when those buses come rolling in with all of our Marines and Sailors safe and sound.

God Bless Our service men and women.

God Bless our firefighters and policemen.

Proud Marine Mom,

Donna Dean

Thanks For Support

To the Editor:

The Friends of Debbie & John fundraiser held at the Stewart Manor Country Club on June 19th for John Ragusa to aid in his journey back home was an extraordinary success! John is a Garden City resident, family man and small business owner who has suffered a traumatic brain injury.

The words below are shared by Debbie Ragusa:

"It is with a grateful heart that I write this letter of thanks to all the merchants, personal donors, Garden City sports organizations, the parishioners of St. Anne's, and all the Friends of Debbie & John.

"Thursday evening, June 19th, was truly an amazing night. Your love and support has helped brighten our dark days. You continue to lift us up and make this difficult "journey' more attainable.

Our biggest blessing is calling this extraordinary community 'home'"

Debbie and John Ragusa

Thank You

To The Editor:

The members of the American Legion Auxiliary, William Bradford Turner Post #265 extend thanks to all of the residents and business owners of our Village for their generous response to our Memorial Day Poppy drive during the month of May.

Memorial Day is dedicated to honor and preserve the memory of those millions of men and women who did not return from the battlefield. During World War I, the poppy seeds in Flanders Field Belgium lay dormant until the heavy bombs descended. The churned soil and the high concentration of lime from the limestone buildings, where the soldiers fell, created the perfect condition for the poppies to grow. Thus, through a series of dedications to veterans, the poppy has emerged as the flower worn and displayed to honor our war dead.

In conjunction with our efforts to encourage tribute to our deceased heroes, our legion and auxiliary are dedicated to give support and aid to those men and women who returned physically and/or mentally disabled and their families to benefit this cause, we have adopted a ward in Northport Veterans Hospital. Our members regularly visit the ward and confer with the staff regarding patient needs that are not met through government funding. Your wearing of the Poppy and your contribution enable us to continue to assist the quality of life for these men and women and their families.

We also appreciate and thank you for the courtesy and cooperation shown to our veterans and auxiliary members who distribute the Poppy.

Clorinda Burdi

Poppy Chairlady

Race For The Cure

To the Editor:

I am a senior at Garden City High School, forming a team for Race for Cure.

Did you know one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? Did you know you can do something to help in the fight against breast cancer?

On Sunday, Sept 14, I will be participating in the 2008 Komen NYC Race for Cure in Central Park. Help me run breast cancer out of town by joining or supporting our team efforts, with a pledge or joining our team.(you can walk or run)

My goal is to have the largest High School team and to raise $5000. Please make my senior year memorable . Go to komennyc.org Click join team "Garden City High School Team"

Pass this message forward to friends, family, students, teachers, business owners and companies. Every little bit will help our goal.

Thank You for Your Support.

Patricia McCormick,

Team Captain

Help Needed

To the Editor:

Three years ago I was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and given two years to live. Thanks to the support of many volunteers and donors I have proven the doctors wrong but the level of physical disability has created significant financial difficulties.

The longer I live, the greater the needs become. I am trapped in a failing body and can no longer do anything without assistance. I need help with everything since I can't move any part of my body by myself. I can only communicate with my eyes using yes and no questions and an alphabet board. It is a brutal existence - my mind is sharp, my body can not respond and I have to rely on others' care, competence and compassion for survival. I will always require 24-hour one-on-one care or more, which is extraordinarily expensive.

I am trying to sell my house and am considering a move to a nursing care facility. Unfortunately, this would not significantly reduce the cost of the one-on-one monitoring and assistance that I require to survive which is not provided by conventional nursing homes. I would need to personally provide private aides at my own expense. The monthly cost of care alone is now over eleven thousand dollars. Resources are low and I am reaching out to those who have supported me so generously in the past to help me continue my fight against the odds and ease an extremely challenging situation. Thank you in advance for your prayers, encouragement, and support. I look forward to hearing from you via email at: tmoringiello@yahoo.com. Please understand that I do enjoy hearing from you even if I cannot always respond.

Thomas Moringiello

PS: Donations can be mailed to: The Garden City Trojan Fund, PO Box 127, Garden City, NY 11530

Contributions are tax deductible and eligible for matching funds. Tax ID #20-4750441