Great Bakery

To The Editor:

The best bakery I have ever been in was:

Jean Marie Pattiserie on 7th Street in Garden City.

I could not believe they went out of business with no forwarding address.

Well, alleluia!! I found them again. They just re-located about four months ago to Northern Blvd., in Great Neck. Two blocks west of Peter Luger's Steak House but on the southside of Northern Blvd. at #98 No. Blvd. Same great pastry. I was so happy to find them again, I could not keep this good news to myself.

Two other Garden City spots that are missed sorely are the "Food Basket" and "Edmunds." Restaurant.

To print this letter I am sure will be a great service to whomever reads your great paper.

Helen McCaffrey

Credit Where Credit Is Due

To The Editor:

The caption beneath the photo of retired library director Alan Roeckel receiving a portrait of the Garden City Library which appeared in last week's edition could possibly give the impression that it was the artist behind the lovely picture. Would that I were as creative and talented as Susan Alvey, local resident and artist who was responsible for the painting. I simply made the presentation on behalf of The Friends of the Library.

Sal Catania,

President,

Friends of the Library

Supports Plan

To the Editor:

Democracy's biggest problem is that nothing gets done. Whatever the proposal, there are always the vocal naysayers, and many have been heard from recently regarding the Avalon Bay proposal for the St. Paul's building. Having read the report presented by the Mayor's Committee, we support the proposal for its use as apartments.

Structures with a history are not of interest to many (the majority of?) residents. We sometimes wonder how many residents even know who A. T. Stewart was. These people will not care if St. Paul's or even the Cathedral disappears. Then there are those who are so passionate on the other side that they expect funds for preservation to drop out of the sky.

When the St. Paul's property was rather hastily acquired by the Village, the playing fields were of prime interest. Only afterwards was attention paid to possible uses for the building that came with the property. Early on, the idea for residential use was deemed the simplest. Proposals involving the school district or selling other Village parcels as part of a public use package would be many times more complicated to execute than what is now being considered. Traffic and schoolchildren generated by this residential use would be no more noticeable than what is generated by Hilton Hall (a rental property, by the way) or the Wyndham complex.

Avalon appears to be willing to spend $79 million of its own money on the project - no mortgages to worry about in a difficult market. If the Mayor's Committee and the experts they have retained agree that extra construction is necessary to provide a decent return on investment, we can accept that, since the view of the building from Stewart Ave. will still be as we have seen it for the last 45 years. That the Village will receive reduced revenue from the property for the next 20 years is just part of the financial equation - and it might be noted that the Village has not received a penny in the 100+ years of the building's existence!

If the building is demolished at a cost of $5.8 million, the residents are left with a raw piece of land. Then the arguing can begin as to what to use it for and how much to spend of taxpayers' money for THAT. This money could be better spent to convert the historic and unused Water Works building at Cherry Valley Rd. and Eleventh St. for public use.

If the forthcoming opinion poll includes a mothballing option in addition to the Avalon proposal and demolition, the poll result will likely be indeterminate. Mothballing, for $13.8 million plus ongoing maintenance costs, is only a way to increase taxes without solving the problem, leaving the empty building vulnerable to fire or vandalism.

Much as we'd like to see the building remain standing, we're afraid that the apathy of the majority will cause its loss.

Bill and Mathilde Bellmer

IDAs: The Road To Higher Taxes

To The Editor:

I attended a meeting on the morning of August 1, at Village Hall, in order to participate in a public discussion pertaining to the sale of the Garden City Hotel and the tax burden this deal is going to impose upon the taxpaying public. This meeting however turned out to be nothing more than an exercise in futility; the Garden City residents voiced their concerns and vented their frustrations but no one from the Hempstead IDA was present to hear them. The IDA was represented only by its attorney, who would not take any questions with regard to the impending sale or its negative impact upon residential, school and commercial property taxes.

One may ask how this could happen. Well, let me explain some of the nuances and short comings of the IDA process. The following comes from the IDA website which states that, "Industrial Development Agencies (IDA) are public benefit corporations originally authorized by the industrial Development Agency Act of 1969 and governed by the provisions of Article 18-A of the General Municipal Law. IDAs are to promote, develop, encourage and assist in acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining or equipping certain facilities, thereby advancing the job opportunities, health, general prosperity and the economic welfare of New York. The IDA is required to hold a public hearing before approving any project for which financial assistance of more than $100,000 is proposed to be provided, but there is no requirement that IDA board members attend or respond to any questions or objections raised at such a hearing. IDA's are required however to adopt a uniform tax exemption policy, IDAs are allowed to deviate from that policy but they must explain in writing why there is a need to deviation and notify the affected taxing jurisdiction. While approval by these local governments is not required, the IDA is obligated to review and respond to any issues raised by them."

What good are IDAs and how well do they perform? There is some documentation covering these issues. The Long Island Business News reported information obtained from the N.Y.S. Controller's Office showing that, 'in 2005, almost half of the IDA-funded projects did not create jobs while 21 percent failed to meet job creation targets and 25 percent actually caused job cuts." They also found that some $266 million was lost in local governments through IDA exemptions, $136 million of which was lost to local school districts alone. IDA subsidized businesses promised 217,000 jobs but created only 79,000, which represents only 36% of the jobs promised. It was also reported that 60% of IDAs did not provide data for more than half the projects and 19% provided no data on job creation performance.

In February 2008 a report issued by State Controller Thomas P. DiNapoli entitled, "Performance of industrial Development Agencies" reported the following; 'The analysis of the data, as reported to the Office of the State Controller (OSC) by each IDA, suggests that additional measures to improve the transparency and accountability of IDA operations are needed." The report shows that IDA supported projects grew 16% between 2003 and 2006, with 41% in low pay service related projects. It also showed a decline of 5% in high pay manufacturing projects. The report goes on to state that by 2006, cumulative employment had grown by more than 228,000 jobs. However the IDAs typically were unable to verify the accuracy of the data by individual employers. In 2006, IDAs reported that assistance was provided to retain 424,122 jobs. But this represented only 90%, or a 10% drop, of the number of jobs in existence prior to IDA involvement. The report also shows a problem that complete project costs data were not available for 27% of all projects and that job data as not reported by 9% of all the projects.

The bottom line seems to be that IDAs provide millions in public and to businesses through local and state tax exemptions while providing virtually no oversight or accountability. The IDA process functions with little or no public input and with no regard for the taxpaying public, while our State Controller only suggests that additional measures be taken to oversee IDA operations. Why am I not surprised!!! This is yet another example of our government at work for the benefit of the few, the powerful, the rich and the politically well connected. Maybe the State should rename this corporation to the invisible Development Agency (IDA), since they don't have to show up to any meetings or answer any questions.

Bob Orosz

The St. Paul's Nightmare

To the Editor:

I firmly believed that my letter 'Disappointing Report' published in The Garden City News on August 1st would be my last one on this subject. Unfortunately, I was dead wrong. This by now pathetic, ridiculous and obnoxious zigzag issue continues getting more and more complex. In the August 1st issue of the G.C. News, Avalon Bay published a full page advertisement under the caption: "Mayor's Committee releases St. Paul's Report". It goes on stating that the plan provides a proposed financial deal for the Village that has been determined to be 'fair and equitable' by the Village Financial Advisor. I don't have the fuggiest idea who this person is and very strongly protest his/her representation on my behalf. This Advisor is not looking for my interest nor the Village. I deeply resent the fact that Avalon Bay is treating us, the residents, as if we are stupid, complete idiots, morons, imbeciles. After 15 years of contemplative inaction, nothing has been accomplished. The St. Paul's project is still an unresolved gigantic monstrosity problem. Somebody, something is just not well. In fact, the whole thing stinks. I am also quite suspicious since Avalon published during February and March full page advertisements in the local press praising the merits of their proposal/options. What really caught my attention, among other statements, was the following: "Avalon Bay has the financial resources needed to save and preserve the main building at St. Paul without major taxpayers expenses". I questioned those statements in my letter dated March 21st published in the G.C. News where among other things, I said: "Thank Avalon but no thank you. We just don't need any more taxes. Amazingly, Avalon Bay immediately deleted, as if by magic, those words from their further advertisements. I also feel betrayed by the St. Paul's Committee for drafting and approving such proposal. I know that several members did not agree but in the end, the 'majority' imposed their will. Undoubtedly, 'politics' prevailed. The pressure must have been unbearable but it would have been more honorable to withdraw the vote, to abstain, than to surrender. Yes, I feel betrayed. Additionally, I am shocked and bewildered to see a letter signed by Mr. Mauk and which appeared in the G.C. News edition of July 11th stating, among other things, the following: "As for Avalon Bay's proposal itself, my own impression is that it is a quality proposal on several accounts" I was under the impression that Mr. Mauk resigned his position as Chairman of this Committee in view of very serious allegations of impropriety due to a possible 'conflict of interest' between Avalon Bay and CB Richard Ellis, Mr. Mauk employer. After these allegations appeared in the press, Mr. Mauk did resign this position. I ask..how could he them continue to be the spokesmen and defender of Avalon Bay...? Something 'fishy' is going on. Where are you Mr. Mayor..? Once and for all please hear us, place this issue in the legal voting process and let the resident decide. It will be the correct and honorable thing to do. Enough is enough. Personally, and as I said before, I am leaning very, very heavily toward demolition. In fact, after considerable additional thought, that is my final recommendation. Instead of 108 new apartments (so far), 272 parking lots and other required structures, let's instead have a great open space, more green and less pollution in a privileged and pristine area. It will be our legacy to future generations. They will be grateful that we did. After all, St. Paul although beautiful and of some historical value, is not Versailles, The Hermitage, Taj Mahal or The Alhambra. But .....perhaps for someone it is just as important or even more. Mr. Frederick Leuffer in his letter dated August 1st (and which I soundly applaud) published in the G.C. News writes: However, if the Trustees are hung up on keeping this building, there is another way-private contributions. The cost to save the building is estimated as well under $50 million. Raising this amount should not be a problem as we are fortunate to have many wealthy residents who say they support preservation. If our Trustees and some residents really want to save St. Paul, then they should put the money up out their own pockets. Afterward, construction of something useful to all residents, could be affordable. Our Trustees can show their leadership by making the first pledges. It would be interesting to see who really want to save the building and who just like to talk about it". I enthusiastically support this suggestion while at the same time, I repeat the words pronounced over a century ago by the great writer and philosopher Emile Zola:

'J'accuse' and point my accusatory index toward the Committee, Avalon Bay, the Financial Advisor, the Mayor and all those involved in this horrendous fiasco. Perhaps, and as I said once before, our present form of government needs a complete and immediate overhaul. Enough is enough! In closing, and as mentioned before again and again, the Village will not benefit financially or otherwise in any manner or shape if this absurd option is approved. It only contain concessions to the promoter/builder and instead of taxes, the Village will receive a ridiculous PILOT agreement which of course, will not cover even one 10th of the cost toward the additional expenses generated by police, fire, sanitation and schools. The extra money will be paid by...guess who..the residents. Oh, I almost forgot to mention once more my gratitude and that of the residents to Avalon Bay for agreeing to make the chapel available to the Village at no cost for public use one day a week and for hosting an annual on-site event to allow additional public access to the Main Building. Such great magnanimity and generosity is truly breathtaking. Congratulations also to the Committee for having so successfully achieved such a tremendous, difficult, beneficial and wonderful concession from Avalon Bay. Surely, every member fought with tooth and nails in order to reach it.

Antonio Moreno

Nursery School Damaged

To the Editor:

The Garden City Nursery School offers preschool children in our community a program which enhances a child's social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Parents share in the education of the child, and we are a very close and wonderful community. As a staff member I feel fortunate to work with extremely professional and gifted colleagues, concerned and insightful parents and children who are smiling, playing, growing, and constantly learning. I've always felt that the GCNS represents the Garden City community as a whole; we work together and are deeply concerned for the collective well-being.

Extensive effort is put into the design and maintenance of our facility, both inside and out, to maximize each child's potential. Several times in the past few months my arrival to school was met with the discovery that trespassers had helped themselves to our playgrounds, destroyed equipment and playhouses, broken windows, and smeared feces. As you can imagine, I was extremely disheartened and appalled. As a community, we should respect each other's property and value our educational opportunities. Parents, please speak to your children one more time about respect for property, trespassing, and obeying the law. The police department is aware of this situation and we are planning to have our alarm system extended to cover our playground area. Please don't rely on a cell phone conversation to discuss your child's whereabouts. Know where your children are and what they are doing so a police officer does not have to be your informant. We would prefer to have the trespassers develop an appreciation for their community as a whole rather than involve the authorities.

A small group of people are responsible for the damages mentioned and for the most part the youth in our community are concerned and responsible individuals. I'm hoping we can help those who feel this is permissible and acceptable behavior. Please assist us in this mission.

Pamela O'Conor

Race For The Cure

To the Editor:

I am a senior, at Garden City High School, still trying to have people join or donate to my team. You can walk or run on day of race. This race is inspiring and it is why I began my quest in spreading the word about breast health education.

Let us make a difference. Please join my team (Garden City High School Team) by going to website: Komennyc.org and click join team.

"Race for Cure" in will be held in Central Park Sunday Sept. 14 (join before Sept. 1)

"Never doubt that a small group of committed citzens can change the world, for indeed that is the only thing that ever has." -Margaret Mead

Let us run breast cancer out of town.

Patricia McCormick

(Class of 2009)

Team Captain