The date for the poll related to the St. Paul's property has been set for December 2, announced Dennis Donnelly, president of the Eastern Property Owners' Association, and Brian Daughney, president of the Estates Property Owners' Association.

All Village residents are encouraged and welcome to participate in the poll, regardless of the geographic area of the Village in which they reside. The poll will be held in the field house at St. Paul's from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will be open to all residents who are at least 18 years old.

There will be registration tables upon entering and standard election-type voting machines will be utilized to record the results. The polling verification process will rely primarily upon the list of registered voters as maintained by the Nassau County Board of Elections; however, any resident whose name does not appear on the Board of Elections list will still be able to vote via paper ballot by showing some government-issued identification with a photo, such as a driver's license. Residents must bring proper identification. There will be no absentee ballots.

Donnelly said he hoped that all Village residents will read the Report of the Mayor's Committee regarding the St. Paul's property, copies of which are available at Village Hall, at the Public Library and on the Village Web site.

The non-binding poll will contain, as recommended by the Village Board of Trustees, three options for the site which are outlined in the Mayor's Committee report: proceed with the development proposal from AvalonBay, demolish the building or mothball the building. Residents will be required to pick one.

"Each option involves financial and other benefits, as well as costs, and none of the options should be considered without reading the report," Donnelly said. "There is plenty of information out there on the options now being considered, as well as the history of the site and the numerous options considered during the last 15 years." He referred residents to the Village Web site, www.gardencityny.net, and the EPOA's Web site, www.gcepoa.com.

Brian Daughney said the two POAs have worked very hard to find common ground with those involved in the process and have tried to reach a consensus on the poll questions. "Our respective boards have had many discussions together in the hope of getting a mutually agreeable format for the poll," he said. "In the end, although no poll will ever satisfy everyone or be perfect, we think following the three options set out in the Mayor's Report gives the residents the fairest and most comprehensive choices."

They are currently working to refine the exact language to be used. Once the wording is determined, they plan to publicize it in the local newspapers, as well as through other public venues such as POA Web sites.

Donnelly said that the two POA Boards of Directors thought it very important that all residents be allowed to participate. "Since any future preservation, use or development of the St. Paul's building can potentially affect everyone in the Village, and because it has been a center of controversy since it was acquired by the Village 15 years ago, we think anyone willing to express their opinion should have that opportunity," he said. "Moreover, our boards believe there needs to be finality and that most residents want a decision either way so that the Village can move on to other important issues."

Walter McKenna and Kathleen Auro, of the East and Estates POA respectively, will serve as the election commissioners and will jointly coordinate all aspects of planning and operations. They are looking for volunteers, and will accept help from anyone in the Village. For the Estates POA, e-mail Kathleen Auro at eaglesnestl@aol.com. For the Eastern POA, contact Walter McKenna at walter.mckenna@gcepoa.org.