Email: editor@ gcnews.com

Democratically Run?

To the Editor:

Did you know that the position of Mayor of Garden City rotates amongst the four sections, and the most senior Trustee almost always just gets the job?

It is a 2-year stint, and the Trustee typically retires from the Board thereafter. What a ceremonial swan song! Mayor Rothschild reminded residents at his inauguration this year that the Mayor and Trustees are not paid. Does that mean we should excuse them ahead of time? Garden City residential taxes have doubled over the last decade and, based on data from the Citizens Budget Review Committee, I believe they will at least double again over the next five to ten years. This is especially the case because labor costs are skyrocketing as a percentage of our budget, as regular maintenance gets delayed and commercial taxes are stagnant.

Who will buy your house at any price when your taxes double? We can get through this, but I have grown to believe a full-time elected Mayor will be the only way we can break down the dysfunctional processes that got us here. This is up for our Trustees to vote on, and I appeal to them to take up the issue. In addition to helping us financially, I believe a full time elected mayor will be a good way for Garden City to join the ranks of many other more democratically-run towns. I don't see why anyone should be afraid of such progress.

Ron Tadross

Girl Scouts Collect Supplies

To the Editor:

We are writing this letter to inform you about our Bronze Award project. We are Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 1371 in Garden City. Our project is to send school supplies to poor kids in Guatemala. They cannot go to school year round so Mrs. Page, a teacher at Steward School, goes to teach them every summer. We are asking you for donations and to advertise in the Garden City News for donations. Thank you for your support.

To donate or for more information please contact:

Pat McAndrews

(516 ) 663-8464 daytime

(516) 385-4973 evening

Or

Stella Cristoforo

(516) 873-0343

Girl Scout Troop 1371

Vote No

To The Editor:

The American economy is being destroyed by an incompetent president with the connivance of his thuggish henchmen.

Here in Garden City, the school budget is going to be submitted next week.

One would expect Superintendent Feirsen, $247,500 plus obscene benefits, Mr. Chase, $190,600 plus obscene benefits, Mr. Celano, $185,655 plus obscene benefits, Teresa Prendergast, $180,130 plus obscene benefits and their overpaid lackeys to make a real attempt to pare all the insane spending.

Of course this can't happen.

They've decided to tread water and submit a budget that they think will pacify us.

They are as unconcerned as a pig in mud.

They make no real attempt to help the citizens ride out these financial doldrums.

Their only thought is to protect their fiefdom.

Vote against this "con" job.

We are drowning and they don't give a damn.

Angelo DiPippo

Acts Of Kindness

To the Editor:

Last week, my father unexpectedly passed away. He was 77 years old, but no one knew he was anywhere near ready to go. For the many of you who prayed, called, wrote us notes, came to the wake or funeral, sent flowers, dropped off dinners in the evening or 2 dozen bagels in the morning, offered to help with childcare and carpooling- I need you to know that for all that is wrong in this world and how horrible things may seem sometimes in the news- PEOPLE ARE TRULY GOOD.

The acts of kindness and generosity that were shown to me and my sisters and mother will never be forgotten. Whether you simply kept us in your thoughts or took off the necklace that I admired and placed on my neck- I appreciate it. I saw many of you who never met my Father shedding tears just because you knew that I was sad. I saw even more of you who had the pleasure of knowing my father and you took the time to tell me what a true Gentleman he was. I have lived my life dreading the day that I had to say Goodbye to him and I want you to know that you made it easier. I lost my Beloved Father this week but regained my Faith in Humanity. Thank you.

Kimberly Murphy Tobin