Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray spoke to a packed room of Garden City residents at the Eastern Property Owners' Association's annual joint meeting on June 1 in the Garden City Library. Supervisor Murray, a key figure in the approval process now underway for the Lighthouse redevelopment project, assured the standing room only crowd that there would be "no cutting corners" by the Town of Hempstead in the approval process for Charles Wang's mixed-use proposal in the Nassau HUB.

On the matter of the Covanta waste treatment facility expansion, Supervisor Murray offered similar assurances that the approval process would not be rushed. The audience applauded her comment that reactivation of the rail line is not considered in the scoping document on adding a fourth incinerator. She said that traffic, air quality and noise are the most important factors explored in the approval process.

Newly elected EPOA president Walter McKenna said he was very happy that Ms. Murray accepted the invitation to speak at EPOA's annual meeting, noting that her visit represents the first time she was invited to speak to any civic association in Garden City.

He added that he was extremely happy to hear that Supervisor Murray shares the concerns of the EPOA and its residents with regard to the environmental impact that a project as massive as the proposed Lighthouse project or the Covanta expansion would have on the residents and businesses of Garden City. "After hearing her comments," Mr. McKenna stated, "I expect she will remain true to her commitment of allowing the process to unfold as required by law, so that all the facts are in place to make a decision that is in the best interest of the residents of Garden City."

In other business, Resident Electors of the East (any eligible voter residing in the Eastern section of GC) selected 10 nominees from a list of 22 candidates for the Garden City East Nominating Committee (also known as the 10-Member Nominating Committee) that proposes candidates for Village-wide offices, Village Board of Trustees and School Board Trustees. The following residents were elected to serve: May Conti, Sue Ellen Davis, John Delany, Jaime Gans, Hal Hecken, Joseph Moody, Neil O'Malley, Barbara Ruggiero, Robert Stark, Jr., and Mary Weille.

Members of the EPOA voted the following residents into office for a term of one year: Walter McKenna, president; Judy Courtney, vice president; Karl Schmidt, treasurer;

Christine Mullaney, corresponding secretary; Jaime Gans, corporate secretary. A by-law amendment was also passed that allowed the secretary function to be split into two positions.

EPOA members elected the following residents to terms as EPOA directors: for three years-Hal Hecken, Thomas Logan, Cheryl McAuliffe, Allison Sparacino; for two years-Rex Wood; for one year-Donald Byrne, John Latucca, Harrison Oellrich, Robert Orosz.

Four members of the EPOA 7-Member Nominating Committee that proposes candidates for EPOA officers and directors were also elected by EPOA members. They are Peter Bee, Janet Kenny, Barbara Ruggiero and John Schultz.

Forty percent of the Village of Garden City lives in the Eastern section, some 2,850 households. The EPOA's main governmental responsibility is to provide the mechanism for nominating candidates for election to the Board of Trustees and the School Board. Equally important, the EPOA serves as a civic association where residents can participate and voice their concerns about issues that affect the East and the entire Village. If you live in the East and are not a member, please consider joining with your neighbors in the EPOA. Visit the EPOA Web site-www.gcepoa.org-to become a member, for updates on current issues and for general Village information.