Friday, December 16, 2016
Vol. 93, No.15
FOUNDED 1923
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LOCALLY OWNED AND EDITED
Will sing for food PAGE 10 n Elderberry wine? PAGES 46-47
LIRR Third Track DEIS stirs up last-call for comments
GINGERBREAD BAKERS
BY RIKKI N. MASSAND After months of scrutiny and multiple appeals to state officials the fight over the LIRR third track may be “a losing battle” for Village of Garden City, despite the rallying of Mayor Nicholas Episcopia and other local political leaders on the front lines of the conversation. Deputy Mayor Brian Daughney listened to the concerns brought before him and the village’s Environmental Advisory Board on Wednesday, November 30 and again the next night, during the mayor’s update and public comments at the Village Board of Trustees’ December 1 meeting. He could only nod his head each night as he heard about the village’s dilemma with a short time frame and limited abilities, plus conclusions everyone has feared getting closer to reality. With the long-anticipated release of the MTA’s 1,000-page Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) on November 28, the fight to stop the Third Track appears bleak, and any minor concessions to Garden City and its residents closest to the existing track, including homeowners on and near Greenridge Avenue, would come forward with vital input provided in public comments and/or Village Board See page 48
Recently, the Garden City Library hosted its annual Gingerbread House making event! With baking coach Peggy in charge, the children and their families had a wonderful time constructing their holiday creations with marshmallows, gum drops, candy canes and pretzels. .
With turf questions answered, Recreation Department considers facility improvements BY RIKKI N. MASSAND The Village of Garden City is on the verge of constructing its third brand new turf field at Community Park – defined in Recreation Commission and Village Board discussions as a “multipurpose” field over 100 yards long for lacrosse, soccer and football – as design and playing field line specifications have now been provided to consultant Cameron Engineering to incorporate in the expected $2.5 million proj-
ect, scheduled for the 20172018 budget year. After a stir early this month surrounding FieldTurf, the maker of the current two and proposed third Community Park field, came forward the village’s department of Recreation and Parks consulted with Cameron Engineering, and the field’s design and build progress will not be stalled. The village has positive experience to bank on with its most recent big-ticket investments, and FieldTurf carries
a variety of products. Garden City Parks has only selected the XT synthetic fields with slit-film fibers for increased durability and softness, coupled with a 2-layer infill of rubber and silica sand to provide extra cushioning, a boon for safety. Still, the village monitored the recent news on FieldTurf. At the start of December reports ‘surfaced’ on NJ.com and in the Newark StarLedger titled “The 100-yard See page 45
At GCPL improvements enhance appeal for users BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
The Garden City Public Library is literally “plugging in” to adapt to the evolving needs of the village and its residents. Focus groups and community outreach appear to be sparking efforts on multiple fronts. A smaller step came first this week, as thanks to a contribution decided on by the Friends of GCPL, seven new mobile device charging stations will be featured in the library with both traditional plug-ins as well as USB ports. Cell phones and laptops can be charged while people work or read, without the need to find a wall or other plug location. It’s a simple move to keep innovations coming and enhance the library experience in Garden City, and more little things adding lots of value are expected as 2017 starts. At the Library Board of Trustees’ meeting on Monday night December 12, Friends of GCPL President Nancy Minett estimated the cost of between $35 and $40 per unit for a total of $400. A GCHS student at the meeting said he looks forward to using the chargers as he and many friends frequent the library to study and work. See page 45
Garden City HS honors Fall Champions PAGES 54-55 Village ushers in holidays with tree lighting PAGE 36