The Garden City News (1/8/21)

A NEW TERM

New York State Senator Kevin Thomas was sworn in for his second term by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran (right) on January 5th. Looking on are Sen. Thomas’ wife, Rincy, and two year-old daughter, Layla.

GC school district provides special education services in spite of pandemic

BY RIKKI N. MASSAND

At the Tuesday, January 5th Board of Education work session, school board trustees and community members heard about Special Education and Pupil Personnel Services, especially relevant at a time when challenges of virtual learning have thrown staff and students into new territory. In addition, the Director and Assistant Director of Pupil Personnel

Services are both new to the district, having both been hired less than eight months ago.

Garden City’s Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Janine Villez, was hired last year in May. At the board’s reorganization meeting in July, Villez was additionally appointed to multiple official school district roles — as designated supervisor of attendance; Medicaid Compliance officer; Section 504 Compliance officer/

coordinator, and as the district’s homeless children liaison.

Desirée Clemente began in her position as assistant director for Pupil Personnel Services in summer 2020. Clemente has 17 years of experience as an educator and administrator for students with special needs. Villez noted that even in the best of years, bringing two new administrators into the PPS

See page 43

Covid-19 outbreak at GC High School sends seniors home

BY MEG MORGAN NORRIS

Garden City High School’s senior class, which had mostly been attending classes on a hybrid, alternating day schedule, was placed on fully remote instruction this week after an outbreak of Covid-19.

Of the total 70 cases of Covid among high school students since September, 41 of the positives have been found in the past week, according to statistics from New York State (as of January 5th).

In a letter to parents this week, Garden City Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha said that there are currently 33 active cases of Covid-19 among members of the senior class alone. She said that the Nassau County Department of Health recommended that the entire senior class remain on virtual instruction until at least Monday, January 11th. The Department of Health is investigating and identifying close contacts of the infected students. She urged parents to abide by all testing and quarantining protocols.

Costs get clearer for water remediation equipment

BY RIKKI N. MASSAND

During the December 10th Board of Trustees’ meeting Village Treasurer Irene Woo stated that while the original estimate for systems to remove 1,4 dioxane from Garden City’s water had been expected to be about $50 million, in actuality the cost will be closer to $43 million. In addition New York State is expected to reimburse the Village for some of the costs.

Cost increases for remediating the water system were set forth in the form of change orders and some structural modifications at village well sites. One of the two major costs allocated at December’s meeting was for the a contaminant removal system to Melville-based Philip Ross Industries, Inc. That cost was

Just a few more months

This week we heard reports of a cluster of Covid-19 cases among students at Garden City High School, which has caused the school district to put the senior class on remote-only instruction.

We’re sure this is very distressing to the students who would like to get back to full-time in-person instruction. Last month students and parents had lobbied the Board of Education to bring students back to class every day, and this outbreak is a setback to that.

We’ve heard that over the holiday break some students and families have held gatherings, and have traveled out of state to places with high rates of Covid-19, without quarantining when they returned. Some have been called out on social media for this.

While we don’t believe in public shaming, and wish there was more kindness on social media, it’s important to remember that actions have consequences. And in a pandemic, those consequences can be far reaching.

Yes, it’s really boring to stay home every weekend. Yes, we’d like to go on vacation too. We miss our distant family members too.

But it’s only for a few more months. The vaccines are here (albeit not being rolled out fast enough). This long terrible pandemic will not last forever.

Just hang on and do the right things for a few more months!

Masks, hand washing and social distancing are a lot easier than being sick.

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

Focus must be on all Village needs

To the Editor:

As I mentioned previously, being a Mayor and a Trustee, your focus must be on all the needs of our Village. Many times a large project or two receives all the attention. What I wanted to remind our residents of is the numerous projects and accomplishments that your Board has accomplished over the last several years. Below is a partial list of them:

• Negotiated a dedicated ambulance service for Garden City. More than 2,000 residents per year utilize this service at ZERO cost to the Village.

• Maintained a Aaa rating with a stable outlook on our Village debt while keeping our average annual tax increas-

es LESS THAN 2 percent over the last 10 years.

• Modernized all technology throughout the Village, including new and enhanced cyber security.

• Installed bollards on 7th Street to protect our residents while dining. These bollards were installed at the northwest and southwest corners of Franklin Avenue and Seventh Street, in front of Leo’s and The French Workshop, to enhance pedestrian safety.

• Rehabilitating and preserving the Nassau Blvd. train station parking lot. The Village has been able to use almost 90 percent of the original bricks, which date back to 1907, when the station was built.

• Installed LED lights throughout

See page 54

ReVAMP calls for resignation of two trustees over ‘monster poles’

SUBMITTED BY RESIDENT VOTERS AGAINST MONSTER POLES

On December 10, 2020, the Garden City Board of Trustees voted to hire Berkman Henoch Peterson Peddy & Fenchel, P.C. to sue the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Long Island Rail Road, and others responsible for installing rows of towering 120-foottall steel utility poles, accompanying wooden distribution poles, and an associated mesh of electrical wiring on the residential southside of the LIRR tracks by Merillon Avenue Station and Strawberry Fields. The “Monster Poles” and wiring were surreptitiously installed beginning in March 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown as part of the MTA’s ongoing Third Track Project.

Despite the shocking disfiguration of the once beautiful expanse, the vote to litigate only came by a 4-4 tie, with Mayor Theresa Trouvé casting the extra, tie-breaking vote. Mayor Trouvé, along

with fellow yes-voters Louis Minuto and Mark Hyer, had been early and appreciated supporters of ReVAMP’s efforts against the MTA, but they lacked a fourth vote until Trustee Bob Bolebruch joined them on December 10th, nine months after the poles arrived.

Trustees John Delany and Colleen Foley voted against litigation. They were joined by Trustees Brian Daughney and Stephen Makrinos, who together led the Board’s Third Track Committee authorized to represent Garden City’s interests during the Third Track Project.

Resident Voters Against Monster Poles (ReVAMP) is a group of concerned residents that formed when the Third Track Committee signaled it would not work to hold the MTA accountable. This submission is not made lightly, but the magnitude of the damage done relative to the lack of leadership displayed by Trustees Daughney and Makrinos compel us to it. For the reasons stated

See page 53

Newly renovated Adelphi center set to open

For the past year and a half, Adelphi University’s hub of campus life, the Ruth S. Harley University Center (the UC), has been undergoing a major renovation. On January 18, the new, expanded, state-ofthe-art center will re-open its doors.

While the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting NYS Pause Act signed by Governor Cuomo in March 2020 did cause some delays, the general contractor on the project, Whiting Turner, adapted to incorporate all safety measures and bring the job to completion.

The new UC will feature an expansive dining area, a full Starbucks, more meeting space, new student lounges and outdoor spaces for dining, classes or lounging, a new ballroom, an expanded, glass-walled commuter lounge, upgraded art gallery space, a lactation room and gender neutral bathrooms and more.

“Planning and completing the UC renovation was an enormously collaborative project,” said Jim Perrino, executive vice president of finance and administration at Adelphi. “I am so thankful for the input of students, faculty, staff and alumni, who provided thoughtful insight into how we could recreate this building consistent with our core values. The result is a beautiful, efficient and environmentally-friendly structure that was completed with more than 41% of the labor costs going to

minority and women-owned businesses.”

The UC upgrade also features improved accessibility and modernized technology to enhance meetings, conferences and events. Additionally, wherever possible, recycled and bio-based materials were used in the construction.

“Our Ruth S. Harley University Center is central to life at Adelphi in Garden City – not just for our students, faculty, staff and alumni, but also our greater community”, said Adelphi President Christine Riordan, PhD. “I am grateful to the Village of Garden City for the part-

nership, thoughtful oversight and support that helped our University bring a monumental project across the finish line. It has been my privilege to oversee the transformation of our iconic UC, and to share in the anticipation with our Adelphi family.”

This is an excellent time to sell your home! Historically low

low inventory and strong qualified buyer demand

to fuel this sellers’ market. There are many qualified buyers ready, willing and able to buy in Garden City NOW!

If you are thinking of selling your home this year, please contact us as soon as possible. There is no need to wait until spring. And please don’t worry that the house isn’t “ready” to be seen yet, we know what to look for.

Sometimes the most difficult part of selling is knowing where to start. That is where we come in. Call, text or email us. We are ready when you are!

Adelphi University’s Ruth S. Harley University Center

Photo courtesy of Adelphi University

Breslin, Michael Fedor, Robert McMahon, Joseph Pentrancosta, Tara Rice

Stephen Baymack

Stephanie Cullum Manager/ Assoc. Broker

Patricia Aprigliano Deirdre Albertson Susan Bashian Laura Baymack

Andrea Bharucha Suzanne Blair Liz Breslin Barbara Chmil Roberta Clark Arlene Conigliaro

Christopher Conners Kate Crofton Denise Donlon Bill Eckel Atticka Ellis Lisa Fedor

Laura Fitzgerald Laura Giacini Tara Iori Nancy Giannone Pamela Goeller Karen Guendjoian

Maribeth Quinn

John H Russo

Theanne Ricci Laura Rich Elise Ronzetti Sharon Redmond

Angela Linda Sambus

Cathleen Fennessy Whelan

Patricia Savella Viviian Tener Kathleen Thornton Mary Weille

Louisa Pironi

Barbara Moore Patricia O Grady Julie O’Neill Rita Paiewonsky

Or Mayer

Monica Kiely

Roseanne McMahon Cheryl Adams McAuliffe Jayne McGratty Armstrong

Chris Martocci Sean McCoyd

We extend our heartfelt

We wish everyone a happy and healthy New

Sincerely,

Steve & Laura Baymack

Chestnut

Vassar

Whitehall

Leaving the scene

Garden City Police investigated a two-vehicle crash on Old Country Road on December 30th in which one of the vehi cles reportedly left the scene.

Unemployment fraud

The Garden City Police are investigating a report of an unknown person filing for unauthorized unemploy ment benefits by using another person’s identity.

Electronics missing

On December 30th a resident reported that he noticed multiple electronic items missing after having several guests inside his home.

Electrical fire

Garden City Police and firefighters o responded to a residence for a small electrical fire on New Year's Eve.

Business identity theft

Detectives are investigating an identity theft report after a Garden City business reportedly received payment notices for a U.S. Small Business Administration Loan the company never filed for.

Covid party

On New Year's Day a 21-year-old male was charged with violation of the Governor’s Executive Orders for holding a large party with numerous guests at his residence.

Shoplifting reported

CVS reports three male youths with backpacks entered the store and allegedly stole multiple packages of cold medicines and nutritional shakes.

Stolen packages

Packages were reported stolen from in front of a residence in the Cherry Valley Ave. apartment complex.

Impeding traffic

On New Year's Day police charged a 52 year-old man with driving with 11 license suspensions and impeding traffic at the intersection of Meadow Street and Washington Avenue.

Leaving the scene

On January 2nd Garden City Police investigated a two-vehicle crash on Franklin Avenue in which one of the vehicles reportedly left the scene.

Shoplifting arrest

Garden City Police arrested a 46-year-old male for the alleged theft of several boxes of razors from CVS.

Missing plates

On January 4th a4A resident reports license plates ordered from the DMV were never delivered to his residence.

Unregistered

On January 5th a motorist was charged with driving on Franklin Avenue with a suspended registration and unregistered operation.

Stolen check

On January 5th Garden City detectives arrested a 29-year-old male for the alleged theft and unauthorized cashing of a $3,500 check placed in the mail by a Garden City Plaza business. He was also charged with an outstanding larceny warrant from Suffolk County and a traffic warrant from Nassau County.

Happy Holidays to all of our valued Garden City customers.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued loyalty over the past several months as we joined together six of the area’s leading names in security and fire protection –GC Alarm, Worldwide Security, SCAN Security, Bellringer Security, Supreme Security, and Briscoe Protective. Now we can provide an expanded set of security offerings and help to make the NY Metro area a safer place for you, your family and your business.

Don’t have a “Briscoe Protective” sign yet? Call us at 516.294.6434. We’ll install one, and as a thank you for your patronage, we’ll provide a complimentary system check while we are there. Be sure to check out page 3 of this paper for more information on how we can keep you and your property safe with a CCTV system.

Have a joyous holiday season and may the New Year bring you and your family many blessings!

Garden City Real Estate Market Information

RECENT REAL ESTATE SALES IN GARDEN CITY

Loan

Sold Price: $925,000 Date: 12/28/2020

4 bedrooms, 2 full baths Style: Cape Total taxes: $12,095 Lot Size: .14 acres MLS number: 3250887

The Seller’s Team: Compass Greater NY

The Buyer’s Team: Information unavailable

Beautiful Cape Cod style home located in the Estate Section of Garden City. Offering 4 generous size bedrooms, including a large master with a gorgeous spa-like bathroom and an additional full bath. This inviting home has a desirable open concept and is great for entertaining. The living room has an attractive fireplace and there’s stunning picture windows throughout. The kitchen opens up into a bright dining room, it has stainless steel appliances and leads out to a lovely patio with sizable, private backyard. Spacious basement with laundry, utilities, and storage. Beautifully landscaped and extremely well maintained, additional features include in-ground sprinklers, whole house water filtration system and alarm system. Close to transit and parks. Please note: This property is waiting on permits to be closed out on Family Room and Powder Room which will increase the size to over 1500 sq t. Very low taxes! 98 Locust Street

11 Wyatt Road

Sold price: $870,000

Date: 12/27/2020

Style: Colonial

4 bedrooms, 1 full bath, 1 half bath

Lot Size: .16 acres

Total taxes: $15,584

MLS number: 3268646

The Seller’s Team: Compass Greater NY

The Buyer’s Team: David Pastorini, Coldwell Banker Phillips

Charming 4-bedroom Colonial located on a beautiful tree-lined street features 2000 interior sq ft and a deep 55’ x 125’ lot. The main level has a great circular flow and features an entry vestibule with french doors, spacious living room with gas fireplace and beautiful moldings, den/ home office, large eat-in kitchen, powder room and formal dining room with doors that lead out to the large backyard. Upstairs you will find 4 good size bedrooms and full bathroom. Other highlights include: hardwood floors throughout, walk up attic, 2 car detached garage, walkout basement and 200-amp electric. Conveniently located near school and neighborhood park.

Sold Price: $1,059,000

Date: 01/03/2021

Style: Colonial

3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, 1 half bath

Total taxes: $21,747

Lot Size: .14 acres

MLS number: 3257934

The Seller’s Team: Andrea Bharucha, Coach Realtors Fennessy Associates

The Buyer’s Team: Margaret Leder, Signature Premier Properties

Mott Section! Mint classic side hall brick Colonial, with desired floor plan, this home is move in ready! 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 bath, full finished basement, with a great kitchen great room addition. 1st floor: Formal dining room and living room w/French doors leading to side yard, EIk with vaulted ceiling family room, great for entertaining, additional features include: expanded powder rm, laundry rm, and California closet mudroom. 2nd floor: Master bedroom, 2 additional bedrooms and full bathroom basement: Full finished, with full bath, recreational room, gym room, utility and lots of storage This home has it all!

This informational page is sponsored by Douglas Elliman Real Estate

Houses featured on this page were sold by various real estate agencies

Village Hall is open. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Visitors are required to wear a face covering, maintain social distancing of six feet and sign in to a Visitor’s Log outside of the office they are visiting. Furthermore, while multiple people can enter Village Hall, only one person will be admitted into each office space at a time and are asked to abide by employee instructions.

Stewart Field Update

The Stewart Field/Motor Parkway parking field project is complete, according to Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi. The lights were delivered and installed in early December. The remaining historical aspects of this project include the creation of historical signage by the entrances, although the location of the signs and the messaging have not yet been designed and approved. These historical markers will help educate visitors to the significance of the roadway.

Fire Department 2020 Call Log

During the 2020 calendar year, the Garden City Fire Department responded to 896 calls for assistance, including numerous mutual aid calls in December. On Dec. 21, the

Department provided assistance to the Carle Place Fire Department at the scene of a working house fire. On Dec. 27, the Department assisted the Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department at a working fire in Garden City South.

Here in the Village, firefighters responded to a fire at the Garden City Country Club on Dec. 18, which was quickly extinguished in the first floor ceiling of the Golf Pro Shop building. The Department also responded to an auto accident with entrapment on Clinton Road and Stewart Avenue on Dec. 26. Members had to use extrication equipment to remove one passenger.

basis. We are fortunate to have them.” Interested in joining the Department? Email membership@ gcfdny.com or visit www.gcfdny.com/ recruitment for more information. All of your firefighting and emergency training will be available to you free of charge from both the Nassau County Fire Service Academy and through fire department in-house training.

Collection of Christmas trees, wreaths

Chief Thomas Strysko thanks the 99 volunteer members of the Department for their dedicated and faithful service. Mayor Theresa Trouvé added, “I am proud of our firefighters for their complete dedication to the challenging tasks that they face on a daily

A reminder to residents who have a natural Christmas tree or wreath to dispose of, please leave them at the curb on your regularly scheduled recycling collection day. They will be collected by the Department of Public Works and offered to other agencies for beach erosion control or rendered at the Village Yard for use around trees and shrubs as mulch.

Please assist the Village by removing tree stands, strands of electric lights and plastic bags from the discarded trees and cooperate with your neighbors by disposing of them only on the scheduled recycling collection days. If you have an artificial Christmas tree for disposal, call the Sanitation Department for a special pickup at 465-4031 or 465-4032.

Bridge strikes in Village

The Garden City Police Department reported three bridge strikes in five days during December. Although clearance height signs, including solar power units, are clearly marked in the area and the site of Long Island Rail Road overpass bridges, incidents of bridge strikes continue in the Village.

On Dec 22, a truck traveling southbound struck the Cherry Valley overpass. The 39-year-old male operator sustained chest pains and was transported by NYU ambulance to Winthrop Hospital. He was charged with disregarding bridge clearance signs. The next day, a truck traveling southbound struck the Cherry Valley overpass. The 28-year-old male operator was charged with disregarding

See page 52

Open House

Sunday, January 10 from 11:30am–1:00pm Garden City | 127 Second Street, Unit #D-4

$459,000 | 2 BR, 1.5 BA | Welcome to this charming duplex in Hamilton Gardens. The arched-doorway entry foyer leads to a spacious living room/dining room with stunning architectural details and hardwood floors. The efficiency kitchen includes stainless appliances and granite countertops. An updated half bath completes the first floor. A beautiful staircase leads to the second floor, where there are two amply-sized bedrooms with custom closets. The outdoor terrace overlooks park-like grounds. This must-see is priced to sell! elliman.com | Web# 3278296

Eleni Koutsoftas

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson O 516.307.9406 | M 203.253.3765 eleni.koutsoftas@elliman.com

Mayor Theresa Trouvé

WE ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH AND DINNER Sun -Thurs 11:30-9pm Fri & Sat 11:30-10pm

Grimaldi’s Family Meals Are

Available January 4 through April 3 for lunch and dinner, Take Out Only

FAMILY MEAL #1 - $30 PLUS TAX

One 18” Pizza with choice of Spinach and Artichoke Dip Or Grimaldi’s Mixed Salad & Complimentary 2 liter bottle of soda

FAMILY MEAL #2 - $40 PLUS TAX

One 18” Pizza, One Order of Penne alla Vodka, Choice of Spinach and Artichoke Dip Or Grimaldi’s Mixed Salad & Complimentary 2 liter bottle of soda

FAMILY MEAL #3 - $45 PLUS TAX

Two 18” Pizzas with choice of Spinach and Artichoke Dip Or Grimaldi’s Mixed Salad & Complimentary 2 liter bottle of soda

FAMILY MEAL #4 - $80 PLUS TAX

Two 18” Pizzas, 1/2 Tray Chicken Parmigiana & Complimentary Bottle of Cabernet OR Pinot Griegio

or Gratuity, Available for Take Out, No Substitutions*

GAME TAKE-OUT SPECIALS February 7, 2021 $ 30 PLUS TAX Two 16” Pizzas (Toppings Not Includes) A Grimaldi’s Mixed Green Salad & A 2 Liter Bottle Of Soda 1/2 Tray Of Assorted Pinwheels With A Side Of Sauce $ 25 PLUS TAX 1/2 Tray Of Buffalo Wings $ 30 PLUS TAX

TAKEOUT & DELIVERY

SUNDAY - THURSDAY 11:30-9

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 11:30-10

We Are Open For Inside Dining at 50% Capacity

You must wear a mask to and from the tables. Thank you for your cooperation Now Accepting Reservations For Parties of 6 or More A $25 fee will be applied if canceling within 3 hours of reservation.

Find your place with the Laura Carroll Team

Let me be your guide to Garden City. My team and I specialize in working with first time home buyers and bring a keen sense of the neighborhoods of Central Nassau County, with a focus in Garden City and Rockville Centre. Looking forward to helping you achieve your real estate goals in 2021.

Happy New Year!

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson jennifer.sullivan@compass.com M: 516.361.7190

To all my friends and clients, I hope that peace, happiness and prosperity are yours throughout the New Year. I am so very grateful for your business, referrals and the trust you have put in me. Home has never been more important and now is the perfect time to plan for the upcoming year.

Garden City Office 182 7th Street, Garden City, NY 11530

A New Year is a powerful occasion. It’s a time when we reflect on our gratitude for the past and our hopes for the future. It is a chance to welcome a fresh start for chasing goals and dreams.

If

you are thinking of selling your home, let Jen Sullivan guide you.

Testimonials

“Do yourself a favor and seek out Jen Sullivan if you are looking to buy a home in Garden City! Jen is knowledgeable, creative, savvy, a good negotiator, and most importantly – an amazing listener. Jen goes out of her way to understand your needs, your dreams, and your finances and pays attention to the details. She is responsive, hard-working, prompt, dependable and a pleasure to be around. This a person you can trust to close your deal!”

- The McManus family

“Jen Sullivan is a phenomenal realtor. When we first sat down with her she exuded not only confidence and competence but also a calming influence over what can be a stressful situation. We chose Jen because of her professionalism and her knowledge. Our home went on the market on a Monday and by Sunday we had an offer above our asking price. Jen had about 22 showings that week and made the entire process bearable. She is easily reachable and was available for all the showings. We’d give her 6 stars if we could.”

- Peg and Jim Rogers

The holidays are upon us and the importance of gratitude has never been more paramount.

We are grateful for each and every client, past and present, and we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

FABGC endorses Cosmo Vene ziale for mayor

The Garden City group "For A Better Garden City" is pleased to announce the candidacy of Cosmo Veneziale for Mayor of the Village of Garden City. Cosmo Veneziale is the principal of Cosmo Veneziale, Architect P.L.L.C. and is a registered architect in the states of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Mr. Veneziale has been a designer, project architect and associate with several award- winning architectural firms. He has received recognition for his design and construction administration of adaptive reuse housing, institutional alterations, interiors, restaurants, luxury apartments and custom houses. Mr. Veneziale’s work has been published in the New York Times, New York Construction News, Crain’s New York, Audio Video Interiors, Metropolitan Home and Architectural Record. Cosmo Veneziale, Architect, P.L.L.C. was awarded the 2020 Lucy G. Moses Award by the New York Landmarks Conservancy for the restoration of the McGraw-Hill Building.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Architecture (B.S. Arch 77’) and Bachelor of Architecture (B. Arch 78’) from the City College of New York, School of Architecture, Mr. Veneziale joined the firm of Norman Rosenfeld, A.I.A. as an intern Architect. Mr. Veneziale was involved in the design and construction administration of ambulatory and primary healthcare facilities during his time at Norman Rosenfeld’s office.

In 1980, Mr. Veneziale joined the firm of David Kenneth Specter and Associates, P.C. to design and administrate residential and institutional projects. As a result of his influence on the firm’s design, construction details

and project delivery methodologies, Mr. Veneziale was named an Associate in 1985. As an Associate for more than ten years, Mr. Veneziale was responsible for the design and construction administration of several major alteration projects such as Harbour Pointe, Staten Island, NY a 131 apartment unit adaptive reuse project, the Alteration of the Greenburgh Hebrew Center, Dobbs Ferry, NY and the alteration / addition of Bet Torah, Mt. Kisco, NY. In addition, Mr. Veneziale has worked and consulted with clients such as Rose Associates, Tishman Realty and Construction Corp., The 92nd Street “Y”, The United States Tennis Association and Consolidated Edison Co. of New York.

In 1996, Mr. Veneziale formed Murno and Veneziale, Architects L.L.P. to provide architectural, interior design and construction administration services to a growing number of private and corporate clients. As managing partner of Murno and Veneziale, Architects, L.L.P., Mr. Veneziale was the principal in charge of the restoration design of several major New York City landmark buildings including the ABC Armory, the Apthorp Apartments, Harperley Hall, a 12 story “Arts and Crafts” style apartment building and 168 East 73rd Street, a Neo-Flemish style townhouse. Mr. Veneziale was also the Principal in charge of the adaptive reuse design of the YWCA of Brooklyn, wherein 88 new efficiency apartments were constructed with new building systems totaling over 25 million dollars of construction.

In 2020, Cosmo Veneziale, Architect, P.L.L.C. completed the 40-million-dollar restoration of the McGraw-Hill Building, an office building in NYC, listed on the National Register of Historic Places originally designed by Raymond Hood, one of America’s foremost skyscraper Architects. The 35 story Art Deco style building has undergone extensive exterior and interior restoration with exquisite attention to detailing of over 3000 new historically accurate windows, terra cotta restoration and full mechanical, electrical and plumbing system design.

While managing his own award-winning firm, Mr Veneziale has been extremely active in the Village, volunteering his time for decades. He was a member of the Garden City Board of Education Ad Hoc Committee responsible for 37 million dollars of school construction alterations. Mr. Veneziale and members of the Ad Hoc Committee saved residents millions of taxpayer dollars while making alterations to all of the Garden City Schools. In 2000, as a member of the Ad Hoc Committee, Mr. Veneziale was named Garden City Citizen of the Year. Mr. Veneziale was also a mem-

Continued on page 24

Cosmo Veneziale

DISCOVER THE FINEST IN SENIOR LIVING

The Bristal Assisted Living has been serving seniors and their families in the tri-state area since 2000, offering independent and assisted living, as well as state-of-the-art memory care programs. We are committed to helping residents remain independent, while providing peace of mind that expert care is available, if needed. Designed with seniors in mind, each of our communities feature exquisitely appointed apartments and beautiful common areas that are perfect for entertaining. On-site services and amenities include daily housekeeping, gourmet meals, a cinema, salon, plus so much more. Discover a vibrant community, countless social events with new friends, and a luxurious lifestyle that you will only find at The Bristal.

“Commuter’s

Move right into this meticulously maintained expanded ranch located in the desirable western section in the Village of Garden City, just minutes from the LIRR station. This home has the perfect floor plan geared towards easy living. It features a large living room with a wood burning fireplace and bow window, a cheerful eat-in-kitchen with wood cabinets, granite countertops and a sliding door leading to the yard, five bedrooms and two full new baths. This house is perfectly landscaped on a 60x100 lot with a one-car detached garage.

Other amenities: hardwood floors throughout, new windows, hi-hats, great closets, recreation room and storage space.

LOW TAXES: $14,311.80

Offered at $889,000

Call for an appointment for a private showing

Louisa Pironi

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Mobile: (516) 458-2505 lpironi@coachrealtors.com

Susan Bashian

Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Mobile:(516) 503-4400 susieb2@yahoo.com

Early Childhood Program

Nursery – Kindergarten, ages 3-5

• Choose Full Summer or Flexible 25-day minimum

• Early Childhood Option:

Half-Day: 8:30am - 12:00 or Full-Day: 8:30am - 3:00pm

• The program offers a rich play experience

• Optional aftercare to 6:00pm NEW Early Childhood Playground

Summer at Waldorf Visit Us

Sunday, January 17th

“The

counselors and staff at the Summer Program are exceptional!”

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Waldorf School of Garden City 225 Cambridge Ave., Garden City (516) 742-3434 x327

safehealthy,“Happy,and summer fun!”

SUMMER DATES: Wednesday, June 30 to Friday, August 13, 2021

FABGC nominates Bruce Chester for Trustee

SUBMITTED BY FOR A BETTER GARDEN CITY

FABGC is pleased to announce Bruce Chester as a candidate for the Board of Trustees from the Estates Section of the Village of Garden City.

Bruce Chester is an Insurance Professional with 45 years’ experience. After graduating from Villanova University in 1975, Mr. Chester started his career working for The Travelers Insurance Co. in New York City. After several years Bruce joined The Chester Insurance Agency in Carle Place and Bruce became its President in 1990.

Chester Agency sold all forms of insurance; auto, home and business. Running a business is never easy, running a profitable one is even harder. Mr. Chester operated this business profitably by carefully managing expenses and operating within budget.

Having insured several municipalities, including fire departments, water districts, volunteer ambulance corp., school districts and country clubs, Bruce has seen numerous lawsuits that can arise related to these entities, and strongly believes in minimizing any Village’s risks. Mr. Chester does not write any insurance for the Village of Garden City, and will NOT, if elected to the Board of Trustees. However, Bruce looks forward to providing advice to the Village from his decades of experience.

Mr. Chester has been involved in several Professional organizations, including the Tri County Insurance Agents Association. This Association consists of over 400 Independent Insurance agents throughout Brooklyn, Queens, and Nassau. Bruce served as a Board member from 1995-2006 and served as President in 2004-2005. This involved lobbying with local state and federal

elected officials concerning insurance issues. Bruce was chosen as “Insurance Person of the Year” in 2008 by TriCounty. He also received the Insurance Executive of the year award from the Downstate Insurance Council in 2014. In 2017, Bruce merged the Chester Insurance Agency into the Dooley, Deremer, Orr and Arkin Agency and is currently working in Garden City.

Bruce Chester has been involved in numerous civic, service and religious organizations during his career. He served as President of the WestburyCarle Place Kiwanis Club, and was a 35 year member of the Carle Place Civic Association, lecturing on various insurance topics at their meetings. He is currently a member of the Lions Club, a club that raised over $500,000 in the past few years to help the blind.

Bruce is currently serving as the Grand Knight of Corpus Christi Council #2502 and is responsible for the finances of this Catholic men’s organization. He has been a member of St Joseph’s parish in Garden City since moving here in 1998.

Bruce and his wife Patti, a CPA, have lived on 220 Kensington Road for over 22 years. They have raised 4 children; Katie, Daniel, Christine and Lizzie, all who have gone through the excellent Garden City School system. Three have graduated from Georgetown University and one graduated from Boston College. The youngest, a brand new nurse treated COVID patients on ventilators, this past spring.

Having had 4 children, Bruce and Patti were at various sports venues watching them play soccer, lacrosse, wrestling and volleyball. Bruce coached GC Centennial Soccer for many years.

Bruce, an avid college basketball fan, has attended in person all 3 Villanova NCAA championship games.

Bruce moved to Garden City for the excellent schools and the beauty of the Village. That beauty has been destroyed by the Third Track Construction. Mr. Chester became involved after the beautiful trees at the end of Kensington Road were ripped down. A number of trees were on Village Property and the LIRR ripped them down anyway. Bruce and a neighbor, who had worked for the LIRR for many years, met with representatives of 3rd Track Constructors in September of 2019. They were told that trees would be replanted by the spring of 2020. Instead of trees, they planted 100 foot poles, upsetting a good number of Northern Estates residents. There was little help from the representatives of both the Estates POA and the BOT. It was very frustrating attending meetings both live, and remotely, and

Bruce Chester

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1/10 2-4

80 Wellington Road Garden City

Asking $939,000

Happy New Year, Happy New Home!

Estates Location Renovated Colonial Move-in Ready!

Located in the Heart of the Estates Section of the Village of Garden City

Flexible Side Hall Floor Plan; Entry Foyer with Huge Closet, Family Room, Living Room with Fireplace, Dining Room with Sliders to the Backyard. Updated Eat in Kitchen that is Open to the Dining Room.

2nd Floor: 3 Bedrooms and an Updated Full Hallway Bath

3rd Floor: Guest Quarters /Bonus Area with Updated Full Bath and Storage Finished Basement with Recreation Room, Office Area, Laundry, & Utilities

Additional Info: Central Air, Updated Electric,Alarm, Gas Heat, Paver Patio, In-Ground Sprinklers, Nice Backyard, One Car Detached Garage with a Long Driveway

Close to LIRR-Nassau Blvd. Station, with Bus to Homestead Primary, Stratford Elementary, & the Middle School, Near to the High School and Village Parks. Low taxes

Do business with me this year-closed transaction and I will make a donation to a local charity such as: Jake’s TeamCystic Fibrosis, I’m Not Done Yet-Bobby Menges, Paul Eckna Memorial Foundation, Alexandra DeMoura Memorial

OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY 1/10 12-1:30

214 Stewart Avenue Garden City

Asking $1,275,000

Come see this Beautiful Estate Section Tudor. Home was designed with input from famous architect Olive Tjaden

This house sits on a few feet less than a half an acre with double driveway on Roxbury Rd, brick 2 car garage. Inside you have very large rooms to relax in.The bridal staircase spans from the 1st to 3rd floor! Enter through a double door foyer with a coat closet. To the right you have an entertainment size living room with leaded windows- built-in bookcases, fieldstone fireplace, family room adjacent to that room. On the left you have a banquet size dining room opening to an eat in kitchen, and half bath.

2nd Floor: a master bedroom with ensuite bath-a covered balcony, walk-in closet, additional closets, 3 additional bedrooms and full hall bath. 3rd fFoor: you have a bedroom, a full bath, and either another bedroom or use it as a home office. On the lower level there’s a finished basement with a recreation room, laundry room, storage area and furnace room with an outside entrance to the huge park like yard. Convenient to LIRR Nassau Blvd Station, Bus to Homestead, Stratford, and Middle School Reasonable taxes for this size home and property

Suzanne Eigl

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

Luxury Home Marketing Specialist Senior Real Estate Specialist-SRES Your Local Realtor For Over 28 Years Cell 516-384-4773 Office 516-741-4333

email: SuzanneEigl@gmail.com

n Plumbing repairs

n Drain cleaning

n Heat repairs

n Installation of appliances

n Installation of toilets & sinks

n Water filtration systems NO JOB IS TOO SMALL

We pride ourselves on having the most professional and qualified plumbers in Nassau County. Neat clean and courteous.

Owners: Vinny Muldoon & Tony DiNuzzo

Continued from page 18

ber of the Mayor’s Committee to Save St. Paul’s School in Garden City, N.Y. and since 2012 an appointed member of the Garden City Architectural Design Review Board and a member of the Garden City Zoning Review Committee.

Cosmo Veneziale and his wife, Colette, have lived in Garden City since 1993. Both daughter Marcella and son Cosmo Jr. attended Garden City public schools and both later attended Vassar College. Marcella Veneziale is an accomplished journalist and Cosmo Veneziale Jr. is completing his medical degree in Milan, Italy.

Cosmo Veneziale has coached GCAA travel baseball and both boys and girl’s intramural and travel soccer for the Garden City Centennials. He is a licensed soccer coach and coached Division 1, U-12 to U-18 boys travel soccer as a member of the N.Y. HOTA Soccer Club.

As a member of FABGC, Mr.

Cosmo Vene ziale for mayor FABGC nominates

Veneziale seeks to restore transparency and resident’s involvement to our village government as well as providing referendums on village issues involving the expenditure of taxpayer dollars. Mr. Veneziale supports term limits for all trustees and competitive bidding of all village vendors, contactors and professionals. As a current member of the Western Property Owners Association Firehouse Committee, Cosmo Veneziale has provided his expertise in adaptive reuse design and pro bono architectural services to restore the Edgemere Fire House and save millions of taxpayer dollars as well as preserving an iconic Garden City structure.

If interested in becoming a member of FABGC, or supporting our candidates, please email info.fabgc@gmail.com or follow fabgc.org.   And don’t forget to join us on Wednesday January 13, 8 p.m. on Zoom to meet Cosmo first-hand. Instructions for the Zoom Meeting will be on the fabgc.org page.

Bruce Chester for Trustee

Continued from page 22 getting nowhere. The Group REVAMP( REsident Voters Against Monster Poles) was formed as a result of the lack of engagement by this BOT. Bruce was a founding member.

Mr. Chester attended several FABGC meetings and met other residents that had various other issues that were frustrating them. Mr. Chester agreed with the platform FABGC put forward. The platform stated that they would encourage resident involvement in not just BOT meetings, but would also encourage residents to serve on committees.

FABGC also believes in term limits and most importantly the need for referendums when major expenditures of taxpayer money is being proposed. This allows for careful analysis and debate before Village money is spent. This was music to Mr. Chester’s ears because that’s how he ran his business.

Mr. Chester was honored when FABGC asked him to run for Village Trustee. FABGC feels with his economic commonsense, his insurance expertise, and passion for doing the right thing for the Village and its residents, he would serve the Village honorably as Trustee.

The Welcoming Club of Garden City News

The Garden City Welcoming Club has created a cookbook of favorite recipies. All proceeds will go to The INN.

What's New?

Our first ever Welcoming Club cookbook is in! Thanks to our many members for contributing their recipes. If you missed the pre-sale, there are a limited number of copies still available, but this cute keepsake is sure to sell out fast. If you would like to order one, please reach out to Alicia at aliciabmeehan@gmail.com. The books are $20 each and all proceeds go to the INN. We are pleased to announce that we have already raised $800 for the INN through the pre-sale. Snag your copy today!

There are still a handful of spots available for Valentine's Day craft night, which will be held virtually on Thursday, 1/14 at 7:30 p.m. Join the fun and create your very own festive shelf sitter! Reach out to GCCraftClub@ gmail.com to reserve your spot today.

The club is working on setting up a virtual yoga class event! Please stay tuned for more information and details on how to sign up in the coming weeks.

Join A Group

Book Club: Enjoy a good book amongst friends. The book club meets every 6 weeks to discuss the page-turner of choice. For upcoming book club events, please email WelcomingClubBookClub@ gmail.com.

Craft Club: The craft club is a great way to meet with friends and get crafty.

No experience necessary. We meet every few months to create a seasonal craft. If you are interested in joining, please email GCCraftClub@gmail.com.

Supper Club: Bring your significant others out for this one! This is a great way to make new friends as a couple. You will be paired up with 3-4 other couples to set up a rotation of dinner events. Host your new friends at home or head out to try local restaurants. Please email GCSupper@gmail.com for more information.

Bowling Club: No experience necessary! We are looking for new faces to join our Wednesday league. Occasional pacers are welcome. Anyone interested, please contact Ellen (Diller05@aol. com) Carol (santa060@yahoo.com) or Liz (mcdea@aol.com).

Bunko: This simple dice game is usually played in a group of 12. It is a great way to meet people and make new friends. The game is easy to learn and fun to play. If you are interested, please contact WelcomingClubBunco@gmail. com.

Toddler Activities: A great way for you and your little ones to make new friends. Activities include stroller walks each week around our beautiful village and a visit to the park. We also set up playgroups with kids of similar age. Please email welcomingclubtoddleractivities@gmail.com for more information.

Golf: Golf lessons at Cherry Valley Club are always a big hit! Golf pro Ed Kelly helps us GCWC ladies improve our golf game. If you are interested in reserving your spot for the fall 2020 session, email WelcomingClubGolf@gmail. com.

Tennis: Tennis lessons and group play begin soon! We play at the Garden City Community Park courts behind the pool. All levels welcome, groups will be formed based on experience. Spots are limited so please contact WelcomingClubTennis@gmail. com to reserve a spot for the 2020/2021 season!

Come join the fun and make a difference! We invite you to join the club! For just $37 a year, you will have access to lots of great events and many fun members-only clubs and events. Complete the easy online membership form today at www.thegardencitywelcomingclub. org in the “Join” section of the website. While you are there, browse the site for lots of great information about the club.

• Flexible 25-day minimum

• A variety of indoor and outdoor activities

• Optional aftercare to 6:00pm

11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Waldorf School of Garden City 225 Cambridge Ave., Garden City (516) 742-3434 x327

Wednesday, June 30 to Friday, August 13, 2021

EPOA to host Resident Electors meeting on Jan. 19

The Eastern Property Owners’ Association (EPOA) will host its Resident Electors’ Meeting on Tuesday, January 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center on Golf Club Lane. Please join us as the meeting will cover current topics affecting the community and provide residents the opportunity to comment on these and raise other items of interest. There will also be updates from EPOA Officers and Directors, East Trustees, and Recreation Representatives.

Mark Hyer will be introduced as the East’s candidate for the position of Village Trustee. Mr. Hyer was unanimously proposed by the Independent East Nominating Committee, which consists of volunteers residing in the East. The Village Trustee position is a two-year term commencing in April 2021. Mr. Mark Hyer’s name will be placed on the ballot for the March 16, 2021 General Village Election.

In addition, Michael Cassaro will be introduced as the East’s candidate for

the position of School District Trustee. Mr. Cassaro was unanimously proposed by the Independent East Nominating Committee. The School Trustee position is a three-year term commencing in July 2021. Mr. Michael Cassaro’s name will be placed on the ballot for the May 18, 2021 School Election.

The 2021 EPOA Membership Drive is underway. East residents are invited to join for $20 for 1 year of membership or $40 for 2 years of membership.

Dues may be paid by check, PayPal (go to www.gcepoa.org), or through Venmo (@GCEPOA). As a reminder, the EPOA consists of all volunteers but does have ongoing communication-related expenses. Thank you for your support.

To learn more about the EPOA in general, its membership benefits and how to sign up, upcoming events, and news concerning the East, you may visit us at our website, on Facebook (@ GardenCityEPOA), and on Twitter (@ GC_ EPOA).

FOR SENIORS fyi

Garden City Senior Center Open

Garden City Recreation and Parks’ Senior Center is now open.

Our hours will be 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We will be practicing social distancing so no exercise or group activities will take place at this time Anyone visiting the Center will be required to wear a mask during their visit.

Adult Art Class at Cluett Hall

The Garden City’s Department of Recreation and Parks will offer an adult art class this fall. This 10-week program will teach the beginner as well as the advanced student the art of painting portraits and landscapes/still-life in pastel from photographs. Arleen Rueth Urban, the instructor for this program, is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America.

Classes will be held Fridays beginning February 12 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in St. Paul’s Cluett Hall. The cost of this program will be $140. Please note: Masks must be worn during class and each participant must fill out a COVID survey sheet before each class to attend. This class is open to adult residents who reside in the Inc. Village of Garden City.

The first lesson includes a por-

trait and landscape demonstration. At that time, a supply list is provided. Demonstrations will be available as needed throughout the program. Each student will receive the individual attention required as they move at their own pace and level of expertise.

To register for this session please visit the Recreation and Parks office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. If you have a password, you may register online at gcreconline.gardencityny.net.

Senior Exercise with Felicia

Recreation and Parks is pleased to announce that senior exercise with Felicia began the week of October 26. Due to COVID restrictions, this program will no longer be a drop in program. Participants will need to pre-register, wear masks and fill out a COVID form, and space will be limited.

Classes will take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10 a.m. In order to attend a class, you must pre-register. You may pre-register up to two days before the class you want to attend by calling the Senior Center between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at 385-8006. For a Monday class, you may call the Friday before. Space is limited.

Get rid of your unwanted items by placing an ad for them in our Classifieds! We have reasonable rates, and you’ll have prompt results! Call our Garden City office at 294-8900 for rates and other info.

Sen. Thomas sworn in for second term

Senator Kevin Thomas, his wife Rincy, their two-year-old daughter Layla, and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran.

New York State Senator Kevin Thomas was sworn into his second term by Nassau County Executive Laura Curran outside the The Veterans Memorial at Eisenhower Park on Tuesday, January 5. Senator Thomas was accompanied by his wife, Rincy, and his two-year-old daughter, Layla. Senator Thomas said, “Thank you to the voters of the 6th Senate District for your trust in re-electing me. I look forward to continuing my efforts to build a stronger, fairer, more prosperous Long Island and New York State.”

Cathedral Series on Anglican history

The Cathedral of the Incarnation’s weekly online Dean’s Forum returns Wednesday, January 13 at 7:30 p.m. with the series “Grace and Incarnation.” The series will serve as an introduction to the new book Grace and Incarnation: The Oxford Movement’s Shaping of the Character of Modern Anglicanism by the Rev. Canon Bruce D. Griffith, Th.D., Honorary Canon to the Cathedral. Canon Griffith will lead the series along with the Rt. Rev. R. William Franklin, Assisting Bishop of Long Island, and the Very Rev. Dr. Michael Sniffen, Dean of the Cathedral.

The forum will focus on the history of the Anglican faith leading up to the period of the Oxford Movement, also known as the Catholic Revival,

which is the theme of the book. In week one, Canon Griffith will explore the 16th century formation of the Church of England in the Reformation. In week two, Bishop Franklin will speak on the 17th century Anglican Church and the making of the Book of Common Prayer in 1662. Dean Sniffen will lead the third week, which discusses the 18th century rise of Evangelicalism led by John Wesley. In the last class on February 3], Canon Griffith will look at the crisis of 1833, when the Oxford Movement was born.

The Dean’s Forum is free and open to all. No registration is required. Links to join via Zoom can be found at incarnationgc.org/connect.

Are you a professional?

THE VIEW FROM HERE

Will There Ever Be Covid-era Nostalgia?

BY BOB MORGAN, JR.

As this is written, Georgia is holding its two runoff elections for the Senate and Congress is preparing to certify the presidential electors. However, on this particular day there isn't much to write about either of these topics. The results of the Georgia vote, likely to be close, are not in yet and the electoral vote verification, while highly unlikely to derail the election of Joe Biden, has not been completed.

So I'm going to turn this week to a rather different type of subject. I don't know if anybody else thinks it’s worth contemplating, but I'm wondering if there ever will be nostalgia for 2020-21, the years of Covid, and whether these years might end up being fondly remembered by some.

At the outset, a little bit of a disclaimer and clarification. I don’t want to get too carried away here. Covid itself, and the destruction, death and economic hardship it has wrought, is certainly nothing to remember happily. On the other hand, the virus has altered society and the way we interact with each other, and you can imagine that future generations, or people living in this era and looking back, may think that some of this is worth commemorating.

Although Covid has largely disrupted interaction among friends, business colleagues and even extended family, there is another side to this. Like it or not, Covid has brought small groups closer, whether as a family or, to use the current term for non-family members living together, a pod.  For a variety of reasons, including working at home, closed schools, lack of other entertainment options, or even unemployment, we are spending more time with those close to us. At its best, this fosters better understanding and heightened personal ties.

The virus certainly has produced or sped up innovation in many ways. While videoconferencing is not new, new products like Zoom have made the process of setting up video meetings among large groups much easier. Zoom and a number of com-

petitors have also facilitated video learning for closed schools. Church services and theatrical performances are also frequently broadcast by video technology and it is increasingly used for court hearings. Of course, there have been other virus related innovations aimed at getting goods in consumer’s hands without much direct human interaction, such as contactless delivery and very rapid shipping options.

While masking and maintaining social distancing are not always pleasant, to say the least, you could reasonably say that the crisis has made us think of others more. While I still believe that it is possible to use care while still going on with much of life during this pandemic, I certainly don’t want to catch the disease and even less do I want to spread it to someone else, particularly an elderly person or someone in a risk group. I think most people share this general attitude about spreading the virus.

So what would a pandemic party look lie like, in, say, 2035, or some year safely removed from the end of the Covid years? (Obviously, any celebration would be unlikely if this current virus were followed by a new major virus outbreak anytime soon.)   Masks would be de rigueur and, at least for a while, proper social distancing would be required at the event, aided by those floor markings reminding us to remain 6 feet apart. The party could be shared by Zoom conferencing to out of town guests. Food could be delivered by contactless delivery. A loop of 2020-21 Netflix productions would be played in the background. Eventually, as the drinks start to take effect, there would be many tales exchanged of how we coped with contact tracing, outdoor dining in winter and empty sports stadiums.  Someone might break out a Dr. Fauci mask.

Again, the current viral outbreak is a tragedy. But this too will pass, and someday people may look back at this time as bringing out the best in many of us.

ATTENTION STUDENTS!

We invite you to send details of your academic achievements, along with your name and contact info, to editor@gcnews.com for a chance to be featured in our paper! Submissions from students of all ages are welcome!

THI S WEEK AT ROTARY

Rob Raylman, CEO, Gift of Life International and Stewardship Chair, Rotary District 7255 Foundation Committee, guest speaker.

Next Monday, January 11, at 12:15 p.m., the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club will resume post-holiday meetings on our regular meeting schedule of second and fourth Mondays of each month.

We will be pleased to welcome Rob Raylman, president and CEO of Gift of Life international and president of the Rotary Club of Manhasset. Rob Raylman is also the stewardship chair of Rotary District 7255 Foundation Committee and will speak on the Foundation’s current activities and its plans for the future.

As we have previously reported, the Gift of Life program provides for life saving cardiac surgery for children from third world countries around the world. The mission of the Rotary Foundation is to enable Rotarians to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through the improvement of health, the support of education and the alleviation of poverty. Furthermore, the Rotary Foundation helps fund Rotary’s humanitarian activities from local service projects to global initiatives.

Rob Raylman has been the executive director of Gift of Life since February

2008. Before he came to Gift of Life International, Rob was a vice president for Browning-Ferris Industries (BFI), at one time the second largest solid waste management company in the world. He left BFI in 1999 and started his own consulting business in upstate New York, where he represented individuals and corporations that did business in New York State, specializing in legislative and regulatory affairs.

A lifelong resident of New York, Rob graduated from Hobart College in 1984 with a BS in political science. Directly out of college, Rob went to work for United States Senator Alphonse D’Amato (R-New York) before working for BFI.

Since Rob began as executive director of Gift of Life International, he has been focusing on the development of sustainable pediatric cardiac surgery programs in developing countries. Presently he is working to develop programs in the Jamaica, Haiti, El Salvador, Uganda, the Philippines and Kosova, all of which are in various stages of development. While our Club had hoped to kick off 2021 with a return of our meetings at the Garden City Hotel, alas, with the COVID pandemic still surging, we will continue to meet virtually on Zoom. However, with the hope that the vaccine will be widely available in the near future, we look forward to meeting and hosting our speakers in person and providing for our members and guests the traditional great Garden City Hotel lunch!

Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin Will Speak on January 25

Our Club will welcome back Don Clavin to speak on the activities and concerns of Hempstead Town — to include the impact of Nassau’s property tax reassessment and how Hempstead Town can help challenge your taxes. Don graciously reports to our Club annually and we look forward to hosting him on Zoom on Monday, January 25 at 12:15 p.m. All are welcome to attend this virtual session and may receive the link by calling Dianne Marmann, Club president, at 516-742-8340 or diane.marmann@gmail.com.

submissions and contact info to editor@gcnews.com

and

Costs get clearer for water remediation equipment

From page 1

$3,468,500 construction at the Clinton Road Plant (Village Wells No. 10 and 11). In addition the Board approved the same contractor to receive $1,300,000, for the interim emerging contaminant removal at Country Club Plant (Village Wells No. 13 and 14). At nearly $4.8 million that would represent over 11% of the estimated $43 million remediation.

The trustees also approved $57,796 in change orders submitted by contractor Trojan Technologies of Ontario, Canada for upgrades to the systems, including the following: $14,930.60 for Village Wells 8 and 12; $14,930.60 for Wells 10 and 11, $14,930.60 for Wells 13 and 14 and $13,0004.65 for Well No. 7.

In addition, on December 10 the Board approved a change order in the amount of $20,223, for roll-up door modifications needed on the enclosures at the Water-Shed UV Reactor and Control Stations at seven village well sites housing the AOP (Advanced Oxidation Process) systems. The well sites and costs for enclosures are $5,778 for Wells No. 8 and 12, $5,778 for Wells No. 10 and 11 and $5,778 for Wells No. 13 and 14 plus $2,889 for Village Well. No. 7. The equipment included in these costs will cover generators, transfer switches, materials for the permanent building structure and operational pieces.

Deputy Mayor Robert Bolebruch

noted that the $43 million was coming from bond anticipation notes (shortterm debt) and for the new water tank/ tower on Old Country Road another $6 million. Both are expenses related to the Village’s Water Enterprise.

“Of the $43 million we already have New York State to reimburse up to $9 million for two village well sites. That takes the costs down to $34 million. Then we can have additional reimbursements to take down the costs further -- which is why we have not gone out to bond the projects, because we do not yet know what a final number could be,” he said.

Woo noted that Village Finance wouldn’t want the municipality incurring long-term debt “on a gross number when in reality the cost to the village will be significantly lower.”

Deputy Mayor Bolebruch asked Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi to state how many millions more in expenses could potentially be covered by future New York State reimbursements but Suozzi said the state had not yet opened up the application process for the other sites. Assuming the state process opens, the village administrator says Garden City will apply for reimbursement for every village well site with the AOP systems in place, “because they all need the treatment.”

“There are 10 total well sites and we

have grants in for four well sites, so it would be for the six additional sites,” Suozzi commented.

According to an update in mid-December, due to its high level of 1,4 dioxane Village Well No. 12 is out of commission. Conversely, for Village Well No. 8 the 1,4 dioxane level is so low that it can be used. Nevertheless for both of those wells, as noted in the contracts approved, the AOP systems will be installed.

In his letter, “Setting the Record Straight” published in The Garden City News on November 13, Bolebruch further clarified that because Garden City had already been awarded reimbursable grants from the state, estimated in the amount of $9 million to help offset costs, there existed a rate of reimbursement for each well of approximately 60 percent.

“After we file for all our additional grants we will then issue our normal long-term debt that will not be covered by the state reimbursement. It would be irresponsible to issue the total amount now in long-term bonds when we do not know what our final cost would be. In addition, when we issued the BANs they were issued at a premium, which will reduce our borrowing costs by $1.4 million. Once again, we want to immediately address our water issues and not wait for any type of reimbursement from the

state. The safety of our Village water is our top priority. Our new water tank will cost approximately $8 million, but we are only financing $6 million. We are paying cash for the other two million,” Bolebruch wrote.

Last month he said with remaining grants for well sites on the horizon and money to be received from New York State, the village would then know what can be applied for.

Other costs related to the AOP systems were presented and approved by the Garden City Board of Trustees at their last meeting, December 10. Suozzi commented that since Thanksgiving the village staff worked very closely with consultants H2M Architects & Engineers, as the original bond amounts for project work on the wells were first estimated around June of 2019, now over 18 months ago.

In addition to construction items and costs for the wells, for engineering services two contracts for H2M’s professional services were approved by the trustees in December: $264,800 for permanent construction at Clinton Road (Well Nos. 10 and 11) and with $128,800 approved for the permanent construction at Village Well. No. 7.

“They were estimates and now that we’ve received more accurate numbers

See page 52

January 8, 2021

New York’s Adirondacks: Driveable Winter Adventure Playground

BY KAREN RUBIN TRAVEL FEATURES SYNDICATE GOINGPLACESFARANDNEAR.COM

Three of the best ski areas in New York are actually owned by New York State and operated by the Olympic Regional Development Authority –Whiteface and Gore Mountain in the Adirondacks and Belleayre in the Catskills.

Whiteface Mountain

Top of the list for ski areas with a world-class reputation is Whiteface, site of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics, where in addition to skiing, you can visit Olympic venues and even participate (biathalon, anyone? skate on the Olympic Oval, drive a coaster down the bobsled track).

Whiteface offers the greatest vertical, 3430 ft. from the summit at 4867 ft, of any lift-serviced mountain in the Northeast. This is a serious mountain – actually three mountains, Whiteface summit is a 4,867 ft.; Lookout Mountain tops at 4,000 ft.; Little Whiteface at 3,676 ft. - with more expert terrain, more long, rolling groomers (including the longest single intermediate run in the Northeast, the 2.1 mile-long Wilmington Trail) in the East. It offers 300 skiable acres: 89 runs (24% beginner, 44% intermediate, 33% advanced) and 53 acres of glades and five terrain parks, serviced by 13 lifts, including the gorgeous Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride that cuts an aerial path through the Adirondack Mountains on its way to the peak of Little Whiteface.

Whiteface is my favorite ski destination in New York, largely because of Lake Placid, the ambiance and the extraordinary activities.

Experience the thrill of what it

Skiing Whiteface Mountain, Lake Placid, NY and feeling like an Olympian © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfandnear.com

was like to be an Olympic Bobsledder during the 1980 Winter Games on the new Cliffside Mountain Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, which boasts being the longest year-round mountain coaster in the USA. You control the ride - you have the ability to go as slow or as fast as you’d like. Race your family & friends alongside the 1980 bobsled track to the bottom. During the scenic ride to the top of the Cliffside Coaster you learn about the inspiring Olympic history of the Lake Placid Sliding Center.

Other attractions and recent upgrades to the Olympic Sites include the new Sky Flyer Zipline at the Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex, the new SkyRide Experience, an 8-person gondola that brings guests from the Olympic Jumping Complex’s base lodge to the 90-meter

and 120-meter ski jump towers, a new glass-enclosed elevator ride to the top of the ski jumps for a panoramic vista of the Adirondack High Peaks (and to experience what the jumpers see as they start to accelerate towards the end of the ramp!), new Nordic trails at Mt. Van Hovenberg (where you can try your hand at the biathalon).

There is no lodging on the mountain (it’s a wilderness area, after all), but many lovely inns, bnbs, hotels and resorts nearby, including the Whiteface Lodge Resort & Spa and Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, conveniently located in Lake Placid village, walking distance to everything, and accessible to a convenient shuttle bus to the mountain (www.golden-arrow.com).

GOING PLACES NEAR AND FAR

Also High Peaks Resort which offers three unique lodging experiences overlooking Mirror Lake and the Adirondacks: The Resort, a traditional hotel featuring 105 guest rooms and suites (newly renovated in March 2020); the modern retro-vibe Lake House with 44 guest rooms; and the private and serene Waterfront Collection, featuring 28 guest rooms including 10 suites on the shores of Mirror Lake. Amenities include a spa, two indoor and two outdoor heated pools, fitness center, restaurant, private access to Mirror Lake (skates), admission to the Nordic Center, complimentary use of snowshoes. Dogs welcome.  (High Peaks Resort, 2384 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid, NY 12946, 518-523-4411, 800-755-5598, www. highpeaksresort.com)

The newest additions are The Lake Placid Inn (opened July 2020) and the Saranac Waterfront Lodge, an eco-luxe independent boutique hotel that opened Nov. 1, 2020.

Whiteface, Lake Placid, 800-4626236, 518-946-2223; Olympic Center, 518-523-1655; whiteface.com. Vacation planning assistance at www.whitefaceregion.com, lakeplacid.com.

Gore Mountain

As a perennial blue-trail/intermediate skier, Gore Mountain is one of my favorite places to ski. Nestled in the Adirondacks, it offers expansive views of a real wilderness. You actually feel as if you were in the Rockies. Gore Mountain is New York State’s largest ski and ride resort with. 439 skiable acres, it spans four mountains, including Gore, Bear Mountain, Burnt Ridge Mountain

Continued on next page

GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR....

New York’s Adirondacks: Driveable Winter Adventure Playground

Continued from previous page

and Little Gore Mountain, a vertical drop of 2,537 feet from the summit at 3,600 ft, 121 trails (10% beginner, 50% intermediate and 40% advanced), including 110 alpine trails (longest is 4.4 miles), with 28 glades, 8 freestyle areas and 11 cross-country and snowshoe trails, all serviced by 14 lifts.

There is no on-mountain lodging, but there is the delightful Copperfield Inn (www.copperfieldinn.com/) in nearby North Creek which we enjoyed one Christmas; for a grand, luxurious stay, The Sagamore, in Bolton Landing on Lake George is 45 minutes away (www.

thesagamore.com).

Gore Mountain, 793 Peaceful Valley Road, North Creek, NY 12853, Snow Phone: 518-251-5026, info 518-251-2411, info@goremountain.com, goremountain.com.

More Winter Adirondack Activities

In addition to skiing and snowboarding at Whiteface in Lake Placid and Gore Mountain in North Creek, there are plenty of other ways to embrace the cold in the Adirondacks: hiking (including five fire tower trails in Hamilton County that travelers can visit and climb even in the winter!), cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dogsledding, pond hockey, ice skating and ice fishing.

Mirror Lake offers plenty of activities including skating, cross country skiing, toboggan rides, and dog sledding. The Wild Center in Tupper Lake transforms into a winter playground offering Winter Wild Walk, a learn-to ice-fish program, snowshoeing.

Ausable Chasm, the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, offers winter tours of frozen waterfalls and spectacular sights, less than an hour from Lake Placid. And at the end of the day, Main Street Lake Placid has plenty of boutique shops and restaurants to welcome visitors in from the cold.

The Adirondack Wayfinder, a new virtual service that showcases the park through curated thematic road trip itin-

ASK CARRIE

eraries. (www.adirondackwayfinder. com) See also www.iskiny.com.

© 2020 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear.com,  www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karenrubin & travelwritersmagazine.com/ TravelFeaturesSyndicate/. Blogging at goingplacesnearandfar. wordpress.com & moralcompasstravel. info. Send comments or questions to FamTravLtr@aol.com. Tweet @ TravelFeatures. ‘Like’ us at facebook. com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Want to Create a Retirement Paycheck? Here Are Some Things to Consider

BY CARRIE SCHWAB-POMERANTZ

Dear Carrie: I just retired and am trying to figure out how to maximize all of my resources -- Social Security, a small pension and my investments. Given RMDs, taxes, etc., it feels overwhelming! Can you help? -- A Reader

Dear Reader: This is a great question because it’s an essential issue for every retiree. After decades of receiving a regular paycheck, suddenly you’re faced with having to figure out the best way to pull money from your different accounts -- whether that’s a 401(k), an IRA or a regular investment account. On top of that, you need to make decisions about Social Security and possibly a pension or annuity.

Don’t get me wrong. Retirement can be a wonderful time to enjoy the freedom you’ve worked so many years to achieve. But as you make the transition from being a saver to a spender, chances are you’ll have to manage your financial life even more carefully than in the past.

Why? Because now you not only need to stay on top of your investments, your spending and your tax bill but you’re also responsible for creating your own retirement paycheck. Yes, it can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be if you take a systematic approach.

Assess All Your Resources

After decades of working and saving, it’s pretty common to have more than just one investment account. Are you including everything? Contact your old employers if you’re not sure. If they’re no longer in business or you have difficulty contacting them, try the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or the Missing Money website. Consider consolidating accounts to help simplify managing your investments.

Also think about how your home may fit into the picture. Are downsizing, renting or a reverse mortgage potential options? How about part-time work or consulting? Do you have a hobby you can

turn into a money-making enterprise? Don’t neglect these hidden assets and opportunities that can boost your income.

Shore up Your Cash Reserves

Make sure you have enough cash or cash equivalents (savings accounts, money market accounts or short-term CDs) to last at least one year. These days, cash may not earn much, but it’s important to have enough for emergencies. To avoid having to sell investments in a prolonged bear market, consider keeping one to four years’ worth of portfolio withdrawals in more liquid investments.

Consider Predictable Sources

of Income

Start by estimating how much you believe you’ll receive from Social Security and any employer pensions. It’s crucial to make smart decisions when claiming Social Security, as these benefits represent about one-third of the income for the average retiree.

If you don’t have a traditional pension plan, are unsure about having enough money and would like to have more guaranteed income to cover your essential expenses, you may want to look into lifetime income options through an annuity. Annuities aren’t for everyone. There are lots of different types, and they can be difficult to understand, but they’re uniquely designed to help accumulate money on a tax-sheltered basis, provide guaranteed lifetime income or both.

In its simplest form, an annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company. You pay for a promise or certain guarantees, such as the ability to receive income guaranteed for life (subject to the claims paying ability of the insurer). You can often check out how much income certain annuities might generate with calculators.

A few words of caution: Be sure to pay close attention to fees, commissions and surrender charges. An investment professional who understands your situ-

ation and works in your best interest can help you examine how employer pension options, health issues, Social Security claiming decisions and income goals in retirement all come into play when you’re thinking about an annuity.

Try a Total Return Approach

Living off interest and dividends without touching growth or the original investment may be an option for a few retirees, but it’s not a likely solution for most people. An alternative is a total return approach in which your withdrawal consists of all sources (interest, dividends and growth) and may or may not involve touching the original investment to make up what you need. This can provide you with more flexibility as well as create more income. You can use the 4% rule as a starting point on how much to withdraw in retirement.

Don’t Forget Taxes and RMDs

Strategically withdrawing from traditional, Roth and taxable accounts to lower capital gains taxes and keep your tax bracket low can help you pay less in taxes and stretch out your savings. Roth accounts, for example, can provide you with qualified tax-free withdrawals in retirement.

If you turned 70 1/2 before 2020, you may be subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) from certain retirement accounts like traditional IRAs and 401(k)s under IRS rules. For 2020 and after, you may be subject to RMDs beginning at age 72. Failure to take mandatory withdrawals can be costly: a 50% penalty on top of income taxes!

You’ll also want to ensure you have adequate tax withholding from retirement accounts. You can do this by making estimated payments or asking the firms you work with to withhold amounts. Not withholding enough could result in IRS penalties. Withholding too much means you’re making an interest-free loan to the government.

New Help for a New Era

If this all sounds like a bit much to handle and you’re not a do-it-yourselfer, don’t worry. New options and services can help guide you through the process of withdrawing funds in the most cost-effective and tax-efficient way possible. This may also be an ideal time to seek out professional guidance, especially as you first establish your footing as a new retiree. One final thought. As you navigate your retirement, your financial needs will likely evolve along with your priorities. So stay involved, flexible and willing to make adjustments when necessary. This is your time to take in all that life has to offer. After decades of hard work, you deserve nothing less.

Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz, Certified Financial Planner, is president of the Charles Schwab Foundation and author of “The Charles Schwab Guide to Finances After Fifty.” Read more at http://schwab.com/book. You can email Carrie at askcarrie@schwab. com. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal or investment planning advice. COPYRIGHT 2020 CHARLES SCHWAB & CO., INC. MEMBER SIPC. DIST BY CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC. (#1220-04G1)

Dreading.... or dreaming... Do you want to

BY MARJORIE GOTTLIEB WOLFE

U. S. employers first hired women as office workers in significant numbers after 1870. Men continued to fill office jobs after 1870 but women took the largest share of clerical jobs. In 1900, 92.7% of women clerical workers were single. It was clearly viewed as transitory employment.

One woman interviewed in the 1930s wrote:

“I’m married and the next day I was out of a job…They were going to let somebody go..If I was married, then I’m the one who was SUPPOSEDLY being supported by my husband, so I didn’t need the job as much as somebody else. Jobs at that time were because you needed them.”

The typical office of the early 1900s bore little resemblance to Bob Cratchit’s office of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” of the 1840s. Office workers sat in desks arranged in long parallel rows in a “hygienic” setting with electric lamps, large windows, and a supervisor whose only job was to watch his workers and increase productivity.

Initially, employers had to address the fears of many who argued that the hiring of female clericals would destroy the family or a woman’s femininity.

Anne Helen Petersen wrote an article titled, “Are You Sure You Want To Go Back to The Office?” She says that “Many companies are preparing to bring employees back in the spring or summer, depending on how fast the vaccines roll out.”

Juliette Kayyem says, “The corporate culture that so many employers prize is based on a level of interaction that will not be regained simply by

being in the same building.” Shown below is a poem that explores the challenges of secretarial work and the return to the office of 2021:

I Remember

the office receptionist, “deceptionist,” and gatekeeper.

The secretary who when asked by her employer to get his broker on the phone, replies, “stock” or “pawn?”

Dehumanized women workers who were once referred to as “office wives” or decorative “girl Fridays.”

Women who learned to type on Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing…and those who banged away on their I.B.M Selectric. Those who recall Shire Hite, who used an advertising campaign with the tagline, “The Typewriter That’s So Smart, She Doesn’t Have to Be.”

Women like Karen Nussbaum and Ellen Cassedy, who founded 9 to 5, a new organization for women office workers.

“Plug and play” new hires who don’t need any training. Cold calling individuals - Smilin’ and dialin.’

“Transitioned,” “severed,” “surplussed,” “non-retained” and “deselected” employees fired via Zoom.

Nine to Fivers who remember when “a secretary’s pad was to write in, not spend the night in.” “Unkeyboardinated” - those unable to type without repeatedly making mistakes.

Secretaries who worked when the 3 R’s represented (the) Royal [typewriter] Road to Romance.

Those who haven’t learned that “a typo can mean the difference between hired and fired.”

Happy office people, too—the Joy Polloi—who are assisted by robots named Robot Redford, Archie Bumper, and Beeping Tom.

The recipient of office jokes: “Today is Administrative Professionals Week. Take yours to lunch—take mine, too.”

Workers who ask, “Can I stir fry an idea in your think-wok”?

Share

And I REMEMBER the “well seasoned” people who can relate to this Oct. 16, 1966, New York Times job ad: Secretary needed. Brite-eyed lassie to work in a “one-girl” office in the Empire State Building.

MARJORIE GOTTLIEB WOLFE is a retired business educator and author of two books on Yiddish. She will be giving a Zoom talk on Feb. 17, at 1 p.m. on “The 3 B’s: Brooklyn, (the) Bronx, and the Bungalows of Rockaway Beach.” Contact the Friedberg JCC in Oceanside for details.

About to hit a milestone?

life accomplishments with your neighbors! Put your engagement, wedding, or baby announcement in the paper, (and it's free of charge for subscribers!) Email editor@gcnews.com

BY TOM MARGENAU

It has been my custom for most of the past 23 years to write a year-end column that summarizes the Social Security changes and updates scheduled to take place the following year.

Almost all Social Security beneficiaries are familiar with the most popular and publicized upcoming change: the increase in monthly benefit checks for 2021 due to the automated cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. In fact, Social Security recipients have probably already received a letter from the Social Security Administration telling them of the expected increase.

All Social Security checks are going up 1.3% in 2021. The COLA is based on something called the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. This is the official measuring stick the SSA has used to determine COLAs for the past 46 years. If you want to learn more about this measure, check out the website of the folks who maintain it: the Bureau of Labor Statistics. You’ll find them at https://www.bls.gov.

I always dread mentioning COLAs in this column because every time I do, I am flooded with emails from readers complaining that the increase is not enough. (Maybe not unexpectedly, not once in 23 years has anyone ever written to me to say that their COLA increase was too high!)

Yet here’s the rub: Many economists and social planners believe Social Security COLAs are too generous! (I’ve explained why in past columns, but I don’t have the space to get into that argument today.) That’s why most discussions of long-range reform for Social Security include proposals to reduce cost of living increases.

OK, back to the 2021 Social Security COLA. Due to these increases, the average monthly retirement check will be $1,543 in 2021, a $20 increase from the 2020 level. The maximum Social Security check for a worker turning full retirement age next year will be $3,148, compared with $3,011 in 2020. And please note that $3,148 is the maximum for someone turning full retirement age in 2021. That does not mean it is the maximum Social Security payment anyone can receive. There are millions of Social Security beneficiaries who get much more than that, primarily because they worked well past their FRA and/or delayed starting their benefits until age 70.

Although this is a Social Security column, I must mention the upcoming increase in the Medicare Part B premium, which is deducted from Social Security checks for most people. In 2021, the basic Part B premium will be $148.50, a $3.90 increase from the 2020 rate. Wealthy people will pay more than the basic premium -- as much as $504.90 per month for the richest Americans.

I don’t want to get into this complicated issue of Medicare premiums oth-

Social Security Update for 2021

er than to make this quick point. Even though they are linked in the minds of most senior citizens, Social Security and Medicare are entirely separate programs, administered by entirely separate federal agencies, and they have entirely separate rules and regulations regarding their benefit and payment structures. For example, I already explained how Social Security COLAs are figured. Part B Medicare premium increases have nothing to do with the consumer price index. Instead, they must be set at a level that covers 25% of the cost of running the program. Taxpayers pick up the remaining 75%. (Again, wealthy people pay more than the 25% share.)

Another measuring stick called the “national wage index” is used to set increases to other provisions of the law that affect Social Security beneficiaries and taxpayers. Specifically, this includes increases in the amount of wages or self-employment income subject to Social Security tax; the amount of income needed to earn a “quarter of coverage”; and the Social Security earnings penalty limits.

The Social Security taxable earnings base will go up from $137,700 in 2020 to $142,800 in 2021. In other words, people who earn more than $142,800 this year will no longer have Social Security payroll taxes deducted from their paychecks once they hit that threshold. This has always been a very controversial provision of the law. (Bill Gates pays the same amount of Social Security tax as his plumber!) I think it’s a pretty good bet that any eventual Social Security reform package will include an increase in that wage base.

Most people need 40 Social Security work credits (sometimes called “quarters of coverage”) to be eligible for monthly benefit checks from the system. In 2020, people who were working earned one credit for each $1,410 in Social Security taxable income. But no one earns more than four credits per year. In other words, once you made $5,640, your Social Security record has been credited with the maximum four credits or quarters of coverage. In 2021, the one-credit limit goes up to $1,470, meaning you will have to earn $5,880 this year before you get the maximum four credits assigned to your Social Security account.

People under their full retirement age who get Social Security retirement or survivors benefits but who are still working are subject to limits in the amount of money they can earn and still receive all their Social Security checks. That limit was $18,240 in 2020 and will be $18,960 in 2021. For every $2 a person earns over those limits, $1 is withheld from his or her monthly benefits.

There is a higher earnings threshold in the year a person turns full retirement age that applies from the beginning of the year until the month the person reaches

FRA. (The income penalty goes away once a person reaches that magic age.) That threshold goes up from $48,600 in 2020 to $50,520 this year.

A couple of other Social Security provisions are also impacted by inflationary increases. For example, people getting disability benefits who try to work can generally continue getting those benefits as long as they are not working at a “substantial” level. In 2020, the law defined substantial work as any job paying $1,260 or more per month. In 2021, that substantial earnings level increases to $1,310 monthly.

Finally, the Supplemental Security Income basic federal payment level for one person goes up from $783 in 2020 to $794 in 2021. SSI is a federal welfare program administered by the SSA, but it is not a Social Security benefit. It is paid for out of general revenues, not Social Security taxes.

If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has a book with all the answers. It’s called “Social Security: Simple and Smart.” You can find the book at creators.com/books. Or look for it on Amazon or other book outlets.

COPYRIGHT 2020

How has real estate been doing during the pandemic?

BY PHILIP A. RAICES

First off, I want to wish my wife a happy 45th anniversary, and at least another 30+ to go!

I hope everyone let their hair down, had some crazy fun, relaxed a bit on New Year’s Eve to end the year on a higher note, and tried to put aside the worst year that we’ve ever experienced! But we are not out of the woods, just yet!

So many lives, businesses, jobs, and families have been impacted, disrupted, and devastated during 2020 and you would think that there were no positive situations or events whatsoever. However, for those renting, at least there were laws passed where one could not be evicted or foreclosed upon, and has now been extended as of 12/27/20. However, how long that will be in effect is anyone’s guess, especially if you have lost your business, job, or your salary was drastically reduced. How about the small landlord whose income is dependent upon the tenants paying their rent, what about them? It appears that President Trump had finally signed the next stimulus package to help the millions who are unemployed and in desperate need of money to survive. What about those restaurateurs and small business people who applied but never received any assistance through the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) or the EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan), program. I wonder how many thousands of restaurants and small and large businesses and jobs have been and will be lost forever due to not having enough money to weather the storm and survive through the last 9 months and in 2021? So many are barely in a survival mode as it can be verified and experienced by all the reports and visuals online and on TV by the countless food lines in and around Long Island and throughout the U.S. My Rotary Club of Great Neck through the smart and hard work of Roger “the organizer” Chizever and all the volunteers (including myself), had

put together and provided 1200 complete turkey dinners for a family of four to those who were financially unable to provide their own dinners on Thanksgiving. So some good and caring moments and events occurred during 2020 so everything wasn’t a total disaster. Moreover, one of the remarkable shining stars and beneficiaries, unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, were those who purchased a primary residence, already owned their home, as well as those with rental investment properties outside major cities e.g.(NYC, Chicago, Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Houston, and Miami, etc.). Those investors were able to rent their places to those leaving higher densely populated locations and their higher infection rates and were part of the real estate boom as well. Those fortunate enough to become first time purchasers gained above average appreciation and increased value year over year. Prices around the U.S. have gone up quite aggressively from 9.310+% depending on the town and state. Nassau Country showed a September median price of $590,000 with an increase of 9.3%. Suffolk Country median prices in September rose to $464,375 year over year with a startling increase of 13% as per One Key MLS (our new corporate name of the multiple listing service of Long Island since we partnered with Westchester MLS, Hudson-Gateway, making our membership 40,000+ strong). All increases were way above the inflation rate of 1.18% as of October 2020 and the core inflation rate of 1.61%, excluding the energy and food sectors, because they have wide swings making the inflation rate less accurate. 2020 was a perfect storm for real estate, as it came in like a lion, then became a lamb for a few months, and has now roared back like

a lion once again with the help of our crazy 50 year low in interest rates, the still very strong demand, and the historical setting lowest inventory on record contributing to this event. Even though our industry was shut down from March 22-June 10th, the market came back like a bull and remarkably sales skyrocketed beyond anyone’s wildest dreams and expectations; although lower than 2019, prices ended up much higher compared to 2019, as noted earlier. So, 2021 should continue the surge in demand, rates should similarly hold over the next 12-24 months, and supply will still be historically low. However, our national debt, which currently stands at 27 trillion dollars (added to our humongous and unsustainable international debt), is going to go up again after this 2nd stimulus package. How long we can keep printing money and heading down this slippery slope is anyone’s guess. However, as home prices continue to escalate, there will be more families and individuals who will not be strong enough financially to qualify for a mortgage or not have enough for their down payment. So for the time being they will have to drop out and continue to rent or stay put in their in-laws or family’s homes to continue to save more money and this could slow our market a bit. However, eventually, they will jump back into the game sooner if prices were to stabilize or possibly decrease, which for the foreseeable future I really do not see that occurring. However, for now foreclosures and evictions have been halted and extended through February 28 and what will happen afterwards no one can predict. Eventually it will end but how many of the 4 million+ homeowners granted forbearance on their mortgages for a year during the Covid10 Pandemic will go into foreclosure and will enter our current low inven-

EVERYDAY CHEAPSKATE

tory market? But no one can really know or accurately predict the future until decisions are made and the future arrives and what will and does happen that could curtail sales and lower prices for those sitting on the sidelines waiting to come back in the game and purchase their first home.

Philip A. Raices is the owner/Broker of Turn Key Real Estate at 3 Grace Ave Suite 180 in Great Neck. He has 39 years experience in the Real Estate industry and has earned designations as a Graduate of the Realtor Institute (G.R.I.) and also as a Certified International Property Specialist (C.I.P.S.). He will provide you with “free” regular updates of sold and new homes in your town via the Multiple Listing Service of Long Island (MLSLI) or go to http://WWW. Li-RealEstate.Com and you can “do it yourself (DYI) and search on your own. For a “FREE” `15 minute consultation, as well as well as a “FREE printout or digital value analysis of what your home might sell for in today’s tumultuous Covid-19 pandemic market without any obligation or “strings” attached. He can also provide a copy of “Unlocking the Secrets of Real Estate’s New Market Reality, and our Seller’s and Buyer’s Guides for “Things to Consider when Selling, investing or Purchasing your Home.

You can email or snail mail (regular mail) him with your request or ideas, suggestions or interview you for a specific topic and a Q & A for a future column with your name, email and cell number. He will email or call you back and respond to your request ASAP as long as he has your complete name, cell, email and/or full home or business address. Again, for a “FREE” 15 minute consultation, he can also be reached by cell: (516) 647-4289 or by email: Phil@ TurnKeyRealEstate.Com or to answer any of your questions and concerns in selling, investing, purchasing, or leasing residential or commercial property.

Binder Clips Useful To Organize the Home & Other Tips From Readers

BY MARY HUNT

ORGANIZED LINENS

Binder clips are a great way to organize not just your papers but your linens, too. Clip together folded and matched napkins and placemats in your linen closet for quick retrieval. Binder clips come in many sizes -- available in office supply stores, online, Walmart and Target, too.

SWEATER SHAVER

Instead of buying an expensive pill-shaver for your old sweaters, try using a pumice stone. Rub gently and firmly over the sweater to remove pilling.

CHOPPING WALNUTS

To chop walnuts or pecans quickly and without creating a big mess on your counter, use a rolling pin. Place the nuts in a large plastic bag, and seal the bag. Then roll the rolling pin over the nuts until they are well crushed.

KEEP WINDSHIELD CLEAR

Even during the harshest winter weather, it’s easy to make sure you’ll never have to scrape ice off your ungaraged car again when you do this: When you park it for the night, wipe the windshield and windows with undiluted plain white vinegar. I keep vinegar in a spray bottle in a handy spot inside the car. This will prevent frost and ice from building up on the glass, and that means no more scraping. Mary invites you to visit her at EverydayCheapskate.com, where this column

is archived complete with links and resources for all recommended products and services. Mary invites questions and comments at https://www.everydaycheapskate.com/ contact/, “Ask Mary.” Tips can be submitted at tips.everydaycheapskate.com/. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of EverydayCheapskate. com, a frugal living blog, and the author of the book “Debt-Proof Living.” COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM

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Antiques-Furniture-Jewelry-Silver-Mirrors-LampsArtwork

Come to Consign & Stay to Shop Visit.... Our Shop

109 Eleventh St. Garden City

Tues-Fri 10-4 (Wed till 6) Saturday 12-4

Our Website tgchs.org

Our Online Store stores.myresaleweb.com/ at-stewart-exchange Items to Consign?

Email photos (with sizing info) to: store@atstewartexchange.org

All proceeds benefit

The Garden City Historical Society

Like us on Facebook & Instagram

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

is doing VIRTUAL TAG SALES and ONLINE AUCTIONS now!

Sell the contents of an entire house or sell just a few things! You can host your own sale on invitedsales.com and Facebook and Instagram or we can do it for you. We can photograph, advertise and handle the winning pickups for you within a week! Don’t worry about your closing date, we can get your house ready on time! We are a one stop service for all your needs when you are moving or selling a property! Selling, donating, discarding and cleaning out services can be done to meet your time frame with minimal stress. Contact info@invitedsales.com for more information or call 516279-6378 to schedule a consultation or receive more information.

Visit us at www.invitedsales. com for a listing of our upcoming Virtual Tag Sales and Weekly Auctions!

WANTED TO BUY

LOOKING TO BUY!

Estates, Oriental items, Gold, Silver, Costume Jewelry, Dishes, Flatware, Watches, Clothing, Old Photos, Coins, Stamps, Records, Toys, Action Figures, Comics, Art and Furniture. Immediate Cash Paid Call George 917-775-3048 or 718-386-1104

MARKETPLACE

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TAG SALE

GARDEN CITY

INVITED ESTATE SALES BY TRACY JORDAN

Wednesday, January 13, 2021 9:30 a.m.

136 Washington Ave. Garden City, NY 11530 Furniture, household items, artwork, tools, rugs, golf clubs, collectibles and much more!

Only 10 people will be let in the house at a time and sign in that morning. Please bring mask/gloves. Visit www.invitedsales.com for pictures & details!!

PETS

PET SERVICES

CHERYL’S PET SITTING SERVICE

Dependable pet sitter will walk and feed your precious pet while you work or travel. Also available to board small dogs.

Many excellent references. Call 516-971-3242

AUTOMOTIVE

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DRIVE OUT BREAST CANCER:

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and even

a stipend of $25.00, and articles should be between

If you want to be published and be part of an issue of Discovery, you may submit your article to: editor@gcnews.com

CLASSIFIEDS Call 294.8900

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ATTORNEY

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School district provides special education

From page 1

department of a school district could be a challenge, but said her fellow administrators, the staff in Garden City and district central administration from Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha to the two assistant superintendents have been supportive in helping her and Clemente get acclimated.

“Being new does have some high points as Desirée and I are coming from different districts with differing experiences to bring into Garden City, to help move the programs forward. The Entry Plan for PPS expedited our introduction to the district, getting to know the local schools’ culture and really adding perspective. Between the two of us, early on in the six months’ we’ve worked here we have interviewed between 25 and 30 stakeholders from various demographics: teachers, parents, students, board members, fellow administrators and district clerical staff. We really gained perspective of this district and what Garden City values; what the district is

doing well and what we can potentially do a little better in,” Villez said on Tuesday evening.

In the last school year the team of stakeholders developed the Special Education Strategic Plan. In June 2020 the PPS’ Office, Special Education Strategic Planning Summary Report, was presented to the School Board.

The Committee was further broken down into subcommittees that met during the 2019-2020 year: one covered Program Assessment, Development & Improvement and Data -Driven Decision Making; a second focused on Family Engagement and Strategic Partnerships, and the third subcommittee covered Professional Development and Training opportunities.

The report is posted for download on the PPS department’s webpage.

On Tuesday Villez noted that during this school year, she and Clemente are working with staff, students and parents to determine if the Strategic Plan aligns with needs they have identified over recent months, into the current

year. Villez and Clemente presented to the school board on “Systematically addressing Short-Term Goals and re-aligning the Long-Term Plan.”

Villez stated that a “progressive” special education is a valued asset for the stakeholders, from parents to students and staff, in the district. She complimented the faculty and said Garden City has some of the best special education teachers she’s ever worked with.

“Opportunities for inclusion and building inclusiveness is also highly valued in our school district -- this is something we value amongst our students, teachers and administrators -- making sure all district students are included and feel like a part of the school community. And being progressive means at times you look at things differently. Sometimes in a district of this size it is difficult to have a full complement; we really intend to investigate all our students’ needs and be progressive in our thought processes as we move forward within Special Education,” Villez explained.

Classification Rate, Process Examined

District classification rates for special education and referrals were examined as part of Tuesday’s presentation. Villez posed a few questions: are the students classified truly disabled, or do they just need more support because they learn differently at an early age? Is there an area the district is struggling in where maybe we need to provide more Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports?”

The Special Education Classification Rate was stated as one of two integral ways for PPS leadership in the district to work with its departmental Strategic Planning. Clemente noted the 14% rate, as “out of roughly 3900 in grades kindergarten through 12, about 571 of them receive some sort of service under special education,” she said.

Under LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) methods of instruction, Garden City maintains for 82% of classified students/students with disabilities to be learning in regular classroom

See page 50

More Information and

PARP Reading Program Continues Into the New Year

This year’s PARP program, “The Reading Connection: The Readers, The Dreamers, and Me,” had an enormously successful December with more to come in January 2021! PARP has finished distribution of 115 signed copies of our One School/ One Book selection, “Dear Dragon” by Josh Funk, to each class/cohort in grades K-5. Teachers read these books aloud to classes in December, and students are invited to participate in an extension activity on Flip Grid. We are excited to announce that Josh Funk will be our third featured author visit on January 21, 2021, at 7 p.m. over Zoom! In addition, on January 13 and 20, the Garden City Public Library librarian, Ms. Grace, will be leading our students in a virtual read aloud, with some info for parents on Library resources. Each day will be broken up between younger students

Garden City PTA News

and older elementary students. The registration link will be emailed to parents and guardians -- parents, keep an eye out for registration information in your email!

Deadline Approaching for NYS PTA Youth Humanitarian Award

The NYS PTA is now accepting applications for its Youth Humanitarian Award ~ In Memory of Stanley Marcus. This award is presented to high school junior or senior students who best exemplify the humanitarian principles of Stanley Marcus. Since PTA is a volunteer organization, we believe that it is only fitting that we should honor such service by our young people through the sponsorship of this award. Information and application can be found: https://nyspta.org/home/pta-leaders/ awards-and-recognitions/youth-humanitarian-award/. Applications are due to the GCHS Guidance/Counseling Center by January 27, 2021.

Mark Your Calendars! Important School & PTA Dates to Remember

Monday, January 18: Schools Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Join the PTA,

Support Garden City Schools

The PTA is proud to support all students and provide a connection between home and school. We are pleased to offer quality programming to students and parents throughout the school year. None of our endeavors would be possible without your continued support. To renew your membership for the 2020-2021 School Year,

please visit www.gardencitypta.org and click on the “Membership” tab. Thank you for your active participation in the Garden City PTA!

Let’s Connect @GardenCityPTA

Website: www.gardencitypta.org

To Get Real Time InformationTurn on Notifications

Facebook:  Facebook.com/ GardenCityPTA

Instagram: Instagram.com/ GardenCityPTA

Twitter: Twitter.com/ GardenCityPTA

Join the conversation and invite your friends.

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It’s What’s Happening for Young Adults Through the Library

Teen Advisory Board Meeting

The next meeting of the Teen Advisory Board is Tuesday, January 12, 5:00 p.m.–5:40 p.m. The meeting is for Tweens and Teens in Grades 6-12. We will be using Zoom Video Conferencing for this virtual program. Please register via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) to participate in this virtual program. Registration began on Tuesday, January 5. Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. Registration ends two hours before the start of the program. Registrants will receive an email with the login information to Zoom one hour before the start of the program.

If you are interested in helping to come up with some virtual programming ideas or social media outreach ideas for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12, consider joining the Teen Advisory Board Online applications are available at https://www.gardencitypl. org/teen-advisory-board-application/  Applicants should be in Grades 6-12.

Tweens and Teens

Dungeons and Dragons

Join us for a virtual meet-up, Tweens and Teens Dungeons and Dragons on Thursday, January 14, 4:30 p.m.–6 p.m. Learn how to play the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons by participating in one of our monthly Dungeons and Dragons Meet-Up! Beginners are welcome! Each meet-up will feature a new self-contained, one-shot adventure and players will be assigned premade characters to play as.

We will be using Zoom video conferencing for this virtual program. For more information about Zoom, visit their website at zoom.us. Mobile users should download the Zoom app onto their device before the start of the meeting. Please register via Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) to participate in this virtual program. Registration begins on Tuesday, January 5 at 10 a.m. Registrants will receive an email with the login information to Zoom one hour before the start of the program.

Teen Crafternoon: Snowflake Mason Jars on Zoom

Join us for a virtual meet-up, Teen Crafternoon: Snowflake Mason Jars on Tuesday, January 19, 5 p.m.–5:40 p.m. Registrants will be asked to pick up their craft kit in advance in order to participate in this virtual craft program. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 only.

We will be using Zoom video conferencing for this virtual program. Please register via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org) to participate in this virtual program. Registration begins on Tuesday, January 12 at 10 a.m. Registration ends two hours before the start of the program. Registrants will receive an email with the login

information to Zoom one hour before the start of the program. This program has been funded by the Friends of the Garden City Public Library.

Tween Haiku Writing on Zoom

Join us for a virtual meet-up, Tween Haiku Writing on Thursday, January 21, 5 p.m.–5:40 p.m. Join us on Zoom as we write haikus and then create word art with them! Registrants should have paper and pen/pencil, as well as markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc. during the program. This program is for tweens in Grades 4–7 only and is a joint program with the Children’s and Young Adult Departments.

We will be using Zoom Video Conferencing for this virtual program. Please register via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org) to participate in this virtual program. Registration begins on Tuesday, January 12 at 10 a.m. Space is limited, so check Eventkeeper for availability. Registration ends two hours before the start of the program. Registrants will receive an email with the login information to Zoom 1 hour before the start of the program.

Teen Games: Among Us on Zoom

Join us for a virtual meet-up, Teen Games: Among Us on Tuesday, January 26 at 4:30 p.m.–5:10 p.m. and 5:20 p.m.–6 p.m. Grab some snacks and join us as we play the popular game Among Us! Registrants will need the Among Us game downloaded on either their PC/laptop or mobile device in order to play. Patrons can sign up for only one of the two 40-minute sessions. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12 only.

We will be using Zoom Video Conferencing for this virtual program. Please register via Eventkeeper  (www. gardencitypl.org) to participate in this virtual program. Registration begins on Tuesday, January 19 at 10 a.m. Registration ends two hours before the start of the program. Registrants will receive an email with the login information to Zoom one hour before the start of the program.

Teen Jeopardy on Zoom

Join us for a virtual meet-up, Teen Jeopardy on Thursday, January 28, 5 p.m.–5:40 p.m. Test your trivia knowledge in this Jeopardy-style game! This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6-12 only.

We will be using Zoom Video Conferencing for this virtual program. Please register via Eventkeeper (www. gardencitypl.org) to participate in this virtual program. Registration begins on Tuesday, January 19 at 10 a.m.. Registration ends two hours before the start of the program. Registrants will receive an email with the login information to Zoom one hour before the start of the program.

Social Media Challenges for January

For the month of January, partic-

ipate in our social media challenges to earn community service credit! January’s challenges are as follows:

• Art: Draw or paint two pictures: one that represents 2020 and one that represents 2021

• Writing: Write a haiku with a winter-theme

• Food: Make a dish for a food you've never tried before

• Question of the Month: What will you remember from 2020 and what are looking forward to in 2021?

• Reading: Start a new series or read a new author you've never read before

If you participate in the challenges, earn community service credit by submitting so we can share it on our Facebook and Instagram pages!

Submit for the Art, Writing, Food, and Question of the Month Challenges here: https://www.gardencitypl.org/ social-media-submission/ .

Submit a 300-word book review for what you read for the Reading Challenge here:  https://www.gardencitypl.org/ submit-a-teen-review/

Tweens and Teens Free Little Library

The Tweens and Teens Department’s Free Little Library, which launched in December 2019, is still available in the Tweens and Teens Room. Books are free for patrons to take home. The Free Little Library will be available  as long as books last. The Tweens and Teens Department will add new books to the Tweens and Teens Free Little Library as needed and as supplies last. Books target readers in Grades 6–12 and were published within the last two years. Books have been donated by Young Adult Librarian Laura Giunta, who received the books through her work on the American Library Association's Best Fiction for Young Adults 2020 and 2021 Committees. For questions, please contact Young Adult Librarian Laura Giunta via email at https://www.gardencitypl. org/young-adult-department/contactthe-young-adult-tweens-teens-department/.

Volunteer Teen Reviewers Needed

Would you like to be a reviewer for the Library? Need community service hours? Then become a Volunteer Teen Reviewer. This program is for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12. The Library is looking for teen reviewers to review books and media in the YA collection as well as digital content, such as ebooks and audiobooks, available on Nassau Digital Doorway. There might be a book you've already read in our physical or digital collection that you can write a review on!

• Browse the physical collection here: http://encore.alisweb.org/

• Browse the digital collection here: https://nassau.overdrive.com

• Submit a review here: https:// www.gardencitypl.org/submit-a-teen-

review/

Reviews will be used to update the Tweens and Teens Library Review Page (https://www.gardencitypl.org/ category/teen-reviews/) as well as update our social media pages. Reviews are subject to approval by the Young Adult Librarian. Please make sure to follow the guidelines for reviews in order for the review to count toward community service.

Teen-Created Social Media Content

Earn community service by submitting a photo, video, or other content for us to add to the Library's Tweens and Teens Facebook and Instagram pages! Ideas for submissions include book reviews, artwork, poetry, short stories, personal essays, photos of food you’ve cooked or baked, or any other creative idea you have for content. Not all submissions will be used on our social media and submissions including photos of people are not allowed. Submit social media content here https://www.gardencitypl.org/ social-media-submission/ .

Follow Tweens and Teens on Facebook and Instagram

Follow Garden City Library’s Tweens and Teens on Facebook and Instagram! The Young Adult Department has been using both social media platforms as a tool to post updates, announcements, digital resources, ebook recommendations, and more during this time of social distancing.

Here are the Facebook and Instagram pages for the Garden City Public Library Tweens and Teens Department:

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ GCPLTweensTeens

Instagram:  www.instagram.com/ GCPLTweensTeens

If you’re interested in participating and want to learn when new virtual events will be happening for tweens and teens (Grades 6–12), or if you have any questions, email Young Adult Librarian Laura Giunta at https://www.gardencitypl.org/young-adult-department/ contact-the-young-adult-tweens-teensdepartment /.

Teen Advisory Board Applications Now Available Online

If you are interested in helping to come up with some programming ideas or social media outreach ideas for tweens and teens in Grades 6–12, consider joining the Teen Advisory Board Online applications are available at https://www.gardencitypl. org/teen-advisory-board-application/  Applicants should be in Grades 6–12. Email Young Adult Librarian Laura Giunta at https://www.gardencitypl. org/young-adult-department/contactthe-young-adult-tweens-teens-department/  if you have any questions.

Library open for browsing, virtual and contactless options available

During the COVID-19 pandemic the Garden City Public Library’s most important priority is to prevent the spread of the virus and to protect the health and safety of Library users and Library employees. The Library has a range of services including virtual or contactless options to meet the needs of residents.

The library’s website www.gardencitypl.org contains many online services, media resources and virtual activities.  There are ebooks and downloadable audiobooks, streaming music and concerts, movies and television programs to watch, and digital magazines to browse.  You can also take up a craft or take an online course in a wide array of subjects.  For students, databases of articles and reference sources as well as online tutoring are also available.  Job seekers can choose from several tools available online also. Choose among these options at the Virtual Library at https://www. gardencitypl.org/databases/.

If you prefer to hold a book in your hand, you may visit the library to

browse or arrange contactless pickup. Hours re Monday through Thursday9:30 a.m.–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday - 9:30 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday1 p.m.–5 p.m.  To check out items using the contactless EXPRESS Pickup service seven days a week, simply call the Library or visit the website at https:// www.gardencitypl.org/express-pickup/. Contactless EXPRESS pickup is available during the same hours.

Library materials should be returned only to the front book drop or inside the lobby on carts marked “RETURNS ONLY.”  Items will be checked in and backdated to their return date after 96 hours quarantine.  Although fines will accrue on overdue materials, they can be paid online ($5.00 minimum) or on your next visit to the Library.  Please also note, the Friends of the Library are not accepting book donations at this time.

Inside the Library, masks must be worn over the nose and mouth at all times, and in coordination with this rule, consuming any beverage or food

is also not allowed inside the Library building, including in the Step Down Café. Six feet distancing is mandatory including at Library tables, and rearranging furniture is not permitted.   Visitors are limited to 60 minutes in the Library and any additional time must be approved by the Librarian-inCharge. All study rooms and computer areas remain closed. Congregating in groups is not allowed. The Library reserves the right to require visitors to leave who are not following these and other Library rules and policies.

Librarians may assist patrons with questions about reading or other information needs by phone or email as well as in the Library.  Patrons seeking staff assistance at the Library must keep six feet distance and stand behind floor markings and desk partitions. Patrons who wish a staff consultation (Reference, Readers Advisory) must sign in the log book.  For contactless assistance, Librarians can also help patrons find the reading, media or information they seek through the

See what's happening at your

library!

many virtual services offered. For academic assistance or online learning, Librarians can suggest one of the electronic information databases, where a research article can be sent to your email account, or printed for you to pick up.  To reach a Reference Librarian for assistance, call the Library at 516-7428405 x5236 or enter your question in the form on the Library’s website at www. gardencitypl.org .

The Library will not hold meetings or programs in the library building until further notice.  For virtual programs, please check the Library's website and Calendar of Events at www.gardencitypl.org as well as the Library’s Facebook pages for updates and information on the Library’s online resources, services and virtual programs.

The procedures above will be continuously reviewed by the Library Board and Administration, as needed for safety. The Library is continuing to work with the Village to ensure the safety of Library employees and visitors and to provide excellent library service.

From classes to lectures and concerts to movie screenings, there's never a dull day at your local library! Check this paper each week for fun and informative all-ages activities, all for free or cheap!

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News From the Children’s Room

Welcome 2021!

We’ve Been Waiting for You!

January brings us the opportunity to make resolutions and the chance to make changes for the better!  Whether it’s exercising, eating healthy, taking up a craft, learning how to cook, READING  and visiting the library more, or quitting a bad habit that’s been hard to beat, we can use this time to move forward.

The Children’s Room has books on many of these topics and more.   Here are books that might help with your family’s New Year resolutions!   “Rabbit’s Habits:  A Book about Good Habits” by Jane Belk Moncure, “Getting Enough Sleep” by Mary Elizabeth Salzmann, “Alex Eats the Rainbow: A Book About  Healthy Eating” by Kerry Dinmont, “See What We Eat! A First Book of Healthy Eating” by Scot Richie, and “Get Into Yoga” by Jaime Winters.

Early Winter Programs & Events in the Children’s Department

We have been planning for Early winter programs which include:

January 27, 2021; 4:00–4:40 p.m. DO A WINTER CRAFT ONLINE WITH MISS BARBARA AND MISS DONNA

Registration online on Eventkeeper is required at www.gardencitypl. org  beginning January 12 @ 10 a.m.. Separate Registration for each child is required.  Crafts must be picked up in advance in the Children’s Room beginning January 12.

February 1, 2021; 10:00–10:40 a.m. PREMIERE OF A TIME FOR KIDS WITH A VALENTINE’S CRAFT.

Registration on Eventkeeper at www. gardencitypl.org is required beginning January 19 at 10 a.m.  All crafts must be picked up in advance of the program beginning January 19.  The craft will be led by Miss Karen in a pre-recorded video. A separate registration is required for each child.

The taped program will be available for multiple viewings until March 1, 2021.  Only those children registered will get a craft.   February 3, 2021; 12:00–1:00 p.m. LI FIT MOMS - ZUMBA

This fun family program will get you up and moving!  It is for children, tweens, teens and their families!  Join Liana from LI Fit Moms for Zumba.  This pre-taped program will be held via zoom and will be available for multiple viewings for one month after the premiere.

February 10, 2021; 4:00–4:40 p.m. VALENTINE’S GRAB AND GO CRAFT ONLINE WITH THE CHILDREN’S LIBRARIANS

This program is for children in Grades K–5.  Registration with a library card on Eventkeeper (www.gardencitypl.org) is required beginning January 26 at 10 a.m.  A separate registration is required for each child you wish to attend. Registrants must pick up their craft kit at the Library in advance of the program.   See Eventkeeper for additional information.

Tween Programs

January 21, 2021; 5:00–5:40 p.m. HAIKU WRITING LED BY MISS BARBARA AND MISS LAURA. Registration begins January 12 @ 10 a.m. on Eventkeeper at www.gardencitypl.org.   Registrants must have nice paper, crayons and markers available to them prior to the start of the program.   Some poems may be showcased on the Library’s social media.

PARP Banner

Once again, we are pleased to help promote the PARP Reading program with the  Garden City School District and PTA.  PARP is a program that asks a partner (parent, grandparent, babysitter, older sibling, cousin, friend, etc.) to read with a child for at least 20 minutes daily, stressing the fact that reading can be fun as well as informative. The choice of reading materials can vary from books to anything with printed words. The daily activity of reading together strengthens reading and communication skills in the child and strengthens their relationship.

PARP is a program that cements the necessary bond between the home and the school to encourage love of reading in our children. It was developed in 1978 by the late State Senator James Donovan, chairman of the State Senate Education Committee. In 1987, the New York State PTA was asked to assume the program’s helm, and since then has administered the program. The program was originally named Parents As Reading Partners but was changed in 2015.  For more information about PARP, visit https://nyspta. org/home/programs/literacy/.

We currently have the PARP Banner hanging in the Garden City Public Library lobby.  All are welcome to come in and take advantage of this sign for a photo op!    Happy Reading!

Getting married?

Garden City Library Board to meet

There will be a Regular Meeting of the Board of Library Trustees on Monday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. This meeting will be conducted remotely via Zoom conference call.

Further details about the meeting will be posted when available on the Library’s website www.gardencitypl. org.

Mary Brennan INN volunteer customizes mask chains

Frequent Mary Brennan INN volunteer Linda Goldstein has used proceeds from her custom mask chains to purchase food and snacks for the INN.

BY GARY SIMEONE

Linda Goldstein has been a longtime volunteer at the Mary Brennan INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network) in Hempstead. She has participated in various functions at the non-profit organization, including fundraisers, golf outings and holiday parties. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, she has not been able to resume her volunteer duties at the location.

“I was not able to go back to the INN until the beginning of September for a food drive they had put together” said Goldstein, a retired NYC special education teacher. “I had missed working there with the other volunteers in the soup kitchen, and there is such a need right now for our services.”

During the early months of the pandemic last spring, Goldstein occupied her downtime by creating beaded mask chains to give to friends and coworkers.

“I would occupy my time shopping at hobby stores and online websites to find these customized glass beads to place on the chains,” said Goldstein. “I would sell them for $20 each. They are nice to look at, easy to remove and I was even able to personalize them by placing people’s names with the alphabet beads.”

She said that in the beginning, she was spending all of her money on the necessary materials to make the chains.

“This was something I enjoyed doing because my hobby is staining glass. Unfortunately I was losing money in the beginning, but over time I sold them to friends and relatives across the country and I was able to make a profit.”

She was able to garner $1800 in donations from selling her customized chains. Goldstein said she thought about where that money should go, and decided to spend it on purchasing snacks for the bagged lunch program at the INN.

“People are not allowed inside the premises now, so we give away these bagged lunches pantry bags and toiletries to people in an outside booth,” said Goldstein. “All of the donations that I have secured from my chains have gone to purchasing snacks for the lunches, including things like granola bars, fruit cups, pretzels and bottles of water.”

She said that the staff at the INN lets her know if there is a particular need for any item, and she buys the item with money she has accrued from her chains. She can be reached at linnieg28@yahoo.com

Florence O'Beirne Beach

Florence O’Beirne Beach of Garden City, mother of two and loving wife of the late James J. Beach Jr., died peacefully at home on January 3rd at the age of 93.

Florence, known to her friends as Flossie, was born on December 16th, 1927 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. She was the youngest of five children, including Peter, Veronica, Thomas and William.

Florence attended St. John’s University where she received her Associates Degree in Business. Her work career included employment at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, Great Lakes Coal & Coke Company and Saks Fifth Avenue.

On October 2nd, 1954, Florence was married at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bay Ridge to James J. Beach Jr., a graduate of Middlebury College, who went on to earn a Master’s

Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Florence and her family lived in Garden City since 1965.

Florence’s great love in her life was her family and raising her children and grandchildren. Her children include Michele Beach Harrington (husband Kevin J. Harrington) of Garden City and Westhampton Beach, and David J. Beach (wife Nora Lawrence Beach) of San Francisco. Her grandchildren include Brendan J. Harrington, Katherine E. Harrington and William B. Harrington. Florence also loved tennis, gardening and caring for rescue animals.

Florence served as President of the The Central Property Owners Association from 1984 to 1986 and was a member of St. Joseph’s Rosary Society, the Garden City Garden Club and was

The Kordes K orner

John Ellis Kordes

PhotograPhy history

One of the most famous planes ever built, this is the “Spirit of St. Louis.” Charles Lindbergh flew this plane from Roosevelt Airfield to Paris in the first solo non-stop transatlantic flight in May of 1927. The plane was built in San Diego, California by the Ryan Corp. and was called the “Spirit of St. Louis” because Lindbergh’s financial backers were from St. Louis. This plane today hangs in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C.

The above photo was taken in May of 1927 at Roosevelt Airfield but not on the day he took off, May 20, 1927. The reason is that there are shadows on the plane as the sun is out in this photo. The morning Lindbergh took off was a cloudy and rainy one.

instrumental in the formation of the Garden City Beautification Committee.

Florence will be remembered for her ready smile, quick wit, and a great love of family and friends. She was a leader of important causes before they became important. She will not be forgotten by all those among us whose lives she touched and changed for the better.

The wake will be held on Tuesday January 12th from 4:00pm - 8:00pm at Fairchild Sons Funeral Home on Franklin Avenue in Garden City. Recommended COVID precautions will be strictly adhered to throughout the service. A funeral mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday January 13th at St. Joseph’s Church on Franklin Avenue in Garden City at 10:00am. Florence will be buried at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, New York.

We are both honored and humbled to be voted BEST FUNERAL HOME 2019 by our families, neighbors and friends that voted for us. We promise to always strive for excellence in caring for the families we serve. We are grateful for the sacred trust you have placed in us.

Victor LoGiudice, Managing Partner

James E. Lewis

Florence O'Beirne Beach

School district provides special education services in spite of pandemic

From page 43

settings for 80% of the time. Then, 7.4% of students are learning in regular education classrooms between 40% and 70% of the time and another 7.4% are learning in the regular education classrooms under 40% of the time.

“Because inclusivity is such a priority to us as well as the community we also looked at the LRE data. While we are immensely proud of our 82% data point we have begun conversations with stakeholders, parents and school building leaders to see how we can increase access to ‘general education settings’ for all our students with disabilities,” Clemente said.

Director Villez said during the first half of the school year a focus for PPS is streamlining procedures within special education, in particular navigating through legal and regulatory compliance for the school district. There are also several timelines administration needs to be cognizant of.

“When we first began in the positions we wanted to make sure procedures were in place for us to maintain everything we needed to do legally, to ensure that we are providing equitable services to our students. We wanted to make sure there was consistency for the schools’ experience among children at Hemlock, Locust and Homestead (primary schools) as that should be equitable, and based upon their disability and what their needs are to be sure everyone understood criteria for classification. Another initiative this year continues in further development of our S.E. programs and introducing new programs utilizing data to help drive decisions,” she commented.

In 2016 the New York State Education Department came out with a blueprint for districts to meet needs of students with disabilities. Villez presented the seven bullet points for students with disabilities for context in her presentation this week.

“So much of what parents, educators, administrators and students are saying is already delineated on here. One thing that really struck me is that our recent graduates from special education were very strong advocates for themselves. We want to teach our students, especially students with disabilities, to know how to advocate for themselves. They clearly know how to do so as students are involved in the CSE process from the 8th grade on up here, but with our Strategic Plan I’d like to see them involved even earlier. Students know what they need and they can truly communicate that at an earlier age than we think,” Villez said.

Clemente spoke about incredibly high post-graduation outcomes for students with disabilities in the district, with an 85% graduation rate, and more than half of this student population earns Advanced Regents diplomas with

a majority going on to two-year and four-year colleges.

Parent Shares Perspective

At the meeting resident Lauren Kennedy spoke about her son’s special education experience in the district. She said her husband and herself have spent a whopping $70,000 to find support for their child’s learning needs outside of the schools’ setting. In considering progress made with the Garden City Schools’ PPS department and in procedures over the last three years, Kennedy broke down in tears as she thanked the district, specifically School Psychologist at Stratford Elementary Danielle Warnke for her dedication and work with her son, “single handedly changing his life for the better” as he’s now a 5th grader. She spoke on a tough journey in seeing him become a completely different, more optimistic learner thanks in large part to her great work with the student. Kennedy thanks many of the CSE professionals and support staff who she has seen make a difference, though she cautions the district administration to continue to make progress with PPS.

“I’ve been coming to board of education meetings for nearly five years and one of the first times I spoke about the gut-wrenching experience of being his mom with a child going through special education, not knowing how to help him. The school board has been so responsive to the community in the past three years, with Wilson Reading System certifications for teachers and other trainings for the staff. Even with that our family’s been on such a painful journey, just so stressful and difficult. There’s also the social-emotional impacts in his low self-confidence, even facing bullying, not only hurt my son but our entire family. That is why over the past 18 months I’ve conveyed to our school board that by the time students reach third and fourth grade, it’s just too late. The opportunity to really help the children, as Dr. Sinha noted, is when they are in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades. I am so fiercely advocating for those kids because the impacts the early intervention and measures have on who they become as people is incredible -- we do have power to help kids in K, 1 and 2,” Kennedy said. She was enthused that Villez and Clemente discussed the 14% classification rate on Tuesday, as Kennedy noted for the board that it becomes more expensive “when we have our kids classified.”

“The way to lower the expenses throughout levels for all our K through 12 kids is to have strong Tier 1 programs getting into the Reading research and then having a comprehensive RTI (Response to Intervention and M-TSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) plan -- we need to have that. My one suggestion as you continue with developing the Strategic Plan and areas for growth will be writing the standards-based IEPs.

We want the goals along with making sure that goals are measurable together with collecting the progress-monitoring data. That is critical as we need to know what interventions the district provides that are working, and if not then we’d try something new,” Kennedy said.

Clemente discussed specific programs geared toward GCUFSD students with disabilities during her part of the January 5 presentation, from the ‘best buddies’ to Challenger basketball, the Anti-Bullying Club and more.

New reading software

School Board Trustee Matthew Wakeham listened to the PPS departmental presentation, welcomed the two administrators, and asked about the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic had created for special education and how the district is meeting students’ needs. He asked if any unique approaches to education programming have been implemented from the end of 2019-2020 through the first half of 2020-2021.

Assistant Director for PPS Clemente said in fall 2020, the staff and educators needed to identify if students were returning to school with “gaps in skills or specific social-emotional needs.”

“We started off the school year by seeing where students were, and for the most part we are happy to say students did recoup their skills but in a very short duration of time we observed that most students fared well through the pandemic interruptions. We’ve also purchased supplementary software to help provide opportunities for our parents and for teachers to further support our students, specifically in the areas of Reading but this represents just supplementary support, not replacing any form of Reading instruction,” she told the board.

The Fast ForWord digital program, an adaptive reading and language program, was incorporated in Garden City for speech pathologists’ use with students to assist in their vocabulary-building, phonics processing, phonemic awareness and memory exercises.

Three new software platforms brought into GCUFSD is Read 180, System 44 and OnRead; different programs that are helping the district with data collection and tracking student progress, pinpointing any areas where readers are having difficulties so they can be helped during school days. Clemente noted that if all-remote learning were necessitated again, the programs provide more remote instruction for students.

According to Clemente more data will come before the board of education in related 2021-2022 budget presentations, which will begin in the district early next month.

Villez praised PPS staff members working with the many students in Garden City who are on remote learning. “Staff are going above and beyond

to support the kids, do 1:1 instruction, extra instruction, provide parent support and develop leadership. Our staff is doing a wonderful job... This is a very proud district as Garden City is rightfully proud of the schools, proud of their community and we are all proud of the educational opportunities we have to offer our students,” she noted.

Another long-term goal presented for PPS is stronger and more frequent communication.

“Communication is paramount and especially in special education. It’s a highly emotional process to sit at the CSE table, as everybody cares about their child but they’re coming in with different lenses. We need to be able to communicate a recommendation and the why behind it, and helping parents and the community know of any potential changes while they are being made. One change identified needs to be the meeting length as CSE meetings tend to be longer in duration, and we need to look at it -- times teachers and service providers are out of the classroom means times away from all the students in their classrooms during the day. Meetings need to be comprehensive so all participants can still have a voice, but we are examining that data point to evaluate streamlining processes and procedures, and we’ve already met with some SEPTA representatives about this,” Villez explained.

Clemente added, “we’ve felt fortunate to be welcomed into Garden City and in a short time, we have also found so much to be proud of..one of the things we are proud of to have a hand in are the incredible students that make up the classified population in the district. From our most intensive-needs classes in the primary grades to our Garden City High School Honors classes, our district’s students with disabilities represent success in every domain. All of the staff, from teachers to related service providers and supplementary support personnel are committed to improving on their own pedagogy and they’re immensely supportive of the initiatives and protocols Janine and I have begun to implement. They have also begun engaging us in initiatives that they feel personally connected to,” she said.

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NOTICE OF FORMATION

Notice of Formation of BRAND CONCEPTS INTERNATIONAL LLC. Art. Of Organization filed with the SSNY on 09/28/2020. Office: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to 82 Sixth Street, Garden City, NY 11530. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

GC 1144

6X 12/04,11,18,25,01/01/2021,01/08

NOTICE OF FORMATION

Notice of formation of Vamana Properties LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 8/31/2020. Office located in Nassau. SSNY is designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 58 -13TH Ave. Mineola, NY- 11501. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

GC 1150

6X 12/25,01/01,08,15,22,29

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING BY THE ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Pursuant to the provisions of the General Municipal Law and Chapter 200 of the Code of the Incorporated Village of Garden City, New York notice is hereby given that the Board of Appeals of said Village will meet in the Village Hall at 351 Stewart Avenue, Garden City, New York on Wednesday, January 20. 2021 at 7:00 p.m. to take action on the following matters:

1. APPEAL OF DANIEL & AMY GIBBONS for a variance of the provisions of Chapter 98 and Sections 20052 of the Village Code, allowing the issue of a temporary permit to maintain 80.0’ of 11.5’ high black ball stop netting along the South Avenue front, and 50.0’ of 9.4’ high netting along the Kensington Road front, at the corner premises known as 64 KENSINGTON ROAD

(Map of Garden City Estates, Block 65, Lot 23, R-12 district), the erection of which has:

A. caused the (60.0’) required setback for accessory structures from South Avenue, to be reduced to no less than (8.0’) ~ B. caused the (50.0’) required setback for accessory structures from Kensington Road, to be reduced to no less than (6.0’) ~

C. caused fencing to exceed

(4.0’) in height.

Building Department application # 2020-8721.

Adjourned at the November 17, 2020 meeting

2. APPEAL OF 222 SEVENTH STREET CONDOMINIUM for a variance of the provisions of Sections 200-7 and 20026.B.(1) of the Village Code, to permit the use of an existing 400 sq. ft. first floor retail store, as ‘Royal Gold Buyers Inc.’, at the address 671 Franklin Avenue in the building known as 222 SEVENTH STREET (Map of Garden City East, Block 155, Lot H, C-2 District).

Building Department application # 2020-8682

Adjourned at the November 17, 2020 meeting

3. APPEAL OF ANITA ELISE ALMA for a variance of the provisions of Section 200-52.H of the Village Code, to allow for the permitting to maintain a previously installed A/C compressor (installed 1980), at the side of the existing dwelling known as, 160 WETHERILL ROAD (Map of Country Life Development, Block J, Lot 182, R-6 District) the granting of which will: A. cause the required plot line setback for freestanding cooling equipment of (10.0’) to be reduced to no less than (2.09’).

Application # 2020-7507 survey & photographs filed with the Building Department.

Adjourned at the June 17, 2020 meeting.

4. APPLICATION & APPEAL OF ALEXANDRA POLITES as per the provisions of Sections 200-45 and 200-70, of the Village Code, to allow for the issue of a building permit to construct and maintain an 16’ x 44’ in-ground swimming pool and 10’ x 10’ non-permanent hot tub, with a 36 sq. ft. outdoor kitchen, 96 sq. ft. storage shed, 6’ Estate and chain link fence, and landscape plan, in the rear yard of the premises known as 8 CATHEDRAL AVENUE (Map of Garden City Central, Block 28, Lot N-12, R-20 district).

Building Department application # 2020-8724, Landscape Associates Inc.

Adjourned at the November 20, 2020 meeting for inclusion of hot tub.

5. APPEAL OF

LEGAL NOTICES

TIMOTHY & MEAGHAN MILLER for a variance of the provisions of Section 200-15 & 200-46 of the Village Code, to allow for the issue of a building permit for the erection of a 218 sq. ft. first floor rear addition with a 185 sq. ft. second floor, a 47 sq. ft. garage extension and 40 sq. ft. portico at the front; of the dwelling known as 97 KENWOOD ROAD (Map of Country life Development, Block X, Lots 410, R-6 district) the granting of which would:

A. cause the allowable building area of (1,545) sq. ft. or 25.0%, to be exceeded by (20) sq. ft. (1,565 sq. ft. or 25.31%)

~ B. cause an extension of the current (5.36’) minimum side yard, where (8.0’) is required, to be reduced to no less than (5.29’) at the front wall of the garage expansion~ C. reduce the required front setback of (30.0’), to no less than (28.81’) to the portico, and (27.81’) to the step.

Building Department application # 2020-8838, John J. Viscardi, R.A.

6. APPEAL OF JOHN

LONG for a variance of the provisions of Section 200-15, 20031 and 200-46.C of the Village Code, so as to permit the erection of a 610 sq. ft. first floor rear and side addition with 24 sq. ft. open porch and 538 sq. ft. second floor above, and 37 sq. ft. front portico, and two A/C compressors in the side yard(demolish 219 sq. ft. one story side porch), at the dwelling known as 207 KILBURN ROAD (Map of Garden City Estates, Block 15, Lots 20, R-8 district) the construction of which would:

A. cause the allowable building area of (1,500) sq. ft. or 25.0% to be exceeded by (157) sq. ft. (1,657 sq. ft. or 27.61%)

B. cause the required front yard setback of ( 25.0’ ) to reduced to no less than (19.35’) with respect to the proposed portico~

C. cause the required plot line setback for freestanding cooling equipment of (10.0’), to be reduced to no less than (6.5’).

Building Department application # 2020-8959, John J. Viscardi, R.A.

7. APPEAL OF

CALOGERO & JENNIFER FALZONE for a variance of the provisions of Section 200-15 & 200-52.H of the Village Code, to allow the issue of a building permit for the erection of; a 93 sq. ft. first floor addition with 504 sq. ft. second floor above at the rear and side (while demolishing and reconstructing a 114 sq. ft. one story portion); a 205 sq. ft. front porch, and two (2) A/C condensers in the side yard; at the dwelling known as 72 WYATT ROAD (Map of Country life Development, Block O, Lots 259, R-6 district) the granting of which would:

A. cause the allowable building area of (1,429) sq. ft. or ( 25.0% ), to be exceeded by (234) sq. ft. (1,663 sq. ft. or 29.08%) ~

B. cause the two A/C compressors to be as close as (7.0’) to a plot line, where (10.0’) is required.

Building Department application # 2020-8834, John J. Viscardi, R.A.

8. APPLICATION & APPEAL OF JACK & MELISSA JOHNSTON as per the provisions of Sections 200-45 and 200-70 , and a variance from section 200-15 of the Village Code, to allow the issue of a building permit for the construction of a 20’ x 40’ in-ground swimming pool with 6’ fence, and 209 sq. ft. Cabana, To be located in the rear yard of the premises known as 112 JOHN STREET (Map of Garden City East, Block 142, Lot 9, R-20 district), the granting of which will:

A. cause the allowable building area of (4,000) sq. ft. or 20% to be exceeded by (369) sq. ft. (4,369 sq. ft. or 21.85%).

Building Department application # 2020-8763, H. Bradford Gustavson, R.A.

9. APPEAL OF PAUL CANGRO in accordance with the provisions of Section 20015 of the Village Code, to allow the issuance of a building permit for construction of a 352 sq. ft. two car detached garage, at the premises known as 145 KENSINGTON ROAD (Map of Garden City Estates, Block 36, Lot 27, R-12 District), the granting of which would:

A. cause the allowable plot coverage of (2,000) sq. ft. or 20.00% to be exceeded by (172) sq. ft. (2,172 sq. ft. or 21.72%).

Building Department application # 2020-8810, Kenneth C. Long R.A.

10. APPEAL OF JOHN LATTUCA in accordance with Section 99-2 and a variance from provisions of 200-52 of the Village Code to allow for the issue of a Building permit to replace the 110.0’ of 3.0’ high wood fence, at the premises known as 44 HILTON AVENUE (Map of Garden City Central, Block 23, Lot 4, R-20 District), the granting of which would:

A. maintain (110.0’) of fence as close as (0.0’) from Hilton Avenue, where (80.0’) is now required.

Building Department application # 2020-8822

11. APPEAL OF JIOMA DIAZ & BRYAN PU-FOLKES for a variance of the provisions of Section 200-31 and 200-52 of the Village Code, allowing the issue of a building permit for conversion of an 195 sq. ft. attached garage to habitable space in the Clinton Road front, while maintaining a previously constructed 59 sq. ft. masonry BBQ in the Huntington Road front, at the premises known as 210 CLINTON ROAD (Map of Country Life Development, Block P, Lot 250, R-12 District), the granting of which will; A. maintain the existing front yard setback to Clinton Road of ( 26.0’ ) where ( 30.0’ ) is required.

B. cause the required front setback for accessory structures to Huntington Road of (50.0’), to be reduced to no less than (22.0’) with respect to the existing BBQ.

Building Department application # 2020-8835, Allure Home Improvements.

12. APPLICATION & APPEAL OF KIM & RYAN MCDERMOTT as per the provisions of Sections 200-45 and 200-70, and a variance from section 200-15 of the Village Code, to allow the issue of a building permit for the construction and maintenance of an 20’ x 43’ in-ground swimming pool with 6’ fence and automatic cover, in the rear yard of the premises known as 109 TENTH STREET (Map of Garden City Central, Block 10, Lot 35, R-20 district), the granting of which will:

See page 56

The A.T. Stewart Consignment Shop

Consider re-gifting some of your Christmas ornaments or decorations or gifts that need a better home.

The Mayor’s Update

From page 12

bridge clearance signs and operating a commercial vehicle without proper endorsement. On December 27, a U.S. Postal vehicle struck the Chestnut Street overpass. The 45-year-old operator was cited with disregarding bridge clearance signs. There were no reported injuries.

For safety issues, it is always recommended that commercial vehicle operators use a commercial GPS system, as illustrated on the GPS.gov website, which states Consumer GPS devices/ apps generally do not warn drivers of restricted roads, low bridges or other information relevant to commercial motor vehicles.

A recent study of bridge strikes found the following:

• Cherry Valley Avenue

2018 = 8

2019 = 17

2020 = 11

• Nassau Boulevard

2018 = 6

2019 = 4

2020 = 1

• Chestnut Street

2018 = 8

2019 = 7

2020 = 2

Sign up for Village email alerts

Stay connected! Sign up for Village email alerts through an online portal on Garden City’s homepage. The link is located on the bottom right side of the website, www.gardencityny.net. Provide your name and a valid email address to immediately begin receiving alerts about, for example, local meeting times and locations, Village Hall holiday hours, even approved solicitations and road closures. Garden City’s website, www.gardencityny.net, is a great online source of information for residents.

BY MELISSA JAEGER

Keep on Gifting

The holidays are such a pleasant and happy time … playing Christmas music and singing carols … maybe even partaking of a little egg nog ... decorating the mantle and trimming the tree. Now comes the time we dread -- dismantling and putting away all the decorations for next year. I know, I can hear you groan … Personally, I seriously re-evaluate the need for so many things! And sometimes I think of them like clothing – if I didn’t use them this year, do I really need them?

And what do you do with gifts that you don’t need or, dare I say, don’t want … What about the funny-looking cow that Uncle Bob saw and thought of you? Or the umpteenth item for your special collection? I know that my mom collects rabbits and is gifted with all things bunny – big and small, ceramic and glass, realistic and cutesy. She has them all and has more than enough to fill a museum! Perhaps you got duplicates and aren’t sure what to do with them.

That’s where we come in. You can re-gift – to us! Consider donating the Christmas ornaments and decorations to the A.T. Stewart Exchange where they will do good for others. Or consign some of the unwanted items/ gifts that you received. Remember: when your item sells, you get 50% of the selling price. It’s a great opportunity to get rid of some clutter and do some good for your community and the Garden City Historical Society Museum.

If you do decide to donate, Please do not leave your items outside the shop when we are closed. We want your items, but we don’t want them to get ruined, especially during inclement weather. Email store@atstewartexchange.org and I will work with you to arrange a drop-off time. I check the emails every day, even when we’re closed.

We still have extended shopping hours on Wednesdays until 6:00pm. For those of you who work, it’s a great chance to shop in peace and quiet. We get newly consigned merchandise almost every day! Not comfortable with coming into the shop? Please shop online and come to the shop to pick up. I continue to update the TGCHS website with photos of our newest merchandise! Be sure to check out www.tgchs.org or go to our online store at: stores.myresaleweb.com/ at-stewart-exchange. We also post photos on the AT Stewart Exchange Facebook and Instagram pages.

When you do come into the Shop, please follow our established sanitizing protocols and social distancing rules to keep everyone safe. Please, now more than ever, wear your mask. We’re wearing ours. And please use our hand-sanitizer.

For those unfamiliar with the Exchange Consignment Shop, we are housed in TGCHS Museum on 109 Eleventh Street (in the basement of the building). We take jewelry, lamps, mirrors, crystal, pocketbooks, china, furniture, silver, paintings, and collectibles. Unsure if your items are appropriate to consign? Email photos to store@atstewartexchange.org and be sure to include sizing info. We accept consignments Wednesday through Friday 11:00am – 2:00pm by appointment ONLY, so please call (516) 746-8900.

All the profits from the Consignment Shop support the maintenance and upkeep of The Garden City Historical Society (TGCHS) Museum. With your generous support, work on the outside of the Museum continues.

The Shop is located at 109 Eleventh Street.

Shop Hours:  Tues–Fri, 10:00–4:00 p.m.,  Wednesday til 6:00 p.m.;  Sat, noon–4:00 p.m.

For more information, please call (516) 746-8900.

Water remediation costs

From page 32

I held a three to four-hour meeting with H2M going over every purchase order, invoice and item that is now a part of the wells’ and water system budget.... the agenda allocations the Board will vote on are included in those amounts -- the $43 million. Everything associated with the AOP treatment systems procured, both in term and in permanent, are in these allocations,” he said.

During the village’s Environmental Advisory Board meeting on December 15, 2020 held via Zoom, Trustee Stephen Makrinos noted that several village wells are pending inspections from New York State and for others, “the AOP installation process is nearly done.” He said Garden City looks on-track for

what was initially planned in the early stages of the mandated-remediation per state authorities, outlined in 2019.

“For Wells 7, 10 and 11 the AOP system installations are complete, and the manufacturer completed tests. We collected samples and sent them to the Nassau County Health Department and we were awaiting the department’s approval, which we expect in soon. For those wells we’re working on buildings to house the new AOP systems. The AOP systems are in place at Wells 13 and 14, at Garden City Country Club but work work is progressing on piping and electrical connections -- the expectations are that the system will be up and running within four to six weeks,” Makrinos said.

ReVAMP calls for resignation of two trustees over ‘monster poles’

From page 2

below, among others, we call for their immediate resignations.

Failing to represent resident interests

Back in 2017, former Garden City Mayor Nicholas Episcopia expressed concern about then-Deputy Mayor Daughney’s appointment of himself, Trustee Makrinos, and one other nowretired trustee to the Third Track Committee (GC News, From the Mayor’s Office, March 31, 2017: https://www. gcnews.com/articles/from-the-mayorsoffice-406/).

Episcopia worried the Daughney/ Makrinos Committee wasn’t being transparent about how they’d “protect residents whose homes [were] at risk from the LIRR project” despite their primary obligation to “protect … residents’ property values and quality of life when big government puts them at risk.”

Far from protected, area residents now confront likely diminished property values reasonably estimated in the millions of dollars as old-growth trees and natural barriers are ripped away and replaced with massive steel poles and wiring capable of carrying all manner of electromagnetic goodies (e.g., 5G cellular). Moreover, all Garden City households now share the possible redistributed tax burden of impacted Estates owners grieving their taxes or having their properties reassessed downward.

While the debate over the poles’ health and financial impacts will continue, there is little doubt property owner interests were not well served in the lead up to their installation. Indeed, former Mayor Episcopia noted that other villages expected MTA “givebacks” for LIRR project support, without regard for property owners “adjacent to or in the vicinity of the Main Line,” and sure enough, we can now see how the Third Track Committee shrugged its shoulders at Main Line residents for MTA “givebacks” to improve the distant Stewart Manor and Nassau Boulevard stations.

Mayor Episcopia concluded, “[s] everal of our Trustees think dealing with the LIRR is a good idea, but at what cost to our residents?”

We now have our answer as the Committee demands kudos for extracting MTA pittances like ineffective sound walls and extra shrubbery while Main Line residents wave goodbye to clear blue skies and lush greenery that grew for generations where the railroad’s 69,000-volt middle fingers now stand.

Failing to investigate and abiding the MTA’s victim narrative

In 2017 when the MTA was out selling the third track, it promised allowance for utility burial where feasible, but after performing a feasibility study decided on gigantic poles instead.

We wonder: did that study justifying poles say burial wouldn’t be feasible or merely tougher and pricier? Were poles predetermined and the Village misled?

We may never know because, although the MTA offered Messrs. Daughney and Makrinos a “public-friendly” version of that study to share with residents after the poles had already risen, Daughney and Makrinos failed to obtain and disseminate it.

When asked why, Daughney surmised, without any apparent outrage, that the MTA rescinded its promise to share the study in retaliation for the “hostile threats aimed at” the agency by Monster Pole opponents.

It’s appalling that the MTA would potentially withhold such information from the public and play victim here because it apparently felt threatened by the community it wrecked. It’s even more intolerable that Daughney and Makrinos would accept such nonsense and fail to demand the critical study.

Promoting MTA propaganda

In June 2020, MTA public relations materials were posted to the Village Website titled “FAQs Regarding Steel Utility Poles” to supposedly clarify “inaccurate media stories” surrounding the poles. Yet the biased “facts” regarding pole size were misleading, on their material somewhat irrelevant, and concerning their ownership involved what could be a contested legal issue concerning whether the MTA, PSEG, and LIPA acted properly under a relatively new 2019 law aimed at preventing this exact type of situation.

The Third Track Committee didn’t post any counterpoints or arguments to the FAQ, giving the purported “facts” an imprimatur they didn’t deserve and wrongly placing aggrieved residents on defensive.

Potentially weakening our strategic position

Days later, the Third Track Committee issued a statement concerning the purported folly of suing the MTA as viewed by the one law firm it consulted. Then on October 22, 2020 during a Board meeting Daughney didn’t attend, Trustee Makrinos, rather than simply voting against a lawsuit because of general differences of opinion on viability, publicly unloaded a litany of alleged Village weaknesses.

Trustees Daughney, Makrinos, Foley, and Delany repeated this pattern December 10th, issuing similarly self-serving statements providing political cover for their litigation no-votes at the possible expense of future Village litigants.

From a bunch so often tight-lipped about its motivations, these public declarations of weakness by Daughney, Makrinos, and the others were unconscionable, left the rest of us shivering on the battlefield, and were almost cer-

tainly aimed at relieving themselves of having to meaningfully address the resident fury they helped sow and ignore.

Impugning supporters

In voting against litigation December 10th, Daughney called the Town of Hempstead’s efforts on behalf of Garden City residents “PR” and “propaganda” measures that “fluttered out.” In doing so, whether unwittingly or not, Daughney again insulted residents whose primary form of political redress for months came from elected Town officials who filled the leadership void left by Daughney and Makrinos’s “geewhiz” tolerance of MTA transgressions.

Mr. Daughney’s insinuation that Town efforts only encompassed public relations is demonstrably false anyway, given that the Town apparently introduced our Trustees to the law firm they finally hired on December 10th to sue the MTA.

Nevertheless, we suspect Mr. Daughney appears more perturbed by our Town of Hempstead supporters than by the MTA because with each helpful act, the Town highlighted the inexplicable 120-foot-tall legacy of the Third Track Committee he and Makrinos led.

Ignoring resident concerns

Trustee Daughney has been asked at Estates POA meetings about the damage to Strawberry Field, removal of trees and natural barriers, unapproved 3TC parking, open containers of trash, storage of construction materials, and the status of landscaping. He assured us he spoke often with 3TC/LIRR and was on top of their activities and plan.

Until the poles went up. Then the discussions and assurances took a back seat to the Committee’s fear of losing bargained-for landscaping that could never possibly hide or mitigate the poles.

Getting any useful information from the Committee at all became difficult. To the extent ReVAMP asked for public support (whether in writing, at public events, or in possible resident meetings), we encountered silence from Messrs. Daughney and Makrinos. When the two did communicate, it was usually to explain their powerlessness or convey how mean we appeared to our unrepentant abusers at the MTA.

Ultimately, it’s baffling that trustees who would promote all sorts of projects because “money is cheap,” quickly approve change orders on brick projects at Nassau Boulevard and window projects at St. Paul’s, and litigate and lose against handicapped residents seeking 7th Street parking, suddenly can’t find their wallets when the bill for the poles is placed on our Village table.

Failing to inform and take action

In April 2020 shortly after all this began, Daughney and Makrinos confronted the MTA about the poles while simultaneously admitting they them-

selves had given the MTA, apparently without public notice, the “ok” to “taller poles in the Nassau Boulevard train bridge area…some of them being south of the tracks instead of north of tracks.”

This admission and its underlying circumstances are stunning and likely constituted the proverbial “nose in the tent” the MTA used to trample the environmental, financial, and aesthetic landscape of our neighborhoods in a way Garden City has never seen. This alone would be grounds enough to resign.

Daughney and Makrinos then threatened to consider the LIRR/MTA in default of their prior agreements with Garden City, which they’d shepherded themselves, if the poles were not addressed satisfactorily. Then they rolled over and went into prolonged hibernation, leaving us to simply live with the damage.

The Bottom Line

This has always been a worthy fight—just ask the Eastport, Long Island residents who forced PSEG to recently remove and bury wiring from 31 similarly giant steel utility poles after officials there sued PSEG and LIPA and state and local officials brokered an agreement to remove poles along a one-mile stretch of roadway (versus the much shorter stretch here).

Daughney and Makrinos might be forgiven had they attempted to lead a similar fight after the historically loathsome and poorly run MTA juggernaut steamrolled over whatever paltry barriers they tried to erect on our behalf. Instead, their months of slow-walked silence, broken only to parrot MTA talking points and victimhood narratives, simply became too much. We pray their and the Board’s waiting nine months to even vote to litigate will not come back and bite us in court.

Estates residents, and indeed all Garden City residents, deserve a Third Track Committee and requisite representation on the Board of Trustees that, as Mayor Episcopia presciently noted, actually fights to protect residents’ property values and quality-of-life when put at risk.

As Trustees Daughney and Makrinos failed to do so, it’s time they do the right thing and resign immediately. We can’t afford even another week of failed leadership--fighting the railroad is tough business and we need brawlers and creative thinkers. Frankly, the honorable course would’ve been to resign back in April 2020 the moment they surveyed the damage and decided they weren’t going to do a damn thing about it.

ReVAMP Principals Peter Cannizzaro, John Cantwell, Bruce Chester, Richard Corrao, Matthew Hess, Charles Kelly, James Kumpel, Enis Mehmet, and Paul Rothenbiller on behalf of ReVAMP.

the Village, which continues to generate annual savings of electric costs of over $150,000.

• Quadrupled the amount of Village roads that are paved each year, including numerous parking lots.

• Streamlined our entire Finance Department to be more efficient and productive.

• Replacing our 80+ year old water tank, which is in the final stags of completion.

To provide these upgrades all while keeping tax increases at a minimum is something your Board of Trustees and the Executive Staff of this Village work very hard to achieve. Collectively, we will continue to operate with strong financial management practices. This list is just a small sample of what’s been accomplished to better serve our residents over the years. More to come…

Robert A. Bolebruch, Deputy Mayor, Village of Garden City

Do we actually elect mayor, trustees?

To the Editor:

I would like to clarify some items in Deputy Mayor Bob Bolebruch’s article in the GC News last week, titled “How we elect a Mayor” which might be misleading to residents.

In Garden City, there really are no elections. Non-elected nominating committees for each of the 4 sections of town select the candidates for the Board of Trustees that govern our Village, who then run unopposed for “election.” The same concept is true for our Mayor, who repeatedly runs unopposed. Almost every Garden City Mayor or Trustee in the last 25 years has been “elected” in a race without opponent. They have been essentially political appointments.

Bob should surely be commended for giving over 25 years of service to the Village. But, more importantly, residents should consider whether their views are being represented by our non-elected officials. Many think they have not. The virtually automatic line of succession provides very little accountability for decisions being made, which have been extremely costly to residents in recent years, both financially and in terms of quality of life in the Village. During the next two months, the group for A Better Garden City (FABGC) is going to make the very substantial effort required to get opposing candidates on the ballot and provide residents a choice. Past efforts have been blocked by legal technicalities rather than resident opinion. We sincerely hope the residents will make the most of this opportunity to have their voices heard at the ballot box.

Mr. Bolebruch emphasizes the value

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

of past experience of himself and the other non-elected Trustees. No one would debate the importance of experience, but the more important qualifications of a candidate are common sense and the ability to make good decisions that also represent the views of the residents.

In the next few months, there will be many articles in print and online that review numerous actions, and inactions, of the Mayor and Board during recent years. They involve huge sums of resident taxpayer money that have been spent foolishly, and in some cases, apparently illegally, resulting in the additional expenses of rectifying the resulting situation and “undoing” an action taken. The sale (and forced repurchase) of Franklin Mews Parkland and the attempt to end the GCNews as the paper of record and cut that institution off from all Village news are two that come to mind.

We truly hope the residents will be motivated to take time to become familiar with the issues and make informed decisions about voting for the best candidates.

Again, while we all need to respect and acknowledge the time put in by the individual members of this BOT, at some point results matter. Representing the wishes of the residents matter. Judgment and good decisions matter.

Any group can make one bad decision. Or two. Maybe even three. That is life. But the totality of this Board’s bad decisions, cannot be overlooked.

We can do better. We have to do better.

Donald MacLeod Member of FABGC (For a Better Garden City)

Hope for a better New Year

To the Editor:

As we embark upon a New Year, let us all hope that the Board of Trustees will embody the spirit of transparency that all residents clearly  deserve.  We shall soon see if that is a new reality, or merely a pipe dream at least as the Garden City Casino is concerned.

On November 9, 2020, I had the pleasure of speaking before the CPOA to discuss the ongoing plight of the Casino.  Both the Mayor and Trustee Minuto publicly stated their support of the Casino and further stated that in their opinion, a new long term agreement was “likely” to be signed within 30 days.

We are now in January 2021, and  there has been NO substantive negotiations with the Village.  The Trustees have not responded to our requests for a single meeting in person, nor have they put forth ANY terms that they deem acceptable. The complete silence from the BOT is in direct contradiction to the Mayor’s statement in this paper that the Casino is a long term,

valued asset that must be continued. Indeed, FABGC has been alerting the entire Village about this lack of transparency for several months now, and should be applauded for doing so.  Why do our elected officials refuse to engage with Village residents over Village issues? At least FABGC has the courage to state the obvious: that we all deserve better from our elected representatives. The Casino is comprised of Garden City residents and taxpayers. We are all voters.  We all support the same goal of a better Village, and one that supports our architectural gems that exist such as the 125 year old Casino Building and the gorgeous Western Firehouse. An online petition to save the Casino has gathered approximately 2,000 signatures so far yet the BOT refuses to even discuss terms for a long term deal. This needs to change, and as voters we all have the power to effect such change.  Let’s hope we do so, and have a better year.

Jeffrey B. Siler Rebuttal, Part 2

To the Editor:

Today’s Letter is a follow up to my GCNews Letter, of November 20, rebutting the BOT November 16 vicious attack on my analytic skills, integrity and an accusation that I intended to frighten our residents. In a recent GCN Letter, Dec 3rd, Trustee Bolebruch accused me of being “obsessed” with demolition of St Paul’s. In short, I stand by my September 10, 2020 major critique of the management of Village finances. The BOTs’ smear attack was without merit. What follows is my commentary on Parts 2 and 4 of their Bulletin -- which I assume was primarily written by Deputy Mayor Bolebruch. These two sections relate to the Village’s boasting of its AAA Moody’s bond rating, and its bogus defense of Trustees’ positive financial management record. My comments today blend the two topics - which are related.

In no way have I made predictions that AAA will be cut soon. Nor did I predict a GC bankruptcy as likely for the Village in the near future. My only “crime” was using my 35 years of objective financial analysis experience, with help from some friends who are financial experts, to look beyond what Moody’s has published, or overlooked. What I DID say is that G.C.’s financial and fiscal trends in recent years have shown deterioration. Crucially, the immediate future is going to be a major challenge for the Trustees to balance the budget and manage the adverse effects of excessive present and planned capital spending and the buildup of bond debt -not to mention the adverse effects, on the budget, of the Covid-19 Virus and recessionary general economic conditions, which should persist for the calendar year 2021.

My major quarrel is NOT with

Moody’s; it is with our BOT. Whether the rating agency cuts G.C.’s valued AAA, my major thesis stands. Strong remedial action by the Board is needed to place our Village on a safer path financially. I have great respect for Moody’s. However, drawing too much comfort and reliance from their 2020 annual reiteration of AAA is misguided. Moody’s is not, primarily, in the business of pro forma (future) analysis of their clients’ finances. Essentially they are measuring past trends, ending at the date of the rating. Yes, they do comment generally on the outlook--and in Feb. 2020 rated Garden City as AAA, “stable.” However, I do not believe they considered that heavy borrowing by Garden City for large capital projects could be on the near term horizon. In fact, Moody’s may not even be aware of such potential plans. At a minimum, our Board should have mentioned such potential. Finally, during the last few months I have spoken to Moody’s ratings people, and others, and learned that a rating downgrade may take longer than I had anticipated. Usually they will give a “Negative” for outlook, to warn that a downgrade could occur. It could take a year or two, if at all.

Essence of my rebuttal: Ten subjects

The November 16 Board of Trustees Bulletin leans heavily on the Moody’s Report, of Feb. this year, to refute my concerns. I hereby quote from that Report. My comments follow each of these quotes with a “G.S.”:

1) “The Village’s greatest strength is the large, roughly $7 billion, value of its real estate base, and a well above average median annual household income of $170,000.” G.S.: This is absolutely true; it is the bedrock of a municipality’s ability to pay its obligations: employee salaries, and benefits, and amortize its debts; 2) “Garden City has structurally balanced operations and has strong reserves.” G.S.: Yes, but. Revenues, tax collections, etc., have exceeded expenses in some recent years partly by issuing long term debt that should, out of prudence, have been accounted for as operating expense; I call this improper “capitalization.”

3) “Garden City has manageable debt and pension burden.” G.S.: I strongly disagree with Moody’s here, based on the THREAT of unnecessary debt building; best examples are a proposed, and desired, new firehouse, about $10 million, and redevelopment of St. Paul’s which could easily cost a huge $100 million. (No final decision on either has been made as of today, but several present Trustees, including our Mayor, have spoken in favor of saving St Paul’s;

4) “The stable outlook reflects the expectation that the Village’s conservative budgeting and strong financial management will continue.” G.S.: Here, Moody’s is far too optimistic. They are relying in part on excellent past financial health trends produced by previous

Boards which were more capable than the current group -- and some of their recent accounting practices are too liberal;

5) “There’s a risk of a rating downgrade if the Village is forced to support financial needs of our Enterprise Funds, the largest of which is the Water Fund.” G.S.: This risk is now becoming apparent, partly from servicing the needed debt on the water department books, and announced rising water bills for Garden City residents -- during the last two years. Larger percentage increased water bill hikes are likely in coming years.

6) “Garden City has a modest debt burden.” G.S: Not true. The debt has risen materially in recent years from $26 million at May 31, 2018, to $42 million as of May 31, 2019, $83 million as of today, and an estimated $92 mil at May 31, 2021; that is a HUGE 254% INCREASE -- in just 3 years; (See statistical details in my Dec. 18th Letter to GC News.) Moody’s could be troubled by this May 31, 2021 projection. It would represent a high 146% of the estimated annual GC Village budget for FY 2021.

7) “Debt service expenses are growing and can put pressure on balancing the budget.” G.S.: Yes. In a February 6, 2020 document, titled “Village Debt Analysis,” the GC Finance Department states: “Assuming our projected $7 million per year of debt growth, the percentage of debt-service to the overall budget will rise to an UNSUSTAINABLE level.” For fiscal year 2019, this ratio was a moderate 4%, but could rise steadily, toward a dangerous 10%, in the next few years -- unless debt growth is curtailed, i.e, by far less than $7 million per year. We are told, total debt will reach $92 million -- up $9 million from May 31, 2020, to include a $7 million rise in BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES to $43 million. And it is quite possible that still more BANs will be issued -- from public works project bonding, plus potentially higher-than-expected water-improvement construction and maintenance expenses. The Finance Department statement does NOT mention how the BOT will deal with this apparent major challenge/dilemma.

8) “For the year ending May 31, 2019, debt service was a mere $2.4 million.”

G.S.: This is true, but total debt and debt-service costs for fiscal years 2021 and 2022 should rise significantly, and place pressure on the Board to raise property and water taxes -- materially.

9) “Bond anticipation notes issued in February 2020, and additionally in 2021, could be partly redeemed by $9 million for FY 2021, or greater in future years, IF New York State grants for water quality improvement expenses are received.”

G.S.: This grant may or may not arrive.

10) “N.Y. State law limits property tax increases to 2% per year. This ratio can be exceeded by a Board of Trustees vote.”

G.S.: There is a chance, because of legal loopholes in the law, that Garden City

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

could exceed the 2% in fiscal 2021,and beyond.

11) “New York State also places municipal restraints on the ability to cut personnel spending--payroll and benefits.” G.S.: This is a challenge to balancing a budget with rising debt service, i.e, interest and principal and limited ability to cut personnel costs -- importantly because of union contracts.

Bottom Line

Owing primarily to the Village’s strong, full value taxable base, $7 billion, the AAA rating is not threatened near term; nor is bankruptcy for the same reason. Nevertheless, large tax increases -- for Village and Water -- are a good bet, as are greater-than historic hikes. Importantly, I am more concerned with wasteful spending, than what is being spent.

Board Reforms Are Necessary. They would be manifested by: 1) more- limited debt growth; 2) recognizing the clear spending differences between needs and wants; 3) listening to residents’ concerns regarding wasteful spending -- especially for large capital projects; 4) recognizing that debt accumulation involves larger repayment--of not just interest cost, but principal amortization--which usually represents 75-80% of debt service expense; The BOT ignorantly often states that they can issue more debt because bond interest rates are so low; 5) the establishment of Board term limits. Five of the eight current Board members have served from six to eleven years; 6) cancelling grandiose plans for St. Paul’s, perhaps $100 million, and about $10 million for a Rolls Royce firehouse.

If these two major projects were to be scrapped, or cut drastically in scope, my overall concerns for Garden City’s financial health would be reduced materially--albeit not completely. These two projects are NOT included in the 2021 capital plan to lift debt to $92 million. To me it is frankly UNTHINKABLE that any Board would lift our bonded debt at all by moving ahead with ANY St. Paul’s preservation plan. Most residents, in my view, favor demolition of the building. A BINDING referendum should decide. Frankly, there is no “affordable” price to renovate St. Paul’s. The estimated costs would range from very high to humongous. Crucially, there is needed, and backlogged, infrastructure spending facing the Village -- as well as for improving Village services -- that would benefit ALL residents.

Finally, I look forward to the day when I can applaud our Trustees for a job well done. The November 16 Board Bulletin accused me of “shouting fire in a crowded theater.” Actually I am pleading with the Board to set a deadline for a final calling of the St. Paul’s question--to include: a) the Board’s range of cost to abate and preserve the building’s rotten interior, b)cost to adapt it for re-use, c) operate it

at least at break-even, d) sources of any usage fees, by residents or outsiders, e) the bonded debt service annually, and f) the annual tax burden on the typical Garden City household. Up to now, neither the BOT or preservationists, have given ANY EVIDENCE of estimates to do anything. These pro-preservationists, crucially, NEVER mention COST -- only desire. Makes no sense!!. Let’s get real!! Trustees: Do Something!! It has been 28 years of nothing -- except millions of dollars for consultant fees and maintenance costs -- all down the drain.

George M. Salem

Please note: In his letter to the G.C. News of December 3rd, Deputy Mayor Bolebruch attacked me and FABGC with the following falsehoods--1) Contrary to the truth, I am not a founding member of FABGC; yes, an active member; 2) FABGC is not in favor of demolishing St. Paul’s, unless decided by a referendum; 3) I am not “obsessed” with the demolition of the building; I am concerned with holding a referendum. My criticisms of our BOT predate, by two decades, the creation of FABGC, and I am a strong endorser of the Group’s platform. In closing, perhaps Mr. Bolebruch is unnerved by a constant barrage of truthful accusations of BOT mismanagement by members of FAB and others.

Village Government 201

To the Editor:

The second installment of this series seeks to address several issues raised by the Deputy Mayor in his self-serving and misleading letter to his constituents. His missive, How we Elect a Mayor, which appeared in last week’s paper, is a fiction, completely ignoring the applicable and legally binding provisions of New York State Village Law. In this letter, I hope to inform our villagers on the plain facts as previously presented in the first installment, Village Government 101.

As stated by Deputy Mayor on Dec. 30, 2020:

“Every two years the Mayoral position rotates from property owners’ association to property owners’ association. At this time the senior Trustee in that section can choose to run for that position. If the senior Trustee chooses not to, the junior Trustee would then be next in line to run for the position. This process enables each section of the Village to have mayoral representation regardless of population.”

To the Deputy Mayor, I charge the following query: do the residents of Garden City elect their own mayor, or do the nominating committees of the Property Owner’s Association select one?

Any resident in the Incorporated Village of Garden City may run for, and be elected to, the position of mayor, if they follow New York State Village Law

and receive just one more vote than any other candidate. It is not a requisite for an aspiring trustee or a candidate for mayor to be endorsed by any Property Owner’s Association (POA). As discussed in Village Government 101, the Community Agreement, which at its core, is an aspiration for equal representation, does not endorse any specific nomination process. Nor does it endorse any Property Owners Association’s nominating committee. The document, and all amendments thereto, only refer to the four sections of Garden City – not the four POA’s of Garden City.

When the term for the president of the United States concludes, it does not simply become the “turn” for the Vice President. Similarly, it does not become the next state’s “turn” to rotate their choice for President into power. As a final point by local analogy: when the term for a Mayor of New York City concludes, the position does not rotate from one borough to another – elections are held allowing voters to elect who they believe is the most qualified candidate.

Our Deputy Mayor may be under the impression Garden City has a “unique form of government;” however, this “form of government” as he puts it is far from unique. It is actually a cross-endorsement process where each Property Owners Association cross-endorses the candidate hand selected by the other POA nominating committees. The collusion between POA’s ensures only their hand selected candidates are elected. This behind-the-scenes deal is a common political ploy, and can be seen in local races during nearly any major election cycle. The unfortunate effect of such a system is that any semblance of choice is taken from voters well in advance of Election Day.

Cross-endorsement, when narrowly confined to its use in equally-apportioned, equitably-defined districts, is not a nefarious process since districts are equal in their representation. However, when districts (or sections in the case of our village) vary in size or population density, equal representation cannot be guaranteed.

The process Deputy Mayor Bolbruch is promoting is of the latter variety, which fundamentally perverts and violates the golden rule of our democracy: “One Person, One Vote.” While Garden City itself is a part of single district electoral district for both local and national levels, there is no such protection from vote-dilution for our villagers when unequal sections of the village have an outcome-determinant effect on local races.

In our village, every year, the POA’s nominating committees privately convene to interview candidates. If one were to run for trustee through the POA system, one need only court the votes of See page 56

From page 55

a committee of several individuals from their particular section to be selected as their candidate. Critically, neither all POA members nor all residents receive a semblance a say in whether such a candidate should be endorsed by the POA.

The POA’s as a monolithic unit, then handpick a single slate of individual candidates, and in turn cross-endorse each other’s candidates. This results in a scenario where just a single vote in a village with 25,000 residents can determine who will run both the executive and legislative branches of our village. Any system moving our village further from “One Person, One Vote” is a fundamentally at odds with American democratic principles and should be reconsidered rather than lauded.

Despite the Community Agreement calling for an apolitical process, the POA’s openly operate as political parties, inasmuch as they have monopolized the electoral process. Any meaningful choice becomes an illusion where the POA nominating committees act as modern day Tammany Hall ‘King Makers’ and making decisions outside of the Open Meeting Laws.

As discussed in Village Government 101, the true purpose of the non-legally binding 1919 Community Agreement (originally named “The Gentlemen’s Agreement”) and all its subsequent amendments originated as means to ensure equal representation for villagers; however, the document was drafted

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

and adopted in 1919 – before women had the constitutional right to vote, before the legal concept of “One Person, One Vote” was enshrined in legal precedent in the 1960’s, and before the village expanded beyond a mere 2000 residents.

The Village has maintained the same section demarcations, despite disproportionate size and population density growth. To address this inequality, the sections of our village would have to be “re-districted” for the Deputy Mayor’s preferred form of government actually serve the golden rule of democracy: “One Person, One Vote.”

Despite what the Deputy Mayor wrote in his article last week, the East is the largest by population (40%), followed by Estates (32%), the West (17%), and Central (11%). Thus, it is plainly violative of the “One Person, One Vote” Doctrine to have an unchallenged executive rotate between unequal districts. Bluntly, I believe the system preferred by the Deputy Mayor intentionally favors candidates chosen by those already in power so that their power may be consolidated, regardless of whether these “chosen candidates” are actually best for the job and best for the village.

The unfortunate side effect of our current system causes certain potential candidates to believe that they are entitled to an elected position by the mere virtue of having sat in a chair long enough and “waiting their turn.”

In reality, it is the VOTERS’ turn, and it should always be the voters’ turn - each

and every election cycle as long as our system remains a democracy. We should aspire for system where our Mayor is elected by merit rather than selected. Meritocracy should be the criteria for a mayor – not selection by rotation or seniority. Conversely, we should reject any system, which would result in a Mayor being selected soled because of their address in a section of our village. In essence, the problem can be distilled to a simple question of whether those who have power should remain in power irrespective of if they have earned your vote? My answer is a resounding no.

As first discussed in Village Government 101, Open Meeting Laws are the ‘Bill of Rights’ for our villagers and these protections define what is a Public Body. According to Public Officers Law, Article 7 §102, “a ‘Public Body’ is any entity, for which a quorum is required in order to conduct public business and which consists of two or more members, performing a governmental function for the state or for an agency or department thereof, or for a public corporation . . . or committee or subcommittee or other similar body of such public body.”

In the most recent letter by Deputy Mayor he dangerously, but unsurprisingly, implied that the Property Owner’s Associations are the be-all, end-all arbiters of who may become mayor. This would of course infer that the Board of Trustees, a Public Body, has duly delegated authority to the POA’s nomi-

LEGAL NOTICES

A. cause the allowable building area of (5,000) sq. ft. or 20%, to be exceeded by (216) sq. ft. (5,216 sq. ft. or 20.86%).

Building Department application # 2020-8865, Steven B. Affelt, R.A.

13. APPLICATION OF NICHOLAS & HEATHER

NIELSEN as per the provisions of Sections 200-45 and 200-70, of the Village Code, to allow for the issue of a building permit, to construct and maintain a 17’ x 42’ in-ground swimming pool with 8’ x 8’ Spa and 6’ fence, in the rear yard of the premises known as 8 CARTERET PLACE (Map of Garden City Central, Block 4, Lot 3331, R-20 district).

Application # 2020-9069 , Michael Chrobet L.A.

14. APPEAL OF 5 GEMS

LLC. for a variance of the pro-

visions of Section 200-15, 20028.1 & 200-62 of the Village Code, to allow the issue of a building permit for the erection of 1582 sq. ft. second and third floor additions (while demolishing a 602 sq. ft. atrium) at the front, and the conversion 6,561 sq. ft. of basement space to Medical use, at the existing building known as 975 FRANKLIN AVENUE (Map of Garden City Central, Block 153, Lot 13, C-4 District) the granting of which would:

A. cause an (8,143) sq. ft. expansion of the current (25,200) sq. ft. (2.1 FAR); to (33,343) sq. ft. or (2.78) FAR, where (1.3) FAR is now permitted ~

B. cause a vertical addition exceeding ( 40.0’ ) in height (where 48.0’ currently exists and 51.5’ is proposed) ~

C. permit a professional use on a ground floor in a C-4 district ~

D. to not provide 33 off-street parking spaces.

Building Department application # 2020-8785, Combined Resources Inc.

*(Note said building was conforming when altered in 1984).

END OF CASES

The Board may transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting.

DATED: December 29, 2020

Karen Altman Garden City, New York 11530 Village Clerk

The Incorporated Village of Garden City does not discriminate on the basis of disability for admission to, access to, or participation in its programs, activities or public meetings, and has designated Karen M. Altman, Village Clerk, as Disability Compliance

nating committees, which are a quorum consisting of multiple members performing the all-important government function - choosing the next Mayor of Garden City.

If this in fact the case, as the Deputy Mayor would have our villagers believe, then the Property Owners Associations are actually performing an officially delegated government function. They are therefore Public Bodies themselves and NOT political organizations as they claim. As a Public Body, the POA’s must also stringently abide by Open Meeting Laws with limited exceptions for Executive Sessions. The exceptionally limited circumstances where Executive Sessions may be can be found in Public Officers Law, Article 7 §105.

Notably, if the Property Owner’s Associations are in fact performing a government function as the Deputy Mayor claims, then the interviews performed by the un-elected nominating committees were held in violation of New York State’s Open Meeting Laws. Falling afoul of these fundamental fairness transparency requirements would likewise compromise the integrity of the slates of candidates selected by the POAs, and result in the nullification of any such endorsements, inclusive of Mr. Bolbruch’s.

Again, Deputy Mayor, I put to you the following question – do the residents of Garden City elect their own mayor or do the Property Owners Associations select one?

Ryan M. Torino, Esq.

Coordinator. Persons with a disability who wish to attend a meeting should contact Karen M. Altman at least 24 hours in advance of meeting at:

351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, New York 11530

(516) 465-4051

8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021

GC 1151 1X 01/08NOTICE OF BIDDERS

Sealed bids MUST be RECEIVED BY AND DELIVERED TO:

THE PURCHASING DIVISION

Incorporated Village of Garden City

351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, New York 11530

between the hours of 8:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M., UNTIL 11:00 AM EST, FRIDAY, JANUARY 22,

2021 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud, for furnishing the following: 2020-2021 TREE REMOVAL AND PRUNING

Specifications, Form of Bid, and other information may be obtained from the office of the Purchasing Division at the above address or you may download the bid specifications from the New York State Contract Reporter website at the following web address: https://www.nyscr.ny.gov/contracts.cfm

This bid specification will be listed under the Agency Name of:

Inc. Village of Garden City

Rosemary Monahan Purchasing Agent

Dated: January 8, 2021

GC 1152

1X 01/08

From page 51

Adult Art Class at Cluett Hall

The Garden City’s Department of Recreation and Parks will offer an adult art class this fall. This 10-week program will teach the beginner as well as the advanced student the art of painting portraits and landscapes/still-life in pastel from photographs. Arleen Rueth Urban, the instructor for this program, is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America.

Classes will be held Fridays beginning February 12 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. in St. Paul’s Cluett Hall. The cost of this program will be $140. Please note: Masks must be worn during class and each participant must

fill out a COVID survey sheet before each class to attend. This class is open to adult residents who reside in the Inc. Village of Garden City.

The first lesson includes a portrait and landscape demonstration. At that time, a supply list is provided. Demonstrations will be available as needed throughout the program. Each student will receive the individual attention required as they move at their own pace and level of expertise.

To register for this session please visit the Recreation and Parks office at 108 Rockaway Avenue. If you have a password, you may register online at gcreconline. gardencityny.net.

Call us at 294-8900 to place an ad in our classifieds. We’ll help you be seen by thousands of local readers!

TIGER TENNIS ACADEMY

WEEKEND BEGINNER PROGRAM

11 WEEK SEMESTER: FEB 6 to MAY 2nd Available Times

Sat 130-230pm (10-14yrs) Sat 230-330pm (6-9 yrs) Sat 330-430pm (10-14yrs) Sun 1030-113am (4-5yrs) Sun 1130-1230pm (6-9yrs) Sun 1230-130pm (10-14yrs) Sun 130-230pm (10-14yrs) Sun 230-330pm (6-9yrs) Sun 330-430pm (10-14yrs)

For more information and class schedules please visit www.tigertennisacademy.com/garden-city-winter-kids-tennis-classes/

Saturday, January 9 | 12:00 – 1:30pm

15 Demott Ave, Rockville Centre, NY

5-bedroom, 3.5-bath. MLS# 3265075. $1,198,000.

4-bedroom, 3.5-bath. MLS# 3150374. $959,000.

Garden City, NY

6-bedroom, 4.55-bath. MLS# 3113870. $3,850,000.

4-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3226325. $725,000.

Rockville Centre, NY

4-bedroom, 3-bath. MLS# 3205390. $1,295,000.

Sunday, January 10 | 12:00 – 2:00pm

129 Second St, #G2, Garden City, NY

2-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3278641. $515,000.

Garden City, NY

5-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 3258255. $1,490,000.

Stewart Manor, NY

3-bedroom, 1-bath. MLS# 3266232. $525,000.

Rockville Centre, NY

3-bedroom, 1.5-bath. MLS# 3265882. $765,000.

Freeport, NY

5-bedroom, 5.5-bath. MLS# 3258646. $1,340,000.

Sunday, January 10 | 1:00 – 3:00pm

43 Hilton Ave, Garden City, NY

5-bedroom, 3.55-bath. MLS# 3254193. $2,195,000.

Garden City, NY

4-bedroom, 3.5-bath. MLS# 3252417. $1,499,000.

Valley Stream, NY 4-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3238606. $558,000.

Sunday, January 10 | 12:00 – 2:00pm 913 Dean Ave, Bronx, NY

3-bedroom, 1.5-bath. MLS# 3273623. $785,000.

Rockville Centre, NY

5-bedroom, 2.5-bath. MLS# 3265875. $1,498,000.

Sunday, January 10 | 2:30 – 4:30pm 17 Salisbury Ave, Stewart Manor, NY 2-bedroom, 1.5-bath. MLS# 3274946. $559,000.

Garden City, NY

5-bedroom, 3.5-bath. MLS# 3249968. $1,645,000.

Stewart Manor, NY 3-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3270570. $669,000.

Rockville Centre, NY

3-bedroom, 4-bath. MLS# 3264268. $798,000.

Riverhead, NY 6-bedroom, 3.5-bath. MLS# 3247164. $1,789,000.

Garden City, NY 4-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3257946. $730,000.

Garden City, NY

6-bedroom, 3.55-bath. MLS# 3231150. $3,200,000.

6-bedroom,

Old Westbury, NY 4-bedroom, 3.5-bath. MLS# 3275343. $1,799,000.

Merrick, NY

2-bath. MLS# 3270088. $688,000.

New Hyde Park, NY

Floral Park, NY

3-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3257397. $858,000.

Arthur Anderson

Jessica Brantuk Chelsea Costello Ann Collins

Claudia Galvin Manager

Rene Blair Annmarie Bommarito Christine Cudahy Assistant Manager

Patricia Costello Gregory Abruzzo

Matthew Minardi

Kathy Lucchesi Mary LoGalbo

Linda Mulrooney

Susan MacDonald

Patricia Dickson

Brigid Marmorowski

Eileen O’Hara

Garden City, NY

HOUSE

Susan Gillin Diane Piscopo

Condos, Co-Ops & Rentals

2-bedroom, 2-bath. MLS# 3274277. $625,000.

2.5-bath.

Garden City, NY

0-bedroom, 1-bath. MLS# 3264344. $199,999.

Rockville Centre, NY 1-bedroom, 1-bath. MLS# 3272253. $249,000.

Wyndham Resale Office

Hilton Ave, #412

City, NY 1-bedroom, 1.5-bath. MLS# 3227978. $695,000.

111 Cherry Valley Ave, #601

City, NY

Patricia Costello, Patricia Dickson, Alfred Kohart, Mary Krener and Linda Mulrooney

Mary Krener

Fortune Heaney

Peter Kerantzas

Alfred Kohart

Lisa Heaney

Robert J. Krener

Stephen Ripp

Kathleen Higdon Meredith Krug

Cecile Raoult Lynn Puccio

Joseph Scianablo Cheryl Trimboli Scott Wallace

Patrick Gibbons

Kathleen Roberts Julia Mastromauro Rosado

Jennifer Petersen

Garden City, NY

Daureen Hausser

100

111 Cherry Valley Ave, #805W

Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated.