THI S WEEK AT ROTARY

her 10-year tenure as NC Legislator representing District 14.

NC Legislator Schaefer was first elected in 2013 to represent District 14 and has been re-elected to the legislature, the law-making body of Nassau County, for every term since then.

Legislator Schaefer spoke at some length on one of the foremost issues profoundly affecting suburbia: NYS Governor Hochul’s high density housing plan which Legislator Schaefer, along with other Long Island leaders, vehemently oppose. The Legislator touched on every aspect of the plan which would force high density rezoning with a minimum of 50 units per acre. Concern about the proposed casino at the NC Coliseum area, was also voiced by Rotarians and guests and discussed by the Legislator.

Also discussed was roadwork being addressed by Nassau County which involve improvements and redesign of both Clinton Road and New Hyde Park Road, among roads in others Nassau and Long Islan areas.

Legislator Schaefer spoke of her petition in which residents may say “no” to Gov. Hochul’s housing plan which may be accessed by visiting www.nassaucounty.gov/housingpetition.

“Birth of the Beatles”

Historian John Ellis Kordes to Tell All At Rotary’s April 25 Lunch Meeting

If you are (or ever were) a fan of the Beatles, you are invited to attend Mineola-Garden City’s next Luncheon Program on Tuesday, April 25th, 12:15 at Mineola’s Davenport Press restaurant when Life-long resident and lifelong Beatles fan, John Ellis Kordes will speak about “the birth of the Beatles.”

Wearing many hats, John is a renowned professional photographer, author, documentary film maker, teachers, lecturer and columnist (weekly “Kordes Corner” in The Garden City News). Having brought historic accounts of Garden City’s history to Rotary many times before, Rotary looks forward to welcoming John back to present this fun revelation about the origin of the renowned Beatles.

John plans to share excerpts from his popular Continuing Education class, “The Beatles Story,” which he had taught at the Garden City High School at night for more than 10 years.

At Rotary’s lunch meeting, John will specifically discuss how the four Beatles came together in their formative years and what led them to go on and change music, our culture and our world forever!

It has been noted that John Ellis Kordes has captured the very essence of our Village for which he has received many honors and recognitions for his work over the years. John’s motto: ”Moments in Time Captured Forever.”

To attend Rotary’s lunch meeting on April 25 (Fee: $35), please email Club President Meg Norris at: editor@ gcnews.com.

For last Minute Reservations to RotaCare’s Caregivers Ball Next Thursday, April 20 Visit give.rotacareny.org/caregiversball

Notices Letters To The Editor

Notice Of Formation Of A Limited Liability Company

Notice of Formation of Medici Photography. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 2022-12-13. Office location: Nassau County. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Ashley Medici: 158 Lincoln St Garden City NY 11530. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

NASSAU COUNTY BIDS

Sealed bids MUST be RECEIVED BY AND DELIVERED TO: PURCHASING DIVISION

Inc. Village of Garden City 351 Stewart Avenue Garden City, NY 11530 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, UNTIL 11:00 AM EDT

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023 at which time they will be publicly opened and read aloud, for furnishing the following:

2023

STREETLIGHT POLES, LUMINAIRES, & ACCESSORIES

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: 04/14/23 the less- informed Board members of Westerman’s merits. In my opinion, Mayor Veneziale appeared to favor preservation during the vigorous 2022/2023 St. Paul’s Village debate. The Board did not ask for other bidders, although they could have.

Westerman completed its work last month estimating the costs for the three choices of demolition, facadism or preservation. invited Their fee is $69,000.

No other cost estimators are being sought. Why? How do we know if Westerman’s work is the best? In fact, many cynics, myself included,have low satisfaction with the quality of the final report. We have more questions than answers. For example:

1. Were the estimates lowballed?;

2. Do the relative costs among the three choices make sense?;

3. Was demolition presented as more expensive relative to the other two?;

4. Was preservation, at $49.6 mil, underpriced — especially since its estimate was not for the entire St. Paul’s Building — only for the lower two floors of the 4-story structure? Westerman called his estimate “Phase One.” What would the “entire Building” cost? Are phases 2 and 3 planned?;

5. What were Westerman’s assumptions for financing the tens of millions of bonds to be issued? That is the term in years, and the amortization schedule of the bonds, nor the assumed interest rate to be paid were not disclosed.

6. How was the tax impact on each household from debt service calculated?

7. Were abatement and stabilization costs included in Westerman’s cost analysis? These costs are incurred BEFORE actual construction can proceed.

8. Cost inflation for building materials was stated by Westerman at a seemingly low 3% annually. And let’s not forget: Construction will not likely begin until several years hence. No one knows what those expenses will be so far into the future. Construction costs are notoriously too low.

9. Did Westerman assume financing beginning in say 2026?

Email: Editor@GCNews.com

10. Importantly, no costs were given for large annual operating and maintenance of a new building; that is personnel, utilities, insurance, etc.

11. No details were given of the components of a proposed Village park — yet Westerman reports a huge estimate of $15 million. Facadism was estimated at more than $106mil. We ask — Shouldn’t preservation cost more than facadism? Finally, and crucially, as we have stated previously, how can any reliable estimates be made without ANY knowledge of what residents want inside the building. The latter will be determined by a Villagewide vote — hopefully later this year. Thus Westerman has reported, blindly, on a “ghost.”

Lastly, Westerman did not comment on the “structural integrity” of the building. This question asks: Can the poorly maintained, 150 yr-old building stand up to major alterations? That is, Can the “sick patient” survive Major Surgery? To the best our knowledge, this has never been studied fully by past objective consultants.

Conclusions: Garden City’s government now has a “backto-the-drawing board” situation, with the election of Mary Carter Flanagan as Mayor. She will be a breath of fresh air compared to the previous administration. Abandoning the “very pro-preservation” St. Paul’s Committee, and a stronger BOT will be great moves toward a more objective and effective regime. Adding better consultants should be a high priority because the stakes are huge for GC.

Common sense gun laws

To the Editor:

A recent front page headline in a regional newspaper about Governor Lamont in Connecticut ending open carry guns is a misnomer. No loophole exists. As a gun permit holder, and a lawmaking staffer, I can tell you the legislative evolution of the law stems from both the Second Amendment to the US Constitution, written in 1789, as well as the more expansive of rights, state constitution. A person from a business background such as the Governor might not know that a ban would not need to be legislated, when exclusions already exist. Those exclusions are the rights allowed for concealed carry, in Connecticut, which was a compromise to ensure the intent of the second amendment was upheld, a vital law which extended from the codified UK rights to bear arms that originated around the time of William and Mary.

When I worked in Arizona for the Democratic Party in 2000, they still had the right to open carry, with exclusions such as not being allowed to bring their weapons into most businesses. No such prerogative ever existed in our northern neighbor whom NY shares a border, those with concealed permits are allowed to own guns and carry them, through a lengthy process of vetting, this seeks to ensure responsible and safe ownership. What do we do when our defenders, like Ron Desantis, are actually the enemies of our liberties? That’s what he is doing in Florida proposing laws that seem to advance the Bill of Rights which only lessen the desecration of the Constitution. If we simply follow the sacred law, with reasonable modern changes such as background checks and ending the sale of lethal high capacity automated machine guns, then we’ll all be safer.

Louis A. Bevilacqua

Swatting incidents

To the Editor:

I had heard about the threats called into the Schools and recognize the fear the children could experience. We regularly had them at Family Court.

And I’m glad to hear Sen. Schumer is requesting the FBI check it out. What I don’t understand is the “$10 Million” he’s requesting to help locate and prosecute the perpetrators. I thought it was their job to do that. Why do they need more money from taxpayers? Please understand, Sen. Schumer, that we elderly are having hard enough time living in this economy you’ve created. Stop throwing money around and let the FBI work within their budget to do their job.

Geri Moratti

Salem Wonderful job

To the Editor:

George M.

The Recreation Department did a wonderful job in organizing and holding the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at St. Paul’s Field last Saturday. Although a chilly morning, the Recreation Department warmed every child’s heart by making certain all could find eggs and get lollipops. The hunt was very well organized with fields divided by grades.

A special thank you to Paul Blake, Steve Espy (DJ), Felicia Lovaglio (Lollipops) and Sandy Young for being on site and making sure everything went smoothly. Great job.

Charles Kelly