Friday, September 17, 2021
Vol. 98, No.46
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Garden City Office Agent of the Month
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August 2021 Most Contract s
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Michelle McA rdle
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Virtual 5K
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Field of Flags
A SPECIAL TRIBUTE
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Take a number: School Board limits public comments at meetings BY RIKKI N. MASSAND
The GCHSVarsity football team returned to the field for its season opener on September 11th. Above, team captain Brendan Staub carries the flag and wears the number 77 in honor of Paul Eckna, a GCHS football alumnus who died in the attacks of September 11, 2001. Photo by Pierce Archer
Garden City Clergy Fellowship hosts prayer vigil on 9/11 anniversary By Melva Victorino On Saturday, September 11th at 8:00 p.m., the Garden City Clergy Fellowship hosted a prayer vigil in commemorations of the 20th Anniversary of 9/11. This was held on the front lawn of the Garden City Community Church (GCCC.) It was a night that gave meaning to the healing of the soul: our souls. The readings echoed
the pains that we as a country have been feeling, with an ache that could never be eased. We cried for all the cruelty around us, we mourned for the lives lost, we prayed for comfort, peace and hope. and so long as we have people who believe in the goodness of humanity, we will triumph over all adversities. It was a night to remember every soothing word uttered
by the clergy who participated in the service. The GCCC gave tribute in lights by having the two columns on the front of the church be illuminated with red, white, and blue lights, as iconic symbols that honored those killed and celebrated the unbreakable spirit of New York. The Rev. Lynn Sullivan, Senior Pastor of GCCC, welSee page 43
Attendees at the Garden City Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, September 14 held at Garden City High School were able to sign in and provide their name as they arrived at the meeting. But every attendee was also asked to indicate if they wished to speak during the public comments section of the meeting. In recent school board meetings groups of parents have vocally presented opposing views on the necessity for all students in K through 12 in the district to wear masks at school. Discord among the groups of parents attending, as well as displeasure at the actions or inactions of the Board of Education and superintendent, have been often loudly voiced during meetings in 2021. However, from now on, attendees at Board of Education meetings will now have to indicate in advance whether they would like to address the board. Those that reply in the affirmative are then asked to take a number, and a maximum of 30 minutes is set aside for each public comment portion of board meetings. Speakers are limited to three minutes a piece for their public comments. At school board meetings, the public comment portion will be “going in sequential order of assigned numbers.” Further, during the public comment portion of the board’s work sessions (typically held one week or two weeks before the regular monthly board of education meeting) the public must comment exclusively on the subject matter of the evenings presentations or discussion -- in according with Garden City’s Board of Education Policy #2370. School Board President William Holub announced during the Tuesday night meeting, “Such permission is granted by the board, therefore comments and questions tonight are to be on the presentations that have been given by the district ONLY. The Board recognizes the value of public comment on educational issues and the importance of allowing citizens to express themselves.” Still, at Tuesday’s meeting several public comments revisited the mask mandate issue and the potential for Garden City to join other school districts in a lawsuit challenging the executive order by New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul. The mask-wearing issue and other issues related to the reopening of schools this year have became very divisive, both in online forums and at board meetings at times. With that in mind, on See page 44
Varsity Field Hockey starts season with win PAGE 57 Yoga studio brings ancient practice to GC PAGE 22