I am happy to report that at our last meeting the executive board of the Nassau County Village Officials Association (NCVOA) approved a resolution asking the MTA/LIRR to answer the legitimate questions and concerns about the Draft Environmental Impact Study (DEIS) raised by The Vertex Companies. Vertex, a highly respected environmental engineering firm, was retained by the villages of New Hyde Park, Floral Park and Garden City to valuate and critique the DEIS.
Additionally, I am pleased to report that the board of the Eastern Property Owners’ Association (EPOA) has unanimously passed a resolution similar to the one above. Again, this asks for answers to some very serious issues raised by Vertex. Maureen Traxler, president of the Western Property Owners’ Association (WPOA), has sent the LIRR/MTA officials a detailed letter pointing out this POA’s specific concerns.
Joe Moody, EPOA president and chair of the Joint Conference Committee, has stated that at their recent meeting the sentiment was unanimously in favor of demanding that the MTA/LIRR answer the questions raised by Vertex. Some went even further and said the project should be postponed until vital work, such as switch and signal repair or replacement, is completed.
One resident worthy of our thanks is EPOA Director Jennifer Donnelly. She has written and circulated an online petition opposing this project, which was signed by well over 500 people. This is an excellent example of the type of grassroots efforts our elected representatives take notice of.
Finally, I am asking that every resident take a minute to thank Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony Santino and the entire town board for their $25,000 contribution to the villages who retained Vertex and special environmental counsel Beveridge & Diamond. These funds will help offset our legal and consulting fees and shows that this Board is solidly behind the Villages who want answers to the questions raised by Vertex.
Village Facilities Tour March 11
A tour of village facilities will take place on Saturday, March 11, beginning at 9 a.m. Participants will meet at the Senior Center on Golf Club Lane. The tour should last one-and-a-half to two hours and return to the Senior Center. This is a great opportunity to not only see our facilities but to learn how much it takes to keep Garden City running efficiently.
Village Election March 21
The annual village election will be held on Tuesday, March 21, from noon until 9 p.m. at village hall located at 351 Stewart Ave. Registered village residents will be voting for the following candidates:
Listed is the title of office, term of office and name of nominee
• Mayor: 2 Years—Brian C. Daughney
• Trustee: 2 Years —Mark A. Hyer
• Trustee: 2 Years—Stephen S. Makrinos
• Trustee: 2 Years—Louis M. Minuto
• Trustee: 1 Year—John A. DeMaro
• Village Justice: 4 Years—Allen S. Mathers
Absentee Ballots
Absentee ballot applications to be used in conjunction with the general village election on March 21 are available at village hall, 351 Stewart Ave. The village clerk must receive applications by March 14 if the ballot is to be mailed. For personal application, the deadline is March 20.
Board Of Trustees Meeting Schedule
The next regularly scheduled board of trustees meeting will be on Thursday, March 16, at 8 p.m. I encourage all residents to attend board of trustees meetings so as to be thoroughly informed of village issues from a firsthand perspective.
