Village Election March 15: The annual village election will be held March 15, from noon until 9 p.m. at Village Hall, 351 Stewart Avenue. Village residents are encouraged to vote for the following Community Agreement candidates.  They are supported by all four Property Owners' Associations and the respective Nominating Committees, fellow trustees, village commissions and committees and certainly by me.

Mayor (two-year term): Donald T. Brudie

Trustee (two-year term): John A. DeMaro

Trustee (two-year term): Laurence J. Quinn

Trustee (two-year term): Dennis C. Donnelly

Trustee (one-year term): Andrew J. Cavanaugh

Thank You For Participating in Village Blood Drive: I would like to thank the residents and employees who donated blood March 1. I am pleased to report that 22 pints of blood were collected. You can feel proud of your personal involvement in helping those who depend on blood for life giving support.

Since there is no substitute for human blood, and no way of knowing when it may be needed to save or sustain the life of a family member, a co-worker, a friend or other members of the community, we must be sure that enough blood is available at all times to meet the needs of our area's hospitals and their patients.

Again, thank you and we look forward to your participation in our next blood drive which will take place in October.

Daylight Saving Time: Daylight Saving Time begins March 13. Residents are reminded that clocks should be set one hour ahead.

Higher Penalties in New York for Driving: Please be aware that higher penalties will be imposed on the driving records of those found guilty of driving while talking on a cell phone without a hands-free-device under a new regulation issued by the state Department of Motor Vehicles. The new regulations went into effect two weeks ago. The former regulation, established in 2001, only carried a fine of up to $100 for conversing on a cell phone while driving. In 2009 a law was also enacted, which bans the use of portable electronic devices for sending text messages while driving. Drivers caught using these devices while driving can receive two points on their license in addition to a $150 fine under this law.

Board of Trustees Meeting Schedule: The next regularly scheduled board of trustees meeting will be held March 17 at 8 p.m. at Garden City Village Hall.

Village's Website: I encourage residents to periodically utilize the village’s website for information regarding the village’s operations, as well as items of seasonal and special interest. The address is www.gardencityny.net. For your convenience, listed on the village’s home page under the heading of Administration is a sub-heading “Village Map and Key Areas of Interest” which contains direct links to various schools, parks, the Village Yard, etc.

E-Cycling Program: The Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department will conduct its first E-Cycling Program March 13. The program, which is held at various locations throughout the Town of Hempstead, will feature all of the elements necessary to recycle your old computers and other electronic devices, keeping them out of the waste stream.

This Sunday’s program will be held at the Town Parking Field L2, Division Avenue (off Hempstead Turnpike) in Levittown. The hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Under the E-Cycling Program, residents are able to take outdated electronics, computers, iPods, televisions, printers, cell phones and other electronics. Also being accepted are outdated pharmaceuticals for proper disposal as well as old paper documents which will be shredded while you watch. If you have any questions with regard to this event, call the Town of Hempstead Department of Sanitation at 516-378-2200.