Community Corner
Residents Line Up Early to Vote on St. Paul’s Bond
Village of Garden City residents come out in full force when the doors opened for voting Wednesday afternoon.
The lines formed early outside of St. Paul’s Field House, with Garden City residents ready to vote on the $3.75 million bond referendum to potentially demolish the historic St. Paul’s Main Building and Ellis Hall.
Dozens of people came out as soon as the doors opened to vote Wednesday afternoon, ready to voice their opinion to the Board of Trustees.
Mayor Donald Brudie was on hand to greet the masses. He said it is imperative for residents to make their voice heard in this vote.
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“Two fold – first of all you are going to save the building,” said Brudie. “By saving the building, you are saving part of the history of Garden City – a very important part because it is an architectural gem. You couldn’t replace this building. If you took it down, you couldn’t replace it with the cost of demolition. That is one reason, another reason is that people are going to spend $3.75 million to demolish the building and the taxes are inevitably going to go up.
“I think this is a rush to judgment to do this and there is no reason to rush to judgment,” he added. “The building is very sound.”
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Former Mayor Robert Rothschild and his wife, Valerie, agreed that they thought there would be a decent turnout for the day, but did not have any predictions for the outcome.
“We have many friends who are on both sides, so we can’t tell,” said Valerie.
“I think it is important because of the expenditure of funds,” she said. “It is important that the whole village decides and not a vocal minority.”
The former mayor touched on the weight of this issue while waiting in line outside the field house. He said that the most important “thing people have to think about is, that if they turn this vote down, the next vote that they will have to look it will be a $30 million vote to save the building.”
“If people want to preserve the building, it is going to cost the residents money,” he added. “It will be on the backs of the residents, so it is very important that residents understand that this vote would end the discussion at $3.75 million.”
Each voter leaving the building had their own opinion about whether demolition is necessary.
“St. Paul’s has been an integral part of Garden City since it’s founding,” said Francine Ryan. “It represents an iconic part of the village and can be a great and functioning part of the village again. I think everyone needs to come out and vote to save this building which is so much a part of our heritage.”
Gertrude Krupen, a Garden City resident of 11 years, and her friend Elaine Kreisberg, who has lived in town for over 50 years, came to the field house early to cast their vote.
“I think we should make a final decision and I hope this is our last vote,” Krupen said.
“I also feel that it should be resolved,” Kreisberg continued. “It is enough already – it is ongoing. Every time the vote doesn’t go the way the people want it to go, they get another committee and start it up again. We have been paying for years and it doesn’t make sense at all.”
“We should take it very seriously because once it’s going it is going,” said voter William Hennesy.
Village historian John Ellis Kordes weighed in as well: "By not demolishing the building today, it gives us a chance tomorrow to come up with a permanent way to save the building for future generations."
Voting will be open until 9 p.m. Wednesday. Check back with Patch later for the results.
