A Word From Mayor John Watras

Continue to Shop and Dine Outdoors in Garden City: Residents of Garden City are very fortunate to have viable retail businesses on Seventh Street, Franklin Avenue and New Hyde Park Road where there is a good variety of quality merchandise and family dining experiences available to be enjoyed.  Please support these businesses and enjoy the products, variety and outstanding customer service. I look forward to seeing everyone in town.

Outdoor Dining: It is wonderful to see so many Garden City residents as well as visitors to our village enjoying alfresco dining on New Hyde Park Road, Franklin Avenue and Seventh Street. This year there are 36 businesses which offer outdoor dining. There is no doubt that alfresco dining is an overwhelming success. I encourage residents to come early and combine shopping with dining outside at their favorite place.

Merchants Clean Up: The village has received quite a few complaints over the past few weeks regarding the amount of wrappers, waste, bottles and cans that are on Seventh Street. I would like to remind the merchants to be more careful in how they place their garbage for pickup. I would also like to ask residents, visitors and shoppers to please dispose of their waste in the containers that are located along Seventh Street.

Aggressive Driving Enforcement Program: The police department is continuing their aggressive driving crackdown. During the past week, an aggressive driving traffic stop resulted in the arrest of a person for Leandra’s Law. The subject was driving in an intoxicated condition, with a 2-year old and a 4-year old passenger.

Motorists are encouraged to use caution when changing lanes, unsafe lane changing is considered an aggressive driving violation, and is a very common cause of traffic accidents particularly during high volume times such as rush hour. Motorists should only enter another lane after carefully checking their surroundings and always use their signal when changing lanes or turning. In many cases, a vehicle weaving in and out of traffic is not directly involved in an accident but, causes other motorists to swerve out of the way, resulting in accidents with other vehicles.

Safety While Walking and Jogging: We are all interested in physical fitness.  Please walk and jog safely. Rule number one: obey the rules of the road, specifically for pedestrians. Jog facing traffic using sidewalks when possible.  Obey traffic signals and signs.

Please remember, while every driver of a vehicle is expected to exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian, no pedestrian should suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to stop.

The rest is common sense, things we have all been told all our lives but perhaps tend to forget. Wear light colors and reflective material at night. Most running shoes are made with reflective material. They are especially effective because the running shoes are always in motion. Pay attention, look where you’re going, and if you’re using your ipod, iphone or other device, make sure you can still hear what’s going on. Remember that the human body is no match for the automobile. In addition, when walking to a destination after dark, walk along the illuminated sidewalk. For your own safety, never take a shortcut that could bring you into a darkened area away from the view of other pedestrians or vehicular traffic.

Please share this information with your children.

In Preparation For Storms: The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) recently sent to the village a publication regarding storms and it is clear that the level of preparation before severe weather hits can determine the level of your comfort and safety after the storm. What would you do if basic services such as water, gas, electricity or telephones were cut off? LIPA’s Storm Center at www.lipower.org/stormcenter can help you before, during and after a power outage. LIPA suggests that the following items be on hand in your home:

• At least a 3-day supply of food that does not require refrigeration for each person in your home - and a manual can opener. The supply should include three gallons of water per person.  And don’t forget food for your pets.

• First aid kits in your car and your home.

-Battery-powered radio, TV, flashlight and extra batteries.

-A corded telephone. Cordless phones and telephone services such as those that use a cable modem or fiber optics may not work when there is a power outage.

-A full tank of gas and cash in your pocket. Gas pumps and ATMs may not be working during an outage.

For more information about emergency preparedness and real-time outage data, visit their Storm Center at www.lipower.org/stormcenter. Most importantly, if your power goes out, let LIPA know right away:

-By Phone: Call 1-800-490-0075 anytime.

-By Text: Text “REG” to myLIPA (695472) for the one-time registration.

-Then, if the power goes out, simply text “OUT”.

Online: Via LIPA’s Storm Center at www.lipower.org/stormcenter.

If you or a loved one depends upon life support equipment, register for their Critical Care Program. Critical Care offers special attention when there’s severe weather, but does not guarantee priority during restoration efforts.  Call LIPA at 1-800-490-0025 or visit www.lipower.org/critical care for more information.

Board of Trustees' Summer Meeting Schedule: During August the Board of Trustees meets one time. Their next meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 22 at 8 p.m. This meeting is held in the Board Room at Village Hall. I encourage all residents to attend Board of Trustees meetings so as to be thoroughly informed of village issues from a first-hand perspective.