A Word From Mayor John Watras

Police Department Warns Residents About Phone Scams: Everyone should be aware of the growing trend of phone scams. These scams are varied.

I have been advised by the Police Department that they have recently received reports of residents receiving phone calls from persons claiming to be from LIPA or other public utilities stating that the resident owed back fees and their service will be shut off, if they don’t pay immediately by way of money cards.

In another scam, a parent or grandparent will get a call from a person claiming to be a lawyer or police authority stating that their child or grandchild is under arrest and would need money wired to them for bail.

People should also be cautious when they receive a call from a person claiming to be from a credit card company, medical insurance company or another public entity, stating that they need personal information such as date of birth, credit card numbers and/or social security number for verification of their account.

When residents get these types of calls, they should attempt to verify the source of the call. They should not give personal information over the phone. Residents are urged to call the Garden City Police Department when they believe that they are being targeted in a phone scam or if they have already been victimized as a result of a phone scam. Residents can call 911 in emergencies and 465-4100 in non-emergencies.

Also, as a reminder from the Police Department, if you are going to celebrate the New Year, please do not drink and drive.

Continue to Shop and Dine in Garden City: The 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. Keep in mind that these merchants save you from traveling outside the village for your needs. Consider the harsh reality if we did not have these businesses here to service our needs. I look forward to seeing everyone in town.

Year-End Reminders:

• Village Hall Holiday Schedule: Village Hall will close at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 31, in observance of the New Year’s holiday and will re-open at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2. For your convenience, correspondence may be placed in the letter slot at the easterly entrance to Village Hall.

• Second Half of Village Taxes: The second half of village taxes, which were due and payable on Dec. 1, are subject to penalty if payment is not made within a 30-day grace period. This year payments received after Tuesday, Dec. 31, will be subject to penalty. Please return the “second half” bill stub with your payment made payable to the Incorporated Village of Garden City. Please note that Village Hall will close at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 31, and remain closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1, in observance of the New Year’s holiday. As stated above, tax payments may be placed in the letter slot at the easterly entrance to Village Hall.

• Veterans Real Property Tax Exemption: The deadline for applications for veterans tax exemptions is Tuesday, Dec. 31, (as stated above, village offices close at noon on this day). Applications cannot be accepted after the close of business on that date.

Holiday Sanitation Schedule for New Year’s Week: Residents are reminded that there will be no regular garbage or recycling pickup on New Year’s Day. Also, there will be no rubbish pick up on Wednesday, Jan. 1. The holiday week collection will be as follows:

Western half of village (west of Rockaway Avenue)

Garbage: Monday and Friday

Rubbish: Thursday

Eastern half of Village (east of Rockaway Avenue)

Garbage: Tuesday and Saturday

Rubbish: Thursday

If you recycling day is on Wednesday, Jan. 1, your recycling pick up has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8.

Board of Trustees' Meeting Schedule: There is only one regularly scheduled board of trustees’ meeting in January, which will be held on Jan. 9. I look forward to the new year and continuing the budget process. I encourage all residents to attend board of trustees meetings so as to be thoroughly informed of village issues from a first-hand perspective.