A Word From Mayor John Watras

Friday Night Promenade: Tonight, the band “Fivestone” will be performing on Seventh Street. This program began four weeks ago and I am looking forward to seeing many residents and visitors on Seventh Street as we continue to close Seventh Street, between Franklin and Hilton Avenues, each Friday evening, so that residents and visitors to Garden City can enjoy the outdoor dining and live entertainment offered by local restaurants as well as shopping in the stores and shops who will remain open during the evening. I hope that you make it a point to bring your family out to see all that is offered each Friday evening in the village.

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. 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.

Deception/Distraction Burglaries: The Garden City Police Department has asked me to remind residents to be alert for deception/distraction burglaries that often target the elderly.

Deception/distraction burglars usually travel in groups of two or more people to a particular residential area in a car or van, usually with out-of-state registration plates. One of the subjects will usually portray himself or herself as a surveyor, utility worker, contractor or handyman, delivery person or a new neighbor. They will approach a homeowner, in many cases an elderly person, and either solicit work or state that they are a new neighbor looking to fix a fence between their properties. While engaging the resident in a distracting conversation, the subject diverts the homeowners into their rear or side yards providing a means for an accomplice to surreptitiously enter the home and commit a burglary.

Residents are advised to lock their doors when tending to their gardens or doing other types of yard work. Leaving a door unlocked provides a burglar an opportunity to enter a residence to steal property without being detected. This type of distraction burglary is more prevalent during warmer seasons. If you witness anything out of the ordinary, please immediately call the Garden City Police Department at 465-4100, if there is an immediate threat call 911.

Reminder-Automatic Water Sprinklers: As a reminder, July 31 and Aug. 1 result in two consecutive odd days. All residents with automatic sprinklers should remember to reset their clocks at this time to comply with the village lawn watering regulations. Lawn watering is permitted between the hours of 5 and 10 a.m. and 6 and 10 p.m.

Water Conservation Local Law 3-1987: We all want to keep the environment clean and green. However, I would like to remind the village residents that although we want to have beautiful lawns and flowers, we must keep in mind the village's law with regard to water conservation (Local Law 3-1987).

Restrictions are:

• Lawn sprinkling and garden irrigation only from April 16 to Nov. 30 of each year and only during the hours of 5 and 10 a.m. and 6 and 10 p.m.

The days a person may water are:

• Odd numbered properties on odd numbered days
• Even numbered properties on even numbered days
• Properties with no numbers on even numbered days

Automatic sprinkler systems:

• All newly installed systems must have moisture sensors approved by the Department of Public Works. For more information please call 465-4012 regarding sprinkler systems.

Backflow Test:

• Residents are reminded that they are required to have an annual backflow test by a certified plumber or a certified lawn irrigation company. The certification is then transmitted to Village Hall by the person performing the inspection.

Miscellaneous:

• All home car washing must be done with hoses fitted with spray nozzles with automatic shut-off
• Use of water for washing down driveways or walkways is prohibited

Please cooperate by observing these restrictions. The Police Department has been requested to issue appearance tickets to those persons found to be in violation of this law.

Concert at Gazebo: Once again, compliments are due to the Recreation Department for arranging the 2013 season's outstanding Concert Series at the Village Gazebo, located on the Village Green at the corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues.

Next week’s program is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 1, and will feature The Clusters, a 50's group featuring their songs, “Darling Can’t You Tell” and “Pardon My Heart.” I hope that I will get a chance to see you at one of the concerts this summer.

The program will begin at 7:15 p.m. and admission is free. Please bring your lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a very pleasant evening. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Cultural and Performing Arts Center at Cluett Hall at St. Paul’s School. Please call the Recreation Office at 465-4075 if you have any questions pertaining to the concert.

Board of Trustees Summer Meeting Schedule: During August, the board of trustees meets one time. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 8 p.m. This meeting is held in the boardroom at Village Hall. I encourage all residents to attend board of trustees meetings so that you can be informed of what is happening within the village.

Questions for the mayor? Email Mayor@gardencityny.net.