We have been informed that the Town of Hempstead Industrial Development Agency (IDA) will conduct a supplemental public hearing regarding the Garden City Hotel for use by Alrose GCH, LLC on Aug. 1 at 9:30 a.m. at Garden City Village Hall. The Mayor's Committee Report on St. Paul's which was presented at the July 17 Board of Trustees Meeting has been posted on the website along with three appraisal reports. There is also a link that can be accessed in which you can write a comment to the Mayor and Board of Trustees with regard to the report. The village website address is www.gardencityny.net. Copies of the report are also available at the Reference Desk of the Library and at the Business Office at Village Hall.

Our local law requires dog owners to leash their pets and to clean up after them when they have relieved themselves upon any areas used in common by the public. These areas include median strips, curbs, gutters, park areas, streets, etc. By way of clarification, the village's local law is very specific as to the prohibition "No person who owns ... any dog shall ... permit or allow such dog to urinate, defecate or commit any other nuisance upon any public street, thoroughfare, sidewalk, gutter ... or park ... [or] any place where people congregate, or upon any private property without permission of the owner thereof. The term "sidewalk" as used herein shall mean the area between the curb, or traveled portion of the street if there be no curb and the property line of the abutting property owner."

Regulations require that dog waste be placed with the rubbish for curbside collection on Wednesdays and be containerized or placed in a plastic bag that is properly secured. It must not be placed in storm drains for obvious health reasons.

Please be considerate of those village employees who are working to keep our community beautiful by cleaning up after your dog and by properly disposing of the waste. In consideration of your neighbors and the health and quality of life within our village, I ask that all cooperate with this law so that it will not be necessary to have the police department issue appearance tickets to violators.

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. The hours of permitted lawn watering is between the hours of 5-10 a.m. and 6-10 p.m.

Once again, compliments are due to the Recreation Department for arranging the 2008 season's outstanding concert series at the Village Gazebo, located on the Village Green at the corner of Stewart and Hilton Avenues.

The next program is Thursday, July 31, and will feature The Clusters. The program will begin at 7:15 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 the St. Paul's School. Please contact the Recreation Program Line (742-5888) with questions pertaining to the concert.

During August, the board of trustees meets once. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. 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. At this time portions of our village website are under construction, we are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause. Also please be aware that I have a village email address and would be delighted to hear from village residents about their concerns - it is as follows: MayorPBee@gardencityny.net.