Friday, 17 February 2012 00:00

Police, fire departments discuss departmental needs

Garden City Police Commissioner Ernest Cipullo asked the Village Board of Trustees at last Thursday’s 2012-13 capital/operating budget session for a significant bump in funding to cover overtime pay due to the erratic and incalculable nature of police work.

“As I said at the last budget session, the police business is very unpredictable,” Cipullo said. “We can’t really tell you what’s going to happen next week. I can’t tell you what’s going to happen in the next five minutes. Accordingly, we were operating most of the last year with six officers out on long-term injury, three vacant positions, and one civilian dispatcher position, so you’re talking about 10 people out of the chart. We had to cover that with overtime on many occasions. I hate to tell you, but the overtime that we budgeted last year- based on those vacancies or injuries — we’re at half-a-year and our overtime budget is pretty much gone.”

Cipullo noted that approximately 94 percent of the police operating budget is comprised of personnel costs, as mandated by an arbitrator’s decision.

Friday, 17 February 2012 00:00

Discusses budget challenges in the era of the tax levy cap

If you are one of the many Long Islanders paying property taxes this year, the upcoming school budget season promises to be a challenging one in the era of the tax levy cap. Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen of Garden City School District held the first in a series of presentations of the 2012/2013 school budget at the Board of Education work session on Tuesday, Feb. 7. The proposal includes an overall budget of $104,976,751 with a budget-to-budget increase of $3,859,693 or 3.82 percent. The projected tax levy (with STAR) is 4.25 percent.  

Feirsen opened the meeting explaining that Garden city has a tradition of presenting its budget in great detail, “much greater detail and over many more meetings than many other school districts.” He also reminded residents that the evening’s review contains only recommendations to the Garden City Board of Education and is the first step in a multistep process, which will include both comments from the community and board discussions.

Friday, 17 February 2012 00:00

February 1 was National Signing Day in high schools across the country and Garden City was no exception. With his family beside him, Ryan Norton was one of three Long Islanders to sign with Syracuse University on a full football scholarship. “This is the first time for a number of years that a Garden City student has received a full scholarship to a Division 1 school, and we are thrilled for Ryan,” commented Nancy Kalafus, director of physical education and athletics. The Garden City senior has played varsity football for the reigning Nassau County Champion Trojans for the past three years.

Ryan, sporting his new Syracuse cap, was joined at the signing by his father, Michael, and mom, Kristen, Athletic Director Nancy Kalafus, Stewart Avenue Principal Linda Norton, Ryan’s grandmother and sister Brittany Norton, Assistant Football Coach David Ettinger and Head Football Coach Tom Flatley.

Friday, 17 February 2012 00:00

In case of inclement weather, the Recreation Department’s website will be updated to show program cancellations. Please visit the website at www.gardencityrecreation.org to see if any event is canceled or postponed due to the elements.

Family Fun Time on Sundays

On Sunday afternoons beginning Jan. 8, the St. Paul’s Field House will be open for “Family Fun” for village families. This open time provides the opportunity for families to enjoy various gym activities in an indoor environment. The gym will be available for use from 2:45 to 5:45 p.m. each Sunday until March 11.

This time is designated for family time only. No organized practices or workouts will be allowed. Although there will be staff to monitor activity, this is not a drop-off program. Elementary-aged children must be accompanied by an adult. For the safety of our users, no lacrosse or baseball will be allowed.