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The quality of life in Howard Beach is the central focus of the Howard Beach Civic Forum, a local civic group comprised of about 50 area residents. This issue is the foundation upon which the group formed in 1995.
Still holding monthly meetings at St. Barnabas Lutheran Church on 98th Street, the civic has upheld its mission to serve as a sounding board for community members.
“We want to provide a forum for people in Howard Beach to be able to express their concerns, their questions (and) interests,” said Stella DiMatteo, the group’s president.
Often, the group invites local elected officials, including City Councilman Joseph Addabbo Jr. and state Sen. Serphin Maltese, and members of the 106th Police Precinct to meetings to keep open the lines of communication. It ensures that community concerns are addressed, she added.
Unfortunately, the organization’s membership has dwindled throughout the years as aging members retired and relocated. DiMatteo has tried drawing in residents from Rockwood Park and Lindenwood by holding meetings in different locations, but it seems to be of little help.
“People have other obligations,” DiMatteo said, and some might consider these meetings mundane. The group has always maintained a full board, but attendance varies every month.
When issues of major concern arise — such as the Sovereign Bank robbery that occurred earlier this year and an October incident in which violence broke out between rowdy teens — people attend the meetings and share their views.
DiMatteo hopes to see more people do the same on a regular basis. She invites residents to attend the next Howard Beach Civic Forum meeting, to be held Tuesday, June 24 at 7:30 p.m.
6 years ago
