Assembly Member Michelle Titus, Resorts World New York representative Patrick Jenkins and Senator Joe Addabbo representative Michael Brasky spoke to the attendees of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association meeting on Thursday, March 2th....
Showing posts with label richmond hill south civic association. Show all posts
Showing posts with label richmond hill south civic association. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, December 13, 2010
Church Building Plan in South Ozone Park Approved by BSA by Bryan Yurcan -Queens Chronicle
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The city Board of Standards and Appeals granted a zoning variance for a controversial Ozone Park church project, three months after Community Board 10 rejected the proposal.
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| This lot at 130-34 Hawtree Creek Road in Ozone Park will be the future site of a new church for the Bethany House of Worship - PHOTO BY STEVE MALECKI |
The city Board of Standards and Appeals granted a zoning variance for a controversial Ozone Park church project, three months after Community Board 10 rejected the proposal.
The BSA on Nov. 23 voted 5-0 to grant the Bethany House of Worship a variance to construct a new church at 130-34 Hawtree Creek Road in South Ozone Park. The plans call for a 1,240 square-foot, two-story building. The church needed the variance because the facility would be built without the front yard and parking lot required by the city’s zoning law.
In September, CB 10 conducted a public hearing on the proposal, which many community residents opposed. The board decided by a near-unanimous vote that the church’s request did not meet any of the requirements for granting a zoning variance, and forwarded its opinion to the BSA.
Community boards, however, only act in an advisory capacity and their rulings are not binding, and the BSA disagreed with the board’s conclusion.
Much of the opposition at September’s meeting stemmed from some residents’ belief that the lot the church wants to build on is not big enough to house the building, that congregants would take up much of the on-street parking since there is no lot and that the construction of the building would damage adjacent properties.
Jeff Mulligan, executive director of the BSA, said New York state courts have established a “deference” for religious institutions when it comes to zoning matters, and that there is a lower threshold for such institutions to prove the need for a variance.
Specifically, the board cited a case, Westchester Reform Temple v. Brown, where the courts established that a religious institution’s application for such a zoning variance is to be permitted “unless it can be shown to have an adverse effect upon the health, safety or welfare of the community,” and that concerns about traffic and disruption of the residential character of a neighborhood are insufficient grounds for the denial of an application.
“The Board finds that this action will neither alter the essential character of the surrounding neighborhood nor impair the use or development of adjacent properties, nor will it be detrimental to the public welfare,” the BSA wrote in its decision.
The board granted the variance with the condition that the building be only used as a house of worship. Additionally, any change in ownership of the building would require prior approval from the BSA.
“The board always considers a community board’s recommendation, but in this instance it was established that they needed this size building for this congregation,” said Mulligan.
Betty Braton, chairwoman of CB 10, said the board made its best case to the BSA.
“Unfortunately, they don’t always heed our recommendations, though most of the time they do,” she said.
Margaret Finnerty, president of the Richmond Hill South Civc, who also opposes the plan, said she was disappointed and frustrated with the BSA’s ruling.
“I don’t know how they can disregard all our points about why this variance shouldn’t be granted,” she said. “It’s really going to put a hardship on the community.”
Finnerty said she planned on meeting with other members of the community who oppose the project to see if they have any recourse.
“I hope there is something we can do,” she said.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Clipping Coupons for a Good Cause by Bryan Yurcan - Queens Chronicle
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Seniors there have been gathering coupons to send to troops stationed overseas in Germany so they can purchase much-needed goods.
On Friday, the seniors were recognized for their good work during a ceremony at the center, located in the basement of the St. Mary Gate of Heaven Church in Ozone Park.
The event was organized by the Richmond Hill South Civic Association, which has worked with the senior center in the effort. Civic members mailed out the coupons clipped and collected by the seniors.
Civic association President Margaret Finnerty said the seniors had clipped coupons totaling more than $175,000 for troops over the last two years.
“With Veterans Day coming, this is a great time to recognize the good work these seniors have done for our troops,” Finnerty said.
In addition to clipping coupons, members of the senior center, which is operated by Catholic Charities and receives funding from the city Department for the Aging, have crocheted nearly 100 hats and scarves to send to servicemen and women, according to Rosemary Heggers, the site manager for the senior center.
“This is something we’re very proud to do,” she said.
Heggers said the seniors decided to crochet the clothing items after the center received a large donation of yarn in the colors of the American flag.
“This way, every time they receive a scarf or hat they can see the red, white and blue,” Heggers said.
Also recognizing the good work of the Ozone Park Senior Center were elected officials including state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) and Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park). All of them issued certificates of appreciation to the senior center.
Addabbo, who along with Miller won re-election to the state Legislature Nov. 2, said voting is a reminder of the sacrifices members of the armed services have made to protect American freedoms.
“We would not have an Election Day at all if it wasn’t for veterans,” he said.
Addabbo said it is important for citizens to recognize the importance of what veterans and seniors have done for the country, and that both are groups, “that we have to take care of.”
Miller also thanked the seniors for their good work.
“It’s nice to be able to give the troops something back,” he said.
Ulrich praised senior center members who clipped coupons for giving back to the men and women serving overseas.
“We want to make sure we can do as much as possible to help them,” Ulrich said.
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| The Ozone Park Senior Center was recognized for its good work clipping coupons for troops in Europe to use at base commissaries.PHOTO BY BRYAN YURCAN |
The phrase “support the troops” is often bandied about or plastered on bumper stickers without much thought paid to it, but the members of the Ozone Park Senior Center have truly taken it to heart.
Seniors there have been gathering coupons to send to troops stationed overseas in Germany so they can purchase much-needed goods.
This is done through the Army Community Service Coupons Program, in which service members and their families are able to use donated coupons to purchase food and supplies through commissaries located on military installations. The military stores sell a variety of products, including food, personal hygiene items, pet supplies and cosmetics. The commissaries accept domestic coupons up to six months after their expiration date for their products.
On Friday, the seniors were recognized for their good work during a ceremony at the center, located in the basement of the St. Mary Gate of Heaven Church in Ozone Park.
The event was organized by the Richmond Hill South Civic Association, which has worked with the senior center in the effort. Civic members mailed out the coupons clipped and collected by the seniors.
Civic association President Margaret Finnerty said the seniors had clipped coupons totaling more than $175,000 for troops over the last two years.
“With Veterans Day coming, this is a great time to recognize the good work these seniors have done for our troops,” Finnerty said.
In addition to clipping coupons, members of the senior center, which is operated by Catholic Charities and receives funding from the city Department for the Aging, have crocheted nearly 100 hats and scarves to send to servicemen and women, according to Rosemary Heggers, the site manager for the senior center.
“This is something we’re very proud to do,” she said.
Heggers said the seniors decided to crochet the clothing items after the center received a large donation of yarn in the colors of the American flag.
“This way, every time they receive a scarf or hat they can see the red, white and blue,” Heggers said.
Also recognizing the good work of the Ozone Park Senior Center were elected officials including state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) and Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park). All of them issued certificates of appreciation to the senior center.
Addabbo, who along with Miller won re-election to the state Legislature Nov. 2, said voting is a reminder of the sacrifices members of the armed services have made to protect American freedoms.
“We would not have an Election Day at all if it wasn’t for veterans,” he said.
Addabbo said it is important for citizens to recognize the importance of what veterans and seniors have done for the country, and that both are groups, “that we have to take care of.”
Miller also thanked the seniors for their good work.
“It’s nice to be able to give the troops something back,” he said.
Ulrich praised senior center members who clipped coupons for giving back to the men and women serving overseas.
“We want to make sure we can do as much as possible to help them,” Ulrich said.
Monday, September 27, 2010
The Liberation of Liberty Avenue by Tonia N. Cimino - The Queens Courier
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Liberty Avenue will soon be liberated from graffiti, thanks to City Councilmember Eric Ulrich.
On Tuesday, September 21, he announced the continuation and expansion of his comprehensive graffiti removal program in District 32. The joint effort with the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation has already cleaned up hundreds of properties, and this year is being expanded to include regular maintenance of Liberty Avenue and second floor locations.
“We are well on our way towards eliminating graffiti vandalism in our community,” said Ulrich. “With the addition of Liberty Avenue to the program, we are making these eyesores a thing of the past.”
Bruce Pienkny of CitySolve, Maria Thomson of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corp, Margaret Finnerty of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association and area business owners and residents joined the Councilmember along Liberty Avenue to kick off the effort.
Last year the program focused on 101st Avenue, Woodhaven Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard. This year, it has been expanded to also include an initial cleanup and monthly maintenance of Liberty Avenue from 75th Street to Lefferts Boulevard.
“It’s the monthly maintenance that ultimately keeps the problem under control,” said Pienkny. “We clean it up, and then maintain, maintain, maintain.”
Residents can still call the Councilmember’s graffiti removal hotline at 718-738-1429 to report any locations within the 32nd District that are in need of cleanup.
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| Margaret Finnerty of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association and City Councilmember Eric Ulrich test out the power washer after announcing an expanded graffiti removal program. |
Liberty Avenue will soon be liberated from graffiti, thanks to City Councilmember Eric Ulrich.
On Tuesday, September 21, he announced the continuation and expansion of his comprehensive graffiti removal program in District 32. The joint effort with the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation has already cleaned up hundreds of properties, and this year is being expanded to include regular maintenance of Liberty Avenue and second floor locations.
“We are well on our way towards eliminating graffiti vandalism in our community,” said Ulrich. “With the addition of Liberty Avenue to the program, we are making these eyesores a thing of the past.”
Bruce Pienkny of CitySolve, Maria Thomson of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corp, Margaret Finnerty of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association and area business owners and residents joined the Councilmember along Liberty Avenue to kick off the effort.
Last year the program focused on 101st Avenue, Woodhaven Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard. This year, it has been expanded to also include an initial cleanup and monthly maintenance of Liberty Avenue from 75th Street to Lefferts Boulevard.
“It’s the monthly maintenance that ultimately keeps the problem under control,” said Pienkny. “We clean it up, and then maintain, maintain, maintain.”
Residents can still call the Councilmember’s graffiti removal hotline at 718-738-1429 to report any locations within the 32nd District that are in need of cleanup.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Ulrich Cracking Down On Residential Noise By John Toscano - www.qgazette.com | Queens Gazette
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As noise complaints in residential neighborhoods continue to rise steadily, City Councilmember Eric Ulrich is introducing legislation to strengthen the city’s noise control code.
If passed, the Ozone Park Republican said, the law would provide residents with much-needed relief from loud disturbances and would close a loophole in the city’s existing noise code, under which summonses can be issued only if a “device” causes noise that is determined to be unreasonable.
Ulrich’s bill has drawn support from community leaders, including Margaret Finnerty of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association and Jonathon Gaska, district manager of Community Board 14 in Far Rockaway.
As noise complaints in residential neighborhoods continue to rise steadily, City Councilmember Eric Ulrich is introducing legislation to strengthen the city’s noise control code.
If passed, the Ozone Park Republican said, the law would provide residents with much-needed relief from loud disturbances and would close a loophole in the city’s existing noise code, under which summonses can be issued only if a “device” causes noise that is determined to be unreasonable.
Ulrich’s bill has drawn support from community leaders, including Margaret Finnerty of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association and Jonathon Gaska, district manager of Community Board 14 in Far Rockaway.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Noise Complaints Again Dominate 106th Pct Meeting by Stephen Geffon - Leader-Observer
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Thunderstorms and heavy rain did not deter community residents from attending last week’s meeting of the 106th Precinct Community Council to voice their complaints and ask the police for help.
A resident asked police to look into an unusual situation - cars driving on Crossbay Boulevard with their out-of-town plates affixed upside down. “We’ll keep our eyes open for that,” Lt. Joseph Salvato, commander of the 106th Precinct’s Special Operations unit, told the resident.
Another resident complained about cars driving through the community with their radios blaring. Although conceding that this is tough to police, Salvato said that precinct officers have issued multiple summonses for this noise law violation.
Deputy Inspector Joseph Courtesis, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct, added that if residents can specifically zero in on the location where the loud music is coming from, such as that the car is parked in a neighbor’s driveway, police officers would respond and take appropriate enforcement action. He added that police would also respond if cars are stopped and blaring loud music at a traffic light near a resident’s home.
A South Ozone Park homeowner complained that neighbors living on either side of her were operating auto repair businesses in the driveways of their homes for the last four years. he resident added that when the car engines have been repaired they are tested by being revved up to ear-splitting sounds
She also alleged marijuana sales at the same location near 149th Avenue and 114th Street. “It’s just getting worse,” she said
The resident’s husband said he remembers that it was so bad one summer because of the carbon monoxide fumes that he could not breathe.
Courtesis told the homeowners that he would address their problem, however, he asked for their patience since he said it would take police a little time because of certain legalities that they must go through.
Margaret Finnerty, president of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association, expressed her appreciation to Community Affairs Officer Brenda Bratcher for her recent presentation before the group. Bratcher discussed the procedures that the precinct was using to send letters to chronic noise violators.
“It’s (the letters) working, it’s starting to make an impact, I wanted to thank you,” Finnerty told Courtesis.
The letters, which were sent out by police to the homeowners/residents of the previously identified 2009 chronic noise locations, state in part that their residence has been identified as a chronic noise location by the police department.
The letter notes that numerous complaints (five or more) have been received regarding loud music from the residence and adds that all chronic locations will be monitored nightly and any violations of the City of New York’s noise code will be enforced. The letter warns that violators will be issued summonses and/or arrested, adding that stereo speakers and related sound equipment may also be confiscated.
Precinct Community Council president Frank Dardani reminded residents of the council’s National Night Out Against Crime to be held on Tuesday, August 3, beginning at 6 p.m. at Joseph P. Addabbo Park located at 133rd Avenue between 81st and 83rd streets in the Tudor Village section of Ozone Park.
The 106th Precinct Community Council meets the second Wednesday of every month, except for February and August, at the 106th Precinct station house located at 103-51 101st Street, Ozone Park.
Thunderstorms and heavy rain did not deter community residents from attending last week’s meeting of the 106th Precinct Community Council to voice their complaints and ask the police for help.
A resident asked police to look into an unusual situation - cars driving on Crossbay Boulevard with their out-of-town plates affixed upside down. “We’ll keep our eyes open for that,” Lt. Joseph Salvato, commander of the 106th Precinct’s Special Operations unit, told the resident.
Another resident complained about cars driving through the community with their radios blaring. Although conceding that this is tough to police, Salvato said that precinct officers have issued multiple summonses for this noise law violation.
Deputy Inspector Joseph Courtesis, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct, added that if residents can specifically zero in on the location where the loud music is coming from, such as that the car is parked in a neighbor’s driveway, police officers would respond and take appropriate enforcement action. He added that police would also respond if cars are stopped and blaring loud music at a traffic light near a resident’s home.
A South Ozone Park homeowner complained that neighbors living on either side of her were operating auto repair businesses in the driveways of their homes for the last four years. he resident added that when the car engines have been repaired they are tested by being revved up to ear-splitting sounds
She also alleged marijuana sales at the same location near 149th Avenue and 114th Street. “It’s just getting worse,” she said
The resident’s husband said he remembers that it was so bad one summer because of the carbon monoxide fumes that he could not breathe.
Courtesis told the homeowners that he would address their problem, however, he asked for their patience since he said it would take police a little time because of certain legalities that they must go through.
Margaret Finnerty, president of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association, expressed her appreciation to Community Affairs Officer Brenda Bratcher for her recent presentation before the group. Bratcher discussed the procedures that the precinct was using to send letters to chronic noise violators.
“It’s (the letters) working, it’s starting to make an impact, I wanted to thank you,” Finnerty told Courtesis.
The letters, which were sent out by police to the homeowners/residents of the previously identified 2009 chronic noise locations, state in part that their residence has been identified as a chronic noise location by the police department.
The letter notes that numerous complaints (five or more) have been received regarding loud music from the residence and adds that all chronic locations will be monitored nightly and any violations of the City of New York’s noise code will be enforced. The letter warns that violators will be issued summonses and/or arrested, adding that stereo speakers and related sound equipment may also be confiscated.
Precinct Community Council president Frank Dardani reminded residents of the council’s National Night Out Against Crime to be held on Tuesday, August 3, beginning at 6 p.m. at Joseph P. Addabbo Park located at 133rd Avenue between 81st and 83rd streets in the Tudor Village section of Ozone Park.
The 106th Precinct Community Council meets the second Wednesday of every month, except for February and August, at the 106th Precinct station house located at 103-51 101st Street, Ozone Park.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Gulluscio and Addabbo Clear Up Issue On Funds for Liberty Avenue Doe Fund Clean-Up - 2009-10-20
Local Groups Slam Councilman Ulrich’s Decision to Cut Funding
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District Leader Frank Gulluscio and State Senator Joseph Addabbo were joined by local civic activists and business owners at Moblegott Hardware Store on Liberty Avenue to announce that State Senator Addabbo has stepped in to provide State funding for the Doe Fund’s clean-up of Liberty Avenue.
In previous years, State Senator Addabbo (then-Councilmember) allocated $74,000 in City Council funds to the Doe Fund’s Ready, Willing and Able Program. This program provided for supplemental street cleaning service in Richmond Hill along the commercial corridor on Liberty Avenue between 104th St and Lefferts Blvd and in the Rockaways on Beach 116th St and Rockaway Blvd. Council Member Ulrich severely cut funding to the DOE fund, from $74,000 to $38,000. This drastic decrease in funding provides only for cleaning in the Rockaways portion of the district, eliminating the service along Liberty Avenue.
“The program is a win-win for the neighborhood as it not only beautifies the busy corridor but, the men of the Ready, Willing and Able program are often formerly homeless or ex-offenders looking for that critical first job. The Department of Sanitation does an outstanding job of keeping our streets clean but, with cuts to supplemental collection the Doe Fund plays an important role in this community. I fought for this funding in the state budget because I knew it was critically important to the community. I’m disappointed the city funding was cut, because we could have expanded this successful program that benefits the community.” State Senator Addabbo said.
The $47,000 grant secured by State Senator Addabbo will provide for street cleaning by the Doe Fund on Liberty Avenue between 104th St and Lefferts Blvd. The service will begin November 2009.
“The community here needs more resources not less. I’m disappointed that our current Councilman cut funding to this vital program. When I’m on the City Council, I will ensure equitable funding across the whole district not to a few select spots.” said District Leader Frank Gulluscio. “Often, it is the small things that can make a big difference for a retail corridor, and the Doe Fund helps make Liberty Avenue cleaner, more inviting and more business friendly—not to mention a better environment for shoppers and pedestrians.”
“I don’t understand why Councilman Ulrich would have cut this money for our community. That is pure politics not good government” said Margaret Finnerty, President of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association. “This program made a real difference on Liberty Avenue. Keeping our streets clean is a basic quality of life issue that cannot be ignored. We are grateful for Senator Addabbo and his support of this vital program. With the upcoming election in November, I am hopeful that the winner of this election realizes the importance of restoring the funds that Councilman Ulrich cut.”
"We cannot make the mistake of thinking that this is just about dirty sidewalks and litter, says Ravisharon Kaur, Director of Programs for SEVA, a non-profit community organization whose offices are located on Liberty Avenue.”This is a quality of life issue. Studies have shown that deterioration of urban centers such as Liberty Avenue repels much needed economic development and also leads to crime. Liberty Avenue is the heart of the Richmond Hill community which needs more resources not less."
“The businesses here need clean streets. Thankfully Joe Addabbo was able to step in and secure funding to bring the Doe Fund back to Liberty Avenue. Our community needs more resources and attention not less. We deserve to have a city councilman who understands that and will fight for our community. Councilman Ulrich cut funding to our community and we will remember that this November” said Stanley Raj of Main Street Insurance, Inc.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Richmond Hill South Civic Has 2 Key Issues by Peter C. Mastrosimone - Queens Chronicle
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Empty houses like these in Ozone Park, and others throughout southern Queens, concern members of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association. (photo by Michael O’Kane)
When the Richmond Hill South Civic Association holds its next meeting April 23, two concerns of residents will top the agenda, according to civic officials: the blight of empty homes that have been abandoned by builders and the future of Aqueduct Raceway.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s director for community affairs in Queens, Jennifer Manley, will be the meeting’s guest speaker. Manley is certain to be asked what the city can do to get unfinished houses complete and occupied, as well as what is going to happen with the state’s plans to redevelop Aqueduct since the firm that won the bid for the work had to pull out.
How much the city government can do about private-sector construction on the one hand and a state-directed project on the other is what the members hope to find out at their meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, located at 112-14 107th Ave.
Empty houses not just in Richmond Hill but other parts of southern Queens concern members even more now that the New York Racing Association has announced that it will be selling multiple empty plots of land near Aqueduct.
“That is some concern for all those people who live around there,” said Elke Henkell of the Richmond Hill South civic group. “There are some houses on Centerville, right near the John Adams playground, that have been constructed but haven’t been lived in.”
Henkell continued, “We don’t want the same thing to happen again. All you have are these brown parcels of fence, and people graffiti them and start dumping garbage there. People who live next to these lots start experiencing rats and mice coming in.
“People feel their homes are devalued. It impedes our quality of life.”
Aqueduct itself is a concern in several ways. Residents are nervous about what will follow the state’s selection of one company to build a “racino” there with video lottery terminals because of increased traffic, and the kind of people who will be attracted to the new gambling center, according to Henkell. But at the same time, the community is looking forward to the jobs the redevelopment is expected to provide.
“We want help with the Aqueduct situation,” civic President Margaret Finnerty said. “We live right by Aqueduct, it’s in our backyard. There were jobs that were promised our community, and we were looking at it as a way to spruce up the community. We want the community to help to put pressure on the governor to move the situation forward.”
Empty houses like these in Ozone Park, and others throughout southern Queens, concern members of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association. (photo by Michael O’Kane) When the Richmond Hill South Civic Association holds its next meeting April 23, two concerns of residents will top the agenda, according to civic officials: the blight of empty homes that have been abandoned by builders and the future of Aqueduct Raceway.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s director for community affairs in Queens, Jennifer Manley, will be the meeting’s guest speaker. Manley is certain to be asked what the city can do to get unfinished houses complete and occupied, as well as what is going to happen with the state’s plans to redevelop Aqueduct since the firm that won the bid for the work had to pull out.
How much the city government can do about private-sector construction on the one hand and a state-directed project on the other is what the members hope to find out at their meeting, set for 7:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, located at 112-14 107th Ave.
Empty houses not just in Richmond Hill but other parts of southern Queens concern members even more now that the New York Racing Association has announced that it will be selling multiple empty plots of land near Aqueduct.
“That is some concern for all those people who live around there,” said Elke Henkell of the Richmond Hill South civic group. “There are some houses on Centerville, right near the John Adams playground, that have been constructed but haven’t been lived in.”
Henkell continued, “We don’t want the same thing to happen again. All you have are these brown parcels of fence, and people graffiti them and start dumping garbage there. People who live next to these lots start experiencing rats and mice coming in.
“People feel their homes are devalued. It impedes our quality of life.”
Aqueduct itself is a concern in several ways. Residents are nervous about what will follow the state’s selection of one company to build a “racino” there with video lottery terminals because of increased traffic, and the kind of people who will be attracted to the new gambling center, according to Henkell. But at the same time, the community is looking forward to the jobs the redevelopment is expected to provide.
“We want help with the Aqueduct situation,” civic President Margaret Finnerty said. “We live right by Aqueduct, it’s in our backyard. There were jobs that were promised our community, and we were looking at it as a way to spruce up the community. We want the community to help to put pressure on the governor to move the situation forward.”
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