Councilman Eric Ulrich praised the Lindenwood Alliance for its continued success in the community and thanked the group for its constant support. Patricia Adams/The Forum Newsgroup
The Lindenwood Alliance hosted several speakers when they held their monthly meeting on Monday. Along with Councilmember Eric Ulrich and Assemblyman Phillip Goldfeder, the group was joined by the new commanding officer of the 106th precinct, Deputy Inspector Jeffery Schiff, as well as Republican candidate for Queens Borough President, Auriellio Arabascio.
Problems with motorists at several intersections have plagued the community forever according to residents, with no resolution coming from the city. One in particular, at 153rd Avenue and 83rd Street, is a subject that has been revisited many times by local elected officials and at Alliance meetings.
“Why is it that we will have to wait until someone, namely a child, is killed before anyone pays attention to this?” an angry Ellen Buonopastore questioned. “It is ridiculous that we need crossing guards to protect the crossing guards and that these kids have to depend on people like me to help cross them so they don’t get hit.” And Buonopastore is not alone in her anger.
Residents say they have complained about the situation for years and still nothing is addressed, especially at nearby PS 232, where they say tragedy is waiting to happen at the congested school intersection. Both Ulrich and Goldfeder pledged their support to try and get some type of action from the city and or state to remedy the situation with dangerous drivers who speed through the neighborhood and do not stop at stop signs.
Goldfeder has been diligent in his attempts to supplement crossing guards and to ease the parking congestion at the school but no resolution has been reached. The intersection at 153rd avenue and 83rd Street, where there is no light, no stop sign and no speed bump was again referred to as a “tragedy waiting to happen.” All attempts to secure intervention from the Department Of Transportation (DOT) have been nonproductive. He reminded those in attendance that he sent a letter to the DOT last year requesting a speed bump or a stop sign to curb dangerous driving, but after performing an investigation, the DOT determined that the location did not meet the guidelines for the installation of any traffic device.
In addition to the intersection, a number of other issues were brought to light including a discussion of the consistent bank robberies in the area, most notably several at the Bank of America branch on 84th Street and New York Community Savings Bank on 153rd Avenue. Deputy Inspector Jeffrey Schiff, the new Commanding officer at the 106th precinct encouraged residents to be alert and report anything suspicious to 911.
Councilmember Eric Ulrich was on hand for the Candidate’s Night portion of the meeting and closed out the night by thanking the residents of Lindenwood for their support saying he was hopeful they would return him to office in his bid for re-election on Tuesday, November 5.
The Alliance, which generally meets the second Monday of every month, will not have a meeting in November but will host a December meeting on Monday, December 9, at 7:30 in the community room of the Fairfield Arms, at 151st Avenue and 88th Street.
By Patricia Adams
