WRBA members Arlene Annunziata, left to right, Alexander Blenkinsopp, and Martin Colberg attend Saturday’s block association meeting.
Photo by Hannah Sheehan
A controversial component of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s affordable housing plan was on the table at the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association’s monthly meeting at American Legion Post 118 on Saturday.
WRBA President Martin Colberg urged residents and members to educate themselves on the proposal to legalize some currently illegal basement apartments, citing fire hazards, overcrowding, and parking issues as potential problems.
“We need to speak up on this, we need to stay on top of this, we need to make sure that our voice is heard,” he said. “We have to make sure that all this is being looked at and it’s not just about numbers.”
Colberg promised to send emails and updates on the matter over the next few weeks.
Assemblyman Mike Miller, center, with members of the WRBA and American Legion Post 118, who presented items donated to a troop they’ve adopted in Afghanistan.
Photos by Hannah Sheehan
A representative from state Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr.’s (D-Howard Beach) office stopped by to announce an upcoming seniors job fair for job seekers who are 50 years of age or older on Friday, May 30th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Queens Community House Kew Gardens Community Center at 80-02 Kew Gardens Road. At least 20 vendors have agreed to participate, including Macy’s, Raymour & Flanigan, and CVS.
City Council Member Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) announced a job fair of his own, this one aimed at veterans and scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 25th . Ulrich’s event, which will run from 9 a.m. to noon at Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach, will feature more than 30 vendors with more than 100 job opening for veterans and current members of the National Guard and Reserves.
“I can’t even tell you the outpouring of support we’re receiving,” he said.
Ulrich promises it won’t be your everyday job fair, but a chance for job seekers to speak directly to hiring managers and hand out resumes. He said he told venders not to come if they weren’t ready to hire because he didn’t want to waste veterans’ time.
“Those people, many of whom have been out of work for a very long time, some of whom cannot find work that is commensurate with their experience perhaps from the military, they’re just looking for a helping hand and I think it’s the lease that we can do,” Ulrich said.
Ulrich also discussed graffiti with concerned residents who pointed out the viaduct that goes over Woodhaven Boulevard and crosses Atlantic Avenue as a prime example of the problem.
Ulrich said his office will work to revamp its efforts to remove graffiti after the city’s budget is passed.
“Starting July 1, you will see a difference,” he promised.
While Ulrich noted the importance of promptly cleaning up graffiti to discourage vandals, he also conceded that a more comprehensive solution could be difficult to come by.
“The problem is not the job police are doing, the police are arresting graffiti vandals almost all the time,” he said. “The problem is in the courts.”
Ulrich went on to call graffiti a quality of life crimes that “impacts your property values, that has a diminishing effect on our civic pride and how we feel on our own neighborhoods and that really is something that needs to be looked at.”
At the meeting, Ulrich also reaffirmed his opposition to the proposed supermarket plastic bag fee which he says is “not even in committee yet,” calling the measure well intentioned, but ultimately not the right approach because of its potential impact on senior citizens and lower income shoppers.
Ulrich told residents he would prefer to see a discount for shoppers who bring reusable bags.
WRBA Treasurer Steve Forte announced that the group’s membership drive will kick off next month. Dues are $15 per family.
By Hannah Sheehan
