By Bob Harris
The January 2003 issue of the Bayside Hills Civic Association announced that after six years as president of the Bayside Hills Civic Association, Jerry lannece has left that position but has not left civic activism. Iannece is now chairperson of Community Board 11. He was honored with a plaque from the civic association and his wife, Lynn. The award was presented by Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Bayside) and a representative of state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose).
The new president of the Bayside Hills Civic Association is Michael Feiner, a 55-year-old elementary school teacher who has been a resident of Bayside since 1958. He said he is happy with the people who live there, as well as the schools, houses of worship, merchants, beautiful landscaping and relative safety.
Feiner feels that one of his jobs will be to oversee the ravine project, which should alleviate the flooding problems the community experiences. He will be joining the elite group of civic-minded people who voluntarily help keep their communities nice places to live.
The December 2002 issue of the Holliswood Civic Association warned its members that the Department of Sanitation is enforcing the rule that all waste and recycling be placed on the curb correctly. Residents of Holliswood have been receiving $50 fines.
One of the rules is that trash cans must be covered. This is a problem because some people have lost their garbage-can covers, but the law says there must be a lid. Garbage can be put in black bags, and newspapers must be tied with twine or placed in transparent plastic bags.
One garbage receptacle can be designated a paper-recycling bin by placing a large green sticker on it. But if a Rubbermaid can is used, the edges of the large green sticker must be taped because it will not adhere to these cans. Call Community Board 8 at 718-264-7895 for a green sticker.
In addition, only metal cans or metal objects are collected for recycling. Clean metal cans or other objects can be put in a blue recycling bin, a can covered with a blue recycling sticker or a blue plastic bag. Trash and recycling receptacles must not be visible from the road on non-collection days. If recycling falls on a holiday, it will not be collected until the next week; however, garbage can be put out for collection the next day.
During the winter, recycling and garbage pickup takes place some nights so there will always be some trucks on duty at night if a storm should develop. In the summer, collection starts early in the morning so workers can finish prior to the afternoon heat. You have to put out your cans the evening prior to pickup.
Another rule the Department of Sanitation has started to enforce is that cans and recyclables can not be put out prior to 8 p.m. the evening prior to collection day. In the winter, the cans can be put out just before it gets dark because people don’t want to walk in the street after dark, but in the summer the 8 p.m. rule applies.
Recently these rules have been enforced with tickets and fines in different neighborhoods. One can say that this is a way to keep our neighborhoods looking good and is a way for the city to raise money to cover the deficit. Just follow the rules to avoid tickets.
The February 2003 issue of the Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association Report warned members not to use cell phones while pumping gasoline. Cell phones can cause a spark that can ignite gasoline vapors. And static electricity from clothing can cause a spark when one removes the gas cap. People are urged to stay outside their cars when pumping gasoline. There have been fires.
GOOD AND BAD NEWS OF THE WEEK
One can not argue that the Access-A-Ride van service is very important to some senior citizens and disabled people who have limited incomes and find it hard to travel on public transportation.
However, over the years I have heard complaints from members of the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee to New York City Transit. Some spoke of late vans or no-shows.
Suddenly there is a newspaper series telling of these same complaints. I shall watch to see what is done to make the Access-A-Ride truly accessible.
