By Jon Minners
The new year brought some new faces to the 49th Precinct Community Council as the community returned to its fight against crime and to bolster the community with a fresh perspective.
Residents from throughout the precinct crowded Calvary Hospital on Tuesday, January 31, for the first meeting since elections held late in 2005 resulted in new officers on the council. Captain George Smith, commanding officer of the precinct, swore in the officers that will help represent the voice of the community and continue efforts to bring police and the surrounding neighborhoods together to eliminate crime.
New to the council are Oscar Valdez, who will serve as recording secretary; Andrea Siegel, who took the position of assistant secretary; and Oscar Ruiz, who now serves as sergeant-at-arms. A familiar face tackling a new role is Hazel Miura, who officially took over as treasurer of the council. Back for another term are Cathy Soto, as corresponding secretary; Silvio Mazzella, as vice-president; and Joe Thompson, who started his third term as president.
