Party with a point

The College Point Board of Trade held its annual Christmas party at Cascarino’s Brick Oven Pizzeria and Ristorante at 14-20 College Point Boulevard recently. They had a lot to celebrate, according to the group’s chair, Thomas D. Palma.
“We have confirmation that the College Point Taxpayers Association is starting up again,” Palma said.
The group, which long ago had merged with the College Point Civic Association, had gone dormant, but recent development in the neighborhood had motivated residents to get involved.
“I guess having a waterfront which attracted the attention of developers turned out to have a good side for the community after all,” Palma quipped.
Another addition to the group was Steve Chen, executive vice president of Crystal Window and Door Systems, whose massive manufacturing plant along the Whitestone Expressway was a welcome addition the area’s industrial roll.
“This is my first time at one of these events, and it’s the kind of grass-roots involvement that shows the community is strong,” he said.
Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn endorsed the sentiment. “College Point is one of those neighborhoods where people put down roots,” she said, adding, “The Board of Trade is helping to make it even more attractive and more stable.”
As members and guests enjoyed their plates of pasta, sausage and peppers, chicken dishes and eggplant rollatini, conversations drifted from business to family to neighborhood concerns.
Two celebrated guests were from the 109th Precinct - Crime Prevention Officer Kevin O’Donnell and his “boss,” Captain Johnny Ramirez. “It’s the great job they do for us that makes our job easier,” said Community Board 7 Chair Eugene Kelty, to the agreement of those standing nearby.
“We’ve been around since 1969,” recalled Board of Trade executive director Howard C. Haider. “The way things are shaping up it looks like we’ll be here for another 38 years.”