By Debbie Cohen
The main thing on Thomson's mind for future Woodhaven improvements are painting the L train station and more planting of trees along Jamaica Avenue. Another improvement over the years has been increased police presence in Woodhaven, with beat officers from the 102nd precinct patrolling the area. According to Lydon Sleeper, representative for U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-Forest Hills), said Weiner is trying to pass a bill called the “Cops Bill,” which would get money to municipalities to hire 3,200 more beat cops in New York City. “Too much personal information is posted on the Internet about personal information about officers, and the congressman is trying to pass a bill to make this activity illegal,” Sleeper said. “Fake badges, such as a captain or sergeant's badge, are being sold to anyone who wants one on the Internet,” Thomson said. “Hopefully, legislators will pass a bill to also make this practice illegal.” Thomson reflected back on 2000-2007 accomplishments of the GWDC in her compiled progress report. The report spoke of an increase of new chain stores along Jamaica Avenue. The report said in 2003, more than a million dollars has been invested in Woodhaven's Jamaica Avenue from Dexter Court to 100th Street. Also, several existing businesses have been renovated by adding new awnings and storefronts. Thomson said that in 2008 the GWDC will try to bring more improvements to Woodhaven. Some of the upcoming improvements include graffiti vandalism removal on a continuous basis, repair and improvement of the Woodhaven J train stanchions and moving forward to landmark Forest Park carousel. In addition, the GWDC will try to continue to attract new stores to Jamaica Avenue and attempt to get funding for the purchase of a sound system to be installed along Jamaica Avenue to play music and recorded announcements for different events and sales promotions held yearly. Funding will also tried to be obtained for continued graffiti removal from the roofs and walls of buildings. Other improvements the GWDC hopes to undertake are continued tree planting along Jamaica Avenue and parking lot space increases to accommodate shoppers. GWDC is also trying for a far-reaching proposal to replace the Jamaica Avenue elevated train with a monorail, similar to the JFK Airtrain. They also want to pursue funding for a comprehensive survey of every property from Dexter Court to 100th Street. The survey will be used for marketing of the commercial strip. Thomson is hoping 2008 brings a lot of positive changes to Woodhaven, which include the GWDC Annual Dinner/Dance on May 16.
