OEM, schools discussed at RHBA

In front of two dozen people attending the most recent meeting of the Richmond Hill Block Association (RHBA), Jeff Gottlieb, legislative director for Councilmember Joseph Addabbo, presented several pieces of legislation that ther politician is trying to push in Albany and the City Council.
One bill would prohibit level-three sexual offenders, who have one of the highest levels of recidivism, from residing within 1,000 feet of any school. Other prospective laws include increasing the charge from misdemeanor to felony for physically assaulting a nurse while she performs her duties in a medical clinic or psychiatric institution; and allowing the cars of sight-disabled citizens to be parked on major streets even when signs forbid parking of other personal vehicles.
Adrienne Ubertini, principal of Horace Mann High School, located in Richmond Hill, said that the school would be renovating its playground as part of the Schoolyards to Playgrounds program. The playground will be available for use by community members during weekends.
Ubertini’s speech prompted a discussion about the problems of the other school in the neighborhood, Richmond Hill High School. The school is significantly overcrowded. Originally designed for 1,800 students, it now has twice as many pupils.
Wendy Browne, Vice President of RHBA, announced that during the organization’s meeting, scheduled for February 27, low-income residents who meet certain guidelines will have the chance to apply for free electrical appliances. She also pointed to the great success of the free English as a Second Language & Citizenship Test Preparation classes offered on premises. RHBA is also proud to be one of the two institutions that NASA chose for its Videoconferencing & Computer Technology Program, which involves children from local schools learning through interactive video conferences. Thus far the students had one conference with Kigluait Educational Adventures in Alaska, which taught them about dog sledding.
Ira Tannenbaum of the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) gave a lecture on emergency preparation and civic response in case of fire, flood, hurricane, or a terrorist attack. Explaining about the possibility of natural and manmade disaster, he urged Richmond Hill residents to assemble an emergency supply kit and a “Go Bag,” and make a household disaster plan. He also gave details on how the city will provide shelters and supplies in case an emergency situation occurs.
Richmond Hill has its own Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), which consist of 30 volunteers, trained in case of disaster. Richmond Hill’s CERT meets every second Monday of the month at the RHBA, 110-08 Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill.
For more information about any of Richmond Hill Block Association’s initiatives, call 718-849-3759.