The New York City Economic Development Council (EDC) responded to the announcement of a lawsuit filed by the Willets Point Industry and Realty Association (WPIRA) against Mayor Michael Bloomberg by stating, “The city has been conducting negotiations with nearly two dozen businesses.”
As one of the 10 businesses and landowners of WPIRA, a group that collectively owns and operates approximately 50 percent of the land in Willets Point, I can tell you unequivocally that the EDC has presented zero viable options for relocation for any of our businesses.
The city continues to perpetuate the myth that Willets Point is comprised of only junkyards and chop shops. That is just not true. The largest manufacturer and distributor of Indian foods in the U.S. is based at Willets Point. Companies that build the city’s roads and schools and were integral in the cleanup efforts at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11 are based here.
I operate a waste transfer station at Willets Point. I cannot operate my business without special permits from the city and the state and I have yet to receive a written guarantee that I will receive those permits prior to relocating. If I do not get those I am out of business.
What kind of negotiation is that?
The EDC needs to stop lying to the public, the press and the City Council.
We are not going to allow the EDC to continue to lie and claim that we uncooperative so they can justify the use of Eminent Domain.
Jerry Antonacci
Willets Point
If not Congestion Pricing …
The current congestion pricing plan that failed at the hands of the Assembly saw reasonable opposition from the outer boroughs. We as a city though, should take a moment to see why this plan failed and find ways to improve upon it so that it may work. Community leaders, regular citizens, and our local politicians should look at ways to improve our city’s infrastructure so that a plan to alleviate congestion can be put into place in the near future.
If, among many things, we are able to improve public transportation, the efficiency of our traffic light systems, and find a creative solution to parking concerns, then we can place a bold congestion regulating initiative into effect.
While many may shrug at the costs necessary to make this broader plan work, the cost to our health, our neighborhoods and the future of our city will be even greater. We need innovative and bold ideas in order to remain an innovative and bold city.
Mel Gagarin
Kew Gardens
Tale of two parks
I would like to bring to your attention the blatant disparity between the two physical parts of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (using the Long Island Expressway as a divisional line).
We have all recently read of the $66.3 million aquatic center opened on February 29th of this year, and more recently, the $47 million planned expansion of the Queens Museum of Art.
Now let us turn to the “legacy of neglect” that is blatantly apparent on the Flushing Meadows (West Lake) side of the park - that is used by the local residents on a daily basis for walking, jogging and cycling.
Widespread flooding on the paths is an ever present condition - if the problem is underlying water sources, allocate the monies and have it fixed. Weeds are overgrown, broken tree limbs, damaged fencing and posts remain un-repaired - season after season. Where are the virtually non-existent or abysmal restroom facilities? With gas prices at astronomical levels, we can anticipate that more and more people will travel locally to the park this season, and the West Lake area is ill-equipped to handle these crowds.
I urge all concerned residents to voice their disgust to the New York City Parks Department to get the daily maintenance of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park - both sides of the park - into the hands of a professional parks manager so remedial action can get underway, for the sake of the residents of our community.
D.L. Chatman
Corona
Don’t cut the cops
As president of the 111th Precinct Community Council, and one who has been associated with the workings of the New York Police Department (NYPD) I have seen many changes in the NYPD, but never anything like the proposed budget cut, especially at a time when security is very vital for the welfare of the people in the city.
On behalf of the members of the Community Council I feel that a budget cut is not feasible and will jeopardize the outstanding work of Commissioner Raymond Kelly and his department in decreasing crime in the city.
The members of the Community Council and I strongly urge you, as our elected representative to the City Council, to join with the other councilmembers to act on behalf of the community, at large, to prevent this dangerous cut from taking place.
Sol Soskinr
President 111th Precinct Community Council
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