By Debbie Cohen
Complaints of sewer blockage, speeding cars and unsolicited material in Woodhaven were some of the complaints from residents at a recent Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association meeting.
Newly elected state Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Glendale) came to the meeting and listened to the complaints. Vance Barbour, president of the WRBA, had suggestions to solve some of the issues.
According to several residents, sewers in Woodhaven are being clogged from stuffing garbage and dog excrement down the sewers in plastic bags. The sewers that are getting hardest hit are on 96th Street near 85th Avenue and 89th Street near 89th Avenue. Pigeon droppings on meters along Jamaica Avenue and garbage in front of homes are also becoming problematic.
“We are trying to figure out how to stop the bigger problems,” Barbour said. “We have to make sure everyone cleans up behind them — renters and homeowners. Another problem that tends to get worse in an economic downturn is an increase in graffiti.”
Barbour said that now, according to a new City Council law, property owners can get graffiti removed from their property by calling 311. He said by having more of a police presence at WRBA meetings will help residents lodge their complaints, especially for those who do not attend the 102nd Precinct Community Council meetings.
Miller listened to the multiple complaints and said that soon he will be moving his office from Myrtle Avenue to 83-91 Woodhaven Blvd. and residents can come by and voice their concerns.
Woodhaven resident Marianne Blenkinsoppin said something has to be done about speeding cars on 96th Street, off Park Lane South in Woodhaven, before someone gets killed.
“They come racing down the streets from Park Lane South all the way down to Jamaica Avenue and we need a stop sign to prevent this,” she said.
According to board member Edward Wendell, Woodhaven now has a new Web site to let everyone know what is happening in the area. There are stories, photos, videos, blogs and comments on this site.
To view Project Woodhaven, log on to projectwoodhaven.com. You can post a comment or call in or e-mail with a story idea at info@projectwoodhaven.com or call 718-805-2002. Wendell started this site as a voice for Woodhaven.
In addition, Maria Thomson, first vice president of the WRBA, had some good news for Woodhaven residents about the cease and desist order concerning unsolicited material.
“Woodhaven will be getting a reinstatement for the cease and desist order,” said Thomson. “Unfortunately, all the Queens neighborhoods will not be this fortunate, which is really unfair. Unsolicited material is not allowed to be put in anyone’s mailbox — it is considered to be illegal.”
Upcoming WRBA meetings will be held Saturdays throughout the winter months at the Volunteer Ambulance Corps building on Jamaica Avenue near 76th Street. The next meeting is Dec. 12 at 1 p.m.
Other festive Woodhaven events include a tree lighting Dec. 4 at 6:30 p.m. on Jamaica Avenue near Forest Parkway. On Dec. 5 will be held Woodhaven’s Christmas parade starting at noon on Jamaica Avenue in front of Cordon Bleu Caterers.
