By Rebecca Henely
City Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and Community Board 3 District Manager Giovanna Reid called upon area residents last week to participate in a survey aimed at fixing every pothole and picking up every piece of trash on every street corner in the area.
“We’re going to go out and find out, ‘What does the community need?’” Dromm said.
At a press conference outside of CB 3’s headquarters at 82-11 37th Ave. Sept. 15, Dromm and Reid asked for 200 volunteers to help conduct a widespread survey of all streets CB 3 covers, which includes Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and North Corona — or the area bordered by the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway East, Roosevelt Avenue and the Grand Central Parkway.
The survey will be prepared by CB 3, and residents participating will look for a number of issues such as graffiti, trash cans that are overflowing or missing, cracks in the sidewalks, potholes and noise problems.
“Who better knows what the problems are than the people who live on the actual blocks?” Reid said.
Dromm said they want volunteers to come from all parts of the community, not just one area.
“We want to have all areas represented if possible,” he said.
The survey will be conducted Sept. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Reid said the board did a similar survey about eight years ago, which was successful but on a smaller scale.
“[Residents said,] ‘You didn’t reach my block,’” Reid said.
She said problems and complaints will be submitted to the proper agencies for repair.
Dromm said some problems, such as potholes and trash, can be handled immediately and that his office and CB 3 has a good relationship with the city Sanitation Department. Larger issues may require capital projects.
“This is not a one-day thing,” Reid said. “This is something we will work on until all problems are resolved.”
Dromm said this would be a positive way for residents to improve the community.
“This is a unique opportunity for people to get involved,” he said.
Those who wish to participate in the survey should contact CB 3 at 718-458-2707 or e-mail communityboard3@nyc.rr.com.
Reach reporter Rebecca Henely by e-mail at rhenely@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4564.
