An open letter to City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone):
We are getting a lot of feedback with regards to the Community Board 7 meeting Malba Gardens Civic Association President Alfredo Centola attended last month. As per our conversation with your chief of staff, we were told the councilman spoke to city Department of Transportation Queens Commissioner Maura McCarthy about the trial one-way westbound conversion at 5th Avenue from 147th Street to the Whitestone Expressway service road. It was to be on a trial basis and that she had no objection to it.
Then at the meeting, as you know, CB 7 Chairman Eugene Kelty announced that McCarthy was not in favor of a trial one-way. In speaking with several of our members, who are also members of other local civic associations, there are several questions being raised that need to be answered and/or clarified.
We do not understand how McCarthy would not contact the councilman about her “sudden change” in position. We appreciate the letter the councilman was about to send McCarthy in order to make the “formal” request and trust he is still willing to send out the request.
As you are aware, state Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) was at the meeting and said he would speak to the councilman about requesting the trial one-way. Kelty suggested that the assemblyman and councilman contact the commissioner’s office, as it may sway her back to her original agreement with the councilman.
Your attention to this dangerous situation on 5th Avenue is greatly appreciated, as is all the hard work and time your office has put into this issue.
We look forward to meeting with you in order to get some insight as to what actualy transpired and what the next course of action will be.
Laurie Reegan
Second Vice President
Malba Gardens Civic Association
Whitestone
