In response to the July 21-27 letter from City Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens) entitled “Show tolerance for South Asians in Queens,” Weprin seems to imply that because of a singular statement by an individual at a recent joint civic association meeting, the people of Bellerose are racist.
Granted, there was an unfortunate rant at a meeting, but the views of an individual do not reflect on the entire community. On the other hand, the neighborhood of Bellerose has undergone significant changes over the past decade, many of which are detrimental to the quality of life in the community, which the life-long residents are working hard to deal with.
At every opportunity we have offered meetings to try to reduce the impacts on neighbors. It should be pointed out that many of the new neighbors make no effort to attend these meetings even though they are informed of them. More has to be done on both sides, but we will continue to work with our new neighbors to try to keep Bellerose a suburban community.
Angela Augugliaro
President
Queens Colony Civic Association
Floral Park
Richard Hellenbrecht
Acting President
Bellerose Commonwealth Civic Association
Bellerose
