In a letter from City Councilmember Mark Weprin entitled “Respect Our New Neighbors” that appeared in your recent edition, he 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 and hope that they will work with us to try to keep Bellerose a suburban community.
Richard Hellenbrecht, Acting President
Bellerose Commonwealth Civic Association
Angela Augugliaro, President
Queens Colony Civic Association
