Pols, Civic Work To Get Glendale’s Number
Two local lawmakers will be working with the Glendale Property Owners Association (GPOA) on an effort to establish a separate ZIP code for the neighborhood, the president of the civic group told residents at its meeting last Thursday night, Mar. 1, at St. Pancras Pfeifer Hall.
Brian Dooley, GPOA president, stated that the group is currently in discussion with the office of Rep. Bob Turner on the ZIP code plan, which has long been desired by the organization and neighborhood residents alike. He pointed out that there will be an upcoming meeting between ranking civic members, Turner and Assemblyman Mike Miller on how to make the proposal a reality.
Glendale and Ridgewood currently share the 11385 ZIP code. Originally, both neighborhoods were assigned 11227, which was considered part of the Brooklyn postal zone. Through a campaign led in part by the late-Rep. Geraldine Ferraro, the communities were assigned their present code in 1979.
At that time, it was noted, the switch was desired by many in the community since insurance rates were set based on ZIP codes, and the premiums paid by residents living in ZIP codes based in Queens were generally lower.
In recent years, Glendale has sought own ZIP code as a symbol of its own identity, among other reasons. Five years ago, the GPOA and local elected officials petitioned the United States Postal Service (USPS) to create a separate code for the neighborhood, but was turned down in November 2007. A USPS spokesperson said at that time that there were “operational factors” which led to the decision.
Dorie Figliola, a spokesperson for Miller, stated that the civic group and assemblyman “still have the old petitions and letters” in support of the Glendale ZIP code.
“With the support of the GPOA” and Turner and Miller, she said, “hopefully we’ll get it.”
Along the way, Dooley said, the proposal needs to define the exact boundaries of Glendale, which have been disputed by residents over the years.
Though the USPS is currently struggling with its finances and working to pare expenses, he suggested that “it wouldn’t cost them much to give Glendale a ZIP code.”
Other news
Dooley noted that the GPOA forwarded about 100 petitions to the Legislative Task Force on Redistricting and Reapportionment (LATFOR) in opposition to its proposed redrawing of Assembly lines through Glendale. Under the proposed configuration, much of the area of Glendale in the 38th Assembly District (currently held by Mike Miller) would shift into the 28th Assembly District (currently held by Andrew Hevesi).
“We didn’t want Glendale split down the middle,” Dooley said, noting that the civic group wants to “keep the community in one district as a whole.”
Redistricting in New York State remains unresolved, reported Alex Maureau, a spokesperson for State Sen. Joseph Addabbo. He noted that a federal court has already appointed a judge to draw Congressional lines for the state after no plan was developed by state lawmakers.
Meanwhile, the Assembly and State Senate have yet to approve the realignment plans for their respective districts, which Maureau noted were drawn “quite wacky.” Gov. Andrew Cuomo has threatened to veto the plan, and if a deal cannot be reached in a timely manner, the final redistricting plan may be left up to the state courts.
“It’s definitely something that has to be done very soon because there’s talk of moving the primaries up,” Maureau said.
Dori Pliska, speaking on behalf of City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley, noted that the lawmaker recently introduced a resolution calling on the state to elevate an assault on a Sanitation Department worker to a felony charge. Additionally, Crowley held a hearing of the Fire and Criminal Justice Committee which she chairs regarding the Fire Department’s emergency preparedness.
“We’re looking to make sure that they’re protected in the upcoming budget,” Pliska said, adding that the legislator opposes plans to cut funding that would result in the closure of up to 20 Fire Department units.
The Glendale Property Owners Association will hold a joint meeting with the Glendale/104th Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol on Thursday night, Apr. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Pancras Pfeifer Hall, located at Myrtle Avenue and 68th Street.
