Civic Group Looks For An Explanation
Small business struggles were a hot topic among residents at a meeting of the Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association (MVPORA) on Monday night, May 13, at St. Margaret Parish Hall.
The topic was broached by guests as MVPORA President Salvatore Candela led a discussion on forming the civic group’s future meeting agendas.
One resident suggested the group focus on problems related to a number of store vacancies along Metropolitan Avenue, the neighborhood’s main shopping strip. While the resident claimed that high rents may be forcing many small business owners to close their doors, Candela offered that local businesses are being hurt by competition from larger retailers, an overall decline in shoppers who frequent local merchants and excessive fines and fees from city agencies.
“If you want your local businesses to stay, you have to patronize them,” Candela said.
Another attendee claimed that the city has become “oppressive” to small business owners in the last decade through increases in taxes, fines and enforcement efforts by various agencies.
Rick Metzger, the owner of a local auto repair shop, offered one example, noting that his business was recently fined by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) for violating a law passed in 2011 requiring all businesses, large and small, to post their refund policies. Though a warranty statement was posted in his office, Metzger noted, the inspector declared that it did not meet the law’s requirements, and he received a $350 fine.
Metzger stated his shop was not the only one to receive a summons, as the DCA inspector fined 10 other businesses for the same violation the day he received his summons.
“Every business, including funeral parlors, have to have a refund policy posted,” he stated.
Candela observed that the city appeared to be balancing its budget on the backs of small businesses by raising taxes and fees on merchants rather than on residents.
“The city needs revenue and they found a revenue source in fines,” he said. “It doesn’t come from the threeletter word no resident wants to hear: tax.
Craig Caruana, a candidate for the 30th City Council District seat, raised the issue later during the meeting. He noted the city currently collects more than $800 million in fees and fines charged to businesses, up about $500 million from the revenue garnered at the end of the Giuliani administration. He suggested the city pare down the number of business regulations to the level it was at the end of Giuliani’s term.
Regarding other potential topics for future MVPORA meetings, one resident suggested inviting Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski to speak about street trees and stump removal. Arlene Micom, MVPORA first vice president, also suggested raising awareness to an increased number of low-flying airplanes over the neighborhood as a result of flight-pattern changes to and from LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy airports.
Other news
Neil Giannelli, a representative of State Sen. Joseph Addabbo, announced that the senator is sponsoring legislation to allow parents to opt out of the state Education Department’s participation in the “In Bloom” program. As noted, the agency has agreed to turn over students’ personal records to In Bloom for the purpose of developing individualized curricula specifically tailored to a student’s needs.
Giannelli stated many parents have expressed concerns about the policy, fearing that the release of their children’s information will be used for purposes other than education.
Efforts are ongoing to establish a “school safety zone” around St. Margaret School, located off the corner of Juniper Valley Road and 80th Street, according to Dominick Dale, speaking on behalf of City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley. He noted that Queens Borough Commissioner Delilah Hall has been apprised of concerns regarding the safety of the streets near the school and a plan is being developed.
“I know the school year is ending, so hopefully by September, it will be put into effect,” Dale told residents. “I want the flow of traffic to run smoothly and want pickup and dropoff [of students] to be efficient.”
Candela noted that a representative from the Department of Finance is scheduled to attend MVPORA’s June meeting to address issues related to city property taxes. An agency representative was scheduled to appear at Monday’s session, but cancelled at the last minute.
The next meeting of the Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association is scheduled to take place on Monday night, June 3, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Margaret Parish Hall, located on 79th Place south of Juniper Valley Road.
