Civic Group’s Leader In Poor Health
The Citizens for a Better Ridgewood civic association announced last Wednesday, June 5, that it is suspending all of its meetings indefinitely.
In an email sent to the Times Newsweekly, the organization’s secretary, Peggy O’Kane, stated the group’s president, Ann Maggio, is in deteriorating health and the organization’s other officers are unable to carry on her duties.
“If and when we can reconstitute the organization, we will advise you,” O’Kane noted.
Citizens for a Better Ridgewood last met on Monday, Feb. 25, during which members learned about a plan by a developer to construct an apartment house on Woodward Avenue. Several meetings had been scheduled in the months since but subsequently cancelled.
Incorporated in 1994, the organization has fought over the last 19 years to improve the quality of life in the area of Ridgewood close to the Brooklyn/Queens border. Their meetings have been regularly covered by the Times Newsweekly.
“We’re proud of some of the accomplishments we’ve made,” O’Kane told this paper.
Among the concerns which the Citizens for a Better Ridgewood tackled was prostitution activity in the area of Starr Street and Cypress Avenue. After the group publicized the matter, law enforcement agents conducted regular operations in the area to stop sex sales, resulting in numerous arrests in recent years.
Other issues which the organization addressed include problems related to food vendors and soccer players at Grover Cleveland Park and the landmarking of the Belgian block-lined portion of Stockholm Street between Woodward and Onderdonk avenues.
Regarding the park matters, O’Kane stated, “It was directly because of our complaints at the meeting that the Parks Department started to pay attention to Grover Cleveland Park.” An advisory committee has since been formed to keep an eye on activities at the park and bring attention to any further problems.
Up until recently, the group also held poster and essay contests for local children with themes centered around neighborhood pride.
