Thomson Retires From WRBA Board
Following four decades of service, Maria Thomson announced her resignation from the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association (WRBA) board of directors last week.
The long-time Woodhaven activist-who previously served as WRBA president-told the Times Newsweekly she was curtailing her civic schedule. Continued involvement on the WRBA board meant attending 24 additional meetings per year-12 regular board meetings and 12 public sessions.
Thomson initially announced her retirement from the WRBA board in a press release issued last Friday, Feb. 21, and publicly made the announcement official in addressing residents at the group’s meeting the following day. An emotional Thomson pledged to remain active in the years to come as a regular member.
“It’s been such a pleasure working with all the hard-working boards through the years. They all accomplished so much for the community,” she said. “The Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association is the guardian of Woodhaven, and it will always be that way. I know that this board will work as hard as we worked throughout 40 years to keep Woodhaven good, healthy, strong, safe and with property values staying good, because that’s your investment for life-and that’s why you’re here.”
Martin Colberg, WRBA president, led fellow board members and the crowd in a standing ovation, applauding Thomson for her more than 40 years in service to the association. She was presented with a bouquet of flowers as a token of the group’s gratitude.
“Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for our community,” he told Thomson. “It saddens me to see you go [from the board], but I know you’re not going anywhere. I definitely appreciate everything you’ve done for us and for setting the standard and the level of professionalism and respect we should have for our community.”
Thomson first became involved in the WRBA during the 1970s after a fire damaged the Woodhaven public library. She would become an active member of many civic groups serving the neighborhood, including the 102nd Precinct Community Council (which she served as president four separate times) and Community Board 9.
Through the years, Thomson became synonymous with Woodhaven, taking an active role on a host of issues to improve the community. In her tenure as WRBA president, which ended in 2009, she campaigned against the proliferation of illegal conversions and for programs to prevent real estate firms and other businesses from distributing unwanted advertisements and fliers to homeowners.
She continues to serve as executive director of Woodhaven’s two main business organizations: the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation and the Woodhaven Business Improvement District. The organizations hold a number of promotional events every year, including the “Wonderful Woodhaven Street Festival” in October.
