Warning On Chemical Co. Near Shelter Site
The site of a proposed Glendale homeless shelter is stting on a “triangle of death,” the Juniper Park Civic Association’s (JPCA) president declared during the group’s meeting last Thursday, June 12, at Middle Village’s Our Lady of Hope School.
Robert Holden revealed details of investigative work regarding the location of the proposed shelter, 78- 16 Cooper Ave., which Samaritan Village-in conjunction with the Department of Homeless Services- plans to transform into a transitional shelter for up to 125 families.
Holden noted the shelter site is adjacent to Independent Chemical Corporation on 79th Place. In visiting the site and investigating the company, he found the company houses many barrels of noxious chemicals including hydrochloric acid (HCl), a chemical that can be found in a liquid state as well as a mist state and can cause irreversible damage if inhaled or exposed to skin.
He also found on the property tankers for chemical storage and a warningsignsignifyinga3ratingfor flammability, with 4 being the most flammable.
Holden stated the area had a strong “chemical smell,” and said the proposed homeless shelter “can’t get any closer to a toxic site.”
Meeting attendees were outraged and demanded something be done and questioning what they themselves could do, as Holden passed around a cardboard display of pictures of the site he’d gathered.
Last Thursday’s meeting was a first for Middle Village resident April Radu, who came to support the protest against the shelter.
Like many others in attendance, Radu doesn’t understand why the shelter is planned for the location. She was fearful that the shelter’s presence would further tax overcrowded public schools and drive up crime rates.
Radu said, “It’s not an area for people to better themselves.”
“What can we do?” Radu asked during the meeting, along with other Middle Village residents sitting near her. “I would like it to be more organized, I just wish there was something more we could do.”
Radu is drafting a letter to send to local officials but isn’t certain on who to send it to.
According to Holden and Community Board 5 member Kathy Masi, their complaints, letters and demands have fallen on deaf ears, saying even elected officials appear to be out of the picture.
Masi urged the community to “stick together and protect what we have.” She said the city needs to return to the Advantage Program, which placed homeless families in low-income housing instead of giant facilities.
Meanwhile, Holden encouraged attendees to keep writing letters to the Department of Homeless Services and Samaritan Village.
Holden added that the JPCA recently joined with the Glendale Property Owners Association and the Glendale Civic Association to form a civic coalition to fight the placement of the shelter.
Other news
Except for grand larcenies and auto thefts, overall crime plunged throughout the 104th Precinct in recent weeks, according to Capt. Christopher Manson, commander of the precinct.
Most grand larcenies have been related to the many scams at large in the area, especially phone scams when scammers pose as the IRS, ConEd or distressed family members asking for money. Manson told residents, “Don’t fall victim to that.”
Traffic accidents are down “massively,” according to Manson, as the 104th precinct focuses on the mayor’s Vision Zero program by handing out summonses to drivers for speeding, red light violations, and failure to yield to pedestrians as well as bicycles riding on the sidewalk.
Motorcycle groups are also being targeted heavily.
Manson also quelled fears about an incident at St. Margaret School recently when the Bomb Squad was called in to inspect a hand grenade found on campus. After inspection, it was determined to be a fake.
Manson and P.O. Charles Sadler, auxiliary coordinator for the 104th Precinct, were awarded the JPCA Community Service Award for outstanding leadership and service to the community.
Nilsa Henriquez, a public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, encouraged attendees to claim their benefits when eligible and always plan for retirement.
Programs Henriquez discussed included retirement collection ages (collecting less for longer at 62 years or collecting at full term at 70 years), disability, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicare, and Medicare Prescription Extra Help.
Finally, it was announced that Maggie’s Little Theater at St. Margaret Parish Hall in Middle Village is showing the Summer Serenade, a musical revue of A Chorus Line, West Side Story, Annie Get Your Gun, and The Sound of Music.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, and $12 for kids. Shows are Saturdays, July 19 and 26, at 8 p.m. and Sundays, July 20 and 27, at 2:30 p.m. Proceeds go to benefit renovations at St. Margaret’s campus.
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The Juniper Park Civic Association will not meet in July and August. The next meeting will be in September at a date and time to be announced; all meetings are held at Our Lady of Hope School, located at the corner of Eliot Avenue and 71st Street in Middle Village. For more information, call 1-718-651-5865 or visit www.junipercivic.com.
