By Bob Harris
In the March-April 2016 Newsletter of the Auburndale Improvement Association Inc. First Vice President Henry Euler told of several activities by the civic. He gave information about City Council Intro 446, which would ban the discharge, disposal or use within the city of New York of any wastewater or natural gas waste produced from the process of hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking. Although fracking is illegal in New York state, this toxic wastewater can be sent into the state and could be used to deice roads.
Several members of the Auburndale civic attended a rally held by the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners Association to demand that the Landmarks Preservation Commission grant city landmark status to the community. President Terri Pouymari and Euler sent a letter praising the city Department of Finance for permitting property owners and homeowner associations to record existing restrictive covenants into the agency’s Automated City Register Information system and hope the state will do the same. They thanked Councilman Paul Vallone for his help in this matter.
Gloria Boyce-Charles, a member of the board of the Rosedale Civic Association Inc. wrote a full page praising PS 195 in Rosedale. She specifically mentioned Principal Beryl Bailey, who has been there for 14 years. Bailey was singled out for the way she works with teachers, parents and the children. It seems that many children come into the building in the morning and sit on her lap and often give her a hug. Zero Periods three days a week help children prepare for the statewide assessment tests. There are even adults available so parents can bring in their young children early and don’t have to make two trips to school. A monthly weeknight exercise class, a weekend tennis club and a health fair help families have better health. Principal Bailey said she attended public schools in nearby District 28 and is just giving back.
The February 2016 Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association Inc. Newsletter warned residents that they may live in an illegal apartment if they live in an attic, get electricity with an extension cord, live in a cellar (half of your bedroom is underground) or lock the door with a padlock. These apartments are often dangerous. Landlords can be fined up to $25,000. The civic informed its members that if they are concerned that there may be lead in the water in their house, they can call 311 to obtain a free testing kit from the DEP.
The October 2015 Bayside Hills Beacon printed a thank you to member Jo-Ann Skutch for her efforts in maintaining the planters, shrubs and flowers on the malls and other green spaces in Bayside Hills. Also praised for their work in beautifying the community were Marrianne Downes, Ron Keil, Barbara Feder, Jack Niedermeyer and Sebastian D’Agostino. This is a community making itself better.
