By Mark Hallum
The postal code woes of Glendale residents may be coming to an end with a new bill that made its way through the House Nov. 30 and will soon be voted on in the U.S. Senate.
A measure by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) to establish a ZIP code for Glendale passed the House of Representatives. She cited widespread and longstanding inconveniences for residents as well as instances where medications are delivered to the wrong locations or first responder units arrive at the wrong address.
Glendale currently shares a zip code with adjacent Ridgewood. The legislation will recognize Glendale as its own community separate from its neighbors, according to Meng.
“For almost 30 years, the residents of Glendale have sought to obtain a ZIP code for their community and the passage of this legislation is a giant step in finally making that happen,” Meng said. “Residents of Glendale have experienced mail and service-related problems due to sharing the 11385 ZIP code with the neighboring community of Ridgewood. These problems include medications that were spoiled or not received due to mail processing errors, delays in first responder services to residents in need of care, and inaccuracies with GPS devices. Glendale also deserves to be recognized as its own community.”
Meng introduced the bill in 2015 and fielded a similar bill in 2014. The measure is included in a bipartisan postal bill which establishes ZIP codes and renames post offices throughout the nation.
“Creating a new ZIP code for Glendale has been an ongoing and bipartisan challenge for members of Congress who previously represented the area,” Meng said on the House floor, pointing out that her predecessor, Bob Turner had worked to accomplish the same goal.
“I am delighted that the Glendale ZIP code issue is finally coming to the attention of the House and the Postal Service,” Turner said. “Hopefully, this can get done in a quick and bipartisan manner.”
Turner and state Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) applied to have the zip code established in 2012 and presented a vacant number to USPS District Manager Frank Calabrese: 11384.
“I have lived in this community since I was a child and in that time, my neighbors and I have struggled with getting our community acknowledged,” Miller said. “Whether using mail services, shopping online or using GPS devices in our cars, Glendale has struggled to achieve the unique recognition it deserves.”
With Glendale still requiring its own zip code, Meng’s bill must go through the U.S. Senate before being signed into law by the president.
Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhall
