A 13-acre property in Whitestone is up for grabs — the largest single parcel of land for sale in Queens — and it’s attracting the attention of developers but also causing concern among community leaders.
The former industrial site, located at 151-45 6th Rd., was re-zoned for 52 one-family homes in 2008. The waterfront property comes with an additional five acres that is submerged underwater.
Local leaders worried about overdevelopment in the community said they are concerned that a new owner could build many more homes or even multi-family dwellings.
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) said the community wants the buyer to stick to the original plan for 52 one-family homes. “If a developer intends to do something else, they can expect to get a huge fight,” he warned.
The property hit the market in early December after the owner ran into financial difficulty, said real estate agent Stephen Preuss, of Massey Knakal Realty Services, who is handling the site.
“It’s probably going to be a few months before we have any type of sale,” Preuss said. But “it’s one of the most desirable areas to live in Queens.”
Prospective buyers must submit overviews of what they plan to build on the site, Preuss said. He added it will “probably sell for a very deep discount.”
Marlene Cody, vice president of the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, said she’s concerned that a large influx of new residents could overburden the area’s infrastructure.
“We have to be careful what they want to put there,” she said. “The community’s being overbuilt.”
Nelly Andrushenko, owner of Power Realty in Whitestone, said the land is worth about $40 million — but it won’t be an easy sale.
“It’s very difficult to tell the value of this property because the developers don’t want to touch it right now,” she said. “In order for [developers\] to build the luxury homes that were intended, they need to spend $600,000 minimum to build each house.”
Whitestone homes typically sell for about $1 million, she said.
A nearby shopping center, anchored by a Waldbaum’s, was sold to the New Jersey real estate company Onyx Equities for $17.6 million on Dec. 27. It is located at 153-01 10th Ave.
“We want to improve the physical quality of the center,” said Onyx Senior Vice President Steve Sullivan. The company also wants to improve “the quality of the existing tenant roster.”
ctrapasso@nydailynews.com
Malba Gardens Civic Dedicated to the Safety and Preservation of our Community.
Showing posts with label Dan Halloran. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dan Halloran. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Whitestone stop sign fight about the kids
http://www.timesledger.com/stories/2011/46/whitestonestopsign_wt_2011_11_17_q.html
Alfredo Molinari (far r.) stands with parents and just a portion of the kids who play on the block in front of the intersection he says cars speed through. By Joe Anuta
Alfredo Molinari is second-generation — as in the second generation of residents to fight for a stop sign on a Whitestone block teeming with children.
Molinari has taken up the helm of a two-decade battle to get a stop sign on the corner of 23rd Avenue and 157th Street, which he said will go a long way to protect the roughly 30 children that play there after school and on weekends.
“I want a stop sign only for the fact kids are playing outside and I want them to be safe,” said the father of three.
But the city Department of Transportation told residents that the intersection does not have enough traffic, nor accidents, to warrant a stop sign.
Molinari has lived his entire life on the block and said that cars shoot from Francis Lewis Boulevard down 23rd Avenue to get to the heart of Whitestone and vice versa. After getting off the boulevard and encountering two stop signs, Molinari said the two-block length before the next one becomes a dangerous mix of drag strip and playground.
“They speed down the block,” he said, adding that he sometimes has to take matters into his own hands. “I threw a ball at some guy’s car.”
The avenue runs across the entire neighborhood, and out of 12 standard intersections — where a two-way street intersects another two-way street at a 90-degree angle — it is the only one without a stop sign or stoplight.
The intersections on either side are a cookie-cutter match to 23rd Avenue and 157th Street, but even the older residents who had petitioned the DOT 20 years ago for one of the red octagons were unsuccessful..
But Molinari said children should be taken into account instead of just accidents.
“The most important of all is the population of children under the age of 15 or 13 that reside on both blocks,” he said.
On Monday evening, Molinari summoned the children out to the corner in question to demonstrate how many of them play in the area.
More than 20 youngsters emerged from houses along the street, carrying balls and gliding along the sidewalk on bikes and scooters.
There were accompanied by many parents who shared Molinari’s concerns.
Molinari has circulated a petition to the households surrounding the intersection and collected a lengthy docket of signatures.
Although this is the third time he has tried, he will submit the petition to Community Board 7 and ask, once again, for the city to put up the sign.
“We’re not going to rest and give up until something happens,” he said.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail januta@cnglocal.com or by phone 718-260-4566.
We at the Malba Gardens Civic extend our support and offer our help in this endeavor. Mr. Molinari is correct, the CHILDREN, must be taken into consideration. DOT needs to step up and protect our children.
Alfredo Molinari (far r.) stands with parents and just a portion of the kids who play on the block in front of the intersection he says cars speed through. By Joe Anuta
Alfredo Molinari is second-generation — as in the second generation of residents to fight for a stop sign on a Whitestone block teeming with children.
Molinari has taken up the helm of a two-decade battle to get a stop sign on the corner of 23rd Avenue and 157th Street, which he said will go a long way to protect the roughly 30 children that play there after school and on weekends.
“I want a stop sign only for the fact kids are playing outside and I want them to be safe,” said the father of three.
But the city Department of Transportation told residents that the intersection does not have enough traffic, nor accidents, to warrant a stop sign.
Molinari has lived his entire life on the block and said that cars shoot from Francis Lewis Boulevard down 23rd Avenue to get to the heart of Whitestone and vice versa. After getting off the boulevard and encountering two stop signs, Molinari said the two-block length before the next one becomes a dangerous mix of drag strip and playground.
“They speed down the block,” he said, adding that he sometimes has to take matters into his own hands. “I threw a ball at some guy’s car.”
The avenue runs across the entire neighborhood, and out of 12 standard intersections — where a two-way street intersects another two-way street at a 90-degree angle — it is the only one without a stop sign or stoplight.
The intersections on either side are a cookie-cutter match to 23rd Avenue and 157th Street, but even the older residents who had petitioned the DOT 20 years ago for one of the red octagons were unsuccessful..
But Molinari said children should be taken into account instead of just accidents.
“The most important of all is the population of children under the age of 15 or 13 that reside on both blocks,” he said.
On Monday evening, Molinari summoned the children out to the corner in question to demonstrate how many of them play in the area.
More than 20 youngsters emerged from houses along the street, carrying balls and gliding along the sidewalk on bikes and scooters.
There were accompanied by many parents who shared Molinari’s concerns.
Molinari has circulated a petition to the households surrounding the intersection and collected a lengthy docket of signatures.
Although this is the third time he has tried, he will submit the petition to Community Board 7 and ask, once again, for the city to put up the sign.
“We’re not going to rest and give up until something happens,” he said.
Reach reporter Joe Anuta by e-mail januta@cnglocal.com or by phone 718-260-4566.
We at the Malba Gardens Civic extend our support and offer our help in this endeavor. Mr. Molinari is correct, the CHILDREN, must be taken into consideration. DOT needs to step up and protect our children.
Friday, September 23, 2011
DOE school bus fiasco Whitestone Highlight
By ERICA PITZI Staff reporter 8:35 p.m. EDT, September 22, 2011
WHITESTONE, NY (PIX11)— Parents with children who go to Junior High School 194 in Queens are scared to death for their kids new school commute.
And the kids are scared too.
"We shouldn't be able to go on the buses at our age because you never know, somebody might pick us up and steal us," 8th grader Megan Hall told PIX 11.
Parent Susan Garcia said, "I don't think they're really safe on the buses, something could happen to them."
Garcia is one of many College Point parents in this predicament since the Department of Education cut school bus service to thousands of junior high school students, including Garcia's daughter Bella.
"It is really dangerous," said Bella.
Not to mention, their school commute can take up to two hours when they live only 15 minutes away.
6th Grader Melanie Dobular explained her route to us, saying, "I go on the 76, then get on 20b, then take the 25 rest of the way."
"This is completely unacceptable - all sorts of safety issues," said NYC Councilman Dan Halloran who is trying to help change this situation for his constituents.
"We're working hard with the Department (of Education) to get waivers for some kids, and we've gotten some of these variances through but the bottom line is the city needs to take better care of these kids as a whole. Our 12-year-olds should not be worrying about how getting to school."
Councilman Halloran says his office will hold a press conference on Monday to raise even more awareness to this issue in hopes of creating change for the affected communities.
The DOE told PIX 11 the cuts came "because of the tight budget" but says it is providing eligible students with Metro Cards.
That does not address the student safety issue, so for some parents, that response is not enough.
"I don't think it's even close to enough," said Garcia.
Even the kids can tell the DOE what is good enough.
"I want them to bring back the yellow school buses," said Hall.
Copyright © 2011, WPIX-TV
wpix-children-scared-commute
http://www.wpix.com/news/wpix-children-scared-commute,0,2888410.story
WHITESTONE, NY (PIX11)— Parents with children who go to Junior High School 194 in Queens are scared to death for their kids new school commute.
And the kids are scared too.
"We shouldn't be able to go on the buses at our age because you never know, somebody might pick us up and steal us," 8th grader Megan Hall told PIX 11.
Parent Susan Garcia said, "I don't think they're really safe on the buses, something could happen to them."
Garcia is one of many College Point parents in this predicament since the Department of Education cut school bus service to thousands of junior high school students, including Garcia's daughter Bella.
"It is really dangerous," said Bella.
Not to mention, their school commute can take up to two hours when they live only 15 minutes away.
6th Grader Melanie Dobular explained her route to us, saying, "I go on the 76, then get on 20b, then take the 25 rest of the way."
"This is completely unacceptable - all sorts of safety issues," said NYC Councilman Dan Halloran who is trying to help change this situation for his constituents.
"We're working hard with the Department (of Education) to get waivers for some kids, and we've gotten some of these variances through but the bottom line is the city needs to take better care of these kids as a whole. Our 12-year-olds should not be worrying about how getting to school."
Councilman Halloran says his office will hold a press conference on Monday to raise even more awareness to this issue in hopes of creating change for the affected communities.
The DOE told PIX 11 the cuts came "because of the tight budget" but says it is providing eligible students with Metro Cards.
That does not address the student safety issue, so for some parents, that response is not enough.
"I don't think it's even close to enough," said Garcia.
Even the kids can tell the DOE what is good enough.
"I want them to bring back the yellow school buses," said Hall.
Copyright © 2011, WPIX-TV
wpix-children-scared-commute
http://www.wpix.com/news/wpix-children-scared-commute,0,2888410.story
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Whitestone Bayside fields neglected for too long
By Connor Adams Sheets
Thursday, September 22, 2011 11:09 AM EDT
Community leaders and elected officials are working through a number of avenues to improve Little Bay Park in Bayside, saying the park has been neglected for too long.
Located in the shadow of the Throgs Neck Bridge, the 55-acre beachside greenspace offers sports fields, a bike path and a roller hockey rink, but it has seen little in the way of improvements since 1999, when $1.2 million in city money funded the creation of the path and rink.
On Monday afternoon, City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) and Malba Gardens Civic Association President Al Centola met with representatives of the city Parks Department at the park — bounded by the beach, Cross Island Parkway, Utopia Parkway and Totten Avenue — to discuss ways to fix the soccer fields, which suffer from poor drainage and other woes because of their location near the salty waters of Little Bay.
Centola hopes at least one of the park’s two soccer fields can be fixed in time for next year’s season, but the cost to do the needed work is proving prohibitive. Halloran said it costs $2.3 million per field to outfit them with artificial turf, or $1.5 million for sod. The price tags are so high because of the need to do extensive drainage upgrades before undertaking such work.
“We’re trying to get that redone because the field is a mess there. There’s no real field, there’s dust and dirt that turns into mud when it rains,” Centola said. “We’re pushing for turf but it’s more expensive, so we’ll settle for sod if it’s done right.”
Halloran’s office allocated $300,000 in city funds last year that can be used to pay for improvements at the park, and he told Centola Monday he may be able to get at least partial matching funds this year if the civic leader can convince Borough President Helen Marshall to dedicate money for the project. Centola said he and his fellow community members will lobby her to put $750,000 toward the field work, and that he and Halloran are hoping to enlist landscape contractors to help foot the bill.
FOR FULL TEXT PLEASE CLICK ON LINK
http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2011/09/22/bayside_times/news/bt_wtfieldfolo_bt_2011_09_19_q_20110922.txt
“There hasn’t been a lot of attention to Little Bay Park,” Schreiber said.
Thursday, September 22, 2011 11:09 AM EDT
Community leaders and elected officials are working through a number of avenues to improve Little Bay Park in Bayside, saying the park has been neglected for too long.
Located in the shadow of the Throgs Neck Bridge, the 55-acre beachside greenspace offers sports fields, a bike path and a roller hockey rink, but it has seen little in the way of improvements since 1999, when $1.2 million in city money funded the creation of the path and rink.
On Monday afternoon, City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) and Malba Gardens Civic Association President Al Centola met with representatives of the city Parks Department at the park — bounded by the beach, Cross Island Parkway, Utopia Parkway and Totten Avenue — to discuss ways to fix the soccer fields, which suffer from poor drainage and other woes because of their location near the salty waters of Little Bay.
Centola hopes at least one of the park’s two soccer fields can be fixed in time for next year’s season, but the cost to do the needed work is proving prohibitive. Halloran said it costs $2.3 million per field to outfit them with artificial turf, or $1.5 million for sod. The price tags are so high because of the need to do extensive drainage upgrades before undertaking such work.
“We’re trying to get that redone because the field is a mess there. There’s no real field, there’s dust and dirt that turns into mud when it rains,” Centola said. “We’re pushing for turf but it’s more expensive, so we’ll settle for sod if it’s done right.”
Halloran’s office allocated $300,000 in city funds last year that can be used to pay for improvements at the park, and he told Centola Monday he may be able to get at least partial matching funds this year if the civic leader can convince Borough President Helen Marshall to dedicate money for the project. Centola said he and his fellow community members will lobby her to put $750,000 toward the field work, and that he and Halloran are hoping to enlist landscape contractors to help foot the bill.
FOR FULL TEXT PLEASE CLICK ON LINK
http://www.yournabe.com/articles/2011/09/22/bayside_times/news/bt_wtfieldfolo_bt_2011_09_19_q_20110922.txt
“There hasn’t been a lot of attention to Little Bay Park,” Schreiber said.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Little Bay Soccer Fields
We had a meeting today with Councilman Halloran, his Chief of Staff, St. Luke's CYO Athletic group, and the Parks Department about Little Bay Fields under the Throgs Neck Bridge.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Our Proposal for Community Space at the remaining CYO site.
http://flushingtimes.com/articles/2011/07/21/whitestone/whitestone_times/news/wt_whitestone_baseball_field_20110721.txt
Whitestone may get a new place to play ball if some community leaders have their way.
Alfredo Centola, president of the Malba Gardens Civic Association, has floated the idea of converting 6 vacant acres next to the Waterside Estates at the Cresthaven development into a community space featuring possible amenities such as sports fields, a clubhouse and more.
The site, with a sweeping view of the Throgs Neck Bridge, was formerly owned by Catholic Charities — the nonprofit arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn — which operated a summer camp and country club there for nearly four decades.
But ever since 1988, when the camp closed amid declining membership, it has sat unused, overgrown with tall grasses and empty except for a couple of cement foundations left over from the days when it hosted area children as a camp with a pool, hiking, playgrounds and other offerings.
Centola sees the site, bounded by Powells Cove Boulevard, 6th Avenue, 150th Street and the homes of Waterside Estates, as a rare chance for the community to come together to create something to benefit local residents.
“It would be ideal if you could take the remaining 6 acres and turn it into something for the kids,” Centola said while gazing out over the neglected lot. “The options are open right now. This is just an idea and a seedling. This is a concept that can grow and help the community.”
So he and Malba Gardens Civic member Dan Barton are looking into how best to pursue such a plan. The site was approved for construction of 55 homes before the economic downturn, so Centola and Barton want to work fast to purchase the property before the market rebounds. Barton said a real estate firm estimated last year that the land was worth $25 million. He and Centola say they hope it could sell for 50 percent to 70 percent less than what it was once worth.
A coalition will be needed to support such an effort and outlay of funds, they say, so the civic is working with elected officials, local sports leagues and private companies to try to build a coalition to bring it to fruition.
“There’s no reason why the residents of a place like Whitestone can’t come together and preserve a piece of property for the youth in the community rather than build more houses and cause more traffic,” Barton said. “We’re going to contact corporations, we’re going to get together with people who’ve done this before, whether colleges or the YMCA or other groups, plus we could collect some private donations.”
Avella said this may be the time to revisit his plan and that he will direct his office to research possibilities for the site. “There aren’t enough sports fields in northeast Queens for all the teams and kids who want to play,” Avella said. “I’ll have my staff start to look into it, and if theres an opportunity here, I’ll set up a meeting with [area civics] and see where we can go from here.”
But City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) said the plan may be hard to pull off.
“The Council member is concerned about costs,” Halloran spokesman Steve Stites said via e-mail. “The city just saved 20 firehouses and many teachers’ jobs, and we are still in a recession. Six privately owned acres in Whitestone won’t come cheap.”
Devon O’Connor, founding president of the Welcome to Whitestone Commercial and Residential Civic Association, said he is willing to pursue the project anyway.
“It’s a nice, open field, it’s about 6 acres and it’s a great spot,” O’Connor said. “Whatever I can do to get something like that going, I’d love to help, whether it be fund-raising or getting grants from the city, whatever I can do. I’d love to see something like that.”
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
Here you have it, the last piece of land in Whitestone. Fitting that it once belonged to the Children and the Community. Developers came, and made a profit, leaving nothing for the community. If this were Manhattan, they would have been required to incorporate Community accessible space.
Whitestone may get a new place to play ball if some community leaders have their way.
Alfredo Centola, president of the Malba Gardens Civic Association, has floated the idea of converting 6 vacant acres next to the Waterside Estates at the Cresthaven development into a community space featuring possible amenities such as sports fields, a clubhouse and more.
The site, with a sweeping view of the Throgs Neck Bridge, was formerly owned by Catholic Charities — the nonprofit arm of the Diocese of Brooklyn — which operated a summer camp and country club there for nearly four decades.
But ever since 1988, when the camp closed amid declining membership, it has sat unused, overgrown with tall grasses and empty except for a couple of cement foundations left over from the days when it hosted area children as a camp with a pool, hiking, playgrounds and other offerings.
Centola sees the site, bounded by Powells Cove Boulevard, 6th Avenue, 150th Street and the homes of Waterside Estates, as a rare chance for the community to come together to create something to benefit local residents.
“It would be ideal if you could take the remaining 6 acres and turn it into something for the kids,” Centola said while gazing out over the neglected lot. “The options are open right now. This is just an idea and a seedling. This is a concept that can grow and help the community.”
So he and Malba Gardens Civic member Dan Barton are looking into how best to pursue such a plan. The site was approved for construction of 55 homes before the economic downturn, so Centola and Barton want to work fast to purchase the property before the market rebounds. Barton said a real estate firm estimated last year that the land was worth $25 million. He and Centola say they hope it could sell for 50 percent to 70 percent less than what it was once worth.
A coalition will be needed to support such an effort and outlay of funds, they say, so the civic is working with elected officials, local sports leagues and private companies to try to build a coalition to bring it to fruition.
“There’s no reason why the residents of a place like Whitestone can’t come together and preserve a piece of property for the youth in the community rather than build more houses and cause more traffic,” Barton said. “We’re going to contact corporations, we’re going to get together with people who’ve done this before, whether colleges or the YMCA or other groups, plus we could collect some private donations.”
Avella said this may be the time to revisit his plan and that he will direct his office to research possibilities for the site. “There aren’t enough sports fields in northeast Queens for all the teams and kids who want to play,” Avella said. “I’ll have my staff start to look into it, and if theres an opportunity here, I’ll set up a meeting with [area civics] and see where we can go from here.”
But City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) said the plan may be hard to pull off.
“The Council member is concerned about costs,” Halloran spokesman Steve Stites said via e-mail. “The city just saved 20 firehouses and many teachers’ jobs, and we are still in a recession. Six privately owned acres in Whitestone won’t come cheap.”
Devon O’Connor, founding president of the Welcome to Whitestone Commercial and Residential Civic Association, said he is willing to pursue the project anyway.
“It’s a nice, open field, it’s about 6 acres and it’s a great spot,” O’Connor said. “Whatever I can do to get something like that going, I’d love to help, whether it be fund-raising or getting grants from the city, whatever I can do. I’d love to see something like that.”
Reach reporter Connor Adams Sheets by e-mail at csheets@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
Here you have it, the last piece of land in Whitestone. Fitting that it once belonged to the Children and the Community. Developers came, and made a profit, leaving nothing for the community. If this were Manhattan, they would have been required to incorporate Community accessible space.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
An open letter to City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone): As well as Avella, and Braunstein
From Whitestone Times http://flushingtimes.com/articles/2011/05/19/whitestone/whitestone_times/news/letters/wt_letters_reegan_20110519.txt
We are getting a lot of feedback with regards to the Community Board 7 meeting Malba Gardens Civic Association President Alfredo Centola attended last month. As per our conversation with your chief of staff, we were told the councilman spoke to city Department of Transportation Queens Commissioner Maura McCarthy about the trial one-way westbound conversion at 5th Avenue from 147th Street to the Whitestone Expressway service road. It was to be on a trial basis and that she had no objection to it.
Then at the meeting, as you know, CB 7 Chairman Eugene Kelty announced that McCarthy was not in favor of a trial one-way. In speaking with several of our members, who are also members of other local civic associations, there are several questions being raised that need to be answered and/or clarified.
We do not understand how McCarthy would not contact the councilman about her “sudden change” in position. We appreciate the letter the councilman was about to send McCarthy in order to make the “formal” request and trust he is still willing to send out the request.
As you are aware, state Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) was at the meeting and said he would speak to the councilman about requesting the trial one-way. Kelty suggested that the assemblyman and councilman contact the commissioner’s office, as it may sway her back to her original agreement with the councilman.
Your attention to this dangerous situation on 5th Avenue is greatly appreciated, as is all the hard work and time your office has put into this issue.
We look forward to meeting with you in order to get some insight as to what actualy transpired and what the next course of action will be.
Laurie Reegan
Second Vice President
Malba Gardens Civic Association
We are getting a lot of feedback with regards to the Community Board 7 meeting Malba Gardens Civic Association President Alfredo Centola attended last month. As per our conversation with your chief of staff, we were told the councilman spoke to city Department of Transportation Queens Commissioner Maura McCarthy about the trial one-way westbound conversion at 5th Avenue from 147th Street to the Whitestone Expressway service road. It was to be on a trial basis and that she had no objection to it.
Then at the meeting, as you know, CB 7 Chairman Eugene Kelty announced that McCarthy was not in favor of a trial one-way. In speaking with several of our members, who are also members of other local civic associations, there are several questions being raised that need to be answered and/or clarified.
We do not understand how McCarthy would not contact the councilman about her “sudden change” in position. We appreciate the letter the councilman was about to send McCarthy in order to make the “formal” request and trust he is still willing to send out the request.
As you are aware, state Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) was at the meeting and said he would speak to the councilman about requesting the trial one-way. Kelty suggested that the assemblyman and councilman contact the commissioner’s office, as it may sway her back to her original agreement with the councilman.
Your attention to this dangerous situation on 5th Avenue is greatly appreciated, as is all the hard work and time your office has put into this issue.
We look forward to meeting with you in order to get some insight as to what actualy transpired and what the next course of action will be.
Laurie Reegan
Second Vice President
Malba Gardens Civic Association
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Shame on CB 7
Letter to the Editor (Times Ledger):
With regards to Chuck Apelian’s comments that Feinstein Iron Works take out a full-page ad in two local newspapers apologizing to him and Community Board 7 for his honest comments (“CB 7, Feinstein make amends after Willets clashes,” Jan. 20), it is amazing he would have the audacity to make such demands. After all, he is a public official in his roles as vice chairman of CB 7 and the CB 7 land use chairman.
Our organization has had the misfortune of dealing with CB 7 with regards to a public safety matter, which it quickly turned into an inconvenient matter. Marilyn Bitterman, district manager of CB 7, was responsible for writing a survey that was to be sent out to our community regarding the dangerous situation. The manner in which she wrote the survey was biased and stressed the “inconvenience” of driving an extra two blocks.
We immediately sent out a letter requesting to have more time to review the survey in order to come to a more non-biased wording and, objecting to the wording as shown to Alfredo Centola, we received no response and the survey went out anyway. We then requested to see the surveys under the Freedom of Information law; they illegally refused us. We obtained a decision from Robert Freeman from the state Committee on Open Government; they still refused.
A couple of months later, we received an e-mail from an MTABT official quoting Bitterman and her ill feelings to the president of our civic association. This e-mail quotes Bitterman as saying “she would step over his prone body and refuse to call for help.” Our organization immediately sent Apelian a letter calling on him to act, as the CB 7 vice chairman, to address Bitterman’s unprofessional and biased comments. He replied, “It will be reviewed,” but then never responded.
Several months ago, some members of our organization received a call from a man claiming to be on the board in regards to conducting an investigation. CB 7 investigating itself? To date we have heard nothing about the results, if any, to the investigation. City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) has refused to get involved, saying he is not responsible for oversight of CB 7, but we only asked he inquire about the outcome of the investigation as our elected official.
We do not know what Apelian is looking for. If he has such a thin skin, maybe he should exclude himself from the vice chairmanship. For the most part, he has a much calmer and respectful tone than his counterpart Eugene Kelty. But to ask for an apology and take out a full-page ad in two local papers? Maybe CB 7 should take out ads in two or three papers to apologize for violating the FOIA law, refusing to acknowledge the Committee on Open Government’s decision and especially for Bitterman’s comments to an MTABT official showing her disregard for Centola’s life.
After all, what is right for CB 7 should be right for the community it represents.
Malba Gardens Civic Association
With regards to Chuck Apelian’s comments that Feinstein Iron Works take out a full-page ad in two local newspapers apologizing to him and Community Board 7 for his honest comments (“CB 7, Feinstein make amends after Willets clashes,” Jan. 20), it is amazing he would have the audacity to make such demands. After all, he is a public official in his roles as vice chairman of CB 7 and the CB 7 land use chairman.
Our organization has had the misfortune of dealing with CB 7 with regards to a public safety matter, which it quickly turned into an inconvenient matter. Marilyn Bitterman, district manager of CB 7, was responsible for writing a survey that was to be sent out to our community regarding the dangerous situation. The manner in which she wrote the survey was biased and stressed the “inconvenience” of driving an extra two blocks.
We immediately sent out a letter requesting to have more time to review the survey in order to come to a more non-biased wording and, objecting to the wording as shown to Alfredo Centola, we received no response and the survey went out anyway. We then requested to see the surveys under the Freedom of Information law; they illegally refused us. We obtained a decision from Robert Freeman from the state Committee on Open Government; they still refused.
A couple of months later, we received an e-mail from an MTABT official quoting Bitterman and her ill feelings to the president of our civic association. This e-mail quotes Bitterman as saying “she would step over his prone body and refuse to call for help.” Our organization immediately sent Apelian a letter calling on him to act, as the CB 7 vice chairman, to address Bitterman’s unprofessional and biased comments. He replied, “It will be reviewed,” but then never responded.
Several months ago, some members of our organization received a call from a man claiming to be on the board in regards to conducting an investigation. CB 7 investigating itself? To date we have heard nothing about the results, if any, to the investigation. City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) has refused to get involved, saying he is not responsible for oversight of CB 7, but we only asked he inquire about the outcome of the investigation as our elected official.
We do not know what Apelian is looking for. If he has such a thin skin, maybe he should exclude himself from the vice chairmanship. For the most part, he has a much calmer and respectful tone than his counterpart Eugene Kelty. But to ask for an apology and take out a full-page ad in two local papers? Maybe CB 7 should take out ads in two or three papers to apologize for violating the FOIA law, refusing to acknowledge the Committee on Open Government’s decision and especially for Bitterman’s comments to an MTABT official showing her disregard for Centola’s life.
After all, what is right for CB 7 should be right for the community it represents.
Malba Gardens Civic Association
Friday, January 28, 2011
Our Letter to the Whitestone Times regarding CB 7s request for apologies.
Malba Gardens civic cries foul over survey review
Friday, January 28, 2011 11:07 AM EST
With regards to Chuck Apelian’s comments that Feinstein Iron Works take out a full-page ad in two local newspapers apologizing to him and Community Board 7 for his honest comments (“CB 7, Feinstein make amends after Willets clashes,” Jan. 20), it is amazing he would have the audacity to make such demands. After all, he is a public official in his roles as vice chairman of CB 7 and the CB 7 land use chairman.
Our organization has had the misfortune of dealing with CB 7 with regards to a public safety matter, which it quickly turned into an inconvenient matter. Marilyn Bitterman, district manager of CB 7, was responsible for writing a survey that was to be sent out to our community regarding the dangerous situation. The manner in which she wrote the survey was biased and stressed the “inconvenience” of driving an extra two blocks.
We immediately sent out a letter requesting to have more time to review the survey in order to come to a more non-biased wording and, objecting to the wording as shown to Alfredo Centola, we received no response and the survey went out anyway. We then requested to see the surveys under the Freedom of Information law; they illegally refused us. We obtained a decision from Robert Freeman from the state Committee on Open Government; they still refused.
A couple of months later, we received an e-mail from an MTABT official quoting Bitterman and her ill feelings to the president of our civic association. This e-mail quotes Bitterman as saying “she would step over his prone body and refuse to call for help.” Our organization immediately sent Apelian a letter calling on him to act, as the CB 7 vice chairman, to address Bitterman’s unprofessional and biased comments. He replied, “It will be reviewed,” but then never responded.
Several months ago, some members of our organization received a call from a man claiming to be on the board in regards to conducting an investigation. CB 7 investigating itself? To date we have heard nothing about the results, if any, to the investigation. City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) has refused to get involved, saying he is not responsible for oversight of CB 7, but we only asked he inquire about the outcome of the investigation as our elected official.
We do not know what Apelian is looking for. If he has such a thin skin, maybe he should exclude himself from the vice chairmanship. For the most part, he has a much calmer and more respectful tone than his counterpart Eugene Kelty. But to ask for an apology and take out a full-page ad in two local papers? Maybe CB 7 should take out ads in two or three papers to apologize for violating the FOIL law, refusing to acknowledge the Committee on Open Government’s decision and especially for Bitterman’s comments to an MTABT official showing her disregard for Centola’s life.
After all, what is right for CB 7 should be right for the community it represents.
Malba Gardens Civic Association
Friday, January 28, 2011 11:07 AM EST
With regards to Chuck Apelian’s comments that Feinstein Iron Works take out a full-page ad in two local newspapers apologizing to him and Community Board 7 for his honest comments (“CB 7, Feinstein make amends after Willets clashes,” Jan. 20), it is amazing he would have the audacity to make such demands. After all, he is a public official in his roles as vice chairman of CB 7 and the CB 7 land use chairman.
Our organization has had the misfortune of dealing with CB 7 with regards to a public safety matter, which it quickly turned into an inconvenient matter. Marilyn Bitterman, district manager of CB 7, was responsible for writing a survey that was to be sent out to our community regarding the dangerous situation. The manner in which she wrote the survey was biased and stressed the “inconvenience” of driving an extra two blocks.
We immediately sent out a letter requesting to have more time to review the survey in order to come to a more non-biased wording and, objecting to the wording as shown to Alfredo Centola, we received no response and the survey went out anyway. We then requested to see the surveys under the Freedom of Information law; they illegally refused us. We obtained a decision from Robert Freeman from the state Committee on Open Government; they still refused.
A couple of months later, we received an e-mail from an MTABT official quoting Bitterman and her ill feelings to the president of our civic association. This e-mail quotes Bitterman as saying “she would step over his prone body and refuse to call for help.” Our organization immediately sent Apelian a letter calling on him to act, as the CB 7 vice chairman, to address Bitterman’s unprofessional and biased comments. He replied, “It will be reviewed,” but then never responded.
Several months ago, some members of our organization received a call from a man claiming to be on the board in regards to conducting an investigation. CB 7 investigating itself? To date we have heard nothing about the results, if any, to the investigation. City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) has refused to get involved, saying he is not responsible for oversight of CB 7, but we only asked he inquire about the outcome of the investigation as our elected official.
We do not know what Apelian is looking for. If he has such a thin skin, maybe he should exclude himself from the vice chairmanship. For the most part, he has a much calmer and more respectful tone than his counterpart Eugene Kelty. But to ask for an apology and take out a full-page ad in two local papers? Maybe CB 7 should take out ads in two or three papers to apologize for violating the FOIL law, refusing to acknowledge the Committee on Open Government’s decision and especially for Bitterman’s comments to an MTABT official showing her disregard for Centola’s life.
After all, what is right for CB 7 should be right for the community it represents.
Malba Gardens Civic Association
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Councilman Hallorans Response
We have received a response from the councilman regarding the 50% tax break given to the old CYO property as well as some other issues we brought to his attention. We will be reviewing his response and posting the results shortly. Unfortunately we did no receive an electronic copy of his response so we can not post it at this time. We are acquiring a scanner and will be scanning and posting all future correspondence shortly.
We thank the councilman for looking into the issues and responding.
Alfredo
We thank the councilman for looking into the issues and responding.
Alfredo
Friday, December 31, 2010
Old CYO / Whitestone Jewels
We at Malba Gardens do not have an anti development view, we just request that the law be followed and all impact studies be done. We also request that if their is an alternative that would aleviate congestion we should explore it. A community center with a garden is just a suggestion, as is a private park for the residents only.
Please read our posts and familiarize yourself with what we are saying. As always your input is welcome.
How are the residents of 7th avenue and 152nd street coping with the New, Modern,Progessive Commercial buildings?
When a property recieves a 50% tax break, our question is why not the rest of the community, you know the ones that live here.
Please read our posts and familiarize yourself with what we are saying. As always your input is welcome.
How are the residents of 7th avenue and 152nd street coping with the New, Modern,Progessive Commercial buildings?
When a property recieves a 50% tax break, our question is why not the rest of the community, you know the ones that live here.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
IF THEY PERMANENTLY CLOSE THE THIRD AVENUE EXIT, IT WILL REDUCE TRAFFIC FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. MAYBE, JUST MAYBE BRINGING UP PROPERTY VALUE FOR US ALL WHILE SECURING THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN. ACCORDING TO HISTORY, THE HARDER IT IS TO GET INTO A COMMUNITY, THE MORE DESIREABLE IT BECOMES, AND HENCE, HIGHER PROPERTY VALUE.
JUST A THOUGHT.
JUST A THOUGHT.
SHATTERING RECORDS
FOR THE PAST TWO EVENINGS, BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 8:10 AND 8:30 THERE HAS BEEN A CONSTANT PROCESSION OF CARS TRAVELING EAST ON 5TH AVENUE AT A RATE OF A CAR PER SECOND.
YET MY DEAR NEIGHBORS, THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE DOT, JUST A MERE INCONVENIENCE.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YET MY DEAR NEIGHBORS, THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE ACCORDING TO THE DOT, JUST A MERE INCONVENIENCE.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Francis Lewis Park Playground
As many of you know, yesterdays unofficial twister hit our park pretty hard. The parks department is well aware of the situation and promises to move quickly.
On another note, the MTABT has informed us that they are ready to move the playground to its new location as soon as the Parks Department is ready. We are recommending that everyone call their elected officials and contact the Parks Department (311) in order to expedite the project.
THANK YOU TO: Ray Webb, Manager of the MTABT Whitestone Bridge and his crew for expeditiously removing a fallen tree across the service road of the Whitestone Expressway. This alleviated a traffic mess as well as what could have been a dangerous situation. KUDOS...
On another note, the MTABT has informed us that they are ready to move the playground to its new location as soon as the Parks Department is ready. We are recommending that everyone call their elected officials and contact the Parks Department (311) in order to expedite the project.
THANK YOU TO: Ray Webb, Manager of the MTABT Whitestone Bridge and his crew for expeditiously removing a fallen tree across the service road of the Whitestone Expressway. This alleviated a traffic mess as well as what could have been a dangerous situation. KUDOS...
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