Times Newsweekly: Community Headlines

SENIOR CENTER BLUES
Consolidation Of Facilities On Agenda At GWDC Meeting

story and photos by Ralph Mancini
A recently proposed initiative on the part of the Department for the Aging to consolidate senior centers was one of the primary topics headlining the Tuesday, Apr. 22 Greater Woodhaven Business Development Corporation meeting held at the Woodhaven Senior Center located within the St. Thomas the Apostle Church.

The plan, as described by GWDC Executive Director Maria Thomson, would entail closing the sites for two years in order to organize and reopen them under an open-bid process, which would allow an outside entity to purchase the location.

Representing Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum at last week’s Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation meeting was Randy Lafarge (as seen in top photo) who spoke about Gotbaum’s initiative to help New Yorkers become more financially literate. Commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct Charles McEvoy (as seen in bottom photo) gives kudos to the officers involved in the arrest of two suspects who allegedly robbed a T-Mobile store in Woodhaven.

Thomson shared her concerns over the possible fate of the Woodhaven Senior Center by stating, “ If we close it down for two years, we’re going to lose all of our senior citizens. Where are they going to go until they get this new organization in place?”

On hand to lend some insight into the matter was Randy Lafarge, a representative of Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, who divulged that Gotbaum had just recently released a report regarding the evergrowing senior poplulation and the lack of services and affordable housing available to them.

“One of the things we tried to recommend or pin-point to the current administration is that alternative housing programs work,” he said. “If the funding for these programs is increased, it would provide seniors who are struggling on a fixed income the opportunity to have affordable housing.”

Gotbaum’s mold bill

Lafarge informed Woodhaven locals of a bill introduced by Gotbaum designed to address significant increases in mold development found in public housing.

The Asthma-Free Housing Act would reportedly encourage the city to authorize the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to create enforcement codes to rectify the matter.

Lafarge reported that the current mayoral administration has already taken “substantial steps” in taking action on the public advocate’s initiative.

Financial guidance

Those in the audience learned of a banking guidebook released by Gotbaum aimed at motivating New Yorkers to open bank accounts instead of using high-interest check cashing locations for many of their transactions.

“This particular guide is to encourage financial literacy from a lot of New Yorkers, and just to help them make better decisions.”

Foreclosures revisited

In response to GWDC First Vice President Mark Klimm’s question on how Gotbaum is confronting the current foreclosure crises plaguing New York City, Lafarge said that the public advocate is working in tandem with Comptroller William C. Thompson to caution individuals on some of the pitballs involved in purchasing a home.

In fact, it was noted that Thompson has set up a Foreclosure Prevention Hotline, available by dialing 1-212-669-4600, to help the public with any of their mortgage concerns. The line is accessible Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Crime report

The commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct, Capt. Charles McEvoy, appeared at the meeting to update residents on the “fabulous” job that his officers did in arresting two of the three suspects allegedly involved in the robbery of a Woodhaven T-Mobile store, located at 120-19 Jamaica Avenue.

One of the apprehended individuals, he said, was also wanted in an assault in the 67th Precinct in Brooklyn.

Cash and other items were reportedly recovered following a 10-block chase under the Jamaica Avenue elevated subway line, said McEvoy.

Dinner dance

Thomson announced that the GWDC is sponsoring their 29th annual Spring Dance on Friday, May 16 at La Bella Vita Caterers in Ozone Park. For further details, call 1-718-805-0202.

F&J Carpet owner Fedele C. Bianchi will be honored as “Man of the Year.”

The Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation regularly meets on the last Tuesday of the month at the Woodhaven Senior Center located at 87-08 88th Ave.