Pol Makes Case For A ZIP Code For Glendale

Living in Glendale, we know that our community has an identity all its own. Glendale has the feel of a small town tucked into New York City. We have our own business district on Myrtle Avenue, our own schools, parishes, parks and community centers.

However, Glendale still does not have its own ZIP code, and all the benefits that come with one. And the 35,000 Glendale residents live with the consequences of inefficient services that come with the bloated zip code we are currently forced to live in.

The 11385 ZIP code for both Ridgewood and Glendale has a population of roughly 69,500, making it one of the most populous of all five boroughs. In Manhattan alone, there are nearly 50 ZIP codes that cover areas with a population much lower than Glendale’s. Several relatively new ZIP codes have a significantly smaller population than Glendale, such as 10075 in the Upper East Side covering a population of 12,005. To add insult to injury, Saks’ Shoe department has its own zip code.

If the U.S. Postal Service provides ZIP codes in Manhattan for vanity purposes, then surely they must be willing to reconsider giving Glendale a ZIP code for reasons based on safety, efficiency and economic growth.

For an area as populated as Glendale, the lack of a ZIP code is a considerable safety concern for residents. Modern navigational technology, like the GPS, does not always list Glendale in their registry under the 11385 zip code. There are incidents when emergency services outside of Glendale rely on navigational systems to reach the people in need.

If Glendale is not listed in the navigational systems, it becomes unnecessarily difficult for help to reach people who may need it. And this has also delayed the delivery of medications for some elderly residents. Many of these prescriptions are timesensitive and with the deficiency in medical services throughout Queens, our seniors cannot afford to wait for their medications.

Granting a ZIP code for Glendale is necessary for local economic de- velopment. It is in our best interest to encourage visitors from all over the city to travel to Glendale to experience the local spots, such as Zum Stammtisch and the Shops at Atlas Park. However, potential out-oftowners could be discouraged to visit Glendale’s attractions because there is not easy access to accurate directions. Simply put, Glendale loses business because of the lack of a ZIP code.

Furthermore, post office carriers and technology too often cannot locate Glendale, resulting in delayed delivery service and constant headaches for residents. Internet transactions for Glendale residents are always more complicated than necessary because they are often forced to prove their identity and residence to government authorities and credit card companies who have them registered under Ridgewood.

In addition, federal, state and local statistics are often broken down along ZIP code lines, and what may be right for one end of our ZIP code, may not always be good for the other.

Glendale is long past due for its own ZIP code. Our sense of pride and belonging coupled with the lack of an official identity creates daily issues for the Glendale resident that could be solved with an additional ZIP code. While it may not seem like much to outsiders, having a ZIP code is important for services to our neighborhood.

The problems associated with not having a ZIP code will only get worse as time goes on. As the post office reorganizes itself to face new challenges in the 21st century, a priority in Queens should be for a new ZIP code for Glendale because we deserve better.

Editor’s note: City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley represents the 30th City Council District, which covers parts of Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven. Food prices are up. The purpose of COLA is to help seniors keep up. The Social Security Administration seems to have forgotten that mission.”

As reported, for the first time since 1975, seniors will not be receiving a cost-of-living-adjustment as proposed by the Obama administration and the Congressional Budget Office back in September. The result, Crowley’s office indicated, would leave the current monthly check received by millions of seniors at its current rate, even as prices for essential items continue to climb.

It was noted New York City seniors have been hit with growing costs during the recession. According to one report, seniors signing leases in rent-controlled apartments were hit with a six percent increase.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics also found that food prices have gone up by 1.4 percent over the last year. Premiums for the Medicare prescription drug plans are also expected to increase seven percent from an average monthly premium of $28 in 2009 to $30 in 2010. The cost to ride a bus or subway has also risen by 10 percent for seniors.

Crowley and Weiner announced that they collected 100 signatures from Middle Village Adult Center seniors on Monday morning. Thus far, about 500 signatures were collected, and the legislator plans to stop by all senior centers in the 30th Council District to reach a goal of 2,000 signatures.