WRBA IS MAD ABOUT CUTS

Assemblyman Mike Miller leads the charge against proposed service transportation cuts by the MTA at the latest Woodhaven Residents Block Association meeting. Community members at the Saturday, Jan. 9 Woodhaven Residents Block Association (WRBA) meeting were urged to take action against recent transportation service cuts that may result in the elimination of two subway lines and 21 bus routes.

Assemblyman Mike Miller was among those in attendance at the headquarters of the Woodhaven/Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps who took issue with how the Metropolitan Transportation Authority is managing its resources.

Miller shared his displeasure with the group’s insensitivity toward daily commuters who would be affected by the proposed service alterations. He also took a stand against wasted money that’s reportedly being used to supply MTA executives with housing allowances and their own personal drivers.

“They are always looking for a bailout. We have to cut the waste,” declared the elected official. “If I get $1,000 a month, I have to live on it; they should do the same.”

On that note, Miller exhorted his constituents to attend protests and rallies denouncing the recent turn of events.

Sal Simonetti from City Council Member Eric Ulrich’s office followed suit by advising people to complain about the removal of student MetroCards and local paratransit services.

He directed people to visit the website council.nyc.gov/html/action_ center/mta.shtml and sign a petition asking the MTA to find alternative ways to prevent cuts, as well as ensuring an open public process.

“In some places it’s a minor inconvenience … for Woodhaven, it’ll be a major devastation,” he said regarding intentions to do away with the Z Train and the Q56 bus, which several Woodhaven locals depend on in their daily travels.

WRBA Treasurer Vance Barbour put things in perspective by adding: “Transportation is a big issue. It not only affects businesses in the area, but it [impacts] how people get to work … I suggest that everyone write a letter.”

WRBA president Edward Wendell distributed written templates for people to submit to MTA Public Affairs Director Douglas Sussman about service cuts and the increase of train intervals for multiple subway lines.

Kate Mooney from City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley’s office also weighed in on the deprivation of student MetroCards by alerting the audience of how the cutback may influence students to turn to crime as a means to afford transportation fees.

Taking it to the streets

Miller mentioned his efforts to reach out to a bigger segment of the community by not only attending civic meetings, but also through appearances at church events and other less formal settings.

He announced that he will be hosting a tutorial on tax payments at the upcoming Richmond Hill Residents Block Association meeting, where members of the Department of Finance will be on hand to talk about tax assessments and other related issues.

Out-of-state vehicles

Barbour called the presence of numerous out-of-state vehicles in Woodhaven a “source of anguish” due to the fact that many of the owners of those cars and trucks reside in New York.

He pointed out that drivers with out-of-state license plates are not only “getting away with” not paying their dues to the state, but they’re also forcing insurance companies outside of New York to pay out claims based on local traffic numbers.

Barbour asked residents to report any out-of-state vehicle parked on their block for one month or longer to WRBA.

The block association, he said, will make every effort to communicate with organizations keeping track of motorists trying to avoid state vehicle expenses.

Census update

Partnership Specialist Zakera Ahmed from the United States Census Bureau reminded listeners that 41 percent of Woodhaven residents did not participate in the previous Census count, and how low numbers could negatively impact the community.

More people submitting questionnaires, she said, would mean more federal dollars coming into the area that would go toward schools, hospitals and other services.

ROTC Program

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps member Calvin Hunt spoke of how his group guides students in the areas of leadership development, problem solving and personal ethics through a college elective program. For more information, visit www.military.com/ROTC-Info.

Local theater

Paul Morisi spoke of his commitment to bring local theater to Woodhaven through performances of “Arsenic and Old Lace” and other well-known plays. For further detail on upcoming shows, send all questions to firststringplayers@gmail.com.

The WRBA Saturday meetings will continue until February 2010 at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps, located at 78-15 Jamaica Ave., beginning at 1 p.m. After that month, the WRBA will evaluate the effectiveness of the meeting date and time.