WRBA Vents To Lawmaker About Water Tax Increase

Woodhaven Residents Block Association Financial Secretary Maria Thomson (holding mic) updates the audience on local news at the civic group’s Feb. 13 meeting at the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps headquarters. (photo: Ralph Mancini) A proposed water rate hike by the New York City Water Board incurred the ire of local residents at the Saturday, Feb. 13 Woodhaven Residents Block Association (WRBA) meeting held at the Woodhaven/Richmond Hill Ambulance Corps.

Homeowners in attendance were informed by City Council Member Eric Ulrich of a proposed 14-percent increase in the water rate, which would reportedly triple the quarterly fees charged 10 years ago.

Ulrich vowed to fight the latest rate hike along with City Council Speaker Christime Quinn by protesting the initiative at an upcoming public hearing in St. Albans. If approved, the increase would follow rate jumps of 11.5 percent, 14.5 percent and 12.9 percent in each of the three preceding years.

“They don’t understand that people are hurting. They just keep nickel and diming us,” charged the Ozone Park native.

According to some reports, water rates keep growing due to an antiquated water system in need of major renovation. Much of the revenue will reportedly go toward the construction and expansion of New York City’s water and sewer system.

“The more they press on us and lean on us, the more people move to Long Island, Westchester, and other areas,” he claimed.

Ulrich said that he didn’t buy the New York City Water Board’s explanation for the rate hike and expressed his exasperation with the city’s claim of an overabundance of storm water runoff as a justification of its actions last year.

“We work, pay our taxes and we always get the thumb. I don’t believe in raising taxes philosophically because of all the fraud and waste,” added the city legislator. “When you eliminate waste and fraud, and you still can’t balance the books, then you raise taxes.”

Property assessments

Community Board 9 member J. Richard Smith advised homeowners to look at their New York City Department of Finance property assessments to ensure that their values have gone down.

The real estate market, he said, has been hit hard by the existing financial downturn and pointed out that houses selling for $450,000 in 2008 have recently been acquired for $260,000.

“Over the past three-to-six months, property has been losing value. If you get an increase in your assessment, you should complain; they may be using 2008 numbers,” he surmised.

Snowed in

Some Woodhaven residents vented their frustrations with several snow-laden sidewalks in the area that were never cleaned following a major blizzard during the week.

Others griped over neighbors shoveling their cars out and placing the snow in the middle of the street.

“People are supposed to have their sidewalks shoveled by 11 a.m.,” insisted one longtime community member.

WRBA President Edward Wendell agreed with one suggestion calling for the reinstallment of block captains in the community to help remind people of their responsibilities, but he conceded that it wouldn’t be easy.

The civic leader concluded that the best and most efficient way to reach out to people is through internet based media that’s less expensive than printing newsletters.

“In the old days, we had committees to get out to schools, churches, etc. We’ve got some foundation to build,” he observed.

Miller speaks out on Aqueduct

Assemblyman Mike Miller admitted that he was apprehensive about Gov. David Paterson’s selec- tion of Aqueduct Entertainment Group (AEG) due to rumors of underlying political motives at play.

He was, however, satisfied with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver’s efforts in implementing conditions in the agreement in order to protect the people living in the surrounding areas. The investigation of AEG, he said, will continue.

Thomson updates the audience

Listeners were instructed to report the sighting of all vacant homes in the community by WRBA Financial Secretary Maria Thomson, who was worried about the damaging effects of deteriorating residences.

She further alerted people to call 511 in order to find out about transportation and roadway conditions.

Library news Maria Concolino of the Woodhaven Public Library, located at 85- 41 Forest Pkwy., invited neighbors to stop in on Thursday, Mar. 11 for a membership drive in which new members will have the opportunity to take home eight books. The two-hour event is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Additionally, she mentioned an upcoming art exhibit at the library on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Artwork from local school children will be on display.

Starting in March, the Woodhaven Residents Block Association will be moving their town hall meetings to the third Wednesday evening of the month. The next session is scheduled for 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 17 at the Woodhaven/Richmond Hill Ambulance Corps., located at 78-15 Jamaica Ave.