WRBA GOES ON A HUGE ‘TEAR’

Steve Addonisio of State Sen. Joseph Addabbo’s office was among the many guest speakers at the Woodhaven Residents Block Association’s June session. (photo: Ralph Mancini) Members of the Woodhaven Residents Block Association (WRBA) offered community members the lowdown on their efforts to identify and take down illegally posted signs at the group’s Wednesday, June 16 meeting held at the Emmanuel Church of Christ.

WRBA President Edward Wendell spoke about his organization’s zero-tolerance stance against a variety of “waxy” posters attached to telephone poles and lampposts by detailing how he and other civic members recently took down dozens of them in the surrounding area.

The civic leader charged that the city was being indifferent to the community’s concerns over signs that often advertise the services of mortgage companies promising to help financially strapped homeowners with their foreclosure issues.

The fines for the placement of the boards reportedly range from $150 to $200.

“There’s money sitting out there for the city, but all they tell you to do is call 311. We went out and did our best to get them down,” he said, en- couraging residents to come out and lend a hand. “It’s great to have people pointing out these signs, but we also need your help.”

To that end, he proposed the formation of a sign committee to constantly keep track of the posted materials.

Avenue projects

The reconstruction of local J train stations along Jamaica Avenue was described by WRBA Financial Secretary Maria Thomson, who reported the renovation of stairways and the installation of new lighting that she said would help make things “safer and more secure” for commuters.

In addition, she assured everyone that the long-awaited repainting of the stanchions supporting the avenue’s elevated train tracks is scheduled to begin in November. The undertaking will reportedly take at least 30 months to complete. The color that will be used is forest green.

Thomson applauded the disappearance of a controversial taco van along the busy thoroughfare, claiming that it took away customers from established store owners who are paying taxes.

Reinstatement of cease and

desist in Woodhaven

Thomson went on to alert the audience to the recent reinstatement of the cease and desist law, which prohibits real estate professionals from soliciting homeowners into selling their property through constant mailings.

She distributed forms that people are required to submit to prevent from being inundated with loads of fliers.

Woodhaven is one of several Queens neighborhoods where the law has been reactivated; the other communities are Bayside, Bellerose, Queens Village, the Rockaways, South Ozone Park and Whitestone.

Noise gripes

After hearing a number of noise complaints, P.O. John McCoy of the 102nd Precinct’s Community Affairs Unit told listeners to be a bit more understanding of the command, as a shortage of officers means thas the precinct can sometimes be overwhelmed by the amount of 311 calls received.

While the law enforcement agent noted his precinct’s commitment to visit every problematic noise location, he couldn’t guarantee that the force could make it out to every site in 15 to 20 minutes.

Sal Simonetti, of City Council Member Eric Ulirch’s office explained that the calls to 311 help create a paper trail that will get the attention of the mayor’s office.

“If you’re not patient, your area will not be a priority for noise complaints,” he observed.

WRBA Treasurer Vance Barbour urged the people of Woodhaven to get involved in civic matters by writing to agency commissioners and letting them know of chronic problems.

“Let’s be the persistent pains in the butt we’re known to be to accomplish things in a more timely manner,” he noted. “There is strength in numbers—be part of the solution.”

In that vein, he suggested that civic members gather in front of noisy homes and chant “shut it off” in order to get results.

On the subject of backyard weddings, McCoy told listeners that sound permits are no longer being approved by the precinct for that purpose.

Facebook concerns

The officer also instructed civilians to be leery about the people they share information with on social websites, such as Facebook and My- Space.

Many unscrupulous individuals, he said, are keeping track of people’s daily schedules through the sites in order to plan out burglaries.

Dripping creosote

Steve Addonisio of State Sen. Joseph Addabbo’s office spoke about high levels of creosote, a chemical mixture used for commercial purposes, dripping on people’s cars from Jamaica Avenue’s elevated subway structure.

He recommended that motorists take pictures of the damage caused by the substance and demand a reimbursement from the state. Addonisio conceded that it could take over a year before a payment is received.

History lesson

Attendees were surprised to hear that Neir’s Tavern, located at 87-48 78th St., is not only among the most historic bars in the United States, but also the oldest bar in New York.

Wendell recounted that the drinking establishment was originally founded in October 1829 as The Old Pump House by Cadwallader R. Coldon. Coldon’s cousin, who also went by the same name, once served as both a congressman and the mayor of New York City.

Through the years, Neir’s served as a gathering point for actors, such as W.C. Fields and well-known businessmen, such as Fred Trump (Donald’s father). The tavern was also used in the 1990 movie classic Goodfellas starring Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta.

The Woodhaven Residents Block Association will reconvene during the third Wednesday of July. A meeting site has yet to be determined. For further details, visit www.woodhaven.nyc.org.