SYNOPSIS OF THE HISTORY OF THE CREEDMOOR CIVIC ASSOCIATION FOR THE YEARS 2000 - 2010
This is a shortened version of a decade's worth of newsletters and emailings. Hope it's somewhat informative. Feedback is welcome.
2000
Work behind 88th Ave homes is finally completed to cure illegally dumped dirt and concrete blocks on homeowners’ properties. Boro Prez Shulman got involved when the Little League refused. CCA suggest PS18 and IS109 convert to K-8 instead of middle schools.....8 acres of Creedmoor property at Hillside and Winchester sold, 100 2-family homes to be built, all existing structures will be demolished...Sen Padavan suggests a tax lien against properties that have unpaid DOB violations....CCA participates in rally to protest School Construction Authority’s violation of the Creedmoor Master Plan, which called for the full use of 26 acres to build 3 schools...Survey distributed to residents, biggest concerns are illegal cellar apartments, speeding, conversion to illegal 2 and 3 family homes, parking....Updates to CCA constitution were made, first changes in many years...After a decade of abandonment, Bellerose Theatre to be converted to retail and offices...CCA asks for Braddock to be resurfaced...CCA replies to residents’ complaints about an illegal auto repair on 237th St, several agencies responded, shutting down shop and vehicles towed...Bellerose Business District reports new businesses moving onto Jericho, refurbishing of green islands, new lampposts...Queens Building Commissioner speaks at CCA, 3 weeks later, he is arrested for accepting a bribe...Pigeon House on Moline St, which had 40 violations, is sold....New eastbound Hillside Ave exit for Clearview Expressway is planned...Five cats on Moline St found poisoned by rat poison...New banner for CCA created, replacing existing 30-year-old felt banner...VFW memorial on Braddock vandalized...President Rick Duskiewicz and RHCA president Barney Aquilino catch a real estate agent in a sting selling a house with an illegal basement apartment....Several “No Standing” areas created by Dept of Transportation in our area for safety...New 347 area code creates major headache for one resident, who received 6000 wrong numbers in a few months. VFW stone replaced.
2001
CCA publicly criticizes tall front yard fences, calls them “unnecessary and unsightly”...NYS’s Do Not Call law goes into effect...Dozens of trees on Jericho Tpke are poisoned...CCA members pose as private inspectors to shake up the developer at the Pigeon House site... CCA criticizes the paving over of front yards and backyards. Member catches someone rummaging through private mailboxes on 88th Ave.
2002
Jim Breininger donates boxes of his father Jack’s stock of newsletters from the 40s through the 80s...NYC attempts a new process to lift sagging sidewalk flags on Gettysburg St...CCA celebrates its 75th Anniversary at the Queens Farm...Water restrictions are in effect...Dump truck hits an overhead line on Braddock Ave, disrupting power to 1300 homes...Residents of 88th Ave are told they are no longer in School District 26. Total confusion from the Board of Education baffles the residents and CCA...Bellerose Business District now extends to Braddock Ave...Braddock and 242 St gets a traffic signal...Statue of St Greg vandalized...Cease and Desist lists are reinstated after US Court of Appeals ruling...Bike lane created on Winchester Blvd, creating confusion when approaching Hillside. CCA requests a “left turn only” lane from DOT...NYC residents will now be required to dial “1” before the area code and number for all calls...CCA votes to request conversion of PS33 and IS109 to K-8...Property tax increase to 18%
2003
CCA gets first look at proposed plans for Creedmoor Campus schools...School District Superintendent Michael Johnson refuses to meet with CCA regarding K-8 proposal. Johnson is forced out of office soon after...CCA reports that it’s received complaints about cars blocking sidewalks...Dept of Sanitation prohibits storage of dumpsters in front of stores...St Gregory’s celebrates its 50th Anniversary...US Senator Schumer visits Bellerose...Civic announces it will raise dues from $5. To $6...Glen Oaks Campus opens...All decks require permits, whether or not they’re attached to the house...CCA instrumental in convincing USPS to allow residents to use Bellerose Manor as a substitute for Queens Village or Jamaica...Real Estate brokers are bypassing Cease and Desist law by using Jamaica or Queens in the solicitations’ mailing address...PS18's PTA puts in a request to convert 235th Ct to a one-way. 200 signatures are collected by CCA against this proposal and we testify at CB13...Trees at a construction site on Moline St disappear, even after CCA warned Forestry Dept that the developer would benefit from their absence...105th Pct announces zero tolerance on double-parking around schools...CCA website upgraded, new domain name of creedmoorcivic.org is used. Many past issues of the Civic News is posted online...Flyers on car windshields are now illegal...Triangle at 235th and 888th Ave cleaned up by volunteers...CCA and Queens Colony members remove over 80 illegally posted signs...CCA decides to no longer make donations to the 105th Community Council after their board refuses to respond to questions regarding their finances.
2004
Drug-related murder on Moline St...Paper membership files converted into electronic files..Rally held at Queensboro Hall to protest overbuilding in Queens...New law passed making placing advertising stickers on private property illegal...CCA compiles and forwards list of 237 illegally posted signs in Bellerose to David Weprin and the Dept of Sanitation...Cedar Lane on Braddock shuts down...CCA visits Open House on 238 St and confronts real estate agent about illegal basement apartment...Car alarms are now required to reset after 3 minutes...Major graffiti cleanup in Bellerose and surrounding areas over several days....Homes now required to have carbon monoxide detectors...CCA cleans up trash on 87th Ave dead end...CCA joins other civics to report and stop illegal demolition on 88th Rd, east of the CIP....Civic starts expanded email list....Bowling Alley on Jericho closes.
2005
Graffiti vandals responsible for graffiti in Bellerose arrested...New banners installed on Jericho and Braddock light poles...CCA brings solicitation from private developer to media, forcing company to publicly apologize...’No Standing” signs appear on 88th Ave and 240 St, civic had not been informed of this, residents surprised and angry...24-hour laundromat opens on Braddock...Part of Jamaica Ave renamed Jericho Turnpike...Ambulance Corps building on Braddock and Lyman completed after extreme fire damage...Residents horrified at graffiti on store-front gate on Braddock. Owner states that he paid a convicted graffiti vandal to do it, he couldn’t afford a real sign for his new clothing store. CCA publicly criticizes owner after he reneges on promise to paint over “mural” within 3 weeks...Rabid raccoon trapped in Little Neck, first one in several years...CCA joins new anti-graffiti organization, C.A.G.E....Off-duty police officer assaulted on 242 St when he attempted to stop graffiti vandals...Illegal campaign posters litter Queens...Annual Halloween Parade has largest turnout ever with 90 participants...Sidewalks on 239 St replaced, concerns about the quality of the contractor’s workmanship.
2006
Creedmoor Civic News turns 75...It is now illegal to carry spray paint if you’re under 21...Commercial properties must now remove graffiti within 60 days...CCA reports an unscrupulous real estate agent, G&R Realty on Braddock. Local media picks up the story...MTA rep visits CCA meeting to hear complaints...CCA joins Tony Avella on Board of Standards and Appeals reform. Complaints about loud backyard parties increase...Mayor Bloomberg agrees to come to Bellerose for a Town Hall meeting, then cancels to attend a baseball game instead. CCA’s email list participants are notified promptly...CCA again suggests K-8 for IS109 and PS33...Abandoned car on 87th Ave ignored by 105th Pct for 3 months, despite repeated complaints...IS109 principal speaks at CCA meeting to address K-8 concerns. Attendance is disappointing.
2007
CCA finds faults with NYS Cease and Desist complaint procedure, complainant is not always entitled to know of final outcome...Infamous G&R Realty closes Braddock Ave office...Dog poop fines increase to $250....CCA celebrates 80th Anniversary at Queens Farm...CCA supports Mark Weprin and Frank Padavan’s legislation to restrict unsolicited circular advertising...Survey for “daylighting” signs at 88th and 238 shows no support...White safety bollards at 90th Ave and parkway service road are installed at CCA’s request....IS109 principal accused of assaulting a student...CCA gives kudos to Community Board 13 for its fast responses to several requests...Graffiti vandal responsible for many tags in our area arrested...Many complaints received about real estate companies’ “sandwich” signs...Mike Augugliaro of Queens Colony Civic honored for rescuing 17 trees on Jericho...Management at Key Food shopping Center finally forced to clean years-old graffiti off its storefront gates...CB13 in turmoil, district manager accused of unethical actions.
2008
CB13 district manager resigns...Frozen Cup closes down, CCA reports property sold, owner denies, CCA proven correct...CCA reports many clothing bin boxes are actually scams...CCA requests speed humps on 88th Ave...CCA votes to ask for 105th Precinct to be split into two precincts...Commanding Officer Stephen Haynes is gone - he was the most unresponsive C.O. to quality-of-life issues in many years...CCA reports 390 illegally posted signs to Dept of Sanitation, DOS removes the majority of signs within a week...Unsolicited flyer law passes....CCA receives an increase in complaints about cars blocking sidewalks...Glen Oaks Campus renamed Padavan Campus amid much controversy...Graffiti cleanup ongoing several times a year...LIJ plans major construction work...Little League rep speaks at CCA meeting to address noise complaints.
2009
Bellerose civics protest the construction of a hotel on old Frozen Cup site...Civics and residents rally to save Food Dynasty/Key Food on Braddock and Hillside...CCA successfully convinces a new homeowner that his practice of parking his car on his front lawn is not acceptable in our area. Dept of Building proposes rule that would limit citizens to 30 days to complain about illegal activity at a construction site...Bellerose Business District creates and distributes a cartoon map of Bellerose shopping area...Increase in the number of raccoons seen during the day...Increase in burglaries.
2010
New legislation prohibits solid roll-down storefront gates to combat graffiti...Yellow center lines repainted on 88th Ave, Moline, Gettysburg Sts at CCA’s request...Publish list of “22 things a burglar might not tell you”...Published aerial view of CCA area as it appeared in 1924...CCA testifies against legislation that would weaken existing anti-postering laws...Murder at party on 239 St...CCA replies to a homeowner that it is illegal to paint a driveway curb cut yellow...CCA reports fraud in local primary...Mark Weprin reports that commercial signage on residential property is illegal. It is suspected that homeowners are paid to keep the signs up for many months...Advertising accepted in our newsletter for first time in many years.
This is a shortened version of a decade's worth of newsletters and emailings. Hope it's somewhat informative. Feedback is welcome.
2000
Work behind 88th Ave homes is finally completed to cure illegally dumped dirt and concrete blocks on homeowners’ properties. Boro Prez Shulman got involved when the Little League refused. CCA suggest PS18 and IS109 convert to K-8 instead of middle schools.....8 acres of Creedmoor property at Hillside and Winchester sold, 100 2-family homes to be built, all existing structures will be demolished...Sen Padavan suggests a tax lien against properties that have unpaid DOB violations....CCA participates in rally to protest School Construction Authority’s violation of the Creedmoor Master Plan, which called for the full use of 26 acres to build 3 schools...Survey distributed to residents, biggest concerns are illegal cellar apartments, speeding, conversion to illegal 2 and 3 family homes, parking....Updates to CCA constitution were made, first changes in many years...After a decade of abandonment, Bellerose Theatre to be converted to retail and offices...CCA asks for Braddock to be resurfaced...CCA replies to residents’ complaints about an illegal auto repair on 237th St, several agencies responded, shutting down shop and vehicles towed...Bellerose Business District reports new businesses moving onto Jericho, refurbishing of green islands, new lampposts...Queens Building Commissioner speaks at CCA, 3 weeks later, he is arrested for accepting a bribe...Pigeon House on Moline St, which had 40 violations, is sold....New eastbound Hillside Ave exit for Clearview Expressway is planned...Five cats on Moline St found poisoned by rat poison...New banner for CCA created, replacing existing 30-year-old felt banner...VFW memorial on Braddock vandalized...President Rick Duskiewicz and RHCA president Barney Aquilino catch a real estate agent in a sting selling a house with an illegal basement apartment....Several “No Standing” areas created by Dept of Transportation in our area for safety...New 347 area code creates major headache for one resident, who received 6000 wrong numbers in a few months. VFW stone replaced.
2001
CCA publicly criticizes tall front yard fences, calls them “unnecessary and unsightly”...NYS’s Do Not Call law goes into effect...Dozens of trees on Jericho Tpke are poisoned...CCA members pose as private inspectors to shake up the developer at the Pigeon House site... CCA criticizes the paving over of front yards and backyards. Member catches someone rummaging through private mailboxes on 88th Ave.
2002
Jim Breininger donates boxes of his father Jack’s stock of newsletters from the 40s through the 80s...NYC attempts a new process to lift sagging sidewalk flags on Gettysburg St...CCA celebrates its 75th Anniversary at the Queens Farm...Water restrictions are in effect...Dump truck hits an overhead line on Braddock Ave, disrupting power to 1300 homes...Residents of 88th Ave are told they are no longer in School District 26. Total confusion from the Board of Education baffles the residents and CCA...Bellerose Business District now extends to Braddock Ave...Braddock and 242 St gets a traffic signal...Statue of St Greg vandalized...Cease and Desist lists are reinstated after US Court of Appeals ruling...Bike lane created on Winchester Blvd, creating confusion when approaching Hillside. CCA requests a “left turn only” lane from DOT...NYC residents will now be required to dial “1” before the area code and number for all calls...CCA votes to request conversion of PS33 and IS109 to K-8...Property tax increase to 18%
2003
CCA gets first look at proposed plans for Creedmoor Campus schools...School District Superintendent Michael Johnson refuses to meet with CCA regarding K-8 proposal. Johnson is forced out of office soon after...CCA reports that it’s received complaints about cars blocking sidewalks...Dept of Sanitation prohibits storage of dumpsters in front of stores...St Gregory’s celebrates its 50th Anniversary...US Senator Schumer visits Bellerose...Civic announces it will raise dues from $5. To $6...Glen Oaks Campus opens...All decks require permits, whether or not they’re attached to the house...CCA instrumental in convincing USPS to allow residents to use Bellerose Manor as a substitute for Queens Village or Jamaica...Real Estate brokers are bypassing Cease and Desist law by using Jamaica or Queens in the solicitations’ mailing address...PS18's PTA puts in a request to convert 235th Ct to a one-way. 200 signatures are collected by CCA against this proposal and we testify at CB13...Trees at a construction site on Moline St disappear, even after CCA warned Forestry Dept that the developer would benefit from their absence...105th Pct announces zero tolerance on double-parking around schools...CCA website upgraded, new domain name of creedmoorcivic.org is used. Many past issues of the Civic News is posted online...Flyers on car windshields are now illegal...Triangle at 235th and 888th Ave cleaned up by volunteers...CCA and Queens Colony members remove over 80 illegally posted signs...CCA decides to no longer make donations to the 105th Community Council after their board refuses to respond to questions regarding their finances.
2004
Drug-related murder on Moline St...Paper membership files converted into electronic files..Rally held at Queensboro Hall to protest overbuilding in Queens...New law passed making placing advertising stickers on private property illegal...CCA compiles and forwards list of 237 illegally posted signs in Bellerose to David Weprin and the Dept of Sanitation...Cedar Lane on Braddock shuts down...CCA visits Open House on 238 St and confronts real estate agent about illegal basement apartment...Car alarms are now required to reset after 3 minutes...Major graffiti cleanup in Bellerose and surrounding areas over several days....Homes now required to have carbon monoxide detectors...CCA cleans up trash on 87th Ave dead end...CCA joins other civics to report and stop illegal demolition on 88th Rd, east of the CIP....Civic starts expanded email list....Bowling Alley on Jericho closes.
2005
Graffiti vandals responsible for graffiti in Bellerose arrested...New banners installed on Jericho and Braddock light poles...CCA brings solicitation from private developer to media, forcing company to publicly apologize...’No Standing” signs appear on 88th Ave and 240 St, civic had not been informed of this, residents surprised and angry...24-hour laundromat opens on Braddock...Part of Jamaica Ave renamed Jericho Turnpike...Ambulance Corps building on Braddock and Lyman completed after extreme fire damage...Residents horrified at graffiti on store-front gate on Braddock. Owner states that he paid a convicted graffiti vandal to do it, he couldn’t afford a real sign for his new clothing store. CCA publicly criticizes owner after he reneges on promise to paint over “mural” within 3 weeks...Rabid raccoon trapped in Little Neck, first one in several years...CCA joins new anti-graffiti organization, C.A.G.E....Off-duty police officer assaulted on 242 St when he attempted to stop graffiti vandals...Illegal campaign posters litter Queens...Annual Halloween Parade has largest turnout ever with 90 participants...Sidewalks on 239 St replaced, concerns about the quality of the contractor’s workmanship.
2006
Creedmoor Civic News turns 75...It is now illegal to carry spray paint if you’re under 21...Commercial properties must now remove graffiti within 60 days...CCA reports an unscrupulous real estate agent, G&R Realty on Braddock. Local media picks up the story...MTA rep visits CCA meeting to hear complaints...CCA joins Tony Avella on Board of Standards and Appeals reform. Complaints about loud backyard parties increase...Mayor Bloomberg agrees to come to Bellerose for a Town Hall meeting, then cancels to attend a baseball game instead. CCA’s email list participants are notified promptly...CCA again suggests K-8 for IS109 and PS33...Abandoned car on 87th Ave ignored by 105th Pct for 3 months, despite repeated complaints...IS109 principal speaks at CCA meeting to address K-8 concerns. Attendance is disappointing.
2007
CCA finds faults with NYS Cease and Desist complaint procedure, complainant is not always entitled to know of final outcome...Infamous G&R Realty closes Braddock Ave office...Dog poop fines increase to $250....CCA celebrates 80th Anniversary at Queens Farm...CCA supports Mark Weprin and Frank Padavan’s legislation to restrict unsolicited circular advertising...Survey for “daylighting” signs at 88th and 238 shows no support...White safety bollards at 90th Ave and parkway service road are installed at CCA’s request....IS109 principal accused of assaulting a student...CCA gives kudos to Community Board 13 for its fast responses to several requests...Graffiti vandal responsible for many tags in our area arrested...Many complaints received about real estate companies’ “sandwich” signs...Mike Augugliaro of Queens Colony Civic honored for rescuing 17 trees on Jericho...Management at Key Food shopping Center finally forced to clean years-old graffiti off its storefront gates...CB13 in turmoil, district manager accused of unethical actions.
2008
CB13 district manager resigns...Frozen Cup closes down, CCA reports property sold, owner denies, CCA proven correct...CCA reports many clothing bin boxes are actually scams...CCA requests speed humps on 88th Ave...CCA votes to ask for 105th Precinct to be split into two precincts...Commanding Officer Stephen Haynes is gone - he was the most unresponsive C.O. to quality-of-life issues in many years...CCA reports 390 illegally posted signs to Dept of Sanitation, DOS removes the majority of signs within a week...Unsolicited flyer law passes....CCA receives an increase in complaints about cars blocking sidewalks...Glen Oaks Campus renamed Padavan Campus amid much controversy...Graffiti cleanup ongoing several times a year...LIJ plans major construction work...Little League rep speaks at CCA meeting to address noise complaints.
2009
Bellerose civics protest the construction of a hotel on old Frozen Cup site...Civics and residents rally to save Food Dynasty/Key Food on Braddock and Hillside...CCA successfully convinces a new homeowner that his practice of parking his car on his front lawn is not acceptable in our area. Dept of Building proposes rule that would limit citizens to 30 days to complain about illegal activity at a construction site...Bellerose Business District creates and distributes a cartoon map of Bellerose shopping area...Increase in the number of raccoons seen during the day...Increase in burglaries.
2010
New legislation prohibits solid roll-down storefront gates to combat graffiti...Yellow center lines repainted on 88th Ave, Moline, Gettysburg Sts at CCA’s request...Publish list of “22 things a burglar might not tell you”...Published aerial view of CCA area as it appeared in 1924...CCA testifies against legislation that would weaken existing anti-postering laws...Murder at party on 239 St...CCA replies to a homeowner that it is illegal to paint a driveway curb cut yellow...CCA reports fraud in local primary...Mark Weprin reports that commercial signage on residential property is illegal. It is suspected that homeowners are paid to keep the signs up for many months...Advertising accepted in our newsletter for first time in many years.