MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE CREEDMOOR CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC.

Word has come down that an obscure law that has been honored in all boroughs but Queens must now be followed: Community Board members must re-apply for their jobs. Reappointment is no longer automatic. The newly elected City Council members and the new Borough President want to put their own stamp on the community boards and want their own people in those seats. 

It has been said that major changes probably won't happen, but then why make the fuss of asking for everybody to reapply? 

Other boroughs have been following this law for years, but under former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, only poor attendance was used to replace board members.  Many members have served for decades.  These new term-limited electeds seem to want to visit this term-limit notion on everybody.  Everyone is watching to see if this move will politicize the boards.
 

On Posting Signs 

The increase in illegal signs on many of the utility poles and trees is creating an eyesore for motorists and pedestrians. 

Complaints to the Sanitation Dept. about these signs for diets and real estate services, among others, have apparently gone unheeded. Supposedly the offending companies are fined, but they consider it a cost of doing business. Since the signs are not being removed by the Sanitation Dept., these companies continue to reap the benefits. Although our immediate civic area has very few of these signs, we will soon be working with the Queens Colony Civic Assn. to jump start the process of getting these signs reported and removed from Hillside Ave and Jamaica Ave. 
 

School Boards Making a Comeback? 

Just when you thought it was safe for public education, lobbies have been coming out of the woodwork to save the Community School Boards from extinction.  Noise is loudest from CSB 26, the best district in the City, and obviously one of the few that has been free of corruption, nepotism, and incompetence.  An Albany task force, however, has suggested that an advisory council be formed made up of parents and civic leaders, some of whom would be appointed by the Borough President, to help give voice to parents.  Since there are several competing proposals out there, it remains to be seen what happens.  If you want the Creedmoor Civic to endorse a particular plan, please come to our meeting and make your interests known. 
  

Dues Collection: The rest of the Civic area will be receiving their dues envelopes this month.  It would be helpful, since some people are in arrears, if you would mark your check indicating what year the payment is for.  Thanks.  Dues are still only $5.00 per family. 
  

Around the Town 

Volunteer needed: Our Welcome New Neighbor program welcomes incoming homeowners to our community.  Second Vice President Rosemary Parker has distributed many packages for over two years now. We are looking for a volunteer to help Rosemary distribute these packages or to pick up coupons from sponsors (they are all on Braddock, mostly around Gettysburg St.). 

If you'd like to help, please call 718-464-3369. 
  

Let there be lights 

The final administrative hurdle was achieved last month when the New York City Art Commission approved the design of the new Jamaica Avenue lampposts. These are being installed as part of a program of the Joint Bellerose Business District Development Corporation.  Welsbach is the contractor who will do the work under the supervision of the New York City Department of Transportation.  The Art Commission wanted all the poles along the Jamaica Avenue strip to be uniform, so poles and arms along the curb will be changed also, although that was not in the original plan because it was thought there wouldn't be enough money.  With the change in the economy, however, prices have dropped.  The old poles will be kept by DOT and used elsewhere in the city.  We are also getting 12 more poles to increase the light levels. Funds provided by State Senator Frank Padavan.