Statements Regarding the Blizzard

We are getting reports from all around Woodhaven and we are aware — and share your frustration — that we haven’t been plowed yet.  Here are what our elected officials are saying:

State Senator Joe Addabbo:

“I have the utmost respect for the NYC Department of Sanitation workers, and I thank them and others for their efforts following the blizzard. I am disappointed and bothered by the lack of priority given to the residential side streets throughout our communities many hours after the snowfall. These streets remained unplowed and unmanageable for emergency vehicles, people on their way to work and those who had doctor appointments.

“Given the amount of notice that this sizable snow storm was coming and all the hours that passed after the storm, having the streets not plowed is totally unacceptable.”

Assemblyman Mike Miller:

“During the early hours of the storm, the city did a phenomenal job of keeping the roads safe. Unfortunately, at some point during the night, they were overloaded. Our sanitation workers have been working hard, some of them pulling double shifts and putting in extra hours, but its time that the residents of Queens get the help they need.  It has been over 48 hours since the storm passed and our lives are still being disrupted by the snow. This is just another example of how Queens and the residents of my district constantly get the short end of the stick. This is a disgrace”

Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley:

The Dept of Sanitation is making every effort to plow all city sreets, much frustration is had here in Queens over the shape of the roads please know that if you called the office, sent an email or message on facebook that we are forwarding all info to the DSNY and I am hopeful that every road will get plowed by this evening.

Ms. Crowley was also collecting complaints from her constituents via Facebook.  Also active on Facebook was Councilman Eric Ulrich who posted the following:

I just took this photo outside my apartment. Its already past midnight and not even my street has been plowed yet. The city’s slow response is simply unacceptable.

He posted the following picture:

Meanwhile, do not hesitate to call 311 and let them know your street hasn’t been plowed yet.  And follow it up by reporting road conditions to the public advocate:

http://advocate.nyc.gov/roadconditions

This has been more than an inconvenience — it has been a disaster.  It has put lives at risk.  It has been an economic bombshell at a time when our businesses can least afford it.  As you can see above, our elected officials are in the same boat and share your frustration.

 

Looking to Donate a Toy?

We’ve receive a few questions the past few days from people looking for local toy drives they can contribute to.

There’s still time to contribute to St. Thomas’ Annual Giving Tree.  Bring your unwrapped present to the St. Thomas Rectory, 87-19 88th Avenue Monday through Friday between 9 and 5.

You must bring your gift before December 21st (next Tuesday).  Call 718-847-1353 for more information.

All toys are given to families and children in need — people who really need help at this time of year.

 

 

Sen. Addabbo Throws Free Holiday Party at Oak Ridge in Forest Park

State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr., representing District 15 (which includes Woodhaven) is throwing a free holiday party tomorrow at One Oak Ridge in Forest Park.  The party is on Monday, December 13th between 4 and 7 PM.

And you are all invited!

The party is open to all, and there is free parking available in the Golf Course Parking Lot directly across from Oak Ridge.  Light refreshments will be served and you’ll have an opportunity to meet and greet your neighbors along with some of your elected officials.

Senator Joe is a good friend to our community and to the residents of Woodhaven — he’s turned up at most of our Town Hall meetings and been very helpful to a lot of our residents.    We hope you’ll take Joe up on his hospitable offer — and enjoy a nice holiday party in Woodhaven.

If you have any questions or need more information, please call 718-738-1111 or 718-497-1630

 

 

Thank You from the WRBA

We just wanted to pass along our thanks to everyone who made donations and contributions to today’s party for the Aktion Club at the Woodhaven Volunteer Ambulance Corps, hosted by the Glendale Kiwanis.  The party was a terrific success.

Here are the gifts prepared for the developmentally challenged adults by the Glendale Kiwanis.  Through your generosity, we were able to add at least one present to each gift bag.

Many thanks to the Glendale Kiwanis, Assemblyman Mike Miller and his staff, and the Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps for allowing the Woodhaven Residents Block Association to take part in this special day.

There are a lot of things that the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association can do — we’ve shown that we can make noise and get attention.  It’s nice to know that we can pull together and do something nice for others, especially at this time of year.  We hope that we can do more of that in the upcoming year.

If you’d like to be part of that in 2011, please note that our first meeting of 2011 is on Saturday, January 8th at 1 PM at the Woodhaven Volunteer Ambulance Corps — 78-15 Jamaica Avenue.