MarineParker.net

MEETING NOTICE
* TUESDAY *
FEBRUARY 23^rd, 2010 @ 8:00 P.M

P.S. 222 – Auditorium

3301 Quentin Road

Concerns about the neighborhood?  Crime? Development?  Go to tonight’s MPCA meeting and have your voice heard!

As discussed on MARINEPARKER  last week, the recent rise in crime has had many local citizens alarmed, and rightfully so.  However, these crimes are not just central to Marine Park, as Mill Basin has been targeted as well.  Last month, MPCA President Greg Barruso told the 63rd Precinct:

There was an armed robbery on Avenue S and East 37th Street last week where three 17-year-old kids were held up and they took their money and jewelry,” he said. “I’m not happy that there’s been nine robberies since November. I want to know, what are you doing about it? You have no arrests, you have no descriptions.

At last week’s Mill Basin Civic Association, Lieutenant Robert Haley had very similar concerns.  With both local neighborhoods now being seen as easy targets, its important for neighbors to be vigilant and if something appears to be suspicious, call it in to the 63rd Precinct. 

In addition, the next MARINE PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATION meeting will be held on Tuesday February 23rd at 8:00 PM in the P.S.222 Auditorium – these issues NEED to be addressed.

Click here to read the entire Courier-Life article.

Thank you to Alexandra for e-mailing MarineParker concerning this morning’s shooting as well as some other occurrences in our  neighborhood:

I was just reading 1010wins.com and found this article quite alarming:
 
http://www.1010wins.com/Cops–Brooklyn-Woman-Shot-Outside-Marine-Park-Home/6287525
 
I thought you guys may want to research the situation and post it on your site(s).
 
Also, the Kings Courier reported several burglaries in last week’s police blotter, one of which near PS 222 around 10/11 pm.  Supposedly a man was held at gun point.
 
As an avid reader of both GerritsenBeach.net and MarineParker.net, I suggest that you please encourage your readers/viewers to remain alert and vigilant while walking around our neighborhoods.

Great advice!  If anyone has other tips or concerns, please let us know!

Around 8 AM this morning a woman was shot as she was leaving her house on Coleman Street near Quentin Road, on her way to work.  The alleged gunman, wearing camouflage fatigues and a ski mask, was waiting outside her house when he pulled the trigger.  One news report states she was shot in her leg, another states she was shot in the head.  Fortunately, both report that the woman survived.  There are also conflicting stories as to whether he was in his car or fled on foot. 

In addition, a local surveillance video caught this all on tape, which was given to the police.  Kudos, vigilant neighbor. 

For the news reports, check out 1010 Wins , WPIX , ABC and Courier-Life.

Source: http://samrainer.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/haiti.jpg

From NewYorkPost.com, courtesy of Thomas Tracy of Courier Life:

Neighborhood residents will soon be joining the ongoing effort to help the thousands of families devastated by last week’s earthquake in Haiti.

Local elected officials and members of Millennium Development announced the kick-off of a massive fundraising/collection drive for the embattled residents of the mountain country.

Over the next two weeks organizers will be collecting canned goods, non-perishable food and financial donations at local legislative offices and through Millennium Development’s senior centers and after school programs in Mill Basin, Marine Park, Flatlands, Midwood, Bergen Beach, Flatbush and Canarsie.

The drive is being sponsored by City Councilmembers Lew Fidler (D-Mill Basin) and Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush), Assemblymember Alan Maisel (D, Marine Park) and other local elected officials.

“If every other kid attending these programs brings in a can, we’ll be in good shape,” Fidler told members of the 61st Precinct Community Council last week. “We all know someone who has family and friends in Haiti. We need to step up and do what any civilized nation ought to which is provide humanitarian relief.”

City Councilmember Jumaane Williams (D-Flatlands), who has also joined the effort, is among legislators allowing cans and perishables to be dropped off at his office at 4517 Avenue D.

“Ideally financial contributions are needed,” Williams said. “We are working with the Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef Jean’s organization until the infrastructure in Haiti is in place to distribute the supplies.”

Because ports and airfields are either closed or clogged, monetary donations will provide the most immediate help, Fidler noted, although canned and non-perishable food and medical supplies will be needed in the coming weeks.

Monetary donations will be given to groups supporting the relief effort, organizers said. Checks should be placed in a sealed envelope with the word “Haiti” written on it, and be payable to either the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders or American Jewish World Service.

Paul Curiale, Executive Director of Millennium Development, said that not only will the children attending his organization’s programs help those in need, they will learn something about community service.

“Letting the kids know how important it is to help fellow human beings in time of need is a terrific object lesson for them,” he said.

LOCAL LOCATIONS ACCEPTING DONATIONS:

• Lew Fidler’s office, 1402 East 64th Street
• Alan Maisel’s office, 2424 Ralph Avenue
• Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein’s District Office, 3520 Nostrand Avenue
• Bergen Beach Active Adult & Senior Center, 2335 Bergen Avenue
•  Marine Park Active Adult & Senior Center, Avenue U and East 33rd Street    

Millennium Development youth programs that will be collecting donations (from after-school children only) include: 

• IS 78, 1420 East 68th Street
• PS 255, 1866 East 17th Street
• PS 251, 1037 East 54th Street
• PS 236, 6302 Avenue U
• PS 222, 3301 Quentin Road
• PS 207, 4011 Fillmore Avenue
• PS 203, 5101 Avenue M

Anyone wishing more information can contact Lew Fidler’s office at (718) 241-9330.

Brownstoner has requested readers to submit their favorite buildings and MarineParker is excited to announce that the Lott House is the first one featured.  In stark contrast from the buildings and neighborhoods that Brownstoner typically covers, we are very excited that the Lott House (as well as the Wyckoff-Bennett House on East 22nd Street) has been featured.  Click here to read the post.

Thanks, Brownstoner!

As many of you have noticed by now, the Department of Transportation has done a considerable amount of work on Gerritsen Avenue –  removing two lanes of traffic, re-striping of lanes and adding a center median, and adding a pedestrian median at its intersection with Avenue U.  Strongly a pessimist when it comes to “traffic reconfiguring” projects, I was not confident that this would be a successful endeavor.  Sadly, I think I am correct.  In my estimation, the removal of two lanes of traffic has caused further congestion and the turn from Knapp Street onto Gerritsen Avenue heading north has become even more treacherous than it was before.  For further information and some VERY TELLING photographs, you must visit GerritsenBeach.net’s coverage of the project. 

Does this impede FDNY from exiting their firehouse for emergencies if there is a line of traffic backed up from each direction?  How does this impact traffic on Gerritsen Avenue when buses pull over in the “parking/standing” lane?  Is traffic forced to drive on the striped median if the bus is unable to pull over?  Conversely, does this faciliate easier crossing for kids from Good Shepherd or Marine Park JHS?  Thoughts?

What are your feelings on DOT’s new traffic reconfiguration?

State Senator Marty Golden announced that as of Monday, November 9, 2009 he will be maintaining increased office hours at his office located at 3604 Quentin Road. The office currently operates Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Senator Golden’s staff will now be available to the community to address concerns and complaints, or to seek information, on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Appointments will be made to accommodate those that cannot visit the office during these set hours of operation.

Senator Golden stated: “Every area within my district is important to me and I hope that these expanded office hours will show my continued support for my constituents in Marine Park, Sheepshead Bay, Gerritsen Beach and Gravesend. I invite the community to speak with my staff about issues that matter to them or to seek our help in trying to resolve problems with State and City agencies.”  

Due to the New York State budget cuts Senator Golden’s office at 3610 Quentin Road was forced to close after six years of providing services to the community. In order to contact the office or make an appointment, you can call (718) 238-6044.

MEETING NOTICE
* TUESDAY *
OCTOBER 27th 2009 @ 8:00 P.M
P.S. 222 Auditorium
3301 Quentin Road between East 33rd and 34th Streets

Residents of E38th street won an unsettling victory last night. 90% of 38th street had a meeting last night with about 55 people. To ask/confront the future owner with questions and concerns.

One of the crowds main concerns was their property values. The buyer stated that she already has a day care center and her values have not been affected. The crowd was not moved by her statement and stuck to their position that the day care center would affect the values.

Because it was going to be a “family day care center” someone had to live there by law, her parents would have been living there.

The buyer has been “turned off” by the block and now does not want to be on the block or her parents to be there. The buyers option are: buy then sell the house, keep it and rent it out, or go bail out of their contract.

Some of the issues brought up:
As to the health of the elderly person living next door in the attached home. She stated that she cant take responsibly for someones health.