My Very Dear Queens Villagers,

          I hope your holidays were happy and memorable.  I don’t have to remind you that it’s been a brutally cold winter so far.  But I do want to remind you to look after the safety and comfort of those in your immediate family or circle of friends, especially those who are aged or infirmed, so that they do not become victims of the dangerous cold.  Remember:  The Buddy System works.

          We finally got a nice night for our annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 12.  It was seasonably cold, without the snow or rain we usually have.  But there was a power failure in Veterans Park Plaza that night, and the lights on our beautifully decorated tree were not lit until a few days later.  We gratefully thank all those in attendance, especially Assemblywoman Barbara Clark, Senators Frank Padavan and Malcolm Smith, and Pastor Peggy Wuertele of the Redeemer Lutheran Church.  The church’s choir sang Christmas Carols beautifully.  Hot chocolate and freshly baked cookies warmed the hearts and spirits of all.

          Good news:  Two of the four All-Way Stop Signs we requested have been approved: at 92nd  Avenue and 217th Street, and 94th Avenue and 213th Street.  We are continuing our efforts to have such stop signs installed at 217th Street and 94th  Avenue (Queens Village Library corner) and 94th  Avenue and 212th  Street (Yellow Bus stop for kindergarten students).  These traffic signs will help to protect us and our children.

          Your civic is vigorously fighting, with the support of our elected officials and Community Board 13, the proposal to build 13 two-family semi-detached homes at 94th  Road and 212th  Street on land that is zoned for 9 single-family homes.  We are also supporting Assemblywoman Barbara Clark in her efforts to relocate the live poultry market at 98-04 Springfield Boulevard as it brings vile smells and unsanitary conditions and degrades the surrounding area.  We will keep you updated on these quality of life problems.

          Best wishes to Police Office Joseph Bonaventura on his retirement.  Joey was a fixture at our meetings for many years and worked with us closely on crime problems in our community and cared enough to make a difference.  His last assignment in the 105th  Precinct was Crime Prevention Officer.  We will miss him.

          I hope you will join us on January 20 in giving Queens Borough President Helen Marshall a “warm Queens Village welcome.”