Dear Members and Friends,

          Summer with its long days and warm weather is just around the corner.  Let’s hope that we won’t have too many loud and boisterous parties, especially those that go on all night and into the following morning.  We all enjoy good times and our style of music, but let’s not overwhelm our neighbors with such loudness that it requires police intervention to bring it under control.  Please keep the volume down.  Your neighbors will gratefully appreciate your concern for their peace and tranquillity.

          Evita Belmonte, Chairperson of the Queens Task Force on Parental Involvement, will be this month’s guest speaker. Also, our officers for the 2003-2004 civic year will be elected at the meeting.  They will be installed on June 17 at our annual dinner party.

          May 26 is Memorial Day. Remember to display Old Glory proudly. We hope that you will be able to attend Memorial Day ceremonies in Veterans Park Plaza, Springfield Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue, at 11:00 A. M. (Refer to article in the news page.)

          Our Assemblywoman Barbara Clark has obtained for us a grant of $3,000 to erect two signs in Veterans Park Plaza with the wording: “Welcome to Queens Village. Queens Village Civic Association supported by Assemblywoman Barbara Clark.”  We are waiting for the approval of the site and permits from the Parks Department before we can proceed with the project.  Our Executive Board and members send a great big THANK YOU to Assemblywoman Clark for her support of our community and our civic association.

          I hope you have a wonderful summer.

          I would like to see you at this month’s meeting, which should be very interesting and informative.  Bring a friend or neighbor.  Your support is needed to keep our association growing and vital.

          You can obtain a wealth of information about police activities in our community and be given the opportunity to express your concerns and complaints by attending the next meeting of the 105th Precinct Community Council on Wednesday, May 28, in the precinct located at 92-08 222nd Street, in Queens Village, beginning at 8:00 P. M.  The council meets on the last Wednesday of the month, except in July and August. The June meeting will be held on June 25. 

          Effective June 1, the New York City Department of Sanitation will increase minimum fines from $50.00 to $100.00 for violations of sanitation codes such as failure to keep your property clean and free of refuse, not sweeping up to 18 inches from your curb, improper disposal of your garbage and recyclables, and putting your receptacles out for collection too early.  Residents may not p1ace receptacles out for collection earlier than 8:00 P. M. on the day prior to collection during April through October. In the winter months from November through March receptacles should be placed out for collection no sooner than 5:00 P. M. on the day prior to collection.

          The increases were approved recently by the Environmental Control Board and did not require City Council approval because the increases were within the statutory range for each violation. Due to the City’s dire need for revenues to balance its budget, it is safe to assume that summonses will be issued promptly for such violations. If you have any questions about sanitation codes and fines, call the Sanitation Hotline at 1 (212) 219-8090.

RECYCLING TIRES
          The Department of Sanitation does not collect tires.  Old tires should be turned in when buying new ones.  Residents may bring up to four passenger car tires to any Sanitation Department District Garage Monday through Saturday, except on Holidays, from 8:00 A. M. to 4:00 P. M.   Our District Sanitation Garage QE l3A is located at 75-05 Winchester Boulevard. The telephone number is 1 (718) 217-9875.   Remember that discarded tires on your property are excellent places for mosquitoes to breed.