My Very Dear Queens Villagers, 

          Warm summer greetings to all of you.  As another civic year comes to a close, I would like to reflect on the problems we have been addressing to maintain and improve our quality of life.

          We have been reporting illegal housing conversions to the Department of Buildings.  Such conversions of one-family homes to multiple-family dwellings are violations of Zoning Laws and create strains on our municipal services (school, police, sewer, sanitation, water, health, fire). Some of these housing units are built in violation of building and fire codes, sometimes resulting in the loss of life and damage to neighboring homes. Let us not let greedy
and unscrupulous homeowners and real estate brokers destroy the character of our neighborhoods with impunity. Trucks are parking on our local streets and not staying on designated truck routes. We are working with the 105th Precinct to combat the problem. Hopefully, summonses with heavy fines will deter the perpetrators.  To stop the speedsters on our streets and protect our residents, we will be asking the Department of Transportation for
All-Way Stop Signs and Speed Bumps where we believe they are needed.  (If you know of a location that needs them, please let us know.  Call (718) 468-2160).  Noise pollution is worse in the summer. You are advised to call the 105th Precinct at (718) 776-9090 for remedy.  We have been educating our residents about their responsibility under the Sanitation Code to keep their property clean and free of litter up to 18 inches from the curb and to keep lids on their
garbage cans.  And we are working with our elected officials to get illegal signs off street poles.

          We congratulate the two winners of our Educational Awards, Abigail Olson and William Gordon. They will be given the awards at our Annual Dinner and Installation of Officers Ceremony on June 18.

          I want to take this opportunity to thank all who make us an effective civic association:  Our Executive Board, members of our Committees, our elected officials, the people who produce and distribute our fine Newsletter, Community Board 13, the Queens Civic Council, and each and every member of the Queens Village Civic Association.  I am asking our members to encourage their neighbors to join us.  Although we continue to grow, we need many more voices and legs to help maintain and improve our quality of life.

          I wish you a safe and happy summer. Beware of scam artists who are dedicated to stealing your money or your property. Hang up on them on the phone, and don’t let them into your home.  I hope to see you on June 18 and enjoy with you our 45th Birthday Celebration.