My Very Dear Queens Villagers,
          Fall is in full swing, bringing cooler days and nights, and falling leaves of gold and brown and varied colors that remind us that autumn is the season when nature is most beautiful.  Bring the crisp, clean fall air into your home through open doors and windows, but remember to lock them when you leave your home or go to bed.  Many burglaries have been committed in our community because of unlocked doors and windows.

          I have some good news to report:  New York State has renewed the Cease and Desist List that prevents real estate brokers and agents from calling your home or mailing solicitations for the sale of your house.  The old list has expired, and you must register by November 30 to have your name placed on the new list that goes into effect in January, 2005.  We will have registration cards for the new list available at this month’s meeting.  We thank Senator Frank Padavan for spearheading the cause to have the list renewed, and also the many civic leaders and homeowners who spoke strongly for its renewal.

          We are having a membership drive.  We are trying to reach as many people as possible in our civic area to let them know that we exist and that we work for the community and are in need of their support.  Hence, we will have available at this month’s meeting copies of our Newsletter, and ask those in attendance to distribute them in their block.  Also speak to neighbors and urge them to join us.  Membership is unity, and unity is strength.

          Illegal advertising signs on city utility poles, telephone poles, public fences, and trees continue to proliferate in Queens Village.  We are asking you to make a list of addresses of where such signs are posted in your neighborhood so that we can report them to the Department of Sanitation for removal.  Your list can be given to us at our meetings. (Refer to article in the news page.)

          Our thanks go to Community Board 13 for working with the Department of Transportation (DOT) in having Hillside Avenue repaved from Francis Lewis Boulevard to Braddock Avenue.  We expect Jamaica Avenue to be repaved from 216th  Street to Francis Lewis Boulevard in the near fixture.

          Our Vice President Amelia Kent, one of the rocks of our association, has been hospitalized and is undergoing tests.  We wish her a speedy recovery.  She is in our prayers.

          To those in our membership celebrating High Holy Days:   May your prayers be answered.