My Very Dear Queens Villagers,

               I hope you have been preparing for the soon to come cold and snowy days of winter.  Some of us will find this weather invigorating, while others will pine for the warm days of summer. To each of us comes our favorite season, and cold-weather people now have their days.
               We congratulate our representatives who were elected on November 5.  Most were incumbents, and we look forward to continue working with them to improve our quality of life.
               I am appealing to the merchants in our community who do not keep their storefronts and property clean and free of litter. Such conditions hinder your business and do not promote community pride. Also, you may be fined by the Department of Sanitation for code violations.
          Our 105th Precinct Police must be commended for the good job they do in serving our communities. The precinct covers the largest geographic area in Queens.  We have been fighting for years to have another precinct added to the present confines of the 105th Precinct, but may have to settle for the Police Task Force Patrol to be housed in Rosedale.
               On Friday, December 13, we will have our Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Veterans Park, at Springfield Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue, beginning at 7:00 P. M.  Bring your family and friends to enjoy this festive occasion.  (Look for more information in the news page.)
               Local school boards are being eliminated in 2003.  School Board 29, which serves our community, has failed many students, as is evidenced by low achievement test scores and fraud scandal.  What replaces the school boards must be in the best interests of the children and children must come first.  Schools Chancellor Joel Klein and our elected officials have a lot of work to do to ensure that a child in any school district has the opportunity and encouragement to get a good education.  They will need the support of parents, teachers, students, concerned citizens, and community organizations.
               Have a bountiful Thanksgiving and a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season. To our Muslim friends, Happy Month of Ramadan.  I hope to see you on November 19 and December 13.

          How are you and your loved ones doing since September 11?  CAPE of the Samuel Field YM and YWHA is a designated Project Liberty Provider. They offer free and confidential individual and group crisis counseling and educational services by specially trained bilingual professionals and non-professionals. Their goal is to provide emotional support and understanding to those affected by the September 11 disaster and to plan strategies for reducing stress. The CAPE/PROJECT LIBERTY team will come to your home, workplace, or community agency. To arrange this, contact Dr. Emma Matos, CSW at CAPE, by calling (718) 224-0566. Spanish speaking people should call (877) 298- 3373. Funding is made available through FEMA/CMHS.

          Elder abuse is when a family member or caregiver hurts a person who is 60 years of age or older. There are four types of elder abuse: Physical:  (including hitting, pushing, or shaking); Emotional: (including harassment or intimidation); Financial:  (including cons and scams or the theft of monthly checks), and Sexual (any sexual contact without  consent). The signs and symptoms of elder abuse are indicated by the sudden inability to pay bills or buy  food or medicine, unexplained injuries or bruises, changes in mood, depression, or tiredness, or the lack of contact with family and friends.
         If you or someone you know is being abused, please call the Queens District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Project at (718) 286-6562. The services are free of charge, private, and confidential. They include abuse prevention seminars, support in dealing with the court system, counseling, and referrals to other services. For counseling and referral services 24/7, use the Elder Abuse Hotline, (212) 227-1227.