NEWSLETTER

  PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

               As we approach the Holiday Season and this festive time of the year, I wish all of you safe and happy times and good fortune when the new millennium begins on January 1.   Beware of scam artists who are everywhere at this time of the year trying to deceptively steal your hard-earned money.  Remember:  If it's too good to be true, it's probably a scam.

              I want to thank Queens Borough President Claire Shulman for addressing our members and guests at our October meeting on such important issues as school overcrowding and illegal housing conversions.  Several civic groups and their Presidents attended.  I also thank Richard Burns, Peter Richards, Rose Daddario, and Sally Martino-Fisher for helping to make the meeting a memorable one.  Your civic association did itself proud by the many Queens Villagers who came to see their Borough President and ascertain her views.

               Our civic association--and especially your President--was severely attacked last month by unscrupulous real estate speculators who earn substantial untaxed monies from illegal housing and basement conversions.  They are not residents of New York City and are very upset because we believe that they should not be allowed to continue these illegal conversions without impunity.   We are not against housing conversions and basement apartments constructed in compliance with building and zoning laws.   I am sick to the stomach by the greed of these speculators who have no regard for our quality of life and do not care if they destroy our neighborhoods of one-and-two-family homes.  I urge all residents and civic groups to petition their elected agents, purchasers, and sellers to certify that the property up for sale doesn't have any illegal dwelling units, and prohibit the Department of Buildings from issuing new permits to violators who have not paid their fines.  I gratefully thank the elected officials and civic and community leaders who have condemned the attacks made against me and our association and support us for speaking out against unlawful activities that enrich the pockets of a few at the expense of diminishing the quality of life in our communities. 

               The flu and cold season is upon us.  Remember to look after the elderly, who are the most vulnerable.  The "Buddy System" works.

               Our Assemblywoman Barbara Clark is the scheduled speaker at this month's meeting.   I hope to see you there.

               To all Queens Villagers:    Happy Holidays and have a Bountiful Thanksgiving.

                                                               Yours Respectfully,

THANKS A HEAP!

          Our newest members are Emily Coyle (218 St), John and Ann Furran (221 St), Helen Kelly (218 St), Marilyn Oestreicher (Vanderveer St), and Alexandra Rosa (215 St).  We have added 12 new members since the beginning of our current civic year in September.  If you have been thinking about joining us, you can do so at our regular monthly meetings or by using the membership application form in this Newsletter.  We need you to increase our strength and our clout as we fight for programs and City services to maintain and improve our quality of life.

          If you see a red mark by your name label on this Newsletter, it means that you have not paid your current dues of $5.00 (plus $2.97 to cover the cost of postage if you live outside of our civic area).  Kindly remit your dues to our Financial Secretary Rose Olson at this month's meeting or mail your check, payable to the Queens Village Civic Association, at P. O. Box 0766,  Queens Village, NY 11428-0766.  Our civic year runs from September 1 through August 31.  Your support is gratefully appreciated.