It is never too early to take steps to help protect your and your family from this disease spread by mosquitoes which affected up to 1,900 New Yorkers in 1999 and claimed seven lives. The West Nile Virus could return this year. There is no vaccine for this virus.
You can help by eliminating standing water on your property that can be breeding spots for mosquitoes. Roof gutters need to be checked and unclogged if necessary; unused swimming pools, outdoor saunas, and hot tubs should be emptied; the water in bird bath needs to be changed frequently; any old tires and other containers with water need to be discarded. Check under flower pots and drain off any standing water. Report areas of standing water that cannot be drained to the Health Department’s 24-hour automated West Nile Information Line: (212) 227-5269, or by accessing the Health Department’s website at: www.nyclink.org/health.
To help with the tire problem the Department of Sanitation has announced that they will accept up to four tires from passenger cars at any of their garages in New York City. Do not put tires out at the curb for pick up. Take them to the nearest garage. It is on Winchester Boulevard north of Union Turnpike (under the Grand Central Parkway). It is open from 8 A. M. to 4 P.M. Monday through Saturday, except holidays.
You can alternatively take tires to the Sanitation Department’s Self-help Bulk Site which is open seven days a week
from 10 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. including holidays. It is located in College Point on 30th Avenue between 120th and 122nd Streets.
Important: when bringing tires to any Department of Sanitation facility , residents must present a valid NY State drivers license and NY State Registration both with New York City addresses. No commercial vehicles are permitted. If you have any question concerning tire disposal call the Sanitation Action Center at (212) 219-8090.
The Parks Department has been busy working on a Tire Initiative. Over 450 tires scattered over Queens parks have been removed.
Larvacide is being placed in all sewer basins and wherever there appears to be stagnant water.
Senator Frank Padavan has announced that the New Your State Senate Committees on Cities and Health joint public hearing on the West Nile Virus will be held Thursday, May 18th at Queensborough Community College in Bayside. The rescheduled event will begin at 10 A. M. in Room M136, Medical Arts Building, Springfield Boulevard and 56th Avenue.
Officials representing city, State and Federal agencies working to prevent a repeat of last year’s viral outbreak are expected to participate in this public forum.
Mosquitoes are generally more active between April and October. During these months, the Health Department recommends that you take the following precautions:
· During the evening hours when mosquitoes are most active and likely to bite, wear protective clothing such as long pants, long sleeved shirts, and socks.
· Consider using insect repellents with no more than 30% DEET (the active ingredient) from dusk till dawn. Use 10% or less DEET for children. Do not use DEET on infants. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.
· Make sure that your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens.
Membership Meeting
Mon., May 8, 2000
8 PM
Bellerose Baptist Church
Braddock Ave. @ 240th St. - Enter from parking lot
We meet the
second Monday of each month except July & August
Car
Storage
Did you Know UNLICENSED CARS ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY IS NOT LEGAL?
Keeping an automobile without license plates on residential property is illegal as this is a violation of zoning regulations. The presence of unlicensed cars on residential property is considered the "dead storage of automobiles" and viewed as commercial activity only allowable on property so zoned. You can report such violations to Community Board 13 at 464-9700 or the Department of Buildings, 520-3402.
Help
Wanted at YMCA
The Cross Island YMCA is recruiting applicants for positions in the Y’s Summer Day Camp Program. Counselors and Unit Leaders are needed with varying qualifications. The “Y” is at 238-10 Hillside Avenue. For more information or to apply contact Darryl Hughes. His number is 468-9568.
Loud Music from Neighbors
The following is from the Mayor’s response to a letter from a Queens resident:
“One of my top priorities since taking office has been to improve quality of life for all New Yorkers. Nothing can be more disturbing to one’s own peace of mind than to be continually exposed to someone else’s loud music. I can understand how frustrated you must feel at this point.
It appears that you have attempted many avenues in an effort to resolve the problem. I suggest you pursue the matter further by calling the precinct’s community affairs officers at 776-9224 (ed. note: you may have to leave a message). The community affairs officers will gladly sit down with you to discuss what courses of action they can take, as we’ll as what you can do yourself. They will report to the Precinct’s commanding officer, who will oversee any action taken by the precinct. I wish you the best of luck.
Readers wishing to file a noise complaint with the Police Department’s Quality of Life Hotline should call 888-677-LIFE (5433). Customer service agents are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
Rudolph W. Giuliani
School
District 29 News
Michael Johnson, the new
Administrator has applied to become the next superintendent.
Last month we told you about irregularities in the handling
of CSB 29 computer contracts. This month, unfortunately we have to tell
you that it is now under investigation
by the Queens DA. Documents have been
subpoenaed, and the probe is going
deeper into the financial irregularities.
A $5.6 million contract provided
our schools with substandard computers, no access to the internet, and less
than minimal software. The children cannot learn on them. So, it appears that $5.6 million of your
taxes was spent on window dressing, an estimated overpayment of $4 million.
Our Association’s President
discussed local school problems with Assemblyman Faso, Minority Leader of the
Assembly.
SNAP
SNAP invites the community to a Health Fair on Friday, May 12 from 10 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. It will be held at Building 4, 80-45 Winchester Boulevard.
Participating vendors are from assisted living facilities, nursing care centers, rehabilitation programs, city department of the aging, lawyers, human resource administration, acute and sub-acute programs.
For more information, call 454-2100
Membership Renewal
Dues are still $5 per family. Continue to support your civic
association so that it can be there to support you!
Queens Braddock on the Internet
New Address
www.geocities.com/quensbraddock
Neighborhood News? Call 217-2214