6 TIMES • FEBRUARY 4, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com Conditions of medians and crosswalks at Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard after the blizzard. BY ANTHONY GIUDICE agiudice@ridgewoodtimes.com @A_GiudiceReport After near-record snowfall pummeled Queens in January, causing travel problems across the borough, one local politician believes snow could potentially cause havoc for pedestrians and bus riders in the MTA and Department of Transportation (DOT) Select Bus Service (SBS) plan, especially on the proposed medians. State Senator Joseph Addabbo took to Twitter on Wednesday, Jan. 27, stating that he does not feel the proposed medians in the SBS plan would be clear of snow after a snowfall, making it more diffi cult for riders to board the bus. “So now I’m convinced, that the proposed #SBS medians would not be cleared of snow or debris for the bus riders,” he tweeted. “Ever since the DOT and MTA proposed their plans for the SBS including the medians … I’ve been opposed to the medians. I have always advocated for the bus stops to be on the curb,” Addabbo said in a phone interview with the Ridgewood Times. “We saw that because of the slow reaction the administration had to snow removal in Queens, I have no confi dence that these medians would be clear in that kind of snowfall. If you keep people safe on the curb, at least they have a safe haven on the curb. I plan to bring up this issue once again during the DOT and MTA open houses.” Addabbo is concerned that the failure to remove snow from the proposed medians would put pedestrians and bus riders at risk. “It’s all about pedestrian safety at this point. I have no faith that pedestrians would be safe on these medians,” Addabbo said. “I appreciate DOT and MTA hearing our concerns.” The Woodhaven Resident Block Association (WRBA), which has been against the proposed SBS plan, feels Addabbo made a good point and agrees that median bus stops would be a problem, especially after snow. “I wholeheartedly agree with Senator Addabbo. Blocked medians at the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard whenever there has been snowfall has been a perennial problem,” said Alex Blenkinsopp, director of communications for WRBA. “The people of Woodhaven have known this is a problem for years. This is a signifi cant part of the widespread opposition to the proposal to put bus riders on the median.” Despite concerns about the SBS plan, members of the Riders Photo via Twitter/@AlexBlenkinsopp Alliance, an organization of subway and bus riders, have faith that the proposed medians would be clear of snow and help expedite bus service along the route. “I believe snow removal will be more effi cient when bus stops are moved away from the curbs. The curbs always have the worst snow piles from sidewalk cleanup and snow removed from cars,” said Alice Ostrowsky, Riders Alliance member and Rockaway Park resident. “I think SBS could benefi t riders, pedestrians and car traffi c by keeping traffi c moving smoothly. The plows always clear the middle traffi c lanes fi rst. Moving the buses off the service roads would help drivers who need to move parked cars. However, with safety for all in mind, I want MTA to be held accountable for clear pathways for bus riders and pedestrians alike now and under the proposed SBS plan.” Ridgewood school to host annual prom dress drive BY ANTHONY GIUDICE agiudice@ridgewoodtimes.com @A_GiudiceReport Help make a girl’s dream come true and send her to her prom in style by donating old, gently used dresses during the Joan England’s 3rd Annual PROMises Prom Dress Drive. The PROMises Prom Dress Drive was created by Joan England, who passed away two years ago. Now her daughter, Christine Nelson, has taken up her mission of giving young women who are unable to afford a dress the chance to wear an elegant gown to their prom. “I feel it’s important to keep the tradition going and most importantly, give back to the community,” Nelson said. “We always tell the girls who receive a dress that we just ask they pay it forward.” This year, the dress drive is being held at I.S. 93, located at 66-56 Forest Ave. in Ridgewood, in conjunction with the school’s “Cinderella’s Closet” campaign. Everyone is encouraged to drop off their old, gently used bridesmaid gowns, formal wear and other special-occasion evening wear and accessories at I.S. 93. Donations can be made on Saturdays, March 5, March 12, April 2, April 9, April 16 and May 7. Someone will be at the school from 12:30 to 1 p.m. to collect the dresses. There will be additional drop-off sites in Middle Village added as the event date draws nearer, Nelson confi rmed. The prom dresses will be given out during a special event at I.S. 93 on Saturday, June 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each girl will be able to select one dress. “Last year, we collected over 400 dresses and we put lots of smiles on so many faces,” Nelson said. “We had about 70 kids show up last year and the year before with many leftover dresses. We gave all the remaining dresses last year to John Adams High School in Ozone Park for their annual Prom Drive.” For more information, contact Christine Nelson at 718-629-8589 or through email at cnelson1125@ gmail.com. Snow adds to Woodhaven’s concerns over proposed SBS medians Ridgewood woman found dead oating on Brooklyn waterway BY ROBERT POZARYCKI rpozarycki@qns.com @robbpoz Detectives continue to probe the death of a 69-year-old Ridgewood woman whose body was discovered on the English Kills in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn last week. The body of Greene Avenue resident Elba Santiago was fl oating on the waterway near the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge and Grand Street at 10:07 a.m. on Jan. 27. Offi cers from the 90th Precinct responded to the location along with EMS units, who pronounced her dead at the scene. Her body was transported to the medical examiner’s offi ce to determine the cause of death. An investigation is ongoing. The English Kills is a tributary of the Newtown Creek; both waterways have been used by industry for years and are heavily polluted. Photo courtesy of Christine Nelson Volunteers at last year’s PROMises Prom Dress Drive.
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