FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com march 24, 2016 • TIMES 37 to carefully plan the festival, which runs from Menahan Street to Woodbine Street. I’m proud to say that due to these preparations not a single negative incident was reported during a fest that turned out to be our most successful ever. Highlights of the festival included its First Annual Poetry and Art Contest, whereby students from grades 3 to 8 were asked to submit an original poem or work of art on the subject of growing up in their neighborhood. Each of the participants’ work was displayed, much to the delight of children and adults alike. Prizes totaling $1,200 were distributed among the winners. The response to this contest was enthusiastic and the essays and art work submitted were a credit to our community. In addition, a Polish Night was celebrated and everyone who attended had a great time. Throughout the four days many not-for-profit and health care providers distributed information and pamphlets. Also, the Queensborough Community College Alumni Association (of which I am President), distributed day planners to all who attended. The Queens County GOP manned an information booth and one of its judicial candidates for the Civil Court, Michael O’Reiley, stopped by to say hello. So why would Community Board 5 and the Ridgewood Property Owners Civic Association so virulently oppose our festival? Certainly, Mr. Cardella must be turning over in his grave. Their attempt to deny us a permit not only does a disservice to his memory, but also to the residents who have enjoyed this cherished neighborhood tradition for so long. Therefore, I ask John Maier to produce his letter, referenced in the Ridgewood Times article that enumerates the “twenty reasons” why CB 5 voted to discontinue the event. As to the reasons given in his letter dated March 3, 2016 from CB 5 District Manager Gary Giordano to the Director of the Street Activity Permit Office, I turn to them in order. With respect to the alleged disruption of the Fresh Pond Road bus route, the 104th Precinct is now preparing a report which will verify that the festival caused no significant traffic delays or serious bus problems. Also, both CB 5 and RPOCA are grasping at straws when they allude to a shooting way back in 2008 which had absolutely no connection to the festival. This too will be demonstrated in the 104th Precinct report. Mr. Giordano clearly states in his March 3 letter that there never have been any serious crime incidents reported during the operation of the Fresh Pond Road Street Festival and, I’m proud to say, this fact remains true to this day. Lastly, Paul Kerzner seems to assume that certain local elected officials (some of whom have attended the Festival) will write letters supporting his organization’s effort to halt our festival. We at the Federazione respectfully request copies of any such letters, if indeed they are written, so that we can alert the voting public of Ridgewood and its surrounding neighborhoods. They will want to know who respects long standing neighborhood traditions such as the Fresh Pond Road Street Festival and who caters to the prejudices of those who do not. Finally, if I may be permitted a personal observation, let me say that I have many family members and dear friends from Ridgewood and I want them all to know that I will always fight to make sure that our local traditions and values remain intact. May we always stand together and remain united and strong and resist anyone who tries to eradicate our cherished neighborhood traditions. It’s what we were taught to do and it’s what we ought to do. Thank you and God Bless America. Michael Conigliaro Managing Director Federazione Italo-Americana Di Brooklyn and Queens, Inc. We at the Federazione Italo- Americana Di Brooklyn and Queens, Inc., respectfully request that all residents who want to continue to attend and enjoy the street festival, write letters to Michael P. Carey, Executive Director of the City of New York’s Office of Citywide Event Coordination and Management located at 253 Broadway – 6th Floor, New York, NY 10007, requesting that the City permit the four day street festival to take place this year, which is scheduled from Thursday September 8th to Sunday, September 11th. The more people show their support for the Festival, the better are chances are of having CB 5’s denial overturned on appeal. ADVERTORIAL
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