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TIMES, THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2014 • 10 HISTORIANS WANT ‘VIRTUE’ RETURNED But Beep Has Other Plans For Site Civic Virtue, as it once appeared near Queens Borough Hall and the Union Turnpike subway station in Kew Gardens. by Robert Pozarycki Queens historians and art buffs recently banded together to bring Civic Virtue—the controversial statue now residing at a Brooklyn cemetery—back to its former base in Kew Gardens. by Robert Pozarycki Emergency sewer repairs began on a Maspeth block yesterday, June 11, and may last through the middle of next week. According to information provided by Community Board 5, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is performing work on 52nd Court between 73rd and 74th streets from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. each day. Repairs are expected to be completed within five to seven business days. Reportedly, crews are in the process of repairing a defective sewer line that may have cracked or collapsed below the street. A private contractor which the DEP retained for this purpose is performing the necessary repairs. Although work is scheduled to be completed at 3:30 p.m. each day, as noted in a DEP emergency sewer repair advisory, “the contractor may go beyond those hours (but no later than 6 p.m.) in order to complete certain work operations during the day.R esidents along the block may experience a brief water service disruption while work is underway; the DEP will provide written notification a day before the disruption is scheduled. At certain times, the street may be closed to vehicular traffic and parking may also be prohibited. The agency will post notices in advance of any closures or parking regulations. Call 311 for more information. However, Queens Borough Presidnet Melinda Katz is not a fan of the idea and would rather turn the Kew Gardens site into a tribute to historic women from the borough. The Civic Virtue Task Force aims to return the Beaux Arts statue, which was recently restored while on loan to the Green-Wood Cemetery, to a fountain base located near Queens Borough Hall, where it had been on display since 1941. The city moved Civic Virtue to Brooklyn in 2012 amid outcries it depicted sexist themes. Designed by Frederick William MacMonnies— who designed Abraham Lincoln’s likeness for the 16th president’s memorial in Washington, D.C.— Civic Virtue depicts the Greek god Heracles standing above two sirens symbolic of vice and corruption. But the task force contends critics misinterpreted Civic Virtue’s symbolism, and the city now has the opportunity to return a work of art to its rightful borough—and in better shape than ever. “Civic Virtue really sparkles and shines now. It must be seen to be believed. The cleaning has done wonders for it,” said Ozone Park resident Richard Iritano, an activist and task force member. “Now that this public art has been restored at taxpayer expense, it needs to be put back on display on Queens Boulevard so the public can enjoy what our tax dollars have accomplished—not banished to a graveyard among the dead.” -SEE VIRTUE ON PG. 28- Crews Begin Impromptu Sewer Repair In Maspeth Could Take Week To Complete Fix LANDMARK $ FOR REPAIRS RPOCA Eyes Home Improvement Programs funds would be used for exterior repairs such as masonry repointing or cornice and stoop restoration. The loan program also covers interior work deemed necessary to preserve a building’s structural integrity. Walsh explained the short-term loans range from five to 10 years and offer an interest rate of about 5 percent. Much like standard second mortgages, the loans are secured through traditional forms of collateral. “We’re not interested in accruing interest,” she said, noting the quick repayment is necessary to keep the Historic Properties Fund loan program sustainable. Looking To Keep MVPORA Alive Leadership To Meet & Mull Civic Options area residents that have expressed some interest in keeping the civic alive. With no replacements, the MVPORA would ultimately fold, ending a group that began meeting in 1932. “There is a plan of action,” Candela said over the phone. “We will meet on Friday. We have a summer to try and revamp the board and whole organization.” Though no mention was made of the resignations or plan going forward, Candela was confident the by Robert Pozarycki Restoring historic buildings and replacing inefficient toilets were the hot topics at the Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association (RPOCA) meeting last Thursday night, June 5, at the Ridgewood Older Adult Center. Jim Mahoney and Blair Walsh of the New York Landmarks Conservancy, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving historic homes and buildings across the city, informed homeowners that they finance exterior restorations of their properties with a loan offered by the New York City Historic Properties Fund. The program covers not only properties in Ridgewood’s two designated landmark districts but also structures listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, Walsh stated. There are approximately 2,982 Ridgewood buildings on the national and state registers, including homes in the landmark districts, according to RPOCA Former President Paul Kerzner. Homeowners can apply for restoration loans ranging from $35,000 to as much as $300,000, according to Walsh. Most of the -SEE RPOCA ON PG. 52- by Noah Zuss Three officers of the Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association (MVPORA) resigned last month, but the president said work on a plan of action to keep the group alive is coming. As reported in the May 22 edition of the Times Newsweekly, Recording Secretary Jean Sausa, Corresponding Secretary Augie Trinchese and Vice President Arlene Micom said June’s meeting was their last as a MVPORA officers. With no volunteers to take their place, President Sal Candela previously said he would also resign if no new officers were elected at this month’s meeting, but has since reconsidered. On Tuesday, June 10—the day after the group’s latest meeting at St. Margaret Parish Hall—Candela told this newspaper he will convene a meeting tomorrow (Friday, June 13) with remaining board members and -SEE MVPORA ON PG. 52- Flames Hit Home In South Ozone Park No injuries were reported after a one-alarm fire erupted inside a South Ozone Park home early on Sunday morning, June 8. Fire Department sources said the blaze broke out at about 2:30 a.m. on the second floor of a home on 126th Street near 116th Avenue. Responding to the scene (listed in order of arrival) were Engine companies 302, 303, 308 and 275; Ladder companies 155, 126 and 133; Squad Co. 270; Rescue 4 and Battalions 51 and 50, under the direction of Division 13. The 106th Precinct and EMS units also responded. Two hose lines were used to bring the blaze under control, an FDNY source said. (photo: Allen Epstein)


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