Pedestrian Problems Voiced At Vision Zero Meeting In Maspeth Queens Library Board Delays Vote On CEO’s Fate confidential draft of a proposed agreement” provided to members “as the first step in an effort to begin a conversation on the conditions of a possible transition of leadership at the library.” Taussig blasted unnamed trustees who allegedly leaked word of the supposed deal to the press. “It is disturbing that there appear to be members of the board who believe that it is acceptable for them to attempt to achieve their goals by disclosing information they know to be confidential and thus breaching one of their fundamental fiduciary responsibilities as trustees,” Taussig charged. Seven trustees, according to information provided by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz’s office, declared they would not act “in good faith” to negotiate “a new contract with” Galante. The trustees—identified as Michael Rodriguez, Haeda Mihaltses, Ed Sadowsky, Matthew Gorton, Maria Cocolino, Julissa Gutierrez and Judy Bergtraum—stated their intentions in a letter to Taussig last Monday, June 23. In light of that development, Taussig moved to cancel the meeting, telling The New York Times last Friday it was done after confidentiality about the meeting’s agenda was broken. Prior to the board ultimately cancelling its meeting last Thursday, Katz ripped the proposal and claimed Queens Library was trying to “beat the clock” on state reform legislation scheduled to take effect in the days ahead. One piece of legislation included a bill Katz authored with Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry and State Sen. Michael Gianaris to impose various measures reforming Queens Library’s operations, including giving the mayor and Queens borough president enhanced control over the board of trustees. Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law last Thursday, days after it was overwhelmingly approved by the Assembly and State Senate. Another law, the Non-Profit RevitalizationAct, “would set higher standards that would prohibit Mr. Galante from negotiating his own golden parachute,” Katz charged. “This is another painful example of how several of the trustees of this board have consistently blocked any sort of good governance or increased oversight reforms,” Katz said. The board of trustees previously deadlocked on an April resolution forcing Galante to take a leave of absence and, in May, agreed to provide City Comptroller Scott Stringer with financial information according to terms in an 1997 agreement between the library and then-City Comptroller Alan Hevesi. Stringer, seeking full financial disclosure from Queens Library for his audit, filed a lawsuit asking the courts to rescind the 1997 agreement. In addition to the comptroller’s audit, the FBI, the Justice Department and the Department of Investigation have each launched their own inquiries into Queens Library. A Queens Library representative did not indicate when the trustees would meet again, but noted it would provide public notice once a meeting is scheduled. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- Train Woes Top FOCA Meeting Strickler said the trains, which are elevated through Ridgewood’s northeast neighborhoods, have become louder lately as they link up, waking him in the night. He likened the clanking similar to being on an army camp, saying the trains sounded like explosions and sometimes even shakes the ground. After six emails to the NYAR with no response, he’s looking for other avenues, such as FOCA, to voice his concerns. FOCA President Dieter Vey explained that there’s been a citywide push to minimize transporting garbage via New York waterways, and instead use ground transportation such as trains and trucks. To further complicate the situation, it was noted, the locomotives operate at zero emissions standards and pay little attention to the neighborhoods they pass. Many rail cars are also carrying uncovered waste that, when stopped, and stink up the neighborhood for long periods of time, explained Vey. He noted the garbage trains take a “scenic cruise,” from Long Island to a Hudson River crossing upstate, then to points south. CURES and local politicians, including Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, have successfully pressured the railway to refit some of their locomotives to operate with higher emissions standards, costing them $3 million for just a couple of trains, according to Vey. They also seek to have the railcars covered to contain the smell and the debris. The coalition’s work is far from over. “We got to keep pushing and pushing,” said Vey. “If we all get together, we will have a bigger voice.” The Farmers Oval Civic Association will not meet in July and August. Its next meeting will take place on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. at Ridgewood Baptist Church, located at 64-13 Catalpa Ave. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- TIMES, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2014 • 28 done, some residents felt their voices have not been heard. Carol Terrano, a Woodside resident and Community Board 2 member, demanded a stop light on 50th Avenue to slow drivers who speed down the road off of Laurel Hill Boulevard in order to avoid a light at 61st Street. She was frustrated with the lack of action and said, “DOT is a useless agency ... they’ve done nothing for us,” gaining applause from the crowd. Terrano feared that sometimes the only way anything gets done is after someone dies or a cop gets hit. She is optimistic that the new pressure on the DOT from the mayor’s administration will finally bring about changes. Glendale resident Tom Murawski believes that pedestrians are not taking enough heat. He said he nearly hits someone almost everyday, especially young people on their cell phones and crossing against the light. Murawski’s wife, Cathy, had four youths “saunter” in front of her car when she had a green light. She reportedly asked them, “Do you want me to hit you?” and they allegedly replied, “Sure, go ahead and hit me.” While she feels the DOT is doing a good job addressing residents’ complaints, Cathy Murawski wished for more action against pedestrians who break the law. When asked about what was being done to educate young people, Hall said there were several programs out to inform youth about proper pedestrian laws and even educational courses that utilize classroom study and real world application. Bill Kregler, a Community Education Council District 24 member, also wants to see more action against pedestrians, but is not so excited about the program. “I’m not against it, its noble, but it’s not realistic,” said Kregler, who thinks the plan is a “money maker, rather than a deterrent.” He also questioned the city’s 200 traffic cameras which, according to Kregler, come with no warning signs, to drivers. In an interview after the meeting, Crowley stayed positive and agreed that the neighborhood specific needs voiced at the meeting would add to the citywide goal to end traffic deaths and injuries. Crowley said the DOT is a major player and with NYPD enforcement, “they will bring about safer streets.” -CONTINUED FROM PG. 3- City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley (at podium) addressed the crowd during Monday’s Vision Zero public hearing at Maspeth’s I.S. 73. Among those who participated in the forum were city Department of Transportation Queens Borough Commissioner Dalila Hall and Capt. Christopher Manson, the 104th Precinct’s commanding officer. (photo courtesy of Council Member Crowley’s office) IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY TO REGISTER TO VOTE! CALL 311 TO GET A REGISTRATION FORM Selling A Home Or Car? Renting An Apartment? Let TheTimes Newsweekly Classified Section Work For You! Call Us At 1-718-821-7500
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