FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com JULY 7, 2016 • THE COURIER SUN 27 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com JULY 7, 2016 • TIMES 13 oped oped FOR MORE NEWS VISIT QNS.COM This might seem hard to believe, but this picture taken at the turn of the 20th century shows a serene lake in Glendale in what was once one of the area’s most beloved picnic parks. Banzer’s Cypress Hills Park and Hotel was located on present-day Cypress Hills Street (then known as Fresh Pond Road) near what would become the Jackie Robinson Parkway. It was founded by a local tombstone builder Joseph Banzer. The sixacre lake was the park’s centerpiece and drew families through the decades on beautiful spring and summer days to enjoy an afternoon of country-style leisure not too far from the city. The park closed in 1929 and was later transformed into a cemetery. Send us your historic photos of Queens by sharing them on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/QNS, emailing them to editorial@qns.com, or by mail to The Ridgewood Times, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All mailed pictures will be carefully returned upon request. letters & comments JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED, POPE SAYS Pope Francis has offered an apology for all those that the church has offended. He said this on June 26 upon his return trip from Armenia. He was referring to gays, lesbians and poor people who have been exploited. Pope Francis said, “I think the church must not only apologize to a gay person, but must apologize to the poor, to women who have been exploited, to children forced into labor.” As a Catholic and as a member of the Knights of Columbus, I wholeheartedly applaud Pope Francis for coming forward and saying what had to be said. He has asked for forgiveness for wrongs committed in the past. In my opinion, he wants us all to get back in what Jesus taught, and that is to love one another. Would this not be a better world if we did not judge others unfairly? Also as it says in the Lord’s prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses and we forgive others’ trespasses against us.” We need to listen to Pope Francis and follow his example by forgiving others who have wronged us and those we have also wronged. Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Glen Oaks Village WHAT’S BAD FOR THE GEESE ISN’T GOOD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY Regarding the 50 Canada geese near JFK rounded up and slaughtered: This is an easily avoidable fi x — that the airports refuse to take. My organization, along with GoosewatchNYC, met with Westchester Airport offi cials last year, presenting them with information on upgrading to modern, effective alternatives such as drones and avian radar for humane wildlife control, which have been used successfully elsewhere. Airport contracts with USDA Wildlife Services allow for lethal methods as well as outdated pyrotechnics, etc. We also brought the president of Geesebusters, a guaranteed, less expensive, non-lethal method that Wildlife Services refuses to even allow a demonstration. In fact, we further presented proof that Wildlife Services is not adhering to FAA guidelines, which call for open bidding for airport assignments and is not being done. A year later, nothing has changed, with Ferguson blithely stating they are ‘happy’ with Wildlife Services. According to National Geographic’s “Bloody Skies: The Fight to Reduce Deadly Bird-Plane Collision,” Captain Sullenberger of the “Miracle on the Hudson” himself denounces slaughter, favoring modern methods: “Sullenberger defers to Yossi Leshen, a senior researcher in Tel Aviv University’s zoology dept. Leshem’s research has helped the Israeli Air Force dramatically reduce bird strikes through non-lethal means, which consist of avian radar, motorized gliders and drones.” For the sake of wildlife — and the safety of the traveling public — we urge every airport to incorporate newer technology that will benefi t all. Kiley Blackman, founder Animal Defenders of Westchester STILL WAITING FOR JUSTICE AFTER SON HAS STUFF STOLEN Almost two years ago, my 15-year-old son was robbed of a brand-new iPhone and an expensive pair of sneakers (total value about $1,000.00) by someone that he knew. This youth (16 years old) was easily apprehended by New York’s fi nest. When this youth appeared in court he was order to pay “restitution.” I wanted to sue the parents in small claims court, however the Criminal Justice System would not provide me with the necessary information (address) to serve papers in order top protect this criminal. I was told that in order to obtain this information that I should hire a lawyer. Well I’ve waited patiently for almost two years and have not seen a penny. In addition, I occasionally hear from our ultraliberal Governor Andrew Cuomo that reforms must be made in order to protect youthful offenders. Governor Cuomo has numerous politicians who support his agenda. When will my fellow voters wake up and get rid of this regime which protects criminals and does nothing for victims? I proudly boast I vote against them all, however our society continues to go down. Thomas Murawski, Glendale LIBRARIANS TAKE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSONALLY BY DENNIS WALCOTT It seems like the news is fi lled with more and more stories about a u t o m a t e d customer service. Virtual assistants, apps that answer your questions, chatbots that designers swear act and sound like humans — there’s a large premium being put on building artificial i n t e l l i g e n c e that can answer questions and mimic the experience of talking to a real person. Queens Library has a better solution: real people who are helpful, understanding and welcoming, who speak multiple languages, and who know how to fi nd the answers to almost anything. Queens Library didn’t invent it, but we probably perfected the art. From my desk on the fi rst fl oor of Central Library and during my frequent visits to community libraries, I talk to library users about why they are visiting the library. They readily share what they are looking for. It can be anything from getting help using computers, to fi nding information about a serious medical diagnosis for a loved one, to looking for information about gnats for a child’s school science project, to getting reading recommendations. Queens Library’s staff is brilliant at zeroing in on just what is needed, and helping the customer access it, whether it is an online resource or in a book. In a survey we conducted recently, staff assistance ranked as one of the most important reasons that people come to the library. Queens Library’s staff truly love working with the community, and it shows. They even answer questions you are not sure how to ask: “My daughter read all the Harry Potter books. Now she wants to read something that’s like Harry Potter, but not exactly like it, with less magic. Know what I mean?” Our talented staff answered 3 million questions from library customers last year. All you need to do is walk in the door. Even when you can’t, you can ask questions via text, chat, email and phone. Go to www.queenslibrary. org/ask-a-librarian anytime or dial 718-990-0714. Reference service is available in Spanish and Chinese through the web page, too. And if the subject of computer-assisted research versus human research interests you, borrow the classic fi lm “Desk Set” with Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey, available from Queens Library. You’ll love it. Dennis M. Walcott is president and CEO of the Queens Borough Public Library. A LOOK BACK This might seem hard to believe, but this picture taken at the turn of the 20th century shows a serene lake in Glendale in what was once one of the area’s most beloved picnic parks. Banzer’s Cypress Hills Park and Hotel was located on present-day Cypress Hills Street (then known as Fresh Pond Road) near what would become the Jackie Robinson Parkway. It was founded by a local tombstone builder Joseph Banzer. The six-acre lake was the park’s centerpiece and drew families through the decades on beautiful spring and summer days to enjoy an afternoon of country-style leisure not too far from the city. The park closed in 1929 and was later transformed into a cemetery. Send us your historic photos of Queens by sharing them on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/QNS, emailing them to editorial@qns.com, or by mail to The Queens Courier, 38-15 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361. All mailed pictures will be carefully returned upon request. QUEENS LIBRARIANS TAKE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSONALLY JUDGE NOT LEST YE BE JUDGED, POPE SAYS WHAT’S BAD FOR THE GEESE ISN’T GOOD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY STILL WAITING FOR JUSTICE AFTER SON HAS STUFF STOLEN
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