TIMES, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 • 24 Congresswoman Takes Campaign For Glendale ZIP Code To Capitol Hill Meng initially announced the pending bill during last Wednesday’s (Oct. 8) Community Board 5 meeting at Christ the King Regional High School in Middle Village. The legislation, if enacted, would compel the United States Postal Service (USPS) to grant Glendale a separate code; it presently shares 11385 with Ridgewood. The code was established in 1979 after the late Rep. Geraldine Ferraro led a successful campaign to have the neighborhoods removed from the Brooklyn postal zone. Prior to that, Ridgewood and Glendale had the Brooklyn-based 11227 ZIP, which proved problematic for homeowners and drivers because insurance rates— which were set according to ZIP code—in the area were generally higher than in Queens locations. For years, Glendale residents desired its own postal identity, citing logistical confusion in receiving mail from across the country. Because it shares 11385 with Ridgewood, most Glendale locations are technically listed as being either in Ridgewood or Flushing. QueensWay Plan Unveiled At F.H. Press Conference; Transit Advocates Voice Opposition Those opposed to the plan have argued at info sessions held over the last year by Friends of the Queens Way to garner community feedback, and again Tuesday, that wiping away a possibly vital transportation option and building a park instead is not the best use for tracks that have not carried a railcar in more than 50 years. QueensWay supporters, many living in communities that would neighbor the proposed park claim that when finished the project could mirror Manhattan’s Highline, bringing visitors, along with their pocketbooks and wallets to Queens, and neighborhoods that border the 3.5 mile stretch. Though supporters included statements in promotional materials from several elected officials, none were present at Tuesday’s announcement. Several members of the Friends of the QueensWay Steering Committee did speak at the event, again touting the recreational, ecologic, cultural and economic benefits of building the park. Phil McManus, a Rockaway resident and founder of the Queens Public Transit Committee supports reactivation of the rail line to ease congestion on borough streets. He believes it can provide a link between southern Queens and the rest of the borough, would ease travel times into Manhattan and offer a real -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- In 2012, then-Rep. Bob Turner and Assemblyman Mike Miller negotiated with the USPS to have Glendale listed as a “preferred last line” within the 11385 ZIP code, officially including Glendale as a community within the ZIP code’s boundaries. But the USPS, which previously cited “operational factors,” declined to give Glendale its own number. If approved, Meng said, the USPS will have 180 days to establish the new Glendale ZIP. Neither specific boundaries nor a specific number are established in her legislation. “The boundaries would likely be what the postal service already uses, but there could be community involvement to create the best fit,” the congresswoman said in an email to the Times Newsweekly on Monday. The legislation also does not call for the creation of a Glendale post office, given that the USPS is amid deep financial turmoil. “The area would be best served by a dedicated post office, but the legislation does not call for one, as the Postal Service can make that determination, and is already suffering from a lack of funds,” Meng added. “Passing comprehensive postal reform is necessary, including fixing the pre-funding mandate. If the core financial issues are fixed, I believe there could be a dedicated post office.” The pre-funding mandate to which Meng referred requires the USPS to make advanced pension payments for its employees; many observers cite this as the main factor in the postal services’ multi-billion dollar deficit. Other local elected officials representing Glendale applauded Meng for introducing the ZIP code bill in their own statements. “A ZIP code is more than just a grouping of numbers; it’s a chance for Glendale to stand on its own as a part of the borough of Queens,” State Sen. Joseph Addabbo said. “With its own ZIP code, Glendale can be identified online and on a map, residents can receive greater mail service efficiency and more.” “The residents of Glendale have waited a long time for their own ZIP code, and a ZIP code will provide Glendale with its own identity,” added Miller, himself a Glendale resident. “Also, residents will receive more efficient deliveries on medications, packages and mail. Deliveries will no longer have to be forwarded from other communities.” “Glendale has a rich and vibrant history in this great borough,” said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi. “By designating a ZIP code specific to Glendale, we recognize the unique contributions that this community makes to the borough as a whole.” Civic leaders across Glendale also applauded the proposal. “This is a bigger issue than just mail,” said Kathy Masi, president of the Glendale Civic Association. “With all the new technology and the requirements of using ZIP codes as locators for satellite service, there have been times when Glendale simply does not exist, according to satellite. Congresswoman Meng is putting Glendale back on the map.” “The residents and business owners in Glendale have advocated for Glendale to have a unique ZIP code for many years. Finally, under the leadership of Congresswoman Meng, we are one step closer to this goal being achieved,” added Glendale Property Owners Association President Brian Dooley. As for a timetable when the Glendale ZIP bill might be debated and voted, Meng said there was not timetable yet, but she’s “hopeful” action would be taken in the near future. As with any federal bill, it requires passage by the House and Senate, then the president’s signature. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- Rep. Grace Meng at last Wednesday’s Community Board 5 meeting. Man Sought For Station Stickups -CONTINUED FROM PG. 3- robbery; there were no injuries. Law enforcement sources stated the second heist occurred three nights later in Ozone Park, when the perpetrator came to the Citgo gas station at 88-14 101st Ave. at about 9:55 p.m. on Oct. 7. As in the first caper, authorities noted, the gunman flashed a gun upon walking into the station’s mini-mart and demanded cash from a clerk. Reportedly, the worker provided $3,000 in cash to the suspect, who fled on foot in an unknown direction. Members of the 102nd Precinct responded to the scene, and there were no injuries reported. Both cases are being investigated by the NYPD Queens Robbery Squad, police said.Anyone with information regarding the stickups or the suspect’s whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577- TIPS. Information may also be sent to Crime Stoppers via text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. All calls and messages will be kept confidential. Queens Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jack Friedman believes the QueensWay park will provide a boon to local businesses that neighbor the abandoned Rockaway Beach Line LIRR tracks through cental and southern Queens. (photo: Noah Zuss) option linking several disparate subways lines in the borough. When McManus was asked if he agreed with Friends of the QueensWay members’ that reactivation was infeasible, he scoffed and said, “if you have the will you have the way.” He also compared the assertion to arguments made by opponents of the Second Avenue subway line in Manhattan and the 7 line through Queens, which he said were called “infeasible for years.” “That’s politics, that’s pure politics,” McManus said. “I think people need trains more than they need parks. I think that we have plenty of parks in Queens, and I think that they need to be repaired before they start putting a new park in.” “That takes away mass transit,” he added. Advocates of the QueensWay are supported by Representatives Grace Meng and Joe Crowley, State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky, City Council Member Karen Koslowitz, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Transportation Alternatives and nearby business owners, including Ben’s Best Deli in Rego Park. In a statement Friends of the QueensWay claimed the proposal is supported by over 3,000 residents in central and southern Queens, will provide safe, easy access to Forest Park; new recreation opportunities for the 322,000 people living within a mile; provide a boost to local businesses and will become a high-profile showcase for the borough. Speakers at Tuesday’s event reaffirmed their belief that the park will bring economic benefits to southern and central Queens. “It makes sense for the community, it’s something that makes sense for businesses, it’s going to be a tremendous driver of economic activity and we look forward to it coming to fruition,” Jack Friedman, executive director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce said. Forest Hills resident Andrea Crawford has volunteered on the steering committee for 10 years, since the project was first imagined. “We started looking at this project ten years ago, and its a great repurposing of derelict land that will continue to erode, degenerate, be an unattractive nuisance,” she said.
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