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TIMES, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2014 • 28 RPOCA Focuses On Positive Local Improvements At Anniversary Meeting Local Officials Praise Lynch’s Nomination As Atty. Gen. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 10- or to fight for those facing inequity.” “Lynch has earned a welldeserved reputation as an aggressive but fair prosecutor who has used her office to seek justice through both criminal and civil proceedings,” added Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “I am confident that U.S. Attorney Lynch will bring those same qualities to her new position as our country’s top law enforcement official.” State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman credited Lynch for working with his office to recover “millions of Medicaid dollars from unscrupulous actors,” adding that “time and time again, she demonstrated her commitment to ensuring there is one set of rules for everyone and to defending the principle of equal justice for all.” Others offering statements of support were City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, who said Lynch proved herself “to be a fighter for justice, unafraid to tackle corruption or crack down on cybercrime”; Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who called her “an exceptionally wellqualified candidate for the job” and said she was “pleased to see such a highly qualified woman make history as the nation’s top law enforcement official”; and City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who praised Lynch as “a superb lawyer with wide-ranging experience at the highest echelons of the legal profession.” Holder, who has served as attorney general since the Obama administration began in 2009, announced in September he would step down from the post once his successor is confirmed. The Senate will likely convene confirmation hearings for Lynch in January, when control of the legislative body shifts from Democratic to Republican control as a result of last Tuesday’s midterm elections. A majority floor vote is required to approve the nomination. Board 2 Votes To Demap Woodside St. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 9- use the path feel safer. “What we are trying to do is solve a safety issue that is their now,” Macias said. The DOT proposal had several supporters attending, including cyclist and Long Island City resident Brian Howell. He spoke in favor of the plan, and addressed some of the dangers currently on the bike paths which include large trucks, parking cars and school buses, he said. These dangers are most acute along the protected lane from 46th Avenue to Queens Plaza South, he said. “Cyclists are now not well protected,” Howell said. “If we are going to have bicycle lanes, we might as well make them safe.” Ben Creed of Astoria, agreed that improvements will help. Citing conflicts of interest that can sometimes leave one group feeling ignored, he said this is a good compromise. “This strikes me as one rare case where everyone wins,” he said. Community Board 2 meets on the first Thursday of every month from September through June at Sunnyside Community Sevices, 43-31 39th St. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. Business Services earlier this year. “This grant will help enhance our urban environment within our district,” Renz explained. As a result of the grant, the BID will be able to hire a consultant and conduct community outreach surveys. “We hope to have a dialogue with residents and find out what’s missing in their shopping experience,” Renz added. The grant will also go toward attracting and cultivating a more diverse mix of businesses and establishments along the Myrtle Avenue commercial strip. Renz stated he hopes the BID can work with real estate brokers and retailers to bring new retail opportunities and vitality to the area. Plaza improvements Local pedestrian plazas have also been a major focus of the BID. According to Renz, the BID hosts several programs at local Ridgewood plazas, including opera performances, yoga sessions, art exhibits and the recent Make Music NYC event which took place in June. “The plazas bring people together,” he explained. “We hope to continue to enhance them and bring more programming to the plazas.” The BID recently teamed up with the Horticultural Society of New York and the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE) to plant seasonal flowers at the 71st Avenue Plaza as well as at Clemens Triangle on Cypress Avenue. Renz thanked the RPOCA for donating supplies and daffodils during last spring’s planting events. In August 2015, construction on a permanent plaza at 71st Avenue will begin. Improvements will include decorative paving, new furniture for the plaza and an informational kiosk that will provide historical data about Ridgewood in addition to a local business directory. The plaza will also host a new biosphere and green garden that will collect and recycle rainwater for the planting areas. The BID also partnered with GrowNYC to form the Ridgewood Youth Market, a greenmarket that takes place every Saturday from July through November at the Ridgewood Veterans Triangle at the corner of Myrtle and Cypress avenues. The final youth market of the year will be held on Saturday, Nov. 22. Renz spoke of potentially expanding the greenmarket to the 71st Avenue Plaza in the future. Future projects Both Renz and Ober hope to bring a sense of history and appreciation of the past back to Ridgewood through improvements to storefront facades. The Landmark Preservation Commission is scheduled to vote on the creation of the Central Ridgewood Landmark District on Dec. 9. They are optimistic that the landmark designation will be approved and hope the vote will also inspire local business to preserve or replicate the historical aspects of the neighborhood in their storefronts. “We hope to keep construction compatible with the original intent and architecture of the buildings,” Ober stated. “We are trying to preserve the historical aspects and character of the neighborhood here in Ridgewood.” Renz also credited Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan and former State Sen. Serphin Maltese with the installation of old fashioned street lamps along Myrtle Avenue. He also spoke briefly about plans for the Ridgewood Theater. The upper portion of the theater is to be converted into about 50 housing units. However, the theater’s ground floor facade is protected and cannot be altered. “We don’t want another 99 cents store or Walgreens,” Renz said. “We hope to get some good use out it for the community.” In addition to the Ridgewood Theater, a proposed 120-unit housing complex with ground floor retail space is coming to Myrtle and St. Nicholas avenues, near Venditti Square. According to Renz, the structure may wrap around Palmetto Street, creating housing for commuters utilizing the Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues transit hub. Renz explained that there were discussions with City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley’s and Assemblyman Mike Miller’s offices about the possibility of expanding the Myrtle Avenue BID past Fresh Pond Road to the Glendale Veterans Triangle at 70th Street. The discussions are in the preliminary stages and will most likely involve the Queens Chamber of Commerce, as well as community voices. “Myrtle Avenue is very important to the community,” Ober added, “If the avenue is strong and healthy, it helps us to be strong, too.” The Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association will hold its annual Christmas concert and tree lighting on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. at I.S. 93, located on Forest Avenue between Madison and Woodbine streets. The group’s next formal meeting will be in February 2015. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- The Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association celebrated its anniversary with a cake cutting last Thursday, Nov. 6. Shown at the ceremony are (from left to right) Eva Grech of State Sen. Joseph Addabbo's office; David Renz of Assemblyman Mike Miller's office; Henry Cross, RPOCA and CB5 board member; RPOCA President Charles Ober; Ted Renz, Ridgewood LDC & Myrtle Avenue BID executive director; Evelyn Cruz of Rep. Nydia Velázquez’s office; RPOCA Vice President Luis Rodriguez; and RPOCA 3rd Vice President Joseph Segreti. (photo: Kelly Marie Mancuso) Selling A Home Or Car? Renting An Apartment? Having A Yard Sale? Let The Times Newsweekly Classified Section Work For You! Call Us At 1-718-821-7500


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