FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com JANUARY 21, 2016 • THE COURIER SUN 11 Social media outreach spurs quick cleanup of Coleman Square BY ROBERT POZARYCKI rpozarycki@queenscourier.com @robbpoz The social network is a big plus for the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic Association. Much like other community groups across Queens, civic association members interact with one another frequently on its Facebook page, sharing news about happenings in their community, both positive and negative. So when an association member spotted litter spread across Howard Beach’s Coleman Square last week, according to civic president Joann Ariola, the member called 311 — and shared photos of the debris with the association through Facebook. Before long, those pictures were shared with City Councilman Eric Ulrich, who then reported the condition to the Sanitation Department. Within three days, according to Ulrich’s offi ce, Sanitation Department crews were on the scene in Coleman Square, getting rid of the trash. The Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic Association then shared pictures of an almost spotless square via Facebook. Social media has proven to be a valuable tool for the civic group in recent weeks, Ariola said. She noted that another civic member posted pictures on Dec. 30, 2015 of papers illegally dumped at the corner of 149th and South Conduit avenues. The images were also shared with Ulrich’s offi ce Images of Coleman Square before and after a Sanitation Department cleanup last week. and the Sanitation Department, and the debris was gone the very next day. “Even when we call 311, we attach a picture,” Ariola said. “When we call a Council member, we follow up with an email and photograph. We’re getting them through instant messaging, Facebook, Twitter and it’s a great way to fi nd out about a problem and address it right away.” Throughout 2016, it fi gures that the civic association’s members — and smartphone camera lenses — will be fi xed on keeping up appearances at Coleman Square, on 103rd Street between 159th Avenue and 159th Road. Located within walking distance of the Howard Beach-JFK Airport A train station, Ariola noted, the square Photos via Facebook/Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association serves as a gateway to Howard Beach– and, as such, must be maintained to give a good impression to commuters and travelers stopping in the area. “We don’t want them stepping over debris,” Ariola said. “We want them to be able to come into Coleman Square, use our shops and raise our economy. We want it to be a nice experience. The quality of life issues such as garbage and graffi ti are two issues that will make or break us, especially in an area that relies so heavily on foot traffi c.” “People don’t want to go and shop where they have to step over bags of garbage or where there’s graffi ti visible,” she added. Ulrich himself is also committed to keeping Coleman Square looking beautiful. According to his offi ce, Ulrich will ask the city to bring in additional litter baskets with small holes to prevent trash from escaping bins and blowing around the neighborhood. He will also work with the Sanitation Department to monitor the area and immediately address any littering problems that may arise. “Clean streets mean a better environment and a better quality of life for all residents,” Ulrich said in a statement sent to The Courier. “I thank the Department of Sanitation and the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic for their continued collaboration and cooperation with my offi ce to ensure that we keep our community clean.” Great rates like ours are always in season. 1.80% 60-Month CD APY1 $5,000 minimum deposit 1.30% 24-Month CD APY1 $5,000 minimum deposit To qualify you must open a Flushing Bank Complete Checking Plus account. Get the complete access and control you desire with a competitive interest rate and banking on-the-go with our Flushing Bank Mobile2 app. For more information and to find out about our other great offers, visit your local Flushing Bank branch, call 800.581.2889 or visit www.FlushingBank.com. 1 New money only. APY effective January 19, 2016. Annual percentage yield assumes principal and interest remain on deposit for a full year at current rate. Minimum deposit balance of $5,000 is required. Funds cannot be transferred from an existing Flushing Bank account. Premature withdrawals may be subject to bank and IRS penalties. Rates and offer are subject to change without notice. A new Complete Checking Plus account with a $5,000 minimum initial deposit is required to receive the CD with the advertised rate. Certain fees and restrictions may apply. For new IRA and rollover accounts, the minimum deposit balance is $5,000. A new checking account is not required for IRA accounts. Speak with a Flushing Bank representative for more details. 2 Flushing Bank Mobile Banking is available to all Flushing Bank online banking users. Flushing Bank is a registered trademark
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