PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY

     Looks like we are all digging out again –What happened to global warming ? If you are counting, it is 23 days to the first day of Spring –March 20th !

     The January Civic Meeting was well attended, and there was a comprehensive discussion on the future park to be created at the site of the former marina on 19th Road. Many various ideas were presented, including some from Rockaway residents who were in attendance at the meeting. The ideas have all been recorded and will be presented, along with any additional concepts, at the February 25th meeting, with the hope of coming to a consensus on what the community would like to see at this site. It is important that we present the Parks Dept. with input as they are currently requesting RFEI’s (Request for Expression of Interest) for this site and could move forward with their own design if we do not produce our own plan.

     “No Parking” signs were a subject of discussion, once again, and it appears this issue, which last arose in 2008, may be back as a matter of concern for our community. In 2008 at a meeting in Councilman Addabbo’s office, the Civic Association was told that the DOT acknowledged that, while these streets were noted on their maps as requiring “No Parking” signs on one side of the block, this regulation had never been in effect and they agreed that no signs would be placed in these locations until a comprehensive study was conducted and future meetings were held with the community. Councilman Ulrich has been brought up to speed on this issue and has been in contact with Queens DOT Commissioner Maury McCarthy. We have explained to the Councilman that these signs would remove somewhere around 400 parking spots and would create an extreme hardship on residents, in addition to having a negative impact on property values. We are waiting to hear the outcome of these discussions.

     On a more positive note, the Traza Insurance Agency has installed flower boxes with plants on the mall adjacent to the stores. The American Deli, Wharton’s Pharmacy and the Channel Grocery Deli have all contributed funds to this effort. They have set a great example, and the Civic has contacted Community Board 14 to look into the “adopt a mall” program to see if a sign can be installed recognizing their efforts, and as a model for other business’s in the community which may want to make similar efforts in other areas along the mall.

     The possibility of Natural Gas supply lines to our island will be discussed at the next meeting, to be held on Thursday, February 25th at 8:00 pm. Come on down and lend your voice to the discussions that will take place.

Quote of the month --“ONE MAN WITH COURAGE MAKES A MAJORITY”—A. JACKSON

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Mundy, Jr.

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Family dues for 2010

I BROAD CHANNEL
New or Renewal Membership

$5 Dues per Family per Year

Name____________________________

Address___________________________

Bring dues to civic association meeting or mail to:
BCCA, 740 Crossbay Blvd., B.C. 11693

CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS
The New Men's Auxiliary (located at the VFW Hall on Shad Creek Road) is collecting CELL PHONES FOR SOLDIERS. Residents are asked to donate all their old phones. These phones get recycled and the proceeds from donated phones are used to purchase prepaid calling cards for American troops. Last year they raised 1500 minutes for our men and women in Iraq. They'd like to triple that this year. Just drop the old phones in their mailbox or come by and visit on the weekend and drop them off at the VFW Canteen. Thanks !!

LAWS ON SIDEWALK SNOW REMOVAL
Just a reminder, snow and ice must be cleared from sidewalk within 4 hours after snow has stopped falling or by 11am if the snowfall stopped after 9pm the night before. Snow cannot be thrown in street. Hard ice may have ashes, sand, sawdust or other suitable material (i.e. kitty litter) put on it. Sidewalks must be thoroughly cleared; fines may be imposed.

GLIMPSE OF THE PAST
Compiled by Barbara Toborg

The following articles are taken from the Broad Channel Banner, the newsletter issued by the Honor Roll Club, edited by Gertrude McAleese, and sent to the men and women in uniform from Broad Channel during WWII.
***********************************
Channel Shorts
The coal situation is acute in Broad Channel as city coal dealers are refusing to send coal to the Channel, and Rockaway coal dealers cannot accept new customers. Many households face the approaching winter without coal.

Mrs. Zelina Meehan Galligan has returned home from Colorado due to the housing shortage there and could not get quarters to be near her husband. She recently married Master Sergeant Kenneth Galligan. She has now resumed her duties as postmistress.

Miss Marion Fox, who has returned home since resigning from the WAC’S, is taking pre-flight training at LaGuardia Field, and upon completing her studies in several months, plans to enlist in the Women’s Ferry Command.

The air raid siren was installed in the Channel late in September and blew for the first time at 12 noon, last Saturday. It will blow at 12 noon every week on Saturday, as do all the city sirens.

Extra copies of this month’s BANNER may be purchased at COLBERG’S for 5 cents. The ANNIVERSARY EDITION will be 10 cents to cover additional cost of supplies and postage to our boys for the larger edition.

December, 1943
Deaths Announced

S.Sgt Fred Meehan
It is with the deepest regret we announce that Staff Sergeant Frederick Meehan, 22, was reported killed in action in Auguste Bay in the Pacific on November 11th. Sgt. Meehan was a member of a bomber squadron of the Army Air Force. He attended St. Virgilius School and John Adams High School. He entered his country’s service in July, 1942. He has two brothers – Sgt. Gilbert Meehan who was wounded in the Sicilian campaign and is at present on furlough at home. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star. The other brother is Harold Meehan, Jr., who resides on 14th Road with his family. The parents, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Meehan, Sr., reside at 204 Noel Road. Also, a sister, Mrs. Zelina Galligan.

Walter Hawthorne S. 1/c
We also deeply regret to announce at this time that in July the War Department notified Mr. & Mrs. Walter Hawthorne, Sr., of 39 W. 10th Road, that their son, Walter Hawthorne, Seaman First Class, had officially been given up for lost in the Pacific. He had been a member of the crew of the Destroyer “Juneau” which was sunk by the Japs in the Pacific a year ago. His parents were later notified that he was missing in action. His brother Howard Hawthorne, GM 2/c is stationed at Tompkinsville, S.I. In deference to the wishes of his parents who were still hopeful of his return, this announcement was withheld until now. Walter entered the service of his country on March 25, 1941. He attended P.S. #47 and Far Rockaway High School. (to be continued)

News for March issue due on the 10th

President ----------------------Dan Mundy, Jr.
Vice President------------------James Harper
Treasurer-----------------------Tracy Harper
Recording Secretary----------Eileen Smith
Corresponding Secretary----Kathy Lawless
Sergeant at Arms--------------John Wagner
Trustees--------------------------Dan Mundy, Sr.;
                 John McCambridge, Jr.; Edward O’Hare

Broad Channel Civic Association
Broad Channel, NY 11693

Newsletter Editor: Diane Haywood-Malsy
Email: LD102598@aol.com