State Sales Tax Exemption for clothing under $110 expires tomorrow!

Get ready for your clothing budget to take a hit. Starting tomorrow, Friday, October 1, 2010, afforable clothes in New York will become more expensive.

The state’s sales tax exemption for clothing and footwear costing less than $110 will expire. That means a 4-percent price increase starting tomorrow!

The tax was reinstated to help close the state’s budget deficit.

The exemption returns next April, but only for purchases less than $55.

Flood Watch, High Wind Warning in Effect for our Area (NY1)

Notify NYC - Severe Weather Notification

Notification issued on 9/29/2010 at 6:30 PM:

The National Weather Service forecasts the chance for strong to severe rain and wind late this evening through early Friday morning.

 Please be aware of damaged trees or trees with dangling limbs.

End of Notification

Coastal Flooding and High Wind Watch Issued for our Area!

The National Weather Service has issued a "Flood Watch"

for

our area from late tonight through late Friday night.

 LOW PRESSURE WILL TRACK UP THE COAST AND INTERACT WITH A STALLED FRONTAL BOUNDARY AND APPROACHING UPPER LEVEL SYSTEM THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT. STRONG SOUTHERLY FLOW UP THE COAST WILL ALLOW FOR TROPICAL MOISTURE TO OVERSPREAD THE REGION AT THE SAME TIME RESULTING IN THE POTENTIAL FOR VERY HEAVY RAIN.



RAINFALL TOTALS IN EXCESS OF 4 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE WHERE THE HEAVIEST BANDS SET UP. THIS WILL RESULT IN SHARP RISES OF FAST RESPONDING RIVERS AND STREAMS. INTENSE RAINFALL RATES WILL LEAD
TO POSSIBLE FLASH FLOODING IN URBAN AREAS.


[ A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.]

The National Weather Service has also issued a "High Wind Watch"

for

our area from late tonight through late Friday night.

.A SLOW MOVING LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM WILL TRACK UP THE COAST THURSDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHT. AT THE SAME TIME...HIGH PRESSURE WILL REMAIN ANCHORED OVER THE NORTH ATLANTIC. THE TWO SYSTEMS WILL CREATE A CORRIDOR OF STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS.


STRONG SOUTHERLY WINDS WILL DEVELOP ON THURSDAY...AND LAST INTO THURSDAY NIGHT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS OF 45 TO 55 MPH ARE LIKELY ACROSS THE WATCH AREA.


THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR DAMAGING WIND GUSTS OF AROUND 60 MPH AT THE PEAK OF THE STORM.


[A HIGH WIND WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A HAZARDOUS HIGH WIND EVENT. SUSTAINED WINDS OF AT LEAST 40 MPH...OR GUSTS OF 58 MPH OR STRONGER MAY OCCUR. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.]




West 12th Road Utility Poles

There are at least two (2) utility poles on West 12th Road that have shifted off center over a period of time as a result of our island's water table and exacerbated by tidal flooding and seepage.

The most seriously compromised pole is at the end of our block (pictured at left) and has shifted at least 10 to 12 degress off center.

This condition has been brought to the attention of the city on several occasions in our meetings over the years regarding the issue of tidal street flooding on West 12th Road ith no response. 

A downed "live" power line is unsafe enough but a live line falling onto a street flooded with salt water is a exraordinarily dangerous.

The West12th Road Block Asociation recently contacted Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer's Office regarding this condition, providing pctures of same, and the Assemblywoman's Chief of Staff, JoAnn Shapiro, contacted Con-Ed which evoked the following response from that agency.

From:  ConEd
Subject: RE: light poles in need of attention

Jo Ann, I have received your email and certainly will have this furthered (sic) reviewed. Please understand the tornado last week did substantial damage. We restored 37,000 customers but we still have more work to do. Over 100 of our poles are leaning and cracked as a result of the storm and will take 3-4 weeks to repair. Again I will certainly have the information you sent me reviewed. However please understand this may take some time.

Our documentation shows that the earliest the city was made aware of the condition of these power poles was October of 2006, some 4 years ago, and several times thereafter.

We will revisit this issue in "four weeks", on Otober 25, 2010, after ConEd has had sufficient time to deal with the damages of the September 16, 2010 tornadoes.

Tidal Flooding update - Pheffer requests Mayor Bloomberg for Relief

I mentioned in a recent post, Tidal Street Flooding Update 9/24/2010,  that in light of DOT's apparent unwillingness to re-examine the decision to deny an "emergency declaration"  regarding the documented serious tidal street flooding conditions on West 12th Road, we had decided to petition directly to the Mayor in an attempt to resolve this problem.

I am pleased to report that it would appear that our local Assemblywoman, Audrey Pheffer, has beat us to the punch.  Below is a copy of a letter Audrey sent Mayor Bloomberg earlier this week.

September 21, 2010

Honorable Michael R. Bloomberg
Mayor, City of New York
City Hall
New York, N.Y. 10007

Dear Mayor Bloomberg:

I am writing to you regarding West 12th Road in Broad Channel, Queens.  This block has long suffered the ravages of tidal and storm flooding.

Many low lying areas in New York City suffer from occasional flooding during times of extreme weather, tidal surges or moon tides.  It is to be expected living so close to a body of water.  However, West 12th Road floods on a regular basis.  The residents are oftentimes forced to wear "hip boots" in order to access their homes.  They have all suffered severe damage to their homes, automobiles and property.  Children have been unable to get to school and many residents have been forced to miss work due to the inability to leave their homes.  This flooding occurs regularly, a few times a month.

The flooding is so severe at times, fire, police and emergency vehicles have been unable to access the homes on West 12th Road.  New York City DEP, DOT, NYS, DEC and countless other agencies have all met to address this dangerous situation.  Borough President Helen Marshall has secured over $24 million in fundng to address the flooding conitions in the entire Broad Channel area.  However, West 12th Road is an emergency sitation and must be declared so.

I was informed by DOT Commissioner, Maura McCarthy, that a request for an emergency declaration for West 12th Road has been denied.  The declaration would allow DOT to expedite the process and begin to bring immediate relief to the West 12th Road residients.

I would appreciate it if you would review this matter and render any assistance possible in helping to have the West 12th Road flooding situation declared an emergency.  The residents have suffered too long and this project must be expedited.  The safety and well being of the residents must not be jeopardized.

Thank you in advance for your pompt attention in this most urgent matter.

Sincerely,

AUDREY I. PHEFFER

Member of Assembly

AIP:jas/kal

cc:  Borough Presidient Helen Marshall

      Senator Shirley Huntley

      Councilman Eric Ulrich

      Jonathan Gaska, District Manager CB#14

      Broad Channel Civic Association

      West 12th Road Residents



Tidal Street Flooding Update

The "Beachcomber" column in today's edition of the WAVE  (page 36) contains the below paragraph regarding Broad Channel.

"When city offcials came to Broad Channel prior to the summer to report that a plan had been developed to remediate the flooding problems that hits the west side of the island commnity every time the tide comes in and it rains.  The locals were promised that construction that would end their problems would soon commence.  Last week, however, they were told that the city had decided that the flooding was not an emergency situation and that construction would not start until the summer of 2012.  Bet it would have been considered a dire emergency if it happened in a Manhattan neighborhood."

Those of you who read these postings on a regular basis are aware that our current problems regarding a sigificant delay in the start of actual and timely construction towards addressing the serious issue of tidal street flooding here on West 12th Road (and other areas of Broad Channel) can be directly attributed to the N.Y.C. Department of Transportation.

It was DOT's legal division which denied the "emergency declaration" for this project which would have expedited he process with the originally promised constrution start date of July 2011.  Although we have requested on several occasions and via several city elected officials and agency heads, to have DOT provide us with a detailed explanation of their denial of this "emergency declaration", to date, no response from DOT has been forthcoming.

It also appears that we are not the only advocacy group experieincing problems with DOT.

Also in today's edition of the WAVE there is an article (page 7),  by Howard Schwach, "Ferry Talks Back on Front Burner" in which Congressman Anthony Weiner, commenting on DOT's disinterest in the Rockaway Ferry issue, is quoted as stating "It is clear that the DOT has no enthusiasm for anything that doesn't involve bicycles and wide treets."  Congressman Weiner, frustrated by DOT's lack of interest, decided to bypass that city agency and go straight to the top, Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Taking a cue from the congressman's playbook, we have decided to do the same.  We are in the process of contacting both Mayor Bloomberg and his Deputy Mayor for Operations, Stephen  Goldsmith, in an effort to have them intercede on our behalf in this matter.

We will keep you advised. 

20th Road Traffic Signals being painted

Welsbach Electric Corp., a subsidiary of EMCOR Group, is one of the largest electrical contractors in New York City, was seen early this morning painting the traffic signals down on 20th Road.

17th Road Park Handball Courts get a Facelift!

Contractors hired by the N.Y.C. Parks Department are refurbishing the handball courts at Broad Channel's 17th Road Park.  The south side courts have already been stripped bare are are in the process of being formed out while the north side courts (picture left) are still being demolished. I spoke to one of the conractors who remarked that the job should be done by October.

So Long Summer - Hello Fall!

Today, Wednesday, September 22, marks the first day of Fall 2010.

Technically known as the Autumnal Equinox, the first day of Fall 2010 is symbolic in many ways. It is during this time that the sun is directly above the Earth’s equator, resulting in an almost equal time period for day and night. Althogh our days have gradually been shortening since the sun passed the June (Summer) solstice,  it isn’t until November 7 that it will be required to wind the clocks back.

Traditionally, the first full moon of fall is called the harvest moon, and this year, the moon is full less than 24 hours after the equinox. Watch for that big old harvest moon to rise just as the sun sinks below the horizon Wednesday and Thursday nights. As an added bonus, the harvest moon will appear very close to Jupiter on both nights.

Shirley Huntley easily defeats Democratic Primary Challenge!



“People in south Queens know that I’m going to deliver for them every time,” said Huntley. “They know I’m concerned for them and the issues that are important to them...I’m a grassroots kind of person and that will not change, I will continue to go to work everyday for the people.” Shirley Huntley 9/14/010

 With all 231 precincts of our State Senate District 10 reporting, Shirley Huntley with  (9,535 votes/ 73%) has easily defeated Democratic Primary challenger Lynn Nunes (3,500 votes/23%).

Tidal Street Flooding Update

On September 10, 2010, Ms. Alexandra Rosa, Chief of Staff, Office of the Queens Borough President advised that her office has been n contact with the Mayor's Office of Conracts "...which offered to set up an action group to move this project along while we continue to push for an emergency declaration."

Additionally, Chief of Staff Rosas requested that the City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) provide our association with:

the current status of this Capital Project Initiative (CPI),

and,

a written timeine with milestones for the project.

Earlier today, the association received the following email advisory from Mr. Tony Pollio, Borough Director,

Queens South Program Management, DDC.

"Survey work is underway and expected to be completed by mid November.  In response to our Request For Proposals from design consultants we received 8 proposals and they are being reviewed.  We project selection of a design consultant in October or November 2010 followed by award of  the design contract and then registration with the comptroller.  As stated by me at the August 11th meeting at Queens Borough Hall, the project schedule calls for design to start January 2011, design completion by January 2012 and construction to start by the summer or fall of 2012."

Both Ms. Rosa's and Mr. Pollio's emails clearly indicate that nothing has changed since our meeting with the Queens Borough President's office on August 11, 2010. 

The present status of this project remains unchanged without benefit of an "emergency declaration" for work to start on West 12th Road by July 2011 as previously promised by DOT Borough Commisioner Maura McCarthy back on May 14, 2010.  Indeed, the project "start work" date remains delayed by more than 12 months. 

Although the Queens Borough President's Chief of Staff advised that the Mayor's Offce of Contracts had "offered to set up an action group to move this project along...", we have neither been made aware of the establishment or composition of any such group nor have we been advised as to exacly how such an "action group" would serve to "move this project along."

Ms. Rosa's email of September 10, 2010 also lacked specificity regarding exactly what efforts have been/are being made to obtain the much needed "emergency declaration" for work to start on West 12th Road in a  more timely manner.

Committee members will be meeting later this evening to discuss this matter and we will be pushing for another scheduled meeting of the project task force with city officials an agency staff in the immediate future.

We will keep you advised.

West 12th Road Flooding covered by N.Y. Daily News

Ms. Kate Nocera, a reporter from the N.Y. Daily News was present on West 12th Road during the tidal flooding of Friday, September 10, 2010.  Ms. Nocera's article was published in the "Queens Section" of the N.Y. Daily News this morning. 

*****

Inundated residents flood officials with ire

BY KATE NOCERA

N.Y. Daily News

Tuesday, September 14th 2010, 10:32 AM

BROAD CHANNEL residents who were promised a speedy fix to their chronic flooding problems in May are being asked to wait a little longer.

Especially high tides from Jamaica Bay sweep in twice a month and plague a number of blocks west of Cross Bay Blvd. On W. 12th Road, the water can reach a depth of 5 feet at high tide.


Every person on the block owns thigh-high waders to trudge through the street. Garbage gets swept away into the road. Emergency vehicles, cars and mail delivery cannot get through during the flooding.


"This is an emergency," said W. 12th Road resident John Heaphy, 67. "It's been an emergency for 30 years. We are constantly having to think about the flooding and what it's going to ruin this time. God forbid if someone needs an ambulance when the water is up."


A project that includes elevating the roads and building a seawall had been slated for 2015. In May, city officials said that $24million had been allocated to the project, allowing it to begin earlier than expected.


Borough President Helen Marshall said at the time that W. 12th Road - which endures the worst of the flooding - would be granted an "emergency status" so the project could begin immediately.


Then in August, the city Department of Transportation told residents the street would not be granted a "declaration of emergency," so the project would be pushed back again.


"Even just a temporary [seawall] at the end of the road would do so much," said Pete Mahon, 60. "But now even that won't happen until summer of 2012."


A spokesman for Marshall said the project is still moving forward and will be completed well before the original 2015 deadline.


"These people deal with great fear and hardship every time the tide comes in. The borough president is not giving up on getting this done as quickly as possible," Marshall's spokesman Dan Andrews said.


That is not good enough for Sophia DeVirgilio, 45, who fears for the safety of her daughter Louise, 7.


"She thinks it's fun to play in the water, but I won't let her," DeVirgilio said. "Several houses down the block have sewage going into the bay and it floods back into the street. Nothing about that is okay."


Louise showed off a self-portrait she drew for school. She depicted herself in rain boots, standing knee high in water.


"This is just a way of life for us," her mom said. "And it shouldn't have to be."

*****

Monday 9/13/2010 1:30 PM High Tide

1:00 pm:  The tide has come half way up the street on West 12th Road.

1:05 pm:  Although the top end of the street remained dry, the lower (bay) end of West 12th Road experienced sidewalk and property tidal encroachment with the water impacting several house foundations.

Sunday 9/12/2010 12:09 PM High Tide

11:00 am: the tide is already up the block and on the sidewalks, well in advance of the 12:09 pm high tide.

Tidal Street Flooding Update: Email from Queens BP's Office

The West 12th Road Block Association was copied on the below email sent by Ms. Alexandra Rosa, Chief of Staff, Office of the Queens Borough President, to Mr. Anthony Pollio of the N.Y.C. D.D.C. earlier today.

********************

from:     Alexandra Rosa AROSA@queensbp.org
to:         pollioa@ddc.nyc.gov
date:      Fri, Sep 10, 2010 at 3:34 PM



subject:  Project Status

I have had several discussions with the Mayor’s Office of Contracts and they have offered to set up an action group to move the project along-while we continue to push for an emergency declaration. Can you provide the current status to the group via this email (reply to all). Also a written timeline with milestones would be helpful. We will be setting up the next meeting shortly and these items will help frame the discussion.


Alexandra Rosa
Chief of Staff
Office of the Queens Borough President
120-55 Queens Boulevard, Room 243
Kew Gardens, New York 11424
phone (718) 286-2970
fax (718) 286-3114
arosa@Queensbp.org

********************

Friday 9/10/20 - 10 10:25 am high tide (NY Daily News on the block!)

10:30am:  (High Tide) - A photograher and reporter from the N.Y. Daily News (in yellow boots) walked to the end of the block taking pictures and interviewing residents regarding the issue of tidal street flooding.  Their story and pictures will be published in the Tuesday, September 14, 2010 edition of the paper in the Queens section. 

Thursday 9/9/2010 A.M. High Tide 9:36 am

8:35 am: Thursday is "recycling day":  more than likely the tide will make sure that Jamaica Bay recycles these trash cans this morning!

8:40 am:  It will be several hours before this residence will be able to check their mail!

8:45 am:  You don't have to guess to know what these two W12th Road neighbors are talking about!

8:48 am:  the tide continues its march up West 12th Road!

9:35 am:  The tide started to recycle those garbage cans!

Wednesday (9/8/2010) "8:41 AM High Tide" - Back to School Day

7:35 am:  A West 12th Road resident wearing boots wades through the incoming tide enroute to work.

7:35 am:  A West 12th Road resident wades barefoot through the incoming tide to take her children to school  while cars further up the block begin to relocate to the median on Cross Bay Boulevard to avoid water damage to their vehicles.

Tuesday Evening's High Tide (Sept. 7, 2010)

Tuesday Sept. 7, 2010 @ 7:10 pm - Water is already halfway up W12th Road for 8:14 pm high tide.

The Cross Bay Bridge Toll Fight Continues!

Democratic District Leader Lew M. Simon has scheduled a rally to eliminate the toll on the Cross Bay Bridge to be followed by a march across the bridge on Tuesday evening, October 5, 2010.

Residents of Rockaway and Broad Channel who wish to participate should meet at the Rockaway McDonalds (9118 Beach Channel Drive) at 7:00pm

If you plan on attending this demonstration, please give Lew Simon a call at 718-945-1216 and press "3" and leave your name and telephone number.

I will be providing you with more information on this event in the near future.

2010 Labor Day Flooding on West 12th Road!

As the tide rolls in our cars roll out and up to Cross Bay Boulevard!

Neighbors and children making sure all W12th Road residents are moving their cars!

One last call to a neighbor at the top of the block!

All the cars have been moved and now it's time for  some street "puddle dancing!"

2010 Broad Channel Labor Day Parade

Jamaica BayCleanup - Update

From the Queens Chronicle.....

New hope for a restored Jamaica Bay

by Arielle Concilio, Chronicle Contributor

09/02/2010

Sprawling across southern Queens and Brooklyn is Jamaica Bay, a wildlife refuge smack in the middle of one of the world’s largest cities. With its breathtaking views of green marshland and glimmering water set against the backdrop of New York’s urban landscape, it is the seeming image of peaceful coexistence between man and nature.

ûut years of abuse from overdevelopment and neglect have left the bay’s days numbered. However, thanks to a new joint initiative from the city and state, prodded by a host of environmental organizations, Jamaica Bay may have another shot at survival.

“Jamaica Bay is an amazing resource for New Yorkers,” said Larry Levine, an attorney with the Natural Resources Defense Council, an advocacy group. “It’s a wildlife refuge near the subway. We need to start treating the bay in the way that it deserves.”

The bay, which is marked off by Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island, and connects with Lower New York Bay through Rockaway Inlet, is made up of 25,000 acres of marshland, coastal lagoons, islands and open waters. It is accessible by car and public transit, lies next to Kennedy International Airport, and is surrounded by urban residential, commercial and industrial development.

The bay is also home to 60 species of butterflies, 80 species of fish, and a number of amphibians, small mammals and reptiles including the endangered diamondback terrapins, which lay their eggs on the beach each spring, and peregrine falcons. In addition, the bay boasts horseshoe crabs that come to mate and dig nests on the shore, and more than 300 species of birds — about 20 percent of North America’s total bird species — that visit the area each year.

Enjoy the Labor Day Weekend!

Hurricane Earl, whch has now been downgraded to Tropical Storm status, tracked sufficiently eastward of our coast so as to barely affect our community of Broad Channel. 

As Earl tracked up the coast, yesterday's afternoon high tide saw only moderate street flooding at the end of West 12th Road with minimal wind and only spotty rain.

The only other storm of note in the Atantic is Tropical Storm Fiona which has since been downgraded to a Tropical Depression and is tracking far enough eastward in the Atlantic so as to not be a cause of concern for us.

It's clear sailing for the remainder of the Labor Day weekend.

"Mardi Gras" Weekend!

If it's Labor Day then it's

"Mardi Gras" weekend in Broad Channel!

Schedule of Events

Friday September 3, 2010

Old Timers Softball Game at the BCAC Field at 6:30 p.m.

"Countdown" festivities start at the field at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday September 4, 2010

"Crowning & Visitation" starts at 9:00 p.m.

Sunday September 5, 2010

Get ready for Monday's parade because It's "build your floats day!"

Monday September 6, 2010

Annual Broad Channel Labor Day Parade starts at 1:00 p.m.

(float sign up begins at 11:00 a.m.)