The Broad Channel Civic Association Newsletter for June This issue of the Newsletter is sponsored by Hillebrand Funeral Homes, Inc. CIVIC ASSOCIATION MEETING at American Legion Hall 7:30 PM June 27, 2013 President’s Message A big welcome back to many of our residents who are finally back in their homes and to those still working to get back - know that eventually you will be in your own homes again and that it will have been worth the effort !! On June 10th the revised FEMA Advisory Flood Maps were released. These updated maps are a tremendous victory for Broad Channel, which went from a “V” zone, with its massive premium assessments, to an “AE” zone and saw elevations originally identified at 13 to 15 feet reduced down to mainly 10 feet, with some homes at 11 feet. Broad Channel saw the most dramatic reductions from FEMA’s original proposal back in January. This was in no small part due to the big push back that this town mounted to the initial maps at town hall meetings and in numerous correspondences to our elected officials. The Civic quickly condemned the outrageous zoning and elevations first released and passed a unanimous resolution opposing the Flood Maps and the Biggert/Waters Flood Reform Act. The great turnouts and involvement by the residents of this town, where FEMA reps were put on the spot and the flaws within these maps identified, as well as the support of all of our elected officials helped to bring about the big changes that were revealed in the revised edition. Thanks to the efforts of Assemblyman Goldfeder and Councilman Ulrich, the very real threat of the loss of some of our teachers at PS 47 due to excising has been overcome, and we are told that the school will not have any teachers excised next fall. The DOE’s misguided plan to count our current enrollment as that which would dictate the formula for teachers in the Fall, was a slap in the face to this recovering community and failed to recognize that by next Fall all of our students would be back. The actions on the part of the Assemblyman and Councilman are greatly appreciated! Residents are asked to report to 311 any infrastructure problems that they see outside their residences or anywhere else in Broad Channel (ex: pot holes, road depressions, dead trees, catch basin problems, etc.). Impacts from the storm are just now coming to light, and the 311 system is often used to identify funding needs. Biggert Waters Flood Reform Act update—This critical legislation, which if unchanged will impose flood insurance premiums of up to $10,000, on many coastal residents, continues to be the focus of Congressional discussion and proposals for change. Senator Landrieu of Louisiana has been leading this effort, supported by Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand, with the “S.M.A.R.T. NFIP ACT”, which will delay premium increases and repeal provisions preventing new owners of sold homes to continue subsidized rates. This is in addition to the “Cassidy Amendment”, that passed the House, which would delay any flood insurance premiums for one year until the affordability study has been completed. We will continue to follow these encouraging developments and keep the town posted. The registration period is now open for the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) which we have spoken about and is now referred to as the NYC Build It Back Program. All residents can now register through either 311 or at --on.nyc.gov/18z3uxP to seek grant monies for rebuilding, repairs, raising homes and even reimbursement for expenses not covered. We are told all should register in order to determine if they are entitled to any type of grant funding. The June 27th Civic Meeting at the American Legion at 7:30 pm will be the last Civic meeting for the summer, and meetings will resume on September 26th. We wish everyone a happy and safe summer in which the memory of Sandy is a distant one. This town has made great strides since the storm, and we will continue to do so. It is still the “Best and most unique place in NYC to live”. Quote: since summer is finally here: It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter, it feels like years since it’s been here, here comes the sun. --- THE Beatles Respectfully submitted, Dan Mundy Jr. The MTA has been working with the Civic Association on the community garden at the train station. Trees have been cut and material for the building of the flower beds have been picked out. The MTA had given the Civic Association several options for the façade of the flower bed and a beautiful stone was chosen. Now they are working on which flowers or plants will be planted there. Volunteers are needed to help with the plantings. If you are interested in helping out, please contact Jimmy Harper at 718-669-0196 or Barbara Toborg at 718-474-1127. FROM THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-- Christ Presbyterian by the Sea is a beautiful gem of a church in the beach community of Broad Channel, New York. Nestled on a slip of land between the main body of the borough of Queens and the now famously devastated Rockaways, the church building in Broad Channel faced a tidal surge of nine feet when Sandy blew through last October. Members of Christ by the Sea saw their homes destroyed by rising waters and whipping winds—some of them from inside on the upper floors or loft spaces. When the weather cleared, boats had washed up the streets in front of the houses, sand and seagrass entwined with street signs and fences, and the little church on Noel road had a high water mark halfway up their brand new mahogany doors. In the wake of the storm, Christ by the Sea also said good-bye to their pastor of twenty years who retired with great ambivalence and still with great love for her community. The retirement had been planned for some time and a beautiful service marked the departure amidst Red Cross blankets and flooded files. As the disaster recovery began, members of the community had been so scattered and their lives so disrupted that just getting together to gain access to the property was challenging. After an initial burst of demolition in January, the church had to stop and weigh their choices for mold remediation. Even a reasonable estimate by a local firm was too much for them with no insurance and no government assistance (prior to the more recent programs that have emerged). Months passed before volunteer organizations garnered the equipment and expertise to return to the church for phase two of recovery. From the beginning of the relief effort, calls have come in asking for “a church that needs assistance after the storm.” Christ by the Sea is that church in the New York City Presbytery. Physically devastated, the church lost its hundred-year old hardwood floors in the fellowship hall and everything including the kitchen sink—literally—in the kitchen. Small churches from around the country have sent what they could and PDA supplied a recovery and rebuilding grant for the maximum of $10,000. Still Christ by the Sea is in great need of support from their brothers and sisters in Christ. This little church is the church of the community. Its members (unlike the membership of many urban churches) have been baptized, married, and lived out their lives of faith worshipping at this church for generations. It serves as a hub of neighborhood activity, with senior groups, scouting, crafts, and of course weddings and other events filling its small frame with life. Now, months after the storm, the people of Christ by the Sea are weary. They have lost so much—some of them have lost everything: car, home, belongings and their beloved church. Loved ones have died. Many members are still displaced from their homes, struggling with insurance claims of their own. With work continuing, the stalwart crew of believers gathered for Easter services and have begun—with partners like World Cares, the New York City Presbytery and its member churches—to move forward toward rebuilding. You can help this battered church return to wholeness. Choose an area of the church you’d like to help restore: kitchen, classrooms, sanctuary, office or fellowship hall. Respond toThia Reggio at [email protected] as we create a recovery registry to bring this church back into the fold. A special “thank you” to all the residents who paid their Civic dues and included extra for those who could not afford to do so. The Civic Association is grateful for the many letters and notes of thanks and support that we have received from our readers. The SHAD CREEK ASSOCIATION presents the 19th annual “It’s a Fluke!” fishing contest. To be held on Saturday, July 6th, 2013. Fee: $25 per Angler. Prizes for largest fluke; Calcutta for largest Sea Robin - $5 per Angler; and a side pool for total weight of 3 fluke - $10 per boat. Start time is 7 AM with weigh-in at 3 PM. Soda, hotdogs, burgers and beer at weigh-in. Sign-up starts Friday, July 5th at 5PM at 529 Crossbay Blvd. For more information email shadcreekassoc@aol or check them out on Facebook @ Shad Creek Assoc. Thanks to Designer Garden’s & Nurseries for their generous donation of flowers. John and Pat Wagner will plant the donated flowers under the “Welcome to Broad Channel” sign, at the foot of the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge. GOT PICTURES FOR 2014 HISTORICAL CALENDAR? The Broad Channel Historical Committee has started working on the 2014 calendar. Please drop off any pictures you want to be considered at 17th East 6th Road or bring to Civic meetings. There will be a Health Fair at St. Camillus on Saturday, August 10, 2013, 10 am - 5 pm sponsored by Healthfirst. Healthfirst was created by local hospitals to make good health care available for free or at a low cost. Tips, brochures, and other information to help you live a healthier life; distribution of school supplies and links to other helpful community organizations will be available. Blood Drive August 18th outside of St. Camillus Church, 8:15 am - 2:15 pm CCD (Religious Education Classes) will begin September 11th. Please check SCSV Bulletin, our website – stcstv or call the office 718-634-8229 in August for registration details. The Flag flies in June for John J. McEvoy, US Army, WWII & Korea The Flag flies in July for Anthony Goetke, US Army The Flag flies in August for John (Jack) Wagner, US Navy, WWI The BROAD CHANNEL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT is in desperate need of volunteers since many of our members are still displaced and living off island. Also the building project is back on track and may be bided out this summer. Please do not forget to pay your 2013 Civic Association Dues. Now more than ever the Civic Association needs your support to continue our efforts. $5 per household. Mail your dues to: BCCA, 740 Cross Bay Blvd., Broad Channel, NY 11693. ***Deadline: Material to be printed in next newsletter is due by September 10th*** Broad Channel Civic Association Broad Channel, NY 11693 President -----------------------Dan Mundy Jr. Vice President-------------------James Harper Treasurer------------------------Tracey Harper Recording/Corresponding Secretary--------------------- Kathleen Lawless Sergeant at Arms---------------John Wagner Trustees--------------------------Dan Mundy Sr., John McCambridge Jr., Frank Harnisher Newsletter Editor: Natalie Grant
Posted on: Mon, 24 Jun 2013 02:28:25 +0000
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