September BHPOA Meeting Recap

By Katie McFadden

A last-minute venue switch landed the Belle Harbor Property Owners Association meeting in the bar of the Belle Harbor Yacht Club, but it was a packed house on Tuesday, September 16, as neighbors came to hear the latest after the summer hiatus. With guests like Dr. Donald Morrish, CEO of Episcopal Health Services, Senator James Sanders, St. John’s Home for Boys Executive Director Jennifer Horsley, Community Board 14 District Manager Felicia Johnson, and Phyllis Inserillo, Chief of Staff for Councilwoman Joann Ariola, it was full of information.

BHPOA President Paul King addressed the issue of a neighbor, Adam K, on Beach 134th Street, who was causing severe problems and was recently forced out of his condemned home. He thanked Councilwoman Ariola for acting on the 12+ year issue, and said the neighbor has been attempting to return, and was recently arrested. “We need him to move on. All of his neighbors want him to get help,” King said.

He made note of upcoming electronic safe disposal events, one at Floyd Bennett Field this Sunday, September 21. He advised people to gather their unwanted electronics and bring them. (Another will take place on September 20, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 208th Street and 8th Ave. in Breezy Point.) King also said temporary no right turn signs have been added along Cronston Ave. to discourage drivers from going the wrong way.

King addressed “zombie properties,” properties that have been long abandoned or neglected and are causing concerns. The BHPOA has identified 10 in Belle Harbor, and they will be taking action to get the owners to clean up the properties or get movement from the state for properties that are abandoned. The BHPOA is seeking more dues-paying members so they can do things like host more community events. “The more members we have, the more volunteers we have and can run these events,” he said.

BHPOA Vice President Ed Lynch commended first responders on recent water rescues, including one on Beach 145th. “Don’t let anyone say we don’t have the best fire department and police department,” he said. He then introduced EHS CEO Morrish to speak about the major improvements that have been taking place within the EHS healthcare system. “They’ve put millions into this place. It is the Ritz Carlton, five stars, no question,” Lynch said of EHS’ new labor and delivery unit.

Dr. Morrish then spoke of all of the improvements and investments made into St. John’s Hospital and their other facilities, and efforts to get the word out that the reputation of the hospital is changing. “We’re trying to change the narrative and offer more services,” he said. He thanked Senator Sanders for allocation a million dollars for their new obstetrics area. He highlighted the Beach 105th medical center, which features primary care, and specialty care, including a women’s care center, which came with a glowing recommendation from an audience member who went for mammography services. He mentioned a lot of money being put into their emergency department so they can hire more doctors from big institutions. They recently received $27.1 million from Gov. Kathy Hochul to build a new ICU. They recently opened the Clinical Learning Center for students. And soon to come is the Walsh Ambulatory Pavilion, which will offer more radiology, oncology, endoscopy, behavioral health and primary care services.

Dr. Morrish then took questions. A man expressed concern over a lack of a trauma center in regard to heart health issues like a heart attack. Morrish said, “I know you can be stabilized at St. John’s. We have a board-certified cardiologist and if you need to see a vascular surgeon, we hired a guy who is probably one of the best in the country,” adding that if there is anything beyond those needs, they can stabilize and transfer someone. In response to other questions, Morrish said the hospital has the capacity to take 60,000 patients a year and they’re only at 40,000. Regarding the talks of bringing a trauma center to Rockaway, Morrish said it’s in the works but $1 billion would be needed to make it a reality. EHS does not have an affiliation with Veterans Affairs, but they do accept veterans’ insurance. And he left everyone with a sense of confidence about the capabilities of the improved EHS system. “I would take myself to the organization,” Morrish said.

Joseph Edwards of Rep. Gregory Meeks’ office let everyone know that through November 7, they’re accepting nominations of U.S. military service members for a Rockaway appreciation event. Call 347-230-4032 for info.

For the first time in many years, Senator Sanders attended to listen in on concerns. He addressed the veterans’ health issue and said he would work on it with EHS as a veteran himself. In response to the water rescues, Sanders mentioned that he is looking to have a meeting with all stakeholders involved in water rescue, swimming lessons and more, to try to come up with solutions on how to prevent more drownings. A guest recommended more education citywide for young students, as many drownings often occur with people not from the peninsula. Lynch requested staggered lifeguard service so they can stay on the beach until 8 p.m. Another emphasized the need for pools so local kids can become familiar with swimming in pools so they can pass the city’s lifeguard test. Sanders advised them that the Arverne East Aquatics Center is something in the works. Another requested that there be third-party oversight of lifeguard testing, suggesting that testing is sometimes corrupt as there is no one watching those who give the test. Another recommended giving fines to people who climb on to rock jetties, since people often don’t take the lifeguards’ whistles seriously and many injuries have occurred on the rocks. “I’m looking forward to working with you and I might have to put a little money in circulation. I love the ideas,” Sanders said.

Horsley then spoke about St. John’s Residence for Boys, including its overall mission and a new effort to build a play yard, garden and more, to keep the boys occupied. “St. John’s Residence is a child welfare and juvenile justice program for kids 12-21,” she said. There are currently 32 boys in their location on Beach 110th Street. She explained that the boys wind up in their care when a family is unable to support them due to mental health issues, violence or medical needs. The Residence evaluates each boy and creates a program to address treatment and they provide housing, medical, school and treatment services on site until the boy can either go back with their family or sustain themselves. They also assist them with juvenile justice needs.

Horsely addressed some past concerns. She emphasized that the boys do have a curfew and they require boys to let staff know if they’re going to miss it, and they have a staff member go out in a van to search for them if they don’t hear from them. They also try to create friendly relationships between the boys and staff to try to deter negative behavior. “We want to make sure they have positive relationships, so if they do something and disappoint a staffer, they later say, ‘I feel bad. I’m not gonna do that anymore.’” But she also addressed that negative things do happen. “I know some of our boys have gotten into trouble. We really work on them on issues and help them learn how to do something different,” she said. Some examples are entrepreneur programs like learning how to screen print to start their own business. The idea behind creating a play yard and garden in front of their building would give the boys something else productive to do. But it would require $1.7M. On September 25 at 7 p.m. at the Belle Harbor Yacht Club, there will be a fundraiser to further explain the goals and to raise money for the effort. All are welcome.

Johnson of CB14 announced that they now have active social media accounts and are live streaming full monthly board meetings on YouTube. CB14 is currently undergoing their budget process for capital and expense budget requests. She had a meeting with NYC Parks to discuss budget issues and was told there was a 16% increase in lifeguard staff across the city this summer. She’s awaiting specifics for Rockaway. They requested that the Arverne East Aquatics Center have a retractable roof so that it can be used year-round, and they requested that speakers be installed along the boardwalk to make announcements when there are sharks, bad weather or other reasons that the beaches have to close. CB14 is in the final stages of creating a community resource guide, which will be available online. If any religious or community-based organization wants to be included, email info to qn14@cb.nyc.gov

Inserillo of Councilwoman Ariola’s office addressed some previously mentioned issues and provided some new updates. Their office is working with Parks to do more outreach to schools in hopes of boosting lifeguards, and they’re going to request that EMS and FDNY members be permitted to lifeguard part time. A bike lane has been proposed for Beach Channel Drive to connect the two bridges. Ariola’s office is expecting to see a design plan within the next year to see what that would look like and what it would mean for the busy roadway. Inserillo noted that Councilwoman Ariola passed a bill to require the DOT to consult with local firehouses to approve or disapprove any transportation changes.

Lastly, Inserillo spoke of an issue that could impact NYC with some concerning land use questions on the ballot this November, so she wanted to spread the word. As it stands, as part of the ULURP process for a new land proposals requiring a zoning change, council members have a say and with council member deference, the entire council votes along with whatever the area council member says about a proposal, giving them a major say in the process. Proposals 2, 3 and 4 on the ballot, would take this power from the council member and effectively, the community, away, if voters vote Yes on them. Question 2 says to Fast Track Affordable Housing to Build More Affordable Housing Across the City. Question 3 days Simplify Review of Modest Housing and Infrastructure Projects and 4 says Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with Council, Borough and Citywide Representation. “It’s so vague because they don’t want you to know what they’re doing,” Inserillo said.

She explained that these three proposals would allow for the creation of an appeals board made up of the mayor, the borough president and the City Council speaker, and it would give them the power to override a vote by the city council, that would go with what the area councilmember voted on behalf of their community, essentially negating what communities want. “If you vote yes, you’re saying you’re ok with this,” Inserillo said. She advised people to vote No.