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WE
WERE WONDERING IF THE CIVIC ASSOCIATION COULD….?
As I eagerly commenced my week’s
vacation in late August, I began to systematically map
out what I wanted to accomplish.
Spend some quality time with my family, my wife Susan
and our kids Shayne and Taylor,
complete the various list of “honey do’s” around the
house and catch up on some leisure
reading. Additionally, as I creep ever deeper into
the AARP Division I renew my
efforts to maintain a certain level of physical fitness
believing I can foolishly hinder
the aging process. This regiment requires on certain
mornings biking at 6:30 a.m. with
my friend Dr Steve Rashkin (thank God he’s a
psychologist; I get both physical
and mental health all in one workout. On other mornings,
my buddy Artie Voigt convinces me
to swim from Civic Beach to Town Beach around the
jetties (my worst nightmare).
Lastly to complete this weekly triathlon, I subject my 50
plus body to several beach runs
with my sixteen year son Shayne who relishes in the
fact of kicking my butt from here
to the Lido Hotel.
There is no place in the world like
Point Lookout to enjoy and perform these functions or to just lay
back and soak up the sun.
All was going according to plan
when slowly from the Post Office to the Beach from
Merola’s to the Deli I began to
receive a steady stream of queries from our area
residents. Now don’t get me wrong
as President of the Civic Association I welcome
one’s comments, ideas and
suggestions on how to make the Point a better place yet I
did come away after this week
wondering if there is not a better method to this
madness. Let me share with you some
of these suggestions and the diversity of opinions
present.
Frank, we were wondering if the
CIVIC could…….
Write and demand that our
governmental officials do something about our escalating
property taxes. We need a cap or
greater amount of exemptions.
Tell those kids to leave the dunes.
Have kids clean the dunes of
bottles and debris.
Tell those realtors there putting
up too many signs.
I need to sell fast I need those
signs.
Close the beach at night, there are
kids drinking.
Open the beach at night it’s a park
it should always be open.
What is the CIVIC doing to protect
our beach or what’s left of it?
Can we get lifeguards on the east
side of Civic Beach?
15 MPH is too slow it’s
unenforceable
15 M.P.H. is too fast - we need
another electronic sign, greater enforcement or speed
bumps.
Ask people to pick up after their
dogs.
Why is the CIVIC picking on dogs
they should be allowed on the beach to run free?
The CIVIC is a homeowners
association, what are you doing to protect the homeowner?
We need a business district what is
the CIVIC doing to preserve or protect our business enterprises?
Stop the development we don’t want
people from Queens or Brooklyn coming here. (What about the
Bronx?)
Encourage development it will
increase our home values.
When are we getting sewers? I’m
tired of pumping out cesspools.
Can the CIVIC call to get a one way
sign lowered on Bellmore Avenue & Lido Blvd?
How about crosswalks at Merola’s,
Gelo’s and the Post Office.
How can a parent with a baby
stroller or person in a wheelchair cross safely? What ever
happened to STREETSCAPES?
We need more parking. I’ve gotten
two tickets. Can the CIVIC take care of it?
We need more enforcement and the
CIVIC should insist people park in their driveways.
The base ball field has never
looked better.
What’s going on with the gate at
the Ball Field?
How come the Little League allows
for kids outside of the Point to play?
We love the Concerts on the Beach.
Stop the Concerts on the pavilion,
what’s next a Rap Concert!
Why can’t we have Weddings and
Funerals on Civic Beach?
Why isn’t the Rec Hall open at
nights for our kids?
Don’t open the Rec Hall too much
noise and liability.
Can the CIVIC get all kids to wear
bike helmets?
Please call N.Y.S. and overturn the
FLUKE regulation.
Can you get the Church to stop
playing the bells?
We love the sound of the Church
Bells.
Can the CIVIC do something about
smelly dumpsters?
We need a bike path from here to
Long Beach.
Don’t ever support a bike path it
will bring outsiders into town.
Is our drinking water safe? The
CIVIC should have it tested.
Someone at the beach asked me to go
home to get my beach tag.
No one ever asks me for my beach
tag at the beach.
Is there any height regulation on
new developments? What’s the CIVIC doing about that?
I paid a good deal of money for my
property, why can’t I do what I want. The CIVIC should butt out of
these matters.
One week’s worth of suggestions.
You get the point; I can’t make this stuff up. Many of these
suggestions our Board has been actively reviewing and seeking to
implement. Some others ideas we may respectfully disagree. Our
strength however is in our diversity yet we need all of you to be
part of the solution. The CIVIC can be a vital partner in that
effort but it can’t be all things to all people. You have to take
that first step and be your own advocate. Learn to prod your
elected officials at all levels through calls, e-mails, letters
and your vote. Our strength is in numbers get involved and come to
our next meeting with solutions. There is a committee and an issue
for everyone.
Come to our next our annual
candidates night on October 14th at 8:00 p.m. at the
Rec Hall
Thanks you for your continued
support.
Respectfully submitted,
Francis X.Ryan
FRyan19788@aol.com
President |
