Thursday, August 21, 2014

Taking trash cleanup into their own hands

Residents had been calling the borough president's office for about five weeks to complain about: over grown weeds, garbage and other disturbing elements at our famous park, 109th. & Merrick Boulevard.

Early Friday morning, 8/15/14, I observed sanitation workers at the site. They took up bags of garbage, but left the garbage that was scattered. Later in the day, I called Ms. Boranian/liaison at b/p's office, and informed her of my observation.

She told me that she will call the sanitation department and have the workers return and remove the scattered garbage. She also said that she will have the weeds removed. However, that statement did not become a reality.

So, the next day around 7:00 a.m on Saturday, members and supporters of team P/J -- Clean Up Jamaica Now, arrived at the famous park. The breeze was cool and the atmosphere was calm. The eyesore however, was still present.

Several of us, rolled up our sleeves, protected our hands with gloves and began to clean up. We had in our possession: brooms, rakes, shovels, large garbage bags and other tools.

Approximately, one hour and a half later, we completed the job. About eight bags were filled; some with the scattered garbage, others with weeds and dry leaves.

The three participants: Leroy Comrie, Malcolm Smith and Munir Avery are vying to be our next senator. They are aware of the permanent eyesore. However, only Munir Avery showed up to assist in the clean up.

*** This event was organized with the assistance of my comrade-in-arms/Joe
Moretti.
Before ---- photos were taken on Friday, 8/15/14. Sanitation workers left some of the garbage scattered on the ground. Also, the bagless garbage bin is filthy with residue. - Pamela Hazel

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's a damn shame that the public must step in and do the jobs that sanitation and parks should be doing. Why are we paying taxes ? Why must communities hire groups such as the Doe Fund to clean our streets, sidewalks, and parks? Why are Parks and Sanitation so inefficient?

We're Queens - We Can't Have Nice Things said...

The DOS is a disgrace!

Its employees are lazy slobs that scatter almost as much garbage as they pick up. And they take special pleasure in destroying our garbage pails. It's time to clean house.

Some city employees are acting a little too entitled these days! How about cutting back on their bennies until they clean up their act - no vacation!

Joe Moretti said...

Let's clear one thing up: This area is privately owned, it is not actually a city park. Back in the 70's it was a playground owned by the apartment building across the street (though for many years it has been a disaster). Several years ago that apartment building was sold and the new owner did not want that parcel of land. That property is now owned by a real estate company in Brooklyn, Landau, David-Crown Realty Company. That real estate company is responsible for the upkeep and this is where leaders and city fail and let these property owners get away with murder.

It is also the responsibility of the councilmember, I. Daneek Miller (prior it was 12 years of Leroy Comrie) to do everything in their power to make sure this problem is fixed and does not occur over and over again.

Back in 2010 in the Queens Chronicle was an article (http://www.qchron.com/editions/eastern/her-crusade-to-clean-up-jamaica/article_4907d4a7-37ed-54eb-88c5-55543ee52d1d.html) where Pamela Hazel brought this matter up (way before my time)and then councilmember Leroy Comrie stated in print, that he would take care of that.

That certainly did not happen. Forward to the present where this place is still a mess and useless Comrie now takes down $100,000 annually as "special assistant to Katz" while the majority of his time is spent campaigning for Senate. This guy could not do a decent job 12 years as a councilmember, yet he became Queens Borough Deputy President and now is running for Senate, which unfortunately he will probably get, because people are stupid, sheep and assholes.

What a job, politics, where you can make big bucks doing so very little.

Anonymous said...

Power to the people! Take your neighborhoods back.

You can teach the politicians a thing or two.

Anonymous said...

Hey Joe,
Speaking of doing little have you seen how dirty our parkways and expressways have become ?
I was on the Jackie Robinson today and was shocked to see all the litter left to be seen after the grass was cut on the shoulders. Queens is getting tenfold Crappy by the day.

Joe Moretti said...

Anon stated:

Hey Joe,
Speaking of doing little have you seen how dirty our parkways and expressways have become ?
I was on the Jackie Robinson today and was shocked to see all the litter left to be seen after the grass was cut on the shoulders.

-----------------
I have seen it, a total mess, but this is not just Queens, it seems to be all over, including Manhattan. This entire city (with a few exception) has become one big dirty mess and no leader is addressing it, let alone doing anything about it.

Some "greatest city in the world".

Anonymous said...

"It's a damn shame that the public must step in and do the jobs that sanitation and parks should be doing."

You should stop blaming the City and politicians for this mess and blame the pigs that throw their garbage on the floor. Blame the pigs throwing crap out their windows when they drive their cars. People need to take responsibility for themselves and stop blaming their problems on everyone else.

Anonymous said...

The city is in charge of enforcing sanitation laws. If the city enforced them, the city would be cleaner.

Joe Moretti said...

ANON stated;

You should stop blaming the City and politicians for this mess and blame the pigs that throw their garbage on the floor. Blame the pigs throwing crap out their windows when they drive their cars. People need to take responsibility for themselves and stop blaming their problems on everyone else.
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Of course people need to take responsibility BUT the city and it's agencies are in charge of seeing that laws are obeyed and enforced, while summons are given to culprits. THAT is their responsibility. If that is not done, then people will do whatever the fuck they want. Most other major cities manage to keep their communities clean and for the cost of living in this city, I should be able to lick the streets and sidewalks and never see garbage or litter.

Can you imagine if murder was no longer a law and there were no consequences, half the population would be gone.