Minutes of Community Board 11’s General Meeting
Held on November 13 at the
Sephardic Home, 2266 Cropsey Avenue.

Table of Content
Public Portion
Minutes
Chairman's Report
Councilman Dominic M. Recchia Jr.
District Manager's Report
Attendance

Mr. William Guarinello, Chairman of Community Board 11 opened the meeting
and welcomed Congressman Jerrold Nadler.

Congressman Nadler advised that all votes in the house have been
cancelled this week while awaiting the conferees to agree on the Energy
Bill, Medicaid Bill and the various Appropriations Bills.  

The Congressman reported that the Medicare Bill, in particular the
prescription drug portion is the subject of sharp partisan dispute.  The
Republican leadership has decided in both Houses that we should spend 400
billion dollars over 10 years to provide seniors with prescription drug
coverage, and that is only 1/7th of what is being appropriated, as
seniors spend approximately 2.8 trillion dollars on prescription drugs
over the same period. The Democratic Bill provides 900 billion dollars
over ten years.

The second major issue is the cost of prescription drugs.  In places
other than the Unites States there is cost containment on prescription
drugs and in other countries they purchase prescription drugs in bulk
therefore they have bargaining capacity.  The Congressman stated that if
the US government purchased prescription drugs for Medicare they would
receive a reduced price which would be passed on to seniors.
Unfortunately the pharmaceutical companies are opposed to prescription
drug programs under Medicare due to the bargaining power the government
would have over the price of prescription drugs.

The Congressman advised that the Republicans in the House are adamant
that Medicare undergo privatization which will result in, over time, the
elimination of Medicare.

The Congressman opened the floor to questions and advised that his office
can always be contacted at 718-373-3198.

Mr. Guarinello thanked the Congressman for his leadership and being
responsive to the needs of our community.  Mr. Guarinello thanked Robert
Gottheim, the Congressman's Brooklyn Liaison for his continued support.

Public Portion

The Chairman opened the Public Portion of the meeting.

Dan Cavanaugh, representing State Senator Marty Golden announced that flu
shots will be administered on Thursday, November 20th from 1 P.M. - 4
P.M. at the Senator's Quentin Road Office and the following week at the
Bay Ridge Office.

Mr. Cavanaugh advised that the HEAP Program begins December 9th and those
interested in applying may contact HeartShare Human Services at
718-422-4200.

The Chairman inquired if anyone else from the Public sought recognition.
Hearing none, a motion was made by Don Clark to close the Public Portion
of the meeting.  Seconded by Man Wai Lau.  Unanimously adopted.


Minutes

A motion was made by Louis Crispiano to accept the minutes amended to
reflect that Mafalda DiMango and Carlo Scissura were present and Vincent
Chirico was excused.  Seconded by Al Campanelli.  Unanimously adopted.


Chairman's Report

Mr. Guarinello advised that the family of Victor V. Allegretti has
requested that Cropsey Avenue between 18th Avenue and 19th Avenue be
co-named to Victor V. Allegretti Way.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the Allegretti Family request
to co-name Cropsey Avenue between 18th Avenue and 19th  Avenue in honor
of Victor Allegretti.  Unanimously adopted.

The Chairman advised that Community Board 11 has received a request from
the Principale Family to co-name Bay 19th Street and Bath Avenue in
memory of Christy Principale.  Christy was a businessman in our community
for many years and is the founder of Christy Industries located at 1812
Bath Avenue.  Mr. Principale was an early advocate of solid state
controls and Christy Industries fabricated one of first of these devices.

Francine Principale, daughter of Christy, stated that her father resided
in the Bensonhurst community since he was 5 years old.  He began his
business on New Utrecht Avenue and stayed there for 10 years before
relocating to Bay 19th Street where the business has thrived for 40
years.  Christy Industries employs community residents and is still owned
and operated by the family.

Louisa Verito made a motion to co-name Bay 19th Street between Bath
Avenue and Cropsey Avenue to Christy Principale Way.  Seconded by Nick
Miraglia. Unanimously adopted.

Councilman Dominic M. Recchia Jr.

Councilman Recchia advised that after redistricting he now represents 40
percent of Community Board 11.  The Councilman advised that he has two
district offices located at 445 Neptune Avenue and 172 Gravesend Neck
Road and urged residents to contact his office with any questions or
problems.

District Manager's Report

Howard Feuer announced that Bill and Donna Guarinello celebrated their
30th Wedding Anniversary.

Mr. Feuer thanked the Board for adopting resolutions to honor Victor
Allegretti and Christy Principale.

The District Manager advised that Councilman Felder has introduced a bill
that will implement a routing time for residential property owners.  This
means that Sanitation Enforcement Agents will patrol residential areas at
specified times twice each day focusing on violations for dirty sidewalks
and failure to clean 18 inches into the street.  Although agents will
only issue these summons only during the specified intervals, they can
issue all other violations at anytime.  Mr. Feuer added that he would
like to testify in support of this bill before the City Council on
November 20th.

A motion was made by Anthony Neglia to support Councilman Felder's bill
to introduce a residential routing time for residential property owners.
 Seconded by Eileen LaRuffa.  Unanimously adopted.


Mr. Feuer advised that the Department of Transportation has initiated a
citywide project in areas that have bus stops under elevated trains for
pedestrian safety, which includes 86th Street and Bay Parkway.  The
Department of Transportation originally proposed to install 80 foot
barricades at the bus stops located on 86th Street and Bay Parkway.  The
Department of Sanitation has opposed this plan and it has now been
revised to the installation of islands between the stanchions.

The District Manager advised that he received statistics from the 62nd
Precinct that reflect that the bus stops on 86th Street are not a high
pedestrian accident location.  In addition, vehicular traffic is already
slow moving on 86th Street and the implementation of this initiative will
cause vehicular traffic to come to a standstill.  Mr. Feuer added that
due to the gridlock vehicles that once were able to make turns onto 86th
Street from the side streets will no longer have an opportunity to do so.

Mr. Feuer recommended a safety initiative for the pedestrians at Bay
Parkway and 86th Street for those that are attempting to traverse Bay
Parkway.

A motion was made by Man Wai Lau to oppose the Department of
Transportation's proposal to install islands in between the stanchions on
86th  Street and Bay Parkway.  Seconded by Louis Crispiano.  Unanimously
adopted.

Anthony Neglia stated that vehicular traffic must be kept moving on 86th
Street in order to keep the commercial district viable.  

Mr. Feuer reported that the Department of Information and Technology has
hosted focus groups regarding the 311 system.  The purpose of these
sessions is to provide ideas in order to make this system the best it can
be.

This system is providing the residents of the City of New York the
opportunity to make government accountable and responsive to its people.

Howard Feuer advised that Senator Golden has notified our office that new
legislation has been enacted that establishes a $75 fine for each
handbill placed on car windshields.  

Mr. Feuer thanked Senator Golden and Governor Pataki for this
legislation.

The District Manager advised that the Department of Sanitation has
implemented winter hours and this is the first time that Community Board
11 will not have any sections on night collection.

Mr. Feuer announced that the 18th Avenue merchants have organized a
merchants association.  He looks forward to working with them and helping
in any way possible.

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn.

Meeting adjourned.