Activist Jim Trent of Bellerose, who was instrumental…
By Kathianne Boniello
The Queens Civic Congress honored one of its own Sunday before an audience of hundreds of the borough’s civic leaders and elected officials during the group’s third annual luncheon in Queens Village.
Activist Jim Trent of Bellerose, who was instrumental in the preservation of the Queens County Farm Museum, received not only the Queens Civic award but honors from state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) and state Assemblyman Mark Weprin (D-Bayside) as well.
The Queens Civic Congress is an umbrella group of 100 civic organizations throughout the borough that was formed in 1997. President Sean Walsh, a member of the Douglaston Civic Association, said the luncheon was a chance for members to socialize and consider the group’s civic platform.
“It’s a way to focus the issues of Queens,” said Walsh as dozens of civic leaders, community activists and politicians streamed into the dining room of Antun’s in Queens Village.
Civic activist Corey Bearak praised Trent, who received his award from Queens Borough President Helen Marshall.
“He’s as distinguished as they go and as dedicated as they go,” Bearak said.
Several elected officials attended Sunday’s luncheon, including keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), state Assembly members Mark Weprin (D-Bayside), Barbara Clark (D-Queens Village) and Michael Cohen (D-Forest Hills).
Several members of the City Council who were also active in the Queens Civic Congress attended as well, including City Councilmen Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), David Weprin (D-Hollis), Tony Avella (D-Bayside) and John Liu (D-Flushing).
David Weprin praised the work of the Queens Civic Congress and Trent.
“This is where it starts,” he said. “They are the eyes and ears of the community. Jim Trent is a phenomenal activist.”
Padavan also applauded the group.
“They support each other when they’re in the middle of a battle — there’s strength in numbers,” he said.
Naming the Queens County Farm Museum as “a jewel in the city Parks system,” Padavan said Trent’s work to preserve the state’s oldest continuously operating farm was priceless.
“I value him, he makes my job easy,” Padavan said.
Clark also had kind words for Trent.
“He knows it all and does it all and he’s effective,” she said.
Crowley, whose keynote speech covered a range of issues from airport noise to the need to establish more parkland in the city, said the work of the Queens Civic Congress was important for both the borough and the civic groups themselves.
“When they speak as one voice, it’s much stronger,” he said.
Reach reporter Kathianne Boniello by e-mail at Timesledgr@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 146.
