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New community board members take oath

By Jennifer Smith

Queens’ reputation as one the most diverse communities in the nation made itself evident last Thursday as 86 new community board members were sworn-in to office and 25 others were honored for serving more than 650 combined years of service.

A multicultural body of individuals recited the Pledge of Allegiance and a pledge of dedication to their community boards and borough in a ceremony presided over by Borough President Helen Marshall in the Claire Shulman Playhouse at the Queens Theatre in the Park in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

The list of prominent political figures in attendance included members of the City Council, Patrol Borough Queens South Assistant Chief Thomas Lawless and Patrol Borough Queens North Deputy Chief Edward Cannon from the Police Department, Deputy Chief Lawrence Mittleman of the Fire Department, and Carol Conslato, director of public affairs for Con Edison.

Conslato praised the close relationship between the community boards and Con Edison.

“We look to community boards as a source of grassroots organization, to get a handle on what is going on in the community and to better understand the needs of customers in the area,” Conslato said.

Marshall said her office works very closely with the boards.

“The staff of the borough president sits in on community board meetings,” Marshall said. “When we see a pothole, we write it down. When we see a dirty lot, we complain. If you see abandoned cars, call the community boards.”

Marshall praised the activism of the community boards and told members to keep their eyes and ears open for issues that affect them.

“Democracy only works with the participation of its citizens,” she said.

Marshall emphasized that 250 applications had been received for the 86 spots available on the 14 community boards. Half of the appointees must be nominees of the members of the City Council representing the community districts. The other half may be chosen by the borough president.

Annette Lord-Cohen, a resident of the Rockaways for the past 13 years, decided to join her board because she plans to open up a day-care center in the area. She said her goals for the area include improvements in education and reductions in overcrowding.

“There needs to be more infrastructure so it can be more accessible to get on and off the peninsula,” Lord-Cohen said.

The induction of new members was followed by the awarding of certificates. Marshall bestowed honors on board members for 20-, 25- and 30-year terms of public service.

“It’s been a privilege to serve Community Board 9,” said Lucille Fostel, who was honored for 20 years of participation on the board that covers Ozone Park, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill and Woodhaven. “Everyone must work together to make changes in the borough.”

Daniel Friedenreich, a resident of Queens for 51 years and a member of Community Board 13, which stretches from Queens Village to Rosedale, was given a certificate for 30 years of service.

“I recommend it very highly,” Friedenreich said of life in the borough.

Friedenreich said the issues most pertinent to the area have been zoning variances, the division of the largest police precinct in Queens and the possibility of the Olympics coming to New York in 2012.

Community boards play an advisory role in zoning and land use issues, in the city’s budget process and in the coordination of the delivery of city services. Members serve two-year terms without a salary and must either reside or have a professional interest in the community they serve.