By Bill Parry
For the ninth straight year, the Museum of the Moving Image opened its doors for a town hall meeting last Thursday.
The stage in the Sumner Redstone Theater was packed with representatives from more than 30 city agencies as well as political leaders and the commander of the 114th Precinct.
State Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) and the United Community Civic Association joined forces to host the event. The floor was open to any Astoria resident to ask questions or simply get something off their chest.
“Holding a public forum to address the needs of the community is an essential part of the democratic process and an important civic duty,” Simotas said. “Learning more about the issues our neighbors face helps us to better represent them and having representatives from so many agencies allows us to solve some problems right here and now.”
The floor was then opened up to any Astoria resident who wanted to question the panel or simply get something off their chest.
Many did, from the mystery of the neighborhood’s cats to one woman’s claim that her child had been kidnapped by marshals from Michigan to the noise generated by too many helicopters using the Federal Aviation Administration-approved Throgs Route disturbing residents in their sleep.
One resident asked state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) about his son’s incarceration on Rikers Island, to which Peralta said, “I represent the ramp to Rikers, not Rikers Island, just the approach road.”
Another resident asked Deputy Inspector Kevin Maloney if a spike in crime was perception or reality.
“We did see a spike in burglaries, fire escape entries and the removal of electronic equipment and jewelry,” Maloney said. “But that stopped two weeks ago after a lot of community outreach.”
One topic got heated when several resident asked for more public trash receptacles.
Iggy Terranova, community affairs officer from the city Sanitation Department, said, “If residents didn’t abuse the corner baskets, they would be sufficient.”
He added that he had witnessed residents dumping household trash in the public waste baskets.
Despite an early warning from co-host Rose Marie Poveromo to keep questions to three minutes and, “No tirades, please, even if they are warranted,” Frances McDonald ignored both by going on an extended rant that fascinated the room.
She warned of damage to Astoria’s infrastructure with the looming construction projects in Hallets Cove.
“We will be inundated with trucks and heavy equipment for the next 10 years,” McDonald said. “What about all the people who already live there? The area will be severely impacted by heavy-duty construction and this must be addressed before the first trucks roll, before a shovel goes in the ground.”
The evening’s biggest drama came when Ted Toskos, an 18-year resident, approached the microphone.
“I love Astoria, but the worst thing my wife and I did was pay off our home on 28th Street. Real estate tax quadrupled, Con Ed quadrupled, insurance quadrupled. How will I send our daughter to college?” he asked.
Simotas suggested he speak to members of her staff for information on college loans and scholarships.
Later, Toskos said he only wanted to begin a debate.
“If the fabric of the middle class is torn, who’s going to patronize the restaurants and stores?” he asked. “A strong middle class makes for strong institutions. Not only are we not making a difference, we’re falling behind in full reverse because we didn’t speak up sooner.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4538.
