Danielle Nicolosi Community Board Meeting

I went with a friend from the class who also lives on Staten Island, Maya Jourieh. We got there about 5 minutes late, they were in the middle of the Pledge of Allegiance. After that they took attendance of the board and to people sitting at the round tables directly in front of the board. There were about 5 tables of well dressed men and women. About 1/3 were women and there was only one black lady. The age range was between 30 and 70.

After they took attendance they asked who was there from a newspaper or magazine, and there were a few who sat where Maya and i sat,in a row across the back.

First up,a member of the The Community Response Team (CERT), went up to the podium to speak about the effects of the horrific storm we had. He reassured us that they're doing everything possible to address these effects.

A member from the Dept of City Planning had a 12 slide power point explaining to us about the Comprehensive Waterfront Plan. There are 4 major foundations: the redeveloping waterfront, the natural waterfront, the working waterfront, and the public waterfront. I had no idea this was even in effect. It's a vision of 2020.

The Dentist Office Parking Problem
( the funniest and most interesting of the meeting)
Nasty white woman with blond hair was first fighting that she didn't want to go up yet. Then she finally gave in but huffed and puffed. She was having problems with the mic and kept saying, "Just bare with me." (I actually kept a tally, she said it about 6 times). She was the president of the tax payers association. She was speaking sternly and pissed off. I wasn't too sure what she was talking about but she was mad! She said something about Applications with a bunch of numbers and letters. Something about incorrect zoning of parking. Very unclear.

At first, i couldn't tell if the next guy up was challenging her or not. He had a Santa Clause- goat beard, glasses, and white hair in a low bun. I was too focused on these last 2 peoples appearances and attitudes to focus on what the issue actually was. A statement that i caught was, " a residential, 2 family house was turned into a 1 family because this guy wanted to have a dentist office...No parking on the side..." . He said this is an abnormal situation.

Next was finally a nicer, clearer old man. He said there are a lot of violations taking place, "...she can't get away with it anymore!" He wants this property to go back to land use.

While they were waiting for the next person to speak about this issue they opened the podium up to who ever has an issue with anything. The old man next to me stood up and walked over. He explained that he moved from the North Shore of Staten Island to Annadale 50 years ago. "I need help," is what he said as he looked into the people of the board. He had a big flood. He has flood insurance but it only covers for outside damage not inside damage. He lost his pool, deck, trees, and so did the rest of his block. He lives by the water. He sounded really sad and depressed. He was a sweet old man. (someone raised their hand advising he calls 311)

To continue, the dentist man, dressed in a suit, "corrected" the previous speakers. It is a 3 story building with 2 dentists. (Nasty blond lady is hiding behind the wall shaking her head walking back and forth even more pissed off). The office takes up so much space with a ramp because they specialize in handicapped children. All they have is a 300 square foot waiting room on the first floor (size of a garage) and there is an elevator for the other floors. Doesn't see the problem with all this. Doesn't feel they are taking up too much space or causing any violations.


IN CONCLUSION
The board speaks about the land use issue. A lady at a round table raises her hand saying it should go to the land use committee. A guy at another table 2Nd's. The lady gets annoyed and says, " I just said that!" The guy next to her says that's how it works, hes agreeing with you. ( Maya and I laughed). The board thanks everyone for how they voted.


The best part about this was to see how pissed off some people got. Also The old man with the flood really touched me. And i also had no idea the Vision of 2020 was taking place so it was very informative.

I feel the level on the ladder we were on at this meeting was Level 5, Placation. Because i wouldnt go as far to say there was equal power like a partnership, however, the board definitely listened and everyone voted fairly and gave good feedback.