It seems that news in New Dorp runs in cycles and we are now amidst one of those cycles.
You could talk about bullets being shot through the front windows of two stores across from Miller Field. During the early morning hours. Sure seems strange. Fortunately no one was hurt. But it still seems strange. And there was no cause? No message being sent? It was motiveless?
And then there was the news about the Cedar Grove Beach property and the city’s intention to oust the current tenants and make changes.
My first question is… to what purpose? And other questions come to mind… Why end the leases now? What is the plan for the property? And was it really necessary to give them only 30 days notice to vacate? What are the plans for the property? If this is something that they have been considering for a while then they must have a number of options in mind. Why the secrecy? Telling me that they want to link Oakwood and Midland Beaches tells me little. That is the view from 30,000 feet. But how does that look at the street level? What exactly will happen? What will we see? And how soon? Was it necessary to evict the tenants to achieve those goals? And where will the money come from? Parks did not have enough money to plant a wide variety of flowers in New Dorp Beach Park as they did the first year and they will now be undertaking this?
Yep… still too many questions.
That’s what I think. What do you think?
> Joe Markowski
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I say, put forward plans, full plans of what will be done, how it will improve the community, how it will benefit the public good, because tearing down the homes of people who fight to preserve a part of Staten Island's culture and history is not in the public good.
ReplyDeleteThe way to get clean beaches and nice waterfronts is to RETURN THE LAND TO OWNERS. This idea of a park is a failed idea, it's nothing but a haven for underage drinking, drug use, vagrants, brush fires, and stolen cars stripped of their parts and set on fire. That is what happened the last time the City took down the houses of residents in New Dorp Beach, and that is what is going to happen to Cedar Grove Beach once all the houses are taken down.
ReplyDeleteNo one is going to take care of the beach once they are gone. No one takes care of New Dorp Beach... the City doesn't even invest in storm protection for the area, even though study after study says that New Dorp Beach and Oakwood beach are the most vulnerable to flooding. And we are to expect them to make this nice? THEY DON'T EVEN PUT FORWARD THEIR PLANS! BECAUSE THEY HAVE NO PLANS!
We need organizations like yours to help keep New Dorp alive and well. Please help save Cedar Grove.
ReplyDelete1. On the gun shots - indeed one of the scariest things I have ever witnessed (probably the only thing that was scarier was watching the events of 9/11 unfold outside of my dorm window). Those bullets struck just about 10 feet below my bedroom window and 2 feet from my front door - truly frightening!
ReplyDelete2. On Cedar Grove Beach - I truly don't understand the city's reason for making this decision at this point. It has been made quite clear that no government agencies have any extra funds to spare. So in these hard financial times, why not continue to get the payment from the folks who very much want to continue to be stewards of this land? I have strong doubts that the city will dedicate the resources to maintain the land - we are going to lose quite a bit if this land is condemned one last time and the city fails to cultivate the area.
I am not a member of CGBC. I live in the neighboring community and for 40 years enjoyed, appreciated and cherished, with my entire heart and soul, this picturesque and serene refuge. I made many friends along the way and hold precious memories dear to my heart forever. Why must this happen? This makes no sense to me whatsoever. Let the residents stay within this so-called park and co-exist. Why do they have to leave? And so heartless! 30 days to get out right before Christmas? I never wanted this day to come but this is beyond comprehension. I say, "goodnight, beautiful beach, thanks for the memories" every time I pass through to leave the little path carved out by a kind friend, always looking back. My son has said it too. I never thought it would be "goodbye" instead of "good night". I was not prepared for this.
ReplyDeleteWhy now? One month AFTER the mayoral election the Parks Department decides, with 30 days notice, to erase a 100 year old community.
ReplyDeleteI know that the CGBC agreement allows the city to reclaim the land at any time. But there is no reason to give only 30 days notice, right before Christmas.
Since there is zero city money available to do anything with Cedar Grove Beach what is the point of bullying the CGBC residents now?
I have yet to read a statement from NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe regarding this situation.
What is really going on here???
As others have noted here, New Dorp Beach and Oakwood Beach are barely maintained as it is. Complaints can be made via the 311 website at at:
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/nycbeach
If you give your email address you'll receive a reply with a complaint number.
Don't expect any miracles or a rapid response, but at least the city will have a record of the poor conditions.