Op-Ed: Liberate Glendale,
Give Nabe Its Own Zip
by Albert
Baldeo
01.14.09 - 12:27
pm
Government should
serve the people. Constituents have a legitimate expectation of
goods and services from their government. "Life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness," remains the bedrock of our greatness as a
nation. In our own constituency of Glendale, the desire and goal
of getting its own zip code is an overdue right and expectation of
residents and taxpayers, and this omission is a burning issue that
cries out for a long-awaited solution.
Prominent groups and
associations such as the Glendale Property Owners Association, led
by its hardworking executives President Brian Dooley, Vice
President Robert Kozlowski, and Board member Jack Zwerenz, have
lobbied ad nauseam to anyone who would listen, but to no avail.
Dorie Figliola, a spirited advocate and member of Community Board
5, is fed up crying in the wilderness. Their collective pleas have
all fallen on deaf ears. One of the beautiful features of Glendale
residents is the sense of community, and that is severely affected
in the morass of this problem.
Community identity has kept
people together, enabling them to grow economically. It is this
same sense of neighborhood belonging which gave birth to G-COP, an
exemplary community policing group, which has established itself
as one of the oldest, largest, and most effective civilian
policing groups in New York City, a model worthy of emulation
across America.
A few years ago, I advocated on behalf of
the residents of Rochdale Village in neighboring Southeast Queens,
a Mitchell-Lama Housing project and the second largest co-op in
the world, with over 25,000 residents. After their efforts to get
assistance were ignored and suppressed, I assisted them in
bringing a lawsuit at considerable personal expense and time. They
wanted urgent solutions to their problems, such as steep fuel
charge increases, a 12 percent carrying charge increase, frequent
blackouts, rodent infestation, security, sanitation, parking
problems and other issues. But their most important gripe was that
their finances were being mismanaged. My lawsuit sought an order
directing the Board of Directors to employ an independent internal
auditor as regards their finances, assets, and investments;
another order for the Board to explain and account for the
depletion of the Contingency Reserve Fund from $30 million to $8
million; judgment for $25 million against the Board and managers
for conversion, waste, and depletion of the said fund; an
accounting of all transfers of funds made by the Board to all
organizations, individuals and groups; an injunction restraining
the Board from further transfers of the assets of Rochdale
Village; an order enjoining the Board from permitting the managers
from making decisions reserved to the Board; and an accounting by
the Board as to how $80 million in debt was contracted on the
backs of shareholders. My initiative brought the necessary relief
they hoped for, and the Board and management were
replaced.Glendale presents another quality of life issue. Why is
that Glendale, with a combined population of over 95,000 people
with Ridgewood, cannot qualify for its own zip code, when the
threshold is 30,000, and the reality is that Glendale, by itself,
has the requisite population? "Many communities are smaller than
us, yet they have their own code," is a common gripe.
A
multiplicity of problems has burdened Glendale residents because
of this. They have complained of the small inadequate substation
that is undoubtedly a revenue-earning federal Post Office, and the
poor services due to lack of staff and space. Deliveries are
erroneously sent to wrong addresses in Flushing, Ridgewood, and
Middle Village. Some are returned to sender, while Glendale
residents must trek to the Ridgewood post office to pick up
packages. A separate zip code will only improve mail delivery.
Adding to these indignities is the fact that an Internet search
for an address or business in Glendale often shows the location as
being in Ridgewood. Revenue earned from this Post Office should be
spent to relocate it within Glendale, with better and bigger
facilities and personnel.
Even drivers who use modern
navigation devices, such as GPS, are often lost. Many end up in
Ridgewood, because of the shared zip code. Heaven help the
stranded driver waiting for help, as long time resident Jack
Zwerenz will confirm. Delays in vital services such as ambulance
services, the delivery of prescription drugs, bank and credit card
statements, meals, home health care, professional visits, and
locating residents are only a few of the humbugs Glendale
residents are forced to endure. Vulnerable groups, such as seniors
and the disabled, are subjected to untold pain, frustration and
suffering, and sometimes, death. Non-delivery of mail results in
delinquent accounts, late payments and credit ruin. Surely,
Glendale residents deserve better?
Positive action from the
federal government is needed immediately to address this issue.
Councilwoman Liz Crowley and State Senator Joe Addabbo have
brought new energies and a new commitment and perspective in
advocating for its success, but the issue remains a federal one,
which places the ball in Congressman Anthony Weiner's court. To
his credit, he has shown interest in finding a solution to this
problem, but residents have waited and endured long enough. We
therefore reiterate our call to all elected officials and agencies
to give Glendale its own zip code.
When the zip code is
changed, it will not be a moment too soon for Glendale residents.
Time is of the essence. The federal government must fulfill its
mandate to serve Glendale residents. A speedy solution will
convince us that the new Obama administration means business, and
that it really cares about taxpayers.
Precedent is on
Glendale's side. Recently, the Postal Service approved plans to
split Manhattan's elite 10021 zip code, home to Mayor Michael
Bloomberg and media mogul Rupert Murdoch, into two codes, citing
the area's growing population. It went a step further and issued
the vanity code 10022-SHOE to the Saks Fifth Avenue department
store as a way for the retailer to brand its new women's footwear
salon.
Rest assured that Glendale's request is a
reasonable one. It is based on necessity, not vanity, and a desire
for equal and fair treatment from the powers that be, who must act
now!
Editor's note: Albert Baldeo is an attorney and
community advocate. He is a former State Senate candidate for the
15th District, which includes Glendale. Comments can be sent to
his email at AlBaldeo@aol.com
