GCCA member, Michael Cigliano, celebrated his 70th birthday at John's Restaurant with many of his friends - who also happen to be Grant City community members.
The Grant City Civic Association has submitted the following:
We, the members of the Grant City Civic Association (GCCA), would like to make you aware of our recent decision to support the preservation of the land containing the William H. Pouch Scout Camp, centrally located in the Staten Island Greenbelt.
The GCCA was formed in response to the blatant overdevelopment occurring in our community along with the numerous negative side-effects generated by the increase of population density. From this stance, we believe that the complete protection of the William H. Pouch Scout Camp, from development, is of the utmost importance to avoid a repeat of past land-use errors.
The 140 acres of parkland has provided countless hours of recreation for generations of New Yorkers and immeasurable benefits to the already highly stressed ecology of Staten Island. We implore you to make every effort to prevent the loss of an irreplaceable natural component of Staten Island’s infrastructure.
Yours truly,
On behalf of the members of the Grant City Civic Association,
Daniel Kennedy Secretary, Grant City Civic Association
cc: Governor David A. Paterson, Congressman Michael E. McMahon, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Borough President James P. Molinaro, Senator Andrew J. Lanza, Senator Diane J. Savino, Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer, Assemblyman Lou Tobacco, Assemblyman Matthew Titone, Assemblyman Michael Cusick,Councilman James S. Oddo, Councilwoman Deborah Rose, Councilman Vincent Ignizio, NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Borough Parks Commissioner Thomas A. Paulo, Greenbelt Conservancy, Editor Staten Island Advance
Reply from Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer:
Reply from NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe's representative:
Reply from Assemblyman Lou Tobacco:
Reply from Assemblyman Cusick:
SI Advance, March 12,2010:
Reply from Congressman Michael McMahon:
Reply from Staten Island Parks Commissioner Thomas A. Paulo:
At our January meeting, our guest speakers were CPA's Gregory Cicero and Gerard LoVerde. They discussed our yearly ritual of filing income tax returns.
At our meeting on November 12, 2009, Marianne Maloney and her team stressed the importance of an accurate count. Our communities rely on government funding based on population. Without full participation, we get short-changed of public services, such as hospitals and schools.
The new Census form has been reduced to a total of 10 querstions.
All information remains confidential and, by law, cannot be disclosed.
At our meeting on January 14th, we voted to donate $100 to the relief effort for the island nation of Haiti.
We have chosen the Mayor's Fund To Advance New York City which is directing 100% towards the emergency relief efforts serving the victims of the Haiti earthquake.
Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer made a visit to our meeting on Thursday evening to address the impending deep budget cuts in New York State. But, not all news is bad. Her office is sponsoring a drive to help women who need an edge when seeking employment.
The Grant City Civic Association was well represented at this morning's rally for our local politicians who have serviced and supported our community for many years.
At our September meeting a concern was raised about the duplicate delivery of the East Shore section of the Staten Island Advance. Through email correspondence, I was able to cease the delivery to my own house. But, other homeowners have reported that the delivery continues.
Here is the contact information to be removed from the delivery route:
Rick Paoli Staten Island Advance Distribution 718-981-1234 paoli@siadvance.com
Also, here is the number to request to be removed from the delivery route of the New York Newsday Marketeer:
1-800-376-6222
This also reduces consumption of our natural resources and removes content from our waste stream.
As Election Day nears, our meetings tend to draw our local politicians. The recent meeting featured Judge Honorable Philip G. Minardo as the guest speaker. He is seeking his second 14 year term and is running (unopposed) on the Democratic, Republican, Independent, and Conservative party lines.
Also, John Luisi, candidate for Borough President. He is running on the Democratic and Working Families party lines.
We wish them both the best of luck on November 3rd!!!
The 122 Precinct Community Council, along with the NYPD, will be issuing free electronic fingerprinting for children, before this month's Community Council meeting.
Wednesday, October 21st. 4PM - 7PM 2320 Hylan Boulevard
Staten Island's renowned artist, Scott LoBaido, painted a new flag right here in Grant City. The location is the side wall of CrayonBlu, which is visible from the 7-11 parking lot.
It was funded by Councilman James Oddo and the family owned business, Sal DelPriore Landscaping, of GCCA treasurer, Luisa DelPriore.
Arrangements are made through the Where To Turn organization's program "Flags Across Staten Island".
Our community is forever grateful to all involved!
Volunteers are distributing flyers this week in preparation for our first meeting on Thursday, September 10th.
Our goal is to deliver one to every household in our community.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to a scheduling conflict, our meeting location has been changed to Councilman James Oddo's office at 94 Lincoln Avenue - two doors over from the Corner House Restaurant.
The Grant City Civic Association (GCCA) was founded in 2002 by twelve families from the Grant City, Staten Island area. The impetus for the formation of the GCCA was the surge in single family home tear-downs and the over-development of the once bucolic mid-Island neighborhood.
The GCCA waged an aggressive appeal to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the New York City Department of City Planning and local elected officials to enact downzoning laws to prevent further destruction of the Grant City neighborhood. After much time and effort the Mid-Island Down Zoning Proposal was approved.
Since that time the GCCA has continued its mission to take steps to improve the quality of life for its community and to encourage all residents and business owners to maintain pride in the wonderful town of Grant City.
GCCA Board Members
Paula Cenci - President Luisa DelPriore - Treasurer Dan Kennedy - Secretary Michael Cigliano - Sergeant At Arms Judith Clarke & Steven Noldenburg - 122nd Pct. CC Liaisons
Contact via email:
grantcitycivicassociation @gmail.com
Contact via phone:
(347) 850-0173
Our Next Meeting
Tuesday, January 3rd at 7:30PM
St. Christopher's Community Center
136 Midland Avenue