THE VOICE OF WESTERLEIGH Westerleigh Improvement Society, Inc. PO Box 140-043, , NY 10314 www.wisonline.org JUNE 2018

Serving the Westerleigh community since 1893 Vol. 53 No. 3 Circulation: 850

president’s message Upcoming Meetings Meeting begins at 8 pm Westerleigh Talks at 7 pm We’ve finally arrived at the warmer days of late spring and are absorbing all of the beautiful colors of our gar- Tuesday, September 4 dens. Many of us are busy enhancing our yards and mak- Tuesday, October 2 ing improvements to our homes. Immanuel Union Church During the month of May the Society held its Annual 693 Jewett Avenue Meeting at the Immanuel Union Church. Michael Cusick, at the corner of Maine Avenue our NYS Assemblyman , was the guest speaker. A com- plete description of the topics discussed is printed in this ~Everyone Welcome~ issue of the newsletter.

The ’s Office has announced there will be a Sunset Concert in Westerleigh Park on July 26. The performers will be announced in the near future. Upcoming Events The Annual William Schorkopf Patriotic Sunday in in Westerleigh Park Westerleigh Park will take place June 24 at 2 p.m. The South Shore Band will be performing for the 34th year. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served. Sunday, June 24, 2PM:

If any resident has an issue that they feel the Society WIS hosts Patriotic Sunday can assist with, please contact us as soon as possible. with the South Shore Band

Thursday, July 26 Sunset Concert Series performers to be announced NYS Assemblyman Michael Cusick addresses WIS Annual Meeting

(left to right) Frances Genereux, Michael Cusick, Michael Morrell and Ed Malone. “Westerleigh is my at $5.50 for EZ Pass hold- residents to attend upcoming home. It is ingrained ers – would remain in effect, meetings to let officials know in me. My values come despite the ongoing efforts of “your complaints.” Only many in the state legislature then, he said, can we hope from this neighbor- to rescind that benefit. the MTA board members will hood.” “I will make sure (our) col- tweak some of the problems leagues understand the need riders endure each day. “They - NYS Assemblyman to continue this discount … are listening,” he assured the Michael J. Cusick they should expect big push audience, and that is “encour- back,” he continued, not only aging,” but we need to con- ith those words, from him but the rest of the tinue the fight. WMichael J. Cusick, Island delegation. Addressing the soaring fees who has represented our In addition, he said, “we on water usage, Cusick said community in Albany since need a mechanism … to keep the problem is with the Wa- 2003, began his address to ter Board, which is stacked the audience of more than against residents. He has 100 at the annual meeting of introduced a bill that will al- the Westerleigh Improvement low each borough president a Society on May 16 at the Im- representative on the board, manuel Union Church. although he himself admit- And right from the start, ted its passage was doubtful. it was obvious that not only “The city blocks it each year,” was he comfortable among he pointed out, but vowed to the people he grew up with, keep fighting. he was acutely aware of the Staten Islanders from paying “This is why I work for problems and challenges fac- more than their fair share of you in Albany,” he said of his ing his constituents, almost the toll burden” that falls on efforts to improve the quality all of whom he counts as his drivers in this city in general, of life throughout his district, friends. and this borough in particular. “and I hope to continue to For example, on the hot- He pledged his continued ef- work for you in the future.” button issue of tolls, he forts to make that a reality. pledged to work to ensure On another sensitive is- * * * that the discounts enjoyed by sue – MTA Express Bus The Assemblyman then Staten Islanders on the Ver- plans – Cusick strongly urged took questions from the razano Bridge – currently set Continued on page 3 2 The Newly Re-designed Westerleigh Improvement Society Website WISONLINE.ORG he Westerleigh Improvement Society re- Now donations and dues can be paid Tcently revamped its website www.wison- through the website using the PayPal function. line.org in order to have a fresher, more at- Additionally, a links page featuring historic tractive look. Members and residents will find resources has been added. There you can ac- the familiar places for meetings and photos as cess many of the Westerleigh Talks produced by well as all of our past newsletters online. Vice President Mark Anderson, which can be viewed on YouTube. •

Wardwell Avenue Capital Project Moving into Final Phases ith the warmer weather upon us the in streets around the school and work will Wcontractor for the Capital Project on continue unabated until school reopens in Wardwell and neighboring streets will move September. into high gear. Much of the sanitary sewer In addition, the contractor will employ work is underway and the next phase involves more than one construction crew to expedite construction around PS 30 after the school the work. The inconvenience will be obvious, year ends. but the results at the end of the project will Massive storm sewer sections will be placed make it all worthwhile. •

Continued from page 2 heard the usual complaints there are valid arguments in about drivers who violate the favor of legalization, he is not policy, the lack of rules en- now in favor of legalizing the forcement along the highway, drug. “Now is not the time and the feasibility of either while we are fighting an opioid eliminating them all together, epidemic” he said. or extending them. He said he Recent developments in the was working with governmen- alteration of property has led tal officials to fund a study to some residents to express the extend/complete the HOV desire that the Building De- NYS Assemblyman Michael Cusick lanes along the complete route, partment adequately enforce with WIS President Michael Morrell. but offered no quick solution current regulations. The So- to the myriad of problems ciety offered to meet with the audience on additional topics. brought up. Assemblyman to seek ways to They included: On the issue of legalizing do so. HOV lanes along the Staten • marijuana: Although he knows Island Expressway: Cusick 3 Westerleigh Improvement Society, Inc PRSRT STD P.O. Box 140-043 U.S. Postage Staten Island, NY 10314 www.wisonline.org PAID Permit #99 Staten Island, N.Y.

Important Numbers Westerleigh Improvement Society, Inc * U.S. Congress, NY District 11 Email us at: [email protected] Dan Donovan: 718-351-1062 Officers: Newsletter Design: * NYS Senate, District 24 President–Mike Morrell Regina Paleau : 718-984-4073 Vice President–Mark Anderson Newsletter Editor * NYS Assembly, District 63 Treasurer–Ed Malone Lou Bergonzi Michael Cusick: 718-370-1384 Secretary–Frances Genereux * NYS Assembly , District 61 Matthew Titone: 718-442-9932 * SI Borough President James Oddo : 718-816-2000 WIS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION * NYC Council, District 49 Annual Dues: Debi Rose: 718-556-7370 Resident Membership $20 ____ Associate Membership $30 ____ * NYC Council, District 50 : 718-980-1017 Name: ______* Staten Island District Attorney Address: ______Michael McMahon: 718-876-6300 E-Mail: ______* 120th Precinct: 718-876-8500 Phone # (optional): ______* 121th Precinct: 718-697-8700 if renewing: Membership # ______(the number on the upper left of mailing label) * Community Board 1: 718-981-6900 * P.S.30: 718-442-0462 Please mail this form with your check made payable to the Westerleigh * I.S. 51: 718-981-0502 Improvement Society, P.O. Box 140-043, Staten Island, NY 10314