Jeremy Warneke, District Manager of Community Board 11, spoke last night at the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance’s monthly community meeting. Warneke focused on the importance of community members using 311 to address problems within the neighborhood. Many members brought up the abundance of graffiti and absentee landlords that is plaguing the neighborhood, an issue that was discussed in March’s meeting as well.
Warneke stated that it is important for residents to call 311 and the Community Board 
11 office in order to document the problem at hand, this is especially handy when a member has multiple complaints to report. Additionally, residents can make complaints online on 311’s website (www1.nyc.gov/311/index.page)
A representative from the office of the Comptroller, Scott M. Stringer, suggested that if residents 311 complaints were taking too long to be addressed, that they should also call their office at (212) 669-3916 (or visit their website: comptroller.nyc.gov)
With the temperatures rising more children are going outside to play, especially basketball. The vice President of VNNA, Bernadette Ferrara informed members that police are cracking down on basketball hoops that are set up in the middle of the street. She cited that this is a safety issue for the children playing basketball.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the offices of Councilman Ritchie Torres, Assemblyman Luis Sepulveda, and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj. In the VNNA meeting held in March, Councilman Torres promised residents that he would take a tour of abandoned properties in the Van Nest community in order to form a comprehensive survey of those properties (as well as address other issues). Councilman Torres’ office is currently working with multiple city and government agencies, like the Department of Housing for abandon properties as well as the Mayor’s office to work on better graffiti removal.
There are many exciting events taking place in May, including a groundbreaking dedication for the New Van Nest Park on May 16th at 11 a.m. (a reception will take place afterwards in Saint Dominic School). The East Bronx History Forum will have a memorial ceremony at Van Nest Memorial Park for General James F. Collins and Seaman Arthur M. Moriondo on May 26th at 12 p.m. On June 25th, VNNA will have a fundraiser at Maestros where they will honor Sisters of St. John the Baptist and Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj for their work within the Van Nest neighborhood.
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