Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance Meeting

(L - R) 49th Precinct Sector A, NCO Officer Brancatelli, VNNA Treasurer John Messinger, NCO Officer Nicewicz, VNNA Trustee Shradhanend Pirtam, VNNA President Bernadette Ferrara, VNNA Secretary Marion Manfredi, Ted Pryor representing Councilman Mark Gjonaj, and VNNA Senior Advisor Bob Nolan.

  Last night was the monthly Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance meeting where Councilman Mark Gjonaj was the scheduled guest of this rescheduled meeting due to last Monday's snow storm. The VNNA meets on the first Monday of each month with the exception of January, July, and August.  

  Councilman Gjonaj was unable to attend as he was at  City Hall Budget meeting, and sent Ted Pryor of his staff to represent him. Mr. Pryor went over some of the many community events that are going on through Councilman Gjonaj's office, aad mentioned the Councilman's Newsletter listing the events. The subject of the new building going up on Blondell Avenue came up with a question of a possible charter school going in the building. VNNA President Ferrara stressed that the CB 10 and CB 11 areas  are short middle school seats, and did not need a charter school. Mr. Pryor answered that if the community rejects the current proposal before the community board that a homeless shelter could wind up being built on the site. That raised concerns from several people who objected the comment "if you don't take this building a homeless shelter could be built" attitude. 

NCO Officers Brancatelli and Nicewicz went over a few items of public safety. Not to leave your car running if you are parked to run into a store to get something, as two cars were stolen that way in the precinct. They took various individual questions from the audience taking down addresses to check on the problems. 

VNNA President Ferrara went over the agenda of the next few meetings, and that in June 2019 the VNNA will have elections for its officers. Bob Nolan went over the process stating members must be in good standing for six months to vote, nominate, run for any office, and must live in the area of the VNNA to run for office.

The Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance will be having their Annual Dinner on Friday  May 10th from 7 - 10 PM at Maestros. 

Above - Councilman Mark Gjonaj's representative Ted Pryor listens to VNNA President Ferrara's statement after he answered a question about the Blondell Avenue proposed building.

Below - 49th Precinct NCO Officers Brancatelli and Nicewicz spoke and took questions from the audience.