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.

Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance Meeting

  The monthly meeting of the Van Nest Neighborhood Alliance went off a little later than usual, because the President and Vice-President were stuck in a subway snafu. Pictured above in the back row are 49th Precinct commanding officer Captain Andrew Natiw (center) with the NCO and community Affairs officers. Left back row if VNNA past President Shradhanand Pirtam. Front roe (l-r) VNNA officers Treasurer John Messinger, President Bernadette Ferrara, Counsel Robert Nolan, Vice-President Sharlene Jackson-Mendez, and Secretary Marion Manfredi.

 The meeting began with Captain Natiw of the 49th Precinct going over crime numbers which he said have continued to decrease in the area. complaints came up about three buildings where suspicious actions were said to be going on. Captain Natiw said he is doing the best he can with the amount of officers assigned to the area, bringing up the two NCO officers who patrol the area in question. Romian Enea of Councilman Torres's office said that Councilman Torres was aware of the three houses in question, added that the city is using the three buildings for a special use, and said that was all she could say at this time. Several other questions were asked of Captain Natiw who gave a warning about double and triple parking, saying that those cars would now be ticketed. 

Ms. Romina Enea Deputy Chief if Staff to Councilman Ritchie Torres explains about the three addresses in question.

 Councilman Mark Gjonaj, State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, and Assemblywoman Karines Reyes sent representatives who spoke. 87th Assembly District Leader John Perez spoke about the upcoming special election for Public Advocate, and answered some questions as to why there were problems in the November 2018 election where the ballot scanning machines broke down at an unusually high rate. May 10th will be the annual VNNA fundraiser at Maestros Caterers, and you can check the VNNA Facebook page for more information.