Laura
05-02-2007, 11:01 PM
Story from the Staten Island Advance
CB 3 panel OKs group residence (http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1178108106313770.xml&coll=1CB)
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
By KIAWANA RICH
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new group residence on the South Shore won unanimous approval last night from a committee of Community Board 3, which set aside some mild expressions of community resistance.
The residence, at newly constructed 190 Sprague Ave., Tottenville, is to be operated by Travis-based Community Resources (CR) and funded by the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). It will house six mild to moderately developmentally disabled women from ages 30 to 60, who will receive 24-hour supervision seven days a week.
Hoping to allay neighbors' fears and concerns, William D'Ambrosio, chairman of the board's Public Service Committee, told the 31 community members present that in the many years he and the board have been sifting proposals for group residences, members of the public all have had the same fears: Lowered property values, safety, parking and increased traffic.
He told the crowd that those fears are unfounded.
Also addressing residents last night was CR Executive Director Dana Magee.
Sprague Avenue resident Pam Rizzo seemed to sum up the mood: "None of us are unfeeling or unsympathetic. I fear, I guess, what I don't know -- which is what most of us do.":oops:
Community Board 3 as a whole is expected to approve the group residence at its May 22 meeting.
Kiawana Rich is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at rich@siadvance.com.
CB 3 panel OKs group residence (http://www.silive.com/news/advance/index.ssf?/base/news/1178108106313770.xml&coll=1CB)
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
By KIAWANA RICH
ADVANCE STAFF WRITER
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A new group residence on the South Shore won unanimous approval last night from a committee of Community Board 3, which set aside some mild expressions of community resistance.
The residence, at newly constructed 190 Sprague Ave., Tottenville, is to be operated by Travis-based Community Resources (CR) and funded by the state Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD). It will house six mild to moderately developmentally disabled women from ages 30 to 60, who will receive 24-hour supervision seven days a week.
Hoping to allay neighbors' fears and concerns, William D'Ambrosio, chairman of the board's Public Service Committee, told the 31 community members present that in the many years he and the board have been sifting proposals for group residences, members of the public all have had the same fears: Lowered property values, safety, parking and increased traffic.
He told the crowd that those fears are unfounded.
Also addressing residents last night was CR Executive Director Dana Magee.
Sprague Avenue resident Pam Rizzo seemed to sum up the mood: "None of us are unfeeling or unsympathetic. I fear, I guess, what I don't know -- which is what most of us do.":oops:
Community Board 3 as a whole is expected to approve the group residence at its May 22 meeting.
Kiawana Rich is a news reporter for the Advance. She may be reached at rich@siadvance.com.