Fleetwood Neighborhood Association News! A&P Closing Date Finalize

Wed Jan 28 07:42:48 PST 2009

Neighbors,

First, I want to ask that we stop hitting "reply all" as not everyone wants
to read or see this information, so lets address our emails
accordingly...(This is my fault, as I forgot to follow Mr. Reich's advice
when I sent out the original email.)

Second, I do agree that communication from the City Administration is slow
and not to the point.  The mayor was made well aware of this on Monday night
at a commissioner's and neighborhood meeting.  He and his staff will be
working to amend this major issue - and I truly hope that more and better
communication will begin to flow in and out of city hall.

Third, I was given, on Monday, the same line: "matters are progressing" and
I was told that we MAY hear more by the end of the week.  I'm disappointed
as well that there isn't more information, but even this bit is more than we
have received before, and I remain optimistic that an agreeable solution
will be had.  (Let me add that I had attempted to get this information for
months, as have many of you...)

Fourth, the negotiations and deal between the owner of the land under A&P
and CVS are private, as they are privately owned.  The City of Mount Vernon
doesn't have a say in private real estate transactions.  Nor would we want
them to - do you want the mayor to be at the closing of your house sale?

Fifth, I think we should be grateful that the shuttle bus will be provided.
I wish we had known this for a few weeks, as it would have prevented a lot
of fear in our community, but "if wishes were horses, even beggars would
ride."

Finally, It is my goal, as president of the association, to get better and
more timely information from the city for 2009.  The directors and I, along
with other key community members, are meeting with the Mayor tomorrow, and
our ultimate goal is to set up friendly, constant and correct communication
lines. We will be working with this administration for at least 3 more
years, so we, (read: I) have to learn to get along better with them.

In the end, the people that make Fleetwood GREAT are the people who live
here.  We need to continue to work together, meet together, and help each
other, in order to survive and thrive in this economy. 

Again - please don't hit reply-all folks! 

Suzie

  _____  

From: Richard Bergelson [mailto:rockdb at yahoo.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2009 10:11 AM
To: Susan Granata
Cc: fnacontactlist at fleetwoodneighbors.org
Subject: Re: Fleetwood Neighborhood Association News! A&P Closing Date
Finalize

Susan et al

Talk about lack of communication - why is this fact just coming to light
now? Hasn't the Mayor and his staff been intimately involved with the whole
CVS/A&P situation. Has anyone from his office been attending the FNA meeting
regarding this matter? And what are they alluding to when they say
"negotiations for a new supermarket are progressing"?  Did the City of Mt
Vernon have the power to stop this deal from being consumated & finalized,
considering the effect it was going to have on the whole Fleetwood
neighborhood?

Richard B

 Wed, 1/28/09, yolanda robinson <onpoint23 at gmail.com> wrote:

From: yolanda robinson <onpoint23 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Fleetwood Neighborhood Association News! A&P Closing Date
Finalize
To: "Susan Granata" <susan_granata at yahoo.com>
Cc: fnacontactlist at fleetwoodneighbors.org
Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2009, 9:05 AM

Greetings,

I am the Chief of Staff of the City of Mount Vernon. I would like to inform
you that Mayor Young is aware of the closing of the A& P Supermarket on
February 7th. While, negotiations for a new supermarket are progressing, the
Mayor will schedule a FREE shuttle bus service for seniors to transport them
from Fleetwood to the Foodtown store on Prospect Avenue. The shuttle service
will commence next week. We will inform everyone about schedules very soon.
Thank you 

On 1/27/09, Susan Granata <susan_granata at yahoo.com> wrote: 

Dear Neighbors,

It is with much regret that I am passing on the final closing date for the
A&P.  Saturday, February 7, 2009 will be the last day of business for the
local grocery store.  On behalf of the Fleetwood Neighborhood Association, I
would like to wish the employees of the A&P the best of luck.  

Many people have contacted me and asked me - What do we DO?  Frankly,
there's a lot we can do to get through this transition time.  Ms. Derbin,
one of our members, thought a carpool would be a great way to help our
community.  Many of us have neighbors that are elderly or disabled. Many of
us ARE elderly or disabled.  If you drive, and are going to the store, take
a few minutes and knock on the door of your elderly neighbor.  Tell them -
"I'm going to the store - can I pick something up for you?" or even, work
out a time when you can go to the store together.  I know we're all busy.  I
know it's hard to schedule a time to "go to the store"...but a lot of us go
at a certain time on a certain day, give or take an hour or special
occasion.  Taking someone to the store doesn't really take a lot of time
away from our lives - and what it adds in improving your quality of life,
and the quality of lives around you, is priceless.  I urge all of you, all
of us, to take the time to find a neighbor, and help them out.  With the
weather getting worse, and ice on the way, it's the perfect time for our
community to show its true spirit and band together. 

I would also like to take this time to point out that Meateria is now
stocking grocery items.  Milk, Eggs and the like are available along with
their usual fare. In addition to regular and fancy deli fare, breads can be
purchased at Antonee's Deli - not only Italian bread and rolls, but loaves
of whole wheat for sandwiches and toast.  In addition, frozen pastas and
sauces are available.  Obviously, produce can be purchased at Ben Nat, along
with milk, juice, syrups, spices and baking items.  

This is a truly challenging time our community faces - and it will prove our
mettle for us to persevere - lend a hand, drive a neighbor to the store, or
pick up some groceries for someone - we can do this!

  _____  

In other news, Mayor Young and his administration are happy to announce that
the community is invited to participate in the development of a
"Comprehensive Plan".  (Formerly known as "Master Plan")  Since there hasn't
been a plan for Mount Vernon since 1967 (which, as Commissioner Williams
mentioned, was before Man walked on the Moon...) it is high time to draft a
blueprint for our city for the new century.  Community surveys will be
handed out in strategic places, as well as be available online at
www.cmvny.com <http://www.cmvny.com/> .  When they get an electronic
version, I'll also put one on our website...Fill it out and turn it in -
your thoughts, opinions and needs will be taken into consideration.  Members
of the community are welcome to join the committee for the Master Plan - I
know we have some members who will be signing up for that!  This is truly a
way to help chart a new course for our city - fill out your survey soon!  

  _____  

Don't Forget to Vote!!  Today only! Until 9pm!!

Thanks everyone,

Suzie

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-- 
Yolanda Robinson
Chief of Staff 
Office of the Mayor
City of Mount Vernon
One Roosevelt Plaza
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
(914) 450-2580
Yrobinson at cmvny.com
Onpoint23 at gmail.com 
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