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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>Neighbors,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>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.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial
color=#0000ff size=2>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...)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>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?</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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."</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>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.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Again
- please don't hit reply-all folks! </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=172242715-28012009><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Suzie</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><BR></DIV>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> Richard Bergelson
[mailto:rockdb@yahoo.com] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, January 28, 2009 10:11
AM<BR><B>To:</B> Susan Granata<BR><B>Cc:</B>
fnacontactlist@fleetwoodneighbors.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: Fleetwood
Neighborhood Association News! A&P Closing Date
Finalize<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top>Susan et al<BR><BR>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?<BR><BR>Richard
B<BR><BR> <B>Wed, 1/28/09, yolanda robinson
<I><onpoint23@gmail.com></I></B> wrote:<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid">From:
yolanda robinson <onpoint23@gmail.com><BR>Subject: Re: Fleetwood
Neighborhood Association News! A&P Closing Date Finalize<BR>To:
"Susan Granata" <susan_granata@yahoo.com><BR>Cc:
fnacontactlist@fleetwoodneighbors.org<BR>Date: Wednesday, January 28,
2009, 9:05 AM<BR><BR>
<DIV id=yiv1989199473>
<DIV>Greetings,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>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
<BR><BR> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=gmail_quote>On 1/27/09, <B class=gmail_sendername>Susan
Granata</B> <<A href="mailto:susan_granata@yahoo.com" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>susan_granata@yahoo.com</A>> wrote:</SPAN>
<BLOCKQUOTE class=gmail_quote
style="PADDING-LEFT: 1ex; MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(204,204,204) 1px solid">
<DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Neighbors,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>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. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>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.
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>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!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<HR>
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>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 <A href="http://www.cmvny.com/" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>www.cmvny.com</A>. 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!
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>
<HR>
</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>Don't Forget to Vote!! Today
only! Until 9pm!!</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks
everyone,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN><FONT face=Arial
size=2>Suzie</FONT></SPAN></DIV></DIV><BR>_______________________________________________<BR>FNAContactList
mailing list<BR><A href="mailto:FNAContactList@fleetwoodneighbors.org"
target=_blank
rel=nofollow>FNAContactList@fleetwoodneighbors.org</A><BR><A
href="http://fleetwoodneighbors.org/mailman/listinfo/fnacontactlist_fleetwoodneighbors.org"
target=_blank
rel=nofollow>http://fleetwoodneighbors.org/mailman/listinfo/fnacontactlist_fleetwoodneighbors.org</A><BR><BR></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR><BR
clear=all><BR>-- <BR>Yolanda Robinson<BR>Chief of Staff <BR>Office of
the Mayor<BR>City of Mount Vernon<BR>One Roosevelt Plaza<BR>Mount
Vernon, NY 10550<BR>(914) 450-2580<BR><A
href="mailto:Yrobinson@cmvny.com" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>Yrobinson@cmvny.com</A><BR><A
href="mailto:Onpoint23@gmail.com" target=_blank
rel=nofollow>Onpoint23@gmail.com</A> </DIV><PRE>_______________________________________________<BR>FNAContactList mailing list<BR>FNAContactList@fleetwoodneighbors.org<BR>http://fleetwoodneighbors.org/mailman/listinfo/fnacontactlist_fleetwoodneighbors.org<BR></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></BODY></HTML>