Message:

Who is Dorothea (Dorothy, Dotti ) Poggi?

Dorothea Hosts this Website and is open to any suggestions!!!

Her achievemnets are as follows: Latest First

 

Gatherer of North East Bronx Leaders (2008)

“Community Group Coalition”

 

We are a collection of 15 individuals so far

most of which are Leaders of Civic Groups

We are attempting to work together with a monthly meeting discussing similar problems that affect us all

Attend each others meetings

Support each other with Letters

Attend public Meetings pertaining to "Hot Projects" .

We will be communicating between our groups to try to head off some of the ongoing:

Over Development:

 

Acting Director of BCEQ

“Bronx Council on Environmental Quality”

We are a diverse collection of individuals all seeking to leave our future generations better air, land, and water quality than we have at present. We are teachers, community activists, health professionals — environmentalists.

We promote clean air and water.
We are against habitat destruction.
We believe in preserving nature.
We think globally and act locally.
We hold symposia, tree plantings, restoration activities, beach clean ups, and much more!

Founder/Pres. of the

"Friends of Ferry Point Park" (2004-2008)

 

 

Founder/Pres. of the Civic Group

"Ferry Point Community Advocates" (2005-2008)

 

 

Founder of the

"Ferry Point Park West Coalition/Committee" (2001-2004-2008)

 

This one time Group (2001-2004) was formed to prevent the Original Golf Course plans to migrate over to the West side as a extra 9 hole course.

We gathered Groups together to let the Parks Department know there would be concern over such a move.

The 2 Founders of this group found they had different visions;

one envisioned the Parks Department as the only group to fund and maintain the Park

we realized we had to gather volunteers and future funding to help to support this Park.

In order to continue our work we had to form the  “Friends of Ferry Point Park”. After less than a year the floundering West Coalition was accepted as a committee of the “Friends” group so we could complete left over business. This committee concentrates on keeping the West side a Public Park.

 

Former Vice Pres. of the

"Ferry Point Civic Association" (1999-2005)

 

In 2001 Dotti and 3 other woman one from Throggs Neck and two from Locust Point researched and created a community outreach that gathered and sent 2000 individual adverse comment letters to the Federal Energy Regulating Committee.

 

 This Project would have destroyed F.P. Park while using it as a staging ground during construction. The project would have jeopardized 5 1/2 miles of homes including 2 NYCHA Housing communities. If the project was allowed, (with five facilities on

Brush Ave.
) the Ferry Point Community (both Industry and residential) would have been too dangerous to be insurable by most companies and those who would insure it would charge accordingly.

 

This project also included “future expansion” which other projects in our research pointed to LNG Liquid Nitrogen Gas being brought by barges and trucks to the

Brush Ave.
facilities where it would be heated, odorant added and (once a gas again) metered as it is sent through the pipeline.

 

During the next 4 years Dotti fought off the only entrance to any box store to be on Brush Ave. and gathered a petition to stop a questionable Restaurant/Club from moving into the area.

 

During this time Pres. Joanne Miller had given up on formal meetings. The few that participated could be reached by phone. She continued to send out letters of interest to the neighborhood.

Dotti led her fight against the pipeline with the help of a few reliable participants.

 

When told that Ferry Point was not in the Downzoning and that all the development that was in progress was not included in the Throggs Neck protective down zoning, the participating homeowners agreed that it was to late to down zone and that it would only hamper the future use of their own properties if they down zoned at this time. BUT then....Dotti informed the neighbors that there was a property that may be sold as residential or commercial. If sold as residential the developer could build four 3 family homes.

Everyone agreed that we should then down zone...BUT the non particpants that we had to beg to attend took a defensive action by forming a "Take over "of the Civic Groups planned homeowner voting. Ballots were stolen from mailboxes and the new participants came prepared with a list of various names that were not all homeowners. Because this was done in such a "primitive", "disrespectful" way, Dotti was shocked and appalled. Joanne Miller decided we should return the recently collected membership fees and dissolve the group. Dotti was against this but did not see any other solution.

  The non responding neighbors blamed Dotti for being left out of the down zoning. They still are beligerent and disrespectful. They took the name of the group and Incorporated it and voted in the non participants as the exceutive board. They do not hold meetings and continue to only diseminate information to whoever at their whims. They are doing some good but they are also standing in the way of much progress by not cooperating as a communicative group in the eyes of the Community Board. 

 

 

 

Owner/Pres.

Alpha Art Inc. (1972-2008)

Dotti has been a small business owner for over 32 years. Her Design Business has changed in many directions over the years according to the needs of her customers.

 

 

Dotti is semi retired and works from 3 locations along with 2 other companies in order to offer her customers the work they need. To reach her design studio just call 718-829-6863.

 

Alpha Art also generously donates banners to many community events and always gave discounted work to Churches and Schools.

 

Schools Graduated

P.S. 72, P.S. 36, Junior High 101, Monroe High School, Queens College

 

PS 36 K-3        “Regular Classes”

PS 36 3 – 6      “Intellectually Gifted Class”

JHS 101           “Special Progress Classes”

Monroe High School “Academic Special Classes for College Prep.”

Queens College Graduated “ B+ Average Cume Laude”

Certified for Teaching did not complete Masters… Budget cut in City Colleges cancelled most classes, went to work in Manhattan Art Supply Store and then opened business.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4/28/08

Letter of clarification to the Editor of the Bronx Times Reporter and Surrounding Community:

Why write this Letter of clarification? I have noticed that there is quite confusion as to whom and what groups are representing Our Ferry Point Community. Even the News Reporters are getting the Titles of our Groups twisted.

They are as follows:

The “Original” Ferry Point Civic Group (Founder/Historian Catherine Poggi)

The EX Ferry Point Park West Coalition (Co-Founders Jimi Hughes –Dorothea Poggi)

(the active members of this group have already established a well oiled Friends of F.P.Park group. Becasue of this the old group is not needed. The FPPark W Coalition never formed an excecutive board and so it fell apart. This group has not had a formal meeting in over 2 years. It no longer exists except as a committee of the Friends of F.P. Park where left over business will abide by the by laws of the Friends group which means that any activities that a person decides to do in the Park that has to do with the old FPPWest Coalition must go before the Excecutive Board of the Friends of Ferry Point Park because we are the only active group.

The Friends of Ferry Point Park (Founder/Pres. Dorothea Poggi)

The Ferry Point Community Advocates (Founder/Pres. Dorothea Poggi)

The Ferry Point Civic Association Inc. (Founder of name may be Maria Meli or Joanne Miller and is now served by Pres. Joanne Sohmers)

Well, I first want to say that I myself welcome any attempt by any person or group to do anything that may help Ferry Point in any way. I am glad to see the slow but sure growth of the “New” Ferry Point Civic Association; I do wish they had changed the name when they changed to the “New Regime” to quote them. This would have supported the position they took of creating their own leadership instead of confusing the larger on looking community that worked along side the “Old Regime” and names for so long.

We thank all that have been involved and continue to be involved with protecting our neighborhoods regardless of what group you are members of at this time. We are proud of you and glad that you are our neighbors.

I commend the good things they are doing, but I am disheartened by the lack of understanding, and respect that this group continues to exude towards my group the “Ferry Point Community Advocates” which includes members mostly from the “Old Regime” of the F.P. Civic Association before it’s incorporation in 2005. I feel instead we should be celebrated!

The “Old” regime had their hands full (like any community group) squeezing in the meetings, research, letter writing rallies, etc. into their active lives. They fought to rezone the area to R-4 from M-1 back in the 70’s, they fought off illegal landfills on Brush Ave., squatters illegally filling the pre-Pepsi site for years, waterfront infringements, an Asbestos Depot, Trucks full of medical waste, a huge Pipeline with 5 dangerous buildings right on Brush that was going to tear up the West side of F.P. Park, any future Box stores main entrance not to be on Brush Ave., besides the everyday problems. We want to thank our Elected Officials for any help they may have given during this time, and want to also say “shame on you” when you dropped the ball at our expense.

These hard working, well meaning people including myself did not have the ability to feed the information to the neighbors who were not receptive. We understood the complicated schedules that the Moms of the neighborhood had. We relied on the loyal residents who showed up at meetings to discuss the problems we faced and offered their advice on how we should proceed. I never discriminated in our distribution of printed material. I welcomed the input from newer neighbors who realized this neighborhood needed help. Anyone who spent their time curing certain problems they encountered to everyone’s advantage (like, Socrates, Cathy, Oscar, Otto, Peter, Mary, Anna, Tom, Paul, Victor). Members or non-members, when we needed to have a presence at public meetings these loyal families were there beside us fighting for the “right thing” for our neighborhoods future. We did what we could with such a small group. After all just the amount of time any of us spent representing this community, deserves some respect, even from a naïve writer who wants to dramatize everything!

On the Ferry Point Civic Associations website, there are some comments that need to be addressed. The insinuation that I am misleading anyone with my array of groups over the last 10? Years is just plain very silly. So I am telling everyone, who I am….

Who is the public Dorothea ( Dorothy, Dotti ) Poggi?

(1963-2008) Daughter of Catherine Poggi who founded the “original” Ferry Point Civic Group. As a child of a community leader, I dispersed letters, brought petitions around and had pre-voter registration signed. Attended various meetings and accompanied Catherine to City Hall. I attended Queens College where I majored in Science and minored in Education. Later to major in Education for the Emotionally Disturbed and Handicapped. When the City suffered a budget cut and Laid off teachers and did not hire new ones, I eventually ended up Self employed

(1972-2008) Owner Pres. Of Alpha Art Inc. (Banners, Signs & Truck Lettering) I not only made signs and artwork for most of the small businesses of the area but also advised and helped many as they also advised and helped me through our years in business. I have a reputation of “Quality at affordable prices”.

(1999-2005) Former Vice Pres. of the "Ferry Point Civic Association" Supplied much of the information that succeeded in re-routing the Iroquois Natural Gas Pipeline. Each route that was ok’ed by our Elected officials ripped through Ferry Point and included 5 permanent dangerous facilities (with plans for future expansion). This project would have rendered our neighborhood very dangerous. Our homes and the commercial buildings would be uninsurable by most companies. My research and community outreach that sent 2000 adverse comment letter (in triplicate) to the Federal Energy Regulating Committee (FERC) was the backing we needed to re-route this pipeline. (I funded $2000.00 of this). Research is available by appointed 718-892-7303

(2004-2008) co-founder of the "Ferry Point Park West Coalition" Where groups united together to keep this a public park. We do not want the west side to be a large concession, or the extension of the East side Golf Course. We Created a Master Plan and presented it at 3 Annual Park Speak ups. We Attended Community Board 10 Park Committee meetings in an attempt to notify the Board of the extreme needs of this Park. We Asked for Temporary use of Portosans while we await the proposed requested Comfort Station. We Received 2 BBQ areas, a Hilltop Memorial Grove, and a memorial forest since our involvement. Tour our accomplishments on Album Link www.ferrypointpark.org

(2004-2008) Founder/ Pres. of the "Friends of Ferry Point Park". This group formed to offer volunteer help to organize events. Maintain or enhance the safety, diversification and beauty of this Public Park. So far we have arranged for over 300 volunteers in our 8? “It’s My Park Days” and 5? Littoral Cleanups. Honored by the Partnership for Parks Program for our work up to 2007, we already started our spring with a 100 volunteer cleanup around the new trees this year. Join us May 17th for another great Park day. Tour our accomplishments on Album Link www.ferrypointpark.org

(2005-2008) Founder/Pres. of the Civic Group "Ferry Point Community Advocates" Our members consist mainly of the “Old Regime” of the original F.P Civic Group. We continue to address the daily quality of life issues in the Ferry Point Community.

Take a tour of our neighborhood on our Photo Link to our neighborhood Albums on www.ferrypointcommunity.org

Why write this Letter of clarification? Because there are bitter words spoken from some neighbors about everything bad happening in Ferry Point to be the fault of the “Old” regime of the F.P. Civic Association, this is disrespectful. What is their list of neighborhood accomplishments? The naïve beliefs that a small group such as ours could be responsible for the overdevelopment of three locations with residential homes, the construction of a large Home Depot, the construction of the huge Pepsi Distribution plant is ridiculous at best. Our District Manager and Council person who get paid every day, have funding available, full office availability, a meeting area, and a staff of people helping them don’t even have these powers. The “New” group repeatedly says they were not informed about these projects. As if they could have stopped them, they did not even make it to the meetings!

When it comes to informing neighbors of the projects coming to our neighborhood, since 2000 I have tried my best to notify everyone. Joanne Sohmers who is the Pres. Of the “New” FP Civic Association can verify what I am saying. She knows for a fact that I tried to keep a Monthly News Letter distributed. While I was collecting signatures on the Pipeline Petition, I asked her if her son could distribute the 30 letters to the 30 homes for 30.00 per month. She drove him once and said it was to much trouble. So I know that Joanne Sohmers knows that my outreach was to every house. I also know that her decision not to help put a damper on the distribution of a monthly newsletter to her neighbors by the “Old” regime.

If you felt you were not justly informed, did you call your Com. Bd 10?, Did you read the local paper, The Bronx Times Reporter? Did you call or stop by Dotti’s shop at Westchester Square like many others did? or her home around the corner? How can you complain that we did not reach you with information about your neighborhood when our neighborhood was 30 homes, 3 blocks in size? Who’s real fault is it that you did not answer our requests to attend a meeting, or call us at the always provided phone numbers? Whose real fault is it that you had no clue that your neighborhood was changing overnight in front of your eyes?

Not mine….I am the one who fought off the pipeline, I am the one who called you to notify you of the possibility of a Bar/ Restaurant/Girly club to be built at 748 Brush. I am the one who called you about the zoning that would allow four three family homes to be built on your corner of the Hutch. I am the person who invited you to have a say on the future down zoning. My mother is the person who requested Ferry Point to be put in the down zoning of Pelham Bay. My attempts to get you to a meeting to educate everyone on the goods and bads of down zoning were ignored by those that are complaining. There was no deception here. There was laziness and complacency.

Yes I was shocked when I asked James Vacca “How is the Throggs Neck Down zoning going?” and his reply was “your not in it!”. Yes… I assumed that because our President Joanne Miller was on the Housing and Zoning Committee of the Com. Bd. that I would have heard something about this. Can I blame someone? Sure.

But the fact is I have to blame myself because my life at that time absorbed me and I trusted others to represent me and notify me of their representation. I did not attend the meetings for the Throggs Neck Down Zoning. Yes I do feel angry and disheartened that people that do not suffer the consequences of this action were allowed to make these decisions. These unchangeable occurrences that allowed a big shift in our small, quaint, (surrounded by industry but comfortable) existence is gone, overwhelmed and loud. I finally bought an IPOD, I recommend it highly.

I can not push the blame on them. Just like I refuse to take on the blame that each of you carries and is trying to put on me. Every individual homeowner must stand up and show their concern for the future uses of the properties in their neighborhoods. One individual per family at least should be part of a civic association that they contact each week or month to find out what they can do to support that organization. The problems shared on the phone should then be discussed amongst family members so that opinions and solutions can be expressed. Then at the next monthly meeting, new business should be included into the agenda.

Just like all communities ours is quickly changing and slow to adjust. I apologize for the confusion that our continued growth and development of this community may cause, but just hang in there, there is a lot to do and so what if there are a few names that distinguish the groups that are doing it!....that’s a Good Thing.

For a detailed chronological list of the groups, check out www.ferrypointcommunity.org any questions call Dotti Poggi 718-892-7303

Due to the previously small population in our neighborhood, it has been near impossible to form a well organized group of responsible, committed people to lead committees and subcommittees.

When the Names became confusing we tried to consolidate the small beginning groups into a few larger ones. Attempts at what would be a committee, or subcommittee in a properly run organization during the “Old”regime were forming separately into new groups. A Properly run Community Group would combine the good works of all, but through the years our neighborhood has been lucky to have even a few individuals that go out of their way to attempt to slow down the overdevelopment, protect our waterways and add some protected future green spaces along the way.

This is the chronology of the groups:

  1. Est.1962-2008: The Ferry Point Civic Group,

Founder/Pres. Catherine Poggi 722 Brush Ave.

Remains as a mailing list recipient for information used to protect our Estuaries and Water bodies. Catherine who served the community in general for 50 years, is called on for her Historic Knowledge and present knowledge from the Coastal Zoning and Estuary newsletters. She is the Ferry Point Community Advocates Historian and Water Way Advisor.

  1. Est. 1985-2005: The “Old” Ferry Point Civic Association, Founder/Pres Maria Meli. Held the first Block Party, and fought for Green Spaces.

Afterward Joanne Miller became Pres during which time she stopped an Asbestos Transfer Station from being allowed on Brush Ave. Miller also serves on the Com. Bd.10 Housing and Zoning for many years now.

3.- Est. 1990-2007- The Ferry Point Park Civic Association, (now dissolved) was the lead group for the Parks Greenway back then. Co Founders Catherine and Dorothea Poggi attended meetings from parks groups to make sure we were included in this Greenway plan and hoped to develop this group. Once the "New Regime" moved in and took over the existing name, this name had to be changed because it was confusing the Parks Department. So this group that was forming was replaced by the Volunteer committee of the FP Park West Coalition and the Name became instead “Friends of Ferry Point Park”

4.- Est. 1995-? Ferry Point Park Citizens: Founder Catherine Poggi founded this group with intentions to gather and distribute information for residents and park visitors to make meeting citizenship requirements easier. This group was never completed but it is still on record and there is potential promise in it if our “Friends” group gets more support and funding we can reach out to the Parks Hispanic and Hindu population and help them to become citizens if they wish.

5.- Est. 2000- The Ferry Point Park West Coalition Co- Founders Jimi Hughes/ Dorothea Poggi (this group started with 600 people joining to keep the West side of Ferry Point Park a FREE PUBLIC PARK and not an extension of the proposed Golf Course. After a short time, the volunteer Committee broke off to become “Friends of Ferry Point Park”.

6.- Est. 2000- The Friends of Ferry Point Park Group, Founder/Pres. Dorothea Poggi once a committee of the F.P.P.West Coal. is now an independent group, accepting tax free donations through their fiscal sponsor (Neighborhood Open Space Coalition).

This group received Honors for 2007 providing hundreds of volunteers to plant trees, flowers and in general to enhance and preserve the beauty, safety and sanitation of F.P.Park.

7.- Fur, Fins and Feathers of Ferry Point (Founder Dorothea Poggi Pres. Geanine Profita), this group has not found it’s place yet. It was so successful in reducing the cats from reproducing that it basically became more of and adoption for unwanted animals than a TNR for wild cats.

8.- Est. 2005- The “New” Ferry Point Civic Association Inc., (Founder of group name still Maria Meli) / Pres. Joanne Sohmer

9.- Est. 2005- The Ferry Point Community Advocates Founder/Pres. Ex officiate of the FPCivic Assoc. Dorothea Poggi (Addressing our daily, quality of life and safety issues)

10.- Est. April 3, 2008 first meeting of the XYZ, SANE, CAMELOT, UNITY group

we have no idea what the name is yet. We are up to 6 Associations now joining together to create a Coalition to strenghthen our say in the direction of our Community.

Dorothea Poggi led the fight against the proposed 24 inch Compressed Gas Pipeline. This Pipeline would have rendered most of the area uninsurable. The Elected Officials said they supported the Water Route but that Water Route included Brush Ave. This potentially dangerous pipeline was coming through our community from either of three directions...but it was coming through. Besides the Pipeline there were two possible locations given for the five buildings that were the heating, metering, regulating, and odorant facilities that would be noisy and often let off the smell of gas that would render the residents helpless to know if it was explosive or not explosive gas odor both locations were on Brush Ave.

Can you start your car?

Can you light a match?

Should you run as fast as you can to get 1500 feet away so you don't incinerate or 300 feet so you do end up in a crater the size of 3 football fields?

Maybe it's the harmless gas odorant that they are pumping out of a tanker?

What a nasty thing to do to a small comfortable community.

The Elected Officials were counting the "Tax Dollars alone that would be a windfall for the Bronx"...not Ferry Point who still doesn't have a fence, bathroom, playground, not even a working water fountain in the Park.

The ammenities that the Iroquois Pipeline were presenting were discussed by Madeline Provenzano 2 years in advance of the public hearing. One of the ammenities was the Skating Rink in Pelham Bay Park that was talked about in the papers at that time.Others could have been the "Greenway" that seems to have following the exact proposed route for the pipeline down through Castle HIll and Soundview through the Bronx River to the Hunts Point Con Ed Plant which was the destination of the pipeline.

Dotti sent a 40 page report with photos of suggested routes that would be less dangerous to the community. Dotti (with the help of 3 other hardworking gals 2 from Locust Point and one from Bruckner.) held a letterwriting rally at St. Francis DeChantal and gathered 2000 letters against the Pipeline Route.They made triplicate copies, handwrote the file numbers on each (given to them after the fact) and sent them to the Federal Energy Regulating Committee. No Elected officials would help pay for the $250.00 in postage that these letters required. The amount spent by Dotti on this fight was over $2000,00 when she was vice pres. of FP Civic, she could not get a volunteer in Ferry Point to distribute news letters...."It was to much work" for Joanne Sohmers (now the Pres. of "the other Civic Group" to drive her son around the 3 blocks to run out and put the news letters in the mailboxes".(For $30.00)

Reliable members of the FP Civic at the time did attend meetings and show support to get the pipeline into the "Water All the Way Route".

Ferry Point Community Advocates

“actions speak louder than words”

716 Brush Avenue Dorothea Poggi, President

Bronx , New York 10465

718-892-7303 Fax: 718-829-7165 dpoggi@ferrypointpark.org

www.ferrypointpark.org

www.ferrypointcommunity.org

4/28/08

Letter of clarification to the Editor and Community:

Why write this Letter of clarification? I have noticed that there is quite confusion as to whom and what groups are representing Our Ferry Point Community. Even the News Reporters are getting the Titles of our Groups twisted.

They are as follows:

The “Original” Ferry Point Civic Group (Founder/Historian Catherine Poggi)

The Ferry Point Park West Coalition (Co-Founders Jimi Hughes –Dorothea Poggi)

The Friends of Ferry Point Park (Founder/Pres. Dorothea Poggi)

The Ferry Point Community Advocates (Founder/Pres. Dorothea Poggi)

The Ferry Point Civic Association Inc. (Founder of name may be Maria Meli/ Pres. Joanne Sohmers)

Well, I first want to say that I myself welcome any attempt by any person or group to do anything that may help Ferry Point in any way. I am glad to see the slow but sure growth of the “New” Ferry Point Civic Association; I do wish they had changed the name when they changed to the “New Regime” to quote them. This would have supported the position they took of creating their own leadership instead of confusing the larger on looking community that worked along side the “Old Regime” and names for so long.

We thank all that have been involved and continue to be involved with protecting our neighborhoods regardless of what group you are members of at this time. We are proud of you and glad that you are our neighbors.

I commend the good things they are doing, but I am disheartened by the lack of understanding, and respect that this group continues to exude towards my group the “Ferry Point Community Advocates” which includes members mostly from the “Old Regime” of the F.P. Civic Association before it’s incorporation in 2005. I feel instead we should be celebrated!

The “Old” regime had their hands full (like any community group) squeezing in the meetings, research, letter writing rallies, etc. into their active lives. They fought to rezone the area to R-4 from M-1 back in the 70’s, they fought off illegal landfills on Brush Ave., squatters illegally filling the pre-Pepsi site for years, waterfront infringements, an Asbestos Depot, Trucks full of medical waste, a huge Pipeline with 5 dangerous buildings right on Brush that was going to tear up the West side of F.P. Park, any future Box stores main entrance not to be on Brush Ave., besides the everyday problems. We want to thank our Elected Officials for any help they may have given during this time, and want to also say “shame on you” when you dropped the ball at our expense.

These hard working, well meaning people including myself did not have the ability to feed the information to the neighbors who were not receptive. We understood the complicated schedules that the Moms of the neighborhood had. We relied on the loyal residents who showed up at meetings to discuss the problems we faced and offered their advice on how we should proceed. I never discriminated in our distribution of printed material. I welcomed the input from newer neighbors who realized this neighborhood needed help. Anyone who spent their time curing certain problems they encountered to everyone’s advantage (like, Socrates, Cathy, Oscar, Otto, Peter, Mary, Anna, Tom, Paul, Victor). Members or non-members, when we needed to have a presence at public meetings these loyal families were there beside us fighting for the “right thing” for our neighborhoods future. We did what we could with such a small group. After all just the amount of time any of us spent representing this community, deserves some respect, even from a naïve writer who wants to dramatize everything!

On the Ferry Point Civic Associations website, there are some comments that need to be addressed. The insinuation that I am misleading anyone with my array of groups over the last 10? Years is just plain very silly. So I am telling everyone, who I am….

Who is the public Dorothea ( Dorothy, Dotti ) Poggi?

(1963-2008) Daughter of Catherine Poggi who founded the “original” Ferry Point Civic Group. As a child of a community leader, I dispersed letters, brought petitions around and had pre-voter registration signed. Attended various meetings and accompanied Catherine to City Hall. I attended Queens College where I majored in Science and minored in Education. Later to major in Education for the Emotionally Disturbed and Handicapped. When the City suffered a budget cut and Laid off teachers and did not hire new ones, I eventually ended up Self employed

(1972-2008) Owner Pres. Of Alpha Art Inc. (Banners, Signs & Truck Lettering) I not only made signs and artwork for most of the small businesses of the area but also advised and helped many as they also advised and helped me through our years in business. I have a reputation of “Quality at affordable prices”.

(1999-2005) Former Vice Pres. of the "Ferry Point Civic Association" Supplied much of the information that succeeded in re-routing the Iroquois Natural Gas Pipeline. Each route that was ok’ed by our Elected officials ripped through Ferry Point and included 5 permanent dangerous facilities (with plans for future expansion). This project would have rendered our neighborhood very dangerous. Our homes and the commercial buildings would be uninsurable by most companies. My research and community outreach that sent 2000 adverse comment letter (in triplicate) to the Federal Energy Regulating Committee (FERC) was the backing we needed to re-route this pipeline. (I funded $2000.00 of this). Research is available by appointed 718-892-7303

(2004-2008) co-founder of the "Ferry Point Park West Coalition" Where groups united together to keep this a public park. We do not want the west side to be a large concession, or the extension of the East side Golf Course. We Created a Master Plan and presented it at 3 Annual Park Speak ups. We Attended Community Board 10 Park Committee meetings in an attempt to notify the Board of the extreme needs of this Park. We Asked for Temporary use of Portosans while we await the proposed requested Comfort Station. We Received 2 BBQ areas, a Hilltop Memorial Grove, and a memorial forest since our involvement. Tour our accomplishments on Album Link www.ferrypointpark.org

(2004-2008) Founder/ Pres. of the "Friends of Ferry Point Park". This group formed to offer volunteer help to organize events. Maintain or enhance the safety, diversification and beauty of this Public Park. So far we have arranged for over 300 volunteers in our 8? “It’s My Park Days” and 5? Littoral Cleanups. Honored by the Partnership for Parks Program for our work up to 2007, we already started our spring with a 100 volunteer cleanup around the new trees this year. Join us May 17th for another great Park day. Tour our accomplishments on Album Link www.ferrypointpark.org

(2005-2008) Founder/Pres. of the Civic Group "Ferry Point Community Advocates" Our members consist mainly of the “Old Regime” of the original F.P Civic Group. We continue to address the daily quality of life issues in the Ferry Point Community.

Take a tour of our neighborhood on our Photo Link to our neighborhood Albums on www.ferrypointcommunity.org

Why write this Letter of clarification? Because there are bitter words spoken from some neighbors about everything bad happening in Ferry Point to be the fault of the “Old” regime of the F.P. Civic Association, this is disrespectful. What is their list of neighborhood accomplishments? The naïve beliefs that a small group such as ours could be responsible for the overdevelopment of three locations with residential homes, the construction of a large Home Depot, the construction of the huge Pepsi Distribution plant is ridiculous at best. Our District Manager and Council person who get paid every day, have funding available, full office availability, a meeting area, and a staff of people helping them don’t even have these powers. The “New” group repeatedly says they were not informed about these projects. As if they could have stopped them, they did not even make it to the meetings!

When it comes to informing neighbors of the projects coming to our neighborhood, since 2000 I have tried my best to notify everyone. Joanne Sohmers who is the Pres. Of the “New” FP Civic Association can verify what I am saying. She knows for a fact that I tried to keep a Monthly News Letter distributed. While I was collecting signatures on the Pipeline Petition, I asked her if her son could distribute the 30 letters to the 30 homes for 30.00 per month. She drove him once and said it was to much trouble. So I know that Joanne Sohmers knows that my outreach was to every house. I also know that her decision not to help put a damper on the distribution of a monthly newsletter to her neighbors by the “Old” regime.

If you felt you were not justly informed, did you call your Com. Bd 10?, Did you read the local paper, The Bronx Times Reporter? Did you call or stop by Dotti’s shop at Westchester Square like many others did? or her home around the corner? How can you complain that we did not reach you with information about your neighborhood when our neighborhood was 30 homes, 3 blocks in size? Who’s real fault is it that you did not answer our requests to attend a meeting, or call us at the always provided phone numbers? Whose real fault is it that you had no clue that your neighborhood was changing overnight in front of your eyes?

Not mine….I am the one who fought off the pipeline, I am the one who called you to notify you of the possibility of a Bar/ Restaurant/Girly club to be built at 748 Brush. I am the one who called you about the zoning that would allow four three family homes to be built on your corner of the Hutch. I am the person who invited you to have a say on the future down zoning. My mother is the person who requested Ferry Point to be put in the down zoning of Pelham Bay. My attempts to get you to a meeting to educate everyone on the goods and bads of down zoning were ignored by those that are complaining. There was no deception here. There was laziness and complacency.

Yes I was shocked when I asked James Vacca “How is the Throggs Neck Down zoning going?” and his reply was “your not in it!”. Yes… I assumed that because our President Joanne Miller was on the Housing and Zoning Committee of the Com. Bd. that I would have heard something about this. Can I blame someone? Sure.

But the fact is I have to blame myself because my life at that time absorbed me and I trusted others to represent me and notify me of their representation. I did not attend the meetings for the Throggs Neck Down Zoning. Yes I do feel angry and disheartened that people that do not suffer the consequences of this action were allowed to make these decisions. These unchangeable occurrences that allowed a big shift in our small, quaint, (surrounded by industry but comfortable) existence is gone, overwhelmed and loud. I finally bought an IPOD, I recommend it highly.

I can not push the blame on them. Just like I refuse to take on the blame that each of you carries and is trying to put on me. Every individual homeowner must stand up and show their concern for the future uses of the properties in their neighborhoods. One individual per family at least should be part of a civic association that they contact each week or month to find out what they can do to support that organization. The problems shared on the phone should then be discussed amongst family members so that opinions and solutions can be expressed. Then at the next monthly meeting, new business should be included into the agenda.

Just like all communities ours is quickly changing and slow to adjust. I apologize for the confusion that our continued growth and development of this community may cause, but just hang in there, there is a lot to do and so what if there are a few names that distinguish the groups that are doing it!....that’s a Good Thing.

For a detailed chronological list of the groups, check out www.ferrypointcommunity.org any questions call

Dotti Poggi 718-892-7303

Our Members consist of a group of concerned individuals that call each other and discuss the problems and projects affecting this neighborhood on a regular basis.

We hope you join one of the two Community Groups that are protecting our community !

Your opinions and show of concern is important to your community.

Ferry Point was a small group of 34 homes up until we were left out of the downzoning of Throggs Neck a few years ago. Many homes have been here over 70 years. Since then many have put in illegal basement apartments that didn't bother anyone because we had so much parking available. Now, due to the development of every lot in the neighborhood, parking is crowded directly in front of the homes.

Because of the upsurge of Development in NYC, all our empty lots were purchased and new homes were built with inadequate parking for the amount of apartments offered. The new developments are 4 groups, Wenner place has 2, 2 family homes, 748 Brush Ave was changed to 3 2 family homes (with some illegal basement apartments), Rohr Place has 2 three family homes and 2 2 family homes (I don't think they have livable basements), then there is 686? Brush Ave. across from Ho Penn that has 3 2 families being used as 3 families.

The new construction homes are temporarily occupied by members of the owners families, this guarantees a lower mortgage rate and a tax abatement for first time buyers.This tax abatement is revocable if the owners move out and use the homes as investment properties..

Ferry Point now has 30 new family units that are fighting for the parking spaces in front of their Homes. People that once walked blocks to park their cars now want to park directly in front of their apartment. The homes were built with 1 onsite and 1 street spot for each 2 family. (when the family rents a room "has a boarder", or the landlord builds an illegal apartment in the basement, there are not enough spots for the tenants). Homes that respected each others parking in the street for 50 years are now faced with strangers parking in front of their entranceways. Streets that were cleaned right to the curb are now being ignored where the parked cars block the sweeper. Snow plows now go around the parked cars instead of getting the snow out from in front of the homes. We are no longer in The Bronx....We have become "Da" Bronx.

Our group of individuals have formed together to continue the constant need for protection that this community suffers from. Once a waterfront community such as Locust Point, City Island, Silver Beach etc., we have suffered many "economic Developments" along the way that have all but eliminated our original quality of life. There have always been a gradual mixing of nationalities, religions, and personalities in this community. After all this is NYC and the Bronx. Throughout the years we have sustained quite a nice group of neighbors. There have always been those who realized the need for a "watchdog type attitude" when it came to trusting our Elected Officials who have "thrown us to the wolves constantly". They have done little to help us, unless it was to benefit their larger agenda.

Because our neighborhood became a mixed use community, there were always the big fish with the lobbying dollars looking for tax abatements and cheap property. There were always under the table deals and behind closed doors venues. We just tried to do our best to head them off at the pass and throw whatever we could legally at them to slow them down or have them consider our quality of life while they usurped all the land around us. Many of us did what we could by purchasing ajacent lots to our homes in the attempt to keep the neighborhood nice. Whatever lots went un claimed are now built on with connected boxed in homes. We seemed to have lucked out so far with a few neighbors that actually live in the 2 & 3 familys that they purchased. If this keeps up we will be happy to know that the people moving in will help us, and we will help them to keep our community a nice place to live. Any persons who are purchasing these home to rent, should realize that we will keep a watchfull eye on the tenants and hope they are a benefit not a detriment to the community.