Daily News from New York, New York • 839

1 1 An fo) Ji Denis Hamill pages Bulletin Board pagem EDfflD0ljl3il 7r (guy Ddxs By USA COLANGELO I UT 15 J.r 1 40 I i Urge probe of park's renovation By DONALD BERTRAND Daily News Staff Writer Feeling that the Parks Department has abandoned them, residents of Jamaica Hills say they plan to ask city Controller Alan Hevesi to investigate the handling of a $1.4 million renovation of Captain Tilly Park. They are particularly anguished over the $677,000 spent to clean up Goose Pond, which is the centerpiece of the park, of algae. "A pristine pond is now a real mess," said Jeff Gottlieb, a spokesman for Councilman Morton Povman (D-Forest Hills), who secured city funding for the renovations. Bill Signorile, a member of the Jamaica Hills Community Association, said that for years, the pond has had a serious algae problem, and the project was supposed to clean it "Now, not only do we have twice as much algae as before, but plants that were overtaking one part of the pond are now stretching across the whole pond," he added. In April, the group toured the site with Parks Department officials, Gottlieb said.

Parks official Marc Matsil said algae buildup "is a common problem, but it is expected within an urban watershed." tpj, t. 1 Mm srcNcca Daily News Staff Writer In the neighborhood, they are simply referred to as the "green monsters." The unsightly cable boxes have some Jackson Heights residents seeing red, threatening to cancel their cable service and wage protests in the hometowns of Time Warner Cable executives. Ed Westley, president of the Jackson Heights Beautifica-tion Group, said residents worked hard to win historic district status for much of Jackson Heights. Yet the company installed the boxes without approval of the Landmarks Preservation Commission. "It shows a total lack of respect," Westley said of the cable giant's decision to install the boxes on the streets.

"It's like a big corporation is thumbing its nose at us." Time Warner officials have said they were unaware the area was landmarked. The boxes, installed earlier this year, contain fiberoptic lines necessary to upgrade its cable service. As a result, subscribers will have more channels to choose from and faster connections to the Internet "It's unclear how long they the boxes will have to stay where they are," said Time Warner spokeswoman Harriet Novet "The equipment must remain above ground so that it can be properly ventilated and so that our technical crews can gain access to it when necessary." Novet added the cable company is "continuing to work with the community board and the Landmarks Preservation Commission to see if we can relocate the boxes in the landmarked district to where they can be just as effective, but less visible." But at a town hall meeting attended by more than 200 people last week, residents said they would rather see the boxes gone. "I say we can wait for the technology," Democratic District Leader Helen Sears told the crowd. Westley said about 23 "green monsters" were installed along 34th and 37th Aves.

from 72nd to 94th Sts. BUREAU (718)793-3328 WHAT A SIGHT: Green cable boxes like this one at 88th St have Jackson Heights residents upset. Some of the residents are so upset they are threatening to cancel their cable-TV service. Preservation Commission to find another place for the boxes. But they are running out of patience.

Westley said his group will work with other community organizations throughout the summer. If the boxes are not moved by September, he QUICK cm CROSSING THE MARINE PARKWAY BRIDGE mmm, Truffle on span connecting Brooklyn and Queens has declined 1968: 8,741,000 7,822,000 Source: MctrupotHan Transportation Authority NEWS this year. Public Advocate Mark Green said he was skeptical of Time Warner's claim that it was unable to persuade local landlords to rent the company space in buildings and courtyards. "Maybe they should negotiate a little better," he told the crowd gathered at a local school. Stanley Cogan of the Queens Historical Society said the boxes diminish the quality of life in the neighborhood.

Unfortunately, he said, it's part of a larger trend. "Queens has been characterized as a developer's paradise," Cogan said. "The borough is being invaded by humongous multiplexes and discount giants." Westley said he invited Time Warner officials to attend the town hall meeting, but never received a response. Civic leaders said they have been trying to work with Time Warner and the Landmarks FAX (718) 793-2910 warned, the groups will spearhead a more aggressive campaign including protests at the offices and homes of some cable company executives. "Since they don't want to come into our neighborhoods," he said, "we'll go into theirs." NEWS CO School's out for the summer, and the Daily News' expanded coverage of Queens schools will go on holiday as well.

Since March, we have devoted two pages each Tuesday to offer a detailed report on education, focusing on issues that educators face and highlighting the efforts and achievements of students in Queens. That coverage will be back in September, when students and teachers return to their classrooms. Beginning today, and continuing through this month and next, we will present a series of special reports on some of the great places in Queens. Please turn the page for our first installment a celebration of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, one of the gems of the city's park system. Within the borders of this single park lie enough adventures to make for a great summer.

to (O HOME DELIVERY 1 800 692 ft I Hi tU-t-l 1.