Trying to enhance their neighborhood

After Woodmere resident Dr. Ari Weinreb started a petition to obtain funding for a roadway resurfacing and sidewalk repair project, he formed a group with 18 other concerned citizens. They called themselves the Five Towns Beautification and Safety Improvement Committee.
Deteriorating sidewalks and crumbling pavement along West Broadway in Hewlett, Woodmere and Cedarhurst prompted Weinreb to take action, he said.
He addressed the condition of West Broadway, from Mill Road in Hewlett to Rockaway Turnpike in Cedarhurst, with County Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) a couple of years ago. Then, when no improvements were made, he began collecting signatures of community members, many of whom live on side streets along West Broadway, to demonstrate that he wasn’t the only one who wanted to see the roadway repaired and the sidewalks and curbs fixed. His met his goal of obtaining more than 100 signatures.
“I was very frustrated,” Weinreb said of his requests for help. “It took a long time.”
The group officially formed two months ago. Members began talking about what areas needed help, and then decided how to promote plans for reconstruction and beautification, said Weinreb, who serves as the committee’s primary spokesman.

“At first, it was just one or two couples talking about wanting to do something,” he said. “Once those two couples started talking about the group and our plans, others got involved. The letter addressed to community leaders plus the petition was our first step.”
Then Weinreb sought out other potential members, such as Hewlett resident Yishai Honig. “I walk on West Broadway every day, and I’m always amazed how dilapidated and neglected it looks,” Honig said. “It’s even more surprising when you compare it to the rest of the Five Towns. Improving West Broadway would impact everyone. First and foremost, it would be safer with proper curbs. Secondly, cleaning it up, repaving, removing old utility poles and planting trees would improve both the aesthetics and definitely the value of everyone’s properties, not only on West Broadway itself but for the entire neighborhood.”
Beautification and restoration work is expected to begin next year, as part of Nassau County’s capital budget, according to Kopel. “Groups like this are great because they show civic spirit and help us as officials stay informed as to the things that are happening right in their neighborhoods,” he said. “I’m positive that they will work together with us to keep their neighborhood safe and clean. They are looking out for their whole community.”
There are several places along West Broadway where two utility poles stand next to each other, with the newer one supporting the older one, which has yet to be removed. Weinreb said he wants the utility companies to take down the unneeded poles.
“To fully restore West Broadway, we must also address the decommissioned, broken and leaning utility poles and the abundance of no-longer-in-use electrical wires and cables, Weinreb wrote in a letter to Kopel. “Our understanding is that this aspect of the project requires the full cooperation and direct participation of our local utilities.”
Suri Weinreb, Ari’s wife, a physician as well and the communication liaison for the committee, said that one of the leaning poles was just outside her children’s school on West Broadway. “I look at it, the way it’s leaning, and it scares me,” she said. “This is so dangerous. I’ve spoken to people at the school about the pole, and they weren’t able to call or do anything about it. I’m so worried that it’s going to fall on anyone walking up into the school.” Of other repairs that are needed, she added, “I shouldn’t have to hold my children’s hands to prevent them from falling down just walking on the sidewalks.”
The committee is intent on spreading its influence by organizing fundraisers for political candidates and continuing the letter-writing campaign to the utility companies.
“Our first goal was in trying to get the officials to see that the work is done,” Weinreb said. “Our other goal is to then stay on top of the work, making sure that the repairs are maintained.”