By:VICTORIA A. CARUSO
Michele Walsh has quickly gained a reputation as Merrick's very own mover and shaker.
As founder and president of the Central Merrick Homeowners Association, she has rallied residents over the past two years against proposals to build a movie theater and then a cell-phone tower across from Chatterton Elementary School on Merrick Avenue. She worried that the projects would endanger students at Chatterton. In both cases, she and other local residents defeated the building plans.
At the same time, Walsh has taken on a string of beautification projects for Merrick. In short, she loves her hometown, and that love has earned her accolades from county Legis. David Denenberg (D-Merrick).
Denenberg recently honored Walsh with the county's 2001 Women Trailblazers of the New Millennium award.
Legis. Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow) created the Trailblazer honor to recognize outstanding female leaders during Women's History Month in March. Walsh received the honor on March 20 at the County Executive Building in Mineola.
Gonsalves said, "Even though women make up 51 percent of the population, they are still considered the minority. Women have
not been given the proper recognition, and there are plenty of women who are deserving."
She added, "This special tribute honors women who have succeeded in many fields of endeavor without losing sight of the importance of family and community. It could be through the civics, government, business, education or the clergy."
A Trailblazer award is given in each of Nassau County's 19 legislative districts. Past recipients from the 19th Legislative District include Betty Murphy (1998), civic activist; Eileen Baker (1999), member of the Merrick Kiwanis, Chamber and Bellmore-Merrick Wellness Council; and Christine Marzigliano (2000), environmentalist and civic activist.
Victoria Rosenberg, a Wantagh civic activist who has assisted several Merrick civic associations over the years, received the 2001 Trailblazer award for the 13th Legislative District.
In September 1999, Walsh joined fellow Merokean and then-DA spokesman Ed Grilli to form the Central Merrick Homeowners Association. The association's 100-plus members fought construction of a 700-seat, three-theater movie house on Merrick Avenue.
That December, Walsh called the first meeting of the Joint Council of the Merricks, Inc., an umbrella group uniting Merrick's five civic associations to work together for the community. Through the council's efforts, a proposal to construct a 100-foot cellular antenna at the Granite Building was withdrawn, forcing Sprint PCS to find another location in the community.
Walsh also started the Central Merrick Graffiti Task Force,
working with Hempstead Town Councilman Gary Hudes (R-Levittown) to clean up Merrick's downtown business district. Under her guidance, the association has painted many Merrick Avenue store windows during the winter holiday season. The association also recently embarked on a tree-planting project with the Town of Hempstead. So far, more than 100 trees have been planted along Smith Street, Quincy Avenue, Miller Place and Jefferson Street at the request of homeowners.
Last July, the association assumed guardianship of a 400-foot-long section of Babylon Turnpike. The group committed to ensuring that the thoroughfare, located just off the Meadowbrook Parkway, remains free of trash, as well as planting greenery there. A Welcome to Merrick sign, funded with a state grant secured by Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick), will be erected at this location in the next few weeks.
As for the future, Walsh said, "We've had a large response from North Merrick residents and will be working to expand the Central Merrick Homeowners Association. The association will branch out to cover those North Merrick homes up to Jerusalem Avenue."
Central Merrick is now Merrick's second largest civic group, with some 200-plus dues-paying members.
Denenberg, who has worked side by side Walsh on various community issues, said, "There has been so much civic involvement in Merrick lately, and Michele is the one woman who stands out. If it makes people happy and improves the community, she will do it, without looking for anything in return. She has a heart of gold. That's a trailblazer."
Ed Grilli, adviser for the Central Merrick Homeowners Association, agreed, saying, "Her bottom line was to set out and improve the community, and she has certainly gone about doing that. Michele has been a God-send to the Merrick community." Grilli also said that it is Walsh's "energy and fresh approach that has made a difference."
Walsh said she owes much of her success to Grilli, Mary Ramo, Central Merrick vice president, and Mike Marino, fund-raising coordinator, as well as residents, PTA members and elected leaders.
"The main objective of the Central Merrick Homeowners
Association is to improve the quality of life for residents and secure their property values," said Walsh. "Our goal is to look out for the interests of all residents. I am honored to be able to represent them and help ensure that our town is a better place to live."
