By Karenlyn Barone
The East Rockaway village hall was packed again Nov. 17, just as it has been for every meeting concerning the proposed opening of a check-cashing business on Atlantic Avenue. But unlike the other meetings, this one was a clear disappointment for residents.
They filed into the hall, anxiously awaiting the board-s decision in the months-long case. But just moments into the meeting, Board of Zoning Appeals President Murray Eskenazi announced that the board would be postponing its decision, because the applicant-s attorney had submitted papers that same morning, and the board had not had time to review them.
I know this is an inconvenience, but without digesting the material, we will not be able to make a proper decision, said Eskenazi. I apologize to everyone for having brought you here for, essentially, a wasted trip.
Needless to say, the residents were less than happy. They shouted from the audience, How much time are you going to give them? How much time do they have? and You-re not on our side at all!
Eskenazi tried to explain that even though the material was received at a late date, the board was obliged to review it. When pressed for the date of the next meeting, he conceded that he didn-t know, since the 2005 meetings calendar had not been completed.
A month ago they said we would have a decision tonight, said resident Maria Price after the meeting. I think it-s terrible. I think they-re just stalling. They should have made their decision two weeks ago. We came here tonight for nothing.
Other residents echoed her feelings. They were told to have all the paperwork in two weeks ago, said Tina Linneman. This is ridiculous!
LouAnn Giordonello said that she works for nine attorneys, and that she was upset by what she sees as the board-s failure to take a stand. In my mind, the applicant should have been forced to present his paperwork in a timely fashion within a certain time frame, she said. But the board is just accepting this.
In February, the East Rockaway Building Department denied a permit to co-principals Charles Guittilla and Paul Gunder, of Ballas SIS Properties, for their 11th check-cashing business, citing insufficient parking. The applicants filed an appeal and had their case heard before the Board of Zoning Appeals in May. There were no residents in attendance at that hearing, and they contend they were never properly notified about the meeting. With no opposition from the floor, the board granted a permit to Ballas SIS to open the business.
When residents learned that a check-cashing store was slated to open, they rallied, presented petitions of opposition to the board, and packed every subsequent board meeting, insisting that the board reopen the hearing. A stop-work order was issued in August, and in September the board agreed to rehear the case.
At the conclusion of that meeting, held Sept. 29, the applicants- attorney, Anthony Sabino, asked Eskenazi for two weeks in order to furnish the board with canceled checks to substantiate the money already spent on the proposed business. Seven weeks later, residents came to last Wednesday-s meeting primed for a decision. They left angry and disillusioned. This board is incompetent, said one resident who declined to be identified.
Village trustee Ed Sieban, although disappointed at the meeting-s conclusion, saw things differently. I-m disappointed that they arrived with last-minute information, he said, but I believe the board did the right thing in adjourning. It was a wise choice.
Deputy Mayor Richard Meagher summed up his feelings up this way: The check-cashing store remains unopened, he said, and that-s a good thing.
Comments about this story? KBarone@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
