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Author Topic: JH: Decline and Revival  (Read 14169 times)

Offline carmela

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #15 on: May 27, 2009, 07:02:40 PM »
Quote from: Aronan on May 26, 2009, 11:05:43 PM
Metsboy, good guess, I actually grew up on 70th between Broadway and 37th.

It's interesting to note how certain almost psychological boundaries dictated what experiences different areas had. As a young kid I was never allowed to cross to the "other side of the tracks" heck I wasn't allowed on Roosevelt Avenue and probably with good reason.

I'm not placing 100% responsibility for the downfall of a neighborhood  on whether its residents stayed or left. As you point out there are several other factors  that contribute to problems a community faces. The drug trade already present in the area prior to the Crack Epidemic being one of them. I'm willing to bet different neighborhoods also received better or worse city services (police, fire, EMS, etc.) based in large part on who lived there, political ties, socio-economic status, etc.



"As you point out there are several other factors  that contribute to problems a community faces". Yes, one of those factors is the money hungry landlords. They rent the apartments to those illegal, and that is the result. How about the politicians in town? Don't they see all the wrong things that go on? One of the reasons FH didn't go bad is because they have rules, and regulations. They would not allowed dirty store fronts, and women at the door of the restaurants calling out loud the menu. They don't allow 10 illegal living in a one bedroom apartment. 
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Offline carmela

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #16 on: May 27, 2009, 07:50:45 PM »
Quote from: Chuckster on May 25, 2009, 07:45:57 PM
Carmela, if you take the time to read through some of the many posts throughout these forums, you'll notice that there are many happy residents, like jcjnyc above, currently living in Jackson Heights.

I’ve been in this neighborhood since the early 1970s and have also have noticed that Jackson Heights has experienced a marked decline in crime when comparing it to the Jackson Heights of the 1980s.  If you look at the historic crime statistics for the 115th Police Precinct, you’ll see that crime has gone down considerably in Jackson Heights from the 90s and onward.

Since the 1980s, there has been a significant and varied influx of people that have moved here and Elmhurst alike, and as a result, areas like Roosevelt Avenue and its surrounding streets are more densely populated than when you lived here.  I’d say that whenever you have more people living in any community, you’re bound to encounter quality of life issues… litter and sporadic crime for example.  This doesn’t mean that current residents haven’t tried to address these important issues.   In fact, these days, I find that there is more community involvement in trying to resolve existing problems. 

The beauty of today’s Jackson Heights is that it boasts a plethora of diverse cultures that is renowned throughout the city, and I’d go so far as to also include the nation.

If you find yourself in the neighborhood on another occasion, I'll also suggest you include a walk through some of the beautiful tree-lined streets you may have walked before.  Take a second look at some of the stunning architecture within Jackson Heights’ Historic District and sample some of the delicious foods many of today’s restaurants have to offer.  Browse through a few of our local markets offering some truly unique items, and then you may discover why Jackson Heights continues to attract buyers willing to pay that quarter of million and plus that you refer to.  It truly is a unique neighborhood, and like most in New York City, it also has its problems.  Nonetheless, I believe this is one neighborhood definitely worth revisiting and living in.

Thank you for not taking what I say so personal, as if the neighborhood belongs to you. People understand much better each other when they communicate. I don't say no to what you say, and that is exactly the point I have been trying to make, but some have taken it as an offense. What good is it if the food is delicious, the unique items one can find, if it is not appetizing? Probably it is appetizing to those who don't care if it is dirty, but does it attract other people? Is it a place where people make a special trip to go to the restaurants and shops? I don't think so. I hate to mention it again, but I have to do it to see if you understand what I mean, just don't get mad. Go to Austin Ave. in Forest Hills, it is inviting, I make special trips there with my friends, there are restaurants there too, and all kind of businesses , and a lot of people, and it does not look, or feel, as if you are in a third world country. Probably it is dangerous at night, I don't know that, but it is not the feeling one gets. I wish the residents luck with their project to improve the neighborhood. But if the politicians don't enforce rules if there are any, nor make them, then what good is it?  And yes, Elmhurst was nice when I was there, and I think it is still nice.
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Offline carmela

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #17 on: May 27, 2009, 08:06:58 PM »
Quote from: Metsboy on May 26, 2009, 02:15:20 PM
I have a BIG problem with what you said here in bold letters. You make it seem like we ran for the hills, at the first sight of problems. I grew up on the "wrong" side of the tracks from you. I grew up on the other side. Hampton street between Baxter and Brittion Ave. Where I grew up it wasn't doctors and lawyers..it was cops and firemen. I saw 2 men executed in front of me, and another man shot in the lobby of the York building who bleed to death in front of me and my buddies.3 murders in for a 12 year old kid to witness . Plus a 10 year old girl raped on the roof of that  same building . THATS WHY PEOPLE LEFT. Not racism . Now I'm glad JH is coming back, but lets not forget what happened in the past either. And I didn't move to Long Island  or  Manhattan. We moved 40 blocks down Roosevelt Ave in October 1984. And it was like going back 25 years in time. Didn't have to worry about muggings, rapes or murders         

I am surprise to find this post here. I posted yesterday a few links, and were deleted. We lived on 72nd. Street between 41st. Ave. and Woodside Ave. and we paid $270.00 a month for a two bed-room apartment, it was a small very well kept building which belonged to Lefrak City. To my surprise, I went to see how the building looks today, and I found out that it looks even better. That street was very nice, even when the neighborhood started to decline. I still have friends there, and they tell me that there are prostitution businesses galore in JH. run by illegal. The economy will collapse if they were deported.
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Offline Chuckster

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #18 on: May 27, 2009, 08:47:28 PM »
Quote from: carmela on May 27, 2009, 08:06:58 PM
I am surprise to find this post here. I posted yesterday a few links, and were deleted.

Carmela, your post with the links was not deleted.  You'll find it at:

http://www.jacksonheightslife.com/community/index.php?topic=2809.msg18663#msg18663
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Offline toddg

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #19 on: May 27, 2009, 09:51:07 PM »
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

If we're vewy vewy quiet, and don't feed them, maybe they'll go away. 
« Last Edit: May 27, 2009, 09:59:28 PM by toddg »
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Offline carmela

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #20 on: May 27, 2009, 10:17:15 PM »
Quote from: toddg on May 27, 2009, 09:51:07 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

If we're vewy vewy quiet, and don't feed them, maybe they'll go away. 

I agree.
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Offline carmela

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #21 on: May 27, 2009, 10:19:16 PM »
Quote from: Chuckster on May 27, 2009, 08:47:28 PM
Carmela, your post with the links was not deleted.  You'll find it at:

http://www.jacksonheightslife.com/community/index.php?topic=2809.msg18663#msg18663

Thank you Chuckster. Sorry for saying that they were deleted.
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Offline Queenskid

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #22 on: May 27, 2009, 10:28:56 PM »
Just got back from a great dinner at Trieste.  Started with a Manhattan, worked my way through the cold seafood salad and finished with the always wonderful chicken scarpariello, done Istrian style (ie, vinegar added).  When I was young Trieste was named La Scala, home of the $1.75 pizza.  It was good back then, but better now.  Just like the neighborhood.  I was the only one of my friends who stayed.  Over the years they told me I was nuts.  Now they tell me I'm lucky to be living in such a great community.  Yes Carmela, there are illegal immigrants here.  It seems that you are obsessed with that fact.  For me, it's no big deal.  For the most part they contribute to the rich environment I have chosen to live in and that I'll probably draw my last breath in, albeit after a few more Manhattans.  This is who we are.  Hopefully this is who we will always be.  It's easy to talk about being part of a diverse community.  It's another thing to put in the hard work that allows a community like this to thrive.  I'm sorry it isn't up to your standards.  For me, and many others, it's home.
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Offline Aronan

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #23 on: May 27, 2009, 11:46:00 PM »
Quote from: toddg on May 27, 2009, 09:51:07 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

If we're vewy vewy quiet, and don't feed them, maybe they'll go away. 

Indeed, oh wise calendar editor, indeed :)
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Offline Aronan

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #24 on: May 27, 2009, 11:49:08 PM »
Quote from: Queenskid on May 27, 2009, 10:28:56 PM
Just got back from a great dinner at Trieste.  Started with a Manhattan, worked my way through the cold seafood salad and finished with the always wonderful chicken scarpariello, done Istrian style (ie, vinegar added).  When I was young Trieste was named La Scala, home of the $1.75 pizza.  It was good back then, but better now.  Just like the neighborhood.  I was the only one of my friends who stayed.  Over the years they told me I was nuts.  Now they tell me I'm lucky to be living in such a great community.  Yes Carmela, there are illegal immigrants here.  It seems that you are obsessed with that fact.  For me, it's no big deal.  For the most part they contribute to the rich environment I have chosen to live in and that I'll probably draw my last breath in, albeit after a few more Manhattans.  This is who we are.  Hopefully this is who we will always be.  It's easy to talk about being part of a diverse community.  It's another thing to put in the hard work that allows a community like this to thrive.  I'm sorry it isn't up to your standards.  For me, and many others, it's home.

Perhaps a question for another thread, but how is the Trieste ? I've been curious but haven't had the opportunity to go. A good friend of mine told me the food was fine but ther service not so hot. Maybe he went on an off day, or maybe they are a lid back sort of place. I'm not sure.
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"It is widely recognized that the courageous spirit of a
single man can inspire to victory an army of
thousands. If one concerned with ordinary gain can
create such an effect, how much more will be produced by one who cares for greater things ?" -Chunag Tse

Offline Metsboy

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #25 on: May 28, 2009, 10:44:50 AM »
Quote from: toddg on May 27, 2009, 09:51:07 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

If we're vewy vewy quiet, and don't feed them, maybe they'll go away. 
I hope that isn't directed at me. I'm not trolling. I came to this site because I googled Toy City. I'm glad I found this place. For the record , I'm 38 years old. I've been away from Da heights since the end of 84. But I still tell people I'm from JH and my parish will always be St Bart's. I'm just trying to explain why people "ran away'. And again I moved to Woodside..not Scarsdale or the Upper East side  :coolsmiley:
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Offline Chuckster

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #26 on: May 28, 2009, 12:01:44 PM »
Quote from: Metsboy on May 28, 2009, 10:44:50 AM
I hope that isn't directed at me. I'm not trolling. I came to this site because I googled Toy City. I'm glad I found this place. For the record , I'm 38 years old. I've been away from Da heights since the end of 84. But I still tell people I'm from JH and my parish will always be St Bart's. I'm just trying to explain why people "ran away'. And again I moved to Woodside..not Scarsdale or the Upper East side  :coolsmiley:

Metsboy, I'm a Yankees fan, so you are a troll in my book.   :2funny:  Of course I'm only kidding!  You are not a troll, and your comments are always welcomed.  :)
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Offline Metsboy

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #27 on: May 28, 2009, 01:21:09 PM »
Quote from: Chuckster on May 28, 2009, 12:01:44 PM
Metsboy, I'm a Yankees fan, so you are a troll in my book.   :2funny:  Of course I'm only kidding!  You are not a troll, and your comments are always welcomed.  :)
Cheers  :coolsmiley:
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Offline carmela

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #28 on: May 28, 2009, 04:57:04 PM »
Quote from: Queenskid on May 27, 2009, 10:28:56 PM
Just got back from a great dinner at Trieste.  Started with a Manhattan, worked my way through the cold seafood salad and finished with the always wonderful chicken scarpariello, done Istrian style (ie, vinegar added).  When I was young Trieste was named La Scala, home of the $1.75 pizza.  It was good back then, but better now.  Just like the neighborhood.  I was the only one of my friends who stayed.  Over the years they told me I was nuts.  Now they tell me I'm lucky to be living in such a great community.  Yes Carmela, there are illegal immigrants here.  It seems that you are obsessed with that fact.  For me, it's no big deal.  For the most part they contribute to the rich environment I have chosen to live in and that I'll probably draw my last breath in, albeit after a few more Manhattans.  This is who we are.  Hopefully this is who we will always be.  It's easy to talk about being part of a diverse community.  It's another thing to put in the hard work that allows a community like this to thrive.  I'm sorry it isn't up to your standards.  For me, and many others, it's home.

Look up the meaning of diverse diversity, means that there is a certain amount of everything. If there is 60% of one thing, and 10% of a few others, that is not diversity. And yes, I don't like law brakers, and I like them a lot less when the government forces me to educate the children they make irresponsibly, I like them less when I see my daughter in-law every day struggling with her baby taken her to the baby-sitter, and going to work, and I see the law breakers with 4,5, and more kids staying home with their kids. The government supports them, forces the hard-working people to support those abusers, and that is called ABUSENow, if you don't care to support children you didn't make, then go ahead and support them, don't force me to do something I don't want to do.
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Offline carmela

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Re: JH: Decline and Revival
« Reply #29 on: May 30, 2009, 04:13:04 PM »
Quote from: Metsboy on May 27, 2009, 11:15:28 AM
That was a pretty good read. If you read that article it basically spells out what I was saying. My side of Roosevelt which was working class, suffered greatly during the late 70's early 80's. And thats why people left. They do seem to play down the fact of violence . It was real and very very scary I just wished these parents group were around during my childhood. I got bussed to Maspeth near 69st and Grand Ave from 82 street & Roosevelt . Instead of me  walking 10 blocks to 145, they sent me 80 blocks away to JHS 73.



FINALLY AN HONEST PERSON HERE. THANK YOU METSBOY. There aren't too many like you around. :laugh:
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