By MOHAMED FARGHALY
mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Local civic leaders, elected officials, and community members convened at the West Side Tennis Club on Feb 24 for the annual State of Forest Hills Civic Community meeting, where they discussed key neighborhood issues, upcoming initiatives, and the importance of civic engagement. The event was led by the Forest Hills Asian Association (FHAA), a group founded in 2015 by companies and residents in Forest Hills. The organization’s goal is to bring together local companies, civic associations, elderly people, educational institutions, and Forest Hills inhabitants who either live or work in order to foster community involvement. The group is commemorating ten years of involvement in the neighborhood.
Founder and President of the organization, Ed Wong opened the event alongside the WSTC rep, Clubhouse Manager Chris Romita, who warmly welcomed everyone to the civic meeting. Councilwoman Lynn Schulman then took stage, addressing local concerns and legislative updates. Michael Carlier, Director of Community Boards for Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, highlighted recent accomplishments and ongoing projects.
A representative from the 112th Precinct Community Council emphasized the importance of police-resident relationships through community meetings. Commander Mike Arcati and Bill Woods of the American Legion in Forest Hills discussed plans for the upcoming Memorial Day Parade.
The NYC Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) provided insights into its disaster preparedness efforts, while Let’s Talk Democracy Club introduced its mission to foster civic discourse. Daniel Olson, a columnist for Forest Hills Times, spoke about his work covering the local music scene.
Representatives from Metro Village of Forest Hills stressed the importance of supporting small businesses to keep money circulating locally. The Friends of the QueensWay team updated attendees on the project to convert an abandoned railway into a public green space.
Jason Simba of Festival Cinema NYC announced a ten-day film festival coming to Regal Midway in Forest Hills. The Forest Hills Green Team detailed plans to restart a composting program at MacDonald Park along with their gardening initiatives.
Additionally, Central Queens Against Hate spoke about efforts to foster unity and combat discrimination. Heather Beers-Dimitriadis of Community Board 6 closed the event by expressing appreciation for the West Side Tennis Club’s hospitality and reinforcing the board’s commitment to keeping residents informed.
The annual gathering, attended by representatives from numerous civic organizations, reinforced the importance of community engagement in shaping the future of Forest Hills.
