WRBA Announces New Officers

The Woodhaven Residents' Block Association (WRBA) has elected its officers for 2014.  The new slate of officers reflects the organization's recent growth and outreach to all corners of the community.

Martin Colberg will serve as the organization's president for the coming year.  Giedra Kregzdys will serve as vice president.  Stephen Forte will continue as treasurer.  Their new terms will begin on January 1, 2014.  The officers have all served on the WRBA's Board of Directors, and were elected to their posts by their fellow directors.

"The WRBA has worked extremely hard to expand our presence in the community, and the fact that we will now be steered by relatively new members shows that we've succeeded in that mission," said WRBA President Edward K. Wendell, who has led the organization since 2010.  "Our new officers reflect our community and the continued progress we will make, in 2014 and beyond."

Left to right: Martin Colberg, Stephen Forte, and Giedra Kregzdys
In a sign of the Block Association's growth, all the new officers joined the
Board of Directors just within the past three years.
In addition, Colberg will become the first Latino to serve
as the WRBA's president in its 42-year history.

The past four years have been extremely active ones for the WRBA, during which the organization expanded its online presence, successfully fought two objectionable street-direction changes, provided testimony to government bodies on issues ranging from noise to redistricting, engaged in multiple graffiti clean-ups, fought to get a house sealed after it had been taken over by squatters, provided urgently needed relief to our neighbors in the Rockaways and others affected by Hurricane Sandy, and gave Woodhaven residents a voice on the future of the defunct Rockaway Branch rail line, among many other things.

"Ed and the rest of the Board have done a tremendous job over the past several years, so I know I have big shoes to fill," Colberg said.  "But I also have a solid foundation to build on, and I'm grateful for this opportunity.  I'm looking forward to continuing the WRBA's good work and its outreach to everyone in Woodhaven."

The WRBA's next Town Hall will be on January 18, 2014, 1 p.m., at Emanuel United Church of Christ (91st Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard).

# # #

Contact:
WRBA office: (718) 296-3735
www.woodhaven-nyc.org