Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation

On May 5, the Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation lost one of the two vans used in its anti-graffiti program.

"It just died of old age at the curb," said program coordinator Peggy O'Kane. GRRC weren't too surprised, since the van dated from 1984, but it was still a blow to their program.

Last year at this time, GRRC had cleaned 163 properties; this year they've done 141.

"After seven weeks with only one van, we're 20 cleanings behind," said Executive Director Angela Mirabile.

If the GRRC doesn't get another van, they feel that this year they likely will be 80 to 100 cleanings behind last year's total. "Graffiti in the neighborhood is increasing, and we're only at half strength," said Mirabile.

The GRRC has made appeals to anyone they can think of. They've written plumbers and electricians and asked if they have a spare van or know someone who has one. They got one offer, but the van would have required extensive repairs.

"We are making another appeal," said President Paul Kerzner. "We need help from our fellow residents to continue our efforts to keep Ridgewood and the other communities of Community Board 5 free of graffiti."

If you can help the GRRC, call them at 1-718-366-8721.