Member

Southeast Queens Residents Environmental Justice Coalition (SQREJC)

She/Her

Following a rewarding career in government and public service, Elizabeth Blaney retired in 2008. She is a long-term resident of St. Albans, Queens where she raised her three daughters. Since retirement, she has remained active in local community affairs and currently serves on the board of directors for Neighborhood Housing Services of Jamaica (NHSJ), and the Community Block Association of St. Albans.

As a member of SQREJC, and on behalf of the Community Block Association, Elizabeth is involved in efforts to repair and restore community driveways in her neighborhood.  These driveways, commonly referred to as alleys, provide access to backyards and garages for a series of row houses. Built in the 1950s the driveways are considered privately owned, with shared responsibility for their maintenance and upkeep being that of the homeowners.  For decades, their maintenance and upkeep have been sporadic. The recent increase in heavy rainfall has resulted in flooding backyards and basements.  The standing water and ponding have increased mosquito infestation. 

The Community Block Association has initiated a fundraising campaign, advocated with local elected officials and governmental agencies to bring attention to the problem and to generate a public response to a problem that impacts a large number of residents.