NEW YORK (TIP): At the prestigious Douglaston Manor in Little Neck Queens,at the annual Queens Civic CongressLegislative Receptionheld on Sunday December 4, studded with politicians and community leaders in the likes of US Congresswomen Grace Meng, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, NY Comptroller Scott M. Stringer, NY City Public Advocate Letitia James and scores of NY State Senators, NYS Assembly members and NYC Council members, the Governor’s representative in presenting  the Governor’s award to Mr. Harbachan Singh said that his outstanding  service and contribution to the society will never be forgotten by the people in Queens and paid a glowing tribute to Mr. Singh who was stepping down from his position as President of the  strong Queens Civic Congress this month.

The Queens Civic Congress is a borough wide umbrella organization establishedin 1989 to represent over 100 civic and coop associations to improve the quality of life and to preserve and protect the residential areas of Queens and seek inter alia adequate, affordable and safe accessibility to essential services within and intra boroughs particularly for the residents of Queens. Mr. Singh thanked all the elected officials who either led or stood by the Congress and sat on the same side of the issues together. Recalling some examples, he enumerated on their demonstrations at the 59th St. Bridge against imposition of tolls on the East River Bridges, their holding of press briefings or demonstrations in various parts of Queens and in front of the City Hall, arguing with the Mayor’s office over issues relating to homeless shelters or the introduction of bus lanes or bicycle lanes without proper study, pointing out the negative aspects of the Mayor’s Affordable Housing project, expressing discontent of the Board of Standards and Appeals for not giving due regard to the voice or opinions of community input, crying out for need of routes or extension of lines into vast areas of Queens lacking public transport service or preparing to object to the subway fare hikes planned for early 2017 particularly in light of the observation of the State Comptroller Thomas de Napoli that fares rose six times faster than the average salaries in New York over the past decade.

Commenting on the current fear of hard times and uncertainty apparently looming in the political arena, Mr. Singhurgedeveryone to work even harder and closer together and be more attentive, vocal and vigilant to community needs and stand up to protect the neighborhoods, jobs, economy, environment and above all, the quality of life.He also received awardsfrom others.