a member of the original BCA and was looking into restarting the group. Viana, 18, a freshman at Stony Brook University studying atmospheric and oceanic sciences, with a focus on meteorology, created a Facebook page with the title “Baldwin Needs Revitalization.” The social media site took off first. Viana, who attended Baldwin Community Nursery School, Plaza Elementary and Baldwin Middle School and nurtured his interest in community involvement with Jacqueline Bell and the Baldwin Civic Oaks, soon found himself presiding over a substantial following of online collaborators. “The Facebook page went from 10 ‘likes’ to over 400 in a matter of weeks,” Viana told the Herald. “People were really excited to come together and discuss the things that they wanted for Baldwin — things they missed from when they were children, things that changed over the years.” The public nature of social media soon brought Viana’s activities to the attention of Degen, a school secretary and veteran community activist. In addition to her work with the original BCA, Degen had been involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the Baldwin Little League, the Sanitation Department’s Big Sweep and many other local initiatives. Uncovering a vein of likeminded people online, Degen contacted Viana and suggested joining forces. “A friend told me about David’s Facebook page, so I reached out to him to introduce myself,” Degen said. “He hadn’t planned to start a civic association, but through our conversations we decided it was the best route to take.” The union of a fresh-faced teen and a familiar presence resonated with the community. In October, the first meeting of the new BCA — then operating under its Facebook moniker Baldwin Needs Revitalization — drew almost 300 people to the community room at the library, including 5th District County Legislator Joe Scannell and representatives of Sanitation District 2, the Nassau County Police Department’s 1st Precinct and the business community. One attendee, an educator named Sarah, said she was drawn by Viana’s fresh take on activism. “I’ve been to so many of these things and nothing ever gets done,” she said. “Who knows? Maybe this young guy has a new perspective.” The Velazquez family — a trio who attended the meeting wearing homemade “Save Baldwin” T-shirts — agreed. “We just hope they follow through,” said Jessenia Velazquez, who stood beside her husband, Steven. “I was happy just to come in and see so many people in the room.” There have been many encouraging signs since that first gathering. The original civic association’s charter has been reclaimed, and the group See PEOPLE, page 2
PEOPLE 2 0 11
OF THE YEAR Baldwin
HERALD December 29, 2011 - January 4, 2012
$1.00
YEAR IN REVIEW
Chris Connolly/Herald
Baldwin weathered Tropical Storm Irene in September. Flooding and downed power lines and trees complicated life on Long Island for days. Page 13
n e g d e n a D a d n i L a n a i V d i v Da
Bringing the Baldwin Civic Association back to life
By CHRIS CONNOLLY cconnolly@liherald.com
T Chris Connolly/Herald
Baldwin rallied to save a landmark bakery last year. Community members wrote letters, sent emails and made calls in an effort to save a local business three decades old. The push was successful. Page 3
here’s a refreshed feeling of community empowerment in Baldwin these days, a sense that people say they haven’t felt for years. You can see it in many places: the Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Kickoff drew unprecedented numbers; school board meetings teem with residents seeking to stay informed; the Baldwin Public Library’s Careers Fair was packed from start to finish, and church functions like Saint Peter’s Holiday Drop & Shop turn into impromptu community pep rallies.
Although few would argue that the new Baldwin Civic Association initiated this wave of local organization, its co-chairs, Linda Degen and David Viana, are clearly stoking its momentum. They are the Herald’s choice for 2011 People of the Year. The drive to re-form the Baldwin Civic Association began in two places at once. Degen, 51, a 1978 Baldwin High School graduate and the mother of a freshman at Holy Trinity High School in Hicksville, was
LOSE 30 POUNDS IN 30 DAYS!
516-284-8248 www.DrBosDiet.com
ASK ABOUT OUR FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION Locations In Hewlett, Great Neck, Brooklyn, Queens And Manhattan
524742
Call Today
Get rid of unwanted stuff www.liherald.com/classifieds