Reinaldo Nunez, president of the North Bellmore Civic Association, sat down with Bellmore Patch and spoke about the association's goals for 2012 and some of their accomplishments.

Patch: What are some of the civic association's goals for 2012?

Nunez: Well, we want to see the Jerusalem Avenue Beautification Project completed. We are working with the town and local politicians to beautify Jerusalem Avenue. Lamp posts, decorative lighting and signs will be put on both sides of Jerusalem Avenue from Newbridge Road to Oakfield Avenue. The Town of Hempstead said it would start in a couple of months.

Patch: How long would it take for the project to be completed?

Nunez: It will take some time because there is going to be some work involved.

Patch: Are there any other projects or developments that the association will focus on this year?

Nunez: This year we are also going to keep an eye on the former Rite Aid on Jerusalem Avenue. We want to make sure that the right business goes in that property and that it will meet the community's needs. And we want to make sure that we maintain a high quality of service to the community and that we respond to community issues.

What was the association's biggest accomplishment in 2011?

Nunez: We were able to deter the installation of a cell tower in North Bellmore near the Southern State Parkway. We got Assemblyman Tom Mckevitt involved. We were able to mobilize hundreds of people who went to the auditorium of Mepham High School to discuss the matter. We did not want the cell tower because it could negatively impact the wildlife in the area and because of the perception of the health effects the cell towers could cause the children and parents of the community.

Patch: What are the association's hopes for North Bellmore?

Nunez: We want to maintain a safe community. We have a school closing and we hope that situation works out OK. We hope that people continue to move into this community because it is a great place and we hope to be the voice of the community and provide people with a forum to address their concerns.

The North Bellmore Civic Association meets the second Monday of every month at the North Bellmore Public Library at 7 p.m.