Queens Tribune

Looking For Better Business?

If you feel a business treated you unfairly, file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. You can file the complaint online at http://complaints.bbb.org/Welcome.asp, or over the phone at (212) 533-6200 at the New York City office. That office is located at 257 Park Avenue South in Manhattan.

From Slow Lane To No Lane

If a traffic lane is closed for an inordinate period of time, call 311 to inquire. Sometimes the problem relates to more than one city agency, so to avoid the runaround, be sure to ask specific questions to determine who is primarily responsible. If you’re making a request, ask to get a service request number in order to follow up.

One way to get answers is by working with your local community board. Community boards often carry more weight with city agencies, and district managers are experienced in dealing with a wide range of neighborhood issues.

Pruning Problems?

For more information on public tree maintenance, contact the Department of Parks and Recreation Hotline at (800) 201-7275. To file a complaint about an emergency situation involving a tree on private land, call 311.

Trees And Trash

If there’s a problem with trash or trees in your neighborhood, call 311 and report it. If a tree is on private property, however, readers should try to reach out to the homeowner. If that doesn’t work, they can call their local community board to mediate the situation. Phone numbers are available in the blue section of the phone book.

Phone Funk
If a payphone near you is broken or dirty, call 311 or log on to www.nyc.gov/html/doitt to complain to the City’s Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications.