STAR OF QUEENS

Michael Feiner

By Beth Salzman

Wednesday, June 24, 2009 4:20 PM EDT

Michael Feiner

President, Bayside Hills Civic Association

Bayside Hills

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Michael Feiner has been involved with the Bayside Hills Civic Association for almost 25 years, and has been president of the association for eight of those years. He was elevated to the position when then-president Jerry Iannece became chairperson of Community Board 11. Feiner’s responsibilities as president include conducting once-monthly board meetings, advertising for the association, and writing a monthly column entitled “The President’s Message.”

Feiner first became involved with the association following severe flooding on 56th Avenue from Bell Boulevard to Springfield Boulevard. “[They were] such horrible floods that the sewer and manhole covers used to shoot up into the air very dangerously,” Feiner said. “Underneath our community is an underground waterway, and when the ground got saturated, the water would just shoot up when there were heavy rains.” He contacted elected officials as well as the civic association. Kevin Farrelly, then-president of the association, suggested it would be more effective for Feiner to join the association. The efforts of the association led to the development of the Oakland Ravine Project and the Alley Creek Project, which focused on redirecting water to lessen the flooding on 56th Avenue.

Feiner is also on the board of trustees of Oakland Jewish Center.

PERSONAL: Feiner graduated from Bayside High School, then earned his bachelor’s degree from Queens College and his Master’s degree from C.W. Post. He and his wife of 36 years, Eileen, have lived in Bayside Hills since 1985. They have two children, a son Jess and daughter Andra, a son-in-law, Steve, and a seven-month-old granddaughter, Chloe.

JOB: Feiner retired in 2004 after 34 years teaching physical education, science and sixth grade, mostly at P.S. 11 in Woodside.

PROUDEST MOMENT: While jogging with a friend at Jones Beach, Feiner witnessed a woman wash ashore. He and his friend stayed with her until EMS arrived. “And of course, the birth of my granddaughter; she’s the apple of my eye.”

FAVORITE MEMORY: Aside from the birth of his children, Feiner recalls a favorite memory from Bayside High School -- he ran a mile race and came in first place out of 40 or 50 people. “That was a great, exhilarating feeling.”

BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “I suppose surviving 34 years with the Department of Education, there were a lot of events during the 34 years that were extremely challenging,” Feiner said. He also talked about the many challenges he would continue to face as president of the organization.

INSPIRATION: “My dad was a great man,” Feiner said. “He was very kind, he always tried his best to give everybody the shirt off his back, and I think I’m similar in that nature. I rarely turn people down, if it’s possible. I’m very proud he’s my dad. He passed in 1996. Everybody loved him; we adhere to his style and beliefs, and he’s made me what I am today I suppose.” – Beth Salzman