Council Member Elizabeth S. Crowley, and the City Council on June 30, 2009 passed legislation to rename two streets in Richmond Hill and Glendale after two notable members of those communities. As a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley was instrumental in successfully pushing for the renaming of the two streets located in Council District 30.
“I am proud to honor both Nancy Cataldi and Frederick D. Haller for her leadership and dedication to preserving the character of our community and improving the lives of our members,” said Council Member Elizabeth Crowley. “Both Nancy Cataldi and Frederick Haller demonstrate how each of us, when we work hard and remain dedicated, can make lasting change in our community. That is why I believe it is important to recognize those who are proactive about improving the lives of all our neighbors, and documenting our history.”
The Union Turnpike Mall between Woodhaven Blvd and Myrtle Avenue in Glendale will be named the Frederick D. Haller Way. The 109th Street between 86th Avenue and Jamaica Avenue will be named Nancy Cataldi Way.
Nancy Lucia Cataldi settled in Richmond Hill is 1963 and grew up to be a photographer with many of her photographs appearing in prestigious magazines. In 1994, with boyfriend Stefano Palo, she purchased a 1905 Victorian House in Richmond Hill at 86-22 109th Street. She marveled at its romantic and historic allure and developed a deep interest in the neighborhood. The house was tenderly restored and refurbished. Through research she learned that the house was designed by noted Richmond Hill architect Henry E. Haugaard. In 1996 with the help of Dr. Stanley Cogan, Queens Borough Historian, her house received one of the first Queensmark awards for historical, architectural and cultural merit. In 1997 she and other residents formed the Richmond Hill Historical Society. By 1999 she had become the President of the organization. In 2000 during a House and Garden Tour her beloved mother Lucia passed away. Teaming up with Richmond Hill Historian Carl Ballenas the idea of writing a book on the history of Richmond Hill evolved. Working with Arcadia Publishing they gathered many vintage postcards and newspaper articles. The book has over 200 photographs and many informative historical accounts.
Frederick D. Haller helped organize the first Home School Association at Sacred Heart School, Glendale, he was a Charter member of the Monsignor Sherman Council, Knights of Columbus, Chair member of the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society, Founder of the Greater Ridgewood YMCA, Member, Board Member and Past President of the Glendale Kiwanis Club, a member of Queens Community Board 5 of which he was a Chairman for more than ten years (1972 – 1983). He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Wyckoff Heights Hospital for forty years and served as Chairman of the Board for more than fifteen years (1982 – 1998), the longest chairmanship of the Hospital in it’s over 100 year history. He recently celebrated fifty years serving as an Attorney-at-Law to the Greater Ridgewood-Glendale community.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Council Member Elizabeth S. Crowley Moves the City Council to Name Streets in Glendale and Richmond Hill After Community Leaders
Rep Ed Towns Concerned with Overall Progress of Stimulus
Chairman Edolphus “Ed” Towns (D-NY) concluded today’s House Oversight and Government Reform hearing titled, “Tracking the Money: Preventing Waste, Fraud and Abuse of Recovery Act Funding” with the following remarks about the current state of the Recovery Act.
The Chairman today announced that he will request a meeting with Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood about the Department of Transportation’s failure to develop clear guidance on identifying and giving priority to economically distressed areas. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) raised this concern in its second report released today analyzing the Recovery Act’s progress in 16 states and the District of Columbia.
In his closing statement, the Chairman notes that “the point of this requirement is to direct stimulus spending to communities that need Recovery Act investments the most, like disadvantaged areas of my home district in Brooklyn, NY.”
Closing Statement of Chairman Edolphus “Ed” Towns:
I am encouraged that, since the enactment of the Recovery Act, we have made some strides toward putting our economy back on track. But I am disappointed in the overall results so far. Unemployment is at a high and the full force of stimulus spending has yet to be felt.
Moreover, I remain concerned with several issues related to the Recovery Act’s implementation. One issue that I intend to address immediately is the Department of Transportation’s failure to define what qualifies as an “economically distressed area” for allocating Recovery Act funds.
The point of this requirement is to direct stimulus spending to communities that need Recovery Act investments the most, like disadvantaged areas of my home district in Brooklyn.
I will be sending a letter to the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, to explain my concerns and request a meeting with the Secretary to discuss this issue.
Another problem that needs to be corrected is OMB’s failure to issue all necessary guidelines. OMB’s inconsistency in providing adequate and comprehensive guidance creates greater challenges for states to provide timely and reliable data by the October 10th reporting deadline.
This is another obstacle to the majority of states that are already short staffed due to severe budgetary cuts. In my home State of New York, state government agencies have been forced to function with a ten percent reduction in their budgets for the fiscal year. The Office of the State Comptroller is particularly concerned that it will not be able to meet the escalating demands of auditing Recovery Act programs.
The issues we discussed today are many of the same issues that we identified at our field hearing on the stimulus, that led me to introduce H.R. 2182, the Enhanced Oversight of State and Local Economic Recovery Act. The House has passed this bill and I hope we can continue moving forward until it is signed into law.
We recognize that there are still important issues to be resolved before Recovery Act spending and accountability works as intended. Be assured that we intend to continue our detailed oversight of this program until we finally see our economy recover.
Assemblyman Mark Weprin Joins Queens Civic Congress to Express Concern About New DOB Development Challenge Process
Assemblymember Mark S. Weprin (D-Little Neck) has written Commissioner Robert D. LiMandri, New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), asking him to address the concerns raised by Queens Civic Congress, the Historic Districts Council, and the Four Borough Neighborhood Alliance about DOB’s new development challenge process.
“As a longtime advocate of open government, I believe that greater transparency within the DOB is clearly in the public interest,” said Assemblymember Weprin. “At the same time, DOB needs to address community objections.”
Mr. Weprin’s letter mentions three issues of concern to the community:
(1) Requiring people to file complaint forms instead of calling 311 will be onerous in many cases.
(2) Residents should not need to be familiar with building codes or zoning regulations to express concerns.
(3) The forty-five day challenge period is too brief. The clocks starts with the filing of the plans, but it often takes longer than forty-five days for construction to begin, so community members may not even know about a planned project until the challenge period is over.
“I will continue working with local civic associations and community groups, as well as with the Queens Civic Congress, to ensure that the public always has a say,” said Assemblymember Weprin.
Working Families Party Endorses Bill Thompson for Mayor
The Working Families Party released today the following statement after a vote by its New York City Coordinating Council to endorse Bill Thompson for New York City Mayor. The statement can be attributed to Dan Cantor, Working Families Party Executive Director:
As our city and nation tackle the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, standing on the sidelines is unacceptable. And the idea that Wall Street knows best no longer convinces anyone. As in last November's election for President, it's time for a new direction.
At our Forum last Thursday, Bill Thompson presented a clear, progressive message. He believes city government must first and always put the middle class and working families above the real estate developers and corporate interests that have dominated New York City for too long.
The vote tonight by the New York City Coordinating Council matches the overwhelming sentiment of WFP supporters who watched our Mayoral Forum, in person and online, and graded Bill Thompson the clear winner.
Addressing his profligate campaign spending, Mayor Bloomberg told the crowd last Thursday: “rich people don’t always win.”
The Working Families Party wants to help prove him right by helping Bill Thompson become the next Mayor of New York.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Did Parks Rig Reservoir Survey? by Michael Lanza - Queens Chronicle
The skewed results of a public survey presented last Tuesday is leading many Ridgewood Reservoir advocates to ask: is the Parks Department stuffing the ballot box?Parks’ announcement of the results of a 253-person survey — which indicated a strong preference for replacing the reservoir basins with active recreational facilities — came as the city agency simultaneously presented data from public hearings showing overwhelming community support for preserving the site in its natural state.
The sudden shift in support indicated by the survey sparked serious questions and outlandish charges among area preservationists.
“Parks used people that Parks felt were going to give them the answers that they wanted,” said Steven Fiedler, a Community Board 5 member and reservoir preservation advocate.
But a recent disclosure by the Parks Department suggests that allegations refuting the poll’s integrity may have merit.
Three out of four local groups enlisted to help distribute the survey — the Cypress Hills Local Development Corp., Brooklyn East Youth Sports and Recreation and East Brooklyn Congregations — are vocal advocates for replacing the basins with ballfields.
The fourth group, the George J. Walker Community Coalition, did not have a confirmed position as of press time.
At the center of the controversial survey is Bishop David Benke, the leader of East Brooklyn Congregations and a board member on the Cypress Hills Local Development Corp.
“Anybody with Benke is gonna go with ballfields,” Fiedler said.
Benke has been among the most vocal advocates for ballfields — lobbying the City Council with a public presentation at City Hall earlier this year.
Representing his parish in Bushwick, the Lutheran minister argued that Highland Park is simply too far a trek for his followers. Artificial and natural barriers are forcing Bushwick residents around the reservoir to access Highland Park, which they say is already too crowded and poorly maintained. He argued that the third basin is filled with invasive plant species and that eight of the 51 acres at the reservoir could be set aside for community baseball fields.
“That 8 acres does not really need to be a nature reserve, there’s nothing in there that needs to be preserved,” Benke said “Let’s use that for some sort of active use.”
But even he acknowledged that Parks’ decision to solicit their groups undermined the survey’s integrity.
“They said, ‘we need some people to hand out these surveys,’” Benke said. “You could make your case. You could say there are questions about the validity of a survey handed out by people who have already taken a position.”
The minister — confident that another survey would show similar results — said he would support a new survey distributed by an independent group.
Parks officials did not respond to allegations of bias within the survey.
The reservoir’s declining condition has become the center of a battle between preservationists and developers in recent years.
City Comptroller Bill Thompson shot down proposals by Mayor Mike Bloomberg to convert the reservoir into a sports field last summer, citing the ecological importance of the space.
“This plan flies in the face of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s widely hailed environmental blueprint, which bemoans the loss of the city’s natural areas,” Thompson wrote, protesting the plan. “The Parks Department’s own scientific consultants have warned against disturbing the reservoir, an area they call ‘highly significant for the biodiversity of New York City and the region.’”
Parks recently announced plans to slash development funds for the reservoir in its revised capital budget — cutting funds for Ridgewood Reservoir and Highland Park by more than half — from $48.8 million to $19.8 million. Approximately $7.7 million already allocated during phase one to restore lights and fencing around the reservoir will not be influenced by the cuts.
The cut was a mixed blessing for those who opposed razing the reservoir site to create ballfields — casting doubt on the most expensive of the propositions.
Three initial plans to develop the site included preserving the site as a natural habitat, filling in the reservoir basins and replacing them with baseball and soccer fields and a hybrid plan where only one of three basins — the largest one — would be converted into a recreational sporting area.
The reservoir, located on the border of Brooklyn and Queens, was created in 1848 to provide drinking water to Brooklyn. But it was converted to a back-up in 1959 and finally taken off-line in 1989. The site is now a natural haven for plants, turtles, fish, frogs and more than 137 bird species —including eight rare species on the National Audubon Society’s “Watch List.”
Inside the Ridgewood Reservoir with the Queens Ledger...
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Greenpeace Challenges President Obama to Stop Global Warming with an Event at Mount Rushmore
Three Greenpeace climbers hang a banner on the face of Mount Rushmore to issue a challenge to President Obama: "America honors leaders, not politicians: Stop global warming."
The action is part of a global day of action staged by Greenpeace to urge world leaders, who are currently attending a G8 meeting in Laquila, Italy, to take the actions necessary to avert runaway climate change.
Inside the Ridgewood Reservoir by Dan Bush - Queens Examiner
The fate of the Ridgewood Reservoir remains uncertain after the fourth and final public meeting held by the city to discuss future plans.Speculation around the reservoir, which borders Queens and Brooklyn, intensified last month after the Parks Department slashed the planned redevelopment budget for the reservoir by nearly $30 million.
At the June 30th public meeting, parks department officials revealed few details on plans for the stripped-down redevelopment project.
Instead, officials announced the results of a survey taken with area residents about what they would like see happen to the reservoir, and the adjacent Highland Park. The survey results appeared to identify three viable options: to leave the park as a natural reserve; develop it with some infrastructure improvements; and redevelop the park entirely.Gary Giordano, the district manager of Community Board 5, said the survey was unhelpful in resolving the impasse over how to move forward. "I don't see how the survey results do anything," Giordano said.
Critics of the city's proposal to turn the reservoir and its three basins into a recreational open space remain opposed to the plan, Giordano said, the survey notwithstanding."We are not in favor of development of any kind of the basins for ball fields," Giordano said, speaking for CB5, which he said has gone on record against that proposal. He said CB5 would rather see the Parks Department turn the reservoir into a natural preserve, with an environmental education center, and fix the Highland Park ball fields instead.
Parks officials declined to comment for this story, but did say in a statement the department is moving forward with plans to have a private contractor design three conceptual master plans for the reservoir.
"Upon completion of the three conceptual master plans, they will be reviewed by Parks Commissioner Benepe," the statement said, before being sent to relevant community boards for review.Giordano said he expected to see the three master plans in October.
Confusion surrounding future plans for the reservoir may stem in part from its being closed off to the public, making the space and its redevelopment difficult to imagine.
The day after the last public meeting, this paper obtained access to the reservoir, led by David Quintana, a community activist following the project and the author of the blog Lost in the Ozone.
The reservoir was entered through one of many holes in the chain link fence surrounding its perimeter (included in the approved, $7 million phase one redevelopment of the area is an improved fencing system).
Inside is a veritable urban jungle; thick summer foliage blocks out traffic noise from the surrounding streets, as well-worn paths take visitors around the reservoir basins.
A lookout point at the water-filled second basin reveals a stunning view of the water, the marshland surrounding it and, for the lucky few, sights of fauna including several species of birds and lizards.Across the basin is an old brick pump house that, if restored, could make for an attractive environmental education center, as many residents have suggested.
Quintana said if everyone involved in the redevelopment project would just visit the reservoir, the discussions and public meetings might have gone very differently.
"That's everybody's impression once they see the place," said Quintana. "They don't understand why the parks department would want to ruin this. From an ecological standpoint, this shouldn't be harmed."
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
NYPD Daily Police Blotter - New York Post
A woman was busted for roughing up a traffic agent who was giving her a summons in Ozone Park, authorities said yesterday.
Arleen Goorwah, 27, confronted the agent at Liberty Avenue and 106th Street at around 4 p.m. on June 29, cops said.
Goorwah allegedly shoved the female agent and tried to grab her hand-held ticketing device.
Police were called and arrested Goorwah, who was charged with attempted assault and harassment, according to a spokeswoman for DA Richard Brown.
Glendale Bank Held Up For Second Time In Two Weeks - Crook Shows A Note To Cash In by Robert Pozarycki - Times Newsweekly
For the second time this month, a Glendale bank branch has been held up by a note-carrying bandit, police reported.
Officers from the 104th Precinct secure the Capital One bank located at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard in Glendale following a bank heist last Saturday, June 13. It was the second time this month that the branch was held up by a note carrying crook, according to police. (photo: Allen Epstein) Law enforcement sources said a man swiped about $1,000 in cash from the Capital One bank located at 83-24 Woodhaven Blvd. at around 10 a.m. last Saturday morning, June 13.
Nearly two weeks earlier, police noted, the same branch was held up by a thief who used a demand note to gain a sum of money on the morning of Tuesday, June 2.
As reported in last week's issue of the Times Newsweekly, the suspect in that caper is believed to be linked to the June 5 robbery of the Chase bank branch located at 96-19 101st Ave. in Ozone Park.
Police sources could not immediately confirm a link between last Saturday's heist in Glendale to the two previous holdups.
Regarding last Saturday's caper, authorities said the suspect entered the Capital One branch located at the corner of Myrtle Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard at around 10 a.m.
Upon arriving at the counter, police said, the suspect handed a teller a note demanding cash. After the employee complied with his request, it was reported, the perpetrator fled from the scene northbound on Woodhaven Boulevard.
Members of the 104th Precinct responded to the scene. No injuries were reported.
Various police units canvassed the surrounding area for the suspect involved. Despite their efforts, police said, no immediate arrests were made.The suspect behind the heist was described by law enforcement sources as an African-American male standing 6' tall and weighing about 200 pounds.
An ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Major Case Squad and the Joint Bank Robbery Task Force, police said.
Anyone with any information regarding the heist that could prove helpful is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
Information may also be submitted to Crime Stoppers by text message to 274637 (followed by the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.
All calls and messages will be kept confidential.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Queens Angler Drowns Wading Too Far Out in Jamaica Bay by Edgar Sandoval and Oren Yaniv - NY Daily News
Friends and family watch the divers bring the body of the deceased to the beach. Pace for News
A fisherman drowned and his friend was pulled to safety yesterday after they both stumbled into deep water in a treacherous stretch of Jamaica Bay, Queens, witnesses said.
Family members identified the drowned man as Mario Acatilta, 19, a Mexican immigrant.
His pal Jesus Gonzales was recovering in the hospital after a former lifeguard jumped in and plucked him from the water.
The two friends were fishing at North Channel Beach in Broad Channel when the water suddenly deepened and they lost their footing about 2:30 p.m.
"The problem is that there is a big drop," said Jaikarran Bridguepaug, 52, an electrician who was fishing alongside the men and helped bring Gonzales ashore.
"I wish I could have done more, but it happened so fast," he added.
"They were yelling 'Help me! Help me!'" added Bridguepaug, of Ozone Park.
Cesar Meneses, 39, a room service staffer at the Novotel Hotel in midtown who once worked as a lifeguard, jumped into the choppy water.
He managed to grab the barely floating Gonzales by the collar and pulled him back toward shore.
"I told him, 'I'm here to help you,'" Meneses recalled.
"I'm not going to die," the man mumbled as they neared safety.
A park ranger performed CPR on Gonzales until an ambulance arrived. He was taken to Jamaica Hospital, officials said.
The rescuer said he returned to look for Acatilta, but only found sneakers and a yellow hat floating near where he disappeared.
"The water took him," Meneses said sadly.
Rescuers recovered the teenager's lifeless body at 5:30 p.m. as sobbing relatives - including his brother, who was still clutching the wet hat - watched in anguish.
The heartbroken brother said only that Acatilta was a supermarket worker who moved here two years ago from the Mexican state of Tlaxcala.
The small sandy beach with city views is attached to a parking lot off Cross Bay Blvd.
About 200 people dotted the quarter-mile stretch yesterday, some enjoying the sparkling day and other fishing for bluefish and bass.
Plenty of regulars said the idyllic shore masked an ominous danger.
"These aren't waters for swimming - it's too rough," said John Baptist, 37, who frequents the beach. "You take one step, you're fine. You take the next, you're down there."
Other beachgoers suggested a sign be posted warning people about the shifting seabed.
"Anyone who comes here knows that you have to walk carefully," said Lulzim Buzhiqi, 38, who was also fishing in the area.
Meneses said he wanted to see Gonzales again, and said the loss of his pal was going to hit the survivor hard.
"I'm worried about him," Meneses said.
Sunset in Jamaica Bay Wildlife Sanctuary...
It was such a beautiful day today here in New York City, the temperatures were in the 80's, low humidity (52%) and a lovely breeze (10 mph from the NW)...
Here are a few photos from Jamaica Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at sunset...
Click on images to enlarge...
Photos by Manny
Hey, if it's Monday, it's time to check BobGeiger.com's Osama clock.
