Patricia Dolan, Late President of the Kew Gardens Hills Civic
Association,
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Conservancy, Queens Civic Congress
Photograph by Jim Jaffe
DIGNITARIES, CIVIC LEADERS AND FRIENDS MOURN THE LOSS OF
CIVIC LEGEND PATRICIA DOLAN
by Cynthia
Zalisky, Secretary KGHCA 12/12/2011
On Tuesday evening, November 29,
2011 elected officials, community leaders representing the Kew
Gardens Hills Civic Association, the Queens Civic Congress, the
Flushing Meadows Corona Park Conservancy, Community Board 8,
colleagues and friends gathered at Schwartz Brothers-Forest Park
Chapel to remember the life and achievements of Patricia Dolan, who
was tragically taken away from us on November 15, 2011.The hundreds
of people in attendance were a testament to Pat’s dedication to
Queens and especially to Kew Gardens Hills.
The moving tribute was led by Harold
Baron, Chairman of the Board of the KGHCA , an organization that was
near and dear to Pat, who served ably as its president. Harold
spoke of how devoted Pat Dolan was to the neighborhood and she
worked tirelessly to make Kew Gardens Hills an ideal place to live
in. “When there was a problem, one called Pat and it was taken care
of ”. She leaves a deep void in our hearts.
Pat’s strength and wisdom was her
willingness to work with everyone that would be of help the
community. The memorial service was a personification of that
diversity. Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld of the Young Israel of Kew Gardens
Hills, who along with his father Rabbi Fabian Schonfeld, worked
continuously with Pat. In fact, Rabbi Schonfeld mentioned that he
was scheduled to meet with Pat the very day after the tragedy. Rabbi
Schonfeld remarked, “Every time we see another plant, another tree,
another beautiful park.. we’ll know it was Pat Dolan leading the
way. She was the nuts and the bolts of our community.”
Among the many speakers was Queens
Borough President Helen M. Marshall who said, “Pat dedicated her
life to Queens. She was the epitome of a civic leader and the
definition of a community leader.” The Borough President spoke about
Pat’s commitment to the upcoming renovation of the Vleigh Library.
It will be a shining example of Pat’s determination and love for the
community.
“We lost a great soldier in the
battle to keep our community safe and beautiful”.
NYC Comptroller John Liu, a longtime
friend of Pat’s remarked.” She just was such a special person. It’s
hard to believe that such an incredible force has been taken away
from us”.
Richard C. Hellenbrecht, Executive
Vice President of the Queens Civic Congress was among the mourners
who reminisced about how Pat would call him early in the morning
reminding him of things that needed to be done. “She was an
inspirational leader, she was tireless, bright and intelligent,”
said Hellenbrecht. “It is very difficult to think about life without
her in the civic world of Queens, She was a ball of fire. If she has
a opinion about something she stated it and she had the knowledge to
back it up.”
Other speakers included Manhattan
Borough President Scott Stringer, former Queens Borough President
Claire Shulman, Aida Gonzales-Jarrin, Chairwoman of Flushing
Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy and Irma E. Rodriguez, Executive
Director of the Forest Hills Community House.
The most poignant moment was when,
Norma Stegmaier, Pat’s long time friend and member of the Kew
Gardens Civic Association talked about Pat on a personal level.
“Pat had a way of pulling people in and getting people together”.
She continued, “People knew Pat’s character as straightforward and
to the point, but there was a funny, warm and soft side to Pat, as
well.”
Everyone associated with Pat Dolan
at the Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association has committed themselves
to continue the herculean efforts that Pat did for the community. To
quote Rabbi Yoel Schonfeld, “Pat, goodbye. We will not forget you”.
Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association
News Ticker
Kew
Gardens Hills Civic Association
For more
than half a century,
the Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association,
founded as the Queens Valley Homeowners Civic Association in
1941, has served all Kew Gardens Hills residents by advocating
on their behalf with government and other public service
providers. At a time of a shrinking public treasury, KGHCA has
made city services a priority. Public safety, sanitation, the
infrastructure, streets and roads, libraries , parks and
playgrounds are the keystones of the Association's efforts as KGHCA strives to ensure the quality of life that makes Kew
Gardens Hills a prime Queens residential neighborhood. KGHCA is
a membership organization and is dependent on dues for support.
Annual dues are $18.00 and may be mailed to KGHCA at Box 670085,
Kew Gardens Hills, New York 11367
Important Notice
Eastbound Long Island Expressway
exit ramp to
College Point Boulevard
Queens Community Board No. 8 December 20111
Beginning January 5th and continuing for three weeks, the New
York City Department of Transportation Division of Bridges will work
on the exit ramp from the Long Island Expressway to College Point
Boulevard. The box beam barrier protecting exiting traffic at this
location is often struck requiring frequent repairs. DOT Bridge
Maintenance crews will close the ramp on the following days and
times:
Ramp Closed: 12:01 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays
January 4111 and 6th
January 11th and 13th
January 18th
Motorists wishing to access the northbound Van Wyck Expressway are
directed to continue east on the Long Island Expressway to the next
exit (Main Street). Off the Main Street exit, turn left and proceed
north on Main Street to Booth Memorial Avenue. Turn left onto Booth
Memorial Avenue and continue on Booth Memorial Avenue to College
Point Blvd. The entrance to the northbound Van Wyck Expressway is on
the right.
Alea Gillead of the office of Community Affairs is available to
provide information about this project at 212-839-6306 or AGillead@dot.nvc.gov.
or all NYC non-emergency services, including inquires regarding
NYCDOT construction projects, dial 311. Be prepared to give your
name, the borough of the project, and a return phone number,
Important Notice
Eastbound Long Island Expressway
exit ramp to
College Point Boulevard
Queens Community Board No. 8 December 20111
Beginning January 5th and continuing for three weeks, the New
York City Department of Transportation Division of Bridges will work
on the exit ramp from the Long Island Expressway to College Point
Boulevard. The box beam barrier protecting exiting traffic at this
location is often struck requiring frequent repairs. DOT Bridge
Maintenance crews will close the ramp on the following days and
times:
Ramp Closed: 12:01 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
Wednesdays and Fridays
January 4111 and 6th
January 11th and 13th
January 18th
Motorists wishing to access the northbound Van Wyck Expressway are
directed to continue east on the Long Island Expressway to the next
exit (Main Street). Off the Main Street exit, turn left and proceed
north on Main Street to Booth Memorial Avenue. Turn left onto Booth
Memorial Avenue and continue on Booth Memorial Avenue to College
Point Blvd. The entrance to the northbound Van Wyck Expressway is on
the right.
Alea Gillead of the office of Community Affairs is available to
provide information about this project at 212-839-6306 or AGillead@dot.nvc.gov.
or all NYC non-emergency services, including inquires regarding
NYCDOT construction projects, dial 311. Be prepared to give your
name, the borough of the project, and a return phone number,
Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz
Digital Photo by Jim Jaffe
At a meeting on November 10th
2011 the members of KGHCA were introduced to our
newest representative, Michael Simanowitz.
Assemblyman Simanowitz was for the last fifteen
years Nettie Mayersohn's chief of staff. When Nettie
retired last April, it was Michael who stepped in to
fill the void. Assemblyman Simanowitz was elected to
office with a plurality of 76% over his opposition!
107th Police Pct Community Council Meeting
April 26th 2011
71-01 Parsons Boulevard,
Kew
Gardens Hills, NY 11367
Captain Michael Coyle,
Commander of the 107 Police Precinct
(The
4th best Police Precinct of 76 Precincts in the city of New
York)
The New York City Police Department (NYPD), established in 1845, is
currently the largest
municipal
police force in the United States, with primary responsibilities in
law enforcement
Manhattan.In
2010, the 107th was the 4th best precinct of all
76 Precincts in the city of New
York
which has 34,500 (2010), Police officers, 4,503 (2009) Auxiliary Police,
School Safety Agents 5,147(2009)
April 26th,
2011, 8:00 PM
Captain
Michael Coyle Commander of the 107th Police Precinct
THE LATEST AT THE 107TH
The 107th Precinct serves a community in Northern Queens that is
primarily residential consisting of one and two family private
homes, condominiums, garden apartments, and high-rise housing
located in Fresh Meadows, Kew Gardens Hills, Briarwood, Cunningham
Heights, Hilltop Village, Electchester, Pomonok and some high rise
complexes along Hillside Avenue. There are several commercial
districts located on Hillside Avenue, Union Turnpike, Main Street
and a Shopping Center at 188th St. and Horace Harding Expressway
CRIME IN THE 107TH
PCT
Captain Michael Coyle
Commanding officer of the 107th Pct
The
long-term crime stats for the last 18 years show a decrease in overall
crime of 87%. For the last 10 years a decrease of 54 % and a decrease in
overall crime of 19% for the last 12 months.
For
the last 28 days overall crime was up 1%, Robbery was up from 15 to 22
robberies or an increase of 46%. Grand Larceny Auto was up from 16
incidences to 18 or an increase of 12.5 %. Over all Year to date crime
was down 19 %
See
the chart below for more details and Stats.
Captain Coyle stated that the best means for crime to stop is by using
the resources’ of the community that is the eyes and ears of the
citizens of the 107thPct.
Captain Coyle looks at every 311 report and every report that comes
directly into the precinct. He takes each one of them seriously and
investigates each one of these reports. Captain Coyle said even if you
have a hunch he wants to hear it.
Recent Arrest
A major arrest most recently was a felony car stop March 17th
2011 at Union Tpke and Main Street There were a series of 4 street
robberies in Kew Gardens Hills and surrounding areas that one day and it
is believed that the perpetrators did 7 street robberies in total . One
of the victims called 911 with a description of the SUV and the
perpetrators. The word was put out on the police radio and the
anticrime unit got involved. Police cars were successful in surrounding
and blocking the getaway of the late model SUV intercepting the
perpetrators at Union Tpke and Main Street. Apprehended were two males,
and a female. Two guns were confiscated along with victim’s property
inside of the SUV.
Police
forensics connected one of the guns with a recent murder in the 103rd
Precinct in Astoria, Queens. The victim was a woman who resisted giving
up her handbag and was shot and killed in front of her husband.
The
police who were involved in the chase and capture were acknowledged and
handed plaques for their bravery and success in this apprehension.
Captain Michael Coyle, Carol Ann Foley, Police
Officers Robert Fagerlund, Mike Gannon, Donnel Powell
The
107th Precinct Community Council meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at
8:00 p.m. at
For Membership information ($18 annually) mail a check to KGHCA, PO Box
670085, Kew Gardens Hills, NY 11367.
Come to The Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association Meetings. At our
meetings, meet your representatives, community leaders, government
officials and voice your concerns and your problems directly to the
people who can help you. Membership is open to all Condo, Coop and
Homeowners.
Join and meet your neighbors as a member of one of the oldest and most
influential Civic Associations in New York and empower yourself in your
community. A place where you can help make a difference in the quality
of life in Kew Gardens Hills, NY
Queens Mom
Slain in CAR
New York Post July 4, 2011
By Candace Amos
Two gunmen opened fire into the car
where a hardworking Queens hospital worker sat with
her teen son last night -- killing the mom in what
may have been a revenge shooting, authorities said.
Christina Coleman, 39, and son Hassan
Gil, 18, were targeted at 5:46 p.m. as they sat in
their 2006 VW in front of the Pomonok Houses at
159-09 Jewel Ave., police and relatives said.
"Two men walked up to them on both
sides of the car and shot them," said distraught
aunt Linda Coleman.
Coleman died at New York Hospital
Queens; her son was in stable condition.
Relatives said the gunmen were
looking for Coleman's 23-year-old son after an
earlier dispute.
Linda Coleman said her niece worked
in the psychiatric ward at Queens Hospital Center.
"She wanted to get her children out of those
projects," she said.
Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association Makes Donation to Queens Library
The Kew Gardens Hills
Civic Association has donated $4,000 to the Queens Library
for book purchases at the Kew Gardens Hills branch, KGHCA
president Patricia Dolan announced on Thursday . The Queens
Library Foundation is matching the civic's gift, which will
also benefit the Kew Gardens Hills branch.
"KGHCA is pleased to make
this donation, made possible by the support of hundreds of
local residents, which expresses the community's support for
the Kew Gardens Hills branch. We are especially pleased
that the Queens Library Foundation is able to match the
donation, making a total of $8,000 available for book
purchases for the Kew Gardens Hills branch. It is shameful
that the City' budget cutting has forced the Queens Library
to suspend book purchases. Another round of budget cuts
beginining on July 1 could force service reductions and even
shutdowns of local libraries. We are counting on local
elected officials like Senator Stavisky and Councilman
Gennaro for their continued support for Queens's libraries,"
said Dolan.
Kew Gardens Hills
residents are looking forward to the groundbreaking in the
fall for an expanded library, for which Queens Borough
President Marshall is providing funds.
Digital Photo by Jim Jaffe, Director, Kew Gardens
Hills Civic Association
L-R Tom Galante, CEO Queens Library, Diana Chapin, Executive Director of
Queens Library Foundation,
Patricia Dolan, President Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association, Senator
Toby Stavinsky, NY State Senate,
Helen Marshall, Queens Borough President, James Gennaro, NY City
Council,
Charles Henry, Treasurer Kew Garden Hills Civic Association
Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association Honors all
Veterans with a Plaque on Memorial Day May 30, 2011
Digital Photograph by Jim Jaffe
Plaque Placed on Boulder at 73rd Avenue Memorial Day 2011
Digital Photograph by Jim Jaffe
L-R Norma Stegmaier, KGHCA Patricia Dolan, President KGHCA
Israel Glaser, KGHCA
New York feels wrath of twin tornados, macroburst as brutal winds ripped
out 1,500 trees across city
Originally Published:Friday, September 17th 2010, 10:01 PM
Updated: Saturday, September 18th 2010, 8:48 AM
Rothenberg for News
It's confirmed that two tornados hit New York. In some areas, the
storm ripped the rooves and walls off houses Thursday.
Related News The fast-moving storm
that ripped through Brooklyn
and Queens leaving a wide swath of destruction Thursday spawned two
tornados and a macroburst that carried winds of up to 125 mph, officials
said last night.
The
twisters were part of a fierce storm that barreled along a 14-mile path
across Staten Island,
Brooklyn and Queens, wrecking a staggering 1,500 trees, snarling traffic
and knocking out power for thousands, the National Weather
Service
said.
About 14,500 still had no electricity last night.
"We're
not out in tornado alley, but the conditions were right for these
storms," said Gary Conte
of the NWS.
The first
funnel cloud - about 75-yards wide - touched down near Park Slope,
Conte said.
The
80-mph whirlwinds peeled roofs off a half-dozen 19th-century
Bedford-Stuyvesant
brownstones like they were sardine tins and damaged 100 trees in Prospect Park
alone.
A Pennsylvania
woman was killed by a 100-foot willow tree that was toppled by the
100-mph winds of a second tornado, which hit just south of Flushing
and plowed through 4 miles of streets.
An NWS meteorologist said it was incredible that only one person
perished in the wild weather.
"It's
practically a miracle considering the population that was affected by
this," Kyle Struckmann
told the Associated Press.
"It was
complete devastation," said Tony Oprisiu,
35, after surveying a downed tree that obliterated his chimney and
crashed into his Forest Hills
attic.
"The
whole area was a disaster zone," said Oprisiu, whose mother was in the
house but escaped injury.In Middle Village,
residents were walloped with a sudden, disastrous burst of wind - a
macroburst - that left most without electricity or phone service.
Jack Byrne,
43, was with his son when everything went topsy-turvy.
"I heard a boom, and all the glass was flying," he said yesterday. "At
the same time, the wind came through, and stuffed animals were blowing
all over the place."
No tornados were reported in Staten Island, but the borough was hammered
with 74-mph winds.
The city fielded more than 24,000 911 calls in the three hours after the
storm, more than four times the normal volume.
City officials said 62 buildings were damaged - 34 in Brooklyn and 19 in
Queens. The city spent $150,000 to tear down a Bedford-Stuyvesant
building ruined by the storm.
In
Flushing, senior citizen Millie Goldberg's
house was fine - but she was looking at a long stay inside because a
fallen tree blocked her front walkway.
"I'm afraid to walk in this," the frail woman said. "I'm not steady. I
use a cane. I'm not going to fight my way through the debris."
Parks
Commissioner Adrian Benepe
said the massive tree destruction occurred in just 20 minutes. Some of
the lost trees were there "40, 50, 60, 70 years," said Benepe, "and
suddenly gone."
Service
was back on the Long Island Rail
Road
after crews worked all night to remove 20 trees from the tracks and
overhead wires. An estimated 14,500 of the 45,000 Con Ed
customers who lost electricity were still without power last night.Sen.
Chuck Schumer
called for the Federal Emergency Management Administration to step in,
while a cadre of local politicians asked Gov. Paterson
to declare sections of northeast Queens a disaster area.
Paterson's office was initially doubtful as to whether damage would hit
the $25 million threshold to trigger FEMA
aid.
The last
tornado touchdown in New York City
was recorded in July in the Bronx.
The most recent were the ninth and 10th tornados to hit New York since
1950, NWS said.
