Crowley, Simotas, Constaninides Lobby City For More Traffic Agents Around LaGuardia Airport
U.S. Rep. & House Democratic Caucus Chair Joe Crowley (D-Sunnyside, Astoria, College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, Bronx), Assembly Member Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria, Long Island City) and City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Long Island City, Rikers Island, part of Woodside) yesterday fired off a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio requesting traffic enforcement agents to ease congestion near LaGuardia Airport.
Specifically, the lawmakers asked for traffic agents at intersections along 82nd Street between Marine Terminal Road and Astoria Boulevard.
“This particularly complicated stretch of 82nd Street presents a series of challenges to the local community, due to the confluence of 23rd Avenue, Ditmars Boulevard, the Grand Central Parkway, and traffic in and out of the airport,” wrote the lawmakers.
With the ongoing redevelopment of LaGuardia, the officials stressed the need for action to address the flow of traffic.
“[We] would like to request that traffic officers be positioned at these intersections during peak traffic hours, to ensure the smooth and orderly flow of cars and minimize congestion,” the lawmakers continued.
Addabbo Honors Retired Lt. Col. Dennis Fink In State Senate Veterans Hall Of Fame
State Sen.Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspethand,South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) yesterday belatedly honored retired USMC/Army Lieutenant Colonel Dennis Fink for his induction in the 2017 New York State Senate
Veterans Hall of Fame.
Fink was prevented from being personally honored at the Ceremony in May because of a long and serious illness.
“It was extremely heartwarming to personally thank Dennis for his service
and express how grateful we were that he was able to visit us in my Middle
Village office,” said Addabbo, the ranking member of the Senate Committee
on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. “His story of
recovery is a real miracle. God bless veteran Dennis Fink.”
With more than 32 years of active and reserve service to his credit, Fink
began his distinguished military career in 1969 when he enlisted as a
private in the Marine Corps, serving in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. In 1978,
he entered the U.S. Army Reserve as a member of Operational Detachment 131,
C Company, 1st BN, 11th Special Forces (Green Beret) Group Airborne,
serving on the “A Team.” In 1981, after achieving the enlisted rank of
Staff Sergeant (E-6), he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in
the Infantry through Officer Candidate School.
In the years leading up to his retirement from the Army in 2005, Fink
served in many countries and capacities around the globe, including tours
of duty in Vietnam, Okinawa, Canada, Italy, Korea, Panama, Germany,
Bosnia-Herzegovinia, Hungary, Guatemala, Egypt, Guantanomo Bay, Cuba and
Japan. In the Infantry, he served in a number of top-level commanding
officer roles and in a variety of public affairs capacities.
A recipient of many prestigious honors, commendations and military medals
in honor of his extraordinary service, Fink is a retired New York City
Supervising Fire Marshal, retired senior security coordinator for the Port
Authority of New York and New Jersey, and former stuntman. He holds a
Master’s Degree in Management, has been the president of Lodge 17 of the
NYS Fraternal Order of Police since 1991, and is internationally known for
his lifelong interest and expertise in the martial arts.
Lt. Col. Fink has long taught jujutsu and karate at the New York Seibukan in Forest Hills, holding the grades of Menkyo and 9th Dan respectfully. He taught 15 years
of pro-bono lessons at the Ridgewood YMCA.
Avella Thanks 111th Police Precinct For Overnight Tow Operation
State Sen. Tony Avella ((D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Floral Park, Beechhurst, Malba, Auburndale) recently thanked the 111th Police Precinct for conducting a early hours overnight “aggressive” tow operation near an auto dealership on Northern Boulevard and 202nd Street last Thursday.
This operation was in response to letters that Avella sent to the precinct reporting that the Star Nissan and Bayside Imports dealership was illegally parking over 15 unlicensed vehicles on public streets. Avella had previously warned the dealership’s manager that if corrective action was not taken, the cars would be towed.
“I want to thank the 111th Precinct for their phenomenal work the other night in putting a stop to this dealership’s inconsiderate and illegal practice of parking unlicensed vehicles on public streets. As we can all attest, parking around the city is becoming more and more scarce and the last thing residents need is unlicensed vehicles illegally taking up precious space that could be used by seniors to have an easier access to their homes. I think I speak on behalf of the entire community when I say that the 111th’s work on this matter, and every other matter, is seriously appreciated,” said Avella.
Dromm Gives Out Turkeys To Those In Need
City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst) delivered 20 free turkeys to I.S, 230 in Jackson Heights yesterday.
The turkeys will be given to parents who would otherwise not be able to afford one for Thanksgiving Day.
“These free turkeys will bring a little extra joy to families in need this Thanksgiving,” said Dromm, who secured the turkey donation from Koeppel Auto Group. “I would like to thank Howard Koeppel of Koeppel Auto Group for his thoughtfulness and generosity. He always comes through for the Jackson Heights community.”
