Jawin and representatives from City Council members Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) and Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) met with the city Department of Design and Construction Monday in an effort to hash out what the Kew Gardens-based center needs to do in order to move into the landmarked house at 207 Totten Ave.

For too many years I have asked the city Parks Department to attend to the two giant city maple trees on my front lawn. They are huge and needed aeration and pruning. No go. At my own expense I had the trees pruned a few years ago, as I was afraid a storm would do damage to them.

On July 30, a big branch fell to the ground when a powerful thunderstorm came through the area. I contacted Halloran’s office immediately following the storm and it was as if he waved a magic wand. Within a day the tree debris was removed and the Parks Department followed up a week later by pruning the trees.

I wish to commend not only Halloran but also his staff member, John, for a job well-done. A big problem was resolved for me.

Della Wachtel

Bayside

“In this difficult economic climate it is great to welcome a new employer with great food and amazing service to the neighborhood,” Tabone said. “Like many young people I worked my way through college in places like this and it is great to see young people presented with opportunities.”

Also present was Strawberry’s brother, Michael, who was an economic development official for the city during the Giuliani administration.

The restaurant, located just a few yards from the Long Island Rail Road station, opened to the public on August 4.
City Councilmember Dan Halloran and Assembly candidate Vince Tabone were on hand to help inaugurate Strawberry’s Sports Grill, 42-15 235th St. in Douglaston, created by New York Mets legend Darryl Strawberry.

“In this difficult economic climate it is great to welcome a new employer with great food and amazing service to the neighborhood,” Tabone said. “Like many young people I worked my way through college in places like this and it is great to see young people presented with opportunities.”

Also present was Strawberry’s brother, Michael, who was an economic development official for the city during the Giuliani administration.

The restaurant, located just a few yards from the Long Island Rail Road station, opened to the public on August 4.

There’s not a need for them to be here,” said Roe Daraio, a lifelong resident of Maspeth and president of the civic group Communities of Maspeth and Elmhurst Together. She said the area is in the vicinity of five bus lines and two train routes.

Crowley said hundreds of commuter vans work in the area without permits and insurance. In response, she introduced a bill in the Council last Thursday requesting the city Taxi and Limousine Commission to conduct training sessions with the city Police Department at a minimum of two times a year about how to recognize unlicensed commuter vans.

Local residents, such as Richard Gundlach, a member of Community Board 2 and COMET, said congestion is part of the impetus behind the bill.

“We get so many vans going down side streets,” he said. “It’s ridiculous.”

Yet Koslowitz and Halloran said that while there is no need for commuter vans in Maspeth, their districts can benefit from commuter sources independent of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Halloran said two bus lines have been cut in his district and that people need alternatives.

“This is not about stamping out the free market,” Halloran said.

But he also said this bill was a “bipartisan effort” to make sure the commuter van drivers are competent, insured and held accountable if they get in an accident.

“This legislation is aimed primarily at education,” Halloran said.

Crowley said she expects to have a hearing on this bill in the fall.

Council Member Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) speaks to media at a press conference on Monday at Hunts Point Market in the Bronx. Also pictured are Don Park, the President of the Korean-American Seafood Association, Korean-American community leader Terence Park, and many Korean-American seafood merchants who buy fish at the market.

Council Member Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) speaks to media at a press conference on Monday at Hunts Point Market in the Bronx. Also pictured are (from left) Don Park, the President of the Korean-American Seafood Association, and Korean-American community leader Terence Park.

Council Member’s Action Hastened Arrest in Assault Case

Council Member Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) was thanked by leaders in the Korean-American community at a press conference on Monday at Hunts Point Market in the Bronx for his work bringing an alleged criminal to justice.
 
Sung Ho Kim of Long Island, a member of the Korean-American Seafood Association Board of Directors and a well-known figure in the Korean-American community, was the victim in an alleged assault on August 9 at the market.  He was taken to the emergency room and spent seven hours undergoing treatment. 
 
Despite outrage in the Korean-American community, the NYPD did not make an arrest in the incident until Halloran, working with community leader Terence Park, pressured the 41st Precinct to act swiftly.  On Friday afternoon, shortly after Halloran reached out to the precinct, Emerald Fish Store employee Matthew Deegan was arrested.  He was charged for assault and has since been released. 
 
“The victim of this heinous crime and his family deserve swift justice,” said Halloran.  “I represent part of the largest Korean-American community in the Northeast, and this community has been shaken by this incident.  Korean-Americans are concerned that they do not always get quality services from our city.  The police are here to protect all New Yorkers, and we all deserve equal justice under the law.  I will do whatever it takes to make sure that happens.”
 
Halloran continued, “I thank the NYPD for making an arrest in this incident and urge the DA’s office to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.  And I thank Terence Park for working with me to make this happen.  Terence is a true community leader, and Flushing is a better place thanks to his hard work.”

Council Member Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) speaks to media at a press conference on Monday at Hunts Point Market in the Bronx. Also pictured are (from left) Don Park, the President of the Korean-American Seafood Association, and Korean-American community leader Terence Park.

Council Member Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) and Dorothea Zelnick of the Whitestone Center view artwork painted by the Center's seniors at the Astoria Savings Bank in Whitestone on Friday. Halloran delivered a $10,000 city grant for the program through the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers' Association.

Council Member Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) observed artwork painted by seniors from the Whitestone Senior Center at a ceremony today at the Astoria Savings Bank in Whitestone.   
 
Participants in the Center’s arts program showcased their works in a display visible outside the bank.   Halloran secured $10,000 in city funds for the program through the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers’ Association.  At the event, representatives from the Center thanked Halloran for his support. 
 
“I am honored to help the Whitestone Center run such a terrific program for our seniors,” Halloran said.  “Artwork gives seniors a fun and engaging activity, and these beautiful pieces of art have made the Whitestone Shopping Center a more scenic place.  Our seniors have given so much to our community.  The least we can do is give a little back.”

Council Member Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) joined seniors from the Whitestone Center outside their art display at the Astoria Savings Bank in Whitestone on Friday. Halloran provided a $10,000 city grant for the program through the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers' Association. On Halloran's immediate right is branch manager Luisa Gosman. Dorothea Zelnick of the Whitestone Center is on the Council Member's immediate left.

Photo Credit:  Dominick Totino Photography