From the Queens Tribune:A tribute to former Queens Tribune editor and Flushing Meadows Corona Park activist David Oats will rest in the heart of the Park and Borough that drove most of his activism.
The Parks Department, a City agency familiar with Oats' activism, and Borough President Helen Marshall disclosed the proposed rose garden, located between the Queens Museum and Queens Theatre. It will feature upgraded plantings and benches, as well as a plaque commemorating Oats, all in the shadow of the New York State Pavilion, a structure he spent four decades defending.
"It's something really monumental," said Oats' widow Corinne. She received word of the honor while driving and had to pull over to regain her composure.
"I know that David is smiling in heaven. I don't know if 'thank you' is enough," she said.
Oats spent four decades advocating for the protection and improvement of the borough's parks. He was founder and president of the Flushing Meadows Corona Park World's Fair Association, with Robert Moses as its first chair.
6 comments:
Fantastic good news! I know the designated garden. So beautiful and so fitting a tribute to David!!!!
Kevin Kim seems to really live in Manhattan, at 235 East 40th Street apartment 9A, His law license come back to that address, as does his real estate brokers license, and his mother's too. His construction company, and demolition company come back to that address, as does his real estate holding company.( seems to be pretty crowded, eh) The law firm that he is a partner in , Yoon & Kim, list as some of their accomplishments a series of successful real estate cases, all of which are for Kevin's real estate business. Nothing like patting your self on the back for your success. You would think that as an attorney, that your real estate holding company, which you list as a LLC would be in fact incorporated, but sadly it's not, they must have overlooked that fact.
As to where the lifelong Bayside resident actually lives, that is something that's up for grabs, as his parents list 20 other addresses while he was growing up, just one of the is in the Bay Club, the only on in fact in the 19th Council District, it seems he only spent about four years in Bayside, he went to high school in Kew Garden Hills, and then on to college in California. He has registered to vote and re-registered 6 times, that last time being in February in the Bay Club Address in Bayside, if he actually lived in Bayside he could have voted by absentee ballot, no matter where he lived. The first record of his voting in his district, was for him self in his primary. I know that a council candidate has to be a resident in his district on election day. But in a recent mailing from his camp, they showed him, his wife , and his newborn daughter at a scenic location, its a very nice place, I pass it all the time on my way to Roslyn to visit friends, and people are always their at Northern Blvd, and Commonwealth Drive taking their wedding pictures, But guess what, Manhasset is not in the 19th council district, as a matter of fact that part of Nassau hasn't been in Queens since before 1898. So it's Kevin Kim, The Bilocating, Time Traveling candidate for City Council..
One last note, Kevin has Hired Metro-Media to run his campaign, and we know what their bent is, but Peter Koo has also hired Multi-Media, and he got the Queens Tribune endorsement, and his mailers are now calling his oppenent a racist and a liar.
Some times these guys have more money than brains, after they loose, how will they ever live this down,going through life as the Asian Al Sharpton. What ever real accomplishments they have will be diminished by the statements of their campaigns made in their behalf.
David Oats was a true gentleman and scholar. We first met at the Kissena Boulevard offices of the Queens Tribune where he was editing the paper. I find that pretty ironic since I now feel that the paper he was devoted to has pre-empted the principles of objective journalism that he adhered to. David and I discovered that we had mutual passions for both the New York World's Fairs held here in Queens and blimps! We maintained our friendship over the years and kept making and breaking plans to get together to show off our various artifacts. I was very disheartened to learn that David had a stroke but was elated at his recovery.
It was during this time that I can truly say that David Oats saved my life! We were having a phone conversation and he noticed that I was slurring words and having a hard time organizing my thoughts and vocabulary. Having had a stroke, he felt that I was symptomatic of the condition and told me he was hanging up and that I should call my doctor immediately!
I did just that and at first my doctor said that I was being a hypochondriac because I was just diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus. I grew angry and started to get belligerent when he then noticed an anomaly with my blood counts that he overlooked on many occasions. He referred me to a hematologist and after an examination and a hematocrit test, I was immediately phlebotomized. If I did not have the procedure, I would not have been here to tell the tale!
I was diagnosed with a mild form of leukemia called Polycythemia Vera. I have posted my concerns about the fact that this might be a cancer cluster in Queens but I wanted to take this opportunity to give public recognition for David Oat's friendship and service to his community. I am sure that David's wife Corinne is very proud of this honor and the borough of Queens is better for having had such a dedicated and concerned citizen. David, you are missed and I think of you often.
Mitch Schwadron said...
Kevin Kim seems to really live in Manhattan, at 235 East 40th Street apartment 9A, His law license come back to that address, as does his real estate brokers license, and his mother's too.
--------------------------------
Of what relevance is this to something being named after David Oats?
Oats gave his life to that park its the least they can do.
--Great Guy
Now how about fixing the New York State Pavillion insted of spending millions renaming bridges and roads after pro-tweed polititions like the Kennedys
David really cared about Flushing.
We spoke many times about one of his favorites...the RKO Keith's Theater...when I first embarked upon my 23 year effort to protect it...way back in 1986.
Tempus fugit.
Rest in peace David and I hope you have the best seat in the house of Heaven!
Post a Comment