From the Times Ledger:
Community leaders and elected officials are working through a number of avenues to improve Little Bay Park in Bayside, saying the park has been neglected for too long.
Located in the shadow of the Throgs Neck Bridge, the 55-acre beachside greenspace offers sports fields, a bike path and a roller hockey rink, but it has seen little in the way of improvements since 1999, when $1.2 million in city money funded the creation of the path and rink.
On Monday afternoon, City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) and Malba Gardens Civic Association President Al Centola met with representatives of the city Parks Department at the park — bounded by the beach, Cross Island Parkway, Utopia Parkway and Totten Avenue — to discuss ways to fix the soccer fields, which suffer from poor drainage and other woes because of their location near the salty waters of Little Bay.
Centola hopes at least one of the park’s two soccer fields can be fixed in time for next year’s season, but the cost to do the needed work is proving prohibitive. Halloran said it costs $2.3 million per field to outfit them with artificial turf, or $1.5 million for sod. The price tags are so high because of the need to do extensive drainage upgrades before undertaking such work.
62 comments:
Why is it that the public gets stuck doing the job of our city agencies? Where are they? What are they doing? Where is the accountability? We are being fleeced my fellow city residents!
Yes...fix the soccer fields so the illegal immigrants who play there on weekends and leave their garbage all over have a better place to play.
That park is always full of creepers and pervs.
Ther he goes again, Al Centola pushing for results, making suggestions, suggesting solutions. Way to go Al, you really need to run for office. We need you.
Hallorans a tool, nothing will get done. He will string us all along and then say there is no money, its too expensive, or just yeah yeah we are still working on it, patience I promise. All the while he does nothing.
Why is it that the public gets stuck doing the job of our city agencies? Where are they? What are they doing? Where is the accountability? We are being fleeced my fellow city residents!
Ask all the waterfront groups - the kids don't know they are doing the bidding of the developers (so much for carefully scripted community visioning exercises) and replacing the fired workers (waterfront programming and clean up)
Take a look at most of the principals of places like Partnerships for Parks etc.
Developers.
Why can't the public do a little clean-up work?
Why is that an issue Anon#1?
In other places families come out on the weekends and clean up parks and dog runs and plant trees. All NYers do is drive their fat assess to a mall and eat crap food with their stupid, rude, fat kids.
You need to get out and see the rest of the country!
The roller rink was a real waste of taxpayer money.Did anyone do their homework before it was built and why was it built?Im still waiting to see someone use it.
Don't you mean Halloran's a "fool"!
Anyway, everybody knows that already, but communities need to keep pushing for results that matter to the neighborhoods or the politicians will never come up with an idea that serves anyone but the developers and $pecial intere$t$. Get it?
Don't you mean Halloran's a "fool"!
Anyway, everybody knows that already, but communities need to keep pushing for results that matter to the neighborhoods or the politicians will never come up with an idea that serves anyone but the developers and $pecial intere$t$. Get it?
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Thats why we need guys like Al Centola who keep pushing. The only $pecial intere$st$ he cares about are the kids in the Community and their families.
This is such bullshit. I've been frequenting that park for the last 15 years and have noticed plenty of money sunk into that shithole piece of property. Plenty!
Just think about where this thing sits. Nestled and cornered by the busiest eastern thoroughfares of the city. The Cross Island and the Throgs. It's leftovers from a poorly engineered highway design. Its location is shit!
If people just have to play soccer, go to the damn "park" next door, Fort Totten. Yes, that goose egg. The fields are lushly green, paths freshly paved, well manicured flora, but a historic armory and fort is left to rot like an old discarded shoe. Where the hell is our sense of priorities and pride for Pete's sake, eh?
Stop wasting my money on this bullshit! 2 mil. for soccer fields. Psh! Get the front door outa here!
The roller hockey rink was put in at the height of the sports popularity in the 90's. There really was nothing wrong with it at the time now, however, its surface is cracked in several spots, and the nets are gone.....
I'd play there now if it was well maintained, as would a lot of other players..
Anonymous #8
I am all for volunteer efforts...and I can assure you that I have put more sweat into helping clean up our city than most residents. But when I see city workers on the clock, goofing off and not pulling their weight, I have a right to complain. And trust me, I have complained to various agencies with positive results.
Park cleanups, graffiti paint overs, tree planting, street cleanups, Jamaica Bay cleanups, and community mentoring are just a few efforts that I am involved with on a weekly basis.
How about yourself?
Klink
they spend 5 million on soccer fields in astoria - 4 at st michaels park and and other 1 at the con ed brown field a few blocks away
while a dozen randals island fields - a 10 minute bus ride away - sits empty.
"while a dozen randals island fields - a 10 minute bus ride away - sits empty."
A 10 minute bus ride? On what planet?
BTW, Randalls Island fields smell great next to that massive sewer plant.
Been to Randalls Island, never smelled a sewer plant.
And the ride over the bridge is more like 5 minutes.
Meanwhile the ones spoken of in this article are a disaster,
1000's of local kids use them yearly. These children have to contend with small lakes, puddles, rocks, knee high weeds, and large patches of hard dry dirt that might as well be concrete.
These fields are Soccer fields, they have been designated as such. The Dog Run a few feet away is elevated, cared for by a "privately funded group" yet the grass around the area that is maintained by Parks is well kept, as are the paths to a from the run.
The Parks response to this was that these fields get flooded and the machines to cut the grass cant make their way in to cut it. Ok, so if that is the case, lets fix it. Whats good for the Dogs is Good for the Children. No?
Yes the prices are inflated, we all know this. That is the price of doing business with the City, it takes forever to get paid and well they are willing to overpay so the contractors will bid high. That is a discussion for another time, when we actually begin to hold our Elected Officials Accountable. When they crack down on the people responsible for paying the contractors, when their staff researches how much a project should cost, when they stop steering "sealed bid" contracts to their contributors, when they stop giving the token low bid contract to a company that cant actualy complete the work due to their limited size and capabilities. Then they say "see, this was the lowest bid, we have to give it the a mid bid".
Lets focus on the fact that these fields are used by the community and they need to be repaired. For the community, the families, the CHILDREN that utilize these fields.
Klink Cannoli, Amen brother.
@Kink the CYO cant get the permits for those fields, and it doesn't take away from the fact that these fields, which have been there and utilized by the community for decades, are a mess.
There is $300,000 in funding waiting to be used that Avella allocated for a comfort station. Is that the same $300,000 Halloran is saying he allocated. How much is Halloran planning on adding to what he has "allocated" already? He needs to commit and stop sidestepping.
Dan, do the right thing. Also get over your little bitchfest between you and Avella and get behind the old CYO purchase. Tony the same goes for you. The community doesn't give a shit about your "feelings" we care about what you do for us. Braunstein, you need to step up as well, your term is comming up quick and well like the rest of these clowns, you haven't done anything tangible for the community you represent.
Then way don't you start a campaign and run for office?. You have all the answers, maybe it's time to get to work, Mr. Anonymous. Show us your a doer not just a talker or maybe it's safer just to comment on issues. Just a thought. Queens Crap rules.
Its the latter or he would not be anonymous, like me. All Talk!
Write in Alfredo Centola for the next City Council election! He has taken on CB7, the electeds and worked to bring the Civics together on many seriors issues that effect northeast queens. Let get someone in who really wants to make changes in the community for the community, not just the special interests and the developers.
one in the same, my friends.
Too funny, can we just focus on the issue at hand. These fields are a disaster and need to be redone. For generations we have played on these fields and the conditions have deteriorated. Now that there some sort of momentum, we should follow thru and get them redone. Do we not deserve it? Are our taxes not being paid?
Does it really matter who is who and who backs who? Everyone should get together and demand what we the community deserve.
Put the egos aside, forget about positioning for exposure, who cares! This is about Our families, Our Children and OUR COMMUNITY.
I for one feel it needs to get done, as does the re-acquisition of the old CYO for the children of our community. By any means neccessary.
Anonymous and Alfredo:
I'm sorry, but the both of you have a skewed sense of what disastrous means. 10-15 years ago that park was neglected. A disaster? Nah. Today it's immaculate and very well maintained. No doubt with a lot of our hard earned tax dollars. Actually go there and peruse the place. Any objective person will come to the same conclusion.
It's foolish to sink money into something (drainage for the soccer fields) that was never designed to be. And I'm very skeptical that drainage is even a real issue considering the amount of rainfall we've had for the last 2 seasons. It's not a real problem. It's just the outstanding variables of nature.
Now whether the grass gets cut on a regular basis, that's something else. And let's bring some real world experience and a little logic into this through an example. After it rains and your private landscaper comes to cut your lawn on his usual day, does he ever use an excuse that he can't do the work because the ground is too soft or saturated and his machines won't work? You bet he won't. He want's to get paid for his work and you want your grass cut and are willing to pay him to do it. Motivation is there for both parties. So now I'll ask the both of you, where is that complimentary motivation between the Parks Dept. and the community?
Just some simple Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations, principles. The very same principles that humans have used for thousands of years.
So run for office! GET IT DONE.
The issue is YOU..you want things done..you know you can get things done..the other civics always follow your lead, use your ideals and never give you the credit ..you meet with the politicians..they do nothing..you know it..we know it..you have the press on your side..you have your civic group..the talk is just talk..your words read like a bitchy old woman looking out her window..its your time..stop with all this anonymous shit..RUN FOR OFFICE ..crappy is behind you and so are we..VOTE FOR AL
please keep it simple, now I have to look up what disastrous means
"the grass gets cut on a regular basis" smokin' it? VOTE FOR AL
We all know you want that tool, Hallorans job, Avellas is an A-Hole and there is talk of that kid O'Conner running for somthing, maybe Hallorans tailcoat..so now its time to throw your hat in the race.. No more bitching..We NEED NEW leadership..Stop asking for someones help and do it.. These people are not better then you.. Don't be afraid of them.. you will be a great leader, you are a great leader.. The queens crap readers and commenters are here for you Al.. just don't use the campaign phrase "I lead crap" or "full of crap", it may not get votes :)..Don't let us down..Call a press conference at your next malba civic meeting..NOW IS YOUR TIME..funding takes time, start NOW.. you need to do the job..you want to do the job..Hey crappy, please comment, you all know I am right..It's Time for Al.."He can make it right'. Team Al
Write in Alfredo Centola for the next City Council election! He has taken on CB7, the electeds and worked to bring the Civics together on many seriors issues that effect northeast queens. Let get someone in who really wants to make changes in the community for the community, not just the special interests and the developers. NO MORE ANONYMOUS
Move it into CB11's turf. We'll get the job done right.
the campaign can be kicked off on the soccer field, that would be cool.
Al is a good man, he has a good heart, I like this.
Al, I hope when you read this and the other post you think long and hard on your response, it will be read by friends and foes. Yours is the voice of Whitestone and it's time for that voice to be heard. Your opposition will be strong but a strong man can fight a good fight. The major leagues a-calling. Don't let Halloran's and Avella's type screw you around anymore. Your friends are the people in your neighborhood.
Team Al and everyone else is correct thats why ive been saying that if he doesnt run we all get together and write his name in
what! a candidate should want to run for office not be forced. I like this guy and hope he does run.
I think I will wait for Al to respond. This is a very big decision.
Hey Crappy, you got another exclusive, the birth of a city council campaign. Al vs. Dan, very very cool. nothing like a good piece of crap! Hey, Al enjoy the ride.
I always loved the peanut gallery in this joint.
NYC humor, with the right bite. It's authentic. ;@)
Slogan time...
There's no excrement at Crappy's!
*snorts*
Alfredo Centola for City Council, Bye Bye Dan.
why not a write in? why would al want to run? everything he has come out on has been for the safety of the community and the children yet they try to make him out to be a nut. i for one will write his name in if he decides not to run, this way he can make the decision once the people have spoken. he is not for any special interest other than that of the community.
think about it, if we write al in, and he gets enough votes, maybe next time he will run, maybe he wins and accepts, what ever happens, you know the shitheads in the parties will take notice that they are in charge. other wise the same old garbage will run the same old sewage and we will continue comming up shit.
AL CENTOLA FOR WRITE IN, SEND A MESSAGE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT!!!!!
I think we should let Al speak for himself.
True, Al is not for outside special interest and he cares about community and it's children. Al is running on giving the people what they don't have and what they need, a strong leader that fights the establishment. He is not a man to hide in the shadows and allow a write in campaign, he is a stand out up front leader and that is why Al will be our new city councilman. We need people like you on Team Al. Thanks for your support.
Centola & Halloran....LOL!
Where's the 3rd stooge....Avella?
A little far away from home aren't you Al?
Not if you think you're gonna run for city council....another hearty LOL !!!
Bring in the feds...
call in Congressman Ackerman.
RU kidding...
Gary will let the place rot in retribution for his friends at St. John's U. not getting Ft. Totten for their own.
Joe "daddy" Mattone ain't to happy either that he couldn't build his condos there.
Mercury contamination rising up from Little Bay's bottom and lead dust from the Throgg's Neck Bridge repairs make it quite an unsafe park.
Has anyone tested the water and the air lately?
No, not Centola & Halloran, Centola vs. Halloran. Picking the winner is easy.
Ok, here I go again. Can we please stay on topic. This article is about the fields and their condition. The kids play here, and have been playing here for years.
I am not a candidate for any position. The name calling and insults are fine if you feel the need. You can attempt to steer the conversation away from the intended topic if you like. However those of us in the community feel that something should be done. Wheter it be with Halloran, Avella, and or Braunstein, my objective is to get it done for the kids. I don't care for political affiliations, nor do I care about which party one belongs to. What matters to me and my group as well as all the parents who send their children to the CYO and any of the other local leagues is that our children have the proper conditions to play on. Where they can develop, and learn about sportsmanship, along with all the other lessons learned when participating in group sports.
Focus people on the topic being discussed.
FYI, to the anon that asked if I was a little far from home: CYO soccer is part of the ST.Lukes parish, which has played on those fields for a very long time. St. Lukes is in Whitestone. Little Bay fields is on the border of Whitestone and Bayside. Even if it were fully in Bayside, and a Whitestone church had nothing to do with it, they are our neighbors.
So please call me what you like (prefferably with a name), just stick to the topic.
This article is not about me, nor is it about anyone else. It is about the fields, their condition, and our children. As a good friend of mine said "Please advance the discussion of the topic"
a plausible deniability campaign interesting but in may not work around here. This is not New Jersey.
He is like a card dealer, he deals the cards while others play the game, a nice place, a safe place, he can't loose. Crappy anyways get the whole story. Take down the signs Team Al, the man has spoken.
Ok, here I go again. Can we please stay on topic. This article is about the fields and their condition. The kids play here, and have been playing here for years.
I am not at this time candidate for any position. The name calling and insults are fine if you feel the need. You can attempt to steer the conversation away from the intended topic if you like. However those of us in the community feel that something should be done. Wheter it be with Halloran, Avella, and or Braunstein, my objective is to get it done for the kids. I don't care for political affiliations, nor do I care about which party one belongs to. What matters to me and my group as well as all the parents who send their children to the CYO and any of the other local leagues is that our children have the proper conditions to play on. Where they can develop, and learn about sportsmanship, along with all the other lessons learned when participating in group sports.
Focus people on the topic being discussed.
FYI, to the anon that asked if I was a little far from home: CYO soccer is part of the ST.Lukes parish, which has played on those fields for a very long time. St. Lukes is in Whitestone. Little Bay fields is on the border of Whitestone and Bayside. Even if it were fully in Bayside, and a Whitestone church had nothing to do with it, they are our neighbors.
So please call me what you like (prefferably with a name), just stick to the topic.
This article is not about me, nor is it about anyone else. It is about the fields, their condition, and our children. As a good friend of mine said "Please advance the discussion of the topic"
Is what was meant.
getting a little chummy with Halloran and Avella lately, you like your new friends. No boat rockin' in Malba anymore. I thought civics need not be political. Oh, and to stay on topic, good job!
"He's like a card dealer" the house always wins in the end. They say the dealer has the best position on the floor, in the end he's the only one on the winning side. If Al is there, then the neighborhood will be better off. Al has my vote.
if he doesn't play then he can't win, so then who the hell are you voting for?
Geography lesson, Malba Gardens is NOT Malba...
I dont see him getting chummy, just forcing them to get things done.
THAT is what civics do, not like others that run SHELL civics for the elected officials.
Crappy we know you wont say a thing about al as a candidate but comeon what do you really think of him
Hey Al, whatever you decide to do, right or wrong you speak out. Best of luck to you man, you got the heart!
Hey Al, whatever you decide to do, right or wrong you speak out. Best of luck to you man, you got the heart!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
He is on the right side thats for sure. How does one go about writing in a candidate? Never did it before and Al will get my vote, I just want to make sure there is a way. Can someone explain it to me?
al is a great guy but i think paul vallone and forcina are the only ones from whitestone loony enough to run for office against the county machines.
Update: Good news, Al is still in the race. City Council here comes candidate Al. He cares about the issues like parks for kids and he always speaks his mind. Forget that plausible deniability crap, he is the real deal. Is that on topic enough for you people? Work with the man he will do you right. Writing in a candidate information is at the office, call anytime. Thanks for the form crappy.
A write-in candidate is a candidate in an election whose name does not appear on the ballot, but for whom voters may vote nonetheless by writing in the person's name. Write-in candidacies are sometimes a result of a candidate being legally or procedurally ineligible. Is this our Al?
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