From the Times Ledger:
In April 2004, local papers reported details of a $4.12 million federal transportation allocation that had been secured by U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-Bayside).
Funds included $1 million for the reconstruction and expansion of the Little Bay parking lot and $3.2 million to reconstruct the Cross Island Parkway Bridge overpass at 212th Street. The funding came from the federal TEA-21 bill and was signed off on by then-President George W. Bush.
More good news followed approximately a year later in July 2005, when then-City Councilman Tony Avella announced that he had provided a $1.3 million allocation for a comfort station in Little Bay Park.
Seven years have now passed and neither project have had a shovel in the ground. It is not unreasonable to question what has happened to $5.42 million that was intended to benefit the community.
In response to a recent inquiry initiated by the Bay Terrace Community Alliance, it was learned that the city Parks Department and the city have taken “our” money, which came from different sources and bundled most of the distribution into one.
This was done without any notification of elected officials, community boards or civic groups. Parks claims that due to the ensuing confusion the wrong permits were applied for, which further delayed both undertakings.
As we are all too aware, co-mingling funds is never good practice. It inevitably results in a loss of accountability and a worst-case scenario can be an intentional or unintentional misuse of the financial allocation.
There must be a prompt public accounting for the $5.42 million in federal and city funding. In addition, the allocations must only be used for the intended purposes and in the designated locations.
Community Boards 7 and 11, along with the borough president’s office, are urged to begin an immediate official review and investigation of this matter. It is also requested that the office of the city comptroller commence a comprehensive audit in regard to these funds and actions of the agencies involved.
It is obvious that the planned park and traffic enhancements have somehow been derailed. It is time to get them back on track.
Warren Schreiber
President
Bay Terrace Community Alliance Inc.
Bayside
16 comments:
$1.3 million for a park bathroom? $1 million to pave a small parking lot?
That money can build a comfort station, fix the roads, and fix the soccer fields Al keeps complaining about.
If Ackerman is involved,
this whole deal is bound to be as crooked as a country road!
Why haven't the feds indicted that bloated windbag yet?
He's as fat as ol' Boss Tweed!
So Centola (Local Community Activist) makes a stink about the soccer fields, to which Halloran (City Councilman) says there is no money for, to which , JoAnne AmaGrande (Parks Department) suggests, the community reach out to "local" gardening companies who could donate to redo the fields. Then Warren Schreiber (Local Community Activist/ CB 7 member) looks into the money that has already been allocated and Lo and Behold! We have a scandal brewing.
Great job guys, We need more Centolas and Warren Schreibers! Kudos to both these men, and all the other people out there who go about unnamed doing good things.
Halloran says there was no money? What about the half a mill??????
i ask ye this what has hollerin o'halloran done for ya lately?
He dows nothing but holler...
And dont tell me he got the school yard open for the neighbors.
"Community Boards 7 and 11, along with the borough president’s office, are urged to begin an immediate official review and investigation of this matter."
CB7 asked to investigate theft? that's very funny!
local CM, Dan Halloran ,negotiated with the d.o.e principal @ P.S.159 Q in Bayside , to unlock the Planyc converted teen playground to park (bench & tree filled now ).the $1-3 million project did not make provisions to pay the custodian for unlocking the gates after school,weekends, holidays and summers for community teen use.
prior to & after the conversion ,the space was locked 24/7 .
thanks for the reiminder. btw the sewer drains still exist on the running track and under the #4 basketball hoop ??????
Its ridiculous but it is fact that comfort stations cost $1 million. A good buddy of mine who works for the city told me that once and I was shocked.
Its New York Shitty, obv they know how to waste our money...
...and steal it
Again I challenge anyone out there to tell us all what Dan Halloran has done for the people that voted him in.
He chased down a traffic cop at Dunkin Donuts, then threatened a car dealer, and holds back funds....OK, he gets the Tony Soprano role in the movie...
Lets take that $1m for the comfort station, plus the $300k parks already has, plus Dan's pending $300k = 1.6m for a new Little Bay Field. What will be the excuse now???
Lets take that $1m for the comfort station, plus the $300k parks already has, plus Dan's pending $300k = 1.6m for a new Little Bay Field. What will be the excuse now???
Now now, that money was allocated, then bundled, then mixed up and shaken into a tossed salad. We all know Danny will come up with an excuse that he will claim we are too stupid to understand.
But, it is a wonderful, productive idea.
Maybe this will be "the thing" Dan does.
Maybe.
Great job guys, We need more Centolas and Warren Schreibers! Kudos to both these men, and all the other people out there who go about unnamed doing good things.
ABSOLUTELY! I have had the privilege of meeting and seeing both these men in action. While different approaches, both are dedicated passionate men who know what is right and make no bones fighting for it.
Both men are worth their weight in Gold!
I for one would love to have the option of voting for either of them in an upcoming election.
CM Halloran was not yet in office ,when these projects were initiated and stalled.
he had nothing to do with PlaNyc.you know who was in office at that time.she is now in long island and the other is in albany.both loved photo ops.
Yes, it's getting more shrill by the story. Dan Halloran must be worrying the opposition.
That by itself is a good thing.
CM Halloran was not yet in office ,when these projects were initiated and stalled.
he had nothing to do with PlaNyc.you know who was in office at that time.she is now in long island and the other is in albany.both loved photo ops.
WHO SAID HE DID? MEAGAN, READ THE POST PROPERLY PLEASE
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