An Unguarded Fort, and Neighbors Who See a Risk

New York Times March 22, 2009 Fort Totten An Unguarded Fort, and Neighbors Who See a Risk By JAMES ANGELOS FORT TOTTEN in Bayside, Queens, sits atop a hilly peninsula near the Throgs Neck Bridge, where the waters of the East River meet Long Island Sound. The fort was built during the Civil War to [...]

Bayside activists protest lack of security at Fort Totten

Times Ledger Bayside activists protest lack of security at Fort Totten By Christina Santucci and Stephen Stirling Wednesday, March 11, 2009 4:37 PM EDT Dozens of residents and community leaders descended on the security gates at Fort Totten Saturday morning to protest the recent termination of private security services in the historic park — a [...]

Rally to Protect Fort Totten

*IMPORTANT RALLY* PROTECT THE FORT! ORGANIZED BY BAY TERRACE COMMUNITY ALLIANCE & FRIENDS OF FORT TOTTEN PARKS DATE: SAT., MARCH 7, 2009 AT 11:00 AM PLACE: FORT TOTTEN FRONT GATE CROSS ISLAND PKWY @ 212TH ST. GUARD SERVICE IS GOING TO BE REMOVED FROM THE ENTRANCE TO FORT TOTTEN PARK DUE TO MAYOR BLOOMBERG’S BUDGET [...]

Relay to Fight Cancer

Queens Courier BY VICTOR G. MIMONI Thursday, February 19, 2009 6:08 PM EST There’s a party on Bell Boulevard in Bayside, but it’s serious. It’s a complimentary informational kick-off party, at the Outback Steakhouse, to spread the word for the American Cancer Society (ACS) 5th annual “Relay For Life,” scheduled for this June, at Fort [...]

Fort Totten Gate Security: An Ever Changing Story

At a meeting held on Tuesday, February 17, 2009, Fire Department Chiefs and Unit Heads decided to completely eliminate gate security at Fort Totten. This is contrary to earlier reports from official FDNY sources that the security would be provided by light duty fire fighters. At this time attempts are being made to obtain copies [...]

Fort Totten Gate Security – Update

According to reliable sources, the FDNY has decided that terminating Fort Totten gate security is a bad idea. Light duty firefighters will continue to protect the Fort’s front gate. Fire marshals will share some of the responsibility. BLOOMBERG TO FORT TOTTEN & BAY TERRACE: DROP DEAD

BLOOMBERG TO FORT TOTTEN & BAY TERRACE: DROP DEAD

BLOOMBERG TO FORT TOTTEN & BAY TERRACE: DROP DEAD Gate security at Fort Totten will be discontinued on Sunday, March 1, 2009. Fire Commissioner Scoppetta is taking this action in response to the Mayor’s recently announced budget cuts. Termination of the security contract will threaten Fort Totten and the surrounding community. Both FDNY and NYPD [...]

A Tree Once Grew in Queens

Much of Fort Totten’s landscape is now scarred with the remains of what were once large, majestic trees. According to Parks’ Forestry Division, the trees could not be saved. Random observers have described the wood and stumps as appearing to be healthy. In all fairness to Parks, those were not expert opinions. Everyone seems to [...]

The Secret Haunting of Crocheron Park

Two of the Cafe’s regular customers were overheard having this conversation: Milhouse: (as he sips his morning coffee) Hey Corn, you know the Halloween event that goes on every year in Fort Totten? Cornelious: (biting into his bagel) You mean the one where all the vehicles have no place to park and end up driving [...]

Fort Totten Park won’t need natural gas station unless Parks Decides Differently?

Despite verification that the compressed natural gas tanks proposal was dead, a statement from Parks said: “The Parks Department has not made any decisions about implementing temporary or mobile fueling stations at this time.” Customers in the Cafe commented that Parks Department seems to have mastered the ability to talk out of both sides of [...]

Congratulations to State Senator Frank Padavan

The Bay Terrace Cafe congratulates Frank Padavan on his reelection to the New York State Senate and wishes him continued success. Based on past performance there is no doubt that Senator Padavan will work tirelessly on behalf of all his constituents. We look forward to Senator Padavan visiting the Cafe. Newsday.com Padavan set to return [...]

Fort Totten on the “Fringe”

FORT TOTTEN ON THE “FRINGE” On Thursday February 5, 2009 the TV show “FRINGE” is  scheduled to shoot interior and exterior scenes at Fort Totten Park. Approximate time:    9am – 6pm

FDNY: Mayor’s Budget Proposal “Is Not Good” – Fort Totten Security to be Cut

FDNY: Mayor’s Budget Proposal “Is Not Good” From MSNBC FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta reacted quickly to Friday’s budget announcement by Michael Bloomberg. The mayor proposed heavy cuts in city jobs, cuts in services and increases in costs for everyday New Yorkers. Among the agencies that would face heavy losses is the FDNY. Scoppetta said that [...]

Parks Dept. Says Fort Totten Compressed Natural Gas Fueling Station Unnecessary

Customers of the Cafe were pleased to learn that NYC Parks & Recreation has decided an on-site CNG fueling station in Fort Totten is not necessary. According to Queens Parks Commissioner Lewandowski, the Fort Totten tram will fuel at Park’s fueling site in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It’s possible that community pressure had a lot [...]

Jack Fein Documentary and Last Interview

On March 28, 2008 at 5:32 in the morning, Jack Fein the unofficial historian of Fort Totten passed away. Fein who spent 36 years in the military is now buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Jack Fein has been higlighted as Fort Totten’s last protector since the bases closing in 1995. Jack Fein has devoted his [...]

“Please Excuse My Appearance! I Am A Candidate For Historical Preservation.”

Scouting NY has published pictures of existing buildings on Fort Totten. Unfortunately, some of these wonderful structures may not survive the Department of Parks & Recreation. Willets Farm House, the oldest building on the fort, which is all but ready to collapse, has a sign that proclaims “Please Excuse My Appearance! I Am A Candidate [...]

Gas Explosion Levels Amityville House

Is this an example of the danger our community will face if a Parks Dept. proposal to install natural compressed gas tanks on Fort Totten is approved? “An apparent gas explosion leveled a house in Amityville early Sunday evening but the family inside smelled gas and got out safely before the blast, fire officials and [...]

Queens-based combat medic on 2nd Iraq tour killed Christmas Day

How do we thank a hero……………….. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/12/26/2008-12-26_queensbased_combat_medic_on_2nd_iraq_tou.html BY RICH SCHAPIRO DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Saturday, December 27th 2008, 12:22 AM A New York-born trauma doctor who “felt obligated” to use his expertise to treat American soldiers in Iraq was killed in a Christmas Day mortar attack, officials said Friday. Maj. John Pryor, 42, of Moorestown, [...]

Natural gas tanks under consideration at Totten. NYC Parks & Recreation has finally devised a plan to totally destroy the surrounding community.

Queens Chronicle A city plan to install compressed natural gas tanks at Fort Totten Park has nearby residents fuming. “It’s not safe and it’s a potential target for terrorists,” said Warren Schreiber, who has support from two local groups he heads: the Bay Terrace Alliance and the Bay Terrace Co-op Section 1. Schreiber represents 200 [...]

Booze Plans for Marina Concerns Baysiders

“Boating Under The Influence” – Isn’t that a wonderful concept? Another instance of Parks & Recreation at their best. Booze plans for marina concerns Baysiders by Liz Rhoades, Managing Editor 11/13/2008 Plans for a new concessionaire at the Bayside Marina who could possibly sell alcoholic beverages have met with opposition from the community. The city’s [...]

Jack Fein – RIP

Jack Fein’s name always comes to mind when we think of Fort Totten. He proudly preserved the fort’s history and secrets. His 36-year military career encompassed both World War II and the Korean conflict. We are all saddened by the death of Jack Fein; his passing marks the end of an era. Jack Fein kept [...]

City Boots Professional Design Center from Fort Totten

It’s reported that there were instances in which the Professional Design Center provided pro bono services for Parks & Recreation. This must be DPR’s way of saying thanks. www.timesledger.com City boots design center from Fort Totten By John Tozzi 05/17/2007 The Professional Design Center, a nonprofit group of architects and engineers based for more than [...]