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 guard the city against attack [...]

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 move they say could [...]

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 CUTS!
THE INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR VANDALISM, ARSON [...]

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 Totten.
The Kick-Off Party will [...]

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 of [...]

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 house units [...]

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 be [...]

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 up and [...]

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 to NY [...]

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 included in the cuts [...]

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 [...]

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 time [...]

“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 neighbors [...]

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, N.J., was in his living quarters [...]

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 units in [...]

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 Parks Department issued a Request [...]

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 the [...]

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 10 years at Fort Totten, [...]