8 The QUEE NS Courier • JANUARY 14, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Elmhurst activist killed in Jackson Heights car crash By Angela Matua amatua@queenscourier.com @AngelaMatua Robert Valdes-Clausell, an active presence in the Elmhurst community, died on Jan. 10 in a car crash, police said. He was 56. Valdes-Clausell served as the Newtown Civic Association treasurer and also frequently fought to preserve structures in the neighborhood, including the Elmhurst library. He was also an advocate for the restoration of an Elmhurst stop on the Long Island Rail Road, which is set to be rebuilt as a part of the MTA’s capital plan. “Robert Valdes-Clausell’s passing is a great shock to the Elmhurst community,” said Councilman Daniel Dromm. “Robert was involved in numerous organizations and was a strong advocate for the community. As a board member of the Newtown Civic Association, Robert fought to keep historical buildings in Elmhurst intact, advocated for the reopening of the Elmhurst LIRR and was involved in many other worthy civic activities. His presence will be sorely missed.” Marialena Giampino, spokesperson for the Newtown Civic Association, said she is still in shock and disbelief. Words can not express the sadness and great loss that the Newtown Civic and the Elmhurst community will endure,” Giampino said. “Robert was an extremely intelligent, dedicated and extraordinary person, always putting the greater good of the community and others before himself.” Valdes-Clausell was in the process of creating a nonprofit society called Newtown Preservation Society to expand his mission to preserve “what was left of former Newtown, so that Elmhurst’s great history would not be forgotten,” she said. According to authorities, who arrived at 77th Street and Astoria Boulevard at about 12:50 a.m., Valdes-Clausell was driving his 2006 Ford Explorer eastbound on Astoria Boulevard when he lost control of the SUV, which then crossed three lanes of traffic and came to rest after striking the concrete barrier in the left lane. The NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad is still investigating. File photo Robert Valdes-Clausell, a longtime Elmhurst activist, is shown (at left) in this 2008 picture with Newtown Civic Association President Thomas McKenzie and then-Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice. Construction causes interruptions of Bayside water service By Alina Suriel asuriel@queenscourier.com @alinangelica Keep your bottled water handy. Water service has been interrupted on several northern Bayside streets as the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) replaces a local water main. The service interruptions began on Jan. 8 and will continue until construction ends on Jan. 22. Streets which will likely be affected are Fort Totten Avenue between Bell Boulevard and Fort Totten Park; Bell Boulevard between 208th Place and 14th Avenue; Bell Boulevard between 209th Street and 15th Avenue; and 212th Street between Bell Boulevard and 15th Avenue. Service may be affected from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Homeowners in the area are advised to shut off their water valves during this time in order to avoid sediment entering the building’s system. In an emailed statement, a representative from the DDC said the agency aims to provide resilient and sustainable civic services and that the replacement will provide the community with efficient water services. “The DDC is working closely with local businesses and our stakeholders in order to be good neighbors in those communities experiencing our construction activities,” read the statement. Image courtesy of Google Maps The northern Bayside neighborhood near Fort Totten Park will be affected by water service interruptions due to water main construction.
QC01142016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above