42 The Queens Courier • july 31, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com IN THE ‘LOOP’ Photo courtesy of NYFAC/Dominick Totino Photography Howard Beach defunct fire hydrants fixed after residents complain BY ERIC JANKIEWICZ @ericjankiewicz [email protected] The Department of Environmental Protection fixed four broken fire hydrants in Howard Beach after state Sen. Joseph Addabbo’s office brought the problem to the agency’s attention. “It is a major concern when a fire hydrant at any location is not working, but particularly the two hydrants located ... on the block of Ave Maria Catholic Academy,” Addabbo said in a letter to DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd. “It is important that these fire hydrants remain functional in the event of an emergency.” Addabbo’s office first became aware of the issue after residents in the area complained to his office. The fire department marked the four hydrants with a white circle to signal that they were broken. According to the state senator, the fire department is also supposed to tell the DEP about these problems but failed to do so. After receiving Addabbo’s letter, the agency fixed all four hydrants. “When constituents contacted my office and I saw these fire hydrants, I was shocked,” Addabbo said. “I thought it was unacceptable to leave these communities defenseless, without a proper means to fight against a fire emergency, especially near a school.” The fire department did not respond to a query from The Courier about why they didn’t inform the DEP about the problem. The locations of the four hydrants are 157th Avenue between 86th and 87th streets; 157th Avenue between 100th and 101st streets; in front of Ave Maria Catholic Academy on 158th Avenue between 100th and 101st streets; and 101st Street between 158th and 159th avenues. Cyclists get ready to ride the Loop. 20-mile bike ride benefits local nonprofits BY SALVATORE LICATA “It was a great ride. We had a good time,” said Joe [email protected]/@Sal_Licata1 Mure, who sits on the board of directors for JDRF and is also a trustee of NYFAC. “I think this was a great More than 200 cyclists came out on July 26 for cause and a great reason to come out and get a little the inaugural “Loop,” a 20-mile bike ride that raised exercise.” nearly $15,000 benefitting the New York Families Riders started their route at the NYFAC building for Autistic Children Foundation (NYFAC) and the on Cross Bay Boulevard in Howard Beach. After Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). the ribbon was cut by state Sen. Joe Addabbo and Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, riders took off and journeyed over three bridges in two boroughs and then back to the NYFAC building where there was a celebratory barbecue. “Our first annual Loop was a great success,” said Andrew Baumann, president and CEO of NYFAC. “So we’re already getting ready — mark your calendars for next July.”
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