6 times • FEBRUARY 25, 2016 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com Ridgewood police made sure that a WWII veteran received a proper burial BY ANTHONY GIUDICE [email protected] @A_GiudiceReport The 104th Precinct serves and protects its residents, even after death. Wilbur Hoffman, a longtime Ridgewood resident, became part of the precinct’s unofficial family last year when he sought their help after his home was burglarized twice. When he died on Jan. 22, the officers dedicated themselves to ensuring that he received the proper burial that the World War II veteran deserved. Officers gathered last Friday, Feb. 19, at the George Werst Funeral Home to give Hoffman a fitting sendoff, made possible by the precinct and funeral home along with All Faiths Cemetery and Paul Schottenhamel of the Queens County American Legion. Hoffman was a veteran with the Navy and served during WWII, from 1942 to 1946. During his service, Hoffman served on several ships in across Pacific Ocean and earned several medals. Hoffman developed a relationship with the 104th Precinct after burglars struck his home last February. “The Commanding Officer, Mark Wachter, in cooperation with the NYPD’s Technical Assistance and Response Unit and 104th Precinct personnel, began an initiative to make Mr. Hoffman feel safe in his residence,” said Detective Thomas Bell of the 104th Precinct Community Affairs Unit. The precinct made sure Hoffman’s home was fitted with new door locks, new window locks, cameras, motion lights, as well as two panic alarms. In A WWII veteran and longtime Ridgewood resident, Wilbur Hoffman, was laid to rest with the help of the 104th Precinct on Friday, Feb. 19. addition, there was an officer posted in front of his home overnight and he was visited by the Crime Prevention officers and/or the Community Affairs Officers on a weekly basis. “Over those incidents, the one good thing that did come of that, is that we got to intimately know Mr. Hoffman and befriended him and inducted him into the 104 Precinct family,” said Captain Gregory Mackie, executive officer of the 104th Precinct. “If there was anything that we could do for him for the short time that we were around him in his last years, we would do it.” During all of the holidays throughout 2015, either Wachter or another member of the precinct would have RIDGEWOOD TIMES/Photos by Anthony Giudice either lunch or dinner with Hoffman. They even brought him a turkey for Thanksgiving last year. “We are Mr. Hoffman’s family,” Mackie said. “The 104th Precinct will always be his family.” After the ceremony at George Werst Funeral Home, Hoffman was brought to All Faiths Cemetery for burial. Glendale charter school seeks to expand into Middle Village and Elmhurst BY ANTHONY GIUDICE [email protected] @A_GiudiceReport Central Queens Academy, a charter middle school, is looking to expand into new locations in both Middle Village and Elmhurst in order to grow the school to serve both elementary and high school students. The charter school has two locations, 55-30 Junction Blvd. in Elmhurst and 88-24 Myrtle Ave. in Glendale. The Elmhurst location serves grades five and six, while the Glendale location serves seventh- and eighth-graders. In total, there are approximately 400 students — 200 at each location — currently attending the school. For the start of the 2016-17 school year, Central Queens Academy requested to add a high school program with approximately 100 students in the ninth grade, and growing by one grade each year, as well as to add an elementary program with approximately 100 students in kindergarten and growing by one grade each year. At full capacity the school would serve approximately 1,300 students in grades K-12. Two locations have been suggested for the expansion sites. The first is an old fitness center behind LeFrak City in Elmhurst and the second is said to be the former Joe Abbracciamento Restaurant on Woodhaven Boulevard in Middle Village. “Neither building is currently under consideration by CQA,” said Ashish Kapadia, Central Queens Academy school director/principal. “They were suggestions made by the public in attendance at Monday night’s meeting as sites we should consider.” SUNY, who must approve the expansion, noted that if approved, Queens Central Academy may not implement both expansions. If SUNY does agree to accept one of the grade expansions, SUNY would also need to amend the school’s charter so the expansion will be contingent upon Central Queens Academy providing a renewal application including the grade expansion, qualifying for at least a short-term renewal pursuant to the SUNY renewal policies, and the school must in good standing at that time. “I don’t know if they will get their expansion,” said Pat Grayson, chair of the Education Committee of Community Board 5. “I was really happy with what I saw at the school, but there is just no space for an expansion.” Central Queens Academy made it clear that they are not looking to build a new school. They want to find vacant buildings in District 24, such as old parish schools, so the 1,300 students would be spread out across multiple buildings. “CQA is not looking to build a new facility,” Kapadia said. “We are looking to lease a private building in District 24. We are still searching for a building.” The school also stressed that any expansion that may come would be designated exclusively for District 24 students, as it is presently at the academy.
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