8 The Courier sun • DECEMBER 17, 2015 for breaking news visit www.qns.com Forest Hills arsonist caught on video again, this time with firearm By Angela Matua amatua@queenscourier.com @AngelaMatua The serial arsonist who has set fire to Forest Hills homes on seven occasions was caught on surveillance video pulling out a handgun from his sock. Police released a video of the suspect walking along 112th Street and 68th Drive on Nov. 8 at 7:20 p.m. In the video he is covered from head to toe and is wearing all white. The suspect stops to remove a gun from his left ankle and then transfers the firearm to his right pocket. Anyone with info in regards to these incidents is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (8477). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly confidential. Photo courtesy of Christ the King Regional High School The Christ the King Regional High School board of trustees reached a new three-year labor agreement with its teachers this week. Middle Village school reaches three-year labor deal with teachers By Robert Pozarycki rpozarycki@queenscourier.com @robbpoz Teachers at Christ the King Regional High School will be getting a raise over the next three years under a contract agreement reached between their union and the Middle Village institution. The deal between Christ the King and the Lay Faculty Association (LFA), which the school announced on Dec. 14, ensures “a stable learning environment for the students of Christ the King High School,” according to Serphin R. Maltese, chair of Christ the King’s board of trustees. “We are proud to have a faculty and administration that truly believes in Christ the King’s mission to provide an atmosphere where our students can attain a high level of achievement based upon the recognition of their unique abilities and their relationship with God,” Maltese said. LFA Union Delegate Paul Salerni remarked that the “fair and equitable contract” reached with the administration achieved the union’s goal of getting a deal that allows “teachers to focus on the needs of the students.” Photo courtesy of NYPD Police released surveillance of a suspect wanted in connection to a pattern of arsons in Forest Hills. Photo courtesy of Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder’s office Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder is asking the federal government to put up funds to repair Riis Park and West Pond. Local pol calls for repairs at popular Rockaway destinations By Anthony Giudice agiudice@ridgewoodtimes.com/@A_GiudiceReport After sustaining significant damage from Hurricane Sandy, Riis Park and West Pond — popular facilities in the National Park Service’s (NPS) Gateway National Recreation Area — still require major repairs. Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder is now asking the federal government to fund the repairs. Goldfeder wrote a letter to Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell urging the Department of the Interior (DOI) to provide money for the repairs to the bathhouse at Riis Park, as well as funds for the full restoration of West Pond. “Every year, millions of families come to enjoy New York’s best urban beaches at Riis Park and the tranquil trails at West Pond,” Goldfeder said. “Sadly, the devastation from Sandy has tarnished these once-proud sites. We must provide the resources to restore these true gems to ensure that they will be preserved and protected for future generations to enjoy.” Sandy’s tidal surges pushed through the bathhouse floor, police building and lifeguard station at the aging facilities. The parking lot also sustained damage from its use as a temporary debris storage site for the surrounding communities. Goldfeder has been working to advocate for improvements to Gateway. Last month he secured the installation of temporary lighting around the Riis Park bathhouse to accommodate restaurant patrons at the popular Riis Park Beach Bazaar. In October Goldfeder declared his support for the proposed Alternative B plan to restore West Pond. The plan, which is favored by NPS and the Broad Channel Civic Association, calls for a twophase restoration program to be completed by 2017. Phase 1 would restore the damaged pond perimeter loop trail and shoreline, costing between $1.7 and $2.5 million. Phase 2 would repair Terrapin Point to the west of the pond and add new visitor amenities at a cost of between $5.1 and $6.2 million. However, funding for Phase 2 has yet to be committed by the federal government. “Gateway has been a valuable community park for generations,” Goldfeder said. “Repairing this damage will bring us one step closer to full recovery from Sandy.”
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