MarineParker.net

Courtesy of Wikipedia

This past weekend’s New York Times Metropolitan section reported that Parks Department negotiations to purchase the Wyckoff-Bennett Homestead and turn it into a house museum have stalled.  In 1999, the city offered $2 million for the house and its historic contents, among them a sword etched with the royal crown and initials for George Rex III and windowpanes with the initials of two Hessian soldiers who stayed there during the Revolution.¹  In addition, the current owners, the Monts, would have been able to live there rent-free provided this deal went through.

However, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services has now offered the Monts considerably less than originally promised and a deal is no longer close to being done.  I sincerely hope this deal gets done because this treasure of a house deserves to be a public space for all history buffs to marvel at.

Click here to read the entire article and as well as see fantastic pictures of the house.

¹Blumenthal, Ralph. “A Prewar Home, to Say the Least.”  The New York Times.  29 January 2010.

Source: http://samrainer.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/haiti.jpg

From NewYorkPost.com, courtesy of Thomas Tracy of Courier Life:

Neighborhood residents will soon be joining the ongoing effort to help the thousands of families devastated by last week’s earthquake in Haiti.

Local elected officials and members of Millennium Development announced the kick-off of a massive fundraising/collection drive for the embattled residents of the mountain country.

Over the next two weeks organizers will be collecting canned goods, non-perishable food and financial donations at local legislative offices and through Millennium Development’s senior centers and after school programs in Mill Basin, Marine Park, Flatlands, Midwood, Bergen Beach, Flatbush and Canarsie.

The drive is being sponsored by City Councilmembers Lew Fidler (D-Mill Basin) and Mathieu Eugene (D-Flatbush), Assemblymember Alan Maisel (D, Marine Park) and other local elected officials.

“If every other kid attending these programs brings in a can, we’ll be in good shape,” Fidler told members of the 61st Precinct Community Council last week. “We all know someone who has family and friends in Haiti. We need to step up and do what any civilized nation ought to which is provide humanitarian relief.”

City Councilmember Jumaane Williams (D-Flatlands), who has also joined the effort, is among legislators allowing cans and perishables to be dropped off at his office at 4517 Avenue D.

“Ideally financial contributions are needed,” Williams said. “We are working with the Red Cross, UNICEF and Wyclef Jean’s organization until the infrastructure in Haiti is in place to distribute the supplies.”

Because ports and airfields are either closed or clogged, monetary donations will provide the most immediate help, Fidler noted, although canned and non-perishable food and medical supplies will be needed in the coming weeks.

Monetary donations will be given to groups supporting the relief effort, organizers said. Checks should be placed in a sealed envelope with the word “Haiti” written on it, and be payable to either the American Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders or American Jewish World Service.

Paul Curiale, Executive Director of Millennium Development, said that not only will the children attending his organization’s programs help those in need, they will learn something about community service.

“Letting the kids know how important it is to help fellow human beings in time of need is a terrific object lesson for them,” he said.

LOCAL LOCATIONS ACCEPTING DONATIONS:

• Lew Fidler’s office, 1402 East 64th Street
• Alan Maisel’s office, 2424 Ralph Avenue
• Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein’s District Office, 3520 Nostrand Avenue
• Bergen Beach Active Adult & Senior Center, 2335 Bergen Avenue
•  Marine Park Active Adult & Senior Center, Avenue U and East 33rd Street    

Millennium Development youth programs that will be collecting donations (from after-school children only) include: 

• IS 78, 1420 East 68th Street
• PS 255, 1866 East 17th Street
• PS 251, 1037 East 54th Street
• PS 236, 6302 Avenue U
• PS 222, 3301 Quentin Road
• PS 207, 4011 Fillmore Avenue
• PS 203, 5101 Avenue M

Anyone wishing more information can contact Lew Fidler’s office at (718) 241-9330.

Thank you to reader “Anonymous” for the following information:

Comprising 78 buildings with 136 units, “Marine Park Luxury Rentals” was the topic of conversation during Senator Marty Golden’s Telephone Town Hall meeting earlier this week.  According to the conversation, there have been complaints of rodent infestation since Hoti Enterprises/Hoti Realty has foreclosed on these properties.  However, the units are now under new ownership so hopefully this problem will be ameliorated shortly.

Any news/updates to report on this story?  Let us know!

State Senator Marty Golden announced that as of Monday, November 9, 2009 he will be maintaining increased office hours at his office located at 3604 Quentin Road. The office currently operates Mondays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Wednesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Senator Golden’s staff will now be available to the community to address concerns and complaints, or to seek information, on both Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Appointments will be made to accommodate those that cannot visit the office during these set hours of operation.

Senator Golden stated: “Every area within my district is important to me and I hope that these expanded office hours will show my continued support for my constituents in Marine Park, Sheepshead Bay, Gerritsen Beach and Gravesend. I invite the community to speak with my staff about issues that matter to them or to seek our help in trying to resolve problems with State and City agencies.”  

Due to the New York State budget cuts Senator Golden’s office at 3610 Quentin Road was forced to close after six years of providing services to the community. In order to contact the office or make an appointment, you can call (718) 238-6044.