Ragamuffin President Colleen Golden re-elected
While her spouse recently won re-election for another two-year term to the New York Senate. Colleen Golden
The Ragamuffin Board also voted to return Vice President Marie LaneArlene Keating and Treasurer Sonia Abi-Habib for another term.Members of the Ragamuffin board include Shirley Behlen; Joe ConlyGloria MelnickDilia Schack and Maureen Stramka; Joan Curran; Patricia KillenLynda O’Neill; Chuck Otey; Peter Killen; Maria Rando; Mary Quinones; Ted General; Laurie Windsor; Barbara SlatteryIlene Sacco; Inna Trinidad and Leigh Holliday.
Since the parade was first held in Bay Ridge, many towns, communities and cities across the nation now have adopted either a Ragamuffin or Halloween kids parade. The original parade was founded by the Reverend James McKennaClifford Scanlon
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With the aftermath of Super storm Sandy, city and state officials should start looking for better ways to help protect us from power outages and surge damage.For starters, our oil companies, which make huge yearly profits, could easily equip all their gas stations with roof top generators and battery backup, so that when there is a power outage, the filling station can switch to alternate power and keep its gas pumps running.
Another suggestion is for city officials is to consult with naval architects and naval civil engineers on ways to make tunnels, communications vaults and power stations less vulnerable to flooding and seawater damage. The U.S. Navy has decades of experience with doing damage control from fire and flooding aboard their vessels.]
To my knowledge, the ships can quickly isolate flooded compartments, and rapidly install collision mats under adverse conditions. Some of the Navys larger war ships are like floating cities, and all their vessels have strong metal watertight doors.You all have heard the old refrain, Batten down the hatches, which is still a viable precaution and command aboard maritime vessels of all sizes.
In large buildings, all the mechanized and electronic equipment should be relocated out of basements either to a protected roof structure or the third floor.Utilities should have easily reachable, large stockpiles of poles, cable and other equipment they would require during an emergency.
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As part of its annual food drive, which it has been doing for the past 20 years, the Bay Ridge AARP collected non-perishable goods at its November meeting, brought over to the Bay Ridge Corps of the Salvation Army based on 86th Street, near Ridge Boulevard, by AARP President Peter Killen.
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Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, we have Small Business Saturday (November 24).You can help make a difference for mom and pop shops and nearby small businesses by shopping at stores owned by friends and neighbors.Remember, shopping locally also brings money to the community for businesses that frequently support local events and fund-raisers.
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Sad to report,another causality of the poor economy is the popular JT’s Restaurant, formerly called Thristino’s, on Third Avenue near 97th Street. This restaurant often catered sweet 16 parties, luncheons, political events, communion breakfasts and school functions at very reasonable prices. It will be sorely missed.
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Dr. Thomas MatteoStaten Island:The Country Next Door.The event is open to the public.
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The New York Post is reporting that Ranier Melucci
His current post makes him responsible for only three elementary schools with an approximate total population of 1,700, while City Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott, who is responsible for 1,700 schools, makes $212,614 a year.With 39 years as an educator and once he retires, you can imagine what his super-size public pension will be like.
If you think that is extreme, look at this. The states highest paid public school employee is Rockville Centre School District Superintendent William Johnson
Our best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving.
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To reach Ted General via the Internet, his e-mail address is:
On the Avenue: Annual Kiwanis karaoke event raises funds for ailing children 
On the Avenue: Bay Ridge’s parade season in full swing