Vallone Unveils “CW5 Howard C. Haider Way” in Bayside

Council Member Paul A. Vallone was joined by the Haider family on Tuesday afternoon to unveil the new “CW5 Howard C. Haider Way” at the intersection of 207th Street and Northern Boulevard. Chief Haider served in the military from 1963 until 2003 and was the first person in New York State to secure the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5.

Among speakers were Assemblyman Ed Braunstein, Chaplain of the Old Guard of the City of NY Colonel Jacob Goldstein, CW3 William Grodnick, American Legion Bayside Post 510 Commander Fred Quinones, Community Board 11 Chair Eileen Miller and Auburndale Improvement Association Vice President Henry Euler.

CW5 Howard Charles Haider was born in 1941 and passed away in 2016. Chief Haider’s military service started on November 21, 1963 in the 258th Field Artillery Regiment of the New York Army National Guard. He was the first to achieve the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Five in New York State. His military service ended in 2003.

Chief Haider took on leadership roles at a number of labor, religious, and fraternal organizations, including the Commandants Council of Cadet Organizations, Statue of Liberty Chapter of the US Army Warrant Officer Association, the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem, the Old Guard of the City of New York and Bayside Post 510 American Legion. He and wife Christine Haider also spent decades leading the St. Kevin’s Sea Cadets, who would often participate in services at the Bayside Veterans Memorial Obelisk, located steps away from “CW5 Howard C. Haider Way.”

“CW5 Haider lived a full life in deep devotion his to his country, his community and countless local organizations,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “I’m proud and humbled to recognize Chief Haider's lifetime of service and to congratulate Christine and Howard Haider Jr. on this lasting recognition.”

“It was a great turnout of friends and colleagues from all areas of Howard’s life to support the co-naming of the street as CW5 Howard C. Haider Way,” said Christine and Howard Haider Jr. “This shows how many lives he touched and how much he meant to so many people. The location was selected based on Howard’s close association with the site as Commander of the American Legion Bayside Post 510 and as Commandant of the St. Kevin’s Sea Cadets & Wavettes. He often led observances on Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and other occasions onsite. This is why our family thought that this spot would be very appropriate to honor Howard. We know that the ‘Chief’ was smiling down on us as we honored him. It was a very proud day for all who loved him.”

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Queens Courier

Patch

Queens Chronicle

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Vallone Introduces Bill to Increase Fines for Noisy Car Operators

During the Stated Meeting of the New York City Council on October 30,
the Council introduced Int. 1782 by Council Members Robert Holden and Paul Vallone to
increase the minimum and maximum fines for certain noise violations.

Specifically, the bill targets the penalties for excessive noise from a personal audio device on or
inside a motor vehicle. The fine for a first offense would be increased from $100 to $200, while
the fine for a third offense would increase from $1,000 to $2,100.

Council Members Holden and Vallone this year have both dealt with complaints from their
constituents regarding music that is disrupting their neighborhoods, and both have held
meetings with the NYPD to discuss increased enforcement of noise complaints.

"For too long, car owners with vehicles equipped with excessive sound systems have
congregated in our parks and public spaces and disturbed quality of life for New York City residents," said Council Member Vallone. "Doubling these noise penalties will pressure drivers to think twice about being a bad neighbor and send a clear message that this quality of life disruption will not be tolerated."

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Ridgewood Post

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ICYMI: Vallone Celebrates $5.4 Million

Reconstruction of MacNeil Park Esplanade

Council Member Vallone joined NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Michael Dockett, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, New York State Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal, Queens Community Board 7 Chair Eugene Kelty Jr., and community members to cut the ribbon on the brand new MacNeil Park Esplanade in College Point.

The $5.4 million project reconstructed over a quarter mile of the esplanade to provide a new shoreline walkway for park visitors. This site now features a stronger concrete retaining wall, an aluminum sea rail, a fishing overlook, and a kayak launch to enhance users’ waterfront experience. Funding for this project was provided by a $2.3 million allocation from Borough President Melinda Katz, $1.7 million from Council Member Paul Vallone, and $1.3 million from Mayor de Blasio.

"In Northeast Queens, our waterfronts have always been an important part of daily life and the overall character of our great neighborhoods,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. "With the dream of a vibrant MacNeil Park with waterfront accessibility now realized, I know that these great new amenities will be enjoyed by local families and park visitors for generations to come."

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Flushing Post

Queens Courier

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Night Out with our Queens High School Teachers

Fun evening at Whitestone Lanes with our high school educators from across Queens! Especially great to see our teachers from Bayside HS and WJPS.

Always proud to support our hardworking UFT!

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Celebrating the Festival of Lights!

A great Monday morning celebrating Diwali at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir's Grand Annakut Darshan in Flushing! May those observing enjoy a new year filled with joy and blessings.