Throggs Neck BID

A long-hoped for community goal, the planting of a tree at Derosa-O’Boyle Triangle, was achieved by the Throggs Neck BID recently, with the help of Councilmember Mark Gjonaj.  A touching ceremony dedicating the tree, named in honor of the late Benjamin Randazzo (who initiated using the site for holiday commemoration) to First Responders and Essential Workers, was held on Saturday, January 16.   Councilmember Mark Gjonaj, Assemblyman Mike Benedetto (Whom Randazzo worked for) Father Norton of St. Benedict’s Parish, John Murano, and members of the Randazzo family attended and addressed those attending. Members of the NYPD, NYFD, Sanitation, Throggs Neck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and others were present and honored for their extraordinary efforts.

Pictured: BID director Bob Jaen (right) holds a flag made by the son of local activist John Murano (center, holding microphone.)

The 10465 area is facing higher than average COVID-19 positive testing rates. To review that problem, the staff of the Throggs Neck BID met with David Coulibaly of the NYC Health & Hospitals Corporation. (seated far left in the photo.) Joining the meeting were the leadership of the private group, NYC Laboratories, represented by Sal Garcia (far right) and his chief assistant (second from left.) BID Board member Michael Musano (second from right) joined BID Director Bob Jaen (center) and BID associate Frank Vernuccio (not pictured.) The BID has arranged for NYC Laboratories to provide testing in the area on a frequent basis. HHC was urged to provide as much assistance as possible to the community.

As COVID continues to affect our community, the Throggs Neck BID continues to respond. On Saturday, January 2, the BID again sponsored a New York Lab COVID testing truck, located at East Tremont and Randall.

Photo: Throggs Neck Bid Exec Director Bob Jaen, with NY Labs’ Sal Garcia.

After years of unsuccessful attempts by various local organizations and officials, the Throggs Neck BID managed, (thanks to the efforts of Executive Director Bob Jaen) in its very first year of operations, to get an evergreen tree planted at Derosa O’Boyle Triangle. With the assistance of Rubin Farrah of Councilmember Gjonaj’s office and the enthusiastic help of the Parks Department’s Nave Strauss, an Oriental Spruce was planted on, fittingly enough, Christmas Eve.  The tree will be dedicated to First Responders and Essential Workers at a special ceremony scheduled for early 2021.