Councilman James Oddo, left, helps unveil a new bronze plaque for Engine Co. 161 of South Beach, with RoseAnn and Joe McAllister, Heads of the South Beach Civic Association.
SI Advance photo | Anthony DePrimo

PLAQUE IS PROOF OF COMMUNITY'S POWER
By Diane Lore | Staten Island Advance | October 07, 2009

Members of the South Beach Civic Association and community residents turned out nearly 100 strong Tuesday morning for the unveiling of a plaque on the facade of Engine Co. 161 in South Beach to commemorate the successful grass-roots battle by the community to keep the firehouse from closing due to city budget cuts.

Some South Beach residents, who gathered outside the firehouse, said they couldn’t imagine their neighborhood without it.

“My uncle, John Garofolo, was a firefighter here, and I’ve been coming to the firehouse since I was a little kid. We all worked hard to keep it open, and we won, thank God, otherwise it could have been devastating,” said South Beach resident Caroline Conca, who was born and raised in the neighborhood, only blocks from the firehouse.

RoseAnn McAllister, vice-president of the association, said the bronze plaque, donated by Crown Trophy, Rosebank, will permanently hang outside the firehouse on McClean Avenue and Sand Lane.

The inscription reads, in part: “Engine Co. 161/Ladder Co. 81 24/7: We have proven that our voice was heard.”

Firefighters, in full-dress blues, lined the rear of the firehouse, and applauded enthusiastically as the plaque was unveiled and the inscription read.

Fire Lt. Thomas Solimeo of New Dorp, brought his twin daughters, Liliana and Sarina, 3½, who sat solemnly on their dad’s lap. Solimeo is assigned to Ladder Co. 81, which shares the firehouse with Engine Co. 161. “We’ve got a big area to cover,” he said, noting that the distance extends from Fort Wadsworth to Miller Field in New Dorp.

South Beach Civic Association President Joseph McAllister told of getting a late-night call June 15 from an excited Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island/Brooklyn), minutes after the City Council reached a budget agreement with the mayor. “He said ‘Joe we did it, we did it. The firehouse stays.’"

Oddo called the moment “one of the most satisfying moments of my career,” but warned residents not to become complacent. He said he expects more budget cuts to come down from City Hall in months to come. “As we revel in our victory, know that we may be called to fight again,” he said.

Comments
Posted by matt49
October 08, 2009, 10:37AM
I am so glad that Jim Oddo and the people of South beach have been able to keep our Firehouse open. You see I live in South Beach and in 2000 I had a huge housefire. If it weren't for the firemen at this house I wouldn't of been able to save anything in my home. I didn't lose some of my memories and was able to rebuild my home on Ocean avenue. Thanks to that firehouse. God bless all of you who fought to keep this Firehouse open.

SCOTT SCHNEIDER

South Beach Civic Association is sad to announce that Scott Schneider passed away on Friday, August 6, 2010.

Scott was a dear friend and an SBCA executive committee member. An active participant in the Civic, Scott provided its many wonderful flyers and announcements as well as establishing its website. Scott gave generously of his time and talent and could always be counted on to volunteer his services whenever needed. He could often be seen manning the entrance tables at Civic events, welcoming newcomers and sharing his valued expertise.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and wife, Lorrraine, during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed.

LIVING IN SOUTH BEACH, STATEN ISLAND:
WHY ASK FOR THE MOON? THEY’VE GOT THE BEACH
By Joseph Plambeck