Bay Ridge

Mayor signs bill to name streets after local heroes

Mega, Dunn, Stramka, D’Amato earn posthumous honors

August 4, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Howard Dunn, a World War II veteran, became famous in Bay Ridge for planting thousands of American flags on sidewalks. Photo courtesy of Raymond Aalbue
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Mayor Bill de Blasio has signed into law legislation sponsored by Councilmember Vincent Gentile to co-name four street corners in Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights in memory of prominent local residents who made a mark on politics, business and civic life in the neighborhood.

One of the street corners, the intersection of 10th Avenue and 80th Street, will be co-named for the late Hon. Christopher J. Mega, a retired U.S. Supreme Court justice.

Mega was a former state senator who tried to mount a political comeback in 1998 by running against Gentile, who was a state senator at the time.

Gentile was full of praise for his former political rival.

“Before his career in public service, a former political opponent of mine and a good man, Sen. Christopher J. Mega, was a community advocate, serving in the Dyker Heights Civic Association and the Bay Ridge Lion Club,” Gentile said in a statement.

The bill signing, which took place on Aug. 3, also ensures that World War II U.S. Navy veteran Howard Dunn, Harbor View Car Service owner Salvatore D’Amato and Bay Ridge civic activist Maureen Stramka will be memorialized in the community where each lived and worked.

Commemorative streets signs will be placed underneath the real street signs at the designated intersections. Gentile plans to host ceremonies to posthumously honor each of the four. Dates for the ceremonies have not yet been announced.

Dunn’s corner, “Howard Dunn Way,” will be located at the northeast corner of Third Avenue and 78th Street. Stramka, who was a former president of the Bay Ridge Community Council, will be remembered at the southwest corner of Third Avenue and 78th Street.

A sign bearing D’Amato’s name will be placed on the east side of Fifth Avenue between 94th and 95th streets.

“These street co-namings that I sponsored represent civic leadership, community service and a commitment to the betterment of our local neighborhoods,” Gentile said.

Gentile had words of praise for each of the late honorees.

“Maureen Stramka, a purveyor of volunteerism, had her finger on the pulse on all things Bay Ridge, serving as president of the famous Ragamuffin Parade, and as a loyal member of Community Board 10, the Bay Ridge Community Council and the 68th Precinct Community Council. Salvatore ‘Sal’ D’Amato, an Air Force veteran of the Korean War and Howard Dunn, a Navy veteran of WWII, were patriots and champions of their community. D’Amato owned Harbor View Car Service and routinely gave free rides to troops from the Fort Hamilton Army Base as well as senior citizens from the Bay Ridge Center. When Dunn wasn’t busy planting over 1,000 American flags at local Bay Ridge businesses, he was helping the Wounded Warriors raise more than $28,000 and organizing clothing drives for veterans in partnership with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center,” the councilmember said.

Bob Capano, who served as director of community boards for Marty Markowitz when Markowitz was Brooklyn borough president, said Stramka as an important figure.

“When I first began working at Brooklyn Borough Hall in 1999 as a liaison to Bay Ridge, Maureen Stramka graciously offered her guidance on local civic life and forging a stronger relationship between the Borough President’s Office and our community,” Capano told the Brooklyn Eagle via email.

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