The Coney Island Community Center was certified on Jan. 7, by the Department of City Planning. It was a long time coming.

  The New York Times may have inaccurately reported on Dec. 26, that the chain link fence in Manhattan Beach was constructed by Robert Toussie, whose son Isaac, was pardoned and then unpardoned by President George W. Bush two weeks ago.

However, an investigation by the Brooklyn View learned that it was not Toussie who built the fence. It was Jack Laboz.

Issac Toussie’s pardon was reversed by President Bush after it was revealed his family donated big bucks to the Republican Party.

  Three days after the Saturday evening shooting that took the life of Robert Carnival, who owned Cars on Utica, his car dealership sat idle. Yellow police lines hung ripped behind the black gate with a sign that read, “Due To Unfortunate Circumstances—Cars on Utica—Will Be Closed Until 1-2-09.” (VIDEO)

   A 24-year-old livery cab driver succumbed to injuries after being shot in the head by two men who had just robbed a cell phone store in Sheepshead Bay, according to police. This shooting marked the first of two murders this week involving area cab drivers.  Another cabbie was shot in the stomach early New Years Day.

   According to the Times, one arrest has been made in the first case.

Two cars collided at the corner of Coleman St. and Ave. S. Residents say since the traffic light was installed, drivers have been stepping on the gas to beat the light.

Coleman Street in Marine Park is a sleepy tree-lined street occupied by many young families with young children. In May 2004, residents who live between Fillmore Avenue and Avenue S, lobbied the Department of Transportation to replace a stop sign with a traffic light at the corner of Coleman Street and Avenue S, under the auspices it would lead to a safer environment for there children.

The theory proved to be wrong.

Many residents say that drivers are now inspired to hit the gas when they see the light turning green to yellow, and speed up the block. They say the stop sign was more effective. “Look at this,” said a woman who did not give her name, pointing to a car accident at Coleman and Ave. S. “This is becoming common. The guy across the street has to keep changing his fence because it gets damaged– accidents are so frequent.”

She was not alone. Like most car accidents, a group was formed at the scene. They voiced their concerns about their safety and speeders. One recommended a speed bump in the between Fillmore and Ave. S. Another said the Department of Transportation should reinstall the stop sign.

A firefighter was rushed to Coney Island Hospital’s Trauma Center on Tuesday, Dec. 30, after a portion of a wall in a three-story building collapsed, resulting in an injury to his shoulder. The three-alarm fire occurred at 222 Kings Highway. Nine other firefighters and eight civilians were treated for minor injuries.

 The fire began in a Collector’s Fantasy Store on the first floor. It was considered difficult to contain because of the strong wind gusts. – Norma Rodriguez

From the left, Assemblyman Alan Maisel, Congressman Weiner and Barry Sullivan, general superintendent of Gateway National Recreation Area.

 The bike path the runs along the Belt Parkway near Plumb Beach is hanging on by a thread. Community leaders say one powerful storm would compromise the integrity of the structure. At which point, the entire eastbound section of the Parkway may be compromised.

Congressman Anthony Weiner visited the site last week before leaving on a trip to Iraq to visit U.S. troops. He called on the City Parks Department to outline a plan by mid-January on what steps they’re proposing to address the problem. He also requested that the National Park Service submit suggestions on how best to transport sand in an eco-friendly way and asked the community to offer their suggestions on what they’d like to see happen.    – ELMER HASSAN

     Congressman Anthony Weiner visited troops in Iraq this past weekend. He said the situation on the ground was improving. “The troops are safer, but far from safe.”

The city’s Board of Standards and Appeals on Tuesday gave the green light to Samuel Kahan, a developer, to go forward with a project that will plop a six-story, 25-unit building on the corner of a residential block.

Sheila Nelson, who had been battling cancer for years, died today at New York Community Hospital with the her husband by her side. She had been ill for a while and took a turn for the worse two days ago, when she battled double pneumonia. More later