Residents and business owners in the Dutch Kills community breathed a collective sigh of relief on June 25 when Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that he and the City Council had reached an agreement on a budget plan that would save fire companies throughout the city including Ladder Co. 116 in Dutch Kills.

Local leaders and lawmakers last month rallied outside Ladder 116 on 29th Street sending a message to City Hall to save the ladder company, which has served the Dutch Kills community for more than a century.

“The Dutch Kills Civic Association of Long Island City has been carrying on the fight to save Ladder 116 ever since the city took Engine Co. 261 away from us several years ago,” President Gerald Walsh said.

“We thank City Councilmembers James Van Bramer and Peter F. Vallone Jr. and all of the elected officials for their support of our community in this effort.

“The brave firefighters at Ladder Co. 116 serve our rapidly growing community every day in a variety of ways.

“They are appreciated so very much by the Dutch Kills community and the Dutch Kills Civic Association. We feel safe and secure with the knowledge that you will remain on 29th Street,” Walsh said.—Liz Goff