Women’s Breakfast, Fundraiser For Vallone Set For June 13; Zapiti Show Features Harrison

City Council Speaker Peter Vallone (D– Astoria), in an effort to build up the women’s vote for his campaign for mayor next year and also help fill his war chest, will hold a Women’s Breakfast on Tuesday, June 13th at the Sheraton New York Hotel in Manhattan.

Veteran actress Ruby Dee will introduce Vallone to what is expected to be a large audience of prominent women. The breakfast will be held from 8 to 9 a.m.

Heading the Women for Vallone is Susan Rudin, of the powerful Manhattan real estate family. The candidate’s wife, Tena, occupies the second slot. Among Vallone’s female supporters are actress Mary Tyler Moore, philanthropist Elinor Guggenheimer and Phyllis Serif Wagner.

ZAPITI SHOW: Mike Zapiti, the Astoria auto school operator and real estate man, will have Councilmember Julia Harrison (D–Flushing) as a guest on "The Mike Zapiti show," carried by the Hellenic Voice on Channel 56 on Saturday, June 10th, from 8 to 9 p.m. Zapiti is an announced candidate in next year’s elections for the 22d district council seat held by Vallone.

ONORATO WARNING ON WATER METERS: June 30th is the deadline by which water meters must be installed in all New York City buildings, state Senator George Onorato (D–Astoria) reminded his constituents last week.

Failure to install a water meter by the deadline will carry a "substantial penalty," Onorato said. A non-complier will have to pay a 100 percent surcharge on the building’s frontage bill for 2000–2001. This means, Onorato explained, he or she will have to pay double the amount for water that the city estimates the building uses for a full year, Onorato said. The surcharge will remain in effect as long as the building doesn’t have a meter.

To have a meter installed, call the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to request a contractor, who will be paid directly by the city. The building owner can also hire a licensed plumber to install the meter. The owner will pay for the installation and can then seek reimbursement from the city.

For information, call DEP at (718) 595-7000, or visit its website at www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/dep/home, html.

MCLAUGHLIN INTERCEDES: As a result of Assemblymember Brian McLaughlin’s intercession with Consolidated Edison and Bell Atlantic, a dangerous situation was removed at The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg House senior residence in Flushing and the phone service was improved.

For over a year, the Selfhelp-sponsored apartment building for the elderly had suffered with frequent water leaks in the telephone and electrical conduits that could create dangerous situations.

"We contacted Assemblymember McLaughlin’s office and got immediate attention," Grace Nierenberg, director of housing and the senior center, said. "The work was successful and we are grateful to Assemblymember McLaughlin for helping to improve the quality of life for the residents."

MARKEY HOSTS STUDENTS: Classes from both Holy Cross School in Maspeth and St. Mary’s Winfield in Woodside recently spent a day in the state capitol in Albany as guests of Assemblymember Margaret Markey (D-Maspeth and were also participants in the Learning About State government program. The program is designed to encourage students to learn about the state legislative process and the history of the state capitol. During their stay, the students attended an Assembly session and later visited the state museum.

NEW CROSSWALK: The city Department of Transportation will install a crosswalk across Parsons Boulevard in the vicinity of the T Building of the Queens Hospital Center in Jamaica, Councilmember Sheldon Leffler (D–Queens Village) announced. Leffler pointed out to DOT Queens Commissioner William Baier that "hospital personnel are constantly going back and forth across Parsons Boulevard." Residents and hospital officials were also concerned about the heavy pedestrian traffic at the hospital, especially at the T Building.

CITATION FOR BRAVERY: At a ceremony at P.S. 144 in Forest Hills last Friday morning, Assemblymember Michael Cohen (D–Forest Hills) presented the New York Assembly Citation of Honor and Bravery to Justin Andrew Padilla, a second-grade student, whose quick thinking saved his family from a devastating house fire. The presentation, attended by many of Justin’s fellow students and his family, took place at a Memorial Day Flag Ceremony. Ruth Cohen, the principal at P.S. 144, presided.

KOSLOWITZ ADDRESSES QJCC: Councilmember Karen Koslowitz (D–Forest Hills) journeyed north recently to address the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council and praise its efforts . Koslowitz spoke on various issues affecting Queens, such as education, senior programs and zoning. Regarding the council’s activities, Koslowitz said the group "has been instrumental in developing community relations by helping those they serve."

DEDICATE NEW K COMPUTER FACILITIES: As a result of Councilmember John Sabini’s successful effort in securing the necessary funds, new kindergarten computer facilities were installed at the Louis P. Simeone School, P.S. 7, in Elmhurst. At a ceremony dedicating the new computers, held last Thursday, Sabini was joined by students, school officials, representatives from the School Construction Authority and other elected officials.

NEW TRY AT GAS TAX: A bill to establish a "sliding scale" auto gasoline tax has been introduced by state Senator Serphin Maltese (R–C, Elmhurst) and Assemblymember Mark Weprin (D–Bayside) in their respective houses.

Councilmember Noach Dear (D–Brooklyn) triggered the legislative action when he introduced a home rule message requesting the legislation. "The basic principle is to protect New York City drivers from increased taxes as prices rise while preserving city and state revenue in the process," Dear explained.

Dear, who is rumored to be preparing to challenge Congressmember Anthony Weiner (D–Brooklyn/Queens) in the September primary, stated:

"With Memorial Day Weekend upon us and the heavily traveled months of summer not far behind, we have the opportunity to set aside politics and do what is right for New Yorkers. Now is the time to scale back the unreasonable sales tax on gasoline so consumers can keep their hard-earned dollars and enjoy the summer."

NEW OFFICE HOURS: Starting this Friday, Weprin announced last week, his district office hours will be extended. Staff will be available to meet with constituents on an appointment basis on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Weprin’s office is located at 61-08 224th St., Bayside, (718) 428-7900.

Koslowitz Lauds Kraut, Head of Jewish Studies at QC City Councilmember Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills/Rego Park) recently lauded the work being done by Professor Benny Kraut as director of the Center for Jewish Studies at Queens College.

Koslowitz said that during his two years as director, Kraut "has had a tremendous impact on the program by expanding its outreach into the surrounding communities of Queens."

The center is the "pre-eminent intellectual and cultural resource center for students, faculty and the general public," Koslowitz said. She explained that the facility serves over 1,100 students. Its extracurricular activities include public lectures, international conferences, publications, cultural series and artistic performances. More than 7,000 people attend these events.