Letters

A copy of the following letter was received by the Gazette.

Joseph Cannisi,

Queens Borough Commissioner

Department Of Transportation

30-30 Thomson Avenue

Long Island City, NY 11101

Dear Commissioner Cannisi:

Reference is made to the tragic accident that occurred (Feb. 1st) on Queens Boulevard and 80th Road in Kew Gardens. An elderly man was struck and killed by a Green (Lines) Bus while crossing Queens Boulevard. From what I have learned, both pedestrian and driver had a green light.

This intersection was the subject of several surveys, studies and reconfigurations in the past. Changes were made, some striping added but nothing helps. I cross at this site often and try to determine what to do to alleviate the problem. One suggestion I have is to install a right-turn signal with a delayed walk sign on Queens Boulevard and 80th Road. This gives traffic a chance to turn prior to pedestrians crossing. The other suggestion is to install a traffic signal at the intersection of 80th Road and Kew Gardens Road. Currently there is two-way traffic from Queens Boulevard and Union Turnpike, a stop sign, vehicles turning left and right on 80th Road together with the terminus of the Green Bus Line. It is a miracle that others were not killed at this spot.

In conjunction with this I am requesting a survey toward converting 82nd Avenue between Queens Boulevard and Kew Gardens Road into one-way southbound. As part of a new route the Q10 Bus turns right from Queens Boulevard onto 82nd Avenue to Kew Gardens Road. This avenue is narrow, has parking on both sides causing the Q10 much difficulty when making its turn. I am in receipt of complaints from residents of the street asking for relief. In lieu of choosing another street, these changes may ameliorate their concerns.

Kindly give these matters your immediate attention. I am available to discuss my recommendations with you at any time. Kindly contact me at the above telephone number to further explore solutions. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Mary Ann Carey

District Manager

Community Board 9

Maltese Cuts Energy Costs

To The Editor:

The intense cold of this winter, coupled with rising energy costs nationwide, have combined to create a hardship for many New Yorkers. No doubt many of you are feeling the effects of higher energy bills and I would like to let you know what I am working on as your state Senator to help ease the situation.

I have joined with Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno in advocating a plan to slash energy taxes by nearly half a billion dollars, lowering energy costs and promoting the legitimate state interest of becoming more energy self-sufficient to benefit consumers.

Our plan is designed to provide relief to consumers from rising fuel bills and provide energy conservation incentives, including a first-ever exemption from state and local sales taxes on energy-saving products like new furnaces, boilers, insulation and windows and encouraging the use of alternative-energy systems that use the sun or new technology like fuel cells to reduce heating bills over the long term.

Additionally, the plan would lower energy prices to make heating more affordable by eliminating the energy Gross Receipts Tax for homeowners, and the plan would provide $100 million in new tax credits to help low-income New Yorkers pay for heat this winter.

To address the state’s critical need for additional energy supply brought on by increasing consumer and business energy demand, our Senate Majority plans to unveil new initiatives that would offer additional incentives to increase energy supply.

A large portion of our nation’s energy is wasted. In fact, experts estimate that the amount of energy lost nationwide each year just through poorly insulated windows and doors is almost equal to the amount of energy we get through the Alaskan pipeline. By taking a few inexpensive, energy-efficient measures, you can reduce your energy bills by 10 to 50 percent. I have available a brochure that outlines just a few of these steps.

Our plan would provide a total of $485 million in energy savings for New York consumers. It is both a sensible response to a crisis facing every New Yorker and a sound investment in our state’s energy future.

As always, if I may be of assistance in any matter, please do not hesitate to contact my office. If you would like more information on this plan, visit my web site at http://www.senatorserfmaltese.com.

Sincerely,

Serphin R. Maltese

Glendale