On the brief side...

Dedicate Elmhurst Park Tennis Courts

As part of Corona/East Elmhurst Family Day last Saturday, Borough President Helen Marshall, Assemblymember Jeffrion Aubry and Monserrate dedicated the tennis courts at P.S. 127 at 25th Avenue and 98th Street, Elmhurst Park in honor of the late Gregg Carrington, who was a New York Junior Tennis League coach and a New York City educator.

Marshall, an East Elmhurst homeowner, Aubry (D–East Elmhurst) and Monserrate hailed Carrington as "one of the community’s great educators, a dedicated parent, community activist and tennis coach who improved the lives of thousands of Queens children."

Sears Fights P.A. For Safer Buildings

Councilmember Helen Sears and the Skyscraper Safety Campaign (SCC), made up of September 11 victims’ families, called last week for an end to the Port Authority’s exemption from New York city building and fire codes, saying the agency must follow these codes for any building construction at the World Trade Center.

Sears (D–Jackson Heights) and the SCC strongly proclaimed at the World Trade Center site that they supported the surrounding communities, the families of September 11 victims and five Fire and Police Departments as well as workers in future World Trade Center in calling for adherence to city codes in all future construction. She said the Port Authority should be held to the same standards as any other building in the city.

Peralta, Monserrate Sponsor Homeownership Fair

Lending their support to the Homeownership Fair organized by Neighborhood Housing Services last Saturday at P.S. 19, 98th Street and Roosevelt Avenue in Corona, Assemblymember Jose Peralta and Monserrate, both Corona Democrats, said it would benefit the Queens community by providing resources and information for people who are getting ready to purchase a home and go through the home buying process.

Peralta said several banks, attorneys, realtors and insurance agents were on hand to talk with prospective new home buyers. In addition, presentations were made on information about grants, down payments, closing costs and affordable homes.

NHS, they said, provided information on health, safety and immigration issues.

Peralta also announced he is providing constituents with free legal counseling starting today and every Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. A lawyer will be present in Peralta’s office at 82-11 37th Ave., Suite 705, in Jackson Heights. For more information, call 718-458-5367.

Police Booth Opens In Flushing

Councilmember John Liu recently participated with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and Queens police officials in opening an auxiliary police booth at Kissena Boulevard and Main Street in Downtown Flushing.

Liu said the new facility was "a creative way to help keep the community safe…and serve as the eyes and ears for police."

Fred Fu, president of the Flushing Chinese Business Association, who approached Liu with the idea for the booth after a rise in crime in the area, said, "This police booth will provide a constant police presence and help to prevent crime and it makes it easier to contact the police when you need help."

The booth will be staffed by Auxiliary Police Officers.

Water Rate Bill Passes Assembly

Assemblymember Mark Weprin’s bill requiring the New York City Water Board to wait at least 30 days after the city budget is passed before it sets the annual rate for metered water and sewage usage has passed the Assembly he reported.

Weprin (D–Bayside) said under his plan the budget process will allow for any surplus in savings to be applied to reduce rates or to fund additional water and sewer system needs.

Presently, the Water Board bases its rates on forecasts made in April and votes on them in May, before the budget is adopted.

Katz Honored By Queens Symphony Orchestra

Councilmember Melinda Katz (D–Forest Hills), who is actively involved with the Queens Symphony Orchestra, was honored by the organization as a distinguished honoree at its fiftieth anniversary gala on June 3 at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point on Long Island. The lawmaker’s father, David Katz, founded the orchestra in 1953.