On the brief side...

City Councilmember Tony Avella (D–Bayside) is scheduled to present the initial results of the College Point rezoning study tomorrow evening at a town hall meeting at the Poppenhusen Institute, 114-04 14th Rd., College Point at 7:30 p.m.

Avella, in announcing that the Department of City Planning had completed the study, said the meeting would be an opportunity for residents to learn the specific recommendations of the proposed zoning change study and offer comments on it before the application to begin the public review process is certified.

Avella stated, “College Point has been devastated by overdevelopment. We must now move ahead expeditiously to discuss these changes and get them enacted to prevent any further deterioration of the quality of life in College Point.”

Vallone Pushes ‘Green Power’

In an effort to reduce pollution from power generating facilities, Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. (D–Astoria) has proposed mandating all New York City agencies to use a certain percentage of “green power” in their operations.

Green power, he said, is electricity derived from wind, sunlight or other renewable energy sources.

Under a bill filed by Vallone, a member of the council Environmental Protection Committee; the agencies would have to use 10 percent green power by 2006 and increase that amount annually until reaching 50 percent usage by 2030. New York State has a similar program and Connecticut aims to have 100 percent green power by 2050, Vallone said.

New York City uses 4 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually, Vallone said, producing a great amount of pollution. Green power would be cheaper and healthier, the lawmaker said.

Meng Backs $1.7 B Budget Restoration

Assemblymember Jimmy Meng (D–Flushing), citing benefits to his district, has co-sponsored a supplemental appropriations bill which restores $1.69 billion cut out of the state budget by Governor George Pataki.

“Unfortunately, many of these items [cut] would directly help the people of Flushing,” Meng noted.

Among the restorations would be $29 million for extended day care afterschool programs, libraries and teacher development programs; $1 million for senior programs; $263.5 million for the city Department of Health, and $65.2 million for housing and community renewal.

Katz Funds Science Lab At JHS 190

City Councilmember Melinda Katz (D–Forest Hills) recently participated with Russell Sage J.H.S. 190 officials in opening a new science lab at the Forest Hills school that was made possible by a $500,000 grant secured by her and Council Speaker Gifford Miller.

The funds were used to completely remodel the school’s original lab, and included a floor-to-ceiling renovation, Katz said. Students will also benefit from new sinks, lab hoods, demonstration tables, desks, stools and various other up-to-date safety items and equipment.

Peralta Gets $50 G To Expand Community Facility

Responding to reports indicating a lack of funding for English literacy centers in Queens, Assemblymember Jose Peralta has secured $50,000 to expand the Dominico–American Society of Queens in Corona.

The funds will help the society to find larger quarters and acquire computers. Over the past 11 years, Peralta said, the society has provided new immigrants and low-income families classes in ESL, history, civics and computer instruction.