Congressmember Joseph Crowley (D–Queens/Bronx) stated last week that he wholeheartedly supported Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams’ speech to Irish Republican Army leaders urging them, as Crowley put it, “to come into the fold of the political process.”

“I wholeheartedly support Mr. Adams’ words and believe at this perilous time in the peace process it is time for volunteers of the IRA, who fought with such courage and determination, to enter the next stage of the process with the same zeal they fought for freedom from British rule,” Crowley stated.

Crowley added: “Since 1994, the IRA and Sinn Fein have led the way on the path to peaceful coexistence in Ireland. Now, like Mr. Adams says, it is time for the long battle to end and for Sinn Fein to continue leading the way to push forward the Good Friday agreement and create the environment that this agreement sought to achieve.”

Sears Launches Re-election Bid

City Councilmember Helen Sears (D–Jackson Heights) has announced her bid for re-election to the 25th Council District seat. Some 200 supporters, including many other elected officials, helped launch her campaign at a fundraiser at the La Guardia Airport Marriott.

Democratic County Chairman Thomas Manton and Borough President Helen Marshall urged voters to return Sears for a second four-year term. State Senators George Onorato and John Sabini, Assemblymembers Ivan Lafayette and Brian McLaughlin and Councilmember Melinda Katz also spoke at the event.

Flushing BID Cuts Budget By 20 Percent

The Board of Directors of the Flushing Business Improvement District approved the organization’s 2006 budget of $304,000, 20 percent below last year’s assessment. The annual meeting for the business group is set for May 12. Also its Web site will be unveiled at the end of this month, Executive Director Mabel Law announced.

Councilmember John Liu (D–Flushing) said it’s expected there will be a permanent structure for parking at below market rates, when the municipal parking lot is developed. Efforts have also started for a cooperative effort between the 109th Police Precinct and local business owners. Street and sidewalk reconstruction along 39th Street between Union Street and 138th Streets is due to start shortly.

Summer Youth Jobs Available

Applications are now being accepted for the city Summer Youth Employment Program, state Senator George Onorato (D–Astoria) announced. The lawmaker said the Department of Youth and Community Development and the Housing Authority are collaborating this year in a program to provide eligible youths with summer jobs. Call 311 for information.

Applicants must be New York City residents between 14 and 21 years of age by July 5. Applications must be received by May 16. Participants will be chosen by lottery. Applications are available through Housing Authority community centers, HANAC Youth Services in Astoria, Riis Neighborhood Services in Queensbridge and the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council.

Ackerman Hosts Military Academy Night

Congressmember Gary Ackerman will host two Military Academy Information nights for Queens high school students interested in being chosen to attend one of the U.S. military academies.

The first is scheduled for next Tuesday at Bayside H.S., 208th Street and 32nd Avenue, Bayside at 7:30 p.m.; the second is set for Thursday, April 21 at Flushing H.S., 35-01 Union St., Flushing, also at 7:30 p.m. Contact Ackerman’s office at 718-423-2154 for more information.

Fire Safety Forum In Corona

As a result of recent deadly fires in state Senator John Sabini’s district, the lawmaker held a fire safety forum in Lefrak City in Rego Park last Saturday and will hold another tomorrow at the Corona Senior Center at 108-74 Roosevelt Ave. in Corona.

Sabini (D–Jackson Heights) noted, “In January alone, one man died and six firefighters were injured in Corona while one woman died in East Elmhurst.” He asked the City Chief Fire Marshal to bring fire safety experts into his Western Queens district.

State Forms On The Internet

Assemblymember Mark Weprin (D–Little Neck) announced that a law he supported making all state forms available over the Internet took affect on April 7. It requires every state agency and institution to make forms, applications and information accessible over the Internet when feasible. Traditional hard copy forms are still available at state offices.