On the brief side... Maloney Gets Back The $125 M

Congressmember Carolyn Maloney, who has campaigned to restore $125 million for Ground Zero workers which President George W. Bush wanted to eliminate from the budget, reported success last week as the House voted to include the funds in the 2006 budget.

“The New York delegation rescued critical aid for the heroes of 9/11,” Maloney declared, crediting the support given by her colleagues in the city’s congressional delegation, including Republican Vito Fossella, from Staten Island.

Maloney also thanked United States Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton for their tireless efforts.

Maloney also pointed out that for the first time, the bill authorizes federal funds to actually treat 9/11 responders, not just monitor their health. “In the first four years since 9/11 not one dime of federal money has gone to treating workers injured at Ground Zero,” she said. “This change may be the lone benefit of a fight that shouldn’t have happened in the first place.”

Of the $125 million, $50 million will be used to reimburse workers’ compensation claims, Maloney said, and $75 million will go to the federal Centers for Disease Control to screen, examine, monitor and, for the first time, treat sick and injured 9/11 responders.

The $125 million was part of the $20 billion in federal aid that went to New York City after the 9/11 attacks. Bush wanted to rescind the $125 million because it had not been spent.

Most $ For Charity Go To Telemarketers

According to a report by New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer on fundraising by non-profit organizations, only $63.5 million, or 37 percent of funds raised, went to the charitable organizations. The remaining $107.1 million was paid in fees and other campaign related costs to the telemarketing firms which raised the $170.6 million.

The report covered the activities of 440 charities. Spitzer said the purpose of his report is to shine a light on professional fundraising and telemarketing campaigns.

He added, “I believe my office’s efforts to educate the public are having a positive effect. Over the past several years, we are seeing a larger percentage of charitable donations raised going to support charitable programs.”

Spitzer urged donors to give directly to a charitable organization, rather than through a professional marketing campaign and to review the annual financial report of a charity before making a contribution.

Council OKs Whitestone Rezoning

The 311-block Whitestone rezoning plan, the fourth in a series of major zone changes in Northeast Queens, sponsored by Councilmember Tony Avella (D–Bayside), has been approved by the City Council and is now in effect.

“This is a crucial piece in solving the problematic puzzle of rampant overdevelopment and improper construction,” Avella declared after the zone change passed.

The lawmaker said the new zoning includes several downzoning measures to prevent multiple homes from being built in place of a single-family home.

He added that the rezoning also includes the new R2A designation, designed to put an end to the proliferation of “McMansions,” large homes that tower over adjacent homes and are out of character with the community.

Gerry De Paola, president of the Robinwood Property Owners Association, added, “This downzoning is critical to preserving the unique character of our neighborhood for future generations.”

Avella said, “With the approval of the Whitestone rezoning proposal, over 800 blocks in my district have been rezoned to more accurately reflect the character of the neighborhood and preserve the quality of life. By the end of next year, I hope that the entire 19th [Council] District will have been reviewed and rezoned where appropriate.”

City’s Noise Code Gets Tougher

Many police officers will be equipped for the first time with noise meters to better and more accurately enforce tougher noise controls enacted by the City Council last week.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg indicated he will sign the tougher code into law, noting his administration sponsored the changes, which are the first comprehensive revision of the noise code in 30 years.

The new code will specifically decrease noise from construction sites, motorcycles, “boomer cars”, air conditioners and nightclubs by strengthening standards and implementing commonsense solutions, the mayor said.

“Today’s legislation protects New York’s legacy as The ‘city that never sleeps’ while making sure that hard working New Yorkers can get some peace and quiet,” Bloomberg added.

The legislation had been muffled for about a year, partially because of opposition from Mister Softee executives, but new restrictions were imposed on the ice cream purveyors in the new revisions anyway.

Dems Hold Cocktail Party

Queens Democratic Party County Chairman Thomas Manton has announced that the organization’s annual Winter Cocktail Party will be held on Thursday, February 9, at 6 p.m. at Antun’s of Queens Village, 96-43 Springfield Blvd. in Queens Village.

Tickets are $250 apiece for the event, which will be co-chaired by Evan Stavisky and District Leader Uma Sengupta.