On the brief side...
Seek Benefits For 9/11 Paramedics

Congressmembers Carolyn Maloney (D–Queens/Manhattan), Anthony Weiner

D–Queens/Brooklyn) and Vito Fossella (R–C-Staten Island) have urged the U.S. Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales to honor five 9/11 paramedics with benefits under the Public Safety officers Benefits Program.

The officers are Marvin Bethea, James Dobson, Michael Robert and Bonnie Giebfried, all of whom are now disabled due to injuries sustained when they responded to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, and David Sullins, who died as a result of responding to the terrorist attacks.

“These heroes were there for us when we needed them, and we should be there for them now in their time of need,” Maloney said. “They are more than qualified to receive these benefits, and I hope the attorney general will review their cases and make the right decision.” Comptroller Sees Higher Surplus

In an economic report issued last week, Comptroller William Thompson Jr. projected a budget surplus for the year ending June 30, 2007 of more than $2 billion. Last November, the Bloomberg administration estimated a $1.9 billion surplus.

Thompson attributed the higher figure to record profits on Wall Street and a strong real estate market. Wall Street profits during the first half of 2006 reached $9.3 billion, more than double last year’s figures. Quinn Discusses Budget Priorities

On the fifth stop of her five borough “Community Conversations” tour, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn told Flushing residents, “These conversations give New Yorkers the opportunity to work together with the city council to give greater input into the budget process.”

Meeting at the Rosenthal Senior Center, other councilmembers present were John Liu (D–Flushing) and David Weprin (D–Hollis), chair of the council Finance Committee. Sears Applauds Mayor

City Councilmember Helen Sears (D–Jackson Heights), citing the many new quality of life issues that have arisen in her council district, applauded Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s decision to create the Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) to tackle such issues in Queens.

Sears’ district, including Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Rego Park, “has seen an explosion of issues adversely affecting [my] constituents,” Sears said. These include unlicensed cabarets, illegal street vendors and the creation of illegal apartments. Senior Center Gets Computer Lab

A new computer lab was dedicated at the Selfhelp Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center in Flushing last week by City Councilmember John Liu, who secured the funds for the new equipment.

Liu said, “This is a great way for seniors to be connected. They allo want an e-mail address to communicate with their grandchildren. Now during the holiday season they can.”

Boardmember Sandra Priest Rose joined Liu at the ceremony at the center, 45-35 Kissena Blvd., Flushing. Vallone, Students Unveil New Cleanup Plan

A new litter cleanup plan inspired by local school students and supported by Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. and the city Department of Sanitation was unveiled last week in Astoria.

Students at I.S. 126 in an eighth grade government class created the plan to eliminate a litter problem in the area covering 21st Street, Vernon Boulevard, Broadway and 31st Avenue. In their proposal they called for more wastebaskets, which they backed up with a video tape and 256 signatures on a petition.

Impressed with the plan, Vallone (D–Astoria) contacted Sanitation officials, who agreed to install wastebaskets on 21st Street near I.S. 126 and near Long Island City H.S.

Vallone, joined by students and teachers from I.S. 126 and Sanitation officials, unveiled the plan last Friday at 31st Road and 21st Street near I.S. 126. Gianaris Addresses Wrongful Convictions

Citing recent cases of exonerations through DNA evidence, Assemblymember Michael Gianaris and defendant advocates joined in calling for passage of Gianaris’ bill to create an Innocence Commission.

Gianaris’ legislation would set up a 10-member body of law enforcement and prosecution officials, judges, crime victims, defense attorneys and academicians to examine cases of exoneration after the fact and try to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

“One innocent person spending years in prison for crimes he did not commit is one too many,” Gianaris stated. “We need a systemic approach to keep this from happening again.”

Noting that New York state has been in the forefront of DNA testing, Gianaris urged creation of the Innocence Commission “to identify the major causes of wrongful convictions and implement reforms to reduce the risk of future miscarriages of justice.”—John Toscano