On the brief side...
Seek Checks On Water Rate Hikes

City Councilmembers David Weprin and James Gennaro say they have a plan to eliminate much of a proposed water rate increase for this year and also to "substantially minimize" any future rate increases.

The Water Board has proposed an 11.5 percent increase in water rates, the largest such increase in 15 years, the lawmakers said. The board is scheduled to vote on the increase Monday.

Weprin (D- Hollis) and Gennaro (D- Fresh Meadows) argue that the increase is unwarranted because the city is enjoying a $4.5 billion surplus. Also, rates were raised 21 percent over the past two years. An increase would wipe out recent property tax cuts as well, Weprin, chairman of the Finance Committee, said.

The two lawmakers said the proposed increases would place a hardship on homeowners, seniors living on fixed incomes, cooperatives and small businesses and are particularly onerous on top of last year's 9.45 percent increase.

Weprin and Gennaro said their plan, by preventing another increase in water rates, would ease the tax burden on the middle class.

Thompson Blasts MTA For Safety Failures

Citing a report that indicated emergency alarm boxes failed during a recent accident that caused the death of a subway worker, city Comptroller William Thompson Jr. repeated his call for more funds and greater action from the MTA to bring New York City transit to a state of good repair.

"Because of unequal funding and serious delays in repair, in some cases the MTA projects that these features will not be up-to-date for 20 years. This is simply unexcusable," Thompson said.

Thompson said a report from his office on February 1 found that "critical safety features such as these alarm boxes, as well as track lighting and fan plants are outmoded and must be replaced".

The comptroller charged that the MTA had reduced NYCT funding for normal maintenance projects by $600 million in its capital plans in capital budgets from 2000 to 2009.

Nolan Wants Tougher Anti-Graffiti Law

Hoping to slow the pace of graffiti incidents in her Ridgewood district and other areas of Community Board 5, Assemblymember Catherine Nolan has reintroduced a bill which would mandate sentences of at least 500 hours of community service for anyone convicted of making graffiti.

Declaring, "Graffiti makes a mess of our beautiful neighborhoods," Nolan (D- Ridgewood) added: "If passed, this bill sends a clear message that we are serious about punishment. As it is now, perpetrators are given a few- 50 or less hours- of community service. We need an effective sentence that makes people think twice about committing this destructive crime."

According to Peggy O'Kane of the Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation, graffiti was removed from 387 area sites during the past year, and 75 percent were in Ridgewood. She said 100 more sites must be cleaned. Other neighborhoods besides Ridgewood in Board 5 are Glendale, Maspeth and Middle Village.

Spitzer Signs New Child Protection Law

In hopes of preventing future tragedies, Governor Eliot Spitzer has signed into law a bill providing parents and guardians better access to records and reports of abuse incidents and allegations involving children in residential mental hygiene facilities.

The new statute is called "Jonathon's Law" in memory of Jonathon Carey, 13, an autistic boy who died while confined to a state-run residential facility. His family advocated for the law after being refused full access to records and information related to his care and treatment.

In signing the bill, the governor stated: "This bill allows [parents] to better monitor the care their children receive."

Our Green Queens Essay Contest

Students from three Queens high schools will be challenged to answer the question: "What do you think is the one best action that people in our community can take to protect our environment?" in the Our Green Queens essay contest sponsored by City Councilmember James Gennaro (D- Fresh Meadows).

Townsend Harris H.S., Hillcrest H.S. and Robert F. Kennedy H.S. will participate. Gennaro will select the best essay from each. The winning authors will each receive a $100 cash prize donated by Cherry Castellvi of ReMax Real Estate.

"Nothing is more important to the future of Queens than helping to instill in our younger generation the importance of being conscious and concerned stewards of our environment," Gennaro, chairman of the council Environmental Protection Committee, said. "Making this essay contest an annual event helps to engage our young people in the future of their community."