News Of The Neighborhoods
COMPILED BY LIZ GOFF

Invitation To Make Noise

City Councilmember James F. Gennaro is inviting Queens residents to sound off on the city's new noise code.

The Fresh Meadows lawmaker, who serves as chair of the council's Environmental Protection Committee, said the new noise code is good but it could be better, and he wants to hear residents' ideas on possible changes to the new noise law.

"You can always make a good thing better," Gennaro said, describing the new legislation which limits the decibel level of street noise throughout the city.

Gennaro is inviting the public to contact his office at 718-217-4969, 185-10 Union Tpke., with their view of the law and how it is being implemented.

Cardozo H.S. Hurdler Eyes 2012 Olympics

Cardozo High School student Dalilah Muhammad is riding a wave to track and field stardom. Muhammad, who will enter her senior year at the Bayside school this fall, was recently named the fastest youth hurdler in the world.

The 17-year-old, who earned the title with her performance in the 400-meter hurdles at a championship in the Czech Republic in July, is hoping to make it to the 2008 Junior Championships in Poland and the 2012 Summer Olympics.

"She has natural ability and she works hard to perfect her talent," said George Taylor, who has coached Muhammad for the past 10 years. He said that Muhammad swore she would never hurdle again after taking a tumble during a competition when she was just 11.

Muhammad said she gained invaluable experience by participating in the Czech Republic competition this summer. She described traveling and competing overseas as a great experience, one she hopes to expand on by participating in the 2012 Olympics.

Queens Subway Samaritan Honored

State Assemblymember Ellen Young honored Hang Yuan Li, 44, with a citation for bravery last week, describing the Chinese immigrant as a true hero for pulling an unconscious woman from the tracks of a Queens subway station on July 31.

Speaking through a translator Li said he was waiting for a No. 7 train at the Flushing- Main Street station at about 8 a.m. when he heard a noise and spotted a woman lying on the tracks. He said that he realized the woman needed help, and he just jumped [onto the tracks] to try and save her.

With the help of two other good Samaritans they lifted the woman from the tracks and pulled her onto the platform, police said. The woman was taken to New York Hospital of Queens, where she is listed in stable condition.

Young said Li, who works as a stonemason in Brooklyn, is no stranger to saving lives. While living in China, Li put his own life in danger to save the lives of two other people, Young said.

Li said that he really isn't a hero, "When you see someone who needs help, you just help them. There really isn't time to think about it."