On March 23, the Rotary Club of Flushing donated $1,000 to the PTA of P.S. 162 in Oakland Gardens to help support healthy eating and activities for students at the school. (L. to r.); P.S. 162 PTA Co-Presidents Ria Pallas and Linda Lovett, Rotary Member Margaret Vitale, P.S. 162 Principal Dena Polou, Rotary Vice President Veronica Tsang, P.S. 162 Assistant […]
Italian American Museum Remembers Ferraro
The Italian American Museum, 155 Mulberry St., Manhattan, joins millions of Americans of all backgrounds in mourning the loss of Geraldine Ferraro. An attorney, a Democratic Party politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives, Ferraro became the first female vice presidential candidate to represent a major American political party in 1984. Congresswoman Ferraro will always be […]
A Year And Counting
One year ago today, we were headed to the polls in what ended up being a historic election. Being elected to serve in the New York state senate has been one of the greatest opportunities of my life. Immediately after being sworn in, my office got right to work. At this one year mark, I wanted to take a moment and […]
Eight Point Housing Plan
Public Advocate Bill de Blasio launched an eight point housing plan to repair the most broken down apartment buildings in New York City. As part of the initiative, announced on April 4, the public advocate’s NYC’s Worst Landlords Watch List has been expanded to include borough-specific pages that list and filter the city Housing Preservation and Development Department (HPD) housing […]
Rally Held To Save Bryant H.S.
Hundreds of concerned students, parents, educators and civic leaders came to rally in support of Bryant H.S. in Astoria. Early this year, Bryant was placed on the Persistently Lowest Achieving (PLA) list because it did not achieve a 60 percent graduation rate (the school’s rate is 59.6 percent), requiring action and restructuring from the city Department of Education and Albany. […]
Budget In By Deadline Raises Hopes For Future
In 2005, George Pataki was the New York state chief executive. Pope John Paul II died and was succeeded by John, Cardinal Ratzinger as Benedict XVI, the 265th Pope. Three terrorist attacks on the London Underground (subway system) and one on a bus, also in the British capital city, killed 52 people and injured more than 700. Hurricane Katrina ravaged […]
Letters to the Editor
Serving The Community To the Editor: The Central Astoria Local Development Coalition, on behalf of the thousands of residents of Astoria, Long Island City and Sunnyside, expresses its gratitude to our state elected officials state Senator Mike Gianaris, state Assemblymembers Margaret Markey, Cathy Nolan and Aravella Simotas for their efforts in ensuring that the Neighborhood Preservation Program remains a community-based […]
Protecting Public School Children
Our public school system in New York City has been under attack in full view of everyone these last several weeks. The driving forces behind this effort have been led by the media, our Schools Chancellor and our Mayor, and I have to stand up now and speak out against what they are doing and saying. Attacking our public school […]
Mayersohn Retires; Her Laws Confronting HIV Highlighted Career
Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn, whose Baby AIDS law, passed in 1996, saving the lives of thousands of women and children, has announced she is retiring from the Assembly where she has represented the Flushing community for 28 years. The Baby AIDS law stirred up much controversy because it requires doctors to tell mothers of HIV infected newborns of the child’s condition. […]