The Western Queens community was shocked last week at the news of yet another auto fatality at the same exact spot in Queens Plaza South, where several others have either lost their lives or sustained major injuries during the past two years. The latest victim was an off-duty police officer who careened into a vacant storefront after coming down the […]
Letters to the Editor
Redesign Unsafe Ramp A copy of this letter was received at theQueens Gazette.December 11, 2013Janette Sadik-KhanCommissionerDepartment of Transportation55 Water Street, 9th FloorNew York, NY 10041 Dear Commissioner Sadik-Khan: We write to you regarding yet another fatal accident at Queens Plaza South, an area we represent in the New York state senate, New York City Council, New York state Assembly and […]
Vallone Announces Triborough Bridge Park Improvements
On December 12, Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. announced upcoming improvements to Triborough Bridge Playground-A in Astoria. Vallone was joined by Queens Borough Commissioner of the Parks Department Chief of Staff Joanne Amagrande, Community Board 1 Parks Chair Richard Khuzami and members of neighborhood organizations for the unveiling of plans for the park. The councilmember allocated $275,000 for renovations, which […]
Constantinides Releases His List Of Priorities
District 22 Councilmember-Elect Costa Constantinides is raring to go, with a list of priorities ready for when he is sworn in in January. In a statement Constantinides released he said, “My priorities are many, taking office in January. Our community is an amazing collection of neighborhoods and I will work hard everyday to ensure that our district continues to move […]
Arista Hellenic Charter School Holds Outreach
The Arista Hellenic Charter School of Corona held a public outreach event that included a live concert by Gregory Maninakis and his orchestra and an authentic Greek dinner on November 16. During the event, which was organized by the founding group of the proposed charter school, attendees not only got a taste of Greek culture in the form of music […]
Helping People With Disabilities Open Doors
The United Nations’ International Day of Persons with Disabilities is held annually on December 3 to focus on issues that affect people with disabilities worldwide. This year marked the 21st observance which provided an opportunity to re-commit to helping persons with disabilities break down barriers. In the United States, Social Security often is the primary source of income for people […]
Legislation Prohibiting East River Tolls Announced
State Senator Tony Avella was joined on December 13 by Assemblymember David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows), the Queens Civic Congress, and the Queens Chamber of Commerce at a press conference announcing legislation Avella will be introducing in the state senate that would prohibit the installation of tolls on any bridges controlled and operated by the City of New York, which include […]
NYPD Cop Latest Victim Of Queensboro Bridge Exit
Investigators at the NYPD Accident Investigation Unit this week combed through the remains of a horrific crash that killed an off-duty NYPD officer early Tuesday morning. Officer Elise Toro, 36, was the latest victim in a string of accidents at an off-ramp on the lower level of the Ed Koch-Queensboro Bridge – a site many describe as a death trap. […]
STAR Deadline Is Approaching
The December 31 deadline is fast approaching for home, condo and co-op owners to apply for New York STAR (School Tax Assessment Relief). To date, about half of the households in Queens (52 percent) have registered for the exemption, worth an average of $300. Approximately $75 million total in property tax relief for 250,000 city households is at risk if […]
Elmhurst Hospital Center Provides Thanksgiving Dinners
Each Thanksgiving many Elmhurst Hospital Center (EHC) patients and their families get to enjoy a complete turkey dinner thanks to the hospital’s annual Turkey Drive, which is co-sponsored by the EHC Departments of Social Work and Engineering and Maintenance. This year was no exception. Hospital social workers identified 92 families who met the requirements for assistance. On November 26, the […]