Queens Gazette

I On Politics


 

MALONEY BILLS TO HOLD GUN MFRS ACCOUNTABLE: On August 19, Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) introduced two major pieces of legislation to combat gun violence amid a nationwide gun violence epidemic. Both pieces of legislation stemmed from her Committee on Oversight and Reform’s investigation into gun manufacturers.

The Firearm Industry Fairness Act would tax firearm manufacturers that produce semiautomatic weapons and high-capacity magazines at a rate of 20% on all revenue—not just the revenue from the sales of those specific products.

The bill would use the tax revenue derived from these manufacturers to fund Community Violence Intervention programs to reduce gun violence and help victims. Federal tax rates on firearms have not been updated in over 50 years—before assault weapons were available for civilian purchase. Currently, AR-15s are taxed at the same rate as an ordinary hunting rifle, even though they are far more dangerous and are the weapon of choice for mass shooters.

The Firearm Industry Crime and Trafficking Accountability Act ensures that firearm manufacturers are held accountable for the widespread criminal misuse of their products.

This bill would require that each firearm manufacturer create a monitoring system to track the crimes committed with guns it has sold. It would also mandate that a manufacturer stop distributing weapons to a dealer when the company has reason to believe that the guns sold by that dealer are being trafficked or being used for unlawful purposes. Lastly, the bill empowers the ATF to impose meaningful financial penalties on firearms manufacturers that continue to ignore gun crime and supply bad-actor dealers.

“Last year, firearms cut short the lives of over 48,000 Americans,” said Rep. Maloney.

“Gun violence is now the leading cause of death for children in our country. It’s clear that unless Congress acts, gun manufacturer CEOs will continue to put profits over people, which is why it is critical that we pass these two pieces of legislation. My message is clear—if you continue to sell dangerous weapons of war to civilians, your cost of doing business will go up. There is no reason that an assault weapon used in mass shootings should be taxed at the same rate as a family hunting rifle or a gun manufacturer should be allowed to ignore the crimes committed with their products. Gun manufacturers must bear the cost of gun violence in this country, and as Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, that is exactly what I am doing,” Maloney concluded.

HISTORIC $150M EXPANSION OF TUITION ASSISTANCE: Governor Kathy Hochul announced on August 18 the launch of the historic $150 million expansion of New York Stateʼs popular Tuition Assistance Program, which will now provide TAP to approximately 75,000 additional students who are pursuing their degree part-time. Expanding Part-Time TAP to fully part-time learners creates pathways to an affordable education for individuals of all ages who are often balancing other responsibilities such as a family and work. Full-time TAP awards can be up to $5,665 annually for a full-time student; part-time TAP will be available on a pro-rated basis to eligible students taking six to 11 credits per semester with no full-time prerequisite. “As Governor, I want to do more than just care for this state today – I want to prepare New York for tomorrow,” Governor Hochul said. “Higher education students not only hold the key for our state, but for their families. A degree changes more than just the life of its holder, it changes the lives of those all around them. Every person who calls New York home should have the opportunity to better themselves and invest in their education. My administration is committed to supporting our students in every way possible and I thank my partners in service for making this a reality.”

“This unprecedented expansion of TAP to part-time students will have a transformative impact on the lives of thousands of New Yorkers, providing a pathway to upward social mobility and a betterpaying jobs, while simultaneously fueling New Yorkʼs post-pandemic recovery,” Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez said. “We thank Governor Hochul for her leadership and legislators for making it possible for tens of thousands of our part-time students, including parents, to pursue their educational dreams.”

Students enrolling in the Fall 2022 semester may apply for part-time TAP by filling out the federal FAFSA application. Once submitted, New York State residents attending NYS campuses can link directly to the TAP application. For students who have already enrolled and submitted their FAFSA for the 2022-2023 academic year, TAP awards will automatically be adjusted based on the number of enrolled credits.

Eligibility for part-time TAP is consistent with full-time TAP awards, which includes residency and income requirements. TAP awards do not need to be repaid by any recipient. New York State TAP is one of the nationʼs largest need-based college financial aid grant programs. Overall, more than 6 million New Yorkers were awarded nearly $30 billion in tuition assistance awards through TAP. During the 2020-2021 academic year, 250,000 New Yorkers were awarded more than $700 million in tuition assistance awards. As a result of state and federal financial support, more than 190,000 New York residents attend CUNY or SUNY tuition-free.

About 2 million New Yorkers between the ages of 25 to 44 have no degree, and 2.5 million between the ages of 45 to 64 are without one. Expanding Part-Time TAP is part of a broader push to invest in public higher education and improve access and affordability for every student, including $106 million to hire new faculty at CUNY and SUNY, $100 million to increase enrollment, reestablishing TAP for incarcerated individuals, banning the practice of transcript withholding, and making significant investments into state-of-the-art capital facilities.

New York also adopted the Senator José Peralta DREAM Act In 2019, which provides undocumented New Yorkers and other students access to TAP and other New York State-administered grants and scholarships that support their higher education costs.

State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said, “The passage of part-time TAP in the 2022-2023 budget will enable additional students to attend college. Many colleges are experiencing serious declines in enrollment and these part-time awards will empower older, working, and non-traditional students to continue their education.”

For more information on how to apply to CUNY, go to www.cuny.edu/admissions/apply-tocuny/# apply.

NEW DISTRICTS ‘VIOLATE CHARTER CRITERIA’: On Tuesday, August 16th, Council Member Julie Won gave testimony at the Redistricting Hearing for Queens at the Museum of the Moving Image in response to the preliminary Council District 26 map released by the NYC Districting Commission.

According to the Council Member, the proposed map would break up immigrant communities and Black communities into four different City Council districts, severely limiting their political power. The map also violates four of the City Charter’s criteria of keeping neighborhoods intact, keeping districts compact, limiting crossover districts, and avoiding oddly-shaped districts.

“Our criticism of their proposed maps is a reflection of what we have heard from the community since the first iteration of maps were released,” Council Member Won said. “We’ve heard from our residents in Queens, as well as residents in Manhattan and Roosevelt Island. We’ve tried our best to follow the Unity Map and have adapted it with changes to make sure that we are meeting every single community members’ needs, because we are an incredibly engaged community that is really like a family.”

Under the proposed map, the new lines would split Woodside and cut out parts of Long Island City Dutch Kills, while also adding Roosevelt Island and parts of the Upper East Side of Manhattan into District 26. The population change of the new district violates two of the City Charter’s criteria and decreases populations protected under the VRA. District 26’s white population increases from 29% to 44%, the Hispanic population decreases from 29% to 22%, the Asian American population decreases from 31% to 25%, and the Black population decreases from 6% to 4%.

In addition to members of the Districting Commission, over 100 concerned District 26 residents registered for the hearing, with many of them sharing their own testimonies for why the preliminary map is unacceptable.

“When you fracture our communities into four different council districts, then you are eliminating their ability to advocate and effectuate public policy for public interest,” Council Member Julie Won said. “By fracturing representation, it will negatively impact where they reside, where they live, where they work, where they worship, and where they gather. We do not want the immigrant community or the Black community being divided into multiple council districts, which you predominately see in Woodside.”

ADAMS REMOVES OUTDOOR DINING SHEDS: New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced on August 18 a new, multiagency enforcement initiative focused on spotlighting open and active outdoor dining sheds in the city’s Open Restaurants program and removing abandoned sheds that were formerly part of restaurants that have now shut down. Mayor Adams marked the new initiative after dining outdoors at a restaurant in Manhattan last night.

As part of this initiative, Mayor Adams today announced the completion of an initial blitz in which the city removed 24 identified sheds outside now closed restaurants in the matter of a few days. As none of the sheds are currently attached to functioning restaurants, these abandoned sheds have, in many cases, fallen into disrepair and created conditions that facilitate illicit and illegal behavior — affecting quality of life in neighborhoods across the city. These deserted sheds — representing a small minority of the nearly 13,000 Open Restaurants participants — have distracted from an otherwise popular, successful program, and their removal represents an important step towards a permanent program that all New Yorkers can be proud of, with clear design guidelines and stronger enforcement.

“Outdoor dining has transformed New York City and saved 100,000 jobs during the pandemic, but we cannot allow abandoned dining sheds to litter our streets,” said Mayor Adams. “These deserted dining sheds have become eyesores for neighbors and havens for rats, and we are going to tear them down. And, with this initiative, we are also taking the essential step towards a permanent Open Restaurants program that all New Yorkers can be proud of every day. I want to say it loud and clear: Outdoor dining is here to stay.”

The new enforcement initiative is being spearheaded by Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi with a task force led by the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY). The New York City Parks Department (NYC Parks) assisted with the initial blitz, and the New York City Police Department (NYPD) has assisted with specific shed removals where necessary for public safety.

The task force will also review sheds that, while potentially active, are particularly egregious violators of Open Restaurants program guidelines. In these cases, sheds will be inspected three separate times before action is taken. After each of the first two failed inspections, DOT will issue notices instructing the restaurant owner to correct the outstanding issues; after the third visit, DOT will issue a termination letter and allow 48 hours before issuing a removal notice. DOT will then remove the structure and store it for 90 days — if the owner does not reclaim it in that period, DOT will dispose of the structure.

The administration is encouraging any New Yorker who identifies a shed that appears abandoned to call 311, say “Open Restaurants” or “outdoor dining,” and share the location so the task force can review it. New Yorkers can also submit photos to 311 via text, email, or the 311 website to report a shed out of compliance.

The Open Restaurants program has been a lifeline for restaurants and restaurant workers through the pandemic, saving an estimated 100,000 jobs and reimagining the city’s roadway and curb space. The program will continue to be a critical piece of the recovery of the multibillion-dollar hospitality, nightlife, and tourism industry; neighborhood’s economies across the city; and the citywide economy.

‘CITY DENIES ALL HURRICANE IDA CLAIMS’: U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) on August 18 issued the following statement in response to reports that NYC Comptroller Brad Lander’s office denied claims filed against the city after Hurricane Ida.

“Queens, and my congressional district in particular, was devastated by Hurricane Ida. Lives were turned upside down and many local residents continue to fully recover. New York City denying every claim from New Yorkers is wrong and I urge the City to reconsider.

“At the federal level, we are doing everything we can to make sure that Queens and the rest of the city get the proper funding to help prevent this level of destruction from happening again. Last November, I helped pass the federal infrastructure bill in the House. Following the President signing the measure into law, I urged the city and state to use part of that funding here in Queens. This past June, I announced the House passage of the Water Resources Development Act, which includes my bill to authorize the Army Corps of Engineers to spend up to nearly $120 million to work with the City of New York in upgrading environmental infrastructure in Queens, which would help improve catch basins and sewers. We need the Senate to now take action and for money to be allocated.”

Council Member Julie Won issued the following statement on August 19: “I am outraged to hear that the NYC Comptroller’s office denied claims for residents devastated in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. In our district, three of our residents tragically died in a basement apartment, including a 2-year-old child, while others suffered severe flooding in their basements and homes, and damage to (other) personal property. Residents should not have to spend tens or hundreds of thousands of their hard-earned dollars to fix damage caused by natural disasters or the city’s inadequate sewer system. I urge the Comptroller to provide compensation to the thousands in our city who filed claims; and I also urge DEP to update the city’s water mains and sewage system so that residents don’t have to fear losing their lives or suffering damages during natural disasters.”

Council Member Sandra Ung said, “Our neighbors who were impacted by the devastation of Hurricane Ida received some more bad news this week when it was determined they are not eligible to receive any financial compensation from the city for their recovery.

“According to a court ruling dating back to 1907, a municipality can’t be held responsible for damage caused by an unforeseeable event. Since the amount of rainfall during Ida was unprecedented, the damage caused by the storm falls into this category.

“Unfortunately, climate change means that severe weather events like this are only going to become more commonplace in the future, and we need to ensure that our infrastructure and public policy are prepared to meet the challenges of climate change and envision a more resilient future for the City of New York.

“Hurricane Ida devastated areas of Flushing and many individuals and families lost everything in the storm, including the lives of loved ones. Ida stole the lives of three people in my district and at least 10 other across the city.

“Nearly a year later, the victims of Ida should be focused on rebuilding their lives, instead they are still left searching for a path to recovery, and it is incumbent on government to do more to support these victims.”

QEDC RECEIVES GRANT TO REVITALIZE ASTORIA: The NYC Department of Small Business Services recently awarded a three-year grant to the Queens Economic Development Corporation to develop and carry out revitalization projects in Astoria.

With the grant, QEDC has hired Victor Prado, a former digital marketing specialist. He’ll analyze the commercial corridor on Astoria Boulevard between 31st Street to the East River. Then, the Sunnyside resident will develop a Commercial District Needs Assessment and a plan to help the local merchants.

As the prime contractor, QEDC will coordinate the efforts and provide business support and technical assistance services ─ i.e. training webinars, counseling, and COVID-related resources ─ to the targeted merchants. The agency is running a similar program in Corona right now.

QEDC is one of 24 community-based development organizations around New York City that received a total of $3.8 million in Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360° grants from the NYC Department of Small Business Services.

“Our nonprofits play a vital role in ensuring the vitality of our small business sector, and these grants will help them better deliver on that mission,” stated Mayor Eric Adams. “Strengthening our commercial corridors is a key component of our ‘Renew, Rebuild, Reinvent’ economic blueprint released earlier this year, and we will continue to work in close partnership with those on the ground to ensure an equitable recovery.”

“Our city’s commitment to an equitable economic recovery is steadfast. These funds will go directly to helping communities most in need and put into practice promises made in our Economic Blueprint,” said Maria Torres-Springer, Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development. “The Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360° grants will help local nonprofits revitalize commercial corridors and continue to champion our small businesses.”

“As we all collaborate on spurring New York City’s economic recovery, SBS is proud to support community-based development organizations throughout the five boroughs,” said Kevin D. Kim, Commissioner of the Department of Small Business Services. “The Avenue NYC and Neighborhood 360° investments will bolster the ability of our nonprofit partners to assist local small businesses in neighborhoods that need the most help.”

LIU HOSTS EDUCATION TOWN HALL: NYS Senator John Liu, Chair of the Senate Committee on NYC Education, hosted an Education Town Hall on August 17 at Flushing Library for students, parents and the community to discuss issues and concerns related to NYC public schools.

Attendees discussed a variety of topics, ranging from the ongoing battle over school budget cuts, recent legislation to reduce the size of NYC public school classes, the high school admissions process, special education, mayoral control and school governance, and more.

Senator John Liu stated, “Hearing directly from parents, students and educators about their experience with NYC’s public schools greatly helps to inform the policies and decisions we formulate in the State Senate. There was a tremendous showing from our community this evening, clearly demonstrating that while we may be well on our way toward recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, much remains unresolved when it comes to ensuring our schools are best serving our students. The Department of Education urgently needs all hands on deck to promptly address these many outstanding concerns; to get our schools back on track; and to truly set our students up to succeed in the classroom and beyond.”

‘PRIORITIZE THREATENED LGBTQI+ ASYLUM SEEKERS’: Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) sent a letter to United States Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken urging the U.S. Department of State to prioritize LGBTQI+ refugees and asylum seekers in countries where LGBTQI+ individuals are in imminent danger, including Afghanistan and Russia (specifically Chechnya).

The letter also asks for the U.S. State Department to designate LGBTQI+ organizations as eligible to refer refugees and asylum seekers to the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration since no LGBTQI+ organizations are currently certified to do so.

In Maloney’s letter, she states, “Currently, LGBTQI+ individuals are solely processed through a P-1 designation, which grants access to the refugee program on an individual basis. By designating LGBTQI+ individuals as P-2, which identifies groups of people with very similar persecution claims, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program could increase efficiency, reduce labor-intensive individual referrals, and prevent delays in the application process.

She continued, “Given the lack of LGBTQI+ organizations that are eligible to provide P-1 referrals, I ask that the U.S. Department of State do everything it can to make sure that LGBTQI+ organizations are able to become certified and subsequently refer individuals into the program. This will ensure that more at-risk LGBTQI+ individuals have access to this critical program.”

She also added, “More must be done to help LGBTQI+ individuals who are suffering from violence and persecution around the world, and that includes making the asylum and refugee process more efficient.”

BEACH 59th STREET PLAYGROUND RENOVATION: NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Mike Dockett joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Assembly Member Khaleel M. Anderson, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, City Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers, representatives from Community Board 14, and community members to officially break ground on the total renovation of Beach 59th Street Playground.

“We are thrilled to break ground on this total renovation of Beach 59th Street playground, which will uplift the community and bring new recreation opportunities to the neighborhood,” said Commissioner Dockett. “Thanks to our Borough President and City Council, and with input from the community, this new playground will serve as a focal point for play, exploration, and fun for decades to come.”

The project will reconstruct the children’s play area to include new play equipment, safety surface, a new spray play area, drinking fountain, benches, game tables, security lighting and plantings. The renovated playground will also feature swings for both young and older children, a new shade structure providing much needed shade for parents, caregivers and other park visitors, and a new accessible ramp at the Beach 60th Street entrance. The playground design will feature imprints of fish and sea creatures stamped into the concrete pavement, offering opportunities for discovery and amusement.

“I’m thrilled to help break ground on the Beach 59th Street Playground renovation, a project I’m proud to have funded in my time as the local City Council member,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “This new and improved playground will offer our children and families in Arverne a better space to play and enjoy their community. I’m grateful to the Friends of Beach 59th Street Playground Association for their advocacy and our city partners for their work to get this project off the ground, and I can’t wait to celebrate the playground’s reopening once completed.”

“The groundbreaking for this playground is a huge step forward for Arverne and our community. It will have something for everyone and be a beautiful addition to the Rockaway Peninsula. Credit for this project must go to the amazing community advocates who never stopped fighting for something that would be vital for the families of this community. Thank you to ‘Friends of Beach 59 Street Playground Association’ including the dynamic Florence Ferguson – because of their hard work they are making this playground a reality and we will all benefit from their hard work and determination,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato.

The $5 million Beach 59th Street Playground renovation project was made possible with $2.94 million from the Office of the Borough President, and $2 million from City Council.

THIRD TEEN GIRL CHARGED IN HATE ATTACK: Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Jahnaiya Williams, 19, has been charged with assault as a hate crime and other crimes. Williams is the third person accused in the July 9 assault on a 57-year-old-woman while on a public bus near the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard. One of the defendants, who is a juvenile, is being prosecuted in Family Court and the other female’s case is next in court on August 24.

District Attorney Katz said, “As alleged, the defendant, as well as two other apprehended individuals, carried out an unprovoked assault on a public transit rider simply because of the victim’s race. I am committed to holding accountable those who perpetrate bias-motivated attacks on the residents of the most diverse county in the world. The defendant is now charged with assault as a hate crime and will be held to account for her alleged actions.”

Williams, 19, of Waltham Street, in Jamaica, was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Diego Freire on charges of assault in the second and third degree as a hate crime, assault in the second and third degree, menacing in the third degree as a hate crime, aggravated harassment in the second degree and menacing. Judge Freire ordered the defendant to return to Court on August 19. If convicted, Williams faces 3 1/2 to 15 years in prison.

District Attorney Katz said that, according to video surveillance footage and information provided by the complainant, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 9, 2022, the defendant, who was holding a shopping bag, and the two females with her, allegedly approached the victim as she sat near the rear of the Q53 bus. The defendant, allegedly looked directly at victim saying, “I hate white people.” She also stated that she hates white people’s skin. As the bus passed a cemetery the defendant stated to the victim, “I am going to kill you, this is where I’m going to bury you.” The defendant also allegedly removed a jar from her shopping bag and told the victim she would beat the victim with the object.

Continuing, as the bus came to a stop near the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard, the defendant and the juvenile both spat on the victim. The defendant then allegedly hit the victim repeatedly in the head with the shopping bag containing the jar. The defendant, along with at least one of her partners, allegedly punched the victim several times in her head and the trio then fled the bus together.

The victim was taken to a local Queens hospital for her injuries which included a deep laceration on the right side of her head which required three staples.

15 YEARS TO LIFE FOR SEX ABUSE OF TWO CHILDREN: Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today that Djamshed Lukmanov, 55, has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for sexually abusing two young girls over a period of three years. The defendant was convicted in April of predatory sexual assault against a child and course of sexual conduct against a child in the second degree. The victims, who are cousins, were eleven and seven years old when the abuse began.

District Attorney Katz said, “Both of these young victims have a long road to recovery from the horrific abuse they endured. The trauma cannot be undone but I hope that today’s sentencing brings them both a measure of closure, knowing that their abuser was held fully accountable for preying on innocent children. The defendant will now spend a lengthy time in prison as punishment for his despicable actions.”

Lukmanov, of Banner Avenue in Brooklyn, was convicted on April 1, after a two-week-long jury trial of predatory sexual assault against a child for one of the victims and a course of sexual conduct against a child in the second degree for the other victim. Today, Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pandit Durant imposed a sentence of 15 years to life in prison on the predatory sexual assault against a child charge and five years on the course of sexual conduct charge in the second-degree charge, to run concurrently to each other. The defendant will also be required to register as a sex offender.

DA Katz said, according to trial testimony, the defendant and his wife were childhood friends with the mothers of both victims. In May 2007, the family of the seven-year-old victim sponsored the defendant and his wife to come to the United States from abroad and offered their home as temporary housing. The defendant began to sexually abuse the victim’s 11-year-old cousin when she would come over to visit her family between May and October 2007. The 11-year-old victim’s parents cut off all ties with the defendant upon learning of the assault from their daughter just before her 12th birthday in 2007. They did not, however, notify the police.

Continuing, DA Katz said in November 2008, after the defendant had moved out of the home, he began to offer rides to the bus stop to the seven-year-old victim. Once inside the car, the defendant sexually assaulted the victim, a pattern which was repeated over the next two years. After her ninth birthday, the victim did not see the defendant again for approximately six years.

In March 2016, the younger victim, now a teenager, saw the defendant at a function she attended and became visibly upset. She later disclosed the history of abuse to a counselor, who informed her mother. At the time it was happening, the victim did not feel ready to report the criminal behavior to the police.

In 2018, the victim decided to report the abuse to the authorities. When she went to the precinct to describe the sexual assault, the victim’s mother also informed the police of what happened to her niece, the victim’s cousin, in 2007. The defendant was arrested soon thereafter.

WON LAUNCHES FREE HOME WIFI FOR QUEENSBRIDGE: On Saturday, August 20th, Council Member Julie Won held an event at Queensbridge Friends & Family Day for residents to sign up for free home Wifi through the Federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), as well as the soft launch of the city’s Big Apple Connect program.

Hundreds of residents attended the event, along with Congresswoman Nydia Velásquez, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and the New York City Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser.

The ACP provides a subsidy for high-speed internet to many qualifying New Yorkers, including those who have an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or any member of the household, those enrolled in public housing, Medicaid, SNAP, National School Lunch, and veterans pensions. Subscribers will be able to get free internet through this program or apply the subsidy savings to their existing bill.

In addition to ACP, Queensbridge also had the soft launch of the Big Apple Connect program. Queensbridge was the first location in the borough to receive the program and other Queens NYCHA locations will be rolled out this fall.

The contract has been awarded to Charter Communications (Spectrum) and those who are currently Spectrum customers were automatically registered for the new program today, giving them free basic cable, as well as free home internet services at 300 Mbps.

“Due to our tireless advocacy, in addition to the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, we also had a soft launch today for Big Apple Connect, a city funded free Wifi program. Low-income residents are eligible for both of these programs. There will now be free Wifi for all Queensbridge residents as of today,” said Council Member Won. “I’d like to thank our community partners, EducationSuperHighway, Queensbridge Tenant Association, Riis Settlement Houses, Verizon and Spectrum as well as the city’S Chief Technology Officer, Matthew Fraser.”

In keeping with her campaign promise to provide free home Wifi for District 26 NYCHA residents within her first year in office, this sign up event is the second of three events for NYCHA residents. The Council Member’s office held an event for Woodside Houses residents in July, and there was an event for Ravenswood Houses residents next weekend to close out August.

FIGHTING HOUSING DISCRIMINATION: Council Member Shekar Krishnan released the following briefs:

  • Discrimination against tenants is rampant. Reminder: Housing is a human right. The Fair Chance for Housing Act addresses one of the most glaring forms of housing discrimination. “I am proud to fight alongside CM Powersfor this critical measure for housing justice.”
  • “The outcome of the recent court hearing on the education budget provides a crucial opportunity for the City Council to act where the Mayor has refused. The DOE failed to follow lawful procedure and made material misrepresentations about how it would spend its budget. Council Member Brewer and I fully support a re-vote on the DOE budget.”
  • As Monkeypox cases increase in NYC, stay up-to-date on the latest developments, including vaccine access, by texting “MONKEYPOX” to 692-692.
  • “The workers won an historic $20M settlement against Chipotle, but we can’t stop now. We need real consequences for fast food companies that abuse workers. That’s why I stood with 32BJSEIU and Council Members DeLaRosa & Velasquez to pass legislation to protect working class New Yorkers.”
  • “Housing is a human right and we must provide New Yorkers with truly affordable housing. This new legislation that I co-sponsored with Council Member Restler addresses this goal and removes for-profit housing and for-profit developers from the equation.”
  • This month, speed cameras became operational 24/7/365. “This crucial change will reduce traffic crashes & deaths, and increase pedestrian safety, especially around our schools. We must continue make our streets safer for our children, seniors, and those with disabilities.”
  • “We held an oversight hearing in June on improving the New York City tree canopy. This was the first time such a hearing has been held, and we are fired up to work alongside so many advocates like the Forest For All Coalition who are committed to expanding the tree canopy in NYC.”

77 YEARS OF KOREAN LIBERATION: Council Member Sandra Ung released the following statement: “My office joined the Korean American Association of Greater New York, the Korean Consulate of New York, Kwang Bak Association of New York, and the NY Chapter of the National Unification Advisory Council to celebrate the 77th anniversary of Korean Independence. The celebration took place on Monday at Flushing Reception House on Northern Boulevard.

“Celebrated on August 15, it marks the day the Japanese surrendered World War II and ended their occupation of the Korean peninsula. Three years later, the Republic of Korea was officially established.

“District 20 has the largest population of Koreans of all 51 Council Districts, and our thriving and active Korean population is a big part of what makes Flushing so unique. It was an honor to be invited to celebrate such an important holiday to Koreans across the globe.

Ung also made the following updates:

  • “You may have noticed that Main Street looks a little different this week. The Department of Transportation began painting the street red to alert drivers that they are traveling in a dedicated busway. DOT agreed to the change after my office contacted them about complaints we were receiving from drivers who were getting multiple tickets for being in a busway they didn’t know existed. DOT is also improving signage along Main Street to clearly delineate that the stretch is off limit to cars between the hours of 6 a.m. and 7 p.m.”
  • There were two great community events in Flushing on Saturday near the intersection of Main Street and 37th Avenue. The first was the annual Good Health Day (above) hosted by the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center. The event featured free health screenings and education, activity booths and family entertainment. The other event was the First Asian Autumn Gourmet and Cultural Festival hosted by the Alliance of Asian American Friends. Vendors selling food and other items lined Main Street.
  • On Thursday, September 1, Ung is co-hosting a Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and some colleagues in government at Borough Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be performances, interactive cultural activities and free moon cakes. If you are interested in attending, RSVP at queensbp.org/rsvp.

‘ABYSMAL’ EMPIRE STATE MANUFACTURING NUMBERS: Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), the Republican Party and Conservative Party nominee for Governor, released the following statement after the Empire State Manufacturing Survey showed that the general business conditions index experienced its second largest monthly decline and among one of the lowest levels recorded in the survey’s history. Each month, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York sends out this survey to roughly 200 manufacturing executives across the state. The survey analyzes general business conditions, capital expenditures, technology spending, prices paid and prices received, new orders, number of employees, and more.

“Under one-party rule in Albany, New York has become less and less business friendly, with rising crime, high taxes, burdensome regulations, and far-left policies driving an exodus of New Yorkers leaving this state. This month’s survey is yet another indication that New York cannot continue down this path spearheaded by Kathy Hochul and her far-left allies. New Yorkers across the board are struggling. Costs are skyrocketing with inflation at a 40-year high, and labor is hard to find. It’s no wonder these businesses are reaching their breaking point. If we do not start addressing New York’s problems, our state will only continue down this path, and our economy will continue to suffer greatly. On November 8th, New Yorkers must make our voices heard, FIRE Kathy Hochul and change our ways, so businesses have a welcoming home once again in New York.”

ZELDIN CHALLENGES HOCHUL TO DEBATES: On August 17, after accepting the first two invitations he received for a General Election debate with Governor Kathy Hochul, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1), the Republican Party and Conservative Party nominee for Governor, challenged Hochul to join him on the debate stage for a minimum of five debates throughout New York prior to the general election.

“New Yorkers deserve the opportunity to witness first-hand where the two candidates for Governor stand on the issues most important to voters. As I travel throughout the state, New Yorkers tell me that their top issues are rising crime, high cost of living, quality of education, corruption scandals plaguing Hochul, and massive government overreach.

“The cashless bail law and HALT Act need to be repealed, Alvin Bragg fired, congestion pricing stopped, Hochul’s many scandals investigated, the cap on charter schools lifted, and the state’s ban on the safe extraction of natural gas reversed.

“That’s why I’m challenging Kathy Hochul to at least two debates in the New York City media market, at least one debate in the Buffalo or Rochester media markets, at least one in the Capital Region, and at least one in the Syracuse, Elmira, Binghamton, Ithaca, or Watertown media markets. Count me in for doing all of the above.

“It’s critical that New Yorkers, no matter how they vote, have the opportunity to make an informed decision, which is why at least two of these debates should take place prior to the start of absentee voting and at least three more should be prior to the start of early voting.”

TRANSPORTATION STIPEND FOR SENIOR, DISABLED: The NYC Department for the Aging (DFTA) is launching Cohort 2 of DFTA My Ride. Apply for a chance for free on demand transportation. NYC Department For The Aging, DFTA My Ride, provides free on-demand transportation for older adults (ages 60+) and people with disabilities (18+) living in select community districts in Queens Brooklyn and the Bronx.

If selected as a DFTA My Ride participant you can take rides to the following, but not limited to: doctor appointments, shopping malls, to visit family and friends, places of worship, supermarkets, and pharmacies. Now accepting applications. Learn more about DFTA My Ride and how to apply at the website, www.nyc.gov/aging/myride.

“We are aiming to launch Cohort 2 in late September with 500 participants who will have the opportunity to secure rides within the five boroughs, Nassau County, and Westchester County. DFTA My Ride is an on-demand car service pilot with app and phone-enabled dispatch options for selected participants within 14 Community Districts in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens. The goal of the pilot is to study the impact of the on-demand car service on a range of social determinants of health for participating older adults and individuals with disabilities and to make future recommendations based on key findings.”

Selected participants receive a $600 stipend for transportation.

Pilot participants aged 60 and older and persons with disabilities aged 18 and older will be able to take rides within certain neighborhoods in the five boroughs and Nassau and Westchester Counties.

Eligible DFTA My Ride applicants will be outreached from the following selected Community Board Districts in Queens, which may include:

CB6 – Forest Hills, Rego Park;

CB7 – Bay Terrace, Beechhurst, College Point, Flushing, Malba, Queensborough Hill, Whitestone, Willets Point;

CB10 – Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Ozone Park;

CB12 – Hollis, Jamaica, Rochdale, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans;

CB14 – Arverne, Bayswater, Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, Neponsit, Broad Channel, Rockaway Park.

—With contributions by Annette Hanze Alberts

This column was originated by John A. Toscano

 

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