Vallone, Katz, Parks Department Announce Start of MacNeil Park Seawall Repairs
City Council Member Paul Vallone (D-Bayside, College Point, Douglaston, East Elmhurst, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, Little Neck, Whitestone), Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the Parks Department yesterday announced that construction is slated to commence for the long-awaited and sorely needed repair of the seawall at MacNeil Park in College Point.
AAH Construction Corporation will carry out the $5.2 million construction project, which is slated for completion by August 2019.
“This news is greatly welcome throughout College Point and is a huge victory for the neighborhood. These repairs have been needed urgently and I applaud the Parks Department for following through on this community request,” said Vallone. “I look forward to continuing to work with the College Point community so that the dream of a vibrant MacNeil Park with waterfront accessibility is fully realized.”
“MacNeil Park has long been an essential recreational resource for the College Point community,” said Katz. “The repairs to the MacNeil Park seawall will enable full access to the park’s waterfront to be restored and make the park an even more enjoyable place to visit. A vibrant waterfront esplanade will become a reality at MacNeil Park once this vitally important seawall repair project is completed.”
“Despite some setbacks, we’ve remained committed to making these much-needed repairs on the MacNeil Seawall, and we’re very happy to announce the start of repairs on 1,550 linear feet of esplanade,” said Queens Parks Dorothy Lewandowski. “I’d like to thank Council Member Vallone for his support during this process, and we look forward to walking the waterfront with him on this brand new esplanade in 2019.”
Katz Appoints George Russo To Queens Library Board Of Trustees
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D) yesterday announced she appointed Ozone Park resident George Russo to the Queens Library Board of Trustees.
As a long-time community activist in Queens, Russo has been an active member of Queens Community Board 10 (which serves the South Queens communities of Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Howard Beach and South Richmond Hill) since 2012. He was also a member of the Community School Board for New York City School District 27 from 1983 through 1989, serving as its President in 1986. In addition, Mr. Russo was a member of Queens Community Board 9 from 1980 to 1990.
“George Russo has long demonstrated his commitment to public service and to the communities and families of Queens,” said Katz. “His experience will be a valuable addition to the Board, which is entrusted with governing our borough’s great public library system, and we thank him for his service.”
“As someone who has devoted much of his life to furthering civic causes, I am thankful that Borough President Katz has appointed me to Queens Library’s Board of Trustees,” said Russo. “I am committed to using my legal and public service experience to ensure that Queens Library is governed with transparency and fiscal soundness. We are committed to continuing to provide quality service to the Queens residents who rely upon Queens Library’s vast catalog of books and other media and on its many educational, cultural and community programs.”
Russo served as an Assistant District Attorney with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office from 1983 to 1985, when he entered into private practice with a focus on real estate transactions and on business and criminal matters. He has been managing partner of George Russo & Associates, PC since 2002.
Russo is also a founding member and Co-Chairman of the Intra-Community Civic Association. He is also Chairman of the Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens, where he has been a board member since 2001 and served as its President from 2007 to 2014, and a member of the Board of Directors of the New York Racing Association (NYRA).
Russo earned a Bachelor’s degree in Government from St. John’s University in 1979 and a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School in 1982.
Addabbo To Bring Free Legal Service To Forest Hills
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Forest Hills, Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, the Rockaways) announced yesterday he has partnered with the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) to bring their free Mobile Legal Help Center to Forest Hills next month.
Constituents will be able to speak with NYLAG attorneys about civil issues including:
- Housing (tenant issues only);
- Foreclosure;
- Public benefits;
- Disability benefits;
- Healthcare benefits;
- Immigration;
- Identity theft;
- Domestic violence;
- Consumer credit;
- Debit management;
- Divorce;
- Child support;
- Custody and visitation;
- Employment;
- Superstorm Sandy; and
- Advance Planning.
“As a former practicing attorney, I know that legal issues can be very confusing, frustrating, and time consuming for everyone involved,” Addabbo said. “By partnering with the New York Legal Assistance Group, I hope to make that process a little bit easier for my constituents, all at no cost to them. The legal experts at NYLAG will be able to provide advice and counsel on a wide range of issues right on site. If an issue is brought up that is outside the supervising attorneys’ area of expertise, the issue will be brought back to NYLAG to be handled by an attorney in that field. This assures that no one in need of legal assistance will be turned away.”
NYLAG’s Mobile Legal Help Center will be stationed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, April 9 outside of the Beth Gavriel Bukharian Congregation, 66-35 108th Street between 66th Road and 67th Avenue in Forest Hills.
Appointments to see an attorney in the Mobile Legal Help Center are necessary. To schedule a required appointment with the available NYLAG attorneys, please call Addabbo’s district office at 718-738-1111 as space is limited and confidential appointments are given on a first come, first serve basis.
Crowley On Women’s History Month
U.S. Rep. and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-Sunnyside, Astoria, College Point, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Corona, Woodside, the Bronx) recognized March as Women’s History Month with the following statement:
“Women’s History Month is a time to recognize and honor the extraordinary women that broke barriers and paved the way for progress and equality in our country. Whether marching for the right to vote, raising their voices in support of equal pay, or speaking out against sexual violence and harassment, courageous women across America have always led the fight to create a more just and equal union.
“This year, as we honor these incredible achievements, we must also recognize the need to build on their efforts by committing to tearing down the barriers that still work against women’s full and equal participation in our economy and society.”
