Katz, Miller, Adams Kick Off Jamaica Neighborhood Cleanup Program
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and City Council Members I. Daneek Miller (D-Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Laurelton, Queens Village, Springfield Gardens, St. Albans) and Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park. yesterday announced a coordinated neighborhood cleanup program as part of the Jamaica NOW Action Plan.
Also involved is the Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE), the Jamaica NOW Leadership Council, the city’s Department of Sanitation, the Thomas White Jr. Foundation and Community Board 12.
The six-month pilot program will provide weekday cleanup services along Guy R. Brewer Boulevard from Tuskegee Airmen Way to 109th Avenue in Jamaica.
“Jamaica is one of our borough’s core neighborhoods and it is critically important that we do all we can to make it a fantastic place to live, work and visit,” said Katz. “The ‘Jamaica Together’ neighborhood cleaning program will contribute greatly to that effort by devoting a dedicated team of workers to cleaning and sprucing up the busy Guy R. Brewer Boulevard corridor. This program is just one part of our overall effort to revitalize Jamaica and maximize its potential as a residential and commercial hub.”
The Jamaica Together cleaning program will operate weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with two full-time cleaning workers assigned to the corridor for each daily shift. The workers will focus on the cleaning of sidewalks and tree pits and the removal of unwanted graffiti from walls and public areas.
The section of Guy R. Brewer Boulevard being served by the program forms part of the border between the City Council districts of Miller and Adams.
“I am pleased to welcome the ‘Jamaica Together’ program to the district as a means of promoting community pride and collaboration towards a worthy effort,” said Miller. “My constituents have responded favorably to these cleaning programs, and I am grateful to Borough President Katz, ACE, the Thomas White Jr. Foundation, the Jamaica NOW Leadership Council and all of the partners who made this service possible.”
“Clean streets and sidewalks are part of building welcoming, vibrant communities. Business districts and the residents of Jamaica deserve no less,” said Adams. “As Jamaica continues to undergo a transformation, our streets provide the first impressions of our city. ACE will clean the Guy R. Brewer Boulevard corridor and improve quality of life, which is a priority for me. I commend this initiative and am proud to partner with Borough President Melinda Katz on this vital project.”
Vallone Announces Fourth Annual Participatory Budgeting Results
City Council Member Paul Vallone (D-College Point, Whitestone, Malba
From April 7-16 residents of Northeast Queens cast their votes to decide how to spend at least $1 million of Vallone’s discretionary funding on capital projects to improve their communities. Residents cast over 8000 votes, an increase of nearly two thousand from the 2017 cycle. This number was once again the most of any Council District in Queens, and second most throughout the entire city.
This year, another $1,041,000 million will be allocated to fund the projects which received the top three most votes. The winning projects were:
- NYPD Security Cameras ($141,000 – 2,086 votes) – This project will fund and install four NYPD Security Cameras in District 19. These security cameras will enhance crime prevention.
- Bayside High School Music Rehearsal & Equipment Storage ($600,000 – 1,954 votes)– This project will convert building storage areas into sound proofed performance rooms, including storage for musical instruments.
- J.H.S. 194 Gymnasium Renovation ($300,000 – 1,906 votes) – This project will renovate gym space repairing walls, replacing basketball hoops, refinishing the floor and adding safety padding.
“These results once again clearly show that our district has overwhelmingly embraced the success of the participatory budgeting process. At a time when voter turnout is at a record low, we have created a way to engage our youth and youngest voters as to the power and importance of voting,” said Vallone. “The first place finish for NYPD Security Cameras is a clear sign that public safety is a top priority for our neighborhoods. This monumental, eight month task could not have been possible without the continuous dedication of our delegates, community liaisons, volunteers, staff and especially Vito Tautonico, our Director of Constituent Services, who spearheaded the process.”
Rozic, Simotas Laud Gender Neutral Legislation
Assembly Members Nily Rozic (D-Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Hillcrest, Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Bayside, Douglaston.) and Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria, Long Island City) yesterday hailed the assembly’s passage of gender neutral legislation (A8321/S6542) to update and change all antiquated and inaccurate language in all state statutes from policemen and firemen to the terms police officers and firefighters.
According to Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (D-Brooklyn), who was the prime sponsor, the bill modernizes the outdated language in state statutes to promote the idea that the professions of law enforcement and firefighting are not exclusive based on gender, and to reflect the current reality of the women who hold professions in law enforcement and firefighting.
“It is long overdue that we use language that reflects the years of participation and service women have bravely pursued as police officers and firefighters. This bill would allow for a simple but powerful change that is needed as more women continue to join ranks. I thank Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon for her leadership on this issue,” said Rozic.
“I wholeheartedly support this bill which brings outdated aspects of the law into our modern world, where women are welcomed, recognized and appreciated for their hard work as police officers and firefighters. Gender-neutral words matter and open doors to more women in these professions. Words can plant seeds of hope in little girls who would understandably think they couldn’t be a fireman or policeman,” said Simotas.
Sanders Puts Out Call For First Book Project
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) yesterday requested the public’s support with the First Book Project to bring 40,000 free books to Southeast Queens.
“We are collaborating with the United Federation of Teachers Union to collect two thousand signatures from individuals or institutions working with children,” said Sander.
Sanders noted that the First Book Program requires the filling out of a registration form is required by First Book, which only takes a few minutes to complete. Each parent can receive up to 20 books and schools or educational institutions can receive up to 50 books.
If you have any questions please contact Senator Sanders’ satellite Office at 718-327-7017.
