Avella Says City Ignores Storm Damage
State Sen. Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Flushing, Jamaica Estates, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, Floral Park, Jamaica, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Kissena Park, Briarwood) yesterday called out the Department of Parks and Recreation and Mayor Bill de Blasio for failing to address storm damage from the winter storms in early March.
After the nor’easters that swept through the area, many residents were left with uprooted trees and sidewalks that were broken, cracked or uplifted. While the fallen trees have been removed, some homeowners are left with sidewalks still in deplorable condition, even though it is almost three months since that storm.
Avella previously held a press conference with homeowners on April 5, a month after the storm, because, while the city removed the tree they left the tree stump and sidewalk in the same condition in which they found it.
It has now been almost two months since that press conference and the Parks Department has yet to take action – failing to provide even temporary fixes while permanent sidewalks can be installed.
One particular location, at the intersection of 32nd Avenue and 168th Street is in an unbelievable state of disrepair. “I’m not even sure you can call some of these locations ‘sidewalks’ anymore, given how broken and dangerous they are,” said Avella. “Nearly three months after the nor’easter and this is how the City leaves sidewalks? The City is lucky someone has not seriously injured themselves. They should be ashamed at these conditions.”
Dromm Honors Celiac Disease Center at City Hall
City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) joined Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan) and Health Committee Chair Mark Levine (D-Manhattan) in honoring the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University in the Council Chambers of City Hall yesterday.
The ceremony was held in observance of Celiac Disease Awareness Month.
Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. The disease can develop at any age. In people with celiac disease, the body mounts an immune reaction to gluten. The immune system goes on high alert, and attacks and damages the small intestine. If left untreated, celiac disease can lead to additional serious health problems.
The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University has established itself as a leader in the field. It is one of a few centers in the United States that provides comprehensive medical care, including nutrition, for adult and pediatric patients with celiac disease.
“It was pleasure to stand alongside my colleagues in recognizing the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University for their transformative work,” said Dromm, whose mother lived with celiac disease for many years. “Those who live with celiac disease need specialized care to deal with the challenges and risks associated with the disease. That’s why having the Celiac Disease Center here in NYC is so important. Thanks to the top-notch care the Center delivers, those living with celiac disease can enjoy a better quality of life. I look forward to working with Dr. Green and his team on legislation and other initiatives that will help protect New Yorkers living with the disease.”
Lancman Blasts Mayor’s Fare Evasion Policy
City Council Member Rory I. Lancman (D- Briarwood, Cunningham Park, Flushing, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Fresh Meadows, Hollis, Holliswood, Jamaica, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill), Chair of the Committee on the Justice System, yesterday blasted Mayor Bill de Blasio after reading in the New York Law Journal, where an immigrant New Yorker was detained for eight months while facing deportation after convictions for theft of services, more commonly known as fare evasion.
“It is a disgrace that an immigrant New Yorker would be held for eight months and face deportation, all for fare evasion convictions. There is not a reasonable person in this city who would believe that a detention of that length is an acceptable consequence for jumping a turnstile,” said Lancman.
“What this case shows is that the unintended consequences of Mayor de Blasio’s fare evasion enforcement policies are real and profoundly unjust. We cannot claim to be ‘the fairest big city in America’ when the Mayor’s fare evasion policy recklessly criminalizes the poor and puts immigrant New Yorkers in ICE’s crosshairs.”
Peralta Announces Funding for Ecuadorian Civic Committee of New York
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) yesterday announced that he secured $25,000 in state funds for the Ecuadorian Civic Committee of New York during a visit to the organization’s new headquarters on Roosevelt Avenue.
The state grant will support the different services that the community-based group offers to residents, initiatives that include English classes and programs for senior citizens.
“Ecuadorian Civic Committee, which has a great presence in my district, provides vital services to the community. I was pleased to secure state funding for an organization whose work to help individuals and families is indispensable,” said Peralta.
