Vallone, Avella Laud Resumption Of Beloved Toddler Program at Bowne Park Field House
City Council Member Paul Vallone (D-Alley Pond Park, Bay Terrace, Bayside, College Point, Douglaston, East Elmhurst, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, Little Neck, Whitestone) and 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) announced seperatly that the beloved toddler program at the Bowne Park Field house, led by Eric Friedman, is officially set to resume this September.
After the renovation of the Bowne Park playground and field house, it was discovered that the program’s future was in jeopardy of being relocated. Vallone and Avella was contacted by several constituents, and the lawmakers successfully advocated to the Department of Parks and Recreation for the program to be resumed at Bowne Park.
“Bowne Park is a gem in North Flushing and the programming offered at the field house has been a treasured community resource for kids and parents alike. The passion and support expressed by the parents could not go unheard and I’m thankful that the Parks Department will be reinstating this vital program,” said Vallone. “Mr. Eric is here to stay and the children and families of North Flushing will be able to enjoy the program for years to come.”
“When I heard about the cancellation of this program that parents and children enjoy so much, I immediately wanted to get involved to bring it back to Bowne Park,” said Avella. “It wasn’t fair that parents and children had to travel long distances when we have the appropriate facilities for the program right here in Bowne Park.”
Vallone also announced that he is allocating funding for another program to run throughout the summer called “Kids in Motion.”
This program, engages children in active, outdoor play. A Parks Department staff member will lead 4-7 hours of free activities at Bowne Park including organized sports, games, fitness demos, board games, water games, and more.
The program will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday Through Saturday from July 1 to Sept. 1.
Dromm Supports City Commission To Recommend Property Tax Reforms
City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights), chair of the council’s Finance Committee yesterday lauded Mayor de Blasio and Council Speaker Corey Johnson’s announced formation of a new advisory commission to develop recommendations to reform New York City’s property tax system.
The commission is charged with making recommendations for the property tax system to become simpler, clearer, and fairer, while ensuring that there is no reduction in revenue used to fund essential city services. The commission will solicit input from the public by holding at least 10 public hearings. The last in-depth review of the system by a government-appointed commission was in 1993.
“To be the fairest big city, you need a fair tax system. For too long, New York City taxpayers have had to grapple with a property tax system that is too opaque, too complex, and just feels unfair,” said de Blasio. “New Yorkers need property tax reform, and this advisory commission will put us on the road to achieve it.”
“Throughout the budget process we have heard over and over again about the financial pain caused by the unfair and overly complex property tax system currently in place. We simply must do better. This is an opportunity to make real strides on an important issue as we work to improve this system for our neighbors and the entire city,” said Dromm.
Ulrich, Community Leaders to Protest Rockaway Beach Closure; Rally for Sand, Jetties
City Council Member Eric Ulrich (R-Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Rockaway Beach, Rockaway Park, South Ozone Park, Woodhaven) today will lead a rally tomorrow and call on state and city leaders to Invest in Infrastructure to Protect Rockaway Beach.
With the goal of bringing the issue directly to the steps of city hall, Ulrich and Friends of Rockaway Beach will respond to the City’s decision to close an 11-block strip on Rockaway Beach.
The protest calls on city and state lawmakers to invest in jetties and other infrastructure to protect the Rockaways and its surrounding coastal communities.
The rally is slated for 4 p.m. today on the steps of city hall in Lower Manhattan.
