Queens Lawmakers On The Move July 26, 2018

Queens County City Council News

Katz, Legal Aid Society Announce Know Your Rights Week Schedule

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D) and the Legal Aid Society yesterday announced the schedule of their upcoming “Know Your Rights Week: Closing Cases, Opening Doors”, a week-long series of public legal workshops between August 6-10 in various neighborhoods throughout Queens.

Participants can access free, confidential advice from lawyers on ways to alleviate unnecessary barriers to employment and economic opportunity, including applications to seal their non-violent criminal conviction records, cleaning up rap sheets, and obtaining Certificates of Relief and Good Conduct.

“If you’ve proven that you’ve turned your life around and are making good, the burden of a past non-violent mistake should not ruin or impede your future opportunities for the rest of your life,”said Katz.

“Second chances and social justice reform are an integral part of New York values. This is about eliminating barriers to employment and economic opportunity, reducing recidivism rates and breaking the cycle. Our hope and aim with ‘Know Your Rights Weeks’ is to bolster public awareness and connect eligible New Yorkers with free legal assistance and, ultimately, relief. The tireless efforts on the part of our community partners – and especially the Legal Aid Society – to equip and empower New Yorkers of their rights have a direct impact on building a better future for the growing families of Queens.”

Below is the full schedule for Know Your Rights Week: Closing Cases, Opening Doors (fliers in English, Spanish, Chinese, Bengali and Korean attached and available at www.queensbp.org/knowyourrights):

Monday, August 6

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Location: LIFE Camp, Inc., @ 111-12 Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica; RSVP: Call Germain Thompson at 646.300.0538

Tuesday, August 7           

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Location: 696 Build Queensbridge @ 10-31 41st Avenue in Long Island City; RSVP: Call Germain Thompson at 646.300.0538

Wednesday, August 8           .

Time:  2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Location: Transitional Services for New York, Inc. – Hazel House @ 80-45 Winchester Boulevard (Building 74) in Queens Village; RSVP: Visit www.queensbp.org/rsvp or call 718.286.2661

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Location: Queens Borough Hall @ 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens; RSVP: Visit www.queensbp.org/rsvp or call 718.286.2661

Thursday, August 9            

Time:  6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.; Location: Sheltering Arms NY @ 1600 Central Avenue in Far Rockaway; RSVP: Call Germain Thompson at 646.300.0538

Friday, August 10              

Time: 4:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.: Location: Queens Library at Jackson Heights @ 35-51 81st Street in Jackson Heights; RSVP: Visit www.queensbp.org/rsvp or call 718.286.2661


Nolan Against Protected Bike Lanes On Skillman Avenue

Assembly Woman Catherine Nolan

Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Astoria, Woodside, Long Island City, Maspeth, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Dutch Kills, Blissville) recently wrote Mayor Bill de Blasio to make clear she stands with Community Board 2 in being against the city’s plan to put in protected bike lanes along Skillman Avenue in Sunnyside.

Many Skillman Avenue civic leaders, business owner, and residents are concerned about the elimination of parking spaces in Sunnyside, particularly along Skillman Avenue,” Nolan wrote.

“I would ask that you work with the community to come up with alternatives that help make our streets safer for drivers, bikers and pedestrians. Several of the tragedies were a result of drunk drivers so I would recommend renewed enforcement. Bike riders need protection, but there has to be a way to accommodate pedestrians and small businesses as well. I remain in support of Queens Community Board #2 in this matter.”


Avella Receives Positive Response from DOE Regarding Diverse Photos on New Website

Sen. Tony Avella

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 yesterday he received a response from the city’s Department of Education (DOE) regarding the new DOE website inaccurately representing demographic groups of the City of New York.

Avella was contacted by a constituent who shared their concerns about the photo at the top of the new website a little over a week ago. The lawmaker immediately contacted DOE Chancellor Richard Carranza asking him how DOE plans to address it.

The DOE responded by stating they plan on rotating the photos on a regular basis and plan on building a library of photos to reflect the diversity of all New York City school communities.

“I am glad that I was able to get a response from DOE so quickly, and am happy to hear that DOE plans on building a diverse photo library of school children to use on their new website,” said Avella.“Diversity in Queens is one of the best qualities of our borough and I am proud that children of all backgrounds will be featured on the new DOE website.”

If any community knows of a school event that would be a good photo opportunity for DOE, they are encouraged to contact Avella’s office at 718-357-3094, and the senator will inform the DOE of that event.


Cuomo Announces Local Restaurants To Debut At New Laguardia Airport Terminal B

Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo (D) yesterday announced the first set of restaurants that will debut in LaGuardia Airport’s new state-of-the-art Terminal B.

The dining options are part of the comprehensive, $8 billion redevelopment of the entire airport that Cuomo announced in 2015. Each of the offerings is inspired by the New York experience and will feature locally-sourced products from in-state businesses, including outposts from award-winning chefs Scott Conant and Julian Medina, as well as hospitality titans Gerber Group and Shake Shack.

This selection is the result of extensive research and feedback from travelers on what they want and expect from a 21st century airport experience.

“As LaGuardia Airport transforms into a modern, global gateway, it is critical that travelers have the opportunity to taste some of the best local dining New York has to offer,” said Cuomo. “From a Hudson Valley coffee roaster, to a Mexico City-style taqueria born in East Harlem, the new Terminal B will highlight iconic restaurateurs and give travelers who pass through it an authentic taste of what it’s like to be a New Yorker.”