Peralta, Addabbo Cheer State, City Deal On School Zone Speed Cameras
State Senators Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside) and Joseph P. Addabbo (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) yesterday cheered on the deal between the state and the city which will see 140 school zone speed cameras back in operation before the 2018-19 school year starts.
Under the deal, Gov. Cuomo signed an executive order allowing the city to access the records of drivers caught speeding. The cameras have been recording data even after the state Senate failed to pass legislation extending their use.
The City Council is expected to vote this week on a bill to reactivate ticketing ahead of the new school year.
“I am glad that Governor Andrew Cuomo is working with Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Council to ensure that the school zone speed cameras are turned back on before the start of school this September. This issue should have never even gotten to this point and I believe politics should not have played a part in the shutdown of the cameras, thus endangering the lives of students. As a father of two children in the school system, I hope that going forward we can put party politics aside and come together on important issues that will address the concerns of our people,” said Addabbo.
Ulrich Announces Clean-up Initiative in Rockaway through Wildcat
City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Rockaway Park, Roxbury, South Ozone Park, West Hamilton Beach, Woodhaven) yesterday announced a new clean-up initiative in Rockaway through Wildcat Service Corporation – a nonprofit organization that provides job opportunities and resources for unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers.
The $70,000 initiative funded by Ulrich officially kicked-off this morning, and will target trash-prone areas across the Peninsula, including the Beach 116th Street commercial corridor. It comes as part of Ulrich’s ongoing effort to boost the quality of life in the community.
“I want to thank Wildcat and the terrific workers that work hard to keep our city clean. We are thrilled to partner with Wildcat again this year to offer much-needed supplemental sanitation services throughout the district,”Ulrich said. “One of the places that will receive weekly cleaning is Beach 116th Street, which has undergone a remarkable resurgence since Hurricane Sandy. We want to make sure we support the men and women who own and operate their businesses here.”
Other locations that will be cleaned through this effort include Jamaica Avenue, Cross Bay Boulevard and Shore Parkway – among others.
Wildcat provides job opportunities and resources for New Yorkers to become economically independent. Founded in 1972, Wildcat has helped hundreds of thousands of unemployed and underemployed New Yorkers find jobs, build careers and receive the training and guidance necessary to compete in the New York economy.
Schumer Reveals School Supplies Could Be Laden With Toxic Chemicals
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) warned parents yesterday that store shelves are still being stocked with school supplies that could be laden with dangerous levels of toxic chemicals that can make children sick.
Schumer urged immediate action because parents are back to school shopping right now, and many are not aware of a new report detailing that some of the most basic school supplies are impacted, including: crayons, markers, even binders.
“Toxic school supplies should not make the grade or the backpacks of kids,” said Schumer. “Numerous independent studies have long proved a link between chemicals like Phthalates and sick children. That’s why I’m calling on the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) to take swift action and investigate the precise levels of toxic chemicals in these everyday school supplies—many from China—and to consider recalls if their data warrants action. The only chemicals students should have to worry about are on the periodic table.”
Schumer stood with the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) who published the report that examined eight categories of ‘common school supplies bought by parents each year’, including crayons, markers, rulers, 3-ring binders, notebooks, glue, lunch boxes, and water bottles.
Schumer said that the U.S. PIRG tested popular brands from each category and that their results were alarming, to say the least. According to the U.S. PIRG, Playskool Crayons were found to have Asbestos; both EXPO and The Board Dudes dry-erase markers turned up samples of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene); 3-ring binders tested positive for phthalates; Hydro Pro Furry Friends and GSI Outdoors Kids water bottles.
Sanders On Death of McCain
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D- Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale, parts of Far Rockaway), a former U.S. Marine yesterday mourned the death of U.S. John McCain (R-AZ).
McCain, who ran for president twice, was a U.S. Navy pilot who saw action in and was a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.
“When men need an image of being a man, we often think of Senator John McCain. Regardless of his politics, this stand up guy was the epitome of hardcore. Senator McCain, we will miss you as a veteran, as a Senator, as a candidate, but mostly as a man. And let no one who shirked military service 5 times because of “bone spurs” (Mr. President), cast aspersions on this combat vet, and P.O.W.,” said Sanders.
