Katz, Boro Board Hear From MTA On Bus & Veterans Services
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D) and the Queens Borough Board today will hear a presentation from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) NYC Transit regarding its Queens Bus Network Redesign, as well as from the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) on its programs.
As part of the MTA’s Fast Forward plan, NYC Transit and the New York City Department of Transportation recently announced plans to take a holistic, clean-slate look at Queens bus service, in the hopes of delivering more frequent, reliable service. The goal of NYC Transit is to produce a draft redesign plan in November 2019 and a final plan in April 2020.
In addition, DVS will offer an overview of its efforts to assists service members, veterans and their families by matching them with valuable programs and services. Queens, home to more veterans than any other borough, was the first to open a DVS satellite office in March 2016 at Queens Borough Hall.
The presentation is slated for 9:30 a.m., today, April 16 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
Grodenchik Hearing Examines water Quality At City Beaches
Council Member Barry Grodenchik (D-Bayside Hills, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Little Neck, New Hyde Park, Oakland Gardens, Queens Village), chair of the council’s Committee on Parks and Recreation, today will hold an oversight hearing entitled, “Examining Water Quality at the Parks Department’s Beaches.”
Representatives from the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) have been invited to testify, as well as advocates and concerned community organizations.
DPR maintains approximately 14 miles of beaches that are typically open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Memorial Day weekend through the week after Labor Day during beach season.
City beaches include Brighton Beach, Cedar Grove Beach, Coney Island, Manhattan Beach, Midland Beach, Orchard Beach, Rockaway Beach, South Beach, and Wolfe’s Pond Beach. It was reported that in 2018, approximately 16 million people visited DPR beaches, including 7.4 million visitors at Coney Island beaches and 5.5 million visitors in Rockaway beaches.
The public hearing is slated for 1 p.m., today, April 16 on the 14th Floor Committee Room at 250 Broadway in Lower Manhattan.
Braunstein Sponsors Mother’s Day Essay Contest
Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein (D-Bayside) is once again sponsoring a Mother’s Day Essay Contest for students in grades 2-5.
“My office’s Mother’s Day Essay Contest provides a great opportunity for students to show appreciation for the many things that their mothers do, while at the same time strengthening their writing skills,” said Braunstein.
Submissions can be any length and should have a Mother’s Day theme, such as a favorite experience, or an essay about why your mother is so special to you.
District-wide prizes will be awarded in each grade and New York State Assembly Certificates of Merit will be awarded to all participating students.
If you are interested in participating, please print your full name, grade and school information on your entry and submit your essay to Assemblyman Braunstein’s office at 213-33 39th Avenue, Suite 238, Bayside, NY 11361. You can also submit your essay by email to braunsteine@nyassembly.gov or fax it to 718-357-5947. The deadline to enter the contest is Friday, May 10, 2019.
If you have any questions, please contact Assemblyman Braunstein’s office at 718-357-3588.
Gillibrand Legislation Would Update First Responders Federal Benefits
U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) yesterday announced bipartisan legislation to update the first responders federal benefits program so that first responders and their families can receive the full benefits they deserve.
The Protecting America’s First Responders Act would allow the Department of Justice (DOJ) to change the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program, which provides death benefits to the survivors of officers who die or are disabled in the line of duty, so that awards are calculated based on the date of award, regardless of the date of injury.
This legislation would help ensure that 9/11 first responders and their families, who are currently considered “injured” on September 11, 2001, can receive the current allocated amount of funding.
“Our first responders have a dangerous job and they take extraordinary risks to keep the rest of us safe. When tragedy strikes and a first responder loses their life or becomes disabled because of their heroic work, Congress has a responsibility to look out for their family in return,” said Gillibrand. “I am proud to join Senator Grassley in introducing the bipartisan Protecting America’s First Responders Act. This bill would make sure that the families of our fallen 9/11 heroes and so many other brave first responders are receiving compensation from the government that reflects what they and their children need. I urge my colleagues to do the right thing, fight with me for our first responders, and quickly pass this bipartisan bill.”
