Vallone, Rozic Announce Traffic Safety Measures for Streets Surrounding Bayside School
City Council Member Paul Vallone (D-Alley Pond Park, Bay Terrace, Bayside, College Point, Douglaston, East Elmhurst, Flushing, Fresh Meadows, Little Neck, Whitestone) this week received word that the City’s Department of Transportation (DOT) will install traffic signals in front of PS 376, at the intersection of 48th Avenue and 211th Street in Bayside this fall.
The news follows months of advocacy from Vallone and Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Flushing, Queensboro Hill, Hillcrest, Fresh Meadows, Oakland Gardens, Bayside, Douglaston) along with the school’s community.
“After asking the Department of Transportation to reevaluate this issue and requesting the addition of traffic signals at 48th Avenue and 211th Street, I am pleased to hear that DOT will install traffic treatments at this location,” said Vallone. “Collaboration with Principal Kang, the school’s PTA and the DOT was a critical part of implementing these positive changes. The safety of our children always comes first, and I thank the DOT for their responsiveness to the concerns of the community.”
“The wellbeing of our students is paramount and every effort must be taken to ensure their safety at all times, but especially near and around schools,” said Rozic. “I’m gratified that the Department of Transportation has agreed to add traffic signals and safety treatments at 48th Avenue and 211th Street — the intersection surrounding PS 376. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Principal Kang and the school’s PTA.”
Addabbo Carts Mobile Office Hours To Seaside Library
As Spring gets in gear, State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) is rolling out his second Mobile Office Hours next week in Rockaway Park.
The mobile office gives people who may not be able to make it into one of Addabbo’s three district offices during normal business hours the chance to meet with their Senator.
“I always make it a point to hold my Mobile Office Hours at public libraries to allow constituents a central location within their own community to come meet one-on-one with me,” Addabbo said. “While the Senate is in session and I spend most of my time in Albany, it is difficult for me to get around in the district. That is why I have hosted these Mobile Office Hours since being elected to the Senate in 2008. I encourage everyone to come out and speak with me on issues that are important to them during this, or one of my other Mobile Office Hours events.”
The Mobile Office Hours is slated for between 5:30- 7 p.m., Thursday, May 2 at the Seaside Library, 116-15 Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Rockaway Park. Additional mobile office hours are scheduled throughout the year. For more information on the dates and locations of these events, contact Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at 718-738-1111.
Constantinides Names District’s Winning Participatory Budgeting Projects
City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, parts of Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst, Woodside) yesterday announced the five winning projects in his district that will split $1 million in city funding under the city’s Participatory Budgeting (PB) program.
“Participatory Budgeting is truly government for the people, by the people,” said Constantinides. “This year we again saw thousands of residents give a say on how they want $1 million to be spent. What you see is the result of a dedicated community that wants to improve the lives of all those who live in western Queens. Thanks to all our volunteers who working polling stations throughout the district, as well as all those who cast a ballot.”
The five proposals with the most votes will be funded:
- Water Bottle Refilling Stations, $285,000: This proposal applies to all elementary schools in Council District 22: P.S. 2, 17, 84, 85, 151, 171, and 234. Rapid bottle filler stations will replace existing drinking fountains within these facilities.
- Updated High-Speed WiFi, $250,000: Internet connectivity at The Young Women’s Leadership School will significantly improve thanks to upgrades to the wireless system.
- Classroom Electrical Upgrades, $150,000: Eleven classrooms on the third floor of P.S. 70 will undergo electrical upgrades. This will enable the classrooms rooms to support window air conditioners.
- Astoria Library Revitalization Supplement, $250,000: This will support ongoing work to reimagine the Queens Library at Astoria branch as a 21st century learning facility, which has seen about $8 million worth of investment over the last five years. The allocation aids in more furniture, equipment, and fixtures for this historic library.
- Real Time Passenger Information, $180,000: More bus countdown clocks will be installed throughout District 22. This technology uses GPS data to notify commuters when the next bus will arrive. The Department of Transportation will choose locations based in part on public input.
Dromm Hosts Thai New Year Street Festival in Elmhurst
City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) and Elmhurst entrepreneur Juttana “Moo” Rimreartwate are in the midst of co-hosting their fourth Thai New Year Festival and Street Fair on Woodside Avenue between 75th and 77th Streets in Elmhurst.
The two-week festival kicked off last Saturday where attendees were treated to martial arts demonstrations, traditional music and dance performances, a Drag Queen Story Hour reading by RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 star Yuhua Hamasaki, samplings of delicious Thai cuisine and more.
The New Year festival, called “Songkran,” is the most important holiday for the Thai community. The holiday is rich with symbolic traditions, and is a time for family reunions and an annual house cleaning. Those observing Songkran also visit local temples and offer food to the Buddhist monks.
“I am delighted to co-host another Songkran celebration in the heart of Elmhurst’s Little Thailand once again,” said Dromm. “From their enticing cuisine to a rich performing arts tradition, Elmhurst’s Thai community has so much to offer. It was a pleasure to participate in this exciting celebration alongside residents from every nation. I am proud to represent Elmhurst in the City Council and will continue to bring additional programming and cultural celebrations like these to our neighborhood.”
The second part of the festival is slated for 12 noon – 6 p.m., this Saturday, April 27 at the same location: Woodside Avenue between 75th and 77th Streets in Elmhurst.
