Kim Lauded On Completion Of Bland Playground & Basketball Court
Assemblymember Ron Kim (D-Flushing, Whitestone, College Point, Murray Hill) yesterday celebrated with members of the Bland Residents Association, fellow elected officials, and representatives from NYCHA in a ribbon-cutting ceremony that heralded the official completion of major structural improvements to the Bland Houses playground and basketball court.
The process of revitalizing the two locations first began when Kim nominated and secured $750,000 in funding for the project through the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).
“Today marks a momentous occasion for Flushing. The Bland playground and basketball court are two popular and highly frequented local community spaces in our neighborhood, but after years of decline and neglect, they were in need of serious repairs and improvements. That is why I nominated and secured $750,000 in funding to ensure major structural restorations to these two locations, and after several lengthy stages of work and planning, this endeavor has finally been realized,” said Kim.
“I am truly happy to join my colleagues and fellow residents in rejoicing over the completion of this project. Community spaces such as these represent essential public goods that benefit all New Yorkers, and my colleagues and I will do all that we can to support the preservation and expansion of such vital places.”
“The restoration of the basketball court and playground at the Bland Houses is great news for residents of the complex,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park). “Both facilities are used often by local children and youth, and the renovations will ensure that these critical community spaces can be used for many years to come. I thank Assemblyman Kim for all his work in making this project happen.”
“The Bland basketball court and playground are a beloved part of the Flushing community. The completion of a construction project to do much-needed repairs and renovations cements the importance this recreational spot has in the hearts of local residents, and is a great example of the community and state government working together. Congratulations to AM Kim for securing the funds, and to DASNY and NYCHA for their efforts to get this done,” said State Sen. John Liu (D-Flushing, College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Douglaston-Little Neck, parts of Hollis, Bellerose).
Meng Calls On DNC To Include AAPI Moderator In Presidential Debate
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park), chair of ASPIRE, the political arm of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Members of Congress, yesterday sent a letter to Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez calling for the DNC to ensure that at least one of the DNC-sponsored presidential debates features an AAPI moderator.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest-growing population in our country and the DNC has rightly recognized this fact by increasing the number of AAPIs in senior-level positions, and expanding AAPI outreach efforts,” said Meng.
“It is now time for the DNC to take their commitment even further by ensuring that Asian Americans are represented among moderators on the debate stage. I am hopeful that this can happen and look forward to Chairman Perez responding to our request. I am confident that host networks will not have trouble finding qualified and talented AAPIs to include in their moderator panels,” she added.
In addition to serving as ASPIRE Chair, Meng is a DNC Vice Chair. ASPIRE PAC works to support AAPI federal candidates and candidates with large AAPI constituencies.
Sanders To Host Google Business Training
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale, parts of Far Rockaway) and his economic development team are partnering with Google to hold a Google business training session next month.
The session will feature Google speaker Angelina Darrisaw, who will speak on how customers find business online and how small business owners can promote their online presence using search engine optimization (SEO) and online advertising.
The training will include the use of tools to help business work online, including Google Analytics and Trends.
The event is slated for 6:30-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 5 at the Bernice Caesar Multi-Purpose Center, 110-36 Guy R Brewer Blvd. in Jamaica. You Must RSVP on Eventbrite or call Senator Sanders’ office at (718) 523-3069.
