Meng Holds Emergency Supply Drive For Puerto Rico
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park) this weekend announced the launching of an emergency supply drive to help the people of Puerto Rico recover from the earthquakes that have struck the island.
Meng is collecting basic necessities to send to Puerto Rico such as water, first aid kits, flashlights, non-perishable foods, batteries, baby formula, diapers and feminine hygiene products.
“Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico have been devastated by the earthquakes that have hit the island, and my heart aches for all who have been impacted,” said Meng. “Even more heartbreaking is that these earthquakes have struck as many residents continue to recover from Hurricane Maria. We must not sit by and allow our fellow Americans to suffer. We must assist them in their time of need. I’m proud to help do that and I stand with the people of Puerto Rico at this difficult time.”
Supplies can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Jan. 15 to Feb. 5 at 40-13 159th Street, Suite C, in Flushing.
Holden, Miller Hail Deal To Keep Neir’s Tavern Open
City Council Member Robert Holden (D-Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood, parts of Woodside and Woodhaven) and Assemblymember Michael Miller (D-Woodhaven, Ridgewood, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale) on Friday hailed the Queens Chamber of Commerce for brokering a handshake deal between Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir’s Tavern, and property owners Ken and Henry Shi that will keep the historic bar, which has served patrons in Woodhaven since 1829, open.
The two sides met Friday afternoon at the Queens Chamber of Commerce headquarters to reach an agreement that will see the oldest bar in New York City remain in business.
“New York City’s small businesses are what make this city so special, and as the city’s oldest bar, Neir’s Tavern leads the pack. I’m proud to have helped keep the doors open so New Yorkers can continue to enjoy a place that has meant so much to so many over the years. Cheers to another 190 years!” said Mayor Bill de Blasio, who along with the aforementioned lawmakers helped broker the deal.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the negotiations to save the historic Neir’s Tavern,” said Holden. “Thank you Tom Grech and the Queens Chamber of Commerce for bringing us all into a room to resolve this matter. It was a great team effort by the owner Loy, the landlords, and city and state officials. We can all sleep well knowing that this beloved 190-year institution will not have to close its doors and can continue serving the community.”
“I’ve been a supporter since I first came to office 11 years ago, having events, meetings, lunch and dinner at Neir’s,” said Miller. “I’m happy to have been a part of this historic meeting to save such an iconic landmark in my district. Thank you to the Shi brothers, building owners of 87-48 78th Street and Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir’s for coming together and reaching an agreement to keep Neir’s in business. I am looking forward to celebrating Neir’s 200th Anniversary.”
Acting BP Lee, Borough Board To Hear Queens Library Capital Projects Report
Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee and the Queens Borough Board today will hear a progress report from the Queens Public Library on capital projects over the past year and what are in store in 2020.
The Borough Board is chaired by the Borough President under the New York City Charter and comprised of the borough’s City Council members and the chairperson of each Community Board in the borough.
The Board focuses on issues dealing with land use, development, public policy, budget, and other important matters with potential borough-wide implications. The Board hears presentations from City officials and others and, as part of the land use review process, is sometimes called upon to vote on land use questions that impact more than one Community Board District.
The meeting is slated for 5:30 p.m., today, Jan. 13 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
Koo To Announce Resolution In Support Of Adoptee Citizenship Act
City Council Member Peter Koo (D-Bayside, College Point, Flushing, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Fresh Meadows, Whitestone) today will announce a resolution calling for the passage of the Adoptee Citizenship Act of 2019 – federal legislation that would close a loophole in the Child Citizenship Act of 2000 that prevents internationally-adopted children from receiving U.S. citizenship despite being legally adopted by U.S. citizens.
Koo will announce the resolution alongside adoption advocacy groups on NYC’s sixth official Korean American Day – a citywide day of recognition commemorating the first arrival of Korean immigrants to the United States in 1903.
Korean adoptees historically account for one of the largest groups of international adoptions to the U.S. according to the State Department (over 20,000 since 1999), alongside China and Russia.
Koo will make the announcement at 12 noon today, Jan. 13 on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
