Gianaris, Weprin Laud Moratorium on Live Markets
State Senator Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, parts of Woodside, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Woodhaven) and Assemblymember David Weprin (D-Richmond Hill, Fresh Meadows) lauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo for signing legislation (S6252/A8009) on Monday extending the moratorium on live poultry markets and slaughter houses in New York City.
“This moratorium has worked well to protect communities and animals alike, and I am glad the Governor is signing the bill to extend it,” said Gianaris.
The bill prohibits the Department of Agriculture and Markets from issuing a license to animal slaughter establishments or live poultry markets within 1,500-foot radius of residential buildings in New York City. The bill extends the existing moratorium for four years.
Prior to 2008, when this bill was first enacted, the city failed to adequately control the poor air quality and numerous health threats resulting from the proliferation of live poultry markets in residential and retail communities,” said Weprin. “The renewal of this legislation ensures that we maintain a sanitary, healthy, and comfortable living environment for the residents of New York City.”
The bill will improve air quality and quality of life for New York City residents, the release said. Often live poultry markets or other animal slaughter facilities failed to dispose of remains properly, creating odors and clogging sewer drains and air conditioning and heating ducts, which also presented health impacts such as asthma, allergy and respiratory hazards.
BP Lee to Discuss Tropical Storm Isaias Response
Acting Queens Borough President Sharon Lee, Queens elected officials and Community Boards will gather on Tuesday at Borough Hall to discuss Con Edison’s disastrous response to Queens – over 73,000 customers who lost power in the wake of last week’s Tropical Storm Isaias.
Six days after Tropical Storm Isaias, over 5,200 of Con Edison’s Queens customers – as well as everyone else who live in those households – remain powerless, still in the dark, in hot days and restless, humid nights.
Nearly a week after Isaias, not a single Queens Community District has yet to be spared from the power outage. Districts in Eastern Queens (Southeast, Western and Northern) were hit especially hard.
Con Edison’s restoration failure has compounded the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic for many constituents of Queens, which was the epicenter of the epicenter just several months ago. The extensive power outage and sluggish restoration has caused prolonged trauma and danger to tens of thousands of Con Edison customers and their families.
The event will take place on Tuesday August 11 at 11:30 a.m. at Queens Borough Hall located at 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.
Addabbo Advocates for Ability to Opt Out of In-Person Schooling
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth and parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside and The Rockaways), a member of the Senate Education Committee, said Monday that he wants to make sure that parents and teachers still have the choice to safely opt in to either a blended learning plan or an all-home learning situation at their discretion after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that he decided schools can open across the state for in-person learning.
“I understand the questions and concerns students and parents, as well as teachers and faculty, have about a return to in-class learning. I have those same concerns as well,” Addabbo said. “I am happy to see that there will be no restrictions on students and staff being able to opt into a blended learning approach or even full at-home learning. This fluid situation can change very quickly if confirmed cases begin to rise. If everyone follows the strict guidelines issued by the city and the state, I believe we have a better chance of having a successful 2020-2021 academic year.”
The detailed plan provided by both the state and city includes strict guidelines for school activities such as transportation, pick up and dismissal times, in-person and remote learning, meals, PPE requirements for students, faculty and staff, and many more aspects that go into safely operating a school.
Each school — including religious and independent schools — must submit their individual reopening plans to the NYS Education Department.
The New York City Department of Education district reopening plan can be found here.
