Vallone Proposes Street Co-Naming in Honor of Late Whitestone Monsignor
City Councilmember Paul A. Vallone (D-Auburndale, Bay Terrace, Bayside, Beechhurst, College Point, Douglaston, Flushing, Little Neck, Malba, Whitestone) has submitted legislation to co-name the intersection of Clintonville Street and Locke Avenue in Whitestone, Queens as, “Msgr. John C Tosi Way.”
Community Board 7 voted on and approved the co-naming at their Monday meeting and the bill is currently being reviewed by the Speaker’s office.
Monsignor John C. Tosi was a priest for over 45 years and a monsignor for 23 years in the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens. Sadly, Monsignor Tosi passed on May 23 this year after suffering from a coronary condition for the past several years. He was 73 years old.
“Monsignor Tosi was a man of deep faith and firm commitment to bettering each and every community he served throughout his lifetime,” said Vallone. “His loss is felt profoundly throughout the Whitestone community and I’m proud to propose this street co-naming in his honor.”
Born in Flushing, Tosi attended St. Ann’s School, Msgr. McClancy H.S., Cathedral College, Douglaston, and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington. He was ordained in May 1973 by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero at St. James Pro-Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn. He served as an assistant at Our Lady of Grace, Howard Beach from 1973-87 and Resurrection-Ascension, Rego Park from 1987-91. In 1991, he was appointed executive secretary of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission, a position he held until 2005, and in 1995, he assumed the additional duty of rector of St. James Cathedral, Downtown Brooklyn.
Tosi was named a Monsignor in 1997, and in January 2005, Msgr. Tosi was named pastor of St. Luke’s, where he remained until his death. Msgr. Tosi rebuilt St. Luke’s Church and made many renovations to the Queens parish based on his experiences with the Diocesan Liturgical Commission.
The City Council is scheduled to vote on a slate of street co-namings this winter.
Addabbo: Resiliency Shown After Superstorm Sandy Needed in COVID Battle
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) believes that some residents will use what they learned eight years ago when Superstorm Sandy ravaged large parts of his district like the Rockaways, Broad Channel, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, and many others to help make it through the COVID-19 pandemic this winter.
On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy left behind a trail of destruction.
“Lives were lost, houses were flooded, businesses were closed, and many people lost everything they worked their entire lives for. However, when things looked their bleakest, we all came together the way a true community does and helped each other rebuild through that extremely difficult time,” Addabbo said.
Eventually people were able to return to their homes, businesses reopened and served the communities again, and some areas came back stronger than before.
“That same strength and resiliency that we showed in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy is exactly what is needed today, as we all continue to manage this coronavirus pandemic that is affecting everyone,” Addabbo said.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the senator emphasized that some of his constituents have passed away, businesses are either closed or struggling to remain open, and residents have lost their jobs at historic rates.
“We need to come together and do what needs to be done in order to protect, not just our own families and interests, but to protect our communities as a whole. I am proud to say that the communities in my district are doing their best and keeping the COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations down, so our essential healthcare workers can continue to battle this virus on the front lines,” Addabbo concluded. “And just as there is still more to do in the fallout of Superstorm Sandy even eight years later — such as expanding protections for coastal communities, advancing local NY Rising projects and preparing for the next storm — we still need to continue to follow guidelines and safety measures like washing your hands and wearing a mask to keep COVID-19 at bay.”
Dromm Holds Hearing to Discuss Expense Budget
City Councilmember Daniel Dromm (D-Elmhurst, Jackson Heights), Chair of the Committee on Finance, and the committee will hold a vote on Thursday on a preconsidered resolution approving the new designation and changes in the designation of certain organizations to receive funding in the Expense Budget.
The remote hearing and vote will take place on Thursday, October 29 at 9 a.m. in Virtual Room 1.
Constantinides Holds Environmental Protection Committee Hearing
Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside), Chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection, and the committee will be holding a remote hearing on Thursday to discuss two pieces of legislation.
The first piece of legislation is a bill that would amend the definition of rent regulated accommodations. The second would require the city to report on its efforts to comply with greenhouse gas emission regulations. For more information on the bills, see the agenda.
The remote hearing will take place on Thursday, October 29 at 10:30 a.m. in Virtual Room 1.
Koslowitz Holds Hearing on Appointees to NYC Art Commission
City Councilmember Karen Koslowitz (D-Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill), Chair of the Committee on Rules, Privileges and Elections, and the committee is hosting a hearing on Thursday to discuss the appointment of two new members to the NYC Art Commission, also known as the Public Design Commission.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has put forth Kenseth Armstead and Deborah Marton for consideration. For more information see the agenda.
The remote hearing will take place on Thursday, October 29 at 11 a.m. in Virtual Room 1.
