Kaplan, Sillitti request for additional LIRR hearings gets granted
Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-North Hills) and Assemblywoman Gina L. Sillitti (D-Port Washington) yesterday saw their request that the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) hold additional public hearings regarding service cuts to the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) granted.
The proposed service cuts would dramatically impact commuters who use the Great Neck, Manhasset, Plandome, and Port Washington LIRR stations. The changes are being proposed to allow commuters to use the new Grand Central Madison Terminal on the East Side of Manhattan, but under the proposal, the new service is coming at the expense of existing service to Penn Station.
“We’ve already heard from thousands of residents in our community who are rightly upset about the proposed changes that eliminate express trains on the north shore and make it harder for commuters to reach Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, but it’s vital that every impacted resident have the opportunity to make their voices heard with the MTA before any service changes are decided upon. I urge every resident who hasn’t yet done so to either submit a formal comment to the MTA in writing, or sign up for one of the upcoming virtual hearings to make their case directly to MTA leadership,” said Kaplan.
Sillitti thanked all of the commuters, residents, and community leaders who attended the first public hearing and voiced their concerns to the LIRR about the proposed schedule changes.
“It is because of your activism that we reached capacity at the first hearing and will now be having two additional meetings in the near future. Together we can continue to advocate for change and I remain hopeful that we are getting closer to a solution to help alleviate our residents’ concerns,” said Sillitti.
The new meetings will be held on the following dates:
- Thursday, August 4: 6-8 p.m.
- Thursday, August 11: 6-8 p.m.
Members of the public wishing to speak at the meetings should register at new.mta.info/grandcentralmadison. Registered speakers will be limited to 250 per meeting. Registration to speak August 4 will open July 28. Registration to speak August 11 will open August 4.
De La Rosa announces much-needed sanitation services coming to Northern Manhattan
City Council Member Carmen De La Rosa (D-Manhattan) today will announce upcoming sanitation efforts coming to her district in collaboration with CleaNYC, GraffitiFreeNYC, and the New York City Economic Development Center (NYCEDC).
The CleaNYC program is a joint effort between the Mayor’s Office and New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC). CleaNYC is a supplementary sanitation program that aims to improve cleanliness and quality of life through targeted beautification and clean-up initiatives across all five boroughs, while concentrating efforts in neighborhoods hardest hit by COVID-19.
The announcement is slated for 10 a.m., today, July 19 at the Duarte Triangle between 170th Street and St. Nicholas in Washington Heights, Manhattan.
BBP Reynoso announces capital funding for Woodhull Hospital
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso today will join executives from the public hospital system and local elected officials to announce a capital funding award for NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, which will be allocated towards maternal health service amenities and related clinical upgrades at the hospital.
During his campaign for borough president, Reynoso highlighted the gross inequity that Black pregnant people are 9.4 times more likely to die due to childbirth complications than their white counterparts. He pledged to reduce this disparity in Brooklyn, making the borough one of the safest places to have a baby in the country.
Reynoso will make the capital funding announcement at 10 a.m., today, July 19 at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, 760 Broadway, 3rd Floor Auditorium in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Colton celebrates 100TH birthday of Francesco DaGuida
Assemblyman William Colton (D-Brooklyn) last week helped to celebrate the 100-year birthday of Francesco DaGuida.
“I was honored to be invited by the DaGuida family to celebrate the 100-year birthday of Francesco DaGuida. It was a happy occasion that took place at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, in Brooklyn. It was a great honor to present Francesco with a Proclamation from the state Assembly for his 100th Birthday, recognizing this family patriarch, family man, veteran, and civic person as a great person in NYC,” Colton said.
“Francesco DaGuida is a proud father of four children, 10 great-grandchildren, and a Veteran who represents all the good values and traditions of the neighborhood. The American Dream for all of us,” Colton added.
Hochul signs Stavisky legislation to ban smoking in public parks
Governor Kathy Hochul last week signed legislation sponsored by Senator Toby Ann Stavisky (D- Queens) prohibiting smoking in all state-owned beaches, boardwalks, marinas, playgrounds, recreation centers, and group camps.
Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx) sponsored the measure in the lower chamber.
“This law is important for a number of reasons. In addition to the obvious health risks posed by secondhand smoke, non-biodegradable filters in cigarette butts are a major environmental hazard and they are the leading item found during cleanup projects. Through this prohibition, parks and beaches will be kept cleaner and safer for those who enjoy them,” said Stavisky.
“New York’s public parks are family friendly venues. No one, especially children, should be subjected to secondhand smoke while playing on a playground or enjoying the day at a public beach or camp site. Our parks also shouldn’t be tainted by non-biodegradable cigarette butts scattered throughout their grounds. I am proud to sponsor this legislation to protect and improve our beautiful network of parks and I thank Governor Hochul for helping New Yorkers enjoy the beauty of our parks by signing it into law,” the lawmaker added.
Smoking in the designated areas listed above will be punishable with a civil fine of $50.
