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Dear
Neighbor,
This
week
at
City
Hall,
the
Environmental
Protection
Committee
held
a
hearing
on
the
capital
projects
that
will
mitigate
flooding
in
Southeast
Queens.
The Department
of
Environmental
Protection
(DEP)
is investing
over $1.5
billion
dollars
for critical
infrastructure
upgrades, including additional median
strips
and
rain
gardens,
bluebelts
(drainage
systems
that
use
both
conventional
storm
sewers
and
natural
green
spaces
to
manage
waters),
and upgraded main
sewer
spines.
With
important
projects,
and
such
a
large
sum
of
money,
we
need
to keep an
eye it to ensure they are
being
implemented
timely
and
correctly.
My
colleagues
and
I submitted
legislation
Introduction
1198 which
would
mandate that DEP
create
an
online
system
describing
the
mitigation
plan that includes
funding
expenditures
for
Fiscal
Year
2016, and a
timeline
for
implementation and completion.
Upcoming
projects
include:
Roy
Wilkins
Park:
pond
restoration,
expansion,
plus
right
of
way
runoff
capture, with
the construction
to
start
in
2018.
Railroad
Park:
right
of
way
and
runoff
capture
installation,
construction
in
the
summer
of
2018
Detective
Keith
Williams
Park:
right
of
way
and
runoff
capture, construction
to start
in
the Fall
of
2018
Rufus
King
Park:
installation
of
a
rain
garden
and
right
of
way
runoff
capture,
which
is
in
the
design
stage.
The
Department
of
Transportation
(DOT)
which
will
be
working
in
coordination
with
DEP,
will
be
in
charge
of
the
Large
Scale
Trunk
Sewer
Build
Out, Intermediate
Projects
such
as
storm
water
extensions,
and
Green
Infrastructure
Projects
like
the
installation
of
bioswales.
It
was
great
to
hear
from
several of our local
organizations, including
the Addisleigh
Park
Civic
Association,
who
testified
on
the
problems
residents
have
had
because
of
the
continued flooding
in our
communities.
I
look
forward
to
working
with
them,
DEP
and
DOT,
to
ensure
these
projects are
complete.
___________________________
MTA
Votes
To
Keep
Fares
at
$2.75
After
much
advocacy, this
week
the
Metropolitan
Transportation
Authority
(MTA)
voted
to keep
transit
fares at
the $2.75
per
ride.
However, the
roundtrip
bonuses
are being
lowered
to
5%
from
11% and
a
monthly
unlimited
ride
will
go
up to
$121
from
$116.50.
Studies show that
low
income
earners are
less
likely
to
purchase
monthly
or
round
trip rides. While
we
understand that
there
are
significant
costs
associated
with
maintaining
the
largest
transit
system
in
the
world,
those
living
in
transit
deserts
still
deserve
fair
and
affordable
transit
options.
To
address
the
rising
costs
of
public
transportation,
our
Commuter
Rail
Equity
Act would
allow
people
to travel
on
the
Long
Island
Rail
Road
(LIRR) for
the
same
price
as
a
MetroCard fare. When LIRR
trains
arrive in
Southeast
Queens stations
from
Long
Island,
they
are
significantly
under
capacity.
If
this
plan
is
enacted,
not
only
will
travel
times be
cut in
half
for
residents
in
transit
deserts,
but the
added
convenience
will improve
our
quality
of
life. We
currently
have
the
support
of
the
Council’s Queens Delegation, as
well
as former
elected
officials,
civic
and
business associations.
We
will
continue
to demand
that
it
be
implemented.
_________________________
Update
On
Vision
Zero
On
Thursday,
the
Council’s
Transportation
Committee
held
an
oversight hearing
on
Vision
Zero. Just
one
day
prior, I
drove
by
the Parsons
Boulevard
and
Archer
Avenue
bus terminal and
was
disappointed
to
once
again witness
a
lack
of
enforcement
on
this
corridor.
In
his
preliminary
budget,
the
Mayor
proposed
an increase
of
$400
million
dollars
to expand Vision
Zero,
and
while the
103rd
Police
Precinct has
increased
enforcement
since
October,
they
are
only issuing parking
tickets
instead
of
moving violations.
This
is
a
critical
difference
based
on
the administration’s
own
criteria
in
order for
our
community
to
receive more
funding
and for
the
Taxi
and
Limousine
Commission
(TLC) to
successfully implement
the
forfeiture
program.
When
I shared the
picture
above
with
the
representatives
from
the
TLC,
DOT and
NYPD
at
the hearing, they
agreed it
was
an
unacceptable
situation. I
look
forward
to
hearing
from the
(TLC/DOT/NYPD) on
the
changes
they
will
implement
to
ensure
this
does
not
continue
to
occur.
Speed
Hump
Update
The
Department
of
Transportation has
approved speed
humps
on
the
following
locations:
1) 115th
Avenue,
between
175th
Street
and
175th
Place
2) 115th
Avenue,
between
175th
and
176th
Street
_____________________
Standing
Up
For
Our
Civil
Liberties
As we
get
ready
to
celebrate
Black
History
Month,
the
lessons
of Dr. Martin
Luther
King,
Jr.
are
important
now
more
than
ever.
We
must seek
answers
and
stick
together
with
communities
across
the
City,
State
and
country
if
we
are
to successfully
push
back
against
the
policies coming
out
of
Washington,
DC.
On
Friday, the
President
signed
an
Executive
Order
to
implement
extreme
vetting
practices
of
refugees from
Muslim-majority
countries.
This is
an
act
of
discourtesy,
disrespect,
and
disregard
for
the
rights
and
liberties
of
those
who
call
America
home.
It
is
an
affront
to
Muslims
here
and
abroad,
and
sends
the
wrong
message
to
our
international
partners.
Instead
of
hiding
behind
divisive
actions,
we
should
be
promoting
policies
that
strengthen
our
ties
and
celebrate
our
great
nation’s
diversity.
That
is
just
one
example
of
why
my
friends
in
labor
organized
a
rally
this
week in
Union
Square,
where thousands
of people
across
all
faiths came
to support
our
most
vulnerable
citizens
and immigrants.
On
Tuesday,
our
office
hosted
a
workshop
to
educate
prospective
homeowners
on
how
to
become
a Habitat
for
Humanity homeowner.
Last
Saturday,
I
joined
some
of
my
colleagues
in
government
to
participate
in
a
panel
discussion
hosted
by
the Metropolitan
Black Bar
Association.
We discussed
how
legislators
can
support
and
enact
critical
criminal
justice
and
civil
rights
measures
such
as
the
Right
to
Know
Act,
Raise
the
Age,
and
Ban
the
Box.
These
events are
critical
to
ensuring that the successes we
made
this
past
decade
are not removed. I
will
continue
to
advocate with
my
government, non-profit
and
business
partners to
uphold our
rights
and
civil
liberties.
____________________
Winter
Pride
I
was grateful
to
be
one
of
the honorees at the Queens
Lesbian
and
Gay
Pride
Committee’s
Winter
Pride event.
The
men
and women who
are
involved
in
this
organization
are
great
advocates
for
their
community.
I
thank
them
for
their
recognition.
__________________
Congratulations
Explorers
The
NYPD
Explorers
Program
is
one
of
the
best
in
the
City
and
it
was
great
to
be
there
as
these
young
men
and
woman received awards
for
their
hard
work
and
dedication
to
the community.
____________________
Through
the
Earned
Income
Tax
Credit
(EITC),
you
may
be
eligible
for
thousands
of
dollars
from
the
Internal
Revenue
Service.
EITC
is
a
refundable
credit.
When
the
credit
amount
exceeds
the
amount
of
taxes
owed,
it
results
in
a
tax
refund.
Millions
of
taxpayers
will
qualify
for
this
tax
credit
for
the
first
time
this
year.
Due
to
changes
in
financial,
marital,
or
parental
status,
we
find
that
there's
about
a
one-third
turnover
each
year
as
people
move
into
or
out
of
EITC.
EITC
is
a
financial
boost
for
working
people.
The
local
community
also
benefits
from
the
additional
funds
received
by
the
families.
Free
tax
preparation
assistance
is
available
throughout
the
tax
season
to
make
sure
you
are
aware
of
this
and
other
refunds.
For
tax
help
visit
“Free
Tax
Return
Preparation
for
You
by
Volunteers”
found
on
IRS.gov;
call
local
community
information
numbers
(211
or
311);
or
call
IRS
at
1-800-906-9887.
Some
taxpayers
may
choose
to
electronically
file
at
the
IRS.gov
site
‘free
file’:
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Free-File:-Do-Your-Federal-Taxes-for-Free.
______________________________
Pre-K
Applications
Now
Open
In
these
high-quality
programs,
children are
in
a
safe
learning
environment
with
many
opportunities
to
explore,
create,
and
participate
in
engaging
learning
activities
and
to
interact
with
other
children
and
adults.
Programs
build
on
the
strengths
and
diverse
backgrounds
children
and
families
bring
to
the
classroom
to
support
all
learners
in
gaining
foundations
for
success
in
school,
at
home,
and
in
life.
Click
Here
To
Apply
_____________________________
Grants
and
Employment
Opportunities
Department
of
Citywide
Administrative
Services
The
Department
of
Citywide
Administrative
Services
(DCAS) has
exams
scheduled
for
2017
for several
titles
including
Caseworker,
Fire
Protection
Inspector,
and
Firefighter,
For
a
full
list,
dates of
when
the
exams
will
be
taking
place,
and
how
to
sign
up,
click
the
link
below.
CLICK
HERE
TO
FOR
DCAS EXAM
SCHEDULE
WorkForce1
WorkForce1
also
has
several
opportunities
available,
many
of
which
are
in
Queens.
Some
of
these
positions
are
Care
Coordinator,
Mechanical
Engineer, and
Roofers. You
can
see
all
of
them
listed
on
their
website
and
make
an
appointment
with
one
of
their
job
placement
specialists.
CLICK
HERE
FOR
WORKFORCE1
WEBSITE
_____________________
Immigration
and
Housing
Services
 
________________________
Upcoming
Events
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