PS/IS 49 hosts Take a Veteran to School Day

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Last week, Spectrum and HISTORY co-hosted Take a Veteran to School Day at PS/IS 49 in Middle Village.

The outreach initiative connected veterans to fourth-grade students to hear their stories of service.

State Senator Joe Addabbo joined the activities for a Q&A session as well. Addabbo is a member of the Senate’s Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee.

“It gives the students a chance to speak directly with a veteran and learn about what it takes to be in the military, the different roles someone can have while serving the country, and to hear some incredible stories,” he said.

Adam Falk, senior vice president of State Government Affairs at Spectrum, said more than 10,000 veterans work at Charter.

“By sharing their remarkable stories of service with students, we ensure tomorrow’s leaders understand and appreciate their devotion to our nation,” Falk said.

CEC 24 to host Chancellor Carranza at town hall

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Community Education Council (CEC) for District 24 is hosting Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza on Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m.

The town hall will take place in the auditorium at PS 58 School of Heroes, located at 72-24 Grand Avenue in Maspeth.

Parents are encouraged to attend, as the chancellor will address issues and concerns regarding local schools and students.

District 24 includes the following neighborhoods: Corona, Glendale, Ridgewood, Elmhurst, Long Island City, Maspeth and Middle Village.

One of the most persistent problems facing the district is severe overcrowding, despite the construction of new additions to school buildings.

Another topic sure to dominate the discussion will be the proposal to eliminate Gifted & Talented (G&T) programs, as well as reforming the admissions process for the city’s specialized high schools.

Last year, when DOE officials presented at the mayor’s plan to reform admissions to the elite high schools at a CEC 24 meeting, parents booed and chanted “keep the test.

Carranza, in particular, has been the target of a flurry of criticism from many parents over his push to desegregate public schools.

The town hall will provide a venue for parents, officials and others to voice their concerns directly to DOE leadership.

On-site translation service will be available at the town hall.

Middle Village residents join pol to highlight animal welfare bills

State Senator Joe Addabbo was joined by animal rights advocates in Albany recently to boost awareness for a group of legislative proposals aimed at proving a better life for animals in the state. Among those bills is a piece of legislation that would ban the practicing of declawing animals.

“I appreciated speaking with a number of constituents who came to Albany from Middle Village, Glendale and other areas to fight for the rights of animals to be safe, loved and free from cruelty,” said Addabbo. “Our cats, dogs and other companion animals become loving members of our families and deserve that same kind of respect. Unless you count barking, meowing, chirping and other unique creature communication methods, our animals don’t have real voices of their own to stand up for themselves and they depend on us to speak up on their behalf.”

State Senator Joe Addabbo Jr., and Middle Village's Christina Gdisis
State Senator Joe Addabbo Jr., and Middle Village’s Christina Gdisis

One of the residents that joined Addabbo from Middle Village was Christina Gdisis, who volunteers as a District Leader for The Humane Society of the United States.

“I applaud Senator Addabbo for supporting bills that make such a big impact on the animals and people of our state,” she said. “The Humane Society of the United States provides me with opportunities to make important connections with legislators who make progressive changes for the welfare of animals. I’m happy Senator Addabbo and I can work together on these bills in our community”

The bills are, according to Addabbo’s office:

S.5084 would prohibit the declawing of cats or other animals in New York State, unless deemed medically necessary. The inhumane practice of declawing involves multiple amputations of the last bone of the cat’s digits. This ban would prevent negative health and behavior effects that could harm the animal, as well as decrease the number of animals surrendered to local shelters.

S.3201 would improve enforcement of animal cruelty by placing animal crimes under the penal code, which would provide greater accessibility of these statutes for law enforcement personnel, rather than keeping it under the state’s Agricultural and Markets law. This legislation would provide our police, judges and prosecutors with the tools they need to uphold laws that protect animals.

S.5944 would prohibit housing policies that discriminate against specific dog breeds. This proposal would help to ensure that responsible dog owners are not forced to choose between obtaining housing for their families and abandoning their beloved pets.

 

Sen. Addabbo views neglected pedestrian underpass

Senator Joseph Addabbo meets with constituents to discuss the conditions of a dirty Middle Village underpass.
Senator Joseph Addabbo meets with constituents to discuss the conditions of a dirty Middle Village underpass.

Senator Joseph Addabbo, after receiving numerous complaints from constituents, met with Middle Village residents to discuss a pedestrian underpass infamous for its unsanitary conditions.

The underpass – pedestrian underpass at 80th Street and 57th Avenue, beneath the Long Island Expressway – has become even worse in recent months, due to the infestation of pigeons. This has led to a collection of deceased eggs, broken spikes and feathers strewn about the sidewalk. The hazardous environment created by the birds joins the litter left by foot traffic.

After meeting with constituents to get a first-hand look at the conditions, Addabbo called the New York City Department of Transportation, who has previously made efforts to clean the area.

“The Department of Transportation listened to our concerns the first time around, and my constituents and I need them to hear us again now,” said Addabbo. “While we appreciate their efforts to tidy up this area, more needs to be done to prevent this situation from continuing to occur, worsening each time around. These pigeons and the mess they leave behind are making this walkway unbearable, and the people of Middle Village and the surrounding communities deserve better. Nobody wants to walk down a sidewalk covered in bird droppings and dirty feathers, and nobody should have to.”

 

CITY TO BEGIN $25 MILLION PROJECT TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE SEWER CAPACITY IN ELMHURST, MASPETH AND MIDDLE VILLAGE QUEENS

CITY TO BEGIN $25 MILLION PROJECT TO SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASE SEWER CAPACITY IN ELMHURST, MASPETH AND MIDDLE VILLAGE QUEENS

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Emily Lloyd and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Acting Commissioner David Resnick today announced that the City is set to begin a $25 million infrastructure upgrade that will significantly increase sewer capacity and thereby better manage stormwater and reduce flooding in the Elmhurst, Maspeth and Middle Village neighborhoods of Queens.  The existing sewers located under Calamus Avenue and 69th Street serve as major conduits in the areas drainage network and both will receive significant capacity upgrades to ensure the proper drainage of stormwater from the streets and to help eliminate sewer backups.  While the roadway is opened to add the sewer capacity, the City will also replace the area’s water mains to ensure residents and businesses continue to enjoy a reliable supply of high quality water.  In early April, contractors will establish a field office in the community and begin mobilizing for the project.  Construction will begin later this spring and the work is expected to be completed by the fall of 2016.  The project is being funded by DEP and the construction will be managed by DDC.

“We are committed to working with local leaders and community groups to identify areas where upgrades to the sewer infrastructure are feasible and will help to better meet the needs of residents and businesses,” said DEP Commissioner Emily Lloyd.  “This $25 million investment will add significant capacity to the sewer system, help to better manage the stormwater that drains to this low-lying neighborhood and reduce flooding.”

“We look forward to ‘getting shovels in the ground’ and starting work on these significant infrastructure upgrades in Elmhurst, Maspeth, and Middle Village.  This project will improve our streets and water service, and add much-needed drainage to help manage stormwater.  In addition, in the weeks to come, we will assign a full-time Community Construction Liaison to keep residents and business owners informed about the work we’ll be doing,” said David Resnick, AIA, Acting Commissioner of the New York City Department of Design and Construction.

“I am pleased that DEP is making the necessary infrastructure investments in our communities,” said Council Member Elizabeth Crowley.  “These much needed improvements will help prevent future flooding in our homes and in our streets. I would like to thank Commissioner Lloyd for expediting this project and look forward to continuing to work with her and the DEP to ensure we continue to bring our infrastructure into the 21st Century.”

TATE SENATOR JOSEPH P. ADDABBO, JR. VISITS M.S. 210 FOR CAREER DAY

TATE SENATOR JOSEPH P. ADDABBO, JR. VISITS M.S. 210 FOR CAREER DAY

On March 21, 2014, State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. spoke once again at M.S. 210 The Elizabeth Blackwell School and shared his career path with seventh and eighth graders.

“The message I try to leave them with is always do well in school, and along the way, try to help others,” Senator Addabbo said. “In the end, when you choose a career, like what you do and do it right.”

Senator Addabbo spoke about his occupations, starting as an attorney, moving to become an elected official, first as a councilman in the New York City Council and then a New York State senator.

The senator also spoke to the students about careers related to his own, including being an elected official’s staff member, helping constituents, being a legal counsel for an elected and drafting legislation. He answered students’ questions ranging from schooling requirements, to salary.

“Students should have a wide array of career choices, and know what’s out there so they can make those choices,” he said.  “To be an elected official is an honorable, noble career.”