— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Vallone Chairs EDC Hearing Exploring Jamaica NOW Revitalization and Queens
FEASTS

On Tuesday, Council Member Paul A. Vallone chaired a “2020 Snapshot”
Economic Development Committee hearing, which focused on one major
development project being led by the New York City Economic Development
Corporation (NYC EDC) per borough. For Queens, EDC Chief Operating Officer
Rachel Loeb provided updates on the Jamaica NOW Revitalization Project,
which was kicked off in 2014, and the Queens FEASTS initiative.

Jamaica NOW is a multi-faceted $153 million project in Central Jamaica
designed to increase access to quality jobs and small business support,
expand commercial growth, improve livability and increase tourism to
Jamaica. Chair Vallone asked questions on topics including community
engagement, what tracking and data EDC has on graduates of the workforce
development programs, and if any of the job training programs can be
introduced to local schools.

Queens FEASTS, formerly known as Jamaica FEASTS, was born out of the
Jamaica NOW Action Plan. Its main objective is to provide food
entrepreneurs training and tools to be successful in today’s culinary
industry and actively participate in the revitalization of the greater
Jamaica area. Due to its success, the program was recently expanded to the
entire borough. Interested applicants can visit the Queens Public Library
website and complete their application at
[1][link removed].

“Our small businesses are the core of New York City's economic engine, and
providing prospective business owners with support and education through
programs like Queens FEASTS will help the next generation of mom and pops
thrive for years to come,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “I look
forward to seeing the program’s borough-wide expansion progress and ask the
EDC to explore ways we can bring these trainings and internship
opportunities into our schools.”

Read Coverage at the [2]Queens Courier

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Join us for a DOE Imagine Schools Visioning Session!

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Do you have ideas on how to re-imagine a school in your neighborhood?
Council Member Paul Vallone and the Department of Education invite you to
an Imagine Schools information session on Tuesday, March 10 at Korean
Community Services (203-05 32nd Ave, Bayside, NY 11361)!

Imagine NYC Schools is an initiative to empower students and communities to
play an active, central role in creating the future of education, here and
now. This initiative is the first of its kind in New York City–a
student-centered, community-driven approach to creating bold, innovative,
academically rigorous school options.

Register for the event on [4]Eventbrite and share the flyer below with a
friend!

Learn more about the initiative [5]here

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Join Vallone and NYC EDC for a Discussion about the Queens Economy

Join Council Member Vallone and James Patchett on Thursday, March 19 at
the Bulova Corporate Center for a Discussion about Jobs and Economic
Development, in partnership with the Queens Chamber of Commerce!

The event is open to the public and will begin at 8 a.m. Find more
information on the [6]Queens Chamber website!

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— MORE NEWS —

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'Bright Future' for Our Whitestone Park Volunteers!

Congratulations to Dorian Mecir and the hardworking volunteers of Friends
of Francis Lewis Park, who won the “Bright Future Award” from Partnership
for Parks NY on Thursday night! Here's to a long and wonderful partnership
for our beautiful park!

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Discussing Our Parks Department Priorities with

Queens Borough Commissioner Dockett

Productive conversation with Queens Borough Commissioner Michael Dockett
about capital priorities and ongoing projects for Northeast Queens! As
always, I look foward to our continued partnership!

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Voice Your Concerns to the MTA about

Bus Service in Northeast Queens!

In Northeast Queens, where there is no subway access and limited public
transit options for residents, the first major overhaul of our bus network
in a century should improve — not slash — service to our already
transit-starved neighborhood!

Please share these flyers with your friends and neighbors!

We are also encouraging Northeast Queens residents to share their specific
concerns about the draft plan directly to the MTA [7]here and to [8]sign
our petition to improve, not slash service!

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ICYMI: 'Douglaston Library prepping for change'

"In preparation for replacing its old facility with a new one, the
Douglaston Library will be closed from Saturday, Feb. 22 until Monday,
March 16 for a soil assessment.

Managed by the city Department of Design and Construction, the plans seek
to replace the 249-01 Northern Blvd. building with a completely new
structure by fall 2024. The project rests in the design procurement phase,
with architects and engineers not yet designated.

While the branch is closed, patrons may visit nearby Queens Library
locations, including 214-20 Northern Blvd. in Bayside, 57-04 Marathon Pkwy.
in North Hills and 256-04 Union Tpke. in Glen Oaks. Mobile library service
will also be provided on Thursdays outside the Douglaston Library,
beginning Feb. 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

'Our libraries provide the local community with invaluable resources and
are the cornerstones of our neighborhoods,” said Vallone in a statement.
“A brand new, modernized structure at the existing site on Northern
Boulevard will ensure the surrounding community will enjoy access to arts
education and cultural events for generations to come. This preliminary
work is the first step forward, and I’m proud to have worked with former
Queens Borough President Katz and Mayor de Blasio to see the new facility
become a reality!'”

Read More at the [9]Queens Chronicle

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Census Jobs!

The [10]U.S. Census Bureau needs to recruit 84,000 applicants in New York
City to conduct the 2020 Census. To ensure New York City gets a complete
count, it is crucial that census jobs, especially door-knocking jobs, go to
New Yorkers who reflect the demographics in their communities. At a time
when distrust of government is high, census takers must be able to
communicate with and have the trust of the neighbors they are counting.

New Yorkers can apply NOW to be part of the 2020 Census field operation.
Census taker, recruiting assistant, office clerk, and office supervisor
positions in NYC will pay $25-28/hour based on position. The field
positions are part-time and have flexible hours. Paid training is provided,
no prior skills are necessary, and a 2020 Census job could be an entry
point to a career with the Census Bureau.
To apply, go to [11]2020census.gov/jobs or call 1-855-JOB-2020 (call
800-877-8339 for TTY/ASCII). Click [12]here for more information on how to
apply. To apply for professional and managerial positions, go
to [13]USAJOBS.gov.
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Help Kickstart a Local Aerial Dance Center!

Northeast Queens residents and business owners Laura Haley and Danielle
Kocal are seeking to open an aerial studio for kids and adults and are
asking for the community's help.

Learn more about their vision below!

[14]Kickstarter

— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —

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Thanks for reading! As always, if you have any questions or concerns, do
not hesitate to contact my office.

Sincerely,

Hon. Paul A. Vallone

New York City Council, District 19

42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507

Bayside, New York 11361

718.619.8611

[email protected]

Follow me on [15]Facebook, [16]Twitter and [17]Instagram

References

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