Happy Father's Day!

To the two fathers in my life who have given me everything, Happy Father's Day! Wishing all dads and father figures a wonderful, well deserved day of rest! Enjoy!

— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Dear Neighbors,

I hope everyone continues to stay healthy and safe during these difficult times. Please find below the latest news and resources to stay informed.

Tomorrow, we usher in Phase 2 of New York City's re-opening. Please find below resources for small business owners, restaurant owners, and all as thousands more businesses prepare to reopen their doors. Please shop local and continue to do your part to stop the spread and keep yourself and your family healthy and safe!

As my staff and I continue to work on behalf of Northeast Queens, my office can be reached at 718-619-8611 or [email protected]. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Thank you and stay well,

Council Member Paul Vallone
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Kicking Off Our Drive-In Movie Series

at Bay Terrace!

It was a beautiful Friday night for a Drive-In at Bay Terrace! Thanks to everyone who came out for a night of socially distant family fun and to Cord Meyer Development and Queens Chamber of Commerce for partnering to make it a reality.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday for our showing of Toy Story 4 and announcing more movie dates in the coming weeks!

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Long-Awaited Whitestone Traffic Changes

Coming This Week

Earlier this month, the Department of Transportation informed my office that requested one-way conversions at 17th Avenue, 17th Road, and 157th Street in Whitestone would be implemented by the end of the month. The impacted streets surround JHS 194 and Saint Luke’s School, where traffic flow and safety has been a cause of concern for the surrounding community for a number of years.

Construction appropriate to a new one-way conversion is scheduled to take place on the following dates:

17 Avenue between 150 Street and Francis Lewis Boulevard, from two way to one way eastbound – Tuesday, 6/23/20.
157 Street between 16 Road and 17 Road, from two way to one way southbound – Tuesday, 6/23/20.
17 Road between 157 Street and 150 Street, from two way to one way westbound – Wednesday, 6/24/20.

Parking will be preserved on both sides of the impacted streets. Community members parked in the area will be asked to please turn their vehicles to face the new direction of traffic. For questions, residents may contact the Queens Borough Commissioner’s Office at 212-839-2510.

The safety of our children always comes first, and these traffic flow changes will serve to improve pick-up and drop-off conditions for our students, parents, and teachers. These traffic changes are a win for the Whitestone community members who have long requested improved street safety at this location. I thank DOT Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia for working closely with my office on this issue.

Read Coverage:

Queens Courier

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Important Voting Deadlines!

🗳️ Election Day is June 23 for State & Federal Primaries. Please note:

✔ All New Yorkers are eligible to vote by absentee ballot in this election due to COVID-19 concerns.
✔ Early Voting for June Primary Elections took place June 13-21. Polling places will be open on Election Day, June 23, from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Find your poll site here: https://nyc.pollsitelocator.com/search
✔ June 23 is the last date to postmark your absentee ballot. It is also the last day to deliver your absentee ballot in person at your local BOE office.
✔ Questions? Call 1-866-VOTE-NYC

Visit NYC Absentee for more information.

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Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 2 REOPENING

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COVID Testing and Face Mask Donation to

Keep Queens Safe!

Proud on Friday to help distribute thousands of critical masks, face shields and COVID testing kits to help keep our Queens community healthy and safe.

Thank you to Minsun Kim, the Museum of Korean American Heritage, and the Korean Consulate General for their generous donation to our City!

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The second phase of reopening will include:

outdoor dining
offices
in-store retail
hair salons and barbershops
real estate services
houses of worship
car sales and rentals

All are reopening with social distancing and hygiene guidelines.

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Open Restaurants Program

The City has announced guidance for the Open Restaurants program, which allows qualifying restaurants and bars to expand outdoor seating on sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, plazas, and Open Streets as New York City begins Phase 2 of reopening.

The Open Restaurants initiative will give restaurant owners the power to expand and offer food service in the open air, keeping diners safe and offering New Yorkers a way to enjoy a meal while supporting their local small business, whose success will be a critical part of a strong economic recovery.

Read more and apply here!

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Free Face Coverings for Small Businesses

and their Employees

The City of New York will distribute 2 million face coverings citywide to small businesses and their employees as we move toward reopening the local economy. To get these resources to you and your employees, the NYC Department of Small Business Services and NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection are working with business-serving partner organizations throughout the five boroughs.

If you are a small business looking to secure free face coverings for your employees, visit this City website to find a distribution partner located near you. You should contact partner organizations in advance, most organizations have varying hours for pick up.

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Petition: Restore Public Waterfront

Access to Tallman Island

"For many years, residents of College Point and beyond had public access to parkland adjacent to the west side of the Tallman Island Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) in College Point (127-01 Powell's Cove Blvd.), and to an adjoining waterfront path that wrapped around the treatment plant and out to a pier ... About 15 years ago, all public access to the park and pier was closed off due to new construction projects at the facility.

This spring, the DEP announced a new project to upgrade the bulkhead, pathway, lighting, and bulkhead at the 30-acre facility. No public access to the park or path is included in this new plan. ... We will soon make a site visit with DEP and officials, and we ask that you sign on to this petition to let our officials know how strongly you feel that public access should be restored. All of us deserve to again enjoy the park and the waterfront path, and the ability to walk on at least part of the pier."

See more information at the petition below.

Sign the Petition!

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Whitestone Drive-In Movie Night for a Good Cause

In honor of Joanna’s Birthday, the Joanna Sophia Foundation will be hosting a drive-in movie night on Monday, June 29. The Joanna Sophia Foundation was created in loving memory of Joanna Sophia Ioannou with the mission to help find the cure for Epilepsy and to support families affected by Epilepsy along the way. 100% of tickets sales and donations will be donated to children and families in need who are struggling with Epilepsy. Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.

Read more about the Foundation on their website.

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Sixth Annual Independence Day

Fireworks Show at Ft. Totten

It is with a heavy heart I announce that our Sixth Annual Independence Day Fireworks Show and Celebration at Fort Totten on June 25 is cancelled. While disappointing, this decision is in the best interest of public health, which is priority number one.

We look forward to bringing the community together in celebration with a bigger and better celebration in 2021, and I hope to see you and your families this summer at our Northeast Queens Drive-In Movie Series!

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WJPS Helps Our Local Diners!

A group of 10th graders at WJPS wanted to do something to help our neighborhood eateries and came up with Diner Dash Bingo! Find more information on the flyers below, and if you are able, support their fundraiser for No Kid Hungry. Well done!

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New Guidance for COVID-19 Testing

NYS is increasing COVID19 testing capacity and has issued NEW GUIDANCE for New Yorkers seeking tests.

Diagnostic testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health care provider when:

An individual is symptomatic or has a history of symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, and/or trouble breathing), particularly if the individual is 70 years of age or older, the individual has a compromised immune system, or the individual has an underlying health condition

OR, An individual has had close (i.e. within six feet) or proximate contact with a person known to be positive with COVID-19

OR, An individual is subject to a precautionary or mandatory quarantine

OR, An individual is employed as a health care worker, first responder, or other essential worker who directly interacts with the public while working

OR, An individual presents with a case where the facts and circumstances – as determined by the treating clinician in consultation with state or local department of health officials – warrant testing

OR, An individual is included under other criteria set by the NYS Dept. of Health based on an individual's geographic place of residence, occupation, or other factors that the Department may deem relevant for COVID-19 testing purposes

OR, Any individual who would return to workplace in Phase 1

Find a full list of criteria for diagnostic testing and local testing sites here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you

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Food Pantry Assistance

Our local food pantries in College Point, Flushing and Whitestone are offering assistance to hundreds of families and need our help. Please donate if you are able and spread the word! Thank you CEC D25!

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College Point Residents Organize Fundraiser to Deliver Meals

As our City continues to battle the effects of COVID-19, Northeast Queens residents continue to organize and offer a helping hand. College Point residents Jennifer Shannon, Cathy Shannon, James & Kathryn Cervino, and Margaret Loughlin have launched a fundraiser to help take care of College Point essential workers who are on the frontlines of the Covid-19 crisis, as well as struggling residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We are raising funds to provide lunch as a thank you to the staff of Waterview Nursing Home, Woodcrest Nursing Home and Cliffside Nursing Home (where 16 residents have died from Covid-19). Funds will also purchase food for College Point's only active food pantry, which is serving many more individuals as a result of Covid-19."

I was proud to contribute to this local effort. Please offer a helping hand if you are able!

Find more information on GoFundMe

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Please note the following City and State guidelines and determinations:

NYC entered Phase 1 of re-opening on June 8th. Non-essential workers must continue to stay home. Social distancing rules remain in place.
All NYS K-12 schools and college facilities will remain closed for the rest of the academic year and will continue to provide distance learning through the summer. Full information at schools.nyc.gov/summer
Effective April 17, all New Yorkers must wear a cloth face covering or a mask when out in public and in situations where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Gov. Cuomo announces for tenants:
-Ban of late fees for renters who miss payments.

-Ability to put security deposit toward rent

-Extention of ban on evictions through August 20
New York State will begin expanding testing criteria to include first responders, health care workers and essential workers.
DOE schools will continue Remote Learning. The Mayor has signaled that school buildings will not reopen for instruction for the rest of the 2019-20 school year. Students who need devices for online learning should request them here.
U.S. SBA has resumed accepting Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) applications and these loans are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED. See more and apply here
All New Yorkers will be able to vote via absentee ballot for the June 23rd election and will automatically recieve an application in the mail. See more at vote.nyc.
All non-essential businesses statewide will be closed until further notice.
Non-essential construction statewide has been suspended to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Casinos, gyms, theaters, retail shopping malls, amusement parks and bowling alleys are closed until further notice. Bars and restaurants are closed, but takeout can be ordered during the period of closure.
All non-essential gatherings of individuals of any size for any reason are still banned.
Alternate Side Parking will be suspended until June 21.

For the duration of the outbreak, the following precautions are strongly encouraged to keep you and your family healthy:

Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds every time, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Do not touch your face unless you recently washed your hands.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing. Do not use your hands.
When in public, practice social distancing of at least six feet from others.
If you are an older adult or have a chronic health conditions, avoid unnecessary gatherings.
Most importantly, #StaySafeStayHome!

Healthy or sick, all New Yorkers must stay home unless they are essential workers or need urgent health care.

We will continue to share the latest updates and resources with the community as they are reported to help ensure everyone stays informed. Follow our Facebook and Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving COVID-19 situation at https://now.ny.gov/page/s/coronavirus-updates.

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Northeast Queens Strong!

Our healthcare workers and first responders are working tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and Northeast Queens continues to find new and creative ways to rise and support our essential workers on the front lines fighting this pandemic every day.

Through their Food for the Fearless initiative, Mark Boccia and the team at Bayside's Bourbon Street Queens and OSP have raised nearly $80,000 and counting to provide hundreds of meals to healthcare workers at our New York hospitals and the many first responders stationed at our local precincts, firehouses, and Fort Totten.

Click here to learn more about this fundraiser

A local group has organized to help assemble over 2,800 critical face shields for healthcare workers at Elmhurst Hospital, Forest Hills Hospital, Stony Brook University Hospital, Brandywine Nursing Home in Little Neck, and several others. Organizer Dr. Emily Watkins writes: "Our volunteers continue to work tirelessly to build face shields. We are grateful to have some new volunteers joining our ranks this week. The situation seems to be improving in some places and some of the hospitals we’ve supplied now have enough face shields for all their staff."

Click here to learn more about Project Face Shield

A group of neighbors have created the "Meals for Visiting Healthcare Workers in Queens" initiative to provide meals to the many nurses, doctors, and paramedics from across the country staying at the Adria Hotel and Conference Center and Best Western on Northern Boulevard. Organizer Amy Herzog writes: "After 12 hour shifts on the front lines, these medical workers are exhausted and hungry. Please help us raise money to coordinate hot meals and other needed supplies."

Click here to learn more about this initiative

The "Help Our Healthcare Heroes" initiative has delivered meals to hundreds of medical staff throughout Queens, Manhattan, and Long Island. Organizer Karra Puccia writes: "Every dollar counts and we want to support these heroes when they leave their families to care for ours. Please share so we can continue helping them."

Click here to learn more

14-year-old Bay Terrace resident Jeremy Golub is leading an effort to deliver meals to Flushing Hospital Medical Center EMS. Well done!

THANK YOU to these local organizers and to our first responders, our healthcare workers, and all those on the front lines every day working hard to get our city through this pandemic. We will weather these uncertain times and come through stronger, together!

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Meal Delivery for Those in Need

NYC is assisting New Yorkers by delivering meals to those who cannot access food themselves: http://NYC.gov/GetFood or call 311.

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Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Starting Friday, April 3, 2020, three free meals are available daily for ALL New Yorkers in more than 400 Meal Hubs across the 5 boroughs.

Locations in Northeast Queens include Bayside High School, MS 158, PS 169 Bay Terrace and PS 107 Flushing.

To find a location near you visit http://schools.nyc.gov/freemeals
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

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— MORE NEWS —

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Douglaston and Little Neck are Open for Business!

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NYC Public School Remote Learning

The DOE has commenced Remote Learning.

If you are a family in need of a device, please use the resources below and visit the NYC Department of Education website

Visit http://schools.nyc.gov and schools.nyc.gov/coronavirus for the latest official DOE updates.

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New York State Issues Guidance on

COVID-19 Paid Leave Law

On March 18, 2020, Governor Cuomo signed into law Senate Bill S8091 to provide paid sick leave and job protection for workers during the COVID-19 crisis (“COVID-19 Leave”).

This leave is provided in the event that a worker, or their minor children, are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation issued by the State of New York, the Department of Health, local board of health, or any government entity duly authorized to issue such order due to COVID-19.

Find a comprehensive list of eligibility requirements and benefits here:

https://paidfamilyleave.ny.gov/new-york-paid-family-leave-covid-19-faqs

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Complete the 2020 Census!

It's quick and easy. The 2020 Census questionnaire will take about 10 minutes to complete.
It's safe, secure, and confidential. Your information and privacy are protected.
Your response helps to direct billions of dollars in federal funds to local communities for schools, roads, and other public services.
Results from the 2020 Census will be used to determine the number of seats each state has in Congress and your political representation at all levels of government.

Visit My2020Census.gov to complete the census online today

— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —