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.

Last week, we welcomed 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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Drive-In Movie Series Continues at Bay Terrace!

This crowd was ready for Toy Story 4! Another beautiful summer night for a drive-in movie at Bay Terrace on Wednesday.

Thanks again to community partners Cord Meyer Development and Queens Chamber of Commerce and to the local eateries, including Ben's Deli, Jack's Pizza, Applebee's and Panera Bread, who helped feed hungry moviegoers!

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Vallone Chairs Economic Development
Committee Hearing Focused on COVID Recovery

On Wednesday afternoon, Council Member Paul A. Vallone chaired a hearing of the Committee on Economic Development focused on the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s (NYCEDC) COVID-19 response, job development, and small business support in our “new normal.” Representing the NYCEDC at this hearing was James Patchett, President and CEO.

As New Yorkers continue social distancing to help stop the spread of COVID-19, thousands more NYC businesses reopened their doors at the beginning of this week for Phase Two. Chair Vallone acknowledged that large-scale testing and a plentiful PPE supply are a critical part of sustaining a safe reopening.

By establishing a local production chain, EDC reported to-date facilitating the production of 3.2 million medical gowns through partnership with 14 local manufacturers. In addition, a new supply chain with local biotech companies and small manufacturers are now producing 50,000 COVID-19 testing kits per week, per EDC.

“As we prepare to finalize our City budget, we must prioritize and focus our efforts on economic development in our City,” Vallone said. “We know that significant cuts to EDC’s budget, particularly to the capital budget, would have a tenfold impact on each and every one of our City’s businesses and industries.” Chair Vallone and President Patchett also agreed that Congress and the President must quickly act on an additional stimulus package and do more to aid small businesses.

“We need real economic relief. We need a stimulus package that supports states and cities, and provides the resources needed for a robust recovery,” Patchett said in testimony.

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"Vallone pens letter to DEP calling for public access at Tallman Island"

"In the continued effort to pressure the Department of Environmental Protection into restoring public access at Tallman Island Sewage Treatment Plant in College Point, City Councilmember Paul Vallone (D-Bayside) penned a letter to DEP Commissioner Vincent Sapienza June 18, requesting the agency reconsider its decision to bar the community from the waterfront.

“It takes a lot to get me upset,” Vallone told the Chronicle. “It’s a no-brainer ... They hinted toward the possibility of not returning public access and I lost it. We will not give up.”

A park, pathway and pier at Tallman Island STP, located at 127-01 Powell’s Cove Blvd., was enjoyed by the community until the DEP closed public access in 2006 under the New Waterfront Revitalization Plan. Plan documents state that “the existing public access around much of the site perimeter would be maintained as part of the proposed action” as one of its many elements. Though the plans note the revitalization would include reducing the publicly accessible space from 2.75 acres to 2.5, they say it would not affect access to that remaining area. Despite the policy, public access to the park, pier and waterfront path that wrapped around the plant was never restored.

A new project by the DEP seeking to upgrade the bulkhead, pathway, pier and lighting at the 30-acre facility was presented to Community Board 7, but the plan did not include public access to the park or path.

“It’s non-negotiable. There’s a 2005 review document saying so — there’s no way around that,” Vallone said, adding that he and the community are not looking to sue the agency, but to sit down and evaluate the situation. “There’s always a compromise. I get it, it’s a facility. There’s times you need to operate — we’ll work around that. I’m willing to work something out, but no access is unacceptable.”

Read More at the Queens Chronicle

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Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 2 REOPENING

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The second phase of reopening includes:

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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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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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:

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!

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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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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