Vallone Joins Bayside High School PTA

to Rally for Fair Student Funding

I stood with the Bayside High School PTA on Friday morning to call on the DOE to fairly fund this top performing school. Funding some city schools at 90% Fair Student Funding while others receive over 120% FSF is counter to the goal of achieving equity in education.

Strides to bring Bayside High School fair funding are critical to ensure educators have the resources they need to contribute to continued student success and high graduation rates. I applaud the PTA on their call for true equity and I will continue advocacy efforts at City Hall.

Read Coverage:

Queens Courier

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Vallone Seeks to Double Fines to Disruptive Drivers Causing Chronic Noise Complaints

At Thursday’s Stated Meeting, Council Member Paul A. Vallone introduced legislation that would double existing penalties for excessive noise from a motor vehicle. This bill was drafted following a noise complaint-focused meeting the Council Member organized this past spring with local NYPD officers and community stakeholders. If passed, the bill would take effect immediately.

“For too long, car owners with modified, heavy duty sound systems that carry sound for miles have congregated and disrupted quality of life for residents in Whitestone and College Point,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “Increasing these penalties will give the NYPD a resource to more effectively crack down on this chronic nuisance and pressure these vehicle owners to think twice about being a bad neighbor.”

Under the legislation, car operators found to be emitting excess noise from their motor vehicle would face a minimum $300 fine (up from $150) and a maximum $1,050 fine (up from $525) for their first violation. A second and third violation would trigger a minimum $600 and $900 fine and a maximum $2,100 and $3,150 fine, respectively.

Noise from a motor vehicle is a chronic issue in Northeast Queens, with roughly 80 of these complaints reported for Council Member Vallone’s District this year to date, according to 311 data.

“Doubling fines, increased enforcement, vigilance and coordination will all send a clear message that we will not tolerate disruptive blaring music in our parks and on city streets,” said Council Member Paul A. Vallone.

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Observing the 18th Anniversary of 9/11

in Northeast Queens

Eighteen years ago, New York City witnessed one of the darkest days in our nation's history. I began the morning with students and faculty at BELL Academy and PS 169, where we spoke about the events of 9/11 and took time to remember the thousands of lives lost on that tragic day.

The evening brought a beautiful and touching tribute to the lives we lost on 9/11 and our brave first responders at Whitestone's Francis Lewis Park. May we Never Forget.

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"NYC Agrees to Take Responsibility for Sidewalks

Damaged by Tree Roots"

"Big Apple officials are offering homeowners some re-leaf.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Mayor de Blasio reached a deal to address the growing backlog of sidewalks damaged by street tree roots and agreed that going forward, the city, not homeowners, will be responsible for fixing them.

Going forward, liens will no longer be imposed on one, two or three family properties where sidewalk damage is caused solely by city trees."

I am pleased to hear the City will make these important changes to its sidewalk violations system, which for too long posed real quality of life and financial concerns for homeowners in Northeast Queens dealing with sidewalk damage caused by a street tree.

Shifting the liability for street tree-related sidewalk damage away from homeowners and back to the City will bring long overdue relief to impacted homeowners throughout the entire City of New York.

NY Daily News

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Chrissy’s Wish Continues with 5k Fort Totten Run

Started my morning Saturday at Fort Totten Park, where the 1st Annual Chrissy's Wish Walk and Run took place. This local group has raised thousands of dollars to increase awareness and help tear down the stigma of mental illness. Honored to take part!

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Whitestone Block Party!

Great Saturday afternoon at the Whitestone Merchants Association's Block Party! Job well done to all the local businesses and groups who made this happen. What a great community event!