Saying Goodbye to 2020

and Ringing in 2021!

Dear Friends,

I hope you and your families enjoyed a joyous Christmas and holiday season. First and foremost, I hope you are safe and well. As 2020 thankfully comes to a close, it is a time for all of us to reflect on the challenges we have faced and show appreciation to the loved ones that are in our lives. With vaccinations on the horizon and an end to the pandemic in sight, it is my hope that we continue to stand together as neighbors, friends and family as we look out for each other and pray for healing.

Like many other New Yorkers, at the end of March, I began to experience Coronavirus symptoms and began a long journey to recuperation by self-quarantining, resting and healing at home with my family. After everyone’s prayers and weeks of rest, I was blessed to have made a full recovery. My family and I were overwhelmed by the generosity and love that you shared with us in the spring and we cannot thank you enough for your kindness. It was the true meaning of the Christmas spirit that came a little early this year.

This past June, the City Council was faced with an unprecedented deficit from the continuing pandemic and financial downturn. In spite of this, we were able to bring tremendous victories for Northeast Queens in this year’s budget. We secured funding for two major and long-wished-for park projects in Bayside and College Point. Funds to create a new dream playground for PS 184, restore the ecology at Powells Cove Park, develop a reading garden at Auburndale Library, and add NYPD security cameras to our busiest intersections — all projects to come out of our Participatory Budgeting — were also secured.

The following Year in Review will highlight what we've accomplished this year as well as showcase some of the virtual events and visits that make me proud to be your Council Member!

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, never hesitate to contact either myself or my staff at any time. Both my family and I wish everyone a happy, healthy and blessed New Year!

Sincerely,

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Fiscal Year 2020 Budget

Announcing $20 Million in Funding Improvements for Northeast Queens

Northeast Queens Schools, Libraries and Parks to See Major Upgrades

Photo taken in 2019 at MacNeil Park

On June 30, the New York City Council passed the City budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and I’m proud to announce that, in one of the most challenging budget years in recent memory due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, I was able to fight for and secure $20 million for improvements throughout Northeast Queens. In seven years of fiscal budgets, my office has now secured well over $120 million in funding for Northeast Queens.

The budget provides significant improvements to our parks, with $5 million allocated to complete long-awaited waterfront, esplanade and seawall repairs at the beautiful MacNeil Park. Another $3.4 million was allocated to complete pathway renovations at Joe Michael’s Mile (North), a beautiful, outdoor refuge for so many during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.

In total, I’m proud to have allocated nearly $5 million for upgrades at local schools and over $10 million for improvements to our parks. Every school within the district received a minimum of $50,000 to fund important technology upgrades.

These record financial victories for our Northeast Queens community are promises kept that will carry positive impacts into future generations.

A total of $1.6 million in funding was allocated in partnership with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson for ecological restorations at College Point’s Powells Cove. This is one of 11 projects on this year’s Participatory Budgeting ballot that we fought to fund in this year’s budget, despite the citywide cancellation of this year’s voting cycle due to COVID-19.

“Powells Cove Park is a potentially beautiful natural area that‘s suffered from inadequate maintenance and upkeep since its creation, even as usage increases dramatically,” said Kathryn Cervino, President of the Coastal Preservation Network. “The people of College Point deserve better and we are grateful to Council Member Vallone for securing these funds. We look forward to partnering on plans to improve flood-prone and worn out trails, thin the hazardous overgrowth, beautify entryways and add trash cans to ease the rampant littering. This park is truly a gem in the rough.”

Additional participatory budgeting projects funded in this year’s budget include a $674,00 classroom renovation at JHS 194, accomplished in partnership with Borough President Sharon Lee, and a $500,000 year-round Reading Garden at Auburndale Library in partnership with Speaker Johnson.

“The updates to the two rooms in our school is an exciting thing for our school, as it will provide additional updated classroom space for our students,” said Jennifer Miller, Principal of JHS 194. “Thank you to everyone who helped to develop and support this project, including Mr. Koe, our SLT and PTA, and Council Member Vallone.”

A $820,00 funding allocation with Speaker Johnson was made to St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, New York's largest provider of long-term care to children with medically complex conditions. I was also proud to advocate for and secure $5.1M in funding for the Support Our Seniors initiative, which I established in 2015, and secure over $1 million to directly support nonprofits in the district, such as the Bayside Village BID, Commonpoint Queens, the Alley Pond Environmental Center, Douglaston LDC, Poppenhusen Institute, and HANAC Angelo Petromelis Senior Center.

Read Coverage:

Queens Courier

Queens Chronicle

Queens Post

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Leading Council Hearings on Post-COVID Economic Relief and Recovery

In the wake of COVID-19, New York City’s economic recovery is on the minds of all New Yorkers. Since June, I’ve chaired multiple hearings of the Committee on Economic Development focused on COVID response and recovery efforts in New York City. Our first hearing was specifically focused on the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s 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, who discussed establishing a local PPE and testing production chain and ongoing job development efforts that aim to help New Yorkers attain economic stability.

In September, I co-chaired a joint hearing focused on the recovery of New York City’s tourism industries and arts and culture during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. There, my legislation seeking to create an Office of Tourism Recovery was supported and discussed by fellow Members, industry leaders and advocates.

The prolonged fallout from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to leave its mark on every sector of the city’s economy, but nowhere is it more pronounced than in our once-vibrant tourism, arts and entertainment sectors. Acknowledging the difficult recovery ahead, my bill seeks to create a dedicated office that would report directly to the Mayor and support tourism recovery throughout the city over the course of the next five challenging years. Proactive efforts like these will ensure the “City that Never Sleeps” stays dynamic, vibrant and wide awake in this new reality.

October's joint hearing of the Committees on Economic Development, Contracts and Governmental Operations brought a critical and thorough review of the city's decision-making processes throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and presented us with an opportunity to glean lessons learned and discuss how EDC and the relevant city agencies are preparing to tackle the second wave or a future health crisis.

Applying best practices from last spring, ensuring an adequate stockpile of medical equipment, PPE, and testing and streamlining critical response time between agencies and our medical community is paramount. The near-complete effort to stockpile a 90-day PPE supply for the city and the now-live PPE + Reopening Supplies portal established by EDC are vital safeguards as we prepare for whatever comes tomorrow, next month or next year.

Read Coverage at Crain's NY, Playbill, QNS

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Vallone and Speaker Johnson Double Funding

to Expand Free Senior Transportation Program during the COVID-19 Crisis

Photo taken before COVID-19

I'm proud to announce that, in partnership with New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, the Free Senior Transportation Program was extended this year thanks to an additional $150,000 in funding. This allocation is in addition to the initial $150,000 in funding allocated to the program this past fall by my office, the Queens Delegation and Queens Borough President's office.

With this new allocation, my office has now increased the budget for this successful program nearly eightfold since 2017, when his office earmarked $40,000 to pilot the program. Most importantly, this critical service remained operational during the COVID-19 crisis.

Selfhelp Community Services works in partnership with Four Twos and Central Car Service to schedule rides. The program will continue to operate until the funds are depleted.

Since my office created the initiative four years ago, the Senior Transportation Program has provided thousands of free rides to and from important medical appointments. I thank Speaker Johnson for his support and commitment to this initiative and Selfhelp Community Services for always being an outstanding community partner.”

“During these uncertain times, we must do everything we can to protect and support vulnerable New Yorkers, including our seniors,” said Speaker Corey Johnson. “Additional funding for this senior transportation program is so important now. Aging residents have enough to worry about during the coronavirus crisis. They should not have to worry about how to get around. I thank Council Member Vallone and Selfhelp Community Services for their partnership as we help our City’s seniors during this pandemic.”

Read Coverage:

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Community Wins

Bright Moments in a Challenging Year

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Northeast Queens Strong During COVID-19

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 over $100,000 and counting to provide hundreds and hundreds of meals to healthcare workers at our New York hospitals and the many first responders stationed at our local precincts, firehouses, and at Fort Totten during the spring.

A local group organized Project Face Shield, assembling thousands of 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 at the height of the pandemic in the spring.

The Coastal Preservation Network and a group of College Point residents also established efforts to collect funds and distribute meals to hard working staff at two local nursing homes.

In the spring, a group of neighbors created the Meals for Visiting Healthcare Workers in Queens initiative to provide meals to the many nurses, doctors, and paramedics from across the country who were 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."

The Help Our Healthcare Heroes initiative 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." All of these initiatives were found and supported on GoFundMe.

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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Outdoor Dining Success in Northeast Queens

The prolonged fallout from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has left its mark on every sector of the city’s economy, and our restaurants have faced unprecedented hardship. In response to this, the Administration unveiled in July the “Open Streets: Restaurants” program, which combines the Open Streets and Open Restaurants initiatives on select corridors throughout the five boroughs and allows qualifying restaurants and bars to safely expand outdoor seating on the weekends by closing streets to vehicular traffic.

This past summer, Bayside’s Bell Boulevard was selected as one of the first business corridors in the city, and the very first in Queens, to participate in the new program. A few weeks later, we were proud to bring the program to Douglaston Plaza. This amazing, months-long feat could not have been achieved without close collaboration with local partners, including the Bayside BID, Douglaston LDC and 111th Precinct, as we welcomed countless diners for safe outdoor dining. By cutting obstructive red tape and setting clear health and safety guidelines for our city’s thousands of restaurant owners and the thousands more they employ, the program offered a critical lifeline and helped ensure both the long-term health of New Yorkers and the economy.

I thank every one of you who supported our restaurants this year by dining in, taking out or ordering delivery in 2020 and beyond and I look forward to the program in the warmer months ahead!

Read Coverage at QNS, Queens Gazette

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Northeast Queens Drive-In Movie Series

Recognizing the demand for fun yet safe, socially distanced community activities this past summer, I was proud to organize a series of nostalgic drive-in movies that provided Northeast Queens families with responsible summer fun during the warmer months. Over 300 families registered and participated in our four free movie nights and most showings sold out online in less than an hour!

It was wonderful to empower the community to come together safely after months of quarantine and to bring great exposure to many local businesses and eateries, who need our support now more than ever. I thank Cord Meyer Development, Triangle Equities and the Queens Chamber of Commerce for partnering with my office to make these wonderful events a reality!

Read Coverage at QGazette

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Vallone to MTA: Improve, Don’t Slash Bus Service in Northeast Queens!

Winter 2020 MTA Workshop in College Point (pre-COVID)

The proposed MTA Queens Bus Network Redesign has been a topic of concern for my office since it was unveiled in January 2020. The cuts to express bus service suggested as part of the draft plan are completely unacceptable to our community, which is already a transit desert. The MTA should be looking at increasing service and their investment in quality public transportation in places like Northeast Queens that have been traditionally underserved, not taking it away.

Every day, thousands of Northeast Queens residents rely on express buses to get to Manhattan and back home. Cutting these services would further strand our community. Under the proposal, the MTA would run a limited number of buses during weekday rush hours and almost completely eliminate service on the weekends. Our district cannot be left in the dust. We need accessible transit options at all times for all of our residents. Any proposal that denies further mobility to Northeast Queens is wholly unacceptable.

Before the pandemic and the ban on large public gatherings, I worked to bring the MTA to every corner of our district to hear your concerns directly, and I have confidence that they are listening. The MTA has assured my office that any public comment forums for our district postponed this spring due to COVID-19 will be rescheduled. The project is indefinitely on hold.

In the meantime, we must remain active and vocal. Our voices can, and will, ensure that our bus service is preserved and transit is improved in Northeast Queens! Please continue to share your comments and concerns online at new.mta.info/queensbusredesign. We look forward to reviewing the MTA’s revised network redesign plan, which is still in development due to the pandemic.

Read Coverage at Queens Eagle, QNS, Queens Chronicle

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Bayside's Fort Totten Sees June Reopening After Huge EMS Pandemic Staging Effort

(Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office)

Patch article, May 27, 2020

"In the thralls of the coronavirus crisis, Fort Totten Park housed ambulances from across the country — and was even considered as a possible burial site if the pandemic worsened. Now, it's slated to reopen to the public on June 1, according to City Council Member Paul Vallone.

The FDNY and the city's parks department are teaming up to ready Fort Totten Park for public access, following the departures of the last members of a "cavalry" of out-of-town EMTs and paramedics that had been stationed there to assist New York City's first responders.

Vallone last week pressed the Fire Department to reopen the park to give residents of northeastern Queens more space to follow social-distancing rules, require New Yorkers to stay six feet apart from others.

"The closure of the park has caused severe overcrowding at nearby Little Bay Park and the overcrowding is dangerous and makes social distancing impossible," Vallone wrote in a May 21 letter asking the FDNY to reopen the park. "Fort Totten is, as you know, sprawling and our residents would be much safer outdoors if this could be made available to them."

Read the full article at Patch Bayside

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Council Member Vallone and 109th Precinct Team Up to Improve Safety at Harvey Park

Vallone and 109th Precinct have teamed up to target illegal parking of commercial trucks, tractor-trailers and waste removal vehicles around a local park. Commercial trucks, parking day and night around Harvey Park, located between 144 Street and the Whitestone Expressway service road, has become a chronic issue, preventing park goers from enjoying the park safely.

This issue was brought to the Council Member’s attention by the Dwarf Giraffe Athletic League, whose members frequently use the fields at the park for their youth sports. According to local law, street storage of commercial vehicles is prohibited in a residential area in excess of three hours, and parking a commercial vehicle on a residential street between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. is prohibited. At a meeting with the Precinct’s new commanding officer in November, Council Member Vallone relayed details of the ongoing issue and swift action was taken by local officers, who have now issued 15 truck/trailer parking summonses in the immediate area.

“Commercial trucks constantly lined up along the perimeter of the park decrease visibility and pose a risk to pedestrians seeking safe access to this popular greenspace,” Vallone said. “I thank Commanding Officer John O’Connell and the 109th Precinct for their attention to this issue and look forward to our continued partnership.”

“We did touch base with Sanitation as they were assisting as well focusing on the waste trucks in the area,” said Captain John L. O’Connell, Commanding Officer. “We will continue to address this issue and make sure any illegally parked trucks/trailers will be issued summonses.”

“The DG Board members want to thank Council Member Paul Vallone and the 109th Precinct for addressing the parking problem down at Harvey Park,” the Dwarf Giraffe Board of Directors said in a statement. “The DG families appreciate the fact that their safety is being addressed. Your continued attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.”

Read Coverage at Bayside Patch, QNS

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Legislation

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Demanding Accountability from Con Edison Post-Storm Isaias

Last year, we endured one of the most challenging summers in recent memory, facing storms, power outages, and a global pandemic. Con Edison’s disastrous, week-long response to Tropical Storm Isaias, which arrived in New York City on Aug. 4 and was felt most profoundly in the borough of Queens, was unacceptable and prompted me to immediately call for emergency City Council hearings on the vulnerabilities exposed in existing emergency preparedness and infrastructure.

In response, the New York City Council met remotely for a joint oversight hearing on “Tree Removals and the Restoration of Power in the Aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias.” The Committees discussed two of my proposed resolutions, which seek to push Con Edison to make needed service improvements, better prioritize restoration efforts across the five boroughs, and take accountability for damage sustained on private property during weather events.

Con Edison’s failure to quickly restore power to tens of thousands of Queens residents in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias meant that the borough hardest hit by COVID-19 also became the hardest hit by this weather event. A borough-by-borough approach to Con Edison’s emergency response, advance identification of vulnerable utility infrastructure, and accountability for damage to private property during storm events are just a few ways we can take action now and prevent a similar unacceptable outcome in the future.

When it comes to a future natural disaster in our city, it's not a matter of “if,” but “when.” We cannot leave New York City families in the dark.

Read Coverage:

QNS

Queens Post

Queens County Politics

QGazette

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City Council Passes Vallone-Sponsored Bill to Explore Use of Drones for Building Facade Inspections

In September, the NYC Council passed a bill that will require the Department of Buildings (DOB) to study the safety and feasibility of permitting building façade inspections to be conducted by unmanned aircraft systems, or drones. This bill, co-sponsored by Council Member Paul A. Vallone, is an important first step toward making positive changes to the city’s outdated technology laws and has the potential to improve safety, reduce costs and save time.

Formerly known as Local Law 11, under the Facade Inspection and Safety Program owners of all buildings over six stories tall must conduct a facade inspection, and make the needed repairs, every five years. Drone use in New York City is currently prohibited under a 1948 local law, which restricts the take off and landing of any “aircraft” to airports and Port Authority-designated locations.

“An outdated local law, drafted decades before the advent of what are popularly known as ‘drones,’ is leaving New York City on the ground while other cities are already using rapidly advancing technologies to support business and improve safety,” said Council Member Paul Vallone, who also chairs the Committee on Economic Development. “Clearing the way for building industry firms, property managers and other companies to save both time and money through the use of drones could certainly benefit the city, particularly when it comes to ensuring our buildings are built safely and properly maintained.”

In addition, facade inspections are a major ongoing expense for co-op and condo boards. Reduced costs associated with drone facade inspections could help ensure the financial stability of the thousands of housing cooperatives and condominiums throughout the New York metropolitan area, and the thousands of shareholders who depend on them as a vital affordable, middle-class housing option.

“In addition to cost savings, drone inspections will give us a better view of more portions of the property,” said Michael Brennan, General Manager of The Bay Club in Bay Terrace, in a letter of support for the bill. “Currently an engineer gets a view using binoculars, and scaffold drops are used in areas of concern. A drone can take high resolution photographs in a faster and less costly manner. A drone inspection would also be much safer for those working, inspecting, and pedestrians below.”

This bill takes effect immediately and the study will be completed and submitted no later than October 31, 2021. Council Member Vallone is also working with Speaker Corey Johnson to explore legislation that would be required to move forward with legalizing drone use in New York City.

Read Coverage at Crain's NY, Cooperator, Queens Post

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Bill to Move City Data to the Cloud

Photo taken pre-COVID

In December, the Committee on Technology heard a bill by Council Member Vallone which seeks to help bring New York City's technological infrastructure into the 21st century and beyond. "Looking into transitioning our data and applications to the cloud is the first step to creating dynamic and cutting edge platforms for our city to build on that are affordable and secure," said Vallone. "We must have a strong technological foundation that we can rely on at a moment's notice to ensure that we can continue our work through any emergency.

Cloud storage would also allow our city agencies to store and share data more easily, creating a more transparent environment in our government. Having access to this data, and to the incredibly powerful tools most cloud computing companies offer, would allow us to identify problems more easily and investigate solutions through a data driven approach.

"I want to thank Speaker Johnson and Chair Holden for allowing this bill to create a comprehensive report on transitioning our systems to the cloud to be heard. We must find ways to ensure the integrity of our technological infrastructure and ways to utilize all of the data in the city’s care to create meaningful data driven policy changes."

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Council Member Vallone Introduces Resolution

Calling for Peace for Armenia

At the Oct. 29 Stated Meeting, Council Member Paul A. Vallone introduced a resolution calling on Congress and the President of the United States to work towards a lasting ceasefire and peaceful resolution to the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, and issued the following statement:

“Today I want to rise and speak on the atrocities once again being perpetuated on the Armenian people and express my deep concern with the ongoing conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Once again, Armenia, the homeland of my wife and our family, finds itself under attack and fighting for survival. It is my hope that an immediate peaceful resolution can be reached to end the heartbreaking violence, destruction and loss of life currently impacting the region of Artsakh. For this reason, I've introduced today a resolution urging Congress and the President of the United States to work towards a lasting ceasefire and peaceful resolution to the Armenia and Azerbaijan conflict.

For the thousands of Armenian Americans who call our city home, and the thousands more residing throughout the country, the U.S. must stand up to aggression and let the Armenian people know they are not alone while we advocate for peace in the region. I'm proud today to speak at our City Council Chamber on this issue and call for #PeaceForArmenians.”

Read Coverage at NY Daily News

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Council Member Vallone Lauds Passage of Anti-Age Discrimination Bills

At the Nov. 19 Stated Meeting, Council Member Paul A. Vallone celebrated the passage of a package of five bills he proudly co-sponsored which will together create a Center for Older Workforce Development, prevent and address age discrimination in the workplace and help develop the older adult workforce. Vallone serves as Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and on the Council’s Aging Committee.

In a recent national survey conducted by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) of adults older than 45, 61 percent of respondents indicated that they have seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace, and 38 percent of these respondents indicated that such discrimination is “very common.” In the last 15 years, the number of older New Yorkers in the workforce has steadily increased and, with the COVID-19 pandemic, age discrimination has only worsened for older Americans, who have reported targeted layoffs in recent months.

Vallone co-sponsored the following five bills, introduced by the Aging Committee Chair Council Member Margaret Chin and Council Member Diana Ayala:

· Int 1694-A:

· Creates an office dedicated to combating ageism in the workplace and to developing the older workforce, called the Center for Older Workforce Development.

· Int 1693-A:

· Requires the Department for the Aging (DFTA) to provide guidance and support to the Center for Older Workforce Development, as created by Proposed Int. No. 1694-A.

· Int 1695-A:

· Requires New York City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) to conduct a two-year study related to age discrimination in the workplace.

· Int 1684-A:

· Requires the City Commission on Human Rights to create an anti-discrimination poster that includes age discrimination, and to provide additional age discrimination resources on its website.

· Int 1685-A:

· Requires all City agencies to provide age discrimination training to their employees every two years.

“It is unacceptable that our older New Yorkers continue to face discrimination and harassment at all stages of employment due to age discrimination, which persists as one of the most prevalent forms of discrimination in the American workplace,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “I thank Council Members Chin and Ayala for leading the charge on these important anti-age discrimination efforts and know that these preventative measures will help eliminate barriers to employment, educate employers, and offer needed protections to our older New Yorkers.”

Read Coverage at QNS

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Whitestone Street Co-Naming for Late Monsignor

At 2020's final Stated Meeting, the New York City Council voted to approve Council Member Paul A. Vallone’s bill to co-name the intersection of Clintonville Street and Locke Avenue, in front of St. Luke Roman Catholic Church, as “Msgr. John C Tosi Way.” An official ceremony is currently slated to take place sometime in the spring.

Monsignor John C. Tosi was a priest for over 45 years and a monsignor for 23 years within the Diocese of Brooklyn & Queens. Sadly, Monsignor Tosi passed on May 23rd, 2020, after suffering from a coronary condition for the past several years. He was 73 years old.

“I’m proud to announce this much-deserved honor for Monsignor Tosi, who was regarded as a local stalwart and a man of deep faith,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “I look forward to joining together as a community in the new year to celebrate his life and legacy in Northeast Queens.”

“Monsignor John Tosi was a faithful priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn for almost 50 years, and he served the people of St. Luke for 15 years,” said Fr. John Costello, the current pastor of St. Luke’s. “He was a generous, dedicated, and caring priest who went out of his way to help others. He loved Jesus, he loved the Church, he loved the parish, and he loved the community – he was a Queens boy who grew up not too far away in Flushing. His memory and his legacy will live on for many years here at St. Luke.”

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More Highlights

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Small Business PPE Distribution

Happy to join the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Bayside Business Association, Bayside Village BID and Congresswoman Grace Meng in October to distribute important PPE to local businesses, restaurants and neighbors!

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Masks, Shields & Test Kits Distributed

In June, I was proud 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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Vallone Secures Funding for Cleaner Streets in Northeast Queens

In response to substantial cuts to the Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY) operating budget in this year's challenging citywide budget, Council Member Paul A. Vallone has secured and designated $71,000 through the New York City Council’s Clean Up NYC Initiative to fund additional garbage pickups in both QE7 and 11, which cover neighborhoods in Northeast Queens including Auburndale, Bayside, College Point, Douglaston, Flushing, Little Neck and Whitestone.

With this allocation, QE7 will see an additional trash bin pickup service on Sundays, while QE11 will see pickups on one additional weekday, for 30 weeks. These increased services began on Sunday, August 23, and are in addition to each garage’s regularly scheduled pickups, which were scaled back due to agency-wide cuts.

Facing the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis and a $9 billion budget shortfall, every city agency was forced to implement cuts this past June. As a result, the Department of Sanitation was forced to eliminate $106 million from their operating budget and subsequently reduce their level of services. Vallone secured this funding allocation to offset the funding gap in Northeast Queens and ensure cleaner streets in our neighborhoods.

“As we continue to face the ongoing impact of COVID-19, public health remains top priority, and this allocation will serve to keep our streets clean and our neighborhoods safe,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “Increased trash bin pickups, particularly around our busy commercial corridors, will help ensure safety and sustained quality of life for all those living, commuting, and doing business in Northeast Queens.”

"CB 11 is being hit hard by budget cuts across our agencies and all City Services as a result of the tax revenue lost during the pandemic,” said Joseph Marziliano, District Manager of Community Board 11. “We are so thankful to see Councilman Vallone taking the initiative to step in and keep up the quality of life and sanitation we have come to enjoy in Northeast Queens."

Read Coverage:

Queens Post

QChronicle

QNS

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Implementing Long-Awaited Whitestone Traffic Changes

In June, the Department of Transportation informed Council Member Paul A. Vallone 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.

Previously, Vallone heard from community members who expressed traffic and safety concerns at the location. The Council Member subsequently asked for a traffic study from the DOT, which then approved one-way conversions at the site to enhance safety and mobility. Queens Community Board 7 also supported and approved these new street configurations.

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.

“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,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “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.”

“The safety of our students is our highest priority, so this street conversion to a one way is welcome news for our school community who has advocated for this change since 2016,” said Jennifer Miller, Principal of JHS 194. “Thank you to everyone who has supported these efforts, including, Ms. Slattery, JHS 194’s past and present SLT and PTA, Council Member Vallone, the DOT, and our entire JHS 194 school family and its surrounding community.”