— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Dear Neighbors,

The city has begun its vaccination effort this week and we are fighitng
hard to ensure that seniors in our district can access vaccines. We are
working to add more vaccination sites in our communities, and have funded a
program to ensure that seniors can access vaccinations wherever they are in
the city.

As we continue our work to stop the spread of COVID-19, please remember: by
wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, looking after our seniors and
most vulnerable neighbors, and getting tested, we can continue to stay
well.

Please find below the latest news and resources to stay informed.
Thank you and stay well,
Council Member Paul Vallone

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Snow Advisory for Northeast Queens, City Services will be Suspended

A large snow storm is forecasted for Sunday night throught Tuesday of this
week. 8"-12" of snow are projected with temperatures as low as 18 degrees.
Please stay safe and prepare accordingly.

A list of suspended City services can be found below:

* Alternate Side Parking will be suspended, meters will remain in effect
* Sanitation collection will be delayed
* All school scheduled for in person classes will be remote-only
* City run COVID vaccination and testing sites will be closed on 2/1

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Senior Medical Transport Program Returns to District 19

Photo taken in 2019

Council Member Paul A. Vallone is proud to announce that the Free Senior
Transportation Program is back up and running as of last week thanks to a
$90,000 funding allocation. An additional $50,000 was allocated in
partnership with Speaker Corey Johnson and Council Member Robert Holden,
bringing the total allotment to $140,000. Queens seniors living in Council
Member Vallone’s district are eligible for the program, as well as seniors
in Council Member Holden’s section of Queens. Rides are offered to areas
within the five boroughs and western Nassau County. The program will
continue until all funding runs out.

In order to schedule a ride to an essential medical or vaccination
appointment, eligible Queens seniors should call the Selfhelp Clearview
Senior Center at 718-224-7888 between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon and
leave their name and phone number in a voicemail to schedule their next-day
rides. The Selfhelp team will return their call and arrange the ride. If
their appointment is on a Saturday, Sunday or Monday, seniors will need to
call the prior Friday. All those who use the service will need to complete
a basic application with demographic information and an emergency contact
and provide their destination.

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Council Member Vallone Votes to Support Brick and Mortar Businesses

This week, the City Council voted to expand street vendor permiting in the
city. It is the first increase in the number of legal permits since the
early 1980s.

Four Queens councilmembers — Barry Grodenchik, Robert Holden, Eric Ulrich,
Paul Vallone — voted against the measure. Council Member Vallone said the
bill did not take into consideration brick-and-mortar eateries that are
also struggling.

“The restaurant and small business industry is collapsing,” he said. “We
should have held off on the expansion. We should have given exclusionary
zones, we should have listened to the BIDS, made sure placement was fair
for all.”

Read More at[1] The Queens Eagle

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COVID-19 Vaccine Resources

Starting Monday, January 11, NYS began scheduling vaccinations for the next
group of people (Phase 1b):

-People age 65+
-Education workers
-First responders (police, fire)
-Public transit workers
-Public safety workers

If you are eligible to receive the vaccine, use the [2]Vaccine Finder to
search for a location near you.

While the end of the pandemic may finally be in sight, it is still
important in the coming weeks we continue to:

1- Wear a mask
2- Practice social distancing
3 -Get tested for COVID19

For the latest information,
visit [3][link removed].

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Department of Finance Deadlines & Resources

The Department of Finance administers a number of benefits for property
owners in the form of exemptions and abatements.

If you currently are utilizing a tax exemption for property taxes, the
deadline to renew that exemption is March 15, 2021. If you are interested
in applying for a new exemption, please use the information and resources
listed above and below.

* Senior Citizens Homeowners Exemption (SCHE) is required to be renewed
every two years.
* Disabled Homeowners Exemption (DHE) is required to be renewed every year.
* Clergy Exemptions are required to be renewed every year.

To learn about each of these benefits and others, including eligibility,
filing and deadlines, visit the [4]Benefits for Property Owners page.

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Grab and Go Meals for ALL

Even when school buildings are closed, free meals are still available at
NYC Schools Meal Hubs!

To find a location near you visit [5][link removed]
or text "NYC FOOD" to 877-877.

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Stopping the Spread of COVID-19

Getting tested for COVID-19 or antibodies? Here is the difference between
the two tests:
* Virus tests tell you if you have COVID-19 and are currently sick.
* Antibody tests tell you if you had COVID-19 at some point in the past.

Learn more about testing [6]here

NYC is one of the first local jurisdictions in the country to put out
COVID19 testing frequency recommendations. Find out how often you should be
getting tested: [7][link removed]

Testing is widely available, and you can now get tested even if you are
asymptomatic. Testing is free, quick, and easy, and you do not need
insurance.

⦿ Text 'COVID TEST' to 855-48 to find the closest testing location or visit
[8]nyc.gov/COVIDtest

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Working Through the

Coronavirus Outbreak Together

PHASE 4 REOPENING

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Open Restaurants Program

The Open Restaurants program allows qualifying restaurants and bars to
expand outdoor seating on sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, plazas,
and Open Streets.

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 [9]here!

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NYC Launches Fair Share program to Streamline PPP Applications

The Paycheck Protection Program from the Federal Small Business
Administration is OPEN again.

New York City Small Business Services can help you navigate the process —
go to [10][link removed] or call 888-SBS-4NYC for assistance.

Fair Share NYC can help in 15 languages!

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Open Storefronts

The Open Storefronts program has been extended through 9/30/2021!

A strong economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic means continuous
creativity with our open spaces and giving our business owners every
resource they need to survive and thrive. The Open Storefronts program will
accomplish just that and give New Yorkers a unique way to shop local and
shop safe throughout this holiday season.

Learn more and check your eligibility [11]here!

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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 stepped up and launched a fundraiser to help College
Point residents who are in need of food.

Organizers write: "We have been going strong throughout the summer, helping
to keep the food pantry alive at First Reformed Church in CP. Thanks to
generous donations from the community, businesses, and city partners, we
have been helping the community throughout these difficult Covid
times...Our focus has now fully shifted from thanking workers, which was a
wonderful initiative, to supporting the food pantry."

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

Find more information on [12]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 [13]Facebook and [14]Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving
COVID-19 situation at [15][link removed].

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— MORE NEWS —

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Friends of Crocheron & John Golden Park

A new local group has formed with the mission to ensure Crocheron & John
Golden Park will provide all visitors with beautiful open spaces.

Learn more about their fundraising and event organization efforts [16]here

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— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —

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718-268-5011

Commonpoint is also offering free full day childcare to families working as
essential workers. [17]Inquire here

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— UPCOMING EVENTS & COMMUNITY INFO —

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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 [18]Facebook, [19]Twitter and [20]Instagram

References

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Council Member Paul Vallone | Council Member Paul Vallone | 42-40 Bell Boulevard, Suite 507 | Bayside, New York 11361
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