— IN THE PAST WEEK —

Dear Neighbors,

I am glad to wish all in our community a happy Lunar New Year and a Happy
Valentines Day! I am glad to see that after years of advocacy from me and
my fellow Council Members Lunar New Year is recognized as an official
school holiday in our great city. I look forward to celebrating with our
community again once we recover from the current pandemic.

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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Council Member Vallone wishes all a Happy Year of the Ox

We want to wish everyone a happy and safe Lunar New Year! Council Member
Vallone has been an advocate for the official recognition of Lunar New Year
as an official New York City school holiday.

[1][LunarNewYear2021_Ox.png]

The Ox represents strength, determination, and diligence, all qualities we
will need as we work to recover and grow in the new year. May all who
celebrate this holiday enjoy a year full of health, happiness and good
fortune!

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Council Member Vallone Tours Pop-Up Vaccination Site in District 19

Council Member Paul Vallone visited a pop-up vaccination site at the Korean
Community Services Center in Bayside as a result of weeks of advocacy from
the Council Member and other elected officials. The pop-up administered 500
doses on Thursday and Friday of last week.

“It was a pleasure to tour our KCS center in Bayside, which is serving as a
pop-up vaccination site today and tomorrow. Five hundred vulnerable
Northeast Queens residents will receive their first dose. This is a great
start, but we must establish a permanent site in Northeast Queens.” said
Council Member Vallone. “Thank you Governor Cuomo for your partnership, and
I look forward to more sites in our district soon.”

We look forward to more sites opening in our district, and you can follow
the Council Member on social media to be alerted when news breaks in our
community!

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Council Member Vallone Continues the Fight Against Helicopter Noise

Council Member Vallone will be chairing a hearing of the Economic
Development Committee on Wednesday, February 17th at 10:00AM on a set of
bills designed to improve helicopter saftey and reduce noise impact in our
city.

"It is important that we not lose sight of issues that affected our
communities before the pandemic started, and that we continue to pursue
solutions" said Council Member Vallone."This kind of noise is detrimental
to our communities who gain no benefit from the vehicles that produce it"

You can [2]register to testify at the hearing using this link, and we look
forward to seeing you at the hearing.

ICYMI: 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.

[3]Read More Here

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ICYMI: Council Member Vallone Calls for More Vaccination Sites in Northeast
Queens

Last week, I joined with local elected officials and signed onto a letter
calling for more vaccination sites in Northeast Queens. Please find an
excerpt from that letter below:

"Our constituents in Northeast Queens need a vaccination site that is more
accessible to them than what is currently being offered. Although the
addition of a 24/7 site at Citi Field is welcome, it is not within reach
for most seniors, especially when travel options to the stadium are limited
during the pandemic. While we understand that vaccine supply is limited and
more locations are slated to open in the coming weeks, it is critical that
we get sites up and running to
ensure ease of access as the vaccination rollout continues."

[4]Read More Here

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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 [5]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 [6][link removed].

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Free Tax Prep Avaialble to Elligible New Yorkers

1 in 2 NYC households are eligible to file their taxes for free, but many
needlessly spend hundreds of dollars to have their taxes prepared. During
these difficult economic times, it’s more important than ever that New
Yorkers eligible for NYC Free Tax Prep file their taxes for free, claim
important tax credits including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and
keep their WHOLE refund.

New Yorkers who earned $68,000 or less in 2020 may qualify for free tax
preparation services in several ways – including from home–this tax season.
NYC Free Tax Prep providers can help eligible New Yorkers file their taxes
now and transmit the returns to the IRS when they open the tax season on
February 12, 2021. The main website for tax information
is [7]nyc.gov/taxprep, but please find links to additional information:

* [8]NYC Free Tax Prep brochure
* [9]How to become an NYC Free Tax Prep Volunteer
* [10]Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers. Available in 12
languages.
* [11]Information about Economic Impact Payments. Note: NYC Free Tax Prep
preparers can help eligible New Yorkers claim the Recovery Rebate Credit.

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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 [12]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 [13][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 [14]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: [15][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
[16]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 [17]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 [18][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 [19]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 [20]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 [21]Facebook and [22]Twitter for the latest.

Please sign up to get email updates from New York State on the evolving
COVID-19 situation at [23][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 [24]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. [25]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 [26]Facebook, [27]Twitter and [28]Instagram

References

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