Saying Goodbye to Another Successful Year and Ringing in 2020!

Dear Friends,

As we welcome in the New Year with the hopes of what may come, leaving behind us the lessons learned from last year, it is with great pride that I look back at how much we have accomplished together over the past year. Our incredibly successful free Senior Transportation Program with Selfhelp Community Services has relaunched and grown even bigger and better than before. For a fourth year, the program will provide our Queens seniors with a free and reliable way to get to their important medical appointments. Look forward in 2020 to increased funding for this vital program!

In June, the New York City Council passed another balanced and on-time budget, and for the sixth straight year we have continued to break funding records for the District. Last year’s Participatory Budgeting cycle also showed continued success ⁠— Northeast Queens cast over 8,500 votes and saw the best participation numbers in the city! We’re getting ready for this year’s cycle, and voting will take place the final week of March.

Celebrating our community and our families has always been near and dear to my heart. Looking at the growth and tremendous success of our Independence Day Fireworks at Fort Totten, our expanded movie nights under the stars and festivals and holiday celebrations throughout the community, once again brought what is most important out to shine: our love of family and our neighborhoods.

The following Year in Review will highlight what we've accomplished this year as well as showcase some of the 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

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Vallone Secures Nearly $19 Million for

Northeast Queens Improvements

Northeast Queens Schools, Libraries and Parks to See Major Upgrades

City Hall – In June, the New York City Council passed a budget of $92.8 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. For a sixth straight year, Council Member Paul Vallone set funding records, securing nearly $19 million for Northeast Queens by working with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the Queens Delegation ofNew York City Council Members.

In Vallone’s six years in the City Council, he has secured over $100 million in funding, a number that eclipses two decades of city budgets for the same district before he was elected to office.

“For a sixth straight year, I am proud to report record-setting funding for Northeast Queens,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “These budget victories would not have been possible without close work and collaboration with our City Council Speaker Cory Johnson and Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, and I thank them for their ongoing partnership. This year, our Northeast Queens communities can continue standing tall knowing that their needs and priorities are finally being met by the City.”

In total, Council Member Vallone has secured over $6 million for his district’s schools and nearly $5 million for parks. Vallone is proud to announce that every school within the district will receive at least $35,000 to fund important technology upgrades. Council Member Vallone’s budget also provides significant improvements to our parks, with nearly $3 million going to needed lighting installations at College Point Park. This is in addition to the over $7 million previously allocated in partnership with the Mayor’s office to construct brand new athletic fields at this location.

Vallone will provide over $1 million to support nonprofits exclusively in his district, such as Alley Pond Environmental Center, HANAC, Selfhelp Community Services, and the New York Junior Tennis League. Funding allocations will also allow the continuation of the Senior Transportation Program and Annual Independence Day Fireworks Show. Also increased were the amount of schools that will receive Cultural After-School Adventure (CASA) programming, which provides cultural experiences for students by partnering with local nonprofits including Inside Broadway, Marquis Studios and the Queens Museum of Art. These increases will allow Council Member Vallone expand the number of schools receiving a CASA grant to 17. Capital funding has also been allocated to allow for the purchase of tree guards for the district.

“Investing in the future of our schools, parks, and libraries and ensuring sustained quality of life for the families who call Auburndale, Bay Terrace, Bayside, Beechhurst, College Point, Douglaston, Flushing, Little Neck, Malba and Whitestone home are top priority,” said Council Member Vallone. “This year’s budget marks another clear victory for our community.”

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Read Coverage:

Queens Courier

Queens Chronicle

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Vallone Announces Record-Breaking Participatory Budgeting Vote Results

In April, Council Member Paul Vallone was proud to announce the results of the fifth year of participatory budgeting in Northeast Queens, which garnered just over 8,500 votes. This showing toppled Northeast Queens’ previous record and was the best in the entire city!

The winning projects are as follows:

1. P.S. 129 Gymnasium Renovation - 2,009 votes; This project will fund a full renovation of the school’s existing gym space to enhance educational opportunities in the safest way possible for the P.S. 129 school community.

2. Green Biome at Bayside High School - 1,807 votes; This project will fund a Green Biome, which will provides avenues for hands-on learning about hydroponics, solar energy, recycling and urban gardening.

3. NYPD Security Cameras - 1,574 votes; This project will fund and install four NYPD security cameras in District 19, which are meant to enhance crime prevention.

"The results once again clearly show that Northeast Queens has overwhelmingly embraced the success of the participatory budgeting process," said Council Member Vallone. “This grassroots process encourages voter participation at a time when voter turnout is at a record low and is a great way to teach our youth the power and importance of voting. This tremendous effort could not have been possible without the continuous dedication of our delegates, community liaisons, volunteers, staff and Vito Tautonico, our Director of Constituent Services, who spearheaded the process. I look forward to continuing to grow the process next year!"

“The P.S. 129 school community would like to thank Councilman Vallone’s office for the opportunity to improve our school building and to participate in the District 19 City Council Participatory Budget Vote,” said Marilyn Alesi, Principal. “The gymnasium renovation will be greatly appreciated by all the students. We are so grateful to the P.S 129 community, students, parents, community members, teachers, paraprofessionals and everyone who participated in support of this project.”

“The students, parents, and staff of Bayside High School are thrilled to have learned that their dream of a Green Biome/Environmental Science and Sustainability Center will be fulfilled,” said Jonathan Hirata, Assistant Principal. “Council Member Vallone’s Participatory Budgeting initiative introduced Bayside High School students to the political process and allowed them to express their voices through civic participation. The Green Biome will be a cutting edge learning facility for our students as well as a community center. It will continue to raise awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability in the community.”

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Free Senior Transportation Program Relaunched and Expanded!

Council Member Paul A. Vallone’s free senior transportation program kicked off again on Oct. 10. Vallone is proud to have nearly quadrupled the amount of funding for this successful program since 2017, when he allocated $40,000 to pilot the program.

This year, Council Member Vallone allocated $90,000 for seniors living in his Northeast Queens district, while Speaker Johnson secured another $50,000 at the request of the City Council’s Queens Delegation to provide expanded services to seniors across the entire borough of Queens. In addition, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz allocated $10,000 to the program.

To make an appointment, seniors can call the Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center at 718-224-7888 between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon to schedule their next-day rides. Those who use the service will need to fill out a basic application with demographic information and an emergency contact and provide their destination. When ready for pickup, the senior will call again for their return trip.

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

“I’m excited to announce the awaited return of our Free Senior Transportation Program, which will kick off again on Thursday, Oct. 10,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “Since we began the program four years ago, thousands of rides to and from important medical appointments have been provided to our borough's seniors ⁠— at no cost to them. In just a few years, we’ve been able to nearly quadruple funding amounts for the program, enabling us to provide this vital service to seniors throughout Queens. I thank Speaker Johnson, Queens Borough President Katz and the Queens Delegation for their support and Selfhelp Community Services for always being an outstanding community partner.”

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Big Community Wins

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Vallone Announces DOE "Doubling Down"

on School Safety

After Calling for Increased Funding in the Budget for Safety Infrastructure, Vallone Confirms DOE Will Double Capital Funding for School Security Citywide in New Budget

In January, Council Member Vallone received a letter from Department of Education (DOE) Deputy Chancellor of the Division of School Planning and Development Karin Goldmark, who confirmed the city’s Five Year Capital Plan for FY 2020-2024 doubles the previous capital plan’s Safety and Security Program Budget. FY 2020 begins July 2019. Vallone welcomed news of this significant funding increase, which follows months of advocacy on this important issue.

“I am thrilled to hear that the Department of Education’s and School Construction Authority’s Five-Year Capital Plan includes a doubling of funds – from $100 to $200 million – designated solely for the Safety and Security Program,” said Council Member Vallone. “Ensuring school safety requires capital investments, especially when a third of our schools continue to lack camera systems. This allocation will help ensure the safety of our students, who must always be our top priority.”

On September 5, 2018, Council Member Vallone penned a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio, signed by 11 Council Members, calling on the city to increase capital funding to help ensure that all New York City K-12 public schools have access to the latest security technology. These technologies include Internet Protocol Digital Video Surveillance (IPDVS) systems, communications upgrades and viewing stations. Council Member Vallone has allocated funding for these systems at several schools in his district, but installing them throughout the city will require large investments from the DOE. The increased funding in the DOE's upcoming capital plan will go a long way towards achieving this goal.

“These modern security systems provide a critical layer of protection to our city’s schools,” Vallone said. “This important funding allocation will help ensure that every city school is equipped to confront emergencies of all types. We must be proactive – not reactive – when it comes to school safety.”

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Long-Awaited Change to

MacNeil Park Cove is in the “Pipeline”

In November, Council Member Paul A. Vallone received word from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) that the existing stormwater outfall pipe facing the East River in College Point’s MacNeil Park will be extended 200 feet beyond the shoreline. The project will be managed by the Department of Design and Construction (DDC) and is currently in the design phase.

The forthcoming change is the culmination of years of advocacy from Council Member Vallone and local nonprofit Coastal Preservation Network, led by College Point residents Kat Cervino and Dr. James Cervino. In the early 2000s, Dr. Cervino and fellow marine biologists obtained a state Department of Environmental Conservation permit to establish and restore an oyster reef, sea grass and other marine life that now thrives at this formerly polluted cove.

When the outfall pipe at the MacNeil Park cove was first proposed in 2016, the Cervinos raised immediate concerns with Council Member Vallone about the planned pipe’s proximity to the burgeoning salt marsh oyster reef and the potential reversal of over a decade of hard work. Over the last two years, Vallone co-hosted multiple conferences between DEP officials and local stakeholders seeking to achieve a sensible outcome. While the pipe does function to improve water quality and local stormwater drainage, the long term health of the local marine life at the cove was at risk and the beach suffered erosion.

Council Member Vallone welcomed news from city officials of the planned revision.

“Our wetlands are a critical part of our natural ecosystem and play a key role in fostering a healthy marine environment for future generations,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “I am relieved to learn that the outfall pipe at MacNeil Park will be extended and relocated away from this thriving ecosystem, which activists like the Cervinos have worked so hard to protect. I thank the Cervinos for their continued advocacy and the DEP for listening to the community’s concerns and revisiting this project.”

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Vallone Announces $2 Million Allocation for Upgrades at Francis Lewis Park

This summer, Council Member Paul Vallone was proud to announce that $2 million has been allocated for improvements at Francis Lewis Park. This allocation is a piece of the nearly $19 million in funding coming to Northeast Queens in the approaching fiscal year as part of the New York City Council budget passed on June 19.

A total of $300,000 was allocated from Council Member Vallone’s office and an additional $1.7 million was allocated in partnership with City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. The funding will allow for pathway repavings and improvements to the entrance of the park on 3rd Avenue as well as the Veterans Memorial. A meeting to discuss the scope of these upgrades with community leaders is currently slated for this winter.

“I am thrilled to announce this funding allocation, which will go a long way to improve one of northeast Queens’ waterfront gems,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “Access to our public spaces is an integral part of ensuring sustained quality of life in Northeast Queens. I thank Speaker Johnson for his partnership, and I know these improvements will be enjoyed by families in northeast Queens for years to come!”

“The people of northeast Queens deserve nothing less than a first class park, and that’s exactly what they are going to get with this funding,” said Speaker Corey Johnson. “Council Member Vallone is a true advocate for his district, and it was a pleasure to work with him during this budget process to help his constituents. I can’t wait to see the final results.”

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Traffic Safety Measures Secured for Streets Surrounding Bayside’s PS 376

In April, Council Member Paul Vallone received word that the New York City Department of Transportation will install traffic signals in front of PS 376, at the intersection of 48th Avenue and 211th Street. DOT completed installation this fall.

The news follows months of advocacy from Council Member Vallone, Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and the PS 376 community. Vallone began advocating for additional traffic calming devices at the school site prior to its opening in September 2017. The Council Member wrote multiple letters to the DOT on this issue and walked through the site with DOT.

This past winter, the school community collected over 200 petition signatures signaling their support for new safety improvements at the intersection. The Council Member delivered these signatures to the DOT and co-authored a letter with Assemblywoman Nily Rozic calling on the agency to conduct an additional traffic study during school drop off and pick up hours to determine the feasibility of installing a traffic calming device.

“After asking the Department of Transportation to reevaluate this issue and requesting the addition of traffic signals at 48th Avenue and 211th Street, I am pleased to hear that DOT will install traffic treatments at this location,” said Council Member Vallone. “Collaboration with Principal Kang, the school’s PTA and the DOT was a critical part of implementing these positive changes. The safety of our children always comes first, and I thank the DOT for their responsiveness to the concerns of the community.”

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Afterschool Arts Funding Increase for Northeast Queens Schools

This summer, Council Member Vallone was proud to announce yet another expansion of CASA (Cultural After School Adventures) programs at schools throughout Northeast Queens. A total of 17 schools will receive CASA grant funding to bring arts enrichment to students, up from 15 schools last year.

The Cultural After School Adventures program, or CASA, allows Council Members to designate cultural organizations to partner with public schools for afterschool programming, which provide unique cultural education opportunities to students.

Vallone has consistently increased CASA funding for schools in his district since first taking office in 2014, with total annual funding up to $340,000 from $100,000. This year, school administrators at PS 32 and 209 will receive CASA grant funding and select an eligible nonprofit community organization to partner with. Many CASA programs take place over many months with a culminating performance or event towards the end of the school year.

CASA programming at the following two schools, in addition to the 15 existing schools, began this fall:

· PS 32Q

· PS 209Q

“The CASA program, which allows students to participate in cultural programming outside of the classroom, provides our students with exciting, hands-on experiences that broaden their horizons and open their minds,” said Council Member Vallone. “As we welcome a new school year, I’m proud once again to partner with our great local cultural organizations to bring these unique programs to more of our Northeast Queens schools.”

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Vallone Announces Awaited Traffic Control Changes for Northeast Queens

On July 15, Council Member Paul Vallone was informed that a long-awaited all-way stop was installed by the Department of Transportation at the intersection of 163rd Street and 24th Road. Council Member Vallone first contacted the DOT on this issue in 2014 and in December of last year penned a letter to Department of Transportation Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia asking the agency to conduct a traffic study at this location.

Local advocacy for traffic controls at this intersection dates back to 2008. In 2013, residents Cyrille Kousiaris and Salvatore Cippo circulated and submitted to DOT a petition to implement safety measures at this location to reduce chronic speeding.

In December 2018, Mr. Cippo reached out to Council Member Vallone to report a series of recent car collisions at the intersection, prompting the letter to Commissioner Garcia. Prior to the all-way stop installation, there were six continuous blocks along 163rd Street without a stop sign.

“This long-awaited traffic control is a win for Whitestone and the residents of 163rd Street who have been petitioning for safety measures for over a decade,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “I thank Cyrille Kousiaris and Salvatore Cippo for their advocacy and Queens Borough Commissioner Nicole Garcia for working closely with my office on this issue.”

The following requests from Council Member Vallone were also approved by the Department of Transportation this year:

Traffic signal timing changes at the intersection of Franics Lewis Boulevard with 26th Avenue 169th Street
Traffic signal at the intersection of 212th Street between 18th and 23rd Avenues
Traffic signal at 47th Avenue and Bell Boulevard
Traffic signal at Francis Lewis Boulevard and 46th Avenue

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Legislation

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Vallone Proposes Creation of an Office of Interagency Tourism Affairs

In October, Council Member Paul A. Vallone chaired an Economic Development Committee hearing focused on New York City tourism, where Chair Vallone’s bill to create an Office of Interagency Tourism Affairs was discussed by Committee members and the Mayor’s Administration. The Office would be responsible for establishing a system to receive public comments and questions regarding tourism, relay comments and questions to the respective city agencies, and coordinate communications between agencies and aid in the resolution of interagency matters, including transportation, quality of life and other safety-related matters.

In 1998, around 33 million people came to visit New York City. By 2018, that number nearly doubled to 65.1 million people. Tourism is a major economic driver, with $46.4 billion attributed to direct visitor spending in 2018, and has grown to be the fourth largest job sector in New York City.

Currently, NYC & Company functions as the city’s tourism bureau and handles marketing to maximize opportunities for travel and tourism in New York City, build economic prosperity and spread the dynamic image of NYC around the world. Both NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon and NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) representative Sabrina Lippman said in testimony that their respective organizations support the intent of the bill.

“From a hot restaurant on Astoria Boulevard, to the Brooklyn Museum, to Aladdin on Broadway in Times Square, our local business owners and entertainment centers should have a dedicated place to turn to when faced with day-to-day city issues like reporting a lingering construction project or navigating the city’s permitting process,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “While NYC & Company continues to do great work promoting New York City from a large-scale advertising and marketing perspective, an Office of Interagency Tourism Affairs would provide focused coordination between city agencies and the business, arts and entertainment hubs that will contribute to continued success in our city’s tourism sector, as well as sustained quality of life for our New Yorkers.”

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City Council unanimously passes Vallone’s bill allowing DOB to issue stop work orders to reckless developers

"The Department of Buildings (DOB) will now have a tool to stop reckless developers from utilizing a loophole that previously allowed them to work once issued with a notice to revoke.

In February, the City Council unanimously passed Councilman Vallone’s bill that allows the DOB to issue a stop work order whenever a notice to revoke is issued. The new legislation would allow for the DOB to promote construction-site safety and ensure that construction ceases when there is proof that it violates the law.

Civic activists highlighted a previous loophole — a two-week “limbo” period after DOB issues a notice to revoke where construction would often continue. In the past, property owners and contractors were served a notice to revoke following concerns about potential zoning and permit violations.

Once the notice to revoke was issued, property owners had a 10- to 15-day window to respond to objects and concerns, though construction was allowed to continue during the two weeks. If unanswered in that time period, permits are revoked and an official stop work order is issued.

“Too often, a notice to revoke has really been little more than a notice to finish your work as soon as possible before the DOB can act. What good is a notice to revoke if it has no teeth? Valid concerns and clear evidence should be more than enough to warrant a stop work order, especially when a property owner or contractor has a history of violations,” said Vallone. “I’m proud to pass this bill which finally gives the DOB the tools they need to combat reckless developers and the blatant disregard of construction permit requirements. Granting the DOB the discretion to choose when to issue stop work orders also helps protect regular homeowners who make an honest mistake from suffering the same consequences as those who operate with no regard for our communities and laws.”

Read More at Queens Courier

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Bill to Monitor Mayor de Blasio’s Jobs Plan Progress

In September, Council Members Paul A. Vallone and Ritchie Torres introduced legislation that would require the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to deliver an annual report on the progress of attaining the job creation goals set forth in the Mayor’s New York Works initiative. The report would be delivered to the City Council and published on the New York Works website every year until 2027.

In 2017, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the New York Works jobs plan, which set out to create 100,000 “good-paying jobs” over the course of 10 years. However, a March 18 joint committee hearing of the Committees on Economic Development and Oversight and Investigation revealed a need for additional data on the progress of the jobs plan and who has obtained employment under the program, spurring committee chairs Vallone and Torres to introduce the reporting bill.

The report would deliver specific data about job creation progress and information about employed individuals under the program disaggregated by education level, race and ethnicity, gender, and whether the individuals are residents of New York City. Data would also be broken down by salary, borough, company, and the number of jobs per contract if the company is contracted by the city.

“While the New York Works jobs plan presents an ambitious workforce development plan for our city, projections and estimates do not provide tangible evidence that these efforts are actually materializing into real jobs for our New Yorkers,” said Council Member Paul Vallone, Chair of the Committee on Economic Development. “Transparent reporting at a granular level would help develop a clear jobs plan that defines how the city is going to build on the great work that EDC has been doing for years while ensuring that New Yorkers of every background are being connected to truly good paying jobs.”

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Vallone Introduces Legislation to Install Solar- Powered Traffic Safety Devices on NYC Streets

In May, Council Member Paul Vallone introduced a bill that would direct the Department of Transportation to study the feasibility of adopting and installing solar powered traffic control devices on New York City streets and require the city agency to publish their findings and recommendations. If passed, the bill would take effect immediately and study findings would need to be submitted within one year of the effective date.

A number of localities in states including Florida, Massachusetts and New Jersey have already employed solar power to enhance their street crossings and intersections. The system is generally activated on demand by motion sensor or push button and provides an advanced signal in the form of flashing lights to vehicles driving down the street that a pedestrian will be crossing in the crosswalk. As seen in other municipalities, this signaling system provides another layer of safety for pedestrians and is installed seamlessly with existing infrastructure.

Council Member Vallone discussed these devices with Department of Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg last year during a conversation about pedestrian safety spurred by a fatal traffic collision in Northeast Queens. Last June, 17-year-old Madeline Sershen was hit and tragically killed by a car while crossing at the intersection of Utopia Parkway and 16th Avenue. Sershen was walking in the crosswalk on Utopia Parkway when the driver hit her after running a red light.

“In the critical interest of keeping our City’s pedestrians protected, we must proactively look for new and innovative ways to make our streets safer for all,” said Council Member Vallone. “Solar powered illuminated crosswalks have been successfully implemented in other parts of the country and would be an effective way to improve safety for our pedestrians. As the Administration continues implementing its Vision Zero plan, this inventive control measure could be a critical piece of preventing collisions like the one that tragically took the life of Madeline Sershen.”

See the full story on NY1

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Whitestone Street Co-Naming for Decorated WWII Veteran

This month, the New York City Council approved legislation by Council Member Paul A. Vallone to co-name 156th Street between 14th Avenue and Cryders Lane, “CPL. John McHugh Way.” The co-naming will take place in the spring.

John McHugh, born March 6, 1924, was drafted into the United States Army and served in the First Infantry Division in WWII. He fought at the Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge and received the following awards and recognitions:

• The Silver Star for gallantry in action

• Bronze Star for meritorious service,

• European Theater of Operations Ribbon, which contains silver arrow head for the Normandy invasion

• Four Bronze Stars which indicate the major battles he fought in,

• Two Presidential Unit Citations for Crucifix Hill and Hurtgen Forest,

• Combat Infantry Badge and the Fort Eger given by Belgium for action there during the war

In 2014, he was inducted into the state Senate Veterans Hall of Fame and was an honoree at the Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade. Corporal McHugh passed away on July 21, 2019 at age 95.

“We as residents of Northeast Queens were blessed to have an American hero like Corporal John McHugh call our great neighborhood home,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “Corporal McHugh was a highly decorated veteran who fought bravely with the Allied powers at the historic Battle of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, major turning points in World War II. With this co-naming in the spring, we will honor a true man of courage.”

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Highlights from 2019!

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Construction Begins on Crocheron Park Baseball Field

The long awaited baseball field renovation at Crocheron Park is on its way! Council Member Vallone announced this spring that the Parks Department would begin construction on the field, located at 215th Street and 35th Avenue, this year. The construction began after July 4th so that the Bayside Little League could complete their season. The project is expected to be completed in one year.

The project will reconstruct the southwest ballfield, known as Field 3, and will include both a new infield with a clay and sand mixture and an outfield with topsoil and natural turf. Grading issues, including the steep existing outfield, will be corrected and existing fences will be repaired or replaced along the entire perimeter of the field. Additionally, new access gates will be installed and paths and dugouts will be made accessible and furnished with new benches, backrests and arms. The park will also receive a new section of bleachers, bottle filler drinking fountains, and manual irrigation system. Lastly, the existing dugout gate at Field 2 will be removed and replaced with bollards to make the field open and accessible, and new canopy and understory trees will be planted on the site margins to add shade and replace previously removed trees.

“Baseball will always be our national pastime and I’m proud to work with our Parks Department to build our kids the field they deserve and give them a taste of what it’s like to play on a bigger stage,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “The major upgrades to this field will ensure that future generations of little leaguers will be able to enjoy it for years to come, and I look forward to kicking off the first Bayside Little League season at this beautiful new field.”

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Vallone, Bayside HS PTA fights for Fair Student funds

“Unacceptable” was the word heard over and over again last week at a rally outside Bayside High School to protest a $3 million cut in funding to the school this year by the city’s Department of Education.

“We are being penalized by the Department of Education” for the school’s success over the last decade, Paul DiBenedetto, president of the school PTA, told a group of about 20 parents who gathered in the park across from the school.

“Ten years ago, Bayside High School had a graduation rate of 68 percent. Today, that graduation rate is 98.6 percent, third highest of all large high schools in the city” he said, as parents applauded and whistled their approval.

“Three-million dollars is a significant sum to withhold from a school and not expect negative consequences,” he said.

"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," said Vallone.

Read Coverage at Queens Chronicle

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NE Queens lawmakers call on FAA to make alternative North Shore Helicopter Route permanent

"Two lawmakers are calling on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to make an alternative helicopter route permanent following its success in northeast Queens.

Since the agency implemented the six-month pilot program for the alternative North Shore Helicopter Route in October 2018, residents have reported significant decreases in helicopter noise during the busy summer months. Now, Councilman Paul Vallone and Congressman Tom Suozzi want the FAA to make the successful pilot program permanent.

Beginning in October 2018, the FAA tested the alternative route which shifted air traffic away from northeast Queens, cutting helicopter and seaplane traffic by up to 50 percent. In April 2019, Vallone and Suozzi requested a 180-day program extension.

'From Memorial Day to Labor Day and into the fall, northeast Queens residents will be free to enjoy their backyards, parks and waterfronts without the constant assault of helicopter noise that unfortunately in past years became the norm,” said Vallone. “As this pilot program continues to provide needed relief to the families who call northeast Queens home, I join Congressman Suozzi in urging the FAA to establish this as a permanent change.'”

Read More at Queens Courier

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Vallone and Parks Celebrate $5.4 Million Reconstruction of the MacNeil Park Esplanade

In October, New York City Council Member Paul Vallone joined NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Michael Dockett, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, New York State Assembly Member Daniel Rosenthal, Queens Community Board 7 Chair Eugene Kelty Jr., and community members to cut the ribbon on the brand new MacNeil Park Esplanade in College Point.

The $5.4 million project reconstructed over a quarter mile of the esplanade to provide a new shoreline walkway for park visitors. This site now features a stronger concrete retaining wall, an aluminum sea rail, a fishing overlook, and a kayak launch to enhance users’ waterfront experience. Funding for this project was provided by a $2.3 million allocation from Borough President Melinda Katz, $1.7 million from Council Member Paul Vallone, and $1.3 million from Mayor de Blasio.

"In Northeast Queens, our waterfronts have always been an important part of daily life and the overall character of our great neighborhoods,” said Council Member Paul Vallone. With the dream of a vibrant MacNeil Park with waterfront accessibility now realized, I know that these great new amenities will be enjoyed by local families and park visitors for generations to come."

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Three Individuals Honored with Street Co-Namings in Northeast Queens

Earlier this year, the New York City Council approved legislation by Council Member Paul A. Vallone to co-name the following intersections in Northeast Queens:

• 130th Street and 23rd Avenue was co-named “Joe Femenia Way” in recognition of the late College Point civic leader.

• Utopia Parkway and 16th Avenue in Whitestone was co-named "Madeline Sershen Way" to honor the life of 17-year-old Madeline Sershen, whose life was tragically cut short after being fatally struck by a car. Her passing sparked local activism on mandatory vision retesting for drivers and prompted the introduction of legislation in the New York State Senate that would require a written exam upon renewal of a driver's license.

• Northern Boulevard between 207th Street and the Clearview Expressway northbound was co-named "CW5 Howard C. Haider Way," in respect of the late Chief Haider, who served in the United States Military from 1963 until 2003 in the New York Army National Guard.

Street co-naming ceremonies with each respective family and local community members took place in October and November.

“Joe, Madeline and Howard each left their own indelible mark on our community, and I’m humbled to be a part of honoring their lives in this way,” said Council Member Vallone. “I know their unique legacies will live on for generations to come.”

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Women's Center Opens New Fort Totten Headquarters

In December, the ribbon was cut on the Center for the Women of NY’s new location in a newly renovated, landmark building at 207 Totten Avenue in Bayside, allowing the organization to expand the offering of workshops, support groups, clinics, and conferences in support of women and women’s rights. The new site will also host a library and “living” museum dedicated to recording and achieving women’s struggle to attain full equality in our society.

The Center aims to be a full-service research “think-tank” working with educational institutions and community organizations to develop and demonstrate models for training women in all matters than can improve and enrich their lives.

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Vallone and Speaker Johnson Celebrate Former Speaker Peter F. Vallone, Sr.’s 85th Birthday at City Hall

In December, Council Member Paul Vallone and Speaker Corey Johnson celebrated Former Speaker Peter Vallone Senior’s 85th Birthday with a surprise party at City Hall prior to Tuesday’s Stated Meeting. Peter Vallone Sr. is the first and longest serving City Council Speaker.

“A very happy and blessed 85th birthday to my father, former New York City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr.!” said Council Member Paul Vallone. “I’m incredibly grateful to Speaker Johnson and the Council Members and staff who helped my family celebrate this joyous occasion. It was a very special surprise my family and I will never forget!”

“As the longtime City Council Speaker, Peter Vallone Sr. made New York greater and has been an inspiration to so many who followed him in that important role, including myself. He is a true public servant and it was my honor to co-host his 85th surprise birthday party at City Hall with his family, friends, former colleagues and all the Council Members and staff he influenced. Happy Birthday, Speaker!” said Speaker Corey Johnson.

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Enjoying the Summer of 2019

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Summer Drive-In Movies!

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Council Member Vallone Celebrates Independence Day at Fourth Annual Fort Totten Fireworks Night

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Community Unites at 109th Precinct Family Fun Day

October's 109th Precinct Family Fun Day at Francis Lewis Park brought together thousands of people supporting our incredible communities and the NYPD. I'm proud to once again sponsor this event through my NYC Council Office. Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and effort to put together this incredible day that has continued to grow bigger and better each year. A very special thank you to the 109th Precinct Community Council President, Jerry Filippidis, the We Love Whitestone Civic Association President, Alfredo Centola and all of the community sponsors who so generously donated time and resources to make today’s event a success for the families of Northeast Queens. And as always, thank you to Deputy Inspector Shine and Detective Kevin O'Donnell who are the backbone of this amazing precinct.

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School Graduation Season!

Congratulations to the Class of 2019! I was honored to be the guest speaker at the graduations of the following schools:

P.S. 184

J.H.S 185

J.H.S. 194

P.S. 94

P.S. 193

P.S. 79

P.S. 129

P.S. 31

P.S. 32

WJPS

P.S. 130

Bell Academy

P.S. 209

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Parades!

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St. Patrick's Day Parades

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Bayside Little League Opening Day Parade

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Council Member Vallone Honors Our Men and Women in Uniform on Memorial Day

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Whitestone Memorial Day Parade

Little Neck - Douglaston Memorial Day Parade

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Marching in the 75th Annual
Columbus Day Parade

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Heritage Celebrations at City Hall

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Council Member Paul A. Vallone Hosts Italian Heritage Celebration at City Hall

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Korean Independence Celebration

at City Hall

Greek Independence at City Hall

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Celebrating the Holidays!

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Fifth Annual Whitestone Village
Tree Lighting!

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First Annual Tree Lighting at Francis Lewis Park!

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Council Member Vallone Co-Sponsors Douglaston Village Winter Festival with Douglaston LDC and P.S. 98

The holiday festivities continued in Douglaston with the Douglaston Local Development Corporation's Annual Winter Festival! I'm proud to help sponsor this wonderful event and many thanks to community partners Douglaston LDC, Douglaston Village Chamber of Commerce and PS 98 for helping make it possible!

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St. Mary's Hospital Toy Drop off with Council Member Vallone and

Student Ambassadors

This month, Council Member Paul A. Vallone joined his Student Ambassadors and Dwarf Giraffe Athletic League president Nick Gagliano and players to give out hundreds of holiday toys to the kids at St. Mary's Healthcare System for Children in Bayside.

The toys were collected through a month-long drive organized by the Council Member’s Ambassadors from Bayside High School, Holy Cross High School, St. Agnes Academic High School and World Journalism Preparatory School, in collaboration with Whitestone-based Dwarf Giraffe Athletic League.

"It was a joyful evening with Dwarf Giraffe Athletic League and my Student Ambassadors as we spread some holiday cheer with our wonderful St. Mary's kids!" said Council Member Vallone. “Each year, this event is special because our very own high school students help to organize the toy drive and are given a first-hand glimpse into the incredible work done at St. Mary's. As we distributed the toys, the children, staff, doctors, volunteers and families all shared smiles, stories and laughter. It was a very special moment that we will all remember."

“I had a really great time seeing all of the kids and talking to them and it really made me feel so happy that I had contributed to the smiles on their faces,” said Julia Araldi-Bromberg, a junior at Bayside High School. “Seeing them run down the hall to all of the presents and pick out their favorite Hot Wheels or Star Wars toys was so heartwarming and I'm really happy that I was able to be a part of it and hopefully make their holiday season a little more magical!”

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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]

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