— IN THE PAST WEEK —
MTA: Improve, don’t slash bus service
in Northeast Queens!
Over 2,000 People Have Signed Our Petition —
Voice Your Concerns!
"We as residents and elected representatives of Northeast Queens are united
against the MTA's proposed cuts to express bus service and concerned about
changes to local service routes, as outlined in the draft plan of the
Queens Bus Network Redesign.
In Northeast Queens, where there is no subway access and limited public
transit options for residents, the first major overhaul of our bus network
in a century should improve — not slash — service to our already
transit-starved neighborhood.
On an average weekday, thousands of riders rely on the express QM2, QM3,
QM6, QM20, and QM32 to get to Manhattan from Northeast Queens, and again to
return home. Reducing rush hour service puts our commuters, who already
have limited transportation options, at a complete disadvantage. Further,
the proposal nearly eliminates express bus connectivity to Manhattan on
weekends. Regardless of potential low ridership levels at non-rush hour
times, residents of Northeast Queens require reliable express buses for
their every day needs. Cutting service is denying mobility to a part of the
city that is in great need of better options. This is unacceptable.
Our borough's existing bus system is sluggish, unreliable and has not been
revised in over 100 years It is clearly in need of improvement. However,
the final and implemented plan must expand and improve service for
Northeast Queens - not take it away. The current draft plan is a major
disservice to our residents.
For the quality of life of those living in Northeast Queens in this next
century, the MTA must change their bus plan!"
Sincerely,
Council Member Paul Vallone
Council Member Barry Grodenchik
Grace Meng
Tom Suozzi
State Senator John Liu
Assemblyman Ed Braunstein
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic
[1]View the Petition
We are also encouraging Northeast Queens residents to share their specific
concerns about the draft plan directly to the MTA [2]here.
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"Queens City Council delegation slams MTA’s current bus redesign plan"
"Hours before NYC Transit president Andy Byford resigned from the MTA the
Queens Delegation to the City Council issued a scathing rebuke of the
agency’s bus redesign plan for the borough, citing negative feedback from
their constituents.
The council members called for significant changes to the MTA’s draft
proposal for the Queens Bus Network.
Councilman Paul Vallone’s office has been inundated with complaints since
the draft plan was released on New Year’s Eve.
'In northeast Queens, where there is no subway access and limited public
transportation options for commuters,” Vallone said, who added that “the
MTA should be increasing and improving bus service, not creating a more
desolate transportation desert.' "
Read More:
[3]Queens Courier
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Vallone and Northeast Queens Electeds Call on Chancellor Carranza to Hold
Public Meeting
Northeast Queens elected officials announced this week that they are
calling on Chancellor Carranza to hold a public meeting on school safety.
This demand follows a January 16th Department of Education Town Hall
meeting in District 26, in which the Chancellor failed to address questions
and concerns about reported incidents of sexual assault and violence at MS
158Q Marie Curie.
In a letter to Chancellor Carranza dated January 20, 2020, the elected
officials called it “inconceivable” that he did not address the serious
questions about school safety at MS 158Q. The elected officials demanded
that Chancellor Carranza schedule an evening public meeting as soon as
possible to address the misconduct, and they referenced a prior letter sent
earlier in the month outlining several open questions about the DOE’s
protocols in handling sexual assault in schools.
“Hundreds of parents and teachers looking for answers about the recent
disturbing incidents that have taken place at MS 158 showed up for the
Chancellor's Town Hall in District 26, but they were instead turned away
feeling more frustrated and confused,” said Council Member Paul Vallone.
“I join my fellow elected officials in demanding Chancellor Carranza
promptly return to District 26 to a provide clear answers on DOE school
safety and reporting protocols and an immediate action plan for the
troubled MS 158. Protecting our City's children must always be our highest
priority.”
Read Coverage:
[4]Patch
[5]Queens Courier
[6]Queens Eagle
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Happy Lunar New Year!
It was an honor celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Rat at the
Flushing Lunar New Year Parade Saturday morning! The Rat represents
prosperity, strength, and intelligence. May all who celebrate this holiday
enjoy a year full of health, happiness and good fortune!
_________________________________________________________________________
— MORE NEWS —
_________________________________________________________________________
Lunar New Year Celebration at PS 41!
It was an exciting Friday morning celebrating Lunar New Year with the
students and teachers at PS41! Thanks to Principal Joseph Ferrara for
having me!
_________________________________________________________________________
Whitestone Merchants Celebrate First Anniversary
Pleasure to recognize the hardworking Whitestone Merchants Association on
their First Anniversary Celebration! Thanks as always for your dedication
to improving our community!
_________________________________________________________________________
How Would You Spend $1M for Northeast Queens?
Participatory Budgeting for District 19 is in full swing! If you would like
to propose a project idea for this year’s Participatory Budgeting ballot to
help improve our local parks, schools, libraries, etc, you can do so by
contacting our office at
[email protected] or calling
718-619-8611. Through Participatory Budgeting, you can directly decide how
to spend at least $1 million in this year’s City budget.
After you have submitted your project idea, our office will contact you to
discuss the next steps and how to turn your project ideas into real
proposals for our ballot. These proposals will be up for a community-wide
vote in the spring, where the projects that receive the most votes receive
funding from our office!
— IMPORTANT RESOURCES —
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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 [7]Facebook, [8]Twitter and [9]Instagram
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