Page 10 - QT CURRENT EDITION #30

PAGE 10 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, JULY 25, 2024

NYC Council Votes to Expand Availability of Rapid DiNapoli: Improved Planning Needed

STI Testing Sites For New York To Achieve Its Clean
(Continued from page 9) the bravery and contributions of district. Energy Goals
these veterans are never forgotten. 58-75 Queens Midtown Ex- (Continued from page 9) als are evaluated consistently and
cil is forced to defend our institu- Today’s passage of Resolution 10 pressway Rezoning – An applica- contracts are awarded to the most
tional prerogative after passing in the NYC Council, recognizing tion to facilitate the enlargement expected renewable energy gen- qualified proposers.
Local Law 42 and then overriding July 27 annually as Korean War of a pre-existing development site eration and timing of projects not In response, PSC did not agree
the mayor’s veto,” said Council Veterans Armistice Day in the in Council Member Julie Won’s yet operable; and, with several of the audit’s find-
Member Sandy Nurse. “However, City of New York, is a great step district. • Perform a detailed analysis of ings, including that it uses out-
it’s clear the mayor will try to in honoring those who served in 27-24 College Point Boulevard cost estimates and periodically dated or incorrect calculations for
weaken the law in court. Local the war.” Overlay – An application to fa- report results to the public, and planning purposes. It also referred
Law 42 bans solitary confinement, Land Use - The Landmarks cilitate the development of a one- assess the extent to which ratepay- to events such as the COVID-19
globally recognized as torture that Preservation Commission’s desig- story commercial building with ers will be responsible for Climate pandemic impacting cost analysis.
causes physical and psychological nation of the Old Croton Aqueduct a drive-through, and bring sev- Act implementation costs. NYSERDA generally agreed with
harm. My resolution allows us Walk as an historic landmark in eral existing commercial uses into The audit also recommends NY- the audit’s recommendations and
to not only defend the Council’s Council Member Pierina Ana conformance, in Council Member SERDA: said it had implemented changes
authority but recommits us to Sanchez’s district. The Old Cro- Vickie Paladino’s district. • Take steps to ensure propos- to its procedures.
banning this cruel practice in our ton Aqueduct Walk is a public Resilient Homes Staten Is-
city jails. This is a vital step in walkway on top of the Old Croton land – An HPD application for AFGE Endorses Kamala Harris
ensuring humane treatment in our Aqueduct, an engineering marvel UDAAP approval and Article
jails and protecting the health and built in 1842 which brought the XI tax exemption to facilitate the For President
dignity of every individual. We first direct water supply to New construction of eight two-family
must stand firm in our commit- York City. Upon its completion, homes and seven one-family The American Federation of portant voice for change.
ment to justice and human rights.” the 41-mile-long aqueduct carried homes containing a total of 23 Government Employees (AFGE), We look forward to working
Establishing Korean War Vet- 45 million gallons of water daily to units. The sites, which were part the largest union representing with Vice President Harris and her
erans Armistice Day the city from a reservoir in Croton, of the Build it Back Program 750,000 federal and D.C. gov- running mate to repudiate the dark
Resolution 10, sponsored by New York. On April 27, 1940, after being ravaged by Hurricane ernment employees nationwide, future outlined for our country
Council Member Robert Holden, after completing a substantial Sandy, will be redeveloped under is proud to announce that our in Project 2025 and continue de-
would recognize July 27 annually renovation, the Parks Department the HPD’s Open Door Program, National Executive Council has livering results for the American
as Korean War Veterans Armi- opened the Aqueduct Walk as an creating new homeownership voted unanimously to endorse people.
stice Day in the City of New York official public park, and it contin- buildings affordable to moderate- Vice President Kamala Harris to Throughout AFGE’s presiden-
to honor the courage and sacrifice ues to maintain and upgrade the and middle-income households be the next president of the United tial endorsement process, and in
of those who served. park to this day. in Council Member David Carr’s States, reaffirming our previous the many months since, AFGE
“The Korean War, often called 2118 Avenue U Rezoning - district. endorsement. members have made clear that
the ‘Forgotten War,’ was largely An application to facilitate the Finance: - Preconsidered During her time in the U.S. Sen- their top priority in 2024 is defeat-
overshadowed by World War II development of a new four-story Resolution, sponsored by Council ate, she stood shoulder-to-shoul- ing Donald Trump and stopping
and the Vietnam War,” said Coun- mixed use-building. It will include Member Justin Brannan, reau- der with AFGE to secure critical anti-worker efforts like Project
cil Member Robert Holden, Chair approximately 10 housing units, thorizing a 40-year Article V tax PPE and sick leave for front-line 2025. During his first term, his
of the Committee on Veterans. three affordable units and ground- exemption for the preservation workers during a pandemic, keep administration implemented many
“Recognizing Korean War Vet- floor commercial retail space, in of one rent-stabilized building in the government funded to prevent anti-worker, anti-union policies
erans Armistice Day ensures that Council Member Inna Vernikov’s Council Member Osse’s district. a disastrous shutdown, secure that threatened our union and the
much-needed compensation for frontline government workers we
Red Cross Responds to Support 161 People in NYC Last Week victims of the terrorist attacks represent. Another Trump admin-
on September 11, 2001, defend istration would be a threat to our
(Continued from page 8) (7/19/24) sistance and have not already safe staffing levels and collective union, our democracy, our rights,
• One household (two individu- connected with Red Cross ser- bargaining rights across federal and our freedoms.
als) after a fire on East 95th Street als) after a fire on 167th Street vices should contact 1-877-RED agencies, protect the diversity and The American Federation of
(7/19/24) (7/19/24) CROSS (1-877-733-2767). human rights offices of federal Government Employees (AFGE)
• Two households (three indi- The Red Cross responded to EXTREME HEAT SAFETY: agencies, and nominate pro-union is the largest federal employee
viduals) after a fire on Calyer help 1 person affected by 1 emer- Extreme heat is deadly and kills justices to the Supreme Court. As union, representing 750,000 work-
Street (7/19/24) gency on Staten Island: more people than any other weath- vice president, she has led im- ers in the federal government and
The Red Cross responded to • One household (one individ- er event. Be sure to stay hydrated, portant work on the White House the government of the District of
help 17 people affected by 2 emer- ual) after a fire on Quinn Street stay cool, and prevent heat illness Task Force on Worker Organizing Columbia.
gencies in Manhattan: (7/19/24) such as heat cramps, heat exhaus- and Empowerment, delivering For the latest AFGE news and
• Three households (12 indi- In each instance, the Red Cross tion, and heat stroke. Learn more results for working people across information, visit the AFGE Me-
viduals) after a fire on West 162nd Greater New York Disaster Action at www.redcross.org/heat. the country, and has been an im- dia Center.
Street (7/17/24) Team provided emergency assis- About the American Red Cross:
• Three households (five indi- tance, including temporary lodg- The American Red Cross shel- Attorney General James Announces
viduals) after a fire on Chrystie ing and/or financial assistance, ters, feeds and provides comfort
Street (7/19/24) to meet the families’ immediate to victims of disasters; supplies New Protections Against Deed Theft
The Red Cross responded to needs. The Red Cross also typi- about 40% of the nation’s blood;
help 34 people affected by 5 emer- cally provides information packets teaches skills that save lives; (Continued from page 8) General James has taken to combat
gencies in Queens: regarding recovery resources and distributes international humani- deed theft. In July 2024, Attorney
• Two households (seven indi- guidance, cleanup kits, comfort tarian aid; and supports veterans, deed theft has taken place or is General James announced the con-
viduals) after a fire on Astoria kits with personal care items, military members and their fami- suspected, which acts as a “red viction and sentencing of Marcus
Boulevard (7/18/24) snacks, waters, and other items lies. The Red Cross is a nonprofit flag” warning banks and insur- Wilcher, the leader of a Queens
• One household (two indi- as needed. organization that depends on ance companies of potential scams deed theft ring that sold three
viduals) after a fire on 11th Street Red Cross caseworkers will volunteers and the generosity of and voiding good faith purchaser homes without the knowledge
(7/18/24) continue to work with families the American public to deliver its protections. The law also makes it of the rightful property owners
• Seven households (18 indi- to connect them with additional mission. For more information, possible to keep New Yorkers in and pocketed over $1 million.
viduals) after a fire on 99th Street resources for long-term recovery please visit redcross.org or Cru- their homes and stay an eviction In June 2023, Attorney General
(7/19/24) needs. zRojaAmericana.org, or follow proceeding in housing court when James applauded the passage of
• One household (five individu- Any persons impacted by these us (@redcrossny) on Facebook, the rightful homeowner can show her legislation, cosponsored by
als) after a fire on 126th Street disasters who need recovery as- Instagram, X, or LinkedIn. evidence that there is a potential State Senator Brian Kavanagh
deed theft in progress. The law
Community Partnerships Division Visits 100th Precinct also expanded the protections and Assemblymember Helene
Weinstein, that reformed New
of the Homeowner Equity Theft York’s civil laws to provide more
Prevention Act (HEPTA) to allow tools to prevent deed theft. In July
homeowners with active utility 2023, Attorney General James
liens the opportunity to cancel announced the indictment of a
Members of Queens District any contract to sell their property. Long Island man for deed theft
Attorneys Office Community The new criminal reforms for allegedly stealing two homes
Partnerships Division recently taking effect today and the civil in Harlem which had a combined
met with Captain Carlos Ren- reforms passed last year will estimated value of more than
don, executive officer of the help New Yorkers stay in their $4.7 million during the relevant
100th Precinct on the Rockaway homes. Under these new laws, times of possession. In February
peninsula. homeowners will have stronger 2021, Attorney General James
They had a productive discus- protections against deed theft, law announced an $800,000 grant,
sion about community concerns enforcement will have new tools funded by Office of the Attorney
and future opportunities for to prosecute deed thieves, and General (OAG) settlements, to
collaboration. Thank you to scammers will be deterred from the New York City Department
the leaders of the precinct for stealing homes.
hosting us. This is the latest action Attorney (Continued on page 11)