Page 6 - qt edition #16 April 17, 2025
P. 6

PAGE 6                                                     THE QUEENS TIMES                                    THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 2025

           Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams’ Legislation

         Passes To Increase Transparency And Accountability In
                                NYC’s Tree Maintenance
        New laws will give New Yorkers
        better access to information about
        tree maintenance and pruning
        schedules in their neighborhoods.
        Int. 800 and Int. 978 are focused
        on making our city’s tree care ser-
        vices more transparent and more
        accountable.

             The New York City Council has
        passed two pieces of legislation
        sponsored by Council Member
        Dr. Nantasha Williams that will
        give New Yorkers greater access
        to  information  about how the
        City maintains street trees and
        responds to hazardous conditions.
             Trees are essential to the health   Photo Credit: Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit
        and character of every neighbor-  pruning-related service requests       “If you’ve ever filed a 311 re-
        hood providing shade in the sum-  with direct links to important in-  quest for tree pruning or removal,
        mer, helping manage stormwater,  formation. That includes the Parks  you probably know the frustration:
        improving air quality, and adding  Department’s tree inspection map,  it almost always comes back as
        beauty to our blocks. But when  any available tree pruning sched-  a ‘Category C’—essentially the
        they’re not maintained, overgrown  ules, and resources on tree care  bottom of the priority list—with
        or damaged trees can create real  and maintenance. It would also  no real timeline for when help is
        challenges for homeowners and  require 311 to share information  coming. That’s why I’m proud
        tenants,  from safety hazards to  about volunteer opportunities for  to partner with Council Member   Park Side Restaurant
        property damage to unclear re-  residents interested in becoming  Williams to help bring clarity and
        sponsibilities around care.  certified to prune street trees in  accountability to this process.
             Int 800 is about making sure  their neighborhoods.    New Yorkers deserve better an-  Queens’Finest Italian Restaurant
        New Yorkers aren’t left guess-       “As New Yorkers, we love  swers when it comes to removing
        ing when it comes to how the  our trees, but we also know how  dead trees or pruning overgrown
        city responds to hazardous trees.  frustrating it can be to get clear  branches scraping their homes.
        When a tree poses a risk to people,  information about when and  Our neighbors shouldn’t be left
        property, or the safety of a block,  how they’re being cared for,”  wondering if that dead limb is
        residents deserve to know how  said Council Member Williams.  going  to  crash  down  on  them.
        decisions are made and what fac-  “These bills are about transpar-  They deserve clear information
        tors determine the city’s response.  ency and accountability, giving  and realistic timelines from the
        This bill ensures that information  New Yorkers clear standards, clear  Parks Department, and we’re com-
        is  clear,  accessible,  and  public  timelines, and clear communica-  mitted to making that happen,”
        because transparency helps people  tion. Whether it’s a hanging limb  said Council Member Shekar
        advocate for themselves, their  after a storm, roots damaging a  Krishnan,  Chair  of  the NYC
        neighbors, and their communities.  sidewalk, or just understanding  Council Committee on Parks and
             Int 978 requires the 311 Cus-  when the trees on your block will  Recreation, District 25.
        tomer  Service Center, in coor-  be pruned next, this legislation       In addition to requiring the City   About Park Side Restaurant - An Italian Landmark in the heart of Corona,
        dination with Parks, to provide  makes it easier to get answers and                       Queens, Park Side Restaurant is truly a destination that is worth the trip.
        New Yorkers who submit tree  take action.”                                                After one visit, you will be sure to be back again and again for one the
                                                                                                  city’s Best Italian restaurants. Bring your appetite and enjoy authentic
         Ridgewood Savings Bank Plants Seeds For A Greener Future                                 and always delicious dishes using the freshest ingredients and attention to
                                                                                                  detail served by our professional staff. Park Side is also happy to host your
        Over 5,600 Trees Planted — Spir-                                                          next function with our private dining area and flexible banquet packages.
        it of Ridgewood Cleanup Brings
        Employees Together in Service                                                               107-01 Corona  Ave. Corona Heights, NY
             As Earth Day approaches,                                                                     (718) 271-9274 • (718) 271-9871
        Ridgewood Savings Bank (Ridge-                                                                       - Reservations Suggested -
        wood) is proud to share its grow-
        ing impact on the environment
        and local communities. Since
        launching its Free Green Check-
        ing account in 2022, Ridgewood
        has helped plant more than 5,600
        trees through the nonprofit One
        Tree Planted — a testament to the
        power of purpose-driven banking.
             “Free Green Checking is more
        than just a smart, modern banking
        option — it gives our customers
        the power to make a positive envi-
        ronmental impact with every new  employees joined forces for a       “It was incredibly rewarding
        account,” said Leonard Stekol,  Community Cleanup at Bushwick  to see our team come together for
        Chairman, President and CEO  Playground in Brooklyn, located  such a hands-on project in the
        of Ridgewood Savings Bank. “At  at Putnam and Knickerbocker Av-  heart of the community — es-
        Ridgewood, we are committed to  enues. The cleanup was organized  pecially as we approached Earth
        aligning our products with our  by Angela                  Day,” said D’Amato. “Bushwick
        purpose. We believe that even  D’Amato, Assistant Vice Presi-  Playground is a space for children
        small actions can grow into some-  dent and Branch Manager of  and families, and it means a lot to
        thing meaningful. The acorn in  the Grand Avenue branch and a  know we played a role in keeping
        our logo reflects that spirit — each  board member of New York State  it clean and inviting. That’s what
        account opened today has the po-  of Mind (NYSoM), the nonprofit  the “Spirit of Ridgewood” is all
        tential to make a lasting difference  that hosted the event. NYSoM or-  about — showing up, pitching in,
        for tomorrow.”               ganizes community-based events  and giving back.”
             Since launching Free Green  ranging from food drives to movie            Free  Green  Checking:  A
        Checking in 2022, Ridgewood’s  nights and neighborhood beau-  Greener Way to Bank
        environmental impact has grown  tification projects. The cleanup  Ridgewood’s Free Green Check-
        steadily with a total of 5,632 trees  brought together a dedicated crew  ing account is designed with sus-
        now planted, and Ridgewood’s  of Ridgewood volunteers from  tainability and simplicity in mind.
        commitment to Earth Day goes  across branches and departments,  The account features:
        beyond planting trees.       all united under the “Spirit of
             On March 22, Ridgewood  Ridgewood” initiative.            (Continued on page 8)
   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11