Page 8 - QT Eedition #41

PAGE 8 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2025

QEDC + Accessible Travel NYC Announce Inaugural Community Comes Together For Council

New York Accessible Travel Conference Member Linda Lee’s Fall Health Fair
(Continued from page 6) inclusion strengthens the bottom Accessibility Information (Continued from page 7) partnership that makes commu-
line while creating meaningful The Helen Marshall Cultural nity events like this possible.
marketing; and experiences for all visitors.” Center is fully wheelchair acces- The fair emphasized accessible Council Member Lee expressed
5. Networking opportunities to “New York City is a world-class sible with lift access to the stage, care and preventive health, align- gratitude to all who participated,
strengthen partnerships across the destination, and this status means accessible entrances, and rest- ing with Council Member Lee’s noting, “It’s inspiring to see our
tourism-accessibility ecosystem. being accessible to everyone,” rooms. Accommodation requests, ongoing commitment to public neighbors come together to pri-
The six-hour event will also stated Rob MacKay, who runs including ASL interpretation and well-being. oritize health and support one
provide practical tools and case the Queens Tourism Council, a captioning, can be made by email- A special thank-you goes to another. Events like these remind
studies demonstrating how acces- QEDC program. “This confer- ing ben@queensny.org no later Sgt. Murphy of NYPD Queens us of the strength and unity within
sibility not only benefits visitors, ence is about bringing together than Oct. 23, 2025. North, whose presence and sup- our district.”
but also broadens audience reach industry leaders, policymakers, About Queens Economic De- port helped ensure the event ran The Fall Health Fair continues
and strengthens the bottom line and advocates to ensure that every velopment Corporation smoothly and safely. His collabo- to be a cherished tradition, foster-
for tourism businesses. visitor, regardless of ability, can QEDC works to create and ration with the council member’s ing wellness and connection in the
To register go to https://www. fully experience everything in retain jobs through entrepreneur- office exemplifies the spirit of heart of Queens.
eventbrite.com our city.” ship, real estate development, and
“New York City has always Event Details business services, while promot- Baisley Park Library Expansion
been a global leader in tourism,” Date: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025 ing Queens as a great place to live,
stated QEDC Executive Director Time: 9 am to 3 pm (EST) work, and visit. Breaks Ground in Jamaica
Ben Guttmann. “But true leader- Location: Helen Marshall Cultur- About Accessible Travel NYC
ship means making sure every al Center, 120-55 Queens Blvd., Accessible Travel NYC ad- (Continued from page 6) Park Library project, underscoring
visitor, regardless of ability, can Kew Gardens, NY 11424 vances accessibility, disability her longstanding commitment to
experience the magic of this city. Attendees: Accessibility advo- inclusion, and authentic repre- enhanced access to educational and community enrichment and equi-
This conference is about turning cates, travel professionals, gov- sentation across the tourism, hos- cultural programming. table access to learning.
that vision into action.” ernment heads, and interested pitality, and cultural industries. “Libraries are more than The renovation is expected to
“Accessibility is not just a individuals. Through strategic marketing and buildings filled with books—they bring new life to the library, which
compliance checkbox—it’s cre- Sponsorships education, the consultancy helps are anchors of public safety and has served generations of families
ativity, pride, and a competitive Airbnb, NYC Ferry, and Inclusive destinations and businesses wel- youth development,” said DA in Southeast Queens. Officials
advantage,” added Accessible Web are sponsors, but more op- come all visitors. It was founded Katz. “They provide safe spaces, emphasized that the upgraded fa-
Travel NYC Founder Lakshmee portunities are available. For more by Lakshmee Lachhman-Persad, educational resources, and com- cility will better meet the needs of
Lachhman-Persad. “This con- information, send an email to an internationally recognized munity programs that strengthen a growing and diverse population,
ference is about showing how Guttmann at ben@queensny.org. leader and multiple-award winner. our neighborhoods and empower offering expanded services for
Council Members, Labor Unions, And Advocates Rally our residents.” children, teens, and adults alike.
During her tenure as Queens Construction is now underway,
Against Mayor’s Ballot Proposals Borough President, Katz allocated with completion anticipated in the
$3.5 million toward the Baisley coming years.
A powerful coalition of New fordable housing,” she said, “but Union leaders from 32BJ SEIU,
York City Council Members, not at the cost of giving away our the District Council of Carpen- New York Junior Tennis & Learning
labor unions, and housing advo- voice to unelected appointees.” ters, and the Hotel and Gaming
cates gathered at City Hall this Majority Leader Amanda Trades Council joined the chorus Welcomes Queens Students Back to
week to sound the alarm over Farias drew historical parallels, of opposition. ACES Afterschool Program
Mayor Eric Adams’ Ballot Pro- warning that the proposals echo “At a time when democracy is
posals 2, 3, and 4—measures they the exclusionary planning of the under attack nationally, we must (Continued from page 2) ACES is funded through the
say threaten to undermine com- Robert Moses era, which led to defend it locally,” said Manny Department of Youth and Com-
munity power and transparency segregation and displacement. Pastreich, President of 32BJ work interns in ACES programs munity Development and New
in city development decisions. “We’re still living with the con- SEIU. “These proposals strip throughout the five boroughs, York State Office of Children and
The proposals, which will ap- sequences of that injustice,” she away the power of working peo- and this year it will increase the Family Services’s new Learning
pear on the November ballot, aim said. “These proposals would ple to shape their communities.” number to 16. The organization and Enrichment After-School Pro-
to shift authority over land use take us backward.” Rich Maroko, President of the has also trained more than 200 gram Supports (LEAPS) grants.
and development from the City Community Wins at Risk Hotel & Gaming Trades Council, staff members, including ACES For more information about
Council to mayoral appointees. The Council highlighted recent added, “The Council fights for af- staff, in Youth Mental Health First ACES, visit NYJTL’s website at
Critics argue the ballot language rezoning victories that delivered fordability and good jobs. These Aid, equipping them with tools to www.nyjtl.org/aces-afterschool.
obscures this shift, misleading thousands of affordable housing proposals would take away that check in with students, support About NYJTL - The mission
voters into believing the changes units and millions in infrastruc- power.” their mental wellness, improve of New York Junior Tennis &
will improve housing outcomes. ture improvements: A Call to Action self-esteem, and strengthen emo- Learning (NYJTL) is to develop
In reality, they warn, the propos- • Midtown South Rezoning Council Members from across tional self-regulation. the character of young people
als could erode the ability of (Aug 2025): 9,500 housing units, the city urged voters to scrutinize As a result: through tennis and education for
communities to secure affordable including 2,800 permanently the ballot language and under- • 96% of parents say their child is a lifetime of success on and off
housing, good union jobs, and affordable; $488 million in com- stand what’s at stake. gaining skills that support school the court. Since 1971, NYJTL
vital neighborhood investments. munity benefits. “This isn’t just about housing,” success has changed lives through tennis,
Council Leadership Speaks • Atlantic Avenue Rezoning said Council Member Crystal • Students report a 47% improve- education, healthy living, and
Out (May 2025): 4,600 units, nearly Hudson. “It’s about power—and ment in stress management character development programs.
“New Yorkers currently have 2,000 affordable; major invest- that power belongs with the • Students reports a 21% increase Today, it is the largest youth ten-
the power to secure more afford- ments in parks, transit, and tenant people, not developers.” in emotional awareness nis and education non-profit in the
able housing and neighborhood protections. Council Member Shekar • 95% of ACES sites are meeting nation, reaching more than 90,000
investments through their elected • Bronx Metro-North Rezon- Krishnan, Chair of the Parks or exceeding national benchmarks K-12 New York City youth across
Council,” said Speaker Adri- ing (Aug 2024): 7,000 units with Committee, warned that the pro- for SEL data 100 sites. www.nyjtl.org
enne Adams. “These proposals homeownership opportunities; posals endanger public spaces
threaten to remove that power and $500 million in local infrastruc- and affordability. “Public power Gillibrand Details The Impact Of
silence community voices.” ture upgrades. protects our communities,” he
Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala “These wins were only possible said. “We must not give it away.” Rising Costs Across The State; Releases
emphasized the Council’s pro- because the Council had a seat at As Election Day approaches, County-By-County Breakdown Of
housing record, noting that 93% the table,” said Council Member the coalition is ramping up efforts
of housing development appli- Sandra Ung. “The ballot propos- to educate voters and preserve the Premium Increases
cations have been approved in als would take that seat away.” democratic voice in shaping New
recent years. “We want more af- Labor Unions Join the Fight York City’s future. A county-by-county breakdown on the brink of seeing their premi-
of expected ACA premium in- ums skyrocket---all because con-
Gillibrand, Grassley Reintroduce Legislation To Combat creases across New York can be gressional Republicans refuse to
Sexual Assault On College Campuses, Improve Accountability found at gillibrand.senate.gov/ extend the health care assistance
trumphealthcareincrease
that families rely on,” said Senator
And Transparency For Higher Education Institutions Gillibrand. “This is a Republican-
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand manufactured health care crisis
U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand of sexual assault that take place requirements for both survivors (D-NY) held a virtual press con- that low- and middle-income New
(D-NY) and Chuck Grassley (R- on their campuses, and it would and accused students involved in ference to discuss the impact of Yorkers simply cannot afford.
IA) reintroduced the Campus protect both survivors and accused the campus disciplinary process. rising health insurance premiums Democrats stand ready to negoti-
Accountability and Safety Act, students by ensuring that schools “Sexual assault on college on New Yorkers across the state ate a bipartisan deal to keep health
legislation that would help combat have a uniform and fair process for campuses remains a serious and and to call on Republicans to ex- care costs low and reopen the gov-
sexual assault on college and uni- investigating and conducting cam- persistent problem, and it is up to tend the health insurance subsidies ernment, but we need Republicans
versity campuses. The bipartisan pus disciplinary proceedings. The us in Congress to protect survi- that help many Americans get care to come to the table. I’m calling on
legislation would improve the legislation would also create new vors and make sure these crimes at a price they can afford. my Republican colleagues to pri-
way institutions of higher educa- resources and support services for “At least 1.6 million New York-
tion address and report incidents survivors and set new notification (Continued on page 9) ers in every corner of our state are (Continued on page 11)