Page 9 - qt edition #44
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2024 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 9
Meng Awards Federal Funding To St. Francis Preparatory Breast Cancer Walk
School In Fresh Meadows
Money to help improve school
security
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-
Queens), New York’s senior mem-
ber of the House Appropriations
Committee – which funds the
federal government’s programs
and activities – announced today
that she awarded $150,000 to St.
Francis Preparatory School in
Fresh Meadows.
The funds will allow the school
to make additional security im-
provements to help ensure the safe-
ty of students, faculty and staff.
The money is allocated through
the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security’s Nonprofit Security
Grant Program which is designed Congresswoman Meng presenting $150,000 to St. Francis
Preparatory School in Fresh Meadows. Pictured with Meng
to pay for safety measures that help is its Principal Patrick McLaughlin (sixth from left), school The Queens District Attorneys munity well-being, we proudly
guard against threats and attacks. officials and students from the school’s student government. office recognizes the critical im- participated in the annual 5K walk
“Safety must always be a portance of breast cancer aware- against breast cancer at Flushing
top priority in our communities, Prep for years to come.” commitment to our school and ness, especially considering that it Meadows Corona Park on Sunday.
especially at our local schools, “This grant will have a profound for recognizing the importance is the second most common cancer Together, we stand in solidar-
and this grant will go a long way impact on our school’s ability to of secure educational spaces. We among women in the United States. ity with those affected by breast
towards keeping everybody at St. maintain a safe learning environ- look forward to continuing our In alignment with our mission cancer and in support of cancer
Francis Preparatory School more ment, providing our students, partnership with her to foster a to enhance public safety and com- research.
secure,” said Congresswoman staff, teachers and families with positive and safe environment for
Meng. “The Nonprofit Security peace of mind,” said St. Francis all of our SFP students.” Make Your Vote Count: Vote Stacey
Grant Program is a key initiative to Preparatory Principal Patrick St. Francis Preparatory School
enhance safety, and in Congress, McLaughlin. “With these re- is an independent Catholic college Pheffer Amato for State Assembly
I’m proud to have helped increase sources, we are better equipped preparatory school. It includes
funding for it over the years so to implement new safety protocols 2,450 students in grades 9-12. By Michael O’Meara
that this crucial money can make and security measures that priori- Opened in 1858, the school has President of the Police Conference of New York
its way to schools and nonprofits tize the protection and comfort of been in its present location at
in our borough. I look forward to our school community. I thank 61-00 Francis Lewis Boulevard Dear Editor and Friends:
these funds benefiting St. Francis Congresswoman Meng for her since 1974. Election Day is upon us. While it seems that everyone is focused
Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato Honors on the Presidential race, I have kept a steadfast focus on the down-
ballot races that impact our State, neighborhood and families.
NYC Auxiliary Police As the President of the Police Conference of New York (PCNY),
an MTA police officer, and your neighbor, I want you to consider
New York State Assembly- voting to re-elect the candidate EVERY police union in New York
woman Stacey Pheffer Amato City and New York State has endorsed - Stacey Pheffer Amato.
acknowledged and honored the Let’s break it down and talk about the facts. There are 150
contribution to public safety from members in the State Assembly and the Republicans are in the
NYC Auxiliary Police Officers unbreakable minority - there are 48 of them and 102 Democrats.
and the nearly 60 years of service The State Assembly is partisan, and only members of the majority
from the Auxiliary Police Be- have a say in what goes on. Thankfully for us, Stacey has a seat
nevolent Association of the City of at the table; she’s in the majority conference where all decisions
New York (APBA), as she awarded are made. I’ve worked with elected officials in both parties and
the union an official State Proc- know who can and cannot be effective. Republicans are great allies
lamation. The Assemblywoman and supporters, but we need someone who can actually score the
thanked all the auxiliary police touchdown, not just be a cheerleader. Stacey is scoring touchdowns
officers (APO) who “perform their for us every day by repeatedly delivering for us and our families!
duties as volunteers, placing them Let’s look at the facts: Stacey has never supported or worked
among the most distinguished and to defund the police on the City or State level. Just the opposite,
valuable individuals in service instead, she was responsible for a 24% increase in State police
to the people.” The Assembly- funding. She was also the reason every member of law enforcement
woman also praised the union obtained a heart disease presumption, giving us healthcare coverage
for fearlessly defending auxiliary that we had fought for years to obtain. This change only happened
police officers who are often lo- after she passed the bill and made it a reality. She delivered!
cal residents who go through I’ll be honest, we have problems in New York and a job in law
specific training to directly assist enforcement is not easy. But the truth is that losing Stacey won’t
the NYPD and help protect their change that. Instead, it will take away our strongest pro-police ally,
communities. and replace her with someone who begrudgingly can never be part
“Auxiliary police officers are of the decision-making process and deliver on any of his promises.
some of the most civic-minded It makes no sense to replace a moderate Democrat like Stacey with
New Yorkers who take on heroic someone who will be in the ineffective minority, unable to pass a
responsibilities in support of the bill, negotiate the State budget, or bring resources to our district.
well-being of their communities. We don’t have to like that, but it’s the facts. Why would you will-
They assist the amazing NYPD ingly vote to take away our voice in Albany?
in so many ways. This is a special The best way to push for a change in New York is by sending
way to say thank you to all of Stacey Pheffer Amato back to Albany because she is actually in the
New York City’s Auxiliary Police room where decisions are made. As a moderate, she has stopped
Officers, while also celebrating radical legislation from being passed, and she has voted no on
the union that has defended and extremist policies. She has worked tirelessly to roll back negative
represented them fearlessly,” said They want to help protect our Sterler, thanked Pheffer Amato policies one step at a time. You should do your own research and
Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato. community which is truly honor- and stated ‘’Chairwoman Pheffer check out all her “no” votes. Don’t believe the half-truths other
Pheffer Amato also announced able. By allocating this funding Amato has been a true champion people are saying about her record. After all, both Republicans
the allocation of $250,000 in to each precinct’s Auxiliary unit, of safer streets, working for fair and Democrats BEG to be co-sponsors and add their name to her
capital funding to the auxiliary I’m making sure they have the and effective law enforcement legislation. Check for yourself!
police units of the NYPD’s 106th resources they need to help the statewide. It’s particularly fitting As the President of the largest police organization in New York,
Precinct, 100th Precinct and 101st NYPD and get the job done right,” that this Proclamation is made by the umbrella union that encompasses nearly every local police
Precinct. “In a time when there said the Assemblywoman. the Chair of the Governmental union throughout New York, I am responsible for the lives of our
doesn’t seem to be enough hours In accepting the illuminated Employees Committee, as she is officers and for ensuring their families are protected. I’m giving you
in the day, APO’s throughout our State Proclamation on behalf of a valuable ally to this union on the facts as I work shoulder-to-shoulder with Stacey. I am asking
City find a way to commit more APBA President John W. Hyland, wider issues and has delivered for you to consider voting for Stacey because she is the best option!
than a million hours of volunteer the union’s long time Director You can vote for Stacey Pheffer Amato on the independent line
time to this incredible work. of Government Affairs, Lewis (Continued on page 10) called “We The People” or as a Democrat.