EDITORIALS
OTHER VOICES
Thanks for Senator Avella’s service
Tony Avella had been a State
Senator for eight years in northeast
Queens prior to his loss in the
November election.
Before that, he was a City
Councilman for eight years. As a
civic person, I am very grateful for
his service and his assistance over
the years that he was in office. I also
thank his staff for their efforts.
Avella advocated for the
contextual rezonings that have
done much to protect the character
of our neighborhoods. He also
supported the establishment of the
R2A and R1-2A designations for
single family detached homes that
are prevalent in northeast Queens.
He worked with urban specialist
Paul Graziano to ensure that all parts
of his district were zoned correctly.
The rezonings may not have
completely halted overdevelopment
and inappropriate development in
our area; however, they have helped
and were positive accomplishments.
In terms of other community
issues, Avella has always been
responsive to problems and
concerns that arise regarding
businesses and land use issues in
our area.
Countless times, I have gone
to Avella’s office with other
community residents to discuss
these particular problems and
possible ways to resolve those
problems. Also, whenever a
letter was written to the Senator
regarding a community concern,
a response was received and action
was taken.
Avella has been very
supportive of our local nonprofits.
Organizations like the Alley Pond
Environmental Center and the
Bayside Historical Society — among
others — have received financial
support through his efforts so
that they can continue to serve the
community and especially educate
our young people.
I hope that Avella remains active
in community and civic circles
in the years ahead. He has a lot
of useful institutional knowledge
that can be put to good use for the
benefit of all residents.
I thank him and his wife Judy
for their commitment to our
communities and hope that the
future holds many happy and
healthy years to come.
Henry Euler
Bayside
A GOAL FOR 2019
Looking back on 2018, we’ve had our fair share
of stories — both positive and negative — pop up
throughout the borough.
As we wrap up 2018 and kick off the new year,
let’s try and remember all the good the people in
Queens have done.
This holiday season, we’ve seen tons of
nonprofits and local organizations work hard to
provide for those who are less fortunate.
There have been so many selfless acts of
kindness that deserve recognition and we’d like
to say thanks to those who have gone above and
beyond to make a positive impact in our borough.
We’ve seen Vessel of Life, a nonprofit founded
by Flushing/Fresh Meadows resident Angelica
Ramirez, hold a free Thanksgiving dinner for
survivors of childhood sexual abuse in Long
Island City, where 16 people in six families were
served.
The Queens region of Champion Martial Arts
partnered with Operation CR (Child Rescue) to
collect 2,171 canned and boxed foods to be donated
to the Food Bank for New York City ahead of thew
Thanksgiving holiday.
Jessica Chacha, the co-founder of the Jackson
Heights-based nonprofit Together We Can
Community Resource Center, was named a 2018
WellCare Community Hero by WellCare of New
York. Chacha was recognized for her organization’s
work in supporting immigrant families.
Ridgewood’s 104th Precinct did not slow down
for the holidays, but kicked the season of giving
into gear with toy giveaways coordinated with the
Greater Ridgewood Youth Council (GRYC) and the
Rafael Ramos Foundation Toy Drive.
NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill came to
Bayside in December — along with NYPD officers
— to help spread holiday cheer to the children and
families at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children.
In a separate event, the FDNY also stopped by
St. Mary’s, bringing smiles to everyone’s faces.
There have been countless acts of kindness in
Queens, especially around the holidays. But we
can do better.
Rather than saving these wonderful acts for the
holiday season, we should make a greater push to
make them happen year-round.
The holidays are a great time to lend a helping
hand. But people need help all year, not just around
the holidays.
A greater push to be kind and help others is
something everyone should be on board with.
Let’s make it happen in 2019 and beyond.
ASTORIA TIMES ■ BAYSIDE TIMES
FLUSHING TIMES ■ FOREST HILLS LEDGER
FRESH MEADOWS TIMES
JACKSON HEIGHTS TIMES ■ JAMAICA TIMES
LAURELTON TIMES ■ LITTLE NECK LEDGER
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