Northeast Queens schools win big in budget vote
Residents give blessing to long-sought gym renovations at College Point institution
BY JENNA BAGCAL
The fifth year of
participatory budgeting
is over and the people of
northeast Queens have
spoken once again for school
and security projects.
Councilman Paul Vallone
announced on April 22 the
results of the 2019 round of
participatory budgeting,
which garnered just over
8,500 votes in District 19.
According to Vallone’s
office, this year’s showing
beat northeast Queens’
previous record of over 5,000
votes and was the best in
New York City.
From March 30 to April 7,
residents in Council District
19 had the opportunity to
vote on 20 projects that could
potentially receive funding
from Vallone. Each resident
voted for up to five projects
and the top three projects at
the end of the voting period
would receive funding.
This year the three
winning projects were
the P.S. 129 gymnasium
renovation, a green biome
at Bayside High School and
NYPD security cameras.
“The results once again
clearly show that Northeast
Queens has overwhelmingly
embraced the success
of the participatory
budgeting process,” said
Vallone. “This grassroots
process encourages voter
participation at a time when
voter turnout is at a record
low and is a great way to teach
our youth the power and
importance of voting. This
tremendous effort could not
have been possible without
the continuous dedication
of our delegates, community
liaisons, volunteers, staff and
Vito Tautonico, our Director
of Constituent Services, who
spearheaded the process. I
look forward to continuing to
grow the process next year!”
Last year, Vallone
allocated nearly $1.8 million
in funding for Bayside High
School’s new music rehearsal
rooms, J.H.S. 194 gymnasium
Councilman Paul Vallone at last year’s participatory budgeting cycle
Photos courtesy of Councilman Paul Vallone’s offi ce
renovations and new NYPD
security cameras.
This year, P.S. 129 Patricia
Larkin in College Point came
in first place with 2,009 votes.
Funding will go toward a full
renovation of the school’s
existing gym space in order
to enhance educational
opportunities for the
school community.
“The P.S. 129 school
community would like to
thank Councilman Vallone’s
office for the opportunity to
improve our school building
and to participate in the
District 19 City Council
Participatory Budget Vote,”
said Principal Marilyn Alesi.
“The gymnasium renovation
will be greatly appreciated
by all the students. We
are so grateful to the P.S
129 community, students,
parents, community
members, teachers,
paraprofessionals and
everyone who participated in
support of this project.”
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