FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com JANUARY 10, 2013 • THE QUEENS COURIER27 oped HALL OF SHAME BUSINESSESHELPING RECOVER BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER WILLIAM SCARBOROUGH New York has expe- rienced a number of severe storms in recent years, and the resulting damage has been devastating to residents and to busi- nesses. Damage from the two storms is said to exceed $40 bil- lion to New Yorkers, and it is evident that 186-14 Union Turnpike events in the future.we can now expectmore severe weatherin the parking lotThe damage to resi- dences is tragic, but equally devastating is Incidents of graffi ti have risen. The Courier invites you, our readers, to submit photos of vandalism the damage to busi- — or addresses where you see graffi ti — for our “Hall of Shame.” nesses, especially small businesses. Conversely, if a home or business has “cleaned up their act,” submit them for induction into our “Hall Small business is the key to many local economies of Fame.” as well as the engine that drive the overall economic Send all high resolution JPG images (300 DPI) to [email protected] with a location and a recovery of our region. Many small businesses have contact number. Otherwise, contact us at 38-15 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361. been shut down due to storm damage in the Rockaways, Help us take our borough back from the vandals! Staten Island and elsewhere, or are severely restricted in their ability to do business. History shows that if these businesses cannot recover within 6 – 12 months street talk BY ROSA MICHAELS to the community in terms of economic activity and thethey often do not reopen, or close theirs doors if theycannot return to economic viability. There is a huge loss Would you be willing to pay more to ride the rails if the loss of jobs.As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Small MTA made safety improvements? Weather Business Recovery Tax Credit in New YorkBusiness, I am introducing legislation to create a Severe State. A similar program has been hugely successful in Joplin, Missouri and has greatly aided that city in returning to economic viability after an F5 tornado Yes, I believe glass Yes, If they cleaned it destroyed Joplin in May, 2011. New Yorkers have been doors on the platforms in up a little and more cam- extraordinarily generous with their time and resources front of the tracks will eras were put around, it during times of crisis, but I hear repeatedly from busi- keep us all safer. would be safer. nesses which have not gotten the resources they need, or Ray Turbin Cary Aloise have not gotten them in a timely manner. The Business Recovery Tax Credit would provide for a 50% credit on donations of $1,000 or more and donations would go directly to assisting businesses to recover from the No, it’s too much Yes. It’s pretty safe effects of the storm. The fund would be overseen by the money already and they now and there haven’t Empire State Development Corporation, and be admin- always say there will be been any derailments, istered locally through the Chamber of Commerce. improvements but I never but I think more cameras Donations made through calendar year 2013 would be see any. would help out a lot. eligible for the credit. Mohsina Khan John Aloise Local communities need their businesses back, and thriving. Their employees need their jobs back, our regional economy needs these businesses to do well Yes, because people Yes, safety is a high for our economic recovery. A big part of rebuilding have been pushed onto the tracks and some- these communities involves rebuilding these businesses.standard. But in the long times others fall. To When people have their jobs or can find a new one inrun people will appreci- make improvements I’m their community, they are more likely to stay in thatate it. sure they will need more Nazim K. community. Hope is restored when people have jobs, money. and the goods and services that businesses provide. Bella Schaefer Restoring these businesses will help to restore the community, and residents, not-for-profits and schools Yes, because lately there all benefit. Even with insurance, bank assistance and Yes, it’s for improve- have been a lot of acci- federal and local disaster programs, our local businesses ments. Also, they need to dents and it would be need additional assistance. This program will allow correct the delays and the very helpful. I don’t think those wishing to help out to donate in an organized cleanliness. people would mind pay- meaningful manner, while getting something back for Antonio Rojano ing for that. their generosity, and helping to rebuild our communities Christopher Khan and our economy.
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