32 The QUEE NS Courier • april 25, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com QUINN PROPOSES RAISING AGE TO BUY TOBACCO BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA [email protected] Newly-proposed City Council legislation would increase the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products in the five boroughs from 18 to 21. “Too many adult smokers begin this deadly habit before age 21,” said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who announced the legislation on Monday, April 22 along with Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley. “By delaying our city’s children and young adults access to lethal tobacco products, we’re decreasing the likelihood they ever start smoking, and thus, creating a healthier city.” The city has cut the smoking rate over the last decade through measures such as banning smoking in bars and raising cigarette prices. However, the rate among teens has remained at 8.5 percent since 2007, according to city statistics. In support of the legislation, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene cited a 2001 study that said 90 percent of people who purchased cigarettes for minors were between 18 and 20 years old. The city’s 2004-2007 Community Health Survey found that 80 percent of New York City smokers started before the age of 21. Last month, Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposed legislation that also targets younger smokers. The Tobacco Product Display Restriction Bill would require New York City retailers to keep tobacco products out of customers’ view except during purchases or restocking. THE COURIER/Photo by Melissa Chan Elected officials broke ground on a $10 million expansion project at Kew Gardens Hills. Dolan’s dream comes to fruition GROUND BROKEN ON $10M EXPANSION OF KEW GARDENS HILLS LIBRARY BY MELISA CHAN [email protected] Their eyes looking to the skies in memory of a lost beloved leader, elected officials drove their golden shovels into the dirt to break ground on a long-anticipated library expansion project. “It feels so good to be standing here today, knowing that construction POSTHUMOUS HONOR Willow Lake Trail renamed for Pat Dolan BY ANTHONY O’REILLY [email protected] An overpass in Flushing Meadows- Corona Park has been dedicated to the memory of Patricia Dolan, the founder and first president of the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy. Local residents and elected officials gathered on Sunday, April 21 to rename the Willow Lake Trail as the Pat Dolan Trail. The trail’s highlight is a new bird blind, a four-wall metal shelter that allows bird watchers to look out on the skyline. Dolan often used the trail as a place to go birding. Park administrator Janice Melnick praised Dolan as an important part of improving the park in recent years. After Dolan’s death, Melnick said she heard from the Conservancy about dedicating part of the park to Dolan. “We’re happy to be able to do this,” Melnick said. “We had tremendous support from elected officials.” Dolan died on November 15, 2011 after being struck by a car. Elected officials including Borough President Helen Marshall and Assemblymember Michael Simanowitz spoke fondly of Dolan, saying they often heard from her about improving the park. According to Conservancy president Jean Silva, the trail was a favorite location of Dolan’s. Even during the Park administrator Janice Melnick, Martha Taylor, Assemblymember David Weprin, BP Helen Marshall, Congressmember Grace Meng, Norma Stegmaier, Assemblymember Michael Simanowitz and Jean Silva unveil the new sign for the Pat Dolan Trail. winter, she enjoyed walking the path with her father. Silva said several volunteers have worked over the past few weeks to beautify the park in advance of the THE COURIER/Photo by Anthony O’Reilly dedication ceremony, adding that there is still work to be done. “The volunteers did some great work,” she said. “We’re really looking for people to support this.” is beginning,” said Queens Library President Thomas Galante at the Friday, April 19 ceremony. The $10 million renovation project at the Kew Gardens Hills Library was a longtime pet project of Pat Dolan, a Queens activist who was struck and killed by a car last November. She was 72. “Her memory lives on,” Galante said. “The library she loved so much is now officially located on Pat Dolan Way, and this expansion will be her legacy to the community. We will always know she is looking on.” There will be an extra 3,000 square feet of space when the branch at 72-33 Pat Dolan Way reopens in 2015, officials said. The library will also have twice as many computers, a bigger meeting room, an energy-saving roof and larger, separate spaces for adults, teens and children. “This will be a fantastic library. It’s going to be a great place,” said Borough President Helen Marshall. “Libraries are important because they’re full of knowledge. Little children, teenagers, seniors— they’re good for everyone to absorb knowledge.” The branch closed for construction on February 22. A temporary library is open at 71-34 Main Street, library officials said. Nearby branches are also located in Hillcrest, Briarwood and Pomonok.
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