FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com APRIL 30, 2015 • The Queens Courier 29 SCOTT BARON’S STAR OF QUEENS Laura Newman Co-Founder Make Queens Safer COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Laura Newman is one of the founders of Make Queens Safer, which was formed in late 2013 after a child was killed while crossing Northern Boulevard with his grandmother. It was the third such incident in approximately 12 months and sparked in Newman a desire to bring about change. Make Queens Safer works toward ensuring the streets are safe for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. Newman’s organization hosted a march from Corona to Jackson Heights to raise awareness about road safety, while talking to elected officials and parents who lost their children in road accidents. The group hosted a safety fair educating children about bike safety and pedestrian safety. BACKGROUND: Newman was born and raised in Forest Hills. Over the years she lived in various boroughs of the city but came back to live in Queens because she said it is a down-to-earth place with no pretensions. She is a qualified psychologist. BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “Allowing space for everybody in the community to be a part of this movement. Earlier the mood was adversarial. It is easy for pedestrians to blame motorists and motorists to blame bicyclists. That only raises anger levels without accomplishing anything,” Newman said. “We are all on the roads. We should unify to take a stand together as a community. This is solvable.” GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT: “It is still a work in progress, but my greatest achievement would be bringing a sense of values in younger generations to take responsibility in a variety of ways,” Newman said. “As a parent, I want my daughter to be aware and committed to make a change in the community. Through Make Queens Safer, I can impact other parents to do the same and give the younger generation a sense of involvement and engagement. It is about empowering families and young children to own a sense of responsibility toward making their community a safer, more caring, better functioning neighborhood.” INSPIRATION: “I can’t say I have a personal hero everyone knows by name,” Newman said. “But there are some young adults I have encountered in Queens and the city at large who are working for food justice and environmentalism. They are trustworthy and inspiring.” BY ASHA MAHADEVAN Star of Queens: brought to you by SCOTT BARON & ASSOCIATES, P.C. Attorneys & Counselors at Law 1-866-WAS-HURT (866) 927-4878 718.738.9800 star OF queens CUTLER’S LIGHTING Over 50 Years Experience REPAIRS • REWIRING • RE-FINISHING • LAMP SHADES SPRING SAVINGS 10% OFF ANY PURCHASE With Coupon. Not combinable – New Orders Only. Limit 1 per customer. $150.00 max for discount. Excludes Repairs, Refi nishing, Rewiring. Exp. 05/15/2015 CUTLER’S LIGHTING CUTLER’S LIGHTING LYNBROOK 817 Sunrise Hwy (2 Blocks west of Peninsula Blvd.) 516-887-1300 GREAT NECK 120 Northern Blvd. 516-482-1919 12 years from now, 20-50% OFF on this LED bulb will still be saving you money. OFF TAKE LAMP SHADE SALE yellow and red tagged items NEED A GETAWAY? Scheduled Bus Trips All Year Round Over 300 Tours to Choose From Five Convenient Pick Ups in NYC Call For Free Brochure 2015 Motorcoach Tours & Charters Air & Land Packages Airline Tickets Domestic & International Cruises 718-238-2284 6812 3rd Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11220 www.lmtours.net info@lmtours.net 888-238-2220 (outside NYC) • Penn Dutch Amish Trip; Lobster Feast • Philadelphia; Baltimore; Boston; Annapolis • Washington, DC Cherry Blossom • Sight & Sound Theatres - Moses & Joseph • Cape May Bird Cruise; Victorian Cape May • Florita - Key West, Miami & More • Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, RI • Niagara Falls & Toronta; Montreal & Quebec • Ottawa & 1000 Islands, Canada • Michigan; Mall of America; Chicago • Casinos, Shows, Train/Boat Rides & More 718-238-2284 6812 3rd Avenue • Brooklyn, NY 11220 www.lmtours.net • info@lmtours.net
QC04302015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above