E-Waste Ban, Community Complaints Top Board 2 Meeting In Sunnyside Looking To Expand Bike Lanes Across Bushwick -CONTINUED FROM PG. 17- administrative process. For example, anyone can visit the DOE’s website and open each school’s progress reports, pass rates and percentages, as well as other statistics. A 2009 New York Post study showed state reading and math exam pass rates in local schools, as well as the high school graduation rate, soared after the start mayoral control, specifically in my district. This past year’s grading period, while still under the city’s control, student progress percentages show more than half of the district’s schools meeting or exceeding its targets. We must prioritize our students and their best interests, and the numbers clearly show they excel while under local control. Giving our parents, teachers and administrators a greater voice encourages and welcomes their involvement, which in my mind is a recipe for success. Every school is different, every neighborhood is different, and nobody knows their own schools and neighborhoods better than those involved every day. With that, we can ensure each school, and therefore each student, is given the tools to succeed. As the weeks and months pass inAlbany, and mayoral control is discussed, I intend to make these facts known, as well as push for the revisions I believe are needed. As always, I welcome my constituents’ input, opinions and concerns. If I am equipped with your voice, I can take that with me to Albany. Feel free to email me at [email protected], comment on my Facebook page, Senator Joe Addabbo, or call any of my three district offices. Editor’s note: Addabbo represents the 15th State Senate District, which includes all or parts of Ridgewood, Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Elmhurst, Woodside, Rego Park, Forest Hills, Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Lindenwood, Howard Beach, Broad Channel and the western Rockaways. My Say -CONTINUED FROM PG. 4- Financial Stress Closes Ast. School at Most Precious Blood students would be advised of open houses at neighboring schools and academies in the days ahead. Nearby Catholic schools include St. Joseph Catholic Academy at 28-46 44th St. in Find Cache Of Guns In R’wood Home Following the search, DeCongilao and Maurina were taken into custody on multiple counts of criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of stolen property, criminal possession of a firearm and criminal possession of a controlled substance. Both suspects were arraigned later that day in Queens Criminal Court before Judge Toko Serita, according to court records. Maurina was ordered held on $30,000 bond or $15,000 cash, while DeCongilao’s bail was set at $100,000 bond or $50,000 cash. They are due back in court on Jan. 26. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 3- Astoria; St. Francis of Assisi School at 21-18 46th St. in Astoria; Immaculate Conception School at 21-63 29th St. in Astoria; and St. Sebastian School at 39-76 58th St. inWoodside. For more information, visit www.dioceseofbrooklyn.org. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 8- Fake Cop Busted For B’wick Sex Abuse -CONTINUED FROM PG. 8- another location and forced himself up on her again. The victim reportedly attempted to get out of the car, but couldn’t open the locked doors. Police said the victim struggled with Barnes as he attempted to rape her, but she was able to escape after grabbing the keys out of the ignition. Members of the NYPD Police Impersonation Unit, a division of the Internal Affairs Bureau, led the investigation. Assistant District Attorney Lisa Nugent of the DA’s Sex Crimes Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Coleen Balbert, bureau chief. provide a bin where everyone will be able to bring their electronics.” Anyone can enroll their building into this free e-cycle program as long as it meets the criteria. For more information about this program visit nyc.gov/ecycle. Members of the community can also donate or sell their working electronics instead of throwing them out. Visit nyc.gov/stuffexchange for details and options. Iciano also answered questions from those in attendance concerning the placement of unsorted trash in resident’s garbage bins by passersby leading to the owner of the bin receiving a summons, in Sunnyside. “Whenever you are having anything unusual happening to your garbage, the first thing you do is report it to 311,” Iciano told concerned residents. “If you have a problem and you don’t make it known to anybody, you’re just a part of the problem, you’re not solving anything. Make it known, make a complaint,” he added. Iciano stressed that all calls and complaints to 311 and DSNY will be kept confidential. Other news Patrick O’Brien, the new Board 2 chairperson, announced that the NYC Department of Transportation has notified Board 2 of the approval of the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Skillman Avenue and 51st Street. It is scheduled to be completed by Mar. 31. O’Brien also noted that one thing he will try to do as Chairman is to, “bring our electronic footprint into the 21st century.” This will happen when the board’s website will become more user-friendly by Spring of 2015, and with the creation of a Facebook page for Board 2. Parking spaces Members of the Long Island City community do not like the draft of a proposal from the Department of City Planning (DCP), wanting to remove over 40 parking spots in the community. This proposal cites the lack of open green spaces as the need to remove parking spaces. With the creation of Hunters Point South Park, which includes a central green, a playground, a dog run, a bikeway, a waterside promenade, a basketball court and a 13,000 square foot pavilion, residents of Long Island City do not see a lack of public space in their community. O’Brien informed those in attendance that “there is no hard, firm proposal that City Planning is pushing,” and that this is just a draft and nothing is being done as of now. He assured that once a proposal is made that it will be reviewed, analyzed and commented on by the board. Special mention On behalf of Board 2 members, O’Brien presented a plaque of recognition to Joe Raskin, who is retiring from the MTA after 24 years of service. O’Brien noted Raskin’s helpful sharing of information from the MTA with Board 2 as one of the main reasons why he was being presented this plaque. “I am extremely flattered by this. Thank you,” Raskin said. * * * Community Board 2 generally meets on the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at Sunnyside Community Services, located at 43-31 39th St. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 3- TIMES, THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2015 • 26 In the left photo, Joe Raskin (left), member of the MTA for 24 years receiving a plaque of gratitude from Board 2 Chair Patrick O’Brien (right). O’Brien, in his first meeting officially succeeding former Chairperson Joe Conley, is pictured at right addressing the crowd. (photos: Anthony Giudice) list of projects followed by establishing a two-to-three-year plan to implement the changes. Phase one of the plan is expected to begin in 2016. After phase one, DOT will hold a community evaluation and input period to see what residents think of the initial progress. Phase two will follow in 2017 with another community evaluation and input period. DOT touted the benefits of more bike lanes for cyclists and drivers alike in the November meeting. With an enhanced number of bike lanes cyclists can commute via a safe network of lanes. These lanes will designate where cyclists can and cannot ride, reducing confusion for both the cyclists and drivers. Bike lanes increase awareness that cyclists may be present which can reduce vehicle speeding on streets with these lanes, and they lower the rate of sidewalk cycling. For more information and to fill out the online survey to determine where more bike lanes should be placed visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/Bus hwickBikes. Let The Times Newsweekly Classfieds Work For You! Call Us Today At 1-718-821-7500
RT01152015
To see the actual publication please follow the link above