WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 3
Holden brings more cleaning services to district
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
In response to the citywide budget
cuts due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
specifically the $1.6 million that
was slashed from the Department of
Sanitation aff ecting public wastebasket
collection and litter removal, Councilman
Robert Holden is reallocating
discretionary funds toward another
nonprofi t organization to help keep his
district clean.
On Sept. 2, the Association of Community
Employment Programs for the
Homeless (ACE) began clearing commercial
corridors seven days a week, including
Flushing Avenue, Metropolitan
Avenue, Fresh Pond Road, and Myrtle
Avenue.
Holden officially announced his
partnership with ACE on Sept. 16. The
Long Island City-based organization will
focus on cleaning up litter, overfl owing
wastebaskets and other garbage along
these corridors, while also clearing
snow from catch basins and sidewalk
cutouts at crosswalks, and occasional
graffi ti removal.
“The economic toll that the COVID-19
pandemic has taken on our city can
be seen daily in the growing amount
of litter and pikes of garbage from
overfl owing wastebaskets on our streets
and sidewalks,” Holden said. “We cannot
allow our environment and quality of
life to suff er, so I am proud to bring more
cleaning services to my communities to
make up for what was lost. The addition
of ACE will build upon the work that the
Wildcat Service Corp. has been doing for
many years, while also providing jobs
to those that need them most, and I look
forward to continuing this partnership
with them in the future.”
Holden is also reallocating funds
from his discretionary budget to bring
back Sunday wastebasket collection for
the Department of Sanitation.
“We are pleased to partner with Council
member Holden to provide additional
services to enhance cleaning eff orts
of busy streets in the 30th District of
Queens,” Sanitation Commissioner
Kathryn Garcia said. “I thank Council
member Holden for his continued support
of the Department and for helping
us keep New York City clean, especially
by arranging for extra litter basket service
in the busiest areas of his district.”
ACE works with homeless men and
women throughout New York City to
provide job training, experience and
a support network to help program
participants re-establish economic
independence.
“ACE could not be more thrilled to
work with Council member Holden to
keep the sidewalks and streets of District
30 clean through the NYC Cleanup
Initiative,” ACE Executive Director
James Martin said. “Queens is ACE’s
home borough and we are proud to
play a role in keeping these neighborhood
streets looking their best for the
residents, businesses and visitors to
enjoy. Through this initiative, Council
member Holden is doing more than just
keeping our streets clean, he’s off ering
employment to hard-working New
Yorkers who have overcome barriers
like homelessness, addiction and incarceration.
ACE is fortunate to call Council
member Holden a partner.”
Holden’s district includes Glendale,
Maspeth, Middle Village, Ridgewood,
Woodhaven and Woodside.
Councilman Robert Holden announces a deal to bring more trash collection
services to his district to off set budget cuts to the Department of
Sanitation. Photo courtesy of Holden’s offi ce
Joe’s Restaurant
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK FOR LUNCH AND DINNER
Right here in the heart of Ridgewood
66-11 FOREST AVENUE
1-718-497-1300 or 1-718-497-3734 • Between Gates Ave & Palmetto St.
HIGH ACCLAIM 1/2 Daily News
Joe's wishes everyone well.
We are open for pick-up orders
and short distance delivery.
WE ARE NOW OPEN
WITH OUTDOOR DINING
EVERYTHING COOKED TO ORDER • ASK FOR OUR DAILY SPECIALS
• CATERING AVAILABLE
Gift Certificates
Available
You can find us on www.joesrestaurantny.com
Accepting Credit Cards
/WWW.QNS.COM
/www.joesrestaurantny.com
link
/www.joesrestaurantny.com
link
