18 The Courier sun • FEBRUARY 21, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com UP AND RUNNING Bus strike finally over BY ALEXA ALTMAN [email protected] The wheels on the bus will finally be going round and round again. School bus drivers and matrons returned to their posts on Wednesday, February 19, after the monthlong stalemate that left more than 150,000 students stranded. “I am very pleased and happy that the strike is over,” said Far Rockaway resident Crystal Blount, whose disabled son Nehemiah needed to be driven over an hour to his school on Long Island every day. “It was causing major stress. I had to take too many days off from work and lost a lot of time at work that I would normally use for emergencies.” A major push to end the strike came when the five Democratic mayoral hopefuls signed a joint letter, urging the city and the union to come to an agreement. According to bus driver Maria Gentile, the decision to end the strike had nothing to do with negotiations with Bloomberg, contrary to statements made by the mayor. Instead, it was the five candidate’s support and promise that the Employee Protection Provision (EPP) would be revisited upon the appointment of Bloomberg’s successor. “They asked if we would return to work in exchange for the upcoming mayor to be willing to work with them,” said Gentile. “We’re in a really good place. We’re in a positive place. We’re going to keep moving forward and fighting for what we want.” Local 1181 president Michael Cordiello said that while the strike has been suspended, the issues surrounding Cabrera Tax Flyer_Ferreras Queens Courier 2/5/13 3:24 PM Page 1 the strike remain pressing and a responsibility THE COURIER/PHOTO BY ALEXA ALTMAN Photo Courtesy of Councilmember Eric Ulrich’s office Councilmember Eric Ulrich presenting a proclamation to one of this year’s Queens St. Patrick’s Day Parade deputy grand marshals. After a month of scrambled routines and transit troubles, the bus strike has come to a stop. Luck O of the city. Cordiello criticized the Bloomberg administration for its tactics during the strike, including the mayor’s refusal to meet with Local 1181 officials to end the strike. “In January when Mayor Bloomberg is gone, we are comfortable that his entire scheme will be rejected,” said Cordiello. “We are grateful that so many elected leaders in this city are choosing the facts as a path to a conclusion, rather than a conclusion as a path to the facts.” As routines resumed, parents rejoiced. “We had to adjust our work schedule to drop her off every day to and from school,” said Kristen Kim, whose daughter attends Mill Neck Manor School in Long Island, a specialized school for children who are hard of hearing. “Thank goodness it’s over for now. The next mayor will have to revisit and hopefully solve this issue.” the Irish Irish eyes were smiling. The annual ball for the Queens St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicked off the season of the Irish on Saturday, February 16 at Antun’s catering hall in Queens Village. Councilmember Eric Ulrich and Assemblymember Phillip Goldfeder were present and recognized by the parade’s organizing committee. Goldfeder was honored as a deputy grand marshal for this year’s parade in Rockaway. Ulrich presented the honorees with proclamations. Council Member Julissa Ferreras, Food Bank For New York City, and The City University of New York invite you to FREE* Tax Preparation Saturday, February 23, 2013 9 am-5 pm * Qualified people will get their taxes completed for FREE. Income limits • $50,000 with dependents • $18,000 without dependents To qualify you must have the following: • If filing jointly with a spouse, both of you must be present with photo IDs. • Social Security cards or ITIN (or copies) for you and your spouse if filing jointly and anyone you are claiming on your tax return, or a letter from the Social Security Administration. • W-2s for all jobs you held in 2012. • Form 1099-G if you received unemployment insurance in 2012. • Form 1099-INT if you received interest from a bank account in 2012. • Form 1098-T if you paid tuition. • Form 1098-E if you paid student loan interest. • If you are claiming child care expenses, amount you paid and child care agency’s ID or name and Social Security number of the babysitter. Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church of Corona NY 38-05 98th Street Corona, NY 11368 Food Bank For New York City 646-315-7703 Council Member Ferreras’s office 718-651-1917 DIRECTIONS: 7 Train to Junction Blvd. For more information about additional locations, dates and times for ongoing free tax preparation, call 646-315-7703 or visit www.foodbanknyc.org/taxhelp We do not prepare the following returns: Itemized returns; Schedule C (Profit or Loss from Business - except limited Schedule C for child care providers and taxi drivers); Complicated & Advanced Schedule D (Capital Gains and Losses); Schedule E (Rents & Losses); Form SS-5 (request for Social Security Number); Form 2106 (Employee Business Expenses); Form 3903 (Moving Expenses); Form 8606 (Nondeductible IRAs); Form 8615 (Minor’s investment income) foodbanknyc.org/taxhelp
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