6 The Courier sun • april 30, 2015 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com NEW SIGNS TO POINT SOUTH QUEENS COMMUNITY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BY ANGELA MATUA [email protected] @AngelaMatua Whenever the next coastal emergency strikes, south Queens residents will no longer experience confusion when driving Everything you need to be cool this summer. SPECIAL LIMITED TIME OFFER EXPIRES 6/30/15 Install an energy-effi cient ductless cooling system in your home for as low as $88/month* No ductwork required Cost-effective Energy-effi cient Programmable remote Service & installation of all major brands! Call today! 877.226.1534 petro.com petro mobile All images used are for illustrative purposes only. *Based on fi nancing a $8,000 installation and 9.99% interest rate up to 132 months. Subject to credit approval by Synchrony Bank and applies to qualifi ed systems only. Limited time offer, expires 6/30/15, equipment must be installed by 7/15/15. Call your local representative for complete terms and conditions. Must present ad at time of quote; cannot be combined with any other offer. Additional terms and conditions may apply. NYC Lic. No. 1314079. ©2015 Petro. P_15159 to their nearest evacuation center. The city’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) have installed new coastal evacuation center signage in south Queens and the Rockaways to direct residents to their designated evacuation center at John Adams High School in South Ozone Park, instead of Aqueduct Racetrack. Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder contacted the DOT last May after residents were led in two different directions when trying to reach an evacuation center during Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. Aqueduct Racetrack previously acted as the evacuation center before Resorts World Casino was opened in October 2011. After the casino was constructed, the center was changed to John Adams High School. Though emergency personnel directed people to John Adams High School, the existing signage still pointed to Aqueduct. City evacuation plans and OEM city flood maps list John Adams High School as the zoned evacuation center but signage did not reflect the change. Goldfeder reached out to the DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg to BUY DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER FREE Measuring & Installation w/purchase of $100. with this ad. • Draperies • Vertical Blinds • Honeycomb Shades • Custom Window Shades • Mini Blinds Nobody Beats Our Prices! • Roman Shades • Balloon Shades • Swags & Jabots • Shutters • Upholstery • Radiator Covers • Table Pads UP TO 70% OFF LIST PRICE Free Interior Design Consultation $20 OFF with purchase of $200 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 5/8/15 $50 OFF with purchase of $500 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 5/8/15 $100 OFF with purchase of $1,000 or more *Not to be combined w/other offers. Expires 5/8/15 GOMER’S Window Treatments SINCE 1962 FREE SHOP AT HOME SERVICE SERVING QUEENS AND LONG ISLAND 1.800.522.6156 www.gomersdecorators.com request that the agency update and maintain designated evacuation routes and signs. Signage was updated and installed in early April at 28 locations including cross sections on Beach Channel Drive, Cross Bay Boulevard, Rockaway Boulevard and Belt Parkway and will be maintained regularly by the DOT, according to an OEM spokesperson. Goldfeder said these signs are crucial in ensuring the safety of all residents and thanked OEM Commissioner Joseph Esposito for playing a role in the installations. “This change to our emergency evacuation route signage will save thousands of lives by helping direct families in the event of major disasters,” Goldfeder said. “Our community has had two major evacuations in the last four years. The vital information these signs provide is the key to keeping our families safe during emergencies.” The repairs were done in time for the Atlantic hurricane season and the OEM is preparing to relaunch the “Know Your Zone” hurricane campaign to encourage New Yorkers to find out if they live in a hurricane zone and what steps to take to plan ahead. “Hurricane season is around the corner, and we want every New Yorker to be aware of what hurricane evacuation zone they live in and how they can get to their nearest evacuation center if necessary,” OEM Commissioner Joseph Esposito said. Photo courtesy of Phil Goldfeder Signage was installed throughout south Queens to direct people to their designated coastal evacuation center.
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