FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 23, 2018 • THE QUEENS COURIER 11
Astoria gets $300K in funds for street cleanups
BY JENNA BAGCAL
jbagcal@qns.com
@jenna_bagcal
Councilman Costa Constantinides
announced that over $290,000 from the
2019 Fiscal Year funding would be allocated
to keep Astoria streets clean following
the months-long subway shutdowns.
On Friday, Aug. 17, the councilman
held a press conference to stress the
importance of cleaning up and beautifying
the streets of his district from the litter and
graffi ti that had been accumulating since
the start of the 30th Avenue subway station
rehabilitation. Both the 30th and 36th
Avenue stations reopened in June aft er
nearly nine months of being shut down.
“We waited eight long months as the
30th Avenue subway station underwent
renovations, taking a severely negative
toll on our residents, our shops, and our
restaurants,” Constantinides said. “By
keeping making our streets clean and welcome
thoroughfares, we’re sending a message
to the entire city that Astoria is still
the wonderful place it always has been.”
Th is year’s fi scal year budget went into
eff ect in July and runs through June 2019.
According to Constantinides, who has
prioritized these eff orts since he was elected
into offi ce in 2014, money from the
budget would go toward sanitation, clean
up and beautifi cation eff orts.
Approximately $10,000 will be allocated
to the New York City Department of
Sanitation (DSNY) to increase the frequency
of garbage pickups along 31st
Street near Ditmars Boulevard, which
the Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn
Garcia said is one of the busiest sections
of Constantinides’ District 22.
The Association of Community
Employment Programs for the Homeless
(ACE) received more than $225,000 to
continue sweeping sidewalks on Ditmars
Boulevard, Shore Boulevard, 30th Avenue
and Hoyt Avenue North, which the organization
also landscapes. Jim Martin is
the executive director of ACE, which is a
New York-based organization that helps
homeless men and women with work
experiences and a support network.
“With his allocation, Constantinides is
helping ACE put New Yorkers back to
work, while at the same helping to keep
Queens and District 22 clean for residents,
business owners and visitors alike,”
Martin said.
In addition, the councilman allocated
$20,000 to the Queens Economic
Development Corporation (QEDC) to
remove graffi ti from the district and
$35,000 to the Central Astoria Local
Development Coalition (CALDC) to
“spruce up the neighborhood” which
Photo courtesy of Costa Constantinides’ offi ce
includes planting new tree beds and other
beautifi cation measures.
“Graffi ti is a blight on our entire community
and sends a message that we
don’t have pride in our neighborhood.
Th is is obviously untrue of Astoria.
Th anks to the eff orts of Council member
Constantinides, our business districts
will continue to be free of graffi ti. 30th
Avenue that was so severely impacted by
the subway closure will also be the recipient
of several fl owering planters adding
a visually pleasing and welcoming touch
to this vibrant district,” said CALDC
Executive Director Marie Torniali.
Councilman Constantanides announced the allocations for 2019 Fiscal Year funding.
Celebrate Summer with a Great Rate.
18-Month
Certificate 2.50%
of Deposit APY1
$5,000 minimum deposit.
Checking account required.2
Get a $200 Amazon® gift
card when you open a new
Flushing Bank Complete
Checking account with
$10,000 and an 18-Month
CD with $50,000.3
Plus, you can get up to $200 for a new consumer checking account!4
This is a limited time offer. For more information about this or our other great offers and rates, speak with a Flushing Bank
representative or call 800.581.2889 (855.540.2274 TTY/TDD).
Small enough to know you.
Large enough to help you.®
1 New money only. APY effective June 18, 2018. Annual percentage yield assumes principal and interest remain on deposit for a full l year at t current t rate.t Mi Minimum i d deposit it b balance
l
of $5,000 is required. Funds cannot be transferred from an existing Flushing Bank account. For new IRA and rollover accounts, the minimum deposit balance is $5,000. Premature
withdrawals may be subject to bank and IRS penalties. Rates and offer are subject to change without notice. 2 New money required for new checking accounts only. A Flushing Bank
checking account with a $5,000 minimum balance is required to receive the advertised rate. Certain fees, minimum balance requirements and restrictions may apply. Fees may reduce
earnings on these accounts. A checking account is not required for IRA accounts. 3 Amazon®, Amazon.com® and its affiliates are not participants in or sponsors of this promotion.
Limit of one (1) gift per customer with a new Complete Checking account and a new 18-Month CD with opening deposits of $10,000 and $50,000 respectively. Existing checking
customers are not eligible. The gift will be given to the new customer 30 days after account opening. The new Complete Checking account must remain open, active, and in good
standing for six months. If the account is closed prior to six months, the cost of the promotional item will be deducted from the balance. A 1099 statement for gift values (including
applicable sales tax, shipping and handling costs) may be issued if cumulative promotional credit is equal to or exceeds $600 in a calendar year. Flushing Bank reserves the right to
make gift substitutions of comparable value. and assumes no liability for any defects in, or direct or consequential damages relating to gift items. Valid at all Flushing Bank locations
to new Complete Checking and CD customers with new money only. Offer is subject to change and termination anytime without notice. While supplies last. 4 New
checking account customers only. Existing checking account customers are not eligible. An existing checking account customer is defined as anyone who currently has
or has had a Flushing Bank checking account within the last 24 months. Speak with a Flushing Bank representative for details.
Flushing Bank is a registered trademark
S ll h k
link
