FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com THE COURIER SUN • DECEMBER 8, 2016 3 Senator hosts relief drive for Haiti hurricane BY ALEXIS RAMOS editorial@qns.com @QNS An abundance of gathered donations were picked up on Thursday, Dec. 1, by representatives of the Consulate General of Haiti in New York, to ship to the victims of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti. The Haiti hurricane relief drive, hosted by state Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway), helped to gather dozens of boxes and bags of perishables, clothing, food and toiletries. According to the office of state Senator James Jr.. there were so many goods that the consulate was able to fill an entire U-Haul truck. “We have all seen the terrible images of the destruction caused by Hurricane Matthew, and we could not stand idly by knowing that there were people in need,” Sanders said. “The success of this relief drive is a testament to the generosity and goodwill of the people in this community. Whether they were compelled to donate because they are of Haitian descent, or because they themselves received help after Hurricane Sandy, or if it was just a simple act of kindness – the point is, they gave, and now many will benefit.” All donations will be taken to the warehouse in Deer Park Island, after which the consulate will work with Garry Dorlean, press attaché to the Haitian Consulate, and Ronald J. Etienne, Vice-Consul Logistics Coordinator with the Hatian Consulate picked up the donations today to ship to Haiti. Governor Cuomo’s office to ship it to Florida, where it will be organized into containers and loaded onto a boat to Haiti. “I would like to thank you for being so generous to our country,” Photo courtesy of the office of state Senator James Sanders Jr. said Garry Dorlean, press attaché to the Haitian Consulate. “We would like God to bless all the people who made donations. The people in Haiti need food, clothes and shelter after Hurricane Matthew left a sour taste in their mouth. We know Mother Nature sometimes hits places on earth. One day Haiti will stand up and do her part to help other people the way they have helped her.” Governor closes legal loophole to make Jamaica Bay clean BY LIAM BAKER editorial@qns.com @QNS Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed a bill into law that will secure legislative protection for Jamaica Bay for years to come. State Senator Joseph A. Addabbo, the prime sponsor of the bill (S.8043), lauded the governor for his approval of the Jamaica Bay Borrow Pitt Bill — originally drafted by former Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder — which will prohibit certain hazardous materials from being used to fill Jamaica Bay in a process known as dredging. Dredging refers to the process of removing mud, sediment and debris from the bottom of rivers, lakes and harbors in order to increase the depth of waterways, allowing ships to navigate easier. “Protected green space and clean natural bodies of water are hard to come by in extremely urbanized areas such as New York City, and it is now more important than ever that we do everything we can to protect the environment we have,” said Addabbo. “This bill, which Governor Cuomo has now signed into law, will go a long way toward preserving the land these creatures call home and making sure Jamaica Bay stays clean and free from contamination for years to come.” Broad Channel Civic Association President Dan Mundy was also elated with the news. “This bill closes a loophole that allowed for dredged material that would not be allowed to be placed in the open ocean placement due to its contaminated nature,” Mundy said. “This loophole, coupled with the expensive nature of disposing contaminated fill, created a financial incentive for agencies tasked with getting rid of this type of material to look to the deep areas of the by as attractive alternatives.” Photo via Wikimedia Commons
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