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The Official Word

Announcements From the Public Officials of District 24



West Nile Virus is Back

The Department of Health recently reported that mosquitoes collected form 90 locations throughout the City tested positive for the West Nile Virus (WNV). While there are no cases yet reported in NYC of humans contracting the disease these results prove that the WNV is back again this summer.

„We need to be ever vigilant in protecting ourselves from this life-threatening disease,‰ said Council Member Gennaro. „I encourage everyone to follow a few simple steps as well as reporting any dead birds and standing water to my office. Together we can prevent a serious outbreak.‰

West Nile is a mosquito-borne virus that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord). West Nile is spread to humans by mosquitoes that are infected by biting a bird carrying the virus. WNV is not spread by person-to-person contact. Anyone can contract WNV; although persons over 50 years of age are at the highest risk of becoming severely sick.

How to avoid the West Nile virus:

Protect Yourself
? Cover Up wear long pants, long sleeved shirts and socks
? Use an insect repellent

Protect Your Home
? Get rid of standing water, where mosquitoes can breed
o Empty garbage containers and lids, buckets, cans, flower pots, and pool covers
o Clean and empty swimming and wading pools when not in use
o Make sure gutters are clear of debris so they can drain quickly
o Clean pet water bowls and bird baths frequently
? Use Screens, put screens on windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out

Protect Your Community
? Report dead birds and standing water to Council Member Gennaro‚s office at (718) 217-4969 or call 311
o Dead birds may indicate WNV infection, and mosquitoes breed in standing water, both should be reported and attended to by the authorities.
? Help neighbors
o Remind or help neighbors to eliminate standing water from their property.

For more information regarding WNV and additional resources for protecting yourself, please call Council Member Gennaro‚s office at (718) 217-4969.



GENNARO ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF MORITORIUM ON AWNINGS VIOLATIONS

Council Member James F. Gennaro joined Mayor Bloomberg today to sign into law legislation to extend last year‚s moratorium on issuing violations for non-conforming awnings until the Administration can revise the regulations. The original moratorium expired last January, well before the City expected to finish updating the narrow regulations for the size, type, color, and content of allowable text on awnings.

„This is common sense legislation. Small businesses are the lifeblood of this city and we should be creating regulations that work for - not against - them,‰ said Gennaro. „And in the meantime, we need to make sure merchants are protected from damaging ticket blitzes.‰

Last year‚s legislation was introduced after the Department of Buildings (DOB) began issuing hundred of summonses to small business owners for out of compliance awnings along Union Turnpike in Fresh Meadows, Queens. Most of the awnings had existed in the communities without penalty or notice for decades advertising bodegas, restaurants, salons, etc. Without warning, city officials began assessing fines, some upwards of four thousand dollars, to countless small businesses across the city for awning infractions of which they were never aware.

„In these tough economic times, it‚s unconscionable to stop small businesses from advertising their services,‰ added Gennaro. „Local businesses on my block, in Queens, and throughout the City, have paid thousands of dollars in fines because archaic zoning regulations prohibit them from effectively advertising important information, such as their telephone numbers.‰

The existing regulations, enacted in 1961, only permit storeowners to list their name and address on the awnings and canopies. Over 90% of current awnings in New York City violate the existing regulations and would be subject to fines or replacement. The legislation signed today, will extend the moratorium for two years, or until new regulations are completed.



Councilmember James Gennaro - $700,000 for a soccer field in Rufus King Park and half a dozen other items.

As part of the city’s $47 billion budget, individual City Council members lobby for money for specific projects in their district, often called “member items.” For more about the budget and member items, read Bringing Budget Dollars Back to the Neighborhood.

The following is a list of local budget items provided by Jose Serrano, City Councilmember for the South Bronx.

Council Member James F. Gennaro and his colleagues at the City Council unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2005 $47.2 billion budget for the City of New York.

“My most important job as a Council Member is to go into City Hall and fight for my constituents,” said Gennaro. “I am proud to report that this year’s budget will bring tens of millions of dollars flowing into youth, senior, and other programs in our community. For example, the public schools in my district will receive more than $14 million for major renovations, safety measures, science and computer labs, and much more.”

Council Member Gennaro began the 2005 budget process with 4 major priorities for his district and delivered on every single one. The following highlight Gennaro’s successes in the new City budget:

Investing in Schools and Educational Programs

o Gennaro secured $165,000 for classroom computers and technology equipment for PS 255, a multi-site school that educates students with autism ages 4 to 17. The computers and technology will be used to help teachers adapt books and educational materials to the unique learning needs of the students.
o Gennaro also ensured that his schools got their fare share of the Department of Education’s 5-year capital budget plan.
o In a continued commitment to higher education, Gennaro obtained $1.3 million for numerous renovations and programs at Queens College.

Ensuring that Senior Centers and Programs Remain Well-Funded

o Gennaro secured funding for more than 30 senior programs located in synagogues, churches, and community centers in the 24th District.
o Gennaro also obtained vital funding to continue meal and social programs at the 4 major senior centers in his district: Pomonok, Forest Hills Community House, Hillcrest and Young Israel of Queens Valley.

Sprucing Up the Neighborhood

o Emerald Playground located near Pomonok Houses and PS 200 will receive $350,000 from Gennaro for new play equipment and safety surfacing. The basketball courts will also be renovated.
o Gennaro secured $700,000 for the creation of a state-of-the-art soccer field on the grounds of Rufus King Park.
o Last year, Gennaro obtained $24,000 for a 6-month contract with the Doe Fund, Inc. to clean Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills. Gennaro has added to this popular program in this year’s budget, by securing $50,000 for an extended 12-month contract.

Improving Community Library Services

o Gennaro and his colleagues at the Council fought back the Administration’s proposed cuts and restored $22 millions to library services city-wide.
o Locally, Gennaro obtained close to a million dollars for the four libraries in his districts for technology upgrades, service enhancements.

In addition to the millions obtained specifically for the people of the 24th District, the budget adopted by the Council on Friday morning will benefit all New Yorkers. This includes billions of dollars for significant new investments, restoration of funding to services cut by the Administration, and much-needed tax relief for those who need it the most. Highlights include:

• The Council’s budget calls for the enactment of an historic city Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The annual income tax of over 700,000 New Yorkers will drop as much as $215 a year through the new city EITC.
• $215 million was secured for city-wide services critical to New York’s future including, after-school programs, meals for seniors and 2,500 day care slots.
• The Council also made valuable investments to reduce the size of classes, restore library funding, address chronic unemployment, and strengthen Legal Aid services.

“This is a City budget that represents the Council’s top priorities,” added Gennaro. “From the start of the budget process, we were determined to give money back to those who need it, protect critical services, and make sound investments in the future of this great city – and we did it.”



GENNARO SCORES BIG FOR DISTRICT IN NEW CITY BUDGET

City Hall- Early Friday morning, Council Member James F. Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) and his colleagues at the City Council unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2005 $47.2 billion budget for the City of New York.

“My most important job as a Council Member is to go into City Hall and fight for my constituents,” said Gennaro. “I am proud to report that this year’s budget will bring tens of millions of dollars flowing into youth, senior, and other programs in our community. For example, the public schools in my district will receive more than $14 million for major renovations, safety measures, science and computer labs, and much more.”

Council Member Gennaro began the 2005 budget process with 4 major priorities for his district and delivered on every single one. The following highlight Gennaro’s successes in the new City budget:

Investing in Schools and Educational Programs

o Gennaro secured $165,000 for classroom computers and technology equipment for PS 255, a multi-site school that educates students with autism ages 4 to 17. The computers and technology will be used to help teachers adapt books and educational materials to the unique learning needs of the students.
o Gennaro also ensured that his schools got their fare share of the Department of Education’s 5-year capital budget plan.
o In a continued commitment to higher education, Gennaro obtained $1.3 million for numerous renovations and programs at Queens College.

Ensuring that Senior Centers and Programs Remain Well-Funded

o Gennaro secured funding for more than 30 senior programs located in synagogues, churches, and community centers in the 24th District.
o Gennaro also obtained vital funding to continue meal and social programs at the 4 major senior centers in his district: Pomonok, Forest Hills Community House, Hillcrest and Young Israel of Queens Valley.

Sprucing Up the Neighborhood

o Emerald Playground located near Pomonok Houses and PS 200 will receive $350,000 from Gennaro for new play equipment and safety surfacing. The basketball courts will also be renovated.
o Gennaro secured $700,000 for the creation of a state-of-the-art soccer field on the grounds of Rufus King Park.
o Last year, Gennaro obtained $24,000 for a 6-month contract with the Doe Fund, Inc. to clean Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills. Gennaro has added to this popular program in this year’s budget, by securing $50,000 for an extended 12-month contract.

Improving Community Library Services

o Gennaro and his colleagues at the Council fought back the Administration’s proposed cuts and restored $22 millions to library services city-wide.
o Locally, Gennaro obtained close to a million dollars for the four libraries in his districts for technology upgrades, service enhancements.

In addition to the millions obtained specifically for the people of the 24th District, the budget adopted by the Council on Friday morning will benefit all New Yorkers. This includes billions of dollars for significant new investments, restoration of funding to services cut by the Administration, and much-needed tax relief for those who need it the most. Highlights include:

• The Council’s budget calls for the enactment of an historic city Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The annual income tax of over 700,000 New Yorkers will drop as much as $215 a year through the new city EITC.
• $215 million was secured for city-wide services critical to New York’s future including, after-school programs, meals for seniors and 2,500 day care slots.
• The Council also made valuable investments to reduce the size of classes, restore library funding, address chronic unemployment, and strengthen Legal Aid services.

“This is a City budget that represents the Council’s top priorities,” added Gennaro. “From the start of the budget process, we were determined to give money back to those who need it, protect critical services, and make sound investments in the future of this great city – and we did it.”



COUNCIL ADDRESSES EXCESSIVE CAR ALARM NOISE AND PROTECT SLEEP

The City Council Committee on Environmental Protection, chaired by Council Member James F. Gennaro (D- Fresh Meadows), held a hearing today to consider legislation that aims to limit the noise pollution created by car alarms. Intro. 81, sponsored by Council Member John Liu (D-Flushing), Chair of the Transportation Committee, prohibits the sale and installation of all after-market audible car alarms. Resolution 365, sponsored by Council Member Eva Moskowitz (D-Manhattan), calls upon the State legislature to remove all insurance discounts for the installation of audible car alarms.

“Audible car alarms are to noise pollution what exhaust fumes are to air pollution,” said Council Member Gennaro. “Today’s legislation is an important first step towards reducing one of our City’s biggest contributors to noise pollution. Just as we took actions to reduce exhaust fumes, I look forward to exploring additional actions that the Council can take to address the noise pollution caused by all types of audible car alarms.”

Intro. 81 would limit noise pollution from car alarms, one of the worst sources of noise that the City must deal with, by completely banning the sale and installation of all after-market audible car alarms. New York City’s current law allows for the operation of audible car alarms that are activated by a remote activation device or by direct physical contact only.  The law prohibits the use of audible car alarms that are motion-activated and alarms that sound for longer than three minutes. 72% of after-market car alarm installers surveyed by the Council continue to sell such alarms, despite the existing law and its ban. These after-market car alarms are often excessively loud and overly sensitive and may lead to a number of the false alarms that ring through the night. By taking the current law a step farther and banning the installation and sale of these alarms in the City, the Council seeks to further reduce the noise pollution residents suffer.

“Audible car alarms do not prevent car theft. They do prevent New Yorkers from getting a good night’s rest,” said Council Member Liu. “This legislation will strike at the source of the problem through a sensible and enforceable approach. It’s time we rid the City of these useless and thoroughly annoying devices.”

Some advocates have sought for the legislation to go further, so as to ban the operation of all car alarms throughout the City and have argued that the disarming of car alarms is a simple and easy task. However, this is misleading to the public. Research conducted by the City Council found that some manufacturer-installed car alarms cannot, in fact, be disengaged without disrupting the electric wiring of the automobile, and may only be accomplished with great effort, expense and /or technical concerns. Carmakers including BMW, Daimler-Chrysler, Honda, and Acura confirmed that factory-installed alarms are considered part of the vehicle’s central wiring and monitoring system.

Recently, Mayor Bloomberg announced a new citywide noise ordinance that limits various sources of noise pollution, but the proposal fails to offer new limitations on noise from car alarms. The Council’s legislation proactively works to reduce the excessive amount of noise deriving from car alarms throughout the City.

“My constituents are sick and tried of being woken up by these obnoxious car alarms. By banning the sale and installation of illegal car alarms we will be dramatically reducing the proliferation of the most egregious contributors to noise pollution,” added Council Member Gennaro.

The Committee also considered a resolution sponsored by Council Member Moskowitz that would offer an auto insurance discount to only those policyholders who have installed silent anti-theft devices in their automobiles. Current State law allows insurance companies to provide discounts to any policyholder with either audible or silent alarms.



Gennaro Responds to Water Rate Hike

The Water Board recenty voted unanimously to raise the water and sewer rates by 5.5%. The following is a response from Council Member James F. Gennaro:

"I am disappointed that the Board voted in favor of a 5.5% water and sewer rate increase. I maintain that an increase of this magnitude is not necessary. A 3.5% increase would have been sufficient to enable DEP
to provide fully for essential environmental investments, maintenance of the water supply system and generate an adequate surplus for contingencies. I am, however, heartened that the Chairman of the Water Board, James T.B. Tripp, has recommended that in the future there be a more collaborative process for rate setting that engages the Board, DEP and the City Council."



MIller, Gennaro, Quinn Celebrate Earth Day

Speaker Gifford Miller, Council Member James F. Gennaro, Chair of the Committee on Environmental Protection and Council Member Christine C. Quinn, Chair of the Committee on Health were joined by Marcia Bystryn, Executive Director New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV), Laura Haight, senior environmental associate with the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Andy Darrell, regional director of Environmental Defense, Mark Izeman, senior attorney of Natural Resources Defense Council and Dr. Leo Trasande, assistant director of the Mount Sinai Center for Children's Health and the Environment, to celebrate Earth Day by announcing legislation to address two important environmental issues affecting New York City energy and resource conservation and pesticide use.

Introduced by Speaker Miller and Council Member Gennaro yesterday, the Green Buildings Bill would require new and substantially renovated city-owned and city-funded buildings to be constructed according to the U.S. Green Building Council’s design standards. Green Buildings will substantially reduce the City’s electricity consumption, air pollution, and water use.

“Since so many resources go into building construction and are consumed over a building's long lifetime, how we construct our buildings can have a major effect on our health and the environment,” said Speaker Gifford Miller. “This landmark legislation will reduce the city's energy consumption and water use, improve air quality, increase the productivity of city workers, and save the city money,” the Speaker added.

Building construction, renovation and operation consume a significant amount of resources and energy and have a considerable impact to the environment. A large portion of energy consumption by buildings is for heating and hot water and the oil and natural gas used translates into pollution for the surrounding area, such as emissions of sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and mercury. Reducing the amount of energy used by a building will directly affect the amount of pollution produced in the City.

“The Green Buildings Bill is a perfect fit with Earth Day,” said Council Member Gennaro. “It will usher in a new generation of environmentally friendly buildings in the city that make our city’s air cleaner and save our valuable energy resources,” Gennaro added.

Also at Wednesday’s Stated Meeting, Council Members Gennaro and Quinn introduced legislation to reduce the amount of pesticides used by the City on all city property and include New York City in the New York State’s Neighbor Notification Law.

“Everyone knows that pesticides are dangerous-they can make you and your family very sick for a day or in some cases many years to come,” said Council Member Gennaro. “So it’s simply common sense that we do every thing possible to ensure that pesticides are used responsibly in New York City.”
Pesticides can cause acute health problems such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, seizures, and asthma attacks. They can also lead to long-term brain damage, hormone disruption, reproductive disorders, and cancer.

“Government, above all else, has a fundamental responsibility to protect the health of all its residents and citizens. Given the serious health concerns associated with many pesticides it is therefore essential that the City of New York use non-toxic approaches to pest control when possible and the least toxic alternative in all other cases,” said Council Member Quinn. “New Yorkers also have a basic right to know when pesticides have been used in their neighborhood so that they can take the steps they feel are necessary to protect their health. Anything less is simply a failure of our City to fulfill its mandate to work in the public trust.”

“On Earth Day we think about the air our children breathe and the quality of the water they drink. We should also consider the grass they play in. Too many kids have become sick from contact with the pesticides sprayed near their home, school, playground or local park.” said Marcia Bystryn, Executive Director of NYLCV. “These laws will not lead to ugly lawns or health hazards from dangerous pests. They simply ensure that we are all fully informed when spraying takes place near us and encourage the use of equally effective, but non-toxic, pesticide alternatives by government.”

NYPIRG analyzed five years of reporting data and estimates that, on average, 832,800 gallons and 3.7 million pounds of pesticides are applied by commercial pesticide applicators in New York City each year- a disproportionately high amount of the State's overall pesticide use. According to the same analysis, New York City's boroughs have consistently ranked among the top ten counties in the state for pesticide use. Each year, at least three of the boroughs have ended up on the list of top ten counties in the state for pesticide use, either by pounds or by gallons.

“Most of the pesticides used in the United States today were originally designed as neurotoxins. While they are intended to only kill rodents, these pesticides also can affect the brains of developing children,” said Dr. Leo Trasande. “Researchers in our Center have also proven that Integrated Pest Management can be just as effective at controlling pests without increasing costs. Not only does Council Member Gennaro’s legislation protect our children, but it also makes good economic sense.”

“Clearly, we need to control pest problems in the City without making matters worse by poisoning our children with pesticides,” said Laura Haight, NYPIRG’s senior environmental associate. “Fortunately, there are safe and effective non-toxic alternatives for most urban pest problems. These two laws will help lead the way in protecting New York's children and families from exposure to harmful pesticides.”

The Pesticide Reduction Bill would ban the City and its contractors from using the most toxic pesticides and would require the use of the least non-toxic approaches for pest control whenever possible and the least-toxic alternatives in all other cases. The bill also requires City agencies to annually report on their pesticide usage to the Council and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and establishes an interagency pest control committee for further reducing pesticide use. Several cities and counties in New York State have already adopted similar requirements.

Intro No. 328 would “opt” the City of New York “in” to the state The Neighbor Notification Law. This bill requires lawn care companies to provide 48 hours advance notice of spraying to surrounding neighbors and homeowners to post signs when they apply lawn pesticides themselves. Such notification will allow neighbors to take common-sense precautions like closing windows and bringing children, pets, garden furniture and play equipment inside to minimize their families' exposure to hazardous pesticides. Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester and other counties around the state have already “opted in” to the State law.

A coalition of environmental groups citywide, coordinated by the NYLCV, chose to make the issue of pesticides a priority for Earth Day 2004.



COUNCIL MEMBER GENNARO KICKS OFF EARTH WEEK

Thursday, April 22, 2004 is Earth Day and to celebrate Council Member Gennaro is leading activities to raise the awareness of pressing environmental problems and to promote better environmental stewardship in our neighborhoods, in our City, and in the region. The week’s events will feature several pieces of legislation Gennaro is introducing on Wednesday that offer tangible solutions to several pressing environmental problems. Gennaro and his district office staff have also committed an hour everyday of the week to cleaning the neighborhoods of the 24th council district.

A detailed schedule of events follows:

MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2004: KICK OFF
11:30am, Briarwood, Queens: Neighborhood Environment Clean-up: Please Join Council Member Gennaro and his staff as they clean the often neglected walkway along the East side of Main Street between Manton Street and 84th Drive.

1:00 pm, John Bowne High School, Queens: Planting the seeds of Environmental Stewardship (at John Bowne High School’s organic farm).

A geologist, by training, Council Member Gennaro will discuss with the students and the school administrators the importance of environmental education.

TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2004:
8:00 AM, Van Wyck Subway Stop, E/F line, Queens:
Improving our Environment thru Recycling: Council Member Gennaro and his staff will be handing out informational literature on the recent changes to NYC’s recycling program to early morning commuters at the Main Street/ VanWyck Subway Stop in Briarwood, Queens.

11 AM, Steps of City Hall: PRESS CONFERENCE
Council Members Gennaro, Quinn and Yassky will be joined by several major environmental groups to oppose the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to weaken controls on Mercury emissions. Mercury contaminates our fish supply and quietly threatens our health everyday. On Wednesday, Council Member Gennaro will introduce a resolution calling on the EPA to scrap its proposal to weaken mercury controls.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2004:
11 AM, Union Turnpike, Queens: Neighborhood Environment Clean-up: Please Join Council Member Gennaro and his staff as they clean a portion of the busy commercial district along Union Turnpike from 188th Street to Utopia Parkway.

1 PM, City Hall: CITY COUNCIL STATED MEETING:
Council Member Gennaro will be introducing legislation that addresses the dangers of pesticide use; calls on the Department of Education to require environmental science education; and calls on the EPA to scrap its proposal to weaken mercury controls. He will also be re-introducing legislation that works to tackles noise pollution, promote water conservation, and strengthen community “right to know” laws.

THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 2004: EARTH DAY
12 PM, Steps of City Hall: PRESS CONFERENCE
Gennaro’s Top 10 Tips for a Greener NYC: Council Members Gennaro and Quinn will be joined by the League of Conservation Voters and other Environmental Groups to celebrate Earth Day with Tips for Living Greener and an announcement of legislation to address dangerous pesticides. This important legislation will reduce and make more responsible the use of potentially dangerous pesticides and increase public notification of their use. Exposure to certain pesticides can cause unnecessary short and long term health problems that rang from headaches and nausea to neurological damage and certain cancers.

4 PM, Parsons Boulevard, Queens
Neighborhood Environment Clean-up: Please Join Council Member Gennaro and his staff as they clean the sidewalks on Parsons Boulevard from Hillside Avenue to Normal Road.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23, 2004:
12:30 PM, Kissena Boulevard, Queens
Neighborhood Environment Clean-up: Please Join Council Member Gennaro and his staff as they clean the sidewalks on Kissena Boulevard between Aguilar Avenue and Parsons Boulevard.



Homepage of the Community Gazette for District 24










THE OFFICIAL WORD
FOR DISTRICT 24

West Nile Virus is Back
(Jul 15, 2004)

GENNARO ANNOUNCES EXTENSION OF MORITORIUM ON AWNINGS VIOLATIONS
(Jul 13, 2004)

Councilmember James Gennaro - $700,000 for a soccer field in Rufus King Park and half a dozen other items.
(Jul 02, 2004)

GENNARO SCORES BIG FOR DISTRICT IN NEW CITY BUDGET
(Jun 28, 2004)

COUNCIL ADDRESSES EXCESSIVE CAR ALARM NOISE AND PROTECT SLEEP
(Jun 17, 2004)

Gennaro Responds to Water Rate Hike
(May 11, 2004)

MIller, Gennaro, Quinn Celebrate Earth Day
(Apr 26, 2004)

COUNCIL MEMBER GENNARO KICKS OFF EARTH WEEK
(Apr 17, 2004)

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