Maltese Opposes Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel
State Senator Serphin R. Maltese (Queens) expressed his staunch opposition to a proposal to use the Phelps Dodge site in Maspeth as a loading yard for a new freight tunnel under New York Harbor, stating: "I am adamantly opposed to this ill-conceived plan which would result in the rerouting of thousands of trucks through the Maspeth, Ridgewood, Glendale, and Middle Village communities."
"I have been advised by all community and civic leaders that they fear for their quality of life and for the survival of their neighborhoods if this outrageous project comes to fruition." said Senator Maltese.
"I am in complete agreement with the distinguished members of Community Board 5, who have unanimously voted down this plan, which again, would protect the Manhattan elite at the expense of the hardworking, middle class residents of our communities."
"We have labored too long and too hard to nourish and protect our families, our homes and our communities to see them sacrificed on behalf of a disastrous project that has clearly not been thought through and that would add insult to injury by taking billions of our tax dollars and utilizing those funds to our severe detriment."
"We advise proponents, who in the main do not even reside in Queens County, to utilize their 'expertise' to explore saner, alternative plans to accomplish those portions of this project,if any, that may be of some benefit to all the residents of our City and the states of New York and New Jersey without irreparably injuring our Queens County communities."

Gioia Responds to Mayor
Last week Mayor Michael Bloomberg released his $46.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2005. The plan calls for a $400 property tax rebate for homeowners, $562 million in raises for the District Council 37, the city’s largest municipal union, and cuts to a number of city agencies. The Mayor and City Council must agree on a budget by June. District 26 Council Member Eric Gioia offered the following response to the mayor’s budget proposal:
In May 2003, Mayor Bloomberg closed six firehouses, including Long Island City’s Engine 261. According to the most recent data, since then response times have increased, anywhere from an average of 41 seconds to 2 minutes 8 seconds. The City Council proposed other cuts to the Fire Department that would have allowed us to keep the firehouses open, and also offered to take the money from other programs. But the Mayor’s office made clear that even if the Council were to allocate the money, the Administration would not spend it. This year, the Mayor’s office refused to reopen Engine 261.
Said Councilman Gioia, “Closing firehouses is always an emotional issue. It’s downright scary to realize that help that used to be across the street or around the corner may now be precious minutes and miles away. It’s simply erroneous to imagine that closing firehouses does not increase response time anywhere. If a fire were across the street, instead of having an engine and ladder arrive virtually instantaneously, those trapped in a burning building would likely be waiting several minutes.”
Two years ago, St. Sebastian School in Woodside had a full-time nurse on school premises five days a week, 8am-3pm. Last year, due to NYC
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene budget cuts, a nurse was only at the school two to three days a week. Some schools in the district only see nurses once every two weeks. The City Council considered restoring cut funding for school nurses, but was rebuffed by the Administration, which led the Council to understand that even if funds were allocated, they would not be spent.
“Every school in our City must have a nurse,” said Gioia. “When a child scrapes a knee, feels ill, or has a medical emergency, a nurse should
be there. Sometimes, the only thing standing between a child and a tragedy is a school nurse. Without a full-time nurse, non-medical professionals are forced to make medical decisions like whether a diabetic child whose blood sugar level is of concern can have a snack,” said Gioia. “Educating children is my number one priority, and safe schools with healthy children is prerequisite for student learning.”
5/3/04

Gioia Protests Absence of School Nurses in Private Schools
Councilmember Eric Gioia joined the St. Sebastian's School community in protesting Department of Health and Mental Hygiene cuts which have totally eliminated school nurses from many private schools, including St. Sebastian's. Gioia urged the mayor to restore funding for school nurses

Gioia to Present Sculpture of 9/11 Firefighters Raising American Flag to Woodside Firehouse
Councilmember Eric Gioia will join Utah sculptor Stan Watts in presenting a three-foot high bronze sculpture of an unforgettable image of hope the famous photograph of three firefighters raising the American flag on September 11, 2001. The sculpture, entitled To Lift a Nation, is being presented to Engine 325 in Woodside, Queens.

$2.25 Million For LaGuardia Community College
Councilmember Eric Gioia announced $2.25 million in funding for the continued expansion of LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City. This renovation includes development of an innovative "One Stop Center" streamlinging the enrollment process. Enrollment at the college is up 12 percent this year over last year for the fall semester.

Homepage of the Community Gazette for District 26
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THE OFFICIAL WORD FOR DISTRICT 26
Maltese Opposes Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel
(Sep 27, 2004)
Gioia Responds to Mayor
(May 02, 2004)
Gioia Protests Absence of School Nurses in Private Schools
(Sep 25, 2003)
Gioia to Present Sculpture of 9/11 Firefighters Raising American Flag to Woodside Firehouse
(Sep 09, 2003)
$2.25 Million For LaGuardia Community College
(Sep 02, 2003)
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