Queens Lawmakers On The Move — Thursday Oct. 26, 2017

MTA To Remove Booze Ads After Dromm And Others Call Them Out

The MTA voted yesterday to remove alcohol ads from their vehicles and property after a grassroots movement put pressure on them and City Councilmember Daniel Dromm (D-Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) introduced a resolution to have the ads removed.

Dromm’s resolution gained the support of 26 other councilmembers. At the board meeting before the MTA vote, Dromm gave a compelling speech in support of the ad ban.

In a press release, Dromm said over 650,000 children use city transit to go to and from school. The decision to remove the alcohol ads will make sure kids are not further exposed, leaving them at risk of underage drinking.

“I applaud the MTA Board of Directors for doing right by NYC children,” said Dromm. “I am pleased that the Authority agrees that beer and liquor advertisements have no place in our transit system. Underage drinking is a serious problem in our city, and I am glad that the MTA is doing its part to push back against it.”

Weprin, Grodenchik Call For Tax Credit To Offset Curb Repairs

State Assemblymember David Weprin (D-Richmond Hill, Jamaica Estates) and City Councilmember Barry Grodenchik (D-Bayside, Hollis) will hold a press conference tomorrow morning to join local homeowners and residents to call for legislation that would provide a tax credit for curb repair costs.

The press conference will take place on Friday, October 27, at 10:30am at 217-07 82nd Ave, Hollis Hills.

Current law states that owners of one, two, or three family homes in the city are responsible for the maintenance and repair of sidewalks in front of or next to their properties, with the Department of Transportation covering the maintenance and repair of adjoining curbs and roads.

However, even though the DOT is trying to expedite the repairs, they have acknowledged that requests to address curb conditions outpace available resources and that curb repairs often take a while to complete. Damaged curbs lead to damaged sidewalks, which are the homeowners’ responsibility.

Weprin introduced legislation to the Assembly — and it was supported by Grodenchik in the City Council — that would allow curb repairs to be expedited by permitting homeowners to have curb repair work, not completed by the city within 90 days of the request, to be done by a licensed contractor. Homeowners would then be eligible to apply for a property tax credit for the cost of the repairs.

Koo To Swear In New Board Of Queensboro Hill Neighborhood Association

City Councilmember Peter Koo (D-Queensboro Hill, Downtown Flushing) will swear in the new executive board of Queensboro Hill Neighborhood Association. The Flushing-based civic group recently reconvened for the first time after a nearly 2-year hiatus with a full executive board.

The board consists of the following members:

Maureen Reagan: President

Shirley Gilbert, Vice President

Cody Harrmann, Secretary

Polly Chea, Co-Secretary

Al Rankins, Interim Treasurer

Sue Jen Hu, Co-Treasurer

The swearing-in ceremony will take place at Koo’s office, 135-27 38th Ave, Suite 388 at 3:30pm today.