Queens Lawmakers On The Move Aug. 17, 2018

Dromm, Other Lawmakers To Unveil Mary Audrey Gallagher Way

City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D) and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan) will lead the way next week in the street co-naming honoring the memory of beloved LGBTQ rights advocate and Jackson Heights resident Mary Audrey Gallagher.

Gallagher, along with her son Dromm and PFLAG founder Jeanne Manford, worked to use their voices to fight the good fight against bigotry and intolerance in Queens and throughout New York City. But her support did not stop there: Gallagher became a venerable presence in the Queens LGBT community, attending parades, advising the parents of LGBT youth, and wholeheartedly supporting her son in his own endeavors to improve Queens. Having served as PFLAG Queens’ hospitality chairperson, Gallagher believed in the special role that parents of LGBT children play. It is evident that her love for her son helped make him the strong advocate he is today for the people of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst.

Gallagher’s energy and light is forever memorialized in the LGBT parents and children that can find support in her community today.  Gallagher served as a remarkable example that love can, and should, triumph, and that there are few undertakings more rewarding than devotion to family and civic service.  This co-naming serves as a fitting memorial to her legacy.

The street co-naming is slated for 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 25 at 91st Street between 34th Avenue and Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights.

Avella To Introduce New Legislation Requiring Traffic Studies Before Daycare Center License Approval

State Sen. Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Flushing, Jamaica Estates, Fresh Meadows, Bellerose, Floral Park, Jamaica, Douglaston, Little Neck, Auburndale, Kissena Park, Briarwood) today will stand with community leaders to announce his new legislation requiring a traffic study be performed before any new daycare center license is approved by the State of New York.

Avella said the measure will help reduce daycare centers from operating in inappropriate locations. Among those joining Avella will be Kevin Forrestal – President of the Queens Civic Congress.

The event is slated for 2:30 p.m., today, Aug. 17 at Avella’s District Office. 38-50 Bell Boulevard, Suite C, in Bayside.

Addabbo Plans To Help Horse Riding Organization Reach Out To More Vets

State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspethand parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside and The Rockaways) last Monday visited the GallopNYC’s Forest Hills location to learn more about their services.

Located at 8803 70th Road in Forest Hills, GallopNYC specializes in helping both children and adults with developmental, emotional, social, and physical challenges, as well as veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other ailments, overcome their obstacles through therapeutic horsemanship.

By using therapeutic horsemanship, the trained staff at GallopNYC help riders not only learn how to ride a horse, but develop life skills and build a bond with the horse.

“When I visited the Forest Hills stable, I saw firsthand the amazing work that GallopNYC does,” Addabbo said. “I saw children and adults excited to get on their horse and take it for a spin around the stable. I heard stories from volunteers about how GallopNYC helped them overcome their issues with physical ailments like multiple sclerosis.”

Addabbo spoke with Nicole Cicogna, the Executive Director of GallopNYC, about how the Senator can assist the organization in expanding. He has agreed to help GallopNYC expand into the veteran community to make their services known for more people who may need them.

Addabbo invited GallopNYC brass to speak at his annual Veterans Barbecue on Sept. 29.

“When I heard that GallopNYC works with veterans and helps them deal with the stresses of life after service, I was immediately interested,” said Addabbo, the ranking member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee.

“Helping the men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms is something I look to do every day, and hearing about the innovative ways that GallopNYC helps our veterans was fantastic,” he added.

For more information about GallopNYC, their locations and their services, visit http://gallopnyc.org/.

Sanders Kicks Off Far Rockaway Caribbean Carnival With Top Talent

State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale and parts of Far Rockaway.) announced a stellar lineup of musical talent as he readies to kick off his Far Rockaway Caribbean Carnival tomorrow.

The entertainers include GC, Lord Nelson, Poser, MC Wassy, Natasha Wilson, Lady Sparkles and Chucky & LiveWire. The event will feature a parade of floats, steel pan bands, moko jumbies, and masqueraders and culminate with live performances.

The Carnival is presented in partnership with the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), Rockaway Development Revitalization Corporation (RDRC), New York City Parks Department, New York Police Department’s 101st Police Precinct and Caribbean Carnival in the Rockaways Committee Members.

Join the fun from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow as the carnival kicks off at Beach 20th Street and Seagirt Blvd and continues at Bayswater Park, 701 Beach 32nd Street in Far Rockaway.