Queens Lawmakers On The Move Sept. 18, 2018

Dromm, Koslowitz Help Re-Create Historic Bed-In

City Counci Members Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights, Elmhurst) and Karen Koslowitz (D-Rego Park, Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Richmond Hill) yesterday joined Yoko Ono, Ringo Starr, Jeff Bridges and Mayor Bill de Blasio at City Hall for a recreation of the historic John Lennon/Yoko Ono bed-in protests of the 1960’s.

Participants sang John Lennon hits such as “All We Are Saying, Is Give Peace a Chance” in solidarity with one another to protest violence and to stand up for peace. The event was organized by the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus and served as the kick off for its 5th annual Come Together NYC residency.

The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus is a state-of-the-art mobile audio and video recording/production facility. The bus will visit schools across the city between now and mid-October offering students the opportunity to write, produce and record their own music and music videos.

“I was thrilled to participate in historic bed-in recreation at City Hall,” said Dromm.  “It was wonderful to have my former intern Justin Rossman there to recite his poem on race and identity. The John Lennon Bus teaches kids about tolerance, acceptance, and music in a unique and engaging way.  Just as importantly, it shows kids how to protest and stand up for peace and love.  I am pleased to have allocated funding to this beloved one-of-a-kind program.”

The Lennon Bus will be stationed in front of IS 230 in Jackson Heights this Thursday, Sept. 20, where it will offer students a tour of its facilities, music lessons and more.

Katz, Queens Borough Cabinent Hear Presentations On State Liquor Authority & “Culture Pass”

Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and the Queens Borough Cabinet today will hear a presentation from the New York State Liquor Authority on its practices and functions.

The Authority is the agency responsible for issuing required licenses to sell alcoholic beverages within the state, as well as regulating the manufacture, transport and distribution of alcoholic beverages. In New York City, the Authority issues decisions on license applications after it reviews the recommendations of the respective Community Boards.

In addition, the Queens Library will deliver a presentation about “Culture Pass”, a recently announced program that offers free admission to dozens of cultural institutions across New York City for those who have library cards with the Queens Library, New York Public Library or Brooklyn Library.

The presentations are slated for 9:30 a.m., today Sept. 18 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens.

Van Bramer Kicks Off Year Five Of Participatory Budgeting

City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer (D) announced yesterday he is kicking off year five of Participatory Budgeting with the announcement of six neighborhood assemblies.

Participatory budgeting is a process where constituents in a city council district discuss and vote on how to spend part of the discretionary funds each city council member gets through the city budget for needs around their district.

“Starting this Thursday, September 20th, I will be hosting neighborhood assemblies throughout Western Queens to present information on our Participatory Budget and to discuss our community’s needs and brainstorm ways to address them,” said Van Bramer.

“Last year, we saw a record number of people get involved in the process and make their voices heard. I was proud to allocate $2,579,000 towards various community projects, including tech upgrades for schools, bus countdown clocks, much-needed renovations and more. This year, I want to build on that enthusiasm and get even more people to come out and share how they would allocate at least $1 million on community improvements. When neighbors from all walks of life come together, great things happen,” he added.

Van Bramer said this year, each neighborhood assembly will have a specific theme, with assemblies focusing on education, housing, parks, transportation, and libraries.

The following meetings include:

• Kick-Off Assembly 
  Thursday, September 20th at 6:30pm
  Woodside Library
  54-22 Skillman Ave., Woodside
• Education Assembly 
  Monday, September 24th at 6:30pm
  PS 361
  39-07 57th St., Woodside
• Housing Assembly
  Wednesday, September 26th at 6:30pm
  Woodside Community Center
  50-19 Broadway, Woodside
• Parks Assembly
  Tuesday, October 2nd at 6:30pm
  Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement
  10-25 41st Ave., Long Island City
• Transportation Assembly
  Wednesday, October 3rd at 6:30pm
  Ravenswood Community Center
  35-40 21st St., Long Island City/Astoria
• Library Assembly
  Thursday, October 11th  at 6:30pm
  Sunnyside Library
  43-06 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside

Constituents that cannot make it to one of the six neighborhood assemblies can share their ideas online here.