I On Politics

By ohtadmin | on August 02, 2023

MAYOR NEW HUMANITARIAN RELIEF CENTER: New York City Mayor Eric Adams made an announcement on July 26 on the placement of a new Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center in Queens as the number of asylum seekers currently in the city’s care surpasses 56,200. In partnership with New York State, the city will construct and open a new humanitarian relief center in the parking lot adjacent to Creedmoor Psychiatric Center to serve up to 1,000 single adult men seeking asylum. New York State is providing this space and will reimburse the city for the associated costs of the site including construction, maintenance, and staffing. This humanitarian relief center will provide a range of services, in addition to ensuring asylum seekers can reach their desired destination, if not New York City.

“New York City continues to receive thousands of asylum seekers each week, and we have stepped up and led the nation, but this national crisis should not fall on cities alone to navigate. We need a national solution here,” said Mayor Adams. “We’re grateful to New York State for this support opening our newest humanitarian relief center as we continue to work to help asylum seekers reach their final destination. New York City needs additional support from all our partners to address this issue.”

“As we have consistently communicated, this is a humanitarian crisis unlike any in recent memory,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “New York City is continuing to find creative ways to support asylum seekers, but we know it is an unsustainable effort absent a national decompression strategy from the federal government. As we open this space as part of a temporary solution, we will continue to call on more support from all levels of government.”

“As I have said repeatedly throughout the asylum seeker crisis and again over the last few weeks, Queens will always open its arms to any and all people wishing to seek refuge and build a better life here. It’s who we are as The World’s Borough — the most diverse place on the planet — where half of our 2.4 million neighbors were born abroad,” said Borough President Richards. “But that openness should not be confused with naiveté. That is why Queens needs the Mayor’s Office to immediately establish a Community Advisory Board, made up of local elected officials and neighborhood stakeholders, to address the numerous valid concerns that have already been raised regarding a potential HERRC on the Creedmoor campus. The success of this effort hinges upon an efficient, constant channel of communication between the state, city and borough, as well as a community-informed decision making process around ensuring the needs of our asylum seekers are met and the concerns of area residents are heard.”

Since this humanitarian crisis began, New York City has taken fast and urgent action — opening over 190 emergency shelters, including 12 other large-scale humanitarian relief centers already, with a 13th relief center (not including the site at Creedmoor) set to open in the coming weeks. The city has also set up navigation centers to connect asylum seekers with critical resources; enrolled thousands of children in public schools through Project Open Arms; launched the Asylum Application Help Center to help migrants with their asylum applications; and more. Earlier this spring, the city released “The Road Forward: A Blueprint to Address New York City’s Response to the Asylum Seeker Crisis,” detailing how the city will continue to manage the influx of asylum seekers and advocate for support from federal and state partners.

‘BIDEN MUST ADDRESS MIGRANT INFLUX’ On July 26, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-AD 38) released an open letter to President Joseph Biden urging him to lead a robust and comprehensive response to address the migrant influx in New York City. Fifty-four elected officials in New York City from the State Senate, State Assembly and City Council signed the letter. The elected officials call for the President to declare a State of Emergency, implement a decompression strategy at the southern border, let asylum seekers work by expediting work authorization, and provide more funding and resources to New York City. They call this moment “one of the most significant humanitarian crises New York City has ever faced” and say the City is at “a breaking point.”

The Elected officials state they are ready to help and support the President in taking action.

The following was extracted from the letter:

“Our City is experiencing an unprecedented migrant influx, with a surge of asylum seekers arriving here in numbers never seen before in history. Our City is at a breaking point. We take pride in New York being a beacon of hope for immigrants, but the influx of migrants is so great that the City is running out of resources. New York City is being forced to reduce services for its people.

“This is one of the most significant humanitarian crises New York City has ever faced. We cannot face it alone. We are requesting help from the White House. Specifically, we ask you for the following:

New Yorkers take pride in welcoming immigrants. Our country was founded by immigrants. Immigrants have boosted our economy and standing in the world. Immigrants contribute $2 trillion to our GDP each year. They are 20% of our essential workers. They drive our Nation’s innovation, being responsible for more than 75% of the patents filed by top universities. The “American Dream” remains the dream of people in all corners of the world, who seek to be a part of this land of opportunity, the Greatest Country on Earth. But more than this, our Nation needs immigrants in order to stay globally competitive. It is a matter of national security. Nations that seek to destroy America will outpace us, unless we utilize the power of immigrants and their contributions. However, while we welcome immigrants to our City, the current unstructured state of immigration policy and response needs to end. There needs to be a system of rules in place to manage the migrant crisis. That is why we are pleading for the White House to step in and take leadership over the influx of asylum seekers. If you help our City run the response and provide the resources, allow the asylum seeking population to work, and implement a decompression strategy at the southern border, this crisis will become manageable for New York City.

As New Yorkers who love our City, we stand ready to help and to support our President in taking leadership over one of the greatest crises New York City has ever faced. We hope that you consider our requests. We believe that with your leadership, we can turn this crisis into opportunity and that this can become one of history’s greatest success stories.

The letter was signed by Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and 54 other elected officials, including the following Queens officials: Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Senator Leroy Comrie, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Senator James Sanders Assembly Member Ed Braunstein, Assembly Member Andrew Hevesi, Assembly Member Steven Raga, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, Assembly Member David Weprin, Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry, Assembly Member Nily Rozic, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, Assembly Member Ron Kim, Council Member Sandra Ung, Council Member Lynn Schulman, Council Member Linda Lee, Council Member Jim Gennaro, Council Member Nantasha Williams, and Council Member Francisco Moya.

STREET CO-NAMING TO HONOR SYLVIA WEPRIN: There was a street co-naming ceremony in honor of Sylvia Weprin on Sunday, July 30th by the northeast corner of 192nd Street & 67th Avenue in Fresh Meadows. The event was hosted by Assembly Member David Weprin and sponsored by Council Member Linda Lee.

Sylvia Weprin passed away October 26, 2022, at the age of 92. She was the matriarch of a political family that includes state Assemblymember David Weprin and his two predecessors in the seat: his father Saul, brother Mark, as well as his brother Barry.

Sylvia emigrated from Cuba when she was eight years old, in 1938. After graduating from Brooklyn College, she became a teacher and taught biology in English and Spanish for three decades at Jamaica High School. She became Saul’s political partner and supported him throughout his 23-year political career serving the people of New York. She retired from teaching in 1991 so she could join her husband in Albany when he became Assembly speaker.

Following Saul’s death, Sylvia became more active in civic life. She served on the boards of the Queens Botanical Garden and the Queens Symphony Orchestra, Community Board 8, and the Bridge to Medicine Program with CUNY Medical School.

“As the bedrock of the Weprin family, Sylvia was highly engaged in the community and served as a role model for her family. We are thankful for all she and her family have given to the residents of Queens and the people of New York State. We honor her memory with a street co-naming on the corner where she lived for many of her years” read a statement from Assemblyman Weprin’s office.

SCHUMER PASSES TOUGH FENTANYL SANCTIONS: Just two weeks after his push to sanction China and others for fentanyl trafficking that’s killing New Yorkers, and back from DC where he passed the bipartisan defense bill with his fentanyl plan included. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer rallied to finish the job by calling on the House and Speaker McCarthy to act when they return to DC. Schumer detailed how the just-passed, bipartisan defense bill (NDAA) he led through the Senate included his effort to impose tough sanctions on China and Mexico and address the trafficking of fentanyl to New York City, Long Island and beyond.

“We are at a breakthrough moment in the fentanyl crisis where the traffickers who are killing Americans can finally be held to account in meaningful and proactive ways, but we need the House to act,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “For years, Chinese laboratories have been cooking up formulas of death and freely trafficking lethal fentanyl across New York, and to many other places across America, where it is killing tens of thousands of people—and it has to stop.

“I worked in a bipartisan way to pass the defense bill with this fentanyl effort included, because the issue is not political—it’s commonsense. Now, we need the House to finish the job here and help us upend the flow of fentanyl to New York City, Long Island and beyond,” Schumer added.

Schumer said the Senate passage of the NDAA bill just days ago included the plan to officially declare international fentanyl trafficking a national emergency and give the president special powers to impose tough sanctions on China, Mexico, or any other relevant fentanyl supply chain hub. Schumer said this effort was bipartisan—with Senate Banking Chairman Sherrod Brown and Ranking Member Tim Scott partnering. Schumer declared that this should be part of the final bill in the House as he detailed the next steps to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis at the source: the places that send it here.

The House passed its own version of the National Defense Authorization Act earlier in July. Now that Schumer has passed NDAA in the Senate, lawmakers will need to reconcile the Senate bill and the House bill by negotiating a compromise version that can pass both chambers. The NDAA sets a policy agenda and approves funding for the Department of Defense.

Fentanyl is trafficked into the United States primarily from China and Mexico, and is responsible for the ongoing fentanyl epidemic. The People’s Republic of China is the world’s largest producer of illicit fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, and their immediate precursors. From the People’s Republic of China, those substances are shipped primarily through express consignment carriers or international mail directly to the United States, or, alternatively, shipped directly to transnational criminal organizations in Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean. Some officials estimate that China is responsible for over 90 percent of the illicit fentanyl found in the US.

Schumer said China’s authorities continue to turn a blind eye and look the other way while drug kingpins and Chinese manufacturers give exports the green light.

In 2021, nearly 107,000 Americans died from an overdose, and 65% of overdose deaths were caused by fentanyl. Last year alone, the Drug Enforcement Administration seized over 379 million deadly doses of fentanyl – enough to supply a lethal dose to every American.

Schumer explained to disrupt the flow of illicit opioids into the United States, and working alongside the Senate banking committee – the Chair and the Ranking member Senators Sherrod Brown and Tim Scott – he included the FEND Off Fentanyl Act in the just-passed defense bill. The bill does the following:

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 30 to 50 times more potent than heroin. It is short acting and cannot be seen, tasted or smelled when mixed into other drugs. According to NYC, while pharmaceutical fentanyl is prescribed for severe pain and end of life care, non-pharmaceutical fentanyl is produced illicitly and is now common in the illicit drug supply. The presence of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl in New York City has dramatically increased the number of overdose deaths, and fentanyl is now the most common drug involved in overdose deaths. In 2022 alone, over 3,000 New York City residents died from a fentanyl-involved overdose, Schumer said.

According to the CDC, 107,735 Americans died between August 2021 and August 2022 from drug poisonings, with 66% of those deaths involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The Sinaloa Cartel and Jalisco Cartel in Mexico, using chemicals largely sourced from China, are primarily responsible for the vast majority of the fentanyl that is being trafficked in communities across the United States, the DEA has said publicly.

An April 2023 drug bust on Long Island, prevented 3 kilograms of pure fentanyl from hitting the streets, Nassau County police have said.

“That’s enough drugs to wipe out the entire population of Nassau County and probably a third of Suffolk County,” the Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder, said at the time.

“This has simply got to stop, and right now, we have a window of opportunity to act that we cannot lose. This bipartisan issue must be a major priority because too many lives have been lost and too many others are at stake, especially here in New York. I urge the House to follow the Senate’s lead and act,” Schumer said.

MAYOR’S EARLY VICTORIES IN WAR ON RATS: New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Sanitation Department (DSNY) Commissioner Jessica Tisch, and Director of Citywide Rodent Mitigation Kathleen Corradi released new data showing a 20 percent decrease in 311 calls about rat activity across the city over the last two months, as compared to last year. The significant drop took place from May to mid-July, in the period since the city fully implemented new set-out times and a corresponding collection schedule that minimizes the time trash sits on the curb and increases the use of containers citywide. Additionally, the city’s four rat mitigation zones (Bronx Grand Concourse, Harlem, Bedford-Stuyvesant/Bushwick, and East Village/Chinatown) saw rat sighting calls decrease by an average of more than 45 percent.

The Adams administration has focused its anti-rat efforts on depriving rodents of food and shelter, and at the heart of that is managing trash — both keeping food waste out of black bags and getting black bags off streets and into containers. In just three months, the Queens curbside organics program kept 12.7 million pounds of yard and food waste out of black bags — starving the all-you-can-eat buffet for rats. By October 2024, every New Yorker across all five boroughs will have automatic, guaranteed, free, year-round, weekly collection of compostable material. Service begins in Brooklyn this October and will get rat food out of the black bags and into secure containers.

The administration has also drastically reduced the number of hours trash and recycling will sit on New York City sidewalks by adjusting the time of day trash may be placed on the curb.

This spring, DSNY published an approximately 100-page report — “The Future of Trash” — providing the first-ever detailed, block-by-block analysis of what it would take to get black bags of trash off the sidewalks once and for all.

The administration is already moving forward on the recommendation of that report. This summer, the Adams administration published a final rule mandating that all food-related businesses put their trash in secure containers and released a new proposal that all chain businesses with five or more locations do the same. Once both rules are implemented, they will cover 25 percent of businesses across the five boroughs and require approximately 4 million pounds of waste produced each day to be placed in secure containers — making New York City’s streets cleaner and more welcoming to all.

Additionally, earlier this year, Mayor Adams designated a new Harlem Rat Mitigation Zone with an initial investment of $3.5 million in Fiscal Year 2023. That investment is funding:

CHILDREN RALLY TO END GUN VIOLENCE: This summer, Queens Community House partnered with the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) to host the Freedom Schools program, providing children ages 8-10 in Queens with opportunities to make a difference in their communities. “With gun violence being the number one cause of death for children, our program participants were eager to highlight the importance of gun control during the National Day of Social Action on July 19. QCH staff and children took a trip to City Hall Park and rallied for gun violence prevention! The children created their own signs for the rally, wrote letters to local and national leaders, and spoke out about the need for gun control for safer schools and communities.”

“QCH’s partnership with CDF enhances the summer camp experience for the children by engaging them with both leadership and social action opportunities at an early age,” said Executive Director Ben Thomases.

QCH addressed another issue important to area youth by hosting Career Panels recently At Queens Borough Hall

“Fun fact – this summer has been QCH’s biggest turnout for the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), employing close to 2,000 youth in Queens with work opportunities! As part of our commitment to supporting young adults as they start to explore their career interests, we hosted two Career Panels at Queens Borough Hall to kickoff SYEP! Youth were able to hear directly from professionals in fields that interest them the most. Panelists included Johann Craan, CEO of Morning Footy Soccer; Tabia Robinson, Product Manager at NBC Universal; Ruth White, Board Member and Volunteer of Footsteps to Follow, Inc.; Vadem Golovanov, Senior Associate at JPMorgan Chase & Co.; Maria Ramaglia, Controller of Real Estate Investment; and Patricia Robinson, Chief Administrative Officer of Greater Jamaica Development Corporation & Radio Public Affairs Host at 94.7 FM.”

QCH also profiled a volunteer who coaches on financial literacy for the organization: Meet Your Neighbor: Patrick Donnelly. “QCH is committed to fostering strong, stable, and self-sufficient families and communities throughout Queens. For this special edition of our Meet Your Neighbor series, we highlight Patrick Donnelly, a QCH volunteer who has been educating individuals and families across QCH sites about financial literacy.”

“Having grown up in a small town in rural Pennsylvania, I never thought the sense of community that defined my upbringing could be replicated in a city like New York. However, upon moving to Forest Hills in early 2020 and getting involved with QCH shortly after, those expectations were quickly shattered. I’ve found that Forest Hills can just as easily feel like a small town where neighbors know each other, and locals pride themselves in being a part of the community. As an independent Financial Planner, my involvement with QCH started when I met the Director of Corporate Partnerships, Raul Flores at a Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce Meeting. Raul presented me with the opportunity to provide financial literacy workshops throughout the QCH network, which I quickly embraced. Now, nearly 12 workshops later, I’ve found my involvement to be one of the single most rewarding elements of my job. I never thought that this small town kid, now turned Queens business owner, could rediscover what it’s like to be a part of a thriving, tight-knit community so far from home. But that’s exactly what QCH offers to those who are willing to lend a helping hand.”

Queens Community House provides individuals and families with the tools to enrich their lives and build healthy, inclusive communities. Queens Community House is located at 108-25 62nd Drive, Forest Hills, NY 11375.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES: New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced a new, two-part investment to support career advancement for people with disabilities and expand access to internships, training seminars, jobs, future careers, and financial counseling. The announcement includes launching a Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion that will address the structural challenges many people with disabilities face when pursuing a career. It will also increase the city’s investment in direct employment services that help people with disabilities prepare for and connect to jobs and careers. The $8.8 million plan will help 2,500 New Yorkers with disabilities find career-track employment over the next three years.

According to American Community Survey data, two-thirds of adult New Yorkers with disabilities are jobless — being either unemployed or not in the labor market. Additionally, those living with disabilities experience poverty at a much higher rate than adults without disabilities: nearly 30 percent compared to 17 percent. The city’s investment will address these challenges head-on.

“It is estimated that around two-thirds of working-age New Yorkers with disabilities are jobless — either unemployed or not in the labor market — not because they are unable to work, but because they have so often been denied the supports necessary to access and sustain employment, but I am committed to being the mayor for all New Yorkers, including those living with disabilities,” said Mayor Adams. “Today, I am proud to announce a new, two-part plan designed to champion career advancement for people with disabilities and create a more equitable and inclusive economy for all. The first part includes launching a Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion that will that help people with disabilities prepare for and connect to jobs and careers. The second part of our plan is expanding NYC: ATWORK, our program to help people with disabilities connect with the jobs and careers that work for them. These changes will help remove some of the barriers to career success among people with disabilities and ensure that every New Yorker can make it here, not just anywhere. New York City has always been at the forefront of accessibility and inclusion. We want to empower individuals with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to meaningful and fulfilling careers, while helping every New Yorker reach their full potential.”

Since taking office, Mayor Adams has made building a more inclusive economy a priority as highlighted in both his “Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery“ and this year’s “Working People’s Agenda.” This latest announcement reaffirms the commitment to the goals previously laid out as the city celebrates the 33rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as Disability Pride Month.

New Yorkers with disabilities can already receive virtual services from NYC: ATWORK staff, including help connecting to city jobs through the 55-a program. Interested individuals should indicate their interest, after which NYC: ATWORK staff will reach out to conduct an initial screening and schedule an orientation.

Individuals can connect in a number of ways, depending on their needs by:

Speaker Adrienne Adams and Mental Health, Disabilities, and Addiction Committee Chair Linda Lee released the following statement on the launch of the Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion: “True accessibility and inclusivity requires that people with disabilities have pathways to opportunities and the tools to progress in their careers. The Council has made the nearly one million New Yorkers with disabilities a priority, especially related to improved access to employment and workforce development. This critical investment and new Center for Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion will support these efforts to help even more New Yorkers access opportunity and contribute to our city. We look forward to seeing the impacts of this critical investment, and we will continue to advance equitable economic opportunities for all.”

SENATE PASSES $700M TO CLOSE GAP IN WTC HEALTH PROGRAM: U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced Senate passage of their bipartisan amendment to the FY24 NDAA to close the funding shortfall in the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). The amendment will help address the long-term funding shortfall by delivering $676 million for the program, and will allow excluded Pentagon and Shanksville responders to join the program. The amendment is modeled off the bipartisan 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2023, which was introduced earlier this year by a strong bipartisan group of lawmakers and 9/11 health program advocates, responders and survivors.

“This important amendment will help close the funding shortfall in the World Trade Center Health Program and uphold our promise to care for all those still suffering from 9/11 related illnesses,” said US Senator Gillibrand. “There is strong bipartisan consensus that we must support our heroes and I will work hard alongside Senator Schumer and our 9/11 first responders, survivors and advocates to get this amendment passed and signed into law.”

“From the moment of the attack until the last girder was removed from the smoldering wreck at Ground Zero, our brave first responders risked it all on behalf of America. Police officers, firefighters, construction workers, and everyday folks made a sacrifice on that day – and in the months that followed – that honored their country. Recently, we delivered an additional one billion dollars to help sustain the World Trade Center Workers’ Health Program. And today, we have added an amendment to the NDAA that delivers another $676 million dollars to make sure that all responders are completely covered for any health problems that may occur as a result of their sacrifice for us. These funds will help sustain the health program for even longer. I’ll continue to work alongside Senator Gillibrand to make sure this program never runs out of the dollars it needs to ensure our Ground Zero heroes receive the treatments they need and the healthcare they deserve,” said US Senate Majority Leader Schumer.

Modeled on the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act, the amendment:

After years of efforts and calls on the federal government, Congress established the WTCHP on a bipartisan basis in 2011 with a five-year authorization to provide medical treatment and monitoring for 9/11 responders and survivors suffering from the effects of the toxins at Ground Zero. The program covers the lifespans of all exposed, including responders and survivors of the attack on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the Shanksville crash site, children who were in schools in downtown Manhattan on 9/11 and during clean-up, and those who have since experienced, or are expected to experience, adverse health effects that are linked to the attacks in the coming years. The program was reauthorized in 2015 and extended through 2090 with bipartisan support. In 2022, lawmakers delivered $1 billion for the program in the end-of-year spending bill.

Unfortunately, this funding is not enough to keep pace with the anticipated costs of providing the program’s services for over 120,000 9/11 responders and survivors, who span all fifty states and 434 of the 435 congressional districts, said the Senators.

DESEGREGATION OF THE AMERICAN ARMED FORCES: NYC Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. said: “It was 75 years ago today, July 26, 1948, that President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which mandated the desegregation of the American Armed Forces and called for equal treatment and opportunity for all members of the military regardless of race, color, religion or national origin. This was a tremendous step forward for civil rights in this country. It is especially important now, as it was then, that the men and women who fight to protect our country and its freedoms are reflective of the population itself. As a member of the Senate’s Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs, I commend all of our active service members and veterans for their bravery and sacrifice.”

KOREAN ARMISTICE 70TH ANNIVERSARY: House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY) and Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX), along with Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific Ranking Member Ami Bera (D-CA) and Chairwoman Young Kim (R-CA) issued the following statement to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice.

“Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean Armistice Agreement, but the threat emanating from North Korea continues. Through sanctions evasion, illicit cyber activity, and help from countries such as Russia and China, North Korea continues to threaten the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific with its missile and nuclear program. In contrast, the U.S.-South Korea alliance contributes to a free and open Indo-Pacific through shared democratic ideals, market-based economic growth, and vibrant people-to-people ties. Today’s anniversary reinforces the need for a strong U.S.-Republic of Korea alliance to bolster peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and reminds us how important it is to stand against authoritarianism.”

‘EXPAND LANGUAGE ACCESS FOR WEATHER EMERGENCIES’ New York Attorney General Letitia James led a coalition of 16 attorneys general and New York City in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to expand language access for critical government alerts sent to cell phones, known as Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). In a comment letter, the coalition acknowledges the important steps FCC has taken to expand access to WEAs but notes that this proposal would require wireless companies to use machine translation rather than human translation for WEAs and would only include translations for 13 languages. Following multiple severe weather emergencies in New York and across the country, Attorney General James and the coalition urge FCC to adopt its alternative proposal to use human translators, which are far more reliable, instead of machine translation, and to increase the number of available languages from 13 to at least 25.

“In just the last few weeks, New Yorkers have been hammered by violent storms, flash flooding, and extreme heat, and receiving Wireless Emergency Alerts during these emergencies can be the difference between life and death,” said Attorney General James. “The next severe weather event is a matter of when, not if. It is critical that this potentially lifesaving information be transmitted to the millions of New Yorkers — and Americans nationwide — who are not proficient in English. I applaud the steps FCC has taken thus far and urge them to expand language access even further to ensure no one is left behind.”

The FCC proposes the use of machine translation applications on cell phones that would translate English WEAs to a user’s preferred language without any review by human translators. However, machine translations are not always reliable. A recent joint study by UCLA and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that the accuracy rate of machine translations from English varied widely for different languages — from 94 percent accuracy to as low as 55 percent accuracy.

During severe weather emergencies, which are increasingly fueled by climate change, current and accurate information can be critical to survival. Even a slim chance of error in translation could have severe consequences. Instead, the coalition endorses the FCC’s alternative approach of using alert templates for various emergency situations. Those templates would be created by humans, pre-installed on cell phones, and activated when an English-language WEA is received by the phone.

If FCC moves forward with its proposal to include only 13 languages, immigrant communities in New York and nationwide with high rates of Limited English Proficiency (LEP) would be excluded from WEAs. To reach more of these communities now and in the future, Attorney General James and the coalition recommend that WEAs be supported in all languages spoken by at least 300,000 people in the U.S. over five years old — a total of more than 25 non-English languages. The coalition also urges FCC to consider adding additional languages every few years based on the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data on spoken languages and LEP rates.

WEAs remain the most critical method of alerting residents to potential weather emergencies. The New York State Office of Emergency Management and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) both send emergency alerts for severe weather and other emergencies via automated text messages, phone calls, e-mails, or social media, and NYCEM’s alert system NotifyNYC can send messages in 13 languages in addition to English. These opt-in systems’ reach is currently limited by a lack of awareness and the need to sign up in order to receive alerts, whereas WEAs automatically reach 75 percent of all active cell phone users in the United States.

Joining Attorney General James in filing these comments are the attorneys general of Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the City of New York.

“From flash floods to high Air Quality Indexes, extreme weather events have become increasingly regular — and dangerous — parts of New Yorkers’ everyday lives. Receiving accurate and timely Wireless Emergency Alerts can mean the difference between life and death — as we saw with Hurricane Ida — and every New Yorker, regardless of what language they speak, deserves the same access to these alerts,” said Murad Awawdeh, Executive Director, New York Immigration Coalition. “Lack of language access is one of the biggest obstacles our immigrant neighbors face in accessing life-saving government services and information. Thanks to New York Attorney General James’ leadership, we hope to increase WEA accessibility to more than 25 languages reaching millions of people around New York state and the nation. The FCC’s proposal is a vital step in ensuring that immigrant New Yorkers do not get left unadvised or uninformed.”

This FCC rulemaking process was prompted in part by Attorney General James’ efforts to advocate for increased language accessibility for WEAs. In March 2022, citing the deadly aftermath of Hurricane Ida in New York City, which disproportionately affected immigrants from Asia with limited English proficiency, Attorney General James sent a letter to the National Weather Service calling for increased language accessibility. The NWS Acting Director at the time told the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) that NWS supports the transmission of its WEAs in many languages but the FCC would need to establish new rules for use of languages beyond English and Spanish. In October 2022, Attorney General James sent a letter to FCC’s Chair and the wireless industry urging them to work together to swiftly expand language accessibility for severe weather alerts.

2024 HARRIET TUBMAN BICENTENNIAL COIN: Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) released the following statement on the United States Mint (Mint) unveiling the designs for the 2024 Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Program.

“I am excited to announce the unveiling of designs for the 2024 Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Program. As lead sponsor of the Harriet Tubman Commemorative Coin Act, I believe that this is one of many gestures to honor the life and legacy of one of America’s greatest heroes, Harriet Tubman – a Black enslaved woman who escaped the brutality of slavery, fought to free so many others, championed the cause for women’s suffrage and continued the struggle for civil rights. The coin designs reflect her beauty and indomitable spirit. Now more than ever, it is important to commemorate Harriet Tubman, especially while extremists are working overtime to erase our history. America’s history.”

The Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue – at no cost to American taxpayers and for a surcharge to purchasers – $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half dollar clad coins bearing Tubman’s image and emblematic of her legacy, all of which would be legal tender. Proceeds from the sale of such coins to the public would pay for any costs associated with their minting. Surcharges received by the Treasury would be paid equally to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the Harriet Tubman Home in Auburn, New York to help fulfill their missions of telling the stories of abolitionists and inspiring the public by sharing Harriet Tubman’s core values and promoting her enormous legacy.

PLEADS GUILTY TO KILLING AND STUFFING IN TRUNK: Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Kareem Flake pleaded guilty to manslaughter for killing the 26-year-old mother of his two children in November 2020. The victim’s remains were discovered, four months after she went missing, in the trunk of an abandoned car belonging to the defendant.

District Attorney Katz said: “This young mother was brutally murdered and her family left to agonize, not knowing what happened to her as her body lay in the trunk of an abandoned car for months. Hopefully this plea will afford some comfort to her loved ones.”

Flake, 31, of Troy, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the first degree. Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise indicated he would sentence Flake on September 28, to a determinate term of 22 years in prison to be followed by five years post-release supervision.

According to the charges, Destini Smothers, 26, was last seen in a car with Flake after celebrating her birthday with friends at a Woodside bowling alley on November 3, 2020. On November 8, 2020, Smothers was reported missing.

On March 10, 2021, a Toyota Camry that had been abandoned at the intersection of 134th Avenue and 151st Place in South Jamaica was being towed when the tow truck operator saw a flat tire on the vehicle. The operator pulled over and opened the trunk to look for a spare. In the trunk, he discovered the decomposing remains of the victim and immediately notified authorities. It was determined that the car belonged to Flake.

An autopsy performed by the New York City Medical Examiner found that Smothers died from a gunshot wound to the head.

Flake was arrested on April 9, 2022, in Osceola County, Florida, and later extradited to New York.

PLEADS GUILTY TO MANSLAUGHTER IN RUFUS KING PARK: Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Torren King pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of a 22-year-old man in Rufus King Park in Jamaica in October 2020. King also pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in an unrelated incident.

District Attorney Katz said: “In broad daylight, in a public park used by children, the defendant cut a young man’s life short. Our parks should be places where all who use them feel safe. We will dedicate our resources to ensuring that these public spaces are the safe refuges they are intended to be.”

King, 20, of Beach 47th Street, Queens, pleaded guilty yesterday to manslaughter in the first degree. Additionally, King pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree in an unrelated incident that took place in Jamaica in June 2021 when he admitted to firing a gun. Justice Kenneth Holder indicated that he would sentence the defendant on October 3, 2023, to a determinate term of 19 years in prison for the manslaughter charge and to a determinate term of 10 years in prison on the weapon charge to be served concurrently.

Two co-defendants, Chance Goode and Jabari Curtis, in the Rufus King Park case are awaiting trial.

According to the charges, at approximately 4:30 p.m. on October 15, 2020, Numani Lambert, 22, and two others arrived at Rufus King Park after an arrangement had been made on Facebook to sell marijuana to a buyer who went by the online name “Pimmy Don.” As Lambert and his two companions walked in the park, one of his friends used Facebook to send messages to “Pimmy Don,” who responded that he was sending his “boys” to make the cash-for-marijuana exchange.

The group of three met with two males in the park, one of whom was King. There was a dispute between the groups about money before the marijuana changed hands and when King refused to turn over the cash, Lambert and his friends turned and walked away.

King called them back. With Lambert directly in front of him, King pulled out a gun and said, “Now you have to give it to me.” King fired two shots at Lambert. A single bullet hit the Bronx resident in the head. He died three days later at a nearby hospital.

During a court-authorized search of Goode’s home, police recovered the murder weapon, a 9mm Luger, along with nine rounds of ammunition. Goode was later identified as the would-be buyer “Pimmy Don.” Goode also sent King to rob the three and instructed Curtis to drive King to the park, wait for him to rob them and then drive from the scene.

ANTISEMITISM ENVOY VISITS QUEENS: On July 24, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) brought the State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, to Queens to address increased attacks on the Jewish community around the world and in New York City, as well as to meet with local Jewish community leaders.

Ambassador Lipstadt, who is based at the State Department in Washington, D.C., leads U.S. efforts to fight antisemitism across the globe. She has served in the role since May 2022, after she was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate. She is also a Queens native who was raised in Far Rockaway.

During the event with Meng, Ambassador Lipstadt discussed how the Biden administration is working to protect the Jewish community from the rise in antisemitic hate crimes, including initiatives such as the White House’s new national strategy to combat antisemitism, which the Congresswoman contributed to earlier this year. Lipstadt also spoke with local Jewish leaders in attendance at the event.

The fireside chat with Meng and Lipstadt took place at the Kupferberg Holocaust Center located on the campus of Queensborough Community College in Bayside.

In addition, the two visited CHAZAQ in Kew Gardens Hills, which provides a wide range of social services to residents of the Jewish community.

“I thank Ambassador Lipstadt for visiting Queens. It was an honor to host her in my congressional district,” said Congresswoman Meng. “Her position as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism is more important than ever amid increased attacks on the Jewish community. I thank her for addressing the concerns that our local Jewish leaders have about their safety and for listening to the challenges they face. Unfortunately, my constituents have not been spared from these hateful incidents. I will continue doing all I can to fight this despicable and disgusting surge in hate, and look forward to continuing to partner with Ambassador Lipstadt on this vital effort.”

“Congresswoman Meng is an essential partner and exemplary leader in the fight against antisemitism,” said Ambassador Lipstadt. “I deeply appreciate her steadfast support on the Hill and continuing to act on a local level to ensure the safety of Jewish communities.”

In Congress, Meng serves as a Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism which works to ensure that Congress plays an integral role in condemning antisemitism, and spearheads initiatives that promote tolerance worldwide. She has also worked to address the increase in antisemitic incidents, and two weeks ago, helped secure an historic $2.5 million for the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, an increase of $1 million over the amount it received last year.

MIGRANT RESPITE CENTER ST. AGNES HS: Councilmember Vickie Paladino hosted a press conference in front of St. Agnes High School last Thursday evening to announce a city decision to place a temporary migrant respite center at St. Agnes High School in College Point. She said in a release: “The past few days since I was first informed have been a whirlwind of conversations with senior staff in the Adams Administration and other stakeholders. We held a zoom call with Chief of Staff to the Mayor, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor, the Chief of Staff of Intergovernmental Affairs, a Senior Advisor to the Mayor, the Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs, the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and External Affairs, and the Chief of Operations of Public Safety.

“Everyone in the Administration has repeatedly assured me that this respite center will not impede on the plans for St. Agnes to re-open as a public high school in 2026 and that additional resources will be allocated to the 109th Precinct. I have requested that the demographics be changed from single adult men and that request has been granted. Now the center will house 100 single adult females and 200 individuals in families which will be a mix of males, females, and children.

“These are all victories. The city is scrambling to find shelters to house asylum seekers. They are going into every City Council District in the city. District 19 is no different, other than the fact that I’ve negotiated successfully with my colleagues in the Adam’s administration on behalf of these neighborhoods and gotten results. That is why I’ve received these assurances and why I have faith they will be upheld, just as my request for a demographic change was heard and implemented.

“I will keep you all updated as I receive new information, for the sake of full transparency. The migrant crisis in New York City is constantly changing and policy has to change just as quickly, but I am working hard to minimize the negative impacts on my community to the absolute best of my ability.

“I remain steadfastly against the policies which have led to this crisis, and will continue to call on the city and state to suspend our sanctuary status and duty to house, and call on Washington to fix the actual issue causing this chaos by closing the southern border immediately and restoring an orderly immigration process to our nation.”

CANDIDATE FOR STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 27: Sam Berger will declare his candidacy for the September Special Election, vying to represent Assembly District 27. His campaign notes, “With a deep connection to the community, Sam aims to represent the district encompassing Pomonok, Electchester, Kew Gardens Hills, College Point, and Whitestone. A native of District 27 and a graduate of St. John’s Law, Sam Berger is deeply ingrained in the fabric of the community and has professional experience with the Queens County Supreme Court. Inspired by his family’s long history of civic engagement in the district, Berger’s vision for District 27 centers around education, public safety, and affordability.

“I was born and raised here, and now, I am raising two little girls of my own here. I have witnessed firsthand the unique challenges and specific issues that our district faces. I understand what our community wants, and more importantly, what it needs. We all share a common goal: to ensure the safety and welfare of our homes, schools, streets, and families,’ said Sam Berger. “If you send me to Albany, I pledge to be your relentless advocate, tirelessly working to address the issues that matter most to you. As your representative, I will introduce legislation aimed at enhancing the well-being and quality of life in our neighborhoods. Together, we can build a brighter future for our community.”

For more information on Sam Berger’s campaign, please visit www.sambergerforassembly.com.

ADDABBO TO BRING RAIN BARRELS TO RICHMOND HILL: NYS State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. is partnering with the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, Richmond Hill / South Ozone Park Lions Club and Key Food to host a free Rain Barrel Giveaway.

On Sunday, August 6, Senator Addabbo will bring the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) to Richmond Hill from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to hand out free rain barrels to constituents who have pre-registered. The event will take place at the Lefferts Boulevard / Linden Boulevard parking lot, located at the intersection of Lefferts Boulevard and Linden Boulevard, across the street from the Key Food supermarket.

In order to register for the giveaway, participants must live within Senator Addabbo’s district and call his office at (718) 738-1111 to have their name, address and phone number put on the list. There is a limit of one barrel per household and you cannot receive one if you have already participated in one of our other barrel giveaways this summer.

Registrants must show photo ID to confirm their name and address in order to claim their barrel. Distribution will be from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Any leftover barrels will be given to the public on a first-come first-served basis from noon to 1 p.m.

The 55-gallon plastic rain barrels attach to a rain gutter to collect and store excess water during periods of rainfall. That rainwater can then later be used to complete tasks around the house and outdoors, rather than using fresh water.

“Rain barrels are very useful tools that have a positive impact on residents,” Addabbo said. “With a quick and easy setup, the rain barrels can collect rainwater which can then be used for a wide range of tasks such as watering gardens, washing cars, cleaning windows and other chores. Residents with rain barrels attached to their homes not only preserve their drinking water, but they can also save some money on their water bills.”

RAIN BARREL AND COMPOST GIVEAWAY: Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced his Rain Barrel and Compost Giveaway will be held on August 5 at Queens Borough Hall, 120-55 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens, NY 11424-1015. For the link to register, go to queensbp.org/event/rain-barrel-and-compost-giveaway.

ECUADORIAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION: Join Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. for a free celebration of Educadorian Heritage, “as Queens honors our dynamic Educadorian community and culture with an evening of performances, honors for local Ecuradorian leaders, words of wisdom, refreshments, and much more.” The event will be held on Monday, August 7 from 6-8 p.m. in the Helen Marshall Cultural Center, 120-55 Queens Boulevard in Kew Gardens. RSVP at www.queensbp.org

HANAC TO CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE IN FALL: Year-round, the Queens-based non-profit organization HANAC supports vulnerable communities across New York City. This Hispanic Heritage Month, HANAC is celebrating the Hispanic/Latino members of the community, as well as the programs that support these members and allow them to live rich, fruitful lives in the United States.

From their development and management of five (5) affordable housing buildings in New York City, totaling 650 units for low-income older adults and families, to their extensive social services, HANAC advocates for and provides the best quality of life possible for older adults and community members.

Director of Programming and Development at HANAC, Andrea Jerves, said, “When determining which programs HANAC offers, we consider the community. Their needs drive what we do, and that has been the case since we were founded in 1972.”

One of HANAC’s many services is to provide free English classes for adult immigrants. Their aim is to provide non-native English speakers with the tools they need to become active members of the community. They offer HSE classes to prepare people to take the exam needed to obtain a High School Equivalency Diploma. Classes are free of charge and open to anyone 18 years of age or older.

‘BRETHREN IN UKRAINE NEED HELP’ Chabad of Poland bordering Ukraine in Warsaw, Poland, sent the following notice: “In light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, we have been providing vital assistance to Jewish Ukrainian refugees in Poland, including food, accommodation, and ongoing aid. Chabad of Poland has already helped thousands of Jewish refugees from Ukraine. The summer camp has already started! Was successfully launched and opened on July 17 in the presence of Diaspora Minister Mr. Amihai Shikli. However, financial constraints are a challenge to the success of the camp. The camp aims to restore a sense of normalcy through enjoyable and educational activities, strengthening Jewish identity and enriching knowledge of Jewish heritage. Additionally, we are excited to announce that we have secured generous matching opportunities for a limited time, multiplying the impact of every dollar donated. Your contribution will make a significant difference in the lives of those in need. ‘The Orphans’ Tale’ sheds light on the experiences of these refugees and their struggles: www.youtube.com/watch? v=4mV9deHNeRA

“By supporting our cause, you empower these vulnerable children and families, preserve Jewish heritage, and deepen understanding of refugee struggles Any donation you make will be TRIPLED by a generous donor, multiplying the impact of your kindness. Please consider making a donation and sharing our message and donation link. Together, we can bring hope, empowerment, and unity to these individuals.”

FREE DIGITAL SKILLS FOR LIFE CLASSES: Neighborhood Housing Services CDC in Woodside is offering free Digital Skills For Life Classes. “Improve your digital capabilities with our wonderful classes! Are you ready to level up your online skills and take charge of your digital life? Look no further because we’ve got the ultimate classes to help you stay ahead of the curve. Whether you’re a beginner or just need a little boost, our instructors will guide you through everything you need to know. From mastering email etiquette to effortlessly attaching files and photos, from creating killer social media accounts to effortlessly booking medical appointments online – we’ve got it all covered! Don’t waste another minute feeling left behind in the digital world. Enroll in our classes today and unlock a whole new world of possibilities!” Neighborhood Housing Services CDC (501-c3) | 60-20 Woodside Avenue, Lower Level, Woodside, NY 11377

BRASS QUEENS WIN MTA RIDERS’ CHOICE AWARD: Governor Kathy Hochul announced the winner of the first-ever WE❤NYC Riders’ Choice Award, which invited New Yorkers to vote for their favorite of the MTA’s Music Under New York’s roster of subway performers. Governor Hochul was joined in Times Square by MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber and by representatives of Partnership for New York City, Atlantic Records recording artist and Brooklyn native ENISA, and others to find out which “busker” riders are most excited to encounter during their travels on the subway. After a week of public voting, Brass Queens took home the grand prize with 55.7 percent of more than 55,000 votes cast and will receive a recording session with Atlantic Records.

“This competition celebrates subways and music – two integral parts of the fabric of New York,” Governor Hochul said. “Brass Queens exemplifies what it means to be a New Yorker and I am excited to watch them impress commuters and tourists alike throughout the subway system with their incredible sound.”

The Brass Queens were profiled in the Gazette’s Local-Express column in the July 13, 2022 issue. You can read it at www.qgazette.com/articles/local-express-451. Brass Queens is a brass band with an all-female horn section that blends funk, soul, and hip-hop that calls on New Orleans second-line tradition. They are known for their high-energy performances and their mission to empower women through music. See their video at youtu.be/64S48uRJgF0.

The Riders’ Choice Award was developed by the WE❤NYC campaign. It shines a light on the artists who have won coveted spots in the MTA Music UnderNew York program that has been bringing joy to New Yorkers’ commute since it became part of MTA Arts & Design in 1987. For the first time, transit riders had the opportunity to select their favorite of three musical acts that are part of the first new cohort of performers selected for the program since the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

All three Riders’ Choice finalists represent some of city’s most exciting and diverse musical talent and can be seen performing across the city’s subway network this year. The other finalists competing for the Riders’ Choice Award were:

The award winner announcement event was organized with Times Square Alliance.

QEDC’S NEW FINANCE FUNDAMENTALS INSTRUCTOR: Meet Jennifer Kirkland, who will be the instructorQueens Economic Development Corporation’s TEES Finance Fundamentals class. Jennifer Kirkland is the First African American Woman to receive her master’s degree in Tax Law from NYU Law School (June 2017). Kirkland’s passion for tax began at the early age of 14 when her dad passed away and her mother was left to manage the financial affairs of the family. At the time, her mother was a stay-at-home mom and Jennifer witnessed her mother’s struggle to understand and handle family finances.

That is when she knew that she wanted to learn more about accounting and taxation. Kirkland graduated summa cum laude in 2007 from Lehman College with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting. She began her accounting career as an auditor at the big four, PwC. In 2008, Jennifer decided to start her own tax, real estate and financial planning practice in addition to her daily job. After receiving her CPA, she moved to Barclay’s to work in their tax department specializing in the State and Local Tax Area and was promoted to Assistant Vice President. Jennifer’s primary goal is to help others achieve their financial goals by assisting them with their tax, audit, and compliance needs. She is very passionate about the financial markets and feels that in these economic times it is very important for everyone to understand how accounting affects their lives.

—With contributions by Annette Hanze Alberts

This column was originated by John A. Toscano

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