Queens Lawmakers On The Move — Friday Nov. 3, 2017

Queens County City Council News

Addabbo Releases Statement On Howard Beach Post Office

Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr.

State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. (D-Rockaway Park, Howard Beach, Middle Village) put on a statement yesterday regarding the Howard Beach post office staying open despite it nearly shutting down.

Below is Addabbo’s statement:

“My office was pleased to learn that the Howard Beach Post Office will remain open and at its current site for the next 10 years. I know this Post Office is an integral part of the community and plays an important role in the quality of life for my constituents. The service that the Howard Beach Post Office provides is important to so many aspects in the lives of our people. My thanks to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries and his staff, along with the advocacy of local community leaders and residents, the U.S. Postal Service and property owner for working towards keeping the Howard Beach Post Office open.”


Koo Chimes In On Racist Political Fliers In Edison, NJ

City Council Member Peter Koo/via Facebook

Fliers have been reportedly passed around Edison, NJ discouraging people to vote for two candidates in an upcoming local election because they are Indian and Asian. The flier claims that each of these ethnic groups is taking over the neighborhood and it calls for a stop to it by pushing people to not vote for either candidate.

The fliers made mainstream news yesterday and, from Queen, City Councilmember Peter Koo (D-Flushing, Murray Hill) joined the conversation with the following statement:

“This is true cowardice. Sadly, the bigoted toxicity of anonymous internet message boards has made its way to these political mailers in Edison, New Jersey. I strongly encourage the voters of Edison turn out in force on November 7th to beat back this intolerance by exercising their rights to vote.”


Northern Blvd Bus Crash Makes Avella Question New Bike Lane

Tony Avella

On Wednesday afternoon, a bus bringing a group of special needs adults home crashed when exiting the Cross Island Parkway onto Northern Boulevard. State Senator Tony Avella (D-Little Neck, Fresh Meadows) says the newly implemented bike lane is to blame.

In fact, when the bike lane was installed two months ago, Avella voiced his concern that this type of crash would occur. According to Avella, the bike lane was rushed through in order to circumvent the Community Board, which had its own plan for a bike lane at that location.  

“Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in the crash but the number of crashes along Northern Boulevard since the bike lane’s installment have left community members worried that the next incident will not be so lucky,” said Avella.

 After the incident, Avella sent a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio, and DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg asking, “How many accidents have to occur before you realize that this was not a good idea? Not only does this bike path reduce the amount of lanes for motorists, it forces drivers exiting the Cross Island Parkway and entering Northern Boulevard to stop short to see oncoming traffic, increasing the likelihood of crashes.”