Meng Voices Concern About Rise Of Anti-Semitic Incidents In Queens
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth) yesterday voiced concern stemming from the recent Anti-Defamation League’s report on the historic rise in anti-Semitic incidents across the state, including in Queens.
According to the report, the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the city rose by over 90% in 2017 compared to 2016. Nationally, ADL recorded the largest single-year increase on record since ADL began tracking incident data in the 1970s.
“It is deeply disturbing to see that the number of anti-Semitic incidents in New York rose by over 90 percent in 2017 compared to 2016,” said Meng. “Queens, the area that I represent in Congress, saw the largest increase in incidents rising from 11 to 39 from 2016 to 2017. As Americans, we must come together and stop these anti-Semitic attacks,” said Meng.
Peralta Celebrates Dominican Heritage Month
State Sen. Jose Peralta (D- Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, Woodside) and the Dominico-American Society of Queens (DAS) this week hosted the Dominican Heritage Month at La Boom, in Woodside.
During the celebration, which included live performances by Frankie Fernandez, La Mezcla, Ballet Mestizo and Grupo Recogi2, Peralta and DAS honored the work and success of several Dominican and Dominican-Americans leaders who made great contributions to the community. Additionally, Peralta presented on Tuesday a resolution on the New York State Senate to mark the 174thanniversary of the Dominican independence.
“Dominicans and Dominican-Americans make enormous contributions to the city, state and the nation. As we celebrate Dominican Heritage Month, this is a very special moment for me as I am the first Dominican-American to be elected to the New York State Senate. I am proud to serve all the New Yorkers who call our district, the United Nations of all Senatorial Districts, home,” said Peralta.
“The Dominican population is continuing its growth and is now the largest Latino group in New York City, which includes more than 30,000 Dominican and Dominican-Americans in my district, and fifth largest in the United States,” he added.
Among the 2018 honorees were Ana Alaimo, owner of Santo Domingo Car Limo Services; Francisco Diaz, owner of Addictive Wine & Tapas; Soraya Sussman, Executive Director of Quality Control and Vice President of Practice Transformation at Somos Community Care; and Tairy Ynoa, reporter with Telemundo 47.
Katz Applauds Decision Denying School Closures In Far Rockaway
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz (D) yesterday applauded the city’s Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) vote against the Department of Education’s (DOE’s) proposed school closures of P.S./M.S. 42 and M.S. 53 in Far Rockaway.
“The message is clear: we are not giving up on our kids. Queens thanks the Panel members for listening to the communities, for voting with the best interests of the students in mind and heart, and for giving our Renewal Schools a fair chance to succeed. The school communities are clearly vested in their success, as exemplified in both the recent progress in academic performance and the level of engagement by the parents, teachers and students to save their schools,” said Katz.
“The work is far from over, and I look forward to collaborating with everyone to support the school communities and to help ensure their success,” she added.
The Queens representative and Katz’s appointee to the PEP is Ms. Deborah Dillingham. Katz also expressed thanks for her tenacity in following through for the borough’s kids.
Avella Visits Wild Bird Fund, Sees Possible Tenant for Fort Totten
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) last week visited the Wild Bird Fund (WBF) in Manhattan to tour their facility and see first hand the incredible work they do caring for and rehabilitating the sick or injured wildlife of New York.
Prior to the visit, Avella sent a letter to the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) about the possibility of the WBF—who is looking to expand—opening a new location on Fort Totten. WBF’s main location is located on the Upper West Side.
The mission of WBF is to provide medical care and rehabilitation for native and migrant wildlife so they can be released back to the wild and to educate New Yorkers about the rich diversity of the city’s wildlife and how to help it thrive.
“My visit to the Wild Bird Fund was both educational and informative about how they care for the animals. The work they do in our city is unparalleled and I believe that Queens is a perfect location for the fund. If the Wild Bird Fund was able to open up a satellite location on Fort Totten it would be not only great for the Fund, Fort Totten, and the Queens community as a whole but for the animals as well. I believe that this location is very appropriate for the Wild Bird Fund to call home in Queens,” said Avella.
Founded in 2005, Wild Bird Fund is the only wildlife rehabilitation facility serving the city. WBF has treated over 20,000 birds since opening its doors in 2012. They expect to treat more than 7,000 patients in 2018.
