Schumer Decries Helicopter Company For Allowing Tourist Dogs To Fly
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) is calling a helicopter company out for promoting on social media that will allow pet dogs to fly over the city with thier owners.
Schumer maintains that the chopper company, FlyNYON, which is currently under two federal investigations—FlyNYON—for their involvement in the March 2018 East River helicopter crash that killed five people is using a legal loophole to skirt stricter safety standards that are mandated for other helicopter companies that transport people in the metro-area.
Schumer, along with U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Humane Society of the United States, say that FlyNYON, in an effort to bait more people to purchase those dangerous doors-off flights, is now flying dogs high above New York, offering thrill-seekers the chance to dangle their feet—and now their pet—above city buildings, bridges, waters and more.
“It is outrageous that despite the death of five innocent people in a dangerous doors-off chopper flight and two active federal investigations into lapsed safety that FlyNYON is still operating those same flights at desperate discounts. But now, it is a sheer jaw-drop to know that the same company is strapping in dogs for people to snap pictures of while the animals all but dangle high above New York skies, experiencing the sound of the rotors and who knows what other cruel things,” said Schumer.“Strapping in dogs for dangerous doors-off flights over New York is just totally repugnant; another disaster in waiting.”
Schumer and Menendez said the company should immediately stop flying dogs over New York and asked the FAA to take a look at the loophole allowing doors-off to remain operational in the first place.
Sanders, Hyndman, See Cuomo Sign Sickle Cell Disease Funding Bill
State Sen. James Sanders (D-Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale and parts of Far Rockaway) and Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Laurelton, Rosedale, St. Albans, Addisleigh Park, Hollis, Springfield Gardens, Jamaica) this week will see Gov. Andrew Cuomo sign their legislation, A.06493/S.2281 that would establish a statewide coordinating center to provide resources and monitor progress in fighting sickle cell disease.
Since nearly all of the individuals impacted by Sickle Cell disease are people of color, the diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease is a bell weather of how well society is dealing with race-based health disparities.
With top-notch medical professionals, dedicated community-based organizations, and government backing, New York is poised to address one condition that is so prevalent in communities of color and move toward closing the healthcare gap.
City Council members and advocates for the bill will rally for it at 10 a.m., today, Sept. 9 on the steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Constantinides Calls For Triborough Bridge Pedestrian Path Protective Measure
City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, parts of Woodside, East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) on Friday called on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to install protective fences along the entire pedestrian path of the Robert F. Kennedy-Triborough Bridge and create separate lanes for biking and walking.
Crossing the stretch across the East River between Astoria and Randall’s Island is extremely dangerous in its current state. Ten-foot mesh fences only cover sections of the pedestrian path — found on the bridge’s north side — that are above ground. A significantly shorter outer wall is all that protects cyclists and pedestrians along pathway, which sits roughly 150 feet above the water. Lives are put at risk any time someone trips or falls along this stretch.
These long-overdue measures would make an otherwise exposed, highly dangerous East River crossing tremendously safer, said the lawmaker.
“Crossing the Triborough Bridge shouldn’t be a life-or-death situation, yet that’s sadly what pedestrians and cyclists face the second they enter this crossing,” said Constantinides. “Fencing along the entire pedestrian path will ensure simply tripping doesn’t lead to a tragic accident and deters anyone thinking about taking their life until help can arrive. I hope the MTA will consider reopening the bridge’s southern crossing, as well, which would allow separate, safer crossings for cyclists and pedestrians.”
Constantinides put the call to action in an Aug. 30 letter to the MTA’s Bridge and Tunnels division last week, asking for both additional fences and separate travel lanes.
Miller, Local Officials Kick Off 17th Annual Senior Appreciation Month
City Council Member I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) and a host of officials on Friday announced the series of events scheduled for this year’s Senior Appreciation Month.
Now in its seventeenth year, the annual celebration features a slew of engaging recreational and informational activities organized on behalf of seniors in the Southeast Queens community.
“Senior Appreciation Month is a very special time for us, as we honor the legacy of our senior citizens and their contributions to our society,” said Miller. “We’re pleased that participation in this festival continues to grow in our borough. We have a lot of fun things planned, from a Mets game at Citi Field to our informational Senior Luncheon, where we provide access to legal services for matters regarding wills, estates, and other issues. I am especially grateful to my government colleagues for joining us in this effort to provide even more opportunities to recognize and celebrate our active seniors.”
The events schedule is as follows:
Thursday, September 12 – Pet-a-Pup Day presented by Assemblyman David Weprin
o 11 a.m. – 12 noon, SNAP Innovative Senior Center 80-45 Winchester Blvd. Bldg #4, Queens Village
Thursday, September 12 – Senior Appreciation Day at Citi Field presented by Council Member I. Daneek Miller
o Bus pickup at 11:30 a.m. from Guy R. Brewer Democratic Club, 197-01
Linden Blvd, St. Albans. Game starts at 1 p.m. Please RSVP by calling (718)-776-3700.
Thursday, September 12 – Senior Bowling presented by Senator James Sanders Jr.
o 12 noon – 3 p.m., Bowl 360, 98-18 Rockaway Boulevard, Ozone Park.
Friday, September 13 – A Day at the Museum presented by Council Member Donovan Richards
o 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Queens Museum | New York City Building, Corona. Please RSVP!
Saturday, September 14 – Senior Fitness presented by Assemblywoman Michele Titus
o Springfield Park, Springfield Blvd. and 184 th Street, Springfield Gardens, Time TBD.
Monday, September 16 – Senior Day Informational Luncheon presented by Council Member I. Daneek Miller and Assemblywoman Vivian Cook
o 1 – 5 p.m., Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center, 172-17 Linden Blvd, Jamaica.
Tuesday, September 17 – A Morning at the Movies presented by Congressman Gregory Meeks
o 9 a.m. Jamaica Multiplex Cinema, Jamaica Avenue and Parsons Boulevard, Please RSVP!
Thursday, September 19 – Senior Luncheon presented by Assemblyman
Clyde Vanel
o 12 noon – 4 p.m., Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center, 172-17 Linden Blvd, Jamaica.
Friday, September 20 – Senior Nature Walk presented by Council Member Barry S. Grodenchik
o 10 a.m. – 12 noon, Meeting location- picnic tables by Alley Pond Park parking lot at 76th Avenue and Springfield Boulevard. Please RSVP!
Monday, September 23 – Bubble Tea Social presented by Senator John Liu
o 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Nan Shan Senior Center, 133-14 41 st Avenue, Flushing.
Monday, September 23– Senior Week Movie Screening of Amazing Grace presented by Council Member I. Daneek Miller
o 2 – 4 p.m., Jamaica Performing Arts Center, 153-10 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica.
Tuesday, September 24 – Morning of Live Music and Breakfast presented by Council Member Rory I. Lancman.
o 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., Highland Church, 160-20 Highland Avenue, Jamaica. Please RSVP by calling (718)-217-4969.
Thursday, September 26 – Unclaimed Funds Workshop presented by Council Member Barry Grodenchik and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli
o 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. SNAP Senior Center, 80-45 Winchester Boulevard, Building #4, CBU #29, Queens Village.
Thursday, September 26 – Homeowners and Tenants Enrollment Event presented by Council Member Barry Grodenchik
o 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., SNAP Senior Center Library Room 80-45 Winchester Boulevard, Building #4, CBU #29, Queens Village.
Friday, September 27 – Love Peace and Soul Train Dance presented by Council Member Adrienne Adams
o 1 – 3 p.m., Rochdale Village Grand Ballroom, Please RSVP by calling (718)-206-2068.
Friday, September 27 th – Senior Giveaway presented by Senator John Liu
o 1 -2 p.m., Korean Community Services 42-15 166th Street, Flushing.
Monday, September 30 th – Dance Exhibition presented by Assembly MemberAlicia Hyndman
o 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center, 172-17 Linden Blvd, Jamaica.
