PLEASE REMAIN STANDING.

HERE AT HOME THREE MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK FIRE DEPT. DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY ON SUNDAY.

LET US NOW REMEMBER:

IN OCTOBER, QUEENS MOBILIZED AND CAME TOGETHER TO AID THE VICTIMS OF DISASTROUS STORMS IN HAITI, GRENADA AND JAMAICA. WORKING WITH ASSEMBLYMAN BILL SCARBOROUGH AND 17 OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE SPEARHEADED A FUNDRAISING EFFORT THAT RAISED THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. 

REMEMBER, WHENEVER DISASTER STRIKES ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, A RELATIVE GRIEVES IN QUEENS.

NOW, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. EVERYONE HERE TODAY HAS PARTICIPATED IN OUR SUCCESS. I AM PROUD TO BE YOUR BOROUGH PRESIDENT.

EDUCATION

AS A FORMER TEACHER, I KNOW FIRST HAND THAT PROVIDING QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION IS ONE OF THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL ROLES OF GOVERNMENT. 

I RECENTLY APPOINTED MICHAEL FLOWERS, A PARENT WITH TWO CHILDREN IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, TO BE MY REPRESENTATIVE ON THE PANEL FOR EDUCATION AND SERVE AS CO-CHAIR OF MY PARENTS ADVISORY COUNCIL.

I HAVE CONTINUED MY WAR ROOM MEETINGS, WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ENSURE THAT OVERCROWDING IN QUEENS SCHOOLS IS FINALLY ELIMINATED.

THIS SCHOOL YEAR WE ADDED MORE THAN 2,000 SEATS IN THREE NEW SCHOOLS: PS 254 IN RICHMOND HILL; PS 253 IN FAR ROCKAWAY; AND PS 499 RIGHT HERE ON THE CAMPUS OF QUEENS COLLEGE. WE ARE PLANNING FOR MORE THAN 23,000 SEATS OF WHICH ALMOST 4,000 ARE IN CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE READY FOR THIS COMING SEPTEMBER. 

WE ARE ALSO ADDING MORE HIGH SCHOOLS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER ONES WITH SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS.  

IN SEPTEMBER, A LONG AWAITED ADDITION TO QUEENS VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL WILL OPEN WITH NEW SHOPS, SCIENCE LABS, A GYM AND CLASSROOMS FOR 600 MORE STUDENTS.  IN THE INTERIM, I HAVE PROVIDED WIRELESS COMPUTERS TO SUPPLEMENT THE LIMITED CAPABILITY OF THEIR OUTDATED COMPUTER LAB IN THE OLD BUILDING.

WE NEED TO BUILD STRONG MINDS AND STRONG BODIES. OUR CHILDREN’S PHYSICAL FITNESS IS CRUCIAL TO THEIR HEALTH.

THAT’S WHY I HAVE CONTINUED TO WORK WITH THE ‘TAKE THE FIELD’ ORGANIZATION.  THANKS TO THE LATE ROBERT TISCH, 14 ATHLETIC FIELDS IN QUEENS HAVE BEEN REBUILT. I WAS PLEASED TO PARTNER WITH ‘TAKE THE FIELD’ IN THIS EFFORT.

THIS PAST YEAR, I SUPPORTED THE COMPLETION OF FIELDS AT FRANCIS LEWIS HIGH SCHOOL AND NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL.  THE FIELD AT JOHN BOWNE HIGH SCHOOL IS NOW IN DESIGN.

YOUTH

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE CRUCIAL FOR THEIR INTELLECTUAL, EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT.

 AS PART OF MY CONTINUING MARSHALL PLAN FOR QUEENS, I HAVE CEMENTED PARTNERSHIPS TO HELP RAISE FUNDS FOR SCOUTING AND SPORTING PROGRAMS PARTNERING WITH THE UNITED WAY, HEALTH PLUS AND THE NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY; ALSO CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND MENTORING PROGRAMS WITH MY INVALUABLE PARTNER, QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY RICHARD BROWN. 

THESE AFTER-SCHOOL AND SUMMER PROGRAMS ARE NOW MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF CHILDREN.

MY NEW YORK CITY HOUSING AUTHORITY INITIATIVE WILL GIVE CHILDREN A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN A TENNIS PROGRAM THAT BEGINS NEXT MONTH. 

AND, MORE THAN 100 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN MY PEDESTRIAN SAFETY PROGRAM, WHERE I ALSO PROVIDED 600 FREE CAR SEATS TO FAMILIES IN NEED.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

PROTECTING FAMILIES TAKES MANY FORMS. WITH FUNDING FROM MY OFFICE AND CITY COUNCILWOMAN MELINDA KATZ, WE WILL SOON OPEN THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER IN THE CITY.

OUR PARTNERS ARE: THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S SERVICES, SAFE HORIZON AND THE QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY. 

THIS FACILITY TAKES CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND WORKS WITH THEM IN A CHILD FRIENDLY ENVIRONMENT.

THIS CENTER’S CLOSED-CIRCUIT TELEVISIONS ENABLE CHILDREN TO TELL THEIR STORY ONLY ONCE --- SO THEY DO NOT HAVE TO RELIVE THEIR TRAUMA.  UNTIL NOW, CHILDREN WERE INTERVIEWED OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION ARE THE BEST WAYS TO COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.  QUEENS IS AT THE FOREFRONT IN THIS REGARD. IN 2004 I SPONSORED A CONFERENCE AT YORK COLLEGE ATTENDED BY MORE THAN 300 PEOPLE, ENTITLED 'BREAKING THE SILENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.'

IN NOVEMBER, MY OFFICE, ALONG WITH DISTRICT ATTORNEY RICHARD BROWN, OBTAINED A $950,000 GRANT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO COMBAT THESE CRIMES.  THIS GRANT WILL BE USED TO EXPAND AND STRENGTHEN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE BUREAU IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

CUNY

THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK OPENS THE DOOR TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

I AM VERY PROUD OF THE FIVE CUNY INSTITUTIONS IN QUEENS THAT OFFER UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS.

QUEENS COLLEGE, OUR HOST AND MY ALMA MATER, WAS RATED ONE OF AMERICA'S ‘20 BEST BARGAIN PUBLIC COLLEGES' BY THE PRINCETON REVIEW. THIS YEAR, THE COLLEGE ANNOUNCED AN INSTITUTE TO STUDY WAYS TO PRESERVE OUR CITY'S NATURAL RESOURCES.

AT YORK COLLEGE THE AVIATION INSTITUTE HAS DEVELOPED A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN AVIATION MANAGEMENT.  THIS REFLECTS A GROWING NEED IN A BOROUGH WHERE WE HAVE 50,000 ON-AIRPORT JOBS AT JFK AND LAGUARDIA AIRPORTS. AND THOUSANDS MORE IN AVIATION RELATED JOBS.

YORK COLLEGE IS ALSO THE HOME OF A SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOL WITH ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS THAT WILL GRADUATE ITS FIRST CLASS NEXT YEAR.

TO MAKE BOTH COLLEGES MORE PHYSICALLY ATTRACTIVE, I AM FUNDING THE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW ENTRY PLAZAS THAT WILL ENHANCE THEIR APPEARANCE AND SAFETY.

CUNY LAW SCHOOL WAS RATED IN US NEWS & WORLD REPORT AS THE MOST DIVERSE IN THE COUNTRY.  THEIR LEGAL CLINIC, WHICH PROVIDES ASSISTANCE IN ALL LEGAL MATTERS, GIVES STUDENTS HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IN WORKING WITH REAL PEOPLE WITH REAL PROBLEMS. 

LAGUARDIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE WAS ONE OF ONLY TWO COLLEGES NATIONWIDE TO RECEIVE THE 2004 THEODORE M. HESBURGH AWARD FOR ITS INNOVATIVE DIGITAL AND INTERACTIVE TEACHING APPROACHES.

AT QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE ART GALLERY WHICH I HELPED FUND, HAS JUST REOPENED. THE HOLOCAUST RESOURCE CENTER WHERE I, ALONG WITH COUNCILMAN DAVID WEPRIN GAVE $500,000 DOLLARS TO CONTINUE THEIR IMPORTANT WORK OF RESEARCH, DOCUMENTING AND PROVIDING EDUCATION ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST.

I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH CUNY TO SEE THAT THERE ARE HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL ---- INCLUDING FINDING THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP FOR YORK COLLEGE THAT WILL FORGE RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL AVAILABLE RESOURCES IN THE REVITALIZED NEIGHBORHOOD OF JAMAICA.

I HAVE ALSO ALLOCATED FUNDS FROM MY CAPITAL BUDGET TO TRANSFORM A FORMER COURTHOUSE IN ROCKAWAY INTO A CITY UNIVERSITY FACILITY. IT MAY TAKE TIME, BUT WE WILL HAVE A CUNY-BY-THE-SEA!

TODAY, I AM ALSO PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE 'PROJECT IQ - IMPROVE QUEENS,' A NEW COMPONENT OF MY MARSHALL PLAN.

FROM OUR NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYGROUNDS AND PARKS, TO OUR WORLD-RENOWNED LIBRARY SYSTEM, WE ARE BLESSED WITH PUBLIC SPACES THAT REFRESH ONE’S MIND AND BODY.  AND I HAVE COMMITTED THE FUNDS THAT ARE NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT THESE VITAL RESOURCES ARE IMPROVED.

LIBRARIES

WORKING HAND-IN-HAND WITH SCHOOLS, OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE.

THE 63 LIBRARIES THAT MAKE UP THE QUEENS LIBRARY SYSTEM ARE THE INTELLECTUAL JEWELS OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.  THIS IS EVIDENCED BY THE MORE THAN 73,000 NEW CARD HOLDERS, WHO WERE PART OF THE 14 MILLION VISITORS IN 2004.

TO HELP OUR LIBRARIES MAINTAIN THEIR LUSTER, I HAVE ALLOCATED ALMOST $17 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THEIR CONTINUED GROWTH AND EXPANSION.  THIS INCLUDES FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW CHILDREN’S LIBRARY DISCOVERY CENTER AND THE MODERNIZATION OF THE CENTRAL LIBRARY IN JAMAICA. 

WORKING WITH THE CITY COUNCIL DELEGATION, WE WILL FUND NEW LIBRARIES IN CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, JACKSON HEIGHTS AND LONG ISLAND CITY AND ALSO EXPANSIONS IN ELMHURST, EAST ELMHURST AND MANY IMPROVEMENTS AT OTHER BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE BOROUGH.

I LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING THESE BRANCHES BECAUSE ONE OF MY MOST ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCES IN THE PAST YEAR HAS BEEN PARTICIPATING IN MY CHILDREN’S READING INITIATIVE.

 THIS PROGRAM USES BOOKS PROVIDED BY MY OFFICE TO ENCOURAGE FAMILY AND INDEPENDENT READING.  EACH CHILD, ACCOMPANIES BY A PARENT OR GUARDIAN, RECEIVES A FREE BOOK OF THEIR CHOICE, PROVIDED THEY SIGN UP FOR A LIBRARY CARD.

PARKS

LAST MONTH, AS PART OF MY COMMERCIAL CORRIDOR PROGRAM, WHICH IS FUNDED IN COOPERATION WITH SPEAKER GIFFORD MILLER AND THE CITY COUNCIL DELEGATION, I PLANTED THE FIRST OF MANY TREES THAT WILL GRACE OUR COMMERCIAL THOROUGHFARES.

THIS COMING SPRING, THAT PROGRAM WILL --- PARDON THE PUN --- TAKE ROOT WITH HUNDREDS OF MORE TREES BEING PLANTED.  

THIS PROGRAM WILL REVITALIZE OUR BUSY RETAIL STREETS THROUGH GREENERY, LIGHTING AND SIGNAGE.  YOU WILL SEE THE RESULTS IN LONG ISLAND CITY, JAMAICA, RIDGEWOOD, BAYSIDE, CORONA, SUNNYSIDE AND OTHER COMMUNITIES.

I HAVE ALSO COMMITTED $19 MILLION DOLLARS TO RENOVATE AND UPGRADE MANY OF OUR PARKS.  YOU WILL SOON SEE IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS NEW SPORTS FIELDS, LIGHTING, WALKWAYS, PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND LANDSCAPING.

I AM PLEASED TO BE JOINED IN THIS EFFORT BY COUNCILMAN JOHN LIU FOR WORK IN MARTIN’S FIELD PARK; COUNCILMAN ERIC GIOIA FOR WORK IN QUEENSBRIDGE AND RAINEY PARKS; AND COUNCILMEN JIM GENNARO AND LEROY COMRIE FOR WORK IN RUFUS KING AND VAN DOHLAN PARKS.  

I HAVE FUNDED THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW FOOTBALL FIELD IN KISSENA PARK.

THE BAYSIDE RAIDERS, WHO ARE HERE TODAY --- PLEASE STAND!

I KNOW THEY WILL WIN ALL THEIR GAMES ON THAT FIELD!

IN FOREST PARK, WE WILL BUILD A NEW GREENHOUSE AND AT VICTORY FIELD WE WILL CONSTRUCT NEW BALL FIELDS. 

IN FLUSHING MEADOWS-CORONA PARK, I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE EDERLE PAVILLION WAS COMPLETED. I WAS PLEASED TO CONTRIBUTE THE FUNDS TO FINALLY MAKE IT HAPPEN. 

WITH THE COOPERATION OF MAYOR BLOOMBERG, FUNDING FOR THE NEW POOL AND ICE RINK WERE FINALIZED, DESIGNS ARE VIRTUALLY COMPLETE, AND I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT SITE PREPERATION BEGAN LAST WEEK.

I HAVE ALSO ALLOCATED FUNDS TO PRESERVE HISTORICAL BUILDINGS AT FORT TOTTEN, THE QUEENS FARM MUSEUM, BOWNE HOUSE AND THE LATIMER HOUSE IN FLUSHING.

TOURISM/CULTURAL

2004 WAS A BANNER YEAR FOR QUEENS TOURISM.  I HAVE CONTINUED TO ENCOURAGE VISITORS TO DISCOVER QUEENS.  TO HELP THEM DO SO, MY OFFICE IS WORKING WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO DEVELOP A 'DISCOVER QUEENS' LICENSE PLATE.

THIS NEW LICENSE PLATE WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER THIS YEAR. AND IT ALLOW OUR RESIDENTS TO EXHIBIT PRIDE IN THEIR HOME COUNTY.

IT WILL ALSO CREATE AN IMPORTANT NEW REVENUE STREAM FOR THE BOROUGH.  THANK YOU SENATOR PADAVAN AND ASSEMBLYMAN MCLAUGHLIN FOR THE LEGISLATION TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

IN DECEMBER, I SPONSORED OUR SECOND TOURISM SUMMIT.

WE CREATED NEW WAYS TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS BOROUGH, WE HIGHLIGHTED OUR DIVERSE NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR NOTABLE MUSEUMS AND OF COURSE, OUR WONDERFUL RESTAURANTS. EARLIER IN THE YEAR WE HAD OUR FIRST QUEENS RESTAURANT WEEK AND EVEN THE NEW YORK TIMES HAS BEGUN TO TAKE NOTICE OF OUR CULINARY DELIGHTS!

WHEN I LEARNED THAT THE FORMER #7 REDBIRD CARS WERE BEING USED TO CREATE REEFS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE ATLANTIC OCEAN, I ASKED THAT ONE BE SAVED.

AS YOU SLEEP TONIGHT, THE REDBIRD WILL BE DELIVERED TO THE EAST LAWN OF BOROUGH HALL. IT WILL BE REFURBISHED AND BECOME THE NEW QUEENS VISITORS CENTER.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS COME TO QUEENS EACH YEAR TO ATTEND EVENTS BOTH LARGE AND SMALL: THE DRAGON BOAT RACES, THE US TENNIS OPEN, JAMAICA JAMS, THE ROCKAWAY KITE FESTIVAL, AND…PERHAPS THIS YEAR WITH WILLIE RANDOLPH, PEDRO MARTINEZ AND CARLOS BELTRAN  ---- DID ANYBODY SAY A WORLD SERIES AT SHEA?

OMAR MINAYA, THE FIRST LATINO GENERAL MANAGER  IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IS FROM CORONA!!

I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR VISITORS KNOW ABOUT OUR CULTURAL VENUES. THAT'S WHY I HAVE ALLOCATED FUNDS TO THE QUEENS MUSEUM WHICH WILL EXPAND INTO THE ENTIRE BUILDING WHEN OUR NEW SKATING RINK AND POOL MOVE THEIR NEW LOCATION IN THE PARK.

AT THE QUEENS THEATER IN THE PARK WHERE WE WILL INCREASE THE PERFORMANCE SPACE AND BUILD A SPECTACULAR GLASS LOBBY; AND, APPROPRIATELY A NEW GREEN BUILDING AT THE QUEENS BOTANICAL GARDENS.

THE EXPANDED HALL OF SCIENCE, ALREADY A PREMIER DESTINATON WITH ITS NEWLY REFURBISHED ROCKET PARK, WILL BECOME EVEN BETTER WITH THE $2.7 MILLION DOLLARS I HAVE ALLOCATED FOR A PRE-SCHOOL PLAYGROUND. 

IN LONG ISLAND CITY WE HAVE THE NEWLY RENOVATED NOGUCHI MUSEUM, SOCRATES PARK, PS 1, AND THE SOON TO BE EXPANDED MUSEUM OF THE MOVING IMAGE.

BEN-HUR MAY HAVE WON HIS RACE IN ROME, BUT HIS CHARIOT IS HERE IN QUEENS --- AT THE MUSEUM.

 IN JAMAICA, RUFUS KING MANOR AND THE JAMAICA ARTS CENTER ARE LOCAL TREASURES. SOON THEY WILL BE JOINED BY A NEW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER WITH A GALLERY AND CAFÉ IN THE FORMER DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH.

THIS PAST YEAR, WE FORMALLY CONFERRED LANDMARK STATUS ON STOCKHOLM STREET IN RIDGEWOOD.

I ALSO COMPLETED THE ACQUISTION OF LAND ENABLING THE   FLUSHING TOWN HALL TO EXPAND.

AVIATION/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HOW DO I KNOW THE REDBIRD VISITOR CENTER WILL BE A SUCCESS? BECAUSE OUR BOROUGH IS GROWING!  OUR AIRPORTS ARE OPERATING AT PRE-9/11 LEVELS AND QUEENS’ BUSINESSES CONTINUE TO BENEFIT THROUGH THE AIR SERVICES DEVELOPMENT OFFICE WITH MILLIONS OF DOLLARS NOW SPENT HERE IN THE BOROUGH.

IN 2004, THE CITY AND THE PORT AUTHORITY SIGNED A LEASE AGREEMENT THAT GUARANTEES $100 MILLION FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS EXCLUSIVELY IN QUEENS. AND, AS ONE OF THE FOUR CITY REPRESENTATIVES ON THE AIRPORT BOARD, I INTEND TO WORK WITH COUNCILMAN JAMES SANDERS AND THE ADVISORY BOARD TO INSURE THAT THESE FUNDS BENEFIT THE COMMUNITIES MOST IMPACTED BY THE AIRPORTS.  

THE AIRTRAIN COMPLETED ITS FIRST YEAR OF SUCCESSFUL OPERATION BRINGING PASSENGERS TO AND FROM JAMAICA CENTER AND JFK AIRPORT.  I AM WORKING WITH COUNCILMEN GENNARO, COMRIE AND WEPRIN AND THE GREATER JAMAICA DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ON THE HUB SURROUNDING THE AIRTRAIN STATION. OUR NEW 'JFK CORPORATE SQUARE,'  WILL BECOME THE FOCUS OF NEW OFFICE AND RETAIL DEVELOPMENT.

WHILE THE AIRTRAIN IS A GREAT WAY TO GET TO THE AIRPORT, I ALSO APPLAUD THE PORT AUTHORITY’S PLAN TO COMMENCE FERRY SERVICE TO LAGUARDIA AND JFK AIRPORTS. 

THAT'S WHY COUNCILMAN JOSEPH ADDABBO AND I HAVE REQUESTED THAT THE SERVICE TO JFK INCLUDE A STOP IN THE ROCKAWAYS SO THAT MUCH NEEDED LOCAL FERRY SERVICE CAN BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE SAME TIME.

WE HAVE SEEN EXPANSION OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN MANY NEIGHBORHOODS.  LAST MONTH, WE APPROVED THE SALE OF THE UNSIGHTLY QUEENS PLAZA GARAGE. IT WILL BE REPLACED BY A NEW OFFICE COMPLEX.

CITIBANK WILL CONSTRUCT A SECOND OFFICE TOWER IN LONG ISLAND CITY.  AND, WE BROKE GROUND FOR NEW SENIOR HOUSING AT QUEENS WEST.

THE NEW BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT FORMED BY THE LONG ISLAND CITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WILL TIE TOGETHER NEW DEVELOPMENTS FROM SILVERCUP STUDIOS ALL THE WAY DOWN JACKSON AVENUE TO COURT SQUARE.

MEANWHILE, KAUFMAN ASTORIA STUDIOS IS BUILDING NEW STAGES IN ASTORIA.

IN FLUSHING, A DEVELOPER WILL SOON BE SELECTED FOR MUNICIPAL LOT 1.

THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL INCLUDE HOUSING, RETAIL SPACE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, NEW PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY FACILITIES.  ON AN ADJACENT SITE, THE MACEDONIA AME CHURCH WILL BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THE COLLEGE POINT INDUSTRIAL PARK ADDED THREE NEW MANUFACTURERS: ARES PRINTING, HUDSON DEVELOPMENT AND CRYSTAL WINDOWS --- IN TOTAL THEY WILL ADD OVER 500 SKILLED JOBS TO OUR WORKFORCE. 

WE WILL ALSO SEE THE COMPLETION OF THE GREATER NEW YORK AUTO DEALERS NEW TRADE SCHOOL. THIS INDUSTRY-SPONSORED SCHOOL WILL PRODUCE HIGHLY-SKILLED MECHANICS FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY.

IN WILLETS POINT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ISSUED A REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR THE 55 ACRE SITE NOW KNOWN AS THE IRON TRIANGLE.

THIS STRATEGIC LOCATION IS SURROUNDED BY THE THRIVING COMMUNITIES OF FLUSHING AND CORONA AND IS WELL SERVED BY HIGHWAYS AND MASS TRANSIT.  IT CERTAINLY CAN BE PUT TO BETTER USE AND BECOME AN ECONOMIC GENERATOR FOR THE CITY.

AS PART OF THAT DEVELOPMENT, I ENVISION A FLEXIBLE CONFERENCE CENTER TO HOST EXHIBITIONS, TRADE SHOWS AND FESTIVALS --- SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN LONG SOUGHT BY OUR VERY OWN QUEENS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.  WHILE WE ARE IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF PLANNING, I ASSURE YOU WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.

IN SOUTHWEST QUEENS, I FORMED THE MASPETH TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE THIS INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT. NEW DISTRIBUTION, INDUSTRIAL AND WAREHOUSE FACILITIES WILL RISE ON THE FORMER PHELPS DODGE SITE AND SURROUNDING AREA. 

I HAVE ALSO GONE ON RECORD, ALONG WITH COUNCILMAN DENNIS GALLAGHER TO OPPOSE THE ILL-PLANNED CROSS HARBOR TUNNEL.  IT’S A BAD IDEA FOR QUEENS, AND AN ENORMOUS WASTE OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

RETAILING IN QUEENS TOOK A GIANT LEAP FORWARD THIS YEAR WITH THE EXPANSION OF QUEENS CENTER MALL.  THE DEVELOPERS OF THE CENTER DID AN EXCELLENT JOB WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY DURING THE EXPANSION.

OUR LOCAL SHOPPING STREETS CONTINUE TO GROW WITH NEW SHOPS, AND RESTAURANTS.

THIS YEAR THE FLUSHING BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT, FOUNDED THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF COUNCILMAN JOHN LIU, COMPLETED A VERY SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

AND THE SUTPHIN BOULEVARD DISTRICT IS GETTING OFF TO A GREAT START.  

OTHER SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS INCLUDE JAMAICA AVENUE; MYRTLE AVENUE; STEINWAY STREET; AND 82^ND STREET. 

OUR RETAIL MARKET IS INDEED VERY ATTRACTIVE.  IN FACT, MAJOR NATIONAL CHAINS ARE CONSTANTLY ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW SITES IN OUR BOROUGH. 

I BELIEVE THAT OUR CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE MANY SHOPPING OPTIONS, BUT --- NATIONAL RETAILERS WHO WISH TO COME INTO THIS BOROUGH, MUST PROVIDE DECENT WAGES AND BENEFITS, AND RESPECT THE MICRO-ECONOMIES OF OUR COMMUNITIES.  THEY NEED TO KNOW WE ARE A BOROUGH OF INDIVIDUAL NEIGHBORHOODS!

PLANNING/HOUSING

ZONING IS ONE OF OUR BOROUGH’S MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES. THAT’S WHY IT WAS ESSENTIAL FOR MY ZONING TASK FORCE, CO-CHAIRED BY CIVIC LEADER BERNIE HABER, TO PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS FROM OVER-DEVELOPMENT.

AND,  THANK YOU MAYOR BLOOMBERG FOR STANDING WITH ME ON THE STEPS OF BOROUGH HALL TO HELP FOCUS ATTENTION AND RESOURCES ON THIS IMPORTANT BOROUGHWIDE ISSUE. 

AND I WISH THANK JOHN YOUNG IN THE QUEENS OFFICE OF CITY PLANNING, FOR MAKING THIS A PRIORITY.

CORONA, HUNTERS POINT, ROYAL RANCH, BELLEROSE, JAMAICA HILLS, AND BROOKVILLE HAVE BEEN REZONED.

KEW GARDENS, RICHMOND HILL, KISSENA PARK, SPRINGFIELD GARDENS AND BAYSIDE ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVIEW FOR SIMILAR ACTIONS.  COUNCILMAN TONY AVELLA HAS BEEN VERY PROACTIVE ON THIS ISSUE.

PRELIMINARY STUDIES HAVE ALREADY STARTED FOR DOZENS OF OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE ARE ALSO REBUILDING AREAS THAT NEED DEVELOPMENT.

THE FIRST PHASE OF ARVERNE-BY-THE-SEA OPENED LAST SPRING WITH MORE THAN 2,000 UNITS STILL TO COME. THE SECOND PHASE OF EDGEMERE WILL ADD MORE THAN 100 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS.  AT QUEENS WEST, TWO HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS:  AVALON BAY AND ROCKROSE, WILL BREAK GROUND THIS YEAR.

OLYMPICS

IN JULY, THE INTERNATIONAL OLYMPIC COMMITTEE WILL ANNOUNCE THE LOCATION OF THE 2012 GAMES. 

I LOOK FORWARD TO NEW YORK CITY BEING CHOSEN.

THIS WILL ENABLE US TO BEGIN WORK ON THE OLYMPIC VILLAGE AT QUEENS WEST. 

THAT'S WHY I HAVE ALREADY INITIATED AN ADVISORY GROUP WITH COUNCILMAN GIOIA AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN CATHY NOLAN, TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE QUEENS WEST DEVELOPMENT TEAM.

AND, I WANT TO REITERATE MY DEMAND THAT A PORTION OF THAT NEW HOUSING PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP FOR THE PEOPLE OF QUEENS AFTER THE OLYMPICS CONCLUDE.

TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE AND OTHER RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES STAY ATTRACTIVE, I HAVE RE-CONVENED THE ILLEGAL CONVERSION TASK FORCE TO FOCUS ON DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE CONDITIONS THAT THREATEN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. 

HAVING THE DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS AND DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING RIGHT IN BOROUGH HALL HAS EXPEDITED THE WORK OF THE TASK FORCE.

TRANSIT

OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE LINKED TOGETHER BY SUBWAYS AND BUSSES.  THE RECENT BUS STRIKE SPURRED BY WAGE AND HEALTH BENEFIT ISSUES CAUSED TERRIBLE HARDSHIPS FOR OUR CITIZENS.

 I WAS PROUD TO BE CHARACTERIZED AS AN ‘HONEST BROKER’ HELPING TO WORK OUT A SOLUTION THAT BENFITS ALL PARTIES.  I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE MAYOR, THE CITY COUNCIL, THE BUS COMPANIES AND UNIONS TOWARDS A SMOOTH TAKEOVER OF THE SYSTEM AND FINALLY GET NEW BUSSES ON OUR STREETS!

INFRASTRUCTURE

WE ARE ALSO WORKING HARD TO PROTECT THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AT THE RAVINE IN OAKLAND LAKE WE WILL IMPROVE DRAINAGE IN ALLEY POND PARK AND PREVENT LOCAL STREET FLOODING.

IN FLUSHING BAY, A COMBINED EFFORT BY MY OFFICE, CONGRESSMAN JOSEPH CROWLEY, ASSEMBLYMAN JEFF AUBRY, AND COUNCILWOMAN HELEN SEARS IS WORKING TO ELIMINATE ODORS FROM THE BAY AND CREEK. THE DREDGING OF FLUSHING CREEK WILL BEGIN NEXT YEAR.  

I AM ALSO WORKING TO PRESEVE THE VITAL WETLANDS OF JAMAICA BAY AND UDALLS COVE.

LAST SPRING, THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CONFIRMED OUR WORST FEARS.  QUEENS HAS MORE TOXIC POLLUTANTS PUMPED INTO ITS AIR THAN THE OTHER FOUR BOROUGHS COMBINED.

THE POWER PLANTS, AIRPORTS AND HIGHWAYS THE MAJOR SOURCES OF POLLUTION AND PARTICULATE MATTER THAT THREATENS OUR HEALTH. THAT IS WHY I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE QUALITY AIR MONITORING PROGRAMS IN PLACE. 

TO THIS END, I HAVE JOINED WITH CONGRESSWOMAN CAROLYN MALONEY, STATE SENATOR GEORGE ONORATO, ASSEMBLYMEMBERS MICHAEL GIANARIS  AND CATHY NOLAN, AND COUNCILMEMBERS PETER VALLONE Jr. AND ERIC GIOIA TO DEVELOP PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED, USING A $2 MILLION MITIGATION FUND FROM KEYSPAN ENERGY.

ANTI-GRAFFITI/UNIFORMED SERVICES

MY ANTI-GRAFFITI TASK FORCE HAS WORKED WITH COMMUNITIES AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TOWARDS OUR GOAL OF ZERO TOLERANCE.

WE HAVE CLEANED NEIGHBORHOODS THROUGHOUT THE BOROUGH. WE’VE ALSO WORKED HARD TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WHEN THE NEWLY RENOVATED PORTION OF THE BROOKLYN/QUEENS EXPRESSWAY IN WOODSIDE OPENED, IT WAS GRAFFITI-FREE.

IN FACT, THIS YEAR, I WILL ASK THE CITY COUNCIL TO REQUIRE ALL NEW PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS TO BE DESIGNED WITH ANTI-GRAFFITI COATINGS. 

THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE COMMENDED FOR ARRESTING TWO MAJOR GRAFITTI VANDALS JUST LAST WEEK. THE NYPD CONTINUES TO REDUCE GRAFFITI AND OTHER CRIMES.

IN 2004 THEIR EFFORTS LED TO A DECREASE IN CRIME OF 5.3% IN QUEENS SOUTH AND 9.2% IN QUEENS NORTH.  YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT QUEENS NORTH LED THE CITY IN CRIME REDUCTION FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW!   CHIEF TULLER, PLEASE STAND UP SO WE CAN SALUTE YOU!

THIS YEAR, AFTER A DRAMATIC DECREASE IN FIRE FATALITIES IN 2004, WE SAW SOME SAD TRAGEDIES.  I AM NOW WORKING WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY RESIDENCE HAS PROPER SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. 

WHILE I AM GLAD TO REPORT THAT RESPONSE TIME HAS DECREASED, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO REMEMBER THAT MANY FIRES CAN BE PREVENTED.  IN TWO RECENT INSTANCES, A CLOSED DOOR COULD HAVE SAVED LIVES. REMEMBER, WHEN YOU GET OUT, CLOSE THE DOOR TO PREVENT THE FIRE FROM SPREADING!

HEALTH

COMMON SENSE DICTATES THAT PREVENTION IS THE BEST POLICY.   I AM PROUD TO HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF HIV-AIDS. 

IT IS A FACT THAT INTRAVENOUS DRUG USERS ARE AT A HIGH RISK FOR THIS DISEASE; AND IT HAS BEEN PROVEN THAT SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS DRAMATICALLY LOWER THAT RISK. 

EARLY LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH WANTED TO BRING IN MOBILE VEHICLES THAT WOULD DISPENSE CLEAN NEEDLES IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS.  WHILE I BELIEVED THE CONCEPT WAS CORRECT, THE OUTREACH WAS WRONG. 

I DID NOT WANT IT TO COME TO QUEENS UNLESS IT WAS DONE RIGHT!

WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, OUR COMMUNITY BOARDS AND LOCAL HEALTH PROVIDERS, WE INSTITUTED A PROGRAM WHERE SYRINGES MAY BE EXCHANGED AT LOCATIONS WHERE THOSE IN NEED HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT SERVICES.

THE GOAL IS THAT USERS BECOME DRUG-FREE.  THE SYRINGE EXCHANGE PROGRAM SAVES LIVES.

THE FIRST EXCHANGE PROGRAM OPENED DECEMBER FIRST ---- WORLD AIDS DAY!  I AM HAPPY TO HAVE PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN BRINGING IT TO QUEENS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WE HAVE TWO PUBLIC HOSPITALS; QUEENS AND ELMHURST. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE FORMER DIRECTOR, PETE VELEZ OF THE QUEENS HOSPITAL NETWORK. UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP ELMHURST HOSPITAL IS NOW A STATE-OF-THE-ART INSTITUTION.  AND AT QUEENS HOSPITAL HE WORKED CLOSELY WITH DIRECTOR TONY MARTIN TO BUILD A NEW HOSPITAL COMPLEX.

 ANOTHER NEW FACILITY IS THE ADDABBO HEALTH CARE CENTER, WHICH WILL BE MOVING INTO ITS BRAND NEW BUILDING IN ARVERNE THIS SPRING.   

SENIORS/IMMIGRANTS/GENERAL ASSEMBLY

OUR SENIORS HAVE GIVEN SO MUCH TO OUR COMMUNITY.  THIS YEAR THE CITY COUNCIL AND I ENSURED THE ALLOCATION OF ALMOST $3 MILLION DOLLARS TO MORE THAN 45 SENIOR CITIZEN SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS.

IN ADDITION, THE MEALS-ON-WHEELS DAILY DELIVERY PROGRAMS REMAIN INTACT IN QUEENS.  THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE HUMAN CONTACT FOR MANY OF OUR ISOLATED ELDERLY AND SHOULD NOT BE REDUCED TO A ONCE-A-WEEK DISTRIBUTION IN THE NAME OF EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY! 

I AM ALSO SEEKING LEGISLATION TO REQUIRE ALL NURSING HOMES TO HAVE DEFIBRILLATORS ON THEIR PREMISES. QUEENS HAS MORE NURSING HOME BEDS THAN ANY OTHER BOROUGH. IT'S UNBELIEVEABLE THAT THESE LIFE SAVING DEVICES ARE NOT REQUIRED IN THESE FACILITIES.

WHEN I FIRST CAME INTO OFFICE I ENVISIONED A FORUM WHERE PEOPLE FROM ALL ETHNIC, RACIAL AND RELIGIOUS BACKGROUNDS COULD MEET, SHARE THEIR CULTURES, AND ADDRESS COMMON CONCERNS.

I AM THRILLED AT THE SUCCESS  OF THE FIRST YEAR OF THE  QUEENS GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

I HAVE APPOINTED THE NEW DELEGATES WHO HAVE BEEN SELECTED BY EACH COMMUNITY BOARD. THE FORMER DELEGATES NOW SERVE AS ALUMNI IN MENTORING AND SUPPORTING THE NEW MEMBERS.

IN ADDITION, MY IMMIGRANT TASK FORCE CONTINUES TO FOCUS ON ISSUES IMPACTING NEWCOMERS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. 

BOROUGH HALL SERVES AS A CENTER FOR EVERYONE. IN ADDITION TO THE MANY EVENTS AND CELEBRATIONS COMMEMORATING NATIONAL AND ETHNIC HOLIDAYS, THIS YEAR WE ADDED THE SIKH NEW YEAR AND PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY.  THESE EVENTS GROW EVERY YEAR AND WE NEED MORE SPACE --- I HOPE ALL POTENTIAL DEVELOPERS OF WILLETS POINT ARE LISTENING! 

MAYOR BLOOMBERG, BEFORE I BRING UP OUR HONOREES, I AM NOW DELIGHTED TO INTRODUCE, MAYOR MICHAEL BLOOMBERG, WHO HAS GRACIOUSLY JOINED US THIS MORNING.  MAYOR BLOOMBERG PLEASE JOIN AT THE PODIUM.

HONOREES

QUEENS IS HOME TO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE.  AT MY FIRST STATE OF THE BOROUGH I HONORED THOSE WHO SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENTS, CITIZENSHIP AND HEROISM.

QUEENS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP PETER CARDELLA AND NAOMI MOORE BODDIE TO RECEIVE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS.

QUEENS CITIZENS OF DISTINCTION

WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE WHO WORK HARD TO MAKE THEIR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE.  WHILE THEY MAY BE KNOWN LOCALLY, I AM HAPPY TO SINGLE THEM OUT BEFORE THE ENTIRE BOROUGH AND HONOR THEM FOR THE CONTRIBUTIONS THEY HAVE MADE.  THEY ARE MODELS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS

QUEENS HEROS

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY AND HAVE MADE THE DIFFERENCE  BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE CHORUS OF THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG MIDDLE SCHOOL

BY THE WAY, I JUST WANT TO REPORT THAT LITTLE DAVID SOOKOO, WHO WAS MY GUEST OF HONOR LAST YEAR, IS STILL RECEIVING TREATMENT, BUT IS DOING WELL!

I THANK MY STAFF WHO ARE IMPLEMENTING MY VERY AMBITITIOUS PLAN FOR OUR BOROUGH.

IN SPITE OF OUR DWINDLING NUMBERS, WE ARE DEFINITELY DOING MORE WITH LESS.  I WANT TO PUBLICALLY THANK THEM ALL.  I ALSO MUST RECOGNIZE MY HUSBAND DONALD WHO HAS BEEN A REAL PARTNER IN THIS GREAT VENTURE WITH ME.

I ALSO THANK EACH OF YOU --- MY PARTNERS IN BUILDING THE FUTURE OF THE FAMILY OF QUEENS. 

TOGETHER, WE WILL STRIVE TO DO RIGHT; TO SEEK WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN WORK TOGETHER; TO FIND SOLUTIONS THAT LEAD TO COMMON GOALS; AND NOT TO YIELD IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.

I THANK YOU ONE AND ALL FOR GIVING ME THE PRIVLEGE OF SERVING AS YOUR BOROUGH PRESIDENT.

AND NOW, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK RABBI EVAN RADLER OF THE HILLCREST JEWISH CENTER TO JOIN US FOR CLOSING THOUGHTS.

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