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Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark reports to the people WINTER 2006 |
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| Invest 2 Hours a Month in Your Local Parents Association. The Return on Your Investment is a Better Education for Our Children. |
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Dear Friend, As we close out our holiday celebrations, I welcome the New Year as an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to bettering our lives and our communities. Although this is considered a time of respite, several important issues still lie before us and need our concentrated attention. Foremost is the critical fight to improve our public education system. On October 10, 2006, a busload of Queens residents gathered at my district office and boarded a bus to Albany to hear closing arguments in the final appeal of the 13-year-long Campaign for Fiscal Equity v. State of New York lawsuit. Parents, youngsters, members of St. Albans Congregational Church, UCC and Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, students from the Business, Computer Applications and Entrepreneurship Magnet High School, and other concerned citizens joined in a pre-hearing march and rally held outside the NYS Court of Appeals courthouse in Albany. I urged the demonstrators to remain optimistic, despite the fact that Governor Pataki refused to re-appoint Judge Bundy Smith to the Court of Appeals-a move that could chip away at CFE’s gains under prior court rulings. On November 20, 2006, the State’s highest court issued its final ruling. To my disappointment, the Court chose to exercise judicial restraint, saying the doctrine of separation of powers requires the political branches, not the courts, to determine the proper level of education spending. The Court went on to say that the governor and legislature must increase operation aid to New York City public schools by only $1.93 billion, the minimum amount established by the governor’s evidence. This amount falls far below the $4.7B figure the governor proposed in his 2006-07 executive budget, and even further below the $5.63B figure recommended by the court-appointed panel of judicial referees. I disagree with the Court’s exercise of judicial restraint in this case. In its decision, the Court failed to consider how the Governor and the legislature have consistently failed to meet their constitutional obligation to provide the resources for a sound basic education for every public school child in the City of New York. When history documents decades of chronic and intentional underfunding for certain communities, I believe the courts should step in to protect our children’s civil and constitutional rights. From Brown v. Board of Education to numerous other inadequate funding lawsuits across the country, the courts have been the only source of remedy. As always, the end result rests in our hands. As a community, we must write, visit, talk, vote, and agitate to make it clear to the governor and the legislature that the Court’s minimal mandate will only continue the wrong already perpetrated against two previous generations of New York’s children. Finally, let me take this opportunity to thank you for your support during November’s elections. As your re-elected representative, I will continue to work relentlessly to make sure our community’s concerns are addressed. As we embark on this new year, let us resolve to play a more active role in civic life and work together to make our community, City and State better than yesteryear. |
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Sincerely,
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Assemblywoman Clark is congratulated at the Queens Hospital Center Auxiliary Gala by
Executive Director Antonio Martin and Dr. Crystal Lynn Clark.
(Photo courtesy of Queens Hospital Center) |
| Queens Hospital Auxiliary Honors Assemblywoman For Cancer Screening Technology |
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Shortly after Dr. Margaret Kemeny arrived as the Director of the Cancer Center at Queens Hospital Center, she enlisted the support of Assemblywoman Clark to expand the capabilities of the borough’s new and only cancer center. As a result, Assemblywoman Clark secured $1,000,000.00 towards the purchase of a vital, state-of-the-art Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) Scanner. The Assemblywoman’s effort was supplemented by funding from the New York City Council. One of the worst failures of our health-care system is the fact that in certain communities, people die of cancer simply because they do not or cannot avail themselves of early-detection procedures. Dr. Kemeny stressed that in the black community, 33% of cancer cases are diagnosed late, as compared to 12% in other communities. Her ambitious goal is to address the quality and the disparity in cancer care by offering cutting-edge diagnostics, treatment, rehabilitation, and support services to Queens residents. With the addition of the PET/CT equipment, Queens Hospital Center can now offer life-saving early detection services. In recognition of her efforts, Assemblywoman Clark was honored by the Queens Hospital Center’s Auxiliary at the Auxiliary’s Inaugural Benefit Gala. The Assemblywoman commended Chairwoman Bertie Stanley and members of the Auxiliary for their outstanding commitment to making the health and well-being of all New Yorkers a top priority. |
Assemblywoman Clark (center) is surrounded by the delegation of
Queens residents which included representatives from P.S. 36Q;
IS 109Q; Mt. Olivet Baptist Church; St. Albans Congregational
Church, UCC; and other concerned citizens in the "Rally for Our
Children, Our Schools, Our Future" at the State Capitol.
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Assemblywoman Clark (center) welcomes students from Business,
Computer Applications and Entrepreneurship High School (l. to r.):
Devon Roach, Andrew Sargent, Brittney Cherry, and Christopher
Barclay, participants in the rally during their first trip to the
State Capitol.
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Assemblywoman Clark Helps Four Campus Magnet H.S. Seniors on
the Road to College
Each year Assemblywoman Clark awards four deserving students scholarships through her membership in the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators, Inc. The Assemblywoman Clark Scholar Athlete Award (ACSAA) is granted to a graduating senior from each of the Andrew Jackson Campus Magnet High Schools that has exemplified quality academic achievement while actively participating in the Campus’ athletic programs. Each recipient is nominated by their respective Principal to receive this prestigious award. This year’s ACSAA recipients include: Petergay Davis of Math, Science Research and Technology Magnet High School who is a freshman at the University of Montana-Great Falls majoring in Computer Programming; King Imasuen, an alumnus of Business, Computer Applications & Entrepreneurship High School who currently attends Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia; Sherrida Maxwell a graduate of Law, Government & Community Service High School who now attends Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and John Pascual of the Humanities and Arts High School who is a major in Computer Science at the City University of New York College of Technology. |
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New York State Offers Financial Assistance To Youngsters With Foster Care Or Adoption Histories The New York Education and Training Voucher Program offers funds to foster youth and former foster youth to attend colleges, universities and vocational training institutions. Students may receive up to $5,000 a year for four years as they pursue higher education. The funds may be used for tuition, books or qualified living expenses. These funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis to students who are, or have been in the New York foster care system. For more information, check out their website: www.statevoucher.org |
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Free Recreational Programs for the Community Community members are invited to register and take advantage of the free evening programs being offered at the Andrew Jackson Campus Magnet High Schools located at 207-01 116th Avenue, Cambria Heights, NY. As part of the high schools’ Extended Day Program, the following activities are available from December 1, 2006 - January 27, 2007* |
Basketball
Cardio Fitness
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Computer Class
Piano Lessons
Defensive Driving Class ($30 fee)
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| * The Spring 2007 schedule will be available at a later date. | |||||||||||
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Individuals must register in person with a photo I.D. For more information please contact Carolyn Bullard, Secretary of Campus Magnet’s evening programs at (718) 978-1837 ext 2282; Mercedes Qualls, Principal of the Humanities " Arts Magnet High School at (718) 978-2135 (dial "0" for the operator); or Carol Kelly, Principal of the Law, Government & Community Service High School at (718) 978-6432 (dial "0" for the operator). |
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| NOTEWORTHY - KUDOS to Principal Carole Kelly of Law and Government High School and Principal Andrea Holt of Math, Science Research and Technology Magnet High School! Both schools were recognized by the NYC Department of Education for improved performance and have received this honor two years in a row. |
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Assemblywoman Clark congratulates Petergay Davis (aka "Speedy Petey"). Davis began running track at age 10 and specializes in the 60-, 100-, and 200 meter dash. Her goal is to qualify for the 2008 summer Olympics. |
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Show Your Interest! Opportunity for School/ Community Partnership |
| Would you like to see weekend parent/child swimming sessions, pool/beach lifeguard training (for in-demand summer jobs), and college credit courses-all offered at the conveniently located Andrew Jackson Campus Magnet High Schools? With adequate interest, we can make these programs a reality. If you would like to sign up for any of the above activities, please call Assemblywoman Clark’s District Office at (718) 479-2333. |
Say the word "Coach" and people from one end of the 33rd Assembly District to the other will point you to Charles "Chuck" Granby. What better evidence can there be that in performing the labors of his profession, he honors that profession not just as a job, but as a calling. Assemblywoman Clark met Coach Granby when her own children attended Andrew Jackson High School. She stands with the legions of Southeast Queens residents who have had their children (and some their grandchildren) play on teams he has coached. He has coached the Andrew Jackson Boys Varsity Basketball Team for 38 years with a record of 616 wins to only 149 losses. Such is the legacy of the "winningest" high school basketball coach in New York City history-thereby gaining him countless honors from institutions in the community as well as induction into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame. Awards and accolades notwithstanding, those of us who know "Coach" best know that his true legacy is his zeal in mentoring, fathering and caring for the boys under his tutelage in areas of their lives that extend well beyond the basketball court. It is for this we most applaud you, Coach! |
| Happy Holidays! |
| Assemblywoman Clark spread holiday cheer by giving local Senior Citizen Programs Holiday Fruit Baskets. The baskets were distributed to several programs throughout the 33rd Assembly District thanks in part to the Cambria Heights supermarket, Farmbria. |
Coordinator of the Alpha Phi Alpha Seniors Program, Mabel
Davis.
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Members of the Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP) Senior
Center stop for a photo.
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Rev. Harding Dunlop, Executive Director of the Alpha Phi
Alpha Seniors Program.
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| Assemblywoman Clark Goes "Back to School" | ||
On November 9, 2006, Clark met with an auditorium full of I.S. 192’s University Prep students. The University Prep program-consisting of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders-began at the school about eight years ago and uses discipline, rigorous academics and community service to ensure that students are college-ready. Consequently, all University Prep students perform at or above grade level. To help groom upcoming generations, the 7th grade Prep students (who had been trained by the 8th graders) tutor 3rd graders who have difficulty in reading. As a result, the 3rd graders gained an extra 444 minutes of reading practice this year. During the question and answer period, students expressed a desire for speed bumps around the school and discussed whether participation in after-school programs should be mandatory for students needing academic help. On November 14, 2006, Assemblywoman Clark held a joint, roundtable discussion with the student government leaders from each of the four schools that comprise the Andrew Jackson Campus Magnet High Schools. Students said the meeting was the first of its kind and were glad for the opportunity to sit down and talk face-to-face with their counterparts from the other Magnet schools. As they sat around a table in the schools’ library, they discussed improving the flow of communication between students and school administration and how students can play a greater role in shaping school policy. Before ending the meeting, the students decided to establish a Campus-wide Student Government Committee where leaders from all four schools would meet periodically to promote campus-wide activities and address common issues. Assemblywoman Clark, impressed by the students’ thoughtfulness, reminded them that even though they may not be old enough to vote, they still have vast influence and can have a say in how government operates-both at the school level and beyond. |
| Important News for Home Owners |
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The 33rd Assembly District is filled with neighborhoods of hard working, dedicated people. To our mutual disappointment, there are times when neighbors as well as people outside the community disrupt the pride that we work to maintain in our shared spaces. Assemblywoman Clark encourages each of you to uphold your responsibility to keep these spaces safe and clean. If you see illegal dumping or trucks illegally parked on local streets, be sure to call the NYC Helpline, 311 and get a complaint number. These issues can only be addressed in a timely fashion if they are reported immediately. If the issue or concern is not corrected (usually within two to three weeks, maximum), call the Assemblywoman’s District Office for further assistance. In the meantime, here are a few helpful reminders to guide you in the care of your home and our community: Sidewalk & Gutter MaintenanceSidewalks (including areas like tree pits, grass strips, etc.) and gutter areas along the building perimeter must be kept clean up to 18 inches from the curb into the street. Sanitation litter baskets may not be used for this purpose. Please be advised that Enforcement Agents can issue tickets for dirty sidewalks or failure to clean 18 inches into the street violations. Service Line and Water Meter ResponsibilitiesHomeowners are responsible for the entire water main service line that runs from the street into the home. This includes the line itself, the tap (where the line meets the water main) and the curb valve. Service difficulties should be reported to 311 who will send the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to come out and investigate. If the problem is with your service line, it must be corrected within three days by a licensed plumber. (Be sure the plumber you hire secures the appropriate permits from DEP to make the repairs!) The water meter is DEP’s responsibility. If your meter is not working properly, contact DEP’s borough office directly at (718) 595-4595 during normal business hours. After normal business hours, call 311. |
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HEAP-Home Energy Assistance Program
2006-2007 INCOME GUIDELINES:
Call Assemblywoman Clark’s office at |
| Get to Manhattan the Express Way |
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The MTA offers express bus service to our area between Queens and Manhattan via the X64 and X68. The X64 makes stops in the neighborhoods of Cambria Heights, St. Albans and Woodhaven. The X68 stops in the neighborhoods of Floral Park and Kew Gardens. Service is provided five days a week Manhattan-bound from 6:15am to 7:56am, and Queens-bound from 4:20pm to 6:22pm on the X64. The X68 runs from 6:35am to 9am Manhattan-bound, and from 4:10pm to 6:25pm Queens-bound. The express bus fare is $5 each way, or you can purchase an unlimited 7-Day Express Bus Plus MetroCard. The card features unlimited express bus, local bus, and subway rides until midnight, 7 days from first use for $41. For more information, visit www.mta.info or call 311. |
| Remembering Those Who Have Fallen,Honoring Those Who Have Served |
Veteran’s Day 2006 Assemblywoman Clark joined members of the American
Legion, Post 301 Queens Village, the Women’s Auxiliary,
neighbors, and friends at Veteran’s Park. The Post recently relocated to a
new home on the grounds of the Creedmoor Campus featuring an
expanded meeting space, kitchen and office. If you are a
veteran and would like to join the American Legion, Post 301,
call (718) 468-1631.
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| New York State Security Freeze Law Prevents Identity Theft |
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Beginning in November 2006 you have a new option to help prevent someone from stealing your identity and/or viewing your credit history. For no additional charge, NYS residents can place an initial Security Freeze on their credit report with all three of the major credit reporting agencies: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax. The freeze prevents lenders from gaining access to your credit report for review prior to granting a new line of credit. Your ability to borrow money or get a new credit card will be limited unless you temporarily lift or permanently remove the Security Freeze. You can still obtain a copy of your credit report from each agency whether or not the Security Freeze is in effect. For more information on the Security Freeze Law, go to the New York State Consumer Protection Board’s website: http://www.consumer.state.ny.us/ To obtain a copy of your credit report (a free copy is available from each of the credit reporting agencies every 12 months) go to https://www.annualcreditreport.com or call toll free at 1-877-322-8228. Hearing-impaired consumers can access via TDD service at 1-877-730-4104. |
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Back |
John Pascual is flanked by Assemblywoman Clark and
his proud mother. A talented football player, he
continues to participate in the sport by playing
Center and Defensive Tackle with the undefeated
Lynvet Gladiators of the Eastern Conference Football
League.
Assemblywoman Clark congratulates Charles Gramby
(center), Coach of Campus Magnet’s Boys Basketball
Team. He was honored by the Principals of the
Campus Magnet High Schools at their Athlete’s Awards
Dinner. Joining him and the Assemblywoman is
Assistant Coach Herman Turner (l. of center) and the
young men he coached during the 2005-2006 school
year.
Assemblywoman Clark (center left) poses with I.S.
192Q Principal Harriet Diaz (back row, center) and
members of the school’s Student Government.