Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan

Assemblywoman

Catherine
Nolan

reports to the people


Winter 2002

 



Dear Neighbor,

I am pleased to be able to send you this newsletter which focuses on funding issues. Part of my job as your representative in Albany is to ensure that our state’s fair share of tax dollars gets returned to our community in programmatic and infrastructure dollars. Although our city and state are enduring difficult financial times, I was able to direct state dollars in the budget to numerous community groups in our district, from tenants’ associations to senior and youth centers. I urge you to take advantage of their services.

In addition, I am once again bringing government services directly into our communities by sponsoring state fairs. I would encourage everyone to attend and take advantage of the services and information available.

My district offices are here to serve you. Please do not hesitate to call or stop by. Best wishes for a safe and healthy holiday season.

  Sincerely,
signature
Catherine Nolan



Meeting with the Housing Authority
photo
  I recently met with New York City Housing Authority Chairman Tino Hernandez to discuss issues of concern to public housing residents in Queensbridge, Ravenswood and Astoria Houses. Pictured with me from left to right are Ricardo Elias Morales, General Counsel of the Housing Authority, Edwin Cadiz, a Ravenswood resident and a Community Liaison in my office, and Chairman Hernandez.  



Save The Dates—State Fairs

Sunnyside:
Saturday, January 11, 2003 -10am - 1pm

Nak-Won Reformed Church, 41-20 Queens Blvd., Sunnyside
(entrance on 42nd Street)

Astoria/Long Island City:
Saturday, January 25, 2003 - 10am - 1pm

Community Church of Astoria, 14-42 Broadway, Astoria

Ridgewood:
Saturday, February 1, 2003 - 10am - 1pm

St. John’s United Methodist Church, 1735 Linden Street, Ridgewood




Funding For Local Groups

Part of my job as your representative in Albany is to fight to direct our fair share of tax dollars back home into our communities. Although our city and our state are enduring hard financial times, I am pleased that I was still able to direct state dollars in the budget to numerous community groups in our district, from tenants’ associations to senior and youth centers, and to businesses and graffiti removal efforts.

In addition to the funding listed below. I have also secured funding for a Queens Manufacturing Initiative, worker education programs and occupational safety and health clinics.

For the fifth year in a row, I was able to obtain a Jobs for Youth grant which is administered jointly by LaGuardia Community College, Jacob Riis Settlement House and Elmcor in order to continue to expand youth job-training efforts in western Queens.

I have included a list of the local programs that I obtained funding for in the state budget; in most cases their telephone numbers are included. I urge you to take advantage of their valuable services.


Astoria NAACP Day Care 784-2856
All Saint’s Church
Allied Vets of Maspeth & Glendale 366-6121
Albanian Assistance Center
Astoria Houses Tenant Association 932-0013
Blau Weiss Gottsche
Central Astoria Local Dev. Corp 726-4000
Center of Hope International 784-4673
Catalpa YMCA 821-6271
Glenridge Senior Center 386-5136
Goodwill Industries 728-5400
Greater Ridgewood Historical Society 456-1776
Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corp 366-6309
Jacob Riis Settlement House 784-4680
Latin-American Integration Center 565-8500
Long Island City YMCA 392-7932
People’s United Head Start 937-2216
Queens Library 990-0700
Queensbridge Tenant Association
Friends of Queensbridge Park
Ravenswood Tenant Association 433-4869
Ridgewood Local Development Corp 366-3806
Ridgewood Older Adults 456-2000
Ridgewood Senior Center 497-2908
Ridgewood Vol. Ambulance 386-7229
Roosevelt Court Association Graffiti Removal
St. Mary’s Senior Center 729-2688
St. Rita’s Senior Center 361-1884
St. Patrick’s Senior Center 729-6060
Steinway Children & Family Services 389-5100
Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce 482-6053
Sunnyside Community Services 784-6173
Sunnyside Drum Corps 786-4141
Thalia Spanish Theater 729-3880
Wyckoff Heights Hospital 963-7272
Winning Beyond Winning
American Museum of the Moving Image 784-4520
Astoria/Queens Sharing and Caring 777-5766
CUNY Law School 575-4200
Community Advocacy Center 760-8558
Community School Board #24 417-2600
Community School Board #30 777-4600
Diocese of Brooklyn Drug Abuse Prevention 565-2200
Emerald Isle Immigration Center 478-5502
Forest Park Trust 235-4100
Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Elderly 337-2454
Junior Tennis League 786-7110
Latin American Cultural Center 261-7664
Lexington School for the Deaf 899-8800
Maspeth Town Hall 335-6049
NY Hall of Science 699-0005
Outreach Substance Abuse Program 847-9233
PS 1 784-2084
Queens Library Black Heritage 651-7116
Queens Botanical Garden 886-3800
Queens Child Guidance Center 458-4243
Queens Council on the Arts 647-3377
Queens Interfaith Hunger Network 847-9200
Queens Jewish Community Council 544-9033
Queens Legal Services 657-8611
Queens Lesbian & Gay Committee
Queens Lesbian & Gay Center 429-2300
Queens Museum of Art 592-9700
Queens Symphony Orchestra 651-7116
Queens Theater in the Park 760-0064
Queens Women’s Resource Center 793-0672
Queensborough Community College Holocaust Resource Center 631-6392
Safe Horizon Child Advocacy Center 937-2071
Samaritan 657-8010
St. Christopher Ottile 803-2000
Vietnam Veterans of America 897-8387
Visions (212) 219-4078
Walk the Walk 433-0800



 
photo
  I was so pleased that so many residents from Long Island City came to my office to meet recently. All of the groups they represented received funding in this year’s budget.  
 
photo
  As an eighteen-year member of the Assembly Veterans Committee I was pleased to deliver funding for veterans’ services. Pictured above with me are Bill Schoenmuller, Charles Spiegel, Julius Landherr, Norman Harder and Frank Wyszinski.  
 



Funding Secured For Local Transportation Projects

Under the Statewide Transportation Multi-Modal Funding program created by the Legislature, I have been able to secure over $1 million for numerous projects in the 37th Assembly District. Numerous streets were re-paved including 41st Avenue between Vernon Blvd. & 29th Street, Astoria Blvd. between Main Avenue and the dead end at Astoria Houses, and 1st Street between 27th Avenue & Astoria Blvd. Also, the installation of sidewalks at the triangle at Astoria Blvd., Main Avenue and 30th Avenue is scheduled for this coming spring. Other projects have recently been added and are as follows:

  • Decorative lighting will be installed along Myrtle Avenue from Myrtle/Wyckoff to Fresh Pond Road. This is part of a larger project spearheaded by the Ridgewood Local Development Corporation to improve Myrtle Avenue.
  • I also secured $47 million in the MTA Capital Program for the renovation of the Myrtle/Wyckoff M and L lines subway stations, which is scheduled to begin in 2003. It includes a new ground level station entrance and building as well as renovations to the mezzanines and station platforms. I recently secured an additional $2 million for improvements to the streets, sidewalks and lighting to improve the bus terminal area at this hub.
  • I have set aside funding to repair the dilapidated Sunnyside Arch. Plans are proceeding and the city is working with the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce to begin renovation.
  • Work is now being completed on the nearby #7 line viaduct. The final phase of this project includes the rehabilitation of the columns supporting the #7 Flushing Line Viaduct on Queens Boulevard between 32nd Street and 48th Street, the abutments at both ends and the stairwells at 33rd Street-Rawson, 40th Street-Lowery and 46th Street-Bliss. This project is part of an overall $60 million program to completely rehabilitate structure and stations in Sunnyside.
  • photo
      I recently discussed transportation issues with Jerry Walsh, Senator George Onorato, Bob Wilson and other members of the Dutch Kills Civic Association.  

  • The track, roadbed, upper structure and stations were completely rebuilt with the installation of a new drainage system. The work was separated into three phases in order to maintain operations and better administer the project. As part of the project the curbs under the elevated structure will be replaced or repaired, as needed. The stairwells and columns are the final phase of the project and are expected to be completed by 2003.



Business Incubator Funds For LaGuardia Community College

Working with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver we were able to obtain a grant of $5 million for LaGuardia Community College’s Business Incubator Program. The grant was awarded for the expansion of a demonstration incubator at LaGuardia to provide community-based entrepreneurs with low-cost, wired space as well as administration, legal, financial, managerial and funding support.

Through the project, East River Studios will provide space and intensive business support services to emerging design companies which include industrial and product designers, such as new media and software developers focused on the arts,
 
photo
  Attending the press conference with me where Speaker Silver announced the launching of the incubator program at LaGuardia were Dino Valaorites of Siena Designs, Speaker Sheldon Silver, LaGuardia President Gail Mellow and Kenny Greenberg of Kryton Neon. (Photo credit Randy Fader-Smith)  
as well as artisan firms that produce high-quality, hand made or limited production goods. The LaGuardia facility will involve about five businesses in the initial demonstration phase. By its completion, about 25 design companies are expected to use it.

Business incubators have tremendous economic development potential, with over 80% of graduates still in business after five years. This is a very exciting venture for the LaGuardia Long Island City public private partnership. I look forward to continuing to work with LaGuardia President Gail Mellow on issues such as these.




State Funds For Our Community

photo
 

I was pleased to present a check for graffiti removal to Sunnyside Gardens Roosevelt Court Association. Pictured above with me from left to right are Ira Greenberg, my counsel and Sunnyside Gardens residents, Lew Story, Janet Estella and Tony Rohling.

 
photo
 

Greater Ridgewood Restoration Corporation also received state funding for graffiti removal. Pictured with me are Paul Kerzner, Peggy O’Kane and Angela Mirabile.

 
 
photo
 

I was pleased to present a check to the Jacob Riis Settlement House and the Friends of Queensbridge Park. Elizabeth McQueen and Dennis Brown are pictured above with me.

 
photo
 

The Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce will receive some state funding to continue the valuable work they do with our area businesses. It is always a pleasure to see my good friend Luke Adams.

 
 
photo
 

Ridgewood Older Adults received funding again this year. Pictured above from the center are Luz Negroni, Ted Fleming, Abocor Gulaid, Jackie Eradiri, Audrey Terrell, Robert Minardi and Sal Russo.

 
photo
 

State funding will allow Josephine Hunter, Juanita Brathwaite and Claude Brathwaite of the Astoria Houses Tenant Association to continue their good work.


 



DISTRICT OFFICES:
 
61-08 Linden Street
Ridgewood, NY 11385
(718) 456-9492

45-25 47th Street
Woodside, NY 11377
(718) 784-3194

 


BACK