FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2010
PAGE 1
THE WOODSIDE HERALD
SERVING SUNNYSIDE-WOODSIDE AND LONG ISLAND CITY VOL. 77, NO. 1
WOODSIDE, L.I.C., N.Y. FRIDAY, JANUARY 7, 2011
25 CENTS
IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE BLIZZARD VAN BRAMER CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR QUEENS RESIDENTS Utilizes social media to help snowed-in residents in Queens In the aftermath of last week’s blizzard, hundreds of people posted messages to Facebook, used their Twitter accounts to tweet, called and emailed Council Member Van Bramer’s office, desperate for help. And thanks to their concerns his office delivered a comprehensive list of unplowed roadways to the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Sanitation, bringing plows to the many unplowed streets in the area. For three days, the Council Member trekked through the impassable roadways in his district, witnessing first-hand the growing desperation for snow removal in Queens. When not on the streets of our neighborhoods, Van Bramer was on the phone with residents, demanding answers from City agencies, and drawing attention to this debacle in interviews with media. After surveying the district on Monday,
he was answering phones along with staff members early Tuesday morning, where he helped Woodside Resident Barbara Legoff, a chemotherapy patient who couldn’t access the treatment she needed, by bringing FOX 5 News to her unplowed street with abandoned MTA buses. After the 5PM newscast, Legoff and her neighbors saw immediate action with the removal of buses followed by plowed streets. Over a week has passed since the storm hit and now Queens Residents are being faced with yet another issue - garbage collection. While the piles of trash bags continue to grow throughout the city as the Department of Sanitation struggles to get back on track, Council Member Van Bramer’s office has been working around the clock strongly advocating on behalf of his constituents to the Mayor’s Office, NYCHA and the Department of Sanita-
Van Bramer continues to press the Department of Sanitation for quicker garbage removal. With snow finally cleared from the streets, the lack of garbage pickup is a major issue in the district. tion demanding answers for their cleanup plan for the district. Next Monday, the first round of City Council Hearings about the blizzard response will begin, but the Council Member is also working with his Queens colleagues in the City Council to arrange local public hearings in the
coming weeks, to ensure that all Queens voices are heard. Community members are encouraged to reach out to Council Member Van Bramer’s office directly should they have any issues via email: JimmyVanBramer@gmail.com, or phone: 718-383-9566. (continued on page 5)
Lions Celebrate the Holidays Assemblywoman Nolan Holds
Open House On New Years Day
Photos & Story by Rebecca Barker and Norbert Saldana
by Luke Adams
Presenters of the awards, Lions President Norberto Soldana, Don McCallian, Liason for Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, and Senator Michael Gianaris. The Woodside/Sunnyside Lion’s Chapter held their annual holiday dinner at the Queen of Angel’s meeting hall at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting this past Dec 29th. On arrival, officers Anne Walsh and Joan Gasparro welcomed members and guests as they entered and holiday music filled the air to help set the party mood. Approximately 45 people were there to help celebrate a successful year under the leadership of President Norberto Saldana and his Board of Directors. (continued on page 5)
$ 2.00 OFF Saturday & Sunday Only Coupon Expires January 14, 2010
Catching Cathy and Jerry together is a rare treat-the perfect hosts that continually kept looking after their guests. Every New Years Day has been a tradition for Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan and her husband Jerry Marsicano to open their home and welcome friends in to start a New Year. What better way to do this than to celebrate it with friends and family! Unlike New Year’s Eve parties, the Nolan’s New Year’s Day parties are more family-friendly centered where everyone brings their children and are given a big welcome and lots of food and great conversation. Catherine Nolan and her family truly helped us to welcome in 2011 and no one wanted to leave! (continued photo coverage on page 4)
UNITED FORTIES MEETING January 13th @ 7PM -GUEST SPEAKERTom Smith, NYC-City Planning confirmed his attendance and will be making an updated presentation on the rezoning in our area. St. Teresa’s R.C. Church, Woodside, In the Parish Center Entrance off 50th Avenue (Parking Available on 44th St.)
Woodside/Sunnyside Lions Meeting January 26th @ 7 PM At Queen of Angeles Hall All are welcome!
To Advertise E-mail SSabba@WoodsideHerald.com or call 718-729-3772