News From City Council Member Eric Ulrich

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich Celebrates Opening of Rockaway Beach for Summer

Council Member Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) joined Parks Department officials, residents and colleagues in government on the boardwalk at Beach 97^th Street in Rockaway on Friday to celebrate the annual opening of the city’s public beaches. After reminders from Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe to stay safe this summer, the officials and residents sampled some of the food available on the boardwalk this summer and tried their hand at beach tennis.

Ulrich said, “As we all know, Rockaway continues to be one of the city’s best kept secrets. It’s a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family, and to enjoy the beach. There are lots of new and exciting amenities this year, and I encourage everyone in Queens to visit this summer and discover the beauty Rockaway has to offer.”

In all, the City boasts 14 miles of beaches that attracted 19 million visitors last year. New this year will be food concessions run by Rockaway Beach Club, LLC, which will serve tacos, po’ boys, arepas, enchiladas, Italian ices and more at snack bars at Beach 86^th, 97^th and 106^th streets. In addition, a mile of new boardwalk is open this year along stretches between Beach 23^rd and Beach 81^st streets.

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich: Additional Police Presence Needed at Aqueduct

Council Member Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) is asking the NYPD to assign additional police officers to the 106th Precinct in advance of the planned September opening of video lottery terminals at Aqueduct Race Track in Ozone Park.

The new racino is expected to draw more than eight million visitors each year, and local residents and Community Board 10 have already expressed concerns about the current staffing levels at the local precinct.

Ulrich said, “In order to keep our streets safe, we are going to need more cops at the 106^th Precinct. My constituents should not have to worry about any rise in crime that might emanate from Aqueduct. We need to do everything we can to guarantee a good quality of life for the neighborhoods surrounding the track. This request is more than reasonable.”

Ulrich had the opportunity to speak directly with Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly during a recent Public Safety Committee hearing and in a May 18 letter to the department. He requested that the new officers be assigned beginning in the new fiscal year so they will have time to acclimate themselves to the area before the racino opens.

In the letter to Commissioner Kelly, Ulrich wrote, “While the new racino is scheduled to open later this summer, many of my constituents are still concerned about the level of police protection the community will receive from the NYPD. Despite the fact that vehicular and foot traffic will increase, it still remains unclear if and when the local precinct will receive additional police personnel. Undoubtedly, more police officers will be needed to patrol the residential neighborhoods surrounding the facility… I believe this request is warranted given the size and scope of the new venue and the necessary planning that will go into maintaining a good quality of life for area residents.”

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich Statement on Mayor's Plan to Close Engine 294 and Other Fire Companies

Council Member Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) released the following statement on the Mayor's plan to close 20 fire companies around the City, including Engine 294:

“The Mayor’s plan to close Engine 294 and other fire companies around the city is downright dangerous. Response times will go up and lives will be put at risk. Woodhaven and Richmond Hill desperately need adequate fire protection and emergency services, especially since many of the homes there are attached, wood-frame structures. We simply cannot balance the budget by putting people in harm’s way. Mark my words - budget cuts like these can be deadly and I will do everything in my power to fight them.”

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich Co-Sponsors Bill to Prevent Children from Being Exposed to Pornography in Public Libraries Council Members Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) and David G. Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) announced bipartisan legislation on Sunday that will protect children at New York City’s public libraries from exposure to Internet pornography. The legislation would make it a misdemeanor criminal offense for any adult to view pornographic materials within 100 feet of a minor in a public library. Ulrich said, “This is a common sense piece of legislation aimed at protecting our children while they spend time at the library. Kids shouldn’t be exposed to sexually explicit content, and taxpayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill for it either. This is a serious concern for many people who don’t want their children subjected to this form of public indecency.” Greenfield said, “I am a strong supporter of our public libraries and the value and rich experiences that they provide to New Yorkers. Part of that experience, however, should not be traumatizing children by exposing them to sexual predators and debasing pornography. Our bipartisan legislation would send an unmistakable message to sexual predators: expose yourself to children and you will go to jail.” The legislation would make viewing pornography within 100 feet of a child a misdemeanor carrying fines of between $1,000 and $10,000 and the possibility of jail time, as determined by a judge. Because the proposed legislation is narrowly tailored to protect children, it is expected to pass any constitutional challenges.

NYC Council Member Eric Ulrich Statement on Mayor’s Proposed Budget

Council Member Eric A. Ulrich (R-Queens) today released the following statement in response to Mayor Bloomberg’s FY 2012 Executive Budget:

Ulrich said, “This is a very difficult budget. Even though years of prudent fiscal planning helped the city weather the recession better than most, cuts still seem inevitable. I’m especially concerned about the impact potential teacher layoffs will have on class size in our schools, and I’m also worried about the proposed firehouse closings. As an alternative, I am encouraging my colleagues to seriously consider some of the recommendations that have already been made by the Independent Budget Office. Rest assured, before the City Council adopts the budget, I will do everything in my power to protect vital services and persuade the Mayor to find money elsewhere.”

NYS Senator Joe Addabbo's Statement on the Proposed Cuts to NYC Homeland Security Federal Funding

NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), released the following statement on the New York State Senate Homeland Security hearing held on Friday, April 8, 2011, and the proposed cuts to New York City’s Homeland Security federal funding:

It was my intent to participate in a focused hearing which was to examine the security of the New York City residents, and surrounding areas, ten years after the tragedy of 9/11. Based on the testimony of witnesses and my questioning of those witnesses, my main concern continues to be the governmental funding and interaction of the entities involved in maintaining the safety of individuals, namely the NYPD, FDNY, MTA and Port Authority. I intend, as the ranking member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, to continue my efforts in finding the means available to improve the safety and security of people locally and throughout the city and state.

Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, jr. Statement on the Fire Destruction of O’Neill’s in Maspeth

NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens), released the following statement today on the fire that destroyed O’Neill’s in Maspeth (in business since 1928):

I was saddened to learn of the fire damage and closure of O’Neill’s. It is my intention, and that of my office staff, to offer our assistance to repair and re-open O’Neill’s as soon as possible in order to restore this historic restaurant and bar, which for decades, had served so many satisfied customers and had been a place of employment for dozens of individuals. I am hopeful that this popular Maspeth icon will be up and running in the very near future.

Council Member Crowley Statement on Fire that Burned Down O'Neills Restaurant

Updated:


Council Member Elizabeth Crowley (D-30, Queens) stated: "O'Neill's Restaurant has been a staple in Maspeth and has served the people of Queens for almost a century. Last night's tragic fire was a loss for the whole community and serves as a reminder that, no matter how bad the budget is, it remains critically important to protect our fire services."

9/11 Flag Project for the Rotary Club of South West Queens at Prima Pasta on April 26th

A firefighter from the FDNY will be doing a presentation on the 9/11 Flag Project for the Rotary Club of South West Queens. 


 To get more info on the 9/11 Flag Project log onto:  http://national911flag.org/

What: Presentation on the 9/11 Flag Project

When: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at 7:15 p.m.

Where: Prima Pasta Cafe, (back room)

161-50 Crossbay Blvd., Howard Beach, NY

Hosted by: Rotary Club of South West Queens

Pasta dinner will be served.

Open to the public on a 1^st come, 1^st served basis however,

you MUST R.S.V.P. by email: reachfos@aol.com or

by calling: 718-845-1429

Feel free to pass this on to others.

City Council Member Crowley Rallies With Unions to Protect Workers' Rights

 L/R: Tom Sullivan, President of the Lieutenants' Benevolent Association; Council Member Elizabeth Crowley (speaking at podium); Norman Seabrook, President of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association; Owen O'Hara, the Honorable Elizabeth Crowley's son; Harry Nespoli, President of the Sanitation Workers' Union; Sidney Schwartzbaum, President of the Assistant Deputy Wardens Association.

Remarks by Council Member Elizabeth S. Crowley

City Council Fire & Criminal Justice Services Committee, Chair

“Right now worker’s rights are under attack. The war on labors is not limited to Wisconsin or Ohio or Indiana, it is happening here in New York.

“Everyday we hear government officials threatening pensions and we can see these threats in proposals that cut our uniform services and our teachers. There are forces that are not trying to balance budgets—they are trying to break unions. This is not democracy—this is union busting.

“One of government’s most important responsibilities is to keep people safe. Our uniform services risk their lives to protect us and it’s up to us and the city to protect them. Our construction workers risk their lives and do dangerous jobs for our city’s benefit and we need to treat them like human beings—not like slaves.

“Our uniform services and laborers have a tough job and let’s face it: if we take pensions away, if we take away health care benefits, if we take away our bargaining rights, we will drive away qualified men and women to take on these dangerous and sometimes deadly jobs.

“This year, we remember the 10th anniversary of the attacks on September 11th in which 343 firefighters and 27 police officers died and more continue to die as a result of their heroism on that day. This tragedy should serve as a reminder of what the dangerous and sometimes deadly job our city workers face; and it should motivate us to speak out to protect the rights that so many people have died for.

“In solidarity – and only in solidarity – we will fight this war and we will win.”

Remembering Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire with Serf Maltese - wnyc radio

Serf Maltese shares memories of his grandmother and two aunts who were amung the 146 victims of the 1911.

Avella To Bloomberg: Stop Blaming The Unions by Liz Benjamin - Capital Tonight

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NYC Councilman-turned-Senator Tony Avella sent a letter today to his erstwhile political foe, Mayor Blooomberg, accusing him of taking an “unconscionable” stance on the so-called holiday “bonuses” he’s trying to eliminate as part of his pension reform push.

The Queens Democrat, who ran a longshot run for mayor in 2009 (losing the Democratic primary to then-NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson), is siding with the more than 33,000 former NYC cops and firefighters who receive that amount every December as part of the Variable Supplement Fund.

The bonus was established in 1968 and, unlike other pension benefits, is not constitutionally protected. Doing away with it would save the city $200 million a year, Bloomberg mantains.

But the unions – and now Avella – note the bonuses came about as a result of the collective bargaining process. In exchange, the city was allowed to adopt a more aggressive pension investment strategy to reduce its annual direct contribution to the pension funds. (This reportedly saved $4 billion, Avella said).

Avella called the mayor’s characterization of the VSF as “Christmas bonuses” disgraceful, adding: “Your attacks in this regard on the city’s uniformed personnel, who put their lives at on the line every day throughout their careers, is unbecoming for a mayor of the City of New York.”

Letter to Mayor Bloomberg re VSF

Police and Fire Unions Accuse Mayor Bloomberg of Trying to Steal Their Pension Benefits by Sally Goldenberg - NYPOST.com

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Cops, Firemen: Mike Lies on Pensions

A bitter feud between Mayor Bloomberg and the city's police and fire unions erupted yesterday when enraged labor leaders called the mayor a "liar" and a thief for proposing to end a $12,000 annual pension sweetener they claim was negotiated in good faith.

"As we approach the 10th anniversary of 9/11, Mike Bloomberg wants to say to firefighters and police officers who were there that day and didn't die, 'I'm going to steal money from your pocket.' It's outrageous," Uniformed Firefighters Association President Steve Cassidy fumed at a City Hall press conference.

He and his counterpart at the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, Pat Lynch, insisted the city reaped a $4 billion economic windfall after the unions allowed it to invest their members' pensions in the volatile stock market in 1968 that was the condition for handing members supplemental $12,000 pension payouts.

"This is a lie campaign, a media campaign to get everyone thinking that we're getting something we don't deserve," Lynch fumed.

Under then-Mayor Ed Koch, the city negotiated with the unions in 1988 to pay retirees a fixed amount -- then $2,500 per member annually -- from the "Variable Supplement Fund," rather than let the payments be determined by earnings. That set amount has since increased to $12,000 per retiree.

Bloomberg in his upcoming budget wants to end the benefit for retirees, for an estimated savings of $1 billion. But Cassidy and Lynch vowed to wage an advertising campaign and personally lobby city and state lawmakers to reject Bloomberg's proposal.

Final approval for the mayor's plan rests with Albany, but Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Gov. Cuomo have not taken public positions.

Nor has City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, whose members might asked by Albany lawmakers for a "home rule" vote before the issue can be sent to the legislature.

Bloomberg defended his comments against the unions' accusations, saying he has not mischaracterized the program and he continued to call it a "Christmas bonus."

"I don't know what they're talking about. We certainly didn't put out anything that, to the best of my knowledge, isn't accurate and true," Hizzoner said.

Bloomberg said the savings from reduced pension costs could spare schools from massive cuts that could be coming in the next city budget.

"We have to make a decision: Do we want to send out Christmas bonuses or have more teachers?" Bloomberg said.

sgoldenberg@nypost.com