Tag: op-ed

Op-ed: Safety for all on 31st Street requires more than a bike lane

DOT proposal image for 31st Street, showcasing protected bicycle lanes and floating parking spaces. Via Change.org

May. 1, 2025 By emarshall May 1, 2025 By Richard Khuzami This summer, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin installing a protected bike lane under the elevated N train on 31st Street in Astoria, stretching from 36th Avenue to Newtown Avenue. The redesign includes new curbside bike lanes with buffer zones, improved…

Op-ed: Reckless budget cuts will harm Queens families

Home finances concept. Savings in dollars, calculator and pen.

Apr. 15, 2025 By Paul Pogozelski As a small business owner for over 23 years, dealing with clients, making deliveries and balancing the books, it became very clear early on in my career that I needed to be efficient with my time and money. Efficiency in operating a small business means knowing how much…

Op-Ed | The hidden influence: How the financial sector shapes American housing

Jan. 7, 2025 By emarshall Jan. 7, 2025 By Richard Khuzami The lack of affordable housing in America is not a simple issue. It has many layers that must be addressed.  Today, developers are often portrayed as villains, prioritizing profit over the community. However, underpinning all decisions developers make is access to funding, and in… Read more »

Op-Ed: Community participation in local events is crucial for small business success

Oct. 11, 2024 By Czarinna Andres Oct. 11, 2024 By Dirk McCall de Palomá Small businesses are the backbone of any community, driving job creation, fostering innovation, and bringing a unique character to neighborhoods. In Sunnyside, Queens, where cultural diversity is at the heart of our identity, our small businesses (particularly restaurants, bars, and cafes)… Read more »

Op-ed: Time to register, license, and insure motorized two-wheelers before our streets become even more dangerous

Low Section Unknown Amateur Riding Electric Bicycle In The City

Oct. 2, 2024 By Tom Grech, Councilmember Sandra Ung and Assemblymember Sam Berger New York City is in the middle of a transportation crisis. In just the past few years, our streets and sidewalks have been overrun by an explosion of two-wheeled, motorized vehicles—e-scooters, e-bikes, stand-up scooters, mopeds, and motorbikes. These vehicles may be…

Op-Ed: A sleeping tree with healing power holds promise for preservation in Jackson Heights

Sept. 25, 2024 By Melissa Zavala Last year, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, located on 82nd Street and 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, turned one hundred. Nestled in the Historic District in the most diverse community in the World’s Borough, the church’s grounds represent a true green oasis in a bustling neighborhood where people from across… Read more »

Op-Ed: The benefits of the City of Yes Housing proposal

Jun. 27, 2024 By emarshall June 27, 2024 By Richard Khuzami Most of the media coverage regarding the City of Yes zoning changes, regarding increasing housing, are focused on the negative response from many of the Community Boards from the outer boroughs, especially those especially distant from Manhattan (as of today, we have seen no… Read more »

Op-Ed: Not another Amazon disaster

Jun. 20, 2024 By Czarinna Andres June 20, 2024 By John J. Ciafone, Esq. A few years ago, Long Island City won a national competition to house the corporate headquarters of Amazon.  Amazon promised tens of thousands of jobs, from technical employment for workers to local student graduates, deliverers, contractors, laborers, construction union jobs, Porters… Read more »

Op-Ed | Pressure vs Passion: Making the case for pursuing joy in high school

May 8, 2024 By Chris Herman Our teenagers are under immense pressure, and high school has become more a time for curating resumes than exploring new interests. Decisions about which activity to join or how to spend February break are now dictated by what colleges they might want to see. Teenagers specialize earlier and select… Read more »

Op-Ed | Hochul: Action is Imperative on Shoplifting, but Violent Crime is Just Fine

hochul

Apr. 29, 2024 By Council Member James F. Gennaro Negotiations regarding the New York State budget have just concluded a few days ago and a budget has passed after more than two weeks of delays. But while Gov. Kathy Hochul has proclaimed this year’s ‘bold agenda’ aims to make New York ‘safer,’ there hasn’t been…
Read More