Photo by Twitter user @simon_cousins
Feb. 8, 2016 By Michael Florio
Following the disappointing cleanup response during Winter Storm Jonas, local officials are looking to devise a plan to be better equipped to handling snow conditions in the future.
Winter Storm Jonas pounded Jackson Heights with 34 inches of snow, the most of any town or neighborhood in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Streets in Jackson Heights were left in poor driving condition or even unplowed. Mayor Bill de Blasio stated after the storm that he was not satisfied with the cleanup job in Queens.
In order to prevent these conditions from happening again, Assemblyman Francisco Moya will host two town hall meetings to discuss snowstorm response.
“During the town hall meetings, we hope to gather information on how snow removal can be conducted more efficiently in the future and provide an opportunity for residents to receive answers to their questions on this matter. The town hall meetings are meant to be a forum in which residents and City agencies can exchange ideas on snowstorm response,” Moya said.
“Queens was forgotten, once again, during Winter Storm Jonas,” he added. “It is our hope that these forums will help ensure that the needs of Queens residents are addressed in a more timely manner the next time around.”
The first town hall will be held on Wednesday night at the VFW Post located at 51-11 108th St. in Corona. The second will be Thursday night at the Renaissance Charter School, located at 35-59 81st St. in Jackson Heights. Both meetings start at 7 p.m.
State Sen. Jose Peralta and Assemblyman Michael DenDekker will join Moya at the town halls.
“Our borough was neglected during the last big snowstorm,” Peralta said. “Snow clearing in Queens has been an issue because of slow and inadequate responses in the past, so why not get ahead of the curve?”
The meeting will be open to the public.
“I want to thank Assembly Member Moya for putting together these town halls so our constituents can express their opinions and ask questions about the City’s response to snow plowing after the massive storm,” Peralta added.
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