Feb. 14, 2024 By Rachel Butler Recreational vehicles (RV’s) and mobile homes may soon be forcibly removed from residential streets at certain times if a new senate bill introduced by council members Robert Holden and Kamillah Hanks becomes law. Holden, who represents Ridgewood and surrounding areas and Hanks who represents Staten Island have introduced a new bill to combat the recent surge of RV’s and mobile homes permanently parked on streets in residential areas. Holden said that as New York’s housing crisis deepens, there has been an increase in people using RV’s and mobile homes as permanent housing, while paying…
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Tag: council-member-robert-holden
3 out of 15 Queens council members voted against overriding Mayor’s veto on key public safety bills
Jan. 31, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan Just three of Queens’ 15 council members voted against overriding the mayor’s veto of two heavily contested public safety bills. Council Members Joann Ariola (R), Vickie Paladino (R) and Robert Holden (D) were among the nine members across the city to say no to the How Many Stops bill,…
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Queens council member calls for relocation of live animal slaughter markets from NYC amid allegations of animal mistreatment
Jan. 31, 2024 By Rachel Butler A Queens council member is calling for live animal slaughter markets to be moved outside of New York City following unannounced visits to a market in Ridgewood and another one in Bushwick on Jan. 17. Council Member Robert Holden, who represents Glendale, Middle Village and surrounding areas, is pushing for the change after visiting the Tiba Live Poultry Slaughter market, located at 905 Wykoff Ave. in Ridgewood, and the Kikiriki Live Poultry market, located at 334 Linden St. in Bushwick, where he alleges the animals are being mistreated. He said that sheep and goats…
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Queens State Senator and local organizations seek Valentine’s Day donations for Veterans
Jan. 23, 2024 By Rachel Butler A Queens state Senator is encouraging the public to drop off Valentine’s Day cards and donations to his district offices that will be delivered to senior and disabled veterans at the New York State Veterans Home in St. Albans. State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. is partnering with community…
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Several mental health bills to support veterans passed by City Council
Dec. 26, 2023 By Iryna Shkurhan Several pieces of legislation geared towards supporting veterans—two of which were introduced by Queens city council members—were passed by the council last week. The Council put forward the Mental Health Roadmap in April as part of an effort to expand prevention and support services to those in need of mental health resources. It also sought to increase interagency coordination, address the shortage of mental health workers and limit the intersection with the criminal justice system, all while increasing awareness. The second phase of the plan, unveiled in November, focused on the mental health needs…
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Western Queens community leaders applaud completion of Maspeth Park alongside Kosciuszko Bridge
Nov. 1, 2023 By Bill Parry Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the completion of a $17.8 million project to construct Maspeth Park, located within walking distance from surrounding residential neighborhoods including Sunnyside and Blissville. It is the first park to be built in the western portion of Maspeth. The park was built on nearly one…
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Halloween Festival, Trunk-or-Treat celebration brings hundreds to Middle Village
Oct. 31, 2023 By Anthony Medina Council Member Robert Holden, in partnership with NYC Parks, hosted the annual Halloween festival, Trunk-or-Treat and costume parade at Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village, on Saturday, Oct. 28. Kids and parents first gathered at Juniper Valley Park on 74th Street to begin the costume parade filled with both…
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Queens elected officials voice concerns over cannabis dispensary proximity to schools
Oct. 19, 2023 By Czarinna Andres and Anthony Medina Queens elected officials have united to formally express their concerns over proposed adult-use retail dispensary license applications for storefronts in Glendale and Maspeth, citing the potential risks posed by their proximity to educational institutions. In a letter written on Monday, Oct. 16, addressed to the New… Read more »
Paul Kerzner honored for a lifetime of community service in Ridgewood
Oct. 10, 2023 By Anthony Medina Ridgewood denizens who’ve lived in the iconic Queens neighborhood for decades remember when nothing but the residential buildings and local businesses were the only structures standing in the way of the sweltering summer sun. It wasn’t until the efforts of one local man, regarded by many as a prominent leader and voice in the community, that residents no longer had to scurry indoors to find any shade. Well over 20,000 trees adorn the sidewalks in western Queens and parts of Brooklyn now thanks to this man and his presence in the community. At 72…
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Queens council member voices outrage over inconvenient DOT road work
Sep. 28, 2023 By Anthony Medina The New York City Department of Transportation’s planned road work being conducted during the peak hours of the day is quickly becoming a nuisance to residents in the neighborhoods of Glendale, Middle Village and Rego Park. According to a letter sent by Council Member Robert Holden on Tuesday, Sept. 26, the milling, repaving and pedestrian ramp construction during peak traffic hours in his district are causing more problems for early morning commuters. The DOT began the milling and paving process for multiple streets in the council member’s district earlier this month and posted the…
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