Tag: Donovan Richards

Governor Hochul visits Queens Center Mall, talks cost of living and public safety

Gov. Kathy Hochul meets shoppers in Queens Center mall Thursday. Photo: Kathy Hochul Flickr

Dec. 20, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Governor Kathy Hochul visited Queens Center Mall in Elmhurst on Thursday, engaging with local residents amid their holiday shopping to discuss the rising cost of living in New York and to promote her proposal to deliver Inflation Reduction checks aimed at easing financial burdens for New Yorkers. Hochul,…

Queens BP Donovan Richards recommends conditional approval of $8 billion Metropolitan Park proposal

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Dec. 16, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Queens Borough President Donovan Richards has recommended conditional approval of the planned $8 billion Metropolitan Park development adjacent to Citi Field, citing the proposal’s potential positive impact on the local community. Richards announced his conditional approval of the Metropolitan Park proposal Monday, stating that casinos do not often…

Cleaners and security staff protest wage cuts and benefit losses at Gertz Plaza Mall in Jamaica

32BJ union members at Gertz Plaza Mall Tuesday protesting against a decision to slash wages and cut benefits for cleaners. Photo: BJ32

Dec. 2, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Dozens of Queens-based commercial cleaners and security staff held a protest at Gertz Plaza Mall in Jamaica on Tuesday, Nov. 26, decrying contractor L&J Commercial and Residential Services for slashing wages and cutting benefits earlier this month. Organized by 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the…

A $1 million effort: Gov. Hochul and Queens officials work to curb crime and boost safety on Roosevelt Avenue

From left to right: AM-elect Larinda Hooks, Korean American Family Service Center executive director Jeehae Fischer, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Gov. Kathy Hochul, AM Catalina Cruz, AM Jessica González-Rojas, CM Shekar Krishnan and AM Steven Raga at the launch of the Roosevelt Avenue fund Tuesday. Photo: Office of Jessica González-Rojas

Nov. 27, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Gov. Kathy Hochul, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and several Queens elected officials gathered at Queens Borough Hall Tuesday to announce $1 million in funding to address illegal activities on Roosevelt Avenue. Hochul and Richards were joined by Assembly Members Jessica González-Rojas, Catalina Cruz and Steven Raga, Assembly Member-elect… Read more »

DOT announces completion of Queens Boulevard Redesign, celebrated as ‘Boulevard of Life’ transformation

DOT officials, elected officials and transportation advocates cut the ribbon for the Queens Boulevard Redesign. Photo: Shane O'Brien

Nov. 12, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Department of Transportation representatives and elected officials gathered in Sunnyside Tuesday afternoon to announce the completion of the sixth and final phase of the Queens Boulevard Redesign, which has resulted in a 68% decline in fatalities along the boulevard since work began in 2015. NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez,… Read more »

Queens leaders vow resistance, brace for ‘daunting battles’ after Trump election win

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Nov. 7, 2024 By Shane O’Brien Queens Borough President Donovan Richards believes that a second Trump presidency will bring “daunting battles” and said Queens will “never back down” from fights for immigrant rights and a woman’s bodily autonomy. In a statement issued after Donald Trump’s comprehensive victory over Kamala Harris on Tuesday, Richards vowed…

Sunnyside Community Services celebrates 50 years with benefit, unveils new senior housing project

Nov. 4, 2024 By Shane O’Brien More than 100 people gathered in Long Island City on Monday, Oct. 28, to celebrate Sunnyside Community Services’ (SCS) golden anniversary.  The 50th-anniversary celebration and benefit took place at SCS’s Long Island City community space at 52-41 Center Blvd. and at the nearby American Brass restaurant, raised $125,000 for the… Read more »

QBP Richards announces two new appointments to Queens Public Library Board of Trustees

qpl board of trustees

Oct. 8, 2024 By QNS News Team Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announced the appointments of Alexandria Sumpter-Delves and Johanna Carmona to the Queens Public Library Board of Trustees on Thursday, Oct. 3. The Queens Public Library Board of Trustees is governed by a 19-member board that includes appointees from the Mayor and…

Richmond Hill High School unveils $5 million culinary kitchen classroom to train future hospitality professionals

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Oct. 3, 2024 By Bill Parry Construction of a new state-of-the-art kitchen classroom at Richmond Hill High School is expected to be completed in the coming months. The classroom will offer students a unique opportunity to explore the culinary arts in a professional setting and prepare for careers in the hospitality industry. Council Member…