Times Ledger: PCBs have to go now: Pols

From Times Ledger: By Rebecca Henely

Corona-area legislators and civic activists are urging the city Department of Education to shorten the time line from 10 years to two for removing light fixtures with toxic polychlorinated biphenyls in public schools, but the DOE said the decade-long plan is the best it can do given the complexity of the work.

“It’s a very important issue because PCBs have been proven to cause cancer,” said City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights).

The DOE announced in February plans to remove and replace all light fixtures with PCBs in the city’s 772 public schools within the next 10 years. DOE Deputy Chancellor Kathleen Grimm said in testimony presented earlier this month to the Council Committees on Education and Environmental Protection that the plan would cost $850 million and would also include upgrades to boilers throughout the schools.

“The unprecedented scope of this plan cannot be understated — no other city in the United States has attempted to do anything near this scale,” Grimm said in her testimony.

Yet some say it does not go far enough. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recommended the PCBs be removed within five years, and civic activists have said two is more appropriate. The Corona-based Queens Congregations United for Action, which got involved with the issue through a partnership with Brooklyn’s New York Communities for Change, held a meeting last week to inform parents of the dangers of PCBs at PS 61, at 98-50 50th Ave. in Corona.

“Even low levels can cause long-term problems in [students] learning or even cancer in a worst-case scenario,” said Jamie Weisberg of QCUA.

Dromm and Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras (D-East Elmhurst) have both pushed for a quicker time line. The legislators rallied outside City Hall last week with QCUA, NYCC and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest last week.

“We must do what is necessary to remove PCB contamination from our schools in a timely fashion, so as not to create a full-blown public health problem,” Ferreras said in a statement.

Dromm said he and Ferreras were concerned not because schools in their area showed high levels of PCBs in the air, but the students in the district could choose to go to high schools that do have high levels.

Yet Grimm said in her testimony she believed the 10 years was necessary, given the scope of the audits and retrofits needed to find and replace the PCBs. She also said most of the work would have to be done on weekend or on holidays when school is not in session, especially as the PCBs may be coupled with asbestos containment, which follows specific protocols that prohibit removal from being done in the evenings.

“We believe that EPA is severely underestimating the complexity of performing work of this type in school buildings — processes in which we are uniquely experienced,” Grimm said in her testimony.

Dromm said he believed the department should defer to the EPA.

“If they say it needs to be removed within five years, that’s what [the DOE] should be doing,” he said.

Queens Ledger: Pols, activists call for accelerated PCB removal in public schools

From Queens Ledger: By Lisa Fraser

The Department of Education's slow action to replace light fixtures and fix window panes in public schools that have been found by the Environmental Protection Agency to have elevated levels of toxic traces of PCBs is receiving plenty of backlash from parents and elected officials.

Concerned parents and officials say that the timeline of 10 years estimated by the Department of Education (DOE) and the New York City School Construction Authority to conduct energy audits, test schools for PCBs and retrofit lights, boilers and other equipment in over 700 public schools is too long and too risky.

“We need the city to move quickly to protect our children,” said Councilman Daniel Dromm to concerned parents at a recent rally on the steps of City Hall. He was joined by Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras and activists from New York Communities for Change (NYCC), Queens Congregations United for Action (QCUA) and New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI).

They demanded that DOE speed up the process of replacing light fixtures contaminated with toxic polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) found in public schools. In 2009, the EPA found that over 85 schools in New York City - 20 of which are located in Queens - were contaminated with toxic traces of the chemical PCB on classroom windows. The PCB level in the schools were significantly higher than the EPA's limit of 50 ppm.

The report also found that roughly 740 public school buildings out of 1,600 might contain traces of PCBs, a chemical used in a variety of products from ballasts for fluorescent lighting fixtures to caulk, which seals and cushions windows to make them more elastic. Both ballasts and caulk that are found in New York City public schools today are still known to have traces of PCBs, although usage of the chemical was banned in 1979.

The ten-year plan to rid schools of PCBs, which was officially announced by the DOE in February, is off to a slow start, even after being threatened in September 2009 with a lawsuit by the NYLPI.

“Our children’s safety and the safety of our school’s staff are important and must be a priority,” said Ferreras. “We must do what is necessary to remove PCB contamination from our schools in a timely fashion, so as not to create a full-blown public health problem.”

According to the EPA, PCBs are known to cause cancer in animals and have been known to have harmful effects on the immune system, reproductive system and nervous system after long-term exposure. Toxic PCBs were commonly used in building materials for city schools constructed between 1950 and 1978.

A recent PTA meeting at I.S. 61 in Corona organized by QCUA brought out over 150 parents who expressed frustration at the city's slow response.

"I am the parent of a 6th grader here in I.S. 61," said Socorro Morales, parent leader with Queens Congregations United for Action. "Our parent-led testing of a small sample of caulk revealed an abnormally high level of PCB’s in this school, and who knows what further testing will reveal?”

PCBs are particularly harmful to children and pregnant women.

“Learning disabilities, asthma and cancer are associated with long-term exposure to low levels of PCBs," said NYCC parent leader Regina Castro. “The city's plan to remove PCB-containing lights over ten years makes no sense. Kids should be our priority. We know replacing the lights within two years is very possible.”

Morales is concerned about what remaining levels of PCBs mean for his son. “How is it possible that the DOE knows the dangers and wants to take 10 years to address this?” he asked. “I want my school thoroughly tested.”

NY Daily News: City Councilman Daniel Dromm visits Citizenship NOW!

Univision 41: Controversia por agentes de ICE en las cárceles

The Queens Gazette: Dromm Brings Arts Program To Schools

From Queens Gazette:

Through the City Council’s Cultural After-School Adventures (CASA) Initiative, Councilmember Daniel Dromm has provided schools in his district the chance to be enriched by theater, music and the performing arts. Dromm secured $100,000 in CASA funding for schools throughout his district. Shown here, Dromm is joined by P.S. 69 Principal Martha Vazquez, Inside Broadway Executive Director Michael Presser and students from P.S. 69 in Jackson Heights after a recent performance of Fractured Fairytales. The show was produced by Inside Broadway, a NYC based children’s theater company.

Queens Ledger: Pols seek smoke-free co-ops

From Queens Ledger: By Daniel Bush

Smoke-free co-ops lower health risks, but they’re also better for the bottom line, officials said at a forum in Jackson Heights to promote a borough-wide drive for cigarette-free buildings.

The toxins from nicotine cause wear and tear on buildings, increasing maintenance costs and lowering property values, according to the Coalition for a Smoke-Free City, a health advocacy group.

The non-profit sponsored the forum with State Senator Jose Peralta and Councilman Daniel Dromm. “This is an important health issue and financial concern for any co-op owner,” Peralta said.

“Implementing smoke-free policies will not only make buildings healthier and safer,” said Dromm, “it’ll also drive up property values.”

The coalition, working with the Queens Smoke-Free Partnership, has pushed landlords, property owners, and tenants to establish smoke-free policies in co-op and other multi-unit buildings.

Across the country, states are seeking similar reforms.

In Oregon, landlords are required to advise renters of smoke-free policy options in leases. Maine has smoke-free policies in 18 of its 20 public housing developments.

The cost of rehabbing a heavy smoker’s apartment is $3,515, compared to $560 for a non-smoker, according to a study done by Smoke-Free New England.

The numbers make sense to New York City residents: a 2009 Zogby International poll found that 66 percent want smoke-free apartments, if they can find one.

That shouldn’t be so difficult, said Yvette Jackson-Buckner, of the Queens Smoke-Free Partnership.

“Every Queens resident has the right to breathe clean, tobacco-free air where they live and work,” she said.

Crain's New York: WAIVER Will it trigger a backlash?

From Crain's New York:

Mayoral control means Michael Bloomberg can nominate a schools chancellor without consulting others—something he did for the third time last week when he replaced Cathleen Black with Dennis Walcott.

And for the third time, Mr. Bloomberg will need a waiver from the state education commissioner because Mr. Walcott is not a certified superintendent.

“The problem is, we've made the exception the rule,” said Joseph Viteritti, a professor of public policy at Hunter College.

Mr. Walcott, a graduate of the city schools and a lifelong education and social services advocate who knows the school system's ins and outs, exemplifies why the waiver exists: to allow otherwise well-qualified people to serve as chancellors. But the mayor has used it twice to appoint people whose qualifications were deemed by many to be insufficient to lead a school system of 1.1 million students. After Joel Klein's nine years as chancellor, Ms. Black's embattled tenure lasted three months.

City Council members bristling under mayoral control of schools said the problems with Ms. Black had as much to do with the process as the person.

Former teacher and Queens Councilman Daniel Dromm is willing to give Mr. Walcott a chance, but he thinks that the criteria for receiving a waiver should be scrutinized.

“I think the mayor abused the waiver power absolutely with the selection of the last two chancellors,” he said. “It shouldn't be so easily manipulated.”

Brooklyn Councilwoman Letitia James said the Black nomination showed that the system of mayoral control is “deeply flawed.” She believes that a nationwide search “with some reporting mechanisms for the City Council” would have resulted in the selection of a chancellor who had the full confidence of teachers and parents.

Mr. Viteritti said that a drawn-out, politicized search would have done more harm than good, but added that by using the waiver for two questionable nominees, the mayor is likely to face criticism that he's abused the power the state gave him.

“The irony here is that because of what happened the last two times out, Walcott has to deal with the consequences,” Mr. Viteritti said. “Now he has to deal with the risk that people will say, 'No more waivers.' ”

Assemblywoman Joan Millman will push a bill ending waivers for the city.

NY1 Noticias: Los porqués de la marcha de Cathie Black

El asambleísta Marcos Crespo, el concejal Daniel Dromm y un padre, miembro de la Coalición para la Justicia Educativa comentan sobre el reemplazo de Cathie Black a poco más de tres meses de haber sido escogida por el alcalde Bloomberg como canciller escolar.

Queens Chronicle: Liu and Dromm Eat Elmhurst, you can too!

From Queens Chronicle: By Elizabeth Daley

If it can be cooked, it can be found in Elmhurst. While this may not be entirely true, the diversity of restaurants in the area will not leave diners wanting much.

Through April 9, 14 neighborhood eateries will be offering discounts, freebies or already low prices as part of Eat Elmhurst, the area’s first restaurant week.

Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and city Comptroller John Liu stopped by Lao Kou Wei, a Chinese restaurant located at 86-08 Whitney Ave. to share a bite to eat and kick off the restaurant week last Sunday.

Dromm said he sponsored Eat Elmhurst to help promote local businesses and expose the uninitiated to the tastes of the neighborhood. “In times like these, celebrating cultural diversity and encouraging everyone to partake in our various traditions, cultures and cuisines can play a pivotal role in spurring economic growth,” Dromm said. “Elmhurst’s vibrant immigrant community has long been one of New York’s best kept secrets and now people who work or live here are ready to share their favorite recipes and traditions with the rest of the city.”

Dromm and Liu ate noodle soup and even helped participate in making noodles at the restaurant, known for its tasty dumplings and low prices.

The councilman has also sampled food from other participating restaurants serving Spanish, Argentinian, Italian, Malaysian, Indonesian, Thai, Japanese and diner fare.

“Encouraging active participation in and around the neighborhood will only serve to revitalize our local economy and lay the groundwork for continued growth,” Dromm said. “An initiative like this is not only a short-term fix to help local merchants, but through a sustained promotion of the very best our neighborhoods have to offer, we can achieve long-term success.”

Besides, everyone loves to eat.

For more information regarding Eat Elmhurst and for a complete listing of participating restaurants and the discount flier visit eatelmhurst.com.

NY Daily News: Queens documentary filmmaker turns lens on famous Jackson Hts. murder of gay man

From NY Daily News: By Clare Trapasso

It took the murder of a young gay man in Jackson Heights more than 20 years ago to galvanize the neighborhood's gay community.

Now, local filmmaker Richard Shpuntoff plans to document the 1990 death of 29-year-old Julio Rivera, which led to the creation of the borough's popular gay pride parade.

Shpuntoff, 46, who splits his time between Jackson Heights and Argentina, recently raised almost $13,000 online at www.kickstarter.com. The money will fund his documentary "Julio of Jackson Heights."

He plans to finish the feature-length film by the end of next year.

"My goal is to make what I feel is a fair and personal portrait of the place where I grew up," said Shpuntoff, who has photographed and filmed the parade since its inception in 1993. "The murder was the catalyst that sparked a lot of changes in the neighborhood."

Trying to raise at least $12,000 on kickstarter by March 20 was "nerve-racking," he said, because the site doesn't let users keep pledges unless they meet their stated target.

The filmmaker, who is not gay, hopes the film will spark conversation about hate crimes - a timely topic given the recent spate of gay bashings in the city.

The latest attack in Queens led to the death of Anthony Collao, 18, who was beaten March 14 by a group of thugs who believed the straight teen was gay.

City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), who co-founded the Queens Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade, was incredulous that such attacks are still happening.

"It's unbelievable that 21 years after Julio's death we're still fighting against anti-gay hate crimes," he said. "I hope [the film] will enlighten people to the fact that LGBT people are your family, friends and neighbors."

He gave $100 of his own money to fund the film after he viewed a screening of Shpuntoff's raw footage.

"He's done an excellent job in capturing the memories of people from that time," Dromm said.

Pride Parade volunteer Andrew Ronan, 35, of Jackson Heights, also helped, hitting up Facebook friends for donations.

The film "proves how a community can heal and overcome and build a better future for itself," Ronan said. "They took what could have really destroyed a neighborhood and turned it into something positive."

Queens Ledger: Eating up Elmhurst

From Queens Ledger: By Lisa Fraser

The already affordable restaurants in Elmhurst are slashing their prices even more during the town’s first Restaurant Week initiative. City Councilman Daniel Dromm announced last week that from April 3 through April 9, 14 restaurants in Elmhurst will participate in the initiative, dubbed Eat Elmhurst

Dromm’s plan is to spur economic growth in the area while promoting Elmhurst’s many diverse tastes.

“Elmhurst’s vibrant immigrant community has long been one of New York’s best kept secrets and now people who work or live here are ready to share their favorite recipes and traditions with the rest of the city,” he said in a statement.

A special kickoff event for the week occurred on April 2 in partnership with Elmhurst Hospital Center. The launch, held at the H Building at Elmhurst Hospital featured a few local restaurants who provided samples like pad thai noodles and fresh ravioli in presto to over 100 attendees.

The event also contained a healthy component: a series of presentations from Elmhurst Hospital dieticians, the American Diabetes Association and GrowNYC highlighted the resources the city offers for a healthier diet.

Dr. Jey Hwang, Elmhurst’s Hospital director of food and nutritional services spoke of ways in which foodies could still pay attention to eating healthy during an indulgent time like restaurant week.

Cornell University and Eat Smart New York were also on hand to give a demonstration on a kid-friendly recipe of a mix of colorful black beans, red beans, corn and salsa.

“We wanted to make the fusion between what the community has to offer in terms of food and restaurants but also to make the connection between eating healthy,” Dromm said. “It was a dual purpose.”

While organizing the event, one of the difficulties faced was that already the food in Elmhurst was very cheap. “You could get a wonderful lunch for $4.95,” said Dromm. “It’s hard to believe you get a discount on that as well, but you get a 10 percent discount.”

The restaurants span Elmhurst’s cultural diversity offering a taste of Spanish, Italian, Thai, Japanese, Argentinian, Malaysian, Chinese and Indonesian cuisine among others.

“Elmhurst is the most multicultural neighborhood in all of New York City. They say that over 167 languages are spoken here,” Dromm said. “A lot of people don’t know what Elmhurst has to offer.”

Attendees of the Eat Elmhurst kick-off at Elmhurst Hospital got a chance to sample dishes from some participating restaurants.

NY1: Residents Encouraged to "Eat Elmhurst"

World Journal: 劉醇逸推廣艾姆赫斯特美食

From World Journal: By Jessica Xu

「這麵條太好吃了，比我平時吃的方便麵好太多了！」市主計長劉醇逸3日來到艾姆赫斯特，和市議員卓姆(Daniel Dromm)一同推廣當地美食。在「老口味鍋貼手拉麵店」品嘗招牌牛肉麵和鍋貼，兩人享受美食的樣子，讓所有在場的人都忍不住想大快朵頤。

從4月3日開始的「吃在艾姆赫斯特」(Eat Elmhurst)活動旨在推廣該地區的多國美食。共有14家不同風味的餐廳提供各國美食，其中中餐館包括經營麵食小吃的「老口味鍋貼手拉麵店」和川菜館「三好小館」。

卓姆表示，艾姆赫斯特族裔多元，人口增長迅速。剛發布的人口普查結果顯示，雖然傑克森高地等移民聚集區人口在下降，但艾姆赫斯特地區的人口卻有了顯著的增長，尤其是亞裔，人口增加了30%左右。

而因為族裔的多元，也讓艾姆赫斯特擁有了豐富多元的美食，有很多像「老口味鍋貼手拉麵店」這樣味道又好價格又便宜的餐館，但因為缺乏適當的推廣，使得這些餐廳都被忽視了。舉辦「吃在艾姆赫斯特」就是希望大家來發掘這裡的「寶藏」。

劉醇逸也稱讚這一活動有助於為小商家吸引生意，幫助它們恢復昔日的興旺。

在店裡師傅們的幫助下，劉醇逸和卓姆昨天還進入廚房，學習拉麵。面對軟軟的麵團，兩人就好像是新手爸爸，小心翼翼，不敢使勁，生怕一不小心就把麵條給拉斷了。最後還是大師傅出馬，三下五除二就拉出了幾碗麵條下鍋。實驗未果的劉醇逸和卓姆都感嘆道：「這可真是一門技術活啊！」

「老口味鍋貼手拉麵店」老闆潘金遷表示，自己接手這家店才一個多月的時間，不過因為之前已經開了六年多，所以生意相當不錯，不光是華人，很多西語裔和白人也很愛光顧。特別是放學的時候，不少學生都愛來吃幾個鍋貼當點心。他希望通過參加這次的活動可以吸引更多的顧客。

幫助卓姆為這次活動招募中餐館的吳明曉表示，艾姆赫斯特地區中餐館很多，但可惜這次只有兩家參與。他在前往很多餐館詢問時，對方要不就表示生意已經很好，不需要參加活動，要不就說老闆不在，回頭聯絡，但卻從來沒有打過電話給他，他認為錯過這樣的推廣好機會，實在很可惜。

World Journal: 多國美食 艾姆赫斯特盡享

From World Journal: By Sean Wang

近年來由於多元文化的蓬勃發展，讓艾姆赫斯特(Elmhurst)的多國美食成了當地耀眼的特色之一。市議員卓姆(Daniel Dromm)2日上午宣布開展為期一周的「吃在艾姆赫斯特」(Eat Elmhurst)活動，邀請紐約民眾一同品嘗美食

卓姆表示，大家都知道紐約是世界美食之都，而皇后區的艾姆赫斯特近年來由於不同文化背景的新移民大量移居，各具特色的多元文化美食已吸引不少饕客前來一探究竟。

為了讓艾姆赫斯特極具特色的美食文化發揚光大，在卓姆的贊助支持之下，自4月3日起至4月9日，艾姆赫斯特區域內的合作餐廳，將以優惠價格提供來自世界各國的美食饗宴。

14家合作餐廳提供中國、南美洲、義大利、美國、日本、馬來西亞、印尼、泰國等多國料理。參加餐廳周活動的中餐館共有兩家：分別是位於惠特尼大道(Whitney Ave.)上提供北方麵食和餃子的「老口味餐廳」和位於百老匯大道上的川菜餐廳「三好小館」。

卓姆在記者會上特別提到，艾姆赫斯特近年來由於亞裔民眾的聚集，讓區域內商業發展愈來愈興盛，走在百老匯街上幾乎什麼樣的亞洲餐廳都能見到。

有關艾姆赫斯特餐廳周活動訊息，可瀏覽網站www.eatelmhurst.com

NY1 Noticias: El voto de los inmigrantes en las elecciones municipales

Hace unos meses fue presentada una legislación ante el Concejo Municipal para que los inmigrantes que residan en la Ciudad puedan votar en las elecciones municipales. Juan Manuel Benítez conversó con el concejal de Queens, Daniel Dromm, y dos miembros de la Coalición de Nueva York para Expandir el Derecho al Voto, Yolanda Andersson, del Partido Humanista de Nueva York, y John Moreno, de la Juventud Latina para la Educación Superior.

Para más información puede acceder la página web ivotenyc.org y humanistparty.us.

Times Ledger: Festival to serve up the many flavors of Elmhurst

From Times Ledger: By Rebecca Henely

City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) announced that next week restaurants throughout Elmhurst will be knocking down prices for Eat Elmhurst, a restaurant week meant to showcase the flavors and cultural diversity of the neighborhood.

“Elmhurst’s vibrant immigrant community has long been one of New York’s best-kept secrets and now people who work or live here are ready to share their favorite recipes and traditions with the rest of the city,” Dromm said in a statement.

The councilman said the April 3-April 9 event, which he is sponsoring, plans to provide a boost to the neighborhood’s economy. Fourteen restaurants are participating, most of which are located along Broadway and Baxter Avenue. They collectively offer Spanish, Argentinian, Italian, Japanese, Malaysian, Chinese, Indonesian, Thai and continental fare. Many restaurants are offering 10 percent off dinner or other deals during the week.

“An initiative like this is not only a short-term fix to help local merchants, but through a sustained promotion of the very best our neighborhoods have to offer, we can achieve long-term success,” Dromm said.

The week officially kicks off Saturday at Elmhurst Hospital Center’s H Building at 41st Avenue and 80th Street from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dromm said that on this day Elmhurst Hospital Dieticians, the American Diabetes Association and Grow NYC will showcase resources the city has that will enable residents to eat a healthier diet. Refreshments at this event will be provided by the local restaurants, Dromm said.

Jimmy Thonsur, a co-owner of Wasabi Point, at 76-18 Woodside Ave., said the restaurant learned about the event after Dromm’s office sent him information about a similar venture last year. Thonsur, whose restaurant is offering 10 percent off everything on the menu, said the owners opened the restaurant more than two years ago in Elmhurst because of the wide range of ethnic groups in the community. He said the owners are Tibetan but have worked for many years in a Japanese company.

“That’s why we have a menu of Japanese and Tibetan,” Thonsur said.

Louie’s Pizza & Pasta, at 81-34 Baxter Ave., is offering chicken Parmesan and a slice of pizza for $10. The owner, Louie Suljovic, said he hopes participants who try out his restaurant’s northern Italian-style food will become regulars.

“Our food is better than most restaurants in Manhattan,” Suljovic said.

For more information, go to eatelmhurst.com