Saturday, April 24, 2010

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posted by ProgressNYC @ 5:23 PM  

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Queens Chronicle: Dromm Fights for Open Space in Jackson Heights

From Queens Chronicle: By Elizabeth Daley

As the city expands, space for walking, biking and even driving has become scarce in some communities. Beyond the potholes that wreck havoc on everyone, city streets are too often the scene of terrible accidents.

Children who don’t have enough space to play venture out of safety, ducking under cars to pick up lost balls, while the elderly put their lives at risk attempting to cross streets expediently.
At a Community Board 3 meeting, Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) proposed closing a street surrounding Travers Park so that kids in Jackson Heights could have more space to play this summer.

The issue was also addressed at an April 14 parks and recreation town hall meeting attended by 250 people, Dromm said. Community board members responded favorably to Dromm’s proposal to close 78th Street during the summer, but the plan has not yet been approved. The street was closed on weekends last year as a “Play Street,” according to the Department of Transportation.

Dromm’s suggestion comes as the DOT hosts a series of workshops in Jackson Heights, helping to establish a vision for how streets in the neighborhood will look and function in the future.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 5:21 PM  

Dromm Testifies at Charter Revision Commission


City Council Member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) testifies before the NYC Charter Revision Commission on April 20th, 2010 at LaGuardia College in Queens. Dromm recommended that the Commission consider expanding the advice and consent powers of the City Council to include all major mayoral appointments including high level commissioners and the Schools Chancellor.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 4:51 PM  

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Queens Gazette: Dromm Seeks More Open Space

From The Queens Gazette:

There’s always a need for more open space in many areas throughout the city, and Jackson Heights is one of them, says the area’s councilmember, Daniel Dromm (D). In a recent discussion at a town hall meeting, where the topic was improvements to Travers Park, Dromm cited a proposal he supported to turn an empty portion of 78th Street next to Travers into a play street in July and August by blocking the street off to traffic.

Previously the proposed two month play street served the same purpose, but only on Sundays between June and October.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 4:22 PM  

Monday, April 19, 2010

The Queens Courier: Dromm Encourages Community Input on Budget

The city’s budget cuts are coming but now you can have a say – real input – in what services and programs get cut to close the budget gap and what proposed cuts get restored. All of this, thanks to City Councilmember Daniel Dromm of the 25th District, representing Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst, LeFrak City, Corona, Rego Park, and Woodside.

Dromm has committed to protecting and maintaining the essential services and functions that we all rely on including fire, police, education, libraries, senior centers, health care, parks and so much more. The City Council plays a key role in negotiating the city’s final budget, and before he takes on that task, he wants to hear from you by having you go to www.surveymonkey.com/nycbudget25 and take a few minutes to express your choices that the city should make in these tough economic times.

Dromm wants your ideas on making cuts and raising revenues.

Tell Dromm and his colleagues in the City Council whether they should cut essential services to avoid raising taxes or protect education, police, fire and the social safety net by asking a little more from those who can afford to pay.

Pick the services you would reduce if you could. Pick the ones you feel must be saved and maintained. The choice is up to you and your neighbors.

The mayor has proposed some cuts to balance the budget. Have your say on whether teachers’ pay should be cut or school nurses should be eliminated. Speak out if you think that 500 food pantries citywide should still be fully funded.

Let Dromm know how you would raise revenues – increased property taxes or increased fees or new taxes like one on laundering and dry cleaning.

Pick the tax increase you would want the state to approve to bail out the city budget. This is your chance to be heard. Dromm promises a report back in a couple of weeks.

Go to www.surveymonkey.com/nycbudget25 and take his survey now. Call your neighbors and friends – let your voices be heard. Do it now!

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posted by DrommMedia @ 11:23 PM  

Sunday, April 18, 2010

NYC Budget -- Tell Us What You Think

We all know that this is a tough time financially for our city and our state. This year’s budget is likely to be one of the leanest in recent memory, with many services and institutions on the line for potential cuts. As your City Council representative, I am committed to protecting and maintaining the essential services and functions that we all rely on including fire, police, education, libraries, senior centers, health care, parks and so much more. It is our responsibility to explore options for increasing revenue to maintain essential services and a strong city for our families.

The City Council plays a key role in negotiating the City’s final budget, and before we take on that task, I would like to hear what you have to say. Follow this link www.surveymonkey.com/nycbudget25 to make your voice heard on the choices the city should make in these tough economic times.

LINK
www.surveymonkey.com/nycbudget25

I am working with my colleagues in the New York City Council Progressive Caucus to gather input from everyone. Your input can be a valuable part of this process – and we want you to weigh in on the options we have for making cuts and raising revenue. I hope you will join up with interested New Yorkers from around the city to fill out this quick survey www.surveymonkey.com/nycbudget25. And once you are done, please forward the link to your friends.

Thanks for your participation, and look out for a report back on what we learn from this survey in a few weeks.

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posted by ProgressNYC @ 9:36 AM  

Friday, April 16, 2010

NY Daily News: Dromm Champions Park Space in Jackson Heights


From NY Daily News: By Clare Trapasso

Jackson Heights needs more park space.

That was the message at Wednesday's town hall meeting as more than 100 locals learned about Travers Park renovations and how to increase open space in the congested neighborhood.

"We're fighting for open space because our families need that," said City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights). But "we have to be creative."

Dromm championed turning an empty stretch of 78th St. next to Travers Park into a "play street" for all of July and August, blocking it off to traffic.

He was set to speak to Community Board 3 about the issue last night.

The play street has run from June through October for the past two years. But it has been open only on Sundays, because residents don't want to lose coveted street parking, local leaders said.

"We see 78th St. as a natural future piece of land for additional park space," said Donovan Finn of the Jackson Heights Green Alliance. "There is a baby boom going on in Jackson Heights and a tiny park that is not big enough for all of the kids who want to use it."

But Travers Park is scheduled to be reopened sooner than expected.

The playground renovations, which weren't due to be completed until the fall, were finished early, Parks Department officials said.

"We hope by May 5 to have the majority of the playground open," said JoAnne Amagrande, chief of staff for Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski. "By the end of June or so, we will open up the whole park."

Local officials are also looking into turning a stretch of state-owned land on 69th St. between 35th and 37th Aves. near the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway into open space. But there are rat problems at the site, officials said.

"There are other places we are looking at," state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-Jackson Heights) said at the meeting. But "it's too premature to mention."

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posted by DrommMedia @ 10:49 AM  

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Dromm Speaks at Parks and Recreation Town Hall - Part 2

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posted by DrommMedia @ 11:13 PM  

Dromm Speaks at Parks and Recreation Town Hall - Part 1

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posted by DrommMedia @ 11:07 PM  

The Epoch Times: Dromm Calls For No Cuts to Day Care Centers

From The Epoch Times: By Jack Phillips

The city should not cut 16 child care centers and 31 early childhood classrooms throughout New York City, said a coalition of elected officials and union leaders on Wednesday.

The day care centers and classrooms, primarily located in gentrifying neighborhoods, provide necessary services for low-income families, added the coalition.

The coalition, which includes City Council Members Ydanis Rodriguez, Annabel Palma, James Sanders Jr., and Daniel Dromm, convened at City Hall with a crowd of supporters.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 6:16 PM  

Times Ledger: Dromm Advocates for Senior Centers

From Times Ledger: Anna Gustafson

Preliminary city and state budgets for the 2011 fiscal year would be a serious blow to older residents in Queens, who could see senior centers shuttered and the number of meals served to the elderly reduced, according to officials who attended a forum at Queens Borough Hall last week.

Nearly 200 people attended last week’s event, including Borough President Helen Marshall and City Council members Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) and Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), all of whom said they planned to fight to restore funding for seniors.

Koslowitz and Dromm emphasized the tough financial situation facing the city, particularly in light of the expectation that fewer funds will be coming from the state government that is struggling with a $9 billion budget deficit. Still, the Council members said, they would battle for funds for the elderly.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 5:47 PM  

Queens Tribune: Dromm Discusses School Funding with Chancellor Klein

From Queens Tribune: By Domenick Rafter

Administrators, students and teachers from around Corona, Elmhurst, Maspeth, Middle Village and Ridgewood got a chance to voice their issues with City School’s Chancellor Joel Klein on Monday.

Klein held a town hall meeting for Community Education Council District 24 at PS 87 in Middle Village where he listened to a series of concerns that ranged from new school construction to standardized testing.

Klein took questions from two members of the city council who were present; Liz Crowley (D-Middle Village) and Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights).

A former teacher, Dromm said he was worried about the status of education funding and the chances that 8,500 teaching jobs that could be lost if the city loses more education funding from the state.

“We are working at the bare minimum at our schools,” Dromm said.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 5:21 PM  

Mayor Signs Dromm-Sponsored Bill to Protect Immigrant Children


Mayor Bloomberg signs Local Law 3a-2010, a bill sponsored by City Council Member Daniel Dromm, that requires the Administration for Children's Services to provide immigrant child in foster care with adequate services to obtain citizenship. April 14th, 2010

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posted by DrommMedia @ 5:14 PM  

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Dromm Honors Dedicated Community Leader Williesteen Moore

posted by DrommMedia @ 10:30 PM  

Dromm Rallies for Labor and Immigrants Rights and Jobs for All

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posted by DrommMedia @ 10:25 PM  

Dromm Opposes Cuts to Day Care Services

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posted by DrommMedia @ 10:21 PM  

The Queens Gazette: Dromm Applauds Crowley for Funding Community Groups

From The Queens Gazette: By John Toscano

Making his summer recess from Congress into a working vacation, Congressmember Joseph Crowley presented a check for $300,000 to an Elmhurst economic equality group last week and later rallied community leaders to make a “last call” for New Yorkers to participate in the 2010 census.

Crowley presented the $300,000 federal grant funds to Ana Maria Archila, executive director of Make the Road New York (MRNY), an organization committed to ensuring economic equality for all. The funds will be used for the organization’s English as a Second Language and GED classes and to provide legal aid to low-income individuals.

Joining Crowley at the check presentation ceremony in MRNY’s offices at 92-10 Roosevelt Ave., Elmhurst were recently elected state Senator Jose Peralta (D–Jackson Heights) and City Councilmembers Daniel Dromm (D–Jackson Heights) and Julissa Ferreras (D–Corona). Members of MRNY thanked Peralta for a $125,000 grant he secured for the organization for its small business program, Ferreras for a $25,000 grant for adult education and legal services and Dromm for securing a $10,000 grant for their community organizing programs.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 7:04 PM  

The Queens Courier: Dromm Joins Crowley to Present Funding for Community Group

The Queens Courier: By Pete Davis

It felt like Christmas in April for one Queens organization.

Nearly 100 people – all with smiles on their faces – filled Make the Road New York’s Jackson Heights office on Thursday, April 8, but instead of waiting for Santa Claus with a stack of presents, they were waiting for Congressmember Joseph Crowley who was bringing his own special gift to the group.

“Make the Road’s work to protect the rights of all and fight for economic equality is helping to keep our community strong,” said Crowley, who was joined by Councilmembers Julissa Ferreras and Danny Dromm at the announcement.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 6:03 PM  

Dromm: Immigrants Are Key to NYC's Future

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posted by DrommMedia @ 12:40 PM  

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

NY Daily News: Dromm Works to Improve Local Transportation

From NY Daily News: By Leigh Remizowski

At some of Elmhurst's busiest establishments - its hospital and mall - drivers have two options: arrive early and circle the block for street parking or throw down the cash to park in a garage.

City Councilman Daniel Dromm pointed to the Queens Center Mall as a trouble spot.

"Queens Center Mall has not been a good neighbor," he said, referring to a four-year period when the mall created bogus no-parking signs marked with the Police Department emblem to block off metered spots on 57th Ave., as first reported in the Daily News.

In return, Dromm said, the mall should allow teachers at Public School 721, across the street, to park in its garage free of charge."They should be forced to do something for taking away from the community," he said.

The city Department of Transportation met with mall officials, the community board and police department representatives last week to discuss plans to study pedestrian and traffic safety near the mall, an agency spokesman said. The area is also backed up with drivers trying to find a spot at the neighboring Queens Place Mall, home to Target and Best Buy.

Dromm said he has been working with the DOT to have muni meters installed on the streets in Jackson Heights and plans to push for the same in Elmhurst.“It would open up at least a space or two per block,” he said.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 4:56 PM  

Friday, April 2, 2010

Queens Chronicle: Dromm Helps Foreign-Born Foster Children

From Queens Chronicle: By Aarti N. Maharaj

The City Council voted unanimously on Thursday in favor of a bill proposed by Immigration Committee Chairman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) that would require the Administration For Children’s Services to help foreign-born foster children apply for citizenship.

Foreign-born children in the foster system, who have not been legally permitted to reunite with their families, and for whom returning to their native country would not be in their best interest, currently qualify for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. However, ACS has no way of notifying or keeping track of these youngsters.

Dromm’s bill gives ACS three months to devise a system for tracking down and informing immigrant foster children of their rights to help them on the path toward citizenship.

“Immigrant children deserves the same rights as everyone,” Dromm said. “ I am proud to move this important bill which will protect the rights of immigrant children in foster care.”

According to the legislation, undocumented children who are presently in foster care will be prioritized to apply for SIJS. Once a child is qualified he or she will be able to obtain a green card, which grants permanent residency. Under SIJS, those over 18 will be able to work legally, travel, qualify for Medicaid and in-state college tuition.

“We must ensure that children who qualify are given the opportunities they deserve including the ability to be put on a path towards citizenship,” Dromm said.

Currently, there are many children in the city’s welfare system who qualify for this status, but some officials are concerned that these youngsters might be overlooked. Once young people turn 21, they are automatically ineligible to apply for SIJS status.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 6:12 PM  

Dromm Speaks at Children's Aid Society Event on Education


Council Member Daniel Dromm speaks at the "Youth Speak Out on Education" presentation at the Children's Aid Society. 4/1/10. photo by William Alatriste

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posted by ProgressNYC @ 1:43 PM  

NY Daily News: Dromm Rallies Against Summer Youth Employment Cuts

From New York Daily News: By Tanyanika Samuels and Kathleen Lucadamo

With thousands of summer jobs in jeopardy, more than 200 city teens rallied in City Hall Park Thursday against funding cuts to the popular Summer Youth Employment Program.

For the past 40 years, the summer job program has given city youth employment and educational opportunities, working entry-level jobs in various fields, from hospitals to summer camps.

Politicians who attended also echoed the students' concern.

City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Queens), who said he worked in the program as a kid, said he knew "firsthand what these jobs mean to our youth."

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posted by DrommMedia @ 8:43 AM  

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Queens Tribune: Dromm Endorses Avella For State Senate

From Queens Tribune: By Domenick Rafter

Democrats scored a top recruit last weekend for a State Senate race they nearly won two years ago. Former City Councilman Tony Avella (D-Bayside) announced his intention to run for the State Senate seat currently held by the last Republican state legislator in Queens, Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose).

Avella was flanked by other prominent Queens Democrats, including Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) and Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), who gave Avella their endorsement.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 9:57 AM  

Times Ledger: Dromm Immigration ACS Bill Passes Council


From Times Ledger: By Jeremy Walsh

City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) passed his first bill as primary sponsor in the Council last week as the body approved a measure requiring the city Administration for Children’s Services to protect immigrant children in the foster care system.

“Immigrant children deserve the same rights as everyone,” Dromm said in a statement. “This bill will help children in ACS supervision get access to the immigration services they need. We must ensure that children who qualify are given the opportunities they deserve, including the ability to be put on a path towards citizenship.”

The bill seeks to ensure the children eligible for Special Immigration Juvenile Status are identified as quickly as possible and are receiving all the appropriate benefits. Undocumented children eligible for this status are eligible to apply to become permanent residents and obtain a green card.

Dromm warned that without a dedicated plan for immigrant services, once a young person turns 21, he or she becomes ineligible for the special status and also loses the opportunity to take full advantage of various services available to lawful U.S. residents.

“The Council finds that the creation of a new plan within ACS is necessary in order to create an accurate and efficient identification and tracking system in order to coordinate immigration services so that ACS can meet its obligation to protect immigrant children in the child welfare system,” the bill reads.

Dromm’s Council district covers parts of Community District 3, where 64 percent of the population is foreign-born, and Community District 4, where 57 of the population was born outside the United States, according to ACS figures.

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posted by DrommMedia @ 9:09 AM  

Times Ledger: Dromm Supports Avella for State Senate


From Times Ledger: By Anna Gustafson

Former City Councilman Tony Avella announced Sunday amid a sea of supporters that he will challenge state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose) for his seat in this fall’s election.

At Avella’s kick-off, Padavan drew criticism from other politicians, including Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights).

 “Tony Avella is honest, upfront and independent,” Dromm said. “He has worked hard for this community. If anybody can beat Frank Padavan, that’s Tony Avella.”

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posted by DrommMedia @ 8:31 AM