Author: Allie Griffin

Council Member Constantinides to Leave Office to Take Job in Nonprofit Sector

March 31, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Costa Constantinides announced today that he will be leaving office next month, about 8 months before his term in office was to officially end. Constantinides will resign on Friday, April 9 to take a job in the nonprofit sector as the Chief Executive Officer of the Variety… Read more »

NYC’s Congestion Pricing Plan a Step Closer to Becoming a Reality

March 30, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York City’s long-delayed plan to charge drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street is a step closer to becoming a reality. The Biden administration notified city and state officials Tuesday that they can move forward in conducting an environmental review of the congestion pricing plan– which is required before… Read more »

Van Bramer and Council Candidates Call on Speaker Johnson to Release Findings of Sexual Harassment Audit

March 30, 2021 By Allie Griffin Jimmy Van Bramer and several candidates running for elected office are calling on Council Speaker Corey Johnson to release the findings of an audit of the City Council’s sexual harassment policies ordered nearly two years ago. Van Bramer, who represents the 26th council district and is running for Queens… Read more »

Jim Owles Club Names Julie Won as Its Latest Queens Council Pick

March 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, a citywide LGBTQ Democratic club, named Queens candidate Julie Won as its latest pick for City Council. The club endorsed Won for the 26th District seat representing Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City and a section of Astoria on Monday. “With anti-Asian bigotry and… Read more »

Mayor Pledges to Provide Greater Support to Community Groups That Manage Open Streets

March 29, 2021 By Allie Griffin The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) is now accepting applications for the second year of its Open Streets program that transforms roadways into pedestrian spaces and outdoor dining areas. Local businesses and community groups can apply online to designate a street near them as an Open Street…. Read more »

Debra Markell, Council Candidate in Eastern Queens, Racks Up Several Big-Name Endorsements

March 25, 2021 By Allie Griffin New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli is backing Debra Markell for City Council– the latest high profile political figure to support her candidacy. Markell, who is the district manager for Queens Community Board 2, has garnered the support of several well-known legislators–as she campaigns to represent District 23, a… Read more »

Queens Council Member Ulrich Calls on Schools Chancellor to Loosen School Closure Guidelines

March 23, 2021 By Allie Griffin Council Member Eric Ulrich is calling on Department of Education to change its protocols on school closures–to prevent school buildings from shutting down and reopening so frequently. Ulrich penned a letter to Schools Chancellor Meisha Ross Porter urging her to reconsider the current DOE policy that requires school buildings… Read more »