As we begin a new week in our ever resilient City, I wanted to update you on the latest developments in our Council district as well as the latest in our ongoing efforts to help our fellow New Yorkers so devastated by Sandy.
Transportation
Tomorrow's commute should be better. I am pleased that the 7 Train has resumed service into Manhattan and the E is also expected to be running for the morning commute. Buses and the East River Ferry service are operating. Gas continues to be a challenge, but it is my hope that with the actions taken by the Federal and State Governments, the lines will decrease and more stations will have more gas to pump soon.
Schools
Schools will be open throughout the district with one major exception. PS 78 in Long Island City will not reopen as a result of flood damage from the storm. PS 78 will reopen Wednesday relocating to PS 76 located at (36-36 10th Street, Queens). I will work with the DOE and the PS 78 community to ensure a safe return to their beloved school.
Power outages
We still have four large apartment buildings in Hunters Point, as well as some additional residences in the area without power and about 1,000 people still with no heat in the district. I have been on the phone with ConEd today letting them know that their response in Hunters Point to date is not acceptable. As a result of our efforts, an assessment crew arrived today to look at these sites. You can be sure that I will remain laser focused on this until power is restored.
Election Day Tuesday, November 6th
While we have all been understandably focused on the recovery, and it feels somewhat surreal now, we do have a Presidential election on Tuesday, as well as a number of local races. All of our poll sites are currently scheduled to operating, including PS 78. But to be sure please go to vote.nyc.ny.us or text "NYCVOTES" to 877-877 for the latest on where to vote. I'll be voting for President Barack Obama and my Democratic colleagues and I hope you will also.
Supplies drive/relief efforts
Over the last three days over 400 volunteers streamed through our office to donate supplies and head to Red Hook, Howard Beach, Broad Channel and the Rockaways to help those most severely affected by the storm. As so many of you know, because you were there and did the work, our office on Queens Boulevard was a sea of humanity with hundreds of folks arriving with bags full of supplies, cars and vans were loaded out front, and so many of you jumped in those cars to head down and do what you could to help. I wasn't surprised by the generosity of our neighbors but its safe to say that I have never been prouder of our neighborhoods.
We will continue to use our office as a local drop off point for supplies this week. We'll accept donations of food, water, juices, cleaning supplies, batteries, work gloves, candles, blankets, cell chargers, diapers and related items. The office is located at 47-01 Queens Boulevard, Suite 205. Our phone number is 718-383-9566.
We will also need drivers, with gas, who can drive the donated materials to the areas in need. So that we can do this most efficiently, if you can serve as a driver, please email me at jvanbramer@council.nyc.gov with the date and time you are free to drive. Include your contact information including a cell phone number where we can call you to let you know we have a full load ready to go. We don't want folks waiting around too long and we don't want to send vehicles that aren't full of supplies.
Thank you all for everything you've done and will continue to do for our great City and the people who make it so.
Sincerely,
Jimmy Van Bramer