Apr. 10, 2025 By Colum Motherway The race for the District 30 City Council seat has grown increasingly contentious, with candidate Paul Pogozelski at odds with current Council Member Robert Holden and his Chief of Staff, Daniel Kurzyna, over allegations of misinformation and associations with past political figures. Tensions escalated following a report by…
Apr. 8, 2025 By Colum Motherway A group of City Council Members known as the “Common Sense Caucus” is gearing up to introduce legislation next week aimed at making New York City’s recently implemented mandatory household composting program voluntary. The caucus, which includes Council Members Robert Holden, Kristy Marmorato, Vickie Paladino, Joann Ariola, Susan…
Apr. 4, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden announced on Thursday, April 3, that the Mayor’s Office has confirmed the closure of two controversial migrant shelters in his district. The emergency shelters, located at the Ridgewood Presbyterian Church in Ridgewood and the Rabbinical Seminary in Maspeth, will cease operations in June 2025.…
Apr. 3, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden spearheaded a rally on Wednesday, April 2, to oppose the proposed construction of a large-scale lithium-ion battery storage facility at 64-30 69th Place in Middle Village, directly across from PS/IS 128. The rally, which brought together local residents, political leaders, and concerned parents, demonstrated…
Mar. 28, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden is raising concerns over the proposed construction of a large-scale lithium-ion battery energy storage facility at 64-30 69th Place in Middle Village, directly across from PS/IS 128. The site is in a densely populated residential neighborhood and is situated next to an animal hospital,…
Mar. 26, 2025 By Colum Motherway After years of mounting violations, community frustration, and inaction, the city has officially declared a long-abandoned building in Ridgewood unsafe. The building at 614 Woodward Ave. has been formally entered into the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Unsafe Buildings Program, following sustained advocacy from Council Members…
Mar. 24, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden praised a March 20 decision by the New York State Court of Appeals striking down New York City’s plan to let noncitizens vote in local elections. The Court’s 6-1 decision firmly rejected the City’s 2022 law, which had aimed to grant voting rights to…
Mar. 19, 2025 By Colum Motherway Robin Russell-French, the owner of the infamous “space shuttle” bus that was parked on Starr Street in Ridgewood, has explained why he could not move the vehicle and why he is now planning legal action after his bus was severely damaged during its recent removal. The vehicle, which…
Mar. 18, 2025 By Colum Motherway Alicia Vaichunas, a candidate for City Council in District 30, welcomed dozens of supporters at a soldout fundraising event held at Villa Erasmo in Middle Village. The event, held on March 6, featured prominent political figures and grassroots leaders who rallied around Vaichunas as their preferred candidate to…
Mar. 13, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden is urging the NYS Department of State to swiftly designate District 30 a cease-and-desist zone. His request comes in response to the overwhelming increase in aggressive real estate solicitations that homeowners in his district have been facing since the passage of the controversial “City…