May. 1, 2025 By Colum Motherway A broad coalition of elected officials, civic leaders and Community Board 5 is calling on state regulators to reject a proposed adult-use cannabis dispensary in the heart of Maspeth, arguing that the location violates New York State’s mandated 500-foot buffer zone between dispensaries and schools. The proposed dispensary…
Apr. 25, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden has introduced two new pieces of legislation that target fire hydrant misuse and abusive rodeo practices. The two bills—Intro 1255 and Intro 1256—seek to bolster public safety and protect animals from inhumane treatment. The first bill, Intro 1255, known as the Rodeo Animal Protection…
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. 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…
Mar. 10, 2025 By cmotherway March 10, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden visited Aviation High School to observe the exceptional programs that are preparing students for successful careers in the aviation industry. During his visit on Feb. 28, Holden expressed his enthusiasm about the school’s dedication to giving students the tools…
Mar. 10, 2025 By cmotherway March 10, 2025 By Colum Motherway Council Member Robert Holden visited Aviation High School to observe the exceptional programs that are preparing students for successful careers in the aviation industry. During his visit on Feb. 28, Holden expressed his enthusiasm about the school’s dedication to giving students the tools…
Mar. 6, 2025 By Colum Motherway The resurgence of avian flu at two animal slaughter markets in Queens has renewed urgent calls to shut down New York City’s densely packed wet markets. The latest outbreaks come just weeks after a temporary closure in February, when an undercover investigation by NYCLASS and Council Member Robert…
Feb. 24, 2025 By sobrien Feb. 24, 2025. By Shane O’Brien Members of the Community Education Council (CEC) for School District 24 are expected to introduce a motion this week to remove interim acting President Veronica Piedra Leon. The move follows allegations of her “consistent failures” to fulfill the responsibilities of the role and…
Feb. 21, 2025 By Colum Motherway The debate over New York City’s controversial congestion pricing program took a new turn on Wednesday, Feb. 19, when the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul announcing plans to end the tolling program. The letter, penned by Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, cites…