Sunday, August 21, 2022

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - Mid-August + Upcoming Events, Community Awareness, and more!

 

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Dear Neighbor,

As we settle into the latter part of the summer, it’s time to reflect on the contributions made by the community and our partners. My commitment is to ensure the community is heard and has access to programs and services aligned with their needs. This summer has taught me a lot, and I am excited to deliver and support you all. Each event or initiative in District 13 will have you at the forefront - nothing less.

I continuously hear from residents that you would like to see more events. As previously mentioned, several programs are in the works, relevant to our communities, including clean-ups, e-waste programs, and leisurely activities for all ages. If you haven’t already, please complete our survey so that you experience programming relevant to you. Be sure to share it with a friend - the more surveys completed, the more programming options we will have!

While so much continues to happen in the District, I am committed to and excited to share new initiatives that will impact the quality of life of my community. This week has been full of exciting moments, which I’ve shared below; I invite you to experience them with me. As New York City grows and changes, whether it's economically or socially, I invite you all to voice your concerns and opinions or to enjoy the moment.

In recent weeks, my office has received an influx of constituent cases. To ensure you are supported in a timely manner, my team and I will be out in the community to address your concerns during the first mobile office hours. This will continue throughout the fall in various locations throughout the district. If you have time-sensitive questions or require immediate assistance, contact my office Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM at (718) 931-1721 or via email at District13@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez


Mobile Office Hours



Join me and my team for Mobile Office Hours on Monday, August 22nd at Pelham Bay Park train station (at the corner of Westchester Avenue and Amendola Place) from 3 PM to 5 PM to address any questions or concerns you may have. We’re here to help YOU make the most out of your community. See you there!

Neighborhood Safety - Lithium Ion Batteries


In recent weeks, a lithium-ion battery fire killed two individuals at Jackie Robinson Houses in Harlem and injured two others, including a firefighter. This tragic event was preventable; unfortunately, these fires continue to occur across the City. It is evident that lithium-battery-related fires are very real, and the risks outweigh the advantages. We must work together to develop realistic solutions to reduce the risk of battery fires in our communities.

To address this public safety issue, I am partnering with my colleagues to address public education, the scope of the issue, safety standards for charging and storage, and infrastructure needs. Overall - we want to hear from YOU on what you want to see in your community regarding the electric transportation devices, such as e-bikes and scooters.

From now until September 6th, you can submit a public testimony by clicking here.

For more information on safety, please visit the FDNY website here.

In recent weeks, a lithium-ion battery fire killed two individuals at Jackie Robinson Houses in Harlem and injured two others, including a firefighter. This tragic event was preventable; unfortunately, these fires continue to occur across the City. It is evident that lithium-battery-related fires are very real, and the risks outweigh the advantages. We must work together to develop realistic solutions to reduce the risk of battery fires in our communities.

To address this public safety issue, I am partnering with my colleagues to address public education, the scope of the issue, safety standards for charging and storage, and infrastructure needs. Overall - we want to hear from YOU on what you want to see in your community regarding the electric transportation devices, such as e-bikes and scooters.

From now until September 6th, you can submit a public testimony by clicking here.

For more information on safety, please visit the FDNY website here.


Back to School: Backpack Giveaway


The 2022-2023 school year is underway, and we are excited to share our annual Back 2 School Giveaway! Each year, community leaders host several events that provide essential school supplies for students in the district. This year, we will be participating in several giveaways, meeting the needs of students across the Northeast Bronx.

Keep an eye out each week, as we announce additional giveaways throughout the district. If you would like to see a giveaway in your area, please reach out to us at district13@council.nyc.gov.


Summer Movie Night









Mark your calendars!

Join me and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation for a special viewing of “Spiderman: No Way Home,” at Ambrosini Field, in City Island on Tuesday, August 30th at 7:30 PM.

Bring the whole family out for an evening filled with popcorn, laughs, and your friendly neighborhood Spiderman!


What’s Happening In District 13?

SWARM Clean-Up Throggs Neck

At the beginning of August, the New York City Economic Development Corporation hosted a SWARM clean-up event in the district. Below are some statistics from the event.

  • Bags of trash collected: 347

  • Block faces hand-swept: 786

  • Graffiti cleaned from property or asset: 24

  • Litter baskets collected: 147

  • Mileage cleaned: 39.7miles

  • Weight of trash bags collected: 5059lbs

Important Information - TRANSPORTATION