Month: October 2010

The co-chairs of Civics United for Railroad Environmental Solutions (CURES) presented the headline-grabbing list to draw attention to the impacts of railroads on neighborhoods like Glendale, Middle Village and Maspeth.

The list was unveiled as federal officials and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on ways to improve freight transportation across New York Harbor.

Perhaps the most prominent option being discussed is the so-called Cross Harbor Freight Tunnel, a controversial project that would increase freight movement through Western Queens.

CURES co-chair Laura Zimmer said the meeting proved alternatives exist.

The planning session “dispelled the idea that this study Inflatable Games For Sale is strictly looking at the Cross Harbor rail tunnel project,” Zimmer said. “They are looking at various alternatives for moving freight.”

The Dirty Dozen list called for sustainable solutions to freight transport to lessen the environmental impact on residents living near rail lines, who must deal with noise and air pollution.

“Problems created by current freight rail/solid waste transport operations already are at intolerable levels in our communities,” fact number three read.

“Queens is being treated as a dumping ground for regional environmental, transportation, and solid waste burdens,” the fact-sheet concluded. “This is an unjust and short-sighted way to deal with serious, long-term public health and economic development issues.”

Transportation companies like New York & Atlantic Railway, which operates a major rail terminal in Glendale, have disputed CURES’ claims that their operations cause serious pollution, and down-played concerns over noise and noxious smells from waste containers.

Despite this, elected officials from Maspeth to Ridgewood have backed the civic group, which was formed last year and has established an effective bully pulpit for rail issues in the area.

The first phase, or tier, of the Environmental Impact Study will identify potential modes of transportation for the Cross Harbor freight program. The second phase will consist of a detailed plan and cost benefit analysis.

Various civilian volunteer groups were presented with certificates of appreciation by Community Board 5 for their timely and effective response to the tornado that tore through Queens last month.

The Glendale Volunteer Ambulance Corps (GVAC), the Glendale Civilian Observation Patrol (GCOP) the 104th Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol (104-COP) and Community District 5’s CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) were all honored.

“These groups were out there after the storm on [September] 16th directing traffic and keeping order,” said CB5 District Manager Gary Giardano. “We appreciate the work they have done for their communities.”

Volunteers burst into action shortly after the storm struck Commercial Inflatable Obstacle Course For Sale last month to restore order and assess damages. Working alongside each other, they managed to redirect traffic at major intersections, clear major roads, and even assisted in the cleanup efforts.

Although damages were substantial, the cleanup took an admirably short amount of time, said Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, who presented the awards.

“The cleanup would have taken a lot longer without the help of these volunteer groups,” said Hevesi. “They deserve recognition for their heroism.”

A substance abuse treatment clinic has set plans in motion to open a center in Ridgewood.

Representatives of JNS Counseling Services, a medically supervised outpatient chemical dependency program, presented a proposal for a substance abuse counseling site in Ridgewood at a Community Board 5 meeting, hoping to gain approval from the board’s Health Committee.

The counseling center would be located at 752 Onderdonk Avenue, currently a vacant medical center, and would meet one of Ridgewood’s larger needs.

“Forest Hills has two counseling centers, Kew Gardens has two as well, but Ridgewood doesn’t have any,” said Ertuania Jorge, program director for JNS. “This community needs a counseling center to help its residents with chemical dependency issues.”

JNS Counseling Services was founded three years ago by Dr. Susan Levit in Midwood. Last year, the program was recognized for providing outstanding services by the state Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.

Currently, the program offers comprehensive screening, Inflatable Water Slides For Sale bio-psychosocial assessment, treatment planning, a DWI program, crisis management and various other services, including Credential Alcohol Counseling Services classes to train people to be counselors.

“Many people that undergo treatment eventually go to our school and then become counselors,” said Levit. “These people are the best examples of the work our program does.”

Although JNS is a substance abuse counseling service, it does not help patients who have fully succumbed to addiction said Jorge; those patients are better served by hospitals and rehabilitation centers. Instead, the program offers counseling to individuals who are becoming addicted and would like to attack the problem before it gets worse.

According to Jorge, the program’s most prominent treatment method consists of individual or group counseling sessions, all confidential and offered in a variety of languages, including Spanish, Polish, Russian, Farsi and Ukranian.

“All services will be highly confidential. We want people in the community to be confident in us,” said Jorge. “We will also accept all insurance providers and will have a Medicare official present at the office to help the uninsured. We will not turn anyone away because they do not have insurance.”

If the center opens in Ridgewood, there would be ample room for 50 to 100 patients a day, said Jorge, adding that it would be completely funded by JNS.

While most patients at the program’s Brooklyn office are referred by doctors, the Administration for Children’s Services and the police, JNS officials are planning a door-to-door advertising campaign in Ridgewood to spread the word about their services.

“We will be knocking on doors,” said Jorge. “We will go to churches, hospitals and we want to go to schools so we can prevent abuse from a young age.”

Response from CB5 has been positive, although the Health Committee will not formally review the proposal until November 3.

“There is a significant lack of counseling in this area compared to the number of people who have problems with drugs and alcohol and need treatment,” said CB5 District Manager Gary Giardano. “Alcoholism is especially prevalent, so a counseling center seems like a good idea.”