Community Corner

$52 Bil Plan To Protect Jamaica Bay Region + Won Condemns LIC Shelter

The quickest way to get caught up on the most important things happening this weekend in Queens.

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Good morning, Queens! 😎

  • 🌊 Queens' low-lying neighborhoods like Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, and Broad Channel are now at the center of a historic $52 billion federal plan that would construct storm surge gates and seawalls to protect the Jamaica Bay region.
  • 👎 Council Member Julie Won called a press conference Thursday to condemn the Long Island City shelter where an asylum seeker died by suicide last week, saying the city and the shelter's nonprofit provider Samaritan Daytop Village bore responsibility for its woeful conditions
  • 🚨 The New York City Emergency Management Department issued a travel advisory through Friday, Dec. 23.

💧Rain mixing with ❄️ snow. High: 49 Low: 11.

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Here are the top stories today in Queens:

1. Queens' low-lying neighborhoods like Howard Beach, Hamilton Beach, and Broad Channel are now at the center of a historic $52 billion federal plan that would construct storm surge gates and seawalls to protect the Jamaica Bay region. In Hamilton Beach, a middle-class neighborhood of roughly 27,000 people, which sits on the Jamaica Bay, residents are plagued by up to a foot of tidal flooding almost every month."When I tell someone in say, Brooklyn, that we have to move our cars three to four times a month just to avoid floods, or that the main entry road into our community gets flooded and traps us in — they're completely shocked," said Roger Gendron, a a life-long Hamilton Beach resident. The federal proposal to try and protect the region from storm surges and floods includes building movable sea gates that would close during big storms and block waterways in Queens, Staten Island and New Jersey, as well as constructing more than 30 miles of land-based levees, raised shorelines and sea walls. It also calls for integrating natural solutions like wetland restoration and living shorelines built out of sand, oyster shells and plants in order to blunt the force of waves.

CNBC

2. Council Member Julie Won called a press conference Thursday to condemn the Long Island City shelter where an asylum seeker died by suicide last week, saying the city and the shelter's nonprofit provider Samaritan Daytop Village bore responsibility for its woeful conditions, with problems ranging from mold to disease to a lack of services. 26-year-old Venezuela native John Ortega reportedly committed suicide last Wednesday at the facility, which Won's office did not name for privacy reasons, but said was near the Dutch Kills street corner where she spoke out on Thursday. Won's office said they have been made aware of "a number of issues" with this shelter in particular, including "an almost complete lack of Spanish speaking staff or service providers" on occasions when Won has visited, as well as a lack of adequate, healthy or culturally competent food, which Won said has sickened multiple children. "These families are coming to New York City after a months-long harrowing journey, in some cases, still reeling from the trauma they experienced along the way," said a spokesperson from the city's Department of Social Services. "We recognize the very unique challenges asylum seekers are facing and we remain committed to continuing to build on our ongoing efforts and interagency coordination to connect these families and individuals to mental health supports as we help them stabilize their lives in a new country."

Patch

3. The New York City Emergency Management Department issued a travel advisory through Friday, Dec. 23 with the a possibility of thunderstorms with lightning late Friday morning, and the passage of the cold front in the early afternoon. Snow showers may then develop in the wake of the front Friday afternoon with a nearly 40-degree swing expected from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning with wind chills nearing zero. A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect for southern Queens for the morning tide on Dec. 23 with up to 3 feet of above-ground inundation in Jamaica Bay, with a peak surge between 8 and 9 a.m. and water levels then receding through about 10 a.m. The neighborhoods most at risk of flooding include Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach, Broad Channel, and the Rockaways.

AM New York Metro

4. With many Democrats and even some Republicans calling for answers, new Republican congressman George Santos finally addressed reports that he misrepresented his background. On Thursday, he wrote on Twitter, "To the people of #NY03 I have my story to tell and it will be told next week. I want to assure everyone that I will address your questions and that/ I remain committed to deliver the results I campaigned on; Public safety, Inflation, Education & more." Recent interviews with Santos's former friends and co-workers, and additional records reviewed by The Times, offer a fuller picture of the congressman-elect's life — with details including financial struggles, unpaid debts, eviction lawsuits, divorce, and questions about his current address.

The New York Times

🗞 Hungry for more news? 🍽 Snack on these headlines:

  • A Ranking of New York City Bookstores (Book Riot)
  • Brooklyn man charged for $1.3M Ponzi scheme targeting Queens church (1010 WINS)
  • Scrutinized Kew Gardens Hotel Named In Wrongful Death Lawsuit (Patch)
  • 'The people deserve answers': Controversy surrounds Queens Congressman-elect George Santos following bombshell investigative report (Queens Courier)
  • Queens family searching for Miguel Angel Rivera, 72, missing since Wednesday afternoon (CBS New York)
  • Hochul grants clemencies, gives updates on reforms (Queens Daily Eagle)

🗓 To Do Today in Queens:

  • CCBQ Christmas Toy Shop (9:30 a.m.)
  • Holiday Baking & Pie Making - In Person Baking Class (@DidYouKhado) (1 p.m.)
  • Amaze Light Festival (4 p.m.)
  • El Toro Rojo Food Truck at Fifth Hammer Brewing (5 p.m.)
  • Live Latin Music at Industry City (6 p.m.)
  • The Christmas Show at Amazura (9 p.m.)
  • End of the Line Comedy - Show & Mic (10:45 p.m.)
  • Hyper Rave — trans-pecos (11 p.m.)

🗣 Queens Chatter:

  • 🌊 Major flooding in the Rockaways: "This won't be news to may living in the area. The Rockaway peninsula and Broad Channel are experiencing major flooding. Please be careful. First vid is Rockaway Beach Boulevard and the other is Broad Channel." (The Rockaway Wave via Twitter)
  • 🏆 Boy Scouts of America and the Jewish Institute of Queens honor Queens Borough President Donovan Richards: "I definitely prefer giving awards instead of receiving them, but it was an honor to be recognized yesterday by both the Boy Scouts of America and the Jewish Institute of Queens for the work all of us are doing as one borough to uplift our communities. Together, we are moving mountains." (Queens Borough President Donovan Richards via Facebook)
  • ❄️ Prepare yourself for severe weather: "The weather is only going to get worse from here, Queens. If you live in a flood-prone area, make sure you're prepared if water rises. And if you don't absolutely have to travel tonight and tomorrow, stay home and off the roads.
    My office is ready to respond however we're needed." (Queens Borough President Donovan Richards via Facebook)
  • 🔋Sandra Ung is a 2022 Power Player Rising: "It's an honor to be included in the @politicsnynews and @amnewyork 's 2022 Power Players Rising list. This past year I passed 9 pieces of legislation and brought back over $14M to D20 for capital projects and services for our largely immigrant community. Can't wait for 2023!" (Council Member Sandra Ung via Twitter)
  • ⏰ Expect holiday trash collection delays: "Residents should expect collection delays, as is common after holidays. We appreciate your patience as DSNY works to collect the backlog of material. Please flag any issues for our office at krishnan@council.nyc.gov or 718-803-6373" (Council Member Shekar Krishnan via Twitter)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox next week with another update!

— Emma Radu Fighera

About me: Emma Radu Fighera is a reporter born and raised in Queens, New York. She studied Literature and Studio Art at Hamilton College, where she helped run the only daily publication on campus, The Daily Bull newsletter. This past spring she earned her M.S. from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Queens Daily? Contact me at queens@patch.com

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