B.P. Molinaro Celebrates "National Mentoring Month" with Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC

B.P. Molinaro Declares January "Mentoring Month" at Borough Hall

At a proclamation ceremony in Borough Hall, Borough President James P. Molinaro declared January “Mentoring Month” in Staten Island. He presented the proclamation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC Executive Director Hector Batista, who was joined at the ceremony by Coast Guard Petty Officer Ben Colbert, who is a “Big Brother” to 9-year-old Cyon Williams of St. George.

“I applaud Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC for their outstanding mentoring of more than 3,000 at-risk youth in our city each year,” said Molinaro. “I encourage Staten Islanders, businesses, public and private agencies, religious and educational institutions to join the mentoring movement and be a part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC program.” Mentoring is free and open to adults 21 or older. To learn more about the city’s oldest and largest youth mentoring organization, call 212-686-2042 or visit www.bigsnyc.org

B.P. Molinaro Declares This Year's Coat Drive the Most Successful Yet $Coat Drive 2012\$

B.P. Molinaro's Annual Coat Drive at the Salvation Army

Borough President James P. Molinaro hosted his annual coat drive at the Salvation Army in Stapleton, distributing more than 1,000 jackets and outerwear to various charitable organizations that care for the Island’s needy, including Project Hospitality. Salvation Army board member Al Curtis, Captain Libaniel Urbina of the Stapleton Corps and Captain Franklin Machado from the Port Richmond Corps helped Molinaro distribute the coats. Also on hand were representatives of the Bay Street Landing apartment complex and high school students who collected and donated coats to the drive.

“Staten Islanders always step up to help when there is a need, and they made this year’s drive the most successful yet,” said Molinaro. “There are few things worse than being cold, and I’m pleased that our community has come together once again to bring warmth and comfort to the needy, especially now during the holiday season.”

B.P. Molinaro Launches "Buy American" Campaign

B.P. Molinaro and staff show off American made products

Borough President James P. Molinaro unveiled his “Buy American” campaign during a press conference at Borough Hall. He urged Americans to buy American-made products during this holiday season and going forward, in order to help keep American jobs here in America and put Americans back to work. Molinaro announced that his office will be purchasing American goods whenever possible, and that he is stamping all constituent correspondence with the message, “Buy American products—Put Americans back to work.”

ABC News Made in America Video

B.P. Molinaro Presents Third New Snow Plow to Sanitation Commissioner Doherty

B.P. Molinaro presents new Haulster vehicle to the Sanitation Department

Borough President James P. Molinaro presented a newly-purchased Haulster vehicle to Sanitation Commissioner John J. Doherty outside Borough Hall to complete the agency’s Staten Island fleet of snow plow/road salt trucks. The $134,000 multi-purpose vehicle is the third that Molinaro has purchased for the DSNY over the last few years, that salts and plows narrow streets as well as crosswalks and bus stops. During the remainder of the year, the vehicle is used as a small dump truck for litter patrols.

“After one of the snowiest winters in history, the forecasters predict that we’re in for yet another harsh winter,” said Molinaro. “So I am pleased to assist ‘New York’s Strongest’ by adding a third new Haulster vehicle to complete Staten Island’s fleet. Our Borough has more than 1,500 miles of road, including 744 miles of side streets. Helping Sanitation fulfill their duties makes our roads more passable and safer. And when the Haulster truck is not salting and plowing streets, it’s picking up litter and maintaining Staten Island’s reputation as the cleanest borough in New York City.”

B.P. Urges Staten Islanders to Increase Recycling

Preliminary results from this quarter’s Pratt Challenge show declines Borough-wide

BP Molinaro, Pratt Industries, and the Parks Department are encouraging Staten Islanders to increase their paper and cardboard recycling in the wake of poor preliminary results in this quarter’s Staten Island Paper Challenge, sponsored by Pratt Industries. Pratt is awarding monetary prizes to our three Community Boards based on percentage increases in recycling over last year. The year-long contest began in January, and Staten Islanders heeded the call by increasing their recycling, but in recent months, the recycling rates have been dropping off. The prize money awarded will be used to fund improvements to our Borough’s parks.

Read Press Release

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DEC Permit Conditions for Fighting Brush Fires

Kissam Avenue Brush Fire

Borough President James P. Molinaro and City Councilmen James Oddo and Vincent Ignizio have announced that the State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has agreed to revise its Staten Island firebreak permit. “This is tremendous news for the residents of Oakwood, Dongan Hills, Ocean Breeze and Midland and South Beach areas,” said Molinaro. “Fire season in the wetlands has already started and we must do everything we can to minimize the potential for disaster and tragedy to occur. The DEC understands the gravity of our situation and has granted our request for new guidelines for firebreak permits processed through my office. The revised language greatly enhances a safety corridor for both firefighters and homeowners, and allows residents to sleep better at night knowing they are further away from the paths of potential fires.”

The elected officials are strongly urging property owners in the affected areas to read the press release for all the important summaries, details, and procedure to obtain the permit.

Read Press Release

The Borough President's Office Presents a Preview of the Fresh Kills Documentary Video

Fresh Kills Documentary Preview video

To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the closing of the Fresh Kills landfill on March 22, 2001, the Borough President’s Office is producing a documentary, which will chronicle how the world’s largest garbage dump closed and how it is being transformed into one of New York City’s grandest parks. Here is a preview of the documentary, which will premiere later this year.

People interviewed for the Fresh Kills Documentary include Governor George Pataki, Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Borough President James P. Molinaro, Borough President Guy Molinari, Congresswoman Susan Molinari, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, City Planning Commissioner Amanda Burden, Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty, Freshkills Park Administrator Eloise Hirsh, Staten Island Advance Editor Brian Laline, and local residents.

The Time for Wind Power at Fresh Kills is NOW

Conceptual Image of Wind Farm at Fresh Kills

In light of recent concerns over the safety and stability of nuclear power plants, Borough President James P. Molinaro has renewed his push for a wind farm to be situated on the former Fresh Kills landfill. “We must begin to develop alternative energy sources,” Molinaro said. “While nuclear power is very efficient, recent events in Japan have shown that nuclear power plants can be extremely dangerous to citizens in the event of a man-made or natural disaster. Our own Indian Point Plant in Westchester sits on an earthquake fault line, and could possibly endanger thousands of New Yorkers should an accident occur.

A wind farm at Fresh Kills would be a source of safe, clean power that would not endanger anyone,” Molinaro continued. “In fact, just seven turbines would generate enough wind energy to power 10,000 homes on Staten Island. This is a win-win for everyone, and I encourage Staten Islanders let their State representatives know that it is time for wind turbines to be built at Fresh Kills.”

Read Press Release

Read the Publication: "Wind Power at Fresh Kills"

State of the Borough Priorities:

Jobs, Traffic Improvements, Autism Services, and Pension Reform for New Employees

Borough President Molinaro outlines our State of the Borough for 2011

Borough President James P. Molinaro recently announced key points of his State of the Borough Address with local media. Highlights can be found here.

Read highlights of the speech

Read complete transcript

Read S.I. Advance Op-ed by B.P. Molinaro

The Preservation of Pouch Camp is a Top Priority for BP Molinaro

William H. Pouch Scout Camp

The preservation of Pouch Camp is a top priority for all Staten Island elected officials. Borough President Molinaro is working together with all Staten Island Elected Officials to secure a conservation easement that would permanently preserve the property as open space and prevent housing or commercial development. Although these are challenging economic times for City and State government, we simply cannot afford to lose this valuable Greenbelt site to developers. BP Molinaro said “I will do everything in my power to preserve Pouch Camp so that future generations of Staten Islanders can continue to have access to the parkland for recreational purposes.”

NOW PLAYING:

Staten Island's New Tourism Video

Borough President Molinaro unveils the Staten Island Attractions video at the Staten Island Ferry's Whitehall Terminal in Manhattan.

Staten Island's many cultural attractions, as well as its parks and recreational opportunities are featured in the 9 minute video, which is designed to attract both tourists and residents alike. As passengers wait to board the Staten Island bound ferry, they can learn about the attractions that can be reached by bus and those that are within walking distance of the St. George Ferry Terminal. The video will be played on a new 65" high definition video monitor, mounted above the information booth in the passenger waiting area.

The video was produced by the Borough President's Office and sponsored by the NYC & Co. Foundation, the Richmond County Savings Foundation, and SINY, Inc. Narration for the video was provided by Ken Dashow, radio personality from New York's Q104.3 fm. The video will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

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