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Borough President Vito Fossella slammed a proposal to construct affordable housing on CUNY campuses, including the College of Staten Island, which lacks parking, public transit access and the amenities and infrastructure needed to support living space.
A report issued by the Center for an Urban Future proposed using unused or open space on CUNY campuses to build affordable housing and urged the city to adopt this policy. The College of Staten Island is highlighted as one such school with enough available space to build “multiple five-acre developments.” An estimated 8,700 students have decals to park on the CSI campus, but there are only 2,600 parking spaces -- "and here comes this group that says let's make this problem worse." “We’re here today to say it’s a really bad and it’s a really dumb idea,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of CSI’s Victory Boulevard entrance. “It will hurt the students, it will hurt the faculty, it will just hurt the flow here. Let’s take away hundreds or who knows how many parking spots, which would only compromise the quality-of-life for the students and the faculty at the College of Staten Island." Jonathan R. Peters, a professor of finance and data analytics in CSI’s Lucille and Jay Chazanoff School of Business, called the Victory Boulevard entrance “traffic central on Staten Island" and "a very challenged corridor." “This really serves as the front door to the college,” said Professor Peters. “The reality of life here on the campus is we have a heavy dependency on autos. This is not Hunter College, where we have the 4/5/6 train at the corner of our building. Our students, our faculty, our staff rely on automobiles. It is very difficult to get to and from other areas of Staten Island to this campus. If transit was here and if we were seeing improvements, you’d have some ideas about what you could do further, but I would suggest that we think clearly about how it would function if this was actually done."  Borough President Vito Fossella, NYPD Borough Commander Assistant Chief Melissa Eger and District Attorney Michael McMahon addressed burglary patterns involving forced home invasions and the theft of high-end luxury vehicles and urged residents to take preventative measures.
Despite Staten Island recording a 14% decline in grand larceny autos thefts, a 69% decline in burglaries and an 8% decline in overall index crimes so far this year, a recent burglary pattern in Todt Hill and Dongan Hills, involving several forced home entries and thefts of personal vehicles, as well as an attempted grand larceny auto theft in Arden Heights, has raised the alarm among law enforcement officials and residents. The suspects have been dubbed the “Crowbar Crew” by law enforcement officials as they allegedly use crowbars to open windows to gain access to homes and vehicles with this current pattern taking place between Feb. 1 and Feb. 9. "Part of why we're here today is to remind the people of Staten Island to be vigilant and to take caution," said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of the 121st Precinct in Graniteville. “There are bad people on the streets. The effort and the goal are to get rid of them so that you can live in peace, but there are little pockets in Todt Hill and Dongan Hills, and more recently Arden Heights, where there are people looking to steal cars. We’re going to do everything we can to ensure it comes to a halt or is minimized as much as possible.” Borough Commander Eger said the NYPD has stepped up its patrols in the areas most impacted by the burglary pattern and has increased the number of unmarked cars, particularly overnight. Residents are urged to take precautions by ensuring they remove their keys from their vehicles, remaining with their vehicles when warming them up, keeping their windows closed and locking their vehicles upon exiting them. “The message here to Staten Island residents is be vigilant but at the same time, we know what’s going on, we’re doing everything we can to make sure we bring those people to justice so that you don’t have to wake up with a car out of your driveway,” said Borough President Fossella.  Borough President Vito Fossella visited the home of Linda and Bob Ollis after President Donald Trump called them with the news that he was awarding their son, Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, with the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military decoration.
“If there ever was an American hero, a son of Staten Island, it was Michael Ollis,” said Borough President Fossella during his visit in a CBS interview. A graduate of the Petrides School, Staff Sgt. Ollis sacrificed his life while protecting a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber at their base in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom on Aug. 28, 2013. He was only 24. In the years since, his parents, elected officials and community leaders have advocated for his sacrifice to be officially recognized and honored at the national level. “SSG Ollis’ legacy is one of courage and selflessness,” said Borough President Fossella in applauding President Trump’s announcement. “With this honor, his sacrifice is immortalized forever as a tremendous example of the enduring American spirit, for many on Staten Island and across the country. To Robert and Linda Ollis, you and Michael deserve this moment many times over.” He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star, as well as the Polish government's highest military award, the Polish Medal of Honor. Now, his parents can add the Medal of Honor to the display of awards in their son's childhood bedroom in New Dorp. "I am extremely proud, but very sad," said Bob Ollis in the CBS interview. "I'd rather have Michael than the medal."  Borough President Vito Fossella condemned the city’s decision to send Staten Island’s Sanitation crews to Brooklyn for snow removal.
“Staten Islanders became second-class citizens a couple of days ago because the city took a lot of Staten Island city crews and city personnel that were handling snow removal and moved them to Brooklyn,” said Borough President Fossella, standing behind a mountain of snow and some solid ice during a press conference on the corner of Laredo Avenue and Pompey Avenue in Eltingville. He said the intersection is “just one of the many, many spots across Staten Island that we can show you.” “This is just one example of an egregious crosswalk that is covered in snow with no indication of if it will be removed,” he said. “And we can use those crews who were deployed elsewhere. They’re doing the same exact thing in Brooklyn that they could be doing here.” Borough President Fossella acknowledged the crews who are working around-the-clock shifts, noting they may be faced with additional work as there is potential for a weekend snowstorm. “They’re doing their best to clean the roads, but there is more work to do -- a lot of bus stops, a lot of fire hydrants are still covered in snow,” he said. “No matter where you go on Staten Island, there are little pockets like this and somebody higher-up decided to take crews from Staten Island and bring them elsewhere. It’s a slap in the face to the people of Staten Island who just want clean streets, safe streets. With that said, there was a mistake made and I hope the city rectifies that and gets those crews back to Staten Island to help people get around. If that other storm hits, it’s going to be worse, it’s going to add insult to injury.”  Borough President Vito Fossella, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton and Assemblyman Charles Fall united in a bipartisan, state-level effort to combat the siting of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) facilities in residential neighborhoods and to announce the introduction of legislation to stop their construction on Staten Island.
They stood outside the construction site of a BESS facility at 2166 Forest Ave. in the heart of Mariners Harbor, a dense residential neighborhood that sits between a strip mall and a deli, and across the street from Lowe's and Kohl’s, as well as two gas stations. Borough President Fossella said they have been calling on the city to say, “we don’t want them here.” “It seems like those cries have been falling on deaf ears to date, so we’re going to take another arrow out of the quiver and approach it from a state level,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the site. “There are other parts of the country where there is a minimum distance between a home or a business. We just keep banging that drum as loudly as possible to say that we don’t want these things near people’s homes or businesses. We believe they’re unsafe.” The elected officials also pointed to large-scale fires near BESS facilities across the country, including one in Warwick, N.Y., which ignited last month and took 24 hours to extinguish. It was the third fire at the site since 2023. To combat the construction of sites on Staten Island, Senator Scarcella-Spanton is introducing legislation which would require Community Boards are notified when a battery storage system is planned for a nearby neighborhood. The legislation would also require annual safety inspections for the BESS sites. “We see how quickly they can go up in flames and we want to make sure that they are not by your homes, by your businesses and collectively, we’re all working together with our community partners to make sure we pass this legislation,” said Senator Scarcella-Spanton. 'You Should Feel Safe Wherever You Pray': Condemning Acts Of Vandalism At Staten Island Churches1/15/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella; NYPD Borough Commander Assistant Chief Melissa Eger; District Attorney Michael McMahon, and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton gathered to condemn recent incidents of vandalism at Staten Island churches.
The altar and statues were damaged during a morning mass at St. Ann’s R.C. Church in Dongan Hills on Jan. 9. St. Sylvester’s R.C. Church in Concord was vandalized during their Christmas Day morning mass. Two days later, there was a burglary in the rectory at St. Roch’s R.C. Church in Port Richmond. “We stand here in solidarity with our Catholic brothers and sisters and all those of faith to say on Staten Island, you should feel safe at your church or wherever you pray,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference outside of St. Ann’s Church yesterday. “Religious freedom is at the cornerstone of who we are and we will defend it firmly and peacefully without apology.” Assistant Chief Eger said the individuals responsible for the vandalism at the churches have been arrested. NYPD Community Affairs Officers and patrol officers have increased their presence and have been making regular visits to houses of worship across Staten Island. “So, I want to emphasize that none of these incidents indicate the targeting of churches due to religious affiliation,” said Assistant Chief Eger. “These acts were of opportunism and theft, with a separate incident involving a mentally ill person.” Rev. Jacob Thumma, the pastor of St. Ann’s R.C. Church and St. Sylvester’s R.C. Church, appealed for increased mental health services and prayers for his congregants and the suspect in the incident at St. Ann’s. “This instant highlights an urgent societal concern -- the need for enhanced services and compassionate care for those suffering from mental illness,” said Father Thumma. “We must continue to invest in mental health resources that support families and provide timely interventions before crises occur. We ask the public to join us in prayer for the individual involved in this incident, that he may receive the healing he needs, and for the injured police officers and their families. We also pray for those in our congregation who were shaken by this event.”  Borough President Vito Fossella and Catholic Youth Organization officials unveiled a new set of rules for parents and spectators who disrupt games.
The rules are a response to a spate of spectator altercations during CYO games, most recently a courtside fight between two mothers in the middle of a basketball game in the gym of St. Teresa’s School on Dec. 20. In the following weeks, Borough President Fossella assisted the CYO in reaching a reasonable standard to hold parents and other spectators accountable for unruly behavior at games. The intent is to create a recurring sense of normalcy and good spirits at the games, particularly for the young athletes. Altercations had previously been handled on a case-by-case basis, “but at this point forward, there will be an objective policy.” Under the new rules, spectators who are ejected by a referee for disruptive behavior during a CYO game will now face a one-year ban. If that same individual commits a repeat violation, they will be hit with a lifetime ban. Additionally, any spectator who engages in a physical altercation will also be subject to a lifetime ban, permanently barring them from ever attending another CYO competition. Borough President Fossella said the majority of play is “nothing but a positive experience due to the coaches and the volunteers who step up to make sure young kids have a good time and to learn.” “The mission was about the kids,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference in the CYO Community Center Gym at Mount Loretto. “The mission was about teaching them responsibility. The mission was about them having a good time. The kids are the center of this universe here. And every once in a while, some spectators get out of control and ruins it for the kids and ruins it for everybody else.” He said more than 4,000 student-athletes are on CYO teams, creating lifelong friendships. He called upon the leadership of all youth sports leagues to join the conversation. “We hope this is a way is to put the focus back where it belongs, on young children having a good time, learning a skill, learning a sport,” said Borough President Fossella. Michael Neely, county director for the CYO, said the two individuals involved in the fight in St. Teresa's School have been "indefinitely suspended” from all games going forward. “We strive to do what we can for the kids,” he said. “I think this is a very important message and I appreciate Borough President Fossella’s input on this. He’s been front and center with me for the last couple of weeks, kind of trying to talk me off the ledge a little bit, but it’s pretty upsetting and I really want to publicly thank him and his staff. I also want to thank my staff, too, for helping me through this time.”  Borough President Vito Fossella penned a letter to President Donald Trump in support of efforts to posthumously honor Staff Sergeant Michael J. Ollis with the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration.
He wrote the letter after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recommended Staff Sergeant Ollis for the honor. "Staff Sergeant Ollis is the very example of the American spirit -- tenacity, patriotism, courage, and service to your fellow man," said Borough President Fossella. "His ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country, saving the life of somebody else, is an incredibly heroic action that resonates in our hearts to this very day. We hope Staff Sergeant Ollis can be bestowed the Medal of Honor, a medal he is so deeply deserving of, so that the generations to come can look to him and learn from his profound example." A graduate of the Petrides School, Staff Sergeant Ollis sacrificed his life while protecting a Polish soldier from a suicide bomber at their base in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom on Aug. 28, 2013. He was only 24. In the years since, Staten Islanders, including his parents, Robert and Linda Ollis, have advocated for his sacrifice to be officially recognized and honored at the national level. Staff Sergeant Ollis was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and the Bronze Star, as well as the Polish government's highest military award, the Polish Medal of Honor. (Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com/Jan Somma-Hammel)  A hero’s legacy remembered: Borough President Vito Fossella was honored to stand alongside State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, veterans, clergy, and community members for the unveiling of a statue recalling the heroic sacrifice of Father Vincent R. Capodanno at the corner of Seaview Avenue and Father Capodanno Boulevard.
“As a young boy, I got to know who Father Capodanno was because they changed this name from Seaside Boulevard to Father Capodanno Boulevard, you got to know who this hero was all about,” said Borough President Fossella. Borough President Fossella became friends with Jim Capodanno, the brother of Father Capodanno. “Jim, like so many others here, kept Father Capodanno’s legacy alive, and they remind us every moment what it really means to sacrifice for freedom.” Father Capodanno, an Elm Park native and graduate of Curtis High School, was known as the “grunt padre” to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was safe in the combat operations center when he heard reports that parts of the company were outnumbered by the North Vietnamese Army during a battle dubbed Operation Swift. When they asked for reinforcements, Father Capodanno requested to go. His Marines needed him. During Operation Swift, Father Capodanno refused to seek cover even after he was shot. Instead, when he spotted a young Marine lying mortally wounded in an open field, he prayed the “Our Father” with him until he fell by the corpsman's side, 27 wounds to his back, his neck, his head. It was Labor Day, Sept. 4, 1967. He was 38-years-old. The statue was made possible through the dedication of Anthony (Tony) Leto, whose years of tireless efforts helped bring this tribute to life, ensuring Father Capodanno’s courage, faith, and sacrifice are permanently honored. It is a fitting tribute to the Medal of Honor recipient and Navy chaplain whose legacy continues to inspire generations.  Borough President Vito Fossella called for discretion and common sense from city agencies in the enforcement of minor infractions for small businesses at a press conference outside of Ariemma’s Italian Deli, a staple in Dongan Hills for more than 70 years.
His call-to-action stems from a long-held belief that the city often makes it difficult for small businesses to operate, oftentimes with rules that are obscure or unnecessary. Santo Ariemma recently received summonses from the City Department of Sanitation Police in the amount of $50 to $500 for the placement of a sign on the sidewalk outside of the store that advertises products and sales. The summonses cited that the sign impeded pedestrian traffic. “We’re here today just a few weeks before Christmas in front of Ariemma’s, which has been here for 70 years, and unfortunately, the Ariemma family got a lump of coal,” said Borough President Fossella, noting the sign has probably stood in the same spot since before Santo Ariemma was born. “As a result, Santo rightfully stood up and spoke out -- and you shouldn’t be afraid to speak out when the government does something wrong. In this case, the government did something wrong.” Borough President Fossella said a “lack of discretion and a lack of common sense was the order of the day” with city agencies often viewing small businesses as a “cash machine" when they need revenue. “Don’t ruin their day with nonsense, at least give them an option to say, 'hey, buddy, this sign is not supposed to be here or can you move it over there,’” said Borough President Fossella. “You can’t consult with people like that? Is that not the norm anymore? We’re here to stand with this family that has committed themselves to Staten Island. They work 12-or-13-hour days and it’s difficult enough with taxes and regulations and everything that comes with it. We’re just here to say the city should step back and see the business owners as the backbone of the economy, as the backbone of our community, as a opposed to a group of individuals or entities that could just grab money whenever they need.” Santo Ariemma said he was handed the summons without any conversation. “The signs have been out here for 30-plus years and they’ve never been in anyone’s way,” he said. “The signs are for advertisements, to try to make an honest dollar and now for me to try to fight this ticket, I have to take a day off from work, which means I am going to lose more money. I am going to have to pay for someone to represent me. It’s a bunch of nonsense for a small family business.”  Borough President Vito Fossella visited Totten (I.S. 34) Intermediate School to cut the ribbon on a new full-sized, 100-yard turf football field with dedicated areas form softball, baseball and soccer, as well as a multi-purpose space for school events, which was funded by our office.
The school’s Borough Student Advisory Council presented a plan to Borough President Fossella in March with their wish to renovate their schoolyard, which had not undergone any major renovations in decades. A month later, Borough President Fossella joined Principal John Boyle and his students in turning over the soil with a ceremonial shovel, promising that "this dustbowl that has been here for 90 years will be transformed into a field of dreams -- it will be epic." Now, that promise has been realized. “It might be a little cold out here, but this field is smoking hot,” said Borough President Fossella prior to the ribbon cutting. “You all had a dream, you came to us, we agreed to try to fulfill that dream and today, here we are -- 90 years in the making. Remember this: Anything is possible when you put your mind to it, when you believe in something, when you work hard, when you work together for the right reasons. That’s what today is all about. You’re going to have some fun on this field and you’re going to have great memories on this field. We are so proud and humbled to do this for you and your families.” As a token of appreciation, Principal Boyle presented Borough President Fossella with the Defender Of The Nest Award, a gold statue of an Eagle, as the students chanted, “Vito, Vito, Vito.” And, to highlight that the field will be for more than just sporting events, the day featured performances by the marching band, the cheerleaders and the dance team. “Since 1935, right back when this building first opened as Tottenville High School, this patch of land has been part of the sports community and of the Staten Island community forever,” said Principal Boyle. “For decades, this grass field was beautifully kept, lovingly maintained and played on seven days a week, but as time came so did wear -- with drought came dust and over the last few years, our field, our home, began to dry up. We still loved it, we still used it, but it slowly transformed into a dustbowl and for a long time, the idea of fixing it or building something bigger or something lasting felt like just a dream. But dreams have a funny way of taking shape when you surround yourself with the right people. Today, we’re surrounded by those people.”  Borough President Vito Fossella and Principal Andrew Greenfield toured the new JV and varsity locker rooms at Port Richmond High School, which were funded by our office.
The varsity locker room, which dubs as the field house, underwent a complete renovation, including new lockers; bathrooms; heating and air-conditioning systems; new floors; painting, and lighting. The JV locker room was outfitted with new lockers, doors, floors, lighting and painting. “The kids deserve it, the coaches deserve it, Mr. Greenfield deserves it," said Borough President Fossella. "Our best days are yet to come." Principal Greenfield thanked Borough President Fossella and Kevin Moran, the deputy chancellor of operations for the City Department of Education, for the upgrades. “This is absolutely incredible,” said Principal Greenfield. Borough President Fossella is also funding a new science lab for Port Richmond High School, which will include new tables and workstations, as well as upgraded electrical, gas and plumbing systems. “There is a science lab in the school that is about 90-years-old and it looks like its 190-years-old,” said Borough President Fossella. “Port Richmond will get a state-of-the-art science lab, one of the few on Staten Island and one of the few in the city. It’s going to be great for the kids.”  Borough President Vito Fossella, District Attorney Michael McMahon, Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo and interfaith leaders stood together in a call to protect religious freedom and condemn acts of hatred.
“The first words in the Bill of Rights are the ability of all individuals to have the free exercise of religion,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of Young Israel of Staten Island in Willowbrook. “These are the very first rights embodied in the U.S. Constitution before anything else.” He spoke of the arrival of the Pilgrims who left England to seek religious freedom. “They came together, and around this time of year, they celebrated a harvest to give thanks and gratitude for all the blessings in their life,” said Borough President Fossella. “Nothing has really changed in these last few hundred years. We still give thanks and express gratitude for living in the greatest country in the world, in large part because we are free to exercise whatever religion we want.” The press conference was held in response to a growing wave of anti-Semitism and religious intolerance across the country, including an anti-Israeli protest outside of the Park East Manhattan Synagogue on Nov. 19. The protestors used anti-Semitic and incendiary language. “What happened the other day up on the East Side of Manhattan at that synagogue is unacceptable and it is not to be tolerated,” said District Attorney McMahon. “People are simply going about their American right. But it’s more than that, it’s a human right. To follow their religion and express their religion, whatever it is, and that’s something we have to stand up for every day when someone threatens that.” The religious leaders echoed the theme of harmony for worshippers of all faiths. “No matter what aspect of our religions we want to celebrate, it should be allowed to be done in peace and harmony and everybody taking some joy in what others do as well,” said Monsignor William Belford, pastor of St. Teresa of the Infant Jesus Roman Catholic Church in Castleton Corners. “I speak for our Catholic priests and people in saying no hatred is allowed, only peace and joy.”  Borough President Vito Fossella, the office of District Attorney Michael McMahon, and the NYPD worked together in securing justice for a Staten Islander who was the victim of license plate fraud.
Janine Mule reached out to Borough President Fossella and District Attorney McMahon when a motorist used duct tape to replicate her father’s license plate. In the ensuing months, thousands of dollars of unpaid tolls were accrued and wrongly charged to her 91-year-old father and led to the booting of his car. The fines have since been dismissed. “Numerous summonses were issued and ultimately the plates were turned in in January,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference in Borough Hall. “And then in February of this year, tickets started coming in -- tickets for tolls, speeding tickets, red light cameras and ultimately the car was booted in the summer.” Borough President Fossella called it a “nightmare for her family.” “She reached out for help because you can imagine how you would feel if you were driving a car knowing full well that the tickets you were receiving across the board were accumulating and you had nothing to do with it,” he said. “This is not a victimless crime. Think of all the stress and pressure this family went through because of some dirtbag who went out and just kept racking up these tickets.” Ms. Mule said she tried several avenues for help but kept getting turned away. She received immediate assistance when she contacted Billy Beale, the director of Emergency Management, Public Safety & Veterans Affairs, at Borough Hall. She was then directed to District Attorney McMahon who worked with the NYPD on the case. “I could at least stop thinking about this because to know that this is happening and you’re not doing it and tickets are coming over and over again, penalties are coming, it’s very frightening,” she said. James Clinton, the press secretary for District Attorney McMahon, said his office has “an open and active investigation and there is a suspect in the matter.” “We’re hopeful there will be a resolution and accountability for that individual, but mostly we're grateful that our victim in this case had been made whole and her personal liability and that of her father has been resolved,” he said. 'A Jewel': Borough President Vito Fossella Secures Critical Funds For Maintenance Of FDR Boardwalk10/31/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella announced that he has secured an agreement from Mayor Eric Adams that will fund the repair and maintenance of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Boardwalk in South Beach.
If approved by the City Council, the plan would allocate $1 million in the first year and $650,000 annually thereafter for the upkeep of the boardwalk -- an amount significantly more than what is currently being spent to maintain the boardwalk. “Our boardwalk is a jewel, with some unparalleled views of the Raritan Bay, and with amenities for enjoying a walk, fishing, or accessing our beach," said Borough President Fossella at a press conference. “Unfortunately, anybody who spends time in and around the boardwalk knows that parts of it have fallen into disrepair, for one reason or another.” Borough Parks Commissioner Joseph Homsey thanked Borough President Fossella and Mayor Adams for their support. "The FDR Boardwalk is a special place for Staten Islanders, offering incredible views and recreational opportunities year-round," said Commissioner Homsey. "A dedicated maintenance fund would help ensure the boardwalk remains in top condition for visitors to safely enjoy.”  Borough President Vito Fossella and District Attorney Michael McMahon stood in salute with members of the Merrill-Capodanno American Legion Post to raise a flag on a newly erected flagpole at the Livingston WWII Veterans Memorial.
The memorial bears the names of 280 neighborhood men who saw combat action during World War II. Flowers and plants decorated the memorial, but there was no flagpole. That prompted Pablo Hidalgo, the post’s vice commander, to reach out to Borough President Fossella, who joined with Dist “These were the guys who went off to war, served this country honorably and helped to liberate the free world,” said Borough President Fossella before the flag-raising. “And, as we know, here on Staten Island, we always pay homage and honor those who served because without the veterans, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy. Today, we say thank you to the veterans here across Staten Island and across the country by raising a new flag and flagpole in their honor.” Mr. Hidalgo thanked Borough President Fossella and District Attorney McMahon for fulfilling his wish to erect a flagpole at the memorial. “I am a veteran, a Marine, and now I am going to enjoy coming by here and seeing the flag and saluting my comrades,” he said. Together, they hoisted the American flag and a POW flag onto the new flagpole, giving the men whose names are etched into the Livingston WWII Veterans Memorial the dignity they deserve.  Borough President Vito Fossella honored Linda Lo for her decades of volunteerism at charities across Staten Island, including Catholic Charities, the Blue Star Families, AmeriCorp Seniors, the AARP, as well as at food pantries and soup kitchens. She was particularly startled when she learned there was a food pantry at Fort Wadsworth.
For her efforts, Linda was recently named the “New Yorker of the Week’ by NY1. After seeing that Linda received that honor from NY1, Borough President Fossella thought it was only fitting that she be named “Staten Islander of the Week.” Borough President Fossella referred to Linda as the type of person who dives in when she sees a need. “There’s a key word called virtue -- the virtue of just giving back,” said Borough President Fossella during a small gathering with Linda’s family and friends in his office. “All of those things are done in quiet solitude without fanfare and without any desire to look for attention or for a pat on the back. Linda, you show up when others don’t show up, you show up when others run away. Every time one person steps in, it makes a difference and Linda, you have made a difference -- and we thank you.” Linda’s calling to volunteer began after 9/11 and continued to grow after she retired. “I don’t think I do all that much, it just seems like I do,” she said. “I just have fun with all the organizations that I volunteer for. I love the people that I meet and they become lifetime friends.” Borough President Vito Fossella, Mayor Eric Adams Announce Joint Allocation To Staten Island Zoo10/22/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella and Mayor Eric Adams announced a joint $7M capital project to reconstruct the Children’s Center of the Staten Island Zoo into a fully-accessible nature play and learning space.
“The Staten Island Zoo is a tremendously valuable institution and a cornerstone of the Staten Island youth experience, especially for kids to access and experience nature,” said Borough President Fossella during a visit to the Zoo. “The backbone of the Staten Island Zoo is teaching people their place in a great big world and we are happy to play a role in expanding that experience.” A new Sensation Station will transform the Children’s Center site into a “Sensory-Themed Nature Play & Animal Encounter” zone, which can be enjoyed by children of all developmental abilities and sensory tolerances. Children will be able to play and learn through interactive experiences. A new otter exhibit and Slotherium (for sloths, anteaters and armadillos) will be an attraction highlight. This is the first update to the Children’s Center since it was built in 1968. "Staten Islanders deserve the benefits of offering a world-class education and cultural center, and with our joint investments toward the Staten Island Zoo, alongside Borough President Vito Fossella, we are helping to deliver just that," said Mayor Adams. The project is the newest renovation plan for the Zoo, which serves over 175,000 visitors annually and over 20,000 school children in educational programs. “Our re-imagined Children’s Center will further our mission to foster appreciation for animals and natural areas, through the close-up nurturing experiences we provide our guests, especially children,” said Kenneth Mitchell, the Zoo’s executive director.  Borough President Vito Fossella, parents, and students rallied to oppose changes to the Gifted and Talented (G&T) Program for elementary school students.
The gathering was prompted by a proposal by a mayoral candidate frontrunner who has suggested eliminating the G&T Program if elected. “We’re here today to remind folks that elections have consequences and to shine a light on a program that may disappear if the wrong person wins in the upcoming race for mayor,” said Borough President Fossella. “For those who believe fully in improving education for all kids, removing or dismantling the Gifted & Talented program would be a big mistake.” Borough President Fossella pointed to Staten Island Technical High School as a testament to the success of G&T programs. “One of the best schools, frankly in the United States, is Staten Island Tech, in part because we allowed those kids to be challenged in the elementary schools and the middle schools," said Borough President Fossella. And, those kids are not only leaders today, but they’ll go into college and be the leaders of tomorrow. I can’t emphasize enough what a mistake this would be.” Benny Huang, a senior at Staten Island Technical High School and former G&T student, said the programs provide “life-changing and transformative environments.” “These programs not only pushed me academically, but they affected how I think, how work and how I view the world around me,” he said. “Starting an accelerated program was where I first started to feel challenged. It wasn’t pressure for pressure’s sake, it was a push to grow, a push to continually learn. I strongly agree that every student deserves that same opportunity for growth in early life. Cutting the Gifted & Talented programs -- it doesn’t provide a level playing field. Instead, it’s only going to eliminate the one place where curiosity, drive and creativity is encouraged, not diminished." Push To Improve Express Bus Service: 'There Is Some Progress, But There Is Still Work To Do'10/17/2025
Borough President Vito Fossella was joined by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726 President Daniel Cassella and transportation advocates to provide an update on their ongoing work with the MTA to improve express bus service for Staten Island commuters.
Together, they have been working closely to identify the source of these issues and advocate solutions to the MTA. At a meeting with the MTA in July, Borough President Fossella secured some short-term and long-term commitments to improve service. Among the initiatives promised were the development of Quality Assurance maintenance teams, cycling newer buses from the other boroughs, and training more mechanics to make long-term repairs to buses. “For the last several years, we have tried to be the strongest advocates possible for the often-beleaguered Staten Island commuter, especially the express bus riders,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference at the Yukon Bus Depot. He called attention to increased maintenance issues and bus cancellations since the Meredith Bus Depot closed in January, a move he had previously condemned. The closure, in addition to a flurry of maintenance and service issues, contributed to 530 bus cancellations in June, 971 cancelations in July, and 518 cancelations in August. Last month, the cancelations dropped to 174. Borough President Fossella said if a commuter misses one bus or, worse, two buses, it is the difference between being on time or late for work. He called on the MTA to implement long-term solutions, such as another garage and increased parking at both the Yukon Depot and the Castleton Depot. “So, in a way, we took a snapshot, we got their attention, there is some progress, but there’s still more work to,” said Borough President Fossella. “But folks, you need to know, we’re not going away. The MTA is going to have to continue to make investments for the good folks behind me.”  Borough President Vito Fossella stood with leading members of Community Boards 1 and 2, the leaders of several local civic associations, and local residents to oppose Intro. 1138, the Universal Daylighting Bill that is currently under the consideration of the City Council.
If passed, the law will mandate daylighting, the act of removing parking in the vicinity of a corner to improve visibility, within 20 feet before the crosswalk of every intersection across New York City. The Department of Transportation estimates the bill will eliminate roughly 300,000 parking spots across the City - nearly 50,000 on Staten Island alone. It has also publicly stated that the changes the bill calls for will cost $3 billion - more than double the agency's current annual operating budget. At the press conference, in the heart of Great Kills, Borough President Fossella argued that the "one-size-fits-all" approach is not practical and does not make sense for the issue of street safety. In a place like Staten Island, where owning a car is a necessity, not a privilege, particularly because our borough is a transit desert, he argued that universal daylighting is poised to be a major disruption on people's lives. "For a variety of reasons, among the lack of mass transit options, people across Staten Island need their cars, and we also know that parking is at a premium," said Borough President Fossella. "For whatever reason, there is an effort in the New York City Council to take away 300,000 parking spaces across the City. And then what happens if you park on the corner? You'll have to park somewhere else. It'll be a residual roller-coaster effect up and down the block." While daylighting may be necessary in certain intersections on Staten Island, the Borough President argued that the "cookie-cutter" approach is going to "take away something that is very fundamental to a lot of people" and do far more harm than good. He also relayed the issue of Universal Daylighting to the City of Yes, which will enable more density on Staten Island through allowing accessible dwelling units and eliminating parking requirements on large-scale developments - ultimately increasing the demand for parking. The bill is currently referred to committee. Borough President Vito Fossella Allocates Funding For State-Of-The-Art Biplane Imaging At RUMC9/16/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella announced a $1.52 million capital allocation to acquire state-of-the-art biplane imaging technology for the new vascular institute at Richmond University Medical Center.
The Joan and Alan Bernikow Heart and Vascular Institute, which is slated to open next year, will bring together advanced cardiology and neuroscience services in one unit. Biplane imaging is one of the most advanced interventional technologies available. It uses two rotating cameras, one on each side of the patient, to take simultaneous images. As the cameras move from side-to-side and front-to-back, they produce highly detailed images of blood vessels, soft tissue, and blood flow in real-time. Biplane imaging is also used to path the blood flow through vessels, which helps to find the precise location of disease or malformation. The project expands RUMC’s existing Catheterization Suite, which currently treats over 500 cardiac patients annually. The number of preoperative and holding bays will also be increased to better accommodate patient volume while improving patient flow and staff services. Additionally, the allocation includes refurbishing the existing waiting area and reception area. Borough President Fossella said he is “humbled and appreciative that I get to play a little part in this." He also said the new equipment will provide more reasons for Staten Islanders to stay at home to find high-quality health care. “This is an outgrowth of that premise,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference in the hospital’s Sipp Auditorium . “Not only will this provide better health care to the existing patients, but it’s going to allow other patients to come here who would have gone someplace else. My only hope and prayer is that people will live longer and better and get better care because of this."  Borough President Vito Fossella stood between the soaring wings of the Postcards Memorial, which perfectly frame the spot where the Twin Towers once stood, to remember the 267 Staten Islanders who were lost 24 years ago and the First Responders who have died since due to their work at Ground Zero. Hundreds gathered for the annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony amid a backdrop of American flags. Bells tolled, heads bowed, and tears were shed as the names were read one-by-one by their family members. “Staten Island took a heavy hit on 9/11 and it’s wonderful you all came out to remember those who lost their lives on that tragic day,” said Borough President Fossella. “Innocent people should not be slaughtered or killed because of what they believe. That goes against what the United States has been all about. So, as we keep the 9/11 families in our prayers and thoughts, let’s stand together and be united like we were 24 years ago.” Mayor Eric Adams remarked on the strength of New Yorkers. “I think the most significant part is what happened on 9/12,” said Mayor Adams. “We got up. Our city responded. Builders built, teachers taught, firefighters did their job, police officers continued to secure our city. It was as though those attacks would collapse our city, but we showed our resiliency. When we got up, the whole country got up.” The processional was performed by the Staten Island Pipers and the colors were presented by the United States Coast Guard Sector New York and the United States Army. Rebecca Quilla sang the National Anthem. Bishop Peter Byrne, pastor of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, led the invocation, and Bishop Victor Brown, pastor of Mount Sinai United Christian Church, led the benediction. The ceremony concluded with the Staten Island Pipers performing Amazing Grace and the Tottenville High School Ceremonial Taps Unit playing the somber echoes of Taps as family members gently placed roses at the Postcards Memorial and the First Responders Memorial. And as an FDNY tugboat sprayed water, the Tribute In Light rose into the nighttime sky across the harbor.   Borough President Vito Fossella honored two swift-thinking police officers, including one from Staten Island, for their heroics in saving two sleeping brothers and their dog when their home caught on fire in Coney Island.
He was joined by Deputy Chief Michael Glynn, commanding officer of the NYPD Quality of Life Division, and District Attorney Michael McMahon, along with the families of the two officers during a small gathering in his office. Police Officer Christopher De Sciora, a resident of Tottenville, and Police Officer Andy Guo, members of the 60th Precinct’s Quality of Life Team, responded to reports of a house fire within the vicinity of Canal Avenue and West 36th Street in Brooklyn on the morning of Aug. 10. The front door to the home was locked, but the partners heard a dog barking inside. "I don’t know if it’s in the rule book, if it’s in the training manual, or perhaps it’s good instinct and good fortune that you were there to save lives," said Borough President Fossella. "There is a family out there that is alive, there is a dog that is alive because you guys were there and responded the way you did. It’s magic and it’s appreciated.” The officers encountered a lot of smoke and initially thought the fire was in the neighbor’s yard, but he directed them to the house next door. Bodycam footage, posted to the NYPD’s Facebook page, shows them mounting a chair to climb the fence, smashing open a glass door, and immediately calling out to the residents to alert them to the fire. They quickly escorted the brothers, and their dog, Sherlock, to safety. We thank Police Officer De Sciora and Police Officer Guo for their service to the NYPD and their commitment to keeping the residents of our city safe.  Borough President Vito Fossella stood with members of the fishing and boating community to express their strong opposition to the proposed Northeast Supply Enhancement Project, a natural gas pipeline which would run under the length of the Raritan Bay.
“The concern we have is that the project will unearth or disrupt some of those sediments that are on the floor of the Raritan Bay right now,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of the Mansion Marina in Great Kills. “If that happens, what will that do to the quality of the water?" This project would add a 17.4 mile “enhancement” to an already-existing pipeline that traverses the entire width of Staten Island. The “enhanced” pipeline will flow to Long Island, Queens, and Brooklyn with Staten Island bearing the risks and burdens while potentially paying a 3.5% increase for gas and service they will never receive. Borough President Fossella recalled spending time on South Beach as a child when the water and the beach were polluted. “Since that time, we have made a lot of progress to improve the quality of the water,” he said. “As a result, we have an ecosystem, fishing has gotten better, people are seeing seagulls and whales and dolphins that they never saw before. Again, where we have made progress, why would we turn back the clock?” In a letter written to Cheryl Sandrow at the state Department of Environmental Conservation last month, Borough President Fossella asked “if any other alternatives were studied or suggested for the proposed project before the sites of the Staten Island shoreland were selected.” “The waterway is a jewel, the Raritan Bay is a jewel -- let’s not tarnish it with an unnecessary project until and unless we get clearer answers,” said Borough President Fossella at the press conference. |