Borough President Vito Fossella Honors Outstanding Farrell Senior With Michael J. Petrides Award5/13/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella honored Vincenzo Rapacciuolo, a senior at Monsignor Farrell High School, for his academic accomplishments by presenting him with the Michael J. Petrides Student Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science at a ceremony at the Petrides School.
Named in memory of Michael J. Petrides, a beloved Staten Island educator and engineer who passed away in 1994, the award recognizes students who exemplify academic excellence, curiosity, and innovation. It is the only borough-wide academic award with one nomination from each high school. Vincenzo is regarded as a student with passionate curiosity and expansive creativity, especially in robotics and engineering. A member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar, Vincenzo has received Merit Awards in chemistry and physics and earned a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Outside the classroom, Vincenzo developed a Teleoperated Robotic Hand, which integrates virtual technology into a fully programmed robotic hand, and a functional Doctor Octopus Halloween Costume. He is in the process of inaugurating the Farrell STEM Club’s first 3D printer and developing enhanced Heads-Up Display (HUD) glasses using computer vision technology to outline specific objects within a field of view. “Congratulations to all the finalists,” said Borough President Fossella. “It is a pleasure to celebrate and recognize your individual achievements and accomplishments, excelling in some things that will really transform the world. You are the leaders of tomorrow and that is the beauty of this award.” Vincenzo said dedication is the key to success. “Dedication is something I believe every single person in this room has, and it’s the dedication of the parents and people who organized this event that got us to where we are now,” he said. “It is an honor to carry on the legacy of Michael J. Petrides and I hope all of you here continue to do so as well.”  Borough President Vito Fossella was joined by Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, the Port Richmond North Shore Alliance, and community residents to oppose the construction of a lithium-ion battery storage facility in the heart of Mariners Harbor.
The Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) facility is under construction in a vacant lot at 2166 Forest Ave. on the edge of a dense residential neighborhood, between a strip mall and a deli and across the street from Lowe’s Home Improvement and Kohl’s department store. There are also two gas stations across the street. Staten Island accounts for 6% of New York City’s population, yet 50% of the BESS sites are planned for Staten Island.“ A few years ago, the city in its lack of wisdom, decided to change the rules of the game and allow for BESS units to be developed in some types of residential and commercial areas that for most of the city’s history was not allowed,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference. “Sure enough, once they allowed the floodgates to open, people started looking around the city to find the cheapest place to put these units and what do we have -- they decided that Staten Island was the best place for these units to be built because of the relative price of land and the opportunity that existed.” Borough President Fossella noted that BESS sites have caused fires throughout the country, often forcing the evacuation of neighborhoods and the closures of highways. Once the fires are deemed under control, residents return home only to be evacuated again as the fires re-ignite. “In short, the city's been playing with fire with these things," he said. Mario Buonviaggio, vice president of the Port Richmond North Shore Alliance, said battery energy storage developers are “state shopping.” “When issues like this arise, you have to follow the money,” he said. “So, now we have this concern that these companies are state shopping and they’re going to the lowest bidder. This reeks of incompetence, corruption and quid pro quo.” Borough President Vito Fossella Honors Farrell Wrestling Team For Winning City, State Championships5/2/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella congratulated the wrestling team from Monsignor Farrell High School for capturing both the CHSSA city and state crowns in February.
The Lions won the CHSAA City Championship on Feb. 8 with a score of 489 points at Iona Prep High School They followed that performance by racking up 268.5 points to beat two-runners up and 12 additional teams that placed in the state tournament. The victory was made sweeter as they capped off the win at home. Each player and coach received a Certificate of Appreciation from Borough President Fossella during a gathering on the Borough Hall steps on Friday. “We couldn’t be more proud of these young men," said Borough President Fossella. "Thanks to the love of the parents and the grandparents and the siblings, because without that beginning, you can’t shape these men into the good young men they’ve become." Farrell President Lou Tobacco presented them with their championship rings. “These young men—our Faithful Men—are the embodiment of grit, discipline, and brotherhood,” said President Tobacco. “Their dedication on and off the mat inspires our entire school community and reflects the strength of the Farrell Family.” Head Coach Pete Hamm said the team "trained with purpose, competed with heart, and supported one another every step of the way. “This championship is a reflection of their commitment to each other and to the proud tradition of Farrell wrestling," said Head Coach Hamm. Congratulations to the Lions -- you have made Staten Island proud.  Borough President Vito Fossella was joined by Amalgamated Transit Union Local 726 President Daniel Cassella and local business owners to issue a call for the MTA to remedy the recent surge in congestion surrounding their bus depots.
The call comes amid reports that traffic surrounding the Castleton Bus Depot has increased significantly over the last several months because of the closure of the Meredith Avenue Depot in Chelsea in January. Once the Meredith Avenue Depot closed, it offloaded its 54 buses which served nine routes to the Castleton, Yukon, and Charleston depots. At the time, Borough President Fossella warned that closing the Meredith Avenue Depot would result in increased congestion at the remaining three depots, leading to poorer overall service for commuters. He said the solution is for the MTA to find a new location to re-open a fourth depot. “There are at any point in time, more than 30 buses lined up here,” said Borough Fossella at a press conference on Tuesday at Castleton Avenue and Rector Street. “To give you an idea of what that means in distance, it’s almost a third-of-a mile of buses lined up back to back to back. As you can see in real time, cars are trying to circumvent buses, they’re going around buses -- these are accidents waiting to happen. We’re here to say this is a problem and we’re urging the MTA to help us address this problem.” The increased congestion has also reduced the ability of Richmond County Ambulance to respond to emergencies, forcing them to forward high-risk calls to 911. Daniel Casella, the union president, said the buses are blocking street parking for customers who need the spots to enter businesses in the area. “The autobody shops that are here can’t even get a customer through their door because the buses have it blocked all the way down to Richmond Terrace,” he said. “This is something that I said would happen, that it would take a little while, and it is happening -- and it’s not just happening here at the Castleton Depot, it’s happening in the other depots also. I really implore the MTA to open another location because this is not going to go away and its only going to get worse.”  Borough President Vito Fossella, City Buildings Department Commissioner James Oddo, and Freshkills Park Administrator Mark Murphy joined together to honor Joe Lhota, who spearheaded the efforts to shutter the Fresh Kills Landfill.
They presented him with a proclamation, which declared April 25, 2025, as “Joe Lhota Day” on Staten Island, during a press conference at Freshkills Park on Friday. “Very often it’s the people up top who get the accolades and the sunshine, but it’s guys like Joe Lhota who actually got it done,” said Borough President Fossella. “I think the people behind the scenes who got it done need to be acknowledged.” As the Deputy Mayor of Operations in the administration of Mayor Rudolph Guliani, Mr. Lhota became the point person when it was announced that the city would finally close the landfill after 48 years. He crafted the solid waste management plan that made the closure possible and negotiated deals to facilitate the transportation of the city’s garbage to landfills in upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia. Following the press conference, Borough President Fossella, Mr. Lhota, and the city officials in attendance traveled through North Park, which opened in 2023 and offers breathtaking views of the area’s hills and waterways, access to the William T. Davis Wildlife Refuge, and opportunities for birdwatching. Freshkills Park will open in stages and will be three times the size of Central Park and the largest park built in New York City in more than a century when fully complete in 2036. “To see the transformation, it’s just amazing,” said Mr. Lhota. “What’s really amazing is to see the natural life come back.” Borough President Vito Fossella announced plans to file a lawsuit to stop the proliferation of lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) on Staten Island, alleging they are “inherently unsafe.”
Ten Staten Islanders will join the lawsuit as plaintiffs seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to prevent a BESS site from operating at 283 Nelson Ave. in Great Kills. The lawsuit will seek a stay at a BESS site under construction at Tillman Street and Manor Road. It will also argue that the proliferation of BESS sites on Staten Island violates “fair share” provisions of the New York City Charter and other regulatory processes designed to protect the public. “Staten Island is slated to get about 50% of these storage facilities even though we have 6% of the population,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of Richmond County Supreme Court. "Public safety is not the driving force in siting these facilities, it’s about convenience and cost. We’re taking this to the courts to fight for what is right." Borough President Fossella called attention to legislation in California that says a battery storage site must be sited 3,250-feet from a home -- or more than a mile -- after widespread fires led to large-scale evacuations. “That’s what they’re pursuing in other parts of the country, where they’ve had to shut down highways, evacuate areas, then let people come back in, only to evacuate them once again,” said Borough President Fossella, noting that some facilities on Staten Island have been constructed within 20-feet of residential neighborhoods. “If these facilities catch fire, are they going to evacuate Great Kills, are they going to shut down Hylan Boulevard? We don’t think it’s right, which is why we’re standing here today.”  Borough President Vito Fossella announced allocations for three Staten Island intermediate schools which will completely overhaul and enhance their schoolyards and fields as our students “deserve the very best.” He learned from the principals and students at Totten (I.S. 34) Intermediate School, Barnes (I.S. 24) Intermediate School, and Paulo (I.S. 75) Intermediate School that their schoolyards had not undergone any major renovations in decades. Borough President Fossella visited the schools to outline the projects. At Totten Intermediate School, a full-sized, 100-yard turf football field with dedicated areas for softball, baseball, and soccer will be installed. It will stand as a year-round facility which will serve the students at Totten Intermediate School, as well as student-athletes from schools across Staten Island. As Borough President Fossella placed the ceremonial shovel into the ground and turned over the soil at Totten Intermediate School, the students cheered. “This dustbowl that has been here for 90 years will be transformed into a field of dreams -- it will be epic,” said Borough President Fossella. John Boyle, the principal of Totten Intermediate School, thanked Borough President Fossella in a heartfelt Facebook post. “Thanks to the incredible vision and unwavering commitment of Borough President Vito Fossella, I.S. 34 is turning a longtime dream into a game-changing reality,” he wrote in the post. “This project honors our proud tradition of athletics, champions, and school spirit while building something current and future Eagles will enjoy for generations. Whether you’re defending the nest, performing under the stars, or cheering from the sidelines -- this is your field.” Both Paulo and Barnes Intermediate Schools will receive updated schoolyards with areas for recreation, sports, and outdoor learning, including a full baseball field and a mixed-use soccer pitch and football field. At Paulo Intermediate School, Borough President Fossella was greeted by the cheerleaders and the Paulo Panther, the school’s mascot, as he walked through the hallway on his way to the auditorium. The students had asked him to make their Panther dream of a new field “a reality.” “When I saw the development outside and I learned it was just going to be replaced with another asphalt schoolyard, what I told Principal Zapata and what I am telling you today, is that we’re going to blow it up and have a whole new turf field for all of you,” said Borough President Fossella at an assembly as confetti was released into the auditorium. During his visit to Barnes Intermediate School, Borough President Fossella was welcomed by the cheerleaders and the band playing the trumpets to the tune of New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz. “A few weeks ago, I toured the schoolyard and frankly, it needs work,” Borough President Fossella told the students. “The good news is that at this time next year, we will start construction on a brand-new turf field for you. You deserve it, Staten Island families deserve the very best, and you’re going to get the very best.” His announcement was met with rounds of applause and shouts of "Vito, Vito, Vito." Our office remains committed to ensuring our Staten Island students have the best possible academic and recreational experiences. 
Borough President Vito Fossella Calls For Increased Vigilance, Security In Staten Island's Parks4/9/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella was joined by NYPD Borough Commander Melissa Eger and District Attorney Michael McMahon to address security concerns in Staten Island’s parks.
The trio stood together in response to the attempted assault of a 53-year-old woman who was jogging in Silver Lake Park on April 3. “What we’re saying here is there’s no tolerance for anything like that in Staten Island and that we will do everything we can to track down the individual who assaulted this woman and also send the signal that if anybody dares to try to do something like that again, they’re going to have the full force of the law come down upon them,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference at the iconic entrance to Silver Lake Park. Borough President Fossella added that “your daughter, or your wife, or your sister should be able to walk or run anyplace on Staten Island without fear of being attacked, being assaulted, or even worse.” “The temptation is to say something like ‘you’ve got to be vigilant,’” he said. “That’s common sense, but the reality is, we want to put the force down on the handful of bad people who want to bring harm and injure innocent people." Assistant Chief Eger said images of a suspect have been released and called attention to an increase in park security. “Since the time of the assault, the NYPD has increased our police presence at Silver Lake Park and the surrounding area,” she said. “You have seen and will continue to see a larger number of police officers patrolling the park and surrounding areas. We want you, the community, to be safe and to feel safe.”  Borough President Vito Fossella issued the following statement regarding the confirmation by Mayor Eric Adams that no homeless shelter is being pursued at 4932 Arthur Kill Road in Richmond Valley. He also presented the message in a Facebook video.
“For the past two weeks, we joined South Shore residents to share our concerns and call for clarity about a potential homeless shelter being sited at 4932 Arthur Kill Road. We spoke directly with the Mayor to stress our opposition, and, fortunately, he confirmed that the City is not pursuing a homeless shelter at this location. This is a breath of relief for the residents, and we thank them for being persistent and making their concerns heard. As we said from day one, those who want to do bad by our Island have a committed opponent, and we will continue to stay on top of this location and others on Staten Island.”  Borough President Vito Fossella vowed to fight the siting of a possible homeless shelter at the corner of Arthur Kill Road and Richmond Valley Road in Richmond Valley.
He said an application has been filed to construct a four-story, multi-use building there -- and noted “there is concern rightfully by the community.” “The question has been asked and there are rumors floating around that this could be a potential homeless shelter,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the site.. “We’re here to say unequivocally that we will fight any plans for a homeless shelter every step of the way. In short, over our dead body, will they put one here. We have reached out to multiple agencies within the city -- and we have let them know that we will do everything in our power to prevent something like this from happening and we plan to kill it.” Borough President Fossella said community input will be required to ensure anything built at the site is “consistent with the character of this neighborhood.” “We’ve said from Day 1 that if you want to do good for the people of Staten Island, you have a committed proponent, but if you want to compromise the quality-of-life for the people of Staten Island, especially on the South Shore, then you have a committed opponent," he said. "In short, I want to let the folks out here know that we are on it, we will fight it, and we will keep people informed as the information flows into our office.”  Borough President Vito Fossella called on Staten Islanders to make donations to help Blue Star Families -- and they met the challenge. We received boxes of diapers, baby wipes, healthy children’s snacks, cereal, pancake mix, pasta, peanut butter, and reusable grocery bags as part of our "Stock The Pantry" Drive.
The supplies were distributed at Fort Wadsworth, where Blue Star Families operate a food pantry. More than 100 active military families use the food pantry for their basic needs. We hope these donations bring them some extra help. We want to give a shoutout to Joyce's Tavern, Doc Hennigans, The Point, O’Neills, The Burrito Bar, The Local, Lacey's Bridge Tavern, the Manor House, LaFontana, Duffy’s, and Deninos, which all served drop-off location for donations. And, we also extend a huge thank you to all the Staten Islanders who made donations and we continue to thank our Blue Star Families and our military service members for their sacrifices to keep our country safe.  Borough President Vito Fossella announced the completion of the fence restoration project at the GI Joe statue in New Brighton.
"What we want to do here, and highlight forever, in perpetuity, is to let everyone know that on Staten Island we appreciate and respect what every veteran has done for us and our freedom," said Borough President Fossella at a press conference. But we especially pay homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice and this statue embodies that." The GI Joe statue was dedicated in 1946 to honor WWII veterans. It later added the names of those who lost their life in the Korean conflict. Over the years, the statue has been moved three times. Originally dedicated at the corner of Brighton and York Avenues, it fell victim to vandals and was relocated in 1984 to the grounds of Assumption St. Paul R.C. Church where it was secure but not located in a place where the community could appreciate, respect, and view it. In 2012, it was moved to its permanent home on the grounds of Goodhue Park. After years of weathering and time taking its toll on the fence, a call was made to our office to help install a new fence around the statue. Borough President Fossella ensured funds were allocated and that a team would work to restore the fencing, making certain the dignity and respect of the GI Joe statue remains. The GI Joe statue is located on the highly-visible corner of Brighton and Lafayette Avenues on the Goodhue campus.  Borough President Vito Fossella joined members of Community Board 2 and residents of the Travis community at the corner of Victory Boulevard nd Travis Avenue to oppose a project to lift the marshland section of the Travis Avenue Roadway.
"We're not opposed to improving the road conditions, our concern that we raised was how long is this project going to take?" said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the site. In response to plans by the New York City Economic Development Corporation, the busy throughway that connects the West Shore to the rest of Staten Island could take as long as 18 months to up to two years to complete. "Our initial reaction was that's nuts," he added. "We can't shut this road for almost two years." Shutting down this vital section of Travis Avenue will greatly disrupt the lives of the residents of the Travis community, Mid-Island Little League, the football league, anyone who works along South Avenue, the Hilton, anyone trying to cross from the south shore to South Ave., are amongst some of the concerns. This heavily traveled road has approximately 40,000 cars a week traveling in both directions. That's a lot of cars and residents that will have their lives disrupted each week to navigate their way away from and around this closed stretch of Travis Ave. Another major cause of concern is the response time by FDNY Squad 8, located on Victory Boulevard approximately one block away from Travis Ave. With already stressed response times, if this roadway is closed for two years, their response time will double. Without the ability to quickly navigate down Travis Ave. to New Springville, they will be forced to travel up to Signs Road and loop around, resulting in even longer response times that could mean the difference between life and death. "In good conscience, I cannot stand here and say that we should support the closure of this roadway for almost two years," said Borough President Fossella.  Borough President Vito Fossella officially kicked off the 29th year of his "Readers Are Leaders" Challenge at P.S. 23.
Started in 1996 by then-councilman Fossella, fourth-graders across Staten Island are encouraged to read five books in five weeks and submit a project on their favorite book. A "Super Reader" will be chosen by each school to be recognized at an award ceremony in the spring. To celebrate the kickoff, students dressed up as their favorite literary characters, bringing their beloved stories to life!  Standing alongside concerned residents of Manor Heights, Borough President Vito Fossella once again rang the alarm on the dangers and placement of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) on Staten Island.
At a press conference at the corner of Manor Road and Tillman Street, Borough President Fossella addressed the hazards of having a lithium-ion BESS site in the heart of residential neighborhoods. "What we've been saying from day one, and beating the drum, is there should be a moratorium on the placement and development of these battery storage units until safety protocols are in place," said Borough President Fossella. "Almost every month, we see stories around the country where these storage units go on fire." The ongoing fight against BESS units continues as new areas are targeted for development, many in residential neighborhoods near people's homes, restaurants, schools, and small businesses. "I want to ask anybody in city government who has a conscience, why would they allow these units to be placed next to people's homes," said Borough President Fossella. With numerous stories across the country of lithium-ion battery fires and the dangerous conditions of those fires, Borough President Fossella urged the City to "stop playing with fire and put a moratorium on these things." Borough President Fossella Kicks Off 2nd Annual Staten High School Girls’ Basketball Tournament1/23/2025
 Borough President Vito Fossella kicked off the 2nd annual Staten High School Girls’ Basketball Tournament. The first tournament took place last year.
“It was such a great success,” said Borough President Vito Fossella during a press conference at the Michael J. Petrides School. “We couldn’t have been happier that the girls had so much fun. We put girls’ basketball for Staten Island on the map, where it belongs. We just want to make sure that these girls have the best opportunities to compete, have some fun, and make some new friends.” The tournament brings together teams from all 13 basketball-playing high schools on Staten Island -- eight from PSAL, four from CHSAA, and Staten Island Academy. “This tournament is about every girl that is here from the last-place team to the first-place team,” said Gerard Nicholson, the committee head for the hoops’ tournament. Borough President Vito Fossella was joined by faith leaders, members of law enforcement, and his fellow elected officials to condemn an alarming trend of radicalization leading to acts of violence.
The united front came in response to the terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day that was motivated by radicalization and resulted in the deaths of 14 people and left 34 people injured. “There are a lot of things we can do -- we can do nothing, we can look in horror, we can look away, we can turn the page, but we thought what we could do here today in Staten Island is to join together as a community and say there is no room for individuals who become so-called radicalized that they can destroy innocent lives,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference in Borough Hall. “That’s not what this place is about, that’s not what this country is about. So, we reached out to some of the faith leaders to spread that message of hope and peace and love and not one of evil and darkness.” The faith leaders in attendance represented the Islamic, Hindu, Baptist, Christian, and Jewish communities. “Hate can only have a home if we are silent," said Mendy Mirocznik, president of the Council of Jewish Organizations of Staten Island. “Nowhere in America should such hate exist. Our prayer is that all those who harbor hate, bigotry, or hold fear or anger in their hearts, should recognize the error in their ways and transform the negativity into positivity to help make this world a better place."  Borough President Vito Fossella and his fellow elected officials victoriously announced that the city will be removing the recently-installed fencing around the Martling Avenue Bridge.
Initially, they intended to announce plans to file a lawsuit against the city and the City Department of Transportation to remove the fence, but after a “reasonable and rational conversation” with the deputy mayor’s office, it was deemed that legal action was no longer necessary. “We got an early Christmas present because thanks to Mayor Eric Adams and the voice of this community, this fence will be coming down,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the site. “A true leader steps up when the people underneath him do something silly and the intention is just to cover their tracks and say tough luck, but Mayor Eric Adams overruled them and did what was right for Staten Island and for you.” The Martling Avenue Bridge bisects Clove Lakes Park between Slosson Avenue and Clove Road. When the fence was installed, nearby residents called it an eyesore which disrupted their views of the park. Last month, Borough President Fossella led a rally at the site calling upon the DOT to remove the fence as it did not fit in with the rule of the law they cited: The bridge doesn’t sit over a highway, railroad, or navigable waterway. “We all know that this is just a beautiful little spot, not just on Staten Island, but in the city,” said Borough President Fossella. “This bridge is iconic -- people take wedding photos here, people fish here, people make great memories here -- and then out of the blue one day, we saw this hideous, ridiculous-looking fence on top of both walls across the street. The people of this community rightfully stood up and protested and I applaud them for knowing what the right thing to do was. This is what happens when government works -- and it is because of you.”  Borough President Vito Fossella and his fellow elected officials called upon the NYPD to investigate the recent wave of drone and unmanned aircraft sightings over Staten Island.
There have been reports of drones flying over key assets, including Fort Wadsworth, the bridges, and the ports, as well, as in residential neighborhoods in both Staten Island and New Jersey, for the last several weeks. “What if there were 3,000 reports of drones or unmanned aircraft sightings over the U.S. Capitol, or the White House, or the State House in Albany -- what would happen?” Borough President Fossella asked at a press conference at the Fort Wadsworth Overlook. “There would be an immediate and intense response to figure out what they were and how to solve the problem.” He said the residents of Staten Island and New Jersey are getting nothing but “don’t believe what you see.” “The people of Staten Island deserve answers, the people of this city, this state, and this region deserve answers about what the heck is going on,” said Borough President Fossella who received a video of a drone flying over his home last night from a neighbor. “It’s shocking to us that here we are almost a month later, 3,000 sightings -- drones, unmanned aircraft -- and our folks don’t have an answer.” Borough President Fossella recently wrote a letter to the FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration asking for Staten Island to be included in any investigations. “They’re either lying or their incompetent -- or both,” he said. “How can we, in the United States of America, have this going on and we’re told ‘just look the other way, ignore it, it’s no big deal.’ Let’s be honest with the American people and treat them like adults and tell them what it is. If there is something that is classified or if there is something we shouldn’t be discussing, so be it, but say something along those lines -- ‘everything is under control, you need not be worried, it is us.’”  Borough President Vito Fossella joined his fellow elected officials as Mayor Eric Adams announced the removal of 73,000 ghost cars and illegal motorized vehicles from the five boroughs since the start of the mayor’s administration in 2022.
Ghost cars are virtually untraceable by traffic cameras and toll readers because they have forged or altered license plates. They pose significant public safety risks and are increasingly being used in violent crimes, including shootings and robberies, as well as in traffic offenses such as hit-and-runs. “They have a very visible impact on public safety in a very negative way,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the 122nd Precinct in New Dorp. “The one thing about stopping something is you prevent them from growing, so if those cars are allowed to grow and be used more often, not just in evasion of tolls, but in crimes, we would see more and that’s why it’s so important to send a signal that enough is enough.” This year alone, the NYPD and the City Department of Sanitation removed more than 7,500 ghost cars and 27,000 illegal motorized vehicles from New York City streets. And since the launch of a joint task force between the two departments in September, more than 5,000 ghost cars have been removed. In March, a multi-agency task force was established, which included the NYPD, the MTA, the Port Authority, the New York State Police, the New York City Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and the New Jersey Police Department. It resulted in 700 arrests, 32,244 summonses, and the seizing of 3,198 vehicles whose owners owed a total of over $27.3 million in unpaid tolls, taxes, and fees “Every time they don’t pay a toll, the people of Staten Island are forced to pay even more,” said Borough President Fossella. “So, the more we do to stop it, the better it is for Staten Island drivers.”  Borough President Vito Fossella joined with the City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to announce an agreement allowing police officers and staff members of the 120th Precinct to park their personal vehicles in the long-vacant garage at the former New York Wheel site. This will open more street parking for residents and visitors to St. George.
Parking in the vicinity of the 120th Precinct has been a persistent problem for decades as employees must park their vehicles on the surrounding streets, taking away spots from the public. “To us, it was common sense all along,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference in Borough Hall. “It’s sitting there vacant and it’s right across the street from the police precinct. So, not only will it make it more convenient for the folks who work there, instead of having to scramble looking for a spot every day, but it will also, as you can imagine, free up those spots for the people of the St. George community and the people who are visiting.” The EDC, which owns the lot, will provide 100 spots for those who work at the precinct. Borough President Fossella praised Mayor Eric Adams and EDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball who have worked diligently for two years to put the plan into action. “It wouldn’t have happened without teamwork,” he said. Deputy Inspector Eric J. Waldhelm, commanding officer of the 120th Precinct, echoed Borough President Fossella in calling it an “early Christmas present.” “This is a nice morale boost for the men and women of the 120 who work tirelessly day in and day out to keep the North Shore safe,” said Deputy Inspector Waldhelm. “It’s also a tremendous quality-of-life win for the residents and employees who work in St. George.”  Borough President Vito Fossella had the privilege of hosting an emotional retirement ceremony for Chief Warrant Officer Four Adelaide S. Borders who served with honor and distinction in the United States Army for 31 years.
Family and friends surrounded Chief Warrant Officer Four Borders as Borough President Fossella pinned her uniform in his office and congratulated her for her sacrifice, courage, and selflessness. “I can tell by the feel in this room that family is very special,” said Borough President Fossella. “In a world that spins very fast, the fundamentals of family and faith are alive.” Chief Warrant Officer Borders’ distinguished assignments included the 556th Maintenance Company, Fort Riley, Kansas; D Co 702nd Combat Support Battalion, Camp Stanley the Republic of Korea; 632nd Support Company (Hunter Army Airfield) 87th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia; 595th Maintenance Company, K-16, Air Base, The Republic of Korea; 8th Army NCO Academy Camp Jackson, The Republic of Korea; B Co 101st Forward Support Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley Kansas; E Co, 3-1 Combat Aviation Brigade 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; 125th Forward Support Company, 1-94th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington State; Army Logistics University, Fort Greg-Adams Virginia, and the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team 1st Cavalry Division Fort Cavazos. She is retiring out of the 20th Engineer Brigade, Fort Liberty, North Carolina, where she served as the Senior Logistics Warrant Officer. Her extensive military and civilian education have earned her multiple medals, certificates and degrees, including a Master’s Degree in Transportation and Logistics from the American Military University. “It is the American soldier and other service members who have worn the uniform who are responsible for the freedoms we have today,” said Borough President Fossella. “And that’s what this lady has done for more than 30 years -- taking pride in the uniform, what it represents, and what is emblematic of this country.” Chief Warrant Officer Four Borders said she felt “surrounded by so much love.” "As I stand here before you today, I am filled with emotion as I retire from the United States Army after 31 years of dedicated service,” she said. “It has been an extraordinary journey  Borough President Vito Fossella joined a crowd outside of Holtermann’s Bakery to support their owners amid unwarranted comments made on a national daytime talk show by a celebrity host.
“We're here to stand up for one of the best families and businesses,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference. “The Holtermann family’s story and the bakery’s story is an American story. This place has been here for 145 years. The Holtermann family have committed their lives to Staten Island. It is respected and it is hardworking.” Borough President Fossella said the family stays up through the midnight hours to prepare holiday orders and often sacrifice their own holidays to ensure their customers are served. Judging by the line today, the message is “you don’t mess with Staten Island." “They’re still here, they’re still strong, and they’re not going anywhere no matter what people on television have to say,” said Borough President Fossella. “They should apologize to the Holtermann family for making stuff up to suit their needs.” Jill Holtermann Bowers said was overwhelmed by the support she has received from her customers and those who have been following the story nationwide. “From finding out this happened yesterday, to people coming in, to getting phone calls from all over, to supporting us in every way, the support has been so overwhelming” she said. “I know how hard my family has worked to keep this business alive. I wish my father was here today to see this -- he would never believe it. He used to come in at 2 or 3 in the morning just to have donuts and rolls for everybody. It takes my whole family and it takes the community who comes in everyday to see us. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t still be here today. My father always said you do what you love -- and this is my heart.”  Borough President Vito Fossella, the FDNY, and the City Parks Department urged Staten Islanders to apply for firebreak permits to protect their properties.
The call to apply for firebreak permits comes following six recent brush fires, including four in Clove Lakes Park, a two-alarm fire in Brookfield Park, and another near Historic Richmond Town. The fires were attributed to a significant lack of rainfall, which has resulted in a drought watch. “We want to call attention to something that could be potentially dangerous, but we can take measure to help protect properties and save lives” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference in Clove Lakes Park. The State Department of Environmental Conservation issues a general permit through Borough Hall to allow residents to cut back and mow phragmites around their homes to reduce the risk of property damage. FDNY Deputy Chief Joseph Duggan said the numbers speak for themselves, placing a historical perspective on brush fires throughout the five boroughs: In a typical October, the FDNY responds to approximately 34 brush fires citywide. This October, there were 197. “Please, clear away the dead leaves around your house -- that will help us out tremendously,” he said. “Brush fires move extremely fast and are driven by the wind. In some parts of the city, we’re going to the same places every day. It’s a severe concern for the homeowners and the firefighters, as well. Anything you can do, we would greatly appreciate.” Residents can apply for the permit by visiting the Borough Hall website , by email, or by calling 718-816-2060.  Borough President Vito Fossella, Council Member Kamillah Hanks Council Member-D49, and Council Member David Carr called for the removal of fencing that was recently installed along the Martling Avenue Bridge by the City Department of Transportation (DOT). The Martling Avenue Bridge bisects Clove Lakes Park between Slosson Avenue and Clove Road. Nearby residents have called the fence an eyesore and said it disrupts their view of the park. “In Medicine, the Hippocratic Oath says ‘do no harm’ and what has happened here is the City of New York has caused harm to this area by putting up a fence that does not belong here,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference. “This is one of the most beautiful areas in New York City. People come here, they enjoy their walks, their runs, they walk their dogs, their kids play here.” Borough President Fossella said the DOT “claims or believes” the fence was installed to protect pedestrians, but he called it a misinterpretation of the law. “That’s only the case if you’re over a railway or a highway,” he said. “Then, they talk about navigable waters. There is a guy from the ferry here who retired eight years ago. I asked him if we could put a ferry here and he said ‘no.’ So, that violates that one.” There is a glimmer of good news: Borough President Fossella said the issue has “reached the highest levels” after a phone call with the mayor’s office. “They are now engaged,” said Borough President Fossella. “I was crystal clear with them that unless this fence is taken down, it’s unacceptable. To their credit, they have indicated that they will review it and will get back to us as soon as possible with a game plan. But everybody needs to know -- tear this fence down and tear it down now.” |