 Borough President Vito Fossella visited the Michael J. Petrides School to share some exciting news: He is allocating capital funding for the purchase of new chairs for the auditorium.
“Here we are at the Petrides School -- see these things here, the 1960s called, they want their chairs back,” said Borough President Fossella as he tossed aside the original chairs with Kevin Moran, the deputy chancellor of the Division of School Operations. Deputy Chancellor Moran said that despite their best efforts, “the chairs couldn’t hold up to the test of time.” “They started to really fray up and were ripping people’s pants, so we asked the Borough President for a grant -- and he was kind enough as always to help,” said Deputy Chancellor Moran. “We’re happy to be here to do our part to rip these things out and get them replaced.” 'Enough Is Enough': Borough President Vito Fossella, Homeowners Rally Against Pied-à-Terre Tax List8/21/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella rallied with Staten Island homeowners against the city’s bad-faith and searchable publication of the names and addresses of almost a million people who, it alleges, may be subject to a second home property surcharge, known as the pied-a-terre tax.
Despite the tax being aimed at those with secondary condos worth more than $1 million and secondary homes worth more than $5 million, the vast majority of those named should not be on the list. Many homeowners, including Borough President Fossella, have had their names and personal home addresses wrongfully published because they don’t own a luxury secondary home. “This isn’t about me, this is about you,” said Borough President Fossella at the rally on the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk in Midland Beach. “We’re here to stand united -- the people of Staten Island, the people who love this country, for all of you who earned your home -- to say enough is enough, stop the madness. The city has the power to suspend the list and to stop it and go back to square one and do it the right way. It is one of the most disgraceful things I have ever seen in my life -- and we can change it today.” 'It's Totally Unacceptable': Borough President Vito Fossella Opposes Proposed Housing Development8/21/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella opposed the city’s proposal to build 18,000 houses on Staten Island, mostly multi-family homes on the South Shore and in the Mid-Island over the next five years.
This proposal was made possible, in part, due to the City of Yes, which recharacterized the zoning of “low density” neighborhoods in the city, including the majority of Staten Island, to make way for more development. “Unfortunately, we are here once again to question what the city is doing to the people of Staten Island,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the corner of Richmond Hill Road and Kelly Boulevard in New Springville. “It’s just a pattern that has emerged over the last couple of months from homeless shelters that nobody wants, to bus lanes that nobody wants, to bike lanes that nobody wants, to the rollout of the pied-à-terre.” To put it in perspective, Borough President Fossella said building more than 18,000 units of housing on Staten Island over the next five years will triple the number of units built here on an annual basis in the only borough with limited mass transit options and no public hospital. “It’s totally unacceptable and it really is disrespectful to the people of Staten Island,” said Borough President Fossella. “We’re here to say, we want you to listen to us once and for all, and at least, we want you to put the pause button on this conversation about 18,000 units. Most of them have never set foot on this Island and they’re going to dictate how we live our lives. There are all these policies that you have to accept, there’s no recourse, there’s no conversation.”  Borough President Vito Fossella celebrated the heroism of the medics who administered quick, life-saving measures when artist and activist Scott LoBaido suffered a heart attack at the NYPD’s National Night Out earlier this month while attempting to approach the mayor.
Emergency Service Unit Detectives Jason Muller and Michael Jezycki and Rabbi Ari Weiss of Hatzolah rendered CPR and deployed a defibrillator before transporting him to Staten Island University Hospital. “At the core of it, we’re here because good people leapt into action and did a great thing to save someone’s life,” said Borough President Fossella during a small gathering in his office. “Scott has been my friend for many, many years -- he is a true patriot, loves this country, loves Staten Island. When things like this happen, we don’t brush it off. We say, we have good people who did a great thing. Very simply, we say thanks.” An emotional Scott LoBaido said his actions are “always in the best interest” of Staten Islanders. “I was dead, I flatlined for almost two minutes,” he said. “The only reason I am standing here today is because everything aligned perfectly -- the right place, the right time, the right people. So, my special thanks go to you guys.” Detective Muller said when they saw Scott fall to one knee and was lying on his back, his partner, Detective Jezycki, began chest compressions while he ran to their truck to grab their medical equipment and an AED. “We were at the right place at the right time, we had the right equipment with us -- and we used our training,” said Detective Muller. “Scott opened his eyes and started breathing on his own and he came back. We were just happy that it was a positive outcome and we saved his life.” Borough President Vito Fossella Allocates Funding To Renovate Playground At Clove Lakes Park8/19/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella and Borough City Parks Commissioner Joseph Homsey walked through Clove Lakes Park to announce a major capital funding allocation that will renovate the playground and update the park’s infrastructure.
To kickstart the improvements, Borough President Fossella is allocating $5.7 million to completely renovate the playground -- which has not received a makeover in decades. This investment joins a previous $5 million allocation to renovate one of the park’s ballfields, which is currently in the planning process. The playground overhaul will feature brand-new play equipment, a spray shower, fencing, and drainage. “Clove Lakes Park is an iconic gem with a little bit of everything for everyone," said Borough President Fossella. "We thank Commissioner Homsey for working with us to make this park even more special by bringing the playground forward to the modern day. Staten Island families deserve the best and here at Clove Lakes Park, they’re going to get the best.” Borough Commissioner Homsey thanked Borough President Fossella for his continued commitment to improving Staten Island's parks. “The reconstruction of Clove Lakes Park’s playground will bring all-new play equipment, a spray shower to keep kids cool on hot summer days, and other upgrades while making the site safer and more resilient than ever,” said Borough Commissioner Homsey. "We’re grateful to Borough President Fossella for funding this project that will make one of Staten Island’s greatest parks even better.” Borough President Vito Fossella Allocates Funding For Sensory Playground At The Hungerford School8/17/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella visited The Hungerford School to announce exciting news: He has allocated $250,000 for sensory playground equipment.
He was welcomed by a musical performance by the school band. “Today, we’re fortunate to be at the Hungerford School to announce a wonderful new project -- a sensory playground that has been lacking for years,” said Borough President Fossella. “We just heard the great band. The Hungerford School has great providers and great educators." The students cheered as Borough President Fossella told them what was in the works. “Hungerford families deserve the best, Staten Island families deserve the best --and they’re going to get the best,” he said.  Borough President Vito Fossella and Borough Parks Commissioner Joseph Homsey walked through Silver Lake Park to announce a capital project to update the amenities at the scenic greenspace.
To kickstart a series of improvements, Borough President Fossella is allocating $2 million for a capital project to restore pathways, install new benches and grow a variety of new plants. During their walk, Borough President Fossella referred to Silver Lake Park as Staten Island’s “very own Central Park" -- a hidden gem with the potential and the opportunity to become a cultural beacon. “In our borough of parks, Silver Lake Park is in a league of its own for its picturesque views and its potential,” said Borough President Fossella. “Thousands come every year to enjoy the scenery and all the park already has to offer. We are pleased to make this update to the park and are committed to capturing its fullest potential.” Commissioner Homsey thanked Borough President Fossella for his commitment to the borough's parks. “Silver Lake is a scenic gem of Staten Island’s park system -- and we’re thrilled to be bringing these upgrades to make the park more welcoming and accessible for years to come,” said Commissioner Homsey. “We’re grateful to Borough President Fossella for funding this capital project and for his ongoing support of our borough’s parks.”  For the fifth consecutive year, Borough President Vito Fossella allocated $45,000 to the Lucille and Jay Chazanoff Sunrise Day Camp to fund transportation costs for the campers.
Sunrise Day Camp is the world’s first full-summer day camp for children with cancer and their siblings, provided completely free of charge. The camp is operated by the Joan & Alan Bernikow Jewish Community Center on the grounds of Staten Island Academy. Borough President Fossella called the camp “a little oasis that provides not only sunrise but sunshine and a home away from home.” “There’s enough cost to families who have to endure a child with cancer and the stress and the financial burden, everything that comes with it,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the camp. “So, we try to play a small part to ease the pain and the burden by providing that funding and it's one of the ber things we get to do each year.” JCC CEO Orit Lender thanked Borough President Fossella and Jay Chazanoff, vice chair of the JCC’s board of directors, for their continued support of the camp. “This is a real opportunity for young people who are facing cancer to be able to put it aside for seven weeks and to be able to be children again -- to have the joy of running around, doing arts and crafts, playing kickball and swimming,” she said. “You have allowed us to bring campers here every day, to bring magic back into their lives and it means so much to the children and it means so much to their families, as well.”  Borough President Vito Fossella returned to Tottenville High School to unveil a new hardwood gym floor, which was funded by our office.
He visited Tottenville in June to announce the funding after learning the existing floor had been in disrepair and school officials were seeking a new one. “We are back at Pirate Nation,” said Borough President Fossella as he walked through the gym with Chief of School Operations Kevin Moran. “The gym came out mint.” Chief Moran said it was great to be back at Tottenville High School. “We couldn’t be happier with the progress,” said Chief Moran  Borough President Vito Fossella announced an allocation of $2.35 million in capital funding for state-of-the-art equipment upgrades at Staten Island University Hospital.
The capital funding is earmarked toward new surgical tables, ultrasound equipment, a vital nerve monitoring system, an image guided system -- and more. Borough President Fossella said two words drive what he does and what Staten Island University Hospital does – “collaboration and virtue.” “I know the quality-of-care and the compassion of the staff,” said Borough President Fossella in announcing the allocation at the hospital. "It’s not just about delivering results, but doing it with a kind heart. That is the virtue of giving back, stepping up and sending the signal that we are all in this together.” He called providing the allocation as a “gift that that I am able to give to you.” “We believe in this institution and we believe in all of you -- not just the folks who do it day-in and day-out, but the leadership of this hospital,” said Borough President Fossella. $250K Allocation To City Department Of Transportation To Increase Paving Efforts On Staten Island7/21/2026
 Borough President Vito Fossella announced an allocation of $250,000 to the Department of Transportation to supplement the agency’s paving resources on Staten Island, particularly since the harsh winter left the borough’s roads in significant disrepair.
“We all know the roads that we drive on Staten Island are critical and need to be maintained,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at Stanwich Street and Rome Avenue in Grasmere. “It’s a priority for us here on Staten Island and we will keep working with the city to do what’s best for the drivers of Staten Island, to keep our roads safe, to fill the potholes and to just pave.” Borough Hall receives regular complaints from constituents about vehicle damage due to persistent potholes and deteriorating streets. “People are rightfully concerned and upset that the roads are not paved,” said Borough President Fossella. “We don’t control that process. All we can do is be an advocate for those people. It’s a priority for us.” He indicated that the city is spending money on things Staten Islanders don’t want, referring to bus lanes and bike lanes. “All that money is fungible, as we speak, they’re spending a lot of money doing things that Staten Island does not want as opposed to spending the money on things we do want,” he said. “When this excuse of no money exists in a $100-plus billion budget, no one has to wonder where the city’s priorities are. So, we’re going to take any excuse that the money is not there by giving them the money.” Borough President Fossella said he will defer to the Department of Transportation as to roads they will pave with the allocation, rather than “micromanage the project.” “We will continue to lobby the city to say, ‘Please do what’s best for the folks of Staten Island,’” he said. “Give them what they need, not what you think they need."  Borough President Vito Fossella has proposed a solution to ease overcrowding at Curtis High School and to relocate McKee High School, rather than the city’s plan to build a brand-new high school in “one of St. George’s only functional parking lots.”
In its current plans, the Department of Education has proposed building a high school with more than 800 seats in St. George, which would also include seats for special education students in District 75. The school would be located at 25 Wall St., between Academy Place and Stuyvesant Place, which is currently the site of a paved parking lot. “Curtis needs additional school seats,” said Borough President Fossella while walking outside of McKee High School. “There is a proposal to take over the only functional parking lot in all of St. George, which is silly and not wise. We need a new McKee High School, so let’s build a new McKee somewhere else. As an example, the former Hungerford School, located on Tompkins Avenue -- it's available and it's free. Let’s use this existing building as the Curtis annex. It's literally right down the block and we’ve sort of killed two birds with one stone.” Borough President Fossella noted there are five massive projects planned for St. George, including the school, a courthouse expansion and three high-rise apartment buildings that will bring hundreds of additional cars to already congested streets. “So, let’s exercise a little common sense, let’s build another McKee, use this one as the Curtis annex and let’s leave the parking lot alone,” said Borough President Fossella.  Borough President Vito Fossella announced that he is filing a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure to eliminate the zoning provision permitting the construction of a 160-bed homeless shelter 4934 Arthur Kill Road in Charleston.
The site of the homeless shelter is zoned for manufacturing, also known as an “M-Zone.” Under the city’s zoning resolution, hotels in light manufacturing districts typically require special permits, but an exemption exists for facilities that will be used for temporary housing assistance, like homeless shelters. This exclusion has protected the Charleston project from a process of greater public scrutiny. Borough President Fossella referred to it as a “loophole” and argued that it is necessary to push for greater borough control over land-use decisions. His application to the city would require a full land-use review and feedback from the community -- “a true representation and reflection of what the people of Staten Island deserve, expect and want.” “More and more, the people of Staten Island are feeling as if instead of City Hall or Manhattan, we have Buckingham Palace in London of 250 years ago -- just being given things that we don’t want,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference in Borough Hall. Borough President Fossella said he held productive conversations with then-Mayor Eric Adams when the shelter was first proposed. Mayor Adams told Borough President Fossella that the site wouldn’t be used as a homeless shelter, however, those plans are now moving forward again under Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “We’ve been fighting now for a good year-and-a-half,” said Borough President Fossella. “The people of Charleston don’t deserve it. We try to fight back every which way we can and we will continue to do so. We will continue to stand up for the principles that created this country 250 years ago where people have a voice and they matter.”
Borough President Vito Fossella reflected on the 250th anniversary of the United States and the depths of its commitment to liberty and the extraordinary sacrifices made to secure and preserve it:
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, we are called not only to celebration but to serious reflection on the character and meaning of this republic. America remains a singular experiment in human history — a nation deliberately founded upon the proposition that all men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights. What distinguishes America is not the absence of faults, for every human society bears them, but the depth of its commitment to liberty and the extraordinary sacrifices made to secure and preserve it. From the snows of Valley Forge to the beaches of Normandy and beyond, generations of Americans have risked their lives and fortunes in defense of freedom. This willingness to sacrifice for a principle larger than oneself is rare in the annals of nations. Central to America’s exceptional character is the right of citizens to hold and express their own opinions without fear of reprisal. Here, a man may disagree with the government, with prevailing opinion, or even with the spirit of the age, and he need not fear the dungeon or the executioner. This freedom of thought and speech is not a small thing. History teaches us, often in blood, that in many regimes — particularly those animated by communist ideology — to dissent from the rulers is to risk imprisonment, exile, or death. The contrast could scarcely be more stark: in America, one may criticize the powerful and still sleep safely in one’s home. In too many other places, such dissent has been, and remains, a mortal hazard. Equally remarkable is America’s tradition of religious tolerance. From its founding, the United States rejected religious establishments and offered a refuge for believers of all faiths — and those of none. Catholics, Jews, Protestants, Muslims, Hindus, and countless others have worshipped freely here in ways often denied them elsewhere. This liberty of conscience has allowed faith to flourish as a vital moral force while preventing the religious wars that scarred so much of European and world history. No less extraordinary is America’s economic achievement. Over two and a half centuries, the United States has built the largest and most dynamic economy the world has ever known. Through enterprise, innovation, and the rule of law, it has generated unprecedented prosperity, lifted billions globally out of poverty through trade and technology, and created opportunities for ordinary citizens to rise beyond what their parents could have imagined. This economic vitality is not an accident of geography but the fruit of a system that rewards initiative and protects private property. This liberty has made possible one of the most remarkable features of American life: the opportunity extended to immigrants from every corner of the world. For two and a half centuries, men and women have come to these shores and found the chance to rise according to their industry, talent, and character. Few nations have so successfully turned strangers into citizens and dreamers into builders. America has known grave sins, including the evil of slavery and the long shadow of racial injustice. Yet, throughout our history, we have not been blind or indifferent to our imperfections. In fact, our nation has shown a capacity for self-correction, grounded by the words of the Preamble to our very own Constitution - to create “a more perfect union”. And, we have endeavored to do so for 250 years. Our republic has confronted its failures with a seriousness that few regimes have matched. As a force for liberty, the United States has few equals. It has stood against tyranny in its most brutal forms — fascism, communism, and despotism — and has offered hope to those who yearn for self-government. At two hundred and fifty years, America is not a finished project, but a continuing endeavor. Its genius lies in the permanent truth that it enshrines: that free men and women, under law and guided by virtue, can govern themselves and create a society worthy of human dignity. Let us, then, approach this anniversary with clear eyes and grateful hearts — resolved to preserve what is good, to repair what is broken, and to transmit to the next generation the extraordinary inheritance of freedom that is our common birthright. Borough President Vito Fossella announced that he is filing a Uniform Land Use Review Procedure to eliminate the zoning provision permitting the construction of a 160-bed homeless shelter 4934 Arthur Kill Road in Charleston.
The site of the homeless shelter is zoned for manufacturing, also known as an “M-Zone.” Under the city’s zoning resolution, hotels in light manufacturing districts typically require special permits, but an exemption exists for facilities that will be used for temporary housing assistance, like homeless shelters. This exclusion has protected the Charleston project from a process of greater public scrutiny. Borough President Fossella referred to it as a “loophole” and argued that it is necessary to push for greater borough control over land-use decisions. His application to the city would require a full land-use review and feedback from the community -- “a true representation and reflection of what the people of Staten Island deserve, expect and want.” “More and more, the people of Staten Island are feeling as if instead of City Hall or Manhattan, we have Buckingham Palace in London of 250 years ago -- just being given things that we don’t want,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference in Borough Hall. Borough President Fossella said he held productive conversations with then-Mayor Eric Adams when the shelter was first proposed. Mayor Adams told Borough President Fossella that the site wouldn’t be used as a homeless shelter, however, those plans are now moving forward again under Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “We’ve been fighting now for a good year-and-a-half,” said Borough President Fossella. “The people of Charleston don’t deserve it. We try to fight back every which way we can and we will continue to do so. We will continue to stand up for the principles that created this country 250 years ago where people have a voice and they matter.”  Borough President Vito Fossella presented the Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award to Alice Diamond, a longtime supporter of the cultural arts on Staten Island and one of the key founders of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden.
The Albert V. Maniscalco Community Service Award, established in 1986, honors our ninth Borough President. Maniscalco’s tenure from 1955 to 1965 saw the creation of the Greenbelt and the construction of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. His namesake award celebrates civic-minded Staten Islanders who have dedicated their lives in service for the betterment of their community. “Alice Diamond is synonymous with Staten Island culture,” said Borough President Fossella during an intimate gathering in his office surrounded by Mrs. Diamond’s family and friends. “In fact, she is Staten Island culture. Everything that her fingerprints are on has blossomed and made this borough a better place.” Mrs. Diamond is the wife of Richard E. Diamond, the late publisher of the Staten Island Advance, and the mother of Caroline Diamond Harrison, who succeeded her father as publisher of the Advance, Alison D. Levasseur, and Richard E. Diamond Jr. She has been a driving force on various boards of cultural organizations. In addition to her work at Snug Harbor, Mrs. Diamond has held multiple board positions and played important roles at the NYC Advisory Commission of Cultural Affairs; the Staten Island Chapter of the Red Cross; the Lynne Robbins Steinman Beautification Foundation; the Historic House Trust of NYC; the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Greenbelt Conservancy, and the Staten Island Foundation. Mrs. Diamond was also instrumental in the creation of the Carousel for All Children at Willowbrook Park, which continues to be fully accessible for the enjoyment of people of all abilities. Borough President Fossella called Mrs. Diamond “the best that Staten Island has to offer” and in a fitting tribute, she was presented with the Maniscalco Award 40 years after her husband received the first Maniscalco Award in 1986. “When we choose a recipient for this award, we look at Staten Island’s landscape of a half million people and say, ‘who truly embodies the spirit and virtue of this borough?’” said Borough President Fossella. “Alice does so without ever asking for any attention, without ever giving up. Like a quiet force of nature.” Mrs. Diamond accepted the award with the dignity and grace she is known for. “It was Ralph Lamberti who created this award to memorialize Al Maniscalco,” said Mrs. Diamond. “Both men were my friends. And the first recipient of this award was more than just my friend. Thank you for letting me share this honor with him and with my family.  Borough President Vito Fossella is officially asking the city to explore the use of electric ferries, currently used throughout Europe, at varying locations across Staten Island, which could potentially cut a commute down to as little as 30 minutes.
“The Staten Island commuter is beleaguered daily, especially from the South Shore to Midtown to Downtown -- it’s a very tough thing for the people of Staten Island to endure day in and day out," said Borough President Fossella at a press conference on the Ocean Breeze fishing pier. Borough President Fossella praised the introduction of fast-ferry service in St. George, but said adding fast-ferry service to other parts of Staten Island is not only limited by parking, but also by the existence of “no-wake zones” in parts of the Arthur Kill and the Kill van Kull. “There’s new technology that is coming out, especially in Europe, where there are hydrofoils that can operate without generating a wake,” said Borough President Fossella. “It means it can get from Point A to Point B in a faster duration.” The hydrofoils use underwater fins to lift the hull above the water, allowing faster and smoother navigation. A Swedish company, called Candela, simulated the estimated run time of an electric ferry from different locations on Staten Island to different locations in the city. Here's a snapshot: A simulation of a trip on an electric ferry from Ocean Breeze to the Whitehall Ferry Terminal took 20 minutes, a trip to West 39th Street took 28 minutes and a trip to East 34th Street took 29 minutes. Similar simulations from Fresh Kills and Great Kills were also conducted with travel times peaking at 46 minutes from Fresh Kills to East 34th Street. “So, it seems like there are opportunities to explore,” said Borough President Fossella. “This is real, the service is up and operating in certain parts of the world already. Today, we are officially asking the New York City Economic Development Corporation, which would spearhead this effort, to begin a formal process to evaluate and to open a dialogue with some of these companies that provide these types of services.” Borough President Fossella said it could be "gamechanger" if a commuter could travel from Great Kills to 34th Street in under an hour, adding the city should evaluate the pros and cons of each location and the feasibility of building piers to accomodate electric ferries. “The people of Staten Island deserve at least for the city to explore it," he said. "I think they’re open to it and they deserve a break -- the commuters do -- and this would really be a gamechanger for their lives, give them another hour or two of their life back each day and that’s something that we need to continue to push for.”  Borough President Vito Fossella and Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo renewed calls for an end to the proliferation of volatile lithium-ion battery energy storage systems on Staten Island.
Both have long been vocal opponents of the mass siting of dangerous lithium-ion battery energy storage systems (BESS) in residential neighborhoods on Staten Island, which was made possible by the reclassification of BESS to residential zoning in the City of Yes. Since the implementation of the City of Yes, a large share of all BESS units in the city have been proposed or sited on Staten Island. As BESS systems are nearing completion across Staten Island, fires continue to ignite near homes and businesses near these facilities across the country, including three in Warwick since 2023. “You’ve got to wake up once and say does anyone appreciate what we go through when somebody comes through and suggests that a BESS unit should be built right here,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference at the site of a planned 10,000-square-foot system in an empty lot at 1963 Victory Boulevard on the border of Westerleigh and Castleton Corners. “They’re insane, they're unsafe, and if they catch fire, as they’ve done throughout the country, they have to evacuate neighborhoods and they close highways down.” Borough President Fossella called the siting of the BESS units near Staten Island homes and businesses “unconscionable and immoral.” “And we’ve been banging the drum literally and figuratively that you don’t deserve this next to your home,” said Borough President Fossella. “It’s unfair, it’s borderline immoral, and others argue it’s borderline illegal to do this to you. So, the powers that be think it’s good for Staten Island, but we think it’s bad and we think it’s wrong.”  Borough President Vito Fossella issued the following statement regarding the postponement of construction on the Korean War Veterans Parkway:
“There seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the Korean War Veterans Parkway. After the initial delay, and a continued series of productive conversations with the State Department of Transportation and the Governor’s office, we are pleased to announce that the KWVP maintenance project is now being postponed until after Labor Day. In addition, there will be a concerted cleanup effort for the south-bound lane in the coming days, the barrels will be removed, and the right lane will be reopened. We are grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul and the NYS DOT for hearing our concerns and those of our residents, and for being good partners throughout this process.”  The city is proposing a new dedicated bus lane on Victory Boulevard, which would eliminate parking spaces for residents, teachers, parents, students, and businesses along the busy corridor.
"Raise your hand if you want to eliminate parking on Victory Boulevard?" said Borough President Fossella during a recent walk along the Boulevard. "I didn’t think you did, but guess who does? The City of New York." The proposal would eliminate parking on one side of Victory Boulevard from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and on the other side from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from Bay Street to Little Clove Road. "So, if you happen go to Notre Dame Academy and park here, you’re out of luck; if you teach here, you’re out of luck; if you’re a resident in one of these buildings and you typically park on the street, you’re out of luck," said Borough President Fossella. "This is just one more page out of the book of insanity where the people of Staten Island are left out of the equation." Before decisions are made that affect our neighborhoods, Staten Islanders deserve to be heard. "Let’s work on solutions that make sense for our borough, not policies imposed from afar," said Borough President Fossella. " Let’s change this page once and for all." And, a secondary proposal would eliminate parking on Victory Boulevard from Bay Street to the College of Staten Island. "Seems radical to me or stupid -- or both," said Borough President Fossella.  Borough President Vito Fossella, NYD Borough Commander Melissa Eger, District Attorney Michael McMahon and interfaith leaders from across Staten Island took a stand against violent hate crimes committed against people for solely practicing their faith in peace.
They joined together in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of three worshippers at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday. San Diego authorities have identified the shooting as a hate crime. “The First Amendment of the United States Constitution, the first words that are given to the folks who live in this country, is basically the right to express their religion,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference outside of Borough Hall. “They felt people should be able to express it without persecution, without condemnation, without being assaulted, without being jailed because that was the healthiest thing for this country. We pray for those who were injured, we pray for those who were killed.” Imam Tahir Kukaj, vice president of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center of Staten Island, said the reason for today’ gathering is to “pray for the victims of San Diego and to send a message of unity and respect that we share here on Staten Island.” “Wherever it happens, whatever type of hate or killing against anybody, we come together on Staten Island,” he said. “We are always together. We send our prayers to the victims and their families in San Diego. We pray that less of these events or zero of these events happen anywhere in the world. As long as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, one-by-one together, hate has no place on Staten Island.” NYPD Commander Eger said the prayers of the entire Staten Island police force are with the victims of the San Diego shooting. She said the NYPD has increased its presence and visibility at houses of worship across the five boroughs “to ensure we remain proactive and safeguard our communities at all times.” “Nobody should ever, ever fear gathering in prayer or in fear of practicing their faith,” she said. “The right to worship freely and peacefully is something that we, the NYPD, will always protect.” Borough President Vito Fossella called on the State Department of Transportation to suspend planned maintenance work on the Korean War Veterans Parkway until after Labor Day, citing increased volumes of traffic crossing the Outerbridge into New Jersey during peak summer months.
The state’s current plan involves shutting down the entire right lane of the southbound parkway for the duration of work, which is slated to begin on Tuesday and projected to take place through the summer. “We’re trying to avoid the summer of hell here on Staten Island on the Korean War Veterans Parkway,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference on the Tyrellan Avenue Overpass. “Right now, the state is proposing a construction project that will disrupt the lives of tens of thousands of people.” Borough President Fossella said he hasn’t been fully briefed on the scope of the project, nor has the NYPD. “Who was at the wheel when they decided to practically shut down the Korean War Veterans Parkway on Staten Island during the summer?” he asked. “You have people going back and forth and so many other reasons where traffic increases during the summer months -- and it’s only going to get worse, and dramatically worse.” He said the state “has an obligation to come forward to explain what they’re going to do” and called upon Staten Island’s state legislators to step in. “We implore those at the highest levels of the state of New York to say: ‘Listen to the people of Staten Island, their pleas, their concerns, who sit in this traffic every day,” said Borough President Fossella. “It’s time for the state to listen, to step forward, call a timeout on this proposed project and figure out a better way to implement it so you’re not inconveniencing tens of thousands of people on a weekly basis.”  Borough President Vito Fossella, District Attorney Michael McMahon, the Staten Island Performing Provider System, and MISSION grant partners announced the results of the first series of training, which provided tools to assess and prevent substance abuse and suicide.
Two years ago, Borough President Fossella unveiled a federally funded, first-of-its kind Mental and Behavioral Health Blueprint for Children and Young Adults. The Blueprint was designed to address an alarming increase in mental health conditions with the main goal of zero suicides and zero overdoses. Borough President Fossella linked the effects of isolation during COVID-19 to an increase in substance abuse and suicide. “We started to embark on a journey about two years ago to get to a point of identifying the correlation between substance abuse and mental illness and to truly get to a point of zero suicides and zero overdoses,” said Borough President Fossella at a press conference in Borough Hall. There were 320 participants from the mental health, education, and law enforcement communities who participated in the first six training sessions. “To me, what made this series so meaningful was seeing so many different people across systems coming together and willing to learn,” said Ileana Acosta, the director of Behavioral Health at the Staten Island Performing Provider System. “Sometimes, the difference is simply knowing what questions to ask, how to screen and assess, and where to connect someone for help, instead of feeling afraid or unsure of what to do. I think that is exactly what this series accomplished -- helping people become more prepared, more confident and willing to step into those conversations instead of avoiding them."  Borough President Vito Fossella and the Staten Island EMS Task Force were proud to honor emergency medical technicians, paramedics, emergency service instructors and students for their heroic, life-saving actions during the 32nd Annual EMS Recognition Ceremony in the Hilton Garden Inn.
"The training, the compassion, and the way you do things every single day needs to be acknowledged and recognized, and that’s why we do this, because we appreciate what you do,” said Borough President Fossella at the ceremony which coincided with National EMS Week. “There’s a family out there, probably today, that will be stressed, there will be an urgency, but they will be in good hands when one of you shows up.” FDNY Chief of EMS Operations Paul Miano said the entire EMS team on Staten Island works together for a common goal: To save the lives of Staten Islanders. “Please know that we acknowledge you every single day,” he said. “You wake up, you come to work, you change outcomes, you deliver babies, you save lives. You are a special breed of people. Don’t ever let anyone take that away from you. You are the heroes’ heroes, don’t ever forget that.” In a poignant moment, the parents of EMT Brianna Sison received commemorative military dog tags in her honor. She died last year following a courageous battle with cancer. Our congratulations to all the honorees -- and our thanks to all the men and women who put their own lives on the line to help their fellow Staten Islanders.  Borough President Vito Fossella thanked members of a volunteer search-and-rescue crew who found Barbara Martz, an 83-year-old woman who went missing from her West Brighton home last month.
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was alerted to the retired schoolteacher’s disappearance through a social media post by Staten Island activist Scott LoBaido. The 27 volunteers followed tips, distributed flyers, and knocked on doors before safely finding her on the grounds of Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden on April 14. “After following the situation, we thought it would be nice to recognize what you all did,” said Borough President Fossella during a gathering in his office. “We just want to say thank you.” Ed Arale of the CERT team organized the volunteers into groups of four with mapped grids of the area. “Within two hours, we found her,” he said. “It all comes down to boots on the ground -- these people who came out, they stopped what they were doing, they’re true spontaneous volunteers.” |