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NEWS

BP Oddo Kicks Off Readers Are Leaders Challenge at PS 30

2/27/2014

 
Borough President James S. Oddo held a kickoff event for the “Readers Are Leaders” 4th grade reading challenge on February 27 at PS 30, Westerleigh.

“Readers are Leaders” challenges fourth grade classes in Staten Island’s public, parochial and private schools to read a minimum of six books at grade level or above during a five-week period. Students will then submit a report on their favorite book that they read during the period. Each school will pick one “Exceptional Reader” to receive an award at a ceremony in May.

Borough President Oddo continues the tradition of his predecessor, Borough President James P. Molinaro, who ran the program for five years after taking it over from then-Congressman Vito Fossella. “It’s a privilege to be able to continue this wonderful program,” Oddo said, clutching two books – one of his favorites and one he is in the midst of reading now. Since its inception in 1996, fourth graders have read more than 500,000 books for the annual challenge, which yields 22 billion words, Oddo said.

“Every time you open a book, it takes you to a faraway place; every time you open a book, you have fun; every time you open a book, you learn something new,” noted Oddo, speaking from the auditorium’s stage to the fourth graders in attendance. PS 30 is one of 60 schools participating in this year’s challenge.

Joining the Borough President for the kickoff was Vito Fossella and Harold Wagner, Executive Director of CTV, who is sponsoring the awards ceremony. CTV recorded the kick off and will air it on television.

“You can be anything you want to be in life. Work hard, follow your dream,” said Fossella. “You can be a leader and the best way … to put you on that path is to read.” Fossella noted that he began the program because he understood the challenge that teachers and parents had in getting kids to read and he wanted to make it fun.

Oddo thanked the teachers and students for their participation and closed the kickoff with a special message. He encouraged all of the students to participate in Rare and Genetic Disease Awareness, which is being championed at their school by 10-year-old Meghan Ortega. Meghan, who sat with the Borough President before the event, told Oddo about her challenges with Cowden’s Syndrome and educated him on the disease. “I’m inspired by my friend Meghan,” he said, donning the denim ribbon she gave him for the cause. “You are an inspiration to me and to your classmates.”

BP Oddo hosts Mayor de Blasio at Borough Hall for press conference

2/24/2014

 
On February 24, Borough President James Oddo welcomed New York City mayor Bill de Blasio to Borough Hall for a frank conversation about Hurricane Sandy relief and the Build it Back Program.

"We’ve tried to pack in many meetings in 6 weeks here at Borough Hall but this was the most critical,” said Oddo. “Much of the 6 weeks has been staff and I dealing with the sins of the ’60s, ‘70s and 80s. I don't want to be a part of any further mistakes. There is an opportunity for us to transform communities. Today was about making sure this administration is here for Staten Islanders.”

Oddo has asked the Mayor to facilitate buying property from owners who lost homes and businesses, noting that the best way to help these people move on is with a check. “Acquisition for redevelopment is the best way to help now. Put a check in their hands,” he said. With the acquired property, redevelopment would need to be done smartly and with infrastructure suitable for the land.

New plan designed to protect South Shore from future storms

2/19/2014

 
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On February 19, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced that he is pushing to secure $36 million in federal funding to construct a series of off-shore breakwaters and a living shoreline along the coast of Conference House Park that will reduce the risk of damage to homes and infrastructure along the South Shore of Staten Island during major coastal storms like Superstorm Sandy. The funding for this project would come from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), a program funded by the Sandy bill that provides funds not just to rebuild infrastructure in the aftermath of a disaster, but to build back in a way that will prevent similar damage in the future.

Borough President James Oddo stood by Sen. Schumer during the announcement, committed to helping rebuild the South Shore – and all parts of Staten Island damaged during the storm and to preventing anything like that from ever happening again. “Parts of Staten Island are still reeling from the damage of Hurricane Sandy,” said Oddo. “While we continue to help these families rebuild, it’s imperative that we also take measures to prevent any future damage and devastation. Off-shore breakwaters would go a long way in protecting Tottenville in the future.”

Action! BP Oddo tours Broadway Stages in Brooklyn - Company will soon take over the former prison and convert it to a movie studio

2/18/2014

 
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On February 18, the news broke: Staten Island is finally getting its own movie studio. Broadway Stages, which is the setting for television shows including “The Good Wife,” “Hostages” and “Blue Blood” in Brooklyn, will open a new facility at the site of the former Arthur Kill Correctional facility.

     The facility is unique in that, while some areas will need to be refurbished, there are some that are practically ready for filming already, noted Tony Argento, owner of the studio. In fact, building prison cell sets are very costly, so his plans are to leave some cells intact for filming.

     Argento and fellow owner Gina Argento invited Borough President James Oddo to come by their vast facilities in Brooklyn to get a feel for what will be coming to Staten Island in the near future.

     “This is so exciting,” noted Oddo, reviewing an aerial photo of the site with Tony. “The more I learn about this, the better it gets.” Oddo reviewed the plans for the site, which will include several buildings for filming, storage and space for exterior filming.

     The site is ideal for filming, noted Gina, adding that it is already fitted with air conditioning and plumbing, unlike the space in Brooklyn when they bought it. “We’re really excited about expanding,” she said. “We’ve already gotten calls from companies that want to film in the new space.”

     “I don’t think Staten Islanders realize yet how great this is going to be for the borough,” Oddo said, noting that local businesses will benefit tremendously from the studio and that the studio itself is likely to bring 1500 jobs to the Island. “This is the economic growth that we need and it’s happening.”

Sending Love to Those Who Serve

2/11/2014

 
Representatives from Borough President James Oddo’s office joined with members of the United War Veterans Council to collect donations for veterans to be distributed this Valentine’s Day. In addition to donations collected at Borough Hall, the UWVC received handmade Valentine’s Day cards from students at the Hungerford School. The group plans to distribute the items to local veterans hospitals and centers as well as Walter Reed National Military Medical Center later this week. Borough Hall staff and the public donated sweets, cards, stuffed animals, gloves, hats and toiletries for veterans.

Borough President Oddo accepts invitation to visit PS 65

2/11/2014

 
PS 65, The Academy of Innovative Learning, welcomed Borough President James Oddo and a few staff members on February 11 for a tour of the school. The school’s principal, Sophie Scamardella, invited the Borough President after seeing in the Staten Island Advance that he was interested in visiting schools on Staten Island, to learn about their successes and challenges. The school, located on Grant Street in Stapleton, serves children in Pre-K through eighth grade.

The school’s mission is to teach acceptance, respect and integrity, noted Ms. Scamardella. “Our goal is to produce good citizens,” she said.  The fifth grade chorus welcomed the Borough President by singing the song, “Brave.” He thanked them for their invitation, welcome and song, stressing a special thank you to the teachers for what they do each day. He was impressed by the energy and respect the children displayed throughout the visit. “I wish I could bottle this up and take it with me,” he said of their enthusiasm.

The students, clad in light blue polo shirts that said PS 65 on them, then invited him on a tour of their classrooms, which are large learning centers, including smart boards and space for the children to work both together and independently. Even the youngest of children said hello and welcomed him into their classrooms. One child even called him, “the Borough king,” which got a laugh from the adults on the tour.

The Borough President was able to see teachers engaging with students firsthand and even looked on as the principal and a math teacher got down on the floor to help a kindergarten student who was struggling with math. From room to room, the students were respectful of each other and their teachers. “You give me hope,” he told the students. “There is a lot wrong with this world and you guys are the antidote.”

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