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BP Oddo announces $600K in funding for Snug Harbor Little League

10/18/2021

The only Little League field on Staten Island without lights is on track to be illuminated
Borough President James Oddo joined representatives of the Snug Harbor Little League at the field this morning announcing the capital allocation of $600,000 to the league which will be used for the installation of field lights. Currently, the league is the only little league on Staten Island without lights which impacts their ability to hold Fall games, limiting their overall season. With this funding, lights will be able to produce a direct illumination on its three fields without any impact to the surrounding neighbors.

“Throughout the 22 years I've been in office, we’ve built a lot of fields, so being able to, in the waning days of my time in office, come back to a great Little League complex and help out, it’s a good feeling,” said Borough President Oddo. “I firmly believe really important things happen on these fields - the camaraderie , the friendships and life lessons all happen here. I appreciate what you all do at the league, and I thank you for what you all do for these kids. Let there be lights!”

The league has been trying for years to get lights approved for the field, and received that approval from Community Board 1 after a company was hired to run lighting tests on its three fields. Numerous signatures were also acquired after the league’s Dennis Thomson knocked on about 100 doors in the neighborhood to get the community’s approval for lighting.

“This has been an ongoing battle for as long as I can remember,” said Anthony Varvaro, the league’s incoming president. “This is going to be an improvement for the community, and it’s going to give these kids a better opportunity. The future is looking bright, literally, for the boys and girls of this little league.”

“It’s always about the kids first, and winning second,,” said Dean Pecorale, current league president. “We always try to keep this league as family oriented as possible, and make the best with what we have. This is more than we’ve ever had. I would like to thank Mr. Oddo for this allocation to the league.”

BP Oddo to host flu shot drive at Borough Hall on Oct. 20

10/15/2021

BP Oddo, NYC Health Department and Affiliated Physicians to partner to offer free flu shots next week

Borough President James Oddo announced today that he will offer free flu shots at Borough Hall on Wednesday, October 20 from 10 am to 3 pm. No appointment is necessary. Shots will be provided by the NYC Health Department and administered by Affiliated Physicians. Shots will be given at Borough Hall, in room 125.

Seasonal influenza, commonly called “flu,” is a contagious illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the respiratory tract (the nose, throat, and lungs) and can cause severe illness and life-threatening complications.
“We are facing another flu season concurrently while we deal with the COVID pandemic. It is especially important to get your annual flu shot given these factors," noted BP Oddo. "This is a safe, easy step to take to not only protect yourself, but protect those you care about."

Some of the complications caused by flu include bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections. The flu can cause mild to severe illness for days, and in some cases can lead to more serious health problems and even death. It is estimated that every year in the United States, about 5% to 20% of the population gets flu, and more than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu-related complications. Each year, more than 2,000 New Yorkers die from flu-related illness.
“All New Yorkers should get the flu vaccine as soon as they can in order to protect themselves, their family, and our city,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshi. “Public health is a team sport, and I thank Borough President Oddo for hosting our vaccination clinic and working to keep our fellow New Yorkers healthy and protected against the flu.”

Those at high risk for serious flu complications include pregnant women, children under five years of age, adults over 65, nursing home residents and people with other serious health conditions.

Additionally, those with any underlying medical conditions can be at increased risk, including:

Asthma, emphysema or any other chronic breathing disorders
Heart, kidney or liver disease
Blood disorders, such as sickle cell anemia
Weakened immune system, from illness or medication
Neuromuscular disorders that interfere with breathing or the discharge of mucus
Long-term aspirin therapy in people under 19
Obesity (a Body Mass Index of 40 and over)
People living in nursing homes or other care facilities

Caregivers, healthcare workers, and those in close contact with people who belong to a high-risk group should be sure to get a flu shot each year.

'Too Good For Drugs' Program resumes in Island Schools

10/12/2021

BP Oddo, DA McMahon and partners re-launch popular program that has teachers and police officers educating kids on dangers of substance abuse and addiction

When Borough President James Oddo and his Substance Abuse Task Force discovered - back in 2014 - that there was no organized curriculum in our schools educating students about the dangers and seriousness of the drug epidemic sweeping through Staten Island, they were alarmed. And took action.
The team worked tirelessly to find a curriculum that would not only meet the needs, but open up a true conversation about addiction, peer pressure and other issues facing our children; a curriculum that would offer healthy behaviors and alternatives to substance use. In 2015, the “Too Good For Drugs” Program was piloted in a few fifth-grade classes, partnering NYPD officers along with teachers and children in an effort to reach our children early enough and arm them with decision making skills and information. With the success of this model, it was expanded each successive year into every fifth-grade class on Staten Island, as well as to middle and high schools. The program is made possible by a unique partnership between the NYPD, the Office of the District Attorney, the Department of Education and the Archdiocese.

"The Too Good For Drugs Program partners our committed teachers with our local police officers to educate kids about making the right choice and empower them to be a good influence in their community," said Borough President Oddo. "The results have far surpassed our expectations and now that in-school instruction is back, we are eager to get the program going again."
"The Too Good for Drugs" program has been incredibly successful since its start in 2015. The Police Officers throughout Staten Island who are instructors are enthusiastic about getting back into the schools and having these important discussions,” said Assistant Chief Frank A. Vega, Commanding Officer of Patrol Borough Staten Island. “We thank all of our partners including the Borough President, the District Attorney and the Department of Education for making this happen.”

“The best prevention for the horrors of addiction illness is education, and the Too Good For Drugs program is the most significant tool at our disposal to achieving that end. In the meantime, I will continue to advocate for mandatory drug prevention education—given the presence of deadly fentanyl, more needs to be done. We will prosecute the dealers, but prevention is the other key," said District Attorney Michael McMahon. "Moreover, not only is Too Good for Drugs the only comprehensive drug education that our students receive throughout their K-12 experience, it serves to strengthen bonds between the community and law enforcement as police officers interact with our kids in a positive setting to impart invaluable advice and information. I am honored to be able to support the continuation of this work again this year and am grateful for partners like Borough President Oddo and Assistant Chief Vega who are equally committed to saving this generation from the pitfalls of substance abuse.

The classes will resume this fall, and every participant is excited to get started. At the completion of each program, a celebration is held for the student participants whereby the students take a pledge to abstain from tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.

BP Oddo secures funding for permanent lighting fix at Postcards Memorial

10/6/2021

$750,000 will fund electrical and lighting work at the site to ensure longevity of system

Borough President James Oddo along with Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Economic Development Corporation have announced the funding of necessary electrical and lighting work at the Postcards 9/11 Memorial in St. George to permanently illuminate the space for Staten Islanders who visit the public site to honor those who were killed 20 years ago. Because of the memorial’s location on the waterfront, year-round lighting had been a challenge to implement and maintain.

"The Postcards Memorial offers a place of solace and reflection and is an important place for our community. While the close proximity to the water is challenging for light infrastructure, we have always been committed to supporting the maintenance of the site and hosting the memorial ceremony on Sept. 11 each year,” said Borough President Oddo. “We were alerted just a few days before this year's ceremony that the lighting had gone out and we immediately worked with EDC to create a temporary solution. I'm pleased to announce a permanent solution will be established very soon and I want to thank the Mayor and Rachel Loeb for their quick, thoughtful response on this so that we can continue to make this a special place for Staten Islanders."

Throughout the years, saltwater intrusion has caused significant damage to the original underground lighting, which is now in constant need of attention and repair.

“Over the years, we have worked to keep the Postcards Memorial well maintained so families can visit to honor and remember loved ones, friends, and neighbors. Securing this funding to permanently fix the lighting was a top priority, and we plan to start on the work as soon as possible,”said NYCEDC President and CEO Rachel Loeb. “The memorial will always be a shining tribute to the fallen."

The site will have limited access during this important construction work, and the public will be notified as soon as we have a more detailed construction timeline.

BP Oddo, NYC Parks to host three Halloween events across Staten Island this month

10/5/2021

A park in each council district will feature a fun Halloween event for the whole family

Borough President James Oddo and Borough Parks Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone will join forces to sponsor three Halloween events for Staten Islanders in separate parks across the borough for kids and their families to enjoy a variety of spooky-themed activities including crafts, games, haunted trails, ghost stories, movies, and more.

“Fall on Staten Island is one of the best times of the year and we are thrilled to be partnering with our friends at NYC Parks to bring Staten Islanders the joy of Halloween at three of our extraordinary parks,” said Borough President James Oddo. “We hope all families enjoy what Staten Island has to offer, and that everyone has a safe and fun Halloween.”

"There's nothing to fear unless you're scared of some family fun! We're excited to offer our families fun frights in our parks throughout the fall,” said NYC Parks Staten Island Borough Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone. "From the Greenbelt Haunted Trail to the Haunted House in Walk Park or sharing ghost stories at Conference House Park, there's something for everyone to enjoy. "

Greenbelt’s Haunted Trail
Wednesday, October 27 from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Greenbelt Recreation Center, 501 Brielle Ave., Staten Island, N.Y., 10314
Bring the whole family out for some Halloween fun. Take a walk along the Haunted Trail, if you dare; you never know what is lurking in the trees. Do not fear, you can also take a walk through the pumpkin patch or join in on some arts & crafts. Be sure to wear your best costume; prizes will be given out. For more information, please call (718) 667-3545.

Wicked Walker: Haunted House and Family Fun Event
Friday, October 29 from 3 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Walker Park, 50 Bard Ave., Staten Island, N.Y., 10310
Get ready for a truly spooktacular Halloween event! Join Walker Park for a free, family-fun filled Halloween event. Enjoy our haunted house, arts & crafts, games, activities and more. Make sure to wear your best costume, prizes will be given out. Starting at dusk, enjoy a screening of Halloween Town. For more information, please call (718) 816-8103.

Chilling Conference House Trails and Stories
Saturday, October 30 from 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Conference House Park, 7455 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, N.Y. 10307
Join NYC Parks for a free family-fun filled Halloween event. Listen to ghost stories from the Conference House, enjoy arts & crafts, games, and activities. Join them at 7p.m. for a showing of the movie Coco after the festivities. For more information, please call (718) 816-8103.

Participants should note the following guidelines for each event:

Please wear a mask if you are unvaccinated or cannot maintain social distance.
All individuals should maintain social distancing of six feet during programming, regardless of vaccination status.
Wash your hands before attending a program.
Stay home if you are sick.

Contact accessibility@parks.nyc.gov or (212) 360-1430 for more information regarding accessibility.

Mental health crisis intervention partnership, innovative pilot workshop to launch at CUNY CSI

9/29/2021

Staten Island Borough President’s Office, CUNY College of Staten Island, and Northwell Health team up to provide innovative behavioral health support services to CSI students

Staten Island Borough President James Oddo is proud to announce the launch of a new initiative that will bring essential mental health support services to the College of Staten Island (CSI) students. This evidence-based effort, developed by Northwell Health’s Behavioral Health Partnership and initiated by the Borough President’s office, will bring CSI and its student Counseling Center together for an innovative partnership to enhance behavioral health on campus, amidst a nationwide college mental health emergency.

“Since the start of my administration, our Borough Hall team has been working to address the increasing prevalence of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation among young people in our country,” said Borough President Oddo. “As our education and health teams developed K-12 initiatives, I asked our policy team to focus on tackling the difficult mental health challenges that college students face. Therefore, we are proud to announce a Pre-College Workshop developed by Northwell Health aimed at helping students develop skills to reduce anxiety and depression in their college years.”

The Borough President continued, “The spark for this initiative was lit in 2019 when we convened a group of subject-matter experts, practitioners, and administrators from all three colleges in the borough to get their on-the-ground perspective of needs, challenges, and ways in which our office could help. That meeting made it clear, even before the COVID-19 pandemic intensified the college mental health emergency, that we needed to find an effective way to support the critical work of student counseling centers. Therefore, I am excited that Northwell’s AVP of College Mental Health Laura Braider, PhD and her team are lending critical resources and clinical expertise in what will be a paradigm shifting collaboration with CSI. Our hope is to establish clear evidence that this model works so it can eventually be expanded to all three colleges in the borough and beyond.”

According to a spring 2019 survey of 68,000 students conducted by the American College Health Association, nearly 24% of college students were diagnosed with or treated for anxiety in the previous year, and 20% were treated with depression—compared to 10.5% and 10.1% respectively recorded in a similar survey in 2009. One in three college freshmen globally report having major mental health disorders, yet most students do not seek treatment.

Colleges across the country are now bracing for what they expect will be a surge of student behavioral health issues as caused or exacerbated by the pandemic. The CDC’s recent data demonstrates that the stakes couldn’t be higher: One in four college-aged individuals contemplated suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death for that age demographic. Staten Island is certainly no exception to the escalating national, college mental health emergency.

“The health and well-being of our students, especially during this pandemic, is of utmost concern,” said Dr. William Fritz, President of CSI. “We are not only prioritizing methods to ensure our students’ physical health, but through this partnership we will strengthen our efforts to safeguard their mental health as well.”

CSI Vice President for Student Affairs, Jennifer Borrero, added, “We are proud to partner with the Borough President and Northwell to provide additional mental health resources to our students. The collaborative treatment plan is a promising national model for addressing mental health challenges among college students. We are especially thrilled to offer the pilot workshop which equips students with the tools to integrate into college life successfully.”

"We are proud to partner on this important issue," said Orit Lender, CEO of the Joan & Alan Bernikow JCC of Staten Island. "The pandemic has shown how important it is, especially for young people, to focus on mental health.”

Starting fall 2021, CSI will join Northwell Health’s Behavioral Health College Partnership—already established with 93 New York State colleges and universities—to provide evidence-based emergency evaluations, crisis intervention, inpatient treatment and post-acute care specifically designed for college students. As part of the program, Northwell works closely with the schools and student counseling centers to develop a protocol to respond to a student experiencing psychiatric crisis on campus. Students then have access to Northwell’s inpatient care which exclusively serves college-aged students. Perhaps most distinctively, the program also includes support for students to transition back into their college life with as little disruption as possible.

CSI serves nearly 12,000 undergraduate students, most of them Staten Islanders.

“We already know that the level of stress experienced by young people as a result of COVID-19 has dramatically increased nationally,” said Dr. Braider. “Whether it be from the illness itself, or the secondary effects of social isolation, financial hardships or lack of recent experience taking in-person tests, we expect that college students may suffer more stress as they start or return to college this semester. At this critical time, the Behavioral Health College Partnership team at Northwell is excited to be forging into the area of prevention of psychiatric decompensation of college students.”

The Partnership at CUNY CSI will also include a new element that was prompted by early discussions with the Staten Island Borough President’s Office: A pilot virtual workshop delivered by clinicians to prepare rising college freshmen to cope with the stress of integrating into college life. The workshops teach tangible, evidence-based skills that have been proven to effectively address obstacles to happiness and academic success based on research and over 10 years of data gathered by Northwell. During the pilot, Northwell will be evaluating the efficacy of the program to determine whether it should be added, and scaled, as a component of its overall Behavioral Health College Partnership.

To learn more about Northwell Health’s Behavioral Health College Partnership, please visit: https://zucker.northwell.edu/behavioral-health-college-partnership

BP Oddo encourages Staten Islanders to “Own the 18” this weekend

9/16/2021

Campaign encourages property owners to remove litter from their property as well as 18 inches into the street

Borough President James Oddo announced this past Spring the resurgence of “Own the 18,” an anti-litter program. “Own the 18” educates and encourages home and business owners to remove litter from their property, as well as 18 inches into the street, as required by NYC Administrative Code: Section 16-118(2)(a).

For the months in which the 18th day falls on a weekend, Borough President Oddo is asking Staten Island property and business owners to commit to taking a few moments to clean in front of their properties, including catch basins that tend to cause flooding after heavy rains. This includes Saturday, September 18, and is the last one for 2021.

“For the past seven years, our office has been tackling the litter issue on Staten Island, but to no avail. The borough seems to be as filthy with litter as it has ever been. We fully understand there is a pandemic and the unfortunate impacts that came along with it. However, none of this justifies the litter we see or prevents us from each doing our small role in addressing the litter we see,” said Borough President Oddo. “While I would hope Staten Islanders would do their part every day, we are designating the 18th of the spring and summer months when each of us pledge to remove litter near our homes and maybe even a neighbor's home or a senior citizen's so that we can begin to reclaim part of our quality of life.”

Those who participate are encouraged to post before and after photos on social media with the hashtag #ownthe18 to be reposted by the office’s social media accounts.

BP Oddo announces Patrick F. Daly Award for 2021

9/10/2021

Award honors fallen principal, nominations currently being accepted

Borough President James S. Oddo has announced that he is continuing the Patrick F. Daly Award after reviving it in 2017 in honor of the 25th anniversary of Mr. Daly’s death. Nominations are currently being accepted for the award which goes to two educators who exemplify the values of fallen principal Patrick Daly, who was gunned down in Red Hook, Brooklyn while searching for a student who had left the school building 29 years ago.
“I’m grateful to be able to continue this award in honor of fallen principal, Mr. Patrick Daly,” said BP Oddo. “This award gives us a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to his sacrifice and legacy, while also recognizing outstanding educators who have made an impact in our community. This year, we have seen many educators go beyond the call of duty and I look forward to recognizing two of them.”

Anyone who wishes to nominate a teacher, guidance counselor, assistant principal, or principal may do so. The award will be given in Mr. Daly’s memory, honoring his legacy of service to the community, his steadfast commitment to his students, and his leadership. This time, the award will be given to educators who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.
"My family and I would like to thank the Borough President for continuing to honor my father's legacy, as well Staten Island's many excellent educators, with this award. We look forward to this year's ceremony and meeting the new honorees,” said Pat Daly, son of the fallen educator.

Nominations can come from the community, parents, and fellow staff and are due to our office via an online submission form at www.statenislandusa.com/dalyawardnominations no later than September 26, 2021.

Please note that if you previously nominated a teacher and/or principal earlier this year, there is no need to nominate them again. We have held on to the original nomination forms and the committee will reconsider them along with the new nominees.

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