City Planning asked to reject Liberty Towers project in letter signed by Staten Island electeds; 
BP Oddo issues a call to Staten Island: Draw the line. Get involved. Have your voice heard. 
 
In a strongly-worded letter, Borough President James S. Oddo, State Senators Lanza and Savino, Assembly members Cusick, Fall, Reilly, and Council members Matteo and Borelli asked Marisa Lago, Chairperson the New York City’s Department of City Planning, to reject a proposal that would permit R-7 zoning in St. George. Such zoning would pave the way for the construction of two residential towers of 26 and 27 stories respectively.  
 
Since 2016, Borough President James Oddo has been trying to get City Planning to help stop teardowns on Staten Island. They have refused, delayed, and stood in the way, even as they champion new high-density zoning to allow apartment buildings. 
 
Today, Borough President Oddo is asking Staten Island for their help to prevent City Planning from introducing R-7 zoning to Staten Island. Staten Islanders are encouraged to share their thoughts and concerns by taking five minutes to email City Planning to tell them “No” and “Enough” of them ignoring what Staten Islanders want for Staten Island, and to stop trying to force feed their idea of what Staten Island should be.
 
“It will be just the beginning. And all of it will come without addressing any of the infrastructure concerns we all share. Just as they did with the Bay Street Corridor. Hell, just like they did in the 1960’s when the built the bridge. Except this time, it will be high rise apartment buildings, not single-family homes,” noted Borough President Oddo.
 
Written comments will be accepted through November 30, 2020. They can be mailed to Olga Abinader, Director, Environmental Assessment and Review Division, New York City Department of City Planning, 120 Broadway, 31st Floor, New York, New York 10271. 
 
Email comments can also be submitted via the city’s webpage here: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/nycengage/contact/contact.page or emailed directly to Borough President Oddo who will forward to them to City Planning: joddo@statenislandusa.com.    

 Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose:
 
“As elected officials during the time of COVID-19, our shared and primary focus is ensuring those on the front lines of this fight are equipped with the equipment and support necessary to continue their inspiring, life-saving work. We are proud to supply 5,000 N95 masks to Richmond University Medical Center and Staten Island University Hospital, to be given directly to the heroes working around the clock to treat our family members, loved ones, and neighbors suffering from this terrible illness.”
 
The 5,000 N95 masks were purchased with funds from District Attorney McMahon Office’s NYS Asset Forfeiture Fund. When the district attorney’s office prosecutes crimes against revenue (benefits fraud, unemployment fraud, etc.), a percentage of the money is provided to the NYS Asset Forfeiture Fund for use in a variety of ways.
 
PPE DONATIONS NEEDED:
 
Staten Island’s elected official delegation will continue to work in close coordination to continue directing PPE to the places they are most needed. On March 21, 2020, the Staten Island Delegation put out a call to any dentists or physicians who may be closing their offices during this time to donate their PPE so that healthcare professionals on the front lines of this crisis can continue to safely care for ill patients. The delegation has now extended this to all small businesses that are closed or seeing fewer patients during this time. Any offices interested in donating should visit www.statenislandusa.com/PPE and fill out the intake form. A staff member from Borough Hall will be in touch shortly to arrange pick up of your donations.

​Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose:
 
“Surge; Supplies; Staffing. These are the three overarching concerns we continue to be focused on. Our offices have been and will continue to do all we can to ensure that our local hospitals, clinicians, not-for profits, community-based organizations (CBOs), and anyone else who needs supplies, does in fact have what they need. We are in an all-out effort to work every level of government and every other possible source to acquire the supplies and equipment needed for our healthcare professionals.”
 
After hearing directly from a few local organizations about the supply shortages they were facing, the Staten Island Delegation worked with Super Health Pharmacy to purchase a limited amount of  masks, gloves, thermometers, and hand sanitizer to distribute directly to our healthcare professionals in need.
 
This week, supplies were distributed directly to those on the front line at the following organizations:
 

• CHASI – masks and hand sanitizer
• Community Health Center of Richmond (CHCR) – masks, gloves and hand sanitizer
• Meals on Wheels – masks, thermometers and hand sanitizer
• Jewish Board – masks, gloves and hand sanitizer
• Seamen's Society – masks, gloves, thermometers and hand sanitizer
• CPA – masks, gloves and thermometers
• Brielle – masks and gloves
• A Very Special Place – masks, gloves, thermometers and hand sanitizer
• Eden II – masks and gloves
• Beacon – masks, gloves and hand sanitizer
• Goodhue – gloves and hand sanitizer
• Project Hospitality – gloves and hand sanitizer

 
Hand sanitizer was also distributed to Richmond University Medical Center, Eger Nursing Home and Golden Gate Rehabilitation Center.
 
Staten Island’s elected official delegation will continue to work in close coordination to continue directing PPE to the places they are most needed. On March 21, 2020, the Staten Island Delegation put out a call to any dentists or physicians who may be closing their offices during this time to donate their PPE so that healthcare professionals on the front lines of this crisis can continue to safely care for ill patients. The delegation has now extended this to all small businesses that are closed or seeing fewer patients during this time. Any offices interested in donating should visit www.statenislandusa.com/PPE and fill out the intake form. A staff member from Borough Hall will be in touch shortly to arrange pick up of your donations.

Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose:
 
“We are joining together to thank the Global Hero Foundation for coming forward at this time of need. Founders Gary Kong and Staten Island native Billie Mitchell remind us that as New Yorkers and Americans, we come together in times of need. This donation of 40,000 surgical masks and 600 N95 masks will immediately help safeguard those on the front lines of this imminent crisis. We are working closely with medical personnel in our hospitals and nursing homes to meet their needs. Additionally, we want to be sure that bus drivers who are transporting essential personnel to and from their jobs have the much needed protection, as they drive their routes.”
 
Deliveries of these masks will be made to support the needs of both of our hospitals, Staten Island University Hospital and Richmond University Medical Center. The supplies will also be distributed to members of 1199SEIU and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU). The following nursing homes and community-based organizations (CBOs) specializing in helping our special needs population will be receiving the personal protective equipment (PPE): Silver Lake Specialized Care Center, Staten Island Care Center, Richmond Care Center, Stella Orton Home Care, Richmond Home Needs Services, A Very Special Place, Person Centered Care Services (PCCS), Heartshare, Community Resources, Catholic Charities of SI, On Your Mark, Crossroads Unlimited Inc., Eden II, AHRC, Meals on Wheels, SIDDSO, Eger Nursing Home and Harbor House, and Detectives Endowment.
 
Additionally, Staten Island’s elected official delegation will continue to work in close coordination to continue directing PPE to the places they are most needed. On March 21, 2020, the Staten Island Delegation put out a call to any dentists or physicians who may be closing their offices during this time to donate their PPE so that healthcare professionals on the front lines of this crisis can continue to safely care for ill patients. The delegation has now extended this to all small businesses that are closed or seeing fewer patients during this time. Any offices interested in donating should visit www.statenislandusa.com/PPE and fill out the intake form. A staff member from Borough Hall will be in touch shortly to arrange pick up of your donations.
 
ABOUT THE GLOBAL HERO FOUNDATION www.globalherofoundation.org:

Founder Sir Gary Kong, also the owner of Classic New York beer and the 1 wine www.the1wine.com, sits as co-chair for the Sino Chamber of Commerce.  Staten Island native, Billie Mitchell who is the CEO of the 1 Wine & Classic New York Beer is also the co-founder of the Global Hero Foundation along with Co- Founder Ying Zhu. It is a self-funded organization with a goal of saving lives, creating a better world and honoring those people who dedicated their lives to helping others. 
 
The mission of the Global Hero Foundation is to help ordinary people do extraordinary things. The Foundation achieves that goal by providing financial support, medical supplies, payment of medical bills, and travel expenses for those tasked with assisting others whenever and wherever disaster or crisis occurs. The Global Hero Foundation defines Global Heroes as: Doctors, Nurses, Medical Professionals, First Responders and members of point of contact organizations.
 
With the goal of helping to eradicate the spread of COVID-19 in China, the Global Hero Foundation recently sent more than 26,808 pounds (40 pallets) of medical supplies to the Red Cross Society of China, Fujian Branch to be distributed throughout nine provinces across the country to help protect the people and contain the virus, and to help eliminate the spread to other countries. 
 
Recognizing that New York City is experiencing a shortage of the N95 masks, the Global Hero Foundation has acquired 600 N95 Masks, and 40,000 cloth masks which will be distributed to local health care providers who are risking their lives to save and help individuals who may be afflicted with the coronavirus.

Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose:
 
"The situation surrounding Coronavirus is constantly evolving. What is clear is that the only way to protect the community from further spread is to stay home. Another thing that has become abundantly clear is that there is a shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE is essential for healthcare workers to protect themselves so that they can continue to care for patients.
 
“With this in mind, in the spirit of community, we are asking any dentists or physicians who may be closing their offices during this time to donate their PPE so that we can continue to have our healthcare professionals safely care for ill patients."
 
Physician/dental offices interested in donating should visit www.statenislandusa.com/PPE and fill out the intake form. A staff member from Borough Hall will be in touch shortly to arrange pick up of your donations.

Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose: “Common ground, common effort. This is how we, as your Staten Island representatives, have operated in response to this crisis, and now we are calling on our constituents to do the same. If you are, or know someone who is, willing to share their time and expertise to fight this crisis your service will be deeply appreciated. We thank Governor Cuomo for his leadership through this crisis, and for his work to expand testing in New York City.”
 
In response to the growing number of COVID-19 case numbers, Governor Andrew Cuomo has authorized a drive-through testing facility to open on Staten Island, the first facility of its kind in New York City. The facility will open tomorrow, Thursday, March 19, 2020. At this time, Borough President James Oddo and the Staten Island delegation are working closely with the Office of the Governor and Northwell Health to facilitate swab testing for COVID-19 to those who meet the necessary criteria. The testing is open to New York City Residents by appointment only from 11am to 7 pm tomorrow and from 7 am to 7 pm beginning Friday at South Beach Psych Center (777 Seaview Avenue).
 
Anyone who feels they are at risk should contact the NYS DOH Hotline at 888-364-3065 to determine if and how to be tested. If it is determined an individual needs to be tested, they will receive notice directly from NYS DOH. An appointment must be made in order to receive a test. Individuals who show up without an appointment will be turned away.
 
The State and Northwell Health are seeking the help of qualified retired health professionals—including Licensed Practical Nurses, Registered Nurses and Physicians—to volunteer to staff the mobile testing unit. If you are a retired health professional and looking to help with the crisis at hand, please consider volunteering. Shifts will be from 7 am to 1 pm and 1 pm to 7 pm.
 
"This testing site is going to be a huge sigh of relief for Staten Islanders with concerns of COVID-19. We thank Governor Cuomo and Staten Island’s elected officials who have once again stepped up for the borough when it needed it most," said Brahim Ardolic, MD, Executive Director of Staten Island University Hospital/Northwell Health. "Staten Island University Hospital is happy to assist in this effort wherever we can. So far, over 120 medical professionals from the hospital have volunteered to help staff the testing site.”
 
Potential volunteers should fill out the following online form to be considered for a volunteer position: https://apps.health.ny.gov/pubpal/builder/survey/retired-health-professional. Volunteers will be prompted to enter their Name, Address, Phone number, New York State Certification Number, Information on last role, and Availability.
 
According to NYS DOH, drive-through mobile testing facilities help keep people who are sick or at risk of having contracted coronavirus out of healthcare facilities where they could infect other people. To that end, the guidance for receiving a COVID-19 test is unchanged from the guidance provided at any other medical facility.
​
Until New York State is at full capacity for testing, the Department of Health has issued guidance to ensure that New York State prioritizes the resources to meet the most urgent public health need. Testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health care provider when:

• An individual has come within proximate contact (same classroom, office, or gatherings) of another person known to be positive; or
• An individual has traveled to a country that the CDC has issued a Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Health Notice, and shows symptoms of illness; or
• An individual is quarantined (mandatory or precautionary) and has shown symptoms of COVID-19 illness; or
• An individual is symptomatic and has not tested positive for any other infection; or
• Other cases where the facts and circumstances warrant as determined by the treating clinician in consultation with state and local department of health officials.

 
On Sunday, March 15, 2020, the entire Staten Island delegation made an announcement to encourage Staten Islanders to re-evaluate their social distancing behaviors, including to: Stay home as much as possible; keep 6 feet of distance from others in public; and minimize in-person social contact in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
 

The Staten Island Delegation has one clear directive for Staten Islanders in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19: Stay Home.
 
“By now, we're all very much aware of the Coronavirus, but what's not all that clear is what you need to do. It is simple: STAY HOME. Healthy or sick, all New Yorkers need to stay home as much as possible. Stay home and check in with your friends and family members who may need your help via phone,” noted in a joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose.
 
On Sunday, March 15, 2020, the entire Staten Island delegation to made an announcement to encourage Staten Islanders to re-evaluate their social distancing behaviors, including to: Stay home as much as possible; keep 6 feet of distance from others in public; and minimize in-person social contact.
 
Any New Yorkers who feel they are getting sick should abide by the following advice from NYC and NYS DOH:
 
If you are sick, rest and monitor your symptoms for 24-48 hours. If they worsen, call your primary care doctor.
 
Do not go to the emergency room, an urgent-care center, or your doctor’s office if you are feeling sick. Call your doctor first so they can make arrangements for you to come in, if necessary.
 
If you do not have a primary care doctor or Health insurance, call the Health and Hospitals 24/7 help line where you will be connected to a doctor to assist: 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692).
 
Any general questions or concerns on coronavirus, call 311. New Yorkers are also encouraged to text “COVID” to 692-692 for automatic updates from NYC OEM on Coronavirus.

​Joint statement by Borough President Oddo, Congressman Max Rose, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, Senator Diane Savino, Senator Andrew Lanza, Assemblyman Michael Cusick, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis, Assemblyman Mike Reilly, Assemblyman Charles Fall, Councilman Steven Matteo, Councilman Joe Borelli, and Councilwoman Debi Rose:
 
“In addition to a running text thread to allow all Staten Island elected officials to communicate with each other simultaneously, and to collectively share information, we have established what will be a daily conference call to coordinate our efforts. Today’s call focused on securing the needs of our two hospital systems, attempting to unclog the flow of county specific information and data, expressing our ongoing bewilderment and concerns about schools not officially closing, and our strenuous belief that this next week is critical in terms of containment efforts. To that end we all agreed on the following:
 
“After reading the bleak predictions and emphatic counsel of medical and scientific experts across the country, after seeing other cities and nations imposing curfews or shutting businesses and gathering places, and after hearing widespread accounts of people willfully ignoring social distancing in establishments across the city, state and nation, we strongly encourage Staten Islanders to re-evaluate their social distancing behavior.
 
“We want to help keep our small businesses viable, but Islanders need to understand that they are not invulnerable and their behavior puts OTHER people at risk, including potentially the vulnerable populations in their own homes and within their own families.
 
“As so many have advocated: Stay home as much as possible; keep 6 feet of distance from others in public; and minimize in-person social contact. Please, for everyone’s sake, use common sense. This upcoming week is critically important in terms of attempting to contain this virus. Those who can should just stay home.”