​In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Borough President James Oddo is pleased to announce a partnership with the technology company Uber to offer free transportation to and from breast cancer screening appointments during the entire month of October for any woman who needs a ride.
 
Those who want to participate in the program must call the Borough President’s office for a single use code that can be entered into the Uber app to claim their free ride to and from the appointment. Women must provide their name, contact information, and the date and location of their screening to be eligible. Women should call (718) 816-2198 to receive the code.
 
“I want to eliminate all barriers that are stopping women from getting screened,” said Borough President Oddo. “I’m pleased to partner with Uber on this program, which will make it easier for women to get to and from their necessary appointments. Now there’s absolutely no excuse for not getting screened. We know that mammograms are important preventative measures for women. The earlier cancer is found, the easier it is to treat. Despite recommendations to the contrary from some organizations, experts continue to emphasize the importance of mammograms in detecting breast cancer. Thank you to Uber for being a good corporate partner and working with us to improve women’s health in our borough. I urge Staten Island women to get screened in the month of October and to take advantage of this free program if they need a ride.”
 
“Access to transportation should never be a barrier to receiving care,” said Sarfraz Maredia, Uber General Manager for Northeast U.S. and Canada. “Uber is honored to work with the Borough President to offer all Staten Island women a reliable way to get to and from their appointments, and we encourage all residents to take advantage of these free rides during Breast Cancer Awareness month.”
 
In addition to the free rides, BP Oddo is sponsoring his fourth round of free mobile mammography screenings this year. The screenings will take place on Tuesday, October 3rd. The mobile mammography van will be at the Beacon Christian Community Health Center (2079 Forest Avenue) from 9:30am to 4:30pm. There will also be a van at Hylan Plaza Parking Lot in New Dorp (near CVS) from 9:00am to 12:00pm and at Bricktown Commons (Michael's Parking Lot) in Charleston from 1:30pm to 4:30pm.
 
The screenings will be available to eligible women ages 40 and older who have not had a mammogram in the past year. All insurance plans will be accepted, and co-pays and deductibles will be waived. The mammograms will be free to uninsured women.
 
An appointment must be made to get screened on October 3. To make an appointment at Beacon Christian Community Health Center, call (877) 628-9090. To make an appointment at the Bricktown Commons or Hylan Plaza locations, call (800) 564-6868. Since all screenings in October are included in this announcement, the screenings scheduled for October 3 are eligible for the free Uber ride. Women should simply call the Borough President’s office at 718-816-2198 after making their appointment for the code for the free ride or to receive a free ride to screening appointments throughout the rest of the month.
 
The October 3 screenings are sponsored by the New York State Cancer Services Program, the Cancer Services Program of Staten Island, and the American-Italian Cancer Foundation. 

On Thursday, September 21st, BP Oddo announced that the era of the infamous Midland Motor Inn, a transient hotel that plagued the Midland Beach community for decades before a July 22, 2015 fire, is now over.
 
The Midland Motor Inn had operated as a transient hotel, which is a non-conforming use under current zoning regulations. Since the July 22, 2015 fire it has been closed.  Since the fire, and for a continuous period of more than two years, the active operation of the non-conforming use (as a transient hotel) was discontinued. Under the city’s zoning laws, the existing building and land can now only be used for a CONFORMING use. This means that it can no longer be used as a transient hotel.
 
A transient hotel includes living or sleeping for transient occupancy; permits daily rentals; and provides 24-hour desk service, including housekeeping, telephone, or bellhop service, etc.  The existing zone permits various residential uses but specifically excludes transient hotels.
 
BP Oddo said, “This is great news for the Midland Beach community, and indeed all of Staten Island. Residents were forced to endure the operation of this facility and all the ills it brought to the community for what seemed like an eternity.  Despite my best efforts as a City Council Member and Borough President to shut this place down, the facility continued to give rise to many of the ills that plagued the community. I am hopeful that the property will be used for some good in the future, though practically any use would be better than its prior use. What is clear is that a transient hotel, like the Midland Motor Inn, will not be permitted to operate there in the future. For far too long, like Jason Voorhees in the Friday the 13th movies, it stubbornly refused to die; but now since its operation was discontinued for so long it is dead.”
 
Some used that would be permitted under the Zoning Resolution include: residences (as part of a mixed use building), community facilities, such as doctor’s offices, schools, nursing homes, houses of worship, retail stores, and similar uses

On Monday, September 11th, hundreds gathered at the Postcards Memorial on the St. George Promenade for our annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony. To mark the 16th anniversary of the tragedy, Borough President James Oddo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the families, friends, community members, and visitors who gathered for the solemn ceremony.

Family members of those we lost 16 years ago read the names of those killed in the attacks and shared memories of their loved ones. In addition to a special video tribute, the ceremony featured touching performances from Rev. Timothy Mercaldo, Jenna Flynn, Gabrielle Testa, Lt. Hughie Lynch, Staten Island Pipers, and Tottenville High School students.
 
"I want to thank you all for having the courage, the strength, the compassion and the resiliency you have shown for being here for each of these years. I hope this ceremony gives you a moment of comfort," Borough President Oddo said to the family and friends who gather annually for the ceremony.
 
Mayor de Blasio also noted the strength of those still struggling with the loss of their loved ones, "You've kept your families strong, and you've kept your families going, and you've carried on all the good in those you've lost. You've carried on their values. You've carried on their love. You've carried on their spirit of service to others. That light, that flame, will not be extinguished," de Blasio concluded.
 
“There's no place in America that more symbolizes the values we hold dear than what we see as the backdrop to this event. Let the legacy of those we lost be a rekindling of that beautiful, glorious spirit that we all felt as Americans," said Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul.
 
We thank all those who made the ceremony so special, including FDNY, NYPD, US Army North East Medical Area Readiness Support Group, US Coast Guard Sector NY, Tottenville High School JROTC, Fred Ariemma, Michael Black, NYCEDC, and the Staten Island Yankees.

On Saturday, August 19th, BP Oddo sponsored the annual Stars of the Boardwalk doo-wop concert at Midland Beach.

This event, which is part of our Sunset Summer Concert Series, featured music from Staten Island legends Vito Picone and the Elegants. The opening acts included Vinnie Medugno, The Midlife Crisis Trio, and The Expressions. 

“We are proud to welcome Vito Picone and the Elegants back to the beach for the fourth year,” noted BP Oddo. “It is great to see Staten Islanders gathered together to celebrate their love of music. Thank you to all the bands for giving us a night full of great performances.”
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Over 1,000 people attended the free concert, which was followed by fireworks.

On Tuesday, August 1st, Borough President James S. Oddo joined with Vincent Ignizio, CEO of Catholic Charities of Staten Island, to announce a three day Columbus Day festival at Mount Loretto. The festival will take place on Friday, October 6th from 5-11pm, Saturday, October 7th from 1-11pm, and Sunday, October 8th from 4-9pm.
 
“Festa Italiana at the Mount: The Biggest Columbus Day Celebration in Staten Island’s History” will build on the successes of both Rome Through Richmond Town and the Mount’s Italian Feast. The larger space will help accommodate even more people and will allow more vendors and cultural groups to participate.
 
Kids’ rides and games, live music, and expanded food options will be available on all three days. On Saturday, there will be cultural exhibits and educational displays, as well as a performance by the Giglio Band.
 
At the press conference, Lois and Richard Nicotra announced that they will once again be sponsoring the headlining entertainment, Louis Prima Jr. and the Witnesses, who will perform on Saturday.
 
Additional sponsors who have already signed on include Council Member Joe Borelli, Senator Diane Savino, Richmond University Medical Center, Mark Tranchina/Vanderbilt/Grand Oaks/South Fin, Project One, Rampulla Architects, Gerald Peters Gold Mine Jewelers, and Italian American Women of Staten Island. 
 
“This will be the biggest Columbus Day celebration in the history of Staten Island,” noted BP Oddo. “We had 6,000 people attend Rome Through Richmond Town, and Historic Richmond Town was a great partner, but the space there was limited. We’re partnering with Mount Loretto to make this an even bigger festival that can accommodate many more people and activities. We want more music, more culture, more education, more fun, and we intend to deliver on that front. This is a weekend for all of Staten Island to celebrate Italian-American culture and have fun.”
 
“We are so excited to host the biggest event Staten Island has ever had to celebrate Italian-American culture, Italian-Americans, our food, and everything that goes along with it,” said Ignizio.


Admission will be $5 for adults. Children under 12 will be admitted free. Parking will also be free for the event.
 
For sponsorship opportunities or more information, visit mountloretto.org

BP Oddo announced that he will again be joining with the Dr. Theodore A. Atlas Foundation to collect backpacks and school supplies for needy Staten Island families.

“Starting off the year with the necessary school supplies sets children off on a path towards academic success,” noted BP Oddo. “I’m asking Staten Islanders to give from their hearts and donate these items to help the less fortunate in our community. I want to thank the Atlas Foundation for collaborating with us again this year on this drive, which will help young students across the Island.”

Donations of brand new children’s backpacks, folders, crayons, markers, non-toxic glue sticks, notebooks, #2 pencils, construction paper, and other new school supplies will be accepted. Items can be dropped off in the box in the lobby of Borough Hall (10 Richmond Terrace) from 9am-5pm every weekday until Friday, August 25th. Volunteers from the Atlas Foundation will then distribute the items to families in need.

“The 1–2 punch is the most effective combination in boxing, and this partnership between the Dr. Atlas Foundation and the office of Borough President James Oddo is doing its part to knock out illiteracy in our schools,” said Teddy Atlas, Founder and Chairman of the Atlas Foundation. 
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For more information on the drive, call Renee Sarno at (718) 816-2133 or email RSarno@statenislandusa.com.

On Monday, July 24, BP Oddo joined with DA Mike McMahon to announce the launch of SIHOPE.org. The website contains various resources related to the opioid epidemic, ranging from information on addiction treatment services to ways to report drug activity in your neighborhood. As part of the public awareness campaign, lawn signs will encourage Staten Islanders to visit the site.
 
“Getting the word out about all of the efforts undertaken on the opioid epidemic is really important,” noted BP Oddo. “The District Attorney’s new website is making it a little easier with one central location for folks to access information.”
 
"It's a one-stop shop for those battling addiction, those with a loved one who is struggling, or those who simply want to get involved in helping end this horrible crisis," said District Attorney Michael McMahon.
 
To check out the website, click here.

On Tuesday, July 18th, BP James Oddo joined with Council Member Joe Borelli and Borough Parks Commissioner Lynda Ricciardone to announce the allocation of $4 million in taxpayer money for a sensory playground at Prescott Playground in Huguenot.  BP Oddo allocated $3.9 million, and Council Member Borelli allocated $100,000 for the project.

A sensory play area provides opportunities for all children, including those with autism spectrum disorder and sensory processing disorder, to develop physical coordination, social skills, and imaginative play behaviors in a shared, peer-play setting.

Some of the examples of play structures that can be included are: sand and water play for tactile stimulation, bright and patterned shapes for visual, talk tubes and musical play panels for auditory, play equipment such as swings and roller tables for cognitive awareness of movement and behavior, and balance walkers or climbers for focus on balance and special orientation.
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“We want to see all of Staten Island enjoying our parks, and we want all of our kids with varying degrees of abilities to enjoy our parks,” said BP Oddo. “I think this is a statement on our values that we want to get this playground built.”
 
"Prescott Playground is the perfect spot for this sensory playground because it's in a quiet area," noted Parks Commissioner Ricciardone.
 
BP Oddo plans to form a working group from the special needs community to assist during the playground’s design phase.