Daneek Miller and Speaker Cojo wants Southeast Queens to continue breathing garbage air

THE CITY 

 Three years after the City Council passed a Waste Equity Law sharply reducing trash trucked to waste transfer stations in environmentally hard-hit neighborhoods, one lawmaker is pressing to roll back the change in his own district.

Councilmember I. Daneek Miller (D-Queens) is the sole sponsor of a bill that would lift the restrictions for transfer stations that deliver plans to ship out trash by rail — including in Queens Community District 12. The measure is scheduled for a pair of votes Thursday, while a key committee chair is out of the country.

While the existing law already exempts facilities that rely on rail as an alternative to long-haul trucks, Miller’s bill would fast-track the exception, lifting the restrictions for facilities that intend to begin using garbage trains soon, giving them four years to follow through.

“We want to make sure that there’s provisions in place where companies want to do the right thing,” Miller told THE CITY. 

 Among the trash station operators in the area, along the Long Island Rail Road tracks, are Royal Waste Services, Regal Recycling Company and American Recycling Co.

Not so fast, say Miller constituents who advocated for the Waste Equity Law’s passage.

 They say that living alongside the waste stations in southeast Queens is a daily experience of environmental racism, with garbage trucks constantly rumbling down the streets and exhaust leaving them gasping for air.

Air reeks near the stations, they say, forcing them inside their homes and away from Liberty Park. A group of community leaders has even begun legal proceedings against two waste stations on Liberty Avenue in Jamaica.

“Clean air is something that we have to ask for on top of everything else,” said Oster Bryan, 41, chair of the St. Albans Civic Association, who held a sign with the slogan “We literally can’t breathe” at a Tuesday rally outside Miller’s office.

“We shouldn’t have to ask for that.”

City records show that waste stations based in Southeast Queens have lobbied Miller and other elected officials for years over legislation.

Most recently, Royal Waste Services paid a lobbyist to target Miller and Reynoso to amend the Waste Equity Bill. American Recycling spent more than $19,000 in total this year to lobby Miller and Reynoso, along with Councilmembers James Gennaro in Queens and Justin Brannan in Brooklyn.

Four years for stations to export by rail means four more years of keeping the windows closed and never entering the park, said Caroll Forbes, 74, who lives across the street from the stations on Liberty Avenue. She said she doesn’t recall the last time she set foot in Liberty Park.

“I can’t open my windows,” Forbes said, adding that her nine grandchildren were asthmatic when they lived in the neighborhood.

NY Post 

 City Council Speaker Corey Johnson shelved legislation Thursday that would lift the trash truck caps as questions mounted over the bill, which environmentalists said would benefit a politically connected southeast Queens carting company.

The term-limited Johnson pulled the measure just an hour before sources said a vote was scheduled to take place.

It was a dramatic about-face after he fast-tracked the bill, despite it having just one sponsor, the area’s equally termed-out local Councilman, I. Daneek Miller (D-Queens).

Johnson also made his now-reversed decision to move the bill even though Sanitation Committee chairman, Councilman Antonio Reynoso (D-Brooklyn), is out of the country.

This confirms Reynoso will continue Adams record of unaccountability in the borough president's office. Hope you gentrifiers are glad who you voted for.

Anyway...

Council insiders pointed to Miller’s endorsement of Johnson’s failed Comptroller bid as a likely explanation for the decision to move the bill despite significant initial pushback.

Johnson strongly disputed the charges Thursday when he was pressed repeatedly by The Post about the timeline of events.

“What you are saying, there is no truth, there is no merit. Zero,” he said.

His remarks came after a slew of statements by activists and Council insiders to the Post laying out their concerns.

“That’s the obvious connection — that Daneek endorsed Corey,” said Jen Guiterrez, the Democratic nominee to succeed Reynoso on the Council. “There’s just no other logic – there’s so many bills being waited on to be heard, and this is the bill? This is the one you want to prioritize?”

Garbage in lawless democratic community

 Concerned citizens went to the 15-year old eyesore that has now become a pandemic; affecting residents who have to inhale the stench. On Wednesday Sep. 8th. members of our group "Clean Up Jamaica Too" were forced to make another visit; to the abandoned house at 107-58 164 th. Street Jamaica Queens. This visit was vital because our health is at risk and local leaders have neglected us. The corona virus thrives in this black community because it is filthy.

We have been calling on our democratic leaders for more than 15 years. Leaders have come and gone, but this eyesore remains a fixture. The current councilman who has jurisdiction over this area is Daneek Miller.

The garbage has now taken over the sidewalk: mattresses, bottles, boxes, chairs, about 90 full garbage bags, and scattered papers are just some of the items

~
















 Councilman Daneek Miller,

A vagrant is rummaging. Residents have been calling: 311, 103 precinct, councilman Miller and others. Thus far, no one has responded. Some years ago sanitation began removing the garbage. But that was in the height of NY1 Ruschell Boone  reporting on the issue. Ruschell now works in another area.

There are four churches near-by. Amity Baptist is the nearest, a few steps away from the mountain of garbage. Residents have been appealing to Pastor Thompson, but he has not done anything to help. He and some of the pastors live in Long Island. However, Pastor Thompson was very successful in getting "no parking signs" in front of the church.


Residents are just asking for a clean community, especially to curtail the spread of the corona virus.

P. Hazel: Social Media Journalist for Justice.

Truck parking legislation sounds nice, but there's no enforcement

From the Queens Chronicle:

The Queens delegation to the City Council wants to ratchet up the economic pressure on commercial truck drivers who illegally park their rigs on the borough’s streets.

Three large trucks, including a pair of 18-wheelers, served as an unwitting backdrop on Springfield Boulevard in Cambria Heights last Friday as Councilman Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) announced a pair of bills that have been introduced in the Council to try and rein in the big rigs.

The press conference, held one day after the Council passed a bill that significantly increases fines for everything from illegal dumping to throwing trash from a car window, was billed as a quality-of-life statement by Miller, Councilwoman Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) and Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria), chairman of the Committee on the Environment.

Their location on Friday, at the intersection with 121st Avenue, was no accident.

“There are a few trucks here now, but come here after 4 p.m., especially on Friday and the weekend,” he said, “you could have 20 trucks parked along this road. And they keep the motors running because they’re in the cabs and then need air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter.”

Not to mention the taking of on-street parking, and, Adams said, the danger of having to walk on sidewalks behind large trucks, largely obscured from view, giving cover to potential muggers and attackers.

Intro. 1011, the Commercial Truck Abuse Reduction Act, would cut the time that a tractor-trailer combination, truck or semi trailer can be parked in half, to 90 minutes from the existing limit of three hours.

Intro. 1011 would increase the fine for a first offense from $250 to $400; and subsequent violations in the next six months from $500 to $800.

Video Voter Guide - City Council District 27

Video Voter Guide - City Council District 27

Council member's excuse is that Jamaica "has a dumping problem"

From Cleanup Jamaica Queens:

WHY is illegal dumping a challenge for the district? Well, that is the statement that Councilman I. Daneek Miller stated to NY1, “Illegal dumping is a challenge for the district”.

BUT why Mr. Miller, an all white area does not have an illegal dumping issue like Jamaica. Plus this is nothing new, this takes place all over the community and has been taking place for years and decades. But when you have elected officials, community leaders and church leaders who do very little to nothing for their community, when you have bad neighbors, like this sh!tty Family Dollar store, when you have a lack of enforcement, when you have a low amount for fines (this dollar store was fined a measly $100) and when there is not any kind of common sense (just put up a damn fence and install security cameras), this kind of sh!t will continue to go on and on and on in this community.

So Sanitation, elected officials and even this sh!tty neighbor dollar store all say “we are aware of the situation”. Well, that is the standard answer for all quality of life issues. The issue is the addressing and solving of the fucking problem. I love the line from the @sshole spokeserson for this sh!tty Family dollar:

A spokesperson for Family Dollar thanked us for bringing it to his attention. He says he’s gathering more information to quote “address this concern promptly.”

REALLY, F*CKING REALLY. I mean this is your damn property, you mean you needed NY1 to bring this to your attention and you need to gather more information. WHAT F*CKING INFORMATION. Your property looks like it is from some third world country, what more information do you need @SSHOLE?

D. Miller looking to reduce truck parking time

From the Times Ledger:

A southeast Queens City councilman is sponsoring legislation to reduce the time commercial trucks can park on streets from three hours to 90 minutes in an attempt to reduce the burden on affected communities.

City Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) said that when he first broached the notion of Council legislation to combat the problem, he found other council members were dealing with similar situations in their own districts.

The preponderance of trucks blocking traffic and idling is a constant source of frustration for southeast Queens residents, both in the commercial corridors of downtown Jamaica and on residential avenues. Int. No. 1473 would revise the law to shorten the amount of time before traffic enforcers or NYPD officers can give an idling commercial vehicle a demand that they move or a fine. Miller said the vehicles are often idling overnight, running their engines for air conditioning in the summer or heat in the winter. Thus, the health of residents can be compromised.

The legislation was referred by the full Council to the Committee on Transportation and has garnered several sponsors, including Queens Councilmen Donovan Richards (D-Arverne), Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and Paul Vallone (D-Bayside). Miller said greater enforcement was needed, recalling trucks usually based in Elmont, L.I., that parked on the Queens side of the border. They were taking advantage of the lax enforcement, Miller said.

They'd hold a ribbon cutting for a flea market

Only in Queens do politicians hold press conferences - podium and all - to announce that basic road repairs have been completed. A press statement would have sufficed.

From the Times Ledger

Will this work?

From NY1:

Some elected officials and several non-profits in Queens are taking part in a new initiative aimed at helping homeowners get out of foreclosure and increasing affordable housing.

Under the "Foreclosure Buyback Pilot Program," non-profits can buy back distressed mortgages from federal government entities such as Freddie Mae and Freddie Mac, giving families the opportunity to refinance with the organization and stay in their homes.

If that's not possible, local non-profits or municipalities can bid on the distressed properties and then convert them into affordable housing.

Previously, only private equity and hedge funds could purchase these properties.

Councilors I. Daneek Miller, Ruben Wills, and Richards are involved in the program and say it is the first of its kind in the nation.

Charity with ties to shady pol investigated

From DNA Info:

City investigators have opened a probe into a Queens nonprofit that has ties to disgraced ex-state Sen. Shirley Huntley and other elected officials, sources said.

The city Department of Investigation began in May looking into the finances of the St. Albans nonprofit Clergy United for Community Empowerment and into its executive vice-president and CEO, the Rev. Ernestine Sanders, according to sources.

The nonprofit bills itself as providing health and mental health services to HIV individuals and their families.

The group, whose board members include influential clergy from Southeast Queens, also holds political sway and its endorsement is coveted by both candidates running for office and elected officials.

Councilman I. Daneek Miller, who represents St. Albans, directed $63,438 in discretionary funds to Clergy United in fiscal year 2016 to run domestic violence initiatives, records show. In all, the nonprofit received nearly $219,000 in discretionary funds from the City Council that year, records show.

Miller declined to comment on the investigation.

Huntley, when she was a state senator, also steered $75,000 in state funds to Clergy United between fiscal years 2007 and 2010, according to a Politico article in 2012.

Huntley pleaded guilty in 2013 to mail fraud charges for stealing $87,000 in taxpayer money that went to an educational nonprofit she founded. She served 10 months in federal prison.

Calling out the political gangsters

"Numerous residents called me last week.

They wanted me to reach out to The Untouchables, (Sergeant Cedillo and his team) from the 103 rd. precinct. Residents were desperately trying to have the abandoned, smashed-up, embarrassing vehicles removed before Easter.

Sorry supporters, I will not put that responsibility on The Untouchables. I may call them for another location, but not this one and not this time. They have come to our rescue over and over and over. Meanwhile, Katz, Comrie and Miller; the highly tax paid political gangsters look the other way and pretend that the vehicles do not exist.

The abandoned vehicles are a symbol of neglect. They have been parked at 108th. Avenue, near Merrick Boulevard since Christmas, (Abandoned Vehicle Avenue). On every issue, the problem remains the same; which is "the lack of law enforcement."

After reporting on this location many times, Boranian, the liaison at the borough president's office is still asking for the details to find the location. Well Boranian, you are not fooling anyone. Your have no intensions of trying to have the vehicles removed. So you use the excuse, that I did not give you enough information.

If you cannot find 108th. Avenue & Merrick Boulevard, get a GPS; or better yet, do not serve the Jamaica community. Your strategy is delay, delay, delay to deny. But cleanupJamaicaQueens will provide updates.

Talking about updates, the back glass on the blue vehicle was smashed and the hood is now sticking up.

Senator Comrie and Councilman Miller; ask yourself why Katz's area does not look like a primitive island? It is a damn shame that you all do a disservice to your own."

P. Hazel: Social Media Journalist for Justice.

(Keep tuned or not, political gangsters.)

Legislators say MTA should make fares equal across the board

From the Forum:

The City Council’s Queens delegation this week announced its unanimous support for the Commuter Rail Fare Equalization Proposal.

All 15 members of the Queens contingent have endorsed Resolution 670, calling on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to equalize commuter rail fares for riders traveling within city limits to that of New York City Transit subways and buses, and provide a free transfer between all three modes of transportation.

At six hours and 18 minutes per week, city residents currently suffer the longest work commute of any large city in the nation, according to City Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans), who introduced Res. 670 in April. But for those in so-called “transportation deserts” – such as Bayside, Southeast Queens or the Rockaways – commutes can exceed 15 hours per week.

The U.S. Census Bureau classifies this as an “extreme commute,” Miller has said.

Commuter rail fare equalization, according to Miller, will increase access to over 40 Metro North and Long Island Rail Road stations within the five boroughs, and serve to shorten commute times. The former transit union official said he believes that improved access to commuter rail transit will also spur development in communities serviced by the railroads.

Residents opposed to "supportive housing"

From the Times Ledger:

Southeast Queens residents and elected officials headed to City Hall last week to voice their concerns over the city’s new supportive housing plans for their shelter-saturated neighborhoods.

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last week a new plan to build 15,000 supportive housing units for those in need across the city at an estimated cost of $2.6 billion in capital funds over the next 15 years.

The City Council’s Committee on Housing and Building and Committee on General Welfare held a joint hearing Nov.19 about the new supportive housing plan with the city’s Human Resources Administration and Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

During the testimony, HRA Commissioner Steven Banks said HRA provides a form of financial support, temporary housing assistance, training for employment and services for those unable to work.

Council members Ruben Wills (D-South Ozone Park), I. Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) and Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton) all spoke up about their residents’ concern about more homeless shelters in their neighborhoods.

Make commuting fair for all?

From op-ed by Council Member Daneek Miller Crains:

New Yorkers suffer the longest work commute of any large urban population in the nation, averaging 6 hours and 18 minutes a week in transit. However, for residents living on the city's perimeter traveling into any of the three largest business districts—midtown, the financial district, or downtown Brooklyn—this burden is even greater: roughly 15 hours a week.

That amounts to 238% more time spent commuting for Southeast Queens residents than other New Yorkers. On a daily basis, they spend three hours per day in transit. The United States Census Bureau deems that an "extreme commute."

We are traveling longer and spending less time at home and with our families. Southeast Queens shares this experience with neighbors in the Rockaways, the North Bronx and the South Shore of Staten Island.

For these reasons I have proposed an easily implemented five-point plan—the five E's—to quickly and efficiently improve transit in "transportation deserts" throughout the city:

• Equalize commuter rail fares and eliminate two-fare zones
• Enact the Commuter Van Reform Act
• Extend express bus service.
• Expand Vision Zero
• Ensure proper funding.

Ongoing protests against Hollis shelters

Every Saturday residents protest to stop more shelters from opening in the black neighbourhood. Last Saturday Sep. 26th., was no different. Residents have information that shelters are slated to be built at Hollis and 203rd. street area. There are about 300 units of vacant apartments.

Residents took turns in giving testimonies of the destruction associated with shelters.
Residents shouted and demanded the presence of councilman Miller.

Al, a representative for Miller arrived. He informed residents that councilman Miller was unable to attend due to another engagement. However, demands for Miller got louder and louder.

Surprise, surprise, Councilman Miller appeared. He gave a speech, saying that he met with other leaders; and there are no concrete plans to build shelters.

In essence, residents said that Queens has the highest portion of shelters. They said that the people who live in shelters; roam the streets, sit around, and exhibit negative activities that tear down the neigbourhood.

Their fears are a reality. Below are photos of early morning activities from a shelter. Location,164 th. place & 108th. avenue. These women are early risers. They smoke, drink, and sit around all day long.

Monday morning, bright & early, Sep. 28 th., time 7: 43 a.m. This is their norm.

This is a perfect example of why Hollis residents want to keep shelters out of their area.

Hollis residents said; that they fear for children who have to walk to and from school. Shelters, harbour derelicts that prowl by day; because during the daytime shelters have to be closed.

A parent is taking her child to school.

Senator Comrie and congressman Meeks are aware of the Saturdays' protests; they remain NO SHOW.

The protests will continue and continue and continue........We will Not be ignored.

P. Hazel: Social Media Journalist for Justice.

Dollar van legislation introduced

WNYC

From the Queens Chronicle:

The City Council is entertaining a pair of bills that are aimed squarely at operators of illegal “dollar vans” that have become a particular scourge in Southeast Queens.

The Commuter Van Reform Act was introduced Thursday by Councilmen Daneek Miller (D-St. Albans) and Rory Lancman (R-Fresh Meadows).

If adopted, one bill in the package would cause fines for illegally operating a van to skyrocket from the current $500 for a first offense to $3,000; and from $1,000 to $4,000 for second offenses and subsequent offenses within two years.

A second bill would require annual reports from the Taxi and Limousine Commission on the state of the legal and illegal van industries in the city.

In a joint statement issued by his office on Thursday afternoon, Miller said there are only 344 vans and 301 drivers licensed to operate in the city out of 46 bases.

Legal vans are not permitted to pick up fares along city bus routes, and must have special license places and decals.

A visit to the Parsons Boulevard-Archer Avenue bus and subway hub, however, will routinely show vans, usually white, going so far at to park in bus stops in an effort to pick up passengers.

Truckin' along in Jamaica

From Cleanup Jamaica Queens:

Day 258 since my first complaint of illegal truck driving on 170th Street in Jamaica (although this has been going on for years on this street as well as others in Jamaica), but very little being done by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and her borough hall crew of political welfare cases (lots of talks about meeting, an inter-agency task force, yada, yada, yada. Department of Transportation, while it set up a temporary sign on Jamaica Avenue (although the majority of trucks come onto 170th from Liberty Ave) has done little on the issue and they still have not put up a sign at 170th (though I have been informed that one will go up in mid August). Of course our elected officials from Senator Leroy Comrie to Councilman I. Daneek Miller have been quiet on the issue, only Senator Tony Avella's office has reached out and Community Board 12 has been its usual ineffectual entity. BOTTOM LINE: We need total enforcement and everyone to work on this major quality of life issues, that poses noise and safety issues, pollutes our air and damages residential streets.

Miller has weird relationship to crook, but won't explain

From the Daily News:

A 35-year-old Queens man told cops he was the son of a city councilman when he was busted on a slew of charges, including resisting arrest, after hitting a car with his ATV, the Daily News has learned.

It turns out there’s some connection, although Councilman I. Daneek Miller is not suspect Jamel Miller’s dad. But after two days of questions, the politician’s spokesman refused to clearly identify the relationship.

Spokesman Ali Rasoulinejad at one point said the pol doesn’t even know who Jamel Miller is — despite the two appearing to have had the same address at one point.

A source, however, said the suspect apparently was adopted some years ago by someone close to Miller.

“The councilman doesn’t have a comment on it,” the spokesman said. “That’s not his son. The councilman has the greatest respect for our law enforcement officers.”

Son of council member behaved badly

From the Daily News:

The son of a Queens Councilman found himself on the wrong side of the law when he pummeled and threatened to stab a man during a road rage attack, authorities said Monday.

“I will stab you,” Coron Miller, 31, son of City Councilman I. Daneek Miller (D-Queens), said during the Friday night fight on a Jamaica street, according to the criminal complaint.

Miller was charged with assault, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, menacing, and harassment following the attack, according to the Queens district attorney’s office.

He was released on his own recognizance after the court issued an order of protection for his alleged victim, José Nieves, according to the Queens district attorney.

During the 7 p.m. argument over asphalt etiquette, Miller got out of his car and punched Nieves twice as both men were stopped at a red light at 150th Ave. and 148th St. in Jamaica, according to the criminal complaint.

The political scion then grabbed the man’s shirt and ripped it, police said.

He was arrested at the scene, but not before jerking his arms away when cops tried to handcuff him, police said.

Will Meeks' decision kill jobs?

From the Politicker:

A group of state and city legislators from Queens today released a letter to Congressman Gregory Meeks urging him to flip his current stance and vote against the Trans-Pacific Partnership—a free trade agreement backed by the Obama administration but opposed by numerous labor and environmental groups.

State Senators Joseph Addabbo, Tony Avella , James Sanders and Leroy Comrie, along with Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages and Councilmen Daneek Miller and Donovan Richards—all Democrats representing districts that overlap with Mr. Meeks’—co-signed the missive attacking the deal, which would ease trade barriers and a host of regulations between the United States, Australia and several Asian and Latin American nations. President Barack Obama and Democrats and Republicans supportive of the deal in Congress have pushed a bill that would grant “fast-track” authority to the administration.

Such power would permit the president to present the trade package to Congress as a purely yes-or-no vote, with little debate and no possibility of amending the arrangement.

“We are writing to urge you to oppose fast track for the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” the letter reads, going on to criticize the closed-door dealings that have forged the TPP. “The agreement is being negotiated with a lack of transparency, but we know that the TPP will affect jobs, environmental protections, prescription drug prices, financial industry regulations, internet freedom, food safety and much more.”

Most Democrats oppose the deal, but Mr. Meeks is a co-founder of the bipartisan four-member “Friends of the TPP” caucus, and recently joined Republican Congressman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin on a trip to Singapore promoting the pact. However, the state and city politicians alleged that the partnership’s impact would mirror that of the North American Free Trade Agreement signed in the 1990s with Mexico and Canada, and lead to the outsourcing of as much as 20 percent of American jobs—many of them from Queens.