Archives for 2019

As the city camera program expands, collected fines could be dedicated to improving safety near schools.

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A few weeks ago, I introduced a legislative package which establishes the New York City School Safety Fund. This fund would serve as a “lock box” to ensure that all fines collected through the city’s speed and red light camera programs are used by New York City officials solely to bolster pedestrian safety in school zones. I introduced these bills in response to a new law which increases the citywide total of mobile and stationary school zone speed cameras from 140 to 750, and another pending Governor Cuomo’s signature which uses cameras affixed to school bus stop signs to ticket motorists who disobey them.

Currently all revenue generated from the violations are deposited into New York City’s General Fund via the Department of Finance. Under this current system the millions of dollars are diverted to non-safety projects selected by City Hall.  My proposal will require a dedicated fund mandating that the revenue be solely used to improve traffic safety. This money should be used in addition to traditional financial allocations the city makes for safety projects. The NYC Schools Safety Fund would be a supplemental resource.

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Monies deposited into the New York City School Safety Fund would be available to the Chancellor of the city Department of Education, the Commissioner of the Police Department, and the Commissioner of the city Department of Transportation for the purpose of supporting various pedestrian safety improvement initiatives throughout the city, such as hiring additional crossing guards, installing new signage, constructing sidewalks and restoring faded road markings like crosswalks.

I recently joined Mr. Phil Carolla, Principal of P.S. 56 in Woodrow, to survey the dangerous traffic conditions that members of the community have shared. Our review made it abundantly clear that something must be done to enhance pedestrian safety around the school. The unfortunate truth is that this is not just problem at P.S. 56, but at many of our local schools.

My staff and I will be working with our school communities, local New York City Police Department Precincts and the New York City Department of Transportation to explore and develop ways to improve safety near our schools.

What I am proposing would save lives by utilizing those monies specifically for pedestrian safety improvement initiatives, which is a cause I’m certain my colleagues from both sides of the aisle would be eager to get behind.

By Michael Reilly, NYS Assemblyman, former District 31 Community Education Council President and former NYPD Lieutenant.

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Congratulations to the winner of our Food, Flick & Fun Giveaway, who will receive a free day of fun at AMC Theatre and Dave & Buster’s!

Christina Schultz

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Could It Help Manage Staten Island’s Exploding Deer Population?

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The rise in Staten Island’s deer population has caused great concern. It has increased the potential for injuries and death due to deer-vehicle collisions, vegetation destruction, increasing the amount of ticks and cases of Lyme disease, as well as other implications on the environment. Since deer migrated to Staten Island they no longer are susceptible to natural predators, creating an environmental imbalance.

When deer are not managed through hunting or their natural predators they often succumb to starvation which can be a long-suffering demise. This can result in deer carcasses and bodies left to decay in the woods and streets across Staten Island. Staten Island’s deer population is now at 2,100, up 9,000 % since 2008.

Cities across the country are facing similar concerns over large deer populations in non-traditional areas, where they have no natural predators. Several municipalities have tried sterilization programs, with the mission of cutting reproduction and reducing the deer population over time. New York City has incorporated a sterilization program in an effort to contain the growth in deer population.

Unfortunately, sterilization programs alone, like New York City’s, have been inadequate for significantly reducing the number of deer. According to the NYC Parks Department, Staten Island’s current sterilization plan anticipates lowering the deer population by 10 to 30 percent. Several municipalities across New York State have tried similar sterilization programs costing millions of dollars with very little significant impact. Eventually these municipalities have turned to lethal methods like controlled bow hunting within a few years to manage the increasing deer population in their areas.

Cities like Rye, New York and Cincinnati, Ohio are considering or have instituted a controlled bow hunting program that utilizes a lottery selection process, authorizing a limited number of experienced and trained bow hunters to participate. In Cincinnati, the program focuses in Mount Air Park which encompasses 1500 acres. The bow hunting program has proven to help in the effort to control the deer population. In 2016, Cincinnati’s controlled bow hunt resulted in 157 qualified hunters reducing the deer population by 139. Cincinnati’s 10-year program has resulted in a 1,354 reduction in the city’s deer population. 

Some of Staten Island’s landscape may be conducive to a limited controlled bow hunting season. Fresh Kills Park which encompasses 2200 acres and the Mt. Loretto Unique Area which sits on more than 200 acres, each with high concentrations of deer, could be an ideal compromise. Some may have concerns with potential bow-hunting in Staten Island presenting a danger. Fresh Kills Park and the Mount Loretto Unique Area can fit the criteria for safe bow hunting areas under the state guidelines. There are strict laws and state DEC officers enforce these regulations. According to the latest state statistics, in 2016 there were zero injuries from bow hunting across the entire state.

A limited three-week hunting period could be communicated to the public via the news, social media and posting signs to ensure the park land remains safe for hikers and those who love and appreciate our natural treasures. A closed three-week hunting period in these areas could provide a compromise to preserve the eco-system.

In December 2017 the NYS Assembly, Senate and Governor Cuomo authorized cities and towns to consider euthanasia as part of their deer management plans. This would allow them to capture and kill the deer with methods aside from traditional hunting.

Allowing a select number of experienced and trained bow hunters to participate in a controlled bow hunt on Staten Island could help expedite the reduction in the deer population, potentially saving lives, and the city money. Deer hunters could also donate deer meat to feed local homeless families and individuals through the “Hunters Feed The Hungry” program.

Read more about NYS Department of Conservation’s community deer management

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Create a Sweet Easter Treat!
This Easter wow your family with festive cupcakes modeled after the Easter bunny! For more Easter recipes, visit Culinary.net.

Bunny Butt Cupcakes

Recipe courtesy of Amanda Rettke of “I am baker”
Prep time: 45 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 24

• 1 box (2-layer size) white cake mix
• 1 tablespoon, plus 2 teaspoons, pure lemon extract, divided
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 3/4  cup white chocolate chips
• 2 sticks butter, softened
• 16  ounces confectioners’ sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 10 drops green food color
• 1-2 drops red food color
• 12 large marshmallows, halved crosswise
• 3  tablespoons white nonpareil sprinkles

1. Prepare cake mix as directed on package, adding 1 tablespoon lemon extract and vanilla. Spoon 3 tablespoons batter into 24 paper-lined muffin cups. Bake as directed on package for cupcakes. Cool cupcakes on wire rack.
2. To make bunny feet: In medium, microwave-safe bowl, microwave white chocolate chips on high 30 seconds. Stir until completely melted and smooth. Spoon into pastry bag or re-sealable plastic bag. Snip small corner from bag. Pipe 24 pairs of bunny feet onto parchment or wax paper-lined cookie sheet. Use toothpick to smooth out bumps or rough edges, and gently tap cookie sheet on counter to help settle. Allow to harden 2 minutes in freezer or 15 minutes in refrigerator.
3. To make frosting: In large bowl, beat butter and remaining lemon extract until light and fluffy. Gradually add confectioners’ sugar, beating well after each addition and scraping sides and bottom of bowl frequently. Add milk; beat until light and fluffy. Remove half the frosting and place in medium bowl. Add green food color; mix until evenly blended. Spoon into pastry bag fitted with grass decorating tip. Set aside. Remove half the remaining frosting into small bowl. Add red food color; mix until light pink. Spoon into another pastry bag.
4. Using pink frosting, pipe three toes and padding on each bunny foot. Once frosting has set (about 1 hour) gently press down on pink frosting to create smoother look.
5. To assemble cupcakes: Pipe green frosting onto each cupcake in series of short motions to create individual grass spots. Cover top of each cupcake completely.
6. To make bunny butts: Place cut sides of marshmallow halves onto each frosted cupcake, leaving room for bunny feet. Shape remaining white frosting into dime-sized balls then roll with white sprinkles to cover. Pipe small drop of remaining pink or white frosting onto top of each marshmallow. Press bunny tail on top.
7. Place both bunny feet against base of marshmallow with toes facing down.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net via Family Features

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