Newsmaking People of 2000

MARCHUnfortunately, Queens was ranked number four in AIDS population for the City. It was also determined that the numbers were growing. Bunny Coleman, an Ozone Park resident, decided to do something about counseling these women. She meets with 10 women weekly for eight weeks, teaching them how to take control of their lives. At the end of the training, clients are given a certificate and become mentors for other women. Queens now actively deals with AIDS. There are more services, fewer hospitalized patients, and AIDS victims are living longer.
APRILEduardo Marti, president of the State Universitys Corning Community College, was appointed to the position of president of Queensborough Community College. Marti was the first permanent president in nearly seven months. He is a prominent educator who led three community colleges. Marti took office on July 1. St. Johns students enrolled in the Science and Technology Entry Program and visited the New York Hospital Medical Center of Queens to learn about the inner workings of the laboratory department. The program included students from grades 7 to 12 and were mainly offered to African -Americans, Native Americans, and Alaskan students, who had been underrepresented in the sciences.
MAYThe Rent Guidelines Board approved the largest rent hike in four years which affected nearly 200,000 Queens residents.The plan called for a rent increase of four percent for one-year leases, and six percent for two-year leases. The plan went into effect on Oct. 1 and was approved by a 6-3 vote. Two Queens youngsters joined 2,000 other kids from around the world, officially designated, "Millennium Dreamers," for a global childrens summit at the Walt Disney World Resort. These youngsters were celebrated for selfless acts of helping crime victims.
JUNE Estelle Hyder, at 81 years of age, was the eldest graduate among 3,600, at Queens Colleges commencement ceremonies. After 10 years of classes, Hyder fulfilled her craving for learning. She considered continuing on for a Masters. Sports history was made in Queens when the minor league professional team affiliated with the New York Mets played their inaugural game. The "Queens Kings" came onto the field for the first time in the new 3,500-seat stadium on the campus of St. Johns University. Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Mets owner Fred Wilpon, and Queens Borough President Claire Shulman were present to help open the new facility.
JULYA dental clinic in Corona serving many underprivileged children was saved by Councilwoman Helen M. Marshalls constant pleas to the Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC). The site was the only one available in the area and served more than 100 children every day. The clinics closure would have presented a hardship. The HHC said there were not sufficient funds to keep the clinic open. The Queens Womens Network sponsored their successful third annual Tee-off Against Domestic Violence. Their goal was to run a displaced homemaker and womensafe program to help women gain emotional and economic self-sufficiency. The event was held at Forest Park Golf Course.
AUGUSTLaurel McNett became a full-time, paid employee at Working Organization for Retarded Children (WORC). McNett had been a volunteer at WORC. Her volunteer work instilled in her a sense of pride not found in other lines of work. She found that she was part of a team and found a new family. An Official Survey Finding Report issued by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations reported that St. Marys Hospital for Children in Bayside and St. Marys Home Care Programs both got top results. Also, St. Marys Hospital for Childrens Inpatient Services was awarded a 98 percent score out of a possible 100. After an intensive three-day review of all aspects of operations, the survey commended St. Marys for providing a safe and home-like environment.
SEPTEMBERQueens schools received high level attention when Chancellor Harold Levy and Mayor Rudy Giuliani opened a new school. The mayor and chancellor toured the new $32 million facility in Jackson Heights, P.S. 212. Placing their differing political views aside, Levy and Giuliani emphasized the importance to parents of utilizing Child Health Plus, a state-wide plan for free health insurance. Levy also addressed the problem of teacher shortage, and boasted that there were certified teachers to lead classrooms. Organizers for the NYC 2012 Olympics unveiled various proposed venues for the events. Under the proposal, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park was the suggested site for a number of main events, including rowing, slalom, canoeing and flat water canoeing. Softball would be held in the Park and the Olympic tennis matches would be held at the National Tennis Center, the site for the annual U.S. Open. The largest project discussed was the village for the athletes that would be set up at Queens West along the waterfront in Hunters Point.
OCTOBERA Jewish Braille Institute for the Visually Impaired opened in Queens at the Samuel Field YM-YWHA in Little Neck. The library has over 80 audio-tape versions of fiction, mysteries, biographies, history books and many others. It was also announced that anyone who is visually impaired can sign up to receive a special tape recorder from the Library of Congress.
NOVEMBERThe Queens Borough Public Library hosted the Kids World Queens Activities Fair, a full day of hands-on-activities for children. Several programs took place in the auditorium at the Jamaica branch. The New York Hall of Science presented a slide show of current exhibits and programs. Storyteller LuAnn Adams used puppets and props to tell the "Tales of Dr. Seuss." The fair ended with a workshop learning how to decorate ceramic tile.
A group of senior citizens from the Savoy at Little Neck delivered home baked pies to organizations that distribute holiday food to members of the community who would otherwise be unable to celebrate the holiday with a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Residents of The Savoy, along with the help of their gourmet kitchen staff, baked the pies that were distributed.
DECEMBER Local 338, the Retail, Wholesale, Department Store Union maintained a neighborhood food pantry in Rego Park. They respond to calls for help and provide much needed supplies for this local pantry. For the 74th consecutive year, the Queens Chamber of Commerce recognized the design and construction of the boroughs most attractive and creative buildings. The Chamber honored 13 Queens structures. Awards were distributed in a variety of categories for both new construction and exterior rehabilitation, alteration or additions. Numerous structures throughout the borough boast a bronze plaque from the Chamber recognizing their contribution to the Queens landscape.