While acknowledging that many significant challenges lie ahead, Queens Borough President Helen Marshall also struck a hopeful and optimistic tone during her eighth – and what she hopes will not be her final – State of the Borough Address.
Marshall, who twice referenced her desire to seek a third term as Queens Borough President during her January 13 address at Queens College, spoke for more than an hour about the difficult economic times residents are experiencing, while remaining steadfast in her belief that things will get better.
“In this ailing economy we can create jobs, we can build housing, and we can boost businesses,” Marshall implored. “Naysayers beware, we will move forward.”
Marshall spoke about how challenge and hope is most evident in the borough’s healthcare delivery system, telling those in the audience that Mary Immaculate Hospital and St. John’s Queens Hospital are on the verge of closure and considering bankruptcy.
“I am committed to working with the state to sustain healthcare in these communities,” Marshall said.
St. John’s Queens and Mary Immaculate have been under the umbrella of the Brooklyn-Queens Health Care (BQHC) Inc., along with Wyckoff Heights Medical Center since January 1, 2007 after Wyckoff purchased the two out of bankruptcy in 2006.
“Things are in flux, and we are evaluating things on daily basis and will have more information shortly,” said Claire Mullally, Associate General Counsel for the two hospitals.
On a more positive note, Marshall announced that the National Children’s Health Study – the largest long-term study of how environmental factors affect children’s and development in the United States – began in Queens on Tuesday, January 13. Queens is the first of 105 sites throughout the country where the study will take place.
“Our borough was chosen because of our diverse population,” said Marshall, whose office plans to give direction and support to the study.
Marshall also referenced President-elect Barack Obama, who will become the country’s 44th President after his inauguration next week, expressing hope that his Administration will provide immediate help to struggling states.
“Today we are hopeful as we anticipate and economic stimulus package from Washington that could help prevent a devastating transit fare increase, preserve vital services and create much-needed jobs.”
Some of the initiatives Marshall spoke about for this year included advocating for delaying the February 2 implementation on the new Meals on Wheels contracts in Queens, reducing fire response times, addressing the spike in murders in south Queens and continuing her opposition to tolls on the East River Bridges.
“Too many of us here in Queens are victims of government’s failure to provide viable mass transit options,” Marshall said.
For much of her address, which included a surprise visit from renowned singer Tony Bennett, Marshall trumpeted many projects that her office has played a critical role in during the past year. Some of these projects included helping gain approval for the much-anticipated Willets Point development plan, opening a new pool and ice rink in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, renovation of Queens Theatre in the Park and the groundbreaking of the Children’s Library Discovery Center at the Central Branch in Jamaica.
“Let me say that our city’s capital budget has been battered and stretched by credit crunches and losses by many of our financial institutions,” Marshall said. “The road may be tough and unpaved, but with your help we will build on the foundations that I have created during my tenure as your Borough President.”
Marshall also recognized a number of recent Queens newsmakers including hero Police Officer Patrick Plunkett who recently foiled a Maspeth bank robbery, 86-year-old Vivian Squires who fought off an attacker in her Springfield Gardens home and the Francis Lewis girls volleyball team who recently captured a city championship title.
In addition, Queens residents Bob Harris and Juliette Alkins received lifetime achievement awards, for their contributions to the community.
MARSHALL PLANS FOR 2009
- Open seven new schools with more than 2,700 seats in Queens in September 2009
- Begin long-awaited expansion and renovation of South Queens Boys and Girls Club in Richmond Hill this spring.
- Break ground in the summer on Queens Museum of Art expansion to double museum’s size and add new galleries.
- Continue development projects in Flushing, Long Island City and the Rockaways that include affordable housing components.
- Open the Plaza del Sol Family Health Center – a federally funded ambulatory care facility in Corona that will provide health services to the community.
- Begin restoration of Meadow Lake Boathouse – one of the two remaining buildings from the 1939 World’s Fair.
- Break ground on new visitors’ center for Louis Armstrong House in Corona.
- New ball fields at Cunningham Park, play equipment at Laurelton and Rockaway’s Lannett Playgrounds and new ball field at Joe Austin Playground for Edison High School.
