By Howard Koplowitz
City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) received more than $350,000 in discretionary funds under this year’s budget and distributed the amount evenly between senior centers, youth and church programs and volunteer ambulances.
Of the dozens of groups Halloran spread his $358,821 across, the Samuel Field Y was the largest beneficiary with $39,500, or 11 percent of the councilman’s discretionary funding.
The Samuel Field Y will be using $20,000 for a 14-seat van to provide transportation service for seniors in Clearview, Whitestone, Le Harve, Bay Terrace and Flushing, according to budget documents.
Another $12,000 was earmarked by Halloran for the Y to help children with autism spectrum disorders.
The remaining $7,500 will be used to fund home-based mental health counseling and other services for seniors.
Halloran is also giving $20,000 to the Alley Pond Environmental Center.
“The center is dedicated to establishing an awareness, understanding and appreciation of the environment and the responsibilities associated with preserving the environment in an urban setting,” Halloran said in explaining why he was funding the center.
The councilman steered $15,000 to the Bayside Senior Center, run by Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services.
“Council discretionary funding is needed to enhance and subsidize the services due to budget reduction in the past few years and the increased needs of the elderly,” Halloran said. “Funds will be used to support educational and recreational services provided to the seniors at the program and provide supplies to operate the program.”
Halloran also funded a variety of youth programs, including $7,500 for the Bayside-based DAC Athletic Club, $10,000 for the College Point Little League, $15,000 for the Dwarf-Giraffe Athletic League and $15,000 for the Bayside Little League.
The councilman also distributed funds to four volunteer ambulances in his district, including the Bay Community Volunteer Ambulance Corp., the College Point Community Ambulance Corp. and the Flushing Community Volunteer Ambulance.
All of the ambulances received $3,500 apiece.
A variety of after-school and youth programs will also be receiving funds from Halloran, including the after-school program at PS 41 and the Beacon 194 Summer Club, run by the YMCA of Greater New York.
Both programs received $5,000 from Halloran.
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
