From Howard Beach, Ozone Park and Woodhaven, down through Broad Channel to the Rockaways, Councilwoman Joann Ariola has implemented an action plan to combat trash in all corners of her district.
Ariola secured $79,000 in additional funding to enhance services from Wildcat and its transitional work program for unemployed persons with criminal convictions.
“When I was elected, I promised to clean up District 32,” Ariola said. “My partnership with the Wildcats has allowed me to live up to that promise. We’ve deployed Wildcat members throughout the district, cleaning up hotspots and enhancing the quality of life for all our residents.”
Wildcat workers will expand their efforts on Beach 116th Street in Rockaway Park from the MTA A train terminal to the boardwalk, including the Flight 587 Memorial.
“The cleanups on Beach 116th Street have been especially important because that is an important commercial corridor in Rockaway that was becoming a real problem for residents and local business owners alike,” Ariola told QNS. “In order to make sure that the area remains as clean as possible, my office has directed the Wildcats to clean the streets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. By making sure the street looks appealing, we can work to keep attracting customers and make potential shoppers feel welcome.”
In recent weeks, Ariola has organized additional cleanup operations working with the city’s Department of Sanitation (DSNY), which paid several visits to illegal dump-out sites along Shore Parkway, as well as to the Rockaway Freeway and the Holland Avenue shopping center. In each instance, crews loaded multiple bags of trash and other debris into their vehicles and pledged to make return visits to ensure those locations remained tidy.
“The people of District 32 should not be seeing piles of trash when they leave their homes,” Ariola said. “From Rockaway to Woodhaven, my staff and I have been working closely with the DSNY to clean up eyesores and enhance the quality of life for all area residents.”
She also asked that any of her constituents who see any illegal dump-outs or unpicked-up trash place a call to her district offices at 718-738-1083 in Ozone Park or 718-318-6411 in Rockaway.
“I would like to give a special thanks to my staff for staying on top of these things,” Ariola said. “And for being diligent in following up with the DSNY to make sure these places get cleaned up and remain as such.”
