Special Message from Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder

May 15, 2015 In This Issue A Special Message Cleaning a Rockaway Eyesore Holding Insurers Accountable Preventing the Spread of West Nile _________ Office Locations   Howard Beach    162-38 Cross Bay Blvd. Howard Beach, NY 11414718-641-8755 Rockaway Beach 9516 Rockaway Beach Blvd. Rockaway Beach, NY 11693  718-945-9550  Albany LOB 542 Albany, NY 12248 518-455-4292    Quick Links   ______  Facebook Twitter News Photos YouTube Restore the Rockaway Beach Rail Line  Sign My Petition to Quiet Airplane Noise    Dear Neighbor,    As some of you may have heard, my grandmother passed away and was laid to rest on Mother's Day. I'd like to thank you all for the kind words and messages of condolences my family and I have received during this very difficult time.          Grandma was the light that shined on the entire Goldfeder family! As we say our final goodbyes and lay to rest a great mother and grandmother, we are reminded of her amazing life filled with joy, kindness, generosity and love! Her spirit will live on in the many generations that she raised, impacted and inspired! We love you always! -Phil Cross Bay Bridge Lot To Be Cleaned   I recently called on the MTA to clean and repair the long-neglected parking lot in Rockaway near the on-ramps to the Cross Bay Bridge. I'm pleased to announce the MTA dispatched crews to clean this eyesore, removing litter and dead tree branches. Additionally, work will soon begin to replace the rusted old fence surrounding the lot and repair the cracked concrete surface. These improvements will help clean our community and give us an entrance to Rockaway we can all be proud of.   Fighting Sandy Insurance Fraud   More than two and a half years after Sandy, many families still haven't received the assistance from insurance companies they need and deserve. We now know some insurers and their adjusters committed fraud just to keep from having to pay claims to homeowners. After I called on FEMA to help families fight these abuses, the federal agency has agreed to accept appeals from ALL Sandy victims who believe they may have been underpaid for damages to their homes.  Protecting Families from West Nile Virus   With summer around the corner and families spending more time outside, we need to take steps to protect our community from mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus. This dangerous mosquito-borne disease can cause serious neurological damage or even death, especially for vulnerable children and seniors. After Sandy, we've seen an increase in abandoned properties with standing water that encourages mosquito breeding. That's why I've called on the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to monitor abandoned properties and conduct proactive pesticide spraying across southern Queens and Rockaway to keep our families safe and healthy this summer season.