News from Assemblman Goldfeder

November 21, 2014 In This Issue Working on the Railroad Support our Vets Funding for St. Johns Abandoned Homes _________ Office Locations Ozone Park   108-14 Crossbay Blvd Ozone Park, NY 11417 718-641-8755 Rockaway Beach 2-14 Beach 96th Street Rockaway Beach, NY 11693  718-945-9550  Albany Office LOB 834 Albany, NY 12248 518-455-4292    Quick Links   ______  News    More About Us   Sign Petition to Quiet Airplane Noise    Sign Petition to Restore Rail Line MGP Community Survey Dear Neighbor,  Last week, I joined Queens College President Felix Matos Rodriguez, my colleagues, union leaders, and transit advocates in releasing the final results of the Department of Urban Studies study of the potential uses of the old Rockaway Beach Rail Line. This is the only comprehensive and objective study done by local students and experts. They found that reactivation could cost less than $1 billion and service would generate up to 500,000 trips a day. Theseresults clearly indicate that complete restoration or the rail line is affordable, will increase transit options, create quality jobs, boost our economy, ease commutes and clean our environment by taking thousands of cars off the road.   The MTA has already agreed that utilizing the old right of way is the most cost effective way to increase transit options in Queens and provide quick access to JFK airport from Manhattan. This study is another step in the right direction and I will keep working to make our dream a reality. You can read the full results of the study atRockawayBeachRail.com  Once again, I want to thank Queens College and the hard work of the students and faculty in the Urban Studies Department for bringing us one step closer to reactivating the line.    You can stay up to date with community news and daily updates by following me on Facebook and Twitter. Stay Strong, Honoring Vets at PS 232 I celebrated our true American heroes at "Take a Vet to School Day" at PS 232 in Lindenwood. I want to thank Principal Lisa Josephson, the faculty and students at PS 232 for organizing this beautiful ceremony. It was both very moving and a great celebration of those who proudly served our country!  Funding for our Hospital  Proud to announce that I have secured $500,000 in state funding for St. John's Episcopal Hospital in Rockaway. This funding will go a long way to ensure that St. John's can modernize, grow and continue to provide quality and accessible healthcare for our families in southern Queens and Rockaway.  Clean Abandoned Homes In an effort to combat growing rodent infestations in our communities, particularly around Sandy-damaged properties, I called on the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to do a comprehensive inspection of abandoned properties and place rat traps and rodenticides to curb the growing health emergency. Taking proactive steps will prevent the problem from spreading and help our families recover and our communities to remain strong.