With garbage piling up Jamaica Avenue due to budget cuts from the Sanitation Department,three local politicians pitched in funds to increase litter basket collection service.
Last Thursday, at a press conference on the corner of Jamaica Avenue and Forest Parkway in Woodhaven, Council Members Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village), Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills) joined Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner John Doherty to announce funding for extra litter basket collection along Jamaica Avenue from the Brooklyn boundary down to the Van Wyck Expressway.
Between the three Council Members $18,236 was allocated for extra litter basket collection. Ulrich and Crowley both pitched in $6,118; Koslowitz gave $6,000.
“There’s no doubt in my mind that this is going to go a long way towards improving the quality of life, not only for the residents, but for the businesses along Jamaica Avenue,” Ulrich said.
Doherty complimented the Council Members for “stepping up to the plate for the community.”
“They put their money up to provide extra sanitation service to assist the bins in keeping the area clean,” Doherty said. “I think it’s a great coordination of the City Council members and the Department of Sanitation.”
Doherty added that the litter baskets along Jamaica Avenue had started to pile up more frequently after budget cuts reduced the number of garbage pickups. He said that adding the extra pickups would make a huge difference.
Koslowitz said she felt that it was important to help get more litter collection in Queens so that residents can enjoy the cleanliness of their community.
“This joint effort by elected officials and Sanitation Department – working together with local businesses and residents show how these partnerships can make a real difference in keeping a community clean,” Koslowitz said.
Crowley also spoke about the importance of working together to solve quality of life issues. She also praised DSNY workers for their work in what most people don’t realize is a dangerous job.
“The truth of the matter is that our sanitation men and women do as much as they possibly can do with the funds that they’re allowed.” Crowley said.
This is the third addition of extra litter basket service that was funded by Ulrich in his district. Other locations include 101st Avenue in Ozone Park and Liberty Avenue between Cross Bay Boulevard and the Van Wyck Expressway.
Ulrich also reminded residents not to misuse the litter baskets for their household and business garbage. The DSNY printed out fliers to hand out to residents saying that anyone caught misusing the litter baskets would be subject to a $100 summons.
