Dear friends,

Since taking office this past January, our office has accomplished a lot. In a few short months we have introduced legislation to make NYC streets safer, fought to prevent the FDNY from closing fire companies, visited nearly every school in the district, released a brochure to strengthen small businesses, and moved the City Planning Commission forward with a rezoning plan that will protect our neighborhood from overdevelopment.

Over the coming months we are going to continue to work hard and to solve problems. We will host a job fair, push to get landmarking status for areas in Ridgewood and Richmond Hill, demand the Department of Environmental Protection focus on the causes of flooding and address ways to prevent it, and pressure the Department of Transportation to improve traffic safety and road infrastructure in our area.

As your council member, I will keep working tirelessly as your advocate in City government. If you need assistance, please contact my office at 718-366-3900 or stop by 64-77 Dry Harbor Road, Middle Village, NY.

As always, thank you for your continued support. 

Yours truly,
Elizabeth

Entered City Council: 01/07/2009
Current Term Expires: 12/31/2009

Committees: Environmental Protection; Fire and Criminal Justice; Housing and Buildings; Land Use; Parks and Recreation; Women's Issues

Subcommittee: Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Uses

Represents: Glendale, Maspeth, Middle Village, Richmond Hill, Ridgewood and Woodhaven

Sign the petition below to demand that Governor Paterson and the State Legislature institute an effective public malpractice insurance option that will keep our obstetricians and breast imaging doctors in New York City.  Fill out the form below and click the “Sign the Petition!” button to e-sign this form.  Questions? Call Us.  Contact information for Council Member Elizabeth Crowley’s Office is to the left.

Petition Language (Scroll down to sign the petition):
“A medical crisis is occurring throughout New York City.  Over the last six months, three Queens hospitals have closed, leaving too few hospital beds to serve the overcrowded waiting rooms.  Furthermore, there is a growing, less visible problem that is driving doctors out of New York, and the first doctors to go are the ones focused on women’s health care.
 
• New York City is losing more obstetricians at a faster rate than in any other area in the country.
• From 2004-2007, three hospitals in Brooklyn – Interfaith Medical Center, St. Mary’s and Victory Memorial – that delivered thousands of babies closed their maternity ward. 
• On July 1, 2009, twenty-eight obstetricians, who deliver tens of thousands of babies at the eight hospitals in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, are losing their medical liability insurance coverage.  If these doctors lose their medical coverage, they can no longer deliver babies in New York. 
 
While the top two highest risk areas for malpractice insurance fall under obstetrics, the third highest risk area for insurance is for examining breast cancer.  This has caused a shortage of breast radiologists and mammography facilities, creating significant backlogs for mammography.  The crippling malpractice rates – which are regulated by our government – making obstetrics and women’s imaging too costly for doctors, medical centers and hospitals to continue the practice. 

So the questions must be asked: Who will deliver babies in New York?  Where will pregnant mothers go for care? Who will detect breast cancer?  How will we effectively prevent and treat cancer if there are no doctors to detect it?
 
Therefore, to save the health care system for women, we urge you to do the following:
 
1. Reduce medical malpractice insurance rates.
2. Institute an effective public malpractice insurance option that will keep our obstetricians and breast imaging doctors in New York City.
3. Extend the same protection as City-employed women’s health doctors to non-City women’s health doctors, including OBGYNs, primary care physicians and radiologists.
 
We, the voters of our politicians, therefore demand you to solve this medical crisis immediately. We urge you, and the State Legislature, to institute legal relief to ensure adequate access to women's medical providers for all New Yorkers.”

Elizabeth Crowley aspired to public service early in life, coming from a family that has been dedicated to serving New York for over three generations. Elizabeth, the fourteenth of fifteen children to Mary and the late Walter Crowley, was born and raised in Middle Village and now resides with her family in Glendale. She is the first Democrat and first woman to represent the 30^th Council District.

Elizabeth's concern for the entire fabric of the community is reflected in her vision. Under Elizabeth’s administration her main priorities will be stopping overdevelopment, improving our local schools, strengthening services for our seniors, improving healthcare and protecting our parks.

Prior to her election, Elizabeth’s work in not-for profit education and workforce development provided job training services to thousands of New Yorkers.Elizabeth has experience working with small businesses and believes that public private partnerships will increase job creation and economic development. Elizabeth has experience managing economic recovery and after the tragedy of 9/11 Elizabeth helped administer the $32 million New York City Emergency Employment Grant.

Elizabeth has two sons, Dennis and Owen, both students at local Intermediate School 119. In the NYC Council Elizabeth will put her background in Education to work for us. Elizabeth will aim to reduce class size, attract and retain the best teachers and work to ensure that students master the skill of one grade before moving on to the next. Even in tough budget times, Elizabeth believes that our teachers should have the resources they need to give every one of our children a sound education.

Elizabeth Crowley has a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from Pratt Institute's Graduate school of Architecture where she studied architecture, historic preservation, in addition to environmental and city planning. Elizabeth Crowley holds a Bachelors Degree in Restoration/Preservation from SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and participated in the school's Presidential Scholars program. After graduating, Elizabeth worked on active construction sites as a member of D.C. 9 International Union of Painters and Allied Trades utilizing her skills in preservation on historic renovations. Elizabeth's work includes the New York City's historic landmarks of Radio City Music Hall, Central Synagogue and St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Elizabeth Crowley won election to the New York City Council in the 30th district with an overwhelming majority. Her district covers the neighborhoods of Maspeth, Middle Village, Glendale, Ridgewood, Woodhaven and Richmond Hill.

The Ogle Law

On March 24, 2009, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley introduced legislation to raise the penalty for anybody who leaves their vehicle running and unattended.  The bill came in response to a tragic hit and run by a drunken thief who stole an idling car and fatally struck Alex Paul and Robert Ogle in Middle Village, Queens, early in February. In partnership with the new law, Council Member Crowley is working with the Ogle family to implement an awareness campaign to prevent people from leaving their cars running while unattended.  Leaving your car running and unattended seems like a minor, careless mistake but all New Yorkers must understand that it is irresponsible, dangerous and potentially.

The Robert Ogle Law

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley introduced legislation on March 24, 2009 to raise the penalty from $5 to $250 for anybody who leaves their vehicle running and unattended on a public street.  The bill came in response to a tragic hit and run by a drunken thief who stole an idling car and fatally struck Alex Paul and Robert Ogle in Middle Village, Queens, early in February. In partnership with the new bill, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley is working with the Ogle family to implement an awareness campaign to prevent people from leaving their cars running while unattended.  “Leaving your car running and unattended seems like a minor, careless mistake but all New Yorkers must understand that it is irresponsible, dangerous and potentially deadly,” stated Council Member Elizabeth Crowley.

Click here to view the video on the Robert Ogle Law introduction, featured on NY1 on March 24, 2009. 

Fighting the Administration to Keep Firehouses Open

In response to the Bloomberg Administration’s proposed sixteen fire company closures, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley has urged NYC Fire Commissioner and the Bloomberg Administration to revaluate their spending priorities, stating that “safety is the last thing we should sacrifice to balance a budget.”  Each firehouse closing would mean more time to respond to an emergency.  This is a public safety issue where time loss equals lives lost. As a city we are one of the highest profile terrorist targets in the world, and we have no room to compromise our emergency services.”

As a member of the Fire and Criminal Justice Committee, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley has been a leader in the fight to prevent firehouse closers.  She has met with every firehouse in her district, co-hosted a town meeting, rallied with firefighters, fire officers, residents and fellow City officials in protest of firehouse closings. 

NY Daily News reports on Council Member Elizabeth Crowley blasting the City’s plan to close Engine Company 271, featured on May 14, 2009. 

If you want to join the fight to save the firehouses, call the Office of Council Member Elizabeth Crowley at 718-366-3900. 

Addressing the Health Care Crisis in Queens

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley fought hard alongside the staff and families of St. Johns and Mary Immaculate to call on Governor Paterson to find the funding to keep these hospitals open. And she stood in solidarity with them at the midnight Vigil for their closing. While we may have lost that battle, the war goes on.  Council Member Elizabeth Crowley has been meeting with doctors and nurses throughout Queens, including the Queens County Medical Society, to find effective ways the City can improve access to health services.

As a member of the Women’s Issues Committee, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley has taken on the lead in addressing women’s health care. In addition to her op-ed released on Mother’s Day to build awareness about ovarian cancer, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley is working with medical practitioners who perform mammography’s to tap into available resources from government grant programs to expand breast exam services.  Council Member Elizabeth Crowley is also working to introduce legislation that will retain and attract the best physicians to practice medicine within Queens. 

To receive more information, please contact the Office of Council Member Elizabeth Crowley.

Future of Education in District 30

As an educator and a mother of two children in local schools, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley is dedicated to strengthening the school system throughout District 30.  She believes we have an opportunity to alleviate the overcrowding of classrooms throughout Queens, and will continue to work with the Department of Education to ensure their plans work well for our community and our kids.  Even in this tough budget year, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley is working tirelessly to ensure that our teachers have the necessary resources, such as growing the number of smart boards in every school, to provide our kids with up-to-date technologies that will keep our students and school competitive for the challenges that lie ahead.

Maspeth High School

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley stands by her vote against the Department of Education’s (DOE) proposal of the Maspeth School on 74th Street and 57th Avenue.  While Council Member Elizabeth Crowley was the first City Official to move the DOE to compromise by giving enrollment preference to School District 24, it still did not accommodate the needs of our community.  Under the DOE’s plan, the school will built in an industrial area, on a high-traffic truck route and kids across the street will not be guaranteed a seat in the school.  As the DOE moves forward with their plan, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley will continue to work with them, community groups and parents to ensure that the school is built responsibly and will work for the community.

Click here to view an article on Council Member Elizabeth Crowley's fight against the Maspeth school proposal, featured in the New York Times on March 16, 2009. 

Supporting Local Businesses

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley believes that economic recovery will be driven in large part by America's small businesses, which represent 95% of all businesses in NYC. Given today’s economic challenges, we should spend our income in ways that support our economy and contribute to a viable City.  Council Member Elizabeth Crowley believes the most effective way to do this is by buying locally grown, produced and manufactured products.  Local businesses should not only provide better quality services and goods, they are the real necessity for economic stability.

The federal government is creating public and private partnerships with the Stimulus dollars.  Council Member Crowley believes it is essential that entrepreneurs and local businesses of all sizes are aware of how to bring those dollars to our neighborhood’s main streets.   Please contact the office of Council Member Elizabeth Crowley to receive a booklet on the opportunities available to small business through the stimulus package.

To read about the release of the Small Business Booklet, please visit the article posted on Lost in the Ozone featured on March 29, 2009: http://davidmquintana.blogspot.com/2009/03/councilmembers-crowley-and-yassky-issue.html

On May 30, 2009 Council Member Elizabeth Crowley organized a job fair with participation from over thirty businesses, most of them local and hundreds of community members showed up with their resumes in hand.  Council Member Elizabeth Crowley believes that the worst part of this economic downturn is that thousands of highly qualified people across New York City are losing their jobs.  Therefore, she believes that this is a time when we must look for opportunities outside our normal professions that will help us through this economic storm and possibly pave the way for a new career path.  That is why Council Member Elizabeth Crowley believes it is important to recruit a diverse list of businesses from all sectors to make job opportunities available to her community members in need of work.

At the job fair, businesses included A-1 Window Treatments, Affinity Health Plan, American Federation of Government Employees, Atlantic Dialysis, Avon, Beauti Control, Crystal Windows, Dallas BBQ, DC 9 Painters Union, Department of Labor, Devry University, Fidelis, Greenproofing, Health Plus, Industrial Business Solutions, Kleinberg Electric, LaGuardia Workforce 1, Local 79 Laborers, Magic Pest Management, Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City, NEW (Non-traditional Employment for Women), NYC Managed Care Consumer Program, Operating Engineers, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc, Petro Oil, Queens Business Outreach Center, Ridgewood YMCA, U.S. Airforce, Visiting Nurse Service, Vocational Foundation Inc., Waste Management and many more.

Among those hiring right now for their apprenticeship program is the Laborers International 79 Union.  Laborers Local 79 Vice President, John Norbery, was at the job fair and congratulated Council Member Elizabeth Crowley on a job well done, “that was a great thing Council Member Crowley did,” said John Norbury.  “Council Member Crowley’s job fair was on of the best ones that I have experienced.  I was surprised at the diversity of those looking for work – from teenagers to people over forty and people both with and without college degrees.  There was a lot of participation from the neighborhood.”

Rezoning Glendale, Maspeth, and Middle Village
Even before taking office, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley made downzoning Maspeth, Middle Village and Glendale a priority.  Council Member Elizabeth Crowley has moved the Department of City Planning forward with the proposal.  The environmental review was completed and the ULURP process has begun.  “I have made rezoning a priority because it is necessary for limiting overdevelopment in order to protect the character of our community,” said Council Member Elizabeth Crowley.  “I will continue to push the Department of City Planning and work with the Community Board and Borough President to ensure the downzoning plan is implemented as soon as possible.”
Check out the article on Council Member Elizabeth Crowley’s efforts to move the downzoning plan forward; featured in the Queens Courier on April 23, 2009: http://www.queenscourier.com/articles/2009/04/23/news/regional/northwest_west/doc49f0bf266b399300755373.txt
Ridgewood Reservoir

Did you know that our community is home to our City’s lost reservoir?  Council Member Elizabeth Crowley believes we have an opportunity with the Ridgewood Reservoir, particularly in regards to environmental education for our kids. Preserving this City’s unknown jewel would significantly improve the quality of life for those surrounding the property in Queens and in Brooklyn. Furthermore, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley believes we should take this opportunity to renovate Highland Park. 

Due to the Mayor’s budget cuts, the Ridgewood Reservoir lost $31million of the proposed $50 million to restore the natural habitat.  In response, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley is calling on the Mayor and the Parks Commissioner to do the right things for Western Queens by not cutting the original funding that was originally allocated to Ridgewood Reservoir and the Highland Park area.  Council Member Elizabeth Crowley is dedicated to working with the Parks Department, PlaNYC and community members to ensure that the proper plan is implemented for our families and local residents. 

Please call the Office of Council Member Elizabeth Crowley and voice your thoughts on the Ridgewood Reservoir.

Landmarking Ridgewood and Richmond Hill

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley is leading efforts on behalf of the Ridgewood and Richmond Hill communities to create a historic preservation district of the proposed Ridgewood North Historic area.  As a member of the Landmarks subcommittee, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley has been urging the Landmarks Preservation Commission to move quickly with plans.   Please contact the Office of Council Member Elizabeth Crowley for more information.

Going Green in Your Daily Routine

As Americans, we are recognized as intellectual world leaders and Council Member Elizabeth Crowley believes that we will find the solution to climate change.  It’s not just our scientists or our new technologies that will help towards the solution, it’s our everyday people. There are a lot of things that we can do, as individuals and as a community, to alleviate climate change.  But we need to start now.

We have to use less energy in order to decrease our carbon dioxide emissions and our carbon footprint. Calculating one’s carbon footprint is the primary way to measure how much carbon dioxide an individual personally consumes. It is the responsibility of each of us to reduce our own carbon footprint.  The most effective way to do this is by buying locally grown, produced and manufactured goods; using less energy; and decreasing the amount of garbage you produce. Going green will help you live better, support our local economy and, in the long run, save money.

In appreciation of Earth Week, Council Member Elizabeth Crowley released a booklet on Ten Easy Ways To Go Green which she distributed to senior centers, civic associations, schools and the press.  If you would like to receive a booklet, please contact the Office of Council Member Elizabeth Crowley. 

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley's First 100 Days in Office:
So Far, So Good (Despite a Few Bumps) (Queens Ledger; April 14, 2009)

Crowley Follows in Pol Parents' Footsteps (Irish Echo; April 25, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Raises Awareness about Climate Change, How To Become More Energy Efficient and Save Money in the Process:
Ten Easy Ways To Go Green (Opinion Editorial by Council Member Elizabeth Crowley; Lost in the Ozone; April 22, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley moves City Planning forward with Downzoning Proposal for Maspeth, Middle Village and Glendale:
Mid-Queens Zoning Plan Certified, Heads to C.B. 5 (Queens Chronicle; April 23, 2009)

Public Review of Downzoning Begins (Forum News; April 23, 2009)

Parts of Western Queens to be Rezoned (Queens Courier; April 23, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Speaks Out for 2007 Flood Victims:
Flood Victims from 2007 are Left Hung Out to Dry (Queens Chronicle; April 16, 2009)

City Won't Compensate '07 Flood Victims (Forum News; April 16, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Introduces the Robert Ogle Law:
Video: Bill Introduced In Wake of Teens Death (NY1; March 24, 2009)

Unattended Idling Car May Cost You; $5, for Now (New York Times; March 25, 2009)

In Wake of Tragedy, a Push to Prevent Unattended Car Idling (Forum South and West; March 26, 2009)

Unattended Idling Car May Cost You; $5, for Now (Jewish Breaking News; March 26, 2009)

Unattended Idlers (Gotham Gazette; April 10, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Fights the Administration to Keep Firehouses Open:
Outrage Over Engine 271 Closing (Forum News; March 26, 2009)

Fire Sparks Calls To Save Engine 271 (Times Newsweekly; March 26, 2009)

Council Member Crowley Speaks Out against Firehouse Closing During Nighttime Hours (The Red Room; January 16, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Fights the Department of Education on the proposed Maspeth High School:

Council OKs 1,100-seat high school for Maspeth (Daily News; April 3, 2009)

City Council Approves New School for Maspeth (New York Times; April 2, 2009)

City Council Approves Maspeth High School (New York Post; April 2, 2009)

In a Part of Queens With Crowded Schools, Opposition to a New One (New York Times; March 16, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley gets DOE to Allow a One Month Review Period for New Maspeth High School (Lost in Ozone; Feb 25, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Gives Guidance to Small Businesses for Stimulus Package:
Council Members Crowley and Yassky Issue Guide to Federal Stimulus Package for Small Businesses (Lost in Ozone; March 29, 2009)

Council Members Elizabeth Crowley and Yassky Give Guidance for Stimulus Package (Epoch Times; March 24, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Fights To Keep Hospitals Open:
Staff In Tears As St. John's Closes; Hospital Is Shut Amid Financial Turmoil (Times Newsweekly; March 5, 2009)

Hospitals Taken Off Life Support (Queens Ledger; March 3, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Outraged over St Johns Closing and Health Care in Queens (Lost in Ozone; March 3, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Calls for Immediate Help From Governor to Save Hospitals from Closing (Lost in Ozone; February 24, 2009)

Video: Council Member Elizabeth Crowley at City Hall Hospital Rally (YouTube; January 27, 2009

Video: Council Member Elizabeth Crowley at St. John's Hospital Rally, Part 1 (YouTube; January 24, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Works with the DEA to Squash Drug Ring in Queens:
City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley on Recent Meeting with Drug Enforcement Administration Regarding Recent Drug Bust in Queens (Lost in Ozone; 13 March 09)

Statement form Council Member Elizabeth Crowley on the DEA's Recent Drug Bust in Middle Village (Ozone Blog; March 3, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley In Other News:
Statement from City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley on Ridgewood Reservoir (Lost in Ozone; March 17, 2009)

Council Member Elizabeth Crowley Honored as Deputy Grand Marshall at Queens County St Patricks Day Pre-Parade Dinner Dance Held on Feb 21st (Lost in Ozone; March 8, 2009)

Statement form Council Member Elizabeth Crowley on the New Management at Atlas Park(Ozone Blog; March 3, 2009)

City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley Carrying on a Family Tradition (Daily News; January 9, 2009)