Community Magazine July - August 2003

s ” xc New York City Parking & Sanitation Schedule Life in the Date Occasion Garbage * and Recycling Alternate ** Side Parking Parking Rules July 4, Fri Independence Day Suspended Suspended Holiday Aug. 15, Fri. Observance As Scheduled Suspended Normal Sept. 1, Mon. Labor Day Suspended Suspended Holiday Sept. 27-28, Sat.-Sun. Rosh Hashana As Scheduled Suspended Normal The Sales Tax Story The Good: Both the City and the State are scheduled to restore the tax-free status of clothing and shoes under $110 on June 1, 2004. The City Council also voted recently to hold two tax-free sales weeks on clothing and shoe purchases less than $110—around Labor Day and Martin Luther King Day—before the sales tax on such items is abolished. The Bad: On Sunday, June 1st, 2003 the New York State sales tax increased by .25 percent, from 8.25 percent to 8.50 percent, while the exemption on clothing and shoes under $110 ended as a result of State legislation. Then on Wednesday, June 4th, the sales tax increased again in New York City only, rising from 8.50 percent to 8.625 percent (applying to all taxable goods and services including clothing and shoes under $110), as a result of recent City legislation. The Ugly: The suspension of sales tax for the two tax free weeks will cost the city some $47 million in revenue. Report Dead Birds The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene encourages New York City residents to report all dead bird sight- ings within NYC, especially crows and blue jays using the City’s 311 telephone number. The initiative is designed to help control the spread of the West Nile Virus, a mosquito-borne virus that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or meningitis (inflammation of the lining of the brain and spinal cord). West Nile virus is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mos- quito. A mosquito becomes infected by biting a bird that carries the virus. Humans cannot get the virus from a person who has the disease. West Nile virus is not spread by person-to-person contact such as touching, kissing, or caring for someone who is infected. *Garbage: Residents who are normally scheduled for collection on the day of a holiday should place their trash out at curbside on the holiday evening for collection. Some residents will experience a dis- ruption of on-time household collection service. Recycling : Residents who are normally scheduled for recycling col- lection on the day of the holiday will not receive service that week. They should place their recyclables out at curbside the following week on their regular day of service. ** For snow and other emergencies call 212 or 718 CALL DOT (225-5368) to get an update of parking rules for a particular day. 54 C OMMUNITY M AGAZINE Ocean Parkway Playground Makeover Just as the warm park weather finally arrived, the Colonel David Marcus Kiddy Park (on Ocean Parkway between Avenue O & P) has been closed down for a complete restoration. Understandably, construction workers need comfortable, dry weather to work outdoors. The new playground is intended to provide a brand new set of varied play equipment for children of all ages. The plans include eighteen junior and kinder swings, an accessible ramped play unit and innovative play features. The design also includes game tables, security lighting, and diverse planting. One million dollars has been allotted by the city for these exten- sive renovations. The project was approved just in the nick of time, shortly before the city’s sweeping budget cuts. Many sub- sequent projects have since been denied for lack of funding. The renovations are scheduled to be finished by February 6, 2004. Many community residents feel that the park was well overdue for these renovations. As of last year, all of the junior swings and the three tire swings—once the main attraction of the park, were missing, as well as one of the two kiddy slides.