By Senator Jose Peralta hosts a Town Hall in Jackson Heights regarding LaGuardia Airport aircraft noise, meeting co-hosted by Congressman Crowley, Assemblymembers DenDekker and Moya, and Councilman Dromm
In light of an increasing number of complaints and in order to hear first hand concerns from Jackson Heights residents and others regarding LaGuardia Airport airplane noise, State Senator Jose Peralta will host a town hall on Sunday, October 18th at P.S. 69, located at 77-02 37th Avenue, to discuss the quality of life issue. The meeting, co-hosted by Congressman Joseph Crowley, Assemblymembers Michael DenDekker and Francisco Moya, and City Councilman Daniel Dromm, will take place from 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. in the school’s auditorium.
Area residents will also have an opportunity to raise their concerns about the projected multi-billion LaGuardia Airport revamp.
Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration and the NY/NJ Port Authority have confirmed their attendance at the meeting. The FAA and the PA will make brief presentations and address questions and concerns from the public at the town hall. Representatives from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection will also be attending the meeting.
“In the last few years, there has clearly been an increase in airplane noise and complaints in Jackson Heights,”said Senator Peralta (D-East Elmhurst), who lives in the flight path of the airport. “More and more planes are flying over our neighborhoods, and they are polluting and disrupting our environment. One hears the thundering noise from aircraft engines several times on a daily basis, and at times, it feels as if the jets are about to land on 37th Avenue. This clearly has a negative impact on our quality of life.”
Senator Peralta added, “It is in my hope that the FAA and the PA can work in cooperation with affected communities to devise a package of measures that are aimed at reducing plane noise and pollution. I want to thank all of our elected officials for co-hosting this very important town hall meeting.”
Rep. Crowley (D-Queens, The Bronx) noted, “Unfortunately, aircraft noise pollution continues to burden the neighborhoods that surround our airports – posing health risks, disrupting student learning, and deteriorating their overall quality of life.” The congressman added, “There are steps we can take to reduce its impact but engaging our community is a key step in the process. That’s why I’m partnering up with our local elected officials to co-host this town hall and offer Queens residents an opportunity to share their concerns and discuss them with agency officials as we work to find meaningful solutions to the problem.”
Assemblymember DenDekker (D-East Elmhurst) said, “I am very much looking forward to participating in the town hall, and discussing the community’s concerns about the airplane noise. My office and my house are both in the flight path to LaGuardia, so I understand what a problem this is and how important it is that we talk about how to best address it.”
“Airplane noise associated with LaGuardia Airport has a serious impact on quality of life in the surrounding area,” said Assemblymember Moya (D-Jackson Heights). “The constant noise is more than just a nuisance for local residents; it may actually have a detrimental impact on health. We must find ways to accommodate both the community’s need to reduce noise pollution and the airport’s need to operate effectively. Local residents have suffered with airport-related noise pollution for long enough. The time has come for solutions that put the needs of local residents first.”
“Frequent airplane noise continues to negatively impact the quality of life in Jackson Heights, Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and other neighborhoods throughout the Borough of Queens,” said Councilmember Dromm (D-Jackson Heights). “As a resident of 78th Street in Jackson Heights, I am personally aware of how much these conditions have affected our community. I am proud to have worked with Queens Quiet Skies, local residents and elected officials in taking steps to reduce the impact of these changes on our neighborhoods. I look forward to future collaboration with Queens Quiet Skies, Congressman Joseph Crowley, Senator Jose Peralta, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, Assemblyman Michael DenDekker and Assemblyman Francisco Moya as we continue to address this pressing issue.”
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