COMET is a member of CURES - Civics United for Railroad Environmental Solutions.  The goal of this new group is to pressure elected officials for changes with respect to railroad pollution, emissions and practices.  As mentioned in the Times Ledger, "The group wants both the MTA and the state Department of Transportation to allocate more funds for inspections of trains, redirecting garbage containers to barge transfer stations and for retrofits to the New York & Atlantic Railway’s aging fleet of locomotives."  Federal stimulus money has been allocated for similar purposes in other districts.  We want some of it to come to western Queens to upgrade the LIRR's locomotives to make them cleaner and quieter and purchase new garbage containers that seal in odors adequately.  We also are pushing for more frequent cleanups along the tracks to discourage dumping.

Read more: Tensions rise over boro rail [Times Ledger]

This past week, the Daily News and Times Ledger published stories that mentioned that Council Member Elizabeth Crowley and Borough President Helen Marshall have applied for funding from the state to purchase the St. Saviour's site.

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe has stated that the city would be interested in acquiring the property so long as the elected officials can raise the money to pay for it.

St. Saviour's in Maspeth gaining steam to change from old church site to parkland after delays [Daily News]
City mulling acquisition of St. Saviour’s [Times Ledger]
Renewed Hope for Parkland at St. Saviour's Site [Forum West]
Pols eye salvation for St. Saviour site [Queens Tribune]
Pursing for parkland at St. Saviour's site [Queens Courier]

Despite the presence of a partial stop work order prohibiting heavy equipment from approaching the damaged retaining wall and fence at the St. Saviour's site, unsafe excavation was taking place Monday, November 2nd.  The following links contain photos and videos that show the destruction:

DOB says this is perfectly safe

St. Saviour's Saga Continues in Queens

Quick Link: Immaculate Destruction At St. Saviour’s

Historic Queens church site home to alleged illegal activity

Avalanche of Criticism at Fight Over Historic Queens Church