Statement on Rally to Keep Rockaway Ferry Service

Yesterday’s Rockaway Ferry rally at City Hall showed many things to Mayor Bill de Blasio and his administration, most notably that in tough times we will always come together as a community and also we will not back down. I have said it before and will continue to say it – in a budget of $75 billion, the city could and should allocate funds needed to make the ferry service permanent seven days a week. Traditionally, the isolated Rockaway Peninsula is ignored and oftentimes ostracized from the rest of the city, but we will continue to take a stand. Make the Rockaways a part of the city, include us in the city budget. I thank my fellow colleagues and community members for the support. In order to maximize the economic potential in Rockaway, to improve transportation and to connect the Rockaway with the rest of the city - KEEP THE FERRY.