Day 2 in the Rockaways: Petitioning with Purpose 🏖️🗳️
- Von S. Del Valle
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Setting Up at Beach 90th 🚓🌤️We kicked off Day 2 by setting up our table on Beach 90th Street. The NYPD came by early, shook our hands, and even left a unit with us. It was respectful, collaborative, and affirming. The support was real.
Just this past week, I’ve been out in the streets of Queens petitioning for myself to get on the ballot for Queens Borough President. From Beach 90th to neighborhoods across the borough, I’ve been listening to the people—face to face, block by block. I’m proud to be doing this alongside mayoral candidate Javon Ross, who’s just as passionate about uplifting New Yorkers as I am. Together, we’re building a movement rooted in accountability, community, and real change, not just promises.
United by Tragedy
This past week, Javon Ross and I visited two deeply significant memorials—one dedicated to the victims of American Airlines Flight 587 that tragically crashed in Belle Harbor, and the other to the lives lost in the 9/11 attacks, both of which sit on the border of Belle Harbor and Rockaway Park. As we stood together at these memorials, we both touched a piece of the World Trade Center, a powerful moment of connection. For Javon, who enlisted in the military after 9/11, this was a somber reminder of his commitment to protect others. For me, it reflected my own drive to innovate and make our skies safer through my studies in aviation and emergency management.
In that moment, I turned to Javon and said, "We are united by tragedy." We both knew, from our personal experiences, that we couldn’t just sit by and do nothing. These tragedies ignited our desire to make a difference, to take action. This shared understanding is what ultimately led us both to run for office in 2025, driven by the need to create a better future for our communities and for those we serve.
Javon Ross's Journey to the Rockaways: MTA vs. Ferry
Recently, Javon Ross took a trip to the Rockaways to better understand the challenges that residents face, especially when it comes to transportation. He experienced firsthand the limited and often unreliable MTA service, which forces many residents to rely on overcrowded buses or long, indirect train routes. But the ferry service, which offers a much smoother and faster route, has been a game-changer for many living along the coast. However, this access remains inconsistent and is still out of reach for too many residents in other parts of the borough. Javon’s firsthand experience highlighted the stark contrast between MTA's challenges and the efficient, scenic option that the ferry could become if it were expanded.
The Importance of Expanding Ferry Access in Queens and Other Waterbound Areas of NYC
Ferry access is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity for communities along the water, especially in places like Queens, Staten Island, and Brooklyn, which often face limited public transportation options. Expanding ferry services will not only ease congestion on crowded MTA trains but also provide a faster, more sustainable option for New Yorkers who live in areas that are harder to reach by traditional land routes. For Queens residents, many of whom are geographically isolated by water, access to a robust ferry system can open up new opportunities for work, leisure, and connection to the rest of the city. Javon Ross recognizes that the future of NYC must include equitable transportation solutions that make every neighborhood easily accessible, whether it’s by land or sea. Javon had this to say about the ferry when I asked him: “It needs to stay in operation longer and more frequently, needs to be more user-friendly, ensuring every possible passenger is well aware of how to ride—from ticketing procedures to safety measures being briefed in case of an emergency.”
Street Conversations: Health, Youth, and Mental Wellness 🧠💬One woman pulled over in her sporty red RAV4 and we had an unexpected heart-to-heart. We talked about dentistry—she recommended Fidelis for dental coverage—and then the conversation pivoted to something heavier: the tragic story of a young boy, around 16, who had jumped from a building near the mall on Beach 90th. That story reminded both of us how many young people in our city feel alone. I shared my vision for embedding mental health programs directly into our high schools—a preventative measure that could save lives and curb crime before it starts.
Meeting a Young Family 👨👩👦🏠Toward the end of the day, we met a beautiful young family—a 22-year-old mother, 25-year-old father, and their toddler who couldn’t stop hugging everyone and pointing out dog poop on the sidewalk. They live just across the street from the Popeyes on Beach 90th, and the dad commutes from Woodhaven. He had just earned his OSHA certification, but told us he’s still struggling to find stable work. We talked about Workforce1, but he shared that the follow-up and job matches have been slow.
The mom and I spoke about financial literacy—about credit repair, buying a home, and how real change begins with economic empowerment. We also touched on accessibility—how disabled residents, especially those in wheelchairs, need real support to enter the workforce. That includes interview options over Zoom, flexible work environments, and mandatory ADA compliance in hiring processes. We must innovate the workforce to make it truly inclusive.
The Childcare Crisis 🧸📉Another moment that stuck with me was speaking to a woman who owns a daycare in Rockaway and recently opened another in Washington D.C. She told us that HRA may stop issuing childcare vouchers to low-income working moms. She was heartbroken. She spoke of the children who thrive in daycare, even if their parents don’t work full-time—kids who need to socialize, learn early developmental skills, and grow in stable environments. She said, “These babies deserve a place to grow. It’s not just about watching them. It’s about building their future.”
Resilience, Barber Shops & Disaster Prep 💈🌊We met the owner of a local barber shop, who shared memories of Hurricane Sandy. He said, “We were unprepared then, and if something happens again, I still don’t know if we can depend on the government.” That stuck with me. Climate resilience must be local, not just top-down.
Jojo’s Wisdom 🏰📜Then came Jojo, 73 years old. “Call me Jojo,” she said, laughing. She remembered when Sliwa ran last time and told me, “I voted for him.” I told her about petitioning for Sliwas again—this time alongside Jason Murillo for District 2 on the Lower East Side and Gonzalo Duran for Public Advocate. That day, I learned more than I could’ve imagined. I even got to meet Robert Fiore from the Board of Elections, who explained the petitioning process to me and Jason at Arra Café—where I also chatted with the café owner about the shady world of scaffolding contracts in NYC and how they hurt local businesses.
Jojo also shared something deeper—about the old Playland theme park in the Rockaways. She told me she lived in the Rockaways all her life and remembered when Playland was a huge attraction. “The rides started falling apart after the owner passed away,” she said. “Then the family just left—never came back.” The land was sold, and now beautiful homes sit where the park once was. The old hotel building still stands across the street, a ghost of the past. Jojo said New Yorkers used to flood the area every summer, buying bungalows in what’s now lovingly called the Irish Riviera. But with the rise of aviation and JFK nearby, people stopped coming—flights got cheaper, bungalows were sold off, and some hotels even burned down for the insurance money.
Donovan Richards Before Becoming a Politician.
Talking with Joseph and Remembering the Past 📣🕰️A gentleman named Joseph approached me eager to sign. He asked who I was running against, and I told him: Donovan Richards. Joseph, like many others, shared the sentiment that Donovan has been disconnected from the community. One woman reminisced about Senator James Sanders, who held events like having the Delfonics perform in the Rockaways. She recalled volunteering for Sanders and described Donovan as a once humble man who changed after gaining political power.
She said to me, “You’re a brother—I don’t see the same thing happening to you,” and invited us to a board meeting at her daycare next Wednesday. Her trust meant a lot.
Facing Mistrust 😠📉Not every interaction was easy. I had a tense moment with a local derelict who became aggressive—he cursed me out and tried to grab my clipboard. I told him to have a nice day, but he was clearly upset. He didn’t trust the government or me. He kept asking, “Who do you work for?” and when I said “Myself,” he didn’t believe me.
That exchange reminded me of something crucial: so many people feel abandoned and betrayed. They're not just skeptical—they're exhausted. Tired of being told help is coming when it never does. We need to rebuild trust through action, presence, and consistency.
The Rockaways: Surf, Culture & Caution 🏄♂️🌊🚨The Rockaways aren’t just a neighborhood—they're a surfing haven. Every summer, locals and visitors hit the waves with boards in hand, creating a beautiful and vibrant community of wave-chasers. From Beach 67th to 116th, the surf scene is alive and thriving. But the water, while thrilling, also brings tragedy. Drownings are a harsh reality in the Rockaways. Some swimmers underestimate the rip currents, or get caught too far out. Others swim without lifeguards or during red flag warnings. As we celebrate the surf culture, we must also push for more ocean safety education, consistent lifeguard staffing, and signage. Protecting our residents means honoring both the joy and danger of the sea.
What We Learned 💡❤️Day 2 wasn’t just about signatures. It was about listening—really listening. It was about hearing the pain behind people’s smiles and finding solutions together. From job access to mental health to childcare, the Rockaways are full of people who know what they need—they’re just waiting for someone to hear them.
And we’re here. We’re listening. We’re building something real. 🫱🏽🫲🏽🌆
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