Job Well Done: Assemblyman Perry recently took a tour of the under renovation East 105th Street Station and met with the work crew at the station to check on the progress of the overhaul

“While awaiting the major overhaul that I was demanding, the MTA did make some minor improvements in 1994, but this $6.5 million capital project was long overdue,” said Assemblyman Perry. The East 105th Street subway station was one of many that Assemblyman Perry visited during 2005, when he launched his ‘Fix Up Brooklyn Subway Stations’ campaign.

The new East 105th Street station will get everything shiny and new, from the ultra-modern electric pigeon deterrent system — which doesn’t harm the birds, but simply deters them from nesting in the cubbyholes of the station — to reliable wooden platform benches. Colorful glass mosaics will now greet commuters as they enter the platform area, as opposed to the drab and common station exteriors straphangers have grown accustomed to. According to the site foreman, the project is expected to be completed well ahead of schedule, and will be ready by March 2006.

“The improvements to this station will bring us closer to the standard of service we deserve for our $2 fare,” said Assemblyman Perry. The East 105th Street Station is now off the repair list, but Assemblyman Perry is committed to keeping the pressure on the MTA, to not only fix up Brooklyn’s Subway Stations, but also to make them safe for all passengers, 100% of the time.

Please call Assemblyman Perry if you have any questions about the ‘Fix Up Brooklyn’s Subway Stations’ campaign.

Assemblyman Perry prepares for his flu shot at Kings County Hospital on a recent trip to the medical institution to raise awareness of the need for central Brooklyn residents in high risk groups to obtain flu vaccinations.

Flu vaccination rates in Central Brooklyn are significantly lower than citywide rates. According to a recent study by the Department of Health only 27% of residents aged 50 and over in Flatbush received the flu shot, as opposed to the citywide rate, which was 48%. As such, high risk residents in our community over age 65 are more likely to die due to complications from the flu. Other high risk groups include all children 6-23 months of age, all persons age six months and older with chronic medical conditions, including heart disease, pulmonary disorders (including asthma), diabetes, kidney disease, and compromised immune systems, and pregnant women.

A recent community meeting at Kings County Hospital cleared up many prevalent misgivings about flu shots. Flu shots will not give you the flu, or get you sick; at most, you may have minor soreness from the shot.

Contact Kings County Hospital at (718) 245-3422 to set up an appointment for a free flu vaccination.

Assemblyman Perry also wishes to congratulate the winners of his 2005 Community Awareness College Scholarship. Lea Peters and Ogechi Egbuchulam, who are currently attending Vassar College and Brooklyn College respectively, both exhibited the character, qualities, and academic record required to merit selection as a scholarship recipient. “I commend both of these young women, who appear to be on the right track toward success,” said Assemblyman Perry.

“I am happy I could do my part to assist in keeping them firmly planted on that track. I look forward to great achievement from both winners in the future.”

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will offer seniors typical prescription drug coverage. These plans work like other prescription insurance plans, whereby the enrollee will pay a monthly premium and a co-pay or co-insurance for each prescription they fill. On January 1, 2006 coverage began for people who joined the program by Dec. 31, 2005. You can apply up until May 15, 2006 to join a plan offering coverage for 2006.

To be eligible for the Medicare Prescription Drug plans, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident for five continuous years AND meet one of the following criteria:

• 65 years or older and eligible to receive Social Security

• Under 65, permanently disabled and have received Social Security disability insurance payments for at least 2 years

• Receive continuing dialysis for permanent kidney failure or need a kidney transplant

• Have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS - Lou Gehrig’s disease)

You can enroll in a Medicare prescription plan on the phone by calling Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.