Queens Chronicle South Edition 02-06-25

Trump and Hochul talk future of tolls

President may reverse fed approval of congestion pricing, sparking new suit

by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

President Trump and Gov. Hochul spoke last weekend about congestion pricing and continue to discuss the program as he considers trying to nix it, reports say.

The news follows a New York Times story last Thursday reporting that the Trump administration may kill the new tolls to Manhattan, which the state imposed Jan. 5.

Trump expressed opposition to congestion pricing during his campaign. The new toll scheme took decades to go from concept to reality, and faced at least five lawsuits seeking to stop it. It had been set to start last June but was delayed by Gov. Hochul, who then revived it after the November elections.

The toll regime has been a great success, according to supporters, with traffic in Manhattan, as well as on highways surrounding it, noticeably down since implementation. The main goals of the program are to reduce congestion, improve air quality and raise $1 billion a year for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Those funds are then to be leveraged into $15 billion in bonds to pay for capital improvements to MTA systems: the subways, buses and commuter rail lines.

Opponents say the system is too costly to individual drivers and businesses, will simply shift air pollution from one place to another

and will pour money into a state agency that is never held accountable for how it spends it.

“Congestion relief is a big success, impresses more and more people every day, and has already won a string of decisive court victories,”

Danny Pearlstein, policy and communications director of the Riders Alliance, said in a prepared statement after The Times’ story came out. “Eliminating the program would kill hundreds of thousands of infrastructure jobs and make millions of commuters late to work again.”

It also would spark new litigation, as occurred when Hochul delayed the plan.

The governor now is unwavering in her support of the tolls. In comments broadcast by WOR 710 Radio Wednesday morning, she said she would continue to fight for them, though the source of the audio was not cited.

In another comment, made last Friday and reported by Politico, Hochul took an apparent shot at U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess), a toll critic who also may run against her for governor.

“You oppose this? Your constituents are getting to work sooner, but you don’t seem to care,” she said during an event.

The same story quoted MTA Chairman Janno Lieber as saying, at a different event, that casting doubt on congestion pricing’s future could drive up the cost of government bonds for capital projects, not just those the

Although congestion pricing is designed as a toll for Manhattan-bound traffic, those taking the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge to Queens, like this van driver, also must pay.

MTA seeks to issue, but in other states, too.

“If the bondholders think that this might be taken apart on a moment’s notice, they are going to charge a hell of a lot more when those states or localities go to bond,” Lieber said, according to the outlet.

Asked by the Chronicle for a direct comment or further insight, the MTA deferred to the Governor’s Office, which did not immediately respond to a request.

A White House spokesman declined to comment, referring the paper to a Jan. 31 statement press secretary Karoline Leavitt made in response to a reporter’s question.

“I do know that the president spoke with Gov. Hochul about that,” Leavitt said. “I don’t have any actions, so to speak, to read out for you on that issue today.”

The five-byline Times story said Trump may repeal the federal approval of the plan granted by the Biden administration, potentially stopping it but almost certainly leading to more litigation.

The Times noted that on the president’s first day in office, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy sent Trump a letter asking him to repeal congestion pricing. Murphy was the lead plaintiff in one of the suits filed to block the plan before it was implemented.

The Chronicle did get statements from one Queens lawmaker who supports the toll and one who opposes it.

“Billions of dollars are at stake with congestion pricing, crucial funding that the MTA is counting on to provide annual revenue and fully fund its capital plan,” state Sen. John Liu

continued on page 21

CONZA | MCNAMARA

PLANNING ATTORNEYS

CYNTHIA J. CONZA, ESQ.

EDWARD R. MCNAMARA, ESQ.

Harvard University, A.B.

St. John’s University School of Law, J.D.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON

Swans crashing the streets in HB

After the birds started wandering the neighborhood, a rehabilitator offers advice

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Residents of Howard Beach may have run into some new feathered friends hanging out on their front lawns lately.

For weeks, swans have been making their way from the bay to the streets, and residents have posted photos to neighborhood Facebook groups, both marveling at the creatures and asking what can be done.

One post read, “[Are] the swans our new patrol in Howard Beach? They were surrounding my front door this morning. I couldn’t even get out of my house.”

Brina Ciaramella, an area resident and realtor, with the help of rescuer and rehabilitator Jeannine Riekers, has become a swan savior of sorts, with neighbors calling on her for help to relocate the birds after she posted updates to social media of her swan rescues and relocations.

will give them food, mostly bread that is delicious to them but terrible for their systems.”

According to Riekers, who is registered with the state Department of Environmental Conservation to rescue and rehabilitate swans, the sugar in bread can cause baby and juvenile swans to develop a condition called angel wing, wherein their wings grow twisted.

“They will never fly unless caught at a very, very young age,” Riekers said.

Riekers said food items safe for swans include veggies such as lettuce, kale and peas; waterfowl food; sweet corn; and brown rice — but they should only be fed in the water.

A dvocates are urging residents to not feed swans seen on the streets.

Ciaramella said she and Riekers have moved the swans out of dangerous situations “a number of times,” and two weeks ago, one got hit by a drone.

In a video posted by Ciaramella, a swan is in the front seat of her car as she comically asks the bird, “Have you been in a Mercedes before, sir? Or is this your first time?”

Ciaramella told the Chronicle, “This group of swans that are traipsing the neighborhood, falling asleep in the middle of the road and blocking people’s doorways are juveniles less than two years old. ... They’ve learned that if they hang around in front of houses, people

“Busy streets and sidewalks are not only an unsafe place for the swans themselves, but it is also a hazard to drivers having to dodge them, especially at night during winter, as they just look like little heaps of snow when they’ve tucked their necks and beaks in for a snooze,” Ciaramella said.

So what should people do if they encounter a swan on the street?

According to Riekers, first look for any visible injuries, and then try to reach out to a rescuer or rehabilitator. She can be reached at (646) 468-2289, and a complete database of

rehabilitators is available at dec.ny.gov.

“If that isn’t possible and the swan can stand and walk, the best thing then is to try to get it close to a body of water,” she said, noting that while swans can be territorial during mating seasons, they are only aggressive when they feel threatened.

The swans need to be in the water to waterproof their feathers, Riekers said. Without waterproofing, their feathers will freeze in cold temperatures.

“If the feathers are not waterproofed at least once a day they will become dry and brittle, causing pain to the swan,” she said.

“Generally, the best approach is to just open your arms and sort of corral them on foot to the water, or at least to the park,” said Ciaramella.

Both women stressed that it is extremely important to not feed the swans on land because they will keep coming back. continued on page 21

CO, community affairs cops lauded with citations from area electeds Officials honor NYPD 102 Pct.’s officers

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

The NYPD 102nd Precinct’s commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Jeremy Kivlin, and Community Affairs Officers Nick Salamone and Scott Adelman need to make plenty of wall space.

The trio received multiple accolades on Tuesday at the precinct’s community council meeting in Richmond Hill. Kivlin is set to depart soon and said the meeting was likely his last with the 102.

“Everybody plays a vital role and helps the precinct run, and they make me look good, and I thank them every day for that,” Kivlin said. “There’s been two people in my almost two years and nine months that I’ve been here. ... They’ve been my right-hand men.”

Kivlin praised Salamone and Adelman for their 15 years of service to the department.

“They truly made my job easier,” Kivlin said. “From the bottom of my heart, Nick Salamone, Scott Adelman — thank

you so much.”

Before shifting to community affairs, Kivlin said, Salamone amassed 277 arrests and Adelman 324.

“Those types of enforcement numbers are very, very respectable,” Kivlin said.

The commanding officer then presented each cop with a plaque from the community

council, dubbing them “cops of the year.” Councilmembers Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) and Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) along with representatives of Assemblymembers David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows) and Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven); state Sens. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) and Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans); and U.S. Reps. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica) and Nydia Velázquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens) presented Kivlin, Salamone and Adelman with citations and certificates for their service to the community.

Schulman and Ariola both spoke highly of the trio, voicing appreciation of the fact that they are always available for the community when needed. Ariola said she has a group text chat with them, and they always answer.

On crime in the 102, Kivlin said there has been an approximate 14 percent reduction in overall incidents for the 28-day period, and about a 10 percent decrease this year to date. Q

Community Affairs Officers Nick Salamone, fifth from left, and Scott Adelman, along with Deputy Inspector Jeremy Kivlin, the precinct’s commanding officer, received accolades from officials during Tuesday’s NYPD 102nd Precinct Community Council meeting.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

Swans have been out of water and roaming the streets of Howard Beach. Those with knowledge of swan care are advising residents to not feed the birds.

PHOTO COURTESY BRINA CIARAMELLA

Nation’s Report Card shows small gains in math, but some struggles in reading NAEP test scores show mixed results

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Fourth- and eighth-grade students in New York City schools are still struggling in reading and math, according to the newest test scores unveiled by the National Center for Education Statistics last Wednesday.

The exam, called the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and also known as the Nation’s Report Card, tests students across 27 urban districts in the country.

While most standardized tests measure student performance based on a state’s own curriculum standards, the NAEP allows for state-bystate comparison. No student-level or schoollevel data is provided, and NAEP conducts a random sample of students.

In New York City, 1,300 fourth-grade students and 1,300 eighth-grade students took the math and reading tests. Charter and private schools were not included.

The test results are presented at four achievement levels: students who score below NAEP basic standards, and students who meet NAEP’s basic, proficient and advanced standards.

In reading, 38 percent of NYC’s eighth-grade students scored below NAEP’s basic proficiency level in 2024, while in 2022, 37 percent of NYC students scored below basic proficiency levels, an overall 1 percent change. In 2024, 34 percent of students across the nation scored

math, according to scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

below basic, and according to the Nation’s Report Card, in large cities, 39 percent of students scored below basic proficiency.

City students at that same grade level did slightly worse in math, with 49 percent of students scoring below NAEP’s basic proficiency level, for another 1 percent change compared to 2022, when 48 percent scored below basic lev-

Council GOP to redo minority leader vote

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

The City Council will not certify the disputed minority leader election in the City Council Minority Caucus, forcing a do-over vote for the now five-member Republican group, following a challenge by Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park). The new vote will take place Friday, Feb. 7. Last Tuesday, a caucus vote elected Councilman David Carr (R-Staten Island) to the post ahead of the departure of former Councilman Joe Borelli. While Carr, Borelli and Councilwoman Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn) voted for Carr to take the leadership role, the three other members of the group, Ariola and Councilmembers Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone) and Kristy Marmorato (R-Bronx) were absent. The trio said they had notified Borelli they would not be present the evening before.

Ariola, Paladino and Marmorato then penned a letter to City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) objecting to the vote due to a lack of quorum, and asked that she address the situation. They also requested the written opinion of the Council’s Parliamentarian and the Office of the

General Counsel regarding the matter.

While a City Council spokesperson told the Chronicle last week the decision was up to the Republican Conference, Parliamentarian Jeffrey Campagna of the Council’s Office of the General Counsel responded to the trio’s concerns.

Campagna, in a letter to Ariola, Paladino and Marmorato that was later shared with the Chronicle, said it is the opinion of the general counsel that Carr’s appointment is invalid and cannot be accepted.

“There is prima facie evidence that a quorum was never present and therefore, that no selection was made,” Campagna said. “Therefore, the Council must reject the Certification as void.”

“I am looking forward to a fair election for the open minority leader seat in the Republican delegation of the NYC Council,” Ariola said in a statement. “Councilmembers Paladino and Marmorato and I have notified CMs Vernikov and Carr that a meeting will be held on Friday at noon in the Minority Leader’s Office to elect the minority leader.”

She added that there is a Zoom option available if they are unable to make the meeting in person. Q

els. Nationwide, 41 percent of students were below basic proficiency last year, and 48 percent in large cities.

In reading, 46 percent of NYC fourth-grade students scored below basic proficiency levels in 2024, the same amount as in 2022. Nationwide, 41 percent of students were below basic proficiency, and in large cities, 47 percent.

Math scores were up for the city’s fourthgrade students, as just 33 percent scored below proficiency in 2024, compared to 40 percent in 2022, a 7 percent improvement. Thirty-one percent of students were below NAEP’s basic proficiency level in large cities, and nationwide, 24 percent.

Education spokesperson Chyann Tull said in a statement, “The latest NAEP results underscore the resilience of New York City’s students and educators in maintaining steady progress despite unprecedented challenges in recent years. Our test scores have returned to pre-pandemic levels, and this stability reflects the extraordinary efforts of our schools to support learning recovery and maintain high standards for all students. We congratulate our students, families, and educators who are outpacing the state in Reading scores and recovering in Math. While there is still so much to be done, we remain committed to building on this foundation and fostering continued growth citywide.”

State Sen. John Liu (D-Bayside), the chair of the Committee on NYC Education, told the Chronicle, “Even a brief disruption in learning, such as missing a day of school, can have longlasting effects, but the pandemic was a once-ina-generation crisis that threw a wrench into the education of our kids. Our school children continue to rebound from the impact of school closures, remote learning challenges, and social isolation caused by the pandemic.”

He continued, “The setbacks are real, but not insurmountable, and NYC must be looking for new and innovative ways to capitalize on the upswings while doubling down on improving reading scores,” he said.

One math teacher from Rego Park told the Chronicle, “If you don’t use it, you lose it. A lot of the issue here doesn’t stem from the curricula. A big part of it can be attributed to Covid.”

“The setbacks are real, but not insurmountable.”

— State Sen. John Liu

The exam saw racial and class disparities. Black and Hispanic students, in both grades four and eight, saw test scores 24 to 38 points lower than those of white students, respectively. Similarly, students who were identified as economically disadvantaged also scored between 23 and 37 points lower than those who were not.

Asked about the results, city Department of

Remote learning during the pandemic, she said, “let students down.”

“Some of them were halfhearted when learning remotely, and when you don’t practice a subject like mathematics, you forget,” she said. “A lot of kids are still ashamed to admit they don’t know how to do basic math, or math they should have learned in 2020, and so trying to move forward from that without full comprehension will affect their scores until they go back and really study what they need to know.” Q

Blood drives in South Queens

Following a 30 percent drop in blood donations in recent weeks, the New York Blood Center has declared a blood emergency for the NYC region.

The group is now seeking donors of all blood types, whose donations will be used to aid those in need, including surgery patients, cancer patients, mothers, babies and accident victims.

Information on how to donate blood or schedule a drive is available at nybc.org.

Upcoming blood drives in South Queens include:

• American Airlines, first floor arrivals,

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 7, at JFK Airport Terminal 8;

• Knights of Columbus Council 197, from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15, at 94-04 Linden Blvd. in Ozone Park;

• Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12, in the private dining room at 89-00 Van Wyck Expwy. in Richmond Hill; and

• Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society, from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 95-30 118 St. in Richmond Hill. Q — Kristen Guglielmo

Students are still struggling post-pandemic in reading and

PHOTO VIA CAIAMIAGE / CHRIS RYAN / FILE

•

$4M allotted to a teaching kitchen at Jamaica Educational Campus BP allocates nearly $25M for education

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced on Monday more than $24.7 million in capital funding for the borough’s schools.

Richards gathered with education officials for a press conference at the library of Queens Collegiate High School, at 167-01 Gothic Dr. in Jamaica, to celebrate the news.

The borough president allocated $4 million for a new culinary arts kitchen on Jamaica Educational Campus, which encompasses Queens Collegiate, Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences, Hillside Arts and Letters Academy and the High School for Community Leadership. Students from all four schools will be able to use the state-of-the-art culinary arts teaching kitchen. It is the largest investment by dollar amount in any school this fiscal year, Richards’ office said.

“This investment is truly about equity,” Richards said. “And as a kid who literally went to this school, I can attest to the decades of this investment we’ve seen here and across Southeast Queens, but it feels so good to be in a position to pay it forward to our communities.”

The borough president’s fiscal year 2025 allocation of $24.7 million is greater than the combined total of his earmarks to schools in FY22 and FY23, at $11.5 million and $10.7

million, respectively, his office said. It also represents his second-largest single-year allocation in any category, behind last year’s $33 million allocation to Queens schools in FY24.

Among the attendees celebrating the new funding at Monday’s press conference were Queens South High Schools Superintendent Josephine Van-Ess; James Harrell, the principal of Queens Collegiate; Neeta Ahmed, the principal of Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences; Raquel Nolasco, principal of Hillside Arts and

Letters Academy; and Carlos Borrero, the principal of the High School for Community Leadership.

Samantha Lewin, a junior at the High School for Community Leadership, said she took a culinary class last semester and expressed the value of what she learned.

“Throughout the year, we made multiple meals, all while using minimal resources,” Lewin said. “We didn’t have a proper stove or proper oven, which resulted in us using hot

plates and convection ovens to cook.”

She said things had to be made in portions, and it utilized a lot of class time, so some meals ended up feeling rushed and not made to their full potential.

“Despite these challenges, this class helped me overcome my fear of cooking so much,” Lewin said, adding that it sparked an idea of pursuing culinary arts in the future.

Richards also allocated a combined $2.9 million this fiscal year to construct new hydroponics labs in 12 different schools — PS 7, PS 40, PS 45, PS 86, PS 135, PS 152, PS 175, MS 226, PS 277, MS 419, the Baccalaureate School for Global Education and Queens Metropolitan High School.

Funding will also be used to upgrade technology, IT systems, cafeterias and gyms. Bayside High School also netted $1 million to renovate its athletic field. The funds all came from a pool of tens of millions of dollars the city grants to Richards’ office each year.

“I often say, no matter your social economic status, your race, your background, your ZIP code, you deserve to get and have a quality education at a quality school that prepares you for the future,” Richards said. “And that’s exactly what this new teaching kitchen will do, because I believe the next Gordon Ramsay or Marcus Samuelsson is growing up right here in Southeast Queens.” Q

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, center right, gathered with education officials at Jamaica Educational Campus on Monday to announce his allocation of nearly $25 million for Queens schools.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

EDITORIAL AGEP

Tisch’s cops get results

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch keeps on racking up the wins. First she cleaned house. Then she changed pursuit policy. Then she cleaned house some more. And now the results are coming in.

Crime is down, by healthy amounts, in nearly every category. Credit for that goes to the Police Department and Tisch, far more than to any politician who might try to claim it.

It should not have taken the mayor four tries to get the right commissioner, but it did. The first one could have been great, but the old-boy network kept her down. The second was tied to shady people and lost his phone to the FBI. The third was a mystery gone in the blink of an eye.

And now we have Tisch, a woman born into immense wealth, who could have had her pick of careers but chose counterterrorism. She earned both a law degree and a masters in business administration from Harvard, but she decided to fight terror as an NYPD civilian.

Now, after running a couple other city

departments, masterfully by all accounts, Tisch is our top cop. And the numbers are arresting.

Comparing last month to January 2024, overall major crime is down 16.8 percent citywide. In the subways, it’s down 36.4 percent. Robberies fell 26 percent, murder 24.2 percent, car theft 23.1 percent, grand larceny 21.7 percent and shootings 21.5 percent. Felony assaults and burglaries fell by less impressive rates, but still dropped: by 6.9 and 3.7 percent, respectively. Rape is up, by what seems like a horrific 40.6 percent, but a lot of that is due to a change in law that widens the definition of the crime.

We just went five days without a shooting victim for the first time in 30 years.

The NYPD achieved this with fewer officers. Overtime is up, so they can do things like patrol the subways all night. It’s worth it. There were 1,700 fewer crimes last month than in January 2024. Any of us could have been one of those 1,700 victims but was not. Hats off to Commish Tisch and all her men and women in blue.

Ariola wins GOP chess game

Queens is moving on up in the City Council, thanks to the sharp political maneuverings of member Joann Ariola.

The South Queens Republican councilwoman has finally ended the long dominance of Staten Island within the GOP ranks, thanks to her use of parliamentary procedure.

There were six Republican members of the Council — compared to 45 Democrats — until GOP leader Joe Borelli stepped down last week to take a job in the private sector.

Before he did, thinking he was a smooth operator, he called a vote to handpick his successor as minority leader, Councilman David Carr. The two of them, along with another GOPer, voted 3-0 for Carr. Not so fast, said Ariola, who skipped the

vote, along with fellow Queens Councilwoman Vickie Paladino and another GOP ally. There was no quorum, so the vote is null, she asserted — and the Council’s counsel agreed.

Another vote has been set, and with Borelli gone, Ariola has a majority among the five Republicans, and very likely will be crowned leader. That’s only just; Queens has five times the population of Staten Island. So, while the borough may not produce mayors, it should soon hold the top Council posts for each party, since Adrienne Adams of Jamaica is the speaker. Also, Selvena Brooks-Powers of Laurelton is the majority whip. Southern Queens would appear to brook a lot of power, girl power in particular. Congratulations to Ariola, and her friends across the aisle.

MARK WEIDLER

President & Publisher

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LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Language matters

Dear Editor:

Thank you for your always excellent reporting on local matters.

I’m writing in regard to the Jan. 30 article on the tragic death of a Forest Hills High School teacher (“Forest Hills High School teacher dies,” multiple editions).

The phrase “committed suicide” was used, but this is actually not the preferred terminology.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention provides guidelines for ethical reporting on suicide. According to AFSP, recommended phrases are “died by suicide,” “ended one’s life” or “took their life.”

“Commit” has criminal connotations and insinuates that blame for the death lies with the deceased.

Comparatively, we never use “commit” to refer to someone who died from cancer or other diseases.

Such words can increase the already existing stigma surrounding suicide and therefore should be avoided.

In addition, it would have been beneficial to share the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at the end of the article. Resources such as this provide help to those who are struggling, as well as those supporting them. Thank you.

Stacy Smith Forest Hills

Not the real jail tale

Dear Editor:

The Jan. 30 article “Queens folks talk jail facility design” (multiple editions) is misleading on its face. The piece is astounding in its lack of any discussion of the impact that this $3.9 billion facility will have on the community or its ability to meet the city’s stated goals.

I agree that the situation in Rikers is untenable and needs to be changed. However, building four high-rise jails, costing over $27 billion including financing, is not the solution.

For the 1,040-bed Kew Gardens jail alone, the ultimate cost could be $6.7 million per bed. This is money that is not going to education, housing, mental healthcare and drug addiction treatment — things that would mitigate the need for these jails.

Representatives of the Kew Gardens Civic Association attended the meeting. We raised questions that we have been waiting for a response to since Councilmember Karen Koslowitz threw her support behind this facility without consulting the community.

Key among the issues are:

• High-rise towers — modern jail philosophy emphasizes low-rise, spread-out facilities with ample room for outdoor recreation.

• Inmate safety — how will emergency evacuations be executed safely?

• Transportation logistics — inmates still need to be transported to the borough they are arraigned and tried in with significant traffic impact on the community.

• Operating costs — a comptroller’s report (2021) estimated the annual cost of incarceration for one inmate was $556,539. The city has stonewalled in sharing projections for the new jail.

• Programming space — increased be d count meant less space for educational and mental health programming, yet the city has not disclosed what was cut.

This meeting’s objective was to gain community input. It did not. Your reporting should have reflected this, rather than act as a mouthpiece for an ill-advised, outrageously expensive plan that will have impact not only for Queens, but for all New Yorkers.

Dominick Pistone

President, Kew Gardens Civic Association Kew Gardens

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Suzy Parker a star

Dear Editor:

Re Ron Marzlock’s Jan. 23 “I Have Often Walked” article, “Suzy Parker first got attention in East Elmhurst”: Mr. Marzlock did a great job of chronicling Queens native Suzy Parker’s spectacular rise to become a supermodel. But he overlooked her successful career as a movie actress. Parker left modeling to pursue an acting career in the 1950s and struck instant pay dirt. She co-starred with Cary Grant in her first film, “Kiss Them for Me” (1957). Subsequent films included “Ten North Frederick” (1958), “The Best of Everything” (1959), “A Circle Of Deception” (1960), “Flight from Ashiya” (1964) and “Chamber of Horrors” (1966). She also performed in TV series such as “The Twilight Zone” and “Night Gallery,” both created by writer Rod Serling. As a movie buff, I appreciate her film career. As a Queens native, I celebrate her success in the modeling and acting professions. She was a true credit to her home borough.

Richard Reif Kew Gardens Hills

DOT glitch bars public

Dear Editor:

I was really glad to see that the city’s Department of Transportation was hosting a Zoom meeting to gather input on the proposed Queens Waterfront Greenway project. Only one problem, though. I registered as required beforehand. On the day of the meeting I was unable to attend because my computer told me it was full. How is it that I registered as told and then was refused the ability to enter and participate?

As the president of the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, I feel that it is imperative that our civic be involved in anything that concerns any type of traffic mitigation in our community. Being refused entry to the Zoom meeting was wrong. I was also informed that representatives of my council member could not gain entrance to it, either.

Kim F. Cody President Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association Whitestone Editor’s note: The DOT said the problem was a technological glitch that eventually was f ixed. The Chronicle also was unable to enter the meeting for nearly an hour.

AI: abolishing ingenuity

Dear Editor:

Our brain is a muscle, and if we don’t use it, we lose it. People rely too much on their phones to the point that everything they need or have a question about, is available at the touch of a screen. The phone has become their pacifier. They are trapped in the web and imprisoned by their cells. They don’t know how to spell simple words, add or subtract simple numbers, read a map or read the hands of a clock. They don’t even remember phone numbers anymore. Artificial intelligence will put more people out of work and take away the creativity of writing stories, poetry, songs, love letters and book reports. AI will take over music, art and drawing, and make people so lazy that their goals and ambitions will be a thing of the past.

Look at all the young people who spend hours on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X. All those hours spent is lost time in getting to know who they are or what they want to be. People rather text than talk, they rather see each other on the screen than in person. Then they wonder why so many are depressed. There is an illness from this and it’s called Digital Dementia. Look it up and see for yourself. We are meant to be social beings, not robots. Unfortunately, technology is getting the upper hand.

There was a song released back in 1969 called “In the Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)” by Zager and Evans. It’s kind of depressing but it’s a wakeup call and people should hear the song. Though we are in the year 2025, we are heading in the direction of that song. It’s time to wake up and become human beings again before it’s too late.

Antoni Capozello Laurelton

Ways to prevent cancer

Dear Editor:

February is National Cancer Prevention Month and a great opportunity to learn more about how to reduce your risk for cancer or even prevent it. Research shows that up to half of cancer cases and about half of cancer deaths could be prevented by getting screened for certain cancers and with lifestyle changes like choosing a diet with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; exercising; staying at a healthy weight; drinking less alcohol; and not smoking. One key action you can take right now is making sure you are up to date with your cancer screenings. Talk to your doctor about what screenings you need now, and which are due in the future. How can screening prevent cancer? In the case of cervical and colorectal cancers, screening tests can find the cells that lead to cancer. These cells can be removed before cancer grows. Although breast cancer can’t be prevented with a screening test, a mammogram can find breast cancer early when it may be easier to treat.

If you don’t have insurance or a health care provider, the Cancer Services Program of Queens, located at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens may be able to help. The CSP provides free cervical, colorectal, and breast cancer screening for eligible New Yorkers who do not have health insurance. If you are age 40 or older, call the CSPQ at (718) 670-1561 to find out if you qualify for free cancer screenings. In addition to getting cancer screenings, there are many other things you can do to lower your risk for cancer. Find more information on the CDC website: cdc.gov/cancer/prevention/ index.html.

Here’s to good health!

Roseline Ogbonna Program Coordinator Cancer Services Program of Queens Fresh Meadows

She saw the real Nazis

Dear Editor:

Last week, Glenn Hayes and Robert LaRosa Sr. wrote letters comparing the Trump administration to Nazis (“Echoes of Nazism” and continued on next page

City commits $3M to be a leader in AI

Grech says investment will expand opportunities for startups in Queens

by Naeisha Rose Editor

Mayor Adams and the city’s Economic Development Corp. President and CEO Andrew Kimball have announced a partnership with OpenAI and a plan is allocate $3 million in funds to position the Big Apple as the premier applied artificial intelligence capital of the world.

The Mayor’s Office said OpenAI, the San Francisco-based firm behind the ChatGPT chatbot, has opened its first East Coast office at the Puck Building in Manhattan with 450 employees.

“The jobs of tomorrow are being created today in New York City, and artificial intelligence is key to making that happen,” said Mayor Adams in a Jan. 31 statement. “As we hit another all-time record high for jobs in our city, our administration is looking to the future — and the future shows AI as the next emerging sector and source of job creation across our city, the country, and the globe.”

grams, including NYC AI Nexus and NYCEDC’s Founder Fellowship, an initiative to improve access to capital and networks for underrepresented founders across all tech-enabled sectors. To learn more about the fellowship, go online to shorturl. at/ZdNUG.

The NYC AI Nexus plan includes 18 commitments based on a series of findings, recommendations and proposed actions to unlock the city’s AI potential as a means to drive economic growth and develop a diverse workforce to power the future of the five boroughs.

“We are well positioned to benefit from this investment.”

— Tom Grech, President and CEO, Queens Chamber of Commerce

The Nexus initiative will facilitate collaborations among city-based startup founders and area businesses to identify, build and ultimately adopt applied AI solutions to ensure the competitiveness of the city’s diverse set of industries.

The EDC has released a request for proposals for Nexus. Interested firms can learn more at edc.nyc/rfps.

est technological advancements,” Vanel said via email. “And with AI, the speed at which these new advancements will occur will only increase.”

Vanel, a futurist who weighs AI’s pros and cons, said the borough is home to numerous tech startups that can benefit from it.

“For example, the Queens Chamber of Commerce Tech Incubator and Greater Nexus in Jamaica all are home to Queensbased startups that can and should use these tools,” he said. “We look forward to working with the City to make sure that Queens, and New York City generally, cements itself as a global hub for the technology of the future.”

The AI firm will also serve on the AI Advisory Council and support several pro-

“The five boroughs are leaping at the opportunity to be the global leader in AI, partnering with the leading AI company,

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

continued from previous page

“Musky Musk”).

Last month, my family celebrated my mother’s 100th birthday. I asked my mother about her reaction to the two letters since 80 years ago she was on a forced death march in the middle of a brutal German winter on the way to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where 50,000 people died, including my grandmother.

My mother laughed at how ignorant people can be about history in making such a ridiculous statement.

It isn’t a coincidence that none of the Trump-Nazi comparisons are made by people who actually lived through the war. They know better.

Lenny Rodin Forest Hills

Biden good, Trump bad

Dear Editor:

Thank you, President Biden, for promoting law and order and leading us through four years of relative peace and sanity. During Biden’s presidency we had the most successful Covid recovery in the industrial world, low unemployment and lower inflation, the passage of a large infrastructure bill, challenges to monopolies and an attempt to lower prescription drug prices. President Biden cared about ordinary Americans,

while President Trump has little empathy and caters to the rich and powerful.

Biden pardoned people who did nothing wrong in order to protect them from his vindictive successor. Trump pardoned unscrupulous cronies during his first term and has now pardoned violent rioters who stormed the Capitol Building, injuring police. These people are now free to create more chaos.

Trump has issued hundreds of executive orders, many overturning Biden’s efforts, including the lowering of drug prices, safe development of artificial intelligence and environmental protection. In addition, many of the people appointed to Trump’s cabinet are inexperienced and highly questionable. Just a week into his presidency he had already taken some drastic actions, such as preventing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from issuing health warnings.

In his farewell address, President Biden warned about an emerging oligarchy and tech-industrial complex, voicing fears about the stability of American democracy. Trump claimed this will be “The Golden Age” of America. In reality we are in a “Second Gilded Age,” and can expect political corruption, lax regulation and increasing inequality. The radical Republican takeover has begun.

Just imagine what the next four years will bring.

Linda Imhauser Whitestone

releasing a first-of-its-kind report, and investing millions in the future,” Adams continued. “From tech and the green economy to life sciences and AI, the Big Apple, not Silicon Valley, is the city leading the way on the jobs that will make our city the best place to raise a family.”

Some of the commitments include promoting the city as a leading hub for AI innovation, piloting an AI literacy program at public libraries, connecting CUNY students with internship opportunities at AI startups and launching an AI Advisory Council in partnership with Tech:NYC, consisting of AI leaders and investors. Ambassadors of the council will advise the Adams’ administration on initiatives to ensure the technology supports the growth of the city’s economy across sectors and businesses, big and small.

Tech:NYC is a nonprofit representing technology companies and innovationfriendly policies, according to its website. AI and technology literacy are more important than ever before, said Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (D-Queens Village), chair of the Subcommitee on Internet and New Technology in the state Assembly.

“In this rapidly evolving digital age, children and adults alike will increasingly find themselves having to keep pace with the lat-

Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said the organization welcomes the city’s investment in AI and emerging technology.

“Thanks to our borough’s rich diversity, world-class universities, and strong transportation infrastructure, we are well positioned to benefit from this investment — tech companies and workers want to be in Queens,” said Grech via email. “Through initiatives like the Queens Tech Council and the Queens Tech Incubator Program, the Chamber has been working to lay the groundwork to make Queens a leader in the tech sector. Our incubators are home to cutting-edge companies — 70 percent of which are Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises — and we are working to expand opportunities for startups and tech talent in our borough.”

Last year, the chamber launched the Queens Innovation Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating the growth of tech businesses in Queens, with a vision of establishing the borough as the epicenter of AIdriven startups, emerging tech and innovation, said Grech.

“AI is transforming industries across the globe, and with strategic investment, Queens can become a hub for AI-powered innovation,” Grech said. “We look forward to working with the city to ensure these investments create opportunities for businesses and workers alike.” Q

Valentine’s fun for all in HB

Looking for the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day?

Whether you’re single or coupled up, the Kiwanis Club of Howard Beach invites all to a night of romance, great food and nonstop dancing at its Valentine’s Dinner Dance Party on Feb. 14, from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Roma View, located at 160-05 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach. Admission is $80 per person.

The festive evening promises a fourcourse dinner with wine, live music by premier DJ Billy and plenty of room to dance the night away. A cash bar will keep

the drinks flowing, and, best of all, your good time will support a great cause, as proceeds benefit St. Mary’s Children’s Hospital in Bayside.

More information on the hospital can be found at stmaryskids.org, and more information on the club can be found at howardbeachkiwanis.org.

All seats must be reserved and paid for in advance. Credit card, Venmo and Zelle payments are accepted. To reserve a spot, call Tommy at (718) 551-4836 or John at (516) 984-0259. Q — Kristen Guglielmo

An AI-generated image from Assemblyman Clyde Vanel’s office. IMAGE COURTESY NYS ASSEMBLY / FILE

New initiative expands language access; nonprofits to get $2 million CMs up immigrant resources amid raids

by Stephanie G. Meditz Associate Editor

The same day federal immigration officials started raids in New York last week, the City Council announced a series of programs to support immigrant communities in the five boroughs.

The lawmakers on Jan. 28 designated more than $2 million in emergency funding through the Protect NYC Families Initiative for dozens of nonprofit organizations that assist immigrant groups with resources such as legal services, helplines and Know Your Rights trainings. Among the groups slated to receive funding are Sunnyside Community Services, Queens Community House and the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens.

A City Council press release states that the additional funds will help providers expand their capacity and respond to an “overwhelming demand” for services amid a federal crackdown on illegal immigration.

The Council also announced the city’s first Community Interpreter Bank.

Organized by the New York Immigration Coalition, the Community Interpreter Bank will recruit, train and dispatch interpreters fluent in the most commonly requested languages to sites rife with resources, such as city-funded legal service providers and City Council offices. A Council press release

states that it will create opportunities for interpreter certification and employment.

“New York City is a proud city of immigrants, and we must support our city’s families from attacks by the Trump administration,” Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) said in a press release.

But the federal government says its focus is on violent lawbreakers. The New York Times reported that during last Tuesday’s raids, federal officials arrested a Mexican man in Queens who previously had been charged with attempted murder.

Mayor Adams also said in a statement last Tuesday that he directed the NYPD to work with federal agents on an operation to arrest an alleged violent criminal connected to crimes in New York and Colorado.

Still, many immigrant workers are anxious about what could come next. Documented NY reported last week that unions and workers’ centers in the city and beyond are holding Know Your Rights workshops and advising members to make emergency plans.

“As we all know, this is a time of growing uncertainty and fear for many immigrant families,” Councilwoman Sandra Ung (D-Flushing) said in a press release. “With deportations on the rise and ever-changing immigration policies, it has never been more important to ensure that our communities

FAITH TALK

Pastor

Stephen Roser

Stephen Roser is the pastor of Howard Beach Assembly of God Church

In the Parable of the Great Banquet, Jesus tells of a wealthy man who forgot the opinion of his rich friends and acted in a way that despised his previous way of doing things.

He had hosted a huge meal to promote his own importance in the community, but all the elite people he invited declined to attend, heaping shame upon him.

The shame was deep, and the anger he felt was real. Nevertheless, it did not lead to retaliation, but instead to behavior radically different from the status-conscious world of which he had been a part.

The wealthy man sent his second invitation to the poorest of the poor. They had to be forced to come to the banquet because they knew they could never return the favor.

“Those who were originally invited will have no part in my feast,” the man concluded. It was not a criticism of his

friends. They would not have wanted to share in the meal the way it was now arranged. But the heart of the host had been transformed as a result of the hypocrisy he had seen in the accepted values of the day. After all, he was at least as wealthy as those who refused his invitation, and he wanted nothing more to do with the system that empowered them.

The challenge this parable presents is a bit intimidating, but you have to start somewhere. How about just making outsiders feel like they are being included? If you are in church this coming Sunday and you see some first-time visitors, make sure you shake hands with them.

have access to the resources and protections they need.

“No one should have to live in fear because they don’t have access to information or services in their own language. No family should be forced to face deportation proceedings without the legal representation they deserve.”

But not every Council member backed the new rollout.

Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) said

on X that it is “incredible” that his fellow lawmakers can “magically find” funding for the new programs, but not other ones, citing the Veterans Initiative.

Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone) had similar thoughts, calling it “amazing” that the Council can conjure $2 million “out of thin air” for a program to “protect illegals ... in direct conflict with federal law and the overwhelming will of the voters.” Q

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams last week announced new initiatives to support immigrants, the same day federal agents started raids in the city. PHOTO BY GERARDO ROMO / NYC COUNCIL

DA: Tren de Aragua gun ring broken up

Eight arrests, two at large in year-long probe, with sales made in College

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

The Queens District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD have announced a 120-count indictment against 10 members and associates of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang for their alleged participation in a multistate gun trafficking ring.

In a joint statement, DA Melinda Katz and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the year-long undercover investigation into gun sales in Queens stretched as far as Texas and Colorado, with plans to extend into Colombia.

Authorities said 34 guns, including two AR-15 semiautomtic rifles, were seized, along with a quantity of the drug called tusi, or pink cocaine.

“As alleged, the defendants conspired to traffic and sell illegal firearms and drugs in New York City, with each defendant playing a different role in furtherance of Tren de Aragua’s agenda,” Katz said. “The geographic scope of their alleged conduct extended on a national level to include Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida, Colorado and internationally to Colombia. As a result of our investigation, 34 dangerous weapons are now off the streets, and we are dismantling this gang as it attempts to establish itself locally.”

She said 30 of the weapons obtained in 22 undercover buys were covered by the indict-

ment. The investigation began in January 2024.

“This group was very open in its dealings,” Katz said during a Jan. 29 press conference, posted on YouTube. “In one instance one of the defendants transported an AR-15 wrapped in a black garbage bag for sale in Bronx County.” She said the buy took place at 3:45 in the afternoon in broad daylight in front of a residential building.

“Five of the transactions between Oct. 30 and Dec. 10 occurred in the vicinity of the Target parking lot on 20th Avenue in College Point,” Katz said. “And by the way, the sales there were between 1 and 3:30 in the afternoon.”

“Tren de Aragua is one of the most dangerous gangs in the country, and the NYPD has taken significant action to shut down their operations in New York City,” Tisch said in the press release. “Today’s indictment makes clear that we will not let them terrorize our streets with illegal guns, assault weapons, and dangerous narcotics that threaten all our communities.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, left, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny and Jonathan Sennett, chief of the DA’s Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau, take questions following the indictment of 10 alleged gang members and gun traffickers following a year-long investigation.

PHOTO COURTESY QUEENS DISTRICT ATTORNEY

Tisch, in the press conference, made a point of thanking the undercover detectives working

Crime down since last January: NYPD

by Stephanie G. Meditz Associate Editor

Crime in the city declined in January compared to the same time last year, according to NYPD statistics.

The numbers show an overall 16.8 percent decrease in major crimes across the five boroughs last month relative to January 2024. Included in those data is a 36.4 percent drop in subway crime.

The NYPD said hundreds of officers have been reassigned to tackle crimes in the subways, optimizing deployments to cover stations with the most crime and make sure officers are on trains and platforms. Two officers patrol every overnight train between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

Mayor Adams touted the declines on Tuesday in his prepared testimony to the New York State Senate Local Government/General Government, Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees.

“Crime is down on our streets and in the subways,” Adams said. “In 2024, homicides and shootings reduced for the third consecutive year — and are both down double digits since we came into office.”

Robberies were down by 26 percent; murder by 24.2 percent; grand larcenies auto by 23.1 percent; grand larcenies by 21.7 percent; shootings by 21.5 percent; and crimes in public housing developments by 14.5 percent. Felony assaults and burglaries also decreased, by 6.9 and 3.7 percent, respectively.

“January’s crime declines are an extraordinary testament to the work of our cops,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a statement. “Every day, we are analyzing crime numbers and optimizing our deployments to put cops in zones that need them. That’s starting to deliver real results. And New Yorkers can expect more of that data-driven policing to come.”

However, the statistics also show a 40.6 percent increase in rapes, with 149 incidents reported this year as opposed to 106 last year. According to the NYPD, 88 of the reported cases occurred this year.

Police said the rise is partially explained by changes to the state’s legal definition of rape. Gov. Hochul last year signed a law redefining rape to include nonconsensual oral and anal sexual contact, as well as vaginal. Q

on the case, “whose only protection is their wit, their training and unseen backup ready to act at a moment’s notice.”

Katz’s office said the defendants “are variously charged” in the indictment with first- and third-degree criminal sale of a firearm; criminal possession of a firearm; second and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon; fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance; firstdegree attempted criminal sale of a firearm; and fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.

Pt.

Supreme Court Justice Peter Vallone, who remanded them and ordered them to return to court March 12. Brayant Aguilar was expected to be arraigned Jan. 29. Alejandro Rondon was admitted to the hospital with an unrelated medical condition and will be arraigned at a later date.

Two were apprehended out of state. Leoner Aguilera in Houston and Enyerling Zambrano in Miami will be arraigned at a later date.

Two defendants are in custody on other matters and will be arraigned at a later date. Enyerbert Blanco, the alleged ringleader, has been in custody in Florida since October after being charged in a human trafficking case involving a 15-year-old girl. Oscar Sosa is in custody in Brooklyn on an unrelated federal firearms trafficking charge.

Two defendants have yet to be apprehended.

At the press conference, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said one of the alleged gang members was picked up on a kidnapping warrant from Aurora, Colo.

“And to be clear, during yesterday’s takedown arrest, one of these perpetrators fractured the arm of one of the detectives so severely that he’s scheduled to have surgery this week,” Kenny said, adding that investigators have identified 67 Tren de Aragua members in the city.

“[W]e are going after criminals regardless of their immigration status.”

— NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch

All were charged with fourth-degree conspiracy.

Six defendants were arrested Jan. 28 and two, Wrallan Meza and Rosemary Sanchez, were arraigned the next day before state

“There are more,” he said. “But we’ve identified 67.”

Tisch, taking questions, said the arrests are not contrary to the city’s sanctuary status for immigrants..

“Our posture has not changed,” the commissioner said. “The mayor has been very clear — we are going after criminals regardless of their immigration status.” Q

Man is shot in OZP robbery

Police are investigating a robbery that occurred in Ozone Park on Sunday evening, wherein one man was injured by gunfire.

According to the authorities, it was reported to police that a 33-year-old male was approached by an unknown individual who demanded his phone and wallet in front of 74-02 97 Ave. at 10:20 p.m.

The individual displayed a firearm and discharged it at the victim, striking him in the arm and back. The victim was transported to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in stable condition.

There is no description available for the

shooter and no information as to where the individual fled. It also was not clear if the person obtained the items. There are no arrests and the investigation remains ongoing, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS (8477), or, for Spanish, 1 (888) 57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit tips by logging onto nypdcrimestoppers.com, or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and then entering TIP577, or by going to @nypdtips on X. All tips are strictly confidential. Q — Kristen Guglielmo

Martin has implemented basketball and educational programs at Rikers DOC officer receives MLK Day distinction

by Naeisha Rose Editor

For his service to people on Rikers Island, Officer J. Martin of the city Department of Correction was recognized for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Martin was honored as one of the boldest heroes on the DOC’s website on MLK Day.

The South Ozone Park officer has worked at the DOC since 2008.

“I had some mentors who were correction officers, one who was a warden,” said Martin. “They contributed to the community by being a part of the basketball league that my dad ran.”

Martin is the president of Almighty Force Basketball, a nonprofit based in South Jamaica that provides children 3 to 18 with training and competition games in the sport. His father founded the organization in 1991.

“It was great to see and it led me to doing the same.”

The league plays its games between the 106th and 113th precincts.

Martin, 42, now sees the children of DOC wardens, deputies and other officers come out to his games.

“I built rapport with them,” said Martin. “For them to bring their children to me means the world to have them there out of support.”

People interested in becoming a DOC officer have until Feb. 28 to apply for exam 5301 at shorturl.at/ jciBb.

“I had some mentors who were correction officers.”

— DOC Officer J. Martin

The DOC members’ involvement showed him that you can be a law enforcement officer and serve your community.

“Seeing those guys coaching and being refs — they let me know I will be able to become a correction officer,” said Martin.

At Rikers Island, Martin established sports, educational and job training programs.

The young people that he worked closely with over the years were from 16 to 19 years old.

A spokeswoman for the DOC said as of 2018, the agency no longer has 16 and 17-year-olds on the island.

Some of the youths are on Rikers for crimes ranging from burglaries to kidnappings and rape, said Martin.

For some, joining Martin’s basketball pro-

gram or education program, which included book clubs, rap battles and learning about art and music transformed their lives for the better, said the officer.

The youths also participated in job training that included resume writing and mock interviews.

Martin said those lessons would help prepare them for getting work outside Rikers, and many who were a part of the program became confident when speaking to others.

While the officer does not get to keep track of the former inmates, he did bump into one who went on to become a construction worker and whose 7-year-old son attends the basketball league.

When asked about controversial topics from DOC officers being accused of abusing overtime to officers roughing up prisoners to borough-based jails, Martin did not hold back.

Martin said that the DOC is severely understaffed, hence the overtime to compensate for that. During his time as an officer he has not seen any officer abuse an inmate. He also does not support borough-based jails and said he would not want one in his neighborhood.

Officer J. Martin was recognized for his work to serve youths at Rikers Island for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The South Ozone Park man also serves his local community.

When asked about whether people who are mentally ill should be at Rikers, the DOC spokeswoman said that when inmates come to the jail complex, officials can’t differentiate who in the system is not mentally sound, and the people on the island are a microcosm of the city.

Martin is going into his 17th year at DOC and said he is looking forward to continuing to serve the youths in the population. Q

Roast

STEAKS & CHOPS

SAUTÉED DISHES

PHOTO COURTESY DOC

Parks meeting gets heated in St. Albans

Old Roy Wilkins center to get update, possible 2028 opening for new one

by Naeisha Rose Editor

There was tension in the air at the Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center in St. Albans on Monday.

It quickly became standing-room-only as nearly 230 people filed in for the Southeast Queens Parks Update meeting, which became contentious as accusations were lobbed from elected officials and some members of the crowd about the existing and planned Roy Wilkins recreation centers, located at 177-01 Baisley Blvd. in St. Albans.

“I love to speak facts because the numbers speak for themselves,” said Borough President Donovan Richards. “We don’t do rhetoric, we do results. There has been a lot of misinformation disseminated around Roy Wilkins, but we are not just going to stay there tonight. We are going to make sure that we speak about the progress being made in Southeast Queens.

“Tonight is not about revisionist history. All of you are ambassadors for your parks. The parks are lungs in our community.”

As Richards told the crowd to join park friends groups and advocate on behalf of their specific green spaces, James Johnson, the advisory chair of the Southern Queens Park Association, the predominantly Black stewardship group responsible for programming at the existing center, accused the elected official of kowtowing to the Parks Department.

would not run — we could not run a facility that was not safe. ... We have to get permits by the Department of Buildings. There is no way we could run a center if it was not safe. It is our top priority always in all of our centers that they are safe for children and families.”

Donoghue said there are fire guards in place at the center and there are such personnel at 12 other centers across the city, which meets Fire Department code, and the sites are FDNY-certified because of that.

A source from SQPA, who wished to remain anonymous, said their organization was receiving fines meant for the Parks Department because of issues related to the fire safety and a staff member had to go to court to address the matter.

Councilman

A source from Parks said the fire alarm is currently functional and is monitored by fire guards.

“A ll of you are ambassadors for your parks.”

—

Borough President Donovan Richards

Johnson shouted that the sprinklers and fire panel at the existing center were not working, resulting in one member in the crowd asking if the facility is safe for children who attend summer and afterschool programs there.

“We heard that it is a major fire hazard,” the crowd member said on a postcard that was read aloud by a staff member from Richard’s office.

On whether it is safe, “Yes, yes, yes,” said Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “The children are safe. The facility is safe and we

Also, as part of Parks’ upcoming capital needs assessment, the agency will determine the work needed to have the sprinkler system repaired and have the fire alarm system registered with the FDNY.

According to the SQPA, the sprinklers have been out since 1986.

The FDNY was not available for comment as of press time.

The city Department of Buildings told the Chronicle the agency’s records do not show any recent enforcement actions or violations issued at the site or any violations related to the sprinkler or fire alarm systems.

The DOB last investigated a 311 complaint there on Dec. 31, 2024, because of construction near the Saint Albans National Cemetery, and inspectors determined the work there was being carried out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. No enforcement actions were taken because ACE is not legally required to obtain permits from the DOB for its projects.

The DOB does have the authority to potentially issue the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings violations to properties owned by other city agencies, but the court that issues penalties associated with such violations does not impose monetary penalties on city owned buildings, added the agency.

Both Johnson and another member in the crowd said the pool at the center has not been working for a month.

“The pool is not working because we have dehumidification issues,” Donoghue said.

Nearly $28 million has been allocated for the existing center, according to a slideshow from the Parks Department.

Of the $28 million, $16 million is for the pool’s filtration, locker room and bathroom.

Councilwoman Nantasha Williams (D-St. Albans) secured $10 million toward upgrades to the roof, hot water distribution and sanitary piping and a feasibility study. There is about $360,000 in procurement for the HVAC Controls Building Automation Systems and $425,000 for construction to upgrade rooftop HVAC units.

More than $19 million in completed Parks projects went to the playground, lawn, gym,

performance area, track and field, lighting, ballfield, handball and basketball courts and parking lot upgrades.

As for questions about why $140 million is going toward creating a new facility instead of fixing the existing one, Richards said the original $91 million in funding was secured from money that former Mayor Bill de Blasio withdrew from the then-proposed 116th Precinct in 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protest for police reform.

Instead of losing the funds for Southeast Queens, he teamed up with City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) and former Councilman Daneek Miller to have the monies be allocated to a new facility.

Williams, who replaced Miller to represent Council District 27, said she too asked about the funds, and was told that it would be easier to create a new community facility than to address the several infrastructure issues at the existing one.

“Sometimes it is best to build something new,” Williams said.

As for the new center, it is only in the design phase and is not expected to be completed for two and a half years. Three major Black firms are competing for the bid, said Richards. Williams said there will be public engagement on the bid process via the Department of Design and Construction in May.

“DDC is actually the entity building the community center,” said Williams.

Phil Sparacio, Parks’ chief of operations, said he is addressing flooding issues at the existing center and will update the public as soon as possible.

Williams also said that SQPA and the Parks Department did not come to a license deal as of yet about use of the new center. However, negotiations are ongoing.

Richards said SQPA and Parks are 90 percent aligned about the stewardship, but getting a license agreement is ultimately a legal process to be handled by lawyers. Q

DOT tech glitch hits Greenway Zoom meet

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

The city’s Department of Transportation asked that anyone wanting to participate in its Jan. 28 virtual meeting on the proposed Queen Waterfront Greenway project preregister.

Many who did, including the Chronicle, went to log in at the confirmed 6 p.m. start only to get a message on their screens saying the meeting was at capacity, and that no one could log in until others left.

It took the Chronicle almost an hour to join the meeting.

Others, such as Kim Cody, president of the Greater Whitestone Taxpayers Civic Association, weren’t as lucky.

“I had a commitment at 7 p.m. that evening,” Cody told the Chronicle Tuesday. “I was a little annoyed. I signed up. I registered like I was told. And on my terminal it shows, ‘We’re full.’”

The city is looking to create a walking and cycling route between Fort Totten and Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City. Last week’s Zoom meeting focused on filling in gaps between existing parks, bike lanes and other facilities, spaces that right

now might be considered inhospitable or unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians.

The meeting originally was scheduled for last Oct. 29, but was postponed after an inperson session five days earlier at the Alley Pond Environmental Center in Douglaston erupted into shouting matches, with some pushing and shoving between cycling enthusiasts and homeowners from surrounding neighborhoods worried about the potential impact of possible changes.

Cody was at that meeting, and wanted to give his input last week. A spokesman for the DOT in an email said there was a glitch.

“While we initially experienced technical difficulties, all attendees remaining in the waiting room were eventually allowed into the meeting, including [Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Whitetone)] and a member of her staff, who were both admitted to the meeting at its very beginning,” the spokesman said. “We’ve had robust turnout at all of our workshops and will work to ensure this matter is resolved for any future virtual sessions.”

He said anyone who was unable to submit feedback also can do so anytime online at tinyurl.com/42w724ud. Q

Former

Daneek Miller, left, Councilwomen Nantasha Williams and Adrienne Adams, Borough President Dononvan Richards and Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue at the SEQ Parks meeting.

PHOTO BY NAEISHA ROSE

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Overnight GCP-LIE work continuing

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

The New York State Department of Transportation is advising motorists that there will be overnight closures of the Exit 10E ramp from the eastbound Grand Central Parkway to the eastbound Long Island Expressway (I-495) in Corona on or about Monday, Jan. 13, through Friday, Jan. 31.

Closures will begin at midnight and continue through approximately 5 a.m. each morning.

To access the eastbound Long Island Expressway during the closures, motorists should take Exit 10W (I-495 West) and follow the signed detour.

Inclement weather could cause the closures to be rescheduled.

The closures are needed to facilitate work on the NYS DOT’s $14.8 million Safety and Mobility Improvements project on the eastbound Grand Central Parkway at Long Island Expressway Interchange.

Motorists are urged to slow down and drive responsibly in work zones. Fines are doubled for speeding in a work zone.

Overnight construction is continuing on the Exit 10E ramp from the eastbound Grand Central Parkway to the eastbound Long Island Expressway. IMAGE COURTESY

Convictions of two or more speeding violations in a work zone could result in the suspension of an individual’s driver license.

For up-to-date, real-time travel information, drivers should check New York State’s official traffic and travel information source by calling 511, visiting 511NY.org, or downloading the free 511NY mobile app. Q

Soft deadline for JFKR AAA program Feb. 7

York’s Aviation and Aeronautics Academy resumes on March 1

by Naeisha Rose Editor

The JFK Redevelopment Aviation and Aeronautics Academy at York College in Jamaica still has room for more students for its spring session.

The free aviation program, for scholars grades one to 12, has successfully graduated more than 1,000 students since its inception in fall 2023. The deadline to register for the upcoming session is Feb. 7, though the school is allowing some flexibility on that.

The program is from March 1 to 22, said Nazrul Khandaker, a York professor and discipline coordinator of geology at the Department of Earth Physical Sciences. The fourSaturdays-only initiative runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Students at the JFKR Aviation and Aeronautics Academy learn science, technology, engineering and mathematics — the STEM topics — in Jamaica.

ation industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 9.6 percent of all aircraft pilots and flight engineers are women, 4.4 percent are Black, 2.7 percent are Asian and 8.3 percent are Hispanic or Latino in 2024. The remaining 88.3 percent were white.

The program aligns “with JFKR’s core mission to educate, inspire and pique interest within community children,” said Khandaker via email, “and is opening the door to numerous students who should not miss out on the opportunity to immerse themselves in the fun, engaging and team-building activities.”

The academy seeks to expose youth to science, technology, engineering and math concepts related to aviation, aeronautics and airport management, along with introducing them to leadership and career opportunities in the industry, according to the school’s website.

Classes will be located at York’s academic core building, Room 2F09. To register for the program, go to york.cuny.edu/aviation-andaeronautics-academy. For more information, email jfkrstemacademy@york.cuny.edu.

The CUNY school is situated between JFK and LaGuardia airports and aims to increase the number of women and minorities in the avi-

Returning to teach the program are Pheonia Dequoy, Pauline Miles, Kyshia Hamilton, Sashi Singh, Elizabeth Moore, Annesa Jaundoo, Mahir Ahmed, Tamanna Shabnam, Cristina Russo, Andrew Singh, Philip Rebrovic, Newrence Wills, Billy Metallinos, Jim Weller and Mao Hungyu, said Khandaker. The new teachers are Arun Singh, Isaiah Jamna, Tyler Shirrekrisengee, Madi Lorenzo-Lai, Marlene Cisneros and Haley Persaud.

“Come join us again and learn about aviation, basic STEM concepts, and how you can enrich your knowledge about joining the aviation-related workforce in future,” said Khandaker. Q

PHOTO COURTESY YORK COLLEGE

Swans in HB

continued from page 4

“I know that everyone giving them food has a good intent,” Ciaramella said. “However, in the long run, you are inhibiting their ability to fend for themselves. If, as a neighborhood, we make an effort to stop putting food out, these guys will get the hint and move on with their lives the way that mother nature intended.”

One of the swans appeared particularly lethargic and has since been relocated to stay with Riekers, who has another swan she’s in the process of rehabbing called Elijah, at her home base in Broad Channel.

Phyllis Inserillo, the co-president of the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic, told the Chronicle the group will try to install signage in the affected areas, telling people to not feed the swans. On Tuesday evening, Inserillo, accompanied by Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) distributed fliers to residents in areas where the swans have appeared, warning residents to avoid feeding them alongside a QR code that links to additional information.

“As much as I would love to tell all of my new home-buyers that their Howard Beach properties will come with live performances of ‘Swan Lake,’ I know that these beautiful creatures belong in the water,” Ciaramella said. Q

Trump and congestion tolls

continued from page 2

(D-Bayside) said via email. “Repealing it after it’s already gone into effect would have a devastating impact on the entire public transit system. This funding is not for luxuries, but for essential maintenance, new subway cars, buses, accessibility upgrades, and modernizing our outdated infrastructure.

“If Trump eliminates it, he risks causing massive service disruptions, stalled improvements, and a transit system that millions of New Yorkers rely on every day grinding to a halt.”

Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows) said, “There are a lot of factors at play between the State and Federal Government right now, Congestion Pricing certainly being a point of contention. I don’t agree with President Trump on much, but I still oppose the imposition of Congestion Pricing and I’d be very pleased to see another indefinite or permanent pause on the program.

“As to the effectiveness of the tax, I still believe at the end of the day that it’s an MTA cash grab. We’re too early in the implementation process to get a full assessment of the impact — beyond how much money has been taken from driving New Yorkers.”

The congestion pricing system tolls anyone driving into Manhattan at or below 60th Street, at a rate of $9 per passenger vehicle during peak hours, and more for trucks. It

also ensnares anyone leaving Manhattan for Queens via the Ed Koch Queensborough Bridge, because those drivers have to go one block into the congestion pricing zone to catch the span at 59th Street, or two blocks to get on the upper roadway at 58th.

In other congestion pricing news, a new poll by Morning Consult found that 59 percent of registered voters in New York State want Trump to allow congestion pricing to continue. The poll surveyed 1,203 people, including 446 city residents, 236 residents of Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester or Rockland counties; and 521 residents elsewhere in the state, a representative said.

The survey found that pluralities agree the tolls have led to less traffic and faster commutes into and out of Manhattan, as well as within it. Among those who regularly commute into the tolled zone, three out of four say their trips have sped up.

However, only 27 percent of respondents statewide support the toll regime, while 47 percent oppose it, the poll said.

The MTA also put out “granular data” showing the degree to which it tracks drivers in the city and reporting information on where people are going and coming from since congestion pricing was implemented. Among the findings are that 16 percent of those entering the tolled zone come from Queens, with 24 percent from Brooklyn, 17 percent from New Jersey and 43 percent from Manhattan above 60th Street. Q

Pols endorse Rajkumar’s bid

After announcing her candidacy for New York City public advocate last week, Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) on Monday revealed several endorsements from Queens elected officials.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven), Assemblymembers David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows), Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows), Sam Berger (D-Flushing) and Councilmember Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) all voiced their support for Rajkumar’s bid.

“Jenifer Rajkumar is a champion for South Queens who is unafraid of hard work and the toughest of battles,” Addabbo said in a statement, adding that she will put results over ideology and coalition building over division.

“From public safety to quality of life to affordability, Jenifer will be laser focused on holding our government agencies accountable to deliver results for all New Yorkers,” Addabbo said.

Rajkumar is set to face incumbent Jumaane Williams in the primary election on June 24. Q — Kristen Guglielmo

Seniors see the natural world through art

Preparation for the art exhibit last week at the Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Jamaica Hills took a departure from run-of-the-mill arts and crafts activities.

“Elemental Art and More” was based on the four elements of nature — wind, water, fire and Earth — first examined in unison by the Greek philosopher Empedocles. The works were compiled from projects completed over the previous year

One of the artists, resident Jack Alkana, is a retired Manhattan public school principal. He said he did not teach art himself during his career, saying it would be a difficult task to begin with.

“You can’t learn art,” he said. “Art comes or it doesn’t come.”

Another resident, Joan, a Massachusetts native and a Boston Red Sox fan, probably would disagree, saying the staff always comes up

with interesting activities.

“But last year’s [projects] were more challenging,” she said. In the top row, artists painted the globe as printed on foil. With January commemorating the Rev. Martin Luther King’s birthday, a display just across from the globes features a tribute to the civil rights icon, complete with a resident’s portrait. At top right, Director of Public Affairs Linda Spiegel, back row left, and a staff member join artists Rachel Grossman, left, Harriet Hartman and Evelyn Friedman.

Above left, portraits and self portraits adorned a display table. At center leaf paintings served as harbingers of spring, as did a kinetic tribute to campfires. At right, Ricardo Rosa Sola, director of the Recreation Department, left, Spiegel and members of the the Recreation Team. — Michael Gannon

Valentines for Vets collection

Elected officials and community groups are teaming up to spread love to veterans this Valentine’s Day.

The Ridgewood Kiwanis 3-2-1 Club seeks donations for the New York State Veterans Home in St. Albans, joined by the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council, state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven), Councilmembers Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) and Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) and other local groups.

One may bring toiletries, candy, new underwear, T-shirts and socks to one of several locations through Feb. 10.

Drop-off sites include the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council at 59-09 Summerfield St. in Ridgewood; Holden’s office at 58-38 69 St. in Maspeth; Addabbo’s office at 66-85 73 Pl. in Middle Village; Ariola’s office at 93-06 101 Ave. in Ozone Park; and Cook’s Crafts at 80-09 Myrtle Ave. in Glendale.

Other partners are the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32, Allied Veterans, American Legion Post 104, Unit 118 Ladies Auxiliary, Ozone Park Howard Beach Woodhaven Lions Club and civics in Glendale, Ozone Park and Woodhaven. Q

DOT: Traffic deaths are down

The city Department of Transportation wants to clarify important points following media reports last week, including in the Queens Chronicle, on a new study of traffic fatalities by the advocacy group Transportation Alternatives.

While it is true that pedestrian deaths rose 21 percent in 2024 compared to 2023, the baseline figure was historically low, the agency said. In fact, 2023 saw the second-fewest pedestrian deaths on city streets since records have been kept, aside from the “pandemic outlier” year of 2020.

TransAlt said 100 pedestrians were

killed in 2023 and 121 died in 2024. The DOT did not dispute that but said in a statement, “Last year NYC DOT recorded the fewest fatalities since the onset of the pandemic, but our life-saving safety work continues because one life lost to traffic violence is one too many. This report fails to acknowledge the year-over-year decreases in pedestrian fatalities and new data around indiscriminate daylighting efforts, as well as many of the vital efforts NYC DOT is already undertaking to address these trends.”

Q

— Peter C. Mastrosimone

PHOTOS BY MARK WEIDLER

Take action for your heart: Get started

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, but it can often be prevented. Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help you reduce the risk of heart disease and its risk factors. Take action to protect your heart by following these tips.

Get enough quality sleep

Lack of sleep or getting poor-quality sleep increases the risk of having high blood pressure, heart disease, and other medical conditions.

• Try to aim for 7-9 hours of sleep a night.

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.

• Exercise regularly, but not within 2-3 hours before bedtime.

• Avoid caffeine and nicotine.

Eat better

A flexible and balanced eating plan can help lower your high blood pressure and improve your cholesterol.

• Follow the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension eating plan, which can help you create a heart-healthy eating style for life.

• Read nutrition labels to pick the food lowest in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars.

• Try a mix of lean cuts of meat, eat fish once or twice a week, and eat two or more meatless meals each week.

• Consider whole fruits, dried fruits, unsalted rice cakes, fat-free and low-fat yogurt, or raw vegetables as a snack.

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Maintain a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for overall health and can help you prevent and control many diseases and conditions.

• Choose healthy snacks like fruits, vegetables, yogurt, or nuts, instead of sugary or high-calorie snacks.

• Stay hydrated with water as your primary beverage.

• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking) or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity (like running) exercise per week.

• Consider keeping a log of what you eat throughout the day.

Be more active

Getting enough physical activity helps to lower your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Control cholesterol

Unhealthy levels of cholesterol can lead to high cholesterol, which increases the risk of developing heart disease.

• Try the Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Program which combines diet, physical activity, and weight management to help lower high blood cholesterol and improve heart health.

• Eat a heart-healthy diet that is low in saturated fats, as these can raise LDL cholester-

• Adults should spend at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) each week doing physical activity.

• Sit less! Take the stairs. Park farther away. March in place or take a walk around the block.

• Try muscle-strengthening activities like lifting weights, working with resistance bands, doing sit-ups and push-ups, or some forms of yoga— whatever works for you.

• If you don’t have a lot of time in your day, try being active for 10 minutes at a time.

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Stop smoking

Any amount of smoking, even light or occasional smoking, damages your heart and blood vessels.

• Select a quit date and write yourself a contract that outlines your plan for quitting.

• Talk with your healthcare provider about programs and products that can help you quit.

• Join a support group. Many hospitals, workplaces, and community groups offer classes to help people quit smoking.

• Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking too much alcohol—more than two drinks a day for men or one drink a day for women—can raise your total cholesterol level.

Manage stress

Learning how to manage stress with healthy coping strategies helps improve your emotional and physical health.

• Use relaxation techniques that combine breathing and focused attention on pleasing thoughts and images to calm the mind and body.

• Consider meditation, as it can help to lower stress.

• Take a yoga class to help lower stress and improve mindfulness. It may also offer you a supportive communit y

• Call 1–800–QUIT–NOW and visit smokefree.gov to get additional support.

Manage blood sugar

• Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial for heart health, especially for people with diabetes or those at risk of developing diabetes.

• Eat a diet rich in whole foods, including vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

• Monitor your carbohydrate intake and choose complex carbohydrates, like whole grains and legumes, to help control blood sugar levels.

• Talk to your healthcare provider about how often you should check your blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes.

Control blood pressure

Keep your blood pressure in a healthy range and keep track of your numbers. Blood pressure that’s consistently higher than 130/80 mm Hg can

continued on next page

Get your Social Security Benefit Statement online

by Lizbeth Portalatin-Perez

Tax season is here, and we’ve made replacing your annual Benefit Statement easier. There’s no need to wait on the phone or make an appointment to visit a Social Security office.

The Social Security Benefit Statement is also known as the SSA-1099 or the SSA1042S. It is a tax form we mail to you every January if you receive Social Security benefits. It shows the total amount of benefits you received in the previous year, so you know how much Social Security income to report to the IRS on your tax return.

Supplemental Security Income payments aren’t taxed. If SSI is the only payment you receive from us, we won’t send you a Benefit Statement.

If you misplace your SSA-1099/SSA-1042S or you didn’t receive the form in January, you can get a replacement online by signing in to your personal “my Social Security” account.

Select the “Replace Your Tax Form SSA1099/SSA-1042S” link. Go to the “Choose a year” dropdown menu. Choose from any of the past 6 years for which benefits were paid and select the “Download” link.

A replacement for the most recent tax year will be available beginning February 1.

You can instantly view and print your SSA1099/SSA-1042S. If you don’t have access to a printer, you can save each document on your computer or laptop or email it.

You can easily create a personal my Social Security account if you don’t have one.

If you’re a noncitizen and you received or repaid Social Security benefits last year, we will mail you form SSA-1042S. If you live outside the U.S. and need a replacement form, you can create your personal “my Social Security” account with an ID.me credential. If you cannot create an account and you live abroad, please contact your Federal Benefits Unit to

For a healthy heart

continued from previous page

cause serious health problems.

• Have your blood pressure checked each time you visit the doctor.

• Use a blood pressure monitor to measure your blood pressure at home and learn how to measure it correctly.

• Use a blood pressure tracker to keep a record of your numbers each reading.

• If you’re pregnant or planning to be, it’s especially important to keep your blood pressure in a healthy range.

request your SSA-1042S.

If you do not have access to the internet or cannot create an account, you have the option to use our automated phone services to request a replacement SSA-1099/SSA-1042S (if you live in the U.S.) The form is available afte r January 31. Our automated services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling 1-800-772-1213. When you hear “How can I help you today?” say “1099.”

If a beneficiary died before the end of last year or before they received their SSA-1099, we will mail the form to the last address on their record. The form is used to file any final tax return, if necessary.

To learn more about this topic, visit:

• Income Taxes and Your Social Security Benefit.

• Withholding Income Tax From You r Social Security Benefits.

• IRS Publication 915 (2024), Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits.

Please share this information with family, friends, and others who may need it — and post it on social media. P

Lizbeth Portalatin-Perez is the Directo r for the Division of Strategic Communications at the Social Security Administration.

close relationships, and feeling connected to others makes it easier to stick to hearthealthy habits.

• Try to do at least one positive action for your heart health each day.

Practice self-care & find social support

Daily acts of self-care can benefit your heart because self-care is heart care. Studies show that having positive social support,

• Make the doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off.

• Ask family and friends to text you reminders or encouragement to help you meet your health goals.

• Join an exercise class or a weight management group to connect with other likeminded people and stay motivated.

For more information about how you can take action to keep your heart healthy, visit hearttruth.gov P

National Institute of Health’s National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute — nhlbi.nih.gov.

A reflection

Saturday Spilling the tea for free at King Manor

of Jane

Austen’s legacy ahead of 250th birthday,

by Naeisha Rose Editor

Imaginists, the outreach wing of an arts nonprofit, The Holy Theatre, and the Global Mosaic Foundation, a supporter of theaters around the world, have teamed up to alight at King Manor Museum in Jamaica Saturday, Feb. 8, from 12 to 4 p.m.

The “Tea and Scandal with Jane Austen” program will include making the aforementioned brew, crafting and a reading, along with a presentation on the life of the illustrious author, who was born nearly 250 years ago, and her impact on literature.

The author was born Dec. 16, 1775.

Members of the Imaginists will wear period costumes, and they encourage attendees to wear their own and to bring quiet handcrafts (embroidery, knitting, etc.) or to use supplies the group will provide. They also expect photo opportunities at the manor’s drawing room.

More information is at tinyurl. com/2tcp7dew. The event is listed as sold out, but people can drop in.

Aside from the open house at the historic museum, located at 150-03 Jamaica Ave., there will be a read-aloud of Austen’s novella “Lady Susan” and attendees will learn how to make Regency-style valentines via handcrafts.

From 2 to 2:30 p.m., guests will get a hands-on demonstration of Regency tea-mak-

ing from The Holy Theatre board member and historian Lena Yasutake, who will present the “Miss Austen Spills the Tea” program, using her collection of antique and reproduction tools and accessories. Yasutake, a retired educator, will also discuss the role of tea, etiquette and gossip in the author’s novels and letters.

She also will speak about the legacy of Austen and reflect on her own relationship with the author’s work as a multiracial Black woman and devoted fan.

“I came to Jane Austen in an unconventional route,” Yasutake told the Chronicle. “I was introduced through ‘Clueless,’ an adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Emma.’”

“It really reached me effectively as a teenager,” said Yasutake, who would go on to seek out the source material.

Yasutake said that some of Austen’s protagonists didn’t fit into Eurocentric concepts of beauty and were often complimented by their male suitors for having tanned skin at a time when it was not the norm.

“Often, she takes time to describe her heroines as being brown,” said Yatsutake. “Marianne was very brown.”

Marianne is one of the protagonists in the 1811 novel “Sense and Sensibility.”

Sarah Rose Kearns, the co-coordinator of the Jane Austen Society of North America’s New York Metropolitan Region chapter, is the founder of The Holy Theatre.

Kearns had a similar event at King Manor in early 2020 before the pandemic and is excited to come back. As for the reading choice, she wanted to highlight a book from the author’s catalogue not often discussed.

“’Lady Susan’ is one of Austen’s lesserknown works,” said Kearns via text. “It has the advantage of being relatively short — a novella that you could devour in one sitting. It’s also a little more risqué than her big six novels; it often surprises people that Jane Austen as a young woman wrote an antihero story about a ‘female rake’ like Lady Susan Vernon.” Q

B SPORTS EAT

No love for Jets ex Rex

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

The New York Jets hired their former cornerback Aaron Glenn to be their latest head coach last Monday. Glenn was the defensive coordinator for one of the NFL’s best teams, the Detroit Lions, the last four years. He was on many teams’ head coaching candidate lists, so it is hard to question Jets CEO Woody Johnson for hiring him.

Former Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan, who is now a panelist on ESPN’s Sunday “NFL Countdown” show, made no secret of his desire to return to his old job. The Jets, who fired Ryan at the end of the 2014 season, did interview him last month, but it was more out of courtesy than interest.

What I found strange was the animus Ryan faced from many in the media. That certainly had to have influenced Johnson’s decision-making. Say what you will about Ryan’s coaching. From a media standpoint, he was golden. His press conferences were entertaining, and he was not afraid to provide controversial quotes. That was a breath of fresh air in a world where coaches loathe to say anything that can be used as bulletin board fodder by a rival organization. Ryan loved to predict how his teams were going to kick the opposition’s butt. That was not always the case, but it was fun to hear. His boasts certainly drove up ratings for CBS when the Jets

made back-to-back appearances in the AFC Championship Game in 2009 and 2010. As Jets fans are painfully aware, their team has not had a playoff game in the past 14 years.

Tom Brady returns to the Super Bowl Sunday, but this time as a Fox Sports broadcaster instead of a quarterback. While he showe d improvement as an analyst working with playby-play partner and former SNY Mets field reporter Kevin Burkhardt, he rarely provided the insights and wit that Burkhardt’s longtime partner, former NFL tight end Greg Olsen, did. That may be due to the fact that Brady, who is also a minority owner in the Las Vegas Raiders, is not allowed to meet with personnel from other teams and is also prohibited from criticizing the officiating.

Sunday’s Super Bowl is a rematch from 2023 as the Philadelphia Eagles will be looking to get even with the Kansas City Chiefs. As much as I would like for that to happen, it is hard to go against Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. He and the Chiefs remind me of a Hulk Hogan WWE championship wrestling match in the late ’80s and early ’90s. For the entire bout, Hogan would get the stuffing knocked out of him by his opponent. As the match was less than a minute away from its scheduled ending, Hogan would inevitably find a way to pin his rival. Q

See the extended version of Sports Beat every week at qchron.com.

York duo awarded CUNY top weekly player, rookie

Following a season-opening victory, two York College volleyball players earned a pair of accolades Monday when CUNYAC announced its weekly awards for men’s volleyball matches played Jan. 27 to Feb. 2.

David Heyliger Jr. was named Player of the Week, while Sebastian Gomez won Rookie of the Week honors.

This marked the first time since 2016 that York swept the two weekly awards.

Playing in his fourth season at York, Heyliger recorded a game-high 20 kills on 32 attacks, for a .375 hitting percentage,

along with one ace and seven digs in a four-set win versus CCNY. The Cardinals also faced Sarah Lawrence College during the week, in a game in which he contributed 11 kills and eight digs.

Gomez was incredible in his debut against CCNY and against Sarah Lawrence. Versus CCNY, the Flushing native tallied 10 kills, served a team-high five aces and contributed eight digs across four sets. Against Sarah Lawrence, the rookie powered home a team-leading 16 kills and added five digs to his stat line. Q

York College’s David Heyliger Jr., left, and Sebastian Gomez were named CUNYAC’s men’s volleyball Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, on Monday. PHOTOS COURTESY YORK ATHLETICS

Sarah Rose Kearns, left, and Lena Yasutake, both of The Holy Theatre, will lead a celebration of Jane Austen at King Manor Museum in Jamaica on Feb. 8.

PHOTO COURTESY ANNA YASUTAKE; PORTRAIT BY CASSANDRA AUSTEN, JAMES ANDREWS AND WILLIAM HOME LIZARS, VIA JANE AUSTEN SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICA

by Allison Plitt

February 6, 2025 6, 2025

ARTS, CULTURE & LIVING

While the temperature outside is chilly, the artists of Studio 41, a Queens-based collective in Long Island City, invite the public to warm up inside their gallery and view their 2025 Winter Exhibition.

Because this group of artists works in diverse mediums, the artwork on display includes paintings, ceramics, sculpture and other artisanal items that are affordable to the public and appealing to collectors.

Studio 41 co-founders Dianne Martin and Nancy Gesimondo present their own creations alongside the work of other artists in the collective, who include Casey Concelmo, Katie Marie Frank, Amy Geller, Shelia Ross, James Seffens, Sheila Ross and Violet Baxter.

The most acclaimed work on display is Martin’s “July Tree,” which was selected for the Salmagundi Art Club’s 127th Anniversary Exhibition.

“It’s a combination of many things,” Martin said of the piece. “It’s a monotype one-of-a-kind print. I use real leaves from my garden on the printing press. There’s some collage. I also etch out the detail with a hard, graphite pencil.”

Gesimondo has on exhibit a series of mixed-media assemblages using mostly items she discovered in nature. She reflected, “I like to join things that would not normally be together to create some sort of surreal image. The objects on display are found in different parts of the world.”

Artist Katie Marie Frank presents a sequence of pieces, some of which were purchased by a collector at the opening reception, though they remain on display. According to Frank, the series is entitled “Persephone” after the Greek mythological goddess of life and death. Since all the objects in Frank’s artwork were found on the grounds of her family’s home in Indiana, she is bringing back to life discarded pieces of pottery and glass, as well as found natural elements such as milkweed pods and floss.

Another prolific artist in the group, Amy Geller, has contributed a group of abstract paintings that cover an entire wall of the exhibit. In addition, she has

King Crossword Puzzle

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

Roy Eldridge blew his trumpet loud in St. Albans

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

David Roy Eldridge was born in Pittsburgh on Jan. 30, 1911, the second and youngest son of Alex and Blanche Eldridge. Blanche, a pianist, could play music by ear, a talent that young “Roy” claimed he inherited from her. He was on the piano by age 5, but found the trumpet his life’s calling. Count Basie himself said his trumpet playing was the best he ever heard. Eldridge played in many bands. He married Viola Barnett in 1936, and they had one child, Carol. In 1941 he was hired to play in Gene Krupa’s band. From 1944 to ’45 he moved over to Artie Shaw’s group. Being the sole black musician in each group, he endured racism when he could not eat in restaurants with his fellow musicians when out on the road. Embittered, he decided to move to France and play with Benny Goodman’s group. Eldridge returned to the United States in the early ’50s and bought a charming home at 194-19 109 Ave. in St Albans in 1957. He continued to perform until suffering a heart attack in 1980. His wife of 53 years, Viola, died on Feb. 1, 1989. In mourning, he stopped eating and died only weeks later on Feb. 26, 1989 at age 78. His music is still enjoyed by new generations today. Q

The home of jazz trumpet legend Roy Eldridge at 194-19 109 Ave. in St. Albans, as it looked in the 1950s when he lived there. INSET

PHOTO BY WILLIAM P. GOTTLIEB VIA WIKIPEDIA

Culture Lab LIC puts faces to names and places

by Stephanie G. Meditz associate editor

This Black History Month, visitors at Culture Lab LIC can learn about the people behind the names borne by many Queens landmarks.

From Helen Marshall to Jam Master Jay of Run DMC, significant figures in Black history and their ties to the world’s borough are being celebrated on the gallery’s walls in “The People Behind the Names: Black History in Queens” through March 2.

The free exhibition was curated by the Queens Memory Project, a community-led archiving program and collection of oral history co-administered by the Queens Public Library and Queens College. The exhibition is tied to its Queens Name Explorer project, which maps out sites in the borough named after people and invites the public to share memories of their own.

“The People Behind the Names” displays portraits of people tied to specific neighborhoods and eras, from the 1800s through recent decades. To learn more about the life and legacy of a person on display, guests may scan a QR code to access additional information.

“I know I learned a lot as we were hanging the show,” Culture Lab LIC’s events and marketing director, Dawn DeVito, said. “I

was like, oh wow, I didn’t know all these people were from Queens.”

Queens Memory Project interim director

Meral Agish said that while the exhibit includes some famous figures, others with compelling stories may not be well-known outside their immediate neighborhoods.

The corner of 90th Street and Corona Avenue is named for the Rev. James Pennington. Upon reading his profile, visitors can learn that Pennington was born into slavery in Maryland, became an expert

blacksmith and carpenter through self-education, escaped to Pennsylvania through the Underground Railroad and eventually came to New York.

He was the first Black student to attend Yale Divinity School, later returning to Newtown, now Elmhurst, to lead a church.

He also officiated the wedding of renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

“This is an era that we may not always connect to Queens, but you think about all the different people who have inhabited

Queens, who have created incredible lives in this borough, and we wanted to highlight some of those stories,” Agish said.

She hopes the exhibition inspires visitors not only to learn more about the people featured in the gallery, but to use the Name Explorer to see other figures who have had major impacts on the borough.

Attendees also may contribute to the preservation of history themselves. Using an interactive map of the borough, visitors can write the names of people they would like to see honored with future landmarks.

DeVito said the map was nearly full by the end of the opening reception last Thursday, Jan. 30.

“There are so many people who have had remarkable lives and some of them are commemorated and, of course, many of them are not,” Agish said. “So by having that interactive activity alongside the gallery exhibition, we want to invite people to think about, who would you want to see commemorated in the future?

Culture Lab LIC also will host a free workshop this Sunday, Feb. 9, in partnership with Queens Memory, at which attendees will create a poetic map inspired by sites in Corona named for and visited by jazz icon Louis Armstrong. To RSVP, one may visit tinyurl.com/bdepeaw7. Q

Deep textures and contexts to match at Studio 41

continued from page 27

two more representational works on display called “Pink Sky,” on which she remarked, “These are more landscape-inspired than my other works. I often work with an unlimited palette of colors to create a certain mood.”

Painter James Seffens has created an enamel-on-wood piece called “Apple Blossoms and Storm Clouds,” which is a reinterpretation of a famous 19th-century work.

“This painting is based upon on an older

artwork by the artist Martin Johnson Heade called ‘Hummingbird and Apple Blossoms,’” Seffens said. “I find his work very compelling because of these amazing contrasts. It was a learning experience to try to use somebody else’s color combinations and ideas. All the time I was working, I wasn’t even sure if the blossoms would stand out against the dark background, but they appear.”

Finding inspiration from everyday life, artist Casey Concelmo brings to the group show two paintings from a sequence called “The Unfortunate Series.”

Concelmo’s paintings stem from his experiences living in a New York City apartment. One depicts a woman shivering in a cold shower, while the other shows a huge hole in a bathroom ceiling.

“I was trying to embrace the experience rather than be mad about it,” he said.

Artist Shelia Ross has on exhibit a collection of ceramics that includes pots, bowls, and cups. Ross even created ceramic sculptures that hang on the wall like paintings.

Talking about her unique artistic process, Ross said, “I roll the pieces out as white stoneware or porcelain. This is a flat surface that I can work on and render imagery — be

it semi-abstract or abstract. It’s fun because I can alter their form a little bit. It doesn’t have to be rectilinear or square. It can be an irregular shape.”

The exhibit will be on display until April

27. The gallery, located at 27-15 41 Ave., is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 pm. Admission is free. More information about Studio 41, its members and events is online at studio41lic.com. Q

Visitors at Culture Lab LIC through March 2 can suggest people they would like to see honored with a landmark using an interactive map.

PHOTO COURTESY CULTURE LAB LIC

James Seffens with his “Apple Blossoms and Storm Clouds,” left; Katie Marie Frank with works in her “Persephone” series; and Nancy Gesimondo’s untitled mixed media assemblage — all on display at Studio 41. On the cover: Pieces by Casey Concelmo, Amy Geller, Dianne Martin and Sheila Ross.

PHOTOS BY NANCY GESIMONDO, LEFT AND CENTER, AND COURTESY THE ARTISTS

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NOTICE OF SALE

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PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that in accordance with applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in New York, by virtue of certain Event(s) of Default under that certain Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of September 30, 2021 (the “Pledge Agreement”), executed and delivered by Jie Li (the “Pledgor”), and in accordance with it rights as holder of the security, SSA NE Assets LLC (the “Secured Party”), by virtue of possession of that certain Share Certificate held in accordance with Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York (the “Code”) and by virtue of those certain UCC-1 Filing Statement made in favor of Secured Party, all in accordance with Article 9 of the Code, Secured Party will offer for sale, at public auction, (i) all of Pledgor’s right, title, and interest in and to the following: 2018 LILIN Realty LLC (the “Pledged Entity”), and (ii) certain related rights and property relating thereto (collectively, (i) and (ii) are the “Collateral”). Secured Party’s understanding is that the principal asset of the Pledged Entity is that certain fee interest in real property commonly known as 63-86 Wetherole Street, Rego Park, New York 11374 (the “Property”). Maltz Auctions (“Maltz”), under the direction of Richard B. Maltz or David A. Constantino (the “Auctioneer”), will conduct a public sale consisting of the Collateral (as set forth in Schedule A below), via virtual bidding, on February 13, 2025 at 12:30pm , in satisfaction of an indebtedness in the approximate amount of $$500,000.00, including principal plus interest, and reasonable fees and costs, plus default interest through February 13, 2025, subject to open charges and all additional costs, fees and disbursements permitted by law. The Secured Party reserves the right to credit bid. Online bidding will be made available for pre-registered bidders via Maltz's online bidding App available for download in the App Store or on Google play and via desktop bidding at remotebidding.maltzauctions.com.

Bidder Qualification Deadline: February 12, 2025 by 4:00 pm. Executed Terms & Conditions of Sale along with ten (10%) of Bidders intended bid amount (to be submitted via wire transfer ) are required for consideration by any interested party and submitted directly to Maltz. Requests for wiring instructions should be sent to rmaltz@maltzauctions.com.

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that in accordance with applicable provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted in New York, by virtue of certain Event(s) of Default under that certain Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of April 29, 2022 (the Pledge Agreement”), executed and delivered by Michael A. Ali (the “Pledgor”), and in accordance with it rights as holder of the security, SSA NE Assets LLC (the “Secured Party”), by virtue of possession of that certain Share Certificate held in accordance with Article 8 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York (the “Code”) and by virtue of those certain UCC-1 Filing Statement made in favor of Secured Party, all in accordance with Article 9 of the Code, Secured Party will offer for sale, at public auction, (i) all of Pledgor’s right, title, and interest in and to the following: 130-43 129 St Holding Corp. (the “Pledged Entity”), and (ii) certain related rights and property relating thereto (collectively, (i) and (ii) are the “Collateral ”). Secured Party’s understanding is that the principal asset of the Pledged Entity is that certain fee interest in real property commonly known as 130-43 129th Street, Ozone Park, New York 11420 (the “ Property ”). Maltz Auctions (“Maltz”), under the direction of Richard B. Maltz or David A. Constantino (the “Auctioneer”), will conduct a public sale consisting of the Collateral (as set forth in Schedule A below), via virtual bidding, on February 13, 2025 at 12:00pm in satisfaction of an indebtedness in the approximate amount of $400,000.00, including principal plus interest, and reasonable fees and costs, plus default interest through February 13, 2025, ssubject to open charges and all additional costs, fees and disbursements permitted by law. The Secured Party reserves the right to credit bid. Online bidding will be made available for pre-registered bidders via Maltz's online bidding App available for download in the App Store or on Google play and via desktop bidding at at remotebidding.maltzauctions.com.

Bidder Qualification Deadline: February 12, 2025 by 4:00 pm. Executed Terms & Conditions of Sale along with ten (10%) of Bidders intended bid amount (to be submitted via wire transfer) are required for consideration by any interested party and submitted directly to Maltz. Requests for wiring instructions should be sent to rmaltz@maltzauctions.com.

SCHEDULE A Pledged Interest

PLEDGOR Michael A. Ali ISSUER 130-43 129 St Holding Corp., a New York corporation

INTERESTS PLEDGED

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, GITSIT SOLUTIONS, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. 815 BAY 25 CORP., ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on March 7, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on February 21, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 815 a/k/a 8-15 Bay 25th Street, Far Rockaway, NY 11691. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 15733 and Lot 1. Approximate amount of judgment is $669,416.04 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #719169/2022. Arthur N. Terranova, Esq., Referee Friedman Vartolo LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff Firm File No.: 244281-3

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT: QUEENS COUNTY. CHONDRITE REO, LLC (5), Pltf., vs. EXCELLENT DEVELOPMENT I LLC., et al, Defts. Index #707851/2019. Pursuant to judgment of foreclosure and sale entered March 27, 2024, I will sell at public auction on the front steps of the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY on March 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. prem. k/a 87-34 169th Street, Jamaica, NY 11432 a/k/a Block 9841, Lot(s) 46 and 48. Approx. amt. of judgment is $1,088,825.35 plus costs and interest. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed judgment and terms of sale. LAMONT RAMSAY BAILEY, Referee. DEUTSCH & SCHNEIDER, LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 79-37 Myrtle Avenue, Glendale, NY. File No. LF-108- #102061

9013 LAUNDROMAT LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/02/2025. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 90-13 Jamaica Ave., Woodhaven, NY 11421. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

154-71 BROOKVILLE

INVESTORS LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/30/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 180 Maiden Ln, Ste 901, NY, NY 10038. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice is hereby given that an On-Premise Restaurant Liquor License, NYS Application ID: NA 0340-24-133492 has been applied for by Jameson’s 421 Corp d/b/a Jameson’s Pub serving beer, wine, cider and liquor to be sold at retail for on premises consumption in a restaurant, for the premises located at 421 Beach 129th Street Belle Harbor, NY 11694.

C M SQ page 32 Y K

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff, vs. MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC., ACTING SOLELY AS A NOMINEE FOR COUNTRYWIDE BANK, FSB, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 16, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on February 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 10607 177th Street, Jamaica, NY 11433. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 10334 and Lot 6. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,274,777.57 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #701502/2021. Lawrence M. Litwack, Esq., Referee Vallely Law PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Formation of MGN 137-35 91ST AVE, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/13/25. Office location: Queens County. Princ. office of LLC: 1074 Grand St., Brooklyn, NY 11211. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

HEARING NOTICE

The New York City Board of Standards and Appeals has scheduled a hybrid public hearing on the following application on February 10th or February 11th, 2024: BSA Cal. No. 2024-41-BZ Premises: 105-39 Cross Bay Boulevard, Queens - Block 9163, Lot 71 Variance (§72-21) to permit the development of an eating and drinking establishment with an accessory drive-through contrary to ZR §2210. R4A zoning district. Applicant: Eric Palatnik, P.C. An agenda listing the specific session (including the final date and time) with call-in details will be posted as an announcement on the front page of the Board’s website (www.nyc.gov/bsa) the Friday before.

The hybrid public hearing will be livestreamed on the Board’s website and on YouTube. Interested persons or associations may watch online and call in to present testimony during the public hearing. Please see the Board’s Virtual Hearing Guides located at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/bsa/public-hearings/public-hearings.page

The public hearing will be conducted as a “hybrid” public hearing,” during which the Commissioners will meet in person at the Board’s office in Manhattan and also appear virtually on live-streamed YouTube and on an interactive Zoom Webinar. Applicants and the public may attend in person or participate remotely by calling into the Zoom Webinar and watching the YouTube livestream. The in-person portion of the hearing will take place at 22 Reade Street, 1st Floor, Spector Hall, New York, NY 10007. Anyone wishing to attend the hearing in person must present identification and go through a security checkpoint upon arrival into the building. Details for the hearing will be posted on the Board’s website the Friday before the hearing. Persons who request that a language interpreter or a sign language interpreter or any other form of reasonable accommodation for a disability be provided at any of the scheduled hearings must notify Toni Matias, Deputy Director of the Board of Standards and Appeals, at 212-386-0085 or tmatias@bsa.nyc,gov at least 10 days before the hearing date. In the interest of accommodating social distancing with limited seating capacity and to address ongoing health concerns, members of the public are strongly encouraged to participate in the hearing remotely. You may submit a written statement by using the “Public Comment form” on the Board’s website located at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/bsa/contact-bsa/public-comments.page

For any communication, please include or refer to BSA Calendar No. 2024-41-BZ and the property address: 105-39 Cross Bay Boulevard, Queens - Block 9163, Lot 71. To coordinate review of the application materials, inquire about continued hearing dates and/or assistance, please contact the Board office at (212) 386-0009.

Notice of Formation of CILLCEARN LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/03/2024 Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: LIAM KEARNEY, 37-05 30TH ST, APT 421, NEW YORK, NY 11101. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Family Policy Insights, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/03/2025. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Laurie C. Maldonado 110-55 72nd Road, Apt #105 Forest Hills, NY 11375 Purpose: Any lawful act or activity which LLC may be organized under the NY LLC Law.

Real Estate

HOUSING. Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, familial status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate. Queens Chronicle does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination call the Open Housing Center (the Fair Housing Agency for the five boroughs of New York) at 212-941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 718722-3131.

The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.

Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, Center Hall Colonial. 50x100 lot. Generous yard, 3/4 BRs, 3 full baths, walk-in closets in 3 BRs. Lg kitchen w/sliding doors to yard. Fin bsmnt w/high ceilings. Det gar in yard. Asking $1,399,000. Connexion Real Estate 718-845-1136

Ozone Park (on Crossbay Blvd), MIX USE PROPERTY. Great Investment Property! Vacant store front, full bsmnt, 2 BR apt on top fl. Asking $799K. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

Old Howard Beach, Sat 2/8, 11:30am-1pm, 162-38 98 St. Cape w/full finished basement on 40x100 lot. $899K. Brina Ciaramella, Sovereign Realty, 917-257-1584.

Old Howard Beach, Sun 2/9, 12pm-1:30pm, 101-11 158 Ave. Cape w/separate walk-in level on 40x100 lot. $810K. Brina Ciaramella, Sovereign Realty, 917-257-1584

Howard Beach, elegant brick custom Colonial, 4 BR, 4.5 baths, master BR w/en-suite& 2 BRs w/full baths. Custom KIT, LR, FDR, den. Full finished bsmnt, sep ent, paved yard with IGP w/jacuzzi. Price Improvement Asking $1,390,000. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

Classified Ad Deadline is 12 Noon on Tuesday for Thursday’s paper.

Legal Notices

Notice of Formation of IMAGINARY FINISH LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/29/25. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Purpose: Any lawful activity

Notice of Formation of New Dawn Mental Health Counseling PLLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 1/3/25. Office location: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: 5027 103rd St, Corona, NY 11368, fcastillo@mhpwq.org. Purpose: practice the profession of mental health counseling.

Notice of Formation of PHAROAH’S FEAST LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/05/2024 Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: OSAMA ABDELAZIZ, 24-47 85TH STREET, EAST ELMHURST, NY 11370. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

PZ REALTY HOLDINGS, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/23/2025. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Peter Zuccarello, 148-29 Cross Island Pkwy, Whitestone, NY 11357. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Buy Houses for Cash AS IS! No repairs. No Fuss. Any condition. Easy three step process: Call, get

Legal Notices

TAKETWO SERVICES, LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/13/2024. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 2110 33rd Street 8B, Astoria, NY 11106. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

THE PRINCE COMMERCIAL HOLDING LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/21/2025. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Jia Shu Xu, 112-15 Northern Blvd., #2, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Howard Beach. Room for Rent. All Utilities Included. Close to transportation and shopping. $250 per week plus security deposit. Please call: 718-772-6127

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS. WILMINGTON

SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER

TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF ANTLR MORTGAGE TRUST 2021RTL 1, Plaintiff -against- MESSIAH, INC., et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated December 6, 2024 and entered on December 10, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., in Courtroom # 25, Jamaica, NY on March 7, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, known and designated as Block 13185 Lot 45 Said premises known as 13916 230TH PLACE, LAURELTON, NY 11413 Approximate amount of lien $498,175.58 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 722421/2022. MARTHA TAYLOR, ESQ., Referee Pincus Law Group, PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza, Uniondale, NY 11556

Notice of Formation of IH EGC II LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 1/23/25. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o Infinite Horizons, LLC, 142-05 Rockaway Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11436. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice is hereby given that an On-Premise Restaurant Liquor License, NYS Application ID: NA 0340-25-102250 has been applied for by SodexoMagic, LLC serving beer, wine, cider and liquor to be sold at retail for on premises consumption in a restaurant with two additional bars, for the premises located at Terminal 4, Space #419.300, JFK International Airport Jamaica, NY 11430.

Legal Notices Legal Notices

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

DIVISION OF BRIDGES

CONSULTANT PROGRAMS

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices

The City of New York has Request for Proposals available for qualified Consulting Engineering Firms interested in the following Proposed Contract.

Project or Contract Title:

Request for Proposal – Inspection Services at Asphalt and Concrete Plants, Citywide (Including the Immediate Vicinity), Contract No. HBCD015, PIN: 84125MBBR700

Expected Contract Term: 1095 Consecutive Calendar Days from the Date of Written Notice to Proceed.

Description of Services Required:

The services to be procured is the Inspection Services at Asphalt and Concrete Plants, Citywide (Including the Immediate Vicinity).

A Pre-Proposal Conference (Optional) has been scheduled for February 18, Time: 10:00 AM through Zoom. Proposers who wish to attend the virtual meeting can access by using the Link provided in the “Prepare RFX” Section - SETUP Tab - Pre-Proposal/Pre-Bid Conference Section in PASSPort.

This Procurement is subject to participation goals for Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBEs), as required by Section 6-129 of the New York Administrative Code. The M/WBE goal for this project is 30%.

This Request for Proposals (RFP) is released through PASSPort, New York City’s online procurement portal. Responses to this RFP must be submitted via PASSPort. To access the RFP, vendors should visit the PASSPort public Portal https://www.nyc.gov/site/mocs/passport/about-passport.page and click on the “Search Funding Opportunities in PASSPort” blue box. Doing so will take one to the public portal of all procurements in the PASSPort system. To quickly locate the RFP, insert the EPIN, 84125P0003, into the Keyword search field. In order to respond to the RFP, vendors must create an account within the PASSPort system if they have not already done so.

Release Date: February 10, 2025

Pre-Proposal Conference: February 18, 2025, at 10 AM

Submission of Request for Proposals are due on or before 2:00 PM on March 10, 2025

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS AND NOTICE Index No. 723824/2023

Date Filed: 5/28/2024 JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff, -against- Eunice Anderson, if she be living or if she be dead, her spouses heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Eunice Anderson Family Trust; City of New York Environmental Control Board; City of New York Parking Violations Bureau; City of New York Transit Adjudication Bureau; The Richard Gill Company, a Texas Corporation; State of New York, and “JOHN DOE”, said name being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if any, having or claiming an interest or lien upon the mortgaged premises, Defendants TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or a notice of appearance on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within thirty (30) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Ulysses B. Leverett, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County, entered Jan. 14, 2025 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Office. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Consolidation and/or Modified Mortgage (hereinafter “the Mortgage”) to secure $789,166.56 and interest, recorded in the Queens County Office of the City Register on February 5, 2018, in CRFN 2018000041788 covering premises known as 16712 140th Avenue a/k/a 167-12 104th Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11434 a/k/a Block 12584, Lot 33. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING A PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: March 7, 2024 Brent Surgeoner, Esq. Associate Attorney LOGS LEGAL GROUP LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14624 (585) 247-9000 Fax: (585) 247-7380 our File No. 23-094279 #102058

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MARJORIE MORGAN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 19, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on February 14, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 214-32 113th Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11429. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 11136 and Lot 16. Approximate amount of judgment is $591,833.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #705287/2015. Cash will not be accepted. Gregory M. LaSpina, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff

SUMMONS Index No. 727371/2023 STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF QUEENS BOKF, N.A., Plaintiff, -vs- NURETTIN FIRIK, whether he/she be alive or dead, or the successor in interest, if any, of said defendant who may be deceased, and the respective Heirs at Law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of the aforesaid classes of persons, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to the plaintiff; SALMA SALAZAR A/K/A SALMA SHAKIRA SALAZAR; MARIA SALAZAR; EDWIN SALAZAR; CITIZENS BANK, N.A.; HENG XU; LVNV FUNDING, LLC; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; UNITED STATES OF AMERCIA; STATE OF NEW YORK; WILLIAM GARCIA; JANE DOE #1-4, individuals whose names remain unknown to the Plaintiff; JOHN DOE #2-3, individuals whose names remain unknown to the Plaintiff; Defendants. Mortgaged Premises: 50-26 46th Street, Woodside, NY 11377 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. Your failure to appear or answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you, unless the Defendant obtained a bankruptcy discharge and such other or further relief as may be just and equitable. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer to the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. QUEENS County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the mortgaged premises. Dated: December 18, 2023 Mark K. Broyles, Esq. FEIN SUCH & CRANE, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff Office and P.O. Address 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, New York 14614 Telephone No. (585) 232-7400 Block: 2295 Lot: 67 NATURE AND OBJECT OF ACTION The object of the above action is to foreclose a mortgage held by the Plaintiff recorded in the County of QUEENS, State of New York as more particularly described in the Complaint herein. TO THE DEFENDANT, the plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action. To the above named defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. TIMOTHY J. DUFFICY Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated JANUARY 24, 2025 and filed along with the supporting papers in the QUEENS County Clerk’s Office. This is an action to foreclose a Mortgage. ALL that certain in plot, piece or parcel of land, situate lying and being in the Borough of Queens, City and State of New York Mortgaged Premises: 50-26 46th Street, Woodside, NY 11377 Tax Map/Parcel ID No.: Block: 2295 Lot: 67 of the BOROUGH of QUEENS, NY 11377 84439

ESD housing detractors want 1,000 units; supporters more

affordability Divisions continue over Creedmoor

by Naeisha Rose Editor

There was a divide mostly between residents from the community and seniors, young adults, union workers and church leaders from outside the area about the housing plan for the underutilized space at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens Village at a virtual public hearing held by Empire State Development on Jan. 30.

Members of Community Board 13 will support 1,000 low-rise housing units that fit the character of East and Northeast Queens. They also insist on having no supportive housing on the property. Those from outside the area said they mostly support ESD’s plan to create more than 2,000 housing units, which includes some buildings that are six to eight stories high, but some say they need to be more affordable.

Leaders who represent the area are in support of the former group.

Assemblyman Ed Braunstein (D-Bayside) said the input of the community to ESD via visioning meetings two years ago was ignored.

“Density concerns remain,” said Braunstein. “Community Board 13 and local civic organizations have provided a wealth of feedback on the ESD proposal.”

The assemblyman said the community is underserved when it comes to transit and the project ESD proposes would strain roads, infrastructure and emergency and municipal services.

“This is being billed as the Community Master Plan, but it is anything but that,” said Braunstein. “Sen. [Toby Ann] Stavisky and I have opted not to participate in the Community Advisory Council because this is essentially just a charade and we don’t want to lend credibility to a charade that the community has a voice in any of this.”

Councilwoman Linda Lee (D-Oakland Gardens) says any changes made by ESD do not go far enough in implementing the community’s input.

“We understand the need for housing, but this is a very severely transit desert area where there is not a lot of options to get around,” Lee said. “We need to think through, how is that going to impact what is there currently?”

Corey Bearak, chair of CB 13’s Land Use Subcommittee on Creedmoor, said that ESD failed to include the board’s plan as part of the State Environmental Quality Review Act process.

SEQRA is a process that requires local, regional and state government agencies to equally examine the environmental impacts for a project during their discretionary review, according to the state Department of Environmental Conservation.

“This so called mixed-use project would exacerbate the existing oversaturation of supportive housing in Community Board 13,” said

Bearak. “There is already supportive housing on the Creedmoor campus as well.”

David Pecoraro, is one of two CB 13 members who support the ESD plan to build housing at Creedmoor, but he does believe the agency should listen to the community’s concerns about density.

Arlene Schlesinger, who was representing Bellerose and Hollis Hills, said the overdevelopment planned by ESD is an insult to those in Eastern Queens.

“The Bellerose community and nearby areas already have 80 percent more supportive housing than most areas in the city,” Schlesinger said. “This community has already done its fair share.”

Schlesinger also believes there will be strain on the area’s electric grid with ESD’s plan.

Joe Branch, a bus driver for NYC Transit and a member of Queens Power, a group that represents nonprofits, faith communities, schools and unions, said 30 percent of members from the union ATU 1056 who work in transit can’t afford to buy a home in Queens despite making upwards of $100,000.

“Our need for housing is more than just inconvenience,” said Branch. “The people who serve the people of Queens should afford to live in it.”

Emily Pérez, a Queens Power member from Corona, said she sees people living on the streets every day.

“I personally know people that I work with who live with 14 to 15 other people to make rent,” Pérez said. “As a graduate student and afterschool teacher, I have no affordable housing options in Queens. I want to be able to stay in Queens.”

Calvin Mercer, a member of Queens Power and First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica, said he disagrees with the plan for Creedmoor because it is not 100 percent affordable.

“I am a social worker in Queens,” said Mercer. “I can’t live in the borough where I serve. It’s very important that the plan be affordable, accessible and the need is there ... Families are being torn apart by leaving the state.” Q

Emily Pérez, a Corona resident, said Empire State Development must maintain its Creedmoor plan to stop the housing crisis. ESD SCREENSHOT