Queens Chronicle South Edition 01-05-23

Santos got thousands in excessive contributions

FEC records raise more questions about congressman’s campaign

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

As more questions have been raised about Congressman-elect George Santos’ (R-Nassau, Queens) financial history, including whether it was legal for his company to loan more than $700,000 to his campaign, records from the Federal Election Commission show that the agency had some concerns of its own, that it flagged throughout Santos’ 2022 bid for Congress.

Specifically, Santos’ filing reports show 69 people gave donations to the campaign that exceeded the $2,900 federal cap on individual contributions throughout Santos’ second bid for the U.S. House, which the FEC has repeatedly called on the campaign to amend. In total, the Chronicle has determined, the Santos campaign received upwards of $191,000 in excess donations. That accounts for approximately 6.5 percent of the campaign’s $2,933,614.16 funds raised.

Even with that money, Santos was outraised by his opponent, Democrat Robert Zimmerman, who garnered $3,158,795.77.

Though for some individuals, in donating funds more than once, the sum of their donations put them over the limit, for others, single donations crossed the line.

For instance, one man from Indiana donated $1,000 three times, all months ahead of

the primary, which, in total, put him $100 over the federal limit. In another case, however, a Nashville woman donated $5,800 to Santos all at once, twice what an individual is allowed per election.

Though he said he could not comment on Santos’ filings specifically, citing confidentiality concerns, FEC spokesperson Christian Hilland said the agency’s filing of a Request for Additional Information — the mechanism by which the FEC flags inconsistencies — is not uncommon, especially with first-time candidates. The campaign in question was Santos’ second.

Campaigns have been known to have some donations that are over the limit, according to Saurav Ghosh, director of Federal Campaign Finance Reform for the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C — but not on this scale.

“It’s not that uncommon for campaigns to inadvertently accept excessive contributions, but the Santos campaign seems to have had more instances of this than normal for a House candidate,” he told the Chronicle via email.

In such cases, Hilland explained, upon review from FEC analysts, campaigns will be asked to correct the record in amended filings or provide clarification within 35 days. “The analysts would then, based on that amendment, make a determination whether or not the committee adequately responded

to that RFAI,” he said. “If not, there is then the potential for enforcement.”

While in the 19 RFAIs sent to the campaign — 14 of which include notice of excessive donations — some excessive contributions appear to have been flagged multiple times, they were often accompanied by new ones. Simply put: They piled up.

Excessive contributions can be attended to either by reattributing those funds to other donors or by reimbursing donors the money exceeding the $2,900 cap. Though, as Ghosh confirmed, the Santos camp appears to have added amendments — sometimes several — to quarterly filings flagged by the FEC, they did not address the issue.

“Campaigns that are notified they have accepted excess contributions have to promptly refund the excessive portion and reflect those refunds as disbursements in subsequent FEC reports. It doesn’t appear that Santos’ campaign did either part of that,” Ghosh said.

“Santos’ campaign did file some amended

FEC records show that the Santos campaign received thousands in excessive contributions throughout the race. CSPAN SCREENSHOT

2022

Both the somber and the surreal

Nat’l recognitions, an unresolved race and 10 years post-Sandy

by Deirdre Bardolf Associate Editor

It was hard for many to believe that 10 years had passed since Superstorm Sandy changed South Queens forever. Many noted the progress made in the area since then plus all the work still needed.

More solemn remembrance came when the Howard Beach and Lindenwood communities welcomed a 9/11 memorial in the form of a Survivor Tree.

Other high-profile happenings in 2022 bordered on the bizarre: new legislation whipping up a mix up that had the country thinking New York was banning the sale of whipped cream to minors and an Assembly race that was seperated by one vote and remained unresolved into 2023.

July

July started off with some good news for Howard Beach residents following the rescue and journey of Bacon the Pig, who was rescued in a community effort off of Cross Bay Boulevard at the end of June. A GoFundMe for the pig raised a dowry of $10,500, ensuring his placement on a farm upstate.

More good animal news came when OffWhite the pit bull, who was stolen in broad daylight from a grandfather in Ozone Park, was returned safely to his family.

As the city faced a lifeguard shortage, Mayor Adams announced that it had reached an agreement with District Council 37, the union representing city lifeguards, to increase wages and add a class of them for mini pools.

Summer in South Queens was marked by the onslaught of illegal ATV and dirt bike riders who commandeered streets, terrorizing people and flouting traffic rules.

Adams was trying to address the ongoing issue of unlicensed vehicles taking over the streets in packs but videos and complaints continued to drive the conversation.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone

Park) called it “three Sundays of absolute terror,” the Chronicle published on July 14, as packs of off-roaders bombarded the streets of Rockaway, Broad Channel, Howard Beach, Woodhaven, Ozone Park and even the boardwalks.

Later in the month, the NYPD and other entities conducted an operation to curb one of the packs headed down Cross Bay Boulevard. The effort included the NYPD’s 100th, 102nd and 106th precincts, the Mayor’s Office, the city Department of Sanitation, the National Parks Service, the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the Police Commissioner’s Office and Patrol Borough Queens South.

American Softball, a league for people with disabilities, held its 11th annual All-Star Game and Home Run Derby and while the players took home MVP awards, so did founder Randy Novick and his partner and coach, Tina Roseman. They were honored for their years of service to the community and elected officials granted them with citations for their work.

Among a rise in hate crimes citywide, an uncommon one gained attention when a white woman was attacked on a bus in Woodhaven.

Jill LeCroix, a 57-year-old from Flushing, was riding the bus on the evening of July 16 when she was attacked by three Black women who made anti-white comments and left her with a laceration to the head. Elected officials rallied over the incident and denounced hate crimes. Eventually, the three were arrested and charged, one as a minor in family court.

The state Senate primary for District 15 neared as state Sen. Joe Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) campaigned to hold his district, which would be drastically redrawn come the new year. Addabbo saw the new boundaries as an opportunity for a “reunion” because he represented Richmond Hill and South Richmond

Hill in the City Council from 2002 to 2008 and then for a time from 2009 to 2012 as senator. He was challenged by Japneet Singh, a South Ozone Park activist with a background in accounting.

August

Drivers and shoppers in Howard Beach were in for a surprise in early August when new traffic diverters appeared on 156th Avenue near Stop & Shop, preventing drivers from crossing the double yellow lines to make illegal turns toward Cross Bay Boulevard or into the parking lot from the westbound lane. Drivers then began making dangerous U-turns headed out of the parking lot to get back to Cross Bay, sometimes facing oncoming traffic from Killarney Street, or the westbound drivers would go down the wrong side of the street to get into the grocery store parking lot.

“All you heard all day was horns and brakes,” one resident who lives right across from the parking lot told the Chronicle on the first day of the new traffic pattern. “People are confused.”

A Department of Transportation spokesperson at the time said the agency would “continue to monitor the location” and “explore additional street safety treatments and markings.”

Amid a rise in asylum seekers coming to New York, the Travelodge on Redding Street in Ozone Park, which was a shelter in the past, was reactivated.

Bias-motivated attacks persisted as the Tulsi Mandir in South Richmond Hill twice became the target of vandalism, the second more glaring as a Gandhi statue was smashed with a sledgehammer and the word “dog” was spray-painted near the temple in English and Hindi by a group of people. Elected officials

again banded together to denounce the acts and the mayor eventually visited the scene.

Seventeen city, state and federal lawmakers and community boards signed onto a request for an environmental impact statement for the proposed QueensLink project, which would bring train and park access linking the Rockaways to Rego Park. The project was in competition with the QueenWay proposal, which would bring a High Line-like park to a portion of the deactivated rail, formerly the Long Island Rail Road’s Rockaway Beach Branch.

Mandeep Kaur, a Punjabi Sikh mother of two daughters who had allegedly suffered years of abuse from her husband, committed suicide on Aug. 3. Following her tragic death, South Queens advocates have shone a light on her struggle to amplify the issue of domestic and gender-based violence far too prevalent in communities like Kaur’s.

The end of the month brought a big win for Addabbo in District 15 with 56 percent of the votes in his favor. He celebrated at Villa Russo in Richmond Hill, the same place his father, Congressman Joseph Addabbo Sr., celebrated a similar win 40 years earlier almost to the day, following a redistricting year.

“He worked hard to make sure he was going to represent that new office, that new district, and that gave me the inspiration to work just as hard with these new lines,” Addabbo Jr. said during his victory speech.

The DOT announced that it will be conducting a study of the dangerous section of the Conduit near Linden Center, where pedestrians cross to get to the shopping center. In 2021, 24-year-old Kimberly Ortega was killed in a hit-and-run there.

Community Board 9 held its first-ever small business resources and economic recovery forum at the end of the month.

September

South Queens got national attention when a bill, long a focus of Addabbo’s, was widely misinterpreted. In 2021, he introduced legislation to ban the sale of whipped cream chargers, or whippets, to those under 21 years old. The canisters, which are often brightly colored and attractive to kids, are filled with nitrous oxide, which can be inhaled for a high. The “laughing gas” can be highly addictive and have negative health effects.

But many misunderstood the bill to mean that actual cans of whipped cream could not be sold to anyone underage.

Despite the confusion, Addabbo said he hoped it would draw attention to the dangers of inhaling N2O.

Queens reacted to the late August news that applications were being opened for the first recreational marijuana dispensaries. The first legal adult-use retail dispensaries will be run by those impacted by the prohibition of cannabis. Jeremy Rivera, of Ozone Park, applied but was set on opening on Long Island because he did not receive a good reaction from the South

After a years-long battle between the QueensWay park plan and the QueensLink rails and trails plan, Mayor Adams announced $35 million for the former.

PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF / FILE

South Queens in 2022

Queens area. He did not ultimately end up receiving one of the Queens licenses.

The Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association announced that the “infamous” Lindenwood planters, which were at one point part of a modern art installation, would be moved from the traffic circle at 153rd Avenue and 88th Street to Cross Bay Boulevard, to beautify the strip with seasonal arrangements.

On Sept. 11, the Howard Beach and Lindenwood communities received the honor of planting a 9/11 Survivor Tree near the 156th Avenue border of the two neighborhoods. The sapling came from a Callery pear tree rescued from Ground Zero. Each year, three saplings are given out to communities worldwide that endured tragedy.

On Sept. 16, Mayor Adams surprised many when he announced $35 million would go to the first phase of the QueensWay project. The move came just a month after a letter calling for the environmental impact study of the opposing QueensLink proposal.

“Phase one will convert abandoned railroad tracks which have been used as a dumping ground or worse into a five-acre linear park and provides a safe way for residents to walk, to jog, to enjoy the open space,” Adams said at the Forest Hills press conference. The first phase would span 5 acres of the proposed 47-acre linear park plan.

The plan was developed by the Trust for Public Land, and the New York State director for the organization, Carter Strickland, said then that work was expected to begin in about a year, after the design phase, which was about 75 percent complete, wrapped up.

A plan was tentatively selected for another huge swath of southern Queens: the proposed flood gates around Jamaica Bay from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The agency released a report at the end of the month that included a tentatively selected $52.6 billion plan to install a series of coastal storm risk management measures throughout New York and New Jersey, including storm surge barriers in Jamaica Bay, Newtown Creek, Flushing Creek and Old Howard Beach.

Shots were fired in the middle of a busy Ozone Park playground on Sept. 27. Four

males, ages 15, 16, 20 and 32, were shot inside the London Planetree Park handball court, according to authorities. Ozone Park Residents Block Association President Sam Esposito would call for cameras to be installed around the park.

Elizabeth Gomez, 33, was brutally attacked at the Howard Beach-JFK Airport station while headed to her job as a security guard at John F. Kennedy Airport. She was left without vision in one of her eyes and became a symbol citywide of the increasing need for policing in subway stations. The alleged attacker, Waheed Foster, 41, was indicted on attempted murder and assault.

The Chronicle remembered longtime salesman David Abramowitz, who passed away on Sept. 22.

October

The Ozone Park Residents Block Association held its first ever Awards Gala on Oct. 16. “We wanted to honor not only the people within our community, but we wanted the awards to also reflect the movers and shakers of our community who are no longer here,” Esposito told the Chronicle. The Walter Ward Ozone Park Hometown Hero Award, named after the longtime City Councilmember, was presented to Charles Camarda, a NASA astronaut and engineer from Ozone Park.

The corner of Jamaica Avenue and 118th Street was co-named in honor of Det. Brian Simonsen, who was killed by friendly fire while responding to an attempted robbery in Richmond Hill in 2019.

QueensLink advocates continued their fight for an EIS despite the funding announced for QueensWay with a rally on the boardwalk in Rockaway on Oct. 9. Elected officials attending in support included Councilmembers Ariola and Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton), state Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-South Ozone Park), Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Park) and Khaleel Anderson (D-Far Rockaway) and Paul King, president of the Belle Harbor Property Owners Association and then-congressional candidate.

The annual Diwali Motorcade celebration returned to Little Guyana with thousands of attendees joining to enjoy the displays of culture including music, dance, henna and more.

The Woodhaven Business Improvement District bid farewell to its executive director of four years, only the second in its almost 30-year existence, Raquel Olivares. She would go on to take a position as an assistant commissioner at the Small Business Service’s Neighborhood Development Division and

would be replaced by John Perricone of the Queens Borough President’s Office.

South Queens, along with much of New York State, remembered the 10th anniversary of Superstorm Sandy. Memorials took place and the community looked back on the damage that was sustained, how neighbors banned together and the work that is still needed to protect the area from future storms.

November

Howard Beach celebrated its 125th anniversary with a four-day carnival put on by the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic and Ariola.

Former District 32 Councilmember Eric Ulrich resigned from his position as city Department of Buildings commissioner following the news that he was a focus of a criminal gambling probe by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. He was tapped by Adams in May to lead the DOB after serving as a senior advisor for the administration.

Politics in the area took another turn when Election Day concluded with Assembly District 23 incumbent Pheffer Amato trailing Breezy Point’s Tom Sullivan by a preliminary 246 votes in the race for the state Assembly seat. The race would drag on into the new year following mail-in votes, lawsuits filed by Pheffer Amato and an appeal from Sullivan as invalidated votes were challenged and given an opportunity to be cured.

Veterans Day celebrations included one at the Southside Burial Ground, an area previously thought to be an indigenous burial ground but which was restored through ongoing efforts over the decades and where lie three gravestones honoring veterans of wars past, including the Civil War. Recent efforts led by Community Board 9’s Dan Grives, along with support from the Ozone Park Residents Block Association, continue as a memorial plaque and more are in the works for the area, which is now kept by the city Parks Department.

Community Board 9 called for the city Comptroller’s Office to conduct an investigation into the delays surrounding renovations of the Richmond Hill Library, for which plans were initially introduced in 2016.

A Queens Public Library spokesperson

told the Chronicle at the time the project would eventually be handed over to the city Department of Design and Construction after the library submitted the designs. Then construction could begin in spring 2024 and end in spring 2027.

Howard Beach was peeved by a negative portrayal of the community on the show “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” The character played by actor and rapper Ice-T said Howard Beach is “racist, sexist and phobic of just about everything.”

“We as a community are by no means anything like the words spoken, and to continue to label us as such is unfair and, in fact, defamatory,” Ariola wrote in a letter to the network and producers.

December

The push for a QueensLink study continued in December as a resolution was introduced officially calling for the MTA to conduct an environmental impact study. It was introduced by Brooks-Powers, Ariola and Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth).

A hand recount in the Assembly District 23 race culminated in a one-vote difference with Pheffer Amato just ahead of Sullivan.

Debate surrounding the Fair Chance for Housing Bill, which would prohibit landlords from conducting background checks on prospective tenants in many situations, heated up as the first public hearing on the matter was held in City Council.

Members of the Council’s Common Sense Caucus participated to voice their opposition. “On the surface, Intro 632 sounds like a great idea,” said Ariola. “However, as it’s currently written, it is unrealistic and puts landlords and tenants at risk, unilaterally prohibiting landlords from looking into criminal backgrounds of potential tenants opens the door to tragedy.”

The USACE provided updates to the community on continuing studies at the Gateway portion of Spring Creek, a former landfill where radioactive contamination last year was found. The walking trails will be closed as the studies commence and this phase of the process is expected to take several years.

Susan Merzon, founder of the Chronicle, died on Dec. 15 after years of battling health complications. She was remembered as a savvy businesswoman who grew the paper out of the fiscal crisis of the 1970s.

Hurricane Sandy hit 10 years ago. Firefighters from the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department, above, trekked through waters after the storm. PHOTO COURTESY NICK SPINELLI / FILE

Diwali dancers don their best at the annual Diwali Motorcade, which returned to Little Guyana this year.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN / FILE

In with the old and new on Jamaica Ave.

New Woodhaven BID director brings years of civic engagement to role

by Deirdre Bardolf Associate Editor

John Perricone’s exposure to community engagement began when he was a 6- or 7-yearold youth hockey player. Born and raised in Ridgewood, he played for a Middle Village league that was in need of a new rink and his parents brought him to Community Board 5 meetings to advocate for one. They got it and he played there until he was about 18.

In high school, Perricone was part of the now-defunct Citizens for a Better Ridgewood and while at LaGuardia Community College he interned for then-Assemblymember Cathy Nolan as a constituent liason before enrolling at Hofstra University to study history. He also was president of the 104th Precinct Community Council for a time.

In his last semester at Queens College for his master’s in urban studies, he was offered a job at the Queens Borough President’s Office, which would eventually give him the experience to run the Woodhaven BID.

Perricone, 33, started last Tuesday following Raquel Olivares’ departure, making him the third executive director in the BID’s history, which began with Maria Thomson in 1993.

“At the Borough President’s Office, I was in a lot of different departments, which gave me a unique perspective as to how the office works as a whole and how you can collaborate with

different agencies and partners, private and public,” he told the Chronicle last week.

There, he was a main point of contact for community boards, then given the economic development portfolio, which he said consisted primarily of small business support, and sat as an ex-officio member of several Queens BIDs. He was also a veterans’ liaison.

Working in the economic development department, Perricone said, he would help business owners with quality-of-life concerns and bureaucratic issues and assist new business owners with licensing and more.

The department coordinated a small business grant program in partnership with the Steven and Alexandra Cohen Foundation, which gave over 750 grants of up to $20,000 to the hardest-hit small businesses during Covid.

“That’s something that I would love to bring to Woodhaven, specifically to allow business owners who are financially hurting, to give them the opportunity to apply for grants,” he said.

Business retention and recruiting new businesses are top of mind, he said, for the 300-plus member BID, which is geographically one of the city’s largest.

Also among his immediate priorities is a campaign to shop local, which would include promotion, marketing and events, and increasing the BID’s social media reach.

“When it comes to marketing, I would love to look at new ways to get more innovative with our business directory,” he said. His ideas include a more interactive map on the website that could also perhaps be used on the LinkNYC kiosks in the area.

Perricone would like to feature businesses on

Chief talks 2023 crime goals

PBQS CO pledges crime reduction to 102 Council

by Deirdre Bardolf Associate Editor

When NYPD Assistant Chief Kevin Williams took over as commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens South, he said there was no way there could be an overall reduction in crime for the year 2022. But this year should be different, he said at the 102nd Precinct Community Council meeting on Tuesday.

“I am extremely confident that we are poised, primed and ready to have an overall reduction in crime this year in Patrol Borough Queens South.”

Williams continued, “Also, I’m very cognizant as a resident of Queens that it’s not just about crime. We will address quality-of life issues in each command, whether it’s the overnight commercial truck parking, which we tackle in commands and we’re going to bring it to other commands in the Queen South, whether it’s, you know, the issues we have surrounding some of our smoke shops — any quality-of-life issue, we’re going to use everything in our

toolbelt to address it.”

Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) addressed the community council as well and said her office is in constant contact with the 102 over issues surrounding smoke shops and also a recent incident near Jamaica Avenue and Forest Parkway where a stolen car was driven into the benches outside the bank.

The last 28-day period of the

BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF

year, however, showed a 19 percent decrease in overall crime, which Williams said was “trending in the right direction.” Gun violence had decreased by 25 percent overall in the southern Queens precincts at the end of the year and there was a slight increase in felony assaults.

The 102nd Precinct gained two new cops and Police Academy graduates are now going directly

into commands instead of into Field Training Units, Williams explained.

As for the 102, Capt. Jeremy Kivlin, the commanding officer, said that there was also an overall increase in crime but that it decreased in the last 28- and 56-day periods, particularly in robberies, which he said has been a focus.

Since he took over earlier this year, Kivlin said 250 ATVs and illegal scooters had been seized in the 102nd Precinct.

Neighborhood Coordination Officers Fernando Mayo and Det. Frank Lasala were awarded Cops of the Month for making arrests after an elderly delivery man was allegedly assaulted by five people and robbed of his cell phone. The officers were able to track the perpetrators by tracking the man’s phone. They collaborated with officers from the 106th Precinct on the efforts.

“That’s what I like to see, when officers arrive on scene and go above and beyond and think outside the box,” said Kivlin. Q

social media and tap into Woodhaven’s rich history to draw shoppers to the area.

Perricone says the BID, which will be operated by him and program manager

Katty Garces, plans to continue utilizing Open Streets like with the Woodhaven Street Fair, which Olivares brought back last year.

Business owners have expressed public safety concerns, he said. “That comes down to basically brokering communication with our local precinct and patrol borough,” he said. He plans to do more walks through the district to meet with the business owners.

“I think it starts really with collaborating with the precinct, our civic and community groups and the business owners, to make sure that we can let them know what exactly our issues are down here,” Perricone said.

Continuing to beautify the area, he said, will also make people feel more welcome to come and shop, and could include new banners along Jamaica Avenue.

Among his own favorite spots are Pop’s Cocina and Bar and Cancun Cafe for lunch.

“I do believe that small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and when small businesses do well, the entire community does,” said Perricone. Q

Fines return for biz signs

The moratorium on issuing certain accessory sign violations to businesses has ended, according to information distributed by the Woodhaven Business Improvement District. Enforcement picked back up on Jan. 1.

Regulations require that lettering on awnings be no higher than 12 inches and not cover more than 12 square feet of space. Only the name and address of the business are allowed to be printed on it.

The Department of Buildings, however, will not issue accessory sign violations for business storefront signs that existed before Feb. 9, 2019, and do not exceed 150 square feet in area or exceed 1,200 pounds in weight, unless the sign creates an imminent threat to public health or safety, according to information distributed by the city Department of Small Business Services. More from the SBS can be found at bit.ly/3vCa9In.

“Our small business owners are really feeling the crunch of increasing rents and financial constraints,” said BID Executive Director John Perricone. “So we’re going to continue to educate our business owners as to what they need to do on their end to make sure that they’re in compliance.”

— Deirdre Bardolf

John Perricone is the new Woodhaven BID executive director, having started at the end of December. PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF

Capt. Jeremy Kivlin, left, and Chief Kevin Williams, right, award NCOs Fernando Mayo and Frank Lasala the Cops of the Month Award.

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EDITORIAL AGEP Swift justice for Santos

There’s nothing incoming Congressman George Santos won’t mislead us about! Amidst the chaos that has marked the Republicans’ ascension to leadership in the House of Representatives, Santos’ office had a press release on his official website saying he had been sworn into office. Oops! At the time, and still as of this writing, no one in the new House had been sworn in yet, because the members had yet to agree on a speaker, the required first order of business.

To be fair to Santos, other new members reportedly had similar posts on their websites, ones set up not by them but the House itself. But even if that’s true, they were changed to say “to be sworn in.” Santos’ page just got deleted — which may be for the best, if only because the part referring to “the Honorable George Santos” is just too funny.

Dishonorable is more like it, with anywhere from two to four prosecutors looking into Santos’ serial lies for potential wrongdoing. The Nassau County District Attorney’s Office and the office of the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District are both

investigating, and the Queens District Attorney’s Office and state Attorney General’s Office may do the same. So will the House Ethics Committee.

The main danger for Santos may come from his campaign finances. He received at least $191,000 in “excessive” contributions — ones that exceed the federal limit of $2,900 from an individual — and has yet to amend any of his filings with the Federal Election Commission to fix the problems. He will be questioned, and if he sticks to his habit of lying about everything he possibly can lie about, he’ll pay the price. It was less than a year ago that former GOP Rep. Jeff Fortenberry was found guilty of three felonies in a campaign finance case.

Santos’ fabrications are on a different level from the spin and even lies you get from many other politicians. He should not serve. Without him finding humility and decency, however, he will be sworn in. We can only hope the investigation or investigations that will force him out can be done swiftly. Then, the sooner a special election can be held to get someone honorable in there, the better.

Cohen’s vision a bad bet

We were glad Steve Cohen bought the Mets, and he’s lived up to the hype, spending big to build a top team.

But he may be getting too greedy. That’s no surprise coming from a billionaire, but we do expect Cohen to follow the law. He appears to be seeking an exception to the one that says you cannot build on parkland. Or to just be pretending there is no such law.

Cohen wants to build on the Citi Field parking lot, but as the Mets’ original lease and case law both say, that is part of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It cannot be developed unless it were to be alienated by the state Legislature. And the last time the rich and powerful tried to ignore that, they

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Dear Editor:

I am writing to express my concern about the lack of access to the shopping plaza located on South Conduit Avenue, just 100 yards from a large residential area. As a frequent driver on the Conduit and a resident of Woodhaven, I have witnessed firsthand the dangers and difficulties that pedestrians face when trying to access the plaza.

The only option for pedestrians to cross the busy avenue is a dirt footpath that meanders through the area. There is no traffic light or crosswalk at this location, and the nearest legal pedestrian access is a 13-block odyssey. This lack of proper infrastructure not only presents a safety hazard but also makes it inconvenient and time-consuming for residents to access the shopping plaza. The result is that many people are forced to risk their lives by crossing at the dirt footpath, leading to numerous pedestrian deaths and injuries.

The situation is even worse for those in wheelchairs, who face even more challenges in navigating this hazardous route. It is unacceptable that a shopping plaza located on a major roadway is so difficult to access for pedestrians, especially when it is so close to a residential area. Google Maps satellite view shows the well-worn footpath, highlighting the need for a safer and more accessible crossing.

I strongly urge the city to take action and

provide a safe and accessible crossing for pedestrians at this location. The shopping plaza on South Conduit Avenue has been a fixture in the community for years, and it is time for the city to ensure that all members of the community can access its retailers, restaurants and offices safely and easily.

Follow the Santos money

Dear Editor:

Let’s talk about money. Money, assets and debts pepper George Santos’ story. My first suspicions about Santos began when I saw a video documenting his presence at the Jan. 6 insurrection, where he demonstrated support for the illegal action by promising to write a big check to pay for the legal defense of the insurgents.

were defeated by a grassroots coalition of Queens civic activists.

Cohen puts his desires for the site in terms of community, and people are invited to share their ideas for it at a visioning event this Saturday. But what he wants is to build a casino. Queens already has the right site for a full-blown casino, however, at Resorts World in South Ozone Park. That’s who should get one of the state’s few downstate gaming licenses.

If Cohen can somehow consolidate parking in a garage and turn some of the 50-acre car lot into true park space, then maybe we can talk about some new venue. Otherwise, building has to remain on the other side of Citi Field, in Willets Point. And no casino at all.

The most recent Queens Chronicle update, “Santos campaign got thousands in excessive contributions” (qchron.com, Dec. 30), just expands the scope of the financial malpractice of Santos and his campaign. Recent New York Times reporting analyzed the expenditures of the campaign, noting the lavish, questionable choices that it made, including $11,000 in rent and $40,000 in airline travel. Many expenditures are listed as $199.99, one cent below federal rules for documentation.

He acknowledges owing thousands of dollars in unpaid rent and to creditors. A string of unpaid debts punctuates the recent years of his financial history. The New York Times reported these details as well. Originally, he said that he and his family owned 13 properties. He said that his tenants were illegally withholding rent from him. During his recent interview with the New York Post, he said, “George Santos does not own any properties.”

The Queens Chronicle is

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LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Nonetheless, he lent $700,000 to his campaign without a credible explanation of the source of that contribution. He claims it originates from The Devolder Organization, but The New York Times cannot find “property or public-facing assets linked to the firm.”

And what about those checks in Brazil?

I can imagine there is work that Santos can do. His life reads like a remake of “Catch Me if You Can.” Screenwriter might be a career to explore. However, he’s not an individual whom you’d empower to represent you in Congress. Santos should resign and fill the potholes of his own life.

Debra Michlewitz Bayside

Don’t believe Con Ed

Dear Editor:

Anybody else get the National Grid or Con Ed emails about shortage of power and to reduce your gas usage late last month?

Just wait, you will also soon get emails about the need to increase infrastructure and put in pipelines in order to supply everyone better; and therefore your monthly bills will increase.

Do not buy into this! Gas companies are known for purposely creating shortages to make it seem as if there is a need for more infrastructure. This is how they get money. When gas companies build pipelines, they get money. The profit isn’t from customers paying their bills. They do not need more infrastructure nor to raise anybody’s bills.

What they also consistently fail to say is that an option for renewable energy is possible. It is now 2023. It’s time NYC and Gov. Hochul and all the energy companies live up to what they promised for a greener future.

I live in Astoria, known as Asthma Alley. It is in the middle of several fossil-fuel-burning facilities. Thousands of adults and children are affected by the poor air quality. Not only is there Big Allis already polluting the air we breathe, but also National Grid’s proposed LNG facility in Greenpoint, just south of Astoria.

And now Con Ed is doing the same? They, seeing NG’s success, are planning to invest millions of our money into upgrading an LNG plant just a couple miles from the NG facility.

We will not pay to be poisoned. Stop falling under the spell of the green paper! Our lives are important. Our air needs to be clean. Hold these companies accountable. Call Gov. Hochul!

Ann Treesa Joy Astoria

Or National Grid

Dear Editor:

Last month’s huge winter storm and the blast of Arctic air that killed dozens of people upstate revealed how vulnerable we are to climate-change-heightened weather disruptions. National Grid used the storm to alarm local residents with full-page ads and customer emails suggesting that if residents didn’t turn down their thermostats, National Grid’s gas distribution system might be unable to handle the spike in demand to heat homes.

In these emails, National Grid also touted the value of its liquified natural gas vaporizers in Brooklyn and the apparent role these vapor-

izers played in supplying gas if/when the fragile pipeline network failed.

What was National Grid’s “public service” campaign really about? Here’s a little known fact: National Grid makes most of its money not from selling gas to customers but from building gas delivery infrastructure. In the face of diminishing demand, NatGrid has become increasingly desperate to convince New York State that more gas delivery infrastructure is necessary.

National Grid wants to build two more polluting LNG vaporizers at its Greenpoint facility (directly across Newtown Creek from Queens) in a community already overburdened by the health impacts of fossil fuels. There is, of course, fierce opposition to this unnecessary project as the city’s gas use is projected to decline dramatically in the coming years as it moves to electrify its buildings and make them more energy-efficient.

What National Grid’s exploitative and misleading messaging during the storm did not mention was that readily available, simple, reliable electric heat pumps will accelerate the transition away from our toxic and unsustainable reliance on fossil fuels. New York City is already committed to starting a transition to all-electric new construction starting in 2024.

Ignore National Grid’s desperate scare-tactic propaganda and push Gov. Hochul to make this a reality for the whole state.

Dewey Thompson Brooklyn

The writer, now in Greenpoint, is a former resident of Long Island City and maintains a business there.

ESG a bad investment

Dear Editor:

Happy New Year to all readers but beware to all those who have money in a 401(k)!

On Nov. 22, 2022, the U.S. Labor Department, with the blessings of President Biden, announced a rule change to go into effect at the end of January 2023. It will allow fund managers to invest your money in ESG funds, even if they earn a lower return. All the safeguards former President Trump put in place to prevent this from happening are gone.

The initials “ESG” stand for environmental, social and governance. The change would mean your retirement nest egg would be seriously compromised, causing you to work longer or settle for a lesser standard of living in your final years of life. This is all done to accomplish the woke, progressive agenda that values so-called “social justice” over the best interests of all citizens.

This also devalues our democracy by enacting laws that only our Congress is legally authorized to do! It will eventually be challenged in court, but meantime added pressure on Congress by fed-up citizens would quickly cause its demise. Speak up, America!

should be no longer than 300

and may be edited for length, clarity and other reasons. They may be emailed to letters@qchron.com.

Thomas

Protest gets heated outside library event in latest escalation on issue Drag Story Hour in JH draws hundreds

by Deirdre Bardolf Associate Editor

Hundreds flooded 81st Street in front of the Jackson Heights library last Thursday to defend Drag Story Hour, a program in which drag artists read stories to kids, while some counterprotested opposite them.

Tensions were high as police separated protesters yelling in each other’s faces and one arrest took place but Drag Story Hour continued on despite the ruckus outside.

Lis C. of Sunnyside took her two daughters, ages 14 and 2, to the event.

“I don’t know that it’s grooming,” she said, requesting to withhold her last name for her family’s privacy. “I am a parent and I think that they make their own decisions ... Every parent is different, they all think differently. So a lot of people find this negative, but I feel like this is a good thing.”

The demonstrations marked yet another public display of the divide over the programming and followed an announcement from the City Council that three of its members who support Drag Story Hour recently had their homes and offices vandalized by protesters.

“In recent months, anti-LGBTQIA+ protesters have descended on these family events,

attempting to get into our libraries to disrupt them while shouting homophobic and transphobic slurs at performers and attendees,” the press release from Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) and Councilmembers Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights), Erik Bottcher (D-Manhattan) and Crystal Hudson (D-Brooklyn) last Thursday stated.

“They have also vandalized the homes of three members of this City Council who support Drag Story Hour. It is particularly disturbing that these anti-LGBTQIA+ protesters have focused their harassment in Jackson Heights and Chelsea, two neighborhoods with historical importance as safe communities and centers of organizing for the LGBTQIA+ movement in New York City.”

“They targeted Jackson Heights a number of times, they’ve come to all of our story hours and they’ve come to my office twice,” Krishnan told the Chronicle. “Most disturbingly, they came to my home with my children at home, where they were shouting slurs, vandalizing our home, the streets outside — it was really unsettling. All the neighbors were very angry at this display of hate as well.”

The incidents prompted a police report, he said.

Tell renters apt. flood history

Landlords will have to reveal their properties’ flood history to prospective tenants and let them know about their options for insurance under a new state law. The legislation will take effect around mid-June, 180 days after Gov. Hochul signed it Dec. 23.

The bill’s language notes that state flood disclosure laws already apply to sales of residential property but leave low-income renters in flood-prone areas in the dark. “Recent storms, like Hurricanes Ida and Henri, caused damage to thousands of apartments and extensive damage to the personal property of rental households,”

the law says. “Robust flood disclosure is a necessary tool for protecting New Yorkers on the frontline of climate change.”

The bill’s main sponsors were Assemblyman Robert Carroll (D-Brooklyn) and Sen. Brad Hoylman (D-Manhattan).

Renters will have to be told if a property is located in an area at risk of flooding as per various federal government designations, and whether it has experienced damage due to any natural flood event, “such as heavy rainfall, coastal storm surge, tidal inundation, or river overflow.” Q

— Peter C. Mastrosimone

Thursday’s protest brought out many in defense of Drag Story Hour and a smaller group who opposed it, some holding signs like “Please stop sexualizing children.” Others donned Proud Boys attire and carried signs about Satan.

“The white supremacists who showed up on Thursday were vile and have no place in Jackson Heights,” Krishnan said.

According to police, John Curry, 32, of Forest Hills, was arrested during the protest for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and obstructing a governmental administration.

During the event, Queens Public Library CEO Dennis Walcott said in a video posted to Twitter, “We’ve always been there for Drag Story Hour.” He added that it is “part of who we are and we are fully supportive of what’s going on today.”

Pauline Park is a longtime LQBTQIA+ activist who lives in Jackson Heights and helped organize what she called a “defense effort” at the library last week.

“The children inside had nothing to fear from the drag queens who were reading to them,” she told the Chronicle. “The only people they had to fear, frankly, were the right-wing, transphobic white supremacists outside trying to disrupt the event.”

Park said the event gives kids an opportunity to interact with people from different back-

grounds. “It is very much in the spirit, I think, of the most diverse county in the United States, in the most diverse neighborhood,” she said.

Also in attendance on Thursday was Assemblymember Catalina Cruz (D-Corona), who held a pride flag and chanted along with supporters. Chants from the louder side included “Protect queer kids,” “Love is louder,” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho, your Nazi sh-t has got to go.”

The library offers DSH events, according to the QPL website, and Krishnan provides funding for the ones in his district.

Protests continued over the weekend as protesters swarmed a Manhattan library. Q

Community board applications

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards announced this week that residents can begin applying to serve on their local community boards.

Each community board has up to 50 members, all of whom serve two-year terms. Current members need to reapply every two years, as well; those who last applied in 2021 must apply again this year if they wish to continue in the role.

In addition to asking for proof of address, the application includes questions about candidates’ interest in serving and relevant skills. Applicants need to

reside in New York City and must live, work or have a relevant interest in their community district. Applications are due on Feb. 16.

“Government is at its most effective and impactful when people who come from and understand the needs of the communities it is sworn to serve are in positions of leadership,” Richards said in a statement. “That’s what we’re actively working to create here in Queens with our 14 community boards.”

Visit queensbp.org/communityboards to apply.

Hundreds gathered outside the Jackson Heights Library last week to defend Drag Story Hour against a smaller group of opponents who are against the program. PHOTOS BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF

“The white supremacists who showed up on Thursday were vile and have no place in Jackson Heights.”

— Councilmember Shekar Krishnan

Some protestors donned what appeared to be Proud Boys gear.

Sign up 10 days before you vote

New Yorkers are now able to register to vote just 10 days before an election, down from the prior 25, under new legislation recently signed by Gov. Hochul.

If sent through the mail, registrations must be postmarked no less than 15 days before an election and received no less than 10 days prior. The 10-day minimum is required by the state Constitution.

State Assemblyman Robert Carroll (D-Brooklyn), the bill’s main sponsor in the lower house, said 31 states have registration deadlines under 25 days, with 18 offering same-day voter registration.

Carroll said New Yorkers must not face “unnecessary obstacles” to voting and called the law “a good step,” adding, “I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues and voting rights and election reform advocates in making New York State a true model when it comes to fair, transparent, and well administered elections and I will continue to advocate for same day registration in New York State.”

Finally an answer in AD 23

Pheffer Amato claims victory with 15 votes over Sullivan

by Deirdre Bardolf Associate Editor

The race for Assembly District 23, embroiled by an airtight margin and drawn out legal battle, has finally come to a close.

The campaign team of incumbent Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Park) announced her win with a margin of 15 votes over Republican challenger Tom Sullivan on Wednesday, the same day that the legislative session convened in Albany.

“I know this has been a long and difficult process for everyone involved,” said Pheffer Amato in a prepared statement.

“The wheels of our American democracy do not always turn as quickly as we’d like, but preserving the integrity of our elections, ensuring the accuracy of the count, and defending the right of every voter’s voice to be heard is more important than expediency.”

The counting of 74 cured absentee ballots, four affidavit ballots and 11 ballots with votes cast for the two candidates gave Pheffer Amato the final lead.

Sullivan confirmed the results to the Chronicle as well.

He said his team is “disappointed but not defeated” and although the process shook his faith in the electoral system, he is not deterred from running again. In about 14 months, he said, he will be ready to start campaigning for his next run, likely for the same seat.

The Board of Elections’ manual recount, which did not count the latest affidavits, wrapped up in early December and had Pheffer Amato ahead by an astounding single vote.

Q

The bill was sponsored in the upper house by Sen. Brian Kavanagh (D-Manhattan), who has introduced it for years.

— Peter C. Mastrosimone

“It was a long, hard, hard-fought, honest campaign,” Sullivan, a small business owner and U.S. Army Reserves colonel, told the Chronicle. “We surprised people on both sides for sure.”

At the close of Election Day, Sullivan was up by 246 votes with 94 percent of them counted. A recount was needed due to the closeness of the race and then came lawsuits from Pheffer Amato followed by an appeal from Sullivan over invalidated ballots.

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Pheffer Amato thanked supporters and constituents for their patience. “We have important work to do to fight for our community and stand up for our working families. This election is over, and I look forward to continuing this work for my constituents,” she said.

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato beat Tom Sullivan in the race for District 23.

PHOTOS BY PETER C. MASTROSIMONE, LEFT, AND DAVID RUSSELL / FILE

Shuttle to Jamaica suspended on Jan. 1

BID cites budget, usage, tech issues

by Sean Okula Associate Editor

Southeast Queens residents were left with one less transit option at the start of the new year.

GatewayJFK, the business improvement district covering the area of Springfield Gardens running primarily along Rockaway Boulevard near JFK Airport, announced the suspension of its shuttle service late last month. The organization cited budgetary concerns, low ridership and technological issues for the indefinite hold on the service.

The shuttle ran from the GatewayJFK district to the Downtown Jamaica Long Island Railroad transportation hub. It was made possible by a grant from the New York State Energy and Research Development Authority, matched in part by the BID.

The route was discontinued on Jan. 1.

“To date, GatewayJFK has contributed over $250,000 ... towards developing and providing the GatewayJFK Shuttle service,” the organization said in a statement. “Beyond the challenges that burdened the GatewayJFK Shuttle operations, its cost represented almost 60 percent of the budget, not sustainable without jeopardizing other GatewayJFK pro-

gramming that support businesses and residents alike.”

Per its website, GatewayJFK has an annual BID budget of $500,000. The statement says the organization is looking into alternative options for supplemental transit services.

The organization with which GatewayJFK partnered to operate the service, Dollaride, says any recent drop in ridership can be attributed to typical holiday season trends. It points to ridership figures from a period between Oct. 17 and Nov. 4 as more represen-

tative of a user baseline, when an average of 143.6 people utilized the service each day.

“The route was heavily subsidized by NYS from 2019 to 2022, making it possible for the GatewayJFK Business Improvement District to afford the service as the primary sponsor,” the organization said in a statement. “However, the BID’s $500,000 annual budget could not afford to sponsor the true cost of the route without support from other funding sources. Additionally, ridership alone could not cover the cost of the route without exorbitant fares.”

Dollaride says it lowered the cost of the service from $2 per ride to $1 per ride this past July.

GatewayJFK calls the area it represents a “transit desert,” a notion supported by Borough President Donovan Richards.

“The discontinuance of this important shuttle service is emblematic of the connectivity issues Queens faces as a whole — where entire communities have little to no reliable public transit service, forcing residents and workers to rely on alternate means of getting around,” he said in a statement.

“The fact of the matter is that we need significant investment from the MTA to make the transit deserts across this borough a thing of the past.”

Richards says he looks forward to the release of the final proposed Queens Bus Network Redesign later this year, and will work to ensure the needs of areas like Southeast Queens are properly accommodated.

Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson (D-South Ozone Park) pointed to previous fare hikes as a potential cause for decreased ridership on the shuttle. Regardless, he says improved transportation options are needed in the area, with the average commuter having a 15 minute walk to the nearest bus station in his 31st Assembly District.

“People are looking for an affordable way to get around the city,” he said. “We’re failing them time and time again, and we have to do better.” Q

Santos’ campaign finances

continued from page 2

reports in apparent response to an FEC letter notifying them of potential excessive contributions, but still did not appear to cure or even address the excessive contributions,” he added later.

Indeed, in some cases, it appears Nancy Marks, the campaign’s treasurer, attempted to reattribute money from the Primary Election fund to the General Election fund. However, because that was not done within 60 days, as required by the FEC, it is not considered cured. At that point, money needs to be refunded.

Ghosh pointed to one example in Santos’ April 2022 quarterly report. The initial version, filed on May 15, 2022, included one $500 excessive contribution that was flagged on June 30. Though the campaign submitted two amendments after that, “neither amended report appears to address (by redesignating or reattributing) the excessive contributions” for that individual, nor was that money refunded.

But Ghosh was clear: That example was just one of many.

“Santos’s campaign disclosed NO contribution refunds whatsoever, which is itself very odd and problematic,” he said. “The campaign either somehow managed to never refund a single dollar, or (much more plausible) they never made any refunds and/or never reported making any such refunds.

“At bottom, this is a campaign that does not appear to have kept very reliable books.”

As far as consequences, Hilland said the FEC could, in theory, audit a candidate.

“If there is a pattern of noncompliance over a two-year period — so if there’s a number of RFAIs that are sent out, and they’re not responded to, or responded inadequately — the committee itself could be audited by the FEC,” he said. “We would request their financial documents and we would match up what they reported on their FEC reports to what’s in their bank account.”

Hilland added that because End of Year filing reports — marking the end of the two-year election cycle — are not due until Jan. 31, audits have not yet begun.

Ghosh speculated that, especially given the widespread attention the Santos campaign has received in recent weeks, formal complaints of alleged campaign finance violations could be filed, whether by a watchdog organization, a political action committee (known as a PAC), a candidate or concerned citizen. That, he said, could be on top of other alleged campaign finance violations.

“If things are as bad as they appear to be, the Santos campaign would likely be looking at a hefty fine,” he said.

Neither Santos nor Marks responded to the Chronicle’s inquiries.

GatewayJFK announced the suspension of its shuttle service running between the confines of the BID and the Downtown Jamaica LIRR hub at the start of the new year. PHOTO COURTESY GATEWAY JFK

Ahead of visioning sessions, Queens groups aim to protect parkland Civics opposed to Citi Field casino

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

Numerous Queens civic organizations, including the Queens Civic Congress, voiced their opposition to building a casino in the Citi Field parking lot Tuesday, noting that the site in question is parkland.

In addition to several area residents and experts, the coalition — known as Save Flushing Meadows Corona Park — includes A Better College Point Civic Association, the Auburndale Improvement Association, the Bayside Hills Civic Association, the Bay Terrace Community Alliance, the Bellerose Commonwealth Civic Association, the Douglaston Civic Association, the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park Conservancy, the Holly Civic Association, the Juniper Park Civic Association, the Kissena Corridor Park Civic, the We Love Whitestone Civic Association, all of which are members of the Queens Civic Congress, which represents more than 60 groups.

“Our message to state legislators is: Our parkland is irreplaceable. It is not for sale,” Queens Civic Congress President Warren Schreiber stated. “Contrary to what would-be casino owners may say, public parkland is not ‘developable property,’ and it must never be viewed as such.”

This comes just days before Mets owner Steve Cohen is set to hold a “visioning session”

for members of the public to weigh in on the future of the 50 acres to the west of the stadium. Meanwhile, the state Gaming Commission has moved closer to issuing three downstate casino licenses, its Locations Board voting Tuesday to issue a request for applications.

The site in question is parkland that has been leased to the Mets to use for a stadium and parking since 1961. In response to a shopping mall proposal for the spot, the state Court of Appeals ruled in 2017 that no further development could occur because it is parkland. It did, however, say the state Legislature may alienate parkland as it sees fit. Several coalition members were plaintiffs in that case.

Among them is Flushing land use expert Paul Graziano. As he told the Chronicle, in previous cases where parkland has been alienated, pointing to Yankee Stadium as an example, the land in question has been replaced with new green space within walking distance. He was unsure that would be an option in this case.

That is just one of several reasons for the coalition’s opposition. Many raised concerns about traffic and the social ills that can come

with casinos, like substance and gambling addictions. While proponents argue it would benefit the Queens economy, the coalition is skeptical.

“Touting the economic benefit of a casino is like putting the proverbial ‘lipstick on a pig,’” Tony Nunziato, president of the Juniper Park Civic Association, said in a statement. “In fact, casinos extract wealth from communities, and typically weaken nearby businesses. Casinos

depend on problem gamblers for their revenue base and living close to a casino increases the chances of becoming a problem gambler.”

Cohen has not explicitly said he intends to use the site for a casino, though he has said part of his vision is bringing year-round entertainment. City and state records show that several lobbyists have pushed for a casino in the area on Cohen’s behalf; he has even met with Mayor Adams about the possibility. Schreiber told the Chronicle that, in a recent meeting with Cohen’s team, “They weren’t forthcoming, but they really didn’t hide it either.”

“We believe that Steve Cohen is trying to create a perception of public support for a vague concept of an ‘entertainment venue’ – but that he may later misrepresent that as support for a casino to be built on the parkland,” Jena Lanzetta, a Bayside community activist, said in a statement.

Asked for comment on the opposition, a spokesperson for Cohen said he is “committed to creating a space that people can come to every day of the year to hang out by the waterfront, enjoy green space, listen to live music and have plenty of options to eat and drink.” Q

Police are probing the death of a Maspeth man who was found lying in the street near a scooter Monday night in what is being considered a collision.

According to the NYPD, officers from the 104th Precinct responded at 11:23 p.m. to a 911 call reporting a “vehicle collision involving an electric scooter” on Hamilton Place near Borden Avenue.

Hamdan Almatare, 46, of 65th Place, was found in the roadway suffering from severe trauma. EMS personnel transported him to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, where he was pronounced dead.

The initial probe by the NYPD’s Collision Investigation Squad determined that he was headed north on Hamilton Place when for “unknown reasons” he fell away from the scooter and into the roadway. The investigation is continuing.

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), then entering TIP577. Tips are confidential. Q

— Michael Gannon

Steve Cohen’s “visioning sessions” for the 50 acres west of Citi Field are slated for this Saturday, Jan. 7. PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER BARCA / FILE

2022

Continuing on the comeback trail

Residents take the ups and downs in stride in 2022

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

There was bickering over bicycles; crime and weather to which residents are unaccustomed; and still plenty of time to engage in customs both solemn and just plain fun before Mid Queens drew the curtain on 2022.

July

A battered but not broken Covid struck back at the city and Queens got hit hard, with seven-day new case averages rising from 256 per 100,000 tests to 1,023.

The planned expansion of the Citi Bike program into the boundaries of Community District 5 had been controversial, if outwardly cordial, since word of the city Department of Transportation’s plans went public in March. Things boiled over for the first but not last time in 2022 in July over the usual sticking point — a lack of community input over siting of the bike docks and the potential for lost street parking. Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) called for Queens Borough Traffic Commissioner Nicole Garcia to be let go over the issue.

O’Neill’s Restaurant of Maspeth and GrubHub teamed with Holden and Councilwoman Julie Won (D-Sunnyside) to deliver 500 hot meals to the Bordon Avenue Veterans Residence in Long Island City.

The Chronicle learned that speed cameras operating near schools will not write tickets for the lower of two speed limits — one each for school and nonschool hours — because they can only be programmed to do so for one speed, in this case, the higher one, allowing for a 16-mile-per hour deviation during school hours.

The New York Mets retired uniform No. 17 in honor of former team captain and longtime club broadcaster Keith Hernandez on July 16. In August at Old Timers Day they

would fulfill a decades-old promise and do the same with Willie Mays’ No. 24.

City officials and local dignitaries gathered in Glendale at the Brooklyn border on July 29 to cut the ribbon on a newly refurbished intersection of Highland Boulevard and Vermont Place. Part of the project included easier and safer pedestrian access to Highland Park, which has an entrance at the intersection.

August

The NYPD’s 104th Precinct celebrated National Night Out Against Crime at Juniper Valley Park in Middle Village on Aug. 2.

Glenn Hirsch, the accused “Duck Sauce Killer,” committed suicide on Aug. 5 prior to a court hearing on murder and other charges in the April 30 death of Chinese food deliveryman Zhiwen Yan, a married father of three children. Hirsch had been under house arrest on $500,000 bail.

The city on Aug. 6 co-named the corner of 75th Street and 58th Avenue in Maspeth for Joseph Magnus, an immigrant who fled the Nazis in occupied Czechoslovakia and became the founder of the Middle Village Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Adams announced on Aug. 8 that starting Oct. 3, Queens will receive boroughwide curbside compost collection, with no signup needed.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Aug. 10 announced parameters for congestion pricing for drivers going to Manhattan south of 60th Street. Options, if the plan is approved by the federal government, could range from $9 to $23 per trip, depending on various factors.

That same day an appellate court backed the Adams administration decision to cut $215 million from the Department of Education budget for the present fiscal year.

Seventeen elected officials and community boards formally requested an environmental impact statement on the proposed QueensLink rail line between the Rockaways and Rego Park-Forest Hills.

On Aug. 29, Adams and Comptroller Brad Lander expressed concern that self-imposed city deadlines for replacing Rikers Island with four borough jails — including one planned for Kew Gardens near the courthouse — could be jeopardized by a growing jail population. A law on the city’s books mandates that Rikers be closed as a jail by 2027, and Adams has repeatedly said the city will follow the law.

Two Queens residents were among nine people arrested on Aug. 16 in connection with allegations of illegal gambling at two sites in Glendale, including the La Nazionale Soccer Club at 80-13 Myrtle Ave. and the Glendale Sports Club at 74-03 Myrtle Ave.

September

Dorothy Hirsch, the estranged wife of the late accused “Duck Sauce Killer” Glenn Hirsch, on Sept. 1 was indicted on weapons charges as a result of firearms found in her apartment. The weapons were found in a closet that Dorothy Hirsch’s attorney said was used exclusively by Glenn Hirsch, who had a key to the home. Surveillance video allegedly showed Glenn Hirsch visiting the apartment minutes after Zhiwen Yan was shot to death in Forest Hills. Dorothy Hirsch’s attorney has since filed motions asking for dismissal of the charges, claiming that the packaging of the weapons and the accused killer’s history of abusing his wife made it unlikely that she knew the guns were there; and that the Queens district attorney allegedly withheld evidence beneficial to Dorothy Hirsch from the grand jury.

Schools

Chancellor David Banks

announced on Sept. 6 that there will be no more snow days in the city school system, with storms triggering remote instruction.

Solemn commemorations marking the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center once again were observed in a rainy Juniper Valley Park; in the 9/11 Memorial Garden in Glendale; and in Maspeth at the 9/11 memorial located a short distance from the Maspeth firehouse, which lost 19 firefighters that day.

The borough received between 2 and 3 inches of rain varying from neighborhood to neighborhood on Sept. 13. Some residents throughout Queens had several feet of water consuming their basements and blocks. Many suffered similar flooding and damage to that of when remnants of Hurricane Ida struck, killing 11 Queens residents, just over a year previously on Sept. 1, 2021.

Adams on Sept. 16 announced a $35 million investment into the first phase of a project planned to bring a 47-acre linear park to central and South Queens. The project was in competition with QueensLink.

Maspeth Federal Savings informally marked the end of its nearly yearlong 75th anniversary celebration by bringing back its Smile on Maspeth carnival — canceled by Covid for two years — for the first time since 2019.

Gov. Hochul signed legislation phasing in limits on class sizes in New York City public schools. Caps will be 20 students in kindergarten through third grade; 23 in fourth through eighth grade; and 25 in high school. Adams, Banks and some parent groups were opposed, calling it an unfunded mandate.

The corner of 82nd Place and 64th Road in Maspeth was co-named for Thomas Abbey, a pilot in World War I who then served on the NYPD for 13 years. Returning to fly in World War II, he would be killed attempting to rescue a downed comrade.

The Mets clinched a playoff berth on Sept. 19 with a win over the Milwaukee Brewers. The San Diego Padres would not be as accommodating in the first round of the playoffs.

FDNY EMT Alison Russo-Elling, 61, was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack while she was on duty in Astoria on Aug. 29. Russo-Elling, who served at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and in its aftermath, was a 24-year veteran of the service. She was standing at the intersection of 20th Avenue and 41st Street at about 2:20 p.m. when she was approached by a man who stabbed her, knocking her to the sidewalk, before stabbing her again repeatedly. Peter Zisopoulos, 34, was arrested. Russo-Elling was posthumously promoted to lieutenant.

October

An appellate judge on Oct. 4 overturned a lower court ruling by dismissing a lawsuit aimed at stopping full implementation of the continued on page 22

Smile on Maspeth Day lifted more than residents’ spirits when it returned for the first time since 2019.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON / FILE

The end of 2022 appears to have brought a truce between the city and residents of Mid Queens, who have different views of how Citi Bike should be expanded.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON / FILE

STATE OF NEW YORK PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

CASE 22-T-0294 - Application of Beacon Wind LLC for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need for the Construction of Transmission Infrastructure from the Boundary of New York State Territorial Waters to a Point of Interconnection at the Astoria Power Comple x in Queens.

NOTICE INVITING PUBLIC COMMENT AND ANNOUNCING PUBLIC STATEMENT HEARINGS

(Issued December 19, 2022)

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that public comment is sought regarding a request by Beacon Wind LLC (Beacon Wind) to construct, operate, and maintain transmis sion facilities from the boundary of New York State waters to a point of interconnection in Astoria, Queens County, New York (Projec t). In order to construct the Project, Beacon Wind must fi rst obtain a Certifi cate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need from the Public Service Commission (Commission) pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law. Beacon Wind’s proposed Project includes one 320-kilovolt high voltage direct current submarine export cable circuit located within an approximately 115 nautical miles-long submarine export cable corridor from the boundary of New York State waters to the cable landfall at the Astoria power complex. The Project would also include one 2,000 feet-long onshore cable route and substation facility within the Astoria power complex .

Under New York State Law, the Commission may adopt or reject Beacon Wind’s proposal, in whole or part, or modify it. In doing s o, the Commission will consider input from the participating parties and the general public. Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) are presiding over the gathering of pub lic comments and all evidence related to the Project. As indicated in this Notice, public statement hearings will be held to obtain comments from the public concerning Beacon Wind’s proposal.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that virtual public statement hearings will be held before ALJs Dakin Lecakes and Lindsey Overton as follows:

Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Event Number: 2345 776 1023 Password: Jan24-1pm

Phone-Only Access: (518)549-0500 Access Code: 2345 776 1023

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Event Number: 2335 920 5588 Password: Jan24-5pm

Phone-Only Access: (518)549-0500

Access Code: 2335 920 5588

Any person wishing to provide a public statement on the record at the hearings must pre-register to do so by 3:00p.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023.

To pre-register and provide a statement electronically: Participants who would like to provide a statement and will log in to a hearing electronically must pre-register by the date an d time indicated above, by visiting www.webex.com, where they should click “Join” at the top right-hand corner of the screen, enter the event number listed above, and provide all requested information.

When logging in on the date and time of a hearing, participants will be asked to “select audio system.” It is recommended that participants opt to have the system “call me” or “call using computer.” The “call me” option will require that participants enter their phone numbers.

To pre-register and provide a statement by phone: Any participant who is not able to log in to a hearing electronically may participate by phone. Call-in participants wishing to provide a statement must pre-register by the date and time indicated above by calling 1-800-342-3330, where they should follow prompts to the appropriate hearing and provide the following information: fi rst and last name, address, and phone number.

On the date and time of the hearing, call-in participants should dial 518-549-0500 and enter the access code listed above.

The public statement hearings will be held open until everyone who has registered to speak has been heard or other reasonable a rrangements to submit comments into the record have been made. Time limits may be set for each speaker, as necessary. It is also recommended that lengthy comments be submitted in writing and summarized for oral presentation. A verbatim transcript of the public statement hearings will be made for inclusion in the record of this case.

Persons with disabilities requiring special accommodations should call the Department of Public Service’s Human Resources Manag ement Offi ce at 518-474-2520 as soon as possible. TDD users may request a sign language interpreter by placing a call through the New York Relay Service at 711. Individuals with difficulty understanding or reading English are encouraged to call the Department at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this notice.

Other Ways to Comment

For those who cannot attend or prefer not to speak at the public statement hearings, there are several other ways to provide your comments. Comments should refer to Case “22-T - 0294.” Although comments will be accepted throughout the course of this proceeding, they are requested on or before February 17, 2023.

Internet or Mail: Go to www.dps.ny.gov, click on “Search,” enter “22-T-0294” in the “Search by Case Number” fi eld, and then click on “Post Comments” at the top of the page.

Alternatively, comments may be mailed to the Hon. Michelle L. Phillips, Secretary, Public Service Commission, Three Empire Stat e Plaza, Albany, New York, 122231350. All written comments will become part of the record considered by the Commission and may be accessed on the Department of Public Service website by searching the case number, as described above, and clicking on the “Public Comments” tab.

Toll-Free Opinion Line: You may call the Commission’s Opinion Line at 1-800-335-2120. This number is set up to take comments about pending cases from in-State callers 24-hours a day. These comments are not transcribed verbatim, but a summary is provided to the Commission.

(SIGNED) MICHELLE L. PHILLIPS Secretary

Thursday, January 5, 2023

The bright side shining through YEAR IN REVIEW 2022

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

After the last two years, all of New York City learned to roll with life’s punches, and Central Queens was no exception from crime to flooding.

But the arts, sports, a new park and just plain old folks were always there to make the day a little brighter.

July

Queens bore the brunt of the city’s resurgence in Covid-19 cases, with seven-day averages rising from 256 per 100,000 tests to 1,023.

As the city dealt with lifeguard shortages, Mayor Adams reached a deal with DC 37 for pay increases and a new class of trainees.

Sandra Lindsay, a critical care nurse at Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Glen Oaks who was the first person in the country to get the Covid-19 vaccine, received the Medal of Freedom from President Biden on July 7.

The Chronicle learned that speed cameras operating near schools will not write tickets for the lower of two speed limits — one ech for school and nonschool hours — because they can only be programmed to do so for one speed, in this case, the higher one, allowing for a 16-mile-per hour deviation during school hours.

The New York Mets retired uniform No. 17 in honor of former team captain and longtime club broadcaster Keith Hernandez on July 16. In August at Old Timers Day they would fulfill a decades-old promise and do the same with Willie Mays’ No. 24.

The annual Festival of Cinema NYC in Forest Hills battled back to full strength and then some with its largest showing since the Covid pandemic.

Two Queens men were among five people charged on July 21 in a 1,611-count indictment alleging that a Tennessee gun show

vendor illegally sold firearms with knowledge that they would be resold in Queens and the Bronx, according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz at a press conference in her Kew Garden office. Some 145 handguns were purchased by a single undercover officer in a nine-month period.

In an effort to relay information about the monkeypox virus and vaccinations against it to members of the LGBTQ+ community, as men having sex with men make up the vast majority of cases thus far, Councilmember Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) took to Jackson Heights’ gay bar scene for a “night of action.” She was joined by Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights) and others.

The Long Island Rail Road placed accessibility projects at four Queens stations on the express track in its new five-year capital budget, including Forest Hills, Laurelton, Hollis and Douglaston.

City, state and federal officials asked city Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to apply for federal money to calm traffic along a 14-block section of 69th Avenue in Forest Hills between Burns Street and Metropolitan Avenue.

August

The NYPD’s 112th Precinct celebrated National Night Out Against Crime at MacDonald Park in Forest Hills on Aug. 2.

Glenn Hirsch, the accused “Duck Sauce Killer,” committed suicide on Aug. 5 prior to a court hearing on murder and other charges in the April 30 death of Chinese food deliveryman Zhiwen Yan, a married father of three children. Hirsch had been under house arrest on $500,000 bail.

Adams announced on Aug. 8 that starting Oct. 3, Queens will receive boroughwide

curbside compost collection, with no signup needed.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Aug. 10 announced parameters for congestion pricing for drivers going to Manhattan south of 60th Street. Options, if the plan is approved by the federal government, could range from $9 to $23 per trip, depending on various factors.

That same day an appellate court backed the Adams administration decision to cut $215 million from the Department of Education budget for the present fiscal year.

Seventeen elected officials and community boards formally requested an environmental impact statement on the proposed QueensLink rail line between the Rockaways and Rego Park-Forest Hills.

The Forest Hills Jewish Center agreed to the sale of its iconic synagogue building and land at 106-06 Queens Blvd. to private developers. The congregation intends to remain in the area, but had known for 20 years that the 1940s-vintage building had become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain.

Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Hillcrest) announced that the Briarwood neighborhood had scored “a major victory” with an agreement from the Adams administration to limit residents of a homeless men’s shelter slated for 138-50 Queens Blvd. to men age 55 and older. The theory is that many of the men will have aged out of some issues that younger men would have brought with them. But residents, business owners and property owners still had many reservations during a public Zoom meeting on Sept. 8.

On Aug. 29, Adams and Comptroller Brad Lander expressed concern that self-imposed city deadlines for replacing Rikers Island with four borough jails — including one planned for Kew Gardens near the courthouse — could be jeopardized by a growing

jail population. A law on the city’s books mandates that Rikers be closed as a jail by 2027, and Adams has repeatedly said the city will follow the law.

September

Dorothy Hirsch, the estranged wife of the late accused “Duck Sauce Killer” Glenn Hirsch, on Sept. 1 was indicted on weapons charges as a result of firearms found in her apartment. The weapons were found in a closet that Dorothy Hirsch’s attorney said was used exclusively by Glenn Hirsch, who had a key to her apartment. Surveillance video allegedly showed Glenn Hirsch visiting the apartment minutes after Zhiwen Yan was shot to death in Forest Hills on April 30. Dorothy Hirsch’s attorney has since filed motions asking for dismissal of the charges, claiming that the packaging of the weapons had his history of abusing his wife made it unlikely that she knew the guns were there; and that the Queens District Attorney allegedly withheld evidence beneficial to Dorothy Hirsch from the grand jury.

Schools Chancellor David Banks announced on Sept. 6 that there will be no more snow days in the city school system, with storms triggering remote instruction.

The application from Congregation Ohr Eliyahu to erect a two-story synagogue building with a basement on the site of a house at 85-94 66 Road cleared a key hurdle on Sept. 14 when Community Board 6 voted to approve it by a comfortable margin.

The borough received between 2 and 3 inches of rain varying from neighborhood to neighborhood on Sept. 13. Many residents throughout Queens had several feet of water consuming their basements and blocks. Many suffered similar flooding and damage to that of when remnants of Hurricane Ida struck, killing 11 Queens residents, just over a year previously on Sept. 1, 2021.

Gov. Hochul signed legislation phasing in limits on class sizes in New York City public schools. Caps will be 20 students in kindergarten through third grade; 23 in fourth through eighth grade; and 25 in high school.

Adams, Banks and some parent groups were opposed, calling it an unfunded mandate.

Adams on Sept. 16 announced a $35 million investment into the first 5-acre phase of a project planned to bring a 47-acre linear park to Central and South Queens. The project was in competition with QueensLink.

The Mets clinched a playoff berth on Sept. 19 with a win over the Milwaukee Brewers. The San Diego Padres would not be as accommodating in the first round of the playoffs.

October

U.S. Rep Grace Meng (D-Flushing) visited Forest Hills as part of her ongoing efforts to fix or avoid flooding problems in the borough. Meng was welcomed by Councilwom-

More prisoners than planned on paper have raised questions about the new jail planned for Forest Hills.

The Forest Hills Jewish Center is sticking around, even though the congregation has sold its iconic — but outdated — synagogue on Queens Boulevard. PHOTOS BY MICHAEL GANNON / FILE

Not even crime, and the remnants of Covid keep folks down

SUPER REHAB I HAD A TEAM!

Do’s and don’ts of healthy weight loss

Individuals aspiring to lose weight can follow a few simple guidelines on what to do and what not to do. Losing weight in a healthy manner is achievable when you seek guidance and follo w some time-tested techniques.

Maintaining a healthy weight promotes longterm health. Being overweight or obese are risk factors for various conditions, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The World Health Organization reports that the worldwide obesity rate has tripled since 1975. In 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults were overweight. Of these, more than 650 million were obese.

Health issues related to obesity are largely preventable. Losing weight in a healthy manner is essential for safe and lasting results. Individuals aspiring to lose weight can follow these guidelines on what to do and what not to do.

DO add lean protein sources to your diet. Healthline indicates the body burns calories when digesting and metabolizing protein, so a high-protein diet can help to shed up to 80 to 100 calories per day. Protein also helps you to feel full, reducing the propensity to overeat.

DON’T get hung up on numbers early on. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that even modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight is bound to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure. Start small and gradually build up.

DO eat at least four servings of vegetables and three servings of fruits daily. Produce contains an abundance of vital nutrients and is often fiber-rich and low in calories, which helps you to feel full.

DON’T overlook the impact of beverages on weight loss. The calories in sugary beverages, including some all-natural fruit juices, can add up quickly. Stick to water, tea or other unsweet-

ened beverages to help with weight loss.

DO get moving more. The Mayo Clinic notes that while it is possible to lose weight without exercise, getting moving can help burn off the excess calories you can’t cut through diet alone. Exercise boosts metabolism and benefits mood and strengthens muscles and the cardiovascular system as well.

DON’T go shopping while hungry. If you do, you may make impulse buys that compromise healthy eating plans.

DO speak with a doctor if you are vetting diet and exercise plans. A healthcare professional can assist you by indicating if a particular diet or fitness routine is acceptable for your age, goals and current health status.

DON’T forget to track eating. Most healthy diets involve some sort of calorie-counting, whether they actually require you to document your intake or use a formula to attribute “points” or another measure related to what you eat. Writing or tracking the foods and beverages you consume will provide the most honest assessment of habits that could affect weight loss.

DO include foods you enjoy. Completely restricting access to occasional treats may cause you to resent healthy eating, which can derail weight loss goals. The principle of moderation can apply to healthy weight loss as long as you account for the more calorie-dense foods.

Losing weight in a healthy manner is achievable when you seek guidance and follow some time-tested techniques.

Learn about Social Security online in 2023

by Nilsa Henriquez

Social Security programs touch the lives of more than 70 million people. We work hard to ensure critical benefits and other services are accessible to you. Consider the start of the new year as an opportunity for you to engage with Social Security online. This begins with creating your free and secure personal “my Social Security” account at

ssa.gov/myaccount. Once you create an account, you can:

• apply for retirement, spouses or disability benefits;

• apply for Medicare;

• check your application status; and

• request a replacement Social Security number card.

If you do not receive Social Security benefits, you can use your personal “my Social Security” account to:

• get personalized retirement benefit estimates;

• get your Social Security Statement;

• get estimates for spouse’s benefits; and

• get instant proof that you do not receive benefits.

If you receive benefits, you can use your personal “my Social Security” account to:

• change your address (Social Security benefits only);

• set up or change your direct deposit information (Social Security benefits

only);

• instantly get proof of benefits; and

• print your SSA-1099.

General enrollment period for Medicare part B

Nilsa Henriquez

Your personal “my Social Security” account has a secure Message Center. You can choose to receive the annual cost-of-living adjustments and the income-related monthly adjustment amount online. Unless you opt-out of receiving notices by mail that are available online, you will receive both mailed and online notices.

Your personal “my Social Security” account offers easy access to features that save you time when you do business with us online. Check out our other resources available at ssa.gov/onlineservices for your convenience.

Please share this information with your friends and loved ones who may need it. P

Nilsa Henriquez is a Social Security Public Affairs Specialist located in Queens.

If you did not apply for Medicare Part B (medical insurance) within three months before or after turning age 65, you have another chance each year during the General Enrollment Period. The period runs from January 1 to March 31 every year.

If you don’t enroll in Part B when you’re first eligible for it, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. Your monthly premium will increase 10 percent for each 12-month period that you were eligible for Part B but did not sign up for it. Your coverage starts the first day of the month after you sign up.

To learn more about Medicare, please visit our Medicare Benefits page at ssa.gov/ benefits/medicare. You may also read our publication at ssa. gov/pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf.

Please share this information with your friends and loved ones who may need it – and share it on social media. P

— Nilsa Henriquez

Mid Queens in 2022

November

David Bonola of South Richmond Hill was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Nov. 1 after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter for stabbing Forest Hills mother Orsolya Gaal, 51, more than 50 times and slitting her throat on April 16. Authorities believe Gaal had ended a relationship. Bonola put her dismembered body into a hockey equipment bag belonging to her sons and dragged her to Metropolitan Avenue near Forest Park, leaving a trail of blood.

A Twitter war between Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) and Borough President Donovan Richards that started on Nov. 3 when Holden endorsed Republican Lee Zeldin for governor led to charges of “white supremacy,” “racist dog whistles,” “unhinged behavior” and even “drunk tweeting.”

suggestions.

Holden on Nov. 25 received a letter from Sarah Carroll, chair of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, stating that the Maspeth fire house once again will be considered for landmark status. Supporters of the move cite the 1914 structure’s longtime service to the community, and the role it played on 9/11, where 19 of Maspeth’s firefighters were killed, the highest toll of any fire station in the city.

A routine traffic stop on Woodhaven Boulevard led to the rescue of a great Dane and her seven puppies, along with the arrest of a Philadelphia man on numerous animal cruelty charges. Ravon Service, 27, was pulled over on Nov. 27 in Rego Park for having an excessively loud exhaust system, according to the NYPD. Officers Kristen Candelaria and Kevin Sheehan of the 104th Precinct then saw the dogs.

continued from page 16

city’s outdoor dining program.

A vicious mugging on Oct. 13 in Middle Village saw a man steal $17,000 from a victim who had just left a neighborhood bank. It also led to the Guardian Angels, founded by former mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa, establishing regular patrols in the neighborhood.

Two senior citizens were injured, one

seriously, in Juniper Valley Park on Oct. 27 after they confronted three men riding dirt bikes on the park’s track, which was still under construction at the time.

Mayor Adams declared a state of emergency in response to the city’s influx of asylum seekers being regularly bused from near the Mexican border, and called for assistance from the state and federal governments.

Central Queens in 2022

continued from page 18

an Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) as the two toured flood-prone areas with city Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala. Sections of Forest Hills were inundated on Sept. 1, 2021. Several neighborhoods were slammed again by a heavy overnight storm this past Sept. 13.

Mayor Adams declared a state of emergency in response to the city’s influx of asylum seekers bused from the Mexican border, and called for assistance from the state and federal governments.

November

David Bonola of South Richmond Hill was sentenced to 25 years in prison on Nov. 1 after pleading guilty to first-degree manslaughter for stabbing Forest Hills mother Orsolya Gaal, 51, more than 50 times and slitting her throat on April 16. Authorities believe Gaal had ended a relationship. Bonola put her dismembered body into a hockey equipment bag belonging to her sons and dragged her to Metropolitan Avenue near Forest park, leaving a trail of blood.

A Twitter war between Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) and Borough President Donovan Richards that started on Nov. 3 when Holden endorsed Republican Lee Zeldin for governor led to charges of “white supremacy,” “racist dog whistles,”

“unhinged behavior” and even “drunk tweeting.”

On Nov. 8, Election Day, Gov. Hochul became the first woman elected to the office in her own right, while U.S. Senate majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was elected to a state record fifth term. Other victories went to state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills), and Assembly newcomers Juan Ardila (D-Western Queens) and Steven Raga (D-Woodside).

The Long Island Rail Road is shuffling schedules across all lines as it prepares to open its new Grand Central Terminal access. But some folks from Kew Gardens and Forest Hills weren’t on board with all the changes. Under the proposed new schedules, any train stopping at Kew Gardens, Forest Hills or Woodside — the latter a major transportation hub — would not stop at the other two stations.

A routine traffic stop on Woodhaven Boulevard led to the rescue of a great Dane and her seven puppies, along with the arrest of a Philadelphia man on numerous animal cruelty charges. Ravon Service, 27, was pulled over on Nov. 27 in Rego Park for having an excessively loud exhaust system, according to the NYPD. Officers Kristen Candelaria and Kevin Sheehan of the 104th Precinct then saw the dogs.

On Nov. 8, Election Day, Gov. Hochul became the first woman elected to the office in her own right, while U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) was elected to a state record fifth term. Other victories went to state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach), Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills), and Assembly newcomers Juan Ardila (D-Western Queens) and Steven Raga (D-Woodside).

The installation of Citi Bike docks in District 5 was “paused” after a meeting with community leaders and officials from the Adams administration. The city agreed to consider community-based studies and

December

Susan Merzon, the founder of the Queens Chronicle, died on Dec. 15. She was 78. Merzon was a fierce fighter who overcame lifelong health challenges and the mass city layoffs of 1975 to become a selfmade success in the news business.

Just before Christmas, the perfect storm rocked southern Queens as a new moon coincided with the bomb cyclone in the northeast United States. It produced flooding reminiscent of Hurricane Irene in 2011, which hit the year before Superstorm Sandy, bringing approximate 3-foot storm surges.

December

Two bandits made off with $10,000 after robbing a business in the heart of Forest Hills in the early morning hours of Dec. 3, police said. The men hit Continental Smoke Shop, at 107-36 71 Ave. just off Queens Boulevard, at about 2 a.m., the NYPD reported. One pulled a gun, took the money from the register and fired a shot into the floor. No one was injured.

Susan Merzon, the founder of the

Queens Chronicle, died on Dec. 15. She was 78. Merzon was a fierce fighter who overcame lifelong health challenges and the mass city layoffs of 1975 to become a selfmade success in the news business.

The perfect storm, so to speak, rocked southern Queens late last week as a new moon coincided with the bomb cyclone in the northeast United States. It produced flooding reminiscent of Hurricane Irene in 2011, which hit the year before Superstorm Sandy, bringing 3-foot storm surges.

Mayor Adams, in Forest Hills, announced a $35 million initiative to create a linear park along the old Long Island Rail Road Rockaway Line.

PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF / FILE

The Guardian Angels this fall began regular patrols in the Maspeth-Middle Village area in response to some violent and high-profile crimes. PHOTO COURTESY GUARDIAN ANGELS / FILE

MASPETH MEMORIES

Small things take author, readers back in time

by Michael Gannon

Maspeth native Maxine Fisher spent more than four decades living a short hop away in Forest Hills before moving back shortly before Covid-19 came to prominence.

But after the pandemic took hold, Fisher’s regular solitary walks over two years through her home town — “This place still refers to itself as a town as opposed to a neighborhood” — revealed to her just how far away she had been, and how far back long-forgotten memories could take her while still standing on a street corner or in front of a store that is vastly different, though still much the same as when she was a child.

The title of her new book, “Finding Lost Time,”

(Miller Art Co.) is inspired by Marcel Proust’s 1913 work “In Search of Lost Time” and its structure by Henry David Thoreau’s 1854 classic “Walden.” The two are her favorite writers.

She was sometimes accompanied on those walks by her long-haired dachshund, Toby, or one or more neighborhood birds.

“I began to realize everywhere I went, I added up these longterm memories that had been dormant for decades,” Fisher said in an interview this week. “Every street corner, it seemed I met some ghost from my childhood, from my family, who wanted to engage me in conversation. I was keeping a journal, so I was recording the observations, both of nature and the landscape of Maspeth. I knew as the material was accumu-

lating, that there was perhaps a book in it.”

The final cue to do so came from friend and fellow author Richard Quinney of Wisconsin.

“He said, ‘You speak of Maspeth like it’s your Walden.’”

The book, available on Amazon, goes back to 1919, when Jacob Fisher, a young Russian Jewish immigrant with a dream of opening a men’s haberdashery shop, stumbled across a building for sale after getting lost in a place called Maspeth. Her grandfather, David, and father, Norm, all would run the store over time, their families over three generations working in The Store and living in rooms behind and above The Front, or sales floor for shirts, ties, shoes and more.

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

Forest Hills Gardens was the ticket for Ferraro

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

Geraldine Ferraro was born upstate in Newburgh, NY, on Aug. 26, 1935 to firstgeneration immigrants Dominick and Antonetta Ferraro. Life was good as her father owned two restaurants, but he suddenly passed away from a heart attack on May 29, 1944, just days before his 46th birthday. Geraldine was only 8 years old. Her mother moved her and her brother to the South Bronx and worked as a seamstress.

Ferraro graduated college and became a schoolteacher in Astoria. She met John Zaccaro, and they became engaged in 1959 and married in July 1960. They moved into an apartment building at 110-45 Queens Blvd. in Forest Hills. She continued to advance herself, passing the bar in 1961 to become a lawyer. She had her first child, a daughter named Donna, the next year. A boy and another girl soon followed, making it necessary to look for a house. They bought a lovely one at 22 Deepdene Road in the Gardens section of Forest Hills.

Ferraro worked civil cases in her husband’s real estate business for 13 years,

keeping her maiden name in honor of her mother who supported the family during hard times. She entered politics, won a seat in Congress and was selected as the vice presidential candidate for Democrat Walter Mondale in 1984. They lost, but she continued to do good work until she contracted multiple myeloma. She battled it for 12 years and died on March 26, 2011 at 75. Q

Loca l L egends: Celebrating L oya l C lients, Success, a nd a V isit f rom S anta

With the holidays now over, Capri Jet Realty can look back at it’s favorite time of the year. The company’s founder, Robert Napolitano, Jessie Lookfong, the Sales Manager, and its agents wholeheartedly always embrace the holiday spirit because it is the perfect time to remind their clients and local community how much they mean to Capri Jet Realty. Looking back at the year’s and, the celebrations are a great memory. Mr. Napolitano prides himself in throwing elaborate appreciation dinners during the holidays for his agents, friends, family, and long-time clients.

Capri Jet Realty hosted their annual community event on Saturday, Dec. 10th, when Santa came to visit all the children in Williamsburg. In addition, Capri Jet Realty continues to be proud sponsors of St. Nick’s Alliance and participated in this year’s annual Holiday Food Drive for the less fortunate. Even with the holidays over, you can still make your way over to 533 Metropolitan Avenue to drop-off canned foods. Wednesday, Dec. 14th, marked Capri Jet Realty’s Annual Client Appreciation Dinner at Vetro’s Restaurant in Howard Beach. Over 160 of the company’s clients attended the party, making it a night to remember. Capri Jet’s

clients said that last year’s party was an “overthe-top experience” that could not be missed this year; the word quickly spread! To make this year special, Mr. Napolitano announced the raffl e winner of Capri Jet’s First Referral Program which included a 7-Day Luxurious Caribbean Cruise for Two. The winner of the raffl e was Joseph Volpe, who is a very close client of Capri Jet’s top producing agent, Theo Eastwind. It is safe to say that next year will be another Referral Program winner for all Capri Jet’s clients.

For the past thirty years, the boutique real estate agency in Williamsburg has enjoyed a longstanding stellar reputation for their in-depth market knowledge and exceptional customer service, while also taking an active role in the Brooklyn community. Owner Robert Napolitano knows that his business continues to fl ourish due to faithful clients and for that he is grateful. “I have always been blessed to have good people surround me,” he says. The end of the year is the best time to refl ect on past achievements, show appreciation to those who contribute to one’s success, and set goals for the upcoming year to propel each other forward.

533 Metropolitan Ave., Bklyn, NY 11211 347-450-3577 info@CapriJetRealty.com www.CapriJetRealty.com

The home of former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro at 22 Deepdene Road in Forest Hills, as it looked in the 1950s.

Coaching for New Year’s resolution resolve

by Sean Okula associate editor

New year, new you need not be so burdensome.

The Chronicle spoke with a pair of Queens-oriented life coaches about ways to keep one’s New Year’s resolutions.

Both Jonathan Wachtel, a Connecticutbased life coach who formerly worked out of Kew Gardens and still virtually sees a number of Queens-based clients, and Louise Derzansky, a Briarwood-based life coach specializing in attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactive disorder treatment, say it’s good to find time to make goals for oneself, regardless of the time of year.

“It’s good to have checkpoints,” Wachtel said. “You have birthdays, you have holidays. When we have checkpoints, it breaks up the monotony and gets us to review what’s going on in our lives from a different perspective.”

“It’s good to ask yourself, with any resolution you might think about, ask yourself if it will really do something important for you if you achieve it,” Derzansky said.

Wachtel believes in that sense of feelingsbased goal setting. He believes it best for resolution-makers to use their feelings as a compass, trying to determine which actions

will make one looking to improve oneself feel better in the long run.

“The problem is, when we make our goals ‘have-to’ goals, I have to do this, I have to do that because everyone else is doing it, because I just think I should, because someone else said to; that’s not a good New Year’s resolution. That’s not a good goal,” he said. “That’s a goal that we probably will not reach, and even if we do, we won’t feel good about it.”

While Wachtel applies that logic on a broader scale, in terms of setting a goal to begin with, he says it can also apply on a more micro level. One may have a good, personal goal that, on any given day, one just doesn’t feel like working toward for whatever reason, and Wachtel says that can be OK.

“If it doesn’t feel good to do it when you’re actually feeling good, then it was good to take the break. It was on track with your goal,” Wachtel said.

The aim, in Wachtel’s eyes, is feeling good. It is not in one’s best interest to force oneself to work toward a goal simply because it feels like something they “should” do. Individuals should take stock of what’s actually going to make them feel good; the aim of resolution-making, after all, is to feel better about oneself after a period of time.

Derzansky says the best thing to do with a bad day is flush it and move on.

“You have all of these reasons for wanting to lose weight, be in better shape, that it’s OK if you have one bad day,” she said. “It doesn’t have to slow you down overall. You can still make steady progress toward the goals.”

If the bad days become a pattern, Wachtel says, that could be a sign the goal that a resolution-maker may have selected is not best for him or her. He says that realization in itself could be a positive, as continuing down the path of achieving a goal that is not going to ultimately breed good feelings is like following GPS directions that are leading you to the wrong destination: What’s the point of continuing on if you’re not going to

get where you need to go?

When it comes to finding ways to make progress toward a goal that one has identified as a possible enactor of positive change in one’s life, Derzansky says it might be best to bring someone else on board as a possible motivator. Above all else, she says any resolution-maker should stick to hyping oneself up rather than tearing oneself down.

“Try to replace that negative self-talk with more positive self-talk,” she said. “It’s very cognitive. It’s not just following a regimen or a diet. It’s about trying to figure out what might be stopping you from following these regiments.”

Wachtel emphasizes the importance of opening a dialogue with one’s feelings: instead of willing oneself into feeling better, trying to figure out what might be making one feel bad in the first place.

“If we respond to the reactive stuff inside us and we say, ‘I hear you. I didn’t realize I was making you feel this. I want to make you feel better. How can I do that? What would be a better feeling that we could aim for?,’ then we’re turning it into a dialogue instead of a monologue,” he said.

Those interested in retaining Wachtel’s or Derzansky’s services can visit their respective websites, jonathanrwachtel.com or support essencecoaching.com.

‘Finding Lost Time’ comes easy in Maspeth

The building at 66-66 Grand Ave. still stands, now an insurance agency, minus some of the structure and land taken away in the 1950s by the construction of the Long Island Expressway.

“The LIE figuratively and literally cut Maspeth in half,” Fisher says, her voice tinged with sorrow even after all these decades.

While inspired greatly by Proust and

what Fisher said was his obsession with the power of memories and how memory itself worked, there also seems to be at least some parallel with JK Rowling.

In Rowling’s Harry Potter series, portkeys are charmed objects that can transport a person to another place.

In Fisher’s book, ordinary-seeming objects can keep a person on the same street corner or same room or in front of the same building while taking them back in time.

The scent of a damp hat after a walk on a snowy evening takes one back to a closet in a classroom at PS 72, where students hung their wet winter gear.

A bright green shrub outside a shop on Grand Avenue takes one across the street to where a luncheonette served up a bright green lemon-lime drink to be enjoyed over tuna salad sandwiches with one’s mother.

Fisher was moved to enter a store that was the Maspeth Theater, looking to place the candy counter where she saw movies and attended bingo with her grandmother.

Letters from World War II Army recruit Norm Fisher to his future bride discuss his hopes for the future, even with his own so uncertain; one that the young man with a

Author Maxine Fisher, top left and at center in black tie in a school photo, tells how something as small a hat damp from a snowstorm can take one back decades while remaining in the same place in her native Maspeth. On the cover: Fisher and her brother, Steve, observe construction of the Long Island Expressway that changed Maspeth and the family’s three-generation home and business, inset, forever.

gift for writing and art secretly hoped would not include The Store. Passing the Maspeth firehouse on Grand Avenue conjures bittersweet memories of a class trip there as a girl, and of a memorable remark that day by the intelligent, affable class clown, a boy who later went to Vietnam

and would never come home.

And walking past Christmas lights can still place her bundled in the back seat of her grandfather David Fisher’s car — men and boys in the front seat, women and girls in the back — to see the lights on some of the very same homes decades earlier.

Life coaches Jonathan Wachtel, left, and Louise Derzansky. COURTESY PHOTOS

COURTESY PHOTOS

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Legal Notices

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF QUEENS, HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2006-1, V. HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF LETA WEBB, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated June 29, 2022, and entered in the Offi ce of the Clerk of the County of Queens, wherein HSBC BANK USA, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR THE REGISTERED HOLDERS OF RENAISSANCE HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST 2006-1 is the Plaintiff and HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF LETA WEBB, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE on the COURTHOUSE STEPS OF THE QUEENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., JAMAICA, NY 11435, on January 20, 2023 at 11:30AM, premises known as 152-22 119TH AVENUE, JAMAICA, NY 11434: Block 12210, Lot 51: 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. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led Judgment Index # 711176/2015. Joseph F. DeFelice, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

2371 BAYVIEW LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 09/30/19. Offi ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon swhom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 46-05 Northern Boulevard, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, RIDGEWOOD SAVINGS BANK, Plaintiff, vs. RENOTTI M. HILL ALEXANDER, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 31, 2019 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens Supreme Court, courthouse steps, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on January 27, 2023 at 10:15 a.m., premises known as 17623 127TH AVENUE, JAMAICA, NY 114343300 A/K/A 17623 127TH AVENUE, ADDISLEIGH PARK, NY 11434-3300 A/K/A 17623 127TH AVENUE, ROCHDALE VILLAGE, NY 11434-3300. 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: 12526, Lot: 24, approximate amount of judgment is $196,953.21 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led Judgment Index # 701087/2018. All parties shall comply with the Eleventh Judicial District’s COVID-19 Policies concerning Public Auctions of foreclosed properties. These policies, along with the Queens County Foreclosure Auction Rules, can be found on the Queens Supreme Court - Civil Term Website (https:// www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/COURTS/11jd/supreme/ civilterm/partrules/Foreclosure_Auction_Rules.pdf) If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. LAMONT R. BAILEY, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

4 LALLS, LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 07/27/18. Offi ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 122-15 150th Avenue, South Ozone Park, NY 11420. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2007WM1 ASSET BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, vs. SABRINA EDERY, AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF ANN LEWITINN, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on August 25, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the outside steps of the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY on February 3, 2023 at 12:30 p.m., premises known as 13-52 Dickens 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 15665 and Lot 38. Approximate amount of judgment is $905,788.55 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led Judgment Index #703799/2021. The Referee shall comply with the Eleventh Judicial District’s COVID-19 policies concerning public auctions of foreclosed properties. These policies, along with the Queens County Foreclosure’s Auction Rules, can be found on the Queens Supreme CourtCivil Term website. Austin I. Idehen, Esq., Referee, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC, 10 Bank Street, Suite 700, White Plains, New York 10606, Attorneys for Plaintiff

411 EAST 163RD STREET, LLC, Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 12/21/2022. Offi ce 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, 14-20 136th Street, College Point, NY 11356. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

61-76 56th Street LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/14/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Janusz Grabinski, 58-23 61st St., Maspeth, NY 11378. General Purpose

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT

- COUNTY OF QUEENS JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff - against - HUGO VELASTEGUI, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on December 27, 2019. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the Courthouse steps of the Queens Supreme Court, located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on the 3rd day of February, 2023 at 11:00 AM. 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. Premises known as 103-12 104th Street, Ozone Park, New York 11417. (Block: 9507, Lot: 12) Approximate amount of lien $722,088.99 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 704393/2014. Charlane O. Brown, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840, New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409 For sale information, please visit Auction. com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 Dated: August 29, 2022 During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale.

917 Clintonville LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 12/9/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Debra B. Dunham, 151-16 9th Ave., Whitestone, NY 11357. General Purpose

Real Estate

EQUAL 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 212941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 718-722-3131. The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.

Apts.For Rent

Greenpoint, 203 Engert Ave, #2. 1 BR/1 bath w/office. $2,600/mo. Avail NOW. Heat & hot water inc. Office space, updated kit countertops, new flrs, queen-sized BR. Call Francesco Belviso, 718-570-4564. Capri Jet Realty.

Greenpoint, 3 Russell St, #2R. 1 BR/1 bath. $2,700/mo. Brand new kit w/SS appli, dishwasher, HWF, large LR, Pergo laminate fl. Heat & hot water incl. Avail Jan 1. Call Francesco Belviso, 718-570-4564. Capri Jet Realty

Greenpoint, 738 Humbolt St, #2. 4 BR/2 bath apt—$4,900/mo. Fully renov, new & modern kit w/SS appli & dishwasher, W/D, Central AC. Heat & water incl. Avail Jan 15. Call Agnes Siedlik, 917-288-0660. Capri Jet Realty

Apt.Wanted

Looking to rent 1 BR on ground floor in Queens area. Rose 929-295-8330

Furn.Rm.For Rent

Howard Beach Furnished Room for rent: $250 per week. Males only. Gas and electric, Wi-Fi all included. Close to shopping, trans & JFK airport. Contact 347-447-1336. Call or text.

Open House

Howard Beach/Lindenwood / Fairfield Arms. Sat 01/07, 151-20 88th St. 1pm-2:30pm. Hi-Rise, Lg 2 BRs, 2 baths, all new carpeting. Reduced $228K. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

Howard Beach/Lindenwood / Fairfield Arms. Sat 01/07, 151-20 88th St. 1pm-2:30pm. Hi-Rise, 3 BRs converted from 2 BRs, 2 full baths, newly renov lobby & all 6 fls. Reduced $260K. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

Howard Beach/Lindenwood / Fairfield Arms. Sat 01/07, 151-20 88th St. 1pm-2:30pm. 1 BR, 1 bath, Needs TLC. $169K Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

Howard Beach/Lindenwood / Ardsley Bldg. Sat 01/07, 153-25 88 St, 12:30pm-2:30pm. Beautiful 1 BR Co-op w/terr. Small dog allowed. 30% D.P. req. “Just move-in”. Reduced $209K. Hi-Rise, on 6th fl, 2 BRs, 2 full baths, DR/ dining area & galley kit. Reduced $245K. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

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

SHERIFF’S SALE

DAVIS, to me directed and delivered, I WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION, by Dennis Alestra DCA# 0840217., auctioneer, as the law directs, FOR CASH ONLY, on the 8th day of FEBRUARY, 2023, at 2:30PM, at the QUEENS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, 30-10 STARR AVENUE, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101 in the county of QUEENS all the right, title and interest which VAMEERSHALA DAVIS, the judgment debtor(s), had on the 3rd day of JANUARY, 2017, or at any time thereafter, of, in and to the following properties:

Address: 163-12 122nd Avenue, Jamaica, New York 11434 Block: 12380 Part of Lot: 30

ALL that certain plot, place or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situated, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, shown and belonging to Edgar Whitlock, surveyed June, 1899 by E.W. Conklin and Sons, C.E. & C.S. and filed in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens, July 5, 1899, as Map Number 446, being more particularly bounded and described as follows:

BEGINNING at the point on the southerly side of 122nd Avenue, formerly called Elwyn Place, distant 93 feet easterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the southerly side of 122nd Avenue, with the easterly side of New York Boulevard, as widened (80 feet wide), formerly known as New York Avenue;

RUNNING THENCE southerly at right angles to 122nd Avenue, 100 feet:

THENCE easterly parallel with 122nd Avenue, 30 feet; THENCE northerly at right angles to 122nd Avenue, 100 feet to the southerly side of 122nd Avenue; and

THENCE westerly long the southerly side of 122nd Avenue, 30 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING

Said premises also being known as 163-12 122ND Avenue, New York 11434

(Block: 12380, Part of Lot: 30).

Notice of Formation of AERIAL ARMOR APPAREL LLC

Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/12/2022. Offi ce 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: AERIAL ARMOR APPAREL, 21-22 21ST ROAD APT 2F, ASTORIA, NY 11105. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of DEEN SWEET TREATS, LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/30/2021. Offi ce 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: DEEN SWEET TREATS, LLC, 226-46 77TH AVE, BAYSIDE, NY, 11364. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of JUPITER

SOCIETY BOOKS, LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/18/2022. Offi ce 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: AQUILAH JOURDAIN, 144-24 VILLAGE RD, 67C, JAMAICA, NY 11435. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

KSR Real Estate LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/19/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 260 Beach 116th St., Rockaway Park, NY 11694.

General Purpose

Legal Notices Legal Notices

Notice of Formation of MAMA LUNA LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/10/2022. Offi ce 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: JACKLYN ZOPPI, 71-38 66TH PLACE, 2ND FLOOR, FLUSHING, NY 11385. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

RENECELL USA LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 08/24/22. Latest date to dissolve: 12/31/2122. Offi ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Myungok Do, 3516 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of SIM SWIMMS LLC. Art. Of Org. fi led with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/05/22. Offi ce in Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 11534 227TH ST, CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, NY, 11411. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

UTOPIA TOWERS LLC fi led Arts. of Org. with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/1/2022. Offi ce: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: c/o Ochs & Goldberg, LLP, 1270 Ave. of the Americas, Ste. 747, New York, NY, 10020.

Purpose: any lawful act.

THE ROCKAWAY RETREAT, LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 11/22/22.

Offi ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 500 Mamaroneck Avenue, Suite 301, Harrison, NY 10528.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF QUEENS U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP., CSMC MORTGAGE-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1, V. ELAINE WILSON, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated August 10, 2022, and entered in the Offi ce of the Clerk of the County of Queens, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON MORTGAGE SECURITIES CORP., CSMC MORTGAGE-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-1 is the Plaintiff and ELAINE WILSON, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE on the COURTHOUSE STEPS OF THE QUEENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., JAMAICA, NY 11435, on January 13, 2023 at 12:00PM, premises known as 144-59 176TH ST, JAMAICA, NY 11434: Block 13288, Lot 49: 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 Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led Judgment Index # 704555/2022. Frank Bruno, Jr., Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES.

Notice of formation of US HOPEFLUENT LLC. Arts of Org fi led with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/13/22. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 140-86 34th Ave., Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: any lawful act.

BY VIRTUE OF AN EXECUTION ISSUED OUT OF THE SUPREME COURT, COUNTY OF QUEENS, in favor of JUDGMENT CREDITOR LESTER KORINMAN KAMRAN & MASINI, P.C. f/k/a LESTER & ASSOCIATES, P.C ., and ROY J. LESTER, and against JUDGMENT DEBTOR VAMEERSHALA

CENTURY 21 AMIABLE II

The bulls are back

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

It is to be seen whether 2023 will be a bullish or bearish year on Wall Street, but the bulls will be kicking off the new year in New York this weekend as the Professional Bull Riders return to Madison Square Garden for their three-day “Unleash the Beast Tour” competition.

A misconception is that the vast majority of PBR competitors hail from Texas. It has become an international sport with riders from every continent. The 2022 PBR champion is Daylen Swearingen, who grew up in upstate New York.

PBR public relations director Andrew Giangola grew up in Queens Village. He told me he was the last baby delivered at the old Deepdale Hospital in Little Neck. Giangola has just authored a book, “Love & Try” (Cedar Gate Publishing), that provides both a detailed history of bull riding, and why he fell in love with the sport. There are uplifting stories such as how Jonnie Jonckowski was the first female bull rider to compete successfully with the men, and how Charles Sampson, who grew up in the Watts section of Los Angeles, became the first AfricanAmerican to win a bull riding championship back in 1982.

Giangola does not shy away from the fact that danger comes with every bull ride. One of the best bull riders in the sport’s history, Jerome Davis, was paralyzed when he lost his balance

and was then attacked by the bovine. Davis still loved bulls and bull riding despite his tragic accident. He and his wife raise bulls for PBR on their High Point, NC, ranch.

If there is one topic that Giangola is enthusiastic about, it is the belief bulls are mistreated. Those who make it to the PBR circuit, he said, are well cared for. Giangola makes clear every PBR bull enjoys a nice retirement on the kind of ranch Davis runs. None winds up in a butcher shop, which is the unfortunate fate of most of their brethren who don’t have the bucking skills to qualify for PBR events.

The 2022 Pinstripe Bowl, held at Yankee Stadium on a mild late December Thursday, was an entertaining game in which the Minnesota Golden Gophers beat the Syracuse Orangemen, 28-20. The game was the first in which Arkansas’s Bad Boy Mowers was the corporate sponsor. The company is committed for the next three Pinstripe Bowls. They replaced the sports apparel manufacturer New Era, which had been the title sponsor since the game’s inception in 2010.

I asked Yankees President Randy Levine at the pregame press conference if he had qualms about the survivability of the Pinstripe Bowl after New Era informed him it would not continue their sponsorship. “We’re the Yankees. We weren’t worried!” he replied with a smile. Q

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

• Lindenwood •

Lovely courtyard 2nd fl oor unit.

1 BR, 1 bath. Base maint: $673.34, electric: $23.00= $696.34. Electric is based on usage. Parking is $25.00 for outdoor, $55.00 for garage, ( both waitlist ). Storage is $20.00.

• Howard Beach • This 3 BR, 2½ bath Ranch is located in prime area of Howard Beach. One block from shopping & stores, 4 block radius to both private & public schools, transportation into Manhattan. Quiet tree lined block. This could be a great starter home for new home buyers with just some TLC. Being sold as is. Oven being sold as is.

• Ozone Park •

Welcome to this beautiful & spacious English Tudor located in the heart of Ozone Park-Centerville.Amazing house features 3 BR, 2 baths, oversized LR, formal dining room & a large sunny kitchen. Bsmnt is fully renovated w/separate entrance & a laundry room. House comes with a pvt dvwy that fi ts multiple vehicles. The backyard is very charming with a beautiful large patio & a shed for extra storage. It’s a well-maintained & loved property.

• Broad Channel •

Beautiful open fl oor plan: living room, kit w/granite countertops, cherrywood cabinets & center island, 1/2 bath, larger master BR with 1/2 bath, sliding doors to balcony. 2 more BR, 1 with 1/2 bath & 1 w/large deck. Hardwood fl oors & tiled floors

the bathroom, kitchen heater under the kitchen sink. Driveway, plenty of storage underneath the home. Walk to stores, parks, tennis courts, library, 5 minute drive to Rockaway Beach & ferry, 15 minutes to JFK, near express bus to Manhattan.

• Lindenwood • 2 bedroom, 2 bath Co-op. Updated kitchen and fl ooring. New carpeting thru-out. Unit has been freshly painted, corner unit, very spacious. 25% down payment required. Base: $927.67, Appliances: $8.00, Guard fee: $35.00, AC’s fee: $42.00, Assessment: $117.99= $1,130.66. $32/ share fl ip tax, 350 shares. $20/month parking fee, (waitlist).