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Afire that injured 18 children at an unlicensed daycare center in Kew Gardens Hills on Jan. 25 raised a great deal of outcry in its immediate aftermath.
Now city and state agencies are sorting out just what happened while elected officials in City Hall and Albany decide what steps to take next.
The fire at 147-07 72 Drive sent one child to the hospital in critical condition with what published reports said was smoke inhalation. Further updates on the child’s condition have been unavailable.
Through a spokesman, the state agency that licenses daycare facilities is not calling it an illegal operation so far.
“The New York State Office of Children and Family Services is devastated to learn of the injuries suffered by these children,” the agency said in an email. “While the program in question is not licensed by OCFS, the agency is conducting a thorough review to determine if it was, in fact, operating illegally. At this time, we cannot comment further on an active OCFS investigation.”
Inspectors with the city’s Department of Buildings slapped a full vacate order on the home, which the DOB website showed still
was in force as of the Chronicle’s deadline.
A department spokesman in an email said the daycare operation and a dental lab discovered in the home resulted in two violations being issued — one for construction
work in the cellar without the proper DOB permits; and the other for allowing occupancy of the cellar, which was listed in city records as accessory storage space. Both are civil matters with maximum
fines of $25,000. The DOB said the case would be adjudicated by the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
Asked if it was conducting an investigation of its own, the NYPD referred all inquiries to the DOB and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. A spokesman for the latter said the agency does not typically investigate fire-related matters.
The office of Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz declined to comment as to whether there is or is not an investigation at this time.
Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), while offering prayers for the victims and their families last Thursday, was livid.
“A child was critically injured in what was a completely avoidable tragedy — not only because this daycare facility had no business operating in the first place, but also because, yet again, a dangerous e-scooter was to blame,” Gennaro said in a statement from his office. “The city rushed to legalize e-bikes and e-scooters in 2020 before my return to the Council without the proper regulations in place. Last year, six New Yorkers died in fires caused by these types of batteries and another 216 fires were connected to them. And just last week, a
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Educating our students to be independent thinkers and lifelong learners.Firefighters confer in the aftermath of a fire in an unlicensed daycare center on 72nd Drive in Kew Gardens Hills that hurt 18 children. PHOTO COURTESY FDNY
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The Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association began distributing surveys at its monthly meeting Tuesday to gauge interest in a proposal to hire private security for the area.
The survey asks people to indicate which option they would be willing to pay for, granted 1,000 households participate. It would cost $100 per family for the year for one car, $200 a year for two or $300 for three. If more households participate, the cost will go down.
The civic will collect the surveys through next month and compile the data. If there is enough interest, explained Co-president Phyllis Inserillo, the group will have the company it has been in contact with attend a meeting to take questions from the public.
Then, the civic can begin collecting checks and the company can start within two weeks.
“We need your help,” Inserillo told the crowd of over 100 at the meeting. “If you really want this, you’re going to have to go out and tell your friends and neighbors.”
She acknowledged the breadth of the undertaking. “This is a big job for us,” Inserillo said. “The nine of us work as volunteers. We’re willing to do it because we care.”
She said they are not guaranteeing a decrease in crime and that it is not that high in the area compared to the rest of the city.
“Do Barbara and I feel that we need security? We don’t,” said Inserillo, of herself and Copresident Barbara McNamara. “But the calls came in to us, we saw the Facebook posts, and as a civic who represents you and who tries to get things done for the community, we got this information and put it together.”
The proposal for a private company was weighed along with a paid NYPD detail specifically for Cross Bay Boulevard at a recent virtual meeting, but, the civic explained, Capt. Jerome Bacchi, commanding officer of the 106th Precinct, has designated a special foot patrol there.
For the year, Bacchi reported crime rose 13 percent in the precinct compared to 22
percent citywide.
“We had 189 extra crimes for 2022 as opposed to 2021. Out of 189, 142 of them were grand larcenies,” he said.
Attendees on Tuesday expressed other concerns including dirt bikes in Charles Park.
Bacchi said officers were conducting surveillance and on Tuesday, chains and padlocks were dropped off to secure the park at night.
“We’re going to apprehend people, make no mistake about it,” he said. “And if they’re of age, they’ll be summonsed and/or arrested. The equipment will be seized. I don’t care what documentation you bring to us, you’re not getting that vehicle back. It will be sent to the pound and crushed,” he added, to applause.
Another attendee said kids were not just playing “Ding, Dong, Ditch,” but instead pounding on her glass door, which Nick Spinelli, chief of the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department and a civic board member, said happened to him too.
Gina Barillaro hopes that a private security detail could deter some of those incidents. She recently watched a pack of kids on bikes travel
head-on toward an SUV and her jaw dropped as she watched the kids curse out the driver.
Then, her 13-year-old son, who was riding the expensive new bike he saved up for, got chased by a pack of kids interested in his ride.
“I don’t feel safe having my kids roaming around the neighborhood,” Barillaro, who grew up in Howard Beach, told the Chronicle.
“I’m doing it more for the kids,” she said.
During Tuesday’s meeting, she started sharing the survey on Facebook and with friends.
“I was like, ‘Send it in if you want to do it.’ And people were like, ‘Done, already sent in.’”
Barillaro said she knows it won’t stop all crime but “anything is better than nothing.”
PJ Marcel, head of the group Howard Beach Dads, said he offered $10,000 for the program on behalf of his family and business but the civic will only take one agreed amount if the plans move forward.
“Is there a need? Yes. Are we a safe community? We are very safe ... but things that have happened around us, the environment, politically, socially, online, with criminals being able to do this activity and come into here, it’s
a problem,” said Marcel.
“I have my own reservations in regard to the organization and execution of how it’s going to be handled,” he told the Chronicle, but plans to support the efforts.
Many believe that it will take the community coming together to pull it off. A similar plan was tried in the ’80s but did not last.
“We’re going to have to do the research and reach out to get it functioning, if that’s what people really want,” said Betty Braton, who is chair of Community Board 10.
“Community Board 10 can’t get involved in supporting it but me, as a resident of Howard Beach, I can,” Braton said. “And if we want it, we have to go and do it.”
Officers Peter Paese and Edwin Diaz of the 106 were recognized at the meeting for responding last week to a 1-month old baby boy who was not breathing and was turning blue. They performed CPR and transported him to the hospital. The baby is alive and well, according to the NYPD.
A representative for Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) presented citations. Q
One of the gunmen in the June shooting in Ozone Park that left a Connecticut man dead was arrested last week and has been indicted.
Richard Dixon, 32, of Springfield Gardens, was arraigned last Friday for murder and other crimes in the fatal shooting of Raymond Francis, who was Dixon’s accomplice, on June 19 at 5 a.m., according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Dixon and his “associate” Francis had approached Kenardo Kelly and Dwayne
Whyte, who were sitting in their cars on Cross Bay Boulevard near Pitkin Avenue.
Dixon fired shots at Kelly with an assault style weapon, according to a press release from the DA’s Office.
Whyte, from another vehicle, began shooting at Dixon, who pivoted and returned fire, accidentally hitting his partner in crime, Francis, who was found at the scene atop his handgun, the office said.
Kelly was taken to the hospital for treatment of a broken jaw and gunshot wounds to his face and upper back.
Whyte was taken to the hospital for his gunshot wounds to the leg.
The next morning, authorities announced that Whyte had been arrested and charged with attempted murder, attempted assault and criminal possession of a firearm.
Dixon sought treatment at a Nassau County hospital for his gunshot wounds to the leg, groin, buttocks and knee and his wounds helped identify him as a suspect, according to the DA’s Office.
Security camera footage caught Dixon driving his wife’s vehicle from their resi-
dence on the day of the incident and it was spotted again driving away from the scene.
The location is near Desarc Road and Redding Street, where there was a catering hall that garnered complaints in the past.
Dixon was arrested last Thursday. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.
“As alleged, this is yet another example of the brazen lawlessness inherent in illegal gun use,” Katz said in a prepared statement.
“We need to do everything we can, on the streets and in the courts, to eradicate the plague of gun violence from society.” Q
A crowd gathered on the steps of Queens Borough Hall on Monday night to remember the life of Tyre Nichols, who died on Jan. 10, three days after being beaten by police in Memphis.
The video of the brutal assault was released last Friday and shook the country, including many in Queens, especially parents of Black children.
“I held my son a little tighter just trying to prepare myself to watch that video,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards at the vigil. “It weighed heavy Thursday going into Friday.”
“You know, this trauma doesn’t get easier,” said Richards. “I remember Sean Bell being my neighbor. You relive George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Freddie Gray, Trayvon Martin. All individuals killed because they were Black,” he said, referring first to Bell, who was shot dead by police in Queens in 2006.
He said it brings him back to being stopped and frisked with his cousin at 13 years old.
“And let me be clear, it doesn’t matter what color an officer is. If you brutalize someone, you must be held accountable,” said Richards.
“How do you train your way out of this?” he asked, adding, “You can’t simply reform this system, we have to uproot it.”
Richards said that NYPD Police Commissioner Keychant Sewell, whom he said he respects, recently reduced police disciplinary mea-
sures. Richards, while in the City Council, helped create the NYPD’s “disciplinary matrix,” which provides a framework to standardize penalties.
“She should not do that. It’s about one standard, one law that works for everyone,” he said.
“As a mother of a son, watching him cry for his mother, and she was only a few feet away, that broke my heart,” said Lorraine Gittens-Bridges, a Rosedale resident and member of Community Board 13.
Nichols’ mother was reportedly just blocks away from where the Jan. 7 incident occurred.
“You always worry every day what’s going to happen to your child,” Gittens-Bridges said. “So we grieve as mothers ... every day when we go out, we always have to worry and to see that brutality for no reason, it breaks my heart, because he did not deserve it.”
The five police officers who were involved in Nichols’ assault have since been fired and charged with murder and other crimes.
Juliane Williams, president of the LeFrak City Tenants’ Association, lost her daughter, Doniqueca Cooke, known as Niiqua, when she was struck and killed by a Porsche driver in 2016.
“I’m very heartbroken because I remember vividly when I went to the hospital, no one wanted to speak to me, to tell me, yes, it was my child whose body was lying in a morgue,” said Williams.
“I’ve been grieving for this mother. It is a terrible act. I just cannot
even imagine how another human being could do such a thing. Let us pray, please. She needs our prayer.”
Lori Zeno, executive director of Queens Defenders, spoke and was joined by dozens of attorneys and youth ambassadors from the group.
“I’ve been in this criminal justice system for 35 years, and it’s still a mystery to me how people can be treated the way that people like Tyre was treated,” she said.
“I cannot tell you how many clients come to our office and tell us about the beatings,” she added.
Richards said that people have had to gather on the steps of Borough Hall to protest too many times, and many in public service for years shared that sentiment.
“I’ve been arrested for Amadou Diallo and been arrested for Sean Bell,” said former 32BJ SEIU leader Kyle Bragg, referring first to an immigrant from Guinea who was shot dead by NYPD plainclothes officers in 1999.
“I’ve been arrested numerous times for civil disobedience, in objection to these types of atrocities that have taken place and it still happens,” he said.
“I don’t want to be arrested anymore. I don’t want to gather with my neighbors in outrage over these. I’d rather gather with you and celebrate other things and not mourn another death of another young person of color. There has to be a change in this country because it’s more than policing, but it’s the culture.”
Councilmembers Jim Gennaro (D-Hillcrest) and Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights) joined in the memorial service.
“I remember like it was yesterday, 55 years ago when Martin Luther King was gunned down,” said Gennaro.
“And I’ve seen a lot of stuff happen over the last 65 years and I entered public service to try to make a little bit of a difference,” he said, referring to his age. “And everyone here is trying to make a little bit of a
difference by being here, by holding on to one another, by recognizing the work that still needs to be done.”
Gennaro continued, “I don’t want to be standing here at 75 years old saying the same thing, but I will if I have to.”
Krishnan took the time to remember Nichols as a person.
“I want to recall Tyre Nichols, the father, the son, the beloved member of the community,” he said. “Stories keep coming out and coming out of how many friends and neighbors loved him so much for what he had done in the community. Someone who loved to skateboard. That’s the memory that we keep.”
Krishnan continued, “If we are to say Black lives matter, if we are to mean it, then it begins with the hard, painful work of recognizing how many Black lives we have lost to police violence and brutality.”
The Rev. Jeff Courter, pastor at the First Presbyterian Church of Forest Hills,” was among several faith leaders.
Although white, he is a father to Black children and spoke of systemic racism causing inequities in education and legal representation.
“Systemic racism exists,” he said. “The only way to change it is by getting out, as one of the speakers said, and voting. Prayers and thoughts only go so far. We must act together.”
Saxophonist Steven Salcedo performed for the crowd to open and close the vigil.
“We got a lot of work to be done,” Richards said. “I’m not here to simply cry.” Plainclothes units that operate with impunity, he said, deserve a higher level of scrutiny.
“We’ll continue to stand and fight to make sure that justice is served for Tyre,” he said. Q
“We grieve as mothers.”
— Lorraine Gittens-BridgesA candlelight vigil honoring Tyre Nichols was held Monday on the steps of Queens Borough Hall. Attendees included youth ambassadors from the group Queens Defenders, above. PHOTOS BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF A vigil at Queens Borough Hall honored Tyre Nichols, who died after being beaten by police in Memphis. At left, representatives from Queens Defenders held signs remembering Nichols. At center, Lorraine Gittens-Bridges shares her perspective as a mother to a Black son. At right, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards gets emotional, saying he held his own son “a little tighter.”
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by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor
As he kicked off a two-day hearing Monday on community budget requests, Borough President Donovan Richards was trying to remain encouraging, even as he read off a list of a few city departments that have been targeted for cuts in Mayor Adams’ $102.7 billion preliminary spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
“The last fiscal year has presented a challenge to New Yorkers from all walks of life,” Richards said at Borough Hall. In addition, the national economy has not recovered from the pandemic. However ... I’m optimistic that we are on our way to an economic recovery here in Queens.”
The two-day session saw community boards, city colleges and hospitals, nonprofits and individuals giving Richards and his executive staff their priorities once discretionary money becomes available from the 2023-24 budget.
To show just what kind of challenges could be coming, Richards read a brief and non-inclusive list of some city agencies that the Adams administration has targeted for cuts this coming year, including the Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene, Aging, Youth Services and Parks and Recreation.
Funding presentations were both in person at Borough Hall and virtually. Many of the common requests from community boards regarded flooding relief; parks and green space; traffic, street and sidewalk upgrades; tree pruning; and additional police officers in a number of NYPD precincts.
Community Boards 5, 9 and 10 called for more police officers at the 104th, 102nd and
106th precincts, respectively.
“We have experienced increases in major felony crime during 12 of the last 21 calendar years, in seven of the last 11 years and again during the latest three-year period,” said District 10 Manager Karyn Petersen. “Our call for more officers is not just driven by the current crime situation in our city. Our crime has been growing historically.”
District Manager Frank Gulluscio from Board 6 requested more funding for the city’s Department of Environmental Protection to upgrade and maintain storm sewers, expressing the frustrations of several of his colleagues.
“The impact flooding has made in our community is devastating,” Gulluscio said. “Look, this is not just a hot topic but a new fact of life. You know it. We all know it. Everyone knows it.”
District Manager Marie Adam-Ovide from Board 8, like many of her colleagues, said efforts in the last decade to increase the number trees now require increased attention from the Parks Department.
“We need to maintain the trees before they become a liability,” she said.
Colleges also will be requesting money from Richards’ office as well as the Council. Christine Mangino, president of Queensborough Community College in Bayside, said her campus now serves about four times the number of students it did when the school opened 60 years ago.
She said Queensborough’s needs include $800,000 for the second phase of its cafeteria and kitchen renovation; $3 million to modernize its elevators; a backflow prevention system; and $8 million to reconstruct the Kurt R. Schmeller Library, which she
continued on page 12
Flooding control, trees and green space, more cops top many requestsBorough President Donovan Richards, center, joined by his budget director, Irak Cenonski, left, Chief of Staff Michael Mallon and Deputy Borough President Ebony Young hear remote testimony on priorities for budget funding in Queens. PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON
We share the concerns of good-government group Citizens Union that not enough people participate in municipal elections. But the organization’s latest prescription to help would do more harm than good.
Citizens Union on Monday released a report calling on the city to change its schedule for municipal elections so they would align with those for state and federal offices. In other words, to go from odd-numbered years to even-numbered ones. That would mean voting for mayor, City Council, public advocate, district attorney and other offices the same years you vote for Congress and the state Legislature. And possibly even for president.
Think of all the advertising you see when it’s election season — which seems to be getting longer all the time. Now imagine that every other year, you get double that, or more, and then none the following year. That’s how it would be even if, say, city elections were held in the even-numbered years that don’t have a presidential election. You’d get hit with ads for Assembly, state Senate, Con-
gress and, every other time, all the municipal offices (except DA, a state position, for which elections are held every four years on a different schedule).
Your ballot also would be a mile long, and Citizens Union even acknowledges that a number of people would not fill out the entire thing, though it asserts that the increase in voter participation would more than make up for that problem.
We believe it’s hard enough for people to keep up with elections as it is, much less with twice as many at once. We think it’s much better for the advertising to be spread out, not insanely condensed the way it would be under Citizens Union’s plan. (And yes, the Queens Chronicle is a free paper whose revenue comes from ads. We don’t need a political feast or famine situation either).
We too would like to see as many New Yorkers vote for mayor as do for president. But it’s not going to happen. And they can’t be coerced into doing so; much better that they be taught at home and in school to be engaged in public affairs.
Let’s keep elections staggered as they are now.
There are a few points to keep in mind as the state begins the visioning process for the southern part of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center campus. And amazingly enough, they’re all good for the people of Queens, especially those who live nearby.
The first thing to remember is that the state is beginning the process to redevelop the 50-acre space between Union Turnpike and Hillside Avenue in Bellerose by engaging the community. That’s what visioning means, and it begins at 7 p.m. tonight, Feb. 2, at PS/IS 108. This is not a privately owned parcel with a developer coming in and making select concessions to the community in exchange for some benefit. This is state land, and residents will work with the state to develop a master plan.
Another key element is that the ESD has already agreed to not allow any “big-box” stores on the site. We’re all for the free market and have nothing against The Home Depot or BJ’s, but there are plenty of those elsewhere. This site’s retail can be the old mom-and-pop shops.
As for the section of Creedmoor that will remain as is, there is no reason to believe any services for those in crisis will be lost. State Sen. Leroy Comrie even says he will push for more mental health beds. Those are vital as we see more and more of our neighbors needing help.
As state land, Creedmoor belongs to us all, and all of us can be a part of giving new life to the parts of it that have fallen into disuse or worse.
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I’m going to take liberties with Mark Twain’s comments about Congress and idiocy and adapt them to our current situation. Twain said, “Reader, suppose you were [a liar], and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” We, New York’s 3rd Congressional District, and the whole country are overwhelmed by your lies. The canon really dwarfs anything we’ve seen or heard about before. You’ve undermined our ability to exaggerate for rhetorical effect.
Nonetheless, we need government. We do not need grandstanding. You were elected, under false pretenses, to represent us. I’m incensed that you snubbed the president and skipped a reception. You must take every opportunity to engage and represent us, not your personal peeves. You are required to do your best to forge a relationship with everyone in government because every one of them counts and impacts the well-being of our district.
Next up ... the debt ceiling. The country needs this raised now. Tying your vote to any future spending defies logic. We’ve spent this money already; it broadcasts that you’ll engage in political thuggery; it demonstrates that you have no concern for the economic health of the country. Delay can precipitate dire consequences. Finance experts say so. You said that
you knew some. Your district has a long list of grievances to air with you. Our local newspapers make that clear. Nonetheless, it would help us if you made the right choices in terms of forging a positive relationship with others in government who work toward finding solutions and raising the debt ceiling. One final thought: Why not think about being part of the Problem Solving Caucus? They seem like nice people.
Debra Michlewitz BaysideDear Editor:
Hindu leaders gathered at the New York State Capitol on Jan. 24 to “lobby” to make Diwali a school holiday in New York City.
According to a Jan. 26 report in the Queens Chronicle, “Diwali fight picks back up in Alba-
ny,” “State law requires 180 days of instruction and there was no room for an additional day off, so the move took collaboration between school, city and state officials.”
Bill de Blasio gave the Muslim community two holidays. As reported in HuffPost and elsewhere, “The Mayor has said he supports adding the Lunar New Year to the calendar, but that he hasn’t made up his mind on adding the Hindu holiday of Diwali.” That his predecesso r Michael Bloomberg was opposed to including more holidays did not deter de Blasio’s determination to favor one segment of the NYC community. He saw it fitting to give the Muslim community two holidays and zero to Hindus!
On Oct. 20, 2022, a New York Post headline said: “Mayor Adams says NYC schools to add Diwali holiday to calendar.”
Hindus have contributed to the landscape of New York, from numerous temples and some of the largest religious parades to the many philan-
thropic activities by said temples and individuals. This letter is a missive to request that Mayor Adams fulfill his pledge and do what his predecessor, Bill de Blasio, refused to do. Mr. Mayor, please declare Diwali a holiday for the children of NYC. As you have said yourself: “It is long overdue to say to our Hindu, Sikh, Jain and Buddhist students and communities that we see you, we acknowledge you.”
Nanda Sahadeo Richmond HillDear Editor:
I recently drove by my alma mater Queens College and was saddened to see most of its many entrances were closed to the public. Its website says that visitors must show a state issued ID and give a reason to enter the campus. I suppose these restrictions started with the Covid pandemic but they now look permanent. Queens College is a public institution that should be open to the general public who may wish to visit exhibitions or events, or just enjoy the beautiful campus without having to justify entering the campus grounds. The college recently renovated its outdoor track, which was used by many Queens residents for walking and exercise. Assuming that is still allowed, a person must walk to the main entrance on the other side of campus and see if a guard would agree to admit him or her onto the campus.
I never thought my beloved Queens College would be secured like a fortress and discourage casual visitors.
John Viola New Hyde ParkDear Editor:
I was very sorry to read Carly Stubbs’ letter to the editor where she described being scared sitting near a mentally unstable individual on the subway (“Scared on the train I love,” Jan. 26). It does not have to be that way.
I recently rode the subway in Milan and Munich. I did not smell urine in the stations. I did not see homeless people sleeping across three seats on the train. I did not see any mentally unstable people.
You see all this only in a city run by Democrats like New York where the politicians don’t want to take appropriate actions that would stop this nonsense.
I challenge our elected office holders here in Queens to write a letter to this newspaper telling us what they would like to see changed and what they are doing about it. You owe it to the citizens. If this is what “progressive” policies are all about, count me as one who will never vote for the Democrats.
Lenny Rodin Forest Hills
Dear Editor:
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander ignored his fiscal responsibility to New Yorkers by inviting more migrants to come here and proposing higher taxes for the rich to pay for them. That’s insanity.
Instead, Lander and other political leaders must challenge two provisions that draw illegal aliens here.
New York is the only U.S. city with a “right to shelter” law that guarantees a free place to live for every homeless person, regardless of where her or she comes from. It’s based on a 1979 state Supreme Court decision. Mayor Adams said that law “must be reassessed” and he questioned whether it applies to “asylum seekers.” NYC has also been a “sanctuary city” for illegal migrants since 1989, when former Mayor Ed Koch declared that status during his final year in office. This “progressive” goal has become a financial nightmare that will cost nearly $2 billion, warned Mayor Adams.
Along with ending NYC’s “right to shelter” law and sanctuary status, which make our city a magnet for migrants, government leaders must replace woke buzzwords with correct terminology. Don’t call migrants “asylum seekers” when only 15 percent of them qualify for asylum status, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (Factcheck.org). “Opportunity seekers” may be a better term since many of them fled poverty at home. “Welfare seekers” is even more accurate because they get free housing, food, clothes and education at taxpayers’ expense. Not a bad deal for folks who illegally entered our nation. The inscription on the Statue of Liberty’s base does not say: “Bring me your hordes of freeloaders and lawbreakers.”
Richard Reif Kew Gardens Hills
Dear Editor:
I will admit the correction Joel Schlosberg
(“Of Marx and Socialism” Letters, Jan. 26) makes to my previous letter is valid when he says “‘the socialist principles that there will be no winners or losers and every kid gets the exact same trophy and each gets the exact same size slice of pizza and drink’ are nowhere to be found in the writings of Karl Marx.” I did a Google search on the writings of Mr. Marx and he never does refer to trophies nor does he ever talk about slices of pizza.
Seriously, Marx is not the only socialist author. There are many socialists who do ascribe to the theory of “Equality of Outcome.” This theory states that all individuals have approximately the same material wealth and income and the general economic conditions of everyone’s lives are alike. So that would mean when the Democratic Socialists of America conducts its NYC-DSA Comrades with Kids afternoon of games geared toward kids of all ages, all kids’ outcome should be equal.
In fact, I wonder if a poll is taken among socialists that 50 percent would agree with Marx and 50 percent would agree with the theory of “Equality of Outcome.”
David Soukup Sunnyside
Following the unexpected withdrawal of two proposals to co-locate Success Academy schools in Southeast Queens, founder and CEO of the network Eva Moskowitz said she intends to act, and quickly considering she planned on welcoming students in the fall.
“We’re trying to figure out what alternatives there are, but also how to respond,” Moskowitz told the Chronicle last Thursday.
“Also, we have to communicate with our kids and families. We have hired principals and we have hired teachers and we have ordered supplies because if you wait, you won’t be able to open the school. This is not just some political chess match. There are real children, real teachers and real responsibilities for opening a school,” she continued.
The city is legally obligated to provide the space for charters in the districts in which they apply, but by when exactly is not clear.
“I intend to act,” Moskowitz said. “There is no world in which I don’t act. I’m hoping still, and maybe this is naive, that even though these three locations were pulled in the middle of the night in this really sort of dark way, that we can convince everyone that children matter and you can’t just toss out all these families,” she said. A third site is in the Bronx.
Her lawyers are looking at options and her
team is working to propose alternatives, she said last week.
Moskowitz said it “doesn’t get better than” the originally proposed sites, which were MS 72 and the Springfield Gardens Educational Complex, considering their underutilized space and recent enrollment declines. But heavy opposition from the school communities was
heard by Mayor Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks, who pulled the plan right before it was set to be voted on by the Panel for Educational Policy.
Moskowitz said the engagement process was not reflective of the whole community because thousands had applied for Success.
“We really shouldn’t call it ‘community
Loss of incoming grants designed to draw more students and space for extracurricular activities were some of the reasons behind last week’s withdrawal of proposals for the colocation of elementary schools within the Catherine & Count Basie Middle School in Rochdale and the Springfield Gardens Educational Complex.
Eva Moskowitz, the founder and CEO of Success Academy Schools, told the Queens Chronicle that both claims were bogus and were simply anti-charter rhetoric to prevent school-choice for parents seeking a better education for their children.
“We have no impact on the footprint of the co-located schools,” Moskowitz said regarding claims that a co-location would take away space for supplementary activities at the Springfield Gardens Educational Complex, located at 143-10 Springfield Blvd. “This is empirical reality over 17 years at 49 schools.”
As far as co-locating elementary school students with high schoolers, Moskowitz said that Success Academy has six such co-locations, so combining schools with youngsters and teens is not a disaster waiting to happen.
“We are familiar on how to manage that,” said Moskowitz. “This is not a real argument.”
Council Majority Whip Selvena Brooks-
Powers (D-South Ozone Park), however, feels as though the concerns of students losing space for activities and grant funding, which could help the schools grow their campus population were no small matters.
“As a parent, I don’t think I would want my kids in the same space as teenagers and I think that is a legitimate concern,” she said.
Brooks-Powers also doesn’t want the students to possibly lose out on extracurricular activities. At the SGEC, she was a part of a walking tour of the campus and saw the spaces for the nursing and the veterinary programs. She also believes the supplementary education will also help to set up the students for careers after high school.
Brooks-Powers told the Chronicle that she has been providing capital funding to the schools to help them improve.
Councilwoman Nantasha Williams (D-Queens Village) is not against charter schools, but does not believe they should be implemented to the detriment of district schools.
“I’ve met people that absolutely don’t like the system and people who can’t talk enough about them,” Williams said. “For me it’s not charter schools coming into the community, but how are they coming to the community. Are there other places that could be utilized that is not co-located within a public school?”
Moskowitz said that elementary school parents should not have to wait for a new building to be erected for space for a new school, especially in Southeast Queens where schools are undercapacity.
Both Williams and Brooks-Powers say there are charter schools in their areas that utilize their own buildings without encroaching in district buildings.
Moskowitz told the Chronicle that the charters school program had long signup lists for the SGEC, and the Catherine and Count Basie Middle School, located at 133-25 Guy R. Brewer Blvd.
Williams said that district schools are not incapable of improving and attracting students, but the bureaucracy at the city’s Department of Education is to blame.
“There are many constraints that charter schools don’t have,” Williams said. “Charter schools are able to use innovative models of teaching and experiment in the best way to teach students ... this is why parents love charter schools, but not all students do better in that type of environment.
“Maybe some students need something else. Breaking the silos of the DOE and breaking down its bureaucracy so principals can really serve and provide the needs of their schools is something that is really important. They just need the resources to do that.” Q
engagement.’ They should call it ‘district parent of co-located school engagement,’” she said.
Some good news for the charter system came on Wednesday, however, with Gov. Hochul’s budget proposal to lift the regional cap on charters while keeping in place the statewide cap. The governor’s proposal would free up 100 unused upstate charters for use anywhere in the state.
“Thank you Governor Hochul for giving families what they want: more high quality educational choices,” Moskowitz said in a prepared statement.
“Now Albany needs to get behind this common sense solution and ensure it becomes law — that kids win over politics,” she added.
But there is already some opposition from Albany.
State Sen. John Liu (D-Bayside) thanked Hochul for the additional school funding in the proposed budget but criticized the “naked attempt to remove the cap on charters in NYC.”
“The cap has historically served to strike the balance between giving parents so-called ‘choice’ and the constitutional requirement to keep public schools open, and it’s not common sense to upset that balance,” he said in a prepared statement.
Adams released a statement in response to Hochul’s budget but did not mention schools. Q
continued from page 8
said the state would match at a one-toone rate.
President Berenecea Johnson Eanes of York College in Jamaica also is looking to replace kitchen equipment from 1986, which she termed “beyond useless,” for $500,000.
She also is looking to renovate and modernize two 100-seat lecture halls, and upgrade things ranging from ADA compliance to landscaping in its main plaza. Both projects would cost a combined $6 million.
President Kenneth Adams’ top request was $2 million to renovate its pool, a facility he said is open to the community year-round. Adams also said it would allow the school to add programming such as youth swimming lessons and lifeguard training. The latter, Adams pointed out were in short supply throughout New York City last summer.
Speaking on the second day of the hearing, Frank Wu, president of Queens College in Flushing, said his school’s priorities include $1 million to modernize facilities for its food science and nutrition laboratory; and $500,000 for upgrades for Rathaus Hall, one of the campus’ performing arts buildings. Q
by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor
The Jan. 25 fire in a Kew Gardens Hills daycare center still was almost a week away when Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) introduced a bill to turn back the clock on e-bikes and e-scooters.
The FDNY has confirmed the Jan. 25 blaze that hurt 18 children, including one badly enough to be hospitalized, was caused by an e-bicycle battery being recharged.
The Department of Buildings placed a total vacate designation on the house at 14707 72 Drive [see separate story in some editions or online at qchron.com].
Authorities allegedly also found a dental lab in the building. DOB inspectors responding to the fire scene issued two violations — one for performing construction work in the building’s basement without the proper permits, and another for allowing people to occupy a basement that is designated in city records as a storage area.
Holden’s bill, Intro. 883, would rescind changes made by the Council in 2020 that essentially legalized all forms of e-vehicle transportation where they had been illegal, with the aim of giving the state Legislature a chance to craft some regulations.
Holden’s bill also would restore older, previously higher fines for violations.
“Remember, the electric bikes, the electric scooters, you couldn’t have those in the City of New York,” Holden said in an interview last Friday.
Back in 2020, the state Legislature allowed municipalities to authorize e-bikes and scooters, largely with the intention of helping delivery riders, many of them immigrants, make better time and thus more money.
The state law also had a provision that, unlike with a car, truck or motorcycle, police who suspected an e-vehicle operator of operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs could not be pulled over unless and until there was an accident.
“They gave the municipalities the authority to legalize e-scooter transportation and e-bikes,” Holden said. “These are vehicles that go under 25 miles per hour. What the City Council did was authorize all electric modes of transportation, meaning all e-bikes, all e-scooters, these mopeds. Many, you can’t tell if they’re going under 25 miles per hour. Many can go 40, but most people don’t know that.
“My bill, 883, would bring the city back to 2020 and let the state go back to the drawing board. The state would have to come up with regulations to license them and register them and to make sure they have insurance.”
The bill and a summary can be read online at on.nyc.gov/3JssHTv. Co-sponsors include Councilmembers Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), in whose district the Jan. 25 fire took place, Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone) and Althea Stevens (D-Bronx).
“We’ll get more. You’ve got to sell it,” Holden said. He said a former co-sponsor pulled out after getting pressure that he believes came from pro-cycling groups.
Gennaro made reference to and voiced support for Holden’s bill in his initial posted statement on the daycare fire last week.
In regard to battery safety specifically, Holden has another bill, Intro. 722, which would direct the FDNY to review battery safety education and prepare regulations and recommendations annually.
“People need to be educated,” the councilman said. “They need to know how to be safe and what not to do.” Holden said it could be warning labels, regulations on where and how someone can more safely charge a bike or scooter, and how to deal with secondhand batteries, mismatched chargers and other threats.
“It depends on what the Fire Department thinks is the best way to educate people,” he said, adding that the bill is “aging” and he is confident of its eventual passage. Q
The state Department of Transportation is advising drivers that the northbound Van Wyck Expressway has been reduced from three travel lanes to two between exits 1A at the Nassau Expressway and 1B at North Conduit Avenue in South Ozone Park.
The lane closure is expected to remain in place through about Sept. 30. Inclement weather could cause the closure and construction work to be rescheduled.
The shutdown is necessitated to allow for sewer work that is part of the state’s Van Wyck Expressway Capacity and Access Improvement plan.
For real-time travel information, motorists can check the state’s official traffic and travel information source, 511NY, before traveling. Call 511, visit 511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app on iTunes or Google Play. The free service allows users to check road conditions, view traffic cameras and link to air and transit information.
The app features Drive mode, which provides audible alerts along a route while users are driving, warning them about incidents and construction. Q
Parents who suffer a stillbirth are not currently entitled to the 12 weeks of Paid Family Leave that other families receive.
A bill in the state Senate and Assembly would amend what advocates call a “dangerous and inequitable gap” in the law.
Sponsored by Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven), with a companion bill from state Sen. Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo), A2880/S2175 would modify the workers’ compensation law to include “recovery after a stillbirth” as a qualifying condition for family leave. A stillbirth is the loss of a baby before or during delivery.
“All women who give birth should have paid time off,” said Rajkumar at a rally in Albany on Tuesday.
“Make no mistake: women who experienced a stillbirth gave birth, and their bod-
ies went through the birthing process.”
They need time to heal physically as well as grieve the loss, she said.
Kennedy shared at the rally that, although he and his wife did not experience a stillbirth, they lost their daughter four minutes after she was born.
The legislation, which he said languished for many years, would give families the chance to heal with dignity and respect.
Co-sponsors include, in Queens, Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz (D-Corona) and state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Jackson Heights). It is in committee in the Assembly and on the floor calendar in the Senate.
According to PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, a nonprofit dedicated to driving down stillbirths, 23,000 babies are born still in the U.S. each year — five a day in New York — and Black families are twice as likely to suffer a stillbirth. Q
Last Thursday morning, a 28-year-old man in possession of a loaded gun and wearing a bulletproof vest was arrested near Liberty Avenue.
Xavier Mcaulay, 28, of South Ozone Park, was arrested after he was observed by police near Liberty and 131st Street committing multiple vehicle infractions in a 2015 Nissan, according to police.
Officers found that his license was suspended. He had a ballistic vest and loaded 9 mm firearm.
His charges included two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, unlawful wearing of a body vest, aggravated unlicensed operator and traffic infractions.
In June, a new law went into effect in New York State banning bulletproof vests for civilians. It was included in a package of gun bills signed by Gov. Hochul following the Buffalo shooting last May that killed 10 people. The unlawful wearing of body armor is a class E felony, the lowest felony charge available, which can result in a sentence of between one and five years.
The 106th Precinct tweeted credit to its field intelligence officers for the arrest.
— Deirdre Bardolf
Community leaders and elected officials crowded into Queens Theatre on Thursday to see Mayor Adams give his second State of the City address, during which he highlighted the successes of his first year in office and unveiled his Working People’s Agenda.
The agenda is divided into four “pillars”: jobs, safety, housing and care.
Though he noted that the city added upwards of 200,000 new jobs last year, Adams said the unemployment rate for Black New Yorkers is more than triple what it is for their white counterparts.
To help alleviate that imbalance, Adams announced a new plan to connect 30,000 New Yorkers to apprenticeships by 2030.
“This is on-the-job experience with an opportunity for permanent employment in high-demand careers, and it will ensure employers can tap the talent they need,” he said.
In hopes of combating both unemployment and the nursing shortage, Adams unveiled a new partnership with CUNY to support 30,000 current and aspiring nurses with training, mentorship and job placements over the next five years so they not only enter the profession, but stay in it.
The majority of Adams’ section on education centered around dyslexia, an issue the mayor — who is dyslexic himself — has focused on in his first year.
Highlighting
Schools Chancellor
David Banks’ introduction of a phonicsbased curriculum this year, Adams said that starting next year, all schools will have at least one staff member trained in literacybased interventions. In addition to making dyslexia screenings available in all schools, next year, the city will open its first school designed to support dyslexic students. Notably, Adams did not discuss school funding; he was criticized widely for decreasing the education budget last year.
The mayor spoke at length about quality of life, his push to get trash and rats off the streets being a significant piece of that.
“Most people don’t know this about me, but I hate rats,” the mayor joked, making reference to his own worst-kept secret. Directing his words to the Department of Sanitation chief, he added, “Commissioner Tisch, soon, those rats are going to hate me.” That was met with laughs from the crowd.
Part of getting rid of rats, the mayor said, is, in addition to hiring a “rat czar,” expanding the city’s curbside compost program. Noting the success of Queens’ boroughwide pilot launched last fall, which collected 13 million pounds of waste in three months, Adams announced his intentions to make the program citywide by the end of 2024.
On the topic of the environment, Adams outlined a “greener future” for New York City, including for its wildlife. He made spe-
Thousands of people with overdue water bills will be able to get some relief from their debts in a partial amnesty program the city opened Jan. 30 and will run through April 30, the Mayor’s Office says.
Nearly 200,000 customers owe a combined $1.2 billion in water bills, the city said Monday, and the program will enable them to save up to $150 million when they pay some or all of what is overdue.
For those owing a balance of more than $1,000 for over a year, the Department of Environmental Protection will forgive all interest if the full bill is paid; 75 percent of
interest if half the bill is paid; and half the interest if a quarter of the bill is paid.
cific reference to the dolphins who recently made a trip to the Bronx River.
“That’s the future of our city: More dolphins, fewer rats,” the mayor said. Meanwhile, in typical Adams fashion, the screens behind the mayor showed an image of a rat with the “no” symbol over it next to a dolphin donning an “I ♥ NY” T-shirt with a checkmark next to it.
Adams touted his administration’s — as well as the Hochul administration’s — efforts in lowering the rate of crime, as shootings, murders and other major crimes were on the decline last quarter for the first time in six quarters. “New Yorkers can finally see safer days ahead,” he said.
Part of building upon that, the mayor said, will be making neighborhood safety teams more widespread. The administration will also develop a “Neighborhood Safety Alliance,” a partnership between precincts, community leaders and service providers.
Relatedly, Adams plans on increasing the number of NYPD tow trucks to move abandoned and illegally parked vehicles in hopes of keeping roads clear; he also said the
administration will “crack down” on illegal placards.
Though the phrase “bail reform” was not used in his nearly 90-minute-long speech, the mayor seemed intent on charting a middle path on the issue with his colleagues in Albany this year.
“This year, we are going to work with our partners in Albany to find reasonable, evidence-based solutions to this recidivism crisis,” he said. “We all agree that no one should be in jail simply because they can’t afford to post bail. But we should also agree that we cannot allow a small number of violent individuals to continue terrorizing our neighbors over and over again."
Closer to home, Adams praised the recent announcement of 1,400 units of affordable housing at Willets Point on top of the 1,100 already slated for the area. Those units, which will all be considered 100 percent affordable, will accompany a new soccer stadium for the New York City Football Club.
But creating new homes, the mayor said, is not enough — New Yorkers need to be able to stay in their homes. To that end, Adams said his administration will invest more than $22 million in tenant protection programs to hire more staff who can investigate bad landlords and increase enforcement against them, as well as stopping discrimination based on income source.
“If you tell a potential tenant that you don’t accept Section 8 vouchers or other rental assistance, guess what? That tenant might be an actor hired by the city, and we are going to take enforcement action against you,” Adams said. That received some of the most cheers from the audience of the afternoon.
“It is the working class that has lifted up this city, built it brick by brick on the bedrock of a free and democratic nation,” the mayor said in closing.
“And, going forward, we will sustain the workers who make this city possible. Working together, we can build a better city for all, keep those pillars of civic power strong, open more golden doors, and inspire others to do the same.” Q
Those who owe less than $1,000 may get their interest waived if they pay in full.
Customers may find out if they are eligible by calling (718) 595-7000 or visiting nyc.gov/site/dep/pay-my-bills/amnestyprogram.page. Officials emphasized that the program is open for a limited time only.
The DEP separately is offering up to $30 million to help forgive the balances of people already enrolled in the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program. Q
— Peter C. MastrosimoneThe New York Blood Center is facing its greatest blood shortage in a decade and is urging donors to sign up to help surgical patients, cancer patients, accident victims, burn victims and others. Information and registration are available at nybc.org.
Upcoming blood drives include:
• The Shops at Atlas Park from 1 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 8, and Monday, Feb. 20, at 8000 Cooper Ave. in Glendale;
• RXR Realty from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 37-18 Northern Blvd. in Long Island City;
• Queens County Courthouse from 8
a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, at 125-01 Queens Blvd., conference room 832, in Kew Gardens;
• Queens Masonic District, 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 21-14 30 Ave., in the meeting room, in Long Island City;
• Jamaica Hospital Medical Center from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22, at 89-00 Van Wyck Expy. in Jamaica; and
• Our Lady of Mercy Church from 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26, at 70-01 Kessel St. in Forest Hills. Q
A dams’ “Working People’s Agenda” focuses on jobs, safety, housing and care.
Borough President Donovan Richards announced earlier this week that today, Feb. 2, is the kickoff of a series of “Visioning Workshops” to engage the public in Queens Village and surrounding neighborhoods to share how they would want more than 50 acres of a proposed development site at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center to be utilized.
Empire State Development, the state’s development wing, is going to lead the community engagement in-person and virtual workshops, while Richard’s office works in conjunction with the agency, according to Christopher Barca, the borough president’s spokesman.
“The purpose of the workshops is that this is a community-centric driven project,” Barca told the Queens Chronicle. “Borough President Richards is excited to see what will come of it.”
No proposals or work to rezone the space, south of Union Turnpike away from the main hospital, have been made, according to Emily Mijatovic, the downstate spokesman for ESD.
“ESD’s first step is to work with the surrounding neighborhoods to develop a Community Master Plan that would outline the quantity and types of any housing or businesses that could be integrated into the Creedmoor campus,” Mijatovic said to the Chronicle via email. “Based on the plan’s guidance, ESD would implement a General Project Plan that would make the land use changes necessary to realize the Master Plan’s goals. No new zoning laws would be created.”
While there have been no requests for proposals for the space, ESD has already committed to not including big box stores in response to early feedback it has received from community groups and organizations, Mijatovic noted.
Leaders of both the Queens Village Civic Association and the Bellerose Commonwealth Civic Association have told the Chronicle they are adamantly opposed to big box stores being erected there.
Senior housing, a healthcare facility, a recreational center with a reasonably priced pool, a neighborhood commercial space and housing with an appropriate percentage of affordable units for the poor, veterans and young adults are what members of the Queens Village Civic Association want, according to Mo Ishmael, the group’s president.
“We just hope that the Empire State Development is sincere in their outreach in seeking community priority [for the site],” Ishmael told the Chronicle. “We will be working with other civics neighboring the Creedmoor properties to make sure residents participate in the process.”
In addition to big box stores, Ishmael said the QVCA also does not want a prison facility, homeless shelter or buildings above four sto-
ries on the 50 acres.
Richard Hellenbrecht, the secretary-treasurer of the Bellerose Commonwealth Civic Association, shared most of Ishmael’s sentiments of what should be at the site.
“The basic thing is, we want whatever goes there to reflect the size and scope of the community,” Hellenbrecht told Queens Chronicle.
“We also want there to be some green space.”
The BCCA would not mind if there was an additional school built there if necessary, and if a community center were built, it should accommodate both youths and seniors, Hellenbrecht added.
If housing is created in there, the BCCA would want at least two parking spaces for multicar families and transportation that would bring people to the subway station.
Bobby Sher, the board president of the Bell Park Manor-Terrace Co-op, does not want affordable housing at the proposed development site.
Sher, instead, would support a hospital, veterans’ healthcare space or a senior citizen center at Creedmoor.
“We have a large community of veterans and senior citizens who will benefit greatly from having the healthcare and services located nearby,” Sher told the Chronicle in a statement via email. “When it comes to housing, it is not only affordable but any type of new housing developments because the area is so heavily saturated and the public transportation is not set up for this increase in population.
“For example, we don’t have a subway anywhere near the vicinity.”
Mijatovic says one goal at Thursday’s meeting, which will be at 7 p.m. at PS/IS 208, located at 74-30 Commonwealth Blvd. in Bellerose, is to understand traffic and transportation issues in the area.
In addition, ESD will study traffic and congestion issues throughout Eastern Queens as part of an environmental impact statement that would follow the development of the master plan, Mijatovic added.
To learn more about upcoming virtual or inperson community engagement workshops, visit creedmoor.nyc/engage. Q
continued from page 2
63-year-old man was killed, and five others were injured in an East Elmhurst fire caused by an e-bike.”
Gennaro said it is obvious e-bikes and e-scooters pose a clear and present fire danger.
“That is why the Council has legislation drafted and under discussion to comprehensively regulate or ban these hazardous vehicles,” he continued.
Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth), primary sponsor of the bill Gennaro referenced [see separate story in some editions or at qchron.com], also wants state action.
“We need to put a pause on the use of e-bikes and e-scooters until we figure out how to make them safe,” Holden said on his official Twitter feed. “... We need Albany to require that they are registered, insured, licensed and safe to operate, charge and store before we allow them to be used again.”
Albany was working on regulations even before the fire, according to Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Flushing) and state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Jackson Heights).
“The original legislation was not regulatory — it simply empowered cities and localities to make regulations that were appropriate with the understanding that NYC neighborhoods are different from those in the Adirondacks and in Western
New York etc.,” a spokesperson for Rozic said in an email. “It is the localities that have not instituted regulation.
“It is also not merely an e-bike legalization issue that caused the incident — it was a combination of regulatory failures at play.
“That said, there are bills currently pending in the legislature that improve oversight of the batteries. Safety is of course always a concern — now that these bikes are legal it allows a lot more room for regulation and safety checks that previously were not addressed at all.”
“What happened last week at the unlicensed day care in Queens is a perfect storm of lapses in regulation,” Ramos said in a statement from her office. “A failure to enact universal child care led to a day care that wasn’t in compliance with critical safety measures. A failure to create parking, charging, and storage infrastructure to safely incorporate e-bikes into our city’s transit ecosystem has now put the legislature in a position where we need to push forward safety regulation.”
Gennaro, speaking of regulations, encouraged anyone knowing of an unlicensed daycare center in his district to report it to his office.
“The law is the law. The safety of our children is too precious to accept the risk posed by unlicensed and uninspected facilities,” he said. “There is a reason the
city has building requirements for daycare facilities, and that is to ensure that they are safe.”
A Ramos spokesperson reiterated Rozic’s assertion that the original law “empowered the city to monitor, educate, and legislate around E-bikes,” and that legislators would like to work with the Council on solving the problems.
Ramos said her colleague, Sen. Liz Krueger (D-Manhattan), has a pair of bills pending to address battery safety.
Bill S. 154 would prohibit “the sale of storage batteries for powered mobility devices unless such battery has been listed and labeled by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or other approved organization and such labeling is disclosed on the packaging for such battery.”
Bill S. 157 would prohibit “the sale of second-use lithium-ion batteries intended for use in a bicycle with electric assist, an electric scooter or a limited use motorcycle.”
Both bills are co-sponsored by Sens. John Liu (D-Bayside) and Kristen Gonzalez (D-Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan).
The Chronicle could not determine if the bills have companion legislation in the Assembly prior to deadline.
On its Twitter page, the FDNY has posted a video featuring Capt. Michael Kozo of the department’s Fire Safety Education Unit.
“Lithium-ion battery fires have increased dramatically in New York City with deadly consequences,” Kozo states in the video. “They are used in e-bikes and scooters, cars, laptops, tablets, phones and other common household devices.”
He said damaged or incompatible batteries and improper charging, storage or disposal can cause the battery to overheat, “leading to an explosive, aggressive fire that spreads rapidly, can reignite and is challenging to extinguish.”
The FDNY has multiple recommendations, including:
• do not store a bike or scooter near doors or windows, thus blocking exits in case of fire;
• do not leave devices unattended when charging or charge them overnight;
• only purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory, such as UL;
• do not charge devices on pillows, beds or on a couch;
• only use manufacturers’ power cords and batteries made specifically for the device;
• keep batteries or devices at room temperature and away from direct sunlight or anything flammable; and
• if a battery overheats or you notice an odor, change in shape or color, leaking or hear noises from a device, discontinue use immediately. Q
The second annual benefit fundraiser between the men’s volleyball teams of the NYPD and FDNY will take place starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Maspeth High School.
The game will be dedicated to first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty in 2022, including NYPD Dets. Wilbert Mora and Jason Rivera, Firefighters Jesse Gerhard, Timothy Klein and William Moon and EMS Lt. Alison Russo-Elling.
A potion of the proceeds will be donated to the PBA and FDNY Widows and Children’s Fund.
New York’s Finest won last year’s inaugural contest, which originally was set up to compete for a trophy and bragging rights. It became a memorial fundraiser for Mora’s and Rivera’s families shortly after they were murdered in January 2021 while responding to a domestic disturbance in Harlem.
The event also will feature music, food and raffles. Maspeth High School is located at 54-40 74 St. The doors open at 2 p.m.
with a ceremony beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 and are available by calling Malcolm at (347) 777-7834 or Dave at (178) 757-6519; or online at nypdvsfdny-volleyballgame.eventbrite. com.
Flushing land use expert Paul Graziano had not initially planned on making his third bid for City Council this year. That changed when District 19’s sitting councilmember, Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone), voted to approve a commercial overlay for Douglaston’s Mizumi restaurant last fall.
“I had to do something,” he told the Chronicle in an extensive, exclusive interview this week, “because to deal with this for another two years after this term — maybe another six years after this term — would be just terrible for our communities.”
And so, Graziano is preparing to square off with former Councilman and state Sen. Tony Avella in the Democratic primary this June. If he wins, he’d face Paladino in the fall.
In 2021, Paladino narrowly defeated Avella in a race for the same seat by less than 400 votes. In March 2022, Avella announced that he would challenge Paladino again, saying that it “may be necessary” to form a “government in exile” in light of her councilship.
Given he’s running against Avella, who has the benefit of many years in office and thus,name recognition, the unavoidable ques-
tion for Graziano is: Can he beat Avella?
“I’m in this race to win,” he said. Referring to Avella, with whom he’s worked extensively over the years, he continued, “It’s unfortunate that he’s decided to run again. It’s a free country, so anybody can do what they want, but I guess we’ll find out in the primary.”
Graziano garnered almost 45 percent of the vote in the 2017 Democratic primary, when he fell to then-incumbent Paul Vallone.
Graziano’s opinions are by no means driven by Democratic leadership. With a principled understanding of and, some might say, a passion for the complexities of rules and regulations, he has championed land use and zoning issues. Last year, he led the regional charge against Gov. Hochul’s push to legalize accessory dwelling units, regardless of what local zoning laws allow. He’s gearing up for round two this year; meanwhile, he has been a vocal opponent of Mets’ owner Steve Cohen’s vision for a casino directly west of Citi Field, and has led the group known as Save Flushing Meadows Corona Park in that effort.
Graziano’s qualms with development — casino or not — at the site are based on the fact that the Citi Field parking lot is legally considered parkland, and that the agreement made between the Mets and the city in 1961 allows
only for a small shop and a parking lot. Though he noted that the state Legislature could allow for a park or alienate the site for development, Graziano said Cohen would still run into trouble.
“I have no problem with making it a park, but [Cohen] is required to his bondholders to have parking available,” he explained.
While Graziano has made a name for himself through his land use work, another significant issue for him in the campaign is healthcare. He attributes that in part to his own battle
with kidney cancer, which he has had twice. Locally, healthcare has been a discussion as the city is attempting to shift 250,000 retirees to a Medicare Advantage plan, which Graziano is strongly against.
“I’m OK with new hires negotiating their benefits package with the city, but to take away established healthcare — especially for retirees and seniors who need it the most — and to replace it with a privatized version of Medicare ... It’s an absolute betrayal of those 250,000 workers,” he said.
Graziano also voiced support for adding another police precinct in what is now the 109th, an idea that has gained popularity in recent months. Noting the precinct’s size and its high response times, he said, “I don’t know if you guys have driven from Downtown Flushing to Bay Terrace, but it’s a bit of a hike if there’s traffic. So how do you get the police to where they need to be?”
But “doing right by your community,” as Graziano puts it, is his top priority.
“I’m the least ideological, political person you’ve ever met, I work with people I don’t care who they are, as long as they do right by their community,” he said. “Doing right by community is if you’ve got a well laid-out argument as to why something should or shouldn’t happen, and that argument is held by the vast majority of people in that community.” Q
February is Black History Month, and this year Queens is filled with events to celebrate.
The Museum of the Moving Image has a series of screenings, exhibits and community events from Feb. 2 to 26 at 36-01 35 Ave. in Astoria.
Exhibits include “An Act of Seeing: Barry Jenkin’s The Gaze” (ongoing) and “Adapting Stories for the Screen: Chinonye Chukwu’s Till” (viewing through Sept. 17), according to MoMI.
Screenings include “Show Boat” on Feb. 4 at 1 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. “After Sherman” will be shown on Feb. 17 at 7:15 p.m. and “Crooklyn” can be seen Feb. 26 at 5:30 p.m. “To Sleep with Anger” will be featured at the museum Feb. 18 and 19 at 3 p.m.
Afrikan Poetry Theatre will also present a Black History Film Festival at MoMI Feb. 25 and 26, showcasing the work of local Black directors, writers and producers who have made thought provoking movies.
MoMI will be open daily during the midwinter recess for city schools Feb. 20 to 24 from 12 to 6 p.m.
To learn more about MoMI’s Black History programs and to get tickets, visit movingimage.us.
Flushing Town Hall will host three Black
History events.
On Feb. 3, the legacy of Chuck Berry will be on full show as Keith “The Captain” Gamble, a premier vocalist and blues guitarist, performs some of the rock ‘n’ roll artist’s greatest hits at 8 p.m.
There will be a workshop on swing and African dances at 7 p.m. Feb. 10. At 8 p.m., guests will get to show off their newfound skills at a swing band concert. Guiding attendees will be Patience Higgins, a musical director, The Savoy Swingers and the Harvest Moon Hoppers.
To close out the FTH’s Black History Month Trilogy, vocalist Billy Cliff will host “Soul Men: Music of The Greats in Black
Cinema,” which is a chronological journey about African American singers who helped to define the genre of soul music.
Cliff will lead the audience through the works of Isaac Hayes’ composition in “Shaft,” Curtis Mayfield’s soundtrack in “Superfly” and Marvin Gaye’s film score of “Trouble Man” on Feb. 24 at 8 p.m.
For more about the Black History Month Trilogy and tickets, visit flushingtownhall.org.
Several events will be held in Jamaica.
The Starbucks at 89-00 Sutphin Blvd. is hosting a Black History Month networking event today, Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m. Helium Image, a local business, will put on a live Facebook presentation.
King Manor Museum will host a Black History Month small business fair on Feb. 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 150-03 Jamaica Ave. The Queens Chronicle sponsors the fair.
The Black Spectrum Theatre in Roy Wilkins Park on the Jamaica-St. Albans line will be honored Feb. 23 from 4 to 7 p.m. by Raymour & Flanigan, located at 168-23 Jamaica Ave.
For details about the networking event, vendor spaces at the fair or the celebration of Black Spectrum Theatre, call Ree Brinn at (718) 669-0628 or email her at reeb@qchron.com. Q
Youth will have a seat at the table at Queens Borough Hall with a new Youth and Young Adult Council that is being launched.
Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. on Monday announced the plan, which will introduce Queens’ youngest advocates to community service and organizing.
“Our youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and as such they deserve a seat at the table as well as opportunities to be civically engaged,” said Richards in a prepared statement. “I’m thrilled to engage our youngest community members in envisioning Queens’ future, and working together to create the blueprints to make that a reality.”
The council will include two cohorts: one made up of high school representatives between 13 and 17 and another of young adults between 18 and 25. The second cohort will feature advisors, who are expected to have experience working with youth populations, preferably in Queens. Members of the advisory body will advocate concerns through means of community engagement, advocacy and more. The deadline to apply as a youth participant or advisor is Feb. 23. To do so, and for more information, visit bit.ly/3jddF9O. Q
Queens Borough Hall was among five buildings lit yellow on last Friday in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, announced Mayor Adams.
Along with Borough Hall, located at 12055 Queens Blvd. in Kew Gardens, the Bronx Borough Hall, Staten Island Borough Hall, the David N. Dinkins Manhattan Municipal Building and City Hall also participated in the lighting commemoration, the Mayor’s Office added.
“Pure hate led to the death of more than 6 million Jewish people during the Holocaust,” Adams said in a statement. “We will never forget all those lost, but, on this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we also recommit ourselves to stamping out antiSemitism and all forms of hate across our city.” said Adams.
There were 261 hate crimes committed against Jewish people throughout New York City in 2022, according to NYPD statistics. Of the cases reported, 69 led to an arrest.
In Queens, there were 23 hate crimes against Jewish people within 12 precincts and only four arrests were made, the stats say.
Fourteen of the hate crimes were in Patrol Borough Queens North (104 Pct.: 2; 108 Pct.:
1; 109 Pct:. 2; 110 Pct.: 1; 111 Pct.: 1; 112 Pct.: 6; and 115 Pct.: 1) and in Queens South there were nine (101 Pct.: 2; 102 Pct.: 1; 103 Pct.: 2; 105 Pct.: 2; and 107 Pct.: 2).
Adams said that he is committed to bringing New Yorkers from different backgrounds together through the “Breaking Bread, Building Bonds” campaign, which is an initiative to organize conversations via 1,000 meals across the city so that people can listen and learn from each other.
People can sign up to attend or host a dinner at nyc.gov/site/breakingbread/index-page.
“Whether you are part of the 1.6 million
Jewish people who call New York City home, or a member of one of the many other faiths here in our city, hate has no place here, and we will do everything in our power to defeat the pipeline leading to it,” the mayor added.
First designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.
Part of the greater Auschwitz complex in Poland, Auschwitz-Birkenau was a Nazi concentration and extermination camp where more than 1.1 million men, women and children died, according to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial.
The commemoration was also a part of the World Jewish Congress’ #WeRemember campaign. The organization is an international federation of Jewish communities and groups led by businessman and activist Ronald Lauder.
“The illumination of these city landmarks sends an unmistakable message that by reflecting on this tragic period of history, it is possible to build a stronger future for all,” Lauder said in a statement. “New Yorkers live in the most diverse city in the world, and through proper education, together we can ensure a better future by making sure the past is never forgotten.” Q
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Fact: Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women, causing one in three deaths each year. It’s a third of our mothers, sisters, friends, neighbors, co-workers and more. It’s a third of the women we can’t bear to live with it.
Fact: Cardiovascular disease impacts some women at higher rates than others, but the simple truth is that most cardiovascular diseases can still be prevented with education and healthy lifestyle changes.
Fact: Heart disease and stroke can affect a woman at any age, making it vital for all women to understand their personal risk factors and family history. Women can also experience unique life events that can impact their risk, including pregnancy and menopause. Furthermore, research shows that stress may impact health, making it important for women to understand the mind-body connection and how to focus on improving both their physical health and mental well-being.
Fact: Losing even one woman to cardiovascular disease is too many.
Here are 10 other facts you need to know about women and cardiovascular disease:
Cardiovascular disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined and yet only 44 percent of women recognize that cardiovascular disease is their greatest health threat.
Among females 20 years and older, nearly 45 percent are living with some form of cardiovascular disease and less than 50 percent of women entering pregnancy in the United States have good heart health.
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of new moms and accounts for over one-third of maternal deaths. Black women have some of the highest maternal mortality rates.
Overall, 10 to 20 percent of women will have a health issue during pregnancy, and high blood pressure, preeclampsia and gestational diabetes during pregnancy greatly increase a women’s
risk for developing cardiovascular disease later in life.
Going through menopause does not cause cardiovascular disease, but the approach of menopause marks a point in midlife when women's cardiovascular risk factors can accelerate, making increased focus on health during this pivotal life stage crucial.
Most cardiac and stroke events can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes, such as moving more, eating smart and managing blood pressure.
Women account for 51.9 percent of high blood pressure deaths, otherwise known as hypertension or the “silent killer,” and out of all women, 57.6 percent of Black females have hypertension — more than any other race or ethnicity.
While there are an estimated 4.1 million female stroke survivors living today, approximately 57.5 percent of total stroke deaths are in women.
Women are often less likely to receive bystander CPR because rescuers often fear accusations of inappropriate touching, sexual assault or injuring the victim.
Women continue to be underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields, as well as in research. In fact, women occupy nearly half of all U.S. jobs (48 percent), but only 27 percent of jobs in STEM fields. Furthermore, only 38 percent of participants in clinical cardiovascular trials are women. P
The American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement was launched in 2004 with the goal of raising awareness and fighting a woman’s greatest heath threat — cardiovascular disease. Today, Go Red for Women not only advocates for the health of all women, funds lifesaving research and educates women across the United States and around the world but is committed to removing the unique barriers women face to experiencing better health and well-being.
It was a joyous, packed house last Thursday at Queens Palace in Woodside as congregants of the Binapani Sangho religious organization and some special guests marked the festival of Saraswati Puja.
Also known as Vasant Panchami, the Hindu festival marks the preparation for the arrival of spring, and is held about 40 days before the season’s start.
Chief among those attending was Mayor Adams, to whom the congregation gave a bouquet of flowers
and, top right, a statue of the goddess Saraswati. Adams presented the congregants a city proclamation making Jan. 26
“Saraswati Puja Sinarani Sangho USA Day” near right. Joining him were Deputy Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for International Affairs Dilip Chauhan, in shirt and tie, and state Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar. At far right, Rajkumar thanks the goddess Saraswati for the successful event. — Walter Karling and Peter C. Mastrosimone
January
January
For years, Rebecca Bratspies, a law professor at CUNY School of Law and the founding director of the Center for Urban Environmental Reform, cursed her way through traffic on the Major Deegan on her way to visit her parents, wondering aloud, “Who was that Major Deegan anyway?”
“Finally, my husband just got sick of it,” she told the Chronicle. “He said, ‘Well, why don’t you just find out?’”
Bratspies was not all that impressed with the answer, but it got her thinking: Who were the people New York City’s landmarks, neighborhoods, roadways and bridges are
named for? Soon, what began as a hobby materialized into what would become her recently published book, “Naming Gotham: The Villians, Rogues and Heroes Behind New York’s Place Names”(The History Press).
namedfor?SSoon
Soo as a alized w ou ld tried to p
It didn’t take long for Bratspies’ list of names to pile up.
“I have a list almost as long of people who I wish could have been in the book,” she said. “There were actually
chapters that I had to cut because I ran out of space.”
Still, she said, she tried to pick people whose stories were “slightly more obscure.”
Though the book covers places all over the city, Bratspies acknowledged that, as an Astoria resident herself, landmarks in the World’s Borough may be more prominent. That’s also part of the reason why the book is not organized by borough, nor chronologically; instead, it is separated into roads, bridges and tunnels, parks and
recreation and neighborhoods.
“I wanted people to see, as a cluster, ‘Who do we name our roads for?’ And most of that involves Robert Moses,” she said, referring to the notorious urban planner behind much of New York City as we know it. “I didn’t want to be super didactic and be hitting people over the head with it, but I felt like if they saw all of these chapters together, they would see that.”
Among those “Moses-adjacent” figures was William Shea, the namesake of the Mets’ old ballpark, Shea Stadium. The lawyer was among the city’s most influential; as
continued on page 27
by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor
Hermon Atkins MacNeil was born in Massachusetts on Feb. 27, 1866. In 1886 he became an instructor in industrial art at Cornell University.
He married fellow sculptor Carol Brooks in 1895. Their first son, Claude, was born in 1900 and Alden was next in 1902. The same year they purchased a home at 579 North Blvd. in College Point. In 1913 the house was renumbered to 121-05 Fifth Ave.
At ancestry.com, the 1910 U.S. Census lists him as mulatto (an outdated term meaning a person with some black blood).
For the next 45 years he made 250 creations. The most recognized was the U.S. standing-liberty quarter minted from 1916 to 1930. One of his last great accomplishments was the Pony Express statue in Missouri in 1940.
Neighbors remember MacNeil as just a regular guy, nothing special. He did not carry an air of celebrity status. His wife passed away in Jamaica Hospital on June 22, 1944. He followed her on Oct. 2, 1947, at age 81. A park on the water in College Point was renamed in his honor in 1966. The nearby house and studio were razed due to the high value of the land for development. Q
A mythical figure from a 16th-century Chinese novel might seem a bit of a stretch as the main character in a musical, but a husband-and-wife team of creative artists from Forest Hills think it’s just the vehicle called for at a time when there is a serious lack of roles for Asian-American women in theater.
“The Monkey King: A Kung Fu Musical,” based upon “Journey to the West” by Wu Cheng’en, features music and lyrics by Jonathan Fadner and a book he co-wrote with his wife, Kimbirdlee. It comes to Queens Theatre for two performances only, on Feb. 11 and 12.
“There are gaping cultural holes in the musical canon,” Jonathan Fadner said. “We wrote this empowering show to fill those holes with principal roles for Asian women.”
This action adventure come to life focuses on the first female Monkey King as she battles Heaven and Earth’s most treacherous foes to save her tribe and achieve immortality.
“The real heart of the character is that she’s a girl. She has to prove why she can be called a king even though she’s a girl,” Kimbirdlee Fadner said. “Why can’t a girl be a superhero like a guy?”
According to Jonathan Fadner, three different iterations of the musical have been created, including the one being offered at Queens Theatre, a one-hour take aimed particularly at young spectators. But Kimbirdlee Fadner adds that “general audiences would enjoy this rendition,” too.
A total of eight performers take to the stage, many of them playing multiple roles. It’s “part of the fun. They change literally at the drop of a hat,” Jonathan Fadner said.
He said there is “not a whole lot of oppor-
tunities for Asians on Broadway,” where the couple hopes the show will ultimately end up. “This is very much an Asian story.” Work on adapting the piece for the stage began in 2018, Jonathan Fadner said. “We have two boys, 8 and 10. I read stories to them, including ‘The Monkey King.’ I loved it. We thought it would make a fun musical.” He had his wife in mind for the title role from the start.
And she admits it has been a challenge. “I had to dig deep,” she said. “It defies
stereotypes.”
The stylized kung fu choreography for the production comes courtesy of Max Ehrlich, a competitive martial artist and performer in Broadway’s “Aladdin.” According to Jonathan Fadner, Ehrlich was “excited to find a musical production with kung fu.”
In addition to composing the score, consisting of a mixture of classical and rock music, Jonathan Fadner serves as the show’s musical director.
Kimbirdlee Fadner, the daughter of an Asian mother and German father, indicated that the entire cast is Asian, as are the show’s director and production designer. “There is great Asian influence on this musical,” she said.
And she couldn’t be happier that “the time is now” for Asians to move into the spotlight. “It has been gradual progress. There’s more acceptance towards artists of color, more opportunities for Asian women.”
She also expressed gratitude to Queens Theatre for “connecting to the community and recognizing that Queens is the most diverse neighborhood” in the world.
Performances at Queens Theatre (14 United Nations Ave. South, Flushing Meadows Corona Park) are at 3 p.m. both days Tickets are $18. For more information, visit queenstheatre.org or call (718) 760-0064. Q
continued from page 25
Bratspies put it, Shea and his partner, Morton Gould, were “the people you brought in when you wanted a fight.” Shea had been named chair of the committee tasked with bringing National League baseball back to New York. As such, Moses —who selected the arena’s location — campaigned for the stadium to be named for Shea. (Shea himself thought the stadium would be renamed “15 minutes after he died.” Nearly 20 years after
Shea’s death, the stadium was demolished, still bearing his name.)
Relatedly, Bratspies also delves into Willets Point’s namesake; the neighborhood, contrary to popular belief, is not named for former Mayor Thomas Willett, but for land owner Charles A. Willets. She also discusses the term “Willets Point” itself, which she notes does not exclusively refer to the neighborhood, but also to the peninsula where Fort Totten sits.
The story behind the naming of places is not always obvious. While John Jacob Astor, for instance, gave a small donation for Astoria’s development, as Bratspies notes in her book, he never even set foot there.
Part of that is because naming has not always been such a hot-button topic.
“So many of these things were named in the ’40s and the ’50s, when there was just not the kind of public discussion about issues that there is today,” Bratspies said.
She also noted that one exception to that was the naming of LaGuardia Airport; one elected city official was vehemently opposed to it being named for the former mayor. Clearly, his campaign fell short.
Those interested in learning more are
William Shea, inset at right, the namesake of Shea Stadium, is just one of several figures uncovered in “Naming Gotham” by Rebecca Bratspies, inset at left. On the cover: Billie Jean King, for whom the National Tennis Center is named; the Kosciuszko Bridge, named for revolutionary and abolitionist Tadeusz Kosciuszko, was rebuilt from 2014 to 2017; the Van Wyck Expressway is named for Robert Van Wyck, the first mayor of the Greater City of New York; Queens’ northern airport bears the name of Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia, who led New York through the Great Depression and World War II.
encouraged to hear Bratspies speak on April 4, when she plans to give a presentation with the Queens Memory Name Explorer,
though where and when have yet to be decided. Her book is available for purchase at amzn.to/3WRKC9w. Q
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Notice of Formation of BOBBI SINCLAIR LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/30/2022. 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: NORTHWEST REGISTERED AGENT LLC, 90 STATE STREET, SUITE 700, OFFICE 40, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
Builtinc, LLC fi led w/ SSNY 12/9/22 Off. in Queens Co. SSNY desig. as agt. of LLC whom process may be served & shall mail process to Christian Cedillo, 4004 34th Ave, Apt. 401, LIC, NY 11101. The reg. agt. is Christian Cedillo at same address. Any lawful purpose.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF QUEENS U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007AR3, V. MOHANIE BISHU, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated January 3, 2019, and entered in the Offi ce of the Clerk of the County of Queens, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-AR3 is the Plaintiff and MOHANIE BISHU, 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 February 17, 2023 at 11:30AM, premises known as 92-24 175TH STREET, JAMAICA, NY 11433: Block 10214, Lot 17: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE 4TH WARD, BOROUGH AND COUNTY OF QUEENS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led Judgment Index # 705689/2016. David H. Sloan, 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.
Articles of Org. fi led NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/8/22. Offi ce in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to PO Box 180608, Richmond Hill, NY 11418. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Principal business loc: 61-43 186th St., Ste. 437, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365.
REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR MERRILL LYNCH FIRST FRANKLIN MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-H1, Plaintiff - againstGEORGE W. SCHIEREN, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on November 3, 2022. 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 24th day of February, 2023 at 10:00
AM. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York. Premises known as 105-22 135th Street, South Richmond Hill, New York 11419. (Block: 9594, Lot: 9) Approximate amount of lien $939,385.14 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 707008/2015. Angelyn D. Johnson, 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 Xome.com at Xome.com
Dated: November 17, 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.
NOTICE OF FORMATION: DGK RIVERDALE LLC. Art. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 01/26/2023, effective date 01/26/2023 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 Glenn Karmi, 26910 Grand Central Pkwy Apt 20K, Floral Park, NY 11005 Purpose: Any lawful purpose
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 212-941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 718722-3131.
The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.
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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF HARNETT In the General Court of Justice District Court Division 22 CVD 001242 City of Dunn and County of Harnett Plaintiffs, v. Judy Ann Fann Cellner and Spouse, if any; Defendants COMPLAINT FOR TAX FORECLOSURE NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION
To: Alton Tyson, Jr. and Spouse, if any Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been fi led in the above -entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought by Plaintiffs is as follows: 1. That Plaintiffs have and recover a judgment against the Defendants for the amount of taxes and interest due it as set out in the complaint plus any subsequently accruing taxes and penalties, interest, and costs thereon as allowed by law and the costs of this action; that said taxes, interest, and costs be declared a fi rst lien upon the real estate described in the complaint. 2. That a commissioner be appointed to sell the real estate described in the complaint, after due advertisement in accordance with law and under the direction of this court, and to deliver to the purchaser at such sale a deed to said real estate in fee simple, free and clear of all encumbrances, and that the interests and equities of redemption of the Defendants in the property be forever barred and foreclosed. 3. That the commissioner be ordered to pay from the proceeds of sale of the property the taxes, penalties, interests, and costs due the Plaintiffs, together with the costs of this action, and to pay the surplus, if any, to such parties as may be entitled thereto or pay it into court for the benefi t of said parties. 4. In the event that payment of taxes is tendered before the judgment of sale is confi rmed, defendants are given notice that before this action will be dismissed, the costs of this action must be paid, including attorney’s fees, and that defendants have a right to a hearing before the court on the amount of attorney’s fees. 5. For such other and further relief as the court may deem just and proper. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than the 3rd day of March, 2023, said date being at least 40 days from the fi rst publication of this notice, or from the date complaint is required to be fi led, whichever is later; and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. Wiley J. Pope, Attorney for Plaintiffs, 403 West Broad Street, Dunn, N.C. 28334 910-892-4029, 910-892-7275 (FAX) State Bar #28028
Notice of Formation of JABEDA
LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/22/2022.
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: JABEDA LLC, 109-12 175TH ST, JAMAICA, NY 11433. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
MARTIN BURGER, PLLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 11/18/22. Offi ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the PLLC, 219-51 Jamaica Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11428. Purpose: For the practice of the profession of Law.
Notice of Formation of NEW DA ZHONG SERVICE LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/04/2023. 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: NEW DA ZHONG SERVICE LLC, 5422 102ND STREET, CORONA, NY 11368. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of Q I A HOME LLC
Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/07/2023. 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: ALEJANDRO
ANTONIO LOPEZ, 5120 90TH ST, APT 3FT, FLUSHING, NY 11373. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS–SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF QUEENS– FINANCE OF AMERICA REVERSE LLC., Plaintiff, -against- ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF FOSTER WHITTINGTON, DECEASED; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NICOLE MOORE; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; MATTHEW WHITTINGTON, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FOSTER WHITTINGTON, DECEASED; JOSEPH WHITTINGTON, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FOSTER WHITTINGTON, DECEASED; MARY WHITTINGTON, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FOSTER WHITTINGTON,DECEASED; SHAQUANA “DOE” (REFUSED LAST NAME) AS “JOHN DOE #1; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #2; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #3; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #4; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #5; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #6; DefendantsIndex No. 700926/2022 Plaintiff Designates Queens County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Queens County. To the above named Defendants–YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated December 5, 2022. NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME – If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (FINANCE OF AMREICA REVERSE LLC) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Phillip Hom J.S.C. Dated: December 5, 2022 Filed: December 8, 2022. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 17030 Liverpool Street, Jamaica, NY 11435. Dated: June 3, 2022 Greenspoon Marder LLP., Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Meir Weiss, Esq., 590 Madison Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10022 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050 (No Service by fax) Please respond to Cypress Creek Office: Trade Centre South, 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 P: (888) 491-1120 F: (954) 343-6982
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.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee (CWALT 2007-23CB) Plaintiff, -against- Tonya Howard if living and if any be dead, any and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienor, heirs, devisees, distributees, or successors in interest of such of the above as may be dead, and their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residences are unknown to Plaintiff, New York City Environmental Control Board, New York City Parking Violations Bureau, New York City Transit Adjudication Bureau, United States of America-Internal Revenue Service, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, Defendants. Index No. 701182/2020 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the Mortgage premises is situated. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $300,000.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the Clerk of the County of QUEENS on July 12, 2007, in Book CRFN 2007000356878, covering premises known as 316 Beach 15th St., Far Rockaway, NY 11691. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the Mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the Summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your Mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: Bayshore, New York December 14, 2022 /s/By: Linda P. Manfredi, Esq. Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100 Our File No.:01-087432-F01
Notice of Formation of RG CLOTHING & ESSENTIALS LLC
Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/15/2022. 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: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 137-24 161ST STREET, QUEENS, NY 11434. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of ROXON, LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/10/2023. 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: ROXON, LLC, 8325 LEFFERTS BLVD., 2FL, KEW GARDENS, NY 11415.
Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of WESTIN FLUSHING OPERATIONS
LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/05/2023. 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: GEORGE XU, 3366 FARRINGTON STREET, SUITE 200, FLUSHING, NY 11354. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
ADMINISTRATION CITATION File No.: 2018-5138
SURROGATE’S COURT – QUEENS COUNTY CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent, TO LESLIE JEAN-PIERRE, CLAUDEL JEAN-PIERRE, MARTINE JEAN-PIERRE, RICHARD JEANPIERRE, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF QUEENS COUNTY, OSCAR A. PRIETO, ESQ., HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, AND DISTRIBUTEES OF ERNST JEANPIERRE A/K/A ERNST JEANPIERRE DECEASED, IF LIVING, AND IF ANY OF THEM BE DEAD TO THEIR HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, LEGATEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, ASSIGNEES AND SUCCESSORS IN INTEREST WHOSE NAMES ARE UNKNOWN AND CANNOT BE ASCERTAINED AFTER DUE DILIGENCE A petition having been duly filed by Nationstar Mortgage LLC d/b/a Mr. Cooper, who is domiciled at 8950 Cypress Waters Blvd., Coppell, TX 75019 YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Queens County, at 88-11 Sutphin BLVD, Jamaica, New York, on the 2nd day of March, 2023 Courtroom 62, at 9:30 A.M, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Ernst JeanPierre a/k/a Ernst Jean-Pierre lately domiciled at 218-41 105th Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11429, in the County of Queens New York, granting limited Letters of Administration upon the estate of the decedent to Leslie Jean-Pierre, Claudel Jean-Pierre, Martine Jean-Pierre, Richard Jean-Pierre, or any eligible distributee or, upon their failure to qualify, to the Public Administrator of Queens County, and if permitted to renounce them to Petitioner’s nominee, Oscar A. Prieto, upon duly qualifying or to such other person as may be entitled thereto. To accept service of process on behalf of the Estate of the deceased in a foreclosure action on a first Mortgage held by the petitioner, its successor and/ or assigns, dated January 16, 2003 and recorded at CRFN 2003000160286 in the Office of the City Register of the City of New York on June 9, 2003 in the original principal balance of $95,000.00 on the Decedent’s real property located at 218-41 105th Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11429. NOTICE: THIS CITATION IS SERVED UPON YOU AS REQUIRED BY LAW. AS A RESULT OF THE MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE COURT TO COMBAT THE SPPREAD OF COVID-19, PHYSICAL PRESENCE AT THE COURTHOUSE ON THE RETURN DATE IS NOT POSSIBLE. THEREFORE, IF YOU WISH TO CONTEST THE RELIEF REQUESTED, YOU, OR AN ATTORNEY ON YOUR BEHALF, MUST CONTACT THE COURT PRIOR TO THIS DATE IN THE MANNER SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED NOTICE. IF YOU DO NOT CONTACT THE COURT AS SET FORTH IN THE NOTICE IT WILL BE FOUND YOU CONSENT TO THE RELIEF REQUESTED. Hon. Peter J. Kellly, Surrogate Dated, Attested and Sealed, January 13, 2023 (Seal) Janet Edwards Tucker Chief Clerk, Attorney for Petitioner: Virginia C. Grapensteter, Esq. Firm Name: Friedman Vartolo, LLP, Address of Attorney: 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York, 10004 Telephone Number: (212) 471-5100; Email: vgrapensteter@ friedmanvartolo.com
QUEENS - INDEX NO.: 705708/2017 – SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS. Plaintiff designates QUEENS COUNTY as the place of trial based upon the location of the premises herein described having tax map Block 15656, Lot 3, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY, County of QUEENS – JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, PLAINTIFF, -against- ETERNITY HILL, AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LATISHA GIBBS, ADINA MCAULAY, AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF LATISHA GIBBS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE, CITY OF NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD, CITY OF NEW YORK PARKING VIOLATION BUREAU, CITY OF NEW YORK TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirsat law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of LATISHA GIBBS, deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs-at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff, “JOHN DOE”, said name being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, and any parties, corporations or entities, if any, having or claiming an interest or lien upon the mortgaged premises, DEFENDANTS. YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within 20 days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS PennyMac Loan Services, LLC, Plaintiff, - againstShobhana Doshi, as Heir to the Estate of Rajeshkumar P. Doshi, Shabri R. Doshi, as Heir to the Estate of Rajeshkumar P. Doshi, Tulsi R. Doshi, as Heir to the Estate of Rajeshkumar P. Doshi, S.K., as Heir to the Estate of Rajeshkumar P. Doshi, M.K., as Heir to the Estate of Rajeshkumar P. Doshi and Rajeshkumar P. Doshi’s unknown heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in the real property described in the complaint herein, New York City Environmental Control Board, New York City Parking Violations Bureau, New York City Transit Adjudication Bureau, United States of America-Internal Revenue Service, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, John Doe (Refused Name), John Doe (Refused Name), John Doe (Refused Name), John Doe (Refused Name), Sanya Doe (Refused Last Name), John Doe (Refused Name), John Doe (Refused Name) Defendants. Index No.: 716237/2022 Filed: January 23, 2023 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. TO THE ABOVE
NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service; or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York; or within sixty (60) days if it is the United States of America. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME
If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered against you and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: Syosset, New York, January 13, 2023. Roach & Lin, P.C., attorney for Plaintiff, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, NY 11791. Tel: 516-9383100. To the above named defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Robert J. McDonald, a Justice of the Supreme Court, State of New York, dated December 2, 2022 and filed with the QUEENS County Clerk together with the supporting papers thereon. This is an action to foreclose a mortgage held by Plaintiff on the premises known as Block 15656, Lot 3, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY, County of QUEENS as described in the complaint on file and commonly known as 23-18 Enright Road a/k/a 2318 Enright Road, Far Rockaway, NY 11691. 74944
NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $756,053.00 and interest, recorded in the offi ce of the clerk of the County of Queens on December 20, 2016 in Instrument #16000449628 covering premises known as 117-21 134th Street, South Ozone Park, NY 11420. The relief sought in the within action is a fi nal judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.
NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who fi led this foreclosure proceeding against you and fi ling the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: January 20, 2023, Bay Shore, New York, Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP /s/BY: Linda P. Manfredi Attorneys for Plaintiff. 53 Gibson Street, Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100 Our File No.: 01-096020-F00
PURPOSE: THE FILING OF NEW TARIFF AMMENDMENTS TO P.S.C. NO. 12 GAS TO COMPLY WITH THE COMMISSION’S ORDERS DATED JANUARY 19, 2023, IN P.S.C. CASES 14-M-0565 AND 20-M-0266.
TEXT: Notice is hereby given that The Brooklyn Union Gas Company d/b/a National Grid NY has fi led new tariff amendments with the Public Service Commission to comply with the Commission’s Orders dated January 19, 2023, to become effective February 1, 2023.
The Brooklyn Union Gas Company d/b/a National Grid NY (“KEDNY”) fi led tariff revisions in response to a New York State Public Service Commission (“PSC”) Order Authorizing Phase 2 Arrears Reduction Program. Phase 2 of the Arrears Reduction Program provides automatic relief through direct bill credits to all residential non-Energy Affordability Program (“EAP”) and small-commercial customers who have eligible arrears and who did not receive relief under the Phase 1 program, by issuing a one-time bill credit to reduce or eliminate accrued arrears through May 1, 2022. The PSC Order also establishes the Arrears Management Program (“AMP”) Phase 2 Surcharge to recover costs of these bill credits effective February 1, 2023.
Notice is hereby given that starting on February 1, 2023, the AMP Phase 2 Surcharge will commence on customer bills and will be included in the Delivery Revenue Adjustment line. The AMP surcharge is located on the KEDNY website. For Residential customers: https://www.nationalgridus. com/NY-Home/Bills-Meters-and-Rates/Gas-Rate-Statements and Business customers https://www.nationalgridus. com/Long-Island-NY-Business/Bills-Meters-and-Rates/ Gas-Rate-Statements?regionkey=nylongisland&customerty pe=business.
Copies of the proposed revisions are available for public inspection and can be obtained on the Company’s website at https://www.nationalgridus.com.
PURPOSE: THE FILING OF NEW TARIFF AMMENDMENTS TO P.S.C. NO. 1 GAS TO COMPLY WITH THE COMMISSION’S ORDERS DATED JANUARY 19, 2023, IN P.S.C. CASES 14-M-0565 AND 20-M-0266.
TEXT: Notice is hereby given that Keyspan Gas East Corporation d/b/a National Grid has fi led new tariff amendments with the Public Service Commission to comply with the Commission’s Orders dated January 19, 2023, to become effective February 1, 2023.
Keyspan Gas East Corporation d/b/a National Grid (“KEDLI”) fi led tariff revisions in response to a New York State Public Service Commission (“PSC”) Order Authorizing Phase 2 Arrears Reduction Program. Phase 2 of the Arrears Reduction Program provides automatic relief through direct bill credits to residential non-Energy Affordability Program (“EAP”) and small-commercial customers who have eligible arrears and who did not receive relief under the Phase 1 program, by issuing a one-time bill credit to reduce or eliminate accrued arrears through May 1, 2022. The PSC Order also establishes the Arrears Management Program (“AMP”) Phase 2 Surcharge to recover costs of these bill credits effective February 1, 2023.
Notice is hereby given that starting on February 1, 2023, the AMP Phase 2 Surcharge will commence on customer bills and will be included in the Delivery Revenue Adjustment line. The AMP surcharge is located on the KEDLI website. For Residential customers: https://www.nationalgridus.com/ Long-Island-NY-Home/Bills-Meters-and-Rates/?regionkey =nylongisland&customertype=home and Business customers https://www.nationalgridus.com/Long-Island-NY-Business/Bills-Meters-and-Rates/?regionkey=nylongisland& customertype=business.
Copies of the proposed revisions are available for public inspection and can be obtained on the Company’s website at https://www.nationalgridus.com.
by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor
One reason the Atlanta Braves have been the p erennial National League Eastern Division champions is their ability to lock up core players with long-term contracts so they do not leave as free agents as they enter their peak years. Yes, there have been notable exceptions such as Freddie Freeman and Dansby Swanson, but for the most part they have kept their roster intact.
Needless to say, many Mets fans are envious, and have beseeched team CEO Steve Cohen to follow the lead of their southern rivals. On Friday, word leaked out the team had agreed to a four-year contract with second baseman and 2022 National League batting champion Jeff McNeil.
Granted, McNeil, who will turn 31 in early April, is older than most of the players the Braves have locked up to long-term deals. He is, however, a valuable asset, since he is a contact hitter who excels at getting hits with two strikes on him. While second base is McNeil’s best position, he has shown he can more than adequately play every spot on the infield. He has also acquitted himself well in the corner outfield positions.
Mets Manager Buck Showalter may have McNeil play in the outfield in the early going of the 2023 season. Starling Marte suffered a broken finger while batting last September. His unavailability after that injury was a major factor
as to why the Mets were swept by the Braves the last weekend of the season, and why they were defeated in the Wild Card Series by the San Diego Padres.
The good news is Marte’s finger has healed. The bad news is he had surgery to repair what has been labeled a “core muscle” in November. The concern is Marte will miss a good chunk, if not all, of spring training, and will begin the 2023 season on the injured list. The Mets have more options for Marte’s absence than they had last fall. In addition to McNeil, they recently signed free agent outfielders Tommy Pham and Tim Locastro. Both can hit and provide solid defense.
The election of third baseman Scott Rolen to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America has elicited the same level of snark as when the Veterans Committee allowed Harold Baines entry into Cooperstown.
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Rolen and Baines had lengthy, excellent careers. I have no problem with them having a plaque in that central New York State baseball shrine. Rolen’s entry will, however, rekindle discussion about whether there should be reconsideration for Keith Hernandez, Don Mattingly and others. Both David Wright and Jose Reyes will be on the 2024 ballot. They won’t get elected, but should receive the 5 percent of the vote necessary to remain on it for 2025.
Q
See the extended version of Sports Beat every week at qchron.com
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