Queens Chronicle South Edition 08-10-23

Dollar Tree closed following infestation

PAGE 4

OFF THE RAILS

LIRR train goes off track in Jamaica

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SOUTH QUEENS EDITION

Serving Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, City Line and JFK Airport YOUR

HARK IN THE PARK

Outdoor Shakespeare returneth, with fun for the kids too

SEE qboro, PAGE 19

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

The Dollar Tree location at 137-20 Crossbay Blvd. was closed Aug. 7, following an apparent rat infestation. Photos showed unsan itary conditions within the store, with bags of food having holes chewed through them, and droppings along the shelves. The store will remain closed pendin g an inspection it can pass, according to state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr.

NYC Council passes outdoor dining bill

Street-based structures, sidewalk cafes set to become permanent city fixtures

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

Since 2020, outdoor dining has been a significant but usually temporary fixture of New York City. Restaurants that did not have outdoor dining space at the time were able to apply for them based on a temporary emergency outdoor dining program created by the city as a response to the pandemic, called Open Restaurants. The city estimates that 100,000 jobs were saved as a result.

After two years of public hearings, the City Council passed a bill on Aug. 3, Intro. 31-C, that will make outdoor dining a permanent city fixture — with certain restrictions.

Under the bill, which was sponsored by Councilmember Marjorie Velazquez (D-Bronx), restaurants are allowed to have street-based outdoor-dining structures from April through November, but they must be dismantled from Nov. 30 through March 31.

Sidewalk cafes, on the other hand, will be allowed year-round with the proper permit, which would cost $1,050. Curb-based roadway seating would require a separate permit as well, priced at the same amount, according to the bill’s text. Additionally, restaurants will have to pay fees based on their location and square footage.

The bill also gives restaurants time to transition from the Open Restaurants program

while petitioning for a sidewalk or roadway cafe license.

Previously, Open Restaurants came under scrutiny in multiple lawsuits in which plaintiffs deemed the program unnecessary in a postpandemic world. Other legal complaints included congestion, excessive noise and garbage issues. The lawsuits were overall ineffec-

tive in halting the program.

Restaurants utilizing any privately owned outdoor space, private parking lots, balconies, terraces, open-air rooftop space or on open-air boats do not need to apply for permits, according to the city Department of Transportation, which will administer the program.

“As we move from an emergency program to

one under local law, this legislation strikes the right balance for restaurants, neighborhoods, and all New Yorkers,” Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) said in a statement. “It allows a greater number of restaurants to continue participating, while easing the bureaucratic barriers, making the licensing costs affordable, and providing orderly and uniform regulations that were missing from the temporary program. This permanent program will serve and support our neighborhoods, restaurants, residents and city for years to come.”

In a press release, Mayor Adams said, “Outdoor dining is here to stay in New York City ... This bill preserves the best parts of the temporary program and eliminates the worst. We will create a vibrant, clean, and safe streetscape; give restaurants the clarity they need to continue serving their customers; and make New York City the best outdoor dining city in the world.”

Adams is expected to sign the bill into law once it reaches his desk.

“We’re thrilled the City Council has passed this historic permanent outdoor dining program that includes sidewalk cafes and streeteries,” Andrew Rigie, executive director, and Rob Bookman, counsel of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, said in a joint statement. “The new law will cut the red tape and fees for restaurants to participate when compared to the over-

continued on page 12

Sidewalk cafes and street-based dining structures were just made permanent by the City Council — with a few caveats and restrictions.

PHOTO BY MAX PARROTT / FILE

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Thank you for your continued

The Crossbay store will need to clean and pass inspection before reopening Dollar Tree shut down after rat infestation

by Kristen Guglielmo

Associate Editor

The Dollar Tree location at 137-20 Crossbay Blvd. has been closed since Monday, Aug. 7, due to an apparent rat infestation.

The issue was brought to the attention of Sam Esposito, president of the Ozone Park Residents Block Association, when a neighbor reached out to him with a complaint about the store. Esposito set out to take a look.

In a press release sent out on Sunday, Esposito wrote, “I saw THE most deplorable of conditions I have ever seen.”

Photographic evidence posted to Facebook

showed holes bitten into bags of perishable food items, rust and dirt along shelves and what appeared to be droppings along a shelf of Hamburger Helper.

When Esposito confronted the assistant manager about the store’s conditions, he said, she did nothing about the matter, so he escalated the situation to Dollar Tree corporate.

In the release, Esposito announced a press conference for Monday, Aug. 7, and called for a boycott of the store until it was cleaned.

He also called on local electeds to take action, and by Monday, the office of state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) had requested that a health inspector be dispatched to the location.

On Aug. 7, Dollar Tree did not open for business, with a handwritten sign haphazardly taped to the door reading, “Sorry we are closed for today!”

Though Esposito had not heard back from Dollar Tree corporate prior to the press conference, he had that morning spoken with the location’s manager, who said he received a call at 3 a.m., letting him know the store would not be opening the following day.

Esposito said the manager was not surprised about the issue, but concerned. The manager could not be reached for comment, and corpo-

Shark bites woman at Rockaway Beach

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

A woman was left in serious but stable condition after being bit by a shark at Rockaway Beach in what is believed to be the area’s first shark attack in decades.

According to authorities, just before 6 p.m. on Aug. 7, a 65-year-old woman was bit by a shark in the left leg while swimming at Beach 59th Street. She was later identified in the media as Tatyana Koltunyuk.

Lifeguards removed the victim from the ocean and administered first aid. According to police, officers on the scene applied an effective tourniquet.

Koltunyuk was then transported by EMS to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, authorities said. No other injuries were reported or observed. After the incident, lifeguards cleared all beachgoers from the water and the NYPD canvassed the area via helicopter, but did not observe any sharks, the Parks Department said.

“Prior to yesterday’s incident, we have no reports of shark bites on Rockaway Beach in recent memory,” a Parks spokesperson told

the Chronicle.

“We hope for a full recovery for this swimmer,” the Parks Department said in a statement. “Though this was a frightening event, we want to remind New Yorkers that shark attacks in Rockaway are extremely rare. We remain vigilant in monitoring the beach and always clear the water when a shark is spotted.”

The department added, “While Parks is not the primary agency responsible for monitoring sharks, both lifeguards and beachgoers report shark sightings. Our lifeguards then work to verify the sighting and ask for a flyover by NYPD if warranted.”

Rockaway Beach was closed for swimming on Tuesday as a precaution, but was opened after surveillance flyovers showed no signs of sharks.

On Tuesday, a shark was reportedly seen along Breezy Point, according to a post on the Citizen app. While neither the NYPD nor Parks responded to requests for comment, a resident posted footage of an NYPD helicopter canvassing the area to the platform. No additional injuries were reported. Q

rate did not respond to requests for comment.

Esposito and block association Vice President Tiffanie Marino said the concern lies with the health and safety of the community, as two hotels act as family homeless shelters a few feet away: The Travelodge by Wyndham, and Ozone Inn & Suites. Families staying at these locations often shop at the Dollar Tree for food at low prices.

“We’re worried that these kids coming here every day are going to get sick or have some kind of outbreak from rat-transmitted diseases,” Esposito said.

Passersby were surprised to learn of the store’s closure, with dozens of residents attempting entry before realizing the doors

were locked. One resident, Maria B. of Howard Beach, was shocked to learn of the issue. Asked if the location, which she frequents, is usually clean, she shrugged. “Sometimes. They could do better.”

On Monday afternoon, Addabbo said in a press release, “I am pleased to announce that this Dollar Tree location has closed down, pending an investigation by the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets. The agency requires a total cleaning and passing of a subsequent inspection. I will keep the public posted on this situation.”

Upon calling the store, one employee told the Chronicle on Wednesday afternoon that the store “may be closed through the weekend.” Q

Ulrich charged in sealed indictment

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

Former Republican Councilman of Queens’ 32nd District and city Department of Buildings

Commissioner Eric Ulrich has been charged with corruption in a sealed indictment by the Manhattan district attorney, sources told The New York Times and Daily News.

According to The Times, the case is expected to center around Ulrich accepting a discounted apartment from Brooklyn real estate developer and his landlord, Mark Caller, who has had business dealings before the city. Caller is also expected to be charged in the indictment.

Caller’s lawyer, Ben Brafman, could not be reached by the Chronicle for comment, but told the News he had not yet seen the indictment, though he had been informed of it. He called it “patently false” that his client did anything amounting to bribery.

According to The Times, Ulrich’s charges will also touch on his alleged ties to organized crime and illegal gambling.

The gambling investigation centered around

a pizzeria with a history of mob ties, co-owned by Joseph Livreri, Ulrich’s former aide during his time serving the 32nd District in the City Council. The News reported that Livreri was fired from his City Council job last month.

Ulrich first learned he was under investigation from Mayor Adams in May 2022, months before the probe became public in November, the News reported last week.

Ulrich told Manhattan prosecutors that Adams told him “watch your back and watch your phones.” The former buildings commissioner allegedly interpreted the comment as a warning that he was being investigated.

Adams denies the encounter with Ulrich and is not expected to face any criminal charges.

In a press conference on Monday, Adams insisted he had not known Ulrich was under criminal investigation, and that he would not be distracted by Ulrich’s indictment.

“The DA has his job. I have my job,” he said. Ulrich and his attorney, Samuel Braverman, could not be reached for comment regarding the indictment. Q

Rat droppings and holes in bags of food were spotted at the Dollar Tree on Crossbay Boulevard, which is now closed pending the passing of a health inspection. PHOTOS COURTESY SAM ESPOSITO

Civic leaders Sam Esposito, left, and Tiffanie Marino at Monday’s press conference.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

Common Sense Caucus members say Adams has made great gains Council group backs keeping Rikers open

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

One day after touring three facilities on Rikers Island, members of the City Council’s Common Sense Caucus sent a letter to federal Judge Laura Taylor Swain asking that she not entertain placing the management of Rikers Island under a federal receiver.

The letter, dated Aug. 9, states that a federal receivership could cost city taxpayers billions of dollars unnecessarily and asserts that the Adams administration and Correction Commissioner Louis Molina already have made great strides toward a turnaround after eight years of “deliberate neglect” by former Mayor Bill de Blasio and those whose only intention is to eliminate the city jail “or even abolish jails completely.”

The letter was signed by Councilmembers Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), Bob Holden (D-Maspeth), Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone), Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island)’ Inna Vernikov (R-Brooklyn), David Carr (R-Staten Island), Kalman Yeger (D-Brooklyn) and Ari Kagan (R-Brooklyn).

Holden, in an interview Tuesday, said the difference was like night and day compared to when he and Borelli toured the same areas in September 2021.

Critics point to 19 deaths at Rikers last year and seven thus far this year. They also cite

staffing problems that sometimes lend themselves to increased violence and officers getting double and triple shifts.

“We needed to see for ourselves,” Holden said. “Because the question of a receiver is a huge question.” He said a receiver could order

Photo exhibit at Resorts World

Don Riepe of the American Littoral Society is presenting a photography exhibition at the Red Wall gallery on the second floor of Resorts World Casino, located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., entitled “Wildlife and Nature in NYC.”

The exhibit contains 85 photos that showcase Riepe’s talent for capturing moments in nature around Jamaica Bay and the rest of

the city. Riepe holds the honorary title of Jamaica Bay Guardian on behalf of the Littoral Society for his work in promoting the protection and conservation of the Jamaica Bay ecosystem.

The show will run from Aug. 11 through 31, with an opening reception on the 11th from 2 to 4 p.m. A closing reception will be held on Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. — Kristen Guglielmo

any number of things for any amount of money and the city would be forced to comply.

“So we would lose control, basically, of our own jail,” he said. He said Rikers was “completely mismanaged” under de Blasio and the former mayor and correction officials should be investigated.

“They neglected the jail, purposely I think and turned it into a hellhole. That is not an exaggeration. I witnessed it. But today was the difference between night and day.”

The city has passed a law that requires the closure of Rikers in 2027, and replacing it with four borough jails, including one in Kew Gardens. Adams has questioned whether the city can meet the deadline. Ariola, in an email from her office, said Adams and Molina need adequate time and funding.

“I came away from this visit realizing that there have been tremendous steps in the right direction on Riker’s Island over the last two

years,” Ariola said. “After years of intentional, politically-motivated neglect — neglect that I believe was purposeful in order to spark public outcry and rally support to shut the jail down — Mayor Adams and Commissioner Molina are reversing the highly damaging de Blasioera decisions that have caused so much unnecessary suffering.

“What I saw were previously un-air conditioned units now being air conditioned. I saw people being offered the opportunity to take their GED,” she said. “I saw huge improvements both for staff and for those incarcerated, and these improvements have strengthened my belief that Riker’s Island absolutely needs to remain open and out of federal receivership.” Paladino, in an email, said she will fight receivership and closure.

“Rikers Island is not the terrifying, disgusting, dangerous place that the progressives would have you believe,” she said. “After touring the facility myself, I can honestly say that I am impressed with the state of the facility and how well it functions.” Paladino also called receivership and closure politically motivated.

“It has nothing to do with the men and women of our Correction Department or with the inmates being held there,” she said.

Holden said while it took more than a month to coordinate the visit of eight councilmembers, he doubted the possibility that any of the major improvements he saw could have been put in place simply for the visitors’ benefit.

“I don’t think air conditioning a building that wasn’t air conditioned last time could have been done that quickly,” he said. “I don’t think the painting could have been done that quickly.”

Holden said the same of programming for the inmates and services mentioned by Ariola. He particularly praised new programs and the services for inmates ages 18 to 21, from a movie theater to driver’s education classes.

“That has been a tremendous improvement,” he said. Q

Biz sought for Addabbo job fair

State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) is hosting his annual large-scale, free job fair at Resorts World Casino, located at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd., on Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by the Queens Chamber of Commerce and Resorts World New York City. Companies, other organizations, recruiters and agencies across the tri-state area are invited to participate. Each registered entity will be provided with an assigned table and chairs, and may request access to a power source.

Interested businesses and other entities

are encouraged to contact Addabbo via email, at addabbo@nysenate.gov, or by calling his office at (718) 738-1111.

The day of the event, job seekers are recommended to dress in business attire, with copies of their resumes on hand. Resorts World will provide free parking to job seekers in the lot directly across from the casino entrance. The event will be indoors and wheelchair-accessible.

“I believe finding employment for individuals is a critical role elected officials have in serving their constituents,” Addabbo said in a statement. Q

PHOTO BY DON RIEPE

Herman Jiminian, left, of the Correction Officers Benevolent Association, left, joined Councilmembers Vickie Paladino, Bob Holden, Ari Kagan, Joann Ariola, David Carr, Inna Vernikov, Kalman Yeger and, obscured, Joe Borelli, on a tour of three Rikers Island facilities with Correction Commissioner Louis Molina.

NYC COUNCIL PHOTO / TWITTER

“S

o we would lose control, basically, of our own jail.”

— Councilman Bob Holden

Outdoor dining here to stay

Not much came out of the pandemic that we want to keep around. The state’s Excelsior Pass app, which kept digital records of when you got the shot, cost $64 million and raised serious privacy concerns. It went bye-bye at the end of July. Just a few weeks ago one more supermarket in Forest Hills took down the Plexiglas dividers between customer and cashier. Few miss them. And if you’re still quarantining your mail before opening it, well, you just might want to reconsider that.

But one thing we’re glad to see going strong — for the most part — is outdoor dining, which the City Council finally legitimized for the long term last week, in a bill Mayor Adams is hungry to sign. Restaurants will get to keep their outdoor structures, except during the coldest months, adding to revenue and the vibrancy of street life. Others that cannot or do not want to spread into the roadway can have tables and chairs on the sidewalk, much like what was possible before Covid entered our lives.

Now, don’t get us wrong. If your dining shed has devolved into a dumpy old shack, forget it. Tear it

down. It’s not a storage unit. It’s not a place for folks to engage in paid liaisons. It’s an accessory dining room, one that you have to make disappear from Nov. 30 to March 31 anyway. Otherwise, this is one area in which even this page is willing to sacrifice some parking spaces here and there. If there’s one thing we support more than the use of streets primarily for cars, it’s the ability of small businesses to thrive. Outdoor dining may have saved 100,000 jobs. There are downsides, as pointed out by critics of the Open Restaurants program. Street noise can worsen on blocks with outdoor dining. The rules against it must be enforced. The structures cannot be allowed to collect garbage. And we are concerned about the Department of Transportation administering the program. These are buildings (sort of) where business is conducted and food is consumed. Those are all things that need regulating, but the DOT has its own mission, and can’t even reliably paint lines in the street. We hope it lives up to this new challenge. Business and political leaders alike agree that outdoor dining has been a boon. We’re glad to see it stay.

No public advocate needed

One question we ask just about all the elected officials and aspiring elected officials who visit us for a candidate interview is whether there is any office at the level of government they’re running for that could be eliminated. Any at all that is just duplicative or pointless. Government being a growth industry, very few say yes.

So our congratulations and best wishes for success go out to City Councilmen Bob Holden of Maspeth and Kalman Yeger of Brooklyn, who’ll be introducing legislation to disband the pointless Office of the Public Advocate. Nothing personal, Jumaane Williams.

The office was created in 1993, after the city government was remade due to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, though its predecessors go back much further. It’s to be an ombudsman for the people, a watchdog over other city agencies. But it’s mostly just been a springboard for those seeking higher office. Both former Mayor Bill de Blasio and sitting state Attorney General Letitia James were public advocates when they ran. The first one, Mark Green, tried for mayor but failed.

The people already are represented by the City Council, the borough presidents and the community boards. The PA’s office isn’t needed and its dozens of employees cost at least $5 million a year that could better be spent elsewhere. The Holden-Yeger bill is a long shot, and would need to be followed by a public referendum, but we hope it succeeds.

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

The Ashreynu family

Dear Editor:

Re “A unique Jewish community in Astoria,” Aug. 3, multiple editions:

Founders

Raymond G. Sito General Manager

Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

Naeisha Rose Associate Editor

Stela Barbu Office Manager

Jan Schulman Art Director

Moeen Din Associate Art Director

Gregg Cohen Editorial Production Manager

Joseph Berni Art Department Associate

Richard Weyhausen Proofreader

Senior Account Executives:

Jim Berkoff, Beverly Espinoza

Account Executives:

Ree Brinn, Patricia Gatt

Contributors:

Lloyd Carroll, Mark Lord, Ronald Marzlock

Photographers:

Walter Karling, Michael Shain

Office: The Shops at Atlas Park 71-19 80th St., Suite 8-201

Glendale, NY 11385

Phone: (718) 205-8000

Fax: (718) 205-1957

E-mail: Mailbox@qchron.com

Website: www.qchron.com

Ashreynu is a wonderful worship place and community, and as president of that wonderful pluralistic synagogue I am honored to write this letter. Rabbi Jonathan Pearl is the most wonderful spiritual leader I have ever met. I’ve known him for 15 and one half years. He has been a friend to me and a spiritual advisor, helping me overcome deep grief and sadness after the passing of my twin brother in May of 2011.

It is wonderful to attend the services each week with so much music, song and prayer. Holiness reigns supreme and I feel the presence of God. Rabbi’s sermons teach us to apply what we learn at Ashreynu to our daily lives.

Thanks again for writing such a wonderful article about a most wonderful community of holiness and a devoted, dedicated rabbi. I applaud the Chronicle for your wonderful interview with Rabbi Pearl and article.

Cynthia Groopman Little Neck

Pols ignore Rego, and me

Dear Editor:

I have been trying for months now to receive any kind of feedback to emails that I have sent to my state Sen. Michael Gianaris and my Councilwoman Lynn Schulman about many

questions that I have regarding their input in my community of Rego Park. I have sent many emails to my senator with no reply to any of them. He became my state senator with redistricting, but I do not even think that he knows where our little part of Rego Park is.

The same goes for Lynn Schulman. I have asked her office for a traffic impact study for 63rd Drive with this monstrous building going up on the very congested two-way street, which is heavily used by cars, buses, ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, garbage trucks and delivery vans going from Queens Boulevard to Woodhaven Boulevard.

I did hear back from one gentleman from Community Board 6, which I also contacted about this. He only said to me that I “live in a very congested area.” I told him that I remember going to a CB 6 meeting at which member Peter Beadle said he was going to work with the Department of Transportation and the 112th Precinct regarding the car traffic coming to

Queens Boulevard with all the new buildings. I also read that in the Chronicle, but the man from CB 6 said, “You do not believe everything in the Chronicle, do you?”

How do I get someone to help? Also, next will be a new building on Junction Boulevard by Costco and the Long Island Expressway entrance.

Kathleen Schatz Rego Park

Send migrants to Delaware

Dear Editor:

Re your Aug. 3 editorial “Adams and the migrant crisis”:

You noted that Mayor Adams sent a few migrants to counties outside of NYC. One place he should send them to is President Biden’s home state of Delaware. Perhaps that will drive home the message that our city is suffering from a problem he caused and refuses to fix.

Copyright 2023 by MARK PUBLICATIONS, INC. All rights reserved. Neither this newspaper nor

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

The only help he gives us is a Homeland Security Department “liaison” officer to coordinate actions with the feds (New York Post, Aug. 4). Instead of big bucks from Uncle Sam, we get a bureaucrat.

Biden’s indifference recalls the New York Daily News’ 1975 headline “Ford to NYC: Drop Dead.” Then-President Gerald Ford refused to help our city deal with a financial crisis. Now President Biden takes the same approach to our migrant crisis. NYC voters should tell him to “drop dead” by voting for his opponent in 2024’s general election.

Mayor Adams has taken legal action to suspend New York’s “Right to Shelter” law. But that’s not enough. He must also declare an end to NYC’s “sanctuary” status, which invites an invasion of illegal aliens that costs taxpayers nearly $8 million a day. He can order buses carrying migrants here turned back to their point of origin or divert them to Delaware. New York City can no longer be a sanctuary from reality.

Richard Reif Kew Gardens Hills

Seeing Bennett sing

Dear Editor:

Re “Bennett at The Boulevard,” Letters, July 27:

Yes, I remember seeing Tony Bennett at The Boulevard!! I also saw him at A&S department store on Fulton Street in Brooklyn, singing “Because of You.” He was great and I loved it. RIP, Tony Bennett. I’ll miss you.

Grace Ervolino Maspeth

‘Everyman’ Bennett a no-no

Dear Editor:

I am very, very proud of the great tribute you gave Tony Bennett! (“Bennett stayed humble in stardom” and “Tony Bennett’s American and Astorian Dreams,” Editorial, July 27)

However, I am sorry to read under his cover photo the word “everyman” (South, Central and Western Queens editions). You should have honored him by using the term “every American.”

Women are not going to be happy about this.

Anthony G. Pilla Forest Hills

One sport, one world

Dear Editor:

In the 2023 Women’s World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand, Korea managed to secure a draw against Germany, its traditional adversary.

This time around, it was Cho So-Hyun who brought Germany to tears. The scenario mirrored what happened five years earlier in the men’s World Cup, where Germany faced a similar fate of not advancing. This occurrence exemplifies the principle of history repeating itself.

Consequently, a significant milestone was reached as Morocco advanced for the first time ever in the Arab world. Notably, Sabad, a Moroccan woman and an employee of my customer, Trade Fair Supermarket in Astoria, surprised me by giving me a kiss on the cheek.

This event signals a growing empowerment

of girls and women in Muslim-majority countries.

Korea’s draw had a profound impact, rippling through the Arab world even if Korea had to leave the tournament. The connection between Korea and Morocco might not appear evident on the surface, but unexpected occurrences like these showcase that there’s potential for relationships to form, particularly through the realm of sports.

Such incidents remind us that Earth, our only planet, is a unified entity. We are all interconnected, and the recent events stand as a testament to this truth.

Ted Han Bayside

The writer is an immigrant from the Republic of Korea who lived and worked in Germany for many years and owns an advertising and marketing firm here.

What’s the DOT doing?

Dear Editor:

Re “Wait for what green light?”, Aug. 3, multiple editions:

In Brooklyn, more and more green arrows are being replaced with flashing yellow arrows. Other than making the turn with caution, I have no idea what it means. Every turn should be made with caution, so it really serves no purpose.

There are flashing yellow arrows at Emmons Avenue and Ocean Avenues. At Emmons and Shore Boulevard, there is a flashing yellow arrow to make a right turn, which sometimes is a solid green arrow. I have yet to figure out why sometimes it’s green and sometimes it’s yellow. The flashing yellow becomes a solid yellow before it turns red.

Also, at the corner of Emmons and Shore Boulevard, the Department of Transportation unnecessarily channeled the three lanes, designating one for left turns, one to go straight and one for right turns. The problem is two-thirds of the traffic turns right and there are two receiving lanes. So this channelization only creates more traffic congestion. (This is done at many other intersections, too.)

Also, if you follow the arrow that goes straight you will drive straight into a school. You have to first veer left before you go straight. It only took the DOT about 10 years to figure this out and correct the problem by making the straight arrow into a 45-degree left arrow, with the left lane having a full left arrow.

Allan Rosen Brooklyn

The writer is a former director of MTA New York City Transit Bus Planning with three decades of experience in transportation and a master’s degree in urban planning.

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Rallying and rerailing after train failure

Thirteen

injured when LIRR cars leave track in Jamaica

by Naeisha Rose Associate Editor

There were no services issues at the Long Island Rail Road Monday morning after all eight train cars from train 722 derailed and injured 13 in Jamaica last week, according to a LIRR spokesperson.

The train was carrying approximately 100 passengers and had departed from Grand Central station last Thursday at 10:43 a.m., and by approximately 11:15 a.m. the train cars were off the track, said the spokesperson.

“Crews are responding,” said the spokesperson via email. “Customers on board the train are transferring to an alternate train.”

At the scene

The NYPD, New York State Police and MTA police were all on the scene, along with the FDNY. Stretchers were being lined up at the entrances to LIRR tracks 7 and 8 at Jamaica Station, while traffic was blocked at the corner of Sutphin Boulevard and Archer Avenue. Several of the injured were wheeled out to an ambulances.

One woman who had been planning to take an eastbound train, Beverly Leadbeater of Rockaway, said she was praying for the people on the train.

She and her daughter were going to go shopping in Deer Park, LI, which sits on the main Ronkonkoma line.

“Oh my God, can you imagine? I could have been on the train with my daughter,” Leadbeater said. “Oh, thank you, Jesus ... I pray for them. Thank God nobody’s injured and no death; that’s the main thing, right?”

Press conference 1

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber held a press conference at the corner of 177th Street and Liberty Avenue around 2 p.m. He told the media he had spoken with people on the train after the incident and said that they all were in “good spirits.”

Lieber said several children, including some with special needs, were on the train, as well as a baby.

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh noted that none of the injuries caused by the derailment were critical.

Transit advocate Charlton D’souza, president of Passengers United, said in an emailed statement that the LIRR has to do a better job.

“The LIRR needs to have more track inspections and have a better preventive maintenance program to prevent the daily breakdowns and derailments that are causing delays,” D’souza said. “Passengers can no longer rely on the LIRR to get to their destinations on time. Riders are outraged as a fare increase is about to take place.”

Weekly and monthly tickets for the LIRR will increase by up to 4.5 percent, with the latter up for sale on Aug. 23 and the former Aug. 25 for September, according to the MTA.

Press conference 2

A second press conference was held by the MTA chairman on last Friday afternoon at the LIRR Jamaica Pedestrian Bridge.

All eight train cars were rerailed

after the LIRR wrecking crew worked 24 hours with the help of an additional MetroNorth team from White Plains that was police escorted to the scene of the incident, Lieber said. While there were a handful of train cancellations on Aug. 3 and 4, Lieber said commuters had taken his advice to stay up-to-date on schedules by using the MyMTA app or the agency’s website. Riders also utilized buses, where tickets were cross-honored to serve people who were impacted by the Queens Village and Hollis stations being bypassed as work continued on the track that was damaged near the support facility, which is a stop for the train that was heading to Hempstead.

“Tremendous progress has been made in recovering from this major accident,” Lieber said. “This is a milestone, but there is more work to be done to get ready to restore the railroad.”

Gov. Hochul said in a statement that she was thankful to the first responders and the crew for their round-the-clock work.

Her office told people to use the Q2, 3, 8 and 110 buses when the train was derailed.

When asked about previous derailments in May, during an inspection of the tracks, and in July, when there were 50 passengers on board, Lieber said that those were low-impact and that “this is severe.”

He went on to say that the train line from Grand Central to Hempstead was one of the busiest in the

city and has 367 trains daily. The MTA CEO credited having the third track addition, which was completed in the last couple of years, and other recent capital projects for the quick recovery.

“We’ve got to keep investing in the railroad,” he said.

When questioned about Passengers United saying that the agency was “sugarcoating” the injuries, he shot back that it was the FDNY and EMS personnel who gave a detailed report on the passengers and their health status to the MTA.

Ahead of the press conference, the FDNY told the Chronicle via email there were no life-threatening injuries and that six people were sent to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, two were sent to NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, two were sent to NewYork Presbyterian Queens and three refused medical assistance.

“Passengers were transferred from the derailed train to an adjacent rescue train,” an FDNY spokesperson said. “The rescue train went to Jamaica, where EMS assessed any injured passengers.”

Investigation

The MTA spokesperson said it was too early in the investigation to determine the cause of the derailment, but he was able to provide some information on the extent of the damage caused by the incident.

Two impedence boxes, also known as voltage boxes, were damaged, along with one switch, 1,600 linear feet of running rail and 900 feet of third rail, which had to be replaced, according to the spokesman. Five insulated joints, along with 362 concrete and 44 wood ties, were also destroyed.

Since the accident, Lieber insisted

that the train was not speeding as it was going 54 mph and the maximum allowable speed is between 60 to 80 mph.

He did say that investigators will be looking into downloadable equipment to learn more about what went wrong.

Transit expert

Larry Penner, the former director for the Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office of Operations and Program Management, offered the Chronicle his insight into the derailment.

“As part of the preparation for the $11.6 billion Long Island Rail Road Eastside Access to Grand Central Madison, the Long Island Rail Road invested, to my understanding, in a project called the Greater Jamaica Capacity Improvements. It was several hundred million dollars to improve the flow of trains in and out of Jamaica.”

The upgrades included the hall interlocking switch system, track signals, power and system components east of Jamaica, Penner said.

“I’m kind of surprised you would have a derailment if you installed so much new equipment,” said Penner, a 30-year transit office veteran, who retired nine years ago. “The question is, was some of that new equipment faulty?

“If they made capital improvements to upgrade the hall interlocking, which includes the track signals and power, that means the safety of the system should have been a higher level ... The question of the hour is, how old was the track that the train was going through at the time? Was it a new track or old track? That will clearly play a role into the possibility of an accident.” Q

“More inspections ...”

—Charlton D’souza, President, Passengers United

MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber went on the derailed train after the incident last Thursday to see how the passengers were doing. Babies and people with special needs were on the train. PHOTOS BY MARC A. HERMANN / MTA AND, BELOW, NAEISHA ROSE

Thirteen people were injured in last Thursday’s train derailment in Jamaica, but none were in critical condition, according to authorities.

OPINION

How we’re making New York City safer

by Eric Adams

As mayor, it is my sacred duty to keep New Yorkers safe. I campaigned on making New York City a safer place to live, work and raise a family, and now, after a little over a year and a half in office, we continue to see the results. Shootings are down an incredible 27 percent through the first seven months of this year, and, so far this year, we have removed almost 4,000 illegal guns from our streets. Murder, robberies and burglaries are all down, it is safer to ride on the subway, and hate crimes have declined.

The Bulldogs take the win!

The 8u Fastpitch Bulldogs, a youth fastpitch softball organization created from the Ozone Howard Little League, claimed victory in their first United States Specialty Sports Association tournament.

The girls powered through intense heat on Saturday, July 29, in New Jersey, playing three games, and went back again on Sunday, July 30, to win it all.

The team is, in front, Francesca Albergo, left, Sophia Tejada, Valentina Sturiano, Josephine DiMarco, Alex Carrion and Elle Panteleone; and in the center, Mellanie Yaldizain, left, Peyton Colon, Allison Prosser, Gia DiMarco and Aubrey Zayas.

The coaches are Keirston Enz, left, Frank Sturiano, Dean DiMarco and Christine DeStefano. — Kristen Guglielmo

Outdoor dining made permanent

continued from page 2

ly restrictive pre-pandemic sidewalk cafe licenses, which excluded so many restaurants throughout the five boroughs from offering al fresco dining.”

Tom Grech, CEO and president of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, offered his insight to what the bill means for Queens.

“I think it’s a great development. The outdoor dining by all accounts saved small businesses and restaurants in particular, during Covid. And I think it was a great trend, and that it made a lot of sense to make it permanent,” Grech said.

“It’s not just beneficial for restaurants,” he added. “If a restaurant has outdoor dining, it attracts people that go out and walk and shop and go to other places of business along the way. So overall, I think it’s a great win for the City of New York.”

One resident, however, is not so keen on the new bill. According to Susan F. of Flushing, outdoor dining can be “a nuisance.”

“I was a waitress for six years,” she said, declining to name the restaurant but confirming it was in Flushing. “During the pandemic, my boss set out a shed, but didn’t think about the additional workload it created.

“It gets unsanitary and people move tables and chairs around— it becomes a complete mess. The sheds take up street parking and I don’t think drivers coming to the restaurant like that.”

Parking and staffing issues aside, it seems

that many restaurant owners are enthusiastic about the bill passing.

Layla Menashe, owner of Ricky’s Cafe in Jackson Heights, told the Chronicle her restaurant has enjoyed providing outdoor dining, and she is in support of the bill, even with street-based structures, including the one her eatery offers, having to be stored from December through March.

Asked if she was worried about figuring out storage for the structure during the winter months, she said, “Of course, but we don’t have heaters to set up outside, so the customers and the food would get cold anyway.”

Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven, was highly positive about the bill.

“This is a huge win,” Gordon told the Chronicle. “It’s really exciting news, and gives us a new opportunity for resiliency.”

He shared that with the addition of outdoor dining, Neir’s saw a 25 percent increase in revenue and was able to add two new employees to handle the increased sales volume.

Gordon also described how outdoor dining can provide new opportunities and experiences for both business owners and customers.

“The sidewalk is like a red carpet for welcoming people that have never been to a restaurant in an unintimidating way,” he said. “... This is action — the city’s putting actions to the words.” Q

This is the result of intervention-targeted, precision policing, but also a preventionbased approach to tackle the root causes of crime. The loss of even a single life due to violence is a tragedy. So, while we can all acknowledge the progress made, we must also keep working proactively in order to remain the safest big city in America.

That is where our recently released Blueprint for Community Safety comes in. The blueprint — developed by our Gun Violence Prevention Task Force with support from Gov. Hochul — is a $485 million-dollar plan that will double down on our public safety efforts. It will take a 360-degree, holistic approach to further reduce gun violence by investing in our most impacted communities, supporting our young people and mobilizing every level of city government to make prevention-based approaches to public safety their top priority.

Ending gun violence requires more than enforcement. It requires attention and investment, and the blueprint is built on a community development approach that focuses on preventive measures and longterm strategies.

We sought to answer a key question: How can we stop the violence before it happens on our streets? With the help of community members, our task force landed on seven key strategies. These include: trauma-

informed care, housing, employment, benefits access, improving the relationship between the police and the community, community vitality and early interventions to protect our youth.

Those investments are going toward programs with a proven-success rate, such as $22.5 million toward the “Work, Learn, Grow” program that offers year-round employment opportunities, and $6.6 million for job training for out of school and out of work youth. We are also addressing the need for quality affordable housing and career training, and are involving violence interrupters, who can defuse violence before it starts.

We are starting our efforts by targeting six police precincts in the Bronx and Brooklyn, neighborhoods where we have seen the highest rates of gun violence, and we will expand to other areas over time.

Bringing down crime and gun violence doesn’t happen overnight. It takes precision policing combined with preventionbased strategies that look at the different causes of violence and take steps to address them.

Our men and women in uniform are tireless in their efforts to make New York City a better place to live and work. Our many agencies, social workers and violence interrupters help defuse tensions and create opportunities for New Yorkers to live meaningful lives outside the web of violence. The numbers confirm that we are making great progress. But the work of public safety never finishes, and we must dam up every river that leads to the sea of violence. With this plan, we can create a stronger, safer, more livable city for all. Q

Eric Adams is Mayor of New York City.

MTA bridge, tunnel tolls go up

Toll increases at bridges and tunnels operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority went into effect this past Sunday, Aug. 6.

The increases passed the MTA board July 19. Single rides on subways and buses will rise 15 cents to $2.90 on Aug. 20.

The toll increases will be on the Bronx-Whitestone, RFK-Triborough, Throgs Neck and Verrazzano-Narrows bridges; as well as the Hugh L. Carey and Queens Midtown tunnels.

An E-ZPass trip will increase from $6.55 to $6.94. The price of a toll-by-mail

crossing will increase from $10.17 to $11.19.

The agency in its press release said the mid-tier rate will increase from $8.36 to $9.11.

It is charged when an account holder’s E-ZPass is not read due to improper mounting and the toll is collected via license plate lookup.

Discounts for residents of the Rockaways and Broad Channel who use the Cross Bay and Marine Parkway bridges remain in effect. Q

— Michael Gannon

PHOTO COURTESY MELISSA ORLANDO ROMERO

MTA in talks to save Lefferts bridge shops

Comrie says transit agency and Kew Civic Association negotiating details

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

Contrary to the old joke, the light at the end of the tunnel for a group of business owners in Kew Gardens may not be the headlamp of an oncoming train.

Beginning five years ago, businesses on either side of the bridge where Lefferts Boulevard crosses the Long Island Rail Road just south of the Kew Gardens Station have worried about being uprooted as the LIRR planned to replace the span.

State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) told the Chronicle Tuesday that the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Kew Gardens Civic Association are in negotiations to have the civic operate and maintain the buildings while keeping them open for business and commercial use.

The bridge sits within Comrie’s 14th Senate District. He also serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions, which has oversight of the MTA.

Civic association leadership could not be reached for comment, but Comrie said he is optimistic that a mutually acceptable agreement can be reached.

“The group is working to be the managing tenant for those spaces,” Comrie said. “You have a local group involved in making sure

Ongoing negotiations could allow businesses on both sides of the Long Island Rail Road’s Lefferts Boulevard bridge in Kew Gardens to stay exactly where they are. Muhammed Arif, above, hopes a deal will allow him to keep his pharmacy where it has been for 46 years.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL GANNON

that the businesses are helped.”

The transit agency, in an email, confirmed that an agreement is being discussed, though with fewer specific details.

“The MTA is currently in negotiations with a possible master tenant that will rehabilitate, sublet and manage the two buildings containing 14 stores that sit directly above the LIRR tracks on the Lefferts Boulevard Bridge, while also completing any necessary

structural work to renovate the buildings,” the MTA said.

Comrie acknowledged that many details still need to be ironed out.

“They’re working on details like maintenance,” Comrie said. “Because there’s a big difference between maintenance needs for the Long Island Rail Road and maintenance for the tenant spaces.”

The MTA declined to provide more details

on future bridge maintenance, the original reason stated for plans to replace it

While Comrie is pleased that the Kew Gardens Civic Association won the right to enter negotiations, he said it was far from guaranteed at the start.

“They worked hard putting their proposal together,” he said. “They actually did it in a competitive bid process, not a single-bid pro-

continued on page 14

Voters rally against Pai’s alleged fraud

Chen, Foldenauer prepare to alert the DA’s Office after case is tossed

by Sophie Krichevsky

Associate Editor

Several dozen Flushing residents gathered outside the Flushing Public Library Tuesday afternoon along with City Council District 20 Republican primary candidate Dany Chen, protesting Justice Robert Caloras’ decision to throw out his lawsuit against his opponent, James Pai, for alleged voter fraud just one business day before it was set to be heard.

“The judge just tossed it out — he just dismissed it. He didn’t even bother to look at the evidence. This is ridiculous,” said Winnie Mary, who is part of the Chen campaign. “We have to fight and unite to stop this abomination of our rights.”

they plan to take steps to alert Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in hopes that her office will investigate the claims of forgery and voter fraud. They have not ruled out appealing Caloras’ decision.

“We’re now focusing more and more resources on actually getting justice and making sure justice is served with respect to the people who did this crime,” Foldenauer said.

— Alex Posner, Flushing

Had Caloras ruled in Chen’s favor, the judge would have had the authority to call for a new election. While that could still be on the table if Chen appeals, and wins, a criminal investigation would not prompt one, according to Foldenauer.

Chen filed the suit in state Supreme Court in July after hearing reports from voters saying they were told they could not vote in the June 27 primary because absentee ballots had already been requested in their names.

The Chronicle previously reported that evidence shared by Foldenauer suggests that at least five people associated with the Pai campaign may have cast absentee ballots in other voters’ names.

With the case dismissed, Chen’s lawyer, Aaron Foldenauer, told the Chronicle that

Holding signs that read “not my signature,” “integrity matters,” “stop the lies” and more, voters made their discontent known on Tuesday afternoon as passersby stopped to see the cause of the commotion.

Many of those in attendance were victims of the alleged fraud scheme, including Alex Posner, who worked the polls on primary day.

When the Chronicle previously spoke with Posner, he recounted his experience, when he was told he could not cast his vote since an

absentee ballot had been requested in his name. Since then, Posner and Foldenauer have learned that an absentee ballot was not only requested, but cast, in Posner’s name.

Pointing to a photocopy of the corresponding, signed absentee ballot envelope on Tuesday, Posner said, “That is not my signature.

“That is fraud. Somebody else signed it.”

While some in attendance took the oppor-

Jamaica gun runner sentenced

Jessica Heyliger, 39, to spend 10 years in prison: DA

by Naeisha Rose Associate Editor

The leader of an illegal gun smuggling crew was sentenced to 10 years in prison and will have five years of post-release supervision, according to the Office of District Attorney Melinda Katz on Tuesday.

Jessica “Cess Milla” Heyliger, 39, of Jamaica, was previously facing 25 years in prison after receiving a 182-count indictment for running guns from down South to New York on Interstate 95, also known as the “iron pipeline,” but pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a firearm and conspiracy, prosecutors said.

The weapons dealer had help from codefendants Sharod “Yahyo” King of Woodside, her gun seller, along with gun suppliers Mitchell “Mitch” Myree of Jamaica and Laquan Benson of Cambria Heights, all of whom previously pleaded guilty in connection with the case.

It was King’s sale of weapons to an undercover officer that was ultimately the downfall of the crew. In September 2019, he sold a handgun and two large-capacity ammunition-feeding devices to the police. Three months later, the court authorized electronic surveillance of his cell phone, according to authorities.

Benson, who had since moved to Virginia, filled Heyliger’s orders to bring weapons from the Old Dominion state to the Big Apple.

The case against Heyliger and her crew, dubbed “Operation Tiger,” concluded in July 2020 and culminated in her, King and Myree being arraigned on Nov. 12, 2020, according to Katz’s office. Undercover officers were sold 23 guns via 13 transactions with them.

The weapons that were obtained included two .40-caliber Taurus pistols, a 9 mm Smith and Wesson pistol, a .380-caliber

Remington Arms pistol, a 9 mm Sig Sauer pistol, a pair of 9 mm Taurus pistols, a 9 mm Keltec pistol, a pair of .40-caliber Smith and Wesson pistols, a pair of 9 mm KAHR pistols, a pair of .357-caliber Taurus revolvers, a defaced 9 mm Intratec Tec-9 firearm, a .22-caliber Phoenix Arms pistol, a .38-caliber Taurus revolver, a .32-caliber N. Amer. Arms pistol, a .40-caliber Bersa pistol, a 9 mm Ruger pistol, a .380-caliber Ruger pistol and two pair of 9 mm SCCY pistols.

King pleaded guilty to criminal sale of a firearm and was sentenced to nine years in prison. He was previously facing 25 years in prison.

Myree, who was facing 15 years in prison, pleaded guilty to conspiracy and was sentenced to a conditional discharge.

Benson also pleaded guilty to attempted criminal possession of a weapon and conspiracy. His sentencing is expected for Aug. 22.

“This defendant trafficked illegal lethal weapons with no regard for the bloodshed and misery they could visit upon our communities,” said Katz about Heyliger in a statement. “She is being held accountable for her callous acts. We will not relent in our efforts to stop illegal weapons from coming into our communities.”

tunity to encourage voters to support Chen in his third-party run on the Better Flushing Party line (a campaign banner also hung from folding tables), Chen himself stuck to the issue at hand.

“The right to vote is the primary right by which all of our rights are protected,” he said Tuesday. “If we lose the right to vote, we lose everything — we cannot afford that.” Q

Lefferts LIRR

continued from page 13

process. I’m very pleased that a local group was able to do better than property managers from around the city.”

Behind his counter, Muhammed Arif, owner of the Reo Chemists pharmacy, displays a personalized card he was given for community service four years ago, thanking him for care, kindness and service.

“You are a Life-Line to this Community today and always,” it concludes.

Arif told the Chronicle last week that he knew little beyond the fact that the MTA had recently granted tenants an extension through the end of December.

“I’ve been here 46 years,” he said. “I hope we can stay open.” A number of other business owners on the street either declined to comment or did not respond to messages left when the Chronicle visited on Thursday, Aug. 3.

But Comrie believes the signs are positive.

“I’m optimistic, and I hope this can get done in the next six months,” he said. “With the MTA, with something like this, there are lawyers on top of lawyers. It’s difficult to say if it can be done simply.

“Right now, I’m going to keep my fingers crossed and keep all the parties focused on moving forward.” Q

City Council candidate Dany Chen, left, and his lawyer Aaron Fouldenauer, right, joined protesters in Flushing Tuesday in decrying the alleged voter fraud scheme.

PHOTO BY SOPHIE KRICHEVSKY

“That is not my signature.”

resident

Operation Tiger weapons PHOTO COURTESY QDA

“HOW

Monday,

Thursday,

Monday,

Councilman for the day

Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) welcomed her veterans appreciation essay contest winner Jason “JW” Youngberg and his uncle, Michael Coughlin, to City Hall on Aug. 3.

JW, an incoming seventh-grade student at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy in Belle Harbor, was given the opportunity to serve as councilman for the day, getting an up-close view of the inner workings of city government.

JW wrote his essay about Coughlin, a nineyear U.S. Army veteran and retired police officer, seen above between Ariola and the great lawmaker. Coughlin recently donated a kidney

to St. Francis de Sales’ parish priest the Rev. Jim Cunningham. In his essay, Youngberg called his uncle “the definition of a hero.”

“That’s an assessment that I most certainly agree with,” Ariola said in a statement. “It was an honor to meet both of these men and show them City Hall.”

JW was presented with a Certificate of Excellence for his work, while Coughlin received a City Council citation for his sacrifices and dedication to his community.

“I never knew that was how the City Council works. I learned a lot!” JW said of his day in the Council. —

Kristen Guglielmo

Ferry co. lands new contract

The company that operates NYC Ferry has won a new contract from the city Economic Development Corp. and promises to keep improving service.

The firm, Hornblower, secured a new five-year agreement with two extension options of three years each, the EDC said.

Hornblower said that under Mayor Adams’ Ferry Forward plan, it has seen:

• record-breaking ridership, with more than 6.6 million passengers served from August 2022 to July 2023, 17 percent higher than the previous year and exceeding prepandemic levels; and

• farebox revenue up more than $6 million with the per-passenger subsidy driven down “dramatically” and on track to be cut by nearly 30 percent by 2025.

The subsidy, the amount taxpayers put into each ride, went from $12.37 in fiscal year 2018 to $9.95 in fiscal 2022, according to city records. Ridership figures may be found at tinyurl.com/2u8vbavn and financial data at tinyurl.com/5n8nefwa.

Ferries run along the East River and go to Rockaway among other locations, reaching points in all five boroughs. Q

— Peter C. Mastrosimone

Every woman’s worst nightmare alleged

Depraved doc drugged, raped, filmed numerous victims, DA’s Office says

by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

An Astoria doctor drugged women, sexually assaulted or raped them while they were unconscious and filmed it, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, which announced Monday that he had been arraigned on a 50-count indictment.

The defendant committed the crimes both in his home and at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens hospital, according to the charges.

Video evidence shows he also may have committed such crimes in Manhattan, Westchester County, Las Vegas, in and around San Francisco and in Thailand

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 33, was indicted by a grand jury on 10 counts of predatory sexual assault, three counts of rape in the first degree, seven counts of sexual abuse in the first degree, four counts of assault in the second degree, three counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree, 11 counts of unlawful surveillance in the second degree, eight counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree and four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

Cheng, who lives on Broadway, previously had been charged in an 11-count indictment, after his arrest on Dec. 27, 2022, with two counts of rape in the first degree, criminal sexual act in the first degree, two counts of assault

in the second degree, two counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and four counts of unlawful surveillance in the second degree. He was accused of drugging and raping a female acquaintance — known as Apartment Victim 1 — at his home. As a result, the state suspended his ability to practice medicine.

The investigation continues, and District Attorney Melinda Katz urges women who think they may have been victimized to contact her office’s Special Victims Bureau by phone at (718) 286-6505 or by email at SpecialVictims@ queensda.org. Cheng has been held without bail since his arrest and faces multiple sentences of 25 years to life if convicted.

“The recovered evidence compiled paints the picture of a sexual predator of the absolute worst kind, a serial rapist, someone willing to not only violate his sacred professional oath and patients’ trust, but every standard of human decency, as well,” Katz said in a prepared statement. “We will present the facts to a jury and achieve justice for the victims of the horrific assaults captured on video.”

The DA’s Office further said, in announcing the charges:

While in Cheng’s residence, Apartment Victim 1 came across videos depicting her and other women being assaulted by him. Afterward, in December, her attorney approached the DA’s Office with that information.

An investigation by the QDA’s Special Victims Bureau, working with New York-Presbyterian Queens, uncovered evidence resulting in the new indictment. A search warrant executed at Cheng’s home led to the seizure of numerous digital media storage devices containing videos of unconscious female hospital patients and acquaintances. Also seized were narcotics, including fentanyl, ketamine, cocaine, LSD and MDMA, as well as drugs used for sedation, such as propofol and sevoflurane.

According to the new evidence:

Hospital Victim 1: A 19-year-old female scheduled to undergo a test ordered by Cheng is seen on a video, shot sometime around June 2021, with her gown open, her breasts exposed and her underwear lowered. Fingers touch her genitals and nipple and then the eyelid on one of her closed eyes is pulled up, something seen with several victims. She appears unconscious.

Hospital Victim 2: A 47-year-old woman who was seriously ill is seen on a video, recorded sometime around May 2022, in an apparently unconscious state as her breasts and genitals are groped and an ungloved finger is inserted into her mouth.

Hospital Victim 3: A 37-year-old woman who was a hospital patient sometime between March 2021 and June 2021 is seen on video laying apparently unconscious as her breasts and genitals are groped.

Lawless in Corona: Families fight back

Illegal vendors, drunks, fights, risky propane usage

by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

Unlicensed vendors, prostitutes and drunks are creating chaos in and around Corona Plaza, making the area dirty and dangerous for families, according to residents and business owners who rallied for a better environment Aug. 7.

The protesters, who rallied a little more than a block down National Street at American Triangle, held signs in both English and Spanish pleading for an end to fighting and drunkeness in the area, among other issues.

“My office receives from 18 to 20 complaints weekly from concerned residents and business owners who feel the negative impact of the lack of consideration shown by these street vendors,” City Councilman Francisco Moya (D-Corona) said in a press release after the event. “The situation has escalated to the point where it is creating an unsanitary and disorganized environment for everyone in the area.” Moya said.

The event followed an Aug. 2 rally in support of the unlicensed vendors, which was held by activists and area politicians including Borough President Donovan Richards and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx, Queens) after the city launched a sweep that cleared the site of many.

Richards, who credits a task force he formed with improving conditions in the plaza, called the sweep “draconian” and an “injustice.”

He and others who support the vendors, reportedly numbering near 80, say the main

problem is that the city does not provide enough licenses. The City Council passed legislation to increase the number of permits available, but the bureaucracy is far behind schedule on actually offering them, according to the outlet Streetsblog — and the number will remain far short of the total believed to be operating in the city.

Merchant Yarin Nadel said he has three businesses in the area but that vendors set up shop right in front of his places and undersell him — because he has to pay to pay taxes, employees and rent — and then leave behind trash that he gets ticketed for.

Moya said other dangers in the area include the placement of propane tanks under the 7 train, “the existence of pots filled with boiling oil on the sidewalks” that could severely burn people, and the presence of prostitutes nearby “in broad daylight” while there are children in the area.

He said statistics show that crime in the area is up, “with 12 felony arrests and 77 arrests this past June in Corona Plaza.”

Moya added that he voted to provide more vendor permits but said people need to earn their living while being respectful of others.

Supporters of the vendors point out that The New York Times rated Corona Plaza a top place to go to for food in the city. Q

Apartment Victim 2: A woman who met Cheng through an online dating site is seen on video sometime around July 2021 apparently unconscious in his bed as Cheng engages in sexual conduct with her. A brown bottle is seen on the bed similar to one containing sevoflurane that was seized from his home. The woman has no memory of the events.

Apartment Victim 3: A woman who met Cheng through an online dating site in the spring of 2022 is seen on numerous videos in his bedroom. She is apparently unconscious as Cheng engages in intercourse and other sexual abuse. She has no memory of the events.

Apartment Victim 4: A female acquaintance of Cheng’s who spent several nights at his apartment from 2020 to 2022 is seen on videos apparently unconscious as Cheng commits acts of sexual intercourse and abuse. Cheng is seen handling a bottle similar to the one containing sevoflurane that was seized. The woman has no memory of the events.

In addition to the hospital victims already identified, another patient who is unidentified appears in a video similar to those involving Hospital Victims 1, 2 and 3. Q

NYBC seeks all blood donors

The New York Blood Center is experiencing a critical summer shortage. Blood donors are needed for surgery, cancer patients, accident victims and new mothers and babies, among others. Information on how to donate or schedule a drive is available at nybc.org.

Upcoming drives include:

• The Shops at Atlas Park, 1 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 10; and Tuesday, Aug. 29, at a bloodmobile at the mall at 8000 Cooper Ave. in Glendale;

• The Ridgewood Nepalese Society, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, in the Sanctuary Room at 16-62 Stephen St. in Ridgewood;

• Our Lady of Mercy Church, 8:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, at 70-01 Kessel St. in Forest Hills;

• St. Margaret’s Parish, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, at the parish hall at 66-05 79 Place in Middle Village;

• Sunnyside Community Blood Drive, noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 45-14 46 St. in Sunnyside; and

• Queens Place mall, 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, at 88-01 Queens Blvd., all in the former Outback Steakhouse location. Q

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng

PHOTO VIA DAILY MAIL

City Councilman Francisco Moya, in blazer, and area residents rally against crime and dangerous conditions they blame largely on illegal street vendors. PHOTO COURTESY NYC COUNCIL

Footwear donations needed in S. Queens

The Kiwanis Club of Ozone Park-Woodhaven, in affiliation with WORKS Little League, Victory Plumbing and Neir’s Tavern, is accepting footwear donations through Sept. 1. Both new and old footwear of any size will be accepted, so long as there are no holes or tears.

Donations can be dropped off at 83-09 95 Ave. Additional details can be found on the club’s Facebook page. Q

Cop gets charged: PD

An off-duty NYPD police officer was arrested and charged with assault last Tuesday within the 105th Precinct, according to the department.

Officer Lenita Harrison, 49, was involved in a verbal dispute with her ex-girlfriend, which escalated, an NYPD spokeswoman said.

“The perp did strike the complainant multiple times in the face causing a laceration,” the spokeswoman added. Q

Corrections

The Aug. 3 article “No fork for you! Unless you ask” misstated when fines will start to be issued. That is in July 2024.

The Aug. 3 editorial “Officials back lawbreaking” mischaracterized the City Council’s action on vendor permits. It voted to issue more but not enough to cover all the vendors believed to be operating without licenses.

We regret the errors. Q

The karate kids

The New York Mets and Northwell Health made a young patient’s dreams come true Tuesday evening, with a little help from actor and “Karate Kid” star Ralph Macchio, left.

Armaan Mohammed, 13, of Valley Stream, LI, is a green belt karate student who always wanted to meet Macchio, his idol. Three years ago he began having back pain and other symptoms that eventually became so severe he had trouble walking.

Brought by his mother to Cohen’s Chil-

Congestion fee meeting 8/17

The Traffic Mobility Review Board, the six-member panel that will recommend the final congestion pricing tolling structure for the Manhattan Central Business District, will host its second meeting on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 3 to 4 p.m. in Manhattan at 2 Broadway, 20th floor.

The meeting is open to the public but there will not be any public comment taken during the proceedings. It will be livestreamed at bit.ly/45ofiE1.

The state has received federal approval for plans to charge tolls for vehicles entering Midtown and Downtown Manhattan at 60th Street or south. The base fee for cars will be between $9 and $23.

dren’s Medical Center, he was diagnosed with a spinal condition that threatened to leave him paralysed. An eight-hour operation last year started him on the road to recovery.

Macchio, upon hearing Armaan’s story, worked with Alex Cohen, wife of Steve Cohen and president of the Amazin’ Mets Foundation. Armaan was unaware when he arrived at Citi Field on Tuesday that Macchio would be there to catch his ceremonial first pitch, and that the two would work out on the field.

The aim is to raise at least $1 billion per year for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, and to reduce or divert vehicle traffic and pollution from the Manhattan Central Business District.

The TMRB will recommend fees, discounts and exemptions to the Board of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, which is coterminous with the MTA Board, for consideration for proposed adoption by next April or May. Q

— Michael Gannon

Pioneers look back at 5 years of hip-hop

It was a star-studded affair at the hip-hop summit at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Long Island City, last week.

At top right, DJ Hurricane, left, rapper KRSOnce, MC Sha-Rock, Ralph McDaniels, the hiphop coordinator at Queens Public Library, and Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC were happy to represent the music in the genre as a set of deejays were on the ones-and-twos, left.

The forum included The Shirt Kings, second row left, who spoke about their impact on urban streetwear and a fashion show featuring the collection of designer Malik Dupri, center. It was attended by many guests who were able to sign up for a hip-hop library card, center right.

Panelists included, at right, Justin Rogers, Dan Charnas, Chubb Rock, Mr. Cheeks and Immortal Technique; above, entrepreneur Aaliyah Duah, DMC, media personality A.V. Perkins, Debra Har-

ris of Hush Tours and singer Lumidee; and, above right, Rocy Bucano, the founder and executive director of the Universal Hip Hop Museum, DJ TedSmooth, Tuma Basa, a YouTube Black music and culture director, Datwon Thomas, Vibe Magazine editor-in-chief, Whitney Gale Benta and Dr. Brandeis Marshall.

Other key attendees included, far right, Tracy Garcia, senior director of strategic partnerships at the Department of Youth and Community Development, Kenneth Adams, president of LaGuardia Community College, QPL President and CEO Dennis Walcott and Cyndee Landrum, deputy director for the Office of Library Services at the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

The crowd, near right, also got to see a performance by the King Uprock breakdance crew, far right.

— Naeisha Rose

PHOTOS BY EWA KERN

by Kristen Guglielmo

Theater lovers needeth not spend hundreds on a Broadway ticket to see a performance, or wait hours on line to secure a discounted or free pass.

Hip to Hip Theatre Co., now in its 16th year, is touring free Shakespeare in the Park performances across Queens, Staten Island, Long Island and New Jersey, through Aug. 26.

Queens locations include Crocheron Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Gantry Plaza State Park, Cunningham Park, Socrates Sculpture Park, Sunnyside Gardens Park and the Voelker Orth Museum.

Outdoor Shakespeare returneth, with fun for the kids too

Audience members are encouraged to bring foldable chairs and picnic blankets, though some locations will provide their own seating.

The two shows in the tour’s rotation are “The Tragedy of Richard II,” directed by Hip to Hip’s founding director, Jason Marr, and “The Comedy of Errors,” directed by Hip to Hip Co-founder Joy Marr. The same cast of actors performs in both shows.

Thirty minutes before each performance, Hip to Hip holds an interactive

workshop for children ages 5 to 12, called “Kids & the Classics.” The workshops, which are written and directed by Antonia Cruz-Kent, give children a preview of the story and help to create links between the text and their own lives through games and close reading.

At a performance of “The Tragedy of Richard II” at the Voelker Orth Museum on what was expected to be a rainy evening, only one child was in the audience — a young girl named Marina. The actors still engaged with her, introducing themselves in character and creating a mini workshop — that somehow thoroughly explained the intricacies of iambs, the two-syllable lyrical measurement — just for Marina’s amusement.

Though the Bard is known for his extravagant wordiness, the theater company makes “The Tragedy of Richard II” easy to follow and enjoy, with the performance being only 95 minutes long.

In a press release, director Jason Marr said of the play, “Imagine an insurrection

continued on page 21

King Crossword Puzzle

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

FM’s Weithorn crowned television’s ‘King of Queens’

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

Stanley Weithorn was born in Rockaway Beach on Aug. 28, 1924. He married Corinne Breslow in the Bronx in December 1949. They moved to Queens and made their home at 194-25A 65 Crescent in Fresh Meadows. First born was Lois on April 4, 1953, followed by their son, Michael, on Dec. 17, 1956.

Dad Stanley, a lawyer, became an expert leader in the field of tax strategies for nonprofit organizations through creative lawyering. Because of his liberal causes, he earned a spot on President Richard Nixon’s infamous “Enemies List,” which he considered his greatest honor. In the late 60s the family moved out to Manhasset, LI.

After college, Michael moved out to Los Angeles and was a teacher for three years. He started writing for TV shows “Benson” and “Family Ties.” He never forgot his Queens childhood and decided to write a TV show with his friend, David Litt.

On Sept. 21, 1998 CBS ran the debut of “The King of Queens.” The show was a smash hit that ran nine seasons and 207 epi-

sodes. Weithorn was a writer, director and producer. He also has been recognized for his work on several other shows, including “Cheers” and The Wonder Years.”

Today “The King of Queens” is still a hit in reruns, as it is a timeless masterpiece of life in the borough. Q

SPORTS EAT

Guys, it’s a rebuild

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

The Mets drastically changed direction for 2023, and probably 2024, when they traded Max Scherzer, Justin Verlander, Tommy Pham, Mark Canha, David Robertson and Dominick Leone for an array of minor league prospects. Any thought of competing for the postseason went out the window for this year and will necessitate big changes on the current roster for 2024 if the Mets are serious about playing next October.

Mets General Manager Billy Eppler spoke with the press shortly after the Aug. 1 trade deadline had passed. “It’s not a rebuild, or a fire sale. It’s a repurposing of assets,” Eppler said. While Eppler’s skills as a general manager are debatable, there is no doubt he is great at semantics. Billy, it’s a rebuild.

In fairness to Eppler, however, the term “rebuild” generally means a baseball team will be bad for several seasons before they get enough good players through their minor league pipeline to be a World Series contender. Thanks to more teams qualifying for the playoffs, combined with Mets CEO Steve Cohen’s deep financial resources, the rebuilding process should be shorter than it was, for say, the Baltimore Orioles.

Let’s keep in mind the reason Cohen dismantled the 2023 Mets. Even though they had a mathematical shot at the playoffs, they are light years behind the perennial NL East kings, the

BAtlanta Braves. Cohen said last month the Mets’ farm system was threadbare. You cannot have sustained success without a productive minor league system.

It will take years for the Mets to become a legitimate threat to the Braves. The Philadelphia Phillies and the Miami Marlins both have good farm clubs. Both have been ahead of the Mets in the standings for most of 2023.

Thus, the decision to part with some of the best-known players on the Mets roster was not a difficult one for Cohen. He had seen enough this year. “Hope is not a strategy!” he told the media on Wednesday after flying to Kansas City.

Odds are Cohen did not know almost half of the Mets roster in KC. As Mets SNY television voice and Flushing native Gary Cohen candidly stated, “The Mets have many ‘quadruple-A’ players.” These are players who are better than most minor leaguers and have earned cups of coffee in the majors. The problem is they are not good enough to stay in The Show.

While the Mets may have prudently planned for the future, the reality is they are currently an awful team. Many fans on social media have used the term “unwatchable.” Cohen should send bottles of champagne to the clubhouse when, and if, they win their 63rd game. That would mean they can’t lose 100 games in 2023. Q

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

The childhood of a real “King of Queens,” Michael Weithorn, at 194-25A 65 Crescent in Fresh Meadows, as it looks today.

GOOGLE MAPS IMAGE; INSET SCREENSHOT VIA YOUTUBE / GAMERHUBVIDEOS

Dragon boats to hit Meadow Lake ‘in full force’

by Sophie Krichevsky associate editor

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival New York is back this weekend at Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s Meadow Lake for two days of celebration, food, multicultural performances, fun and of course, dragon boat races.

Although there are many different origin stories behind the Dragon Boat Festival, the most common one says it is meant to honor the death of Qu Yuan, a poet, minister and high political officer who was exiled during the Zhou dynasty for his opposition to the state’s military alliance. After 28 years in exile, he drowned himself in the Miluo River. His supporters attempted to rescue him and searched for his body in the river, but it was never recovered.

Today the competitive festival is traditionally held the first or second week in August. Last year, it was held the last weekend in July, but marketing director David

Archer said that was an anomaly.

Archer said this is the first time since the pandemic that the event is back, as he put it, “in full force.”

“It’s a full two-day festival with many, many sponsors and food and the stage,” he told the Chronicle. “It’s really the first time since 2019 where we’ll really have a full-scale festival. We’re anticipating a really good audience.”

As usual, the festival’s opening ceremony, which is scheduled for Saturday at 11:30 a.m., will feature a dragon dance — this year from the Malaysian United Group Dragon Dance Team — culminating with the traditional dotting of the eye, awakening the great beast for the celebration.

Part of the festival’s return to top form includes introducing several new dragon boats and new races for them to compete in, joining the more than 100 heats already scheduled. Perhaps most notably, the Flushing Faithful can expect to see some blue and

orange out on the water this weekend, with Mets owner Steve Cohen sponsoring a new boat. Archer said an appearance from Mr. Met is on the table. Meanwhile, Archer said, the offices of four city elected officials will hit the water to square off in the first-ever Municipal Invitation-

al on Saturday afternoon as they compete “for bragging rights and trash talk”: Mayor Adams, Comptroller Brad Lander, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

“The Comptroller sort of roused the audience and got these

people involved last year, so it’s sort of a new race that we’re hoping can grow,” Archer said.

As for whether Adams and Lander will be there personally, Archer added, “The mayor might, but the comptroller’s definitely there — he’s been out on the water practicing.”

A variety of area food vendors will be on-site throughout the weekend, including Kapamilya Filipino, Tacos el Mole Corp, Mao’s Bao, Bayside Lemonade, Meat Asia BBQ, Menya Jiro, Cano Coffee and Anda Boba Tea. Cousins Maine Lobster and Catmint Wheel Cake will be available on Saturday only.

While the fesitval is free to enter, attendees should bring their wallets to purchase food. Due to the limited amount of parking at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, guests are highly encouraged to take the No. 7 train to the MetsWillets Point stop and walk south from there. Q

Hip to Hip brings outdoor Shakespeare to Queens

continued from page 19

bringing a model of government to the brink of collapse. Though this sounds like recent political events in America, it was England in the late Middle Ages. Written entirely in verse, ‘Richard II’ explores timeless themes of power, pride, family and identity. Think ‘Game of Thrones’ with rhyming couplets.”

Marr’s plot comparison to the HBO series is not far-fetched. The tragedy focus-

Crossword Answers

es on the titular character, played by Joy Marr, after he banishes his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, played by Katie Fanning, from England. Bolingbroke later returns after his father’s death, with a plan to overthrow Richard II and lay claim to the throne.

The most notable parts of the performance come from Marr and Fanning, who play off each other brilliantly and often bring a touch of humor to their tone and body language for a tinge of comedic relief. Both actors use their talent to make the audience root for the otherwise unlikable, entitled, power-hungry royals.

Other standout performers include Chaunice Chapman, who plays multiple roles, offering a huge range of comedic and dramatic talent, and Cruz-Kent as the Queen, who has a number of scene-stealing moments in the second half of the play.

Overall, the performance was an amazing take on a Shakespearean classic. Seeing it performed in the Voelker Orth Museum’s garden, a grassy, floral and fresh environment, is something special in itself.

There is something so quintessentially Queens about watching a group of talented actors perform Shakespeare outdoors,

ignoring the bugs flying around, the chatter from passersby on the street, the car horns honking and the planes that seem to fly overhead every 20 minutes.

It would be remiss to not see it in person, especially at the free price tag. Donations,

however, are accepted and encouraged.

The remaining Queens Shakespeare in the Park performances are on Aug. 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23 and 24 at various times and locations. For more information, visit hiptohip.org.

The Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival New York makes its return to Flushing Meadows Corona Park this weekend.

PHOTO BY RICK MAIMAN / FILE

Actors engage in a “Kids & the Classics” workshop, led by Antonia Cruz-Kent on Aug. 4 at the Voelker Orth Museum, prior to a performance. On the cover: Cruz-Kent and audience member Marina share a laugh during the workshop. PHOTOS BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

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Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

Notice of Non-Discriminatory Policy. Policy Statement of Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center provides equal opportunities to all employees, applicants, and admissions, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, handicap, disability, source of sponsorship, source of payment, marital status, age, amnesty or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.

On September 7, 2022, the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing accepted the voluntary license surrender of Esohe Agbonkpolor, license no. PN300997, of Jamaica, New York, because she had a license suspended or revoked or received other disciplinary action by the proper licensing authority in another state, territory, possession or country.

Legal Notices

NOTICE

OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, NYCTL 19982 TRUST AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN, Plaintiff, vs. COLLEGE POINT ASSOCIATES, Defendant.

Pursuant to an Order Confi rming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 22, 2023 and entered on May 30, 2023 , I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the outside steps of the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on August 25, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., all that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 3919 and Lot 1. Said premises may also be known as No # 122 Street, Queens, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $3,740.42 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led Judgment and Terms of Sale.

Index # 709014/2019. The Referee shall comply with the Eleventh Judicial District’s COVID-19 policies concerning public auctions of foreclosed properties. These policies, along with the Queens County Foreclosure Auction Rules, can be found on the Queens Supreme Court - Civil Term website. Charlane O. Brown, Esq., Referee. The Law Offi ce of Thomas P. Malone, PLLC, 60 East 42nd Street, Suite 553, New York, New York 10165, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Formation of 11935 191 MADISON PROPERTY

LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 12/20/2022.

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: NEKEBWE SUPERVILLE, 14419 107TH AVE., JAMAICA, NY 11435.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS IN TAX LIEN FORECLOSURE–

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF QUEENS – NYCTL 2021A TRUST, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON as Collateral Agent and Custodian for the NYCTL 2021-A Trust, Plaintiffs, CAROLANN LARSEN, et. al., Defendants. Index No. 718892/22. To the above named Defendants –YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action within twenty days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service or within thirty days after service is completed if the 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. Plaintiffs designate Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the county in which the property a lien upon which is being foreclosed is situated. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to the Order of the Hon. Timothy J. Dufficy, J.S.C., entered on July 19, 2023. The object of this action is to foreclose a tax lien covering the premises located at Block 3882 Lot 18 on the Tax Map of QUEENS County and is also known as 90-13 83rd Avenue, Glendale, New York. Dated: July 19, 2023 BRONSTER, LLP, Attorney for Plaintiffs NYCTL 2021-A TRUST, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON as Collateral Agent and Custodian for the NYCTL 2021A Trust, By: Leonid Krechmer, Esq. 156 West 56th Street, Suite 703, New York, NY 10019 (212) 558-9300

171-71 46TH AVENUE, LLC, Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 07/10/2023. Offi ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 17 Juego Road, Santa Fe, NM 87508.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC).

Name: 212A Properties, LLC. Articles of Organization fi led with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on June 5, 2023. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY may mail a copy of any process to: 212A Properties, LLC, c/o Aram P. Cazazian 166-25 Powells Cove Blvd., Beechhurst, New York 11357. Purpose: for all legal purposes.

38-06 20TH ROAD LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 05/09/23. 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, 38-02 20th Road, Astoria, NY 11105.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

65TH ROAD DEVELOPMENT, LLC Articles of Org. fi led NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/11/23. Offi ce in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 102-10 66th Rd., Unit 24D, Forest Hills, NY 11375, which is also the principal business location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 70TH ROAD, LLC Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/19/23. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of APRD LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/21/2023. 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: APRD C/O ASHLEY, 9511 64TH ROAD, APT. 11B, REGO PARK, NY 11374. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Real Estate

EQUAL HOUSING. Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, familial status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate. Queens Chronicle does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination call the Open Housing Center (the Fair Housing Agency for the five boroughs of New York) at 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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Classified Ad Deadline is 12 Noon on Tuesday for Thursday’s paper.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, BANTAM FUNDING II, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. UNITED ASSETS CORPORATION USA, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 7, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the outside steps of the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on September 8, 2023 at 11:00 a.m., premises known as 1142 Welling Court, Astoria, NY 11102. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 506 and Lot 60. Approximate amount of judgment is $854,910.06 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #712227/2020. The Referee shall comply with the Eleventh Judicial District’s COVID-19 policies concerning public auctions of foreclosed properties. These policies, along with the Queens County Foreclosure’s Auction Rules, can be found on the Queens Supreme Court - Civil Term website. Richard M. Gutierrez, Esq., Referee, Polsinelli PC, Amy E. Hatch, Esq., 600 Third Avenue, 42nd Floor, New York, New York 10016, Attorneys for Plaintiff

DEAR INNER SELF, LLC Articles of Org. fi led NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 06/27/2023. Offi ce in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Maisie Wong, 102-55 67th Road, Apt. 5X, Forest Hills, NY 11375. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Double R One LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 5/18/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 10822 Inwood St., Jamaica, NY 11435. General Purpose

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, SC PARK LANE II, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. WALI AHMED, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confi rming Referee Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on November 22, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the outside steps of the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on September 8, 2023 at 11:15 a.m., premises known as 3520 Leverich Street, Unit B226, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 1270 and Lot 1111 together with an undivided .6091 percent interest in the Common Elements. Approximate amount of judgment is $647,245.66 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led Judgment Index # 724727/2020. The Referee shall comply with the Eleventh Judicial District’s COVID-19 policies concerning public auctions of foreclosed properties. These policies, along with the Queens County Foreclosure’s Auction Rules, can be found on the Queens Supreme Court - Civil Term website. Austin I. Idehen, Esq., Referee, Vallely Law PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 105, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice of Formation: EF 2023 Realty, LLC, Art. Of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/12/2022. Offi ce Loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 142-38 37th Ave., 1C, Flushing, NY 11354

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Golia LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/11/2023. 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: MICHAEL J GOLIA, 233-34 40TH AVE., DOUGLASTON, NY 11363.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Paramount Claim of the Life and Estate of Devon Garth Gordon

Born October 15, 1971 in Jamaica, West Indies, Owen Gordon X lonie Bygrave, The United States of America, Whereas I, the living man known as Devon Garth Gordon, am the result of the life and love and physical embodiment of my parents, the living man known as Owen Gordon and the loving woman known as lonie Bygrave, now, therefore, I am their loving son from the moment of conception and from the first combining of their unique genetic code to create my unique genetic code and my zygote in support of my physical embodiment then and now, and as I am the only true and surviving inheritor, I hereby publish my claim and recording of the facts: The Afterbirth composed of a placenta, umbilical cord, and fetal tissues which accompanied me into this world and which was in possession of my DNA was never a viable separate living organism and was instead a portion of my flesh akin to any hair, skin, or other representation of my genetic content, that was not abandoned, not donated and not returned to me or my parents for burial. No separate estate, living status, ownership interest, or death apart from my own life may be claimed on behalf of the Afterbirth or other waste resulting from my birth from my shedding of hair, my shedding of skin, the deposit of my fingerprints or any other DNA-containing substance whatsoever. I hereby establish my Paramount Claim upon my unique DNA as the only lawful and living inheritor thereof from the moment of my conception forward and I also publish my nullification of any claim of ownership or material interest in my DNA based upon samples procured from any bodily waste or substance or any purpose. As witness to my claims, I here affix the signature and seal of my Lawful Person, retaining all rights and prerogatives thereof: by: Devon Garth Gordon.

KKB Taxi LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/26/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 16430 Hillside 10K, Jamaica, NY 11432. General Purpose

LLANOS PROPERTY GROUP, LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 07/20/23. 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, 30-05 38th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Loro Ventures LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/11/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Registered Agent Solutions, Inc., 99 Washington Ave., Ste. 700, Albany, NY 12260. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING PATHWAYS P.L.L.C. Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/30/2023. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the PLLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE PLLC, 213-37 30TH AVENUE, SUITE 105, BAYSIDE, NY 11361. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MORNINGSIDE NELSON APARTMENTS LLC Cert. of Conversion fi led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/17/23, converting MORNINGSIDE HOUSING ASSOCIATES, L.P. to MORNINGSIDE NELSON APARTMENTS LLC. Offi ce location: Queens County. Princ. offi ce of LLC: 118-35 Queens Blvd., Queens, NY 11375. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Nelson Management Group at the princ. offi ce of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of NT General Construction LLC

Articles of Organization fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) 01/23/2023

Offi ce in Queens Co. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 1909 Bleecker St APT 3FL, Ridgewood, NY, USA.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose

SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Queens County. U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, -against- THE 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 the decedents BLOSSOM MEDLEY and BERYL BARHAM, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein; LLOYD ALLEN; FRANK ALLEN; AYESHIA HILLARD; AUDIE ROBINSON; WAYNE MEDLEY; HORTELL BARHAM; ANDREW BARHAM; DEAN O. BARHAM, if living, and if he/she be deceased, any and all persons unknown to Plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general 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, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to Plaintiff; STATE OF NEW YORK; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (EASTERN DISTRICT); CRIMINAL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE TAX COMPLIANCE DIVISION; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; TIFFANY MILES; DWAIN MEDLEY; TEVIN MEDLEY; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #10” inclusive the names of the ten last name Defendants being fictitious, real names unknown to the Plaintiff, the parties intended being persons or corporations having an interest in, or tenants or persons in possession of, portions of the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint, Defendants Index No. 719213/2019. Mortgaged Premises: 146-28 220th Street Springfield Gardens, NY 11413 Block: 13453 Lot: 116. To The Above Named Defendant(s): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the 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 upon the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the date of service or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. If you fail to so 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 OBJECTIVE of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a Mortgage to secure $95,000.00 and interest, recorded in the Queens County Clerk’s Office on May 16, 2005 in CRFN 2005000283571, covering the premises known as 146-28 220th Street, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413. The relief sought herein is a final judgment directing sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located.

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. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

Notice of Formation of PND EVENTS, LLC

Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/26/2023. 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: PND EVENTS, LLC, 118-12 196 STREET, ST. ALBANS, NY 11412. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of STEER STATECRAFT LLC

Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/28/2023. 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: ALLISON PETERS, 86-15 AVA PLACE, 1H, JAMAICA, NY 11432. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of STYLISH PRINT LLC Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/13/23. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 3737 88th St., D10, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Torregoza Legal PLLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/09/23. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: InCorp Services, Inc., One Commerce Plaza –99 Washington Ave., Suite 805A, Albany, NY 12210-2822. Purpose: to practice the profession of law.

VRAI LLC. Filed 5/16/23. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. for process & shall mail 8532 168th St., Jamaica, NY 11432. Purpose: any lawful.

Notice of Formation: XQ Realty, LLC, Art. Of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/22/2023. Offi ce Loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 511 NEW HYDE PARK RD, NEW HYDE PARK, NY 11040 Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS INDEX NO. 705665/2018

PLAINTIFF DESIGNATES QUEENS AS THE PLACE OF TRIAL SITUS OF THE REAL PROPERTY SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Mortgaged Premises: 11701 144TH STREET SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY 11436 BLOCK: 12018, LOT: 1 BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST PLAINTIFF, VS. MARILYN T. WALKER, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF FRANCES LOUISE JONES; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF FRANCES LOUISE JONES ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL 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, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF SUCH DECEASED, ANY AND ALL PERSONS DERIVING INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON, OR TITLE TO SAID REAL PROPERTY BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, OR EITHER OF THEM, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WIVES, WIDOWS, HUSBANDS, WIDOWERS, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS AND ASSIGNS, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF IF LIVING, AND IF SHE/HE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, CLAIMING, OR WHO MAY CLAIM TO HAVE AN INTEREST IN, OR GENERAL 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, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS, AND ASSIGNEES OF SUCH DECEASED, ANY AND ALL PERSONS DERIVING INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON, OR TITLE TO SAID REAL PROPERTY BY, THROUGH OR UNDER THEM, OR EITHER OF THEM, AND THEIR RESPECTIVE WIVES, WIDOWS, HUSBANDS, WIDOWERS, HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DESCENDANTS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES, COMMITTEES, LIENORS AND ASSIGNS, ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES, EXCEPT AS STATED, ARE UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE BY VIRTUE OF POSSIBLE UNPAID ESTATE TAXES AND LIENS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF FRANCES LOUISE JONES; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY VIRTUE OF POSSIBLE UNPAID ESTATE TAXES AND LIENS AGAINST THE ESTATE OF FRANCES LOUISE JONES; CANDACE RUSH AS “JOHN DOE #1”, KELLY RUSH AS “JOHN DOE #2”; LEX RUSH AS “JOHN DOE #3”, “JOHN DOE #4” THROUGH “JOHN DOE #12,” THE LAST TWELVE NAMES BEING FICTITIOUS AND UNKNOWN TO PLAINTIFF, THE PERSONS OR PARTIES INTENDED BEING THE TENANTS, OCCUPANTS, PERSONS OR CORPORATIONS, IF ANY, HAVING OR CLAIMING AN INTEREST IN OR LIEN UPON THE PREMISES, DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT, DEFENDANTS. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED TO ANSWER THE COMPLAINT IN THE ABOVE ENTITLED ACTION AND TO SERVE A COPY OF YOUR ANSWER ON THE PLAINTIFF’S ATTORNEY WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS OF THE SERVICE OF THIS SUMMONS, EXCLUSIVE OF THE DAY OF SERVICE, OR WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER SERVICE OF THE SAME IS COMPLETE WHERE SERVICE IS MADE IN ANY MANNER OTHER THAN BY PERSONAL DELIVERY WITHIN THE STATE. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IF DESIGNATED AS A DEFENDANT IN THIS ACTION, MAY ANSWER OR APPEAR WITHIN SIXTY (60) DAYS OF SERVICE. YOUR FAILURE TO APPEAR OR TO ANSWER WILL RESULT IN A JUDGMENT AGAINST YOU BY DEFAULT FOR THE RELIEF DEMANDED IN THE COMPLAINT. IN THE EVENT THAT A DEFICIENCY BALANCE REMAINS FROM THE SALE PROCEEDS, A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT OF THE ABOVE CAPTION ACTION IS TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE TO SECURE THE SUM OF $435,478.50 AND INTEREST, RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 16, 2005, IN CRFN 2005000098967 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF QUEENS COUNTY, NEW YORK., COVERING PREMISES KNOWN AS 11701 144TH STREET, SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY 11436. 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. QUEENS COUNTY IS DESIGNATED AS THE PLACE OF TRIAL BECAUSE THE REAL PROPERTY AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION IS LOCATED IN SAID COUNTY. 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 (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: JULY 12, 2023 ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF VERONICA M. RUNDLE, ESQ. 900 MERCHANTS CONCOURSE, SUITE 310, WESTBURY, NY 11590516-280-7675

YMC PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 07/05/2023. Offi ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 133-18 41 Road, Flushing, NY 11355.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS Index No.: 709337/2022 Date Filed: 7/19/2023, THIRD

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS. Plaintiff designates Queens County as the Place of Trial Designation of Venue is based upon the situs of the Subject Property Subject Property: 42-55 78th Street,Elmhurst, NY 11373 HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for Fremont Home Loan Trust 2005-E, Mortgage Backed Certificates, Series 2005-E, Plaintiff, -against- Any Unknown heirs, devisees, distributees or successors in interest of the late Begum Rezia Miah, if they be living or if they be dead, their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Barshn Miah, unknown heirs at law of Mohammed T. Miah and if they be dead, 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, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees lienors and assigns, all of who and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; New York City Environmental Control Board; United States of America; New York City Parking Violations Bureau; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; Household Finance Corp Ill; Velocity Investments LLC; Citibank N.A.; FIA Card Services, N.A.; United States of America Department of Internal Revenue Services, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the Subject Property described in the Complaint, Defendants. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until sixty (60) days after service of the Summons; 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.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Timothy J. Dufficy, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County, entered July 13, 2023 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Office. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage recorded on Nov. 29, 2005 in the Public Records of the County of Queens, State of New York at CRFN 2005000659440, covering premises k/a 42-55 78th Street, Elmhurst, NY 11373 a/k/a Block 1524, Lot 67. 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 (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: April 25, 2023 Rochester, NY Logs Legal Group LLP F/K/A Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC, By: Steven M. Palmer, Esq. Attorneys for Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 Telephone: (585) 247-9000 Our File No. 18-077505 #100625

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