Queens Chronicle South Edition 08-15-24

A pinch in the wallet with Local Law 115

A look at minimum wage bill’s negative impact on delivery workers, businesses

by Naeisha Rose Editor

DoorDashers and small business owners were at a roundtable with members of the Queens Chamber of Commerce last Thursday sounding off on how a city law to provide delivery workers a minimum wage has had unintended consequences for both.

State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Jackson Heights), chair on the Committee on Labor, and representatives for Councilwomen Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) and Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton), both members of the committees on Civil Service and Labor and Consumer and Worker Protection, were also in attendance at the forum, held at Rincón Salvadoreño in Jamaica.

As of now, the rate is $19.56 per hour and a final rate of $19.96 is expected for April 1, 2025, according to the Mayor’s Office. In December 2023, the rate was set at $17.96 per hour, up from an average of $5.39 per hour before enforcement of Local Law 115, the minimum wage law, via the city Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. The general minimum wage in the city is $16 an hour.

Ramos also endorsed City Council bill Intro. 0762, which would allow the cap on added fees for restaurants to go from 5 to 25 percent, but only if a third-party delivery service promoted a business on its platform and used a menu with

different prices compared to the in-store price.

The platforms would also be restricted from purchasing a store’s name for internet advertising. The delivery service fee of 15 percent and the credit card processing fee of 3 percent would remain the same.

“How has recent legislation affected the merchants, the Dashers and overall the way you do business?” asked Brendan Leavy, the vice president of business development for the chamber.

“Are you seeing more or fewer clients?”

Mandi Chi, the owner of Parsons Wine & Liquor in Fresh Meadows, said she has experienced a decrease in clients via DoorDash since the minimum wage legislation was implemented April 1.

“It’s almost a 50 percent decrease,” Chi said. When asked earlier as to why she used DoorDash, she said that the delivery service platform helped her compete with big-box chains such as Total Wine, Spirits & More, which has its own website.

“Since I added this platform to my business, business has increased,” Chi said. “I own a small business ... If we don’t have these platforms [like DoorDash] I think we will lose business.”

She said that delivery apps are important to people working in the city or from home because they’re just convenient.

“I’ve had customers who live two blocks away but use that,” Chi said. “One time, I asked, ‘Why?’ They said they are very busy and just need the service.”

Elena Barcenes, owner of Rincón, a Salvadorian restaurant, said the legislation has led to more fees for consumers, which results in fewer people ordering from her restaurant.

“They think twice about ordering,” Barcenes said. “Maybe they ordered twice a week or three times a week, now they are doing it only once a week now. I’m seeing a decrease [in DoorDash] orders and I don’t know how that is going to impact my business in the future for right now.”

Barcenes said that her restaurant has been a fixture in the community for 45 years, but during the height of the pandemic she started to use DoorDash and other delivery service apps to compensate for the loss in foot traffic.

“[App] delivery was not my number one [focus],” said Barcenes. “I focused on local

continued on page 16

CONZA | MCNAMARA

PLANNING ATTORNEYS

EDWARD R. MCNAMARA, ESQ.

Harvard University, A.B.

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

A roundtable was held in Jamaica last Thursday where DoorDashers and small businesses that use the delivery services sounded off on the impact of a new city law. PHOTO BY NAEISHA ROSE

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Advocates push for Jamaica Bay bill

Unanimously passed legislation, vetoed in past years, awaits Hochul’s approval

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

Jamaica Bay advocates last weekend gathered to rally for Gov. Hochul to sign S8547/ A9036, also known as the “Jamaica Bay Bill.”

The legislation for years was sponsored by Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) alongside state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven), though after redistricting, state Sen. Roxanne Persaud (D-Brooklyn, Queens) has taken up the sponsorship. Previous iterations of the bill were vetoed by Govs. Cuomo and Hochul.

The bay, according to a press release from Pheffer Amato, has not been properly surveyed in over 20 years, meaning all the data and mapping are outdated. There are no legal protections against dumping fill in Jamaica Bay, as a previous moratorium expired.

The bill, which passed unanimously in the state Legislature, would impose a 5-year moratorium on placing sediment or fill in the borrow pits in Jamaica Bay. It would also direct the state Department of Environmental Conservation to conduct a study of the ecological restoration needs of Jamaica Bay.

Cuomo, in his veto message at the time, cited the recommendation of the DEC. He said the agency would be required to utilize more restrictive and costly federal ocean dumping criteria to test the materials.

Hochul in 2023 cited fiscal impact as her reason for vetoing 32 bills, the Jamaica Bay Bill included, adding “the proposals would be more ‘appropriately considered in the context of the State budget process.’”

Pheffer Amato last Saturday organized a rally to advocate for the bill alongside Dan Mundy Sr. and Dan Mundy Jr. of the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers, New Hamilton Beach Civic Association President Roger Gendron, Jamaica Bay Guardian Don Riepe, Jamaica Bay Rockaway Parks Conservancy Executive Director Terri Carta and Rohan Narine of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus.

“The crown jewel of New York needs to be protected,” said Pheffer Amato in a statement,

referring to Jamaica Bay. “The data is outdated, and the long-lasting moratorium that prevented dumping materials into the borrow pits in the Bay has expired. We are asking the Governor to conduct a study for updated maps so our agencies can better understand Jamaica Bay, and reinstate the moratorium to protect the water, the many species that call the Bay home, and the communities of Broad Channel, the Rockaway Peninsula, Hamilton Beach, Howard Beach and South Brooklyn.”

“I support the call for Governor Hochul to sign S.8547 (A.9036), the Jamaica Bay Bill, because it aims to protect this vital ecosystem from harmful dumping and dredging activities,” Persaud said in a statement. “This is a critically urgent call from our community, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Jamaica Bay for current residents and future generations.”

Dan Mundy Jr. said, “The Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers have been working for over 20 years to preserve and protect Jamaica Bay. We have made tremendous progress in upgrading water quality at waste treatment plants, and in restoring wetlands, and oysters to the bay. We are now noting some of the cleanest water quality that’s been documented in over 20 years.”

However, Mundy said, the threat posed by plans to dump contaminated sediment in the bay remains, speaking to why the passage of the legislation is critical.

Pheffer Amato, the chair of the Jamaica Bay Task Force, added that not conducting a study and implementing the protections is counterproductive due to the amount of money that has recently been allocated to Jamaica Bay.

Taxpayer funding through the Environmental Bond Act, a 2022 proposition, has been allocated to repair the shorelines. Pheffer Amato also touted an $18 million investment from the federal government for marsh restoration and new protections for Jamaica Bay.

“The State and Federal governments have made the investments in Jamaica Bay — but now it’s time to enshrine protections to make sure our crown jewel stays safe,” she said. Q

Firefighters injured in three-alarm blaze

FDNY official said there was ‘heavy fire’ in Woodhaven house’s

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

A three-alarm fire erupted at a two-story building in Woodhaven last Friday morning, fueled by flames in its cockloft.

A 911 call reporting the fire came in at around 9:40 a.m., the FDNY said. Officials said 33 units and 138 fire and EMS personnel responded to the scene at 90-16 80 St.

The blaze was under control by 10:36 a.m., officials said. Three firefighters were taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center with minor injuries.

“We had heavy fire in the cockloft,” said FDNY Deputy Assistant Chief Chuck Downey in a statement posted to the department’s Facebook page. “We operated for approximately one hour before it was under control. In this type of weather, it’s very taxing on the firefighters, EMTs and paramedics.”

At the scene, it appeared three other buildings on 80th Street — 90-18, 90-20 and 90-22 — were affected by the blaze, though firefighters there told the Chronicle they were still assessing the damage. All residents were evacuated.

A resident of one of the affected dwellings, who declined to be named, told the Chronicle she woke up due to the smoke in her home.

“I don’t know how it started or where it came from,” she said.

“I want to extend my gratitude to the brave firefighters who risk their lives daily, exemplified by their recent heroic efforts in battling a three-alarm blaze in Woodhaven with heavy fire in the cockloft,” state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) said in a statement.

“This devastating incident resulted in injuries to three firefighters. Such tragic events underscore the urgent need for the passage of the Residential Structure Fire Prevention Act, a crucial bill I am championing alongside Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar.”

The legislation, of which Addabbo has been a longtime advocate and sponsor, aims to incentivize homeowners to address cockloft fire hazards by offering tax credits; promote safety through insurance discounts for installing smoke detection alarm systems in the attic-like areas and ensure that repairs for fire prevention in them qualify for state housing program funding.

Rajkumar said in a statement, “On behalf of the entire Woodhaven community, I extend my gratitude to these three courageous FDNY firefighters. These members of New York’s Brav-

cockloft

and

est put their lives on the line every day to safeguard our neighborhood, and we are grateful for their sacrifice.” She also urged the passage of the Residential Structure Fire Prevention Act. Fire marshals are still investigating the cause of the blaze, the FDNY said. Q

More than 100 fire

EMS personnel responded to a threealarm blaze in Woodhaven last Friday. PHOTO BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

Jamaica Bay advocates Don Riepe, left, Dan Mundy Sr., Terri Carta, Dan Mundy Jr., Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato, Roger Gendron and Rohan Narine last Saturday gathered to rally for Gov. Hochul to sign a bill that would add protections to the bay. PHOTO COURTESY NYS ASSEMBLY

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Overall crime slightly increased in Queens

Data shows less murder, shootings, but an increase in rape and robbery

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

While the Adams administration and the NYPD have touted overall decreases in crime throughout the city, is that truly the case? Some may think not, though Mayor Adams attributes those thoughts to public perception and recidivism.

Adams on Tuesday at his weekly City Hall press conference said, “This year, shootings are down double digits and murders are down double digits. And we know some of these random acts of violence, particularly when it comes down to recidivists, they sort of play on our psyche.”

The mayor said NYC is the “safest big city in America,” and added that his “colleagues across the globe are constantly asking, what are we doing? How are we doing it with the complexities that we’re facing?”

However, according to data from the NYPD, there have been 421 more “major 7” crimes this year to date in Queens, a total of 16,457, compared to 16,036 last year — an approximately 2.6 percent increase.

The major 7 include murder, rape, robbery, felony assault, burglary, grand larceny and grand larceny auto.

‘Major 7’ crime in Queens

Reported incidents through Aug. 4 this year and last

Select violent crime statistics

year to date compared to last year’s 10 — a 100 percent increase.

The 103rd and 113th precincts, which are within that area of patrol, have seen the most murders this year in Queens, at four each. Among the most recent was the grisly July 4 incident in Jamaica in which an 8-year-old boy was killed, two adults stabbed and their attacker shot dead by police within the confines of the 103rd Precinct.

Instances of grand larceny auto, or car theft, have increased this year to date by 11.2 percent. While there were 2,479 reported GLAs at this time in 2023, this year Queens has seen 2,757.

In a recent press release, the NYPD touted the overall reduction of crime in NYC for the seventh consecutive month, with a decrease of 4.2 percent (11,022 vs. 11,505) compared to July 2023.

According to the most recent data from the agency as of Aug. 4, murders and shootings are down in the borough by six incidents, or 17.1 percent, and 13 incidents, or 16 percent, respectively, compared to 2023.

Rape and robbery are up. There were 30 more rape incidents in Queens this year to date than at the same time last year, an increase of approximately 14.6 percent, and 208, or 10.8 percent, more robberies.

Shucks! Lenny’s Clam Bar Way

Residents and community leaders on Aug. 10 poured out to the corner of Cross Bay Boulevard and 161st Avenue in Howard Beach to celebrate its conaming as “Lenny’s Clam Bar Way,” recognizing the restaurant, at 161-02 Cross Bay Blvd., for its 50 years of service.

“Lenny’s is a place where families have gathered to celebrate their most important milestones for generations,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola, with mic, said in a statement. Also in attendance were Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. Ariola, who pushed the street conaming legislation through City Hall, recalled how generations of her family had parties at what she called a community landmark, and hoped her grandkids may one day do the same.

Lenny’s Clam Bar owner Joe DeCandia, second from right, holding the sign with his wife, Doreen, and kids, said the event was “wonderful.”

“Joann’s speech was extremely touching. She mentioned [the late Councilman] Al Stabile, her father, and my father, and I believe they were all there with us that day. It was really a wonderful day, and it was an honor and a privilege to have our legacy here recognized like this. My family is looking forward to the next 50 years, and my children carrying on the legacy into the future!”

On July 14, a 53-year old woman was beaten and raped in Downtown Flushing within the confines of the 109th Precinct, though, overall, the 109 has seen a 13 percent decrease in reported rapes this year to date.

Patrol Borough Queens South specifically has the most incidents of murder, at 20 this

“These remarkable, ongoing decreases in crime and violence, month after month, are the dividends earned from tireless efforts coupled with strategic planning and deployment,” Police Commissioner Edward Caban said in a prepared statement. “NYPD officers dutifully patrol the many neighborhoods of our great city every day, disrupting and preventing criminal activity. ... I know that our collective successes will carry us through the remaining summer months and further steel our resolve to always keep every community safe.” Q

Alleged HB squatter arraigned last week

Officials to host webinar for homeowners

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

Laurel Bay, a 49-year-old Brooklyn resident, was arraigned on Aug. 7 for criminal trespass after she allegedly took up residence in an unoccupied Howard Beach home last month.

On both July 18 and July 21, Bay was arrested and charged with criminal trespass at the house at 158-13 99 St. She allegedly changed the locks, had mail delivered to the address and moved in furniture, according to multiple area residents.

When notified, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) confirmed with the property owner that the home was supposed to be vacant before contacting law enforcement.

“Homeownership is a fundamental right that should and will be protected in Queens,” District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “You cannot walk into someone else’s home and claim you have a right to be there. Even if a property is vacant, the homeowner still retains

ownership. Trespassing onto someone else’s property and claiming rights simply by your presence violates the law. “

She added, “Thanks to the vigilance of nearby neighbors, the NYPD and Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer-Amato, my office was promptly alerted to the alleged criminal trespass activity at this location and appropriate actions were taken.”

The Queens District Attorney’s Office said Bay was released on her own recognizance after her arraignment. She is due back in court Oct. 8.

Katz and Pheffer Amato are hosting a homeowners’ deed protection and squatter information webinar on Monday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m., featuring a presentation by the DA’s Worker and Housing Protection Bureau Chief Bill Jorgenson. Registration is required.

Attendees will learn how to safeguard against deed and property theft and pick up valuable information on how to protect themselves from squatters. To sign up for the webinar, visit queensda.org/upcoming-events. Q

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EDITORIAL AGEP

Don’t let summer slip away

Scientifically, there’s more than a month left of summer. But let’s get real. Socially, summer ends Labor Day weekend. And that, friends, is two weeks away.

Those of certain ages and tastes can hear Jim Morrison’s lament as the days get shorter and cooler: “Summer’s almost gone ... Where will we be, when the summer’s gone?”

But do not go gently into that good fall! Though the days pass by like leaves blowing from the trees to the gutter, there’s still some time to do what you want to do.

The Mets have but 20 home games left, including the one tonight, Aug. 15. Those contests run through the third week of September, but they’ll be over before you know it. Cheer on our Flushing heroes while you can! We’ll see about October. Since you’ll be in the neighborhood, hit the Lemon Ice King of Corona first for an even more summery experience.

If the Mets are out of town when you’re looking to make a family day of it, there’s still plenty to do in Corona. The Queens Night Market is a must for great food at great prices. It’s in the parking lot of the New York Hall of Science — take the kids there first (but don’t expect bargain rates). There’s also mini golf at Rocket Park there; and the pitchand-putt course is just the other side of Flushing Meadows.

Need we mention the beach? You know where it is. And if you live in Western Queens and want to add to the experience, consider taking the Rockaway Rocket ferry from Long Island City to the peninsula.

Heck, if you’re not beach-minded, maybe just get on board an NYC Ferry to anywhere for the fun of it. How often do you get to take a cruise, albeit short, for $4?

If you’d rather travel in a one-person craft, the National Park Service offers kayaking on Jamaica Bay — along with other outdoor events from picnics to hiking and birding.

And there are some other places to go for a nice walk in nature: Alley Pond Park, Forest Park and Highland Park (on the Brooklyn border, where they’ve been doing restoration work) come to mind. If nature isn’t a requirement, taking a walk across the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge is pretty cool.

And of course there’s music to enjoy with a few dozen, hundred or thousand of your neighbors. There are regular free live shows at Culture Lab LIC and, across the borough, the Oracabessa Caribbean Music Festival in Roy Wilkins Park (decidedly not free), for one. And more in between.

Whatever you’re into, summer in Queens has it. Don’t miss out! When summer’s gone, it’s gone.

No VMAs on 9/11

As a newspaper, we understand tight calendars and deadlines as well as just about anyone. You should see some of the juggling it takes just to arrange an interview with a sitting elected official sometimes — especially the ones with children!

So we understand that when a presidential debate was announced for Tuesday, Sept. 10, the folks behind the Video Music Awards had to move their event. After all, MTV has long pressed for greater voter turnout among young people, and would not want to pull viewers from the debate. Also, VMA viewership might suffer because of interest in the debate, as billboard magazine (yes, lower-case B) noted online.

But then MTV moved the VMAs to Sept. 11. That’s a poor decision. Though it’s been 23 years since the attacks, it’s only been 23 years since the attacks. This is not a day on which to hold an event dedicated to entertainment. The move immediately left a bad taste in the mouth for some of the Chronicle family, and we’re sure that response is widespread. Please, MTV, pick another day. There’s time.

MARK WEIDLER

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LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Out-of-state parking

Dear Editor:

I do not know about other neighborhoods, but my neighborhood of Rego Park is getting a whole bunch of cars parked on our streets with out-of-state license plates.

I saw in one paper that the City Council was going to do something about this, but I’m not sure what and how it would work.

These people do not move their cars for days on end. They are not moved for street cleaning and sometimes are not ticketed by the Police Department. If they do get ticketed, it is only for the $65 that New York cars get. Maybe if you raised the price of the ticket for out-of-state cars to $85, that would give them incentive to move the car. If they are moved they go back right away, parked and left for the rest of the week.

I am not sure if these people just register their cars in other states and live in Queens. But there are too many of them on the streets where real New Yorkers could park their cars.

Kathleen Schatz

Rego Park

Make them slow down

Dear Editor:

Re “Ongoing street safety concerns in Richmond Hill,” Aug. 8, South Queens edition: I have been complaining for years about

getting speed bumps (reducers) installed on 115th Street, between Babbage Street and Park Lane. Traffic does not stop at stop signs, speeders drive in excess of the city speed limit, and they even run the traffic light at Park Lane.

State Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi’s top assistant visited the site, and then his boss, along with state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. and City Councilmember Lynn Schulman sign off on a letter to the Department of Transportation. The DOT replied that there is no place to put them. How about at the stop lines at the corners? Does anyone think in this city? It’s time to bring all this disrespect for traffic enforcement displayed by the public officials, police and DOT to the attention of the major TV networks before someone else gets killed by another maniac driver.

Kevin Walsh

Richmond Hill

NYC bin boondoggle

Dear Editor:

I am all for helping sanitation workers make their job a little easier when picking up everyone’s garbage pail. These new trucks are going to lift the garbage bins.

However, the way Sanitation is rolling out the plan is for everyone to purchase these bins, for $45.88 for a 35-gallon and $53.01, not $50 as they say on their webinar, for a 45-gallon bin. This is an exorbitant amount of money, especially if you need more than one bin.

Who is making money off these bins? Once again, homeowners are getting hit with another expense. I can tell you what will be happen once this rule goes into effect. People will be getting their bins stolen because others can’t afford or refuse to buy the bin. There will also be a lot of dumping black bags.

Mr. Mayor, perhaps you should start with

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

demanding apartment houses use bins and fining stores that leave out their black bags. I was in Manhattan around 2 p.m. on a recent Saturday, and there were several black bags on the sidewalk. What happened to 8 p.m. for putting out the black bags or a store having their trash in a bin?

This is not the way to go about it. It also won’t help with the rat problem. The rat problem is due to all the construction going on.

Maria Concolino Woodhaven

Women, wolves, weird

Dear Editor:

It’s bad enough that we have J.D. Vance telling us that women should be denied the right to voice their opinion or govern, because they’re not breed-worthy. Now I read that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in New Mexico decided that an endangered Mexican wolf, named Asha, will not be released in the wild this year, because she is not breed-worthy. The office will only approve the release of the female wolf on the condition of successful breeding and producing pups in captivity first. In other words, “Asha denied freedom for failure to breed.”

So, is this all the female human species or endangered wolf species is good for? Whether we’re childless cat ladies or dog people, we’re human beings with the voice God gave us. Let’s use it in a positive way to help all others.

Joan Silaco Queens Village

Personal, not political

Dear Editor:

I am commenting on Edward Riecks’ response to my comment about J.D. Vance’s nasty remarks about unmarried women (“War of the sexes,” Letters, Aug. 8).

I took it personally since I am not married and am not a cat. This has nothing to do with Democrats and Republicans. Name-calling is not ethical and not professional.

Cynthia Groopman Little Neck

Triple threat

Dear Editor:

Trump screamed, “Fight! Fight! Fight!” when shot and “Drill! Drill! Drill!” when talking policy.

He tries the old way of getting in someone’s head by triple repetition.

When I hear the name Trump repeated three times by his supporters I make sure I ignore him completely.

Raymond Hackinson Ozone Park

Awaiting Sept. 11 justice

Dear Editor:

Finally, someone is standing up for the families who lost loved ones on that tragic Sept. 11, 2001 day.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-Rockland) introduced the “Justice for 9/11 Act” to counter the plea deal military lawyers offered the three terrorists. The bill is co-sponsored by Long Island

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito and Rep. Elise Stefanik of upstate New York, also Republicans, and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) has introduced a companion measure in the other chamber.

This action follows Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin rescinding the shocking deal after backlash from the families of the victims. The bill ensures that no future plea deal will be offered to the terrorists by requiring a trial and ensuring the death penalty remains on the table.

This should be a nonpartisan issue. Final closure for the families after more than 20 years is a gift sorely needed now.

Speak up America, and show your support!

Thomas and Constance Dowd Oakland Gardens

Warped sensibilities

Dear Editor:

When it comes to making sense of our political landscape, it is very hard to distinguish between personal feelings and popular opinions. When individuals choose to maintain the elements of their hateful beliefs in support of manufactured rhetoric, our sensibilities become fraught with bitterness.

When President Trump raised his fist in defiance, saying, “Fight, fight, fight” after being so close to getting killed, he could taste the blood in his mouth. He was immediately reacting to the kinds of rhetoric, illegitimate charges and accusations made against him to cause someone to want him dead. Putting aside our differences of opinion about him, albeit harder to do for some people, it should be reported as an example of how hatred turns decent people against one another.

No one should have to be in fear of being killed in America. The despicable behavior of some people saying they’re sorry the assassin missed further illustrates our warped sensibilities. I personally want to hold onto the notion, as a nation, we’re better than that.

Craig Schwab Glendale

Medics for hostages

Dear Editor:

Gaza’s health ministry says that after the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, more than 300 of Gaza’s healthcare workers suspected of terrorist activity are in Israeli detention. Israel has accused Hamas of using hospitals in Gaza for military purposes. Family members of these detained medical workers have neither seen nor heard from them.

Amnesty International has demanded that Israel disclose the whereabouts and legal status of all detained Gazan healthcare workers, and release them unless they have been charged with a crime. Israel responded that detainees who are found to be uninvolved in terrorist activity are released. Israel will be happy to disclose the whereabouts and status of all detained medical workers as soon as Hamas discloses the same information for all the hostages. Israel can offer to release all the detained medical workers in exchange for the release of all the hostages.

Theodore Sheskin Flushing

City of Yes hearing draws lots of critics

Borough president’s forum appears to create few converts to the cause

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

Multiple speakers last Thursday praised Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for being the only one of five in the city to host his own public hearing on The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity.

But the praise pretty much stopped there, as the overwhelming majority of speakers at the four-hour, 34-minute meeting also were staunchly opposed to the measure that Mayor Adams and many City Council members say is vital for the creation of new housing in the numbers that is needed.

Speakers both in person and on Zoom included homeowners, civic leaders, elected officials and others.

City of Yes is a sweeping threetiered restructuring of the city zoning codes. Proposals for changes to encourage carbon neutrality and economic development already have passed in the Council.

The meeting at Borough Hall began with a presentation on the city’s plans by Veronica Brown of the city Planning Department.

vacancies tell a stark tale of the need for more housing units in the city.

“Vacancy rates are historically low,” Brown said, citing rates of 1.4 percent citywide and 0.88 percent in Queens. “Exclusionary zoning rules have stopped housing from being built in many areas.”

She said the aim is to build a little bit of new housing in each neighborhood in the city to avoid overwhelming infrastructure or changing a neighborhood’s character.

Most who spoke were dubious, citing, for example, the city’s own studies that anticipate major impacts on some already overcrowded schools and park facilities.

Not that most of the speakers were buying into the “no change of neighborhood character” sales pitch to begin with.

“We’ve had friends move here because they can’t stand how Brooklyn looks and feels,” said Rene Hill, a member of Community Board 12 in Southest Queens.

“We didn’t vote against it because we’re blind or ignorant.”

The housing proposal would allow the building of backyard cottages, basement apartments and garage conversions; and increased density in one- and two-family residential zones, along commercial corridors and near train and subway stops; and eliminate parking mandates for new construction.

— Paul DiBenedetto, Community Board 11

Brown said the numbers on

“They move here and now the mayor says ‘We’re going to make Queens look just like Brooklyn.’ Which is crazy.”

Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said the proposal as it stands now is “absolutely detrimental” to individual communities.

“In places as vibrant and diverse as New York City, taking a cookiecutter approach in the application of zoning regulations could be a recipe for disaster.” Ariola said, adding that

the increased number and severity of flooding incidents in her district, such as in Howard Beach, should make the city reconsider increasing housing density.

Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) was far less diplomatic.

“This proposal is nothing short of a slap in the face to the City Council and to the communities we are elected to represent,’ Holden said. “The City of Yes proposal threatens to strip away the authority of local Council members to negotiate zoning requests, effectively sidelining the voices of those who know their neighborhoods best. It grants developers a one-time opportunity to upzone the entire city, saving them both money and time.”

Holden also criticized Richards

— one of the officials Holden believes already had made up his mind to support the measure — for holding the hearing at 10 a.m., when most people would be unable to attend or participate.

“Like with congestion pricing, sanctuary city status, e-bikes, bail reform, uncontrolled city spending, and increased taxation, the government continues to ignore its people,” he said.

Paul DiBenedetto, chairman of Community Board 11 in Northeast Queens, pointed out that city residents have beaten back three major rezoning efforts in recent years, one by former Council Speaker Corey Johnson and the last two by Gov. Hochul.

He also pointed out that the vast majority of Queens community boards voted to reject it.

“City of Yes is obviously about dismantling low-density zoning and deregulating zoning by nefarious means,” DiBenedetto said. “We didn’t vote against it because we are blind or ignorant. We voted against it because it takes away our way of life ... We feel like we are being abandoned by our elected officials.”

David Pecoraro, of Community Board 13 in Eastern Queens, pointed out that Richards has appointed every member of his board.

“We rarely agree on anything unanimously,” Pecoraro said. “But we agreed on one thing — the City of Yes is not appropriate for Community Boar 13.”

The Rev. Carlene Thorbs, chair of Board 12, said her area is not unmindful of the housing shortage. Others agreed. But Thorbs also said city officials have not given them

any answers on how they will address the impact on schools, bus transportation and other potential impacts.

“Every community in Queens is different,” she said. “We should be treated that way.”

Warren Schreiber, president of the Queens Civic Congress, said the one-size-fits-all approach is unworkable.

“Manhattan is a wonderful borough, but it does not meet the needs of families in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island or the Bronx,” Schreiber said. “Since 2005, community boards have devoted hours to rezoning to prevent irresponsible overdevelopment. The City of Yes is a gift to developers to undo that.”

The plan did have some backers.

Vishnu Reddy, a co-op owner from Sunnyside, had his own take on cookie-cutter regulations.

“I’m proud to live in the most diverse county in the U.S. and the most linguistically diverse place in the world,” Reddy said. “Queens is a diverse borough, which means Queens has diverse housing needs. Unfortunately, the housing needs in parts of the borough are a one-sizefits-all, cookie-cutter approach that forces people into a narrow set of housing options. That is why I strongly support every single provision of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity.”

Samir Lavingia, campaign coordinator for Open New York, a housing nonprofit, said the city’s vacancy rates are the worst since 1968.

“The City of Yes for Housing Opportunity offers a once-in-a-generation chance to begin reversing these trends,” he said. Q

An attendee offers editorial comment just prior to the Aug. 8 hearing on City of Yes housing proposals, hosted by Borough President Donovan Richards and Lisa Atkins, the borough’s housing director. The sign was far from the only opposition to Mayor Adams’ proposed changes to the city’s zoning regulations. NYC SCREENSHOT / YOUTUBE

The Adams administration asserts that massive changes to the city zoning code are necessary to make New York City affordable, while opponents say they are an attack on low-density zoning and a money grab for real estate interests. NYC SCREENSHOT / YOUTUBE

MTA rolls out more guards to beat fare evasion

Transit officials bet expanded presence of private security will deter gate-jumpers

by Jose Martinez and Ashley Borja THE CITY

This article was originally published on August 14 at 5:00 a.m. EDT by THE CITY.

The MTA has doubled the ranks of private security guards posted near subway station emergency exits that officials call the “superhighway of fare evasion.”

Budget documents show that the MTA expects to spend more than $35 million through next year on increasing to 1,000 the number of unarmed security guards whose mere presence at the gates is intended to slow the stream of fare-beaters who use them as free entrances.

The MTA estimates that it takes a $700 million to $800 million hit annually from nonpayment in the subways, buses and commuter railroads, as well as at its tolled bridges and tunnels.

“It does deter someone when they see someone in uniform standing in front of the gate, so I think this is a good idea,” said David Jones, an MTA board member who served on the agency’s Blue-Ribbon Panel on Fare and Toll Evasion. “And I can assure you that it costs vastly less than a fully trained police officer.”

The private guards, contracted through the security firm Allied Universal, are rotated “strategically” among stations, an MTA spokesperson said. The agency estimated in May that fare evasion fell by 20 percent to 30 percent at the 50 stations where they were initially deployed in 2022.

While the NYPD has also increased the number of officers in stations and on platforms in recent years — boosting the number of summonses and arrests for fare evasion, data show — the new, unarmed station guards lack law-enforcement authority.

Instead, the blue-shirted gate guards in safety vests stand near emergency exits. Several told THE CITY that they are instructed to avoid confrontations while directing would-be farebeaters to the turnstiles.

“If we weren’t here, there would be someone standing here literally where I am next to the gate, just allowing people to come in,” said a security guard at the Third Avenue149th Street station, who asked to not have

his name published.

NYPD officers are still using their enforcement authority, department data shows. Through the first six months of 2024, the number of “theft of service” summonses for not paying the fare has gone up 9 percent from the same period in 2023, with close to 69,000 issued through the end of June. The 42nd Street-Port Authority Bus Terminal station had the most among the 472 stations, with 2,072.

‘People need to get places’

MTA Chairperson and CEO Janno Lieber has said complaints from regular riders about fare-beating hit him hardest.

“The people that I hear from the most, that make the most impact on me, are people of limited means who are frustrated when they see somebody else push by them without paying on the bus or push in through an exit gate in the subway,” he said after the agency’s July board meeting. “We owe it to those people who live their lives playing by the rules not to make them feel like suckers.”

After the blue-ribbon panel last year

issued recommendations on how to reduce what it called “crisis levels” of fare evasion, the MTA said it has made some progress on curbing the practice.

But the agency faces an even greater challenge on the buses, where transit officials estimate that nearly half of its nearly 2 million riders do not pay to ride.

Among the new subway strategies are design changes to 1,400 turnstiles at 100 stations that prevent people from pulling the devices in the reverse direction and slide through without paying, delaying opening of some emergency gates by 15 seconds and bringing in additional security guards.

“It’s a step,” Jones, the board member, said of the guards. “I don’t think it’s going to be a panacea.”

Across stations in Brooklyn, Manhattan and The Bronx, THE CITY spotted people trying to unsuccessfully talk their way past the security guards at the emergency gates, but also observed groups of people waiting for unattended doors to be propped open so they could enter without paying while out of sight of two police officers on the platform.

“I ain’t got it,” said Antoine Brown, 38, who waited for a gate to open at Jay StreetMetroTech in Downtown Brooklyn.

At 34th Street-Penn Station, straphanger Damion Samuels said he sympathizes with New Yorkers who beat the fare.

“The city is becoming increasingly difficult to live in; people need to get places,” he said. “People have to do what they have to do.”

At the Third Avenue-149th Street stop, William Walvin, 27, stood by the turnstiles to the northbound platform waiting, unsuccessfully, for the guards to let him into the station.

“If I go through when the gates open, I’m going to get a ticket from the cops and I’m not trying to get a ticket,” said Walvin, who is unemployed. “So I have to go directly to the guards and be honest and say, ‘Listen, right now I don’t got it and I’m just trying to get a ride.’” Q

THE CITY (www.thecity.nyc) is an independent, nonprofit news organization dedicated to hard-hitting reporting that serves the people of New York.

Rajkumar in comptroller race

Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) this week formally announced her candidacy for city comptroller, NYC’s chief financial officer.

Rajkumar is expected to face Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who has said he is exploring his own comptroller bid, and Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn), who announced his candidacy Wednesday morning.

The role is currently held by Brad Lander, who will challenge Mayor Adams, a close friend and ally of Rajkumar, in a primary next June.

In a statement, Rajkumar said, in part, “Traditionally, the Comptroller is a man in an office crunching numbers, but I will make it so much more. ... Ours is the largest municipal budget in the world, and I have the experience, passion, and energy to make sure that every New Yorker is getting what they pay for.”

Rajkumar, a Stanford Law and Ivy League-educated attorney, has been serving as an assemblywoman since 2021. If elected as city comptroller, she will become the first woman of color at the post. Q — Kristen Guglielmo

A private security guard talks to a tourist at the 1 train’s South Ferry station entrance, Aug. 8, 2024. PHOTOS BY BEN FRACTENBERG / THE CITY

A private security worker keeps watch over the turnstiles at the 1 train’s South Ferry station.

Security exec takes the helm as Kavanagh, first woman boss, departs Tucker appointed new FDNY commish

by Sophie Krichevsky Editor

Mayor Adams on Monday named and swore in Robert Tucker as the new commissioner of the FDNY.

“Commissioner Tucker brings decades of experience in protecting public safety to this role, as well as strong personal ties to the FDNY,” Adams said. “His very first job as a young man was working at the FDNY communications office in Central Park and I can’t think of anyone who knows this department better.”

Tucker, the CEO of security company T&M Protection Resources, is the secretary of the FDNY Foundation, the department’s nonprofit wing, but has not served as a firefighter himself.

Among other public safety-related roles Tucker has had over the course of his career is special assistant to the Queens district attorney, a position he held throughout the 1990s. In 2009, he was appointed vice chairman of the New York State Security Guard Advisory Council and became chairman in 2013, which he remained until 2021.

“Public safety has been my life’s work. I’ve had a long career in the public and private sector and being appointed commissioner of the FDNY is the biggest honor of my life,” Tucker said in a statement Monday. “Firefighters,

emergency medical technicians and paramedics do the work that most of us only ever read about in comic books.

“They are heroes and they embody the best of all of us. My message to the members of the FDNY is simple: while you have New Yorkers’ backs — I’ve got yours.”

City Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), who chairs the Committee on

Fire and Emergency Management, said she was “looking forward to working with” Tucker in a statement Monday.

“The FDNY has faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, and it no doubt will face a number of challenges in the future,” Ariola said. “With the support and leadership of Commissioner Tucker, who has a deep pool of experience when it comes to running major organi-

That’s a lot of pot!

Sheriff says Astoria raid nets ‘thousands of pounds’

by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

Law enforcement officers seized more than $12 million in marijuana and related products in an operation in Astoria last Thursday that began as a burglary investigation, according to the city Sheriff’s Office.

Thousands of pounds of contraband allegedly were discovered in the raid, which the Sheriff’s Office said in a press release, “uncovered a multimillion-dollar operation where illicit products were being manufactured, processed and apparently distributed to other locations throughout to NYC, Long Island, and upstate NY.”

Using the abbreviation for the active, mind-altering ingredient in the drug, the office continued, “The inspection resulted in the seizure of cannabis flower, cannabis pre-rolls, THC vape products, THC edibles, THC concentrate/oil, mushroom (psilocybin) chocolate bars, and two vape making machines.”

The raid took place at 26-32 Second St., after an attempted burglary was called into the 114th Precinct, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The break-in occurred at about 2 a.m., according to published reports. Two suspects were arrested and authorities reportedly were

granted a search warrant for the warehouse. That’s when they found the big prize.

The two defendants were caught on their way out of the warehouse, the authorities said. They were identified as John Betancourt, 36, of Ridgewood, and James Pennisi, 38, of Chester, Pa.

According to the criminal complaint against them, the pair tried fleeing on foot when police arrived at the scene of their crime. But

zations and a history of advocacy for the men and women of the Fire Department, I am certain that New York’s Bravest will be able to endure whatever bumps in the road the years ahead bring their way and emerge stronger than ever.”

Tucker’s appointment comes less than a month after his predecessor, Laura Kavanagh, announced her resignation, citing a desire to “pass the torch”; her last day in the role was last Friday. Kavanagh, who previously served as the FDNY’s deputy commissioner and became the city’s first woman fire commissioner in 2022, is said to have faced criticism from within the department in part because she, too, was never a firefighter.

Kavanagh joins a growing list of department heads to have left the Adams administration, less than three years into his tenure, including former NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, also the first woman to serve in her role.

Asked by reporters Tuesday about Tucker’s ability to handle “diversity issues” within the FDNY, relative to Kavanagh, Adams said, “What she was doing with women in the agency, [Kavanagh] set the right tone. And she laid a foundation that I think we can build on. And I would have loved for her to continue to do the work she was doing ... But I think that Robert can do that.” Q

New air quality data, discussion

they didn’t get away, and cops found a bunch of weed they allegedly had taken from the warehouse dropped nearby.

According to the complaint, 27 packages of pot weighing a pound each were found in front of the location. Seventyseven pounds’ worth were found in three garbage bags next to a neighboring building. And Pennisi allegedly was observed dropping three bags at one pound each next to another building.

The two were arraigned and are due back in court Oct. 1, the Queens District Attorney’s Office said.

The Sheriff’s Office said it padlocked the warehouse, and that the site remains under investigation.

The state legalized marijuana for recreational purposes a few years back but requires a license to sell it.

Psychedelic mushroom products are not legal in New York. A representative of a Texas-based company, whose name is similar to the one on boxes of mushroom bars that were seized, said they were not from his firm.

“When we chose the name One Up Mushroom Products, we did not realize there was already a 1 Up chocolate bar containing psilocybin mushrooms, which are still illegal in most parts of the country,” the rep, Jose Aguirre, said via email. Q

Queens residents can get a detailed look at air quality and the pollution that harms it via new online data and tools the state announced Tuesday.

The Department of Environmental Conservation released results from the first phase of what it calls “the State’s historic effort to monitor air quality in 10 disadvantaged communities.” Queens is one.

The program is called the 2022-23 Statewide Community Air Monitoring Initiative and the results can be found online at tinyurl.com/r9ntjaad.

As part of the program, the DEC is holding public meetings both online and in person. A virtual meeting is set for today, Aug. 15, at 3 p.m. Information and registration are at the same website. The in-person meeting for Queens is set for 3 p.m. Sept. 24 in Borough President Donovan Richards’ office at Queens Borough Hall, room 200, 120-55 Queens Blvd. in Kew Gardens.

The DEC said the key goal of the initiative is to “develop strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other sources of air pollution in areas with high air pollution burdens.” Q — Peter C. Mastrosimone

Some of the allegedly psychedelic mushroom products, left, and packages of marijuana that were confiscated last week in Astoria. PHOTOS COURTESY NYC SHERIFF

Mayor Adams on Monday appointed and swore in Robert Tucker, right, as the city’s 35th commissioner of the FDNY.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL APPLETON / NYC MAYOR’S OFFICE

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Minimum wage legislation hurts entrepreneurs

continued from page 2

delivery, but during Covid, I educated myself and started my business again and one of the platforms was DoorDash.”

Since using DoorDash, which is the most popular app service for her restaurant, her food has gained customers outside of Jamaica.

“It is great for me,” Barcenes said. “It has brought my restaurant to other areas.”

She has been generating a third or fourth of her business from the delivery apps, which has helped Rincón recover, but fears the new fees associated with them will continue to drive customers away.

LaToya Williams, a stay-at-home mom whose dreams of opening a catering business were shattered because of Covid-19, said she was a Dasher for about four years, but as her divorce is underway, she has been using the app as a customer while applying to master degree programs.

“What I realized is there were a lot of added fees as a consumer,” said Williams. “I didn’t see that two or three months ago.”

Williams became a Dasher because it was convenient, she didn’t have to worry about calling out for work and doesn’t have a boss to report to.

Joseph Mele, 58, of St. Albans believes that delivery work is a gig job and was not meant to be a full-time job. He also believes that he was making more money before the minimum wage changes in April because consumers made more orders and therefore needed his

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service more often.

“It’s a gig economy,” Mele said. “You are supposed to get in there and be able to make some money.”

Mele thinks that if delivery work were a full-time job when he had started he would not have been hired because it would have come with requirements like being able to lift 50 pounds. He once worked in software development and when he tried to reenter the job sector he felt he was rejected because of ageism. Working for DoorDash has helped him get back on his feet.

after orders, stacked orders ... That’s how I make money.”

Janelle Christine Simmons of Flushing said she is a retired psychology professor who makes her income from royalties from her published academic work. She supplements her income by dashing. She too has to work outside of the city to make money from orders.

“I sometimes go to Connecticut or Long Island” Simmons said. “That impacts how much gas I pay for and how much miles on the vehicle and the maintenance on the vehicle.”

“We are making pennies at the end.”

“I don’t think I would have had the opportunity if it had become more and more formalized,” said Mele, about work for the delivery service.

— Restaurateur Elena Barcenes

Simmons said these are hidden expenses that would not have been calculated previously before the minimum wage rule and now she frequently sees lulls in-between orders.

The delivery worker now makes $100 to $150, said Zhang.

“He asked me for a job, so I pay him $180 a day,” he said. “He has a bike and comes all the way from Brooklyn to my store.”

Ramos said that DoorDash and other companies like it are going out of their way to not pay workers minimum wages by making changes to their app systems, such as arbitrarily locking out drivers midshift in order to manipulate empty-time calculations, or time workers spend on-call waiting for people to make an order.

“They are only paying for a few hours of the active time,” she said. “There are pay transparency issues. Companies are treating paid on-call time pay as bonuses, requiring workers to meet quotas. That has never happened before.”

Mele said he now spends 40 hours waiting to get up to 23 hours of work as a result of the lack of orders due to fewer customers ordering out. They also are tipping less due to the new fees associated with the app because of the minimum wage legislation, he said.

“What I do is head out to Long Island to get orders,” Mele said. “That’s not good. ... A lot of these ideas, while well-intentioned, are not going to help the Dasher. A good tip is going to make the difference between a good dash or a bad dash. But what really makes the difference is when I turn the phone on I have orders

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Shuai Zhang, the owner of PopRice in Flushing, said he started his business during the height of the pandemic and had to rely on app delivery services like DoorDash, but orders have slowed.

“I did my own investigation,” said Zhang, who interviewed delivery workers who were coming to his store less frequently. “There was one worker ... He is Hispanic and he works really hard. He told me he was making around $200 to $250 a day before the minimum wage implementation to feed his family.”

She said the scheduling issues have reduced worker flexibility, and the bonus system encourages them to drive faster, which is unsafe. DoorDash also has moved the tip prompt to the bottom of an order instead of the top, making it harder for consumers to find the tip option.

Barcenes said the city should be more considerate about the impact of its laws and get feedback from business owners before implementing them. She may be intrigued by Intro. 0762, but said Local Law 115, the mayor’s handling of the migrant situation, the pilot implementation of bus lanes on Jamaica Avenue and the city law for more energy-efficient buildings are hurting entrepreneurs.

“We are making pennies at the end,” said Barcenes. Q

Richards, Lee write legislation to have DOT handle all maintenance Civics, BP are sick of messy medians

by Sophie Krichevsky Editor

Medians may divide roadways, but Queens elected officials and civic leaders are united when in comes to seeing them maintained.

Borough President Donovan Richards and community leaders from all over the borough gathered on Braddock Avenue near 221st Place, the site of one unruly median, Tuesday morning to call on city agencies to clean up the dividers, which have become covered in overgrown weeds and trash.

In addition to being unsightly, the borough president said, unkempt greenery on the medians poses a crash risk.

“Having to cross between these weeds cause[s] safety issues, not only for pedestrians but motorists alike, because if someone’s crossing the street, you may not be able to see them, because your vision is impeded by these weeds,” Richards said, gesturing toward overgrown scrub trees rivaling him in height.

Indeed, one woman who lives on the other side of the same median told the Chronicle she deals with the blind left turn created by the weeds on a daily basis.

To tackle the median issue, Richards announced legislation he crafted with City Councilmember Linda Lee (D-Oakland Gardens) that would centralize median upkeep under the Department of Transportation. The

bill would also require the department to oversee an online database showing which city medians have been attended to and how recently that occurred. (Richards said he wanted to see monthly cleanings.)

As it stands, Richards explained, a memorandum of understanding exists among the DOT, the Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Sanitation that each agency is responsible for maintaining specific

medians.

That has led to many jurisdictional headaches for district managers or other civic leaders seeking service.

“It’s really a serpentine and very, very hard problem for us to tackle in all of our offices,” said Joe Marziliano, district manager of Community Board 11 in Northeast Queens. “If it’s a Green Street, we call DOT. If it’s just a regular median, we call Sanitation, and it has a city

tree on it, we’re supposed to call Parks. But then you have situations like this block, where wild scrub trees have grown almost out of nowhere, then in that situation ... there’s really no good agency to call.”

Maria Adam-Ovide, district manager for Community Board 8 in Central and Eastern Queens, noted that 311 complaints have come up short, and are closed a day after filing with the response “condition not found.”

“I don’t know if they sent a blind person, but I’m pretty sure the condition has not changed,” she said.

As part of the push from the Borough President’s Office, Tim Chubinidze, Richards’ director of civic engagement, compiled a list of over 200 unkempt medians across the borough. More than half were in Eastern Queens.

“Let’s be clear — the city would never let the medians on Park Avenue look like this.,” Richards said. “So why are we letting this happen on Braddock Avenue, Francis Lewis Boulevard or Little Neck Parkway?”

“This is a disgrace,” agreed Richard Hellenbrecht of Eastern Queens’ CB 13.

Or, as Creedmoor Civic Association President Mike O’Keefe put it: “We’re facing a lot of complicated problems in the city these days — and this is not one of them.”

The issue is not limited to Eastern Queens

continued on page 18

Borough President Donovan Richards, at mic, and Queens residents call on the city to clean medians overrun with litter and weeds, like on Braddock Avenue, inset. PHOTOS BY SOPHIE KRICHEVSKY

Jamaica man’s Bitcoin nest egg used for diamond pendant and more: DA Calif. family, et al., allegedly steal $300K

by Naeisha Rose Editor

Most parents reprimand their kids for bad behavior, but in 2022 it appears one couple, and several other people from California, had allegedly joined in on helping a then-teen criminal mastermind rip off a Jamaica man of his retirement nest egg, which was Bitcoin worth $92,000 — now valued at approximately $300,000, according to an Instagram post from Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (D-Queens Village).

“The victim was my personal auto repair mechanic — I know him well — so, when he told me that hundreds of thousands of dollars were stolen from his crypto wallet, I was very distraught and concerned,” Vanel told the Queens Chronicle via email on Monday morning. “My office looked into methods of assisting in the recovery of stolen cryptocurrency and eventually reached out to the office of the Queens District Attorney, Melinda Katz, in order to proceed with the case.”

Aaron Peterson Jr., 20; Aaron Peterson, 39, his father; and Autumn Clark, 37, his mother, all of Sacramento, Calif., were extradited and arraigned Friday on a sevencount indictment charging them with second-degree grand larceny, second-degree money laundering, two counts of firstdegree identity theft, computer trespass and fourth-degree conspiracy, according to Katz’s office. Co-defendants Dontay Brown, 39, also of Sacramento, and Ronald Lamar Moland Jr., 22, of Solano County, Calif., will be arraigned at a later date.

Two others are still being sought, according to Katz’s Office.

“We are elated to learn that the Queens District Attorney’s office discovered the suspected individuals allegedly responsible for

the fraudulent scheme and look forward to seeing them brought to justice,” continued Vanel, chair of the Subcommittee on Internet and New Technology.

A spokesperson for the DA’s office said the hack of the victim’s cryptocurrency wallet is believed to have been completely random and that he had no prior interactions with the defendants. The victim and the defendants are strangers to one another.

The Bitcoin was stolen through a technique called “peel chain,” in which a party or several parties transfer large amounts of illegally obtained cryptocurrency by funding a long series of small transactions, prosecutors said.

The DA’s Cyber Crimes Unit, which worked in conjunction with the Detectives Bureau, traced more than 250 individual transactions, most of which went to different accounts on the payment processing application Cash App, according to the DA’s Office. As part of the probe investigators allegedly were able to conclusively link the accounts to the defendants.

During the eight-month long investigation, the investigators uncovered the various Cash App deposit addresses and identified the various other financial services that were used for the peel transactions and subpoenaed them, prosecutors said.

According to the charges, on Nov. 28, 2022, 5.75 bitcoins worth $92,000 were removed from the victim’s private digital wallet through two unauthorized transactions.

The DA’s office said Clark’s Cash App had $22,500 from 18 transactions, Moland had $22,000 from eight, Brown had $19,700 from three, Peterson Sr. had $9,500 from 33, and the two unapprehended assailants had a combined $16,680 from 26 transactions.

Annual feast returns to Howard Beach

It’s that time again! The annual feast is returning to the St. Helen Roman Catholic Church parish grounds, located at 157-10 83 St. in Howard Beach.

Attendees can expect carnival rides, games and delicious food, promising fun for the whole

After the money was laundered to the Cash App accounts, the co-conspirators each withdrew a certain amount of cash for their personal use and the remaining funds were sent to a centralized pool account belonging to Peterson Jr., which he used to purchase a diamond pendant necklace and new Mercedes-Benz, prosecutors said.

On July 24, California authorities apprehended Brown, Moland and the family of three in their respective homes, said the DA’s Office.

The spokesperson said the diamond pendant and a Rolex watch were seized and hopefully will be used toward restitution.

“The individuals allegedly responsible for this operation went through a meticulous series of steps to hide their criminal activity,” Katz said via a statement. “My dedicated Cyber Crime and Cryptocurrency Unit and Detectives Bureau worked this case for months to figure out who was behind these transactions and to bring those people to justice.”

Katz went on to thank Vanel for alerting her office to the case and encourages Queens residents who are victims of cryptocurrency theft to contact her Cyber Crimes team at (718) 286-6673 or CyberCrimes@queensda.org.

In a statement, Vanel said, “We are encouraged by the efforts of the Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz to protect Queens residents from technology-related fraud. We want to help ensure that Queens residents are able to invest, transact and transfer value in a safe manner. Today shows that we will bring justice to those who attempt to defraud Queens residents.”

Vanel said via email that one should never share personal information with unauthorized individuals and that people must be good stewards of their private information whether it is cryptocurrency, stocks or a bank account.

A diamond pendant watch and a Rolex watch were seized after the defendants were apprehended in relation to the crypto money laundering scheme last month.

custodian of the funds so it could be more difficult to recover stolen funds,” Vanei said via email. “It is crucial for New Yorkers to educate themselves on privacy and security.”

The state Department of Financial Services recommends basic practices that apply to both bank accounts and most cryptocurrency wallets, said Vanel, who shared some tips. People should use multifactor authentication; not reuse passwords; use strong ones; install updates automatically; ensure they are using the real website of the company they are utilizing; and not download files from sources they do not know or trust.

“Gaining a fundamental understanding on online security, such as multi-factor authentication, reduce the risk of getting caught in fraudulent schemes,” Vanel said via email. Q

family daily through Aug. 18, from 5:30 to 11 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic and Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park). Proceeds will be donated to St. Helen. Q

Judge tosses concert lawsuit

A Queens judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought against the West Side Tennis Cub by a group of Forest Hills residents claiming that noise from concerts is a nuisance. Concerned Citizens of Forest Hills and three individuals filed suit in December.

In a seven-page ruling, Queens Supreme Court Justice Robert Caloras said the complaint failed to meet requirements for filing a private nuisance claim. He also granted WSTC’s motion to dismiss on two grounds.

Attorney Akiva Shapiro, representing the tennis club, said they were delighted with the ruling and the support the club has

received from the public.

“We remain committed to thoughtfully preserving a cultural icon and delivering the best possible experience inside and outside of the Stadium,” Shapiro said in an emailed statement. “While this does not mean the end of the Stadium’s legal challenges, we are hopeful that the Stadium’s rights will soon be fully vindicated in the remaining lawsuits as well.”

The Forest Hills Gardens Corp. also is suing to make the WSTC and concert organizers comply with noise ordinances. Q — Michael Gannon

The assemblyman shared a link with the Chronicle of his crypto-specific scam guide, rb.gy/obn5e2, which the public may use.

“In particular, when dealing with cryptocurrencies, you must remain even more vigilant as, unlike with banks, there may be no

Median mess

continued from page 17

— community members cited examples in Astoria and the Rockaways, as well.

Though he made clear the lack of median maintenance in Queens is a long standing problem, the borough president noted that the DSNY’s lot cleaning division had faced cuts earlier this year due to Mayor Adams’ Program to Eliminate the Gap, and called on Adams to fully fund the team.

“Under the last administration, there was a time when it was this bad, but [then-Mayor] de Blasio actually pumped more resources in, so it started to get much better — this

The Aug. 8 story “Jamaica blaze injures 14 people, says FDNY” misstated the community in which it happened. It was the Bellaire section of Queens Village, on the border of Hollis. We regret the error. Q

is absolutely the worst I’ve ever seen it around the borough,” Richards said. “Arguably, at one point, it would be certain parts of Queens — and it would be Southern Queens that would be the most neglected. It’s everywhere now.”

Richards suggested city agencies have the ability to act — Tuesday’s press conference was originally slated for Little Neck Parkway, but was moved to Braddock Avenue in Queens Village. Why? “As soon as sanitation knew we were going to be at Little Neck Parkway ... They went and cleaned the medians,” Richards said. “So we know how fast they can move, so I hope to see them here tomorrow or later today fixing this one, as well.” Q

PHOTO COURTESY QDA

Students save history at Maple Grove

Monument, time capsule will honor more than 1,200 in mass

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

In the early 20th century, it was not uncommon for contagious diseases to spread through the city’s poor communities.

Children were especially susceptible.

Between 1925 and 1937, more than 1,200 people were buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens in mass graves without fanfare or even as much as a headstone. Many died of disease or malnutrition.

This summer, four students from Epic High School South in South Ozone Park worked with the volunteer Friends of Maple Grove Cemetery to make sure their names and stories are not lost to history.

Jackeline Mejia, Dana Gervais, Makayla Tlaseca and Giselle Cartagena worked at Maple Grove under the city’s Summer Youth Employment Program. The students worked with Friends of Maple Grove President Shahriar Hossain, cemetery genealogist Helen Day and historian Carl Ballenas on the project named “Honoring the Forgotten Lives at Maple Grove Cemetery.”

Ballenas said it was the first time the Friends worked with SYEP, doing so at Hossain’s recommendation.

“He said, ‘This is a great program for youth, and you guys do so many projects.

Why don’t you partner up with them and see what happens?’

“We hit the jackpot.”

Ballenas said while Maple Grove’s Ocean Plot is a mass grave, it is not what might be called a potter’s field, which normally would accept indigent or unknown burials.

He said from its inception in 1875, Maple Grove, like other cemeteries, set aside plots of land for low-cost burials. Hospitals, churches, nursing homes and other groups often would secure such places in cemeteries.

The students’ first task was to comb through old internment books, some a century old, that list the names, ages, burial dates and locations of those who now rest within Maple Grove, identifying 1,250 burials in Ocean Plot in three separate areas.

More than 800 were children

WW II dance at Maple Grove

Friends of Maple Grove will pay tribute to members of the United States military who were killed in action in World War II — including 46 who are buried in the Kew Gardens cemetery — with a WW II-themed dance extravaganza on Saturday, Aug. 17.

Conjuring up dances of the time that boosted troop and civilian morale, there will be swinging and big band music in Celebration Hall at the Center at Maple Grove Cemetery, located at 127-15 Kew Gardens Road.

Live music will be performed by Nick

Palumbo & Company. There will be dance performances by Jamie Shannon and Paul Capo and Company.

Admission is $15 or $10 for Friends of Maple grove members. One may call Paul Capo at (917) 834-7327 to register.

The doors open at 5 p.m. Beginners are welcome and dance instruction will take place beginning at 5:30. The event begins in full at 6 p.m.

Sponsors include Victory Plumbing, Beat the Clock Rivera Printing and Speedy 101 Auto Repair. Information is available at friendsofmplegrove.org. Q

who died from whooping cough, measles and even malnutrition.

While they were gathering and transcribing names, Maple Grove Artist in Residence Samantha Newman began sculpting a marble lamb — a symbol of innocence from Victorian times — as a monument to the lost children. It will be placed at Ocean Plot once completed.

A second memorial is a steel time capsule for which the students raised money, one that will contain the names and information of all those identified.

A press release from Maple Grove said a GoFundMe campaign initially set a goal of $200, which quickly was met and surpassed, allowing the purchase of a larger capsule than planned. It will be buried beneath the lamb in an unveiling ceremony planned for this coming fall.

Two bronze plaques, one

grave

detailing Newman’s sculpture and the other setting out the historic significance of Ocean Plot and the students’ project, will be affixed to a large boulder that was left on the site of the cemetery by a retreating glacier.

“The Friends of Maple Grove, the students and artist Samantha Newman collaborated to bring historic, artistic and educational elements to the project, ensuring a fitting tribute for this unique endeavor,” the group said in the press release.

In another nod to the historic and academic angle, the students created individual memorial profiles for those featured in their research on FindaGrave.com, a website that has information and photographs of the burial sites, where known, of famous and historic figures.

The site also has a feature to look up individual burials in specific cemeteries, including a list of famous people buried there. There are 14 in the case of Maple Grove, from professional athletes to political figures and entertainers.

The Chronicle did ask Ballenas, a former high school social studies teacher in Queens, to step out of retirement for a moment to grade his new students’ work.

“A+,” he said without hesitation Q

Clothing drive for veterans

State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) is hosting an ongoing clothing and supply drive for veterans at his Woodhaven and Middle Village offices.

Requested items include sneakers, slippers, sweatpants, pants and jeans, hoodies, body wash, razors, shaving cream, neutral-colored washcloths and bath towels, 5-packs of men’s T-shirts, men’s socks and underwear.

Clothing sizes should range from medium to 2XL. All donations must be new and unopened.

Items can be dropped off Mondays

through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fridays during the summer from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Addabbo’s district office, located at 84-16 Jamaica Ave. in Woodhaven, or at his Middle Village office, located at 66-85 73 Pl.

Once enough items are collected, they will be distributed to veteran organizations in the community and then collection will begin again, Addabbo’s office said. Items will be distributed as long as the need exists.

For more information, contact Addabbo’s office at (718) 738-1111. Q

Students Jackeline Mejia, left, Dana Gervais, Makayla Tlaseca and Giselle Cartagena with a century-old internment book that they used to make sure 1,250 people in Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens would not remain forgotten.

PHOTOS BY CARL BALLENAS

Six weeks of meticulous research have given names back to more than 1,200 people buried in a mass grave at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens between 1925 and 1937. A monument and a time capsule will be put on the site this coming autumn.

Dana Gervais, front left, Jackeline Mejia, Makayla Tlaseca and Giselle Cartagena show off their time capsule with Theresa McLoughlin, rear left, Maple Grove President Phillip Rash-Ryan, artist Samantha Newman and Friends of Maple Grove President Shahriar Hossain.

Cubbage, ’81 Met, was 74

Former New York Met infielder and longtime coach Mike Cubbage died last Saturday. He was 74. The New York Post reported that Cubbage had been battling cancer for about a year.

Cubbage played the final year of his eight-year big league career with the Mets in the strike-shortened 1981 season after signing as a free agent. He made his major league debut with the Texas Rangers in 1974 and was in his third season with the club when he was included in the package sent to the Minnesota Twins for future Hall of Fame pitcher Bert Blyleven. He spent the next four and a half seasons with the Twins.

Baseball-Reference.com states Cubbage hit .256 in 703 games with 34 home runs and 251 runs batted in.

The Post reported Cubbage started up the ladder as a Mets minor league manager in A ball with the Little Falls Mets in 1983, rising steadily through the ranks to join the big club as hitting and first base coach in 1990 under Davey Johnson.

Elevators back at LIC building Rent-stabilized tenants felt disrespected by big firm

by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

The elevator problems that have been plaguing a 38-story building in Long Island City appear to be solved.

“All of our high-rise elevators are miraculously working again!” Hunter’s Point South Commons tenant leader Matt Aaron told the Chronicle via email last Friday, a day after the paper ran a front-page story on the issue and CBS-TV aired a segment.

“My hope is that the fixes are permanent and not a temporary solution because we’ve been in this situation numerous times before and lost the elevators within hours,” Aaron said, “but I’m going to be cautiously optimistic this time and also meet with management regularly to ensure other needs are addressed besides the elevators so all of us can live in our homes safely and comfortably.”

is rent-stabilized and subsidized, Aaron said. It is not a luxury building.

Related told the Chronicle that getting the lifts fixed was its top priority and that it appreciated residents’ patience as repairs and inspections were being made.

Won, however, called in a press release for Related to drop the company that handles the elevators, Kone.

When the Chronicle asked Kone for a response — and asked why elevators in a building less than 10 years old would go out so often — the company did not reply until after last week’s article was published. An email the next day from spokesperson Audra Baggett did not respond to Won’s demand or the reliability question directly, but it did address both Hunter’s Point South Commons and its sister building, HSP Crossing, which also has had problems.

He stayed through 1996, managing seven games in 1991 after Bud Harrelson was fired.

Q

— Michael Gannon

Two of the building’s three elevators that reach floors 15 to 38 had been out for more than a week, the culmination of years of onagain, off-again mechanical trouble, according to Aaron, in a building only about 10 years old. He and city Councilwoman Julie Won (D-Long Island City) led a rally Aug. 2 calling on management, The Related Companies, to hasten the repairs.

The residents were especially incensed because the building, located at 1-50 50 Ave.,

“KONE is aware of the elevator disruptions at Hunter’s Point South Commons and Hunter’s Point South Crossing,” Baggett said. “We are working closely with building management to take the necessary steps to address the disruptions. Safety is our top priority, so we are committed to providing safe and reliable vertical transportation.”

The Department of Buildings sent an inspector out to HPS Commons after being contacted by the Chronicle, agency spokes-

Back to School

How we reported it: Last week’s Western Queens edition of the Chronicle.

man Andrew Rudansky said.

Kone told the DOB that one of the devices had a damaged controller drive and the other had issues with the hoist cables, Rudansky said in a follow-up email.

Another agency spokesman, Ryan J. Degan, later said the DOB issued an order for repair and then two violations for “failure to maintain elevator or conveying system.” Q

C M SQ page 22 Y K

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS INDEX NO: 715318/2023

D/O/F: 07/26/2023 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Property Address: 216-25 111th Avenue, Queens Village, New York 11429. Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the property is situated. HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-NC3, ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, - against- DONNA R. MCDONALD A/K/A DONNA R. MC DONALD, if living, and if she be dead, grantees, mortgagees, lienors, heirs, devisees, distributes or successors in interest of such of them as may be dead, and their husbands and wives, heirs, devisees, distributes and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; B & BARRIE LLC; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; “JOHN DOES” and “JANE DOES”, said names being fi ctitious, parties intended being possible tenants or occupants of premises, and corporations, other entities or persons who claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, Defendant(s). 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 Attorneys within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the State, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner, 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. Ulysses B. Leverett, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County, entered July 22, 2024 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Offi ce. THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a mortgage recorded in the Queens County Clerk’s offi ce on Sept. 26, 2006 in CRFN: 2006000540528, covering premises k/a 216-25 111th Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11429 a/k/a Block 11145, Lot 48. 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. The following notice is intended only for the defendants who are owners of the premises sought to be foreclosed or who are liable upon the debt for which the mortgage stands as security. YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE BE AWARE: (1) that debt collectors, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq., are prohibited from engaging in abusive, deceptive, an unfair debt collection efforts, including, but not limited to: i. the use or threat of violence; ii. the use of obscene or profane language; and iii. repeated phone calls made with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass. (2) If a creditor or debt collector receives a money judgment against you in court, state and federal laws may prevent the following types of income from being taken to pay the debt: 1. Supplemental security income, (SSI); 2. Social security; 3. Public assistance (welfare); 4. Spousal support, maintenance (alimony) or child support; 5. Unemployment benefi ts; 6. Disability benefi ts; 7. Workers’ compensation benefi ts; 8. Public or private pensions; 9. Veterans’ benefi ts; 10. Federal student loans, federal student grants, and federal work study funds; and 11. Ninety percent of your wages or salary earned in the last sixty days. TO THE DEFENDANTS, except DONNA R. MCDONALD A/K/A DONNA R. MC DONALD: The Plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action. TO THE DEFENDANTS: DONNA R. MCDONALD A/K/A DONNA R. MC DONALD: If you have obtained an order of discharge from the Bankruptcy court, which includes this debt, and you have not reaffirmed your liability for this debt, this law firm is not alleging that you have any personal liability for this debt and does not seek a money judgment against you. Even if a discharge has been obtained, this lawsuit to foreclose the mortgage will continue and we will seek a judgment authorizing the sale of the mortgaged premises. Dated: Sandy J. Stolar, Esq. Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 165 Eileen Way, Suite 101 Syosset, New York 11791 516-921-3838 #101661

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS–SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF QUEENS – WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITIONS TRUST 2018-HB1, Plaintiff, -against- ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF ALMA SYKES AKA ALMA EVANS; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; KAREN RENEE FORD AKA KAREN RENEE MAPP, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; VIRGINIA FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; WILLIAM FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; MECHELLE FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; VICTORIA SYKES, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; BEATRICE MARIE LEWIS, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; ANNA BURNETT, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; BRENDA FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; LEE ANTHONY FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS and EMANUEL FORD AKA EMMANUEL FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS, if they be living and if they be dead, the, respective heirsat-law, next-of-kin, distributes, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, lien or otherwise any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the complaint; QUEENS COUNTY SUPREME COURT; CRIMINAL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ACTING ON BEHALF OF DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #10,” said names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, intended to be possible tenants or occupants of the premises, or corporations, Defendants - Index No.: 720613/2021 Plaintiff Designates Queens County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Queens County. To the above named Defendants–YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated June 25, 2024. 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 (WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITIONS TRUST 2018-HB1) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Timothy J. Dufficy, J.S.C. Dated: June 25, 2024 Filed: June 27, 2024. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 17364 105th Avenue, Queens, NY 11433. Dated: January 22, 2024 Filed: July 16, 2024 Greenspoon Marder LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Angelo A. Regina, Esq., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050 No Service by fax) Service purposes only: Trade Centre South 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 P: (888) 491-1120 F: (954) 343-6982

The colors of sound AFRO ‐LATINX MIXTAPE’

by Naeisha Rose

Summer is winding down and what better way to spend the rest of the season than at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning’s “An Afro-Latinx Mixtape” exhibit, where art and music collide.

Curated by Adrian Bermeo, the group exhibition features the visual interpretations of various musical genres by 15 artists, according to

GIVES VISIONS OF MUSIC AT JCAL

JCAL. Hip-hop, jazz, reggaeton, rumba, bomba, salsa, blues and reggae music inspired these storytellers.

The Mixtape exhibition will have its second artist talk at JCAL’s auditorium, located at 161-04 Jamaica Ave. in Jamaica, on Friday, Aug. 23, from 6 to 7 p.m. The public will have the opportunity to meet and chat with the talented individuals about their work, inspiration and creative process.

The showcase is the fourth Visual Voices presentation by JCAL, which has art selected by people of color highlighting people of color, including those from Queens, at its Miller and Community galleries, according to the art center. Many of the works on

display are by artists from Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean.

“‘An Afro-Latinx Mixtape’ is a dynamic group exhibition showcasing the Black and Latine experience through musical genres that carry on the traditions and essence of the diasporic journey, rooted indelibly in the African continent,” Bermeo said in a statement. “It reminds us that even in a world rife with contradictions, the human spirit’s capacity for creativity and resilience can resonate far and wide, fostering a more inclusive and just global culture.”

JCAL Executive Director Leonard Jacobs said he loves the word “mixtape,” in describing the exhibit.

“I think Adrian Bermeo has an incredibly exciting vision for this exhibition,” Jacobs said in a statement.

JCAL Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench said he loves that the art comes from the streets and from the people who are brave enough to stand in their truth.

The two artists who will be sharing their truth Aug. 23 are Cameron St. Clair and Ingrid Mathurin.

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King Crossword Puzzle

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

Buckley was strong to the finish in Whitestone

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

Floyd Buckley was born in Chatham, NY, on October 21, 1877. He served in the Spanish American War as one of Teddy Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders.”

After his discharge, he joined the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show in 1899 at age 22. He entered Broadway theater in 1903 and films in 1914.

In 1927, at the age of 50, Buckley married dancer Juliet Sparks, 30 years his junior. They had three children, Faith, Joy and Thomas. They rented on Ditmars Boulevard.

With his distinctive voice, Buckley became the voice of “Popeye the Sailor Man” on radio and film — famously strong to the finish because he ate his spinach. His success enabled the purchase of a 3,242-square-foot house at 6-15 161 St. in the Beechhurst section of Whitestone.

At age 79, Buckley performed on Broadway as Pa Stockdale in the hit comedy play

“No Time For Sergeants.” He was the oldest actor on Broadway at the time. After more than 450 performances, he came home and collapsed with an aneurysm on Nov. 14, 1956. He was pronounced dead at Flushing Hospital.

His beautiful house has appreciated and is worth over $1.5 million today.

The home of Floyd Buckley, the voice of Popeye, at 6-15 161 St. in Whitestone’s Beechhurst neighborhood, as it looked in the 1940s when he lived there. INSET VIA WIKIPEDIA

New film festival curated especially for Queens

by

Mark Lord qboro contributor

First, it’s “Lights! Camera! Action!”

Then comes the time to reveal the results of filmmakers’ efforts.

And toward that effect, the borough welcomes the first of what could well become an annual event, The Queens Film Festival.

According to Mridul Sharma, the Flushing-born creative director of the festival, “There are plenty of filmmakers that live in the borough.” And nearly a quarter of the 27 films that will be presented during the four-day event were made by them.

The rest are the creations of filmmakers from across the country and even overseas, he said.

“We are inclusive of everybody,” he said.

The festival, not to be confused with the longstanding Queens World Film Festival, will run from Aug. 22 to 25 at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center in Long Island City. It is divided into seven programs, each with a specific theme: “Queens Born, Made, and Raised,” “Paths Traveled,” “Saving the World,” “Women’s Stories: Far and Wide,” “New York Stories,” “Family: An Inseparable Bond” and “The Pain of Love.”

The films, which were selected by Sharma and a team of jurors, fall into four categories: Narrative, Documentary, Animation,

Clockwise from top left, scenes from “Cosquillas,” “The Journey,” “Visitation” and “The Dolphin Dilemma.”

and Student. At the festival’s end, six awards will be announced, including a Grand Jury Award.

According to its website, “Our festival may be new, but that won’t stop us from pushing forward the envelope of storytelling.”

Opening night will feature three films. “Cosquillas” focuses on a depressed man riddled with anxiety who is forced to take on an unlikely survival job to support his daughter and attempt to turn his life around.

“Sanctuary” honors the memory of a Jewish farmer who escapes the Nazis with the help of farm animals. “LESYK a.k.a. Words of Wisdom” offers a portrait of an eccentric Ukrainian stamp collector living in Astoria.

Other attractions include “The Big Pitch,” a parable on the dangers of social media addiction; “Feeling the Apocalypse,” about a psychotherapist’s struggles with climate anxiety; “Holding Pattern,” in which a man finds himself adrift in a surreal twilight world; and “A Place at the Operating

Table,” a documentary about female reconstructive surgeons.

“We’re curating to a Queens audience,” Sharma said, adding that the films should appeal mainly to viewers over the age of 18. They are “not kid-appropriate,” he said.

Though the festival is still in its formative stage, its goals are far-reaching, including having an impact on economic development and becoming a resource for artists and Queens as a whole, according to its website, which says that “all proceeds go to help us promote the borough of Queens to create meaningful programming and workshops that will help the local filmmaking community.”

To be considered for this year’s festival, films must have been completed between January 2022 and June 2024. Works in any language other than English had to have English subtitles. Short films had to be under 40 minutes, while features had to be 40 minutes or longer.

Though the address for LPAC is 31-10 Thomson St., in LaGuardia Community College’s E Building, the theater entrance is on Van Dam Street just off 47th Avenue.

Tickets are available on a program-byprogram basis or with passes for one or multiple days. For further information and to order tickets, visit queensfilmfest.com. Q

Worlds collide at ‘An Afro-Latinx Mixtape’ exhibit

continued from page 23

To RSVP to have a chance to speak with St. Clair and Mathurin, go to jcal.org/ events-tickets. The exhibit’s closing reception will be Friday, Sept. 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. People interested in attending may use the same link to register.

The other artists featured in the exhibit include Bermeo, Anthony Newton, Carlos Mateu, Catalina Baselli, Charlie Pastelle, Edgar Moza, Giancarlo Vargas, Gilly Lugo,

Crossword Answers

Irene Fernandez, Lisa Wilde, Sasha Lynn Roberts, Steven Luna and Teri

Gandy-Richardson.

Gandy-Richardson and Mateu were the artists featured in the first artist talk last Friday.

Mateu’s piece, “Chano,” is an acrylic on canvas painting of Luciano “Chano” Pozo González, the Cuban jazz percussionist who was the grandfather of the Latin jazz sound and worked with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Desi Arnaz and more, and performed at Carnegie Hall. Chano is also believed to be the first artist to have commercial abakuá music. Abakuá is a Cuban secret society, which traces its rites and rituals to Africa — hence the symbols within the painting.

Gandy-Richardson used Levi’s denim scraps mounted on a panel for her work, “My Grandmother’s Crown.”

Gandy-Richardson was once an abstract artist but became fascinated with using jeans as a material for art because of their ubiquitousness.

During the forum she spoke about how jeans were once called “negro cloth” because only slaves wore them while picking cotton in fields.

She said some runaway slaves who were recaptured by their masters were punished by having to stir cotton in indigo vats to produce the jeans’ color.

Indigo was once called the devil’s dye because in large quantities it was toxic and often caused slaves to get so sick they often “died before they were 40,” Gandy-

Richardson said. White and upper-class people looked down upon the material after slavery ended and it didn’t become a fashion statement until the 1970s where it became a symbol of the Black counterculture. Actors in Blaxpoitation films, which featured soul music soundtracks, often wore jeans. Q

SCREENSHOTS VIA QUEENSFILMFEST.COM

Curator Adrian Bermeo, left, of “An Afro-Latinx Mixtape” exhibit at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning auditorium and artists Carlos Mateu of Cuba and Teri Gandy-Richardson. On the cover: Pieces by other visual storytellers at the Miller and Community galleries.

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ACTION NOTICE

Jenelle Victoria Nero-Reid v. Devon Junior Reid Index No: 725386/2023 Queens County Supreme Court of NY To Devon Junior Reid: You are summoned in this divorce action pursuant to NY CPLR Section 316, et seq. Default judgment may be entered if you fail to appear. Jenelle Victoria Nero Reid 112-19 177th Street, Jamaica, NY 11433 (917) 595-6308

Notice of Formation of SALIM GROUP LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/03/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 8706 101ST AVE. APT 2, OZONE PARK, NY 11416. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

34-ANASA LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/8/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 2256 37th St. Astoria, NY 11105. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

511 H+H LLC, Arts of Org

filed with SSNY on 07/29/24. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, PO Box 130233, New York, NY 10013. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS

BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, -against-

YUL G. CLARKE, AS ADMINISTRATOR, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA COURTAR A/K/A SYLVIA CLARKE, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on January 3, 2024, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and YUL G. CLARKE, AS ADMINISTRATOR, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA COURTAR A/K/A SYLVIA CLARKE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE on the COURTHOUSE STEPS OF THE QUEENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., JAMAICA, NY 11435, on September 13, 2024 at 10:00AM, premises known as 116-26 133 STREET, SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY 11420; and the following tax map identification: 11688-18.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE FOURTH WARD OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 704596/2016. Joseph Trotti, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-AR1, -againstADRIAN RODRIGUEZ, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on June 26, 2024, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-AR1 is the Plaintiff and ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE on the COURTHOUSE STEPS OF THE QUEENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., JAMAICA, NY 11435, on September 6, 2024 at 11:15AM, premises known as 220-25 134TH ROAD, SPRINGFIELD GARDENS, NY 11413; and the following tax map identification: 13098-2.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE FOURTH WARD, BOROUGH AND COUNTY OF QUEENS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 715762/2022. Michele Augusta Baptiste, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES.

64-33 CENTRAL AVENUE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/20/24. Office: 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, 64-33 Central Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, -against- VERNELL GARDNER RICE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF HENRY GARDNER, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on June 27, 2024, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and VERNELL GARDNER RICE, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE TO THE ESTATE OF HENRY GARDNER, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE on the COURTHOUSE STEPS OF THE QUEENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., JAMAICA, NY 11435, on August 23, 2024 at 10:45AM, premises known as 13015 SUTTER AVENUE, JAMAICA, NY 11420; and the following tax map identification: 11754-3. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH AND COUNTY OF QUEENS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 706039/2018. Rodney R. Austin, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

Afroz Solutions LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/18/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to AFROZ SOLUTIONS LLC 112-06 FRANCIS LEWIS BLVD., QUEENS VILLAGE, NY, 11429. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Real Estate

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 718-722-3131. The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.

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Legal Notices Legal Notices

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MARJORIE MORGAN, ET AL., Defendant(s).Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 19, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the outside steps of the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on September 13, 2024 at 10:15 a.m., premises known as 214-32 113th Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11429. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 11136 and Lot 16. Approximate amount of judgment is $591,833.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #705287/2015. Cash will not be accepted. 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. Gregory M. LaSpina, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Ayllu Andino LLC. Filed with SSNY on 08/12/24.

Office: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail copy to: 4141 43rd St A9, Sunnyside, NY 11104.

Purpose: Any lawful.

Notice of Formation of B & E VENTURE PARTNERS LLC

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/27/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 22919 MERRICK BLVD., #612, LAURELTON, NY 11413. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

DC Queens Properties LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 07/11/24. Office Location: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 28 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of DIANE NEW YORK PRELOVED LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/01/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: DIANA MALLARE, 42-58 79TH ST APT1, ELMHURST, NY 11373. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

H & S786 GROUP LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/07/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Haseena Shamin, 144-38 87th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11435. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOSHIN LLC FILED WITH SSNY ON 4/15/2024. OFF. LOC.: QUEENS CO. SSNY DESIG. AS AGT. UPON WHOM PROCESS MAY BE SERVED. SSNY SHALL MAIL PROCESS TO: THE LLC, 115 57TH AVE, Unit 5719, LIC, NY 11101. PURPOSE: ANY LAWFUL ACT OR ACTIVITY.”

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS. TLOA MORTGAGE, LLC, Plaintiff -against- SON’S OF BHUMAK INC., et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated October 26, 2023 and entered on November 8, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the courthouse steps of the Queens County Supreme Court, located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY on August 23, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. premises situate, lying and being in the County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the westerly side of 125th Street, distant 133.38 feet northerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the westerly side of 125th Street with the northerly side of 101st Avenue; being a plot 100.12 feet by 40.04 feet by 100.12 feet by 40.04 feet. Block: 9465 Lot: 18 Said premises known as 97-26 125TH STREET, RICHMOND HILL, NY Approximate amount of lien $580,076.87 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 703931/2019.

WILLIAM T. DRISCOLL, ESQ., Referee The Camporeale Law Group PLLC Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 585 Stewart Avenue, 770, Garden City, NY 11530

Notice of Formation of SP TRADE GENIUS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 04/30/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: SHAMPA R PADDER, 10633 155TH ST, 1ST FL, JAMAICA, NY 11433. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of SPONGE ELECTRONICS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/31/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LLC, 5919 57TH DRIVE, MASPETH, NY 11378. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action Supreme Court Of The State Of New York County Of Queens ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE Index #: 701261/2017 Nationstar Mortgage Llc D/B/A Champion Mortgage Company Plaintiff, vs Christopher Hubert As Heir To The Estate Of Andre Hubert, Isabelle Hubert As Heir To The Estate Of Andre Hubert, Nathalie Hubert As Heir To The Estate Of Andre Hubert, Unknown Heirs Of Andre Hubert If Living, And If He/She 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 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, New York City Department Of Finance Parking Violations Bureau, Secretary Of Housing And Urban Development, Ezabelle “Doe”, People Of The State Of New York, United States Of America On Behalf Of The IRS Defendant(s). Mortgaged Premises: 10910 210th Street Queens Village, NY 11429 To the Above named Defendant: 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 Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental 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. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Queens. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs of Andre Hubert Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Laurentina S. McKetney Butler, Esq. of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Twenty-Ninth day of July, 2024 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens, in the City of Jamaica. The object of this action is to foreclosure a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated October 20, 2010, executed by Andre Hubert (who died on February 9, 2021, a resident of the county of Queens, State of New York) to secure the sum of $615,000.00. The Mortgage was recorded at CRFN 2010000368813 in the City Register of the City of New York, Queens County on November 4, 2010. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed July 16, 2012 and recorded on August 24, 2012, in the City Register of the City of New York, Queens County at CRFN 2012000337592. The property in question is described as follows: 10910 210th Street, Queens Village, NY 11429 HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or the Foreclosure Relief Hotline 1-800-269-0990 or visit the department’s website at WWW.DFS.NY.GOV. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY IN YOUR HOME DURING THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME UNLESS AND UNTIL YOUR PROPERTY IS SOLD AT AUCTION PURSUANT TO A JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AND SALE. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN YOUR HOME, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY AND PAY PROPERTY TAXES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAW. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this Foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: July 31, 2024 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 81968

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SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS INDEX NO. 702282/2019 Plaintiff designates QUEENS as the place of trial situs of the real property Mortgaged Premises: 22330 HEMPSTEAD AVE, QUEENS VILLAGE, NY 11429 Block: 11159, Lot: 41 WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO WELLS FARGO BANK, MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR REPERFORMING LOAN REMIC TRUST CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2003-R1 Plaintiff, vs. DEBORA A MAJOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; LATOYA ANNMARIE MAJOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; ROBERT EVERROL MAJOR JR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; BARRINGTON S MAJOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; NATALIA B MAJOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; VERONICA L. MAJOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; EVERORD ANTHONY MAJOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; DENISE ELOISE MAJOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; LEVAR A MAJOR JR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; CAMERON L MAJOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; NATUREL STEINMETZ, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR; JERMAINE MAJOR, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR, 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; GWENDELL LAMARE MCKOY, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR, 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; ALEX MONTANARO, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR, 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; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF ROBERT MAJOR, 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, COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK SOCIAL SERVICES DISTRICT, CRIMINAL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, CITY OF NEW YORK PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU, THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; EVEROL MAJOR AS JOHN DOE #3; STEVE LYNCH AS JOHN DOE #5; DOUGLAS MOORE AS JOHN DOE #7; JASMINE MOORE AS JOHN DOE #8; JESSE RUFFIN AS JOHN DOE #9; GLADYS RUFFIN AS JOHN DOE #10, 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 $228,850.00 and interest, recorded on September 08, 2004, in Instrument Number 2004062500233001, of the Public Records of QUEENS County, New York., covering premises known as 22330 HEMPSTEAD AVE., QUEENS VILLAGE, NY 11429. 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 10th, 2024. ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorney for Plaintiff MATHEW ROTHSTEIN, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, NY 11590 516-280-7675

Notice of Formation of TIPSY G LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/05/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: ZILIN LU, 3 COURT SQ, UNIT 3608, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of UA 34TH STREET II, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/05/24. Office location: Queens County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 07/03/24. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of State of DE, 820 N. French St., 10th Fl., Wilmington, DE 19801. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of WORLDWIDE TREASURES AND COLLECTIBLES, LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/11/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: WILLIAM KLEIN, TRI-COUNTY BAZAAR, ISLE 4 B., 3041 HEMPSTEAD TNPK, LEVITTOWN, NY 11756. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of ZFA LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/02/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: FARHOD MAMADJONOV, 8335 139TH ST, 4E, BRIARWOOD, NY 11435. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS Citibank NA, Plaintiff, -against- Arthur Hassell Garfield, individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, Julie Ann Garfield individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, Geoffrey L. Garfield a/k/a Geoffrey Lawrence Garfield individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, James Tukumbo Garfield a/k/a James Tukumbo individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, Bryan Russell Garfield individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, Julian Israel Garfield a/k/a Julian I. Garfield a/k/a Julian Israel Garfield, Jr. individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield and Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield’s unknown heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devises, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming, under, by or through said defendant, who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, United States of America - Internal Revenue Service, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, New York City Parking Violations Bureau, New York City Environmental Control Board, New York City Transit Adjudication Bureau, and Andre Garfield, Defendants. Index No.: 707137/2018 Filed: August 2, 2024 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service; or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York; or within sixty (60) days if it is the United States of America. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $180,000.00 and interest, recorded in the office of the clerk of the County of Queens on January 30, 2008 in CRFN 2008000040984 covering premises known as 25-15 Ericsson Street, East Elmhurst, NY 11369. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: Bay Shore, New York, August 2, 2024 Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP/s/BY: Linda P. Manfredi Attorneys for Plaintiff 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100 Our File No.: 01-087248-F00

B SPORTS EAT

Tennis time in Queens

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

The arrival of mid-August means the tennis world will be turning its eyes to the World’s Borough. While the main draw of the US Open does not start until Monday, Aug. 26, the qualifying tournaments for wildcard slots for the men’s and women’s divisions start this Tuesday and conclude on Friday.

While there are some ticketed events scheduled for Arthur Ashe Stadium, there is no charge for strolling the grounds of the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, making it the best consumer value in sports. In addition to the qualifiers, fans can watch top players sharpen their skills on the practice courts. There will also be plenty of entertainment on the grounds.

The qualifying week preceding the main draw used to be a well-kept secret that only diehard tennis buffs knew about. Very few concession stands were open. Those days are in the rearview mirror. Every restaurant kiosk will be open, as will most of the sponsors’ booths for promotional giveaways.

It is a good idea to visit the US Open’s web page and sign up for a Fan Access code for your phone for easier entry for Fan Week, which officially runs from Aug. 19 to 25.

Tennis is also returning next week to the US Open’s original home, Forest Hills Stadium, as the Ultimate Tennis Showdown will take place

on Aug. 22 and 23. Among the top male players taking part in this event’s debut are Caspe r Ruud, Denis Shapovalov, Nick Kyrgios, Andrey Rublev and Gael Monfils. It is worth the price of admission to watch Monfils return volleys with trick shots. Unlike the US Open’s organizers, UTS promoters do not mind if fans make noise. In fact, they encourage it.

Surprisingly, none of the better American male players such as Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz are participating. No American male has won the US Open since Andy Roddick did it in 2003. Given the dominance of Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, that drought will probably continue.

Rafael Nadal announced last week he would not play in the 2024 US Open. He underwent hip surgery last year and has had abdominal issues this year. On the bright side, Venus Williams, 44, will take part yet again. No one is expecting her to be holding up a trophy when the tournament concludes, but as long as she is competing, the United States Tennis Association will make sure she is playing in either Louis Armstrong or Arthur Ashe stadiums.

Kudos to Cardinals fans for the classy ovation they gave Mets centerfielder Harrison Bader on his first return to St. Louis as a visiting player. He played there for six years. Q

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