Queens Chronicle South Edition 08-17-23

Another life lost as City Council eyes new bills

PAGES 6 AND 8

MOVING DAY

Creedmoor opens to migrants

PAGE 2

BOARD OF WEALTH

CB 9 spends big at Caribbean Cabana

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SOUTH QUEENS EDITION

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

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King Manor honors iconic bad girl Mae West next Saturday

SEE qboro, PAGE 21

PHOTO BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

Ozone Park resident Kam Mei Koo, 93, died last Friday in a two-alarm fire caused by a lithium-ion battery, the FDNY confi rmed. Witnesses saw fi refighters examining a charred e-bike at the scene. At the City Council, some legislation to thoroughly vet the operation and storage of t he batteries has been enacted and more remains on the table.

Queens Village tent city takes in migrants

The new humanitarian relief center is to house more than 1,000 asylum seekers

by Naeisha Rose Associate Editor

The migrant tent city on the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center campus in Queens Village opened a day early as a Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center for asylum seekers Tuesday evening.

A source from Oakland Gardens, who wishes to remain anonymous, was at the gates of the center as migrants arrived at what was the parking lot for the Services Now for Adult Persons senior facility, located at 80-45 Winchester Blvd.

“I believe at least 100 arrived today,” said the source, who later joined a protest on Wednesday outside the facility.

Cell phone video footage that was taken from outside the complex was shared with the Queens Chronicle from the Oakland Gardens resident and depicts people inside at least two MTA buses that pull up to the facility.

A school bus pulled up with approximately a dozen more migrants on Wednesday shortly before 11 a.m. and 150 total are expected at the center at the end of the day, a facility staffer said. More will come throughout the week so as to not overwhelm staff at the complex.

During a media tour of the tent city on Aug. 15, Dr. Ted Long, senior vice president of ambulatory care at NYC Health + Hospitals, said the city is working so hard to meet the

needs of the asylum seekers that a decision was made to open up the HERRC facility promptly.

“We are going to have our first asylum seekers arriving today,” Long said, in audio provided to the Queens Chronile.

One of the select few journalists who were allowed at the premises noted that the cots for

the migrants were tightly packed. “Yes, we placed beds so that we can help as many asylum seekers as possible,” Long responded. “This facility will be able to take care of a little bit over 1,000 asylum seekers ... Today we are going to welcome 100 or a little more this afternoon.”

The weatherized tents took 10 days to build

and are expected to be around for 60 days. When people check in, there will be an intake process and they will be given an ID badge with a QR code that will allow them to check in and out of the tent city. Individuals will be screened for communicable diseases before they enter the site, officials said.

“Then we are going to have a sit-down discussion with you about what your goals are and how we can help you complete your journey as fast as possible,” Long said. “We have great connection services, laundry services, we have food that we offer at the cafeteria and, of course, we have the beds here and we are going to provide you with a lock box to store your belongings.”

When asked about what happens with asylum seekers after the 60 days, the officials said the Big Apple has processed approximately 100,000 people and at least 40,000 have been able to leave the system with the city’s help and take the next step forward in their journey.

“This facility here is focused on achieving that goal as fast as possible,” Long said. “We are going to have reconnection services where we are going to talk to you about what your goals are and offer to give you a ticket to anywhere in the country every single time you come in or out of the facility here. We are also going to know when you come back in, so that

continued on page 12

Forever.”

An additional 150 migrants are expected to be processed at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens Village on Wednesday, with 1,000 men expected overall at the facility. PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN

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From backpacks to groceries, residents lined the streets for the essentials River Fund event helps thousands of families

by Jessica Meditz Chronicle Contributor

Thousands of residents lined the streets of Richmond Hill on Saturday for essentials such as school supplies and fresh groceries, and said “hello” to their neighbors on Lefferts Boulevard.

The River Fund, a nonprofit based right on that street in Richmond Hill, held its 10th annual Child Poverty Awareness Day.

Since 2013, the event expands on the organization’s efforts to mitigate expenses parents face during the back-to-school season.

Upwards of 4,000 backpacks fully stocked with notebooks and other supplies were given out, and families lined up for 10 blocks — from 120th Street all the way to 130th Street — to receive the items.

All remaining backpacks from the day were then donated to local shelters, churches and other charitable organizations.

When asked what the event was all about, River Fund founder and CEO Swami Durga Das replied, “Dignity and respect.”

“For the families here who have

one, two, three, four or five kids, buying school supplies is expensive. When you can’t meet the bills, or you can’t even buy food because of the price, how do you get new school supplies?” he said.

“We want to give families the dignity they deserve to send their child back to school with new stuff, and we also provide things for the family from socks, to food and toiletries.”

Originally founded 32 years ago in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the River Fund quickly began to combat issues of poverty and food insecurity.

Its first food pantry had a line of 42 people, and today that number has skyrocketed to serving up to 3,000 households per week.

The River Fund holds its pantry on-site at 89-11 Lefferts Blvd. in Richmond Hill on Wednesdays for seniors and those with disabilities, and on Saturdays for the general public, as well as doing mobile outreach to communities in Jamaica and Brooklyn.

Ruth Lopez, a Jamaica resident and mother to four young boys, has been a River Fund client for about four years.

She continues to return to the River Fund for all the help it has provided for her family, as well as the friendships she’s formed there over the years.

“Swami helps me so much, and he’s a good friend of my

family. It’s very special for me because I have four kids, so things can be difficult at times,” she said. “Everything is so expensive nowadays, and all of the fresh fruits and vegetables, and even clothing sometimes is a big help. I’m very thankful.”

The River Fund’s efforts are made possible by its donors, including such names as the Mets, Resorts World, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

To show appreciation for his contributions to the community, Community Board 9 Chairperson Sherry Algredo presented Durga Das and the River Fund with a

Man sentenced for R. Hill crime

Tex Ortiz, 38, was sentenced to 13 years in prison for a kidnapping in which five people — including a 9-month-old — were held at gunpoint during a 2020 botched home invasion robbery that turned into a hostage standoff in Richmond Hill, the Queens District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday. Ortiz, who hails from Manhattan, previously pleaded guilty on June 30 to kidnapping in the second degree.

The sentencing of his co-defendant, Wilbert Wilson, 53, of the Bronx is still pending. He pleaded guilty to kidnapping in the second degree and related charges on July 21

and will be sentenced on Sept. 12.

According to the charges against Ortiz, on Nov. 17, 2020, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Ortiz and Wilson pried open the back door of a residence on 125th Street before the home invasion turned into a hostage situation involving four women and a baby.

Distinguished Service Award.

Other special guests in attendance included the NYPD 102nd Precinct Explorers, state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), Councilmember Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) and Mr. and Mrs. Met.

“Particularly with inflation and everything that’s going on, school supplies are really expensive, and a lot of people can’t afford them,” Schulman said. “So to be able to give them to the kids and see the looks on their faces, receiving a backpack with supplies, is amazing.”

The one phrase Durga Das wants everyone to remember is

“Choose kindness,” and every River Fund team member is reminded of the mantra each day by the embroidered message on their T-shirts.

“We’re in a world that’s unkind and divided, and there’s no valid reason. We have to be able to respect each other and hear each other, because right now, we’re crashing our world,” he said.

“Today’s about choosing kindness, choosing respect and dignity, helping people because if we don’t help each other, then we’re lost and going back to the caveman days where everyone was in it for themselves. That’s not the world we are meant to live in.” Q

Toll evasion op hits CB bridge

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach) initiated an operation with the MTA’s Bridge and Tunnel Officers to tackle persistent toll evaders on the Cross Bay Bridge, her office shared in a press release last week.

tolls and fines. During the operation, cars were not only ticketed but confiscated and impounded.

Q

“This defendant violated the sanctity of a family’s home, terrorizing them and endangering a baby,” Queens DA Melinda Katz said in a statement. “This sentence will hopefully provide a measure of closure for his victims.”

— Kristen Guglielmo

Those targeted were motorists who defraud the system by preventing their license plate or registration from being recognized.

In one day, officers intercepted over a dozen vehicles between Broad Channel and the Rockaway Peninsula, which together had racked up an estimated $150,000 in unpaid

“This sends a clear message that anyone who deliberately scrapes their license plates, uses deflectors and covers, or false paper plates will be found and held accountable for paying tolls and following the law like everyone else,” said Pheffer Amato.

There will be several surprise interception operations in the coming months to protect other drivers and hold toll evaders responsible, according to the assemblywoman. Q

— Kristen Guglielmo

State Sen. Leroy Comrie, CB 9 Chair Sherry Algredo, Councilmember Lynn Schulman and Swami Durga Das distribute backpacks at the River Fund event last Saturday. Upwards of 4,000 backpacks were distributed at the event, below left.

PHOTOS BY JESSICA MEDITZ

E-bike battery bills sit while tragedy strikes

Lithium-ion batteries jeopardize safety. What is the City Council doing about it?

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

As fires blaze on, some City Council legislation surrounding e-bike lithium-ion batteries has been enacted but much remains stagnant.

Just last week, a fire in Ozone Park attributed to a lithium-ion battery resulted in the death of a 93-year-old woman.

The dangers of e-bike batteries have been a hot-button topic around the country, but especially in New York City, where it feels like an electronic bicycle or scooter can be spotted on every street. Many food delivery drivers primarily use e-bikes or mopeds for work.

However, if the battery is poorly made or charged too long, it can burst into flames, creating a fierce difficult-to-extinguish fire that will rapidly exude toxic fumes.

FDNY data as of Aug. 14 show there have been 154 investigations into e-bike battery-related fires this year citywide, as well as 93 injuries and 14 deaths.

With the rate of lithium-ion battery incidents, many believe it is imperative for the City Council to pass more bills that aim to remedy the issue. There have been a number of bills introduced and some have been enacted, with many laid over in committee.

According to the City Council website, the bills revolving around e-bike batteries as of the past year are as follows:

Int. 0663, which was enacted on March 20 of this year, prohibits the sale, lease or rental of powered mobility devices and storage batteries that fail to meet safety standards. The Queens sponsors for the bill were Councilmembers Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), Nantasha Williams (D-St. Albans), Sandra Ung (D-Flushing), Bob Holden (D-Mas-

peth), Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), Francisco Moya (D-Corona), Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) and Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone).

Int. 0656 was also enacted on March 20. It required the Fire Department to develop an informational campaign to educate the public on fire risks posed by power mobility devices. The Queens sponsors were Jennifer Gutierrez (D-Brooklyn, Queens), Ung, Julie Won (D-Long Island City), Holden, Tiffany Cabán (D-Astoria), Gennaro, Ariola and Paladino.

Holden was the prime sponsor of Int. 0722, enacted on March 20. The bill requires the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, in consultation with the FDNY, to establish materials that provide guidance on safe use and storage of powered mobility devices. The bill was also sponsored by Gennaro, Ariola and Paladino.

When asked about the need for e-bike legislation, Holden’s office sent the Chronicle the following

statement: “The City Council’s recent efforts fell short of addressing the gravity of the situation. In one of the bills that passed, stores were given a six-month window for the sale of uncertified lithium-ion batteries.” That, the office said, “underscores the urgency for comprehensive measures outlined in Council Member Holden’s e-mobility safety blueprint to ensure New Yorkers’ safety through rigorous registration, licensing and insurance protocols.”

The blueprint would involve state regulation of e-bikes and other vehicles, which Holden says is necessary.

Back in the Council, Int. 0752, also enacted on March 20, prohibits the sale of lithium-ion batteries assembled or reconditioned using cells removed from batteries. The Queens sponsors were Williams, Ung, Holden, Gennaro, Ariola and Paladino.

Int. 0927, introduced on Feb. 16, would establish a task force to study the feasibility of building charging stations for bicycles with electric

assist to be used by food delivery workers. The bill is awaiting further hearings and is primarily sponsored by Gutierrez, with co-sponsors Cabán and Won.

Int. 0949, introduced on March 2, would establish a program to provide low-or-no-cost lithium-ion batteries for use in powered mobility devices. Queens sponsors include Gutierrez, Cabán, Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton), Gennaro, Williams, Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights), Holden, Ung, Schulman and Paladino.

Introduced on the same day, Int. 0950 would require businesses using bicycles for commercial purposes to provide e-bike operators with fireproof or fire-resistant containers for the batteries. The Queens sponsors are Guiterrez, Cabán, Brooks-Powers, Williams, Krishnan, Holden, Ung, Schulman and Paladino.

Int. 0998, introduced on April 11, would amend the city Administrative Code to create record keeping and reporting documents on the disposal

of rechargeable batteries for powered mobility devices. No Queens politicians sponsored the bill.

There also were no Queens sponsors for Int. 1134, introduced on July 13. The bill would create penalties for the possession, sale, lease or rental of unsafe powered mobility devices and storage batteries, as well as the assembly or sale of second-use batteries.

Also introduced on July 13 is Res. 0718, which had no Queens sponsors. It calls on Congress to pass and the president to sign the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act, which would promulgate consumer product safety standards with respect to rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in micromobility devices.

It is unclear which bills will move and which may be at an impasse.

When asked for a timeline regarding their future, a representative of Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) said the bills are going through the Council’s legislative process and reiterated the statuses as seen on the Council’s website.

Ariola believes more must be done.

“We must have stricter laws in place regarding the use of these devices, or else tragedies like the one we saw last week will continue to occur,” she told the Chronicle in a statement. “I believe we need to consider legislation to ban these vehicles outright, as it is clear that people are not following the current laws. Until a true ban can occur, I will continue to support legislation that outlaws the charging of these vehicles within residential buildings, including NYCHA facilities.”

The United Delivery Workers Association, a collective of city delivery workers, did not respond to a request for comment. Q

OP battery blaze kills one, injures another

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

An elderly woman was killed and her upstairs neighbor injured in a two-alarm fire in Ozone Park on Aug. 11 — a blaze caused by a lithium-ion battery, according to authorities.

Kam Mei Koo, 93, was found unconscious at the scene at 98-01 101 Ave. and transported by EMS to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, authorities said, where she was pronounced deceased. The second victim, who was identified in the media as Maria Rodriguez, 67, was

reported to be in stable condition.

Concerned residents crowded the smoky street on Friday afternoon as dozens of firefighters battled the blaze. The street was blocked off by police tape, with NYPD officers standing by. Residents waited around the perimeter of the tape for word on any injuries or deaths.

“It’s scary to see something like this happen in my neighborhood,” Ozone Park resident Suddha Darshini told the Chronicle at the scene.

“I smelled the smoke from blocks away while I was running errands, and

came back to find this,” she said. “It’s a tragedy.”

After investigating, the FDNY determined the fire was accidental, caused by a lithium-ion battery, according to a post on the department’s Twitter page. Witnesses observed firefighters examining a charred e-bike at the scene. Some published reports said the bike belonged to the deceased victim’s son.

According to the FDNY, as of this week, there have been 154 incidents involving e-bike batteries this year to date, with 93 injuries and 14 deaths. Q

In March of this year, two batteries exploded in an e-bike repair shop in Richmond Hill, starting a blaze that hospitalized two firefighters.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN / FILE

FDNY working at the scene of Friday’s fatal fire in Ozone Park.

PHOTO BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

EDITORIAL AGEP

Save us from killer batteries

Just as the FDNY will call for an all-hands response to a blaze that’s bad enough, we need an all-hands response to the scourge of lithiumion batteries — which are fueling so many fires.

We had another one just last Friday in Ozone Park that left a 93-year-old woman dead. Maybe she could have made 100 if not for another battery of the kind that power e-bikes and scooters blowing up and setting her home on 101st Avenue ablaze. Instead, she’s gone, her upstairs neighbor is injured and a family is left to grieve. We’ve had more than a dozen deaths citywide so far this year due to these battery blazes. In 2021 we had four total, and in 2022 six. This is a tragic trend that’s accelerating rapidly.

So we stand with FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanaugh when she says the federal government must act to regulate the batteries to make them safer, as she testified recently before the Consumer Product Safety Commission. What exactly can be done is unclear, but something must be. Can adequate safety requirements just be imposed, and if so, how quickly? Some New York lawmakers are pushing for a

Wage war on shoplifting

bill to better regulate the batteries, but what are its chances in a Republican-controlled House?

At the municipal level, the City Council has passed some legislation, most notably prohibiting the sale of batteries that don’t meet safety standards, but it’s clearly not enough. We doubt that law can be effectively enforced — when compared to the strong market demand for e-bikes, scooters and mopeds, both legal and illegal, rules wouldn’t seem to stand much chance. You see how well users of these vehicles follow the rules of the road; you think they’re going to observe some law whose immediate importance is less obvious than that of say, a red light?

The better answer would be strict state regulation of the kind called for by Councilman Bob Holden, but its chances are near zero. It was the state, after all, at the city establishment’s urging, that delivered this scourge of “micromobility” devices upon us. However, everyone at all levels of government must try. Lives are being lost, at home and on the streets. And one personal tip: If it’s electronic, and it’s not UL-certified, don’t buy it. Stay safe.

LETTERS

TO

Bennett’s secret burial

Dear Editor:

I am disappointed that Susan and Danny Bennett have been on TV saying different things about their father, Tony, but never mentioned a private funeral (“Exclusive: Tony Bennett buried in Calvary Cemetery,” Aug. 10, qchron.com). To me it’s like they did not care about his fans who loved Tony dearly. I’m a New Yorker and I loved Tony.

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Here I sit for a month waiting for some kind of news about his funeral. I don’t care that it was private but let his fans know he is at rest with his mother. When I Googled “Did Tony Bennett or Benedetto have a funeral?” your article popped up. Thanks for letting his fans know he is at rest.

I think Susan and Danny should have made a statement. But not a word. I think that was a miss on their part. Danny didn’t forget to mention a special on Paramount Plus in September: “The Lady and the Legend.” But they leave his fans hanging for a month. I’m just upset with them.

Susan Mann Washingtonville, NY

Three things I’m thinkin’

Dear Editor:

School bus drivers must not strike and they should be under the Taylor Law like mass transit. In fact, they should be under the MTA like public buses and subways. It seems there

At last, our resourceful city and borough police and prosecutors appear to have found an end run around the awful laws enacted by Albany that have helped turn our stores into some kind of cross between “Mad Max” and “Supermarket Sweep.”

This page could rant for the hundredth time about the insane bail “reforms” of 2019 that set the stage for our recent crime spike, but we’d much rather give credit this week to the Police Department and District Attorney Melinda Katz for the Merchants Business Improvement Program. Perhaps you can tell it’s a program of substance because it’s got such a lame acronym. It’s hard to say “Em-bip” with swagger.

It’s also hard to have swagger if you’re one of the repeat shoplifters who gets caught up in MBIP. Under the program, which started small and is now going boroughwide, individual merchants can sign up to get trespass notices issued against repeat offenders. That means they are subject to arrest if they even just walk back into a store they’ve hit before. As Deputy Inspector John Portalatin, commander of the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst, said, the key is the greater potential punishment that comes with that. Both merchants and the public approve.

By now it seems we’ve all seen some miscreant load up a duffle bag or more and just walk out of a store. We’ve had enough. It’s time to say the heck with Albany and lock ’em up. We’re down with MBIP.

THE EDITOR

is no regard for the public, only for those who want more money — and unions have too much power.

Also, more than 10,000 children have been left in hot cars since 1990 and there must be a device that ticks to let a driver know when he or she closes the door of a car that someone was left in the back of the car like a defenseless child.

I am glad that the judge barred the transfer of 250,000 city retirees into the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan. It is awfully arbitrary and capricious of the mayor to force people and not to give them the right to choose and the freedom of choice.

Cynthia Groopman Little Neck

Halt racial scholarships

Dear Editor:

Re Sophie Krichevsky’s July 27 report “New fund to aid future journalists of color”:

Mayor Adams’ $500,000 journalism scholarship fund for students of color runs counter to the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action

decision. The court ruled that using race as a factor for college admission is unconstitutional. This means using race as a factor for college scholarships is also unconstitutional and should face a legal challenge. Increasing diversity in journalism is a fine, but only if done by merit, not manipulation.

Economic status is a more equitable metric than race. The University of North Carolina recognized this by creating a new scholarship program for students from families earning $80,000 a year or less in household income (studentaid@unc.edu), regardless of race, ethnicity or gender. UNC and Harvard were targets of lawsuits charging racial bias that prompted the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision.

I hope that NYC students who are denie d journalism scholarships because of their skin color sue Mayor Adams’ administration fo r racial bias and win their case. This will send our mayor a message that race has no place in any NYC government program.

Richard Reif Kew Gardens Hills

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

No public advocate

Dear Editor:

Re ”No public advocate needed” (Editorial, Aug. 10):

NYC has a $107 billion budget with over 300,000 employees. This is greater than most states and many nations. Members of each of the 59 community boards and their district managers, along with every municipal agency, provide better customer service to residents than the public advocate. The same is true for NYC Council members, borough presidents and the city comptroller. They periodically conduct audits of municipal agencies. The Office of the Public Advocate just duplicates these functions with taxpayers paying twice for the same service.

No one would notice if the office was abolished. Life for NYC residents would go on without any significant adverse impact. Funding for the Office of Public Advocate would be better spent on more critical municipal services such as transportation, police, fire, sanitation and education, or keeping our public libraries open more days and longer hours.

Larry Penner Great Neck, LI

Catholic is not extreme

Dear Editor:

It has come to my attention that the FBI has targeted conservative Catholic groups for being radical and extremist. FBI Director Christopher Wray, in recent Congressional testimony, stated that a memo on investigating various Catholic conservative groups for being extremist was repealed and was the product of a single FBI field office. Really?! It was in fact a product of multiple offices.

Now my question is, has not the FBI heard of the First Amendment’s freedom of religion? Of the right to practice our religious faith without interference from the federal government?

I myself am a Catholic and grand knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911 in Douglaston, and I find it appalling and find quite distressing that the FBI would deem my fellow Catholics as extremist because of our religious beliefs. In my opinion the FBI should spend its efforts on real extremist groups that endanger the American people and our democratic ideals.

Frederick Robert Bedell Jr Bellerose

More minorities in tech

Dear Editor:

(an open letter to my friends, the people of Queens)

Just three weeks ago, Deputy Borough President Ebony Young and I visited Lagos, Nigeria — the Silicon Valley of Africa — to learn critical lessons around building a tech ecosystem that centers and uplifts people of color, which tech industry leaders and government officials there have done with staggering success.

Last week, we began the work to follow through on that experience. On Wednesday, Aug. 9, the deputy borough president and I gathered a panel of community leaders and tech industry representatives from across Queens together at Citi Field to begin this critical dia-

logue. Together, we discussed how to turn the lessons we learned in Lagos into practice and what we’ll require to create concrete pipelines to tech for Black and brown New Yorkers, who are woefully underrepresented in the industry.

I’m hopeful and excited for what the future of tech in Queens holds. Because I fully believe the next great American innovator is here in The World’s Borough.

My office is here to serve you and your family. To learn more about how we’re working to build a better Queens, visit our website at queensbp.org, or contact us by phone at (718) 286-3000 or by email at info@queensbp.org.

Donovan Richards Jr. Queens Borough President Kew Gardens

Thomas, Trump: crooks

Dear Editor:

For over 20 years, Clarence Thomas has been treated to luxury vacations by billionaire Republican donor Harlan Crow. He has gone on cruises in far-flung locales on Crow’s yacht, flies on his private jet and keeps company with Crow’s powerful friends at his private resort. Thomas has accepted luxury trips virtually every year from Crow without disclosing them.

Thomas “earns” $285,000 per year. Yet he vacations on Crow’s super-yacht. He flies on Crow’s Bombardier Global 5000 jet. He has gone with Crow to the Bohemian Grove, the exclusive California all-male retreat, and to Crow’s sprawling ranch in East Texas. And Thomas typically spends about a week every summer at Crow’s private resort in the Adirondacks. The extent and frequency of Crow’s gifts to Thomas have no known precedent in the modern history of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Yet “Trump’s” GOP Supreme Court doesn’t see a problem. Just as “Trump’s” GOP doesn’t see the apocalyptic danger of another Trump presidency. If what’s left of this Republican “party” continues to support Trump, they need not fool themselves in regard to what a second Trump administration would mean. The destruction of the Department of Justice, the FBI, the federal government’s rule of law, judicial independence and the third branch of America’s government. It would rip to shreds our democracy.

Evidently, that’s what they want. What are they not concerned with? Civil rights, climate change, the environment, gun control, separation of church and state, Medicare, Social Security and any government programs that help the needy. Chris Christie summed it up when he noted that by the date of the first scheduled Republican candidates debate on Aug. 23, the frontrunner (Trump) will be out on bail in four different jurisdictions: Florida, Washington, Georgia and New York.

Make America Great Again, yeah right.

Robert LaRosa Sr. Whitestone

CB 9 shows out for Caribbean Cabana

Community Board 9 continued its dedication to supporting small businesses by having an outing at Caribbean Cabana in Richmond Hill on Friday, Aug. 11.

Above, Caribbean Cabana owners Pamela Ramsewack, left, and Angela Singh, were overjoyed at the support. The restaurant opened in 2007 and has been a community favorite for Caribbean food since. The owners are also known within the community for feeding seniors on Thanksgiving and providing food during National Night Out.

Next to them, state Sen. Leroy Comrie was in attendance with loved ones celebrating his birthday, which was the day prior. Both the board and Comrie’s family brought cake to

Woodhaven BID hosts back-to-school event

The Woodhaven Business Improvement District will be having its annual back-toschool event on Aug. 24, from 12 to 2 p.m. at the intersection of Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue. Free school supplies will be distributed.

There will be a sidewalk chalk mural activity for the kids, as well as a simple obstacle course provided by Streetlab, according to BID Executive Director John Perricone.

Supplies are limited to one backpack per registrant. To register, visit the BID’s website at woodhavenbid.org. Q

share for the occasion.

Above right, the board members pose together for a photo. Above them, guests mingle with family and friends in the restaurant’s vibrant outdoor dining space.

Top middle, Ramsewack and Singh pose with Anthony Lemma, who presented them with a proclamation on behalf of Assemblyman David Weprin. Representatives of Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar and Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez also presented the owners with similar accolades.

Top left, event attendees enjoy their dinner, and below, the entire group in attendance poses for a funny photo.

Center, board Chairperson Sherry Algredo introduces Tom

Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. Grech praised the board in a speech, and said he was inspired to go to restaurants and provide the same support with the Chamber.

Other notable attendees included Loycent Gordon, owner of Neir’s Tavern, which the board supported with an outing last month, and Queens County Civil Court Judge Andrea Ogle.

Algredo was thrilled at the event’s turnout. “It’s really important for us to come out and support local businesses,” she said. She shared that the outing generated almost $2,000 for Caribbean Cabana, with $1,000 of that total spent by Comrie.

MTA fares go up on Sunday

Base fares for single bus and subway rides will go up 15 cents to $2.90 on Sunday, Aug. 20. The increase will take effect at midnight Saturday into Sunday.

Multiple-ride plans also are going up, as are Long Island Rail Road and MetroNorth fares. Bridge and tunnel toll hikes at all six river crossings operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority went into effect Aug. 6.

The seven-day unlimited ride pass will increase from $33 to $34, and the 30-day unlimited ride pass will increase from $127 to $132.

The reduced fare for eligible customers will remain half of the base fare. It will increase from $1.35 to $1.45.

The express bus base fare will increase from $6.75 to $7, and the seven-day unlimited express bus plus pass will increase from $62 to $64.

The combined fare and toll hikes will amount to an estimated 4 percent increase in revenue. More details can be found at new.mta.info. The MTA is looking to get back on the pre-Covid schedule of small fare and toll hikes every two years. Q

— Michael Gannon

— Kristen Guglielmo

Shorebird Festival at Jamaica Bay Refuge

The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge is hosting its 18th annual Shorebird Festival on Saturday, Aug. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The event itinerary includes a coffee, bagel and doughnut breakfast, a hike to the East Pond for shorebird viewing, a 50-year refuge history slide program by Don Riepe and a shorebird presentation by Kevin Karlson.

The festival is in partnership with NYC Audubon, NYC Parks, the Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy, the Linnaean Society, American Littoral Society and the National Parks Service.

To register for the event, visit jbrpc.org. Q

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

Migrant crisis is expected to cost city $12B by 2025: Adams

from page 2

we can check in with you and help you make a phone call.”

Another journalist asked if there was even a need for the space after a similar tent city at Randall’s Island in Manhattan did not fill to capacity last year.

Zach Iscol, commissioner of the Emergency Management Department, said that Title 42, which prevented asylum seekers who may have a contagious disease from coming into the country, was in effect.

“Every single site that we look at is a three-dimensional, four-dimensional, fivedimensional puzzle piece, in terms of solving for transportation, land use, neighborhoods [and] types of infrastructure that we might need,” Iscol said. Title 42 was lifted on May 11. “If you have been sort of paying attention and have seen the number of people coming in — 2,000 to 2,500 people a week, 300 to 500 people a day — this place will be full very, very quickly.”

The city has exhausted everything that it can, Long said.

“Today, we have close to 60,000 asylum seekers in our city’s care,” he said.

Former office buildings have been converted, hotels have been offered up, the parking lot at Creedmoor is now the newest site and a soccer field at Randall’s Island will open next week, said the doctor.

“We are at the point where we have to create new space,” he said. “When we had a line recently outside of the Roosevelt Hotel ... it broke my heart. We never want to go back there again. We are here today because we received help from New York State. They have reimbursed us for the cost of it.”

Late last month, a video was shown depicting migrants sleeping on cardboard boxes in Midtown Manhattan outside the Roosevelt Hotel, which is being used as a

processing center for migrants. The facility was also being used as a shelter, but hit capacity, reported the New York Post.

Gov. Hochul secured $1 billion in funding in the state budget for 2024 for migrants and has reimbursed the city $250 million for the cost of sheltering the asylum seekers, according to a press release on Saturday. The city submitted receipts for $138 million, said her office.

“I want to say that there’s money there still for this year, and we’re using it already and out of pocket directly from us is our own expenses, which is paying for massive sites,” Hochul said on Aug. 10.

One question that was unanswered at the media tour was about the feelings of homeless people who might be jealous of the newer facilities that migrants were receiving.

“It’s heartbreaking to all of us,” said Fabien Levy, the newly appointed deputy mayor of communication. “My family emigrated here ... They were persecuted and had to flee their country. We don’t want anybody who had to suffer that to be on the street.”

The city has approximately 200 migrant shelters, and while thankful for the help from the state, it has largely been shouldering the burden of the migrant crisis, Iscol said.

“This is an immense operation,” he added.

The sheltering of migrants in the city is unsustainable, said another official.

“The federal government needs to do their part,” the official said. “They need to be constructing facilities such as these.”

As for safety concerns regarding migrants being able to go in and out of the facility, a representative said that the people are not prisoners.

“It’s sadly a question of, do you want people sleeping on the street or do you want people sleeping on a cot? I’d rather people had a safe place to rest their head at night,” Levy said. “We’ve run out of hotels. There are only so many good operators and at a certain point, you reach the bottom of the barrel. That is where we are.”

“One-Term Mayor” is what some residents shouted at Mayor Adams at a post-Indian Day parade event in Bellerose on Sunday over his plans to house migrants at the complex.

While he pleaded for unity amongst communities about the issue, he also emphasized that whether we like it or not, migrants are coming and if people wanted to vote him out after 18 months because of the “mess” he “inherited,” it’s their right to do so.

Phil Orenstein, president of the Queens Village Republican Club, urged the mayor to

either deport migrants or have them sent to Rikers Island as an alternative site, according to the New York Post.

Adams shot back that if the city were to deport asylum seekers he could be sanctioned by the federal government and the city would lose funds to fix the ongoing problem that has already been at hand for two years now, said the report.

The crisis is also expected to take a big bite out of the Big Apple’s budget over the next few years as $12 billion is the forecast for the overall cost through the end of fiscal year 2025, or June 2025 to be specific, a price tag inclusive of the 2023 budget period that ended July 1.

As for Rikers Island, a spokeswoman for the mayor said, “Everything’s on the table.”

“We’ve looked at more than 3,000 sites across the city,” the spokeswoman told the Queens Chronicle. “I think it’s a viable option if it meets the safety and health protocols that we are looking for.”

Chris Barca, a spokesman for Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, said the elected official considers Rikers Island a “hellhole.”

“No human being, neither detainees nor asylum seekers, should be housed there,” Barca told the Chronicle via email.

Councilwoman Linda Lee (D-Oakland Gardens) said that she is opposed to the facility at Creedmoor.

“The area is lacking in public transit, commerce, and infrastructure,” she said. “This site is a disservice to both asylum seekers and locals, and it is frustrating that the local electeds’ and community leaders’ voices are not being heard.”

This fiscal year the migrant crisis is estimated to cost $5 billion, said the mayor on 107.5 WBLS. That is the equivalent of the combined budgets of the departments of Sanitation and Parks, along with the FDNY.

“The dam has burst,” Adams said on Sunday. Q

Douglaston women’s shelter to open Sept. 18

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

The 75-bed transitional housing facility for women ages 55 and older slated for Douglaston is scheduled to open its doors on Sept. 18, the office of Councilmember Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone) said.

The facility will be Community District 11’s first shelter.

The shelter, which will be housed in the former Pride of Judea Community Services on Northern Boulevard, was previously expected to open this month. Alie Ziraschi,

Paladino’s chief of staff, said it’s typical for a projected date to change while the “standard approvals” are “finalized.”

Paladino’s office said that the Sept. 18 opening date is still subject to change.

“I plan to tour the facility before it opens or soon after and will be keeping a very close eye on its operations, to ensure it does not disrupt the community in any way,” Paladino said in a statement to the Chronicle.

“And while I understand the apprehension in the surrounding community, I’d like to assure everyone that my office is confident

that we will not see any negative impacts to the surrounding area at all.”

The facility has been a source of conflict for the better part of three years — some residents previously sued to halt the project. Since then, some community members have come around to the idea, while others have continued to resist it, as demonstrated at a May town hall on the incoming shelter.

At the time, Council District 19 was getting its first taste of the migrant crisis as asylum seekers moved into the Anchor Inn in Bayside. And with the expiration of Title 42,

the city was anticipating more people coming into the country. So to Paladino, the Douglaston shelter paled by comparison.

“This city is in a major crisis ... there are 74,000 migrants crossing the border that are living in this city right now — and we are here tonight to talk about a homeless shelter with elderly women living in it,” the councilmember said at the time.

“This is gonna look like peanuts,” she went on to add. “So just buckle up buttercups, because this is just the beginning.” Q

continued

“The federal government needs to do their part.”

— City official at media tour at Creedmoor Psychiatric Center

Some Eastern Queens residents protested last Tuesday against a tent city being erected at Creedmoor, below. PHOTOS COURTESY QUEENS VILLAGE REPUBLICAN CLUB, ABOVE, AND BELOW, BY MICHAEL SHAIN

Authorities: Forgive not their trespasses

DA, NYPD set to fight repeat shoplifters Queenswide with strict new penalties

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

A pilot program that has been protecting businesses, their employees and customers from shoplifting and other offenses from repeat offenders in three Queens police precincts will expand throughout the borough.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and NYPD Assistant Chief Kevin Williams, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens South, made the announcement Tuesday.

Under the Merchants Business Improvement Program, people who repeatedly steal from or disrupt businesses can be issued trespass notices by police, subjecting them to arrest if they ever return.

The pilot program began in the 103rd Precinct in Jamaica back in June 2021. It expanded to the 109th Precinct in Flushing in April of this year and to the 114th in Astoria in early May. Katz said it is targeted against a very small number of repeat offenders who cause a lot of trouble.

“The feedback from the merchants in the pilot programs has been very positive,” Katz said in a statement from her office.

“With the high rate of retail theft we are seeing throughout the city, it is absolutely essential that we keep fighting back,” the DA added. “Expanding this program across the borough is an important part of that fight. We are not

going to allow a small group of individuals to terrorize shop keepers, their employees and customers and to disrupt our local economy. We will not allow that to happen, because when our local businesses thrive, our communities thrive.”

Williams said the NYPD welcomes the expansion.

“It’s an initiative that activates the best of our intelligence-driven policing strategies to further reduce crime and improve the quality

of life for all who live in, work in, and visit the great borough of Queens,” he said.

Participating businesses contact police when an individual engages in disruptive, dangerous or illegal behavior in their establishment, Katz’s statement said. Responding officers can issue a trespass notice and warn the individual that his or her return to the location could result in arrest.

A total of 142 business locations, from mom-and-pop shops to large-chain retailers, participate in the program in the three pilot precincts. Katz said trespass affidavits have been served to 83 individuals, five of whom were arrested for violating the notices.

Deputy Inspector John Portalatin, commanding officer of the 110th Precinct, said he has seen the results, and that numerous merchants in his command — including major businesses in the Queens Center mall — already have signed up.

“We’re eager to try and get this up and running,” Portalatin told the Chronicle. “We’ve gotten a lot of positive feedback from the public. A lot of positive feedback from the stores.” The key, he said, is the greater potential punishment.

“Hopefully this will convince people, deter them from shoplifting,” he said, adding that it will not be a burden for the precinct.

“Nothing changes in regard to my officers,

other than serving the paperwork. The burden is having to keep going back to stores and seeing people doing the same crimes over and over and over again.”

Speaking to the Chronicle on Monday, a day before the announcement was made public, Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce, said he is a big fan of the pilot program and that the chamber hopes the results would led to a further rollout.

“It’s nice to see the Queens DA take the lead on this,” he said. Called back Tuesday, Grech said nothing needed to be added.

Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) was an early supporter of the program and has spoken multiple times with Katz and NYPD brass about expanding it. Holden told the Chronicle as late as Monday afternoon that he hoped it would expand into his district soon. He would not be disappointed.

“District Attorney Katz’s program expansion brings a sigh of relief to countless business owners plagued by rampant shoplifting in the district,” the councilman said in an email on Tuesday. “The hope now rests on our Judges to ensure these individuals are held accountable and remain behind bars for the safety of our community. I am pleased to have worked alongside DA Katz to make this a reality.”

Two business owners quoted in Katz’s press

continued on page 19

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz PHOTO COURTESY QUEENS DA / FILE

Smoke shop opens in Old Howard Beach

Residents have mixed opinions, while elected officials voice disapproval

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

A new smoke shop, Howard Puff Convenience, has opened at 159-55 102 St. in Old Howard Beach. According to resident PJ Marcel, who visited the store in person, it sells CBD and THC-infused products.

Though it opened with a limited stock of vape cartridges, lighters, bongs and hookah, Howard Puff Convenience may sell other products, such as oils, waxes and “flower,” the new name for cannabis buds.

The announcement of the store’s impending opening came on Facebook via a livestream on the Howard Beach Dads group by Marcel on Aug. 12.

The comments section contained over 250 comments of mixed opinions, with most residents voicing their disapproval. One person wrote, “Looks like a perfect addition to our quickly deteriorating neighborhood.”

Other residents seemed to welcome the new business. One commenter remarked, “I think the people in the neighborhood are going to be shocked by the amount of neighbors who smoke.”

The store’s opening comes despite a partial stop-work order existing on the property. Since July 24, there also have been four complaints filed against the site, and one Environmental Control Board violation issued, according to the NYC Department of Buildings website.

And the opening comes as South Queens elected officials have been trying to get the area’s unlicensed smoke shops shut down.

In late June, state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) worked with the NYPD in getting the Plug Smoke Shop in Richmond Hill closed. Ironically, Howard Puff Convenience is opening next to the location of Addabbo’s old office before district lines changed.

“I understand that there are community concerns about the Howard Puff Convenience

Store opening in a section of Howard Beach that’s no longer in my district,” Addabbo said in a statement.

“However, while not enough is known about the establishment at this time, I will be monitoring the situation. ... In general, there is a need to seriously crack down on the illegal pot shops that have become a blight and danger in our communities.”

Area Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) was among those who recently sponsored a bill, Int. 1001, which holds landlords accountable for tenants who knowingly sell unlicensed cigarettes, e-cigarettes, tobacco products or illicit cannabis [see separate story in some editions or at qchron.com].

“My office is aware of the store, and we want to make it clear that if they are found guilty of selling unlicensed products, both they and their landlords will be made to pay for it,” Ariola said in a statement provided to the Chronicle. “Their landlord is fully aware of Intro 1001 and what that legislation entails.”

The owner of Howard Puff Convenience could not be reached for comment. Q

PJ Marcel, seen above, streamed an announcement of the store’s impending opening on Facebook Live. FACEBOOK SCREENSHOT

Queens elected officials sponsored pot shop law

by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor

Multiple City Council members from Queens co-sponsored bill Int. 1001, which aims to hold landlords accountable for tenants who knowingly sell unlicensed cigarettes, e-cigarettes, tobacco products or illicit cannabis. It was enacted on July 23.

The bill’s prime sponsor was Councilwoman Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills), and its Queens co-sponsors are Councilmembers Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton), Sandra Ung (D-Flushing), Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), Linda Lee (D-Oakland Gardens), Julie Won (D-Long Island City), Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) and Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone).

According to the bill, now known as Local Law 107, the first time an illicit product seller is found to be operating in a leased commercial premises, any relevant city agency may issue a warning to the owner of the premises. If the seller is later found to be operating in the same premises, the owner would be liable for civil penalties.

Any subsequent inspection that finds continued violation would make the landlord subject to a $5,000 civil penalty at first,

and a $10,000 penalty for each subsequent violation.

The legislation also requires the city to submit to the mayor and the Council a quarterly report on enforcement relating to illicit cannabis or unlicensed tobacco product sellers, according to the text.

“It’s time that we hold landlords and property owners accountable for knowingly providing storefronts to businesses that have a negative impact on their communities,” Ariola said in a statement. “... In the interests of public safety, and to ensure that all New Yorkers can enjoy the quality of life that they deserve, those who knowingly support these smoke shops must be penalized.”

In a press release, Schulman said, “This legislation is a game changer and adds another tool to the enforcement toolbox against these harmful businesses.”

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said, “The NYPD will continue to use every resource available to protect New Yorkers, and to ensure that the safe sale and distribution of legal cannabis in New York City occurs within the parameters of a licensed, regulated, and standardized industry.” Q

Stop & Shop donates $170K

Stop & Shop donated more than $170,000 to the Food Bank For New York City Aug. 9, presenting a “big check” for the round amount at a mobile pantry distribution at the Ozone Park Library. The action was part of Stop & Shop’s total donation of $2.4 million to food banks in the tri-state area. The donation came from a combination of Stop & Shop’s in-store “Food for Friends” campaign and the Stop & Shop Family Foundation. The actual total contribution was $170,236.77.

The FBNYC Mobile Pantry Program deploys food bank trucks across all five boroughs, and each monthly distribution can provide up to 300 families with a week’s worth of food.

“... We are proud to donate over $170,000 to the Food Bank For New York City in an effort to help our neighbors fight against hunger, gain more access to fresh fruits and vegetables and live their absolute best lives,” said Gordon Reid, president of Stop & Shop. — Kristen Guglielmo

PHOTO BY MARC LEVINE

HB ‘Feast’ delights residents

The smell of fried dough and sugar filled the air as the annual “Feast” returned to Howard Beach last week on the St. Helen parish grounds, sponsored by the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association in partnership with Councilwoman Joann Ariola’s office.

Attendees played carnival games for prizes, had a blast on large-scale rides, dug into freshly prepared food, including sausage and peppers, hot dogs and Philly cheeesteaks, and enjoyed other standard carnival fare, from fried Oreos and zeppoles to fresh lemonades.

BP pens report on community boards

“It is so important for my children and all the children in the community to keep family fun and traditions going,” Phyllis Inserillo, the civic’s co-president, said in a press release. “This was something that I always looked forward to as a kid and I’m so happy to be able to make sure that our children can make those memories too.”

The group shared that the feast raised close to $34,000 for St. Helen Church, along with enough money to install a new September 11 memorial flagpole and dedication plaque at the site of the civic’s Survivor Tree. — Kristen

Guglielmo

Oratorio Society auditions set

The Oratorio Society of Queens invites community members to audition for the prestigious choir on the evenings of Sept. 11 and 18 at Flushing’s Temple Beth Sholom, located at 172nd Street and Northern Boulevard.

Immediately after, interested musicians may participate in the society’s open rehearsal, which starts at 7:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend, and no commitment to the chorus is required.

During the rehearsal, newcomers will get a look behind the curtain as the cho-

rus prepares for its annual holiday concert, which is set for Dec. 17 at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center. When not preparing for the holiday show, the society sings a variety of music, ranging from classical choral masterpieces to the greatest hits.

Last year marked the venerable society’s 95th anniversary. Most of its roughly 60 members are from Queens.

Those looking to audition for the chorus must schedule an appointment with operations director Patty DeCiccio-Franke by calling (718) 279-3006. Q

Richards’

office highlights boro’s strides toward more diverse panels

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards last week released a report documenting the demographics of the borough’s community boards. The document pays specific attention to Richards’ efforts to make the advisory bodies more diverse.

“I’m deeply proud of the strides we’ve made since I took office to make the community boards in Queens look and feel more like the rich and diverse neighborhoods they represent,” Richards said in a statement.

“While we continue to set the standard for what community planning and engagement can look like, I know there is still much work to do to reach our full potential. I’m confident we will continue to do so in the years ahead.”

Since members do not reapply every year and some boards have more vacancies than others, the report focuses mainly on the 2023 applicant pool and appointees. This year, 938 people applied to join the borough’s community boards; 2021 holds the record with 941. The report attributes the large pool to Queens’ online application, launched in 2021, and outreach efforts by Richards’ office.

But the applications were not evenly distributed across all 14 boards; while 94 people applied for CB 12 and 74 for CB 1, only 14 applied for CB 10 and 19 for CB 4.

The borough president appointed 366 board members this year, 116 of whom were new ones. Though most reapplying for board seats were granted them, this year 22 people were not reappointed. The report attributes that “typically to poor attendance.”

Given community board membership was not term limited until 2018, and will not prevent anyone from joining the panels until 2026, arguably the largest room for improvement is age diversity. According to the report, more than 75 percent of Queens community board members were at least 46 years old in 2020; Richards took office that December. Of this year’s 116 new members, 50 percent are under the age of 45, and almost a quarter of them are between 16 and 35. But overall, the panels still skew towardsolder adults; only about 19 percent of all board members are under the age of 40.

Of the 116 new appointees this year, 19.8 percent identify as Hispanic or Latinx; 21.6 percent identify as African American, 13.8 percent as East Asian or Pacific Islander and 6.9 percent as South Asian. More than 16 percent are immigrants, and about 10 percent are LBGTQ+.

Though individual boards are more diverse than others, according to the report, the Borough President’s Office aimed to appoint new members who would help address “identified demographic discrepancies on each board.”

Other demographics Richards’ office tracked included what kind of home applicants lived in and their use of public transportation.

While a little over 30 percent of the new appointees rent market-rate apartments, and about 31 percent own a house, 16 percent live in either a condo or co-op.

As for transportation, more than half of the new board members said they use the subway “mostly” or “often.” Over 75 percent of those 116 appointees said they “sometimes” ride the bus. Q

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

Borough President Donovan Richards released a report documenting the demographic trends across Queens’ 14 community boards.

PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF / FILE

Bennett buried in Calvary Cemetery

No public service as crooner is laid to rest with family, under proper name

by Peter C. Mastrosimone and Walter Karling Editor-in-Chief and Chronicle Contributor

Tony Bennett left the world as he came into it, as Anthony Benedetto, not the worldrenowned singer, painter and philanthropist but more an everyman in a modest place, with his family.

Bennett is buried in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, in a plot whose headstone is marked with the names of his parents, his paternal grandmother and, most recently, himself.

When Bennett was interred is unknown. There was no public announcement of what his loved ones must have decided would be a private ceremony.

The grave was located by the Queens Chronicle on Aug. 9. It was traced through Find-a-Grave’s entry for Bennett’s mother; there was no listing for Bennett himself last week, though there is now. The plot is located

in Fourth Calvary, Section 67. It is south of the Long Island Expressway, a little east of 50th Street, close to the latitude of 54th Road, with an entrance nearby at 54th Avenue. Within the cemetery, it is between St. Matthew and St. Aloysius avenues.

Last Wednesday, the signs of a recent burial were clear, with a swath of ground in front of and to the sides of the Benedetto stone overturned. Fresh bouquets of red roses sat on either side of the monument.

The stone reads “In memory of my beloved husband, John, 18951936; his mother, Maria, 18601931; our beloved mother, Anna M., 1899-1977; Anthony, 19262023” [punctuation added].

Bennett, who died July 21 just two weeks shy of what would have been his 97th birthday, was born in Long Island City and grew up in Astoria. His voice caught people’s attention early, and just before he turned 10 he sang at the opening of the Triborough

The Benedetto family headstone at Calvary Cemetery now includes a listing for Anthony, born in 1926 and deceased in 2023. It was clear the ground at the gravesite had been turned over recently when the Chronicle visited Aug. 9. At left, Tony Bennett with his mother, Anna Maria, née Suraci, in Astoria.

PHOTOS BY WALTER KARLING; LEFT, VIA COLUMBIA RECORDS

Bridge, standing alongside Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia. He served in combat against Germany in World War II, studied singing under the GI Bill, waited tables and made it big after Pearl Bailey had him open for her at a club in Greenwich Village when Bob Hope was there. The next year he got a record contract. His most famous song was 1962’s “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” and he mostly sang the standards, jazz and Broadway tunes that make up the Great American Songbook.

Though his star dimmed a bit in the later sixties and seventies, he made more than a comeback, turning out new music and becoming known in the later years of his career for working with much younger artists, most famously Lady Gaga. He also was a skilled visual artist and a major philanthropist, who founded the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts

High School in Astoria (originally in LIC), named for his friend and mentor.

“Happy Birthday Tony,” Gaga said Aug. 3 on Twitter, the social media platform recently rebranded as X. “August 3rd is Tony Bennett Day. A day for smiling. But I’ll be celebrating you a lot more than once a year. I’ll celebrate you every time I’m on stage singing jazz music, every time I’m with your family, every time I walk down the streets of New York I’ll look around and remember all you did for this city and the whole world.”

Bennett is survived by his wife, Susan, and his four children, born of his prior two marriages: Danny, Dae, Antonia and Joanna. Q

Cat rescuers fear loss of Queens services

Closing of Glendale clinic will increase costs; ASPCA says new site due in ’24

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

It takes compassion and dogged determination to rescue or otherwise care for stray, abandoned and feral cats.

In Queens, it’s about to become tougher until some time in 2024, as shelters under contract with the city have stopped accepting cats in all but the more dire medical emergencies; and a free spaying-neutering service in Glendale run by the ASPCA will shut down effective Sept. 1 after losing its lease.

Animal Care Centers of New York City announced earlier this month that it has reached “critical capacity” and will not accept cat drop-offs with the exception of those requiring emergency medical care or who pose a danger to the public.

The ASPCA said in an email it will open a brand-new facility in Queens on an unspecified date next year. An ASPCA notice to rescuers this month said the group intends to expand service at a center on New Lots Avenue in Brooklyn.

But some rescuers in Queens said the Brooklyn location poses difficulties in terms of transportation and its operating hours.

Alexia Vullis founded Catstoria, which conducts rescues mostly in Astoria and Long Island City. She does a lot of work in NYCHA’s Ravenswood Houses. She said losing the Glendale site will impact rescuers.

The overcrowding at ACC sites, she said, will hit everyone.

“People will start dumping,” she said. “Rescuers will have more calls about friendly cats on the street, because people will have nowhere to bring a cat when an owner is deceased or is taken away. A lot of people will surrender their cats [to the ACC]. Now they can’t ... I think people with no choice will dump them on the street. People think just because they see other cats on the street, that an indoor cat might be OK in that situation. But that’s not true.”

Vullis and Jana Rosenthal, the founder of AdvoCat, said the ASPCA used to provide transportation between boroughs, the loss of which now means difficulty for people looking to go from Queens to Brooklyn and back.

“A lot of people in Queens don’t have cars,” Rosenthal said. Vullis said the ASPCA used to offer Saturday hours for rescuers. Those who can get there now will have to deal with drop-off times of 8 a.m. and pickups at 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

“Those hours are impossible for someone who works a conventional job,” Rosenthal said. Then, there is the added cost with the loss of free spaying and neutering.

Rosenthal said the availability of free services serves as incentive for rescuers to keep rescuing. She said now they are shopping around for low-cost spaying and neutering

OPINION

Cat crisis hits innocent animals and rescuers

by James F. Gennaro

services. But even with bargain-basement rates of $85 for a male cat and $95 for a female, it comes at the expense of food, veterinary care and other supplies that their rescued charges need before they can be placed.

Vullis said she may have to rescue fewer cats if she is not able to get donations or grants to cover the new costs. Before the pandemic, she said, NYCHA tenants used to get free neutering and spaying from mobile ASPCA clinics. Without them, many will not pay the hundreds of dollars it can cost.

“Bad behavior comes from cats who are not spayed or neutered, and they get dumped,” she said. “Now we have no lowcost options.”

She said the city is not taking its share of the responsibility for the exploding cat population.

The ASPCA, in an email to the Chronicle, said it remains committed to continuing services in New York City.

“[W]ith the lease expiring at our Glendale facility, we are expanding capacity for spay/ neuter surgeries at our nearby Brooklyn location to serve even more owned and rescued animals,” the group said. “In 2024, the ASPCA will open a brand-new facility in Queens where we will provide subsidized veterinary care to owned pets and offer spay/ neuter surgeries and vaccinations to homeless dogs and cats being cared for by animal rescue organizations, including our longtime partners at Animal Care Centers of New York City (ACC), further expanding the ASPCA’s services to the animal rescue community.”

In the city that never sleeps, a silent crisis has been brewing — one that affects the lives of our most vulnerable and innocent inhabitants — our feline companions. Local rescue groups know all too well that New York City’s homeless cat crisis has reached an alarming state. Earlier this month, Animal Care Centers of New York City reached critical capacity and announced it has closed cat intakes. And the ASPCA’s Glendale location, which has been a crucial resource for rescuers based in Queens, will shut its doors on Sept. 1. But while rescuers in other boroughs still have resources they can utilize to combat the cat crisis, Queens continues to get the short end of the stick.

While walking down the bustling streets of New York City, it is easy to overlook the thousands of homeless cats struggling to survive amidst the concrete jungle. These cats, often abandoned or born into the streets, face numerous challenges, from finding food and shelter to enduring harsh weather conditions and potential threats from traffic and predators. With an estimated half-a-million cats roaming our streets, the heart-wrenching reality is that rescuers are struggling to keep this crisis under control, especially during what is arguably the busiest kitten season in city history. Kitten season is usually defined as the months between April and October, when feline reproduction is at its peak. On average, cats have four to eight kittens per litter.

Trap-neuter-return programs are one of the most effective ways of managing feral cat populations. By trapping, neutering or spaying, and returning cats to their colonies, the cycle of reproduction is broken, and their overall health improves. New York City relies heavily on local rescuers to provide these services, but the overwhelming majority of these groups are vastly underfunded, operating on tight budgets or in the red.

The ASPCA regularly offered subsidized spay and neuter services in Queens in Glendale. And although these “spots” were fairly difficult to obtain, this facility served as a vital lifeline to our local rescues and independent rescuers. The ASPCA has Community Veterinary Centers in Brooklyn and the Bronx for low-income individuals within certain ZIP codes and provides spay-neuter services for certified rescuers at these facilities. They also provide transport services in Manhattan and the Bronx to bring certified rescues’ dogs and cats to their facilities for sterilization surgery.

To add insult to injury, once the ASPCA’s Glendale location is closed, the organization has no plans to provide transport services to their Brooklyn or Bronx sites for rescuers in

Queens. Prior to the Bronx and Brooklyn CVCs opening, the ASPCA regularly offered transport trucks for residents in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, but as of now, it has no plans to provide this important service to Queens rescuers.

Even if our local rescue groups successfully secured a spay and neuter appointment outside of Queens, the ASPCA implemented hours of operation that anyone with a conventional work schedule cannot fit in. Subsequently, rescuers and transport volunteers are left with the choice of keeping the jobs that pay their rent or driving cats to Brooklyn, Manhattan or the Bronx for these crucial spay and neuter services. The cats are always going to lose.

All these ingredients, combined with a historically busy kitten season, are a recipe for disaster in our city — but most especially for Queens. Our rescuers are being left in the dark about potential solutions to address this fundamental inequity.

It is significantly easier to seek spay and neuter services in Brooklyn, Manhattan and the Bronx than it is in Queens. That has to change.

This begs the question — what can we do to help?

The city needs to be focused on partnerships with local rescue groups, who are really the ones doing the heavy lifting. Adoption events, educational TNR programs and budget allocations for local rescues and shelters are crucial in getting this situation under control. Local rescuers have been instrumental in decreasing the homeless cat population across New York, but there is only so much they can do. As public officials, we also need to start thinking about ways we can encourage New Yorkers to adopt over shopping from breeders and pet stores — even if that means coming up with a legislative solution — something my office is currently exploring.

As for our Queens-based rescuers, it is critical the ASPCA look for ways to fill the void once its Glendale facility closes. That means expanding mobile spay and neuter services to our borough and extending the hours of operation in its Bronx and Brooklyn facilities to accommodate Queens rescuers. If these things do not happen, the cat crisis will continue to worsen, with Queens taking the biggest hit.

Q

James F. Gennaro is New York City Councilman for the 24th District, in north-central Queens.

It gets harder in Queens to cut the feral population.

This tuxedo cat called Oreo celebrated her 20th birthday on Aug. 1, but many felines in Queens do not get to live such long and happy lives, and advocates fear things could only get worse. PHOTO BY PATRICIA PATON

Safe business

continued from page 13

release said they are proof of the business improvement plan’s efficacy.

“Before the start of this program, individuals would come inside my store to steal items from the counter, including iPads,” said Mee Mee Xie, of Wong Nutrition in Flushing. “They even broke the front glass one time. Since I enrolled in the program and have been working with the police and the Queens DA’s office, my store has been much safer, and I have not experienced another incident.

“This is a great program to help store owners and their employees, to make sure that we have an added layer of protection against criminal behavior and can continue to serve our customers in peace.”

Robert Battipaglia, owner of Grand Wine & Liquor in Astoria, also praised the move.

“This is a helpful tool that makes the store owners like myself feel less helpless and know that we have a way of protecting ourselves,” he said. “As a wine and liquor store owner, I am a magnet for shoplifting. The DA’s office and the police have been very helpful in trying to combat this trend. I am a proud member of the Merchants Business Improvement Program and appreciate DA Katz’ commitment to the safety of local business owners.”

Judge bans health plan switch Mayor plans appeal; 250,000 city retirees affected

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

A State Supreme Court justice in Manhattan last Friday banned the city from forcibly transferring more than 250,000 retirees from their present health insurance plans to a Medicare Advantage plan that would be operated by Aetna.

In a ruling of just over one page, Justice Lyle Frank said the city is “permanently enjoined from requiring any City retirees, and their dependents from being removed from their current health insurance plan(s), and from being required to either enroll in an Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan or seek their own health coverage.”

The Adams administration anticipates that a changeover would provide at least equal coverage for retirees while saving taxpayers $600 million a year.

Mayoral spokesman Jonah Allon said in a press release that the administration is disappointed and intends to appeal.

“This Medicare Advantage plan, which was negotiated closely with and supported by the Municipal Labor Committee, would improve upon retirees’ current plans, including offering a lower deductible, a cap on out-of-pocket expenses, and new benefits, like transportation, fitness programs, and wellness incentives,” Allon said.

The Adams administration is vowing to appeal last week’s court ruling that the city may not force 250,000 retirees into a Medicare Advantage program that would be administered by Aetna. The city says it would provide equal coverage and save $600 million. FILE PHOTO

“In addition, it would save $600 million annually, especially critical at a time when we are already facing significant fiscal and economic challenges,” he added. “This decision only creates confusion and uncertainty among our retirees.”

Marianne Pizzitola, president of the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees, called it an important victory. The group is a plaintiff in the suit, along with nine retirees.

“The only one confused or uncertain is the Mayor if he cannot see that the Aetna Dis-Advantage plan is NOT Medicare, NOT a savings, NOT an improvement to our current plan as even Congress knows that,” she said via email.

Pizzitola also said the switch would not achieve the $600 million in savings that the city has touted, calling it “[a] diminished health plan that will harm retirees.

“The Court repeatedly found the City is on the wrong side of history, breaking several laws to implement this scheme which would harm the very people who built this City,” she added. “If the Mayor wants to save the City money, he should live up to the promise made to us as we lived up to ours, and he should stop spending taxpayer dollars to harm senior citizens and the disabled.”

She said the agreement with the Municipal Labor Committee has been found illegal.

“Call a mulligan already and come up with better solutions like we suggested and leave retirees alone,” she said. Q

NOTICE OF SUBMISSION OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND CONSTRUCTION

FOR CHAMPLAIN HUDSON POWER EXPRESS

Please take notice that, on August 9, 2023, CHPE LLC and CHPE Properties, Inc. (collectively referred to as “CHPE”) submitted an Environmental Management & Construction Plans (“EM&CPs”) for Segments 13-15 of the proposed Champlain Hudson Power Express (“CHPE”) Project. This EM&CP includes installation of approximately 2.1 miles of buried overland cable in New York City, the Bronx and in Queens.

On April 18, 2013, the NYS Public Service Commission (Commission) issued to CHPE a certifi cate of environmental compatibility and public need (Certifi cate), pursuant to Article VII of the Public Service Law (PSL), to construct and operate the CHPE Project. The Certifi cate requires that, prior to construction of any portion of the Project, CHPE submit an EM&CP for review and comment.

Details of the planned work locations, including an overview map of the proposed route, is available on the Project website at: https://chpexpress.com/overview-of-public-documents/ environmental-management-construction-plan/. In general, construction activities for these Segments are anticipated to commence in the fall of 2023. Where possible, construction will generally occur during daylight hours, though some limited activities would extend to later hours as needed.

The EM&CP provides detailed information regarding how these Segments of the Project will be constructed, the specifi c locations of the proposed permanent right-of-way, Construction Zones, and temporary work areas, as well as descriptions of work to be performed, plan and profi le drawings depicting the Project, and protocols to be used during construction to

protect the community and the environment, and to comply with the CHPE Certifi cate. The EM&CP must be reviewed and approved by the PSC before construction on these Segments can begin.

The full Commission docket for the Project can be accessed via the Commission’s website at: http://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/ MatterManagement/CaseMaster.aspx?MatterCaseNo=10-T-0139 and electronic copies of EM&CP documents also will be available on the Project website at https://chpexpress.com/overviewof-public-documents/environmental-management-constructionplan/. Paper copies of the EM&CP submissions will be available for viewing at the following local document repositories: Spuyten Duyvil Public Library, 650 W 235th St., Bronx, NY 10463; Sedgwick Public Library, 1701 Dr. M.L.K. Jr. Blvd, Bronx, NY 10453; Mott Haven Public Library, 321 E 140th St., Bronx, NY 10454.

Comments related to these proposed EM&CPs should be submitted to the Commission Secretary by email at secretary@dps. ny.gov or by mail to Michelle Phillips, Secretary, NYS Public Service Commission, 3 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY, 12223, within 30 days of the EM&CP segment’s fi ling with the Commission. All comments should reference Case Number 10-T-0139.

CHPE has established a toll-free number for questions regarding the Project: 1-800-991-CHPE (2473). Questions or requests for further information can be directed to: publicoutreach@ chpexpress.com or by mail to Molly Hollister, WSP USA, One Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, New York 10119. - ADVERTISEMENT -

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Lawmaker seeks to cast away shadows

González-Rojas’ approach on housing, migration, sex work and other issues

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

In some ways, it seems Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas (D-East Elmhurst) has seen it all during her time in the state Legislature. She took office in January 2021, when Covid-19 was still running rampant. Just months into her first term, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual harassment allegations, and Gov. Hochul took his place. Hurricane Ida hit her district hard with immense flooding that September. Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned in April 2022 after being indicted for his role in a bribery scheme. The state budget was late in 2022, and again in 2023. Roe v. Wade was overturned. González-Rojas’ Senate counterparts forced an unsuccessful vote for Hochul’s chief judge pick. And just this spring, her Queens colleague, Assemblymember Juan Ardila (D-Maspeth), became a pariah amid sexual assault allegations, and has refused to heed to calls for his resignation.

Yet it’s hard to believe González-Rojas is only in her second term in Albany.

Those events have, to some extent, colored her work at the Capitol. A former reproductive rights advocate, González-Rojas has penned several bills designed to protect access to women’s and trans healthcare in wake of the reversal of Roe v. Wade. During this year’s budget negotiations, she fought for universal school meals

for all New York State public school children — which the federal government covered during Covid, but stopped last September — and got them covered for 81 percent of students. She says this is the accomplishment she’s most proud of this session.

She also advocated for good cause eviction legislation to be included in Gov. Hochul’s

SPORTS EAT

It’s US Open Fan Week

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

The best bargain in professional sports, US Open Fan Week, returns to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, from Tuesday, Aug. 22, through Sunday, Aug. 27. Admission is free, but unlike in past years, attendees must complete a brief online registration form in advance by logging onto fanpass.usopen.org. A QR code will be sent to your email address, which will allow entry.

The qualifiers tournament for wildcard berths in both the men’s and women’s main draw will take place from Aug. 22 through Friday, Aug. 25, at the various side courts. Most players in the qualifiers are up-and-comers whose rankings are in the high 90s and low 100s. There are always a few familiar names whose rankings have slipped for various reasons sprinkled in. The best-known players this year are Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman on the men’s side and American Taylor Townsend on the women’s.

Recently retired players James Blake, Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki will be taking part in exhibition matches at Louis Armstrong Stadium starting at 7 p.m. on Aug. 22. This is also a free event for the public. The following evening Carlos Alcaraz, Francis Tiafoe and Douglaston legend John McEnroe will be taking part in an exhibition at Louis Armstrong Stadium to benefit Ukraine relief organizations. Tickets

Bmust be purchased to attend.

Another ticketed event is the popular “Flavors of the Open” taking place Thursday evening, Aug. 24, in the concourse of Louis Armstrong Stadium. It is a tasting of sample dishes served at the various restaurants and food vendors who are taking part at the 2023 US Open. It is also a chance for tennis fans to talk to celebrity chefs, as well as current and former tennis stars.

It was only a few years ago when Fan Week was simply known as the Qualifiers Tournament. It was a well-kept secret as only a select group of passionate tennis aficionados attended. The United States Tennis Association deserves credit for transforming Fan Week to the point where it is easy to the think of the US Open as a three-week event instead of just a two-week Grand Slam.

The USTA is making Arthur Ashe Kids Day, traditionally a ticketed event, into a completely free day for attendees. It will be held on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.. As always, there will be entertainment and tennis demonstrations. The following day, fans are welcome to watch the top pros competing for the $65 million in prize money practice on the courts outside of Arthur Ashe Stadium. As a further bonus, the USTA is promising that every concession stand, and most booths from US Open sponsors, will be open during Fan Week. Q

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

housing compact, which ultimately did not come to fruition despite an extra month of discussion.

“There was efforts and really good-faith efforts by our speaker and by the majority leader in the Senate to pull together working groups and create compromises,” the assemblymember said in a wide-ranging interview with the Chronicle Aug. 7. “Unfortunately, it seemed like the governor wasn’t willing to work in good faith and nothing was moved.”

Speaking about the housing crisis as a whole, González-Rojas discussed the warehousing of apartments — keeping vacant units off the market — and how that has driven up the cost of the housing market and 421A and J51, tax policies designed to incentivize developers to build affordable housing and renovate existing units, respectively, both of which she is concerned don’t actually lead to affordability.

But in her own District 34, the controversial accessory dwelling units are at the heart of discussions surrounding housing access.

While adversaries of ADUs tend to point to Hurricane Ida as a reason not to legalize the units, arguing that the storm showed they are not safe to live in, to the assemblywoman, that’s exactly why they need to be legalized.

“If we had legal ADUs with a means of egress, that would allow folks to live safely in basements in particular,” she said. “We wouldn’t have had as many lives lost.”

Pressed further, she added that allowing for ADUs would “create more safety and allow people to come out of the shadows.”

That’s an approach González-Rojas takes to several issues, not just ADUs: Bring things above board in order to foster stronger regulation and provide resources. It’s a theme the assemblymember herself is conscious of.

“I think I’m pretty consistent about wanting to create opportunities for people to thrive,” she said.

González-Rojas looks at illegal street vendors, like the ones often seen in her district’s own Corona Plaza, in a similar light, noting that the city caps the number of permits it issues to such vendors.

“Our community is trying to find ways to survive,” she said. “And I support our street vendors in surviving.”

In fact, she said, the area and its brick-andmortar stores benefit economically from the foot traffic vendors at Corona Plaza attract.

Asked about food safety, González-Rojas said that was important, and that creating pathways for vendors to become legitimate would help in that pursuit.

“If they’re able to get a permit, they would learn the siting rules and regulations, there’d be more order, but unfortunately, the city has not done their job,” she said. “I’m trying to do what I can in the state. But I think sweeping up and confiscating their goods and their livelihood is sad.”

Days after her interview with the Chronicle, the assemblymember stood with vendors at Corona Plaza whose goods were taken from them by the Department of Sanitation [see separate story in some editions or at qchron.com].

The same can be said for González-Rojas’ take on prostitution, which she believes should be decriminalized. Asked about the New York Post’s coverage of sex work on Roosevelt Avenue, she agreed the paper’s portrayal of the matter was “stigmatized.”

“There’s three ways we see sex work happen: coercion, circumstance and choice. So coercion — that’s what we need to address,” she said. “But, because of circumstance, a lot of people are finding ways to work, and that’s a way to work. And we want to not criminalize them for that work, and we want to make sure that we’re supporting people in their livelihoods so that they can live with dignity.”

Asked about the migrant crisis, the assemblymember pointed to the need for the federal government to authorize more people to work, among other resources it could provide. “It would be good for the state — you get a revenue from their taxes — and again, good for their dignity. That’s what they want to do,” she said.

“I certainly have a lot of critiques of what the mayor is doing. It’s unfortunate that he’s limiting time in shelters, and now we’re seeing more and more people on the street.”

Asked if she thinks immigration should be limited, Gonzalez-Rojas said, “I don’t believe so.”

Many politicians talk about the issues being personal to them, including González-Rojas. As a victim of rape, that’s perhaps most clear in her response to the allegations against Ardila, whom she called on to step down several days after many of her peers did.

“It was hard. We’re very in-line politically, and I had a couple conversations with him before calling on his resignation — I wanted to hear from him,” she said. “And ultimately, I wasn’t satisfied with his responses.” Noting her own experiences, she added, “I don’t think someone in a position of power should have done that, or handle it the way he did.”

Asked what about Ardila’s answers fell short for her, the assemblymember said, “All of it.

“I mean, first, he kind of denied it. And then he said, ‘Well, it was youthful indiscretion.’ And then it was this really thought-out statement that I wish he started with, but didn’t feel genuine ... I don’t know that by the third statement that that was coming from him.” Q

Correction

Due to incorrect information being given to the paper, the Aug. 10 article “MTA in talks to save Lefferts bridge shops” misstated which organization is negotiating with the transit agency regarding commercial buildings there. It is the Mutual Housing Association of New York. We regret the error. Q

Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas sat down for an interview with the Queens Chronicle Aug. 7. PHOTO BY PETER C. MASTROSIMONE

A ssemblymember Jessica González-Rojas has focused much of her work on trying to bring things above board.

by Naeish a R o s e

The life of one of Hollywood’s original blonde bombshells, Mae West, will be celebrated at King Manor Museum on Saturday, Aug. 26 in Jamaica from 7 to 9:45 p.m.

The museum, located at 150-03 Jamaica Ave. in Rufus King Park, will have a screening of the 1933 film “I’m No Angel,” which stars West and Cary Grant. During the event, guests 21 and over who have a drink ticket will get a “Mae West Punch.”

Joining the affair is drag star Nancy Nogood, who will be dressed as the screen legend.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket, get dressed in their best 1930s ensemble, which is optional, and to register at kingmanor.org.

“Mae West’s birthday is August 17th and this event is in celebration of her creative talent, her cinematic impact, and her career that began at Neir’s Tavern in Queens,” Abigail Waldron, the education and program director at the museum, said via email. “At the height of West’s acting career in the 1930s, she was the highest paid actress of all time. She used her wealth and status as a Hollywood firecracker (and not to mention, a savvy businesswoman) to help provide opportunities to marginalized performers.”

She featured jazz musician Duke Ellington in one of her films. In her early playwright days in 1922, West wrote “Drag,” a sex comedy show that dealt with homosexuality in a favorable light.

King Manor honors iconic bad girl Mae West next Saturday

It is even alleged that her signature walk was cultivated by watching drag queens in heels, Waldron added.

“Like Rufus King, Mae West challenged the status quo and made a lasting social impact,” Waldron told the Chronicle via email. “In an era so entrenched with racism and homophobia, West used her status for good.”

King, a Founding Father and ally of Alexander Hamilton, was a prominent opponent of slavery. West, a screen legend of the Depression Era, was born in Brooklyn and is believed to have resided in Woodhaven during her youth, performing in a vaudeville act at Neir’s Tavern, according to the

continued on page 23

King Crossword Puzzle

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

Wasserman-Schultz took to the floor in Queens

by Ron Marzlock

Chronicle Contributor

Lawrence Alan Wasserman was born Jan. 13, 1942, the son of CPA Harry Wasserman, who became an IRS Agent, lived comfortable in Forest Hills. Ann Oberweger, daughter of a pharmacist, who graduated from Jamaica High School in 1964, met Lawrence at age 17 and they fell in love. They married in 1965 when she was 18.

Her parents had a beautiful home at 73-11 190 St. in Fresh Meadows that they shared. A daughter, Deborah, was born Sept. 17, 1966, followed by a son, Steven, Nov. 22, 1967. Lawrence decided to be a CPA like his father and was very successful.

In 1968 they carved out a new life for themselves, moving out to Lido Beach on Long Island. Deborah studied political science at the University of Florida graduating with a BA in 1988 and masters in 1990. She married Steven Schultz in 1991 and had three children. She aided Florida politician

Peter Deutsch in his run for Congress.

When he vacated his position, he suggested, as her mentor, that she run. She won at age 26 and was the youngest female legislator in Florida history. Today she is serving the 25th Congressional District and is beloved by supporters as a progressive advocate for the people of her district. Q

Corporate Sponsors:

The early-childhood home of Deborah WassermanSchultz at 73-11 190 St. in Fresh Meadows, as it looked in the 1960s. INSET U.S. HOUSE PHOTO

Birth, death and sex among short plays’ themes

by Mark Lord qboro contributor

If you’re a fan of live theatrical performances, particularly those of the very brief kind, the place to be on Aug. 19 is the Queens Library’s Astoria branch, where the Equity Library Theatre Summer Play Festival gets under way at 1 p.m. for one performance only. Seating is very limited.

According to the festival’s guiding light, Johnny Culver, plays were submitted by authors both near and far, including one who calls the borough home.

Nicholas Bompart’s contribution to the festival is a 10-minute piece entitled, “Some Like to Talk,” which, he explained in a recent telephone interview, is about “a sex worker who unintentionally is involved in a crime.” He also promised an ending with a twist.

Bompart explained that the two-character dramedy is “based on true-ish events.”

A resident of Forest Hills, Bompart has been developing a name for himself as both playwright and actor; he saw his first script produced around eight years ago, when he was 22 years old. He indicated that he’s having quite a banner summer, with no fewer than five of his plays being performed at various venues between July and August.

“I write a lot and I submit everywhere,” he said. He’s “looking to expand” his hori-

zons and hopes to see his writing performed not only in the theater but on television and film, as well.

The borough is also represented in the festival by Alexis Tandit, who is performing a monologue that she describes as “heartbreaking.”

In the piece, entitled “The Pink Dress,” she embodies the mother of a child who dies as an infant. As described by Tandit, “The

dress comes off the clothesline after washing, floats into the sky and disappears.” She addresses the audience and asks if anyone in attendance can tell her what that means.

In search of a deeper understanding of the piece herself, she contacted the playwright, Christopher Woods, who told her it was a true story.

“That helped me,” the Bayside resident said.

The daughter of a former showgirl and once a classmate of actress Fran Drescher in a theater program at Hillcrest High School, Tandit said she is not fazed by having to appear onstage alone when performing a monologue.

“I’ve been dancing since the age of 9,” she said, but, rest assured, there’s no dancing in her current role.

Culver said he began the summer festival in 2010. Unlike many in the entertainment business, he refused to allow Covid-19 to interfere with his production schedule, so he presented the festival virtually. This year’s event, which runs for three weekends including two in Manhattan, features a total of 35 short works. Several will be featured in Astoria.

As has been the festival’s custom, there is no unifying theme. “It’s totally up in the air,” Culver said. Scenes cover multiple genres, from comedy to drama, and one piece even includes a song, a rarity for a one-act play.

The festival is important, Culver said, “especially in Astoria,” given the dearth of theatrical venues in western Queens.

Saturday’s performance begins at 1 p.m. at the library, located at 14-01 Astoria Blvd., and runs for approximately one hour. Admission is free. For further information, call (718) 278-2220. Q

An Evening with Mae West at King Manor Museum

continued from page 21

bar’s current owner, Loycent Gordon.

“It’s widely spoken about here,” Gordon said about the actress’ presence in Woodhaven. “Customers told me about their grandparents seeing Mae West in the area. She lived a few blocks away from the tavern.”

Located at 87-48 78 St., the 194-yearold Woodhaven bar once included a ballroom, according to Gordon.

Crossword Answers

“That is when Neir’s Tavern was Neir’s Social Hall,” Gordon told the Queens Chronicle. “You had the bar, the restaurant and the catering hall upstairs and the ballroom was next door. It was all one and a lot of people used to perform there.”

Gordon said the Neir family, led by Louis Neir, bought the bar in 1898 when it once went by Old Abbey. It was originally called The Old Pump Blue House when it was founded in 1829.

“They renovated it to become more of a social hall,” Gordon said. “They improved on the ballroom.”

While at least one blogger, Mary Louise, believes that the Hollywood star never stepped foot at Neir’s Tavern or lived in Queens — it was uncouth for young women to be in bars during the Prohibition Era — many historical societies and outlets say that her family bounced around between various neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Woodhaven, and that the starlet started to perform professionally in vaudeville at the age of 14 impersonating burlesque acts and spoofing Victorian sentimentality with the support of her mother. Her father didn’t care for her performing

outside the home.

“She was an icon and a powerful force for women being in the movies in a positive and powerful role,” Gordon told the

Chronicle. “Rather than be picked, she picked herself.”

West spent 71 years in show business as an actress, singer, comedian, screenwriter, and playwright, and was once sent to jail for 10 days over the Broadway play “Sex,” which she starred in, directed and produced. It featured the performer as a prostitute who was being sold off to a cop by her pimp, who is desperate to cover up a murder.

Despite the bad press surrounding her risque part, the show was a box office success and her 1927 stint in the slammer enhanced her fame.

In 1932, West, then 40, began her career on the silver screen. Hiding her age, she landed a supporting role as the comic relief in the romantic drama “Night After Night,” and was later paired with Grant in “She Done Him Wrong,” a crime comedy, and “I’m No Angel,” a romantic comedy that she also wrote that went on to be her biggest box office hit.

“She Done Him Wrong” earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture and West went on to become one of the highest paid actresses by 1933. Q

Alexis Tandit will perform a “heartbreaking” monologue at the Astoria Library Saturday, while a piece written by Nicholas Bompart will feature a twist ending. COURTESY PHOTOS

Mae West and Cary Grant in the 1933 romantic comedy “I’m No Angel.” On the cover: West as Tira, a lion tamer in the circus act in the film, with the King of the Jungle. PARAMOUNT PICTURES

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Legal Notices

Notice is hereby given that an On-premises Restaurant liquor license, Serial #1361497, has been applied for by F Ottomanelli LIC LLC d/b/a Frank Ottomanelli’s to sell liquor, beer, wine and cider at retail in an on-premises Restaurant. For on-premises consumption under the ABC Law at 52-10 Center Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101.

Notice of Formation of 11935 191 MADISON PROPERTY

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

Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: NEKEBWE SUPERVILLE, 14419 107TH AVE., JAMAICA, NY 11435.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

171-71 46TH AVENUE, LLC,

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

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY (LLC).

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

Purpose: for all legal purposes.

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

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Legal Notices

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK - COUNTY OF QUEENS BANK OF AMERICA

N.A., V. ERROL W. PARRIS, AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA BELL AKA SYLVIA JUSTINA BELL, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated January 05, 2022, an d entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens, wherein BANK OF AMERICA N.A. is the Plaintiff and ERROL W. PARRIS, AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA BELL AKA SYLVIA JUSTINA BELL, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the COURTHOUSE STEPS OF THE QUEENS COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., JAMAICA NY 11435 on September, 15, 2023 at 11:30AM, premises known as 216-24 132ND AVENUE, SPRINGFIELD GARDENS, NY 11413: Block 12923, Lot 18: 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 # 704124/2015.

Martha Taylor, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

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

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF SALE

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

Notice of Formation of APRD LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/21/2023. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: APRD C/O ASHLEY, 9511 64TH ROAD, APT. 11B, REGO PARK, NY 11374. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Double R One LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 5/18/2023.

Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 10822

Inwood St., Jamaica, NY 11435. General Purpose

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff - against - HUGO VELASTEGUI, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on December 27, 2019. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the Courthouse steps of the Queens Supreme Court, located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on the 15th day of September, 2023 at 10:45 am. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York. Premises known as 103-12 104th Street, Ozone Park, New York 11417. (Block: 9507, Lot: 12) Approximate amount of lien $722,088.99 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 704393/2014. Charlane O. Brown, Esq., Referee. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC, Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840, New York, NY 10170 Tel. 347/286-7409 For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction.com or call (800) 280-2832 Dated: July 12, 2023 During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale.

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

Real Estate

EQUAL HOUSING. Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, familial status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate. Queens Chronicle does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination call the Open Housing Center (the Fair Housing Agency for the five boroughs of New York) at 212941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 718-722-3131.

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

Apts.For Rent

Howard Beach, 1 BR walk-in, all utils incl. No pets/smoking. $1,500/mo. 917-833-7555

Apt.To Share

Kew Gardens Hills, 77th Rd & Main St. 2 BR, 1 bath apt to share. Working M/F. Internet, utils incl. $1,200/mo, 1st & last month down. Avail 9/15. Call 917-593-0236

Legal Notices

Co-ops For Sale

Howard Beach/Lindenwood, Fairfield Arms, Lg 1 BR, 1 bath Co-op. $169K. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

Houses For Sale

Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, Hi-Ranch, 4 BR, 3 new full baths. Wood burning fireplace, in-ground pool. Asking $1,198K. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

Store Front for Rent

Howard Beach, Crossbay Blvd. Hitraffic loc, 1,100 sqft. $4,800/mo, parking in rear of the store. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

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

Legal Notices

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

DEAR INNER SELF, LLC

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

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

Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices Legal Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF Queens, NYCTL 2019-A Trust, and The Bank of New York

Mellon as Collateral Agent and Custodian for the NYCTL 2019A Trust, Plaintiff, vs. One Three Seven 24 Holdings LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated February 23, 2023 and duly entered on March 10, 2023 and a Short Form Order dated June 9, 2023 and duly entered on June 12, 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 15, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 137-24 231st Street, Laurelton, NY 11413. 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 13172 and Lot 50. Approximate amount of judgment is $33,426.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of fi led Judgment Index # 724281/2020. The Referee shall comply with the Eleventh Judicial District’s COVID-19 policies concerning public auctions of foreclosed properties. These policies, along with the Queens County Foreclosure’s Auction Rules, can be found on the Queens Supreme Court - Civil Term website. William Driscoll, Esq., Referee, Bronster, LLP, 156 West 56th Street, Suite 703, New York, New York 10019, Attorneys for Plaintiff

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

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY

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

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

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

Notice of Formation of Golia LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/11/2023. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: MICHAEL J GOLIA, 233-34 40TH AVE., DOUGLASTON, NY 11363.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

IN TAX LIEN FORECLOSURE–SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF QUEENS – NYCTL 2021A TRUST, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON as Collateral Agent and Custodian for the NYCTL 2021-A Trust, Plaintiffs, CAROLANN LARSEN, et. al., Defendants. Index No. 718892/22. To the above named Defendants –YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action within twenty days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service or within thirty days after service is completed if the summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. Plaintiffs designate Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the county in which the property a lien upon which is being foreclosed is situated. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to the Order of the Hon. Timothy J. Dufficy, J.S.C., entered on July 19, 2023. The object of this action is to foreclose a tax lien covering the premises located at Block 3882 Lot 18 on the Tax Map of QUEENS County and is also known as 90-13 83rd Avenue, Glendale, New York. Dated: July 19, 2023 BRONSTER, LLP, Attorney for Plaintiffs NYCTL 2021-A TRUST, and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON as Collateral Agent and Custodian for the NYCTL 2021A Trust, By: Leonid Krechmer, Esq. 156 West 56th Street, Suite 703, New York, NY 10019 (212) 558-9300

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

SHERIFF’S SALE

BY VIRTUE OF AN EXECUTION ISSUED OUT OF THE SUPREME COURT, NASSAU COUNTY, in favor of CHICAGO TITLE INSURANCE COMPANY, and against ISAIAH MOULTRIE a/k/a GERALD ISAIAH MOULTRIE, to me directed and delivered, I WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION, by Dennis Alestra DCA# 0840217., auctioneer, as the law directs, FOR CASH ONLY, on the 6th day of September, 2023, at 2:00 PM, at: QUEENS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, 30-10 STARR AVENUE, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101 in the county of QUEENS all the right, title and interest which ISAIAH MOULTRIE a/k/a GERALD ISAIAH MOULTRIE, the judgment debtor(s), had on the 19th day of February, 2019, or at any time thereafter, of, in and to the following properties:

Address: 25-47 Beach Channel Drive, Far Rockaway, NY 11691 Block: 15785 Lot: 4

PARCEL A FORMER TAX LOT 1

ALL that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Queens, City and State of New York, designated on the Tax Map of the City of New York, for the Borough of Queens, as said Tax Map was on April 11, 1978 as Block 15785 Lot 1.

PARCEL B FORMER TAX LOT 4

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, known and designated on a certain map entitled “Map of Ocean Crest Villa Sites, belonging to Mrs. Ann Norten, situate in the Village of Far Rockaway, N.Y. Thomas V. Smith, surveyed 07/19/86 in the Clerk of the County of Queens, 10/19/86 as Map No. 189 and by Lot Nos. 109 and 110, bounded and described as follows:

BEGINNING at a point on the Southerly side of Dickens Avenue (Franklin Avenue) distant 445 feet Westerly from the corner formed by the intersection of the Southerly side of Dickens Avenue with the Westerly side of Beach 25th Street (Cedar Avenue) as both of said street are now laid out on the Topographical Map of the City of New York;

RUNNING THENCE Southerly on a line parallel with the Westerly side of Beach 25th Street, 91.70 feet;

THENCE Westerly 50.01 feet to a point on a line running parallel to the Westerly side of Beach 25th Street, which point is distant 92.70 feet from the Southerly side of Dickens Avenue;

RUNNING THENCE Northerly and again on a line parallel with the Westerly side of Beach 25th Street, 92.70 feet to the Southerly side of Dickens Avenue;

RUNNING THENCE Easterly along the Southerly side of Dickens Avenue, 50.0 feet to the point or place of BEGINNING

DEPUTY SHERIFF V. LEONETTI 523

LEONETTIV@SHERIFF.NYC.GOV (718) 707-2050

CASE# 23012208

ANTHONY MIRANDA

Sheriff of the City of New York

NYC Department of Finance-Office of the Sheriff -nyc.gov/finance

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

NOTICE OF SALE

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

LLANOS PROPERTY GROUP, LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 07/20/23. Offi ce: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 30-05 38th Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MORNINGSIDE NELSON APARTMENTS

LLC Cert. of Conversion fi led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/17/23, converting MORNINGSIDE HOUSING ASSOCIATES, L.P. to MORNINGSIDE NELSON APARTMENTS LLC. Offi ce

location: Queens County. Princ. offi ce of LLC: 118-35 Queens Blvd., Queens, NY 11375. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Nelson Management Group at the princ. offi ce of the LLC.

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of NT General Construction LLC

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

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

Purpose: Any lawful purpose

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

NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP, 85 Broad Street, Suite 501, New York, New York 10004, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

Notice of Formation of PND EVENTS, LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/26/2023. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: PND EVENTS, LLC, 118-12 196 STREET, ST. ALBANS, NY 11412. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of STEER STATECRAFT LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/28/2023. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: ALLISON PETERS, 86-15 AVA PLACE, 1H, JAMAICA, NY 11432. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000 Legal Notices Legal Notices

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS–SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF QUEENS – WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION TRUST 2019-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 HATTIE BEARDS; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; CAROLINE FRANCIS BEARDS AKA CAROLINE F. MURPHY, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF HATTIE BEARDS; AMOS S. BEARDS AKA AMOS S. BEARDS III, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF HATTIE BEARDS; JULIUS BEARDS AKA JULIUS C. BEARDS, AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF VERONICA BEARDS, DECEASED HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF HATTIE BEARDS; 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, persons, or other entities having or claiming a lien upon the mortgaged premises, Defendants – Index No. 706218/2019

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 15, 2023.

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, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITION

TRUST 2019-HB1) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT.

The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Phillip Hom, J.S.C. Dated: June 15, 2023 Filed: June 20, 2023. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 24624 N Conduit Avenue, Rosedale, NY 11422. Dated: February 19, 2023 Filed: August 8, 2023 Greenspoon Marder LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Meir Weiss, Esq., 590 Madison Avenue, Suite 1800, New York, NY 10022 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050

(No Service by fax) 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

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS Index No.: 709337/2022 Date Filed: 7/19/2023, THIRD SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS. Plaintiff designates Queens County as the Place of Trial Designation of Venue is based upon the situs of the Subject Property Subject Property: 42-55 78th Street,Elmhurst, NY 11373 HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as Trustee for Fremont Home Loan Trust 2005-E, Mortgage Backed Certificates, Series 2005-E, Plaintiff, -against- Any Unknown heirs, devisees, distributees or successors in interest of the late Begum Rezia Miah, if they be living or if they be dead, their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; Barshn Miah, unknown heirs at law of Mohammed T. Miah and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees lienors and assigns, all of who and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; New York City Environmental Control Board; United States of America; New York City Parking Violations Bureau; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; Household Finance Corp Ill; Velocity Investments LLC; Citibank N.A.; FIA Card Services, N.A.; United States of America Department of Internal Revenue Services, “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the Subject Property described in the Complaint, Defendants. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until sixty (60) days after service of the Summons; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Timothy J. Dufficy, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County, entered July 13, 2023 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Office. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage recorded on Nov. 29, 2005 in the Public Records of the County of Queens, State of New York at CRFN 2005000659440, covering premises k/a 42-55 78th Street, Elmhurst, NY 11373 a/k/a Block 1524, Lot 67. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: April 25, 2023 Rochester, NY Logs Legal Group LLP F/K/A Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC, By: Steven M. Palmer, Esq. Attorneys for Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 Telephone: (585) 247-9000 Our File No. 18-077505 #100625

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK – COUNTY OF QUEENS INDEX # 705468/2013 FILED: 06/22/2023 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial based on the location of the mortgaged premises in this action. MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff, against DEBORAH RASCOE AS ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF MILDRED RASCOE AND AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN TO MILDRED RASCOE; MELVIN RASCOE AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN TO MILDRED RASCOE, if living, and if dead, the respective heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignors, 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 of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and their respective husbands, wives or widow, if any; ELIZABETH FANNIE HORNE AS HEIR AT LAW AND NEXT OF KIN TO MILDRED RASCOE, if living, and if dead, the respective heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignors, 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 of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and their respective husbands, wives or widow, if any; EACH AND EVERY PERSON NOT SPECIFICALLY NAMED WHO MAY BE ENTITLED TO OR CLAIM TO HAVE ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE VERIFIED COMPLAINT; ALL OF WHOM AND WHOSE NAMES AND PLACES OF RESIDENCE UNKNOWN, AND CANNOT AFTER DILIGENT INQUIRY BE ASCERTAINED BY THE PLAINTIFF; STATE OF NEW YORK; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK STATE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA O/B/O INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; Defendants. To the above-named defendants: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the plaintiff’s attorneys within twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); 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. 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. This action was commenced to foreclose a mortgage against property located at 13908 111th Avenue, New York 11435, Tax Parcel ID No.: Block 11955 Lot 22. McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, LLC, Caren Bailey, Esq., Attorneys for Plaintiff, 1 Huntington Quadrangle, Suite 4N25, Melville, NY 11747. (631) 812-4084. (855) 845-2584 facsimile. File # 548-0155. 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 offi ce, there are government agencies and non- profi t 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 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 profi t 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 profi t 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 of Formation of STYLISH PRINT LLC Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/13/23. Offi ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 3737 88th St., D10, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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

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

Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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 #: 721980/2022 HSBC Bank USA, National Association, As Trustee, On Behalf Of The Ace Securities Corp. Home Equity Loan Trust, Series 2005-SN1, Asset Backed Pass-Through Certificates Plaintiff, Vs Khadiza Khanam 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, Lucus Valley Inc., New York City Environmental Control Board, Capital One Bank USA, NA, People Of The State Of New York, New York City Department Of Finance, United States Of America On Behalf Of The IRS John Doe (Those unknown tenants, occupants, persons or corporations or their heirs, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, guardians, assignees, creditors or successors claiming an interest in the mortgaged premises.) Defendant(s). Mortgaged Premises: 4057 Junction Boulevard Corona, NY 11368 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 Khadiza Khanam, Lucus Valley Inc. Defendants In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Ulysses B. Leverett of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Twenty-Sixth day of July, 2023 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 foreclose a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated June 27, 2003, executed by Khadiza Khanam to secure the sum of $582,140.00. The Mortgage was recorded at CRFN 2004000030303 in the City Register of the City of New York, Queens County on January 15, 2004. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed June 26, 2009 and recorded on October 30, 2009, in the City Register of the City of New York, Queens County at CRFN 2009000355947. The mortgage was subsequently modified on October 25, 2011. The property in question is described as follows: 4057 Junction Boulevard, CORONA, NY 11368 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: August 3, 2023 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. 77469

Dragon Boat race to remember

Thousands attend fest as even mayor and rivals take up oars

by Ariella Kissin Chronicle Contributor

Thousands gathered on land and on water to participate in the 31st annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in Flushing Meadows Corona Park last weekend. A competitive yet friendly energy was palpable throughout the park as corporate and club teams alike raised large tents, played music and fired up barbecue grills alongside Meadow Lake.

For Brian Tong, a paddler for the recently formed Degen Dragons team, the festival is associated with childhood nostalgia.

“This is the first time I’ve been [here] since my childhood,” Tong said. “And now it’s come back fullcircle, 20 years [later].”

Now in its third decade, the vibrant two-day event continues to gain annual appreciation and recognition from sponsors, attendees, teams and elected officials. The festival’s origins date back to the Zhou Dynasty, and live on in contemporary Hong Kong dragon boat racing, where each boat features a team member who beats a large drum to unify paddle strokes. Among various races across the United States, the Queens festival consistently claims to be the largest, oldest and most traditional one of its kind.

Like in many years past, the festival featured a wide array of familyfriendly arts-and-crafts activities and a food court with diverse options including Filipino cuisine and a Maine Lobster food truck. The traditional Dotting of the Eye ceremony preceded a series of musical and artistic performances which lasted throughout the entire afternoon. Spirits remained high throughout the two-day event, despite an unexpected bout of rainfall on Saturday, during which the teams on the water continued to paddle with determination.

Among hundreds of racers, Mayor Adams, Comptroller Brad Lander, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and the office of Public Advocate Jumaane Williams challenged one another on the water. The highly anticipated race did not disappoint onlookers, who cheered loudly for their elected officials. Sitting at the head of the dragon boat, Adams kept the pace of paddle strokes by beating the traditional drum. Lander’s team glided over the finish line first, followed closely by Adams’ “City Hall Dragons” team.

Lander was thrilled by the win. “We’re delighted to have bragging rights for the next year,” he said,

addressing the crowd during the opening ceremony after the race.

“But we’re even more delighted to be part of your tremendous Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival.”

Despite not winning first place, the mayor did not stop smiling as his boat headed back to the dock.

“Each year we want this Dragon Boat Festival to grow,” Adams said. “It’s more than just placing the boat in the water. It is how we stabilize this wonderful place we call New York City.”

Among the robust crowd of onlookers who eagerly anticipate the annual festival, spontaneous eventgoers found themselves enjoying the spectacle as well. Megan Demeter and Ilia Ayzenshtok, visiting from Atlanta, wanted to explore the city’s diverse cultural experiences, so they took to Google to explore their options.

“We randomly found the event online yesterday,” Ayzenshtok explained. The festival was among top results when he searched “NYC events tomorrow.”

“It’s cool [experiencing] things from different cultures,” Ayzenshtok said, standing among a large group of spectators waiting for the first 500meter race of the day to commence on Meadow Lake. “Everyone is super nice,” he added.

Like the Atlanta couple, the Nair family also found the event online, only with a different motivation. Nithya Nair, 15, said her father had wanted to see some boat races similar to the ones he saw during his childhood in Kerala, India.

“Where he’s from in India, their boat racing is a really big deal, so we wanted to see it,” Nair said. “This season is normally the boating season there, so it’s cool how it lines up.”

Indeed, boat racing in Kerala, known as Vallam Kali, is a wellknown tradition similar to dragon boat racing, though the vessels hold approximately 130 paddlers as opposed to the dragon boats’ 20.

Since 2014, the Bharath Boat Club, a team of paddlers hailing from Kerala, have competed in the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. The Nair family, who now lives on Long Island, came both to support the Bharath team and to enjoy an alternative cultural perspective on a beloved tradition.

The festival concluded on Sunday afternoon with a series of finals, and will recommence next summer when the drum beats reverberate across Meadow Lake yet again. Q

The 31st annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was a sight to see at Flushing Meadows Corona Park last weekend. At top, Mayor Adams, left, leads the “City Hall Dragons” in a fight for bragging rights against other city elected officials, though the team fell to Comptroller Brad Lander’s squad. Continuing clockwise, Atlanta couple Megan Demeter and Ilia Ayzenshtok enjoy the festivities; one team comes together before a race for a cheer; another celebrates while on the water at Meadow Lake and the “dotting of the eye” and the Dragon Dance mark the official opening of the Dragon Boat Festival. PHOTOS BY ARIELLA KISSIN