POT-LOCK PROBLEMS
Santos pleads guilty PAGE 8
Main break floods Coleman Square PAGE 4 STILL STARS AT 45
Beloved 1979 hit “The Muppet Movie” screens at MoMI
Convenience store challenges pot laws
Judge dismissed initial summons, but city is granted an appeal to the ruling
by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
Aconvenience store in Bayside has become the focal point of a legal battle that could impact the city’s crackdown on illicit pot shops.
The shop, located at 35-12 Bell Blvd., was ordered able to reopen by Queens Supreme Court Justice Kevin Kerrigan after it was shuttered by the Sheriff’s Office for allegedly selling cannabis without a license. The ruling has called into question the legality of the city’s broader efforts to shut down the shops.
Operation Padlock to Protect, an initiative spearheaded by Mayor Adams to combat illegal cannabis sales, has led to the closure of more than 750 shops across the city and the seizure of an estimated $40 million in product so far, according to a City Hall press release last month. New state legislation allows the Sheriff’s Office to shutter the stores on the same day a violation is issued.
The summons for the shop owner, issued during a June 26 inspection, was thrown out because the city could not prove it had been delivered
to the correct individual. A hearing officer recommended keeping the store closed, arguing that illegal activity was still occurring at the location.
Kerrigan’s decision, issued last Wednesday, criticized the city’s process for closing the store and stated that the Sheriff’s Office had no legal basis to keep the business padlocked after the initial summons was dismissed on procedural grounds.
The Adams administration appealed the ruling. Last Friday, a justice of the Appellate Division Second Department granted the city’s request for emergency relief, ordering the store to remain closed pending a final ruling.
“The court acknowledges that the unlicensed sale of cannabis within the City of New York represents an enormous public health concern,”
Kerrigan wrote in his ruling. “However, summarily shuttering businesses prior to taking the necessary steps to determine whether a violation has occurred stands against the cornerstone of American democracy and procedural due process.”
their due process rights, according to reports by the Post.
Court documents show that the petitioner in the Bayside case, 3512 Bell Corp., is due back in court Sept. 6.
Lazzaro could not be reached for comment.
Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven), who authored legislation that enabled municipalities to shutter the illicit shops, emphasized the importance of due process in the SMOKEOUT Act, which mandates a hearing within five days for shops that are padlocked.
PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN
A summons for the owner of Bell Convenience Shop, at 35-12 Bell Blvd. in Bayside, for illicit weed sales was thrown out by a judge. The ruling was successfully appealed by the city.
The ruling has, however, opened the door for other businesses affected by Operation Padlock to Protect to challenge their closures.
“Who the hell made the sheriff the judge and jury?” Lance Lazzaro, the attorney representing the Bayside store, said to the New York Post. “It’s almost a complete denial of due pro-
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cess where the sheriff has the ultimate authority — despite what happens at the hearing, they can still reject it.”
Lazzaro also represents a group of shop owners in a federal class action lawsuit, who argue the rapid shuttering of their stores was a violation of
“We provided that if your shop is padlocked, you will receive an administrative hearing from the City within five days where you have the chance to make your case and dispute the closure,” Rajkumar said in a statement. “A federal judge upheld this provision in the case of Moon Rocket Inc et al. v. City of New York et al., which rejected the argument that the closures violated due process.”
She added, “Because of the imminent danger to public health and
continued on page 26
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Main break leaves Howard Beach thirsty
Some residents had no running water in their homes for nearly 11 hours
by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
While area residents are used to dealing with deluges and floods sometimes pouring into their homes, a water main break in Howard Beach last Saturday left some without running water for nearly 11 hours.
According to a rep from the city Department of Environmental Protection, the break occurred at around 8:30 a.m. in Coleman Square, at the Howard Beach-JFK Airport train station. DEP crews shut off the water and made the necessary repairs.
As work was ongoing, a Water on the Go fountain was set up to supply impacted businesses and residents. Service was restored around 7 p.m. Saturday night, the DEP said.
As a result of the break, A train service at the Howard Beach-JFK Airport station was briefly impacted, an MTA rep told the Chronicle. Shuttle buses were available. Residents at the scene told the Chronicle windows were smashed at the train station as a result of the high water pressure.
Area elected officials kept tabs on proceedings as the situation unfolded. Both Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato
(D-Howard Beach) contacted authorities and updated constituents throughout the day on their social media pages.
“My office was notified of the break early
Saturday morning, and I immediately reached out to [Queens Borough Commissioner] Alfonso Lopez at the DEP to get things under control,” Ariola told the Chronicle in a state-
Swastikas found in Woodhaven
Graffiti spray-painted at multiple spots along Jamaica Ave.
by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
An unknown individual spray painted multiple swastikas in Woodhaven last week, according to the authorities.
Police said that on Aug. 14, a 33-year-old female reported to police around midnight that an unidentified person spray painted the hateful symbols on the north side of Jamaica Avenue, between 90th and 91st streets.
In reaction to the incident, residents took to social media to denounce the crime. On a neighborhood Facebook group, some pointed out that the shade of the blue paint used matches other graffiti along Jamaica Avenue.
“Hopefully security camera footage can help identify those responsible,” one resident wrote.
Another said, “I’ve seen graffiti and all that before but this is new and kind of disturbing.”
Area elected officials also denounced the incidents, and praised the quick action of the NYPD in painting over the swastikas.
“My office was made aware of hate symbols appearing in Woodhaven recently,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said in a statement posted to social media. “This is absolutely unacceptable — hate has no home in District 32. The NYPD 102nd Precinct is conducting an investigation to find
those responsible, and the graffiti is being removed. We must stand united and send a clear message to those who wish to intimidate members of our community: nobody should be afraid to live here because of their race or religion. This kind of hate will not be tolerated.”
State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) told the Chronicle he was “deeply appalled and outraged” by the graffiti.
“This despicable act is not only an affront to the Jewish community but to all of us who stand against hate and bigotry in any form,” he said. “There is no place for such symbols of hate in our community, and I stand with my constituents in condemning this cowardly act. I am confident that the authorities will investigate this matter thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. We must remain united in our commitment to fostering a community of respect, tolerance, and inclusivity.”
“Hate will not be tolerated in Woodhaven. There is no place for anti-semitism in my district,” Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) said in a prepared statement.
“My office immediately took action after learning of this despicable act. Thank you to the NYPD 102nd Precinct for their swift response, including painting over the swasti-
ment. “I was on-site throughout the day, making sure that on-the-go trucks were always on hand to provide residents with clean water for drinking and household use.”
“I just spoke with NYC Water and they have said that emergency contractors have removed the damaged piece of the water main and installed a new one,” Pheffer Amato wrote on Facebook. “Thank you very much to the incredible crew from DEP who was working all day to get this fixed!”
Ariola argued that the incident proves Howard Beach is no place for City of Yes, the mayor’s sweeping zoning proposal.
“More than anything else, this is clear proof that our infrastructure simply cannot maintain the kind of development outlined by the City of Yes,” she said. “This would be considered a ‘transit-oriented area’ under the City of Yes legislation, and would be prime ground for overdevelopment. This blast was powerful enough to smash windows at the train station — if this place was teeming with development and with people, the situation could have been tragic. We need to focus on improving our crumbling infrastructure first, before we consider any thought of additional development.” Q
Deed theft Zoom 8/26
kas. ... I call for this perpetrator to be swiftly apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law under the hate crimes statute.”
Rajkumar said the NYPD Hate Crimes Unit has surveillance video of the perpetrator, though the NYPD did not respond to a request for the footage. No arrests have been made, and the investigation is ongoing, police said. Q
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) are partnering to host a free homeowner deed protection webinar on Aug. 26 at 6 p.m.
During the Zoom presentation, the DA’s Worker and Housing Protection Bureau Chief Bill Jorgenson will teach homeowners how to protect their property from deed theft and discuss the recent changes in state law that stripped squatters of some legal protections, according to Pheffer Amato’s office. Deed theft occurs when someone takes the title of someone’s home without the homeowner’s knowledge or approval. According to the city Sheriff’s Office, there have been at least 3,500 deed theft complaints filed in NYC in the past 10 years.
“Learning about this information will protect your home and neighborhood, and prevent someone from trying to steal your property,” Pheffer Amato said in a statement. “Whether you own a house, co-op, condo, or any type of property, join us for this informative session as we fight to prevent criminals from taking away what belongs to you.”
To register for the webinar, visit queensda.org/upcoming-events. Q
Multiple swastikas were spray-painted along Jamaica Avenue between 90th and 91st streets last week. NYC COUNCIL PHOTO / FACEBOOK
City Department of Environmental Protection employees last Saturday worked for hours to fix a water main break at Coleman Square in Howard Beach. PHOTO COURTESY NYS ASSEMBLY
Festivities at the feast
The annual St. Helen feast last week made a vibrant return to the parish grounds at 157-10 83 St. in Howard Beach. It was sponsored by the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic, top center, and Councilwoman Joann Ariola, and provided a delightful mix of tradition and community spirit. Attendees indulged in a feast of flavors, with typical fair fare like fried Oreos, zeppoles and cotton candy. Other
offerings included sausage and peppers, birria tacos and Philly cheesesteaks, all made fresh, far right. Kids enjoyed games and the thrilling opportunity to win prizes, right. Above center, newly minted Community Board 10 member and area realtor Brina Ciaramella offered a unique experience with a 360-degree photo booth, and, at left, residents relish in the lively atmosphere. — Kristen Guglielmo
Violent teens disrupt annual feast in HB
by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
While the annual feast at St. Helen Church, at 157-10 83 St. in Howard Beach, usually provides family-friendly fun, last Friday night a crowd of rowdy teenagers disrupted the event, injuring five officers.
According to witnesses and an anonymous poster’s video on the Howard Beach Dads Facebook page, what started as a smaller fight quickly escalated, with the cause unknown. The video shows teens
OZP student wins a day at City Council
violently beating each other.
The NYPD said cops responded to a call of a disorderly crowd at around 9 p.m. While dispersing the horde, five officers were injured. One was treated on scene by EMS and the others were transported to nearby hospitals for minor injuries, police said. Some residents in attendance alleged that a cop was pepper-sprayed and spit on, though the NYPD did not confirm that.
The Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic, which organizes the event every year, took to social media to address the chaos.
“Last night children who have no respect for one another, adults or our police officers attended the Feast and got into several arguments,” the group wrote on its Facebook page. “We do not know exactly what they were arguing over, but it was kid stuff — girlfriends, boyfriends etc. ... These kids did not care if the police or any of us organizing or attending the feast saw what they were doing. They were laughing in the police officers’ faces.”
Those who purchased ride tickets last Friday evening close to closing time were compensated, according to the HBLC and attendees who spoke to the Chronicle. Q
by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
Amanda Jaggernath, a student at MS 137 in Ozone Park, was welcomed to City Hall on Aug. 15 by Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) to serve as “Councilmember for the Day.”
According to Ariola’s office, Amanda spoke to members of the City Council and took part in a voice vote on the chamber floor after receiving a tour of City Hall and having lunch with Ariola.
Amanda won Ariola’s 2024 District 32 Veteran Essay Contest, in which children were asked to write about a veteran who made an impact on their lives. She wrote about her physical education teacher, Heather Avagnano, a U.S. Navy veteran.
“I am here honored to represent my school here at City Hall,” Amanda said while addressing lawmakers from the chamber floor. “I’m incredibly excited to be here and have the opportunity to meet with all of you. This just proves that coming from a hardworking immigrant parent, at times struggling to give me the best education, that I can achieve anything in life possible for me and my family.”
Ariola in a statement said Amanda’s essay was beautiful and well-written.
“As soon as I read it, I knew I had to meet this young woman,” Ariola said. “She has such a bright future ahead, and is part of so many activities in her school and is active in her student government. I know that this will not be the last time I see Amanda, and I know she will do great in whatever journeys she embarks on in the years to come.”
Councilwoman Joann Ariola welcomed Ozone Park student Amanda Jaggernath to City Hall to serve as “Councilmember for a Day.”
PHOTO BY EMIL COHEN / NYC COUNCIL / FLICKR
A crowd of teens disrupted the feast at St. Helen Church last weekend. SCREENSHOT VIA FACEBOOK / HOWARD BEACH DADS
Santos pleads guilty to ID theft, fraud
Ex-congressman to pay over $500K, faces two to 22 years in fed.
by Sophie Krichevsky Editor
Former Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in federal court Monday afternoon, weeks before his trial was set to begin.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace said Santos will face at least two years in prison and as many as 22. As part of the plea deal, the ex-congressman will be required to repay restitution of $373,749.97 and forfeiture of $205,002.97.
Per the plea agreement, should Santos fail to pay the forfeiture money by Jan. 8 — 30 days before his Feb. 7 sentencing date — the deal is off, and the matter will proceed to trial.
Santos also admitted to committing a number of other crimes, including filing falsified campaign finance documents, embezzling funds from campaign donors, charging credit cards without permission, lying to the U.S. House of Representatives and obtaining unemployment benefits using fraud.
“After years of telling lies, former Congressman George Santos stood in the courthouse right behind me and finally, under oath, told the truth, and that truth is he is a criminal,” Peace told reporters in Central Islip, LI, shortly after Santos’ plea. “Santos pled guilty to committing serious crimes involving fraud
and identity theft. He also admitted to committing all other crimes he was charged with in the superseding indictment. As a result, he will finally be held to account for his actions.”
Santos choking back tears behind his signature wire-rim sunglasses as he addressed reporters Monday. “I’m taking responsibility because I have to — there is no other way around it,” he said, offering apologies to the district and to his loved ones.
“It has been the proudest achievement of my life to represent you, and I believe I did so to the best of my abilities. But you also trusted me to represent you with honor, and to uphold the values that are essential to our democracy, and in that regard, I failed you.”
Monday’s plea represents an abrupt reversal, coming less than a week after Santos’ last court appearance, when he reaffirmed his previous not guilty plea to 23 counts of wire fraud, money laundering, making false statements to Congress, conspiracy, credit card fraud, theft of public funds, aggravated identity theft and falsifying records. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert denied motions from Santos and his lawyer, Joseph Murray, to see several charges dismissed.
Santos became just the sixth person in history to be expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives in December following
Man charged after two stabbed in OZP
by Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
A homeless man who allegedly stabbed two people in Ozone Park earlier this month was indicted on Aug. 16, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.
Feruz Radjabov, 40, whose last known address was in Midwood, Brooklyn, was arraigned bedside at a hospital, the DA’s Office said. He was charged with two counts of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted assault, two counts of first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and assault of a police officer.
According to the charges, on Aug. 7 at approximately 5:05 p.m., Radjabov walked up to a 25-year-old man, who was pumping gas at a station at 100-03 North Conduit Ave. in Ozone Park, and stabbed him in the left shoulder before fleeing.
A few minutes later, authorities said, Radjabov was seen on the northbound platform of the nearby Aqueduct-North Conduit Avenue A train station. He approached a 67-year-old man, who the DA’s Office said is a grandfather, and stabbed him once
in the neck. Radjabov was then seen entering the subway tracks. He was apprehended on the Rockaway-bound tracks and a knife was recovered from his pocket.
The victims were taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, the DA said, where the 67-year-old had surgery to repair his trachea and jugular vein. He remains hospitalized. The 25-year-old was treated and discharged.
Radjabov was taken to the NYPD’s 106th Precinct. There, he allegedly struck an officer in the face with his head, causing a laceration to the cop’s lip and a chipped tooth.
If convicted of the top charges, Radjabov faces up to 65 years in prison. He is due back in court Sept. 17.
“Two New Yorkers — a subway commuter and a motorist — were stabbed in completely unprovoked acts of violence allegedly by this defendant,” District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “The lives of these two men are forever changed after this senseless attack and my office will aggressively prosecute this case to ensure that justice in achieved. I thank the NYPD for quickly apprehending this defendant before anyone else was hurt.” Q
“I am taking responsibility because I have to — there is no other way around it.”
— Ex. Rep. George Santos on his plea
his first of two superseding indictments for two separate schemes to bring in thousands of dollars to his 2022 campaign and to his own pockets, using that money on personal debts and lavish personal purchases.
prison
on Monday pleaded guilty to aggravated
fraud, and faces two to 22 years in
One of those two schemes, the first of which was laid out in his original, May 2023 indictment, involved Santos’ having enlisted an unnamed, Queens-based political consultant in September 2022 to solicit two excessive contributions of $25,000 for his campaign using an unnamed company linked to his company, the Devolder Organization, under the false pretense that the company was a 501(c)(4) and was therefore not subject to campaign finance limits, even though they are. After that money was sent to the company bank account, it was transferred into Santos’ personal bank accounts before being spent on large personal purchases, such as designer clothing and on personal debts, among other things.
Santos was hit with the superseding indictment last October — days after his former campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty to conspiracy — which unearthed the second scheme: He conspired with Marks to falsely inflate the ex-lawmaker-to-be’s campaign finance records to hit a $250,000 benchmark to qualify for a Republican Party program that would provide Santos with immense financial and logistical support. Marks and Santos agreed to falsely report to
the FEC 11 that members of both their families had made contributions to the campaign. When those fake donations totaled only $53,200, the duo falsely reported that the campaign had raised $251,549.68. The two proceeded to falsely report that Santos had loaned the campaign $500,000, even though his own accounts had under $8,000 in them.
The superseding indictment also unearthed that Santos had stolen credit card information from donors to his campaign and repeatedly charged those cards without authorization. Since those “donations” were excessive ones, Santos reported them in the names of others. He proceeded to transfer those funds to other campaigns and to his own bank account.
And in December 2022, The New York Times published a bombshell report documenting his largely falsified resume and questionable financial history weeks before he was sworn into Congress.
Santos’ expulsion last year launched a fierce special election race between his predecessor, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Nassau, Queens) and Nassau County Legislator Mazi Pilip. Suozzi’s February victory in the Queens and Nassau County district narrowed the House Republicans’ already razor-thin majority. Q
Four people have West Nile
The West Nile virus has been detected in four New York City residents, including at least one from Queens, for the first time this year, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene announced Aug. 19. The four live in Queens and Manhattan. The department did not specify how many in each or give information on their ages and sexes. One was diagnosed with West Nile fever and three were hospitalized with neuroinvasive disease, beginning in late July, the department said. Its press office did not respond when asked for more information.
West Nile virus was first discovered in northern Queens in 1999, when it killed four people here and sickened another 32, along with at least 13 more elsewhere in the city. It is spread by mosquitoes, and the city regularly sprays chemicals around the five boroughs to kill them.
The Health Department also said the virus was detected in blood donations from three people who reside in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. Reports of two possible cases in the Bronx are also under investigation.
Q
— Peter C. Mastrosimone
Ex-Rep. George Santos, seen here at an October 2022 event,
identify theft and wire
prison.
PHOTO BY SOPHIE KRICHEVSKY / FILE
EDITORIAL AGEP
A newspaper in every high school
Read all about it — the City Council last week passed, by voice vote, a nonbinding resolution calling on the city Department of Education to fund a student newspaper in every high school. We hope the DOE pays heed.
Aside from the fact that the city, nation and world need competent journalists as much as ever, while their numbers are instead declining, the Council points out that there seems to be a correlation between having a school paper and having a good school. And there is certainly a correlation between having a newspaper and having money.
A 2022 study by Baruch College that the Council resolution cited heavily found that 58 percent of high schools with the best graduation rates have newspapers. Only 6 percent of schools with the lowest graduation rates do. The study examined traditional district schools, excluding charters.
Among the 100 high schools with the highest poverty rates, only 7 percent have papers. Among the 50 schools with the lowest poverty rates, 62 percent do. And all of the specialized high schools, the “elite eight,” have them.
Since we’re in the news business, we naturally want to encourage young people to become involved with writing for their school papers, and for the rest of their classmates to
read them. Since 2008 we’ve even been designing and printing newspapers for a handful of city schools, ranging from an elementary and middle school in South Queens to a high school in Long Island City.
Every high school also should offer journalism classes. Everyone’s focused on STEM this and hydroponics that, but students need to learn better writing, better communications. Newswriting is, traditionally, different from other kinds of writing taught in schools. For one thing, you have to get right to the point. You’re not looking to add long adjectives to fill the number of pages demanded in a term paper; you’re looking to cut extra words to make it fit (just now we had “extraneous” and realized we should go with “extra”).
And budding reporters aren’t the only ones who benefit from taking journalism classes or being on the school newspaper. Good writing skills are vital to an ever-greater number of professions, beyond the ones that might come right to mind, such as education, advertising, marketing or the law. A lot of communication in all areas is done via email now. Also, someone who knows how to write news is more likely to know how to read news, to discern what’s real and what’s not. And we all know how vital a skill that has become.
Notorious George
It turns out that fabulist and former Republican Rep. George Santos’ signature look of a sweater over a dress shirt is just as fake as everything else about him. As he revealed on Cindy Adams’ WABC radio show Sunday, the “shirts” are just false collars.
So Santos pleaded guilty to a fashion crime. Then on Monday, he pleaded guilty to some real crimes: wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. As a result, he faces anywhere from two to 22 years in prison.
Santos briefly served as the congressman for northeastern Queens and some of Long Island’s North Shore. He was expelled from the House last December after being indicted over two schemes to rake in thousands of dollars illegally for his campaigns and himself. He and his campaign treasurer filed false federal reports, and he even made further charges to donors’ credit cards, spending the funds as he wished.
Now he’s got to pay $205,000 by Jan. 8 — or else the plea deal is off and he’ll go to trial — and another $373,750 in restitution. Too bad for what must be furious George. Unlike his shirts, this is all too real.
MARK WEIDLER
President & Publisher
SUSAN & STANLEY MERZON Founders
Raymond G. Sito General Manager
Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief
Michael Gannon Senior News Editor
Sophie Krichevsky Editor
Naeisha Rose Editor
Kristen Guglielmo Associate Editor
Stela Barbu Office Manager
Jan Schulman Art Director
Moeen Din Associate Art Director
Gregg Cohen Editorial Production Manager
Joseph Berni Art Department Associate Dennis O’Brien Proofreader
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LETTERSTO THE EDITOR
Yes to CoY housing
Dear Editor:
On June 20, Queens Community Board 3 voted to disapprove the City of Yes-Housing zoning proposal. I was in the minority that voted to approve, and I still support the proposal.
The background is undeniable and grim. For decades, NYC housing growth has been too low to even keep up with the population, leading to a housing shortage that has produced an apartment vacancy rate of 1.41 percent, with over 50 percent of New Yorkers being rent burdened. Contrary to fears of an influx of population straining neighborhoods, many who would benefit from CoY-H already live here, overcrowded and straining under a rent burden.
A solution should not focus the change on any one area and should have different tools for diverse types of neighborhoods. Contrary to the “one-size-fits-all” accusation leveled at the program, Coy-H is a multi-tool that has different tools for different neighborhood types and is applicable citywide.
The keystone of this is the removal of mandatory parking minimums. They are based on obsolete 80-year-old standards and serve as a drag on building new homes, including all the new housing permitted under this proposal, because of the extra expense and time involved in adding spaces that the market context won’t justify in many cases.
CoY-H does reduce the scope of community
board review for much new housing, but CB review should be reserved for out-of-the-ordinary cases, not situations where new homes aren’t, to quote the EIS, “substantially different in height, character, or arrangement than those that currently exist in surrounding neighborhoods.” There are buildings, including the one in which I live, that New Yorkers have lived in for decades, but that are impossible to build now under current zoning rules. CoY-H would permit those buildings again. It should be go forward.
Bill Bruno Jackson Heights
The writer is a member of Queens Community Board 3.
We’ll miss WCBS 880
Dear Editor:
In a word, shocking. That is what most New Yorkers felt when they heard the news that WCBS 880 would no longer be on the air, effective Aug. 26.
The iconic radio station that covered all the
major stories, such as 9/11, Superstorm Sandy and countless others, kept New Yorkers informed for 57 years.
But to me, the tragic thing about this is that it’s being bumped by ESPN, an all-sports station. A station, I may add, that has terrible ratings throughout the day right now.
This leaves us with just one all-news station and four all-sports stations. In this day and age we need to have as much news as possible. So instead of being kept informe d on WCBS, we will now have callers like Joe from Howard Beach saying, “The Yankees should fire Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone” after a loss.
In 2017, WCBS celebrated its 50th anniversary at a theater in Times Square. I attended and saw many of the legendary reporters that evening.
I do not plan to listen to this new format, nor listen to my beloved Mets anymore. Many people, some there for decades, will now be losing heir jobs. In a word, stupid!
John Lynch Middle Village
LETTERSTO THE EDITOR
Platforming hatred
Dear Editor:
Heather Galaher’s July 25 letter, “Don’t ignore Palestine,” reveals disturbing biases and a total disconnect from reality.
In a weak effort to refute the connection between Judaism and Zionism, Ms. Galaher cites unrelated survey data about the Israeli government’s war efforts. Zionism is an integral part of Judaism, beyond any single government. Israel’s central role in Jewish liturgy and the continuous Jewish presence in Israel for thousands of years establish a clear bond between Zionism and Judaism. Erasing the history of an indigenous people will not bring peace, despite Ms. Galaher’s implication.
Ms. Galaher then shifts to flimsy emotional appeals, citing blatantly false casualty statistics and unfounded claims of genocide. The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health’s death toll, which the U.S. government has questioned, was approximately 39,000 as of Wednesday, July 24, before differentiating between terrorists and civilians.
Further, it was Hamas that tried to perpetrate a genocide with its Oct. 7 attacks. Israel takes extraordinary measures to limit civilian casualties, from early warnings before targeted strikes to ground operations where possible, even at significant cost to its people. Rather than blaming Israel for defending itself, Ms. Galaher should blame Hamas for using civilians as human shields.
Rounding out this carousel of delusion is the credulity shown to fringe groups like Neturei Karta, a sect that has openly aligned itself with the Islamic Republic of Iran. In case Ms. Galaher has forgotten, the United States has designated the Iranian government as a state sponsor of terror since 1984.
Beyond the letter’s contents, the decision to publish it reveals a stunning lack of moral clarity and editorial judgment. While individuals have the right to free speech, newspapers are under no obligation to print anti-Semitic screeds. There is no place in civilized society for modern-day blood libels.
Shalom Weberman Forest Hills Gardens
Save butterflies from DOT
Dear Editor:
Monarch butterflies are an iconic, endangered species we all instantly recognize and love. Their populations are declining because of habitat loss. Monarchs migrate north from Mexico and the next generation returns there. New York is a critical stop on their journey. When the adults get here they lay their eggs to continue the next generation. Instead of caterpillars growing up, they are needlessly killed by the city Department of Transportation.
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed. The city considers milkweed a noxious weed instead of a beneficial native plant. Since it grows naturally on the sides of the highway, DOT mows it down so only grass remains. This kills the milkweed plant and any caterpillars or eggs that exist.
You can see roadside native plants including milkweed in this short video on Instagram: tinyurl.com/388aazsw.
Without access to milkweed, the butterflies
won’t survive. Their species can go extinct because DOT thinks grass in the only acceptable land cover. Please bring attention to this issue so another vital part of our environment doesn’t disappear.
Michelle Del Pin Brooklyn
Help struggling seniors
Dear Editor:
Wednesday was National Senior Citizens Day.
The Greatest Generation must be honored for they fought for democracy in wars. They were our parents and grandparents, our teachers, doctors and clergy. They taught us to grow in the right way and we must pay homage to them.
In addition, senior citizens nowadays must be treated with respect, not threatened to have be switched to Medicare Advantage plans, like the city retirees are, or to have Social Security and Medicare taken away from them. They should not be mugged, hurt, pushed or, above all, neglected. Many are without friends and family, and others are dumped into assisted-living facilities without their consent. Also there is very little done for blind senior citizens. Activities at senior citizen centers and at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities are not accessible. Many are shunned, not spoken to, and everything from ballots for voting to daily activity program listings are not accessible.
Meals on Wheels must not be taken away or even limited for homebound seniors. They also must be cared for with visits from case managers and others. I call residents here at Brandywine’s Savoy Senior Living and cheer them up. Cynthia Groopman Little Neck
Delivery apps must step up
Dear Editor:
Last Thursday, there was an article published on the effects of minimum wage for delivery drivers on business owners (“A pinch in the wallet with Local Law 115”). I believe the framing of this article is blatantly absurd.
DoorDash is a multibillion-dollar company; there’s no reason it should be putting the onus of the Dashers’ wages onto customers. What these small-business owners are overlooking is the fact that businesses like DoorDash are doing this intentionally, making the minimum wage law look bad by purposely not supplementing their delivery worker’s income.
The fact is, if these delivery services did what was right, both the delivery people and the owners would be thriving, making much more money than they previously had. Instead, everyone’s blaming the fair, long-overdue minimum wage law.
You used to be able to buy a house with a minimum wage job; now you can barely afford rent with it. We need to recognize this for what it is: an unacceptable injustice. Put the blame where it belongs, and demand delivery apps do better.
Galaher Jackson Heights
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Councilman Holden says legislation would tie the hands of police officers Williams pushes cop insurance bill
by Naeisha Rose Editor
City Councilwoman Nantasha Williams (D-St. Albans) is drumming up support for a cop liability insurance bill that was headed up by Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens) and is also the lead sponsor of a resolution that was introduced last Thursday.
Res. 0532 calls on the state Legislature to pass Hyndman’s legislation, A2220, and the state Senate version of the bill, S3515, which would require police officers to maintain personal liability insurance.
When asked about detractors in a New York Post article saying the bill is a means to defund the police, Hyndman shot back.
“The proposal to require police officers to carry personal liability insurance is not an effort to defund the police or punish the dedicated officers who serve our communities,” Hyndman said via email. “Instead, it is a step toward accountability and a fiscally responsible solution to the escalating costs associated with police misconduct.
“When I first introduced this bill, our country was reeling from the devastating murder of George Floyd, and unfortunately, little has changed since then.”
cops from doing their jobs.
On May 25, 2020, PO Derek Chauvin of the Minneapolis Police Department kneeled on Floyd’s neck and back for nine minutes and 29 seconds, resulting in the death of the former from cardiopulmonary arrest. Calls for Chauvin’s arrest were accompanied by rallying cries of “I can’t breathe” during several protests across the country.
Chauvin pleaded guilty in 2021 to federal charges of violating Floyd’s civil rights by using unreasonable force. Police were called on Floyd because he was suspected of using a counterfeit $20 bill at a store. The city of Minneapolis settled a wrongful death lawsuit for $27 million with Floyd’s family.
Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) believes Hyndman’s bill, if enacted, will prevent
“Our officers already face immense challenges working in the most scrutinized police department in the world, often making split-second decisions while upholding the highest training standards,” said Holden via email. “Adding personal liability requirements on top of State and City laws that have tied the hands of our police — including ending qualified immunity and a biased, out-of-control [city Civilian Complaint Review Board] with more authority — is a bridge too far. No other city workers face such demands, and frankly, it’s the politicians who should be held personally liable for the damage they’ve done to New York.”
Williams said the NYPD tort claim settlements and judgment payouts increased by 12 percent from $239.1 million in fiscal year 2022 to $266.7 million in 2023.
“Implementing liability insurance for police officers can have a profound impact,” Williams said in an email. “Police professional liability insurance covers officers and departments for acts, errors, and omissions made during their professional duties. By shifting the financial responsibility for lawsuit payouts to insurance companies and the officers themselves, local governments can save millions in taxpayer dol-
lars. Additionally, this measure would incentivize improved police conduct, fostering greater accountability within the force.”
Hyndman said the city has paid more than $82 million in settlements related to police misconduct in 2024 alone.
“This is an outrageous amount of money that could be better spent on vital city services, infrastructure, and community programs. We are simply asking for accountability, and I believe this legislation achieves that while protecting both our communities and our financial resources,” said the assemblywoman.
Hyndman also said that the idea of certain professionals taking out insurance is not a foreign concept, as doctors are required to carry malpractice insurance — a precautionary measure designed to protect patients and ensure accountability in the medical field.
“Just as malpractice insurance ensures accountability and trust in the medical profession, liability insurance for police officers would serve as a necessary safeguard for both the community and law enforcement,” Hyndman continued. “California, Minnesota, and Oregon are also exploring this idea, which indicates that other states are recognizing a clear pattern and the need for increased accountability within law enforcement. It is crucial that we take proactive steps to address this issue while we still have the chance.” Q
Councilwoman Nantasha Williams, left, introduced a resolution in support of Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman’s cop liability insurance bill. Councilman Bob Holden is against the legislation. FILE PHOTOS
People are tired of street vendor trash
Jamaica folks, shoppers don’t want rats, blocked sidewalks
by Naeisha Rose Editor
Some people who live, work and shop in Jamaica by Jamaica Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard say they are tired of the putrid smell, have concerns about rats and say it’s hard to traverse the sidewalks because of garbage on the sidewalks, which some attribute to unlicensed street vendors, who may be undocumented, in the area.
Last Thursday, the Queens Chronicle hit the streets to learn more.
“It’s too bad,” said Gabriela Jiminez of Flushing. “It’s too bad, because they throw everything and it smells bad.”
Jiminez, who is originally from Ecuador, said maybe the city Department of Sanitation can set out more garbage cans or provide more service for the area, including washing the sidewalks and streets.
The DSNY said it frequently collects garbage at that intersection.
“Regarding litter, we take seriously our mission to ensure that New Yorkers have the clean streets and sidewalks they deserve, and everyone plays a role here,” said DSNY spokesman Vincent Gragnani via email. “We service this area regularly via residential trash collection, frequent litter basket service and a special litter patrol. We have also addressed issues of illegal dumping here.”
One woman, who only gave her name as Alberta, said she felt for the vendors, but the area needs to be maintained.
“They have their kids to take care of and they don’t have other means to do so, so it’s OK with them setting [up shop] by the street,” said Alberta. “The kids have to eat, but I don’t like the garbage.”
A longtime taxi driver from Cambria Heights said the garbage made it harder for him to pick up passengers.
“It’s not good,” said the taxi driver. “It blocks the driveway.”
He also said passersby sometimes leave their garbage amongst the vendors’ piles of boxes on the street.
“People who don’t live here leave the trash by there,” said the taxi driver.
He said he tries to mind his own business, but he thinks the issue is a city problem and acknowledged that the NYPD does try to address it.
“Sometimes the police come and gives them a ticket,” said the taxi driver, who also believes the DSNY could probably stop by to do more garbage pickups.
The cabbie said the vendors go home and rest for the day to start their businesses the next morning with the expectation that their own staff will pick up the garbage.
The Chronicle reached out to the Police Department, but the agency said it does not have numbers related to vending enforcement in the specific area.
The DSNY confirmed that the NYPD does issue fines and said it has also issued six vending-related summonses itself in the Jamaica Avenue-Sutphin Boulevard area since it became responsible for vending enforcement in April 2023.
“Our vending enforcement work is rooted in the belief that all New Yorkers, across every neighborhood, in every borough, deserve clean, safe sidewalks,” Gragnani said. “While we take a warnings-first approach — often posting dozens of warning signs throughout an area before taking any enforcement actions — we also engage in robust enforcement to protect cleanliness and quality of life.”
In 2024, the DSNY has issued 13,915 cleanliness-related summonses in Community District 12.
Jennifer Arias of Jamaica, whose son translated her comments in
Spanish, said there is too much trash in the area.
“With too much garbage comes too much rats,” said Arias, who wants more restrictions on the vendors.
Queens Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Grech shared Arias’ sentiment.
“There are many areas in Queens County that are having similar problems,” Grech told the Chronicle. “Roosevelt Avenue in Corona, also Main Street in Flushing, and this area on Sutphin and Jamaica Avenue is no exception.”
He said illegal vendors crowding the sidewalks are causing safety and health issues.
“It’s a major concern for brickand-mortar businesses that are still trying to rebound from Covid,” Grech said. “We believe there could be peaceful coexistence, but the vendors have got to be licensed. I know that is a whole other kettle of fish when it comes to the city issuing licenses, but there are rules on the books from the city and everybody involved needs to follow those rules.”
The QCC president says he is always greatly troubled when people leave trash in front of stores.
“It’s always a ticket for established businesses,” Grech said.
The QCC CEO believes that until all vendors are licensed, it is going to be a difficult task to get them to follow the policy and procedure when it comes to picking up trash.
“It’s gotten better on FlushingMain Street, it’s still a challenge on Roosevelt — Jamaica Avenue and Sutphin is no exception, it’s still a big challenge over there,” Grech said. “We have to go back to a basic order of rules and regulations and follow those.”
Grech believes increased enforce-
ment by either the NYPD or DSNY has helped Main Street and is necessary for getting trash off the street in Roosevelt Avenue and Jamaica Avenue and Sutphin Boulevard.
“There are good things happening in Jamaica,” said Grech, “but we need to make sure enforcement is there.”
Whitney Barrat, president of the Downtown Jamaica Partnership, a business improvement district, agrees with Grech.
“It is our hope that the City can figure out a way to address unlicensed street vending, and the added illegal dumping and narrowing of our sidewalks that result from it, while working to find sanctioned and productive ways for people to make a living,” Barrat said. “Jamaica is not alone in dealing with this issue, which we believe should be addressed holistically. Our storefront businesses already have so many challenges that they must contend with. Until a broader, city-wide solution is created, DSNY should increase service and enforcement in the areas that need it most.”
Chris Barca, Borough President Donovan Richards’ spokesman, said the borough president has repeatedly made clear his belief that the city needs to do more to uplift street vendors and ensure the locations where they vend are properly regulated and maintained.
“That’s why the Borough President will continue to advocate for the expansion of the Corona Plaza street vending pilot program to locations like Jamaica, where vending has been a mainstay for years, and for the lifting of the arbitrary cap on vending licenses distributed by the city,” said Barca via email.
Adama Diarra, who lives on Hillside Avenue in Jamaica, said vendors
should be fined over lack of cleanliness.
“They have to be ticketed to maintain the streets,” Diarra told the Chronicle. “They are trying to make money and survive, but the streets need to be clean to be safe, especially for the children. Everybody has to think about that.”
One parent, who had his two sons in a stroller, said that he also feels for the street vendors who probably traveled far to come to the United States, but the sidewalks need to be accessible.
Giovanni Ska of Mexico, who is undocumented, said he too also feels for the plight of the street vendors, but they need to have permits and follow the rules.
“Everybody needs to have a permit and pay taxes,” said Ska, who was cleaning up the sidewalk by the grocery store where he works. “They should at least clean up after selling and make some contribution. We need to find a solution.
“I understand it is hard — we need to find money for rent, but use logic and be a good person. Give something back to the community ... I’m not a citizen, but I try to do my best and follow the rules.”
Councilwoman Nantasha Williams (D-St. Albans), who represents Downtown Jamaica, said she is working with the BID, DSNY, BP’s office and residents to tackle the issue.
“We want to make sure enforcement is sustainable and the quality of life is protected,” Williams said via email. “Our collaboration has already born fruit and hopes to continue to tackle the problem with new tools in discussion.”
Gragnani said that any New Yorker who sees excess litter should call 311 so DSNY address it. Q
Garbage left on the street by unlicensed vendors, some who are believed to be undocumented, have some people concerned about accessibility on the sidewalk and rats in the Jamaica area. Those who live, work and shop in the area said they felt for the vendors but the sidewalks need to stay clear.
PHOTOS BY NAEISHA ROSE
One grocery employee said the vendors should follow the rules by keeping the sidewalk clear. A parent said he needs the block clear for his kids’ stroller.
Woman still hoards pets in squalor: DA
Thirty-eight dogs and cats rescued in J. Heights; the first time it was 70
by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief
A Jackson Heights woman with a record of hoarding pets in extremely poor conditions faces an 88-count indictment for animal cruelty and other crimes for having nearly 40 dogs and cats in a filthy house that was falling apart, the Queens District Attorney’s Office said last Thursday.
Elizabeth Grant, 56, of 82nd Street, was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, overdriving, torturing or injuring an animal, failing to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal and criminal con-
tempt stemming from an alleged violation of a court order that she not have any pets.
Authorities entered her home with a search warrant on May 21.
According to the DA’s Office and the ASPCA, the animals taken from Grant’s home were living in squalid conditions, with the floors and furniture covered in urine, fur and feces. The first-floor ceiling appeared to be peeling and rotting because of fluid damage. The stairs were in such poor shape that first responders had to use a ladder to access the second floor. The stench was overwhelming. Decay was everywhere. There was no clean water available to the animals.
Along with rescuing 26 dogs and 12 cats, authorities found three dead cats.
Most of the animals are recovering and many have been adopted out, according to both agencies. It was not stated how many were beyond help, but the ASPCA later told the Chronicle a small number had to be euthanized.
The defendant has been in this position before, the authorities noted.
In 2016, the ASPCA worked with the NYPD to remove nearly 70 animals from her home. She was convicted of 108 counts of animal cruelty and sentenced to three years’ probation, with conditions including
a ban on owning animals, which she failed to meet. The ASPCA and Animal Care Centers of NYC also helped remove animals from the home in 2018 and 2021.
According to published reports, Grant served 14 months in jail at one point after
Ending off-yr. races may save millions
IBO report finds aligning elections costs $42M less
by Sophie Krichevsky Editor
Moving municipal elections from oddnu mbered years to even-numbered ones to coincide with state and federal elections would save the city approximately $42 million every other year, a new report from the city’s Independent Budget Office found.
Using spending numbers for odd-year general and primary elections over the last decade, the IBO determined that, were all elections in even years, the added cost of running municipal elections then would not “significantly change” the overall cost, since the necessary infrastructure for oncycle elections would already be in place.
The report does note, however, that there may be some additional costs associated with the higher volume of voters, such as adding more poll workers or increased printing. Still, that cost would likely be less than what it would take to keep municipal races in odd years.
The report was published following a request from Citizens Union, the good government group, which has pushed for the change in recent years. The organization’s executive director, Betsy Gotbaum, applauded the report’s
findings in a statement.
“The potential savings of $42 million every other year are significant, but the true value lies in the increased voter turnout and more representative electorate that such a move would foster,” she said, in part. “We know that holding elections in even-numbered years will engage more New Yorkers in the democratic process, especially young voters and communities of color who have historically been underrepresented in odd-year elections.”
The IBO’s findings come less than a year after Gov. Hochul signed legislation that allowed many local elections to be moved to even years, though the measure did not include New York City.
City Councilmember Sandra Ung (D-Flushing) introduced a resolution earlier this year in support of switching the city’s elections to even-numbered years. The lawmaker said in a statement she was pleased to see the IBO’s report and its findings.
“Moving New York City elections to even-numbered years is likely to reduce voter fatigue and boost participation in our city elections — an important goal, especially considering that only 23 percent of voters turned out for the 2021 citywide elec-
tions, while turnout in presidential elections averages over 60 percent,” said Ung. “The IBO report highlights another significant benefit: saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Increasing voter turnout while saving our working families money is a win-win for everyone.”
But even if the Council passes the resolution, which is simply a show of support, and has not moved out of committee (though Ung’s office was optimistic it would advance soon), making the switch to on-cycle municipal elections is no easy task.
According to Ung’s office, the change would require an amendment of the state Constitution, which would need to pass in both state legislative chambers — twice. Should the change be adopted by the Assembly and state Senate once, lawmakers would need to refer it to the next session of the Legislature following a general election. At that point, Ung’s office said, the Legislature would vote on it again, and, if passed, New York State voters would weigh in on the matter at the next general election.
Put another way: New York State voters would vote in a state election on whether to move city elections from odd years to even years — in an even year. Q
pushing her probation officer down a set of stairs.
“The severity of this recurring hoarding situation — which has resulted in the suffering of countless animals and has put a tremendous strain on local resources — shines a light on the complexities and far-reaching effects of animal hoarding and how incredibly challenging it can be to effectively address and prevent,” Stacy Wolf, senior vice president of ASPCA Policy, Response & Engagement, said in a prepared statement.
“These animals — and the rescue teams that helped bring them to safety — were exposed to severely dangerous hazards and deplorable conditions. We thank our partners at the NYPD and the Queen’s District Attorney’s Office for continuing to pursue justice in this case, and we hope to see an end to the ongoing pain this situation has caused for all of those involved over the years — animals and people alike.”
“Pets are not collectibles,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “They require care, adequate food and water, and a clean place to live. Sadly, this defendant is charged with doing little more than accumulating pets and failing to provide the basic sustenance for life. Three animals are dead as a result of this defendant’s alleged negligence and the others suffered from diseases and other ailments.”
Grant must return to court Sept. 27 and faces up to two years in jail if convicted. Her attorney, Christopher Miller of Queens Defenders, did not respond to phone messages. Q
Because incorrect information was provided to the paper, the Aug. 15 story “Firefighters injured in three-alarm blaze” misstated the addresses of three homes affected by the fire. They are 90-14, 90–12 and 90-10 80 St. We regret the error. Q
AFTER: Rescued dogs Harmony, Zenith, Nova, Pinky and Ewok enjoy time with their ASPCA handlers and each other in a healthy space.
BEFORE: Dozens of dogs and cats were living in disgusting conditions in a home on 82nd Street in Jackson Heights, the authorities say. PHOTOS COURTESY ASPCA
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Gov. slates $27.5M for Elmhurst care
Hospital to more than double size of Women’s Pavilion, add a new PICU
by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor
Gov. Hochul on Aug. 14 announced that the state will invest $27.5 million to expand maternal and pediatric healthcare facilities at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst.
In a press conference at the hospital, Hochul said $20 million will be dedicated to adding three new floors to Elmhurst’s Woman’s Pavilion, more than doubling its size from 16,000 to 35,000 square feet, greatly increasing access to prenatal and mental healthcare.
The remaining $7.5 million will go to the construction of a new pediatric intensive care unit, which will allow more families to access care for critically ill and injured children without traveling miles away to other hospitals.
“Our investment will deliver better health care for moms and kids throughout the Queens community,” Hochul said. “As New York’s first mom Governor, addressing the maternal mortality crisis is personal for me. Whether it’s investing in maternal health resources, securing first-in-the-nation paid prenatal leave or increasing access to doulas, I’ll never stop working to ensure safe, healthy pregnancies for moms across our State.”
Earlier that same day Hochul pledged $1
Gov. Hochul, visiting Queens on Aug. 14, announced the commitment of $27.5 million in state funding for a massive expansion of women’s and children’s healthcare facilities at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst.
million to be evenly divided among five agencies that provide mental healthcare in Queens [see separate story in most editions or at qchron.com].
The Chronicle has contacted NYC Health + Hospitals for information on timelines for the start and completion of construction for both projects but has not yet heard back.
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tals. She understands how essential they are to communities such as Elmhurst.”
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz (D-Corona) said she has seen the work of the Women’s Pavilion from the inside as a patient.
“Elmhurst Hospital never asks how or why; it effectively and efficiently serves thousands of my neighbors no matter their financial or ethnic background,” Cruz said. “During the worst of times, it has stood as a beacon of hope for those who often have little to no access to care. The Governor’s multimillion dollar investment into our Pediatric Care Unit and the Women’s Pavilion is more than just an infusion of funds; it’s an affirmation of New York’s commitment to a community that is rich in cultural diversity but often economically marginalized.
Assemblyman Steven Raga (D-Maspeth) was direct.
“Governor Hochul’s historic $27.5 Million investment for Elmhurst Hospital will save lives in Queens,” Raga said.
“NYC Health and Hospitals/Elmhurst is such a trusted, community focal point for high-quality care, and this expansion will only further expand services for women and children,” said Mitchell Katz, president and CEO of NYC Health and Hospitals in a statement. “I want to thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to public hospi-
“Elmhurst Hospital is the heartbeat of Northwest Queens and one of New York City’s most critical hubs of high-quality health care,” added Borough President Donovan Richards. “The success of this community is directly linked to the success of the hospital in delivering for the families who seek its care. Q
PHOTO BY SUSAN WATTS / NYS GOVERNOR’S OFFICE
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Freedom Agenda admonishes mayor, says jail funds can help community Fifth person dies at Rikers Island
by Naeisha Rose Editor
Tuesday marked the fifth time a person who was detained at Rikers Island died this year.
In response to the death of Anthony Jordan, 63, Darren Mack, co-director of Freedom Agenda, one of the many grassroots organizations leading the Campaign to Close Rikers, issued a statement.
“Rikers has claimed another life, and yet another family is grieving today,” Mack said. “And still, the Mayor continues his cruel campaign to arrest and jail more of [our] neighbors, subject them to more abuse and neglect on Rikers, and stall its longoverdue closure. Our members know — and pretty much the whole city now knows — that Rikers is a grave risk to the life and safety of everyone there.
“It’s past time for Mayor Adams, district attorneys, and judges to stop sending people to a known death camp, and take every necessary action to shut it down as the law requires.”
Just last Thursday, Mack was leading a forum at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning in conjunction with the NAACP’s Jamaica branch about what closing the city jail complex would mean for the residents of Southeast Queens and Far Rockaway.
“I
times that of white people. Latinos were admitted at a rate of 2.7 times their white counterparts.
“The city has divested and under resourced these communities for decades, creating crime-generated factors like poverty, high unemployment, et cetera,” he said. “That is a pipeline to incarceration on Rikers Island.”
The plan to close Rikers, which was approved by the city in 2019, focuses on decarcerating some of the population; defending human rights; and divesting and redistributing funds to the community.
The decarceration part of the plan, presented by Freedom Agenda, emphasizes shrinking the jail’s population of more than 6,000 people to less than 3,500. The goal also includes closing the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center, an 800-bed jail barge, and Rikers’ 10 jails by 2027 for boroughbased jails. The grassroots group said that alternative forms of incarceration would help to achieve that.
t’s past time for Mayor Adams, district attorneys, and judges to stop sending people to a known death camp.”
In 2021, 1,167 residents from those regions were detained at Rikers, costing the city $207 million annually, according to Mack, with statistics from Data Collaborative for Justice, a criminal justice research policy group.
— Darren Mack, co-director, Freedom Agenda
About half of the city’s jail population includes people who have mental health issues, according to the organization. One of the ways to defend the rights of people who are incarcerated is replacing outdated jails in with new facilities that are designed with human beings in mind. For instance, having clinics within the facility to better treat people when they get sick. According to the presentation, by divesting from Rikers Island, $265 million in new funds will be able to go toward community resources.
city jail’s there with a renewable energy facility that employs, among others, people of color and formerly incarcerated persons.
Candace Prince-Modeste, the president of the Jamaica NAACP, said the people who will be impacted the most by the Close Rikers movement look like her.
“They live in my neighborhood, some are related to me and I’m sure some folks here feel the same way,” said Prince-Modeste. “There is nothing wrong with prioritizing a better future and a better life for our neighbors, friends and family members. At the NAACP, our priority is always the upliftment of Black people and any other disenfranchised community.”
At the end of the forum, guests were asked how they would like to see some of the jail funds redirected.
port for people with mental health issues, disabilities and substance abuse problems; legal support and know-your-right programs; community centers; restorative justice and diversion programs; assistance for migrants and refugees; free healthcare; and restoration of the voting rights of the formerly incarcerated. Q
Hurricane, flood prep in Howard Beach
Mack said that those who populate Rikers, who are overwhelmingly people of color, are there due to disinvestment in predominantly minority neighborhoods. According to DCJ data, Black people from Queens were admitted to jail at a rate of 8.4
A commission on community reinvestment can help guide up to $1.8 billion per year in investments to initiatives for a community’s well being, programs for the young and expanding diversion treatment courts, to name a few.
The group also supports the Renewable Rikers vision, which calls for replacing the
On Monday, the Freedom Agenda shared the responses of 50 people. The guests said they wanted educational programs geared to vocational training, higher education, afterschool lessons and initiatives that support people’s social and emotional well-being. People wanted supportive and affordable housing; counseling and mental health sup-
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-South Ozone Park) and the state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are hosting a hurricane preparation event on Aug. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the gym of Our Lady of Grace Church in Howard Beach, at 100-05 159 Ave.
Participants will learn steps to take in the event of flooding or a hurricane. Emergency go-bags will be distributed. Registration is encouraged. To register, visit tinyurl.com/bdede9sn or contact Faran Sharif by phone at (718) 327-7017, or email sharif@nysenate.gov. Q
Marriott sues over hotel shelter
Marriot International is suing the owners of a Jamaica building that was supposed to open as one of the hotel giant’s franchises but instead became a shelter for migrants, court records show.
The high-rise at 149-03 Archer Ave., three blocks east of the Long Island Rail Road station, was supposed to open as a “dual branded” Marriot franchise under the names Aloft and Element, according to the lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in the Southern District of New York Aug. 2 and recently was reported on by Gothamist. Instead, Marriot says, the
operator, called Pride Hotel, “willfully breached the Franchise Agreements so it could instead pursue a lucrative government contract to provide shelter to migrants and asylum seekers.”
Marriot is suing Pride and three individuals for breach of contract, seeking damages and an order forcing them to abide by all requirements for termination of the agreement. The defendants could not be reached. An email sent to the office of one was not returned and contact information for another could not be found. Q — Peter C. Mastrosimone
Sarita Daftary, at back, Darren Mack, left, Hector Rodriguez, Cynthia Acevedo and Edwin Santana were leading a Campaign to Close Rikers forum in Jamaica, last week. PHOTO BY NAEISHA ROSE
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Douglaston family rescued last Saturday thanks to officers’ efforts Cops, using drone, halt home invasion
by Sophie Krichevsky Editor
Three men were charged with kidnapping and burglary following their alleged involvement in a Douglaston home invasion early last Saturday morning, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Sunday night.
Dispatch received a 911 call at approximately 2:26 a.m. Saturday morning, reporting an “unknown condition,” NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said at a press conference Monday afternoon. A language barrier between the caller, who was speaking Mandarin, and the dispatch operator left police with little information, Daughtry said. But having heard the call come in, officers John Adames and Scott Gilberg of the 111th Precinct dialed the callback number to ascertain what was being reported.
“She was whispering — they couldn’t make out exactly what she was saying, but they did hear ‘gun’ and they did hear their family needed help,” Daughtry said.
Gilberg and Adames drove to the scene on 247th Street and, upon their arrival, were greeted by the caller running down the street from the house, clutching the family’s 1-yearold baby in her arms.
After securing the two in their car, Adames and Gilberg approached the house and witnessed the remaining members of the family
with their hands up above their heads inside with the three alleged perpetrators, Cambria Heights residents Ryan Dash, Brandon Dash and Jone Smith, also known as Conrad Harrigan. All three, Daughtry said, have “extensive criminal histories.” While two brandished hammers, the DA’s Office said, one had a gun.
Once the police had the house surrounded and spoke to the alleged robbers over a public announcement system, the trio, who had allegedly attempted to take $10,000 from the home, attempted to escape through a back window.
That’s when the drone came in.
“It was really, really dark back there, but the drone was able to spotlight them,” Daughtry explained. All were captured.
The deputy commissioner said that while the case is still under investigation, the police do not believe the incident was random.
“We believe this individual was targeted because he does own a fruit and vegetable distribution store,” he said, referring to one of the eight family members. “We believe he was targeted leaving that store, because obviously, it’s a cash business.”
Smith and the Dash brothers, who were charged with 24 counts, each face up to 25 years in prison, and will return to court today, Aug. 22.
In addition to honoring Gilberg and Adames with certificates, Councilmember
NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry, center, and Councilmember Vickie
adino, commended Officers John Adames, left, and Scott Gilberg for their efforts
last Saturday’s home invasion.
Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone), whose district the incident occurred in, took Monday’s press conference, held at her office, as an opportunity to back police funding.
“Let this also serve as an object lesson to the critics on the investments in the NYPD technology like drones. This weekend, it made all the difference, and three violent
Bus driver suspended after crash
Amesha Keys, 31, of St. Albans fatally struck by Q85
by Naeisha Rose Editor
During a press conference about transit service during the upcoming US Open last Friday, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber had to field questions about a more serious issue, suspending a bus driver who left the scene after a fatal collision on Aug. 6.
Bus operator Michele Washington, who joined NYC Transit on April 24, 2022, has been withheld from duty pending dismissal as the investigation into the collision continues, said the MTA.
“So, whenever there’s a collision or a pedestrian injury and a death, the first thing that we think about is the family and the person,” Lieber said at a presser. “I don’t know a lot about exactly what happened, DCPI, the Police Department, is doing its investigation. But you know, a huge hole in New York’s heart whenever we have a person lost, especially in a mass transit accident, but it’s under investigation. That’s the way we handle it. Also, in this case, we have taken the bus driver out of service while the investigation goes on, and we’ll be back to you when we know more.”
According to the NYPD’s Highway Collision Investigation Squad, Amesha Keys, 31, of St. Albans was killed when the bus turned left from Baisley Boulevard onto
pital Medical Center, said police. Keys was later pronounced dead by hospital personnel. The bus operator did not remain on the scene. No arrests have been made at this time.
The Daily News reported that Washington was operating the Q85 bus.
The Chronicle reached out to the NYPD about whether the bus driver kept driving or left the vehicle, but an NYPD spokesperson said the CIS’s investigation is ongoing.
A GoFundMe seeking $25,000 was started for the family of Keys, who was a beloved mother, daughter, sister and friend.
“Amesha was a light to everyone around her,” said Pedro Sotomayor, who organized the fundraiser. “The way she lived in love and exuded that to all those that came across her speaks volumes to who she was as a person. ... Her smile brought comfort and joy to all of those lucky enough to have experienced it. Her sudden loss has had a tremendous impact on both family and friends. We are asking for donations to send her off with love and to ensure that her daughters’ immediate needs are taken care of.
A relative of Keys had a post on her Facebook page saying the funeral for the young woman was set to be held at the Community Church of Astoria, at 14-42 Broadway, on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Q
criminals are now off the street as a direct result of this technology,” she said. “I am proud to support these investments in our police, and I will continue to do so. Our city is fighting a battle against crime of all kinds, and this district is not immune, but I’m also immensely proud of the work our officers are doing here.” Q
Man slashed in Laurelton
A verbal dispute on a bus escalated into a physical fight outside of it and a slashing in Laurelton, the NYPD said last Saturday.
It was reported on Aug. 3, at approximately 7:35 p.m., that the victim, 52, engaged in a dispute with an unidentified man with a dark complexion on the Q5, said the police, who are still searching for the assailant. When both men got off the westbound Merrick Boulevard bus by 232nd Street, a fight ensued. The perp allegedly sliced the victim in the head with an unknown object and fled the scene on foot going south on 231st Street, said authorities. The victim was rushed by EMS to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in stable condition. Q Police are looking for this alleged slasher.
Bedell Street in Rochdale and hit her.
A 911 call was made at about 10:36 p.m. and EMS rushed the victim to Jamaica Hos-
A GoFundMe was started to support the family of Amesha Mishael Keys, 31, of St. Albans. She died after being struck by a bus. GOFUNDME PHOTO
PHOTO COURTESY NYPD
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PHOTO BY SOPHIE KRICHEVSKY
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US Open Armory art
Four artists will have their work featured at The Armory Show’s third Off-Site collaboration with the US Open during Fan Week, which started Aug. 19, ahead of the art fair’s main exhibit next month.
The art, which is on display through Sept. 8, ranges from sculptures to mixed-media installations and is on display at the USTA Billy Jean King Tennis Center, located at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Made by artists from underrepresented backgrounds, the project includes works by Claudia Peña Salinas, Eva Robart, Tomokazu Matsuyama and An Te Liu, according to TAS.
“This year’s programming reflects the vibrancy of the city in which it was founded,” said Kyla McMillan, director of TAS, via
Calling for all blood donors
The New York Blood Center is seeking donors of all blood types to help members of the community. Donors can help surgery and cancer patients, accident victims, new mothers and babies. Information is available at nybc.org. Drives include:
• Sunnyside Community Blood Drive, noon to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 46-09 Queens Blvd.;
• Satya Narayan Mandir, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 75-15 Woodside Ave. in Elmhurst;
• Rotary Club of New York Queens, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25, at Queens Place mall in the former T-Mobile store at 88-01 Queens Blvd. in Elmhurst;
• NYPD 110th Precinct, noon to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 28, in the station’s muster room at 94-41 43 Ave., in Elmhurst:
• The Shops at Atlas Park, 1 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, next to TJ Maxx, at 8000 Cooper Ave., in Glendale; and
• NYPD 104th Precinct, noon to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3, in the station house muster room at 64-02 Catalpa Ave. in Ridgewood. Q
email. “From city-wide performances and activations, to complex and diverse discussions, we’re thrilled to provide opportunities for our audience to engage with The Armory Show’s spirit of discovery at the fair and outside the walls of the Javits Center.”
Peña Salinas’ piece, “Tetl Mirror I,” explores Aztec and Mayan mythology via sculpture, images and installations, according to TAS. The Embajada art gallery, located in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is presenting her work, not seen here. The Ruttkowski;68 gallery, which has locations in France, Germany and New York, is presenting “Fantasy of Happiness,” left, by New York-based artist Eva Robart. The sculpture uses discarded tennis balls caught within the chain-link of a reclaimed
gate. “Runner,” center, by Matsuyama is an abstract poetic incarnation of the function and cultural meaning of running, and is presented by the Chicago-based gallery Kavi Gupta. Taiwanese-Canadian artist Te Liu’s work, “Venus Redux,” right, is presented by Blouin Division of Montreal. The bronze-casted piece is an exploration of memory, objecthood and perception. Fan Week has free grounds admissions through Aug. 25. To learn more about the Off-Site artwork, visit thearmoryshow. com/news/2024-showguide-offsite.
Maspeth’s own Mrs. gallery will participate in the Armory Live’s 30th anniversary art exhibit, being held at the Jacob Javits Center in Manhattan, located at 429 11 Ave. in Manhattan, from Sept. 6 to 8. — Naeisha Rose
Operation Padlock at risk?
continued from page 2
safety caused by illegal smoke shops, with illegal cannabis and other contraband often sold to children, the act of closing the shops immediately is merited. A due process hearing then comes after the closure.”
Rajkumar likened the process to closures for health and fire code violations, and expressed confidence that courts will continue to support the SMOKEOUT, or Stop Marijuana Over-proliferation and Keep Empty Operators of Unlicensed Transactions, Act.
Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone), whose district encompasses Bayside, told the Chronicle that the case “highlights the problem with handling these illegal smoke shops through civil and administrative violations, rather than the criminal code.”
“The act of closing the shops immediately is merited.”
Asked about the situation, Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), who has worked within her district to get illicit pot shops closed, called to mind safety concerns should the stores be allowed to reopen.
— Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar
“This is another way that criminals are using our flawed legal system to exploit loopholes and continue their illicit activity,” Ariola said. “Without stronger laws and more legal actions against these unlicensed shops, we will certainly see fatalities as fentanyl continues to make its way into our city. We can’t lose any more lives due to loopholes in the law, and our state leaders need to work to close whatever loopholes exist to keep New Yorkers safe.”
Paladino said in an email, “These shops are openly selling illegal drugs and often committing fraud as well, however instead of arresting the offenders and charging them criminally, our city has now been subjected to a multi-year odyssey in which the state and city authorities have tried to cobble together a Rube Goldberg framework of administrative penalties to attempt what could be done overnight with criminal arrests and prosecutions.”
She said because of the “entirely political decision” to not use the criminal code for enforcement, the progress the city has made in closing illegal shops “is threatened to be undone with the stroke of a pen by a single administrative court judge. All because the progressives who exercise monopoly control over our government have decided that ‘drug crimes’ should never be cause for arrest anymore. I know the mayor wants these shops closed down permanently, as do I, and it’s time we use every tool in our toolbox.” Q
Gov. boosts mental health
Five Queens mental healthcare providers will divide $1 million in state funding to expand access to their servicess across Queens through community-based providers.
Gov. Hochul made the announcement Aug. 14 during a roundtable discussion with other officials at Borough Hall.
The agencies include the Charles Wang Community Health Center, with three sites in Flushing and others in Manhattan; Transitional Services for New York, of Whitestone; Child Center of New York in Forest Hills; Korean Community Services in Bayside; and Venture House in Jamaica, according to a statement from Hochul’s office. Each group will receive $200,000.
“The mental health crisis is the defining challenge of our time and when I took office, I vowed to transform our mental health system,” Hochul said. “Struggling New Yorkers deserve a system that is suited for and responsive to their needs, and this $1 million investment will expand access to care across Queens so that every New Yorker has the tools and resources they need to succeed.”
Q — Michael Gannon
who identify with each other.
Beloved 1979 hit ‘TheMovie’Muppet screens at MoMI
by Michael Gannon
All it took was a frog with a dream — and a collection of odd but lovable friends he would meet far from his native swamp on the way to Hollywood. The result was “The Muppet Movie,” the 1979 musical inspired by the real life journey of Muppet
creator Jim Henson that tells the backstory about how Kermit the Frog and all the denizens of the popular TV series “The Muppet Show” met and formed their troupe.
The movie that has entertained children and adults for generations will be screened at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria on Aug. 24 at 1 p.m.; Aug. 25 at 12:30 p.m.; Aug. 31 at 3:30 p.m. and Sept. 2 at 1 p.m.
Craig Shemin, president of The Jim Henson Legacy, a nonprofit group based in Manhattan, said the movie still holds up after 45 years.
“I was looking at it just the other day, getting ready for the screenings,” Shemin told the Chronicle. “And it’s just really solid. It’s a timeless movie. The characters are timeless. There’s a story of following our dreams and working to make people happy and gathering with friends, finding people
“That’s what Jim Henson did. ‘The Muppet Movie’ is sort of a reflection of Jim, who went through his career collecting people, collecting collaborators as he went. It’s like Kermit’s role in the movie — Jim surrounding himself with crazy people trying to create a show.”
Two of Henson’s longtime collaborators, performer Kathryn Mullen and Muppet designer Michael Frith, will speak with the audience on Aug. 24. Tickets and information are available at movingimage.org.
Shemin confirmed that the frog who was created for a local Washington, DC, television station in the 1950s was in many ways Henson’s alter ego.
“It was a character he was comfortable with,” Shemin said. “And when you talked to Jim — I worked for the Henson Company for 14 years, and I was there for the last couple of years Jim was still
King Crossword Puzzle
I HAVE OFTEN WALKED
Sullivan was there for Keller in Forest Hills
by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor
Johanna Mansfield Sullivan, aka Anne Sullivan, was born on April 14, 1866, in Massachusetts.
Anne suffered a painful childhood as her mother died of tuberculosis when she was 8 and her father abandoned her and her brother two years later. She was sent to an almshouse, or poorhouse, for social care. Affected with eye infections, she entered The Perkins School for The Blind and graduated its valedictorian in 1886. In 1887, she was hired by the Keller family to help their blind and deaf daughter, Helen.
A 49-year relationship blossomed from one of teacher and student to companion and friend, as she performed miracles with Keller.
Sullivan was briefly married to one John Macy. They never divorced but separated in 1914. In 1917 she moved with Keller to 93 Seminole Ave., (later renumbered 71-11 112 St.) in Forest Hills.
Sullivan died Oct. 20, 1936, with Keller
holding her hand, and was cremated at the Fresh Pond Crematory in Middle Village. Sadly, the house no longer stands, having been replaced by the Reform Temple of Forest Hills. Q
The home of Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller at 71-11 112 St. (originally 93 Seminole Ave.) in Forest Hills, as it looked when they lived there in the 1930s. INSET VIA WIKIPEDIA / NEW ENGLAND HISTORIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Every weekend, LIC is the place to be musically
by Peter C. Mastrosimone editor-in-chief
Music lovers can keep the spirit of summer going deep into the fall at Culture Lab LIC, where bands perform steps from the East River every weekend through October.
The range of genres is as wide as the views from Anable Basin, next to which the free shows are held at the corner of 46th Avenue and Fifth Street.
This is where the cool kids go.
“What began unofficially in 2020, with local musicians performing from the back of a rusted green truck, has evolved into a beloved community tradition,” Culture Lab LIC Director of Events & Marketing Dawn DeVito told the Chronicle via email.
Crediting the group’s Executive Director Edjo Wheeler and volunteers for creating the “Live! at Culture Lab LIC” stage, she said, “Our eclectic lineup spans a wide array of genres — from rock and jazz to synth dance music, hip-hop, salsa, and folk — making every performance a unique experience.”
The Malt Drive Stage is named in honor of sponsoring company TFCornerstone’s new complex on Newtown Creek, while stalwart LIC firm Plaxall provides the space — both “ensuring it remains a vibrant and accessible venue for everyone,” DeVito said.
This weekend’s performances start at 7
p.m. Friday, Aug. 23, when The Bobby Spellman Nonet will play captivating jazz. On Saturday, the fun starts at 3:30 p.m. with a free salsa class, teaching dance moves attendees can put to use a little later with Latin music groups Conjunto Los Chacos, Yotoco and Manny’s Boogaloo Crew. Then on Sunday, starting at 5 p.m., it’ll be sooth-
ing country blues from The Great Long Meadow Fire and vibrant fusion funk by Vin Scialla + Brooklyn Raga Massive.
Every weekend is a three-day weekend at Culture Lab LIC, at least until October. The full calendar is at culturelablic.org. When there isn’t music, there’s a cultural festival, such as on Sept. 7, 21 and 22, and Oct. 5.
On Friday, Aug. 30, Minglewood, an NYC Grateful Dead cover band, trucks in for another show. The group — Ryan Collins on rhythm guitar and lead vocals; Karen Adelman on lead vocals, vocal FX and ukulele; Joe Pepe on lead guitar; Dave Siegel on keys; Kevin O’Leary on drums; and Josh Schulman on bass — are Culture Lab LIC regulars. Their concert starts at 7 p.m., followed on Aug. 31 by indie-folk, bluegrass and folk rock groups starting at 5 p.m. and rockabilly on Sept. 1, also starting at 5 p.m.
Minglewood plays songs by the Dead, along with the Jerry Garcia Band and tangential material, Schulman explained. It’s all part of the American songbook, he said.
“We mix tight vocal harmonies with high energy, left-field improvisation ...” Schulman said via email. “This lets us stay true to the songs that Deadheads, including ourselves, love, while putting our own stamp on the music.
“All of us love Culture Lab! It’s such a cool spot in Queens ... the stage outside, the exhibits, the theater, the whole package. The team there is wonderful, the sound is never less than perfect, and the audience blows us away. This will be our third show this season and our seventh overall, and each one has been better than the last. We can’t wait till August 30 to help close out the summer!” Q
‘The Muppet Movie’ still going strong at 45
continued from page 27
around — when you talked to Jim you definitely heard Kermit’s voice, although a slightly lower version.”
The movie was added to the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 2009; another reason Shemin feels it is a classic is the music that earned Paul Williams an Oscar nomination for Best Score and Williams and Kenneth Ascher a nomination for Best Song with “Rainbow Connection.”
“‘Rainbow Connection has become a modern classic, much like “Over the Rainbow’ from ‘The Wizard of Oz,’” he said.
Williams has an acting cameo as the piano player Kermit runs across in the El Sleezo Cafe. Celebrity cameos were almost as numerous as Muppets on the set.
The Internet Movie Database website says the film included Oscar winners Orson Welles, James Coburn, Mel Brooks and Cloris Leachman, as well as Henson and Williams. Oscar nominees Madeline Kahn, Elliott Gould, Charles Durning, Carol Kane, Telly Savalas, Melinda Dillon and Tim Burton also participated, as did comedy legends Bob Hope, Richard Pryor and Steve Martin. Shemin’s favorites are Martin as the obnoxious waiter on Kermit’s and Miss Piggy’s first date; and Brooks as the diabolical scientist Professor Krassman.
Shemin admits that a lot of the actors, very big in the 1970s and 1980s, may be largely unknown to new generations of viewers; but the film is a classic nonetheless.
“I think it is,” he said. “Is it the most beautifully made movie of all time? I wouldn’t nearly put it in the class of ‘Citizen Kane’ and ‘Casablanca.’ But when you look
at who sits in the audience, and MoMI has shown it many, many times over the years, it is a special movie because it spans generations. You have parents and grandparents bringing their children and grandchildren to the film to expose them for the first time to something that was special to them when they were little. You don’t necessarily see
that with ‘Citizen Kane’ or ‘Casablanca.’”
Shemin felt the same way at 13 when the movie came out.
“My brother worked in a theater and I would go to work with him and see multiple showings ... I didn’t know that I would go on to work with Jim Henson years later. But I did know that this was something special.” Q
Minglewood, the Grateful Dead tribute band, has played several shows at Culture Lab LIC, and will appear there again Friday, Aug. 30.
PHOTO BY STEVE BUCHELI
The origin of Miss Piggy’s and Kermit the Frog’s whirlwind romance is one of the subplots of “The Muppet Movie.” On the cover: Kermit, Gonzo, Camilla the Chicken and Fozzy Bear on the road to Hollywood. SCREENSHOT, ABOVE, VIA DAILYMOTION; DISNEY COVER PHOTO
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MEADOW PARK REHABILITATION AND HEALTH CARE CENTER NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
In Accordance With State And Federal Law, That, Meadow Park Rehabilitation And Health Care Center Shall Ensure That No Person In The United States Of America Shall, On Grounds Of Race, Color, Creed, National Origin, Sex Or Sexual Orientation, Religion, Handicap Or Mental Disability, Age, Marital Or Family Status, Blindness, Source Of Payment Or Sponsorship, Be Excluded From Participation In, Be Denied Benefits Of, Or Be Otherwise Subjected To Discrimination Under Any Program, Activity Provided By The Facility, Including But Not Limited To, The Admission, Care And Retention Of Residents.
511 H+H LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 07/29/24. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, PO Box 130233, New York, NY 10013. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.
60-60 FRESH POND ROAD REALTY, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/19/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 57-87 75th Street, Middle Village, NY 11379. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-AR1, -againstADRIAN RODRIGUEZ, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on June 26, 2024, wherein U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR GREENPOINT MORTGAGE FUNDING TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-AR1 is the Plaintiff and ADRIAN RODRIGUEZ, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE on the COURTHOUSE STEPS OF THE QUEENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., JAMAICA, NY 11435, on September 6, 2024 at 11:15AM, premises known as 220-25 134TH ROAD, SPRINGFIELD GARDENS, NY 11413; and the following tax map identification: 13098-2.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE FOURTH WARD, BOROUGH AND COUNTY OF QUEENS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 715762/2022. Michele Augusta Baptiste, Esq.Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES.
Afroz Solutions LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/18/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to AFROZ SOLUTIONS LLC 112-06
FRANCIS LEWIS BLVD., QUEENS VILLAGE, NY, 11429. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST, -against-
YUL G. CLARKE, AS ADMINISTRATOR, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA COURTAR A/K/A SYLVIA CLARKE, ET AL.
NOTICE OF SALE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on January 3, 2024, wherein BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. AS TRUSTEE FOR MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT SERIES I TRUST is the Plaintiff and YUL G. CLARKE, AS ADMINISTRATOR, HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF SYLVIA COURTAR A/K/A SYLVIA CLARKE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE on the COURTHOUSE STEPS OF THE QUEENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., JAMAICA, NY 11435, on September 13, 2024 at 10:00AM, premises known as 116-26 133 STREET, SOUTH OZONE PARK, NY 11420; and the following tax map identification: 11688-18.
ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE FOURTH WARD OF THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK
Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 704596/2016. Joseph Trotti, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.
H & S786 GROUP LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/07/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, c/o Haseena Shamin, 144-38 87th Ave, Jamaica, NY 11435. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
HOUSING. Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, familial status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate. Queens Chronicle does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination call the Open Housing Center (the Fair Housing Agency for the five boroughs of New York) at 212-941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 718722-3131.
The Queens Chronicle reserves the right to alter wording in ads to conform with Federal Fair Housing regulations.
Houses For Sale
Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, Sun 8/25, 1pm-2:30pm, 164-37 85 St. Brookfield Hi-Ranch, 4 BRs, 2.5 baths, 40x100 lot, move-in cond! Asking $999K. Connexion Real Estate 718-845-1136
Ad Deadline is 12 Noon on Tuesday for Thursday’s paper.
Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, Hi-Ranch on 47x100 lot. Corner property, excellent cond, 4 BRs, 3 full baths. Asking $1,100,000. Connexion Real Estate 718-845-1136 Howard Beach/Rockwood Park. Mint Colonial, 6 BRs, 2 baths on 42x93 lot. Asking $1,100,000. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136
Court of Probate, Bridgeport Probate Court District NOTICE TO Juan Alberto Aguilar, whose last known address is unknown to the court.
Pursuant to an order of Hon. Paul J. Ganim, Judge, a hearing will be held at Bridgeport Probate Court, 999 Broad Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604 on October 24, 2024 at 9:15 AM on petitions for Removal of Guardian and Voluntary Guardian of the Person concerning two children born on November 19, 2006 and December 28, 2005. The court’s decision will affect your interest, if any, as in the petition on file more fully appears.
RIGHT TO COUNSEL: If the above-named person wishes to have an attorney, but is unable to pay for one, the court will provide an attorney upon proof of inability to pay. Any such request should be made immediately by contacting the court office where the hearing is to be held.
By Order of the Court Paul J. Ganim, Judge
NOTICE OF SALE
SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, US BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR VRMTG ASSET TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MARJORIE MORGAN, ET AL., Defendant(s).Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on December 19, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the outside steps of the Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on September 13, 2024 at 10:15 a.m., premises known as 214-32 113th Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11429. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 11136 and Lot 16. Approximate amount of judgment is $591,833.30 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #705287/2015. Cash will not be accepted. The Referee shall comply with the Eleventh Judicial District’s COVID-19 policies concerning public auctions of foreclosed properties. These policies, along with the Queens County Foreclosure’s Auction Rules, can be found on the Queens Supreme Court - Civil Term website. Gregory M. LaSpina, Esq., Referee Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, New York 10591, Attorneys for Plaintiff
Ayllu Andino LLC. Filed with SSNY on 08/12/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail copy to: 4141 43rd St A9, Sunnyside, NY 11104.
Purpose: Any lawful.
SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS
For Legal Notice Rates & Information, Call 718-205-8000
Citibank NA, Plaintiff, -against- Arthur Hassell Garfield, individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, Julie Ann Garfield individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, Geoffrey L. Garfield a/k/a Geoffrey Lawrence Garfield individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, James Tukumbo Garfield a/k/a James Tukumbo individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, Bryan Russell Garfield individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield, Julian Israel Garfield a/k/a Julian I. Garfield a/k/a Julian Israel Garfield, Jr. individually and as heir to the Estate of Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield and Wayne K. Garfield a/k/a Wayne Keith Garfield’s unknown heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devises, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest, and generally all persons having or claiming, under, by or through said defendant, who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, United States of America - Internal Revenue Service, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, New York City Parking Violations Bureau, New York City Environmental Control Board, New York City Transit Adjudication Bureau, and Andre Garfield, Defendants. Index No.: 707137/2018 Filed: August 2, 2024 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service; or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York; or within sixty (60) days if it is the United States of America. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $180,000.00 and interest, recorded in the office of the clerk of the County of Queens on January 30, 2008 in CRFN 2008000040984 covering premises known as 25-15 Ericsson Street, East Elmhurst, NY 11369. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: Bay Shore, New York, August 2, 2024 Frenkel, Lambert, Weiss, Weisman & Gordon, LLP/s/BY: Linda P. Manfredi Attorneys for Plaintiff 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100 Our File No.: 01-087248-F00
Supplemental Summons and Notice of Object of Action Supreme Court Of The State Of New York County Of Queens ACTION TO FORECLOSE A MORTGAGE Index #: 701261/2017 Nationstar Mortgage Llc D/B/A Champion Mortgage Company Plaintiff, vs Christopher Hubert As Heir To The Estate Of Andre Hubert, Isabelle Hubert As Heir To The Estate Of Andre Hubert, Nathalie Hubert As Heir To The Estate Of Andre Hubert, Unknown Heirs Of Andre Hubert If Living, And If He/She Be Dead, Any And All Persons Unknown To Plaintiff, Claiming, Or Who May Claim To Have An Interest In, Or General Or Specific Lien Upon The Real Property Described In This Action; Such Unknown Persons Being Herein Generally Described And Intended To Be Included In Wife, Widow, Husband, Widower, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assignees Of Such Deceased, Any And All Persons Deriving Interest In Or Lien Upon, Or Title To Said Real Property By, Through Or Under Them, Or Either Of Them, And Their Respective Wives, Widows, Husbands, Widowers, Heirs At Law, Next Of Kin, Descendants, Executors, Administrators, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors, Trustees, Committees, Lienors, And Assigns, All Of Whom And Whose Names, Except As Stated, Are Unknown To Plaintiff, New York City Department Of Finance Parking Violations Bureau, Secretary Of Housing And Urban Development, Ezabelle “Doe”, People Of The State Of New York, United States Of America On Behalf Of The IRS Defendant(s). Mortgaged Premises: 10910 210th Street Queens Village, NY 11429 To the Above named Defendant: You are hereby summoned to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Supplemental Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff(s) attorney(s) within twenty days after the service of this Supplemental Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Supplemental Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. The Attorney for Plaintiff has an office for business in the County of Erie. Trial to be held in the County of Queens. The basis of the venue designated above is the location of the Mortgaged Premises. TO Unknown Heirs of Andre Hubert Defendant In this Action. The foregoing Supplemental Summons is served upon you by publication, pursuant to an order of HON. Laurentina S. McKetney Butler, Esq. of the Supreme Court Of The State Of New York, dated the Twenty-Ninth day of July, 2024 and filed with the Complaint in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens, in the City of Jamaica. The object of this action is to foreclosure a mortgage upon the premises described below, dated October 20, 2010, executed by Andre Hubert (who died on February 9, 2021, a resident of the county of Queens, State of New York) to secure the sum of $615,000.00. The Mortgage was recorded at CRFN 2010000368813 in the City Register of the City of New York, Queens County on November 4, 2010. The mortgage was subsequently assigned by an assignment executed July 16, 2012 and recorded on August 24, 2012, in the City Register of the City of New York, Queens County at CRFN 2012000337592. The property in question is described as follows: 10910 210th Street, Queens Village, NY 11429 HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF. SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE The state encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure. In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process. To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or the Foreclosure Relief Hotline 1-800-269-0990 or visit the department’s website at WWW.DFS.NY.GOV. RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME AT THIS TIME. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO STAY IN YOUR HOME DURING THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO LEAVE YOUR HOME UNLESS AND UNTIL YOUR PROPERTY IS SOLD AT AUCTION PURSUANT TO A JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE AND SALE. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO REMAIN IN YOUR HOME, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR PROPERTY AND PAY PROPERTY TAXES IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAW. FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS Be careful of people who approach you with offers to “save” your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner’s distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services. § 1303 NOTICE NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this Foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. DATED: July 31, 2024 Gross Polowy LLC Attorney(s) For Plaintiff(s) 1775 Wehrle Drive, Suite 100 Williamsville, NY 14221 The law firm of Gross Polowy LLC and the attorneys whom it employs are debt collectors who are attempting to collect a debt. Any information obtained by them will be used for that purpose. 81968
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SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS INDEX NO: 715318/2023
D/O/F: 07/26/2023 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Property Address: 216-25 111th Avenue, Queens Village, New York 11429. Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the property is situated. HSBC BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE BENEFIT OF ACE SECURITIES CORP. HOME EQUITY LOAN TRUST, SERIES 2006-NC3, ASSET BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, Plaintiff, - against- DONNA R. MCDONALD A/K/A DONNA R. MC DONALD, if living, and if she be dead, grantees, mortgagees, lienors, heirs, devisees, distributes or successors in interest of such of them as may be dead, and their husbands and wives, heirs, devisees, distributes and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; B & BARRIE LLC; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; “JOHN DOES” and “JANE DOES”, said names being fi ctitious, parties intended being possible tenants or occupants of premises, and corporations, other entities or persons who claim, or may claim, a lien against the premises, Defendant(s). TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action, and to serve a copy of your Answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorneys within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, where service is made by delivery upon you personally within the State, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner, and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Ulysses B. Leverett, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County, entered July 22, 2024 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Offi ce. THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a mortgage recorded in the Queens County Clerk’s offi ce on Sept. 26, 2006 in CRFN: 2006000540528, covering premises k/a 216-25 111th Avenue, Queens Village, NY 11429 a/k/a Block 11145, Lot 48. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The following notice is intended only for the defendants who are owners of the premises sought to be foreclosed or who are liable upon the debt for which the mortgage stands as security. YOU ARE HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE THAT WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT, AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. PLEASE BE AWARE: (1) that debt collectors, in accordance with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692 et seq., are prohibited from engaging in abusive, deceptive, an unfair debt collection efforts, including, but not limited to: i. the use or threat of violence; ii. the use of obscene or profane language; and iii. repeated phone calls made with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass. (2) If a creditor or debt collector receives a money judgment against you in court, state and federal laws may prevent the following types of income from being taken to pay the debt: 1. Supplemental security income, (SSI); 2. Social security; 3. Public assistance (welfare); 4. Spousal support, maintenance (alimony) or child support; 5. Unemployment benefi ts; 6. Disability benefi ts; 7. Workers’ compensation benefi ts; 8. Public or private pensions; 9. Veterans’ benefi ts; 10. Federal student loans, federal student grants, and federal work study funds; and 11. Ninety percent of your wages or salary earned in the last sixty days. TO THE DEFENDANTS, except DONNA R. MCDONALD A/K/A DONNA R. MC DONALD: The Plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action. TO THE DEFENDANTS: DONNA R. MCDONALD A/K/A DONNA R. MC DONALD: If you have obtained an order of discharge from the Bankruptcy court, which includes this debt, and you have not reaffirmed your liability for this debt, this law firm is not alleging that you have any personal liability for this debt and does not seek a money judgment against you. Even if a discharge has been obtained, this lawsuit to foreclose the mortgage will continue and we will seek a judgment authorizing the sale of the mortgaged premises. Dated: Sandy J. Stolar, Esq. Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff 165 Eileen Way, Suite 101 Syosset, New York 11791 516-921-3838 #101661
Notice of Formation of B & E VENTURE PARTNERS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/27/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 22919 MERRICK BLVD., #612, LAURELTON, NY 11413. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
DC Queens Properties LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 07/11/24. Office Location: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 28 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.
Notice of Formation of LUVENIA’S LEGACY, LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/09/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: GERARD HASKINS, 217-15 110TH ROAD, QUEENS VILLAGE, NY 11429. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS–SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF QUEENS – WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITIONS TRUST 2018-HB1, Plaintiff, -against- ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; ANY AND ALL KNOWN OR UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, GRANTEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, TRUSTEES AND ALL OTHER PARTIES CLAIMING AN INTEREST BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR AGAINST THE ESTATE OF ALMA SYKES AKA ALMA EVANS; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; KAREN RENEE FORD AKA KAREN RENEE MAPP, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; VIRGINIA FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; WILLIAM FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; MECHELLE FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; VICTORIA SYKES, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; BEATRICE MARIE LEWIS, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; ANNA BURNETT, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; BRENDA FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS; LEE ANTHONY FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS and EMANUEL FORD AKA EMMANUEL FORD, AS HEIR, DEVISEE, DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF MARY EVANS AKA MARY EDWARDS, if they be living and if they be dead, the, respective heirsat-law, next-of-kin, distributes, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or inheritance, lien or otherwise any right, title or interest in or to the real property described in the complaint; QUEENS COUNTY SUPREME COURT; CRIMINAL COURT OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ACTING ON BEHALF OF DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY - INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #10,” said names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, intended to be possible tenants or occupants of the premises, or corporations, Defendants - Index No.: 720613/2021 Plaintiff Designates Queens County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Queens County. To the above named Defendants–YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. That this Supplemental Summons is being filed pursuant to an order of the court dated June 25, 2024. NOTICE-YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME – If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, AS TRUSTEE OF FINANCE OF AMERICA STRUCTURED SECURITIES ACQUISITIONS TRUST 2018-HB1) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of the Honorable Timothy J. Dufficy, J.S.C. Dated: June 25, 2024 Filed: June 27, 2024. The object of this action is to foreclose a mortgage and covering the premises known as 17364 105th Avenue, Queens, NY 11433. Dated: January 22, 2024 Filed: July 16, 2024 Greenspoon Marder LLP, Attorney for Plaintiff, By: Angelo A. Regina, Esq., 1345 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 2200, New York, NY 10105 P: (212) 524-5000 F: (212) 524-5050 No Service by fax) Service purposes only: Trade Centre South 100 W. Cypress Creek Road, Suite 700, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 P: (888) 491-1120 F: (954) 343-6982
Notice of Formation of SALIM GROUP LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/03/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 8706 101ST AVE. APT 2, OZONE PARK, NY 11416. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of SP TRADE GENIUS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 04/30/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: SHAMPA R PADDER, 10633 155TH ST, 1ST FL, JAMAICA, NY 11433. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of SPONGE ELECTRONICS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/31/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LLC, 5919 57TH DRIVE, MASPETH, NY 11378. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.
B SPORTS EAT
Mets celebrate Queens
by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor
Last Tuesday the Mets held the first day of their two-day “Celebration of Queens” promotion at Citi Field. Queens residents were offered discounted tickets; the team’s choreographic troupe, the Queens Dance Crew, performed some energetic numbers on top of the dugouts between innings; and they played punk rock classics from Forest Hills’ own, the Ramones.
Given that the Mets were on their way to losing their fourth straight game, making a wildcard berth increasingly less likely, Forest Hills High School alum Paul Simon’s 1977 hit, “Slip Sliding Away,” would have been appropriate. Mets starter Paul Blackburn gave fans heartburn as he gave up seven runs in four innings.
The Mets wore their regular uniforms Tuesday, which are aesthetically more pleasing than their drab City Connect jerseys, which feature the letters “NYC’ in large font. The Mets lost a golden marketing opportunity by ignoring the specific locale of Citi Field. Uniforms featuring “Queens” or “The World’s Borough” would have had more sales appeal, even to those who do not reside here. The Chicago White Sox are the worst team in the majors, but they have the snazziest City Connect uniforms as the term “Southside” is emblazoned in script.
Kudos to Mets historian and vice president of alumni affairs, Jay Horwitz, for arranging a
moment of silence before the start of the game Tuesday for the late Mike Cubbage, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 74. Mike played one season for the Mets in 1981 but returned to Flushing a decade later to serve as a third base coach for six seasons, and even served as interim manager at the end of the 1991 campaign.
Cubbage was with the Mets when I started covering the team on a steady basis. Even though I was young, and not from what the baseball establishment at the time considered a major media outlet, he was always accessible, and a fountain of information. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia, and could chat about a variety of subjects. He deserved the opportunity to manage a major league team.
Mets reliever Drew Smith underwent outpatient elbow surgery in Arlington, Texas, last month. He returned to Citi Field with his right arm in a sling, and it is unlikely he will pitch in 2025. Making matters worse, Smith will be a free agent at the end of this season.
I asked Smith if his union offers a disability policy in case injuries do occur in a “wal k year.” “The union does not offer such a plan, but I bought a policy on my own,” he informed me. “The problem is it only kicks in for careerending injuries. The policy does not cover the loss of income for a missed season.” Q
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