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Councilman Costa Constantinides makes the case for capping for-hire vehicles to improve environment

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Four Killed In Astoria Murder-Suicide By JON CRONIN

Bright Lights, Troubled Streets? By TRONE DOWD

Tragedy

NYPD detectives and officers gather at the scene of the murder-suicide in Astoria on Monday night. Photo Credit: Mari Estrella

N A NOR M ALLY QUIET PART of Astoria, four members of a family, including a child, were shot dead in an apparent murdersuicide that is believed to have been fueled by a custody battle, according to police. James Shield, 39, a physical therapist who is believed to have been the shooter, was in a tense court battle with his exwife, Linda Olthof, 47, who lived in the Netherlands. Shield had created a GoFundMe page with a $30,000 goal to combat his legal fees.

Dermot Shea, the NYPD’s’ chief of detectives, said during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon that the name of Shield’s current wife—who was killed along with Shields’ 6-year-old son, Giacomo James Shields, and ex-wife— has yet to be released, pending the notification of her family. Shields is believed to have killed the two women and the child with one of the two Glock pistols that he was permitted to keep in the home. He then killed himself with a self-inflicted gunshot wound 14.0 in. underneath his chin.

According to Shea, an individual who acts as a caretaker at the eight-unit apartment building on 30th Drive, discovered the gruesome scene by looking through a backyard door while taking out the garbage and then called 911. Shea added that there is still an active search warrant at the site involving a vehicle. Shields was discovered with two Glock firearms on his body and an additional seven magazines fully loaded. Shea called that evidence “an interesting wrinkle,” and added that “we may never know” the purpose of the fully loaded magazines. Shea said that police believe the motive for the murders to be Shields’ finances and custody battle. Olthof had arrived in the United States with her son, of whom she had custody, 10 days prior to the shooting with a friend, Shea said. The friend had alerted Olthof’s sister in the Netherlands when Olthof could not be reached by phone. The sister then checked the internet and discovered reports of the murders. Olthof’s family flew to the United States on Tuesday. Shea said that as police interviewed other occupants of the building and neighboring homes, they learned that “not many people knew them well.” On Tuesday morning, James Shield Sr., spoke with members of the press on the outside stoop of his son’s first floor apartment. He called his son “a good man, a good boy.” The grandfather, who noted that he does not live nearby, said he believed that Shields had custody of the boy and that his mother was taking their child back to the Netherlands. The elder Shield said his grandson was “a beautiful boy” and “very friendly.” Asked about his son’s custody battle with his ex-wife, Shields said that, “He didn’t talk to me much, he kept everything a secret.” He then abruptly told the press, “I don’t want to talk no more.” In April, Shields started a GoFundMe

account to ask for help with legal fees for the custody battle. No donations were given. He wrote on the account’s page that his ex-wife is an artist and went back to the Netherlands when she was pregnant with their child. He wrote, “Due to my ex’s extreme jealousy and bitterness, she is dragging me through court case after court case to be spiteful.” He added that she was able to do so because her legal fees were paid by the Dutch government. Shields pleaded on the site, “The financial stress of this is destroying my current marriage and life....How do I choose between financially ruining my current relationship vs. giving up the battle for my son? I had the perfect life a few years ago, but it has spiraled out of control and I desperately need any help you can provide.” Tony Baken, who has lived in the apartment above Shields for the past eight years, said that he did not hear an argument or gunshots on the night of the murders. “Of course, I’m shocked,” Baken said noting that the neighborhood was typically quiet. “He was not himself all the time,” he said of Shields, adding that his neighbor had a “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” quality. Other neighbors said that Shields he often had parties with loud music that went into the early morning hours, even on weekdays. Another neighbor, who referred to himself as “Billy C.” and lives two doors down from Shields’ apartment, said that he heard an argument for approximately five minutes that night, but couldn’t place its location. He did not hear gunshots and suspected that the argument involved a neighbor who revs his motorcycle late at night. Condy Eckerle, who lives a few blocks away from the scene, said that she frequently walks the area. She said that she had seen Shields and his son before, and stopped to tell Shields that she thought the boy was cute. She added that she had never seen him behave angrily ●

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The Queens Tribune, Thursday 2, 2018

THUNDERBIRD GRAND MID-SUMMER POW WOW By NATHAN DUKE Photos by SASHA MASLOV

HE QUEENS COUNTY FARM Museum hosted the 40th Annual Thunderbird Grand Mid-Summer Pow Wow—which is the largest and longest running of its type in the region— last weekend. The event, which annually draws approximately 10,000 to 12,000 people over three days, featured a variety of Native American dances, drumming and chanting, arts and crafts, jewelry and clothing vendors and food, including Native American tacos, alligator jerky and fried bread. On Friday and Saturday evenings, large bonfires were held at the farm. Amy Boncardo, the farm’s executive director, said that the pow wow—which includes the participation of 40 Indian nations from across the United States and even a few from as far as Central and South America—is the only one of its type to be held on a working farm. She added that while there was no evidence of a Native American homestead on the farm’s property, Native American tribes were discovered to have passed through the area years ago. “There’s an energy that is palpable,” she said of the pow wow. “Most of our audience—I’d say 60 percent—is repeat visitors. It holds a meaning for people. They feel a connection to this event. They realize how spiritual it is and want to be a part of that. It’s an honor to be in the audience watching these traditional activities, and repeat visitors are tuned into it. Boncardo said that vendors include everything from souvenirs to “artists with authentic works of art,” while the dance competitions are exciting to behold. “It’s important to their heritage,” she said of the dances. “These competitions are taken very seriously. It’s not just to perform, but to perform with meaning.”

Who Won The Week

The Week In Tweets @PaulVallone

@pessosices

It’s time to start the conversation so that we can avoid another senseless tragedy. The hundreds who attended today’s rally and the outpouring of love and support will fuel the change that we need. We will never forget you Maddie.

It’s hard to match the deep flavor of imported roasted almonds, so we use the real thing in our Toasted Almond Gelato!

It is coming into the dog days of summer and places like Pesso’s are what cools down our bodies and souls in the hot summer evenings.

Paul Vallone at PS 209 with student activists campaigning for safer streets by supporting retesting for drivers over 80. The rally was organized by the family of Madeline Sershen who was struck and killed by an 88 year-old driver in June. Several Queens politicians are now supporting a bill that would have drivers over 80 years-old retested every two years to ensure that they are fi t to drive.

@Mets

LOCAL UNION #3 IBEW @projwoodhaven

.@Wheelerpro45 goes six scoreless and drives in a run as we took the series finale from Pittsburgh. #MetsWin

The Mets finally dominated a series this week. It may be short lived, but the fans needed a reason to keep the faith. We’re hoping Thor recovers from Hand, Foot and Mouth disease soon. In the meantime, Zack Wheeler better keep bringing the heat. It is his time to shine.

Beautiful morning in Forest Park, Queens, Woodhaven @NYCParks

There are places in the borough that look like rural New York and we can’t stop celebrating and protecting them.

This chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has been in a heated public contract dispute with Charter Spectrum, with their roughly 1,800 employees striking for more than a year. The dispute started with Time Warner Cable, before Charter Communications Spectrum acquired the company, and has been ongoing for more than two years. This week, they got a huge win from the state Public Service Commission, which announced that it was moving to boot Charter Spectrum from the state, clearing the way for another cable provider to take over service for nearly two million New Yorkers. While it seems likely the PSC’s move is a ploy to improve the negotiating position of the state and the union to force Charter Spectrum to provide better services and resolve this ongoing dispute, and the massive telecom company will likely not be leaving the state in the 60 days outlined by the PSC, last week’s announcement was still a HUGE win for Local Union 3.

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The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

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The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

MTA Expected To Propose 4 Percent Fare Hike By NATHAN DUKE

MTA Chairman Joe Lhota proposed two 4-percent rate hikes last week that would take effect in 2019 and 2021, but a spokesman with the agency said that a concrete plan has not been proposed and that details would not likely be available until later this year. During a board meeting on July 25, Lhota said that the transit system had seen a decline in ridership due to service, fare evasion and for-hire vehicles, and MTA officials have said that fare hikes would address budget deficits. A spokesman for the MTA said that the agency “has not put forward any fare increase,” and that if such a rate hike were proposed for 2019, the details would not be known until after public hearings were held on the matter later this year or early next year.

“The MTA has been in a pattern since 2009 that there has been a fare increase in odd years,” the MTA spokesman said, adding that a 4-percent increase “would conform to the overall pattern.” In 2009, the MTA raised base fares from $2 to $2.75. Single subway rides rose in 2015 from $2.50 to $2.75, while seven-day unlimited MetroCards went from $30 to $31 and monthly passes increased from $112 to $116.50. Last year, the MTA bumped up fares on subways, buses, Metro-North and the Long Island Rail Road by 4 percent, but kept its base subway fare at $2.75. During last week’s meeting, Lhota said that the “state of emergency” that Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared in the summer of 2017 regarding the city’s subway system remains

in place, and that a Subway Action Plan to improve MTA service is ongoing. Queens residents were upset that the MTA might propose raising its rates again next year. “They just went up!” said a rider named LaToya, 33, from Forest Hills. “I get that they need money for these upgrades they’re talking about. But that was the excuse last time, and what have we got? The subway still sucks. The city is so money-hungry that they just want to take, take, take so much that those who live here leave. People are so worried about housing—but public transportation today is gentrification at its finest.” Another rider, Nancy Roja, 36, agreed that she hasn’t seen noticeable results from the MTA since the last time it proposed a rate

hike. “The MTA does not know how to manage its funds,” she said. “They keep upping prices, but then studies come out saying that they need money. Where is our hardworking money going?” A 33-year-old Sunnyside rider who only gave his name as “Luis” said that the MTA’s increased rates should come with increased service. “If they’re doubling the fare, they need to increase the transfers,” he said. “I take three buses daily, so I’m paying double to get to one place. How is that fair? The MTA is one of my least-favorite agencies in this city because they clearly don’t care about hardworking New Yorkers.” Ariel Hernandez and Trone Dowd contributed to this story.

City To Change Ride-Sharing In Outer Boroughs By ARIEL HERNANDEZ

Following frequent reports made by passengers of discrimination in such ridesharing services as Uber and Lyft, the City Council announced on Monday that a new office within the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) has been created to combat acts of discrimination, which take place most often in the outer boroughs—including Queens. The Office of Inclusion, which was proposed by Councilman Donovan Richards (D-Laurelton), focuses on the development and implementation of anti-discrimination training for drivers, expanding its public education campaign and encouraging passengers to file complaints when denied service. “Denying someone taxi service because of the color of their skin, their gender or their destination is simply unacceptable and has gone on for far too long in New York City,” said Richards. “While we work to improve conditions for drivers, the TLC Office of Inclusion will be working to ensure that all passengers receive the same level of respect and service.” TLC Chairwoman Meera Joshi said that blacks, Latinos, other communities of color

and outer-borough residents face challenges when attempting to get car service to their destinations. “Service refusal in general and bias-based refusal in particular is a terrible experience for its victims—it is visceral, hurtful and just wrong,” said Joshi. Alex Ruiz, 25, a resident of Jamaica who works in Greenwich Village, said he is pleased that the city is combatting discrimination, particularly in Queens, but added that he wishes the city would “leave Uber’s policies to Uber.” “Everyone knows Queens is the most-diverse borough,” said Ruiz. “They also know that Queens is the worst borough to live in if you’re dependent on public transportation. I personally have never been denied a ride, but I have been looked at funny, not because my color but because I’m obviously gay. I like the fact that the city is trying to combat discrimination, but I am opposed to their decision to cap the cars. It’s already hard for me to get an Uber Pool at 3 a.m. every night when I’m leaving work, which eats my pockets. The last thing I need is to be waiting because there’s

no vehicle in my radius.” The City Council’s proposed bill to cap ridesharing vehicles in New York City, which is expected to be brought to a vote on Aug. 8, was created to limit the number of vehicles— which has increased from 63,000 cars to 100,000 since 2015—as well as to condense traffic and combat yellow-cab driver suicides, which have increased due to heavy competition from such ridesharing apps as Uber and Lyft. “This would take New York back to an era of standing on the corner and hoping to get a ride,” said Kenneth Londono, a Lyft spokesman. “Wait times would increase significantly, and driver earnings and job opportunities would shrink. Worst of all, the proposals prioritize corporate medallion owners above the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers.” If a cap goes into effect, for-hire vehicles will likely camp in Manhattan—which is the wealthiest borough—neglecting the “outer boroughs.” Alissa Jimenez, 24, a Jackson Heights resident, said that Uber and Lyft are convenient

because you can order a car on your phone in minutes—and Uber Pool is even cheaper. “Uber Pool is so convenient,” said Jimenez. “If I were to call a regular cab, it would take almost 15 minutes to come and charge me double what I would pay if I did Uber Pool.” Jimenez, who originally hails from the Bronx, said that Uber and Lyft are to Queens what yellow cabs are to Manhattan and green cabs are to the Bronx. Hector Figueroa, the president of Local 32BJ, said that he supports the City Council’s bill to cap ridesharing cars. “City Council legislation regulating the app-dispatch sector will help alleviate the financial pressure on New York City drivers in every sector, mostly immigrants and people of color, who are sinking deeper into poverty as companies like Uber and Lyft continue to put too many cars on the road, lower labor standards and decimate driver incomes,” said Figueroa. Reach Ariel Hernandez at (718) 357-7400 x 144, ahernandez@queenstribune.com or @reporter_ariel.

PSC Moves To Kick Charter Spectrum Out Of NY By ARIEL HERNANDEZ

Charter Spectrum, which merged with Time Warner Cable in 2016, has been booted from New York State due to alleged misconduct and failure to abide by the terms set by the state, New York Public Service Commissioner (PSC) John B. Rhodes announced on Friday. Since the merger, Spectrum has taken heat from Local 3 IBEW union workers—who have held numerous rallies and strikes against the company—and from customers, who claim that they did not receive the services they were promised. According to Rhodes, Spectrum repeatedly failed to meet deadlines or serve rural communities, conducted unsafe practices in the field, and failed to fully commit to its obligations under the 2016 merger agreement or accurately inform its customers and the commission about its performance and compliance obligations. “Charter’s noncompliance and brazenly disre-

spectful behavior toward New York State and its customers necessitates the actions taken today seeking court-ordered penalties for its failures and revoking the Charter merger approval,” said Rhodes. Queens elected officials, many of whom stood alongside Spectrum union workers during union rallies, praised the decision by the commission. “Spectrum’s fate ought to be a warning: New York will not be held hostage by a company acting in bad faith,” said Councilman Francisco Moya (D-East Elmhurst). “When you fill your coffers with tax dollars while shortchanging customers and denying your employees fair contract, you will be held to account.” Local 3 workers responded on Twitter to the commission’s decision. One worker wrote: “When we striked, they screamed ‘sabotage,’ when we picket, they screamed ‘harassment’.

Here’s some advice @GetSpectrum: if you obeyed the laws and did as the franchise mandated, you would have never brought so much heat to your greedy asses. You get back what you put out. #local3” The commission ordered Charter Spectrum to pay $3 million in penalties and file a transition plan within 60 days to outline how the company would move its services over to another cable provider. Federal and state laws allow for only one cable provider in any specific geographic area. Charter Spectrum has more than two million customers throughout the state, including hundreds of thousands in Queens. The company said that it intends to contest the ruling by the state PSC. Under state regulations, the company has 30 days to file an objection to the ruling. In a statement, Charter Spectrum claimed the move by the PSC was politically motivated.

“In the weeks leading up to an election, rhetoric often becomes politically charged. But the fact is that Spectrum has extended the reach of our advanced broadband network to more than 86,000 New York homes and businesses since our merger agreement with the PSC,” the statement read. Industry experts expect a long legal battle to play out if Charter Spectrum contests the ruling. The PSC, in a press statement, said that customers will not be affected during the transition. “To ensure that Charter’s customers are not negatively affected during that process, the commission further ordered the company to maintain service to the company’s more than two million customers in New York until an orderly transition occurs,” the statement read. Reach Ariel Hernandez at (718) 357-7400, ext. 144, ahernandez@queenstribune.com or @reporter_ariel.

Burglar Killed In Home Robbery By JON CRONIN Two brothers allegedly beat and stabbed a would-be burglar to death outside their St. Albans home in the early-morning hours of July 30, according to police. Police officers responded to a 911 call of a burglary in progress on Williamson Avenue in St. Albans at approximately 2:44 a.m. At the scene, police witnessed a 26-year-old man with trauma to his head and a stab wound in his torso. According to previously published reports and those on the scene, two brothers—ages 15 and 27—allegedly attacked the burglar with a bat and a knife when he gained entry at the rear of the house. Emergency Medical Services transported the burglar to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. No arrests were made and the investigation is ongoing.

Alleged Nurse Killer Suspected In Other Crimes By JON CRONIN On Friday, California police captured Danueal Drayton, who was on the run from the NYPD after he was suspected of strangling a nurse whom he was dating in her Springfield Gardens home on July 17. Drayton will be charged with rape and murder when he is extradited back to New York, police said. Law enforcement officials believe that Drayton is also a social media predator. He met Samantha Stewart, the Springfield Gardens nurse, on Tinder. Stewart was discovered in her home on July 17 by her brother and father. The two suspected something was wrong and broke into her home and discovered her body. Drayton is also accused of assaulting his ex-girlfriend in Nassau County. Police also recently connected Drayton to a rape in Park Slope. The city’s Police Department is looking for assistance from the public as investigators believe that Drayton, who is wanted for assault in Connecticut and is suspected of raping a woman in Brooklyn this year, could be guilty of sexual assaults that have not been reported to the police. The NYPD is urging anyone with information to call the rape hotline at 212-267-RAPE.

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

NY Census Lawsuit OK’d By Federal Judge

NYCHA Admits To Federal Violations By TRONE DOWD

By TRONE DOWD As the nation inches closer to the 2020 census, controversy surrounding the approval of a certain citizenship question may soon evolve into a national lawsuit. Last Thursday, Manhattan federal judge the Hon. Jesse Furman ruled that a lawsuit filed against the U.S. Census Bureau and Commerce Department by New York State and the New York Immigrant Coalition (NYIC) can move forward. The lawsuit claims that a question asking participants

legations and drawing all reasonable inferences in their favor,” Furman wrote in his decision, “they plausibly allege that Secretary Ross’s decision to reinstate the citizenship question on the 2020 census was motivated by discriminatory animus and that its application will result in a discriminatory effect.” Furman added that New York State and the NYIC have a plausible case due to statements made by “decision-makers”—includ-

According to the DCP, the distribution of up to $600 billion in federal funding is decided, in part, by census data. New York has approximately 4.4 million immigrants, according to the NYIC, accounting for a significant portion of the population, particularly in the five boroughs. New York is not alone in its efforts; this lawsuit is one of six filed against the Census Bureau. Furman’s decision appeared to bolster con-

“As we’ve argued, the Trump administration’s plan to demand citizenship status as part of the census is unlawful—and it would potentially cause a huge undercount that would threaten billions in federal funds and New York’s fair representation in Congress and the Electoral College”

NE HO W T RA TE S

about their citizenship status was added to the upcoming census to hamper states with a high volume of immigrant communities. The last time a question related to citizenship appeared on the U.S. Census was in 1950. While the U.S. Department of Justice insists that the question is being asked to get a better headcount of citizens who are able to vote, those who have filed the lawsuit claim otherwise. According to court documents, Furman concluded that although the citizenship question is a completely legal addition to the 2020 census, it is plausible that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’s reasons for reinstating the question could be based on discriminatory efforts. “Assuming the truth of [the] plaintiffs’ al-

ing President Donald Trump—who have shown clear intent to thin out the number of immigrants coming from countries that his administration deems less desirable. The long-lasting impact that this question could have on the state has left lawmakers, advocacy groups and New York residents frustrated. At a Queens Borough Board meeting last month, Joseph Salvo, the Department of City Planning’s (DCP) population director, told the Queens Tribune that much of the state’s federal funding and congressional power is determined by the census. “The delegation size for each state is based upon the population count,” Salvo said. “We draw political districts based on those population counts and a lot of federal money gets distributed each year.”

fidence among members of the NYIC. “New York’s 4.4 million immigrants will be counted, regardless of Trump’s attempts to keep us down,” said NYIC Executive Director Steven Choi. “New Yorkers are not going to lose a dime or our voices to D.C.” New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood agreed. “As we’ve argued, the Trump administration’s plan to demand citizenship status as part of the census is unlawful—and it would potentially cause a huge undercount that would threaten billions in federal funds and New York’s fair representation in Congress and the Electoral College,” Underwood said. “We won’t stop fighting to ensure that the federal government fulfills its responsibility of a full and fair census.”

The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) found itself at the center of attention again on July 25, when agency executives admitted during a public meeting that it had failed to keep several of its buildings up to federal standards at the expense of residents’ safety and well-being. The news was first revealed by Anne-Marie Flatley, the vice president of NYCHA. Shortly afterward, NYCHA Interim-CEO Stanley Brezenoff explained during a Q&A with the press that the agency had sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) listing a number of specific “problem areas” that NYCHA needed to address. “Under new leadership...NYCHA will review its operations regularly in order to address potential compliance gaps,” the letter to HUD stated. “Based on the work conducted thus far, NYCHA believes it may not be in compliance with a number of federal regulations.” According to NYCHA, there are issues “with but not limited to” administrative practices, emergency management, appropriate staff training and tenant oversight. The agency said that that its new Compliance Department would help find solutions. “NYCHA expects additional areas will be added to this list as the reviews continue,” Brezenoff stated in the letter. “We will report periodically on our progress.” In a transcript of the Q&A provided by NYCHA, Brezenoff said that the admission was a matter of being candid with all involved. “This is a very large, sprawling, complex organization with many, many components,” he said. “Given the history of the issues that NYCHA has been dealing with, we wanted to be absolutely certain that any assertions we make, any certifications we make, are not subject to challenge. We want to be transparent, and we want to be absolutely sure that when NYCHA—when I— put my name on something, that we are being fully forthcoming. In my view, the certifications had to be signed because not to do so might have delayed funding.” NYCHA has been the subject of numerous scandals in recent years. Last year, it was reported that upwards of 130,000 NYCHA apartments still contained lead paint, violating both state and federal regulations and putting developing

children at risk. The scandal forced former NYCHA CEO Shola Olatoye out of office after just two years. Last month, the Daily News reported that in 2013, NYCHA workers forged tenant signatures to significantly reduce a backlog of more than 420,000 maintenance work orders without tending to a majority of the reported cases. This was done in order to keep Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s promise of dealing with the work orders in the 12 months he had before leaving office at the end of 2013. The recent news of federal violations marks the first time that the agency came forward with such information. Brezenoff said that this is a concerted effort to change how NYCHA deals with issues. “I guess you had to say we benefited from hindsight of being able to look at the experience there,” Brezenoff said. “I don't necessarily question anybody's motivation, but clearly part of our issue now is the perception of the agency as not having been transparent, not having been forthcoming.” Elected officials lambasted the agency over the violations. Councilwoman Alicka Ampry-Samuel (D-Brooklyn), chairwoman of the City Council’s Public Housing Committee, told the Queens Tribune that she is “looking forward to receiving NYCHA’s compliance report by the chief compliance officer, followed by an oversight hearing.” “At a time when compliance can be a matter of life or death, it is disappointing to hear the levels of noncompliance we have witnessed recently over the past several months from NYCHA,” she said. “Families have suffered from lead poisoning, respiratory disease as a result of mold, survived freezing temperatures with no heat during the coldest winters and now water shortages.” Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), who also serves on the Public Housing Committee, shared his frustration. “Every single resident of public housing deserves to live in dignity," Van Bramer said. "The fact that NYCHA has failed to comply with federal standards is unacceptable. Safety is the utmost priority, and it must never be compromised. NYCHA must do everything it can to comply with federal standards for public housing and to assure that every apartment meets basic standards.”

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Around The Borough

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

QUEENS, NY

JACKSON HEIGHTS

Street Renamed After Former Pol Ivan Lafayette

03 04 06

Jackson Heights leaders and residents gathered on Sunday at the corner of 92nd Street between 34th Avenue and Northern Boulevard to coname the crossing as NYS Assemblyman Ivan Lafayette Way to commemorate the long-time civic leader and elected official. Community leaders—including Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), state Sens. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing) and Jose Peralta (D-Elmhurst) and Assemblymen Jeffrion Aubry (D-Corona) and Michael DenDekker (D-East Elmhurst), who succeeded Lafayette—discussed the mark that the former assemblyman left on his western Queens community. “Lafayette was a great leader whose work had a tremendous impact on the community,” Dromm said. “He will forever be remembered as someone who had many schools built in the neighborhood when others thought it was impossible to do. We owe him a debt of gratitude for all he

has one, from his military service and civic engagement to his work as a state legislator.” Lafayette was elected to the Assembly in 1976 and retired in 2008. He served as deputy speaker of the Assembly and was the dean of the Queens delegation. Legislation introduced by Lafayette that was passed into law include the Truth in Testing Law for college applicants, a law creating penalties for driving without insurance and another that provided co-ops with veterans’ property tax exemptions. “He was truly Mr. Jackson Heights and was beloved by his constituents,” said Bertine Lafayette, who was married to the assemblyman for more than six decades. “Jackson Heights is a better place because of all he accomplished while in the legislature.” The street co-naming was held on what would have been Lafayette’s 88th birthday. -Nathan Duke

CORONA

Gang Graffiti Removed From 7 Train Station Councilman Francisco Moya (D-East Elmhurst) and Assemblywoman Ari Espinal (D-Jackson Heights) joined officers from the 110th Precinct to paint over gang graffiti at the 111th Street 7 train station. The graffiti, which read “Surenos 13,” was discovered by the elected officials last week. “Gang activity will find no safe haven here,” said Moya. “I have dedicated my life to defending my community and I will continue to do so against gangs like this, which use intimidation and fear to divide neighbors and prey primarily on young Latinos.” In 2015, the NYPD reported that there had been an increase in the presence of the Surenos 13 gang in Corona. Surenos 13, which is also known as Sur 13 and Surenos X3, are gangs that pay tribute

to the Mexican Mafia, but operate in the United States. According to the NYPD, this gang is especially dangerous because although they share the same identity, they often rival against one another. In addition, they frequently partake in such crimes as drug dealing, sex trafficking and prostitution. Surenos 13 graffiti can often be spotted in the streets of Corona. Much of the graffiti is drawn over rival gang tags. “In the neighborhood that I was born and raised in, there will always be zero-tolerance for gang activity,” said Espinal. “I will continue to work with the NYPD and my fellow elected officials to shut down those who seek to prey on vulnerable members of our community.” - Ariel Hernandez

ASTORIA

Constantinides Wants DOT Study Following Cyclist’s Death Councilman Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria) is calling on the city’s Department of Transportation to conduct a traffic study of 23rd Avenue between 33rd and 36th Street in Astoria following the death of a 22-year-old cyclist on July 24. According to the NYPD, Xellea Samonte was riding her bicycle east in a bike lane on 35th Street when she ran a red light at 23rd Avenue and hit the front passenger side of a 2008 Ford Econoline Van that was traveling south and had the green light.

Samonte, who suffered head and leg trauma, was rushed to Elmhurst Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Constantinides is requesting that the DOT conduct a study that would assess the street network and determine improvements that should be implemented to enhance safety on that avenue, which he said has a history of crashes that have resulted in injury and death. “According to NYPD crash data, between 2009 until the present day, there have been

two fatalities along the avenue and dozens of injuries that have affected pedestrians, cyclists and drivers,” said Constantinides. “There is a pronounced problem along this street and there are unique conditions, which render this thoroughfare particularly challenging.” Constantinides said there are a number of conditions that make the traffic pattern on the avenue “dangerous, confusing and chaotic.” - Ariel Hernandez

JAMAICA

Leaders Cut Ribbon On New Medical Facility Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is now home to a state-of-the-art cardiac care facility that has been named after Dr. Thomas Santucci Jr., who is the former chairman of the hospital’s Department of Medicine.

The 6,500 square-foot Thomas Santucci Jr. Cardiovascular Interventional Suite includes two interventional labs, a six-bed recovery unit, a preparation area and treatment and examination rooms.

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018 The facility was created to combat the community’s widespread in hypertension, diabetes, obesity and other conditions that could result in cardiac-related disease or strokes. According to Dr. Robert Mendelsohn, the director of cardiology and chairman of the Department of Medicine, the new facility is equipped with the latest technologies in cardiac and stroke care, which will allow doctors to perform more complex and advanced procedures. “Thank you on behalf of the generations of families that this unit will save and provide for,” Queens Borough President Melinda Katz

said at Friday’s ribbon cutting. “In a place where there is a void of medicine in many parts of the borough, Jamaica Hospital has picked up quite a bit of that slack.” Santucci, who died earlier this year, was represented at the ribbon cutting by his family, who expressed discussed hi legacy. “For us, it’s different to see this side of him and see the impact he made on all these people,” said Santucci’s granddaughter, Ashlin. “We knew him as a loving grandfather; but to be here and see this is really incredible. He’s such a role model in our lives.” - Ariel Hernandez

JAMAICA

Pop-Up Digital Art Wall Unveiled The Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) joined Brooklyn-based urban design firm Totem and Councilman Barry Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens) on July 26 to unveil a new art installation at Jamaica’s 165th Street Mall. Featuring the work of local artists reflecting on the theme of “Jamaica on the Move,” the illuminated art wall will feature a rotating lineup of local artists, the first of whom is Jocelyn M. Goode, who created an inaugural piece that was inspired by a half-day street art session that was held in May with local students, residents, workers and passersby. The ideas of more than 30 people who participated in that event are woven throughout the piece. “This art represents the residents, whose

humanity becomes more apparent when we take a moment to slow down and inhale all that makes Jamaica so special,” Goode said. The art wall was funded by Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) and received additional support from M&T Charitable Foundation., and was conceptualized by the GJDC. Totem designed the modular art wall, which is six-by-eight feet and was constructed by two-way art panels that feature a unique nightmare luminescence with an LED-backlit canvas. “Downtown Jamaica is transforming right before our eyes, and this innovative art wall will help showcase what makes this community so special,” Lancman said. -Nathan Duke

06 MASPETH

Council Members Endorse Melissa Sklarz Councilmen Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside) have endorsed Melissa Sklarz in her bid to unseat Assemblyman Brian Barnwell (D-Maspeth) in District 30. “I am proud to endorse Melissa Sklarz for state Assembly because it’s clear she has a vision for change, and the experience needed to get results up in Albany,” said Dromm. “As someone who ran an insurgent campaign for City Council in 2009, with the help of people like Melissa, I know that she will go to Albany ready to challenge authority and stand up for what is right.” Sklarz, who would be the first transgender woman in the New York Assembly, said that she plans to strengthen rent laws, fight

homelessness, invest in the transit system and improve elderly services, all of which Van Bramer said he supports. “Queens values are under attack and we need progressive leaders in Albany, who are ready to stand up and protect the rights of all New Yorkers,” said Van Bramer. “Over the years, Melissa has exhibited a rare ability to build broad based coalitions to solve issues. I know she will provide strong leadership and be an outspoken voice for affordable housing, public transportation, education, women, immigrants and the LGBTQ community.” Barnwell unseated a sitting Assembly member in 2016 when he defeated long-time Assemblywoman Margaret Markey. -Ariel Hernandez

Around The Borough

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

Lancman To Eye Queens District Attorney’s Office If Brown Retires

Sheldon Silver Gets 7 Years in Prison

By NATHAN DUKE Councilman Rory Lancman (D-Hillcrest) is eyeing a bid for Queens district attorney to replace current DA Richard Brown, 86, who is expected not to run for reelection after finishing his current term next year. Lancman—who is the chairman of the City Council’s Justice System committee, which oversees the city’s five district attorney offices and the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice— noted that Brown has made his intention clear to fill out the remainder of his seventh term. “I’m not aware of him retiring early,” Lancman said. “I think it’s his intention that he will fill out his term, and I hope that he does. There’s not a scenario where I’m challenging him.” Brown has held the office since 1991, making him the longest-serving DA in New York City. Despite his recent battle with Parkinson’s disease, Brown has said that he has not been pressured to retire. Lancman said that his advocacy on various issues—such as criminal justice reform, closing Rikers Island, reforming cash bail and decriminalizing such low-level offenses as turnstile jumping and public marijuana use— as chairman of the council’s Justice System would inform some of his policies if he were to become the Queens DA. “The criminal justice work that I’ve done for the last four-and-a-half years mirrors the work that a DA’s office should do,” Lancman said. “We need criminal justice reform in New York City from start to finish. The DA’s office should be ensuring that communities are not overpoliced, that people aren’t sitting on Rikers Island because they can’t raise small amounts of cash bail, and that people with mental or substance abuse problems are diverted from the criminal justice system. We need to refocus resources on protecting women and working people. Sexual assault and rape are up tremendously in New York City. Few employers are held accountable when they steal workers’ wages by not paying the minimum wage or overtime. We need to make sure we’re not wasting resources and ruining people’s lives, and instead focusing on real wrongdoing.” Lancman’s bid for the seat could be derailed before there is even a race though. Sources close to the Queens County Democratic Party said that the party was already eyeing anoth-

“We need to make sure we’re not wasting resources and ruining people’s lives, and instead focusing on real wrongdoing.”

er elected official—Queens Borough President Melinda Katz—for the DA if Brown retires. “If given the opportunity, we’d prefer Katz to be the Queens DA,” one source said. “She has indicated that she’d like to run for mayor. That being said, she’s the type of person who’d be more respectful of established norms. She’d be careful and cognizant of Dick Brown, and give him the space and time that he needs. Melinda is being respectful. Rory is a different type of politician. He’s extremely ambitious and opportunistic. He may see that there’s an advantage in trying to declare this space for him now.”

The source also said that the party’s pick for Queens DA could be determined by the fate of the party’s leadership by timing Brown’s resignation to avoid a Democratic primary battle. “It’ll depend on whether [U.S. Rep.] Joe Crowley decides to stay Queens County leader,” the source said, referring to Crowley’s shocking Democratic primary loss to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “With a strong organization and leader, when Brown stepped down, whoever Crowley would have anointed would have had a good shot. But it’s unclear what that means now. I don’t know if we’ll know that answer

until after the primaries.” Ocasio-Cortez’s win has sent shockwaves through the county organization, according to the source. “You can’t dismiss the Ocasio-Cortez effect and what that could mean for the Queens DA race,” the source said. “There could be a serious challenger to the establishment. It’s definitely something that everyone running a race in Queens or New York is thinking: What kind of dark horse could be backed by the Democratic Socialists?” Katz declined to comment on whether she was considering a run for Queens DA.

By MICHAEL GARETH JOHNSON Former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, widely considered one of the most powerful politicians in the state of New York for more than a decade in the early 2000s, was sentenced to serve seven years in federal prison last week on corruption charges. The former leader, who was known as a progressive firewall for uniting his conference to block bills that would scale back rights of unions or negatively impact working class communities, was convicted in March in his second trial on charges that he personally profited by more than $4 million by funneling state money to interests tied to the law firm where he worked. “We hope today’s fittingly stiff sentence sends a clear message: Brokering official favors for your personal benefit is illegal and will result in prison time,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Geoffrey Berman in a statement. In 2016, Silver was sentenced to 12 years in prison for corruption. His conviction was then overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, leading to a second trial that ended with the former power broker being convicted in May. Silver is scheduled to report to prison on Oct. 5, but he is appealing the sentence. The corruption case was one of two high profile scandals that rocked the state legislature power structure in 2015. Silver’s counterpart at the time, former Republican state Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, was also arrested that year and convicted on corruption charges. The same U.S. Supreme Court ruling that led to a second trial for Silver triggered a retrial for Skelos. He was convicted again this summer and is slated to be sentenced in October.

POLICE BLOTTER 104TH PRECINCT

RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying three individuals who are wanted in connection with an incident in which shots were fired in Ridgewood on July 27. Around 4:15 p.m., three unidentified individuals were walking in front of 16-22 Cornelia St. when one of them

displayed a firearm and fired several rounds, striking a silver Nissan Sentra. The suspects fled on foot southbound on Wyckoff Avenue towards Halsey Street. No injuries were reported. All three suspects were described as Hispanic men. The first suspect, who is believed to be between the ages of 16 and 20, had a small build, tattoos on his right arm and a goatee. He was last seen wearing camouflage shorts, a black T-shirt, green bucket hat and white and black sneakers. The second individual, who is believed to be between the ages of 18 and 20, had a dark complexion, medium build, a goatee and was last seen wearing black shorts, a black T-shirt, black sneakers and a black du-rag. The third suspect, who is believed to be between the ages of 18 and 20, has a medium build with a mustache and beard. He was last seen wearing blue Nike shorts, a blue Nike T-shirt, blue baseball cap and black sneakers.

114TH PRECINCT

ROBBERY

Police said that they are searching for three individuals who are wanted in connection with a robbery pattern within the confines of the 114th Precinct on July 27. Around 11:45 a.m., a 15-year-old boy was approached in front of 23-38 Broadway in Astoria by three unknown individu-

als, who displayed a knife and pushed him to the ground. The suspects attempted to forcibly remove the victim’s bicycle, but the boy resisted. The individuals removed the victim’s iPhone 6S cell phone, which had fallen to the ground, and fled westbound on Broadway. The victim sustained a minor laceration to his right shin. Then, at 5:25 p.m., the same three individuals entered a Rite Aid, located at 32-87 Steinway St. in Astoria, and attempted to leave the store with three umbrellas without paying for them. When a 50-year-old man who worked at the store attempted to stop the individu-

als, they struck him with the umbrellas and punched him in the face. The suspects fled the location with the umbrellas northbound on Steinway Street. The victim only sustained minor injuries. The individuals struck again 20 minutes later as they hailed a yellow taxi cab on Steinway Street between Broadway and 34th Avenue. As the 42-year-old man who was driving the car dropped the individuals off in front of 1-05 Astoria Blvd., the suspects displayed a knife and removed $81 from the center console before fleeing. The first suspect is described as a fivefoot-six-inch black teenager who weighs approximately 145 pounds. He has a medium complexion, slim build and was last seen wearing a red du-rag, black “Metallica” T-shirt, black pants and black sneakers. The second suspect is a five-foot-sixinch black teenager who weighs approximately 145 pounds, had a medium complexion and slim build and was last seen wearing a black du-rag, glasses, black “I Prevail” T-shirt, black shorts and black sneakers. And the third suspect was described as a five-foot-11-inch black teenager who weighs approximately 190 pounds, had a medium complexion and medium build with close-cut hair and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, black pants and white sneakers. All three suspects were believed to be between the ages of 15 and 19.

114TH PRECINCT

ASSAULT

Police are searching for an individual who is wanted in connection with a shooting that took place in front of Astoria’s Melrose Ballroom on July 21. Around 4:15 a.m., a 27-year-old man and 34-year-old woman were waiting for a valet service in front of the music venue, located at 36-08 33rd St., when an unknown man started shooting into the crowd at the location. The man sustained a gunshot wound in his rear thigh and the woman was shot in her right leg. The suspect fled the location in a black Maserati northbound on 33rd Street. EMS transported the woman to Elmhurst Hospital and the man was transported by private means to Astoria General Hospital. Both victims were treated and released. The suspect was described as a sixfoot-one-inch black man who was believed to be 29 years old and was last seen wearing a white baseball cap with a Ghostbusters logo, white sleeveless tank top and white pants. He has tattoo sleeves on both arms.

Night Life

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

WHO IS ON THE BOARD? MAYORAL APPOINTEES

Bright Lights, Troubled Streets?

JOSÉ FRANCISCO ÁVILA, founder and managing member of Garifuna Afro-Latina Entertainment, LLC and chairman of the board of The Garifuna Coalition USA, Inc. KURTIS BLOW, rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, DJ and chairman of the Universal Hip Hop Museum who has released 15 albums over the course of his career DJ TIKKA MASALA, music composer and producer for the Obie- and Bessie-award– winning Brooklyn-based feminist acrobatic dance company LAVA, and resident DJ at Henrietta Hudson SUSAN STETZER, district manager for Community Board 3, Manhattan, where she has served for the past 14 years LUISA F. TORRES, owner of Mojitos Restaurant Bar and community activist CITY COUNCIL APPOINTEES ROBERT BOOKMAN, regulatory and liquor-licensing attorney, partner at Pesetsky and Bookman MARTI GOULD CUMMINGS, drag artist, LGBTQ advocate ALVESTER GARNETT, drummer, percussionist, arts educator and advocate PEDRO GOICO, representative at New York Supermarket Association OLYMPIA KAZI, architect, arts advocate and urban design critic; member of the NYC Artists Coalition ANDREW PRASCHAK, environmental attorney ANDREW RIGIE, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance DAVID ROSEN, Brooklyn and Queens bar operator and community organizer; co-founder of Brooklyn Allied Bars and Restaurants (BABAR) SUSAN XENARIOS, director and founder, Crime Victims Treatment Center, Mount Sinai St. Luke’s and Roosevelt hospitals

Vibes Bar on Liberty Avenue in Jamaica

N THE CITY THAT NEVER sleeps, it’s no surprise that New York’s bustling nightlife scene is one of the city’s biggest draws. Clubs, bars and other late-night activities are part of the experience for residents and visitors alike. Earlier this month, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the introduction of a Nightlife Advisory Board whose intended function is to develop and diversify the types of activities that visitors to the Big Apple can experience once the sun goes down. But while the Nightlife Advisory Board focuses on improving the experience for the city, what does it mean for outer boroughs— such as Queens—which have been dealing with this issue for years? According to the mayor, the city’s advisory board is a 14-member body that is made up of various DJs, hospitality advocates and regulatory attorneys from Manhattan and Brooklyn. The board will be headed by Ariel Palitz, whom the mayor’s office described as a “lifelong New Yorker and nightlife professional.” Palitz has owned and operated Sutra, a successful nightclub on the Lower East Side, for more than a decade. She has also served on Community Board 3 in Manhattan for more than six years and has spent the last three years helping up-andcoming entrepreneurs open nightlife establishments of their own. “The new Nightlife Advisory Board reflects the diversity that makes our city and our nightlife great,” de Blasio said. “Working together, we will ensure the industry continues to thrive.” The advisory board will work together to make recommendations to the mayor’s office and the City Council about how they can effectively change policy surrounding the regulatory structure of the nightlife industry without sacrificing any of the fun. This includes such concerns as public safety, zoning, enforcement, nightlife workforce conditions and the integration of nightlife into the city’s various neighborhoods. All members are set to serve two-year terms. The plan has since received overwhelming support from city officials, including City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan), who said that “the establishment of the Nightlife Advisory Board gives stakeholders a voice and path to solutions.” But while Manhattan and Brooklyn have appropriate representation on the board, the Bronx and Queens have fewer members, despite having active nightlife scenes of their own. For some residents, including those of several neighborhoods in Southeast Queens, clubs and bars have become a quality-of-life issue for which they have sought relief. For these areas, the NYPD has been the main force behind keeping streets safe while New Yorkers go out on weekend nights. Various precincts around the city, including the 102nd in South Queens and the 105th in Southeast Queens, have established their own task forces to deal with nightlife-related issues over the years. Many of these programs and officers have since been replaced by neighborhood coordinating officers (NCOs). Community-affairs officers at the 105th Precinct told the Queens Tribune that the special unit known as the Noise Car was used to police nightlife issues along Merrick Boulevard and residential noise complaints, which typically stem from house parties. The unit has produced results for the precinct, which has seen record-low crime rates over the past few years. Earlier this year, the Noise Car was removed with the introduction of around-the-clock NCOs. Today, NCOs answer calls while on the beat and learn how nightlife establishments affect their various communities. Capt. Courtney Nilan, the commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct, told the Queens Tribune that similar steps were taken in her jurisdiction. “There is a huge concentration of bars and clubs, which have liquor licenses from the state liquor authority,” she said. “That is a lot for such a small precinct.” The 102nd Precinct—which covers such neigh-

Liberty Avenue in Ozone Park

borhoods as Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens, Woodhaven and parts of Ozone Park—contains more than 100 bars, according to Nilan. As a result, she said that establishing a close relationship with the State Liquor Authority (SLA) was paramount to the precinct. So far this year, two shootings have taken place within the confines of the 102nd Precinct, a 50 percent drop in crime compared to the same time period in 2017. But while the downward trend in shootings correlates with the overall drop in crime across the city, Nilan said that nightlife-related violence is still an issue. “Those two shootings were both club related,” she said. In March, a shooting incident took place outside the Zen Lounge in Richmond Hill, injuring three patrons. In April, two brothers were shot outside the Rose Lounge in Richmond Hill. Both men survived the shooting. “With the help of the SLA, we were able to shut down both locations,” Nilan said. “Both locations are still shut down now.” Nilan added that these incidents typically occur on the weekend around 4 a.m., which is the time that many clubs close in South Queens. “When you have upwards of 300 to 400 people trying to leave a club at the same time and some might be drunk, you begin to see problems,” she said. To combat violence at these neighborhood establishments, Nilan and her predecessor, Inspector Deodat Urpresaud, established what is known as the “Midnight Conditions Club Team.” “It was one sergeant and six police officers,” she said. “Their main function was to deal with all club- and bar-related issues. What that meant was not just dealing with incidents after they happened, but to prevent these issues from happening in the first place.” Prevention efforts are expensive in the 102nd Precinct. Officers meet with club owners and security personnel to lay out the precinct’s expectations. The team also conducts business inspection for establishments in the precinct. “We’ve done over 40 of these inspections,” Nilan said. “When we go into these places, we check their records; make sure their safety precautions are in place. If there are any violations, we hand out the appropriate summonses.” Finally, the team monitors scheduled weekend parties and activities in the precinct via social media. “If we find out that a particularly big party is happening, we will send a car to that location just to have a presence and ensure that it’s not going over occupancy or getting out of control,” she said. Nilan spoke highly of the results that her prevention teams were able to produce. “I think it’s a testament to the work of those police officers as well as a lot of my supervisors on the midnight shift,” she said. “In the months of June and July, we haven’t had a single club-related crime.” On July 16, just four days after the mayor announced the introduction of the Nightlife Advisory Board, the 102nd Precinct instated the NCO program, making it the last precinct to adopt the initiative in Queens Patrol Borough South. During the transition, the Midnight Conditions Team was disbanded, much like the 105th’s Noise Car was discontinued upon the arrival of the NCO program. However, the NCO program’s new Midnight Anti-Crime Team works in the same manner as the previous program. Nilan promised that the same kind of productivity and prevention is still taking place in her precinct. Nilan said that she would “absolutely” be willing to contribute to the mayor’s advisory board to help offer a more local perspective. “I would always be open to sharing ideas and helping any nonprofit or unit of the mayor,” she said. “We already do it with domestic violence, sitting down with the mayor’s commision on that issue.

Lynx Lounge in Ozone Park

Story by TRONE DOWD Photos by Sasha Maslov

Transportation

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

MOVING THROUGH QUEENS

A look at transportation issues around the borough

Due to signal maintenance, the ❼ train will board at the Flushing-bound platform at Hunters Point Avenue and Vernon Boulevard-Jackson Avenue from 12:40 a.m. to 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. And to allow for track maintenance, Manhattan-bound ❼ trains will skip 69th, 52nd, 46th, 40th and 33rd streets in Queens from 5:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.

CUOMO ANNOUNCES LGA COMPLETION, EXPANSION

By ARIEL HERNANDEZ Gov. Andrew Cuomo paid a visit to LaGuardia Airport earlier this week to announce the opening of a new flyover (bridge) and a partnership that will lead to employment opportunities for local residents. The new flyover, located at Grand Central Parkway’s exit 7, will serve as the main point of access to Delta Airlines, which is located at the eastern portion of the airport. According to Cuomo, the flyover will make it easier to access the east side, handling approximately 20 percent of the airport’s incoming traffic. “This new flyover will bring immediate relief to travelers driving to LaGuardia Airport, and is a key milestone in our plan to build the na-

SERVICE CHANGES

There will be no A trains running to Far Rockaway-Mott Avenue this weekend and there will be no S Rockaway Park Shuttle service at Broad Channel. tion’s first new airport in more than 20 years and make it a world-class international gateway,” said Cuomo. “While the federal government pays lip service to infrastructure, New York is making historic strides in building a transportation network fit for the 21st-century economy.” The new flyover is one of 26 new planned flyovers that will replace the 15 existing bridges, eliminating the need for on-airport traffic signals. “One year out from the groundbreaking of Delta’s all-new home in Queens, we’re honored to be here with Gov. Cuomo to open this flyover ramp, one of many more milestones to come,” said Henry Kuykendall, Delta senior vice president. “Today’s opening means quicker access into and out of LGA [LaGuardia] for Delta customers as we look forward to the end of 2019, when we have our first all-new concourse open for flying.” Cuomo also announced a $1.4 million partnership with the Council for Airport Opportunity (CAO) to work with Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities and Neighborhood Housing Services to provide job-placement assistance with airport employment opportunities, job development, skills training and readiness programs, career counseling, interview preparation and orientation for success in employment. “The LaGuardia Airport Redevelopment Program is a crucial and ambitious infrastructure project that will greatly benefit Queens and all of New York,” said U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Jackson Heights). “The expansion of the Council for Airport Opportunity, and today’s announcement of new transportation options to ease travelers’ commutes, marks yet another promising step forward for the program. This new flyover will offer travelers a more direct route into LaGuardia, which will alleviate traffic congestion surrounding the airport, a top priority for Queens residents like myself. The CAO’s expansion will create new high-quality jobs right here in Queens, which will ensure that LaGuardia’s redevelopment continues to elevate families living in our communities.” Reach Ariel Hernandez at (718) 357-7400 x 144, ahernandez@queenstribune.com or @reporter_ariel.

Between Friday at 9:45 p.m. and Monday at 5 a.m., E trains will run via the F line in both directions between 21st Street-Queensbridge and Lexington Avenue-63rd Street in Manhattan and via the R line between 57th Street-7th Avenue and Whitehall Street to allow for signal improvements. Due to signal modernization, Jamaica Center-bound E trains will skip 75th Avenue and Briarwood between 11:45 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday. And to allow for signal modernization, Jamaica Center-bound E trains will run express from 21st Street-Queensbridge’s F train station to 71st Avenue in Queens from 12:01 a.m. on Saturday to 5 a.m. on Monday. Coney Island-bound F trains will run via the E line from Roosevelt Avenue to 50th Street in Manhattan, then via the A line express to Jay Street-MetroTech in Brooklyn from 9:45 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday due to signal improvements. Then, Jamaica-bound F trains will be rerouted via the E line after 47th-50th streets in Manhattan to Roosevelt Avenue between 9:45 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday due to signal improvements. And due to signal modernization, Jamaica-bound F trains will skip 75th Avenue, Briarwood and Sutphin Boulevard in Queens between 11:45 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday. There will be no J trains between Crescent Street in Brooklyn and Jamaica Center from 3:45 a.m. on Saturday to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Due to station enhancements, the Broadway and 39th Avenue N and W stations are closed until February 2019. There will be no N trains between Ditmars Boulevard and Queensboro Plaza between 3:45 a.m. on Saturday to 10 p.m. on Sunday due to rack replacement. Free shuttle buses will provide alternate service. And due to signal modernization, Forest Hills-bound R trains will run express from Queens Plaza to 71st Avenue.

NEW YORK CITY LOSES SPEED CAMERAS

EXPANSIONS FOR FOREST HILLS, KEW GARDENS LIRR STATIONS

By ARIEL HERNANDEZ

By JON CRONIN

The Automated Speed Enforcement Program— which launched in 2013 and provided 140 city schools with speed cameras—expired last week, leaving the city’s elected officials, advocates, parents and school administrations fearful for children’s safety. Since the program’s inception, speed cameras have led to a 17 percent drop in injuries and 60 percent decrease in speeding violations in the proximity of the cameras, according to a report released by the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) earlier this month. In the wake of the speed camera program’s expiration, Corona residents gathered last Thursday in front of PS 330Q to “mourn the deactivation of this life-saving program.” “This program saved countless lives, and because of the lack of action from the Senate Republican majority to vote on my bill, school zone speed cameras will be turned off today,” said state Sen. José Peralta (D-Elmhurst). “This is senseless, illogical. This program has been tremendously successful. New York City kids will no longer be protected from reckless drivers when they travel to and from school. This is a sad day for our city, for our kids and for all New Yorkers. In September, more than one million children will return to school on more dangerous roads. This is unacceptable.” Last Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted

to New York Senate Republicans to pass legislation to keep the speed cameras. “And I will sign it within 15 minutes of them passing it—they have to pass the bill,” Cuomo said in a video posted to his Twitter account. Since then, state Sen. Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-Smithtown) announced that he would back a plan to restore speed cameras in New York City school zones. “Let me say publicly what I have been saying privately for weeks and what we said in Albany: The Senate Republican majority is willing to approve an extender of the existing New York City speed camera program,” said Flanagan. “During that time, we can work to enact a more comprehensive safety plan with all of the stakeholders involved.” In the meantime, Councilman Mark Gjonaj (D-Bronx) introduced a bill earlier this week that would set an Oct. 31 deadline by which all city school buildings must have speed signs in place. “I think it could be done effectively and done immediately,” said Gjonaj. “Right here, right now, we have an issue, problem and the solution is, ‘Let’s take out every tool that’s available to make sure our children are safe.’”

State Sen. Jose Peralta holds a vigil for the end of the city’s speed camera program.

Reach Ariel Hernandez at (718) 357-7400 x 144, ahernandez@queenstribune.com or @reporter_ariel.

The Forest Hills and Kew Gardens Long Island Rail Road platforms will be a little less crowded in the future as the MTA began an expansion of each one by 200 feet this past week. The MTA will lengthen the platforms to accommodate six cars of a train, rather than the current four cars. LIRR trains can be up to 12 cars long. The platforms at both stations will be expanded 200 feet westward and be composed of steel scaffolding structures supporting fiberglass decking. “We’re committed to improving conditions for our Queens customers, and this will make boarding and exiting trains less congested, faster and more pleasant at both stations,” LIRR President Phillip Eng said. “We’re taking a new, expedited approach, making improvements quickly to current needs with lower-cost yet sturdy materials, while we evaluate a longer-term, permanent solution.” Eng said that ridership at these stations is high, and expedited deboarding could speed up trains that are backed up behind those stations. Out of 124 stations, Forest Hills and Kew Gardens are the 51st- and 56th-busiest stations, respectively. Forest Hills’ weekly ridership is 1,967, while Kew Gardens has 1,778 riders.

With concerts at Forest Hills Stadium— which is less than a block from the LIRR station—becoming more and more popular, the number of riders at the station has increased. “Longer platforms should speed up our mainline service for all customers traveling between Penn Station and Jamaica,” Eng stated. Prepping for the additions was scheduled to begin on July 23 and is to be conducted by LIRR personnel. The work will be assessed by the staff, who will identify end dates and the cost of the project. “This plan is a step in the right direction towards making our commutes safer and faster,” Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal (DFlushing) said. “The extension of the platforms comes as a welcome addition for our Kew Gardens and Forest Hills communities. I commend President Eng on making proactive investments in Queens.” State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) said he was pleased that the LIRR was taking active measures to speed up trips for the thousands of residents who ride the train in the two communities. “By extending the platforms at these two stations, passengers will have an easier egress off of the train, reducing delays and making a better trip for everyone,” he said. “I look forward to seeing the final results once construction is finished.”

Development

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF QUEENS A look at development and its impact on the borough

SUNNYSIDE PROTESTS BIKE LANES Sunnyside residents and community leaders protested against the implementation of the Vision Zero protected bike lane at Skillman and 43rd avenues last week. Next to the Sunnyside arch and under the 7 train stop, several of the rally’s speakers stated that they are bikers and support cyclists, but not the city Department of Transportation’s (DOT) plan to take away 113 parking spots along the two avenues. Trisha Dorfman, the executive director of the new Queens Streets for All, said that the purpose of the rally was to get the attention of Mayor Bill de Blasio and persuade him to agree to a meeting with the community and change his Vision Zero plan for the streets. Dorfman believes that the protected bike plans will be inherently unsafe, as cyclists do not pay attention to pedestrians or to the rules of the road. “They will run us over,” she said. “We live the nightmare every day. Why are we not looking at Northern Boulevard? We have children dying there all the time.” Rev. Neil Margetson, the pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church, said that Manhattanville was once a quiet “pocket community” like Sunnyside. He fears that the bike lane would change the demographics of the neighborhood. He sees Sunnyside as “a city under siege,” and pointed out that it takes 20 minutes now for his parishioners to find parking near the church. Mindy Bichler-Greene, the PTA president at PS 11 on Skillman Avenue, believes that children

could be in danger when crossing the bike lane as they come and go from school. Gary O’Neill, the owner of Aubergine Cafe on Skillman Avenue, is an avid cyclist and a member of Transportation Alternatives, but does not agree with his fellow cyclists about the plan. “Even though [the DOT] said they are going to put in a protected bike lane in August, it doesn’t mean the fight is over,” he said. “Because if we let them think it’s over, they would run over every community in Queens, not just ours.” In literature distributed at the rally, Queens Streets For All contended that the DOT misled the community and mayor regarding the need for bike lanes. The group wrote that when the DOT counted how many cyclists use the route, it did so on Bike to Work Day. They also believe that the DOT and Transportation Alternatives exploited the widow of Gelasio Reyes for their cause. Reyes was killed on April 1, 2017, by a drunk driver after the driver ran a red light while crossing 43rd Avenue and 39th Street at 2:53 a.m. The group also criticized the DOT for not providing information on who was at fault in incidents of car and bicycle crashes in the area. Queens Streets for All is asking the city to keep the current bike lanes as they are but paint them green, change lights to lead pedestrians and cyclists ahead of cars, and add rumble strips at dangerous intersections to let bike riders know they are coming to an area that requires heightened awareness.

By JON CRONIN

Sunnyside residents protest the implementation of bike lanes at Skillman and 43rd avenues.

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The proposed site of a homeless shelter in Glendale

A new men’s shelter with 200 beds has been confirmed to be in the running for a longsought-after location on Cooper Avenue in Glendale, although the deal is not complete. Five years ago, Glendale residents thought they had won a fight against the city’s Department of Homeless Services (DHS) to stop the implementation of a shelter at an old factory located at 78-16 Cooper Ave. After Glendale Civic Association President Kathy Masi posted on the group’s Facebook page on July 26 that she had heard the DHS was negotiating for a shelter at the location, the community responded in an uproar. Councilman Bob Holden (D-Middle Village) confirmed on July 27 that the DHS is negotiating with a provider that would oversee a shelter at the site. In January, the DHS had announced that it was withdrawing plans to implement a shelter at the site. DHS spokesman Isaac McGinn denied that a homeless shelter is being eyed for the site. “We provide notification to communities when a viable proposal from a not-for-profit service provider has been fully evaluated— and communities will be the first to know as locations are identified for use as a shelter,” he said. He added that the site is not viable because the

state is creating “supportive housing” there. In a statement, Holden said that he spoke with Steven Banks, commissioner of the Department of Homeless Services, who told him that “a sealed bidding process under a request for proposal was submitted for a large facility at the location.” Banks told Holden that the DHS’ review committee considered the proposal “strong” and that the DHS is in negotiations with a provider. “This is not a proper location for any shelter. It is out of character and in no way will be accepted by the community,” said Holden, who added that he gave an alternative location to the DHS, but the agency never responded. “I vehemently disagree with 78-16 Cooper Ave. as a viable site for a large men’s shelter, and will vigorously fight against it as I have in the past,” Holden said. State Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-Howard Beach) said he initially thought the permit for offices at that location was good news because it could have created jobs. But constituents told him that they “don’t trust the city.” Addabbo echoed his remarks at a recent Ozone Park community meeting with the DHS, noting that he is continually surprised by “the deceitfulness and lack of transparency from an administration that campaigned

on transparency.” He said that the 102nd Precinct, which patrols the area, is not getting extra officers, and called the location a public safety issue. “When the mayor comes to Albany and starts requesting items, it’ll be a very interesting conversation on my part,” he added. Assemblyman Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven), whose district is near the site, called the process of implementation “backwards.” “It’s not a transparent way to handle business,” he said. “I support Bob Holden in the fight against this shelter.” Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) did not echo his colleague’s comments. “No community in New York State, including the ones I have the privilege of representing, wishes to have a new homeless shelter,” he said. “However, considering the magnitude and growth rate of the worst homeless crisis since the Great Depression; the abject failure of our state government to create a rental supplement to reduce the need for new shelters; and the fact that providing shelter is not only more humane, but that homeless people deserve to be treated with the same respect any us would want if we fell upon hard times, I am open to accepting a new shelter in my district under the appropriate circumstances.”

Get on board.

The next search for food & beverage partners at the new LaGuardia Terminal B is kicking off! LaGuardia Gateway Partners is excited to launch its next Competitive Solicitation Process (CSP) for select food & beverage concession opportunities at the new LaGuardia Terminal B, now under construction at LaGuardia Airport. These opportunities are located in the central commercial district within the Headhouse – the main part of the new terminal.

For more information on this CSP, visit www.laguardiacentral.com/CSP.

LGA__Concession_RFP_Queens_Tribune.indd 1

Client: LaGuardia Gateway Partners

7/23/18 4:25 PM

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

Getting around Queens is easier than ever, thanks to Uber.

rom Jackson Heights to Jamaica, Uber helps us move around in our communities and in every corner of the five boroughs.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why the majority of Uber rides are now outside of Manhattan, in areas like Queens. And, in the past year, trips in our borough have nearly doubled. Uber is helping to fill the gaps in transit service, ensuring that no matter where we live in NYC, we can get an affordable, reliable ride within minutes. After all, the City isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just midtown Manhattan.

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Queens Today

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK FRIDAY 8/3

Kew Gardens Festival of Cinema

A performance during last year’s Jamaica JAMS festival

Flag Football Clinic

This league welcomes girls and boys, ages 5 to 17, to take part in instructional drills, strategies and live game play. All equipment will be provided. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kissena Playground in Kissena Park, near 164th and Oak streets.

Watch features, documentaries, shorts, web series, music videos and more, while supporting the local independent film scene. Free workshops, presentations and talks included. The festival runs through Aug. 12. Two sites: Queens Museum, NYC Building, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, and United Artists Midway 9, 108-22 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills. THURSDAY 8/2

“The Muppet Show”: Julie Andrews And Rita Moreno

Andrews performs “Lonely Goatherd” and “Whistle a Happy Tune,” while Moreno (who received an Emmy for her guest turn) delivers a memorable version of “Fever,” assisted by Animal. $15. Daily 11 a.m. shows through Aug. 5. Museum of the Moving Image, 36-01 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District. ------------------------------------------------

FRIDAY 8/3

Jamaica JAMS

The opening concert, JAMS under the Stars, pays homage to icons of jazz, R&B, rock and funk in Rufus King Park on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. The main event is a day of multicultural and educational family fun, shopping, community resources and entertainment on Aug. 4, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Jamaica Avenue from Parsons Boulevard to 170th Street.

Tie Dye Event

Kids in Motion will host this event at Juniper Valley Park. Participants should bring an article of clothing to tie dye. All other supplies will be provided. Free, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Juniper Valley Park, 78th Street Entrance, Middle Village ------------------------------------------------

Movie Night: “Justice League”

The D.C. Comics blockbuster will screen at Crocheron Park. Participants should bring their own lawn chairs or blankets. In the film, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of Diana Prince to face a new enemy. Activities for children will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the film starts at 8:30 p.m. Free. Golden Pond in Crocheron Park, 35th Avenue. ------------------------------------------------

Spirit Of Caribbean

Stylistic expressions in sound and dance that celebrate the diverse Caribbean cultures in Queens. Artists include Andy

Bassford, Majid, Brown Rice Family, Jahlani, TTO All-Stars Band and Devore Dance Center. Noon. Jamaica Performing Arts Center. ------------------------------------------------

SATURDAY 8/4

Insitu SiteSpecific Dance Festival

More than 140 works by choreographers from around the world at four Long Island City venues: Hunters Point South Park; Gantry Plaza State Park; Queensbridge Park and Socrates Sculpture Park from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 4 and 5. Workshops will be included. ------------------------------------------------

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SUNDAY 8/5

Community Day

Free programs, including a drop-in drawing studio, public tour and conversation on one of the installations. 11 a.m. The Noguchi Museum, 9-01 33rd Rd., Long Island City. ------------------------------------------------

ForgottenNY: Corona

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WEDNESDAY 8/10

Kingsland Homestead

The official Queens historian, Jack Eichenbaum, leads a walking tour from Kingsland to the historic property’s two prior locations. $30. 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. Meet at Kingsland, 143-35 37th Ave., Flushing. ------------------------------------------------

Maestro Khan

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A classical Indian music and dance company performs as part of the twomonth Live at the Gantries series. Free. Gantry Plaza State Park, Center Boulevard and 48th Avenue, Long Island City. ------------------------------------------------

Learn the art of hapa-zome, imprinting natural plant dyes into fabric with a hammer. Plant a hapa-zome container garden with Jess Brey, of Dyed in Queens, using plants like nasturtium, basil, marigold and pansy. 2 p.m. Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing. ------------------------------------------------

One Summer Night

Music by 2Melo, Beatrix, Tasha Blank, The Get Down and many others with performances, projections and interactive experiences. $30. 6 p.m. Paper Factory Hotel, 37-06 36th St., Long Island City. ------------------------------------------------

Games Day

Justice League

The official Queens historian, Jack Eichenbaum, leads a walking tour on and off the Rockaway boardwalk that connects two restaurants which overlook the Jamaica Bay side of the peninsula. $20. 6 p.m. Meet at Thai Rock, 375 Beach 92nd St. Registration required at jaconet@aol.com.

What is a Victorian Garden?

------------------------------------------------

Play with toys children would have played with more than 200 years ago. This coincides with the opening of the latest Art in the Parks installation, so check out Rose DeSiano’s “Absent Monuments.” 1 p.m. King Manor Museum, vicinity of 150th Street and Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica.

Rock-A-Way Ba-by for the Sun-Set

A walking tour of Corona with Lemon Ice King, lost race tracks, NASA rockets from the 1960’s space program, World’s Fair remnants, ancient firehouses and churches and one of the last remaining bocce hotspots. $20. Noon. Meet at the 103rd Street/Corona Plaza station of the 7 train in the public plaza. RSVP to info@ astorialic.org or kevinjudewalsh@gmail. com. ------------------------------------------------

Hapa-Zome “Grace Jones: Bloodlight And Gardens Bami” This documentary looks at the androgynous glam-pop diva who invited the camera into her home, studio and even backstage at gigs. Screenings are on Aug. 4 at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. and Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.. Museum of the Moving Image, 3601 35th Ave., Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District.

TUESDAY 8/7

The Spirit of the Beehive

Check out the on-site Victorian garden and design a garden collage. $4. 1 p.m. Voelker Orth Museum, 149-19 38th Ave., Flushing.

“Spirit of the Beehive”

Part of the Outdoor Cinema 2018 series, this mystical drama takes place in 1940 in a small Spanish town where two sisters watch the original Frankenstein from a cinema truck. Later, the younger one conjures up her monster spirit with help from her older sister’s prodding, her wacky mother, her bee-obsessed father and a soldier who was wounded in the Civil War. Organized with Film Forum and Rooftop Films, this 20th annual series shows movies from around the world paired with music and cuisine from the subject film’s country. 7 p.m. Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City. ------------------------------------------------

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

Escaping Hostile Workplaces With Cheesecake

Crossword

By ARIEL HERNANDEZ

Following a history of falling victim to sexual harassment in the workplace, College Point’s Lisa Cotoggio, 57, put her foot down and decided to venture out on her own and do what she loves—baking her grandmother’s cheesecake. “I couldn’t find a decent job, so I created one and figured I’d be working for the best boss ever because it would be myself,” Cotoggio told the Queens Tribune. Cotoggio said that looking back on her childhood is gratifying since she remembers selling snow cones that she would make from her Little Mister Frosty snow cone maker. She also created her own lemonade stand. Cotoggio said that her mother was charitable, so she grew up giving away food and toys to local charities and homeless children. As a teen in the 1970s, Cotoggio said that it wasn’t as necessary to attend college as it is today, when “employers are laying off the elderly with no degrees to hire young people with bachelor’s and master’s degrees.” Cotoggio worked in the hospitality and car industries—and said that sexual harassment was rampant in both lines of work. Her experiences in both fields were so severe that she has two active lawsuits, one in each of the above fields. In 1986, Cotoggio worked at a restaurant in Manhattan and she alleges that she was fired because she wouldn’t “sleep with the owner.” Cotoggio said that chefs, waiters and managers would often force themselves on her or ask her to have sex. She said that chefs would often make inappropriate comments, such as “blow me. “At first I would keep my distance from them, so that it’s not a problem [and] that I don’t lose my job,” said Cotoggio. “But when I lost my job because I didn’t sleep with someone, I contacted human [resources].” Cotoggio said that she has been sexually harassed multiple times. “It happens so frequently and people don’t understand how rampant it really is out there,” said Cotoggio. “I worked in the hospitality industry for close to 30 years and I have to say I’ve been sexually harassed two dozen times in so many places.” Cotoggio also currently has a lawsuit against a Mercedes-Benz car dealership in Long Island, where she alleges that multiple coworkers groped her. “You’d think that since Mercedes-Benz is such an iconic brand, is a Fortune 500 company, the cars are so expensive and it’s a prestigious

brand, that something like this wouldn’t happen,” said Cotoggio. “But it was really bad at this place. The general manager wasn’t doing anything about it. Another woman was being harassed there too, but she was afraid to come forward. It happened to me so many times and twice I’ve gone after them.” After going through a channel of managers, Cotoggio was able to obtain the support of a manager, who was fired for trying to help her. “Sometimes the sexual harassment in restaurants and car dealerships is so uncomfortable that when you wake up in the morning, you’re sick to your stomach because you know that’s going to happen when you get there,” said Cotoggio. “It comes a point where I can’t keep going through that kind of treatment everywhere I go for a job.” Cottogio, who was in tears while reliving the experiences, said that when she chose to fight back against the harassment, she was told by friends, acquaintances and even lawyers that pursuing legal action could ruin her chances at finding a job. “They would say that if these cases receive a lot of attention and employers find out about it, I’d have a hard time getting a job,” said Cotoggio. “You shouldn’t have a hard time finding a job because you were harassed.” Cotoggio said that she pursued jobs at car dealerships and in the hospitality and fi lm industries, and was harassed in all three lines of work, which she said are the worst fields for women. “All of that happening and making it so uncomfortable to find a job is what pushed me to start a business of my own, so that I didn’t have to contend with that,” said Cotoggio. “I knew I was better off starting my own business, so I started playing around with my grandma’s recipe.” She remembered when her grandmother used to bake her “famous cheesecake,” and Cotoggio would go to local restaurants and Whitestone, where her grandmother lived, to sell them. “Everyone loved my grandma’s cheesecake,” said Cotoggio. “It’s light and fluff y, not dense like the others out there. A lot of people who make cheesecake use baker’s cheese. They don’t use real cream cheese, so they’re very

dense and packed heavy. My grandma’s recipe is different and not like any cheesecake on the market.” After researching ideas, she came up with a cheesecake sandwich idea. “No one has ever done it,” said Cotoggio. She immediately trademarked her cheesecake sandwich and got to work. Cotoggio’s Grandma’s Cheesecake Sandwiches currently have three flavors: plain, milk chocolate and chocolate chip. “When I first created the sandwich, I started with the graham cracker on each side, but the top was too crumbly and I wanted the right cookie—because if you bite into it and it’s a hard cookie, it will cause the cheesecake to shoot out the other side, so I needed a really soft cookie,” said Cotoggio. The plain cheesecake sandwich is made with a soft golden biscotti cookie, while the chocolate chip and milk chocolate sandwiches are made with a soft chocolate biscotti cookie. “I chose to create a milk chocolate cheesecake sandwich because milk chocolate is my mother’s favorite, and I chose chocolate chip because that’s my favorite,” said Cotoggio. Cotoggio said that she plans to expand her flavors and create an Amaretto-flavored cheesecake sandwich for the holidays. Currently, Grandma’s Cheesecake Sandwiches are sold at Empire Market, located at 1426 College Point Blvd.; Varsi Deli, located at 1572 149th St.; Robert’s Butcher Shop, located at 209-09 35th Ave.; and Marino Brothers Supermarket, located at 163-07 29th Ave., for $5.99 apiece. Cotoggio’s goal is to grow her business in the manner of the popular Baked by Melissa, a chain of bakeries that specializes in miniature cupcakes. Cotoggio is currently working on selling her cheesecake sandwiches to more shops and supermarkets in addition to launching her website this week. For more information visit grandmascheesecakesandwiches.com. Reach Ariel Hernandez at (718) 357-7400 x144, ahernandez@queenstribune.com or @reporter_ariel.

ACROSS 1 Schools of thought 5 Prosperous 8 Aspect 13 Assassinated 15 N.Y.C. airport 16 Antipasto morsel 17 Pop 18 Polish off 19 Adversary 20 Brit. record label 21 University by the Rio Grande 23 Near 24 Greek cheese 26 For looking out or in 28 White-faced French pantomime character 31 Broadway’s ---- Jay Lerner 32 Baffled 33 Gum 35 Morgan Freeman won its 2011 Life Achievement Award: Abbr. 38 Gradually decreasing in tempo 39 Acted as a go-between 41 Go-ahead 42 “--- Beso” (1962 hit) 43 Unrefined 44 Slow speech pattern 46 First name in linguistics 47 Country-fashion 49 Liquor residue 52 Wagner’s cycle? 53 Historical Doctrine 54 Tel ---56 Abilene-to-Waco dir. 59 Up 60 Caddy model 61 Artist’s stand 63 Nancy Drew creator Carolyn 64 Copacabana city 65 Adhere 66 Boat propelled manually 67 Blouse, e.g. 68 Come together

Last Week’s Answers

Lisa Cottogio displays some of her grandmother’s cheesecakes.

DOWN 1 Catalina, e.g. 2 Bridge success 3 Public declaration of intentions 4 [not my error] 5 Beat it 6 Obviously surprised 7 Sylvester, to Tweety 8 Hard racket shots 9 Novelist Lurie 10 Kind of engineer 11 Circumvent 12 Marketing leader? 14 Neither one thing or another, hue-wise 22 Concept embodying yin and yang 23 Contradict 25 “Maid of Athens, --- we part”: Byron 27 ------ Arafat, Palestinian leader 28 Skin 29 Denotes an inflammation 30 Kind of center 34 Muslim feast day 35 Pain relief 36 Bird 37 Unthinkingly 40 About to explode 45 Sought office 46 Guernsey lily 48 Bender 49 Minor Hebrew prophet 50 Insert 51 Place for a barbecue 53 Powerful shark 55 Brandy var. 57 Jiffs 58 The “E” of B.P.O.E. 60 “A jealous mistress”: Emerson 62 Source of funds

The Queens Tribune, Thursday August 2, 2018

Movers & Shakers NYIT STUDENTS FROM QUEENS GRADUATE

A number of Queens students recently graduated from the New York Institute of Technology—including Elmhurst’s Heyi Sun, Xue Li, Tashi Sonam, Ahmed Aladarous, Chunan Xu, Zexin Yang, Ye Kyaw, Fan Wu, Changsheng Wu, Xilin Zhou, Liangyu Lin, Jianxin Song, Shenger Dai and Jiayu Zhuo; Jackson Heights’ Marino Velarde, Emma Felstead, Zekun Zhou and Naphapatch Gatwongchai; Jamaica’s Mihika Vardhan and Shannen Greer; Long Island City’s Lesley Panama, Bo Yuan, Achsah Abraham, Yuanyuan Yu and Leyuan Fang; Bayside’s Linjia Gao, Matthew Balilo, Philip Cicciariello and Qi Zu; Briarwood’s Umay Mughal; Floral Park’s Krishen Patel, Sumanjeet Kaur and Ginny Georgekutty; Flushing’s Han Xue, Dian Lang, Hangji Liu, Tingting Wang, Fahad Albuobayd, Michelle Barekzei, Homyra Rauf, Kuan Chen, Darlenis Ramos, Dixit Babubhai Patel and Ngwe Tun; Woodhaven’s Ziyang Zhang; College Point’s Rena Daniel; Woodside’s Pakkaporn Chatthaworn, Jie Wang and Wenjing Zhao; Cambria Heights’ Anthony Saldana; Fresh Meadows’ Jing Wang; Glen Oaks’ Savitri Gadagi and Jamee Khan; South Richmond Hill’s Mukesh Prasher; Richmond Hill’s Pranith Talluri; Astoria’s Theodore Samonte, Ammar Ali, Abdullah Alhothali, Matthew Finch, Khaled Almutairi and Mohammed Fallatah; Middle Village’s Riddhiben Harsukhbhai Sudani; Glendale’s Marcos Gonzalez; Queens Village’s Fardin Islam; Maspeth’s Aqeel Alhuwaykim and Neda Baharfar; Hollis’ Fredrick Jah; Bellerose’s Gurjit Jaswal and Ameya Kalla; Forest Hills’ Zhenyu Wang and Han Zhang; Breezy Point’s Michael Hendry, Corona’s Yingying Liu; Rego Park’s Miao Ning, Chengilong Zuo, Fei Shen and Yuxue Pan; Rosedale’s Maxime Blain; Whitestone’s Christopher Lipari; Ozone Park’s Daniel Pokan, Desmond Shivbalak and Md Riahan; Sunnyside’s Rachael De Villiers; Ridgewood’s Iryna Pechil; Little Neck’s Thomas Alicanti; Laurelton’s Avia Chin; and Queens’ Nimat Md and Ceren Soyugurlu.

QUEENS MAN MADE CHIEF DIVISION OFFICER AT AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION

Lewis A. Bartfield, a Queens native who attended Jamaica High School and Queens College, has been named the chief division officer for the Western Division of the American Lung Association. In his role, Bartfield will be responsible for enhancing the presence and impact of the association in 25 states in the western United States. He will also support regional and local teams as they plan, develop and direct the execution of all programs, policies and services as they relate to the association’s education and advocacy initiatives. “Over the last five years, Lew has made a significant impact in increasing awareness for lung disease, and raising funds to support life-saving research and vital local programs in the Upper Midwest Region,” said Harold Wimmer, the national president and CEO of the American Lung Association. “His tremendous leadership has helped create the two largest and most impactful Fight for Air Climbs in the country and helped develop educational programs to reduce the toll that asthma has on Midwestern families as well as many other accomplishments,” Wimmer continued. Bartfield had previously served as the executive vice president for the association’s Upper Midwest Region. “I look forward to working with executive directors, local volunteer leaders and corporate partners to help fight lung disease in communities across the western U.S.,” Bartfield said of his new position.

Join Us for a Cocktail & Check Out Our Live Entertainment LADIES NIGHT - Friday 10pm-2am D.J. Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday KARAOKE - Sunday 10pm-2am Great Live Bands at Our Saturday Night Dance Party August 4th - The Reign August 11th - Wild & Innocent / Broadway Station

Join Us for a Frozen Drink or Bucket of Brews in the Ice Cold A/C

Count on Us for an Awesome Bachelor / Bachelorette Parties

SUNDAY FREESTYLE DISCO BRUNCH Noon-6pm • DJ 2-6pm

AVOCADO TOAST

grilled artisan bread topped with fresh avocado, red onion & asparagus FRESHLY BAKED BELGIAN WAFFLE

LOCAL POUR HOUSE OMELETTE

grilled chorizo, onions, green & red peppers withmelted manchego cheese, served with toast

with strawberries, whipped cream, powdered sugar and maple syrup on the side

TATER TOT SKILLET

NUTELLA AND BANANA STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

STEAK & EGGS

topped with strawberries and powdered sugar, served with maple syrup CROQUE MONSIEUR W/GREEN SALAD

classic french bistro ham & cheese sandwich topped with melted swiss cheese served with a green salad MUSHROOM RAVIOLI

served in a cast iron skillet with black trufﬂe cream sauce and shaved parmesan

sausage, onion, red peppers & cheddar cheese, topped with crema & green onions 10 oz. skirt steak with 2 eggs, served with toast & roasted potatoes BRUNCH BURGER

8 oz. burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and homemade spicy ketchup PAN SEARED SALMON

citrus salad, roasted potatoes and roasted asparagus

Sides: Bacon, Tater Tots, French Fries Beverages: Soda, Tea, Coffee Dessert: Homemade Cookie Skillet, Rice Crispy Ice Cream Sandwich Brunch Cocktails: Sangria, Mimosa, Prosecco, Champagne, Bloody Mary

213-11 41st Avenue, Bayside 11361 718-224-POUR (7687)

Legal Notices

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

The “Mansion” AT DOUGLASTON MANOR

Not your typical catering facility.

Come visit the luxurious, spacious & grand ballrooms within the

“The Mansion”

The Mansion at the Douglaston Manor provides an elegant & unforgettable setting for your Wedding. Indoor & outdoor space is available, with a beautiful view of the Manhattan Skyline. Our newly renovated wrap around Patio is truly impressive. Visit us and see how we can make your dreams come true. Ceremony, Cocktail Hour & Reception all in one spacious “Historic Mansion”. Let us simplify your dreams. Let The Douglaston Manor take control leading you down the aisle to the next chapter in your life.

Go To www.DouglastonManor.com TO SEE OUR $75.00

Wedding Extravaganza Package • 2018 Value Dates Available • Weddings • Bridal/Baby Showers • Sweet 16 Celebrations

• Corporate Business • Sales Meetings • Corporate Luncheons • Holiday Parties

63-20 Commonwealth Boulevard Douglaston, NY 11363 • 718.224.8787

Come Have Some Fun & Support Your Local Merchants

Junction Blvd. Street Festival ARTS • CRAFTS • FOOD VENDORS

Savings On Merchandise from Your Local Merchants

Sunday, August 5th 11am - 6pm On Junction Blvd. between Roosevelt & 35th Ave. 7 Train to Junction Blvd.

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

Legal Notices

SEND YOUR You can e-mail your legal copyLEGAL to NOTICES legals@queenstribune.com TO THE QUEENS TRIBUNE

to place your legal advertisement, or call The Tribune at (718) 357-7400 Ext. 149

Email: Legals@Queenstribune.com

Or Call 718.357.7400, Ext. 149

Classifieds

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED

Caring Career Opportunities...

ALLIED TRANSIT CORP.

HHAs/PCAs All Shifts Full and Part Time English Speaking or Bilingual Home Health Aides, Personal Care Aides enjoy... • Great Pay! • Vacation and Benefits WE NEED YOU...CASES THROUGHOUT QUEENS AND LONG ISLAND Please send your resume to: dhumphrey-barton@All-Metro.com or lfairweather@all-metro.com Call: 516-887-1200 Darshea ext. 2128, Helen ext. 2107 Farah ext. 2117 or Lisa ext. 2123 Walk-Ins Welcome: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday 170 Earle Avenue, Lynbrook, NY

EMPIRE STATE BUS CORP. NOW HIRING DRIVERS AND ESCORTS 2017-Higher Pay Scale

Call to Schedule an Appointment/Walk-ins Welcome

Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm

JOB OPPORTUNITY

$17 P/H NYC • $14.50 P/H LI

Now We Have CDPAP Plan. YOU CAN HIRE YOUR FAMILY, FRIEND, OR NEIGHBOR TO TAKE CARE OF YOU! No Certificate Needed

HHAs: Excellent Pay & Beneﬁts! Paid Time Off, Transit Beneﬁts & Medical Plan Options!

Contact: Lois or Maria

(718) 485-8002 141 Hinsdale St. Brooklyn, NY 11207

Best Pay Package in the Industry! Start at $23.62* Bus, $20.61* Van Equal Opportunity Employer Free CDL Training 25 hrs. a week minimum extra work available Full Beneﬁt Package

DOE certiﬁed a plus but company will sponsor

HUNTINGTON COACH

$20.27TO START.

Health Insurance, Life Insurance, 401k, Paid Holidays, Attendance Incentives, 12 Month Employment. CDL-C PS License or Will Train. Hempstead Village & Port Washington locations.

516.538.5200 516.883.6711

631-271-8931

*Attendance Bonus Included

CLEANERS WANTED

MACHINIST, F/T

Working Days: Monday-Friday Time Schedule: 11am-1pm

Experienced on conventional lathes, milling machines, & bridgeports. College Point Location

john2819@outlook.com

or Fax Resume 718-886-5132

$600 Weekly

Quit 7 Smoking Smoking 1 8 - 4 3 4 -Quit 090 9

SCHOOL VAN HELP WANTED DRIVERS LABOR WORKERS UP TO

Call 718-886-5470

HEALTH

FOR MAIL WAREHOUSE

AM and PM shifts available

APPLY AT: 860 Long Island Ave. Deer Park, N.Y., 11729

631.586.4699

$200 Daily

Must know all aspects of rooﬁng.

646.879.5537

Vascular Studies • X-rays • Bloodwork

CAROL

WONDERFUL BODY WORK You will feel great 7 Days · 10am - 8pm Astoria, Queens Location

347.948.1567

HEALTH

MASSAGE THERAPY

ELDER CARE SERVICES

ELMHURST LUCKY SPA

You won’t Be Disappointed

ROXANNE

(718) 225-3107

7 Days 8am-9pm Off Northern & Bell

LICENSED MASSAGE THERAPIST

I solve problems you don't know you have—in ways you cannot understand— I got your back! Neck, Shoulders, Arms and Legs.

Lisa: 646.523.8139

Aroma Therapy MASSAGE

SUNDAY SPECIAL 122-15 25th Road

516-806-7171

MEDICAID PROFESSIONALS

FREE Consultation Jack Lippmann

www.eldercareservicesny.com

(718) 575-5700

108-18 Queens Boulevard Suite 801, Forest Hills, NY 11375

www.ChesterdaleEstates.com

BROKER

KK SPA

Jack: 917.807.6898

Honest and reliable. Licensed driver with own transportation.

516.383.7150

718-357-7400 EXT. 131

HOUSES WANTED

HOUSES BOUGHT

Call for a FREE HOME EVALUATION

ALL CASH ANY CONDITION ESTATE SPECIALIST

718-217-2000 I BUY HOUSES

No Pressure No Hassles

ANY CONDITION, ANY LOCATION

718-300-0660

Quick Sale, Fair Price Oﬀer Guaranteed

$$ CASH $$ 347-642-3880

WE BUY PROPERTIES

Let me be your Representative & do the Negotiating for you! Denise 516-457-0617

ALL TYPES – FAST $$$ FREE OFFER 24 HRS

@ Keller Williams Realty 400 Garden City Plaza, Garden City, NY 11530

thg.vcardinfo.com

MARGARITA

ADIRONDACKS

646-625-9565

VACATION RENTALS

Man Franchise L.I. 2 Territories. Established Business. Great 2nd Income. Nassau $54,995. Suffolk $49,995

Sleeps 12, pool, lake, lots of extras. $200 Off Summer Special Book Now!

518-866-1570

516.671.3910

EVICTIONS/HOUSE FOR SALE

Dream Spa 347-348-9590

Call Jack

(B'klyn/Queens)

Homes Starting at $439,900 A charming community of farm house colonials located near quick access to Route 17 and the NYS Thruway. Choose from a variety of ﬂoor plans with endless options. Come Visit Our Model Home Today! Directions: Route 17 to Route 94, see signs across Johnson Road. GPS Address: 3423 State Route 94 Chester, NY Call ofﬁce for info: 845-381-5777

WE HAVE SEVERAL INSURANCE COMPANIES FOR YOUR HOME & MIXED-USE PROPERTIES ●Claims OK ● Poor Credit OK ● Affordable Rates ● Financing CALL US TO Options Available SAVE TOD

10am-11pm • Flushing Area

Irish trained woman with 10 years experience and excellent checkable references available.

REAL ESTATE AGENT

CALLING ALL LANDLORDS & HOMEOWNERS

Heavenly Massage & Relaxation

HOME HEALTH CARE AIDE

REAL ESTATE

Are you PAYING TOO MUCH for Rental Properties or Homes?

AY!

718-658-5300

FULL CIRCLE BROKERAGE

Auto, Home, Life, Motorcycle & Business Insurance 172-02 JAMAICA AVE., JAMAICA, NY 11432 Fax: 718-658-8107 • Email: fullcirclebkg@hotmail.com

· Foot Reﬂexology · Beauty · Hair Cut · Waxing

• Over 18 years experience ﬁling Medicaid Home Care & Nursing Home applications • Protect your income, home, life savings • Apply for Medicaid, medical assistance

Orange County Open Houses Every Weekend!

Massage Therapy 24/7

929-290-3301 SUMMER SPECIAL! Treat Yourself to Simply Divine Swedish, Shiatsu, Reﬂexology & Reiki Healing

Have an idea for an invention/ new product? We help everyday inventors try to patent and submit theirideas to companies! Call InventHelpÆ, FREE INFORMATION! 888-487-7074

402

Leave a detailed message with your name and number

Call Joseph Vicari

“Foot Care / Podiatry In Your Own Home”

917-715-9081

(718) 210-3365 EXT.

100% FREE

Dr. John Libertella, DPM

Most Insurance Plans & CCs Accepted

We are looking to hire construction laborers and masons. Pay level with experience. Call

WITH EXPEREINCE IN MANHATTTAN

HOUSE FOR SALE

HOUSE CALL SERVICE BY APPT. Serving Queens,Nassau & Suffolk

LOOKING FOR SHEETROCK TAPER AND PLASTERER

ROOFING MECHANIC REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

PODIATRIST

LABORERS/MASONS WANTED

Scharome Cares Licensed Home Care Agency 89-44 162nd St, Queens 1729 E. 12 St., off Kings Hwy, Bklyn Call Today! Hiring Now!

Union Beneﬁts for steady positions including Medical and Pension

** Must be at least 21 years of age. ** Must hold a current New York State driver's license. ** Must possess a commercial driver's license (CDLA, B, C) w/ CDL "S" (school bus) endorsement and "P" (passenger) endorsement. ** Able to pass a DOT physical, drug screen and background qualiﬁcation process.

SCHOOL BUS/VAN DRIVERS

(347) 462-2610 (347) 565-6200

Immediate Jobs Full-Time - Part-Time Spanish, Creole, Chinese & Russian

(Bet. Pitkin & Glenmore) (East Brooklyn Industrial Pk.)

Job Requirement:

If you currently care for your relatives or friends who have Medicaid or Medicare, you may be eligible to start working for them as a personal assistant. No Certiﬁcates needed

For your convenience all around.

FULL SERVICE MASSAGE

20% OFF w/10 Massages

14-21 College Point Boulevard, Flushing N.Y. 11356 · ASIAN OWNED

646.251.8828

Little Egg Harbor, Ocean County, NJ's newest 43-unit townhome community! Affordable taxes, low association fees & low insurance! Phase II construction now started; be in your shore home to enjoy summer 2018!

www.harborviewestates.com Contact Us Today. Judith Boulware

609.290.5906 • Spring Hollow Realty

$ $ $$$ $ SAVE BIG… $ $ BIG SAVINGS $ $$$ $ $ Full Service… Pay Only 3% Commission of your property $ $ on the sale with this ad. $ $ $ 917-771-1736 $ $ or 718-454-9000 $ For More Details Call Ms. Gittens:

GITTENS QUICK SALE REALTY, INC.

STUNNING SENSATIONAL SOUTH BEACH HOUSE

PA CONTEMPORARY $235,000

51 Crestwater Court, Staten Island, NY 10305

OPEN HOUSE

on Weekends 1-3pm 3 Floors - 4 BR, 2.5 Bths, 2 Balconies, Garage, Newly Renovated, Mint Condition. Ideal For Beach Lovers. Near All Shopping & Trans. Perfect Starter Home - Asking $589K

VITO CONENNA NYS LICENSED R.E. BROKER

O: 718.874.8300 C: 646.785.7516

8+ acres, no community, lake rights to Twin Lakes. The potential is astounding; whether a main residence, second/vacation home or looking to Air BNB or long term rental. MLS #18-3416.

CHANT REALTORS Call Barbara

800-372-4268

Classifieds

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

REAL ESTATE

HOME SERVICES

HOUSE FOR SALE

REALTOR

POWER WASHING

14-19 116th St, College Point, NY 11356 • $1,390,000 Huge Price Reduction!!! Owner Wants To Hear All Offers!!! New Construction, Diamond Condition Minutes From #7 Train To Manhattan. Quiet Block, Bring The Whole Family. Park, Shopping, Houses Of Worship In Walking Distance. 3 Zone Heat & Central-Air, Large Full Finished Basement With High Ceilings & Separate Entrance. High Performing School District 25, Short Drive To Airports, 4 Car Driveway Houses All Your Vehicles.

“BIG or SMALL, we wash them ALL”

"WE DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME CHRIS CAPUANO chrisjamescapuano@gmail.com

516.305.0490

14-15 116th St, College Point, NY 11356 • $1,490,000 Huge Price Reduction!!! Owner Wants To Hear All Offers!! Minutes From #7 Train To Manhattan. Quiet Block. Bring The Whole FamilyDiamond Condition, 5 Car Driveway. Walking Distance To Shopping, Schools, Library & Park. Close To Laguardia. High-Performing School District 25. 3 Zone Heat & CentralAir, Bay Windows, Large Attic, Full Finished Basement With High Ceilings.

Call or Text for a

FREE ESTIMATE $99 Value

CONSTRUCTION

For Sale - Not Rent • Mike Fink

Laffey Fine Homes International 516-647-3737 • mﬁnk@laffeyintl.com 191 Hillside Ave, Williston Park NY

ROCCO'S GENERAL CONTRACTING

917.747.3227

• Complete • Finished • Cement • Sheetrock • Taping &

Kitchen & Bath Renovations Basements All Work Work Guaranteed Work Compound + Painting LIC#1039268

ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON ALL LABOR

*Terms and conditions apply, call for details. Offer Expires 08/31/18

NUNEZ

construction

CONSTRUCTION & PAINTING EXPERT ON STOOPS

· Crack Repair · Brick Work · Kitchen Remodeling · Lic. & Ins.

718.219.1257

MORTGAGES

LAND FOR SALE

HOME SERVICES

LAND 56 ACRES

nunezforu.com · member of angies list A rating

AVELLINO

JUNK REMOVAL

OWN YOUR OWN MOUNTAIN

JUST OFF ROUTE 80 NR LK HARMONY & CAMEL BACK.

MIN: TO JIM THORPE VILLAGE

98-13 Astoria Blvd. 2nd Fl, East Elmhurst, NY 11369

.0% INT ,$500 DN , $200 MONTH ,BALANCE $7,500. DEAL WITH OWNER DIRECT

973-222-1803

sub divided/infrastructure low taxes, near lakes, ski resort

$199K

https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Q20UI3hWqsY& feature=share

518-866-1570

CONSTRUCTION CORP

LAND FOR SALE

DELAWARE COUNTY, NY 200 Acres-woods, quarries, stream: 117 Acres-cabin, woods, stream: 40 Acres-mountain views, bldg site: 70 Acres-bgd site, woods, stream:

$340,000 $240,000 $112,900 $100,000

D. Todd Ogden Broker D.T. Ogden Real Estate dtodd79@yahoo.com

607-865-7000

Ogdenrealestate.org for other listings

B&B JUNK REMOVAL

• Commercial & Residential Cleanouts • Hoarders, Bsmt, Construction Debris • Same Day Service bbjunkremoval.com

FREE ESTIMATES · 10% OFF

347-229-0305

HOME SERVICES

• • • • •

General Contractor

Kitchens Painting Bathrooms Concrete Sidewalks

917-804-0531

SHIVA

4 Generations Since 1919

CONTRACTING LLC

Se Habla Espanol VISIT OUR NEW OFFICE LOCATION: 98-13 Astoria Blvd., 2nd Floor East Elmhurst, NY 11369

FREE ESTIMATES • FULLY INSURED

COMPLETE HOME REMODELING

Windows & Doors • Siding & Roofing • Kitchen & Bath Dedicated In-House Project Managers • On-site Foreman • Products To Fit Every Budget • Full-Time Service Department • 97 Years Says It All!

NEW

WINDOWS $99 ROOF $199

per month - no interest for 60 months - no money down

Waterproofing • Extensions • Stoops Doors • Pointing Basements • Windows Roofing Licensed & Insured Carpentry

FREE ESTIMATES

CONSTRUCTION

Quik Fund, Inc. is a Licensed Mortgage Banker in NY, NJ, PA, CT, DE. NMLS ID#: 1733

• • • • •

Free $50 Gift Card

w/FREE in-home estimate. No Obligation. Call for details.

800-504-5001

Licensed & Insured, Bonded, NYC Lic 0673685 Nassau Lic 3308190000 Suffolk Lic 31415-H Westchester Lic WC-18838-HOC Rockland Lic H-10639-07-38-00 Connecticut Lic HIC.0620437

All Interior & Exterior Work • Brick Pointing • Steam Cleaning • Kitchens & Baths • Vinyl & Wood Floors • Cement & Brick Work • Sheetrock • Carpentry • Waterproofing • Roofing • Painting & Paint Stripping • Finish Basment • Ceramic

OFFICE: 917-582-8068 POWAR: 347-312-3421

shivallc@gmail.com VISHAL: 645-595-7710

AHMED CONSTRUCTION CO.

Brickwork, Sidewalks, Painting, Waterprooﬁng, Rooﬁng, Pointing Silicone Coating, Steam Cleaning, Sheetrock T: 718.740.2532 C: 917.862.1632 Free Estimates Lic# 1001349

No payment required until completion of work

FREE ESTIMATES

Quality Is Our Priority!

CARPENTRY, ROOFING, PAINTING, CONCRETE WATERPROOFING, DRAINAGE, BASEMENTS

10% OFF 20% OFF with this ad

cannot be combined with any other offer

seniors special discount

cannot be combined with any other offer

929.312.2642

www.allboroconstructionny.com

Classifieds

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

HOME SERVICES CHIMNEY SERVICES

CHIMNEY KING ENT, INC. Done By Fighters That Care!

FLOOR/ROOFING SERVICES

PAINTING/HANDYMAN SERVICES

CLEANING SERVICES

Since 1982

FREE ESTIMATES

STAINLESS STEEL LINERS CLEANING & REPAIR SPECIALISTS

Fireplaces • Gas/Oil Chimneys • Damper Repairs Animals Humanely Removed • Draft Problems Corrected Stainless Steel Liners Installed • Waterprooﬁng Chimneys Rebuilt • Chimney Caps Installed Chimneys Repaired, Rebuilt & Tuckpointing MASONRY SPECIALIST

516.766.1666 • 631.225.2600

www.chimneyking.net • Fully Licensed & Insured

NYC Lic# 2061397-DCA, Nassau County Lic# H0708010000, Suffolk County Lic# 41048-H

ROOFING/GUTTERS

BIG JOHN'S ROOFING & GUTTERS WE SHOW UP!

SENIOR DISCOUNT

25 YEARS EXPERIENCE

All Types of Rooﬁng $ Flattops Leak Repairs GUTTER w/warranty CLEANING Flashing / Coatings

WESTBROOK PAINTING CORP

Specializing In Interior Painting, Plastering, Wall/ Ceiling Repair, Skim Coating, Drywall, Light Handyman Services.

646-242-6093

Licensed, Insured, Bonded

FREE E ESTIMAT

ROOFING/WINDOWS

FREE ROOF SIDING WINDOW INSPECTION CHIMNEYS GUTTERS CLEANED CLEANED

$75

$48

& UP

SAME DAY SERVICE 7 DAYS A WEEK Free Estimates • All Work Guaranteed

V&G

Residential • Commercial • Rooﬁng • Shingles • Flat Roofs • Slate Roofs • Siding • Gutters • Windows 45-26 220th St. • Bayside, NY 11361

(718) 423-3640

www.A-OneRooﬁng.com

$400 OFF

A COMPLETE ROOF (Min. 1000 sq. ft.)

Licensed & Insured #0906289

ROOFING & WATERPROOFING

MOVING SERVICES

COMMERCIAL

Expert Packing & Crating Courteous & Always Professional Last Minute Moving Anytime & Any Place World Wide On Time, Always Dependable

DOT # 36242

SUPERIOR MOVING PROFESSIONAL, RELIABLE & COURTEOUS

ICC LIC#470654/US DOT 117151

CLEANING SERVICES

CLEANING LADIES

OF POLAND

We Pay Attention To Detail & Leave Your Home/Ofﬁce "SPICK & SPAN" Excellent Work At A Low Price! ● Experienced ● Reliable ● Trust Worthy

7 Days/wk

FREE ESTIMATES & BOX DELIVERY

IRONWORKS

CLASSICAL IRON WORKS INC.

TERMITE CONTROL

FILLMORE TERMITE PEST CONTROL INC.

Commercial • Residential 10% Off With This Ad

718-307-9818

www.ﬁllmorepest.com

718-416-5255

10% Discount for Seniors and Military

J&S FLOOR SERVICE

• Scraping • Polyurethane • Staining • Bleaching White Floors • Waxing & Stripping • Repairs & Installation We also do Painting, Wallpaper Removal, Tiling & Dry Wall Reasonable Prices • Free Estimates

917-459-2421 718-464-4535 24/7

OLD H.P.

WATERPROOFING & ROOFING

• Steam Cleaning & Brick Pointing • Cement & Brickwork • Stucco • Windows & Shingling • Flat Roofs • Gutters & Leaders • Painting • Scaffold Work

Free Estimates All Work Guaranteed Fully Insured/Lic. #883368

(718) 969-6752 MY WAY CONSTRUCTION

For More Info Call VOYTEK!!

T: 917-415-7465 F: 718-894-1233

CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE

CC's · M/C · Amex · Visa · Discover

718-788-5500

718-339-8888

• Rooﬁng • Waterprooﬁng • New Roofs • Roof Repairs • Flat Roof Specialist • Coatings

Lic & Ins • Lic #2045162-DCA • tj.rooﬁngandwaterprooﬁng@yahoo.com

FREE ESTIMATES

• Big & Small Jobs • Ofﬁce Relocations • Commercial & Long Distance

10% OFF

ANY ROOF REPAIR

Thomas James

718-300-4572

RESIDENTIAL

• IRON WORKS • AWNINGS • FENCES & MORE FREE ESTIMATES Since 1980

718-528-2401

CLASSICALIRON.COM Lic. #1069538

Call owner Eric at 917-554-3111

Lic./Bonded/ Ins. Lic# 1474297

MAINTENANCE

AFFORDABLE MOVING EXPERTS

Serving Queens For 16 Years Honest, Reliable & Responsible Lots Of References Available

Family Owned and Operated Since 1990

WE WILL NOT be UNDERSOLD

Rooﬁng • Siding • Windows • Cement Work • Violations Removed • Basements & Bathrooms

TOMMY'S FLOORWORKS

Complete Hardwood Floor Service

INSTALL NEW FLOORS Sand • Stain & Refinish Old Floors OFFICE 718-830-7197 TOMMY 917-714-8825 tommysfloorworks.com tommysfloorworks@yahoo.com Licensed & Insured

PAVEMENT

PAVING THE WAY, INC.

PAINTING / PAPER HANGING Interior & Exterior Painting

Plastering • Oil Wood ReFinish Taping • Staining • Sheetrock Skim Coating • Hanging Wallpaper Removal Paint Removal • Power Washing Wood Replacement Lic & Insured #80422100000

John: Ofﬁce:

516-901-9398 516-483-3669

Anthony’s 1st Class Painting & Handyman

$50

ar 28 ye nce Per Room rie w/ your own paint Expe

718-852-3481 347-457-0147

No job too big or too small. Free Estimate. Senior Citizen Discount. Work area cleaned daily. Polite, professional service.

718-352-2181 Your Friendly

HANDYMAN Painting, Wallpapering, Tiling, Clogged Tubs, Carpentry, Rooﬁng No Job is too small for us!

William 718-793-3531

COST RITE CONTRACTING

Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Tile Work • Sheetrock • Painting • Wood • Doors Floors • Windows • Carpentry

718-945-6612 917-676-0021 Ken LIC# 1210212

SEWER AND DRAIN

SEWER AND DRAIN SPECIALIST

ON ANY CLOG LINES.

Includes: Tubs, Sinks, Toilets, Kitchen Sinks, Backyard and Garage Drainage. Shower and Faucet Leaks.

ANY KIND OF LEAKS.

EMERGENCY SERVICE 24 Hours, 7 Days

718.717.9976 ● 347.236.7763

BATHROOMS

BLACKTOP & CONCRETE Masonry • Rooﬁng Sidewalks • Waterprooﬁng Driveways • Stoops

OXYGEN- Anytime. Anywhere. No tanks to reﬁll. No deliveries. The All-New Inogen One G4 is only 2.8 pounds! FAA approved! FREE info kit: 866-971-2603

DISH TV $59.99 For 190 Channels $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Call 1-877-229-5789

BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip ﬂooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 888-657-9488.

TREE REMOVAL PRUNING TOPPING & STUMP GRINDING OWNER OPERATED OVER 40 Yrs Exp.

• Fast Reliable Service • Free Estimates • Free Firewood Cut & Delivered • Expert Tree Care • Yard Cleanup • 10% Discount For Veterans & Senior Citizens

718-352-5142 • 646-934-2749

• Tree Removal • Stumps • Fertilization

Finished Basements

Luke - Boss

• Planting • Land Clearing • Topping

FREE ESTIMATES

718-809-0368

Lic./Ins.

FRANCISCO’S TREE SERVICE Ofﬁce: 516-546-4971 Cell: 516-852-5415

WIRE SERVICES

LONG ISLAND BEST TREE SERVICE

Lic. # 1244131

VIAGRA & CIALIS! 60 pills for $99. 100 pills for $150 FREE shipping. Money back guaranteed! Call Today: 800-404-0244

JIM'S TREE SERVICE

TREE SERVICE

LIC & INS · In Business 32 Yrs Free Estimate · Senior Citizen Disc.

718-598-9754

Lic. and Insured

TREE SERVICES

SPECIALIZING IN:

Land Clearing Cutback Stump Grinding

516-433-9473(WIRE) 631-667-9473(WIRE) 718-489-3926

Lung Cancer? And Age 60+? You And Your Family May Be Entitled To Signiﬁcant Cash Award. Call 866-951-9073 for Information. No Risk. No Money Out Of Pocket.

Donate your car to Wheels For Wishes, beneﬁting Make-A-Wish. We offer free towing and your donation is 100% tax deductible. Call (917) 336-1254

Elevation Trimming Taping

Tree Removal Pruning Storm Damage

Reasonable Rates • FREE ESTIMATES No Job too Big or Small

516-903-0730 • 516-505-2216 Lic/Ins

Res/Com

longislandtreeservices.com

Classifieds

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

HOME SERVICES

GENERAL

WANTED TO BUY

ROOFING/CONSTRUCTION

ABE BUYS OLD STUFF

Great Prices Paid. Silver, Paintings, Rugs, All Furniture till 1960. Estates & all contents from homes! Looking for antiques & Modern Designer Names also, Lucite & Chrome, Iron Garden furniture.

718-332-9709

MARTY PAYS TOP CASH

American & Foreign Coins Costume Jewelry and Jewelry Baseball & Basketball Items Comic Books - Stamps - Paintings Sterling Silver - Records

G. STEWART ROOFING & PAINTING CONTRACTOR

• All

Types Of New Roofs • Brick Sealing • Chimney Caps • Leaf Guards

• Pest

Guards • Seamless Gutters • Gutter Cleaning • Masonry Repairs • Waterprooﬁng

LICENSED & BONDED, RETIRED POLICE OFFICER

Repairs • Driveway Coating • Roof Repairs • Roof Sealing

Mr. Schiff 718-962-4593

• Siding

FREE ESTIMATES

67-43 Myrtle Ave #119 Glendale, N.Y., 11385 Statewide Service Licensed & Insured

HIC LIC#2034648

DIONISOS CONSTRUCTION CORP. GENERAL CONTRACTOR DIONISOSCONSTRUCTION@hotmail.com

(917)476-8296 COMPLETE INTERIOR REMODELING

KITCHEN ● BATHROOMS ● APARTMENT RENOVATIONS WOOD FLOORING ● EXTERIOR REMODELING EXCAVATION ● FOUNDATION ● SIDEWALK ● CONCRETE ACRYLIC STUCCO ● ALL TYPES OF MASONRY DOT PERMIT ● VIOLATION REMOVAL

Green Cards Via Marriage, Fiancé Visas, Family-Based Green Cards, Abused Spouse Waivers, Green Card Waivers for Entries Without Inspection, Citizenship, Green Card Waivers for Removal of 2 yrs via Marriage, Green Card Waivers for U.S.C. Adult Children, Visa Tourist Extensions, Embassy Processing, International Adoptions.Uncontested Divorce, Wills, Incorporations, Real Estate Closings, Leases.

90-25 161st Street, Suite 501, Jamaica, NY 11432

718-262-8032

Payment Plans . Low Fees

. Saturday Appt. Available

UNITED BUSINESS SERVICE FOR THIS MONTH ONLY ⁕

PATRICK BUYS

Tools, Toys, Trains, Fountain Pens, All Kinds of Art, Costume Jewelry, Coins, Sterling, Clocks, Watches (working or not), Photos, Snapshots, Paper Items, Military Items. All Collectibles Cleanouts Arranged - will consider items taken as part of the price

Expert Appraisals, Naval Veteran, Queens Resident • You've Seen Me on TV!!!

In Business 54 Years. Call Me 1st!

347-256-7981

Old Records 33 - 45 - 78

• Doo-Wop • Rockabilly • Rock & Roll • Heavy Metal • Punk • Disco • Latin • Soul • Jazz • Blues • Gospel • Reggae/Calypso • Ethnic Music • Classical • Soundtracks • No Pop Music Charlie

DIVORCE $299

+ court fee

718.941.5100 ● nysdivorcehelp.com 3618 Church Avenue, Brooklyn, N.Y., 11203 no spouse signature required ● no court appearance required.

Immigration Tax ID $180 and up.

*the individual providing assistance to you is not an attorney licensed to practice law or accredited by the board of immigration appeals to provide representation to you before the bureau of citizenship and immigration authorities and may not give legal advice or accept fees for legal advice.

ANTIQUE & ESTATE BUYERS We Pay $$CASH$$ For

• Paintings • Clocks • Watches • Estate Jewelry • Coins • Stamps • Antique Furniture • Hummels/LLadros • Records • Sterling Silver MILITARY COLLECTIONS:

Swords • Knives • Helmets

TOP $ PAID FOR JUDAICA COLLECTIBLES FREE ESTIMATES!

Fully Insured

We buy anything old. One Piece or house full FUNERAL HOME

WANTED TI BUY

ASTROLOGER

INDIAN POWERFUL ASTROLOGER

To get Solutions & Clear Problems

CALL Master: Kali

100% Guaranteed Results

Money, Job, Business, Lottery, Love, Health, Mental Stress, Sickness, Relation, Childless, Sexual, Evil Effects, Black Magic & Obeya - Gives Protection Forever

718-217-9788

HIGEST CASH PAID! WE VISIT YOU! ANY YEAR, CONDITION + MILEAGE OR DONATE TAX DEDUCTIBLE -PLUS CASH ANY CONDITION

CALL JOHNNY: 516-VAN-CARS Fac.ID 1303199

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Commentary

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

Let’s Look At What The Abundance Of Uber And Lyft Cars Has Done To Our Air BY COSTA CONSTANTINIDES

U Stan Looks To Be Right Man For NYCHA When 80-year-old Stan Brezenoff took over as the interim chair of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) in April at Mayor Bill de Blasio’s request, many people scoffed. Sure, he had a history of fixing problems at the Port Authority, NYC Health + Hospitals and, recently, at the Board of Correction. But, they reasoned, NYCHA is a unique mess that needs more than a retirement-job approach. Last week, Brezenoff showed the people of New York why he has been so effective as a “fixer” of city problems in the past. It is, in part, because he is brutally honest, stepping up and declaring that the agency is failing in several key areas, such as tenant protection and emergency services. NYCHA has for decades been an agency in turmoil, with its myriad of problems popping up as headlines in tabloids, causing politicians and NYCHA executives to scramble to put out fires. The knee-jerk response to each outrageous mismanagement of the agency has been to say that federal funding cuts have left the agency unable to function. While that may be true, it is not an answer to why hundreds of thousands of people live in disgraceful conditions in one of the greatest and wealthiest cities in the world. Last week, Brezenoff took a first step towards finding a solution by admitting

that the problem before NYCHA had been exposed by the fourth estate. Transparency from the historically secretive housing agency is like a breath of fresh air. It adds credibility to calls for more funding because voters and politicians can at least say they know where the money is supposed to go; in the past, the calls for added funding were often dismissed, with the proposed funding viewed as destined for the abyss of a hopeless bureaucracy where unsavory people lined their pockets. And this is why truth and transparency are so important: The truth is that NYCHA’s conditions are not acceptable. The majority of people in New York City don’t like that some of their neighbors are subject to substandard living conditions. People want to help them. But—and rightfully so—people are also hesitant to support increased taxes or shifting funding priorities to places where they don’t get value for their investment. When peppered with press headlines of corruption and incompetence, no taxpayer wants to stand up and say, “Let’s throw more money at that problem.” With his actions last week, Stan Brezenoff moved NYCHA one step in the right direction towards more credibility and, in turn, towards making hundreds of thousands of lives better.

Queens Nightlife Neglect This week’s paper includes a story by reporter Trone Dowd about the mayor and City Council’s new Nightlife Advisory Board. The creation of this board and the addition of a new night mayor are good ideas. It’s something many cities around the world have done, and they generally have been successful in making residents’ lives more enjoyable by coordinating efforts and addressing problems as they arise. In the case of New York City’s board, we see this as two steps forward: one step in Manhattan, the other in Brooklyn. You see, of the advisory board’s 14 members, none of them are from Queens. A couple may own restaurants or shops here, but the bulk of the input is coming from Manhattan and Brooklyn. So, why are we not getting any love? It’s not like the borough is lacking in talented business and community leaders who would have been able to provide some insight into how to improve nightlife. All you would have to do is pick up the phone and call the Long Island City Partnership or the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, either of which would have

been able to help you find someone. Or even better, the board could accept the generous offer of Capt. Courtney Nilan, the commanding officer of the 102nd Precinct (see pg. 9), to provide her years of experience working with the community to create a safe and fun environment in Southeast Queens. Maybe we are missing the point here. This oversight must be because the nightlife in Queens is perfectly fine the way it is. We don’t need the mayor and his Brownstone Brooklyn bias to wander in and turn our neighborhoods into faux-hipster wastelands with restaurants offering 12 types of avocado toast or artisanal trail mix. So, we say thank you to the mayor and the City Council for completely ignoring Queens when creating the Nightlife Advisory Board. Truth is, we don’t need your help. We already know how to throw a party. And if the people of Brooklyn or Manhattan want to know how it’s done, we’d be glad to help teach you guys how to have fun.

ber’s legacy here in Queens is one of congestion, pollution and poor treatment of drivers. Uber, Lyft and other appbased rideshare services have accelerated the historic increase of for-hire vehicles (FHVs) by about 80,000 in the past five years or so, creating unprecedented traffic in our already-cramped streets. The FHV footprint has now vastly expanded to 102,536 by the end of last year, according to the Taxi & Limousine Commission (T&LC). Because there are many more drivers than rides available,

we subject any other big project—which would be required in Intro 838. Uber will tell you another story, fearmongering TV ads warning of longer wait times or stranded passengers in places like the mass-transit–starved parts of Queens, should regulations before the City Council go through. Not true. We are simply asking the T&LC not to issue FHV licenses for one year, so it may fully assess how this glut of cars has impacted the economy, our mass transit system and our environment. We have seen Uber acknowledge its shortcomings in London, where the city briefly banned its service over poor

It is true that we need a more comprehensive mass transit system for Queens, where it’s hard to travel around the borough by bus. FHV companies have indeed filled a gap in the meantime, and they will still be able to open stations in the outer boroughs if there’s a demonstrable need. Nothing in these bills says we don’t want to work with new FHV companies. We want the playing field leveled with other drivers, who for decades have willingly played by the rules. Instead, Uber would rather spend millions of dollars attacking council members—money that could be used to pay its drivers, who often don’t

If app-based rideshare companies are as socially responsible as they claim, they’ll come to the table and work with us to make a stronger New York City and a greener Queens. FHV drivers are forced to either idle in parking spots or circle busy Midtown blocks awaiting a fare that may never come. They burn dirty fossil fuels as a result—ensuring that buses, delivery trucks and commuter cars caught in the traffic they create do the same. So it’s no surprise that asthma rates in western Queens are worse than the boroughwide average, with up to 1,000 cars still on 21st Street, Astoria, in the middle of the night. Respiratory illnesses are more prevalent the closer you get to the East River, west of 21st Street, where Manhattan is practically a stone’s throw away. We need a full environmental assessment of this FHV increase—something to which

business practices. Its executives promised last September to have an entirely electric or hybrid fleet by 2020. If Uber agrees to make fixes in London, where almost 9,500 die every year because of polluted air, why not in New York City? Keep in mind that transportation in the past few years has come neck and neck with electricity as the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The biggest offenders are not big-rig trucks, but cars, SUVS and vans. FHV companies run rampant in our streets, burning more fossil fuels, keeping air-quality levels in places like Manhattan up while the rest of the city sees decreases.

make a living wage—instead of working with us. If app-based rideshare companies are as socially responsible as they claim, they’ll come to the table and work with us to make a stronger New York City and a greener Queens. New York City Council Member Costa Constantinides represents the New York City Council’s 22nd District, which includes his native Astoria along with parts of Woodside, East Elmhurst and Jackson Heights. He serves as the chair of the City Council’s Environmental Protection Committee and sits on four additional committees—Parks, Transportation, ForHire Vehicles and Land Use—as well as the Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises.

Racial Ignorance of the FHV Cap BY EDDIE BORGES

-d-w-a-r-d-B-o-r-g-es,” my mother told me. “And if anyone ever asks, you’re American, not Puerto Rican.” I was 3 years old when my mother taught me to spell my name, pronounce it with a hard G (to rhyme with gorgeous), and about self-hate, in the sun porch of our house, down the street from Jamaica High School, in Queens. My mother tended this seed she planted with care. My parents, aunts and uncles spoke Spanish around me, but never to me. My Spanish is barely comprehensible. My mother never shared with me the indignities that led to choices like this, but I appreciate that she had reasons for raising her sons as Americans and not Puerto Ricans. She was born in a house with a dirt floor to a woman who raised 13 children by herself. They were so poor that my grandmother pulled my mom, who was the salutatorian of her middle school graduating class, out of high school to work. Her sister sent her the fare to come to New York in 1944. “America,” Rita Moreno’s break-out number from West Side Story celebrating the character’s escape from Puerto Rico, might as well be my mom’s theme song. It is a defining film for me, too. When I was 26 years old, sharing life stories with a first date, it struck me that I had gotten something wrong about that picture. I identified with the Jets—but I was born

into the Sharks. My story is similar to many New Yorkers’ experiences with race and ethnicity since the Dutch settled New York and welcomed everyone, no matter what their background, to its shores. Sadly, the two white men from Boston, Massachusetts, who run the city from opposite ends of City Hall lack sensitivity to race or ethnicity. In the West Wing is Mayor Bill De Blasio. He comes from a white patrician family. His father went to Yale; his mother, to Smith. Since taking office, De Blasio has demonstrated racial bias in hiring. The city is one third white; one third Latino: Puerto Rican, Dominican and Mexican; and nearly one third black. Yet, Latinos only account for 20 percent of new hires in his administration, while blacks account for 40 percent, according to federal reports. Even more revealing, recently released emails from the mayor, with people he consults outside the government, reveal that these people are almost exclusively white. In the East Wing is City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. When concerns were raised during his campaign that three of four citywide officials would be white men if he was elected, he countered that being gay and HIV-positive made him sensitive. That may have been one of the most offensive and ahistorical quotes by a city public official since the beginning of the civil rights movement. That Johnson is the first city council speaker since 1969

without a college education is no excuse. His actions demonstrate his actual position. His senior staff when he was a councilman was exclusively white, and his staff as speaker now is mostly white with the addition of two black women. More significantly, Johnson eliminated the standing committee for community development, which was dedicated to the underlying problem facing Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Mexicans and blacks living in the city: poverty. Finally, last week, DeBlasio and Johnson agreed to protect the yellow-cab industry, like the Dutch once protected tulips, because neither appreciates what it is like to be brown or black, trying to hail a cab on the streets of Manhattan at night when you want to go home to Uptown or Brooklyn, and empty taxis fly past. Sure, they threw a bone to the problem by this week directing the Taxi & Limousine Commission to enforce the issue of cabbies refusing to pick up outer-borough riders with a new division, the “Office of Inclusion”—a bureaucratic solution designed to grab attention but unlikely to yield any results. It’s one of the many indignities that build up in people’s lives and cause them to want to teach their children to deny a part of their identity. Fortunately, a whole generation of young people in this city has never experienced this indignity, thanks to ridesharing services. It’s heartbreaking that de Blasio and Johnson and their staffs don’t understand what a watershed moment this was for us.

Commentary

The Queens Tribune, Thursday, August 2, 2018

Literary Prominence Of Qns. Is In The Books By THOMAS MOODY

Picture of Jack Kerouac taken by Allen Ginsberg

Recently, there have been a number of articles in the New York dailies and elsewhere announcing the “birth” of a Queen’s literary “scene,” One New York Post columnist began his review of Matthew Thomas’ We Are Not Ourselves by declaring that “suddenly after centuries of neglect, Queens is on the literary map.” It is undeniable that Queens is having a moment of literary acclaim. Queens-based writers are receiving international plaudits, while the borough itself is increasingly becoming the backdrop for American fiction. Jonathan Lethem’s 2013 novel, Dissident Gardens, is set in Queens, as is the lion’s share of short stories from National Book Award winner Ha Jin’s collection A Good Fall; while Queens natives Tara Clancy and Bushra Rehman have published a memoir and novel of “autofiction” respectively, detailing two very different experiences of growing up in Queens. The notion that Queens has been some kind of literary backwater for the last hundred years, however, is an entirely false one. Queens has a uniquely rich literary history, and the list of writers who were either born or raised in Queens, or spent a significant period of their writing life in the borough, shouldn’t be eclipsed by Queens’ newfound exposure. Rather, they should be seen as an important

bedrock upon which the current writers are building. Queens has always been an influential branch on America’s literary tree. Jack Kerouac wrote the first drafts of the seminal novel of the 1950s On the Road while living in Ozone Park and Richmond Hill. “The Wizard of Ozone Park,” as the poet Allen Ginsberg liked to call Kerouac, lived in Queens for over 12 years with his mother, and their house at 133-01 Cross Bay Blvd. was the starting point of the writer’s firstever crosscountry journey, the narration of which would be the inspiration behind an entire “Beat Generation.” John Berryman, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of the poetry anthology 77 Dream Songs, moved to Queens at the age of 12, shortly after his father’s suicide. His new home was surely the place where, in the first of his Dream Songs, there “came a departure. / Thereafter nothing fell out as it might or ought.” A major literary critic of the middle-half of the 20th century, Lionel Trilling, was born in Queens—as was Paul Bowles, who revolutionized the idea of the travel novel in books like The Sheltering Sky. The great W.E.B. Du Bois lived his final years in Queens, while Emma Lazarus and Sholem Aleichem are just two of the literary giants buried in Queens. One of the reasons for the recent development of Queens as both a residence and setting for writers is that the borough gives the truest reflection of the American literary zeitgeist. A wider range of voices is being published than ever before, with writers from onceoverlooked communities now among the most vital and influential in the contemporary canon. America is increasingly interested

Gravesite of Emma Lazarus is in Cypress Hils cemetery on the border of Queens and Brooklyn.

in stories from the margins, from those who have previously been silenced or ignored. Queens, with more languages spoken than any other place in the country, has more voices. That is why Bushra Rehman’s novel Corona, about growing up in Corona, Queens, in a conservative Pakistani immigrant community; and Tara Clancy’s memoir The Clancys of Queens, about growing up queer in an Irish-Italian working-class family, can seemingly have nothing in common yet have everything to do with one another. The legendary New York School poet and Queens native Tony Towle once described growing up in Queens with a view of the Manhattan skyline: “It was like seeing the Emerald City from afar rather than living in it. That kind of perspective pops up in my poems, I think.” Place influences us in ways we can never fully grasp, defining us through both our absorption of it and equally, our efforts to reject it. In Lawrence Ferlinghetti’s poem “Queens Cemetery, Setting Sun,” the “rows and rows and rows and rows” of the cemetery’s “small stone slabs” are shaded in Manhattan’s “great stone slabs / skyscraper tombs and parapets.” Slowly, Queens’ literary community is coming out of the shadows of its more prominent neighbors, but there is nothing sudden about this emergence. Queens has always been on the literary map; people were just too lazy to look. Once a month, we will highlight a book that has contributed to Queens’ rich literary history.

CORRECTIONS: In last week’s editorial titled “Myth of Ocasio-ism,” the Queens Tribune editorial board stated that John Liu had served as New York City comptroller for eight years, when in fact he only served for four years—from 2010 through 2013. In the same editorial, we also stated that congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has endorsed Jessica Ramos for state Senate. While the two candidates have appeared together at some events with other candidates, Ocasio-Cortez has not officially endorsed Ramos in the race.

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