Commentary on happenings relating to greater Sunnyside-Woodside-LIC from the unconcealed POV of the writers. Agree or disagree? Send comments to SmallTownComment@ gmail.com Volume 2, Number 4
Monday, April 29, 2019
Netflix To Build Production Hub: What it Means for NYC
FREE
Enticing Anable: What Do We Want for LIC’s Anable Basin?
by Bert Koca
(See page 9)
(See page 7)
Hey Mayor & Councilman!
DO YOUR JOBS!
What Else Are You Doing with the 325,000 Employees and a Budget of $88.67 Billion?
Historic Structure: To Be Re-Rented or at Risk? by Jason Greenberg (See page 2)
2019 Luke Adams
Sunnysider of the Year Gala (See page 9-11)
Op Ed by Patricia Dorfman A distressing continuation of broken governance was the Department of Transportation (DOT) decision, announced via Community Board 2 (CB2) Transportation Committee on April 1, that the DOT refuses to restore two lanes from 49th St. to 54th St., matching the rest of the Skillman Ave. 2018 road diet. So snarled school traffic will continue, as well as the appalling lack of turning space for fire and EMT trucks racing from the 51st St. firehouse near Skillman Avenue. The rejected request would not have created more parking spots or affected bike lanes. It is about lives – lives of pedestrians, school children, drivers, and cyclists. And despite the FDNY informing CB2 that we are not at risk due to the slower emergency vehicle delays, and that fire equipment buckets from other stations will reach us in time to reach the higher floors our cannot, no one believes them. In mystifying fashion, the reason given to CB2 for the DOT refusal was a lack of police data proving unsafe conditions. But not all incidents, such as (Continued, page 3)
Young Dynamo Elected 2019-2020 Chamber President (See page 5)
Resident Asks: Who Cut Down Four Trees on 54th? (see page 8)
Monday, April 29, 2019
SMALL TOWN CONFIDENTIAL
Historic Structure: To Be Re-Rented or At Risk?
Hut is gone? The storefront has remained unoccupied since January of 2019, with Pizza Hut’s notice redirecting its customers to its Rego Park or Maspeth location posted on the back door of the tower. Store managers at the nearby Game Stop and Dollar Tree said that they have no knowledge regarding the longterm plans for the Towers. Will the structure stand there as landmark, with no storefront? Has the shopping center real estate company been unable to find a replacement? Will the developers use a lack of rental activity on the area as justification to finally knock down the towers? The Sunnyside Post reported that the Ciampa Organization, the Flushing-based developer behind the Tower Square Shopping Center, “…did not immediately respond to questions about the Pizza Hut closure and future plans for the trolley depot site.”
If you’ve been picking up items at Michael’s lately, getting games at Game Stop, or eating at Boston Market, you may have noticed that the nearby Pizza Hut, located on the edge of the Tower Square Shopping Center on Northern Boulevard at 48th Street, has closed. Years prior to the establishment of the Pizza Hut, the location was home to the trolley depot owned by the New York & Queens County Railway Company. The outer structure looks sound at over a century old, with the markings of the past intact. The building, then connected to a large trolley car barn, was nearly torn down in the late 1980s because the Tower Square Shopping Center was being constructed in its place. Local Woodside and Sunnyside activist groups protested the destruction of the towers, suggesting it could instead be integrated into the new shopping center. The matter caught the attention of Gene A. Norman, Landmarks Preservation Commission Chairman. He was informed that the terminal was being demolished and when he arrived at the scene to see it for himself, protesters were delighted. In a New York Times article on April 15th 1987, Norman said, “This is a building that deserves to be looked at. It is a signpost as you come up Northern Boulevard. It wouldn’t take much to restore these towers. It’ll be fantastic.” Although the onsite crew had a demolition permit, they did not have permits to run the bulldozer and backhoe. A stop work order was issued. Those permits would take only a few days to acquire, though – but precious time used to attempt to persuade the developers of the
shopping center to keep the towers. Demolition had already started just as the negotiations to preserve the towers were finalized, with help from Nina Rappaport. Rappaport, the coordinator of the Queens Borough Preservation League, helped get an inspector to issue a stop work order. To this very day, the towers still stand. A nearby portion of the trolley complex also stands south of Northern, now housing a landermat, with the New England route Amtrak running overhead. Historian Kevin Walsh of Forgotten New York reports that the building was built in 1896 to serve the former New York and Queens Railroad Company trolley barn. Philadelphia investors interested in building a trolley line bought the property from the Steinway Railway Company and Newtown Railroad Company. Walsh adds that the building could be seen for miles and was as important a transportation hub then as Jamaica LIRR station is today. The last trolley car ran on Northern Blvd. on September 5, 1937. The buses which replaced trolleys took the same route as in 1908, including Jackson Avenue and 5th St., now 58th Street. The railway building contained the largest barn and service center in Queens. It was a comparable transportation hub that the current Jamaica LIRR station today. Now, the question is, what will become of the towers now that Pizza
We hope that the shopping center keeps its namesake towers, another occupant can be found and the historic brick “waiting area,” still in great shape, can stand as important architecture. The building is an attractive part of the interesting and varied rail history of Woodside. The clocks are still keeping good time. ◆
Towers 4/19/19. Photo: Berk Koca Kevin Walsh reminds us Catherine Gregory’s Woodside, A Historical Perspective, 1652-1994, published by Woodside On The Move is a great source for photographs and history if you can locate a copy.
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Small Town Confidential Editor | Publisher Patricia Dorfman V.P. | Sales Manny Gomez Cell 718-909-4806 V.P. | Writer Berk Koca Contributing Writers Jason Greenberg Chris Robin Martin Scanlon Advisory Committee Mary Caulfield Toni Dorfman Richard Drake Debbie George Farley Rani Kinane Christopher Whalen 45-06 Queens Blvd. Sunnyside, NY 11104 SmallTownComment@gmail.com ©2019. All Rights Reserved
Monday, April 29, 2019
Hey Mayor & Councilman: Do Your Job! (Continued from page 1)
a delay in fire response, are a police matter. In 2017, NYPD data was crafted to create a picture of danger to justify this road diet with the Mayor’s claim of 300 accidents. Involving what? When? Where? Compared to what? So with this resounding “no” to an easy fix means that there will have to be loss of life or a new administration to restore safety. And why isn’t the FDNY Commissioner standing up for our lives and his firefighters? We have a broken government. The road diet installed on 43rd and Skillman Avenues, Vision Zero’s “gold standard,” is an “experiment.” Most unhappy now were happy with former lanes, and would be happy with better-protected bike lanes – but not this experiment. In addition to emergency vehicle delays, visibility is compromised. There are more traffic tie-ups and noise. Business is down, more than 20% according to Asian Bistro and Fresh ‘n’ Save Supermarket owners. Street markings, flexible poles, islands, speed bumps are confusing, with no education yet. Many feel betrayed by the Mayor, DOT Commissioner, Fire Commisioner, and resentful towards cyclists. Many cyclists are also resentful. Though relieved at having a larger lane, some cyclists assume any road diet criticism means that only they care about their safety, understand the greater risk of cycling, or want to cut back on energy use. But an obvious first need is public transit, now in crisis, not just more bikes. But our broken government has created an unnecessary resentment by pretending the only solution is this experiment and the imposition of its will against a majority vote of Community Board 2 and Queens Streets for All petitions, representing 12,000 including all businesses. Letters from all local schools and churches were to no avail. An informed source reports that prior
SMALL TOWN CONFIDENTIAL
Page 3 Housing (MIH), corruptibly-inflated area median income, which negates the benefit of MIH, and misused opportunity zones.
LIVES AT RISK: City insistance on one lane here causes congestion. Firetrucks are frequently delayed and need a larger turning radius. Local request would have added no new parking spots, just safety.
So attention is being paid by City Hall, without our consent, to matters which have a negative impact on us. But no attention to paid to life, death and quality of life issues to thousands of people. Many unkind anonymous keyboard warriors are members of an international, well-funded, anti-car group, apparently setting policy. Politicians in or seeking office are fearful of taking a stand with Saul-Alinsky tactics used; constant personal attacks on social media.
to the road diet, a request was made by our Councilman to not put the desired 7+mile highway on Queens Blvd within Sunnyside Shines/BID footprint. If true, the shift north has caused the residents, small businesses, churches, and schools of 43rd and Skillman Avenue to suffer instead. Why was the obvious short route on Queens Blvd. route not used, which links directly with present Boulevard Lanes? While the mayor has announced a welcome coming reduction of 1000 in his fleet of over 30,000, the city continues to use more cars, create more pollution, and provide free cars and placards than at any time in history. Why no administration-led “take public transit or bike to work day?”
What would be good cycling lane policy be? An expanded network for cyclists could have been a change that most locals would have supported, if not handled by the city in a tyrannical fashion. We all want fewer cars, cleaner air, safer streets for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. We ride bikes, too.
Hypocrisy! So far, no elected NYC official who has supported bike lanes NYC has sworn off planes and automobiles. Why? Because horses and buggies were not replaced overnight either. Massive changes to our lives, safety, and incomes should not be by tyrannical decree by officials holding themselves exempt.
How did City Hall get out of service? Sadly, the city is led by the real estate lobby. Long Island City is now the fastest developing city of “super talls” in the world, only surpassed by Dubai, according to the the New York Times, 1/18/2019
Right now, we are neighborhoods fighting for a say in the process, which guarantees rage. Cycling, a fun, healthful, almost free, and environmentally laudable activity, has taken on a sunless aggressivity. All cyclists are lumped in with those who run red lights or break the law. Both cyclists and drivers are suddenly villains. We have sad situation where both “sides” cheer the mishaps of others.
How did this happen? Because of favorable laws passed by the city; rezoning, 421-A, BID’s, massive EDC projects, Mandatory Inclusionary
Where is the love? To rule and represent a people, one must love the city and the people. All the people. We’re not feeling love, or respect ◆
Monday, April 29, 2019
SMALL TOWN CONFIDENTIAL
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INJURED: At press time, still at large is the alleged assailant who reportedly shot a Sunnyside Pharmacy staffer in the arm and fled on foot without proceeds on April 18. NYPD supplied this photo and the suspect was described as Hispanic and in his forties. Grade schools were temporarily “locked down.” The area around the store location at 48-11 Skillman Ave. in Sunnyside attracted considerable police presence. Word spread fast in the neighborhood on social media. Some have downloaded “Citizen,” a mobile cell phone application formerly called “Vigilante,” so frequent information was available if not always accurate. Anyone with info, call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). INJURY RELATED QUIP: Sunnyside father worried about the safety of his children who play nearby. But a few days later after the incident, trying to look at the bright side, he joked that at least he hoped the incident would help “hold down the rents.” ◆ THESE THREE COLLEENS at left were seen April 5 at the NY Irish Center fundraiser in LIC, enjoying the songs of Cathy Maguire, whose parents flew in from Louth. Maguire also brought in a guitar-playing nun and a New Orleans author and singing fireball. Ticket price included bar and lots of food such as delicious Shepherd’s Pie doated by P.J. Horgans. L-R are Barbara Crowe, Denise Keehan-Smith, and sister Janine Smith. SENATOR MICHAEL GIANARIS and CONGRESSWOMAN ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ, (AOC aide Naureen Akhtar at right) heard from the public at Woodside Library on April 6. Among many issues, they listened to opponents of decking from StopSunnysideYards.com who asked for advice on how to discourage the EDC proposal. AOC advised, “Keep doing what you are doing…There needs to be zero confusion [on community views].” A library employee said that “over 900 came to the branch” to speak to the pair of officials, for the mobile district office event, with “lines around the block” till closing time. (Photo: from a video by Derek Ludovici on YouTube.) ◆
CLARIFIC ATIONS, CORRECTIONS, JOKES
DELAY this month due to success and unavoidable merry activities.
THANK YOU to our clients for advertisements; in design and en route! JOKE: Question: “Do you know how much it is to rent a church singing group?” Answer: “I think you mean a choir.” Question: “Fine, okay, do you know how much it is to acquire a church singing group?”
LAUNDRY LOAD: This matter is one on which we hope a big-city media outlet does a story. At a demonstration at City Hall for SBJSA by David Eisenbach, we met three laundromat owners, one Peter Lin, the head of larger group, Laundromat Development Center in Jackson Heights. He and his fellow protestors mentioned that the City keeps moving the goal post, so to speak, in regard to already onerous and costly regulations. One new rule is asking for a laundromat to tag every cart with an ID plate. The other new rule was to keep a record of name and address of all laundromat clients. If these rules have been put into effect, we need to help our laundromats or we will be washing clothes in Newtown Creek with rock. ◆ COMPLIMENT (Really)TO FIOS: “The noise was deafening but love the new sidewalks and my rocks were put back straigher than they were.” -Young Sunnyside homeowner, 46th St. I want to wish you good luck with your new publication but I couldn’t help but notice all the spelling errors in the attached article on Fresh ‘n’ Save. Someone should proofread your articles before they are published.... Anyway, good luck in the future with your Small Town Confidential. Jill Floyd Dear Ms. Floyd, We agree wholeheartedly! We do have someone who proofreads now, but a few pages in the last issue missed scrutiny altogether. Sure this issue will also have...Apologies! -The Editors
Monday, April 29, 2019
SMALL TOWN CONFIDENTIAL
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Young Dynamo Elected 2019-2020 Chamber President by Patricia Dorfman
L-R: outgoing pres. Melissa Orlando, newly-elected pres. Vanessa Ceballos
Chamber continues to be an organization run by its members, with an independent voice for advocacy. Its bylaws state:
L-R: Sivan Rodriquez. Roque Rodriguez, Katie Sullivan, Amy FitzGerald, Florentina Nica,David Aglialaro, Vanessa Ceballos, Laura Garofalo, Diana Voicu (back), Melissa Orlando, Rigoberto Cardoso, Manny Gomez
On April 9, Vanessa Ceballos, owner of Firefly Petite Café & Bistro on 43rd Avenue between 45th and 46th Streets was unanimously elected by general membership at the gratis Luncheon/Annual Meeting/Election for members, held this year at the trendy Senso Unico at the corner of 43rd St. and 47th Ave., to serve as president of Sunnyside’s Chamber of Commerce, founded in 1947.
become a judge. Maureen Lynch served as Treasurer for multiple terms, as did Gerald Lederman. Jon Vogt, who is Chair of Sunnyside Shines/BID, began with Gavin and others to build the BID while president of the Chamber. Past Chamber achievements and battles number in the hundreds; cleaner air statutes, lights, parking under the elevated, SBJSA advocacy, and the Sunnyside Post office.
Ceballos is the youngest, at 31, and third dual-language, Spanish-speaking president, preceded by Rigoberto Cardoso and Manny Gomez. She is the fourth female president in the institutional memory, proceeded by Lily Gavin, Rebecca Barker, and outgoing president, Melissa Orlando. The organization has had approximately 40 presidents.
The newly-elected Ceballos will soon become a familiar face and her dynamism is apparent. Prior to opening her own restaurant, she opened a previous café in Jackson Heights. Showing her grit, ambition, self-made business credibility, and work ethic, after arriving in the US in 2011, her CV includes three years as a full-time driver/operator of a Mister Softee Truck in Brooklyn. Vanessa is a single mom, and was born in Mérida, Venezuela. She was rejected for a US visa, a laborious process, three times. She was able to get her parents here recently, and says, “I could not do what I do without my amazing mom.”
As first Spanish-speaking president, in the aughts, Rigo Cardoso was approached by some to break off into an all-Spanish language chamber. “We need to stay united,” he said, “our strength will be good for all of us.’” And he was right. All officers and board members are volunteers, and its roster past and present includes a who’s who of well-known movers and shakers who built the “small town in the big city” we know today. Former president Ira Greenberg, Esq. has
Ceballos’ vision for Firefly is apparent. The innovative menu, pretty decor, and in-house freshly baked sweet and savories have made the spot a favorite for both old-timers and hipsters.
Outgoing president Orlando shared some of the Chamber achievements of the past year, which included working on the successful Sunnyside Fire Relief Fund, with the BID and 40 other groups, raising $165,000 which went directly to those put out of work. Bernard Reilly, Mark Stroubus, and Tony Tang, who lost their stores, are long time board members. Tony Tang has been the first to start up again, opening UPS next to Alpha Donuts in a pop-up shop. This past year’s events also included Mohammed Bessai’s opening Biz Card Exchange, a social media class, advocating with Queens Streets for All, a real estate information forum, an informational at DeMole with Small Business Jobs Survival Act expert David Eisenbach, the rebranding by Brandon Mosley of all the Chamber materials, the recent Luke Adams Sunnysider of the Year IX gala at Tangra Asian Fusion, and increasing membership. Orlando has recently received recent honors from Community Board 2, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, and Assemblyman Brian Barnwell. Former president and long-time treasurer Rigo Cardoso returns to the role. Former president Manny Gomez will be VP, with Orlando taking on the job as customary, as Chairperson of the Board. The
The primary purpose of the Chamber is to develop, encourage, promote and protect the commercial, professional, financial and general business interests and ethics of the area known as Sunnyside, Woodside and Long Island City; to promote civic interests and the general welfare of the community; to extend and promote the trade and commerce, and foster, develop and protect the industry in such area; to petition for laws and regulations desirable for the benefit of business; and to provide a forum for the reflection of the sentiments of business regarding matters affecting its interests… ...The chamber shall be non profit, nonpartisan and non-sectarian and shall take no part in or lend its influence to the election of or appointment of any candidate for national, state, county, city or local office. To get more information or join the Chamber, open to all area businesses, organizations, or individuals, email SunnysideChamber@gmail.com. ◆ Newly elected: President: Vanessa Ceballos, Firefly Vice Presidents: (in order of length of service) Anthony Lodati, Lowery Liquors Manny Gomez, Sunnyside Artists Czarinna Andres, Sunnyside Community Services Hayes Peter Mauro, Access Queens Treasurer: Rigoberto Cardoso, Pronto Car Service Chair of the Bd.: Melissa Orlando, Sunnyside Ballet Board of Directors (in alphabetical order) Juan Arache, Sugar Room Jorge Calle, Flowers by Giorgie Ronald Comito, Penske Trucks Barbara Crowe, Melo Yelo Brian P. Dowd, Pastor, Queen of Angels Laura Garofalo, Senso Unico Daniel Glasser, Stray Vintage Eve Guillergan, Esq., Attorney at Law Fermin Gutierrez, Spring Valley Foods Ramiro Mendez, Demole Nicholas Murphy, Bar 43 Christian Murray, Sunnyside Post Angel Gil Orrios, Thalia Spanish Theatre Bernard Reilly, Sidetracks M. Aziz Sarfraz, MD, Family Pharmacy Mark Stroubus, NY Style Eats Tony Tang, UPS Store V. Diana Voicu-Marinescu, Esq., Attorney at Law
Monday, April 29, 2019
SMALL TOWN CONFIDENTIAL
calm calculativeness
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Willets Point. Text and photo by Mitch Waxman
Posted April 24, 2019. Newtown Pentacle (Waxman’s blog) https://newtownpentacle.com
The Roman Army would arrive outside your city walls, then flood your fields with salt water, kill all your men, and rape all your women. The Romans would then declare peace as having broken out. So too, does the NYC EDC declare peace when they’ve set their sights on your corner of NYC. Just ask the people who work, and the one person who lives, in Willets Point. The City has had its crosshairs set on this part of Queens since the post WW2 period. There are no sewers in Willets Point, sanitary or storm. The City doesn’t pave the roads, nor approve permits for utility companies to service phone or electrical connections. Fire hydrants lie on their sides, utility poles bend and tilt, and despite all this – the businesses here continue on and on. Peace has broken out in the Iron Triangle, or at least a Roman peace. For those of you who were willing to accept the bag of polished stones the EDC offered LIC regarding the Amazon campus, or who are willing to drink their Kool Aid on the subject of the Sunnyside Yards – here is your fairness, your equity, your “tale of two cities.” Here is why I’d like to see the NYC EDC investigated on RICO charges. Here is peace, Queens style. That Economic Development Corporation think tank over in the City has gone out of its way to annihilate anywhere between a thousand and two thousand blue collar jobs here in Queens. They’ve been sued in Federal Court repeatedly for their double dealing, most recently for allegedly funding fake pro development groups calling for the creation of a shopping mall and “affordable” housing, and have threatened to use eminent
domain powers to force businesses into shuttering their doors and sell their personal property. This so called “public benefit corporation” with its shady staff of Real Estate Industrial Complex insiders is the same crew of loathsome sentience who are driving the “Deck the Sunnyside Yards” train. Look at your future, Sunnyside; and Astoria, and Woodside, and LIC. Peace is about to break out for us as well. ◆ Mitch Waxman is a photographer who lives in Astoria, Queens. A historian with Newtown Creek Alliance, he conducts regular walking and boat tours of the waterway, and other Queens locations. He has recently been named to the Board of Community Board 1, and is on the steering committee of Access Queens. Newly available is his book at https://bit.ly/2W8bFhX of night photographs, “In the Shadows of Newtown Creek,” an 88-page softcover, for sale for $30 at blurb.com.
JFAC Legal Help Event Held w
Gabriela Silva, right, taught a dance class as part of the entertainment at the four-hour event on April 6tth, held by Justice For All Coalition (JFAC), held at Varsity Boys & Girls Club in Astoria. Lunch and dinner were served. A young brother and sister hiphop duo, Kicking Down Walls, also performed original compositions. JFAC is a three-year-old group originally spearheaded by members of local churches and NYCHA residents. JFAC seeks to combat the pressure on NYCHA residents in the wake of massive development since 2011. They seek unity, and to preserve their homes, small businesses and neighborhoods. Residents of Queensbridge, Ravenswood and Astoria Houses form membership, and also residents from broader Queens. Dozens of volunteers, at right, including lawyers from Queens Legal and CUNY Law students donated their services to create a legal clinic for NYCHA residents, to help file for repairs and explore opinions regarding for a rentwithholding action. A survey was taken of residents. Speakers included those explaining the history and results of rent actions in NYC, personal histories, and information on the new jails proposal by the city. ◆ To find out more, see www.JFAC.US, Facebook J4AC, or call 347-574-7864, or write JFAC, PO Box 6546, Astoria, 11106.
“Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” -Victor Hugo
Monday April 29, 2019
SMALL TOWN CONFIDENTIAL
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presence of Apple, Disney, Netflix, and potentially many other big companies in New York, can bring numerous people in this region.
uction d o r P d l i Bu Netflix To it Means for NYC t Hub: W ha by Bert Koca Many of us here at Small Town Confidential believed that with Amazon’s sudden pullout from New York City, other major companies would be waiting in the wings to fill in the void. And that prediction has turned out to be correct. A dramatic change to the way consumers handle streaming services is on the horizon, especially when it comes to how they pay for their entertainment.
2024 at its new executive production office and then retain those new jobs (and their existing 32 office jobs) for another five years. Netflix is reportedly going to build six sound-stages, allowing for more films and television series to be produced here in New York. In addition, the production hubs are expected to create a plethora of production related jobs, boosting the local economy.
The film industry will be able to establish a second fort on the East Coast, and New York will remain a global center for popular culture and entertainment, in addition to its current economic clout in the world. Now, of course, with the growth of streaming options, over-saturation is inevitable. Consumers will have to choose which streaming services they want, and this will undoubtedly have an impact on their decisions to either keep or drop their cable providers. Which brings us to the likes of Spectrum and others – how will they transform in this perpetually expanding market? In my view, one way forward is that these companies can make deals with the other streaming giants and provide their customer base with streaming service packages, plus a few channels, podcast services, and
On April 18, streaming giant Netflix made the announcement that it will be undertaking a major expansion right here in the Big Apple.
All the players in a package could allow consumers to pay one single bill for different services rather than pay individual bills for Disney, Apple, and other providers.
Variety reports that Netflix plans to move into a bigger new office in Manhattan and open a Brooklyn production hub — all told, bringing up to $100 million in investments to New York City and resulting in hundreds of new jobs, according to New York State Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.
This should certainly be exciting news for emerging writers and filmmakers in NYC, who will feel less pressed to transport themselves to Los Angeles to participate in the film industry.
The NYC Netflix corporate headquarters will be housed on 888 Broadway in Manhattan’s Flatiron district, bringing with it 127 new executive level jobs, among which are content acquisition, development, production, legal, public, and marketing positions. Variety also adds, Under the deal with Netflix, Empire State Development — the state’s economic development agency — has offered up to $4 million in performance-based tax credits over 10 years, which are directly tied to job creation. To receive the full incentive, Netflix must create the 127 jobs by
But with the launch of new streaming services by Apple and Disney, what impact will this have on New York and the film industry as a whole in the long run? The rise of new talent and fresh voices is a given, and as streaming services proliferate, the demand for new content will be greater. But if the likes of Apple and Disney want to compete with Netflix, wouldn’t it be good business on their part to also expand into New York City? Such a move should not only be expected, but also welcomed. Think of the surge in job opportunities the
Internet, for one single price. All the players in a package could allow consumers to pay one single bill for different services rather than pay individual bills for Disney, Apple, and a group of other providers. The entertainment industry is undergoing a major transformation. And along the way, it’s going to transform not only the way we consume content but the way our local economies operate as well. The future for New York City, as part of major shifts in media, looks quite interesting, indeed. ◆
The Streets of Laredo
(American ballad, Irish, British roots)
As I walked out in the streets of Laredo As I walked out in Laredo one day I spied a poor cowboy all wrapped in white linen All wrapped in white linen and cold as the clay I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy These words he did say as I slowly passed by Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story For I’m shot in the chest and today I must die T’was once in the saddle and used to be dashing T’was once in the saddle and used to be gay First down to Rosie’s and then to the cardhouse Got shot through the body and now here I lay Oh she was fair oh she was lovely The belle of the village the fairest of all Her heart was as cold s the the snow on the mountain She gave me up fo r the glitter of gold Beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly Play the dead march as you bear me along Take me to the graveyard lay the sod o’er me For I’m a young cowboy and I know I’ve done wrong
Monday April 29, 2019
SMALL TOWN CONFIDENTIAL
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Holy Yards Decking, Batman: How Is it Good For Queens? Op Ed by Patricia Dorfman
is needed first.
The NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is the City and works on projects the Mayor wants. He and his real estate supporters want to deck the Sunnyside Yards, a 180-acre tract in Queens. The EDC, who employ our best and brightest, are in full research and promotional mode with neighborhood sessions with all the trimmings. The second ominous-sounding public “Master Plan” outreach at PS166 in Astoria was March 26.
A compressive plan for further development is needed to provide a road map for residents community boards before any further mega projects.
There were shouting and flyers from the opposed. EDC hosts gave out delicious food from a local Kebab maker, and were patient and polite. There were the usual visual presentations, giant maps, stickers, and surveys and Q &A. There is also ongoing, smaller, official Sunnyside Yards Community Committee, with local leaders meeting formally in private, with no press allowed, and all asked to sign confidentiality agreements. They are tasked with an 18-month time frame to make formal recommendations in proscribed areas. We worry that over time with such a “McKinsey,” that is, expensive, expertlyrun process at our expense, that even skeptical participants may start to believe they are involved in an inevitable, historical process. A seat at the table at a multi-billion dollar enterprise, which changes our world forever in the greatest city on earth, larger than any public project ever in NYC history, with snacks, secrecy and respect for all, is seductive. So we hope those opposed keep their heads. Apparently, we live in the center of the real estate universe. The goal of the the EDC is not community betterment. The development of Sunnyside Yards would result in billions spent by taxpayers but billions made by private interests. But before any such giant project, infrastructure is needed for surrounding areas
We knew LIC was the fastest growing city in the US. Now, According to the 1/18/19 New York Times, only Dubai surpasses LIC in the construction of skyscrapers. We are in the mother of all land grabs. If you own, you can sell and leave to avoid twenty years of construction and a different world here. If you don’t, you are out of luck. The cost of living will rise sharply, as it has around all such projects. All of our lives will change forever. There is no “inevitability” unless we as voters and taxpayers want it. No matter how much input we give, we must ultimately decide on whether decking the yards is good for Queens as a whole, our families, our livelihoods, our neighborhoods, our children. This is not like Amazon with Amazon putting up the money. This is like Hudson Yards where we pay to let big developers make money. It seems wrong that the City of NY is spending so much to “sell” us on an enterprise that will cost us a lot, but make money for primarily private interests. I am a capitalist. However, the capitalist system as it exists right now in NYC is not a free market. It a real estate racket with laws stacked in their favor, not ours. This is indeed an historical moment. Will we exercise our democratic freedoms to say, “no?” That said, the latest results from the EDC Yards team, who are engaged in promoting this mega project, is online here: https://bit.ly/2ZEUjeW ◆
Why Cut Down What Appeared to Be Four Healthy Large Trees? Maya Saab, who lives on 54th Street just north of Skillman Avenue in Woodside, said, “I looked out of my window one morning that four trees on the block next to PS11 were being removed.” She added, “They were large trees as you can see from what is left.” “They looked green and healthy and always provided shade. It was a big operation, with a lot of noise. No one I ask seems to know anything about who are why they were cut down. It is a loss for for residents and the school.” On April 25, Community Board 2’s District Manager Debra Markell Kleinert said the Board had not been informed of the reason for the tree loss , and that she appreciated being informed. “We will look into it.” The trees were removed the week ending April 22, 2019. ◆
Public Meeting Community Board 2 Thursday, June 6, 2019 The meeting begins at 6:30PM
Sunnyside Community Services 43-31 39th St. Sunnyside, NY 11104
Monday April 29, 2019
2019 Luke Adams Sunnysider of the Year Gala by Berk Koca An earlier Sunnyside Chamber’s Luke Adams Sunnysider of the Year 2017 honoree Anthony Lana and his young Sunnyside Drum Corps performed outside on Tangra on Queens Boulevard on April 2 to welcome all to the the “best-attended, and smoothest” Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce award event ever, according to insiders, since its inception in 2011. Lana, former Sunnyside storeowner, has run the Corps as a volunteer for 45 years. Inside, former Chamber president Rigoberto Cardoso had all stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor of Queen of Angels Church Brian Dowd, himself an honoree in 2012, the second after Luke Adams himself, said a prayer. He added that this year’s honoree Patricia Dorfman was his “favorite,” showing that Dorfman’s husband, Richard Drake’s wine sharing was having its effect. Rising Star Awards were bestowed upon Eric Barthels of Cooldown Juice and Roque Rodriguez of Suryaside Yoga, each “muy dinámico,” according to Manny Gomez. Rodriguez, humorously, like some Oscar recipients, decided in his remarks to make sure the proper people were thanked in full, including his mother in attendance. He said she “sacrificed all” for her family. All laughed when Roque said he was mentioning everyone because had not received such an award before and it was because he was not sure he “would get another chance.” His wife, Sivan Rodriguez and other Suryaside founders were there. Sylwia Barthels and proud son, Nathan, attended to witness Eric get his recognition. Manny Gomez, Amanda Barker and Matthew Carlson created a video for the 2019 Luke Adams Sunnysider of the Year Patricia Dorfman. Tributes were shown from those who could not attend, Ramiro Mendez, Paula Hostetter, Nancy Gesimondo, and Rita Lowry. Sunnyside’s famous Irish songstress Cathy O’Neill sang, “Bridge Over Trouble Water,” humorously stating she “did not like any of the songs asked for by Pat.” Chamber President Melissa Orlando gave the tribute before the crystal award to Dorfman, surprising the crowd by using no platitudes. She said, “When I first
SMALL TOWN CONFIDENTIAL dealt with Pat, it was like oil and water. But over the years I realized she was right about many things, and I grew to love her. I grew as a person.” The popular red carpet step & repeat, initiated by Manny Gomez, was busy all evening. All graphic design got a fresh look from local Brandon Mosley. The Chamber thanks the banner’s local supporters and remind us to shop with them: Access Queens Asian Bistro Aubergine Café Bar 43 Grill Brent O’Leary Copper Kettle DeMole Restaurant Edward D. Lynch Funeral Home Fresh ‘n’ Save Hayes Peter Mauro Lowery’s Wine & Liquors Mangal Kabob Melo Yelo P.J.Horgan ‘s Phyzique Pronto Car Service Quaint Queen of Angels Church Small Town Confidential Sotto le Stelle Sugar Room Sunnyside Artists Suryaside Yoga Turkish Cultural Center Queens Voicu & Nica, Attorneys Welcome Home Real Estate Woodside Herald The Lo family’s Tangra’s menu was popular, with Lollipop Chicken and a hit new pasta dish. Dorfman held back tears until her thank you, when she mentioned trusworthy friends and some who had passed away, like Luke Adams, Steve Philbin, William Dorfman, Barbara Riley, and Dave Dorfman. Toni Dorfman, Pat’s sister, and her daughter, niece Eliza Valk attended from Connecticut. Former Sunnysider of the Year #3 Frances Schmidt was there, looking fit, passing her 90th birthday milestone last year. Angel Gill Lopez was opening a show. Donald McCallian, honoree of 2014 was not able to attend due to illness. Oguzhan Turan was in Boston but a sent beautiful bouquet. Dorfman received standing ovation from the packed house, which she was stunned by. She said, to laughter, “I am amazed to get this award, and the courage of the Chamber, as some see me as public enemy number one.” Last year’s Luke Adams award winner, who is the designated award giver to the
next recipient, Tony Tang, was there with his wife, Leena and manager Tom Mei. Mike Novak was in charge of AV. Sugar Room’s award-winning Juan Arache made the cake, which wowed all because of its appearance and flavor. Senator Michael Gianaris sent a video tribute via YouTube and David Aglialaro presented citations to all three honorees from Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan. Like
Enticing Anable: What Do We Want for LIC’s Anable Basin? by Patricia Dorfman
Brent O’Leary is a LIC resident and civic activist and candidate for City Council. He is also president of Hunters Point Civic Association (HPCA), which held a two-part public informational/survey April 9 and 16 at NY Irish Center in Long Island City in regard to the 22 acres around Anable Basin, to formulate community views. The two events were to help the community to learn and advance suggestions in advance of a next big proposal, to turn “from a developer driven process to a community driven one.” HPCA plans to distill community input from all corners and present a “Request for Proposal” to to the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC). The EDC is the arm of the city which works with private enterprise to plan large city projects such as Amazon or Hudson Yards. Anable Basin is an artificial 500-feet long inlet created in 1868 out of the Long Island City’s western shore, and is named after its financier Henry Sheldon Anable. The inlet and land surrounding it, some owned by Plaxall, some public, has gone from a developer’s prize to a global hotspot. Mega-business Amazon sought
Page 9 Gianaris, Nolan, a close friend of Luke Adams and who normally attends, was at work in Albany. Chamber president Orlando said the yearly honor is given for community service, without regard to fundraising or affiliation. She said although the event is like “planning a big wedding, it is an honor to make it happen.” ◆ (See photos, pages 10-11.)
to take it over but withdrew, but the location’s charms will cause continued interest. Over 100 attended the first session and filled out forms with personal priorities. The second session was even more lively. A few had strong views, such as the abolishing of the EDC, but most had more moderate ideas and participated with interest. The key areas of concern were more schools, sustainability, environmental studies prior to a plan, more public space, all union construction, no privatization of nearby NYCHA developments, retail space for small businesses and passage of the Small Business Jobs Survival Act, not using any public facility or land for private profit, transparency through the entire process, an Uniform Land Review process (lengthy and public), and deeply affordable housing. Many were eager for a comprehensive study of the entire LIC area prior to any further plans or development as a roadmap for Community boards and the public. Fascinating was a presentation at the April 9 event by Thomas Devaney of the august not-for-profit Municipal Arts Society. Devaney spelled out in easy-to-grasp detail the history of land use in the area, promises made, promises kept and not kept, with some suggestions as to how to proceed. We look forward to the results of the survey and appreciate the initiative of the HPCA. ◆
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ALL PHOTOS PAGE 10 BY STEVE HARRIS
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