Queens Chronicle 04-17-25

Lawmakers file suit against order, as feds continue deportation efforts Council challenges Rikers ICE presence

by Stephanie G. Meditz Associate Editor

Amid a slew of moves by the Trump administration to enforce immigration laws, the City Council on Tuesday requested a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against an executive order allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to have an office on Rikers Island.

In a suit filed in state Supreme Court, the Council alleges that the order, issued by First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro last week, is “unlawful” and “tainted by the conflict of interest created by the corrupt bargain the mayor entered into — his personal freedom in exchange for an ICE office.”

“Once again, this City Council is standing firm to protect the rights and safety of all New Yorkers against attacks by the Trump administration — because the city’s mayor won’t stop placing his own personal interests ahead of the people of our city,” Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica) said in a press release.

Kayla Mamelak Altus, the mayor’s press secretary, told the Chronicle in a statement that Mayor Adams delegated to Mastro all powers, responsibilities and decision-making related to any action authorizing federal officials to investigate crimes on Rikers.

Mastro concluded after an independent assessment that a federal presence at the jail for criminal enforcement is in the city’s best interest, particularly regarding its efforts to target violent transnational gangs, including terrorist organizations, Mamelak Altus said.

Having ICE at Rikers allows agents to

arrest deportable criminal migrants more safely than if they have to find them in communities, the idea’s supporters say. The agency’s prior office there was closed under former Mayor Bill de Blasio.

According to Speaker Adams, New Yorkers are made “less safe” if they feel discour-

aged from reporting crime to the police, referencing sanctuary laws that intend to prevent that by limiting cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.

But the order states that, under Local Law 58 of 2014, federal immigration officials can have offices on land under the Department of Correction’s jurisdiction for purposes unrelated to civil immigration enforcement.

“Cooperation with federal law enforcement — including the FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security, and U.S. Postal Inspectors — will be expressly limited to criminal law enforcement investigations, not civil matters,” Mamelak Altus said, adding that while City Hall will review the suit, it seems “baseless” and against the public interest.

Still, some see the order as a threat to sanctuary policies.

“Despite Mayor Adams’ attempts to woo President Trump and undermine our status as a sanctuary city, NYC will stand up against this hateful fear mongering,” Councilman Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights) said in an emailed statement. “We will hold our president and mayor accountable. We won’t let them bring ICE onto Rikers, which is well-settled city law.

“We will inform our neighbors of their rights, and help them fight against unconsti-

continued on page 16

CONZA | MCNAMARA

PLANNING ATTORNEYS

CYNTHIA J. CONZA, ESQ.

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

EDWARD R. MCNAMARA, ESQ.

Harvard University, A.B.

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

The City Council on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against an executive order to allow ICE to operate on Rikers Island for criminal enforcement. PHOTO VIA U.S. NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

Lifeguards school kids on water safety

MS 210 teacher pitched assembly idea to Parks Dept.,

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Students at MS 210 Elizabeth Blackwell in Ozone Park got a splash of life-saving knowledge last Friday, as they were treated to an engaging assembly on water safety. With summer just a few months away, the city Parks Department ensured the kids are ready to hit the beach with smart, safe habits.

Robert Butler, a special education teacher at the school and a lifeguard, brought the topic up during a Zoom meeting hosted by Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) with area lifeguards and Parks Department officials last year, Ariola’s office said.

Bonnie Williams, the NYC Parks chief of special programs, was ready and willing to make the idea a reality.

“We put a PowerPoint together, got a team of lifeguards that work at pools and beaches — a combination of male and female, so every kid there could see themselves in one of the llifeguards,” Williams told the Chronicle.

Williams said the main focus they tried to get across was warning the students to not swim when a lifeguard is not on duty.

“An empty chair cannot save

you,” she said.

The lifeguards also taught the students about rip currents and what to do when encountering one.

“With kids, especially the younger ones, they think they’re invincible,” Williams said. “They know how to swim a little bit, they’re going to go out in the waters at Rockaway and Coney Island, and it can be rough. ... We

which made it a reality

just wanted them to be equipped with that water safety knowledge.”

More than 1,200 students took part in the assembly, Williams said. Also in attendance was Phyllis Inserillo, the chief of staff for Ariola, and Parks Deparment First Deputy Comissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa.

“Every year, we see otherwise avoidable tragedies on our beach-

es due to a lack of ocean safety knowledge amongst our young people,” Ariola said in a statement to the Chronicle. “Through programs like this one, we can teach this lifesaving information to local students, and also introduce them to the important work lifeguards do each year. That familiarity could help inspire the next generation and address staffing

shortages down the line.”

She expressed gratitude to the Parks Department, Butler and everyone else who assisted in the assembly.

“This will save a life,” Ariola said. “I’m sure of it!”

Williams said the students were engaged, recceptive and asked questions. One of the chief lifeguards who helped with the assembly was even approached the following day at a CVS Pharmacy by a student, Williams said, who greeted him by saying, “You’re one of the heroes from Parks. You’re one of the lifeguards. I’m not going to swim when there’s no lifeguard on duty.”

Williams said, “That’s the greatest feeling in the world, getting this message out to the kids.”

The department plans to do more assemblies of similar nature to get the word out about the importance of water safety.

“Our goal is to go out there and get the message out,” Williams said. “We’re working with a lot of notfor-profits — YMCA, Swim Strong, other groups. May is Water Safety Month, so we’re going to be going out to five or six different schools in the boroughs to really get the word out.” Q

Successful women honored in Richmond Hill

Rheumatologist, NYPD 102nd Pct.’s commanding officer get accolades

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Let’s hear it for the women!

Two impressive ladies, Dr. Fatima Khan and Capt. Pratima Maldonado, the commanding officer of the NYPD’s 102nd Precinct, were honored last Saturday at the Richmond Hill Library during its Celebration of Phenomenal Women event.

The event was sponsored by the Queens Book Fair and Literary Festival Inc., and the city’s Office of Adult and Continuing Education.

Hosted by Dhanpaul Narine, a passionate educator who has run the program for seven years, and moderated by Sabrina Fleming, a principal at OACE, the celebration paid tribute to the two ladies.

Khan is a rheumatologist with two offices in Queens and one in Franklin Square, LI, and Maldonado is the first Sikh woman to become an NYPD commanding officer.

The honorees’ families were in attendance.

Both of their mothers gave heartfelt speeches on their daughters’ successes, and the two award recipients spoke regarding the journeys that led to their successful careers.

Khan and Maldonado were presented with accolades from Councilmember Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills), state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) and representatives of state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven), Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven), Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, U.S. Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) and Nydia Velázquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens), Assemblymember David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows) and Community Board 9. The board’s chairwoman, Sherry Algredo, assisted with the program.

Jeiry Reyes also was presented with certificates for her community activism and her role as a parent coordinator at Ozone Park’s PS 64, the Joseph P. Addabbo School.

Algredo was honored with a speech by her own teenage daughter, Emily.

Dr. Fatima Khan, second from right, and Capt. Pratima Maldonado, the commanding officer of the NYPD’s 102nd Precinct, right, were honored at an event at the Richmond Hill Library last weekend, moderated by Sabrina Fleming, left, and hosted by Dhanpaul Narine.

PHOTO COURTESY SHERRY ALGREDO

Students at MS 210 Elizabeth Blackwell in Ozone Park were treated to an assembly on water safety presented by lifeguards with the city Parks Department last Friday. PHOTOS COURTESY NYC PARKS

Nearly 750 schools will get staff boost

DOE to hire 3,700 new teachers to comply with class size mandate

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

New York City is set to hire more than 3,700 new teachers and 100 assistant principals across nearly 750 schools as part of Mayor Adams’ executive budget plan for fiscal year 2026, the city announced last Wednesday. City officials did not detail the dollar amounts involved, but said the hiring boost will help schools comply with the state’s class size mandate.

A final budget must be worked out with the City Council by June 30.

The law requires schools to reduce their class sizes to no more than 20 students in grades K through three, 23 students in grades four through eight and 25 students in high school classes. The city Department of Education must shrink class sizes in 20 percent of its classrooms annually through September 2028.

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said 46 percent of schools are in compliance so far.

The Adams administration in the past pushed back on the class size mandate.

In June 2022, then-Schools Chancellor David Banks in a statement said the mandate would force school leaders to prioritize class size over other critical education programming, and added, “An unfunded mandate like this would potentially do huge damage to our system.”

Adams, however, touted the hiring announcement, alongside Aviles-Ramos during a press conference at PS 88, The Seneca School, in Ridgewood last Wednesday.

In a statement, Adams said the increased staffing will “help give our schools the ability to create smaller, more nurturing classrooms where all our students can excel and be provided more individualized care.”

“We are so proud to be making this new investment in our schools.”

— Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos

The new hires will be distributed across schools that submitted individual class size reduction plans for the 2025-26 school year — developed in consultation with school leadership teams — last fall.

Aviles-Ramos said, “As we work to continue to comply with the class size law, it’s clear there is no one size fits all solution. And you all know I was a teacher and I was a principal. And what we know is that smaller class size is an investment in our teachers and an investment in our children.”

She added, “Guided by our schools, we will

continue to make progress, enabling our teachers to work with smaller groups of students, providing more individualized attention and fostering a deeper level of engagement in the classroom.”

United Federation of Teachers President

Michael Mulgrew said, “What seemed impossible has become possible because of the sheer determination of educators and parents. We are taking a huge step towards lowering class sizes for all our students.”

continued on page 18

The show will go on in Forest Hills

Stadium gets conditional permit for first concert, to neighbors’ chagrin

by Stephanie G. Meditz Associate Editor

The NYPD’s Legal Bureau on Monday conditionally granted the necessary sound amplification permit for the first concert of Forest Hills Stadium’s 2025 concert season, which is scheduled for May 31.

According to a letter from agency Inspector William Gallagher, Tiebreaker Productions, which runs concerts at the venue, presented an alternate security plan for concerts in which it will direct its own security personnel to enter the private streets surrounding the stadium owned by the Forest Hills Gardens Corp.

Last month, Gallagher had informed the stadium that, since the FHGC denied the city access to those streets, the NYPD could not monitor them for crowd control and the permits could not be granted.

“As anticipated, we’re pleased to announce that the City of New York has given Forest Hills Stadium the green light for our 2025 concert season to proceed as planned,” reads a post on the venue’s X account.

The letter outlines a series of conditions under which the permit will be granted, including the specific streets that must be closed, the times of the closures and designated posts for crowd control. It states also that the NYPD will meet with Tiebreaker to review the plan and ensure that it satisfies all

conditions.

However, Gallagher wrote, the sound permit will no longer stand if Tiebreaker has not satisfied the conditions. If it is granted, he said, it will be subject to revocation.

“This historic venue is emblematic of all that makes Queens great, and I’m thrilled to say we’ve struck a deal to ensure the shows

will go on in 2025 as planned,” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards said in a statement. Richards recently sent a letter to Mayor Adams, calling on his administration to do everything possible to ensure the shows go on.

But the FHGC said it has not made any such agreement with Tiebreaker or the West

Side Tennis Club, where the stadium is located, regarding the use of private streets. It insists that, like the NYPD, Tiebreaker cannot deploy security personnel on private streets without a license from the FHGC.

“FHGC does not and will not accept any ‘private security plan’ that purports to allow unauthorized access, use and closure of our private property,” the group said in a press release.

The stadium’s attorney, Akiva Shapiro of Gibson Dunn, did not immediately respond to the Chronicle’s request for comment.

Mediation between Tiebreaker, the WSTC and FHGC is slated to begin “very soon,” according to the latter group. It said it is willing to return to “the status quo” of a limited number of concert events, noise code compliance and a FHGC license.

“Engaging in this agreed-upon mediation process based on this framework is the only path forward,” the group said. “Tiebreaker’s attempting to secure a unilateral backchannel agreement to use private security forces to close FHGC’s private streets to its residents is not productive.”

Many speakers in the public forum at Community Board 6’s meeting last week spoke in favor of the concerts, while others maintained their staunch opposition and several pushed for a compromise. Q

Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, left, and Mayor Adams last week announced that the city will fund the hiring of more than 3,700 educators in order to help schools comply with the state’s class size mandate.

PHOTO BY ED REED / NYC MAYOR’S OFFICE / FLICKR

Forest Hills Stadium will be granted the necessary permits to hold its first concert of the 2025 season, provided that conditions set by the NYPD’s Legal Bureau are met. PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN

Projects in Corona, East Elmhurst and Kissena corridor face the ax Queens pols decry FEMA flooding cuts

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

Not quite four years after Tropical Storm Ida killed 11 Queens residents, city, state and federal officials are sounding the alarm over budget cuts that they say will shut down three flood mitigation projects in the borough, and more than $300 million in planned work throughout the state.

The cuts, according to Gov. Hochul’s office, include $50 million for flood mitigation in East Elmhurst, $46.6 million among the Kissena corridor and $47 million in eastern Corona.

“Families in Queens are still dealing with the fallout from Hurricane Ida,” state Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Jackson Heights) said last week in a joint press release with other officials. “At this juncture, a functioning government would be focused on putting New Yorkers to work building resilient coastlines, mitigating future damage, and preemptively saving lives in frontline climate communities.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on April 4 that it is eliminating the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program and canceling all BRIC applications from fiscal years 2020 to 2023. If grant funds have not been distributed, they will be immediately returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund

or

the U.S. Treasury, FEMA said

An agency spokesperson, in a press release, called BRIC wasteful and ineffective.

“It was more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Under Secretary [Kristi] Noem’s leadership, we are committed to ensuring that Americans in crisis can get the help and resources they need.”

Approximately $882 million of funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will be returned to the U.S. Treasury or reapportioned by Congress, according to the administration. FEMA said of the $1 billion available for BRIC over five years, $133 million to date has been provided. FEMA estimates more than $3.6 billion will remain in the Disaster Relief Fund to assist with disaster response and recovery for communities and survivors.

But elected officials who contacted the Chronicle were far more interested in preventing flooding in the first place than in repairing the damage afterward.

“Ironically, FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program was developed during the first Trump administration with the understanding that every $1 spent on mitigation saves at least $6 in recovery,” said U.S. Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx, Queens) in the Ramos release.

“With the cancellation of the East Elmhurst Cloudburst project, President Trump is putting our constituents in danger.”

Ramos also stressed the benefits of prevention over recovery.

“So this is not about efficiency,” the senator said.

“Putting this vital funding on the chopping block is a kick in the gut,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing)). “It’s unacceptable and reckless, especially the harmful cuts to the Kissena Corridor Cloudburst Hub and Corona East Cloudburst Hub, both of which are located in my congressional district. It will have devastating impacts across Queens as the threat of future flooding in our borough only continues to grow. The Administration needs to reverse course and restore this crucial money.”

Cloudburst hubs are networks that include multiple water management tools such as porous pavement and subsurface tanks.

State Sen. John Liu (D-Bayside) ripped into the Trump administration, calling the cuts irresponsible and dangerous.

“Queens still bears the scars of Hurricane Ida when 11 of our residents died, and instead of investing in infrastructure, Trump is removing our ability to protect ourselves from future storms,” Liu said.

Assemblywoman Larinda Hooks (D-Coro-

Queens politicians are saying Trump administration cuts to flood control projects in Queens could prove to be costly down the road in terms of both lives and money.

na) said her district cannot afford the delay in the statement from Ramos’ office.

“In communities like East Elmhurst — where aging infrastructure and low-lying terrain make flooding a constant threat — our

continued on page 16

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL SERVICE

EDITORIAL AGEP

Curtain rises on a new era at Queens Theatre

There have been many acts in Queens Theatre’s life since it was born 61 years ago as the World Fair’s Theaterama, and it’s beginning a new one now. We hope it will mark the vital institution’s best days yet.

The theater just hired a longtime veteran of theater productions, Shaun Neblett, to be its first director of programming. That should ease the burden a bit on the theater’s executive director, Taryn Sacramone, who has had to wear so many different hats since she came on board in 2013.

Neblett is a playwright, theater producer and curator whose work, the theater says, “embodies cultural authenticity, mindfulness, and innovation.” He has had an impressive career, writing a play that got produced off-Broadway when he was just 19 and later authoring a suite of works, “7 Homages for 7 MCs,” that bring out the spirit of hip-hop culture.

The announcement of his appointment sings about illuminating Queens’ cultural richness, elevating voices and drawing “families, artists and audiences of all identities into the vibrant intergenerational magic of Queens Theatre.”

This will not be your father’s Queens Theatre, to paraphrase the old car ads, with Neblett directing programming, just as it hasn’t been with Sacramone in the driver’s seat.

It’s understandable for those who remember back to the late 1990s and early 2000s to think something has been lost since the days when the theater drew around 100,000 attendees to 300 or 400 annual performances. Some of those were by big names such as Rita Moreno, Jackie Mason, Red Buttons, Art Garfunkel and Lesley Gore. And maybe something has been lost. But much also has been gained.

The theater is now far more accessible to everyone than before, both onstage and in the audience, a change Sacramone has prioritized. Several years ago she began the Theater for All program, which gives performers with disabilities a vital helping hand to start their careers and now has more than 80 alumni. Another great innovation are the theater’s touch tours, which let audience members literally touch costumes and props before a show. Together with headsets that provide audio descriptions of the action onstage, they give people with vision impairments a much greater theater experience, just as assistive listening devices and sign language interpretation do for those with hearing impairments.

And while the theater’s online listings for the next few weeks seem to pale in comparison to the season-long brochure it used to have printed, that doesn’t necessarily mean

that much less is happening there, as Sacramone explained. There are many school and senior-citizen events that are not open to the general public. Many are happening soon, which cuts down on the calendar as it’s seen now. Some of those bring in revenue for the theater, which, along with its fundraising efforts — tickets to its May 21 gala are $300 enable it to keep prices for regular shows relatively low.

Sacramone does say, however, that one of her goals is to get back to programming over longer time frames. Like so much else, that was made more difficult by the pandemic.

Still, Queens Theatre premiered a show just before Covid hit, “Chicken and Biscuits,” that went to Broadway, just as it did with “Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” years ago. The children’s show “Pete the Cat” keeps selling out — with tickets at only $20. Maybe more performances are in order! And renovations to better serve audiences are moving along.

“There’s so much good to point to,” Sacramone said, adding that one challenge is just getting the word out about what the theater does. Well, we give it regular coverage and will continue to. Meanwhile, we congratulate Neblett on his new post and look forward to what he and Sacramone can do as a team as Queens Theatre moves into a new era. Break a leg.

MARK WEIDLER

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LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Organic trash talk

Dear Editor:

Standard issue Queens Councilman Jim Gennaro does the usual job of scapegoating constituents in assailing a worthy project elites secretly don’t like (a la congestion pricing), here loudly lamenting homeowner victims of organic recycling (“Composting rules rankling residents,” April 10).

Separating compostable organic material from regular garbage and placing it by the curb in a city-issue brown bin is not new to Queens veterans of Mayor Bloomberg’s initial pilot program, begun late in his administration. In fact, a sanitation commissioner’s report in 2015 said that pilot areas added in spring 2014, which included Glendale, Middle Village and Maspeth, showed the strongest participation. Homeowners were issued a “starter kit” that included the brown organics bin and small kitchen container to collect food scraps. Admittedly, free then. They still have their battered original bins to show for it.

Yes, times were different. There was no “Common Sense Caucus” of City Council reps to save them from their natural civic mindedness or use it as another opportunity to stereotype them as hidebound reactionaries. Also no out of control unfair property taxes yet to urgently keep them distracted from.

Did someone say separated trash? Once Park Slope segregationist uber-liberal Bill de Blasio took over as mayor, that was it for attempting

anything of actual benefit to the general good (i.e., progressive). What with more glamorous liberal handouts and attendant slush funds and graft, the ballooning city budget, inflated by spiraling taxes on those same pilot communities (but not Park Slope, it must always be said), the $177 million annually in new collection costs (politico.com) was nonetheless “off the table.”

De Blasio with his usual skill dragged out promised implementation into the all-purpose Covid-era do-nothing excuse zone. Ten years on, there’s 99 problems facing citywide mandatory composting, but the Queens homeowner contingent ain’t one.

Edwin Eppich Glendale

Compost details needed

Dear Editor:

Re “Composting rules rankling residents,” April 10:

Thank you for the timely article by Michael Gannon.

I find it interesting that the DSNY rep

claimed the agency had provided everyone with more than enough warnings, mailings and handouts. That might be somewhat true but not completely. These mailings were limited in info and details. Their instructions were not clear enough. When I started preparing my first brown bin, I did not know the details. What bags to use. What bags not to use. What constituted yard waste. What did not constitute yard waste. What should be included in food waste. What not to include in food waste. Should food waste and yard waste be separated. For that info, I went to the internet, not the handouts.

Even now, April 11, the DSNY should consider running short, maybe 30-second, TV info commercials, to explain what organic waste to include, what not to include, what type of disposal bags to use for the waste and what type of bags to use for your brown bin. And can you use something other than a brown bin.

Let the DSNY show us on TV, in our living rooms, how we should be preparing our organic waste for disposal.

William Kenned y Woodside

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Allow me to clarify

Dear Editor:

Please note, my April 3 letter to the Chronicle, headlined “Unwanted artwork” by the paper, concerned the venue of the Queens sculpture. It was in no way a critique of the sculpture.

Sonia Kludjian Forest Hills

Richards’ racial remarks

Dear Editor:

Regarding your editorial last week about Queens Borough President Donovan Richards’ race comments (“Richards wrong to resort to race,” April 10), you could not have been more correct. It is very sad that an elected leader chooses to use this type of language and, as you pointed out, this was not the first time.

I do remember him insulting Councilman Bob Holden with a racial statement. As far as we know, there are no other elected politicians who talk like this (thankfully). How and why does the borough president get away with this with no ramification?

This has to stop immediately.

John Lynch Middle Village

Subway map unaddressed

Dear Editor:

A new NYC subway map: something is still missing...

The New York City Transit Authority recently introduced a new NYC subway map. But I think that something is still missing there.

A long time ago, I suggested including the Manhattan Address Locator (or Finder) in the NYC subway map and in the Manhattan bus map. The Manhattan Address Locator can be very useful for residents and tourists. But the NYCTA decided to include the Manhattan Address Locator only in its Manhattan bus map. The main reason for not putting additional information in the NYC subway map was lack of room. But I think that there is a lot of room for the Manhattan Address Locator there — on the Manhattan bus map its size is only 6 inches by 1 inch.

Victor Maltsev Rego Park

MTA dishonest on buses

Dear Editor:

What happened to actual news reporting, rather than just printing press releases? Specifically, I am referring to your April 10 article “Riders can access bus changes: MTA.”

The MTA, to no one’s surprise, continues to lie and mislead totally unchallenged. First, the MTA mistakenly gives the impression that the plan provides additional service by saying it is increasing the number of routes from 113 to 124. Yet the number of routes does not indicate the level of service because of varying route lengths and frequencies. Levels of service are indicated by existing and proposed in-service route miles and hours, which the MTA insists is “proprietary information” that it refuses to release. Ask yourself, why would the agency not release this information if it indeed shows

more passenger service?

Second, the MTA claims fewer riders will be in two-fare zones, yet fails to prove that is the case. Also, it has not even released locations where additional free transfers will be provided to assure no one pays extra fares. Officials only have stated that no one should have to pay an extra fare, not that they will guarantee no one does.

Third, they claim to be spending $34 million more each year in more service, claiming increased frequency. Yet half this amount is being reimbursed to MTA Bus Co., making the service investment about $17 million, which is a pittance given their operating budget and the fact Queens has grown in population and jobs. There is also no assurance that this additional investment will not just mean longer and more not-in-service trips to and from depots.

Fourth, they pretend that rush routes, which would be a great idea without the proposed bus stop eliminations, are a new idea. Yet, the MTA studied this idea in Southeast Queens 45 years ago when I was director of bus planning.

We deserve an agency that is straight and transparent with the public, and Queens deserves a plan that actually helps most riders, not hurts most of them. The MTA’s prime interests are providing less service and passenger safety, not to help its passengers. Just yesterday, my 10-minute trip took 30 minutes because I just missed a bus due to my stop being eliminated.

Allan Rosen Brooklyn

The writer is a former director of MTA New York City Transit Bus Planning.

No Con Ed rate hikes

Dear Editor:

I raise my voice in indignation at the proposed Con Edison utility rate hikes. This city is already financially strapped, with rent hikes, medication hikes, food insecurity, food prices rising due to tariffs, doctor bills rising, copays, subway and bus fares rising and congestion pricing. There are threats of elimination of federal aid to education and food pantries, threats from Dr. Mehmet Oz to push all senior citizens onto Medicare Advantage plans and anxiety about tariffs.

Another price hike by Con Edison would be devastating. The stock market is down and threats of war loom over us. Con Edison has plenty of money. Stop the big shots stuffing their pockets with lots of money while nothing is done for New Yorkers to improve their quality of life.

Cynthia Groopman Little Neck

Society needs a tailor

Dear Editor:

I don’t remember the United States being this split since maybe the Vietnam War era: “My country right or wrong” and the end of war protests throughout the country.

I am somewhat pessimistic about current events, but something special about my father gives me a rather unusual sense of hope. My father was an Eastern European immigrant, a Holocaust survivor who was also an astoundcontinued on next page

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any $1,500 or more order. Expires April 30th, 2025

On Good Friday, April 18, 2025 at 7:00PM

Our parish welcomes you to participate in a meaningful procession featuring the Sorrowful Mother and the Deceased Christ through our parish streets. We kindly request the honor of your presence as we pay homage to Jesus and Mary on this somber occasion.

As the procession passes your home, please show your reverence by illuminating you exterior lights or placing a cross on your property to acknowledge the passage of Jesus and Mary.

EASTER SUNDAY APRIL 20 20TH TH MASS SCHEDULE

8:30AM, 10:00AM, 11:30AM & 1:00PM

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

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ingly talented tailor — or schneider, as it is said in Yiddish. Repeatedly I saw him do the near impossible with a split pair of glen plaid pants (they were made in a custom tailor shop, not something you just threw away). He would manage to repair the split as if it never happened in the first place. It was astounding how his talent and skill and art — yes, art — just came together to save something of value.

not refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

Maybe this is what we need in the United States right now — a good schneider to repair the splits, and having it done on one of those cast-iron Singer sewing machines that never seem to wear out (the Constitution?).

Stew Frimer Forest Hills

Save climate funding

Dear Editor:

Queens homeowners should be very afraid of action the Trump administration is about to rain down on them. First, Trump pulled federally approved funding to improve our climate resilience. Now, he’s gunning for New York’s Climate Superfund Act, a state law that collects a small sum from the oil and gas companies most responsible for the climate warming that is causing record downpours and sea level rise here, threatening our homes and making many of them uninsurable. This money would be to help improve resilience and save our neighborhoods.

New York stands to see the loss of 80,000 homes to sea level rise, many in Queens. Before the homes disappear, insurance rates will skyrocket, and then they will become uninsurable.

From Queens born and bred President Trump, this amounts to “Trump to Queens: Drop Dead.” He would rather cater to his oil and gas campaign donors than think about the lives of ordinary people, many of whom voted for him.

Gov. Hochul must stand up to Trump’s harmful actions. Only dictators bend the law to their own purposes.

Daniel Salamon Whitestone

The GOP’s deep fall

Dear Editor:

In March 2025, four American soldiers died during a training exercise in Lithuania. As columnist EJ Montini wrote for the Arizona Republic, “On April 3, hundreds of Lithuanians stood silently in Vilnius as a procession carrying the four coffins passed through the city’s Cathedral Square on its way to the airport and a plane taking the remains back to the U.S.” President Trump was not in attendance for what is called the “dignified transfer” of the soldiers’ remains at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. He was too busy. Instead he headed to his Florida estate to play golf and attend a fundraiser while his continued ineptitude caused our economy to crumble.

As Montini wrote, “Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda was there to honor our dead, showing more respect for their service and their sacrifice than the president of the United States.”

How far the Republican Party has fallen. Robert LaRosa Sr. Whitestone

Hamas invited Israel in

Dear Editor:

Israel, labeled an occupying power in Gaza, has been accused of blocking the entry of humanitarian aid. But Israel is not an occupying power. The Israelis are inside Gaza as guests of Hamas, the government of Gaza. The Israelis entered Gaza in response to an invitation issued by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. On that date Hamas massacred about 1,200 Israelis and abducted about 250 hostages, 59 of whom remain in captivity. By blocking deliveries of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Israel is behaving exactly as Hamas expected Israel to behave. Why doesn’t the guest, Israel, publicly challenge the host, Hamas, to enable the resumption of humanitarian aid by releasing all the hostages?

Theodore Sheskin Flushing

In November 1864, this letter was written to Lydia Parker Bixby, a widow living in Boston, who was believed at the time to have lost five sons during the Civil War.

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I can-

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Pheffer Amato: Help people through laws

AM is NYC pol with the most bills OK’d; expert speaks on her effectiveness

by Stephanie G. Meditz Associate Editor

“I think you have to have good intentions,” Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway Beach) told the Chronicle in an interview last week, when asked about the key to legislating efficiently. “It’s always about helping people.”

Throughout her eight years in office, Pheffer Amato has done exactly that.

With a whopping 69 bills signed into law during her tenure — which her office says is more than any other elected official in New York City — she has shown a commitment to legislating with specific groups in mind.

“I’m always open. I’m accountable, I’m accessible,” she said. “I listen to everyone, I listen to all sides of a story.”

Cuomo signed several “9/11 Heroes Bills” into law, of which she sponsored three. Her bills made it easier for World Trade Center volunteers to file claims for sick leave; increased the number of doctors who can evaluate those in the city’s Employee Retirement System applying for a disability pension; and established Sept. 11 Remembrance Day, allowing schools across the state to begin the school day every year with a moment of silence.

“I listen to everyone. I listen to all sides of a story.”

—

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato

Citing “helping people” as a lawmaker’s most essential duty, political analyst and St. John’s University adjunct professor Brian Browne said Pheffer Amato has proven herself to be effective.

“She has passed meaningful legislation impacting the lives of working people, seniors, women, 9/11 first responders, and veterans,” Browne said in an emailed statement, noting also that she has won close elections in the last two cycles. “Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato has championed causes that help law enforcement and environmental causes that impact her coastal district, to name a few.

“Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato is a hands-on, visible, and responsive legislator who does the job in Albany and her home district.”

In 2019, former Gov. Andrew

As a lawmaker representing Howard Beach, Ozone Park and the Rockaways, Pheffer Amato said childhood drowning has always been an important issue for her — it is the No. 1 cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4, and she said her office hears about it often.

Gov. Hochul signed her bill, A4987, into law in 2023, which requires parents of newborn children to watch a video about the dangers of drowning before they leave the hospital. Not only that, but she created the New York State Temporary Commission to Prevent Childhood Drowning, intended to develop programs to teach children to swim and inform them about water safety.

But Pheffer Amato’s favorite bill is one that promotes bodily autonomy, which she said originated from a conversation with “some really, really strong women.”

Signed in 2022, bill A8537 amended an insurance law to provide coverage of and information about chest wall reconstruction, or “aesthetic flat closure,” after a mastectomy.

Some women who do not opt for breast reconstruction require additional surgeries to remove extra skin

and achieve an “aesthetic” flat closure, but those are often deemed cosmetic and ineligible for coverage.

“I heard these personal stories from these women, and that started it,” Pheffer Amato said. “We started saying, how can we change the law so that insurance companies cover the choice that you have?”

Since insurance covers breast implants and mastectomies, she said, it was “unacceptable” to her that another potential choice for women was not covered.

“It was pretty empowering, listening to women’s stories of not being believed by their doctors,” she said, adding that women with implants who experienced side effects had to choose an alternative option at their own expense.

With so many bills under her belt as is, she continues to author new legislation.

Asked about the bills of hers that are now in committees she described as so busy they are “hopping,” Pheffer Amato said she is focused on addressing NYPD staff shortages and making sure police are aware of their importance to the Assembly. She chairs the Governmental Employees Committee.

Under bill A5376, she said, detectives, sergeants and lieutenants who have served for 25 years will receive an increase to their pension benefits.

“We certainly need these officers, detectives, sergeants and liutenants, to stay, because they’re leaving in record numbers,” she said. “So we’re trying to enhance and offer something that says, hey, we know you’re out there and we’re gonna help that salary.”

Another of her bills would bring back 20-year retirements for NYPD officers.

Asked how it feels to be recognized as the lawmaker with the most bills signed in the city, Pheffer Amato

Amicus brief supports retirees

The City Council’s Common Sense Caucus announced Tuesday it has filed an amicus brief with the state Court of Appeals in support of a class-action lawsuit filed by municipal retirees fighting the city’s plan to move them from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, an announcement made in 2021.

It is the third amicus brief in the legal battle filed by the group, which includes Queens Councilmembers Bob Holden (D-Maspeth), Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) and Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone).

The group argued that the switch violates state and local laws and breaks a longstanding promise of free, high quality healthcare in retirement.

The brief urges the court to uphold a 2023 ruling blocking the city from requiring any municipal retirees or their dependents from being removed from their current plan and from being required to either enroll in an Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan or seek their own health coverage.

Oral arguments are set for May 15. Q — Kristen Guglielmo

said it is humbling and a great honor, but emphasized that she never works alone. She recognized her own team, as well as the connections that she has made in the Assembly to get bills to the finish line.

“I think being part of the Democratic majority is a great help, but certainly, I think it’s about relationships,” she said.

Browne concurred that there are advantages to being a Democrat in Albany, as the party has a “tight grip” on both houses in the state Legislature.

“Under this one-party rule, the most powerful members of the legislature are from New York City,” he

said. “The Democratic Assembly supermajority has strict limits on the number of times members can force committee votes per year on bills. This procedure allows them to effectively block most GOP-backed legislation without discussion.”

But Pheffer Amato’s legislation is driven by a positive attitude and the intention to do her best for people, she said.

“Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato effectively leverages her seniority, longtime family name recognition, and working-class Queens roots to represent a diverse and politically competitive Assembly district,” Browne said. Q

Shred docs and support vets

Are you looking to safely get rid of old paperwork or declutter your home for a good cause? State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) on April 27 is hosting a paper shredding event in the Forest Park Bandshell parking lot. The United Veterans War Council will be on site to also collect donations of household goods for those who served.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., constituents are welcome to bring up to three copy boxes of documents for free and secure shredding. Cardboard, newspapers, file folders, metals and plastics cannot be shredded. Items to be collected for veterans include clothing, chil-

dren’s toys, shoes, household items, books and smaller furniture pieces.

“It’s crucial to ensure that sensitive documents containing personal information— like Social Security numbers and account details — are properly shredded and recycled,” Addabbo said in a statement. “This event is also a wonderful opportunity to support our veterans. Clear out the clutter from your home and donate lightly used items to those who have served our country.”

Those with questions can contact Addabbo’s office at (718) 738-1111. Q Kristen Guglielmo

Several of the 69 bills that Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato has had signed into law impact specific groups, from women to first responders.

PHOTO BY PETER C. MASTROSIMONE

PS 97 holds walk on autism

PS 97, the Forest Park School, recognized Autism Awareness Day on April 2 with students, staff and families holding a walk-a-thon to spread awareness of the condition.

Students, staff and families made a banner and hats for the Woodhaven event. Sherry Algredo, the chair of Community Board 9, walked to show her support for the cause.

Parent Coordinator Naresha Ali thanked the teachers, staff and parents who made the event a success, and the PTA for supplying water and snacks to the students.

Blood donors sought near you

The New York Blood Center is still seeking donors in the midst of a blood emergency.

To learn more or make an appointment to donate, visit nybc.org. There are several blood drives in Central and Western Queens listed now:

• Knights of Columbus Chapter 5103, gym, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, April 18, 84-05 78 Ave. in Ridgewood; blood drive coordinator Christopher Russo;

• The Shops at Atlas Park, next to TJ Maxx, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, April 19, 8000 Cooper Ave. in Glendale; blood drive coordinator Armando Echeverry;

Council challenges ICE presence on Rikers

continued from page 2

tutional deportations. We will remind everyone that NYC has been, and always will be, a place that not only welcomes immigrants, but knows they are the lifeline of our city.”

Natalia Aristizabal, deputy director of immigrant advocacy group Make the Road New York, said the order is “dangerous” and poses a risk to the lives of all New Yorkers.

“Both ICE and Rikers have a long history of abuse and violence, particularly towards immigrants and Black and brown people,” Aristizabal said in a statement.

“By attempting to roll back the current city law prohibiting ICE from operating at Rikers, NYC would be opening the doors to further terrorizing immigrant New Yorkers and abetting the current administration’s mass deportation plans.”

Councilmember Tiffany Cabán (D-Astoria) on X last week called the order “despicable,” adding that Mayor Adams wants ICE to use New Yorkers’ tax dollars to “unleash Trump’s deportation agenda” upon vulnerable populations.

But others support ICE agents’ coordination with the DOC including Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth).

“Protecting dangerous individuals under the guise of sanctuary makes our city less safe,” Holden said. “The Council should be working to fix our broken laws, not tying

the hands of law enforcement.”

But beyond Rikers, the federal administration has continued its crackdown on illegal immigration, including in the city.

A federal judge last week allowed the Trump administration to require all foreign nationals aged 14 or older who remain in the country for longer than 30 days to register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The parents and guardians of those younger than 14 must ensure that they, too, are registered.

Once someone is fingerprinted, the DHS will issue evidence of registration, and those over 18 must carry it at all times.

“President Trump and I have a clear message for those in our country illegally: leave now,” DHS secretary Kristi Noem said in an ICE press release. “If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream.”

The deadline to comply with the mandate, known as the Alien Registration Act, was last Friday. Failure to do so is a crime punishable by fines, imprisonment or both, according to the release.

Theo Oshiro, co-executive director of Make the Road States, said in a statement that the law has long been used to target immigrant groups and has nothing to do with safety or the economy.

“This new requirement, with its long history of racism and exclusion, is just one

more action the Trump administration is taking to foster terror and panic in immigrant communities,” Oshiro said, emphasing that the details of the registry have not yet been released.

Federal officials also are trying to encourage “self-deportation.” The New York Times reported last Thursday that the Trump administration is canceling some immigrants’ legally obtained Social Security numbers. By adding unauthorized migrants to the program’s death database, which tracks the deceased who no longer get benefits, it bars them from access to financial services such as bank accounts, credit cards and government benefits.

According to the Times, documents show that the names of thousands of migrants with revoked legal status were added to that database.

The DHS last month also announced the launch of the CBP Home app with a feature allowing unauthorized migrants to submit their intent to depart. Upon entering office, Trump swiftly shut down the CBP One app, which allowed migrants to make appointments to appear at eight southwestern ports of entry.

“The Biden Administration exploited the CBP One app to allow more than 1 million aliens to illegally enter the United States,” Noem said. “With the launching of the CBP Home app, we are restoring integrity to our immigration system.” Q

• Commonpoint Central Queens, studios, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 20, 67-09 108 St. in Forest Hills; blood drive coordinator Judy Vladimir;

• Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church, gym, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, April 27, 31-29 60 St. in Woodside; blood drive coordinator Carolina Ferreira; and

Flood funds

continued from page 8

• Queens Place mall, former T-Mobile, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, May 4, 88-01 Queens Blvd. in Elmhurst; blood drive coordinator Jelson Santos. Q government should be focused on building resilience: upgrading stormwater systems, protecting homes, and investing in the neighborhoods most vulnerable to climate disasters,” Hooks said. “Instead, we’re watching the Trump Administration slash FEMA’s funding — cutting jobs, delaying critical infrastructure projects, and putting our communities at greater risk. That’s reckless and unacceptable ... This isn’t about cutting costs — it’s about protecting lives.”

Councilwoman Sandra Ung (D-Flushing), in her own statement last week, concurred with her colleagues.

“This decision to cut $300 million, including $46 million specifically earmarked for the Kissena Corridor Cloudburst Hub, will have devastating impacts in my district, she said. “This is not just a budget line on a spreadsheet, it is a life-or-death issue for our community, which knows the devastating consequences of inadequate infrastructure all too well.

“An entire family lost their lives during Hurricane Ida when their basement apartment near Kissena Corridor Park was inundated in catastrophic flooding. The Kissena Corridor project was designed to prevent exactly this kind of catastrophe.” Q

UNDER THIS RADICAL LAW:

The average family of four will pay $456 to $732 more per year for groceries.

It’ll be harder to buy everyday food products like cheese, hot dogs, chips and items for school lunches by banning some packaging.

Small businesses that make up the backbone of our communities will be hurt.

Department of the Aging connecting with more agencies to tackle issues Rochdale seniors air their concerns

by Naeisha Rose Editor

Seniors want their voices to be heard.

To address that the Department for the Aging has been hosting a series of town halls in the morning, Commissioner Lorraine Cortés Vázquez told the Chronicle.

The Allen Community Senior Citizens Center in Rochdale was the site of the 22nd Older Adult Town Hall on April 9, and those who were young at heart did not hold back.

Traffic safety, public safety, public transportation, the condition of the streets, was brought up at the town hall said Cortés Vázquez.

“Some issues were about composting,” she added during an interview held later.

One senior named Virginia, who made a note on a flash card to the mayor, asked about having a stop sign or light at the entrance of the senior center, which is located at 166-01 Linden Blvd.

City Department of Transportation Queens Commissioner Nicole Garcia said via a live stream that she will first look into whether a case history has already been open for the area and then look into possibly getting an all-way stop sign or traffic signal.

Another senior said he is not against scooters, but the operators drive them as though they own the streets and then drop the micromobility devices in front of people’s homes.

“We hear you loud and clear,” said Garcia.

“The organization was off and the enforcement was off. So what we did was work with these three companies to install more corrals — designated spots where the scooter riders are expected to drop them off ... We are finding a lot of positive feedback about that.”

Garcia said that Bird, Lime and Veo, the e-scooter rideshare companies, hired 12 people from Queens to pick up the devices. She also said people should call 311 to help the staff locate where the devices are for pick up.

Issues related to street conditions included sidewalks either being too high or being in need of repair.

“The issue around sanitation was the cost of the bins,” said Cortés Vázquez. “We are looking at that in earnest right now ... having a reduced cost [for older adults].”

Mayor Adams said the brown composting bins are necessary to deal with the rat population.

A major concern for seniors was whether property taxes and water bills were being looked at fairly, said the DFTA commissioner.

To tackle other problems related to seniors, the Mayor’s Office created the Cabinet for Older New Yorkers in 2022. Throughout the town hall, updates to the cabinet, which includes the collaboration of 27 different city agencies and entities, were announced, said the commissioner. Previously it was 24.

City Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés Vázquez said the agency is working hard to address issues related to seniors.

“The agencies don’t have aging as their primary focus, but it is in their portfolio,” said the DFTA commissioner. “Our job there is to make sure there are no gaps in services and to eliminate any barriers and to make things seamless for older adults.”

Some of the agencies include the NYPD, NYC Health + Hospitals, NYCHA and the Department of Youth & Community Development.

To address public safety, the agency trained nearly 40,000 NYPD staff on elder justice, including those from precincts in Queens, said

DOE is hiring

continued from page 6

State Sen. John Liu (D-Bayside), the chair of the Committee on NYC Education, in a statement said the hiring plan is a “welcome and significant step toward finally reducing NYC’s overcrowded classrooms.”

He added, “NYC remains the only place in the State of New York with excessively large class sizes, and NYC Public Schools must stay the course and continue working collaboratively with schools, families and communities to fulfill this commitment, particularly with regard to capital construc-

a spokesman from DFTA via email. Among the efforts are joint education initiatives by NYPD Older Adult Liaisons and NYCHA caseworker personnel, including in the borough.

The office also addresses health and senior discrimination.

Of the more than 1,600 NYC Health + Hospitals staff who connect patients to services meant for older adults, over 300 are at Elmhurst and Queens hospitals, said the spokesman. To cultivate community building while combating ageism and social isolation, intergenerational storytelling led by the city Department of Youth & Community Development in high-need NYCHA communities, such as the Woodside Houses, have been developed.

DFTA is a small agency with a budget of just under $500 million, said Cortés Vázquez, but she hopes in the future that it could do more.

“We wish we could do more in caregiving,” she said. “We have a community care approach. The approach in New York City is that people should be maintained in the communities that they helped build rather than be institutionalized. Older adults fare better when they are home rather than when they are in an institution ... To maintain people in the community you need programs where they can socialize, programs that provides them food, programs that provides them transportation and programs that support their caregiving needs.” Q

tion in the coming years.”

Leonie Haimson, executive director of nonprofit group Class Size Matters, in a statement said that while it’s great schools are receiving funding for hiring, “about 500 schools that enroll nearly half of all students do not have space for smaller classes, and DOE has refused to take positive steps to ensure that they will have more space in the future.”

Haimson pointed out that School Construction Authority Vice President Cora Liu in March testified at a City Council budget hearing that an estimated 70,000 additional seats would be needed to comply with the class size law, and only about 33,417 are funded in the capital plan. Q

Wishing

Easter

PHOTO COURTESY DFTA

16 state attorneys general sue Trump administration for $190B U.S. DOE to block Covid edu. dollars

by Naeisha Rose Editor

State Attorney General Tish James, along with a coalition of 15 other state attorneys general, the AG for Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, sued the Trump Administration last Thursday for blocking access to $189 billion in Covid-19 education funds that was allocated via the American Rescue Plan Act.

New York would lose $134 million in ARPA funds due to the decision.

State education departments were only notified about the change in access to the ARPA grant on March 28, and the U.S. Department of Education had previously determined that states could get an extension to utilize the funds through March 2026, according to James’ office. The purpose of the funds is to support low-income and unhoused students and provide funding for other services to address the longterm effects of the pandemic on kindergarten to grade 12 students.

The specific aid packages were geared toward the Homeless Children and Youth, Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief and Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools programs, said the Office of the Attorney General. EANS and ESSER funds support critical repairs and improvements to school buildings, such as the construction of additional

classroom space, purchase of additional library books and playground equipment and addition of wheelchair-accessible buses.

The HCY grant would provide food, personal care items, classroom supplies, field trip funding and specialized training for teachers who work with unhoused students, added the OAG.

“The Trump administration’s latest attack on our schools will hurt our most vulnerable students and make it harder for them to thrive,”

James said in a statement. “Cutting school systems’ access to vital resources that our students and teachers rely on is outrageous and illegal.

As a proud graduate of New York public schools, I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to fight for our schools and make sure every child has access to a quality education.”

Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens), a member of the Assembly’s Education Committee and chair of the Higher Education panel, told the Chronicle New York rarely receives its fair share despite how much it sends out in taxpayers’ dollars, but under the pandemic it did.

“We got childcare for families,” Hyndman said. “Universal school lunch for families.”

Hyndman, said that when the Trump administration eliminates programs it should use a scalpel to get rid of waste.

“This may not affect public schools directly,

but it affects families,” she said about the aid packages.

While the city Department of Education expended the full amount of its allocation, religious and independent schools will definitely be impacted by the grants being canceled, along with businesses that service them and to a lesser degree charter schools, which fall under the city DOE system, Hyndman said.

Forty-seven city nonpublic schools serving high percentages of low-income students have more than $15.2 million in estimated service

HAPPY

allocations that were federally mandated, according to the State Education Department. EANS required services to be provided by vendors under contract with the SED and some services may have been delivered, but not yet fully billed to vendors. Numerous New York businesses have performed services under the program, payment for which the federal government has eliminated.

Without the pay, the state said it fears some vendors, who rendered services in good faith, may go bankrupt or there will be a potential loss of jobs as a result.

Christ the King High School, Yeshiva Darchei Torah and The Wellspring Schools were receiving more than $2 million, $592,941.28 and $91,668.53, respectively, in EANS services. Those are just a few of the eight schools in the borough receiving services.

Eleven charter schools in the Bronx and Brooklyn were approved and owed $334,626 for their budget.

The original deadline for states to spend the funds was Jan. 30, according to Edweek.com, an online education outlet.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive, said the department did not have to adhere to the federal government’s original decision for an extension.

“By failing to meet the clear deadline in the

continued on page 20

Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman told the Chronicle that the Trump administration needs to think of the impact spending cuts will have on families. PHOTO COURTESY NYS ASSEMBLY / FILE

Cops kill man, 61, brandishing a knife

He ignored orders and advanced, chief says; Tasers were ineffective

by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

Police fatally shot a man they say advanced on them with a 14-inch knife in Astoria Monday morning.

The incident occurred around 6:20 a.m. at the corner of 30th Street and 31st Avenue, according to NYPD Chief of Department John Chell, who led a press conference about it later in the morning.

Chell described the man as a 61-year-old person of Asian descent who had had two previous interactions with police during mentalhealth incidents. His name was not provided.

“Anytime the NYPD interacts with someone in mental distress, we attempt to slow down and de-escalate the situation with the ultimate goal of getting the person the help they need,” Chell said during the press event, which was posted on the Police Department’s X account. “However, during fast-moving and hectic situations with an armed person, we are forced to defend ourselves.”

As Chell spoke, Deputy Inspector Derick Bentley of the Force Investigation Division displayed a photo of the knife police say the man was wielding. Joining them at the press conference were Assistant Chief Brian Hennessy, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens North and Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry, a longtime NYPD official.

Covid dollars

continued from page 19

regulation, you ran the risk that the Department would deny your extension request,” McMahon said in a statement last month. “Extending deadlines for Covid-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the Covid pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion.”

The United Federation of Teachers said it supports James’ lawsuit.

“We support the Attorney General in this lawsuit and the others she has brought to protect our students against the overreach of the Trump administration,” said Michael Mulgrew, president of the UFT, via email.

A spokeswoman for the UFT said the union’s national affiliate, the American Federation of Teachers, has filed multiple lawsuits to stop many executive actions aimed at education and labor.

State Sen. John Liu (D-Bayside), chair of the Senate Committee on NYC Education, said, “Covid may be over, but its impact on every student who lived through the worst pandemic in generations will last throughout their lifetimes.

“Trump is attempting to unilaterally pull the rug on millions of American students by defunding their education and taking away money that was already allocated and budgeted to help them recover.” Q

to a photo of the

police

a

was holding as he advanced on officers Monday morning in Astoria, when they

and

He is joined by Deputy Inspector Derick Bentley of the Force Investigation

the photo, Assistant Chief Brian Hennessy, commanding officer of Patrol Borough Queens North, and Deputy Mayor Kaz Daughtry, right, a longtime NYPD official.

Chell said police had received three 911 calls from people reporting the man with the knife acting erratically, who all thought he was going to stab someone. Uniformed officers from the 114th Precinct responded “within minutes” and confronted him.

“They gave orders to drop the knife,” the chief said. “They deployed their Tasers, multiple Tasers that were ineffective.

“At this point the officers, during a 56-second dialogue, were asking the person with mental distress to drop the knife. He would not. Fifty-six seconds. At this point the man advanced himself on the officers. They were forced to defend themselves.”

Responding to reporters’ questions, Chell said police would investigate why the Tasers “did not work the way we wanted them too.”

Vigil for Dominican tragedy

As Mayor Adams flew to the Dominican Republic on Sunday to show his support following the devastating nightclub collapse that killed more than 220 people on April 8, Dominicans here gathered for a mostly silent vigil on a busy stretch of Junction Boulevard in the heart of Corona to express their grief.

Organized by civic activist Ramone Ramírez-Báez, speaking, the group quietly unfurled Dominican flags and spoke tearfully to one of their own holding a cell phone. The vigil, which lasted about 20 minutes, was recorded so all could post it to social

He said the officers fired “numerous times” and reiterated that they acted in self-defense. He also said they rendered aid on the scene before the man was taken to a hospital.

The officers also were transported to a hospital for tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, he said.

The incident was captured on police body cams and surveillance video from a business, Chell said. At least one media outlet also showed video from before and after the shooting that appeared to be taken by an individual.

The police press office did not answer when asked where the media event was held.

The office said the Force Investigation Division is investigating the incident.

State Attorney General Letitia James announced Tuesday that, in accordance with the law, her office also will investigate.

Several area elected officials — Councilwoman Tiffany Cabán (D-Astoria), state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez (D-Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens) and Assemblymembers Jessica González Rojas (D-East Elmhurst)) and Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) issued a joint statement decrying the incident.

They said it was a tragedy that a neighbor was killed and that there are glaring gaps in the city’s mental health and emergency response systems, concluding, “Our community is reeling and our hearts are broken. This is not true public safety.” Q

Drug dealing ring nixed: DA

Nine people have been indicted on various charges connected with selling and possessing controlled substances following a 17-month-long investigation into a drug peddling operation centered on 95th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced April 15. Undercover investigators made 40 buys of cocaine, crack and fentanyl with a street value of more than $12,000, Katz said.

media sites that would reach back home, Ramirez said. it was held next to the Rite Aid on the southwest corner of Junction Boulevard and 37th Avenue.

It was a moment too for some political hopefuls to show their involvement in the upcoming race to replace District 21 Councilman Francisco Moya (D-Corona), who cannot run again because of term limits. Behind Ramírez-Báez is Yanna Henriquez, standing arm in arm with Shanel ThomasHenry, right. Both are in the running for Moya’s seat. — Michael Shain

Two of the nine people are at large while seven have been arraigned, the DA’s Office said: Rodolfo Lopez, 28, of 37th Road in Corona; Kalexis Rosario, 32, of 115th Street in South Richmond Hill; Angelo Fernandez, 29, of 90th Road in Woodhaven; Luis Rodriguez, 36, of Elbertson Street in Elmhurst; Hamza Aurandzeb, 26, of 95th Street in Jackson Heights; Justin Moncayo, 25, of 102nd Street in Corona; and Dorian Romero, 22, of 43rd Street in Astoria. Deals were made openly on 95th Street between 35th and 37th avenues, the DA’s Office said. In one buy, Lopez allegedly told an undercover officer to give the $500 he was using to score fentanyl to a child who appeared to be about 8 years old. Q — Peter C. Mastrosimone

PHOTO BY MICHAEL SHAIN

NYPD Chief of Department John Chell points

knife

say

man

tased

then shot him.

Division, who is holding

SCREENSHOT VIA NYPD VIDEO / YOUTUBE

A good boy!

K9 Wink sniffed out around seven pounds of alleged fentanyl during a traffic stop of a Howard Beach man on Sunday in Sullivan County, NY.

Troopers observed a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee traveling on State Route 17, at around 4:30 p.m., in violation of state traffic law, state police said. They stopped the vehicle, driven by Rafael Dejesus, 67. K9 Wink assisted in a search that allegedly uncovered more than 3,300 grams of fentanyl.

Dejesus was charged with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third-degree (intent to sell) criminal possession of a controlled substance and multiple traffic tickets. He was remanded to Sullivan County Jail.

Birds keeping off the streets after community outreach wans staying away in HB

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

In late January and early February, residents of Howard Beach on multiple occasions took to social media to report seeing swans roaming the neighborhood. The issue was attributed to homeowners feeding the birds, rehabilitators said, which encouraged them to return for more meals.

Area resident and realtor Brina Ciaramella teamed up with rescuer and rehabilitator Jeannine Riekers to relocate the birds.

Ciaramella regularly posted updates about her rescues to social media, and the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic and Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) distributed fliers to residents in areas where the swans appeared, warning residents to avoid feeding them alongside a QR code that linked to additional information.

Now, months later, Ciaramella said the issue is no longer persistent.

The most recent occurrence was around a week ago, she said, with an older swan spotted in Lindenwood and later safely relocated. Other than that, it’s been quiet.

Asked if the community outreach helped with the matter, Ciaramella said it absolutely did.

“We do not have an issue at all anymore in Old Howard Beach. This new one was

just a random one that was probably flying and got confused,” Ciaramella, who recently passed the state Department Of Environmental Conservation’s wildlife rehabilitator licensing exam, said.

“One of the things I learned studying for the exam is that all too often, people with good intentions will interfere when the best course of action is to just observe from afar,” she said. “For example, many times people will call a rehabber concerned about a baby bird or bunny, but if they just watch from the window for a while, the mother will come back.”

She added, “Of course, there is a balance there, taking action when there is injury or danger, but that’s the beauty of having the DEC, rehabbers and veterinarians available to give guidance on best practices.”

A complete database of rehabilitators and guidance is available online at dec. ny.gov. The general information line for the Queens DEC office, located in Long Island City, is (718) 482-4900.

With the swans, Ciaramella said her intention will always be to gently guide them back to their natural habitats.

“The goal is to intervene as little as possible, get them healthy and return them back to where they belong and thrive.” Q

An older swan was recently rescued and relocated from Lindenwood, but the issue of the birds roaming Howard Beach has seemingly ceased.

VIDEO SCREENSHOT VIA BRINA CIARAMELLA

Guided tours uncover the storied past and hidden gems of neighborhoods Step into history during Jane’s Walk

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Get ready for the return of Jane’s Walk — an exciting, free and community-driven festival of strolling conversations that will have you seeing your city in a whole new light. Inspired by the legendary urbanist, author and activist Jane Jacobs, the event is back from May 2 through 4, and it’s bigger than ever.

Jane’s Walk NYC, organized by the Municipal Art Society of New York, is the largest chapter of the festival anywhere in the world.

During Jane’s Walk, the simple act of exploring the city is enhanced with personal observations, local history and civic engagement. The event encourages people to share stories about their neighborhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities and connect with others.

Due to capacity concerns, RSVPs are required for walks guided by volunteers. To register, go to mas.org/janes-walk-nyc-2025.

“Jane’s Walk NYC is a celebration of the vibrancy, history, and diversity that makes our city so extraordinary,” Keri Butler, the interim president of the Municipal Art Society of New York, said in a statement. “Led by community members, historians, librarians, students and any New Yorker with an

interest in storytelling, these walks create an opportunity for New Yorkers to explore different aspects of their city — from the quirky to the historic.”

Here’s just some of what’s in Queens.

At 11 a.m. on May 2, 3 or 4, participants can explore the community-defining Queen Anne architecture during a guided tour in

Richmond Hill. The walk promises a blend of architectural beauty, planning ingenuity and natural serenity, and will surely appeal to lovers of history, design and nature.

On May 3 at 1 p.m., one can opt to take an ethnic history food tour through Astoria, home to a variety of eateries. The neighborhood showcases its first hookah bar, rabbit

WORKS parade a home run

WORKS Little League kicked off its season last Saturday with an opening day parade that brought the spirit of the game to the streets of Woodhaven. More information on the league, which brings baseball to kids in Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Kew Gardens, and South Ozone Park, can be found at workslittleleague.org.

Despite the chilly, wet weather, families, young sluggers and volunteer coaches eagerly met up at PS 60, at 92-02 88 Ave., and made their way to the Forest Park Bandshell to celebrate the start of the season. — Kristen Guglielmo

stew from the Phoenicians, authentic Greek souvlaki, hummus and more. The walk spans approximately a mile and a quarter. At 1 and 3 p.m. on May 4, participants can learn about how forgotten waterways developed in southern Queens during a walking tour of Baisley Pond in South Jamaica. Stops to be explored include former creek mouths, major thoroughfares such as Rockaway Boulevard, the Sutphin Playground Mastodon and Mother Carter Garden.

History buffs will enjoy learning about the storied past of Elmhurst (formerly Middleburgh and Newtown), stretching from 1652 to the present. At 11 a.m. on May 2, 3, and 4, participants can take an eye-opening stroll, called On the Revolutionary War Trail with Kings in Queens, to learn of the early settlement of the area, including famous families and prominent visitors, and how American independence was brewing in Queens before 1776.

Music lovers can take the Jazz Archeology tour at Flushing Cemetery on May 2 at 1 p.m. to learn more about why Hazel Scott, a civil rights champion, composer and actress, is buried there in the company of legends such as Johnny Hodges, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie and the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell. Q

Douglaston drama in May

The Douglaston Community Theatre will present seven performances of the powerful drama “A View From The Bridge” by Arthur Miller in May. The production is being directed by Danny Higgins. Show times are May 1, 2, 9, 10 and 17 at 8 p.m.; and May 10 and 18 at 2 p.m. at Zion Church Parish Hall, located at 243-20 Church St. off of Douglaston Parkway in Douglaston.

The play takes place in an ItalianAmerican neighborhood in Red Hook in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge. It centers around the home, family and acquaintances of Eddie Carbone, a longshoreman who works on the docks.

It originally opened on Broadway in 1955 and saw revivals in 1983, 1997, 2010 and 2015. It also has had successful runs in London.

It was released as a feature film directed by Sidney Lumet in 1962. Tickets are $22 for adults and $20 seniors and students.

For reservations call (718) 8854785 or e-mail DougCommThtr@ gmail.com. Reservations are recommended. Q — Michael Gannon

Jane’s Walk, a celebration of urban life and culture, returns May 2 through 4. Participants can learn about the history of their neighborhoods through guided tours. PHOTO BY ASLAN CHALOM

by Michael Gannon

Weed feed

Every spring, Queens residents can expect to see Steve Brill in their public parks almost as often as they do robins.

The Kew Gardens native, also known The Wildman, has begun his 44th year leading groups on foraging tours of the parks, teaching them about edible and tasty plants that are right at their fingertips, if they know just how and where to look.

His ambitious New York City schedule, running into late November, has plenty of stops in Queens.

“I’ll be in Forest Park on April 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. I’ll be there on May 11,” Brill said in a phone interview, audibly shuffling through a paper schedule as his website underwent some maintenance. “I’m in the Rockaways the morning of May 11 for a free tour with RISE, an environmental group. And I’m always in Forest Park on July 4. I don’t know why, but I always get big turnouts ... I was in Manhattan yesterday and tomorrow I’ll be in Prospect Park [in Brooklyn] tomorrow ... I’m keeping busy.” He’ll also be in Forest Park June 8.

For those tours, participants meet at the far eastern end of the park next to Kew Gardens, downhill from the Overlook, at the corner of Forest Park Drive and Park Lane — not to be confused with Park Lane South.

Brill’s schedule and other information can be seen on Instagram at wildmansteve. He also can be reached at (914) 835-2153. His website is wildmanstevebrill.com, though at press time it was undergoing repairs he hoped will be finished soon.

Wildman Steve Brill invites you on his edible plant tours o

“There’s so much up in Queens,” Brill said. “All the early plants are there. Go on my app, Forging with the Wildman, and you can see one plant after another.”

The day before Brill spoke, his group in Central Park had barely gotten started before coming across wild field garlic.

of names,” Brill said. “We also found garlic mustard, which is a mustard green that protects itself from insects by smelling and tasting like garlic.

The former cooking teacher and hotel chef has a practiced eye for wild delicacies. continued on page 25

“It’s very common and goes by a lot

King Crossword Puzzle

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

Middlemark was all rabbit ears in Rego Park

by Ron Marzlock

Chronicle Contributor

Marvin Paul Middlemark was the middle child born to Martin and Pearl Middlemark in New York City on Sept. 16, 1919.

He had a privileged childhood. His father, born in Austria, owned a successful interior decorating business, and the family had a live-in maid named Beulah, who performed all the cooking and chores.

Middlemark graduated from Cornell, class of 1941. He married Clarice Rappaport on July 20, 1942. Still 22, and she 20 years old, they had a son in September 1945, named Martin in honor of his father. The marriage failed and they were divorced in 1950.

In 1951 he married Madeline Lawless and they moved into a brand-new building at 75-05 113 St. in Forest Hills. A son, Richard, followed in October 1952.

In 1953, Middlemark revolutionized the television industry with the invention of rabbit ears, a type of dipole antenna. He continued to invent and garnered many patents.

By the late 1950s, the family moved to 99-05 63 Drive in Rego Park. Later they relocated to Old Westbury, LI, where Middle-

mark displayed unconventional behavior, including raising miniature horses and donkeys. He kept in his basement a chimpanzee named Josie, who opened the door and greeted guests.

He passed away on Sept. 14, 1989, at age 70. His first son reverted back to the family’s original European name of Mittlemark and engaged in lawsuits with his father’s widow, Madeline, over his estate. Q

One home of TV “rabbit ears” inventor Marvin Middlemark was in this building at 99-05 63 Drive in Rego Park. GOOGLE MAPS IMAGE

Wall sculptures evolve, then emerge in Bayside

by Peter C. Mastrosimone editor-in-chief

Have you ever imagined the figures in a painting rising from their two-dimensional being and entering the world of three dimensions?

Jackie Shatz has. And she sculpts them.

“I work from other artists’ paintings, extracting a figure which is of interest, perhaps by its gesture or position,” Shatz told the Chronicle via email ahead of her new exhibition, “View Finder,” at the Garage Art Center in Bayside. “I do a drawing of that and use it as a starting point for a sculpture.”

The figures evolve from there, usually changing enough to become unrecognizable.

“I don’t think of content when I’m working but feel it emerges naturally unconsciously from the physical elements and colors and is the result of a lifelong accumulation of looking at art,” Shatz said. “I at one time whated to be an archaeologist but decided I wanted to create my own artifacts.”

And what artifacts she creates. The works include animals — horses may be a favorite — as well as plants and humanoid forms.

The latter can be particularly surrealistic.

“Coil” features a feminine head atop a form of layered ovals, with only one human appendage, the left arm, evident. The face is smooth, like a porcelain doll’s, while the rest

PHOTOS BY

of the piece has a rough texture.

“Villa the Witch of the Wood” is as haunting as the title suggests — it features a female form from the top of the head to the midsection but then morphs into the shape of some mythological beast. Her arms form an enticing embrace, but you would not want to meet Villa in the forest any more than you would the Blair Witch. And while

the work may conceptually recall traditional human-animal legends such as the minotaur, its form is much more monstrous.

Compare that with “Three Horses,” a work that suggests one adult equine nuzzling two foals. Twin horse births are quite rare, but the piece does suggest familial bonding. “It’s a Horse,” on the other hand, depicts a solo steed, with the energy of its

gallop conveyed by its bent forelegs.

All these works, and several others, will remain on display at the Garage Art Center, located at 26-01 Corporal Kennedy St., through May 11. Viewing times are limited, and information is at garageartcenter.org.

Shatz was recommended by another artist, both for her talent and a personality that contributes to the gallery’s welcoming, community-oriented spirit, Garage Art Center Founding Director Stephanie S. Lee said. Her works roughly match the dimensions of a standard sheet of letter-size paper.

“Though small in scale, they’re incredibly engaging in person because of their dimensional quality,” Lee said via email. “The way they protrude from the wall and cast shadows creates a sense of depth that invites close exploration. Despite their petite size, they’re rich in visual impact.”

In a statement on the exhibit’s web page, Shatz says in part, “My wall sculptures involve suspended states of being and the permeable nature of time. The images of swimming, floating and ‘about to’ gestures imply anticipation, hesitancy, anxiety or relief from anxiety. I did not set out to express specific qualities — they emerged from the selection of the figures and the creation of the pieces themselves. The meanings are hidden like the meanings in dreams.” Q

Wild food at your fingertips with Steve Brill

continued from page 23

It has delicious leaves and flower buds that taste a little bit like broccoli. And later in the summer it has seeds which, unlike commercial mustard seeds, you don’t have to grind.”

The only thing you can’t do with the seeds, he said, is saute them, as they burn at very low temperature.

“But I can’t make guacamole without a teaspoon or two of those,” he said.

Crossword Answers

Other plants and flowers his Queens guests can expect to find have flavors ranging from cucumber to corn on the cob.

They may also find burdock root, which is high in antioxidants, can be used as a food or even to make tea, and is popular in Japanese restaurants.

And nature provides medicine as well as food, Brill said, such as jewel weed.

“It cures mosquito bites,” he said. “And if you touch poison ivy and rub it on your skin before you get the rash, you won’t get the rash. It’s a very common plant. It grows in wet areas with some shade and some sunlight.”

Brill said he does miss his daughter, who regularly accompanied him on forging tours before she went away to college.

A tour usually comes with a suggested donation of $25, though it is not required. Brill also books private tours for environmental groups, nature centers, garden clubs, museums and even birthday parties.

“A typical tour has about 90 percent new people and some repeat visitors,” he said. But Brill’s passion was not always so wellreceived, particularly with the New York City government.

Steve “Wildman” Brill shows New York City residents edible plants that can be found as close as public parks, if not their own back yards. On the cover: Brill holds up wild garlic mustard, which he said he expects to fund in abundance on his tours of Queens parks this year.

“I was arrested in 1986,” he said. “I was foraging invasive plants, not doing anything that was harming the environment.”

He said old anti-foraging laws had their roots in the mid-19th century, and were

aimed at Native Americans and freed slaves who were experts at foraging for food.

“There certainly wasn’t a major environmental movement back in the 19th century,” Brill said. Q

The artist Jackie Shatz with her sculpture “It’s a Horse” and, clockwise from top, “Three Horses,” “Villa the Witch of the Wood” and “Coil,” all on display at the Garage Art Center in Bayside.

MICHAEL ZANSKY, LEFT, AND COURTESY GARAGE ART CENTER

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NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS MIDFIRST BANK, Plaintiff AGAINST SIMONE K. ISAACS, ET AL., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered February 11, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on April 25, 2025 at 10:00AM, premises known as 220-32 137th Avenue, Springfield Gardens, NY 11413. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 13125 and Lot 28. Approximate amount of judgment $861,881.63 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #717460/2022. Michael A. Cervini, Esq., Referee Gross Polowy, LLC 1775 Wehrle

The

of venue is

is situated: 173-28 47th Avenue, Flushing, New York 11358 SANTHA KRISHNA, Plaintiff, - againstAMANDEEP KAUR TIWANA, BALJIT KAUR AND PAWANDEEP TIWANA, Defendants. ACTION TO RECOVER REAL PROPERTY To the above named Defendants: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance, on Plaintiffs’ attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); and in case of failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default of the relief demanded in the Complaint. Dated: June 1, 2022 Long Island City, New York LAW OFFICES OF JOHN F. LAGAN Attorneys for Plaintiff John F. Lagan, Esq. 44-02 23rd Street, Suite 107, Long Island City, New York 11101 (718) 932-2550 jack@laganpc.com

NOTICE

This action is to recover possession of real property, to wit, 17328 47th Avenue, Flushing, County of Queens, New York 11358, in the County of Queens (BBL: Q/5585/19), eject defendants therefrom, declare that Plaintiff is entitled to immediate possession of the Property, and for money damages. The nature of the relief sought is: Ejectment of defendants from the property; judgment granting Plaintiff immediate possession of the property; and money judgment for unpaid rent and use & occupancy, and electric charges through the date of judgment in an amount not less than $68,464.00, plus interest; for damage to the Premises caused by defendants in an amount not less than $1,000.00; for the costs of this action, including reasonable attorney’s fees; and such other and further relief as may be within the power and jurisdiction of this Court, and which to this Court seems just, equitable and proper.

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT: QUEENS COUNTY FRANK BIANCANIELLO and JOSEPH GULOTTA v. ZDE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LLC, et al. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated September 17, 2024 and filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court, Queens County on October 9, 2024, bearing Index no. 715701/2022, I will sell at public auction on April 25, 2025 at 10:00 am in the second floor, Courtroom 25 of the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11435, the premises known as 25-54 12th Street, Unit 5A, Astoria, NY 11102 (Block: 904, Lot: 1013) and 25-54 12th Street, Unit 5C, Astoria, NY 11102 (Block 904, Lot: 1015). Premises sold subject to filed Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale and Terms of Sale. Judgment amount $1,031,821.72 plus interest and costs. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with the Unified Court System Safety and Operational Protocols in effect at this time. Auction location and time are subject to revision based on Court policy, current protocols and health conditions. Arthur Nicholas Terranova, Referee. Harry Zubli, Esq., attorney for plaintiff (516) 487-5777.

PUBLIC NOTICE

AT&T proposes to modify two (2) of the following existing facilities in Queens: 20250285 –new antenna heights of 82.5’, 86.3’, & 86.5’ on the building at 94-15 100th St, Ozone Park, NY; 20250255– new antenna heights of 57.7’ on the building at 81-50 Utopia Parkway, Jamaica, NY. Interested parties may contact Scott Horn (856809-1202) (1012 Industrial Dr., West Berlin, NJ 08091) with comments regarding potential effects on historic properties.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, ATLANTICA, LLC, Plaintiff, vs. MINCIA AGARD, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure & Sale duly entered on October 10, 2024, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on May 9, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 149-63 Weller Lane, Rosedale, NY 11422.

All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements the reon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 13676 and Lot 24. Approximate amount of judgment is $722,827.98 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #726578/2022. Scott H. Siller, Esq., RefereeVallely Mitola Ryan PLLC, 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 165, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Notice is hereby given that an On-Premise Restaurant Liquor License, NYS Application ID: NA 0340-25-108038 has been applied for by Partake LLC serving beer, wine, cider and liquor to be sold at retail for on premises consumption in a restaurant with one additional bar, for the premises located at 10-29 44th Rd Ground Floor and Cellar Long Island City NY 11101.

Notice is hereby given that an On-Premises Restaurant-Liquor License, NYS Application ID NA-0340-25-107004 has been applied for by Pointcorp LLC d/b/a The Blarney to sell liquor, beer, wine and cider at retail in an on-premises Restaurant-Liquor establishment. For on premise consumption under the ABC law at 202-24 Rockaway Point Blvd., Rockaway Point, NY 11697.

NOTICE

OF SALE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS LOANDEPOT. COM, LLC, Plaintiff, Against MAGALI GOMEZ A/K/A MAGALI M. GOMEZ, MARCIA GOMEZ, CRISTIAN GOMEZ A/K/A CHRISTIAN GOMEZ, et al, Defendant(s)Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 02/04/2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, in the Queens County Supreme Courthouse located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, on 5/16/2025 at 10:00AM, premises known as 145-46 223rd Street, Springfield Gardens, New York 11413, and described as follows: ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Queens, County of Queens, City and State of New York. Block 13470 Lot 47 The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $984,512.45 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 703654/2019 Dana Jenkins, Esq., Referee. MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 MIDLAND AVENUE, SUITE 205, PORT CHESTER, NY 10573 Dated: 3/17/2025 File Number: 19-300397 MB

Notice is hereby given that an On-Premises Restaurant-Liquor License, NYS Application ID NA-0340-25-107832 has been applied for by SSP America JFK T5, LLC to sell liquor, beer, wine and cider at retail in an on-premises Restaurant-Liquor establishment. For on premise consumption under the ABC law at JFK International Airport, Terminal 5 Space 27CC & 28CC Jamaica New York 11430.

NOTICE

OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, CMG MORTGAGE INC, Plaintiff, vs. JON PHILLIPS, ET AL., Defendant (s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 10, 2024 and Order Appointing Subsitiute Referee entered on February 3, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the second floor in Courtroom 25 Queens County Supreme Courthouse located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435, on April 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM, premises known as 119-35 219TH ST, CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, NEW YORK 114112004. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block: 12779, Lot: 8. Approximate amount of judgment is $625,961.89 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 705439/2018. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee’s attorney, or the Referee. All parties shall comply with the Eleventh Judicial District’s COVID-19 Policies concerning Public Auctions of foreclosed properties. These policies, along with the Queens County Foreclosure Auction Rules, can be found on the Queens Supreme Court - Civil Term Website (https://www.nycourts. gov/LegacyPDFS/COURTS/11jd/ supreme/civilterm/partrules/ Foreclosure_Auction_Rules.pdf For Sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction. com or call (800) 280-2832. MICHAEL CERVINI, Esq., Referee Roach & Lin, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

Legal Notices

Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 3/17/25. Office: Queens County. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to Danielle Winfield, 23 W. 69 St., Apt. A., NY, NY 10023. Purpose: any legal purpose.

Legal Notices

Arts. of Org. with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/28/2025. Office: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: c/o The LLC, 21-14 Elk Dr, Far Rockaway, NY 11691. Purpose: any lawful act.

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS, NYCTL 1998-2 TRUST, AND THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON AS COLLATERAL AGENT AND CUSTODIAN FOR THE NYCTL 1998-2 TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. MARIO FRANKLIN, IF LIVING AND IF HE BE DEAD, ANY AND ALL PERSONS UNKNOWN TO THE PLANTIFF, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated March 6, 2025 and duly entered on March 7, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on May 16, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., premises known as 101-02 Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village, NY 11429. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 10766 and Lot 27. Approximate amount of judgment is $95,297.45 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provi-

Notice of Formation of DEEDESIGNS4U LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/11/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LLC, 6641 69TH ST APT 2C, MIDDLE VILLAGE, NY 11379. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

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NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT QUEENS COUNTY

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, -againstCHITROWTIE GHANESS, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on August 6, 2024, wherein NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC is the Plaintiff and CHITROWTIE GHANESS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at THE QUEENS COUNTY SUPREME COURT, 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., COURTROOM 25, JAMAICA, NY 11435, on April 25, 2025 at 10:00AM, premises known as 90-23 184TH STREET, HOLLIS, NY 11423; and the following tax map identification: 9905-58.

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

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 700221/2021.

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

Notice of Formation of DOGRU CONSULTANTS LLC

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/17/2024

Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 6466 ELLWELL CRES APT 2, REGO PARK, NY 11374. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR VELOCITY COMMERCIAL CAPITAL LOAN TRUST 20182, Plaintiff against BRENDA LANCLOS, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) McMichael Taylor Gray, LLC, 28 Corporate Drive, Suite 104, Halfmoon, NY 12065. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered October 18, 2024, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at the Queens County Supreme Court, Courtroom #25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on May 2, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Premises known as 117-26 204th Street, St. Albans, NY 11412. Block 12633 Lot 18. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land situate, lying and being in the Fourth Ward of the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $502,457.75 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 715570/2020. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 11th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Referee will only accept a certified bank check made payable to the referee. Kristen Jean Dubowski, Esq., Referee File # 21-001540-01

Notice of Formation of DOMX LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/25/2025 Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LLC, 8824 242ND ST, BELLEROSE, NY 11426. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

ATM MASPETH LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 3/11/25. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 44-17 54th Dr., Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT QUEENS COUNTY QUEST TRUST COMPANY

FBO ELIZABETH HAUG IRA #3101621, Plaintiff against CLARA YRVANIA DIAZ, et al

Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP, 575 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 224, Syosset, NY 11791. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered February 19, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at the Queens County Supreme Court, Courtroom #25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on April 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Premises known as 91-52 112th Street, Richmond Hill, NY 11418. Block 9318 Lot 14. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $238,421.55 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 714155/2021. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 11th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Referee will only accept a certified bank check made payable to the referee. Lamont R. Bailey, Esq., Referee File # 20-0966

Notice of Formation of NYC Data Solutions LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/05/2024. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: NYC Data Solutions LLC, 8319 95th AVE, OZONE PARK, NY 11416. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of BOOKS TO TAX SOLUTIONS LLC

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/01/2024

Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: NICK TYLIPAKIS, 244-27 61ST AVENUE, DOUGLASTON, NY 11362. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

SUMMONS Supreme Court of New York, Queens County. U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE OF THE TRUMAN 2021 SC9 TITLE TRUST, Plaintiff, -against MARIA ELENA AMMIRATI, COADMINISTRATOR AND HEIR AT LAW AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN M. OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A STEVEN MICHAEL OLDENBUTTEL; RUDOLFO EDMUNDO DEYCAZA, JR. A/K/A RUDOLFO EDMUNDO DE YCAZA, JR. A/K/A RUDOLFO E. DE YCAZA, JR., CO-ADMINISTRATOR AND HEIR AT LAW AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN M. OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A STEVEN MICHAEL OLDENBUTTEL; AMANDA COSTA, HEIR AT LAW AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CHRISTINE OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A CHRISTINE COSTA, HEIR AT LAW AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN M. OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A STEVEN MICHAEL OLDENBUTTEL; MICHAEL COSTA, JR., HEIR AT LAW AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF CHRISTINE OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A CHRISTINE COSTA, HEIR AT LAW AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN M. OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A STEVEN MICHAEL OLDENBUTTEL; CAROL ANNE OLDENBUTTEL, AS HEIR AT LAW AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN M. OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A STEVEN MICHAEL OLDENBUTTEL; LOUIS OLDENBUTTEL, JR. A/K/A LEWIS OLDENBUTTEL, JR., AS HEIR AT LAW AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN M. OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A STEVEN MICHAEL OLDENBUTTEL; UNKNOWN HEIRS OF THE ESTATE OF CHRISTINE OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A CHRISTINE COSTA, HEIR AT LAW AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF STEVEN M. OLDENBUTTEL A/K/A STEVEN MICHAEL OLDENBUTTEL; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (EASTERN DISTRICT); NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; “JOHN DOE” AND “JANE DOE” said names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants of premises being foreclosed herein, Defendants Index No. 708606/2024. Mortgaged Premises: 69-55 78th Street Middle Village, NY 11379 Block: 3798 Lot: 109 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above captioned action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the Plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECTIVE of the above captioned action is to foreclose on a consolidated Mortgage to secure $294,000.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the City Register of the City of New York on August 23, 2005 in CRFN 2005000473705, covering the premises known as 69-55 78th Street, Middle Village, NY 11379. The relief sought herein is a final judgment directing sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the mortgage described above. Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is located. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to your mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. FRIEDMAN VARTOLO, LLP 1325 Franklin Avenue, Suite 160 Garden City, NY 11530, Attorneys for Plaintiff.

Scores walk, pedal across bridge in long-promised pedestrian lane Protesters cut their own Q’Boro ribbon

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

Supporters of a pedestrian pathway over the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge have been waiting for weeks for Mayor Adams to approve the seemingly finished project on the bridge’s south outer roadway.

Last Saturday, they decided not to wait for him.

A crowd of more than 100 people, led by representatives of Transportation Alternatives, braved rain and temperatures in the 30s to march from Honey Locust Park at the Manhattan end of the bridge to Queens Plaza South. Barricades automobile traffic from the roadway during the protest.

Billed by TA activists at the People’s Ribbon Cutting, the demonstration took place just over a month after Adams pulled the plug on a formal ribbon cutting in March. Speakers included state Sen. Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) and Councilwoman Julie Won (D-Sunnyside).

The project’s origins go back to former Mayor Bill de Blasio. At the moment, pedestrians share the north outer lane with bicycles, scooters and mopeds. A line of paint separates the two lanes, both of which are supposed to handle two-way traffic.

Mayor Adams’ office in March said he had not been properly briefed on the project; and in a statement Saturday said he would respond

at the appropriate time.

Multiple speakers on Saturday said all necessary work for a pedestrian lane is finished.

“What an example of government inepti-

tude this has been,” Gianaris told the crowd. “We have been here for so many years. We could have built a entire new bridge in the time it’s taken them to figure out how to open

AG pushes for crypto regulation

Says legislation would protect folks from digital asset scams

by Naeisha Rose Editor

State Attorney General James sent a letter to congressional leaders April 8 urging them to pass federal legislation to regulate cryptocurrencies.

Her action comes after the U.S. Department of Justice announced a day prior that it would dismantle its crypto fraud enforcement efforts to focus on individual accountability instead.

“The digital assets industry is critical to the nation’s economic development and innovation,” said the DOJ memo. “Thus, as noted in Executive Order 14178, clarity and certainty regarding enforcement policy ‘are essential to supporting a vibrant and inclusive digital economy and innovation in digital assets.’

President Trump has also made clear that ‘[w] e are going to end the regulatory weaponization against digital assets.’”

The DOJ specifically disbanded the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team and the Market Integrity and Major Frauds Unit.

MIMF tackled schemes such as those involving consumer fraud, bank fraud, federal program fraud and government procurement fraud, according to the DOJ. NCET worked to identify, investigate, support and pursue cases involving the criminal use of digital assets, with a particular focus on virtual currency exchanges, mixing and tumbling services,

State Attorney

infrastructure providers and other entities that are enabling the misuse of cryptocurrency and related technologies to commit or facilitate criminal activity, and individuals who use those technologies to defraud the public.

“Countless New Yorkers invest in cryptocurrency and digital assets, and more must be done to protect them and their money,” James

a lane for pedestrians.”

Won last week opined to the Chronicle that Adams’ opposition has become political. She was not letting up at Saturday’s press conference.

“We were supposed to have a final ribbon cutting about a month ago on March 10,” she said. “And less than 24 hours before the ribbon cutting the rug was pulled right from under us and [the city] said, ‘Just kidding. We’re canceled.’”

She also reminded the crowd that elected officials on both sides of the bridge have allocated discretionary money to complete the lane conversion.

Speakers including Shawn Garcia, TA’s director of advocacy, said the north outer lane is far too narrow to allow pedestrians and cyclists to share it safely with thousands of trips per day in both directions. So did Luis Cortes, director of Los Deliveristas Unidos, which represents bicycle delivery workers.

“Everyone is at risk,” Cortes said.

Adams’ Office was noncommittal to a timeline in a statement on Saturday.

“This is a major project that will impact several communities and two boroughs’ worth of traffic, which is why we must ensure New Yorkers can continue to get to where they nee to go efficiently,” a spokesperson said. “We will share more at the appropriate time.” Q

Queens Theatre enlists Neblett

said in a statement. “Thousands of investors in New York and across the country have lost millions of dollars to cryptocurrency scams and fraud that could be prevented with stronger federal regulations. I am urging Congress to pass legislation that would strengthen federal regulations on the cryptocurrency industry to protect investors, strengthen financial markets, and stop fraud.”

Cryptocurrency fraud cost Americans an estimated $12 billion in 2024, according to James’ office.

About 26,000 New Yorkers deposited and lost $440 million on one cryptocurrency trading platform called Celsius, according to the AG’s letter.

The firms’ founder and CEO, Alex Mashinkgy, pleaded guilty to fraud and market manipulation schemes in December 2024, said the DOJ.

Assemblyman Clyde Vanel (D-Queens Village), chair of the Subcommittee on Internet and New Technology, as well as the Committee on Banks, applauded James’ efforts to encourage the federal government to enact regulatory policy with respect to digital currencies.

“It is important for Americans, but New Yorkers, in particular, to be able to participate in economic activities with protections, fairness, equity, and transparency,” said Vanel. Q

The Queens Theatre on April 11 announced the appointment of acclaimed theater artist Shaun Neblett as its first director of programming.

Neblett is a playwright, theater producer and curator whose work embodies cultural authenticity, mindfulness and innovation, the theater said. He has championed the voices of the minority and LGBTQ communities and has more than 25 years of experience in theater and arts education, including programming, community engagement and mentorship.

Neblett’s creative journey has taken him to the Public Theater in Manhattan, the Kennedy Center and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.

“I’m honored to join Queens Theatre, a place that has been a centerpoint for so many families, artists, and audiences — a space where joy, discovery, and even mystical happenings have unfolded,” Neblett said in a press release. Q — Michael Gannon

The caravan of marchers and cyclists arrive on Queens soil Saturday morning following a Manhattan press conference and a walk across the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge in the now openly disputed south outer lane.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON

Shaun Neblett

COURTESY PHOTO

General Tish James is pushing for Congress to regulate cryptocurrencies.

PHOTO COURTESY NYSAG

B SPORTS EAT

Scheduling stupidity

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

Don’t get me wrong. I am far from a baseball purist, but Major League Baseball should consider dropping interleague play. If it is unwilling to do that, then it should severely limit it to geographic proximity of the teams such as the AL East vs. the NL East. The current MLB scheduling policy calls for each team to play at least one three-game series against every other team.

MLB understandably feels fans in every city want to see stars such as Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Bryce Harper. The current schedule allows that to happen every other year. While that is an understandable business model, it ignores the realities of weather.

There is no doubt the Yankees would have preferred to postpone their Friday night game with the San Francisco Giants. It was winter-like cold to go along with all day rain. The weather forecast for Saturday was not much better even if they wanted to try a day-night doubleheader.

The result was a rain-shortened game that the Giants won, 9-1. In his postgame interview on the YES Network, Yankees reliever Ryan Yarbrough, who pitched a scoreless two innings, admitted the players were concerned about their health and safety playing on a soaked field.

It was unfair to everyone to have that game

played. Yet, I cannot blame the Yankees fo r squeezing it in. It is incredibly hard to reschedule games given the lack of off-days and the grueling travel schedules all teams have.

Last week, I criticized the Mets for scheduling a Saturday game against the Toronto Blue Jays at 7 p.m. instead of making it a matinee. I am tough, but I am fair. They did the right thing in moving last Tuesday’s game with the Miami Marlins from 7 to 4 p.m. so fans and players did not have to brave temperatures in the 30s with a wind chill making it feel colder.

The conditions were still quite frigid on Tuesday. SNY Mets in-game reporter Steve Gelbs made friends by dispensing free cups of hot chocolate complete with whipped cream. It was a fun bit that made for good television.

The Mets honored the St. John’s University men’s basketball team on Wednesday. Hea d Coach Rick Pitino wore a Mets jersey bearing Tom Seaver’s No. 41. Pitino showed grace by not mentioning he grew up, and remains, a diehard Yankees fan.

Red Storm big man Zuby Ejiofor threw out the ceremonial first pitch to former Mets closer and St. John’s University alum John Franco. Even though he never played baseball, Ejiofor threw a perfect strike. He may want to give pitching tips to Edwin Diaz. Q

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