Queens Chronicle 04-30-26

Mayor announces veto of Intro. 175-B, pointing to constitutional concerns Mamdani blocks city school buffer zone bill

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Mayor Mamdani issued the first veto of his tenure on April 24, rejecting a bill that would require the establishment of “buffer zones” at educational institutions, while allowing a separate measure concerning houses of worship to become law.

Intro. 175-B would require the NYPD commissioner to develop and publish a plan for security perimeters at entrances and exits of educational facilities to address risks including physical obstruction, intimidation and interference.

In a video posted to social media, the mayor said the legislation was too expansive and raised concerns about New Yorkers’ right to protest.

“The problem is how widely this bill defines an educational institution and the constitutional concerns it raises regarding New Yorkers’ fundamental right to protest,” Mamdani said. “As the bill is written, everywhere from universities to museums to teaching hospitals could face restrictions.”

Mamdani said the measure could also affect labor and political demonstrations across the city.

“This could impact workers protesting ICE, or college students demanding their school divest from fossil fuels or demonstrating in sup-

port of Palestinian rights,” Mamdani said. “Intro. 175-B is not a narrow public safety measure; it is a piece of legislation that has alarmed much of the labor movement, reproductive rights groups and immigration advocates, among others, across this city. Nearly a dozen unions have raised the alarm about its impact on their ability to organize.”

Intro. 175-B’s prime sponsor is Councilmember Eric Dinowitz (D-Bronx), and it was cosponsored by Queens Councilmembers Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills), Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows), Sandra Ung (D-Flushing), Linda Lee (D-Oakland Gardens), Phil Wong (D-Maspeth), Nantasha Williams (D-St. Albans), Ty Hankerson (D-Jamaica), Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights), Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton), Shanel Thomas-Henry (D-Corona) and Vickie Paladino (R-Whitestone).

It passed the Council on March 26 with a 30-19 vote, just four shy of a veto-proof majority. The Council can override the mayor’s veto with the right number of votes.

Mamdani also announced that he would allow Intro. 1-B, a separate bill that would require buffer zones around places houses of worship, to become law. He returned the bill unsigned to the Council on April 27.

“I understand this issue is deeply significant to many New Yorkers,” he said. “The right to

ship. Following a thorough legal review, I do not believe it poses the same risks it once did, and that is why I will allow it to become law. That said, I disagree with its framing of all protest as a security concern.”

He added, “These topics are inherently complicated. But we believe the constitutional rights to protest and to worship are both invaluable.”

The veto of Intro. 175-B sets up a potential clash between the mayor and City Council leadership if lawmakers seek to override it.

Following Mamdani’s announcement, City Council Speaker Julie Menin (D-Manhattan), also a co-sponsor of the legislation, defended the bill.

Mayor Mamdani on April 24 announced his veto of Intro. 175-B, which would have required the NYPD to establish “buffer zones” at entrances and exits of educational facilities.

SCREENSHOTVIAYOUTUBE/NYCMAYOR’SOFFICE

worship is as sacred as the right to protest.”

Mamdani said the initial version of the bill raised constitutional concerns.

“However, the final version of the bill that passed is narrower in scope and effect,” he said. “It requires the NYPD to document its existing practices related to protests near houses of wor-

“Ensuring students can enter and exit their schools without fear of harassment or intimidation should not be controversial,” Menin said in a statement. “This bill simply requires the NYPD to clearly outline how it will ensure safe access when there are threats of obstruction or physical injury, while fully protecting First Amendment rights.”

Ariola in a statement to the Chronicle said, “I am extremely disappointed to see the mayor veto such an important bill. New Yorkers should be able to go to class without fear of being targeted for their religion, but instead of putting our students first, Mayor Mamdani is instead catering to his far-left and pro-Hamas

continued on page 12

South Ozone Park casino opens its third floor to live table games Resorts World NYC deals its first hand

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Resorts World New York City showed its winning hand on April 28, cutting the ribbon on New York City’s first full commercial casino and opening a new era for South Ozone Park.

Under bursts of applause and camera flashes, residents, executives and elected officials celebrated the feat.

Among the attendees gathered at 110-00 Rockaway Blvd. were Genting Group Chairman KT Lim, Genting Americas East President Robert DeSalvio, Genting Americas Chief Legal and Chief Strategy Officer Kevin Jones, former City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr., Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), Councilmember Ty Hankerson (D-Jamaica), Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), Council Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams (D-St. Albans) and Queens-raised rap legend Nasir “Nas” Jones.

Genting Americas East, the parent company of RWNYC. “We are making history today. This is a statement about what Queens and New York City can deliver when government, community, private investment come together with a shared mission and goal, and we made it happen together.”

The addition of live table games is the first component of RWNYC’s $5.5 billion investment in the 72-acre Acqueduct site. Future plans include a new 7,000-seat multipurpose entertainment venue, new hotel and more than 12 acres of new public green space.

“We are making history today.”

— Robert DeSalvio, president of Genting Americas East

Beyond the site, RWNYC has proposed a $2 billion community benefits package, with a commitment to build up to 50,000 units of workforce housing across the five boroughs, and a $100 million infrastructure improvement package.

Tuesday’s celebration capped a years-long effort to position Resorts World as an anchor employer and neighbor in Southeast Queens.

The casino’s reimagined third floor contains more than 240 table games offering clients blackjack, craps, baccarat and roulette, alongside thousands of slot machines with various multi-million dollar jackpots.

“Today marks a milestone years in the making,” said Robert DeSalvio, president of

“After all the negotiating, the planning, the relationship building and all of the work navigating the license application process, we have finally made it to this day,” Richards said. “Give yourselves a round of applause, because we have hit the jackpot.”

“It’s going to be so much more than we can all imagine,” she said, and urged, “I hope to see you all here often and enjoying what is going to become the greatest destination in Queens.”

a long shot.

“Resorts World came a-knocking at our door saying, ‘This is what we want to do in this community.’ And I have to be quite honest with you, we didn’t believe them.” Over time, she said, “We watched and we

Pheffer Amato, who chaired the Community Advisory Council that unanimously backed the project, called the expansion an “economic shot in the arm” for the neighborhood. continued on page 12

Adams, who used to represent the area in City Council, said the partnership started as

Addabbo facilitates improvements in and around the Woodhaven site Equity Park receives new safety upgrades

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

What began as complaints about darkness and safety around a small Woodhaven park turned into a multiagency effort led by State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woohaven).

Addabbo announced a series of recent improvements in and around Equity Park, on 90th Street between 89th and 88th avenues, after concerns were raised by neighbors and the Woodhaven Residents Block Association.

The effort involved city agencies, area property owners and elected officials working closely to secure added lighting and security upgrades.

According to Addabbo’s office, he and his chief of staff, Raimondo Graziano, met with the NYPD at Equity Park to review security needs and visibility concerns. The visit helped lead to the securing of the fence gate by the city Department of Parks and Recreation.

Additionally, the city Department of Transportation shifted street lighting to better illuminate the park area, while the city Department of Education added

lighting at the annex of PS 60, the Woodhaven School, to improve safety for students and families.

An Argus camera near the park on 89th Avenue was also installed, funded through the office of Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park).

Bronstein Properties, the owners of 90-19 88 Ave., installed exterior lighting along its 89th Avenue frontage, increasing visibility around the building and nearby block.

Addabbo met with Bronstein Properties owners Barry and Daniel Rudofsky, whose family owns eight buildings in the district, to thank them for participating in the improvements.

“I am proud of what we have produced together — residents, local leaders, city agencies, and private property owners working together to make our community a safer and brighter place,” Addabbo said in a statement.

“My office was prepared to work with the NYPD, Parks, DOT, DOE, and local community groups to translate concerns into improvements. This progress shows what is possible when neighbors and partners collaborate in the service of public safety and quality of life.” Q

State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr., left, facilitated a series of improvements around Equity Park in Woodhaven. Above, Addabbo thanks Barry and Daniel Rudofsky, respectively, of Bronstein Properties for installing exterior lighting at 90-19 88 Ave.

Officials gathered on Tuesday in South Ozone Park to cut the ribbon on Resorts World New York City’s third floor casino expansion, marking the opening of the first live table games available in the Big Apple. Above, Genting Chairman KT Lim addresses the crowd.

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Amid delays in Albany, city leaders OK extender, push for more funding Executive budget to come later than usual

by Stephanie G. Meditz Editor

With the state budget nearly a month late, Mayor Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin (D-Manhattan) agreed to pass a budget extension through May 12, City Hall announced Tuesday.

The extender aims to ensure that the mayor’s executive spending plan, typically released in April, reflects state lawmakers’ final budget decisions, according to a joint press release. The city is calling on Albany to help close its $5.4 billion gap and deliver “the City’s fair share of funding.”

“New York City is facing a generational fiscal deficit, and it’s going to require serious, good-faith partnership across every level of government to meet this moment,” Mamdani said in the release. The full Council is set to vote on the budget extender today, April 30.

The state budget was due April 1, but debates over policy, such as proposed changes to environmental laws, have delayed it. It has been late every year since Gov. Hochul took office in 2021.

In a Q&A session with the press on Tuesday, Hochul said the extension is “fine,” even though the city has ample time to finalize a budget — its fiscal year starts July 1. But, she continued, what city lawmakers are doing is “independent” of Albany’s budget process.

“We don’t have to be done in order for you to do yours,” she said.

A Council spokesperson said the city budget must be adopted by June 30, and “there is no question” as to whether city leaders will meet that obligation.

“The budget extension is only because the State budget is still outstanding, and we need a clearer picture from Albany so we can accurately and responsibly negotiate the City budget,” the spokesperson said via email.

But the extension was not Mamdani and Menin’s only point of agreement. In calling for more revenue for the city in the state budget, they are urging lawmakers to reduce the city’s Passthrough Entity Tax credit.

A 2017 law, modified in 2025, limits taxpayers’ ability to deduct state and local taxes from federal income taxes, but PTET lets pass-through businesses, or those that pass profits onto owners and are not subject to corporate income taxes, pay a city business tax that is fully rebated. If the state lets the city reduce that rebate to 75 percent, the joint release states, it would generate nearly $1 billion more.

“We’re not changing PTET,” Hochul said Tuesday, after affirming that she sees the tax

credit cut as a personal income tax increase. Mamdani and Menin also are calling to “end the drain of City resources to the state.” The city contributes 55.6 percent of state revenue and receives only 41.7 percent in return, even though the city is the state’s “engine of economic growth,” per their joint press release.

Hochul said the state has already helped the city, citing the recently proposed pied-àterre tax, or yearly tax surcharge on luxury

second homes in the city worth $5 million or more, and a direct $1.2 billion for childcare.

“This is more time and energy and money ever spent by the State of New York to help the city because I’m vested in helping out the city,” she said. “That has been crystal clear; no one can dispute that.” Hochul urged the two leaders to “do what every other city has to do” and look at their expenses.

The mayor and speaker’s show of solidarity comes weeks after they were at odds over the Council’s preliminary budget response. Lawmakers said they could close the multibillion-dollar gap without tax hikes or service cuts, and Mamdani said that was unrealistic.

The mayor campaigned on raising revenue through higher taxes on corporations and wealthy earners, but only Albany can do that, and Hochul has long resisted the increases.

She said the state would be happy to put certain changes in the budget, such as giving the city the legislative authority to amortize pensions or police vehicles, but those changes can come after the budget, too.

“They just have to have this clarity by the end of June,” Hochul said. “So I presume it’s going to all work out.” Q

Meet George Jetson: Air taxi takes flight

Craft goes from JFK to heliport in Manhattan in less than 10 minutes

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Rush-hour traffic may have finally met its match.

The first ever point-to-point electric vertical takeoff air taxi demonstration flight in New York City departed from JFK Airport on April 27 and landed across the city’s existing heliport network in Manhattan, according to a press release from Joby Aviation, a company developing electric air taxis for commercial passenger service.

The flight connects Manhattan to JFK in under 10 minutes.

York metropolitan area.

In a project led by the NYC Economic Development Corp; and in partnership with Skyports Infrastructure and Vertiports by Atlantic, the city’s heliport infrastructure will be electrified in anticipation of commercial air taxi service.

“We ... offered New York a look at what’s coming.”

— JoeBen Bevirt, Joby CEO and founder

South Queens neighborhood activist PJ Marcel was at the scene and shared photos of the air taxi with the Chronicle.

While there were no passengers on board for the demonstration, the aircraft fits four passengers and one pilot.

The flight was part of a larger campaign to demonstrate how electric air taxis, which, according to Joby, are quiet and produce zero operating emissions, will be able to connect the region, linking vertiports, international airports and communities across the New

Joby is continuing to make progress in the final stages of Federal Aviation Administration certification, the company said, marked by the recent flight of its first conforming aircraft for type inspection authorization, which will pave the way for FAA pilots to carry out for-credit tests.

In New York, Joby’s vision is to turn one of the city’s most time-consuming trips into one of its fastest. Through partnerships with Delta Air Lines and Uber, the company aims to create an experience that connects ground transportation and air travel in a single journey.

“New York has always been a city that defines the future by demanding better,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, in a statement. “We first flew here in 2023, and now we’re showing what the next chapter looks like: a quiet, zero operating emissions

air taxi service designed to better serve New Yorkers. This week, flying between JFK and Manhattan, we showed what the White House-backed [eVTOL Integration Pilot Program] initiative makes possible and offered New York a look at what’s coming.”

“The bridges, tunnels, airports, and rail lines that the Port Authority operates move hundreds of millions of people through this region every year, and our job is to make sure

that network keeps pace with the future,” said Port Authority Chair Kevin O’Toole. “This cutting-edge aircraft is exactly the kind of innovation we have a responsibility to test, understand, and help shape for the good of the region and the public.

“These flights advance our work to determine how next-generation aviation technology can serve the people of New York and New Jersey.” Q

An electric air taxi departed JFK Airport on Monday and landed in Manhattan in under 10 minutes, according to Joby Aviation.

Mayor Mamdani and Council Speaker Julie Menin agreed on an extender for the city’s executive budget plan, given the delays at the state level. PHOTOBYMICHAELAPPLETON/NYCMAYOR’SOFFICE/FLICKR

sign it Petition lists Chronicle editor’s forged signature

Rajkumar’s filing for the ballot names Kristen Guglielmo,

by Stephanie G. Meditz Editor

The petition submitted by Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) to secure a spot on the June primary ballot includes a signature purporting to be from Queens Chronicle Editor Kristen Guglielmo, who did not sign the document.

Guglielmo, who lives in Assembly District 38, emailed democratic socialist David Orkin’s campaign last week, after she saw a post on his social media offering voters the opportunity to check whether their names were on Rajkumar’s petitions. Orkin on April 16 filed a lawsuit in Queens State Supreme Court to invalidate his opponent’s petition and keep her off the ballot, alleging that her campaign had forged some signatures.

Orkin’s campaign responded to Guglielmo on Tuesday, sharing a scan of a petition that contained her name and address.

residents had their signatures forged on Rajkumar’s petition — it names nine allegedly fraudulent signatures that were found “in the short time period to review petitions.” It says also that the petition “likely contains additional forgeries purportedly witnessed by additional subscribing witnesses.”

Rajkumar needed 500 signatures to get on the ballot and submitted more than 2,500, but the suit questions the credibility of seven people who claimed to witness more than 70 percent of the purported signatures. An Orkin spokesperson on Tuesday cast doubt on nine petitioners and said they held a combined 85 percent of her signatures.

“I did not sign that, and that is not my signature,” she said. Her name also is misspelled, as “Kristhen.”

Guglielmo did not sign any petitions for AD 38. On Wednesday, she signed a sworn legal declaration affirming that she did not sign Rajkumar’s.

Orkin’s lawsuit states that multiple district

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“As we have alleged from the beginning, we believe we have strong evidence that the Rajkumar campaign participated in widespread petitioning fraud,” Orkin said in an emailed statement. “The fact that they would go so far as to forge the signature of a known reporter in the community just shows that they never anticipated getting caught.”

On April 22, amNewYork reported that 1,064 of Rajkumar’s submitted signatures were invalidated on ordinary election-law grounds after review by a Board of Elections clerk, leaving her with just under 1,500.

Arvind Sooknanan, Rajkumar’s campaign spokesperson, said in a statement via text

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Wednesday that the campaign cannot comment on the specifics of an active legal proceeding.

“We are confident in our campaign’s position and look forward to addressing the facts in court tomorrow,” he said.

In her own court filing April 16, Rajkumar said her petition is “valid and in due and proper form.”

Rajkumar also ascribed the fraud allegations to the Democratic Socialists of America, calling the accusations “disgraceful, dishonest and intentionally misleading” in a statement on social media April 20.

who did not

“South Queens deserves better than a socialist machine willing to corrupt the democratic process in order to cling to power,” she said. In a separate post, she accused the DSA of “waging a campaign of hate” against her that is “rooted in sexism, religious bigotry, and outright lies.”

The above scan of one of Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar’s ballot petitions purportedly includes a signature from Queens Chronicle Editor Kristen Guglielmo, who did not sign it. Guglielmo’s name also is misspelled in the document.

“Love will always triumph over hate,” she wrote. “Truth will always defeat lies.”

The next court appearance is set for today, April 30, and a ruling is expected this week.

“Our case against the Rajkumar campaign is about ensuring the trust of our community isn’t taken for granted in this election,” Orkin said. “We look forward to our day in court to ensure all the facts come to light and no one is able to benefit from defrauding our democratic systems.” Q

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EDITORIAL AGEP

A new front in the War on Cars: 63rd Avenue

When your goal is street safety, just about the last thing you want to do is distract or even blind drivers with bright headlights coming at them on what is supposed to be a one-way street. Yet that would be one result of the Community Board 6 Transportation Committee vision for 63rd Avenue in Forest Hills.

The stretch of 63rd Avenue between 99th Street and the Grand Central Parkway service road is being targeted by the committee and the city Department of Transportation, whose primary goal today is to make the use of personal cars as difficult, expensive and time-consuming as possible.

Most people who live on and around the street have no idea what is being plotted. But someone got the board to request that the DOT make the street one way. It’s an old idea that has been brought up and rejected before, because it’s actually convenient to keep 63rd Avenue as it is. It’s as narrow as most streets of its kind, and getting by can be annoying when someone is double-parked, but it’s perfectly straight. The only problem it really has is a pair of sinkholes on the stretch between Apex Place and 108th Street.

That’s what the city should be focused on, getting those repaired — one of them has a traffic cone sitting in it to

warn drivers. But instead, in a move you see all over Queens and the city, officials are looking to fix what ain’t broke.

To one side of 63rd Avenue, running parallel to it, is 62nd Drive. It’s a one-way street headed westbound. To the other side is 63rd Road. It runs eastbound. Each has a bike lane.

As people across the city will tell you, it’s alarming and dangerous when some cyclist, e-biker or moped rider goes the wrong way down a bike lane at night. Drivers on oneway streets are not expecting to see opposing headlights. And the unregulated lights on unregulated vehicles can be blinding, the way high-beam headlamps on cars can be.

But CB 6’s Transportation Committee is asking the DOT not only to make 63rd Avenue one-way — part of it going one direction and part of it the other — it wants the agency to install “counterflow bike lanes” on the street.

So you would have three parallel streets in a row, each just a couple hundred feet apart, with bike lanes. Talk about unnecessary. But the activists on CB 6 want it that way “to maintain accessibility for cyclists and act as a traffic-calming measure by narrowing the roadway.”

Narrowing the roadway? It can’t be any more narrow. Unless, of course, the city takes away one of the parking

lanes, which would just be an act of cruelty to the hardworking, car-owning, family-raising people of the community. Northern Forest Hills is not Manhattan. It’s not even southern Forest Hills. The area has lost enough parking already. That’s one of the reasons this plan should be rejected.

Which way would 63rd Avenue go, anyway? It would go both ways: eastbound from 108th Street to the GCP service road and westbound from 108th to 99th Street. This is just a classic DOT “make driving difficult” move.

The committee also wants to reverse the direction of short, one-way Apex Place from southbound to northbound. Do the members even know that FDNY Engine Co. 324, based on the westbound Horace Harding Expressway by 108th Street in Corona, uses Apex Place as the shortest route to Yellowstone Boulevard to answer calls farther into Forest Hills? It’s unlikely they do, or care. Making things tougher for firefighters is part and parcel of the anticar movement, as seen on 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Freedom Drive in Richmond Hill and, soon enough, 31st Street in Astoria.

The only worthwhile changes to the targeted area would be some daylighting — one space off the corner only — and pedestrian upgrades. Anything else is just the War on Cars.

MARK WEIDLER

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Dear Editor:

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Earth Day wins

Thank you for the April 23 article “Pols OK enviro bills ahead of Earth Day” on the passage of environmental legislation by city politicians. It was reassuring to read that they cared enough to include domestic animals as well as wildlife in their protection.

But more importantly, the Endangered Species Act was not decimated by Congress on of all days, Earth Day! A vote to do so was canceled. Bipartisan support is always in the animal’s favor. Too bad, it doesn’t work the same for people too.

Joan Silaco Queens Village

Violations extravaganza

Dear Editor:

While taking walks around my Douglaston neighborhood, I can’t help but notice cars parked for extensive hours, and even for days, at fire hydrants, blocking pedestrian crosswalks, or double-parked. I realize the police do not have enough personnel, and are involved in more important patrols than to drive around these blocks where I walk even on a semiregular basis. I often see the same cars parked illegally in the same spots because these lawbreakers who park them know they will most likely never receive a summons.

Even on my block, I see the same car or cars

double-parked all day and for hours, dangerously, every night.

The city could certainly collect a lot of money if these cars could be ticketed and if the summonses were actually paid.

Mark Lane Douglaston

Fire hydrants: whose job?

Dear Editor:

For a very long time I have been trying to find out what NYC department has jurisdiction over fire hydrants. I assumed that it would be the Fire Department, but I was wrong. Department of Transportation? Wrong again. It is the Police Department, the local precinct.

I have no idea why, because the police drive right past hydrants that are blocked. I have a hydrant right across the street from my front door, and recently there was a car parked in the 15-foot area in back of it for three days. I had to put in a 311 request to get the car a ticket. There

is another hydrant up the block that is totally blocked every day by a car, and the police would not even know a hydrant is there because there is a car is parked right in front of it every day. When there was a fire in the Bronx that killed three people, a car was parked in front of hydrant. The girl who owned the car stated she did not know there would be a fire. What? Then she got a ticket.

One and only one department should be in charge, and I believe that should be the Fire Department. The FDNY knows where the hydrants are and can drive around and see which ones are blocked. And the fine for blocking one should not be $60; it should be $500 or higher.

I hope something gets done by the one city agency that does not need to have someone report a car being parked at a hydrant. There should be no parking at all in front or in back of a hydrant. Save a life — it might be mine or yours.

Kathleen Schatz Rego Park

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

The buzz of history

Dear Editor:

The irony hangs in the air.

During this year of No Kings demonstrations and celebrations of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, we, former British subjects, welcome the King and Queen of England. Their civility is a breath of fresh air: not an obscenity or insult in earshot.

For King Charles, the trip is his first visit to the former colonies as Britain’s monarch.

Queen Camilla sported a symbol of the “special relationship” between the United States and Britain: a brooch featuring both nations’ flags. It was a gift presented by President Eisenhower to Queen Elizabeth II in 1957, during her first state visit to the United States.

Life and history intersect.

The current royal schedule includes a moment to showcase a new White House beehive. The king and queen avidly support beekeeping, an offshoot of their environmental passions. The new hive, located on the South Lawn, is shaped like a miniature White House. The White House website makes no mention that it was Michelle Obama who first brought beekeeping to the White House to aid and abet her new vegetable garden. Money made by selling White House honey was donated to various charitable entities. Life for the new bees may be different in this White House.

We waited with bated breath to hear what King Charles would say. This is what his mother presciently offered when she was a guest of President George W. Bush in the aftermath of the Iraq war.

“Some people believe that power grows from the barrel of a gun. So it can, but history shows that it never grows well or for very long. Force, in the end, is sterile. We have gone a better way: Our societies rest on mutual agreement, on contract and on consensus.”

Perhaps that’s the royal touch.

Debra Michlewitz Bayside

Deadly capital errors

Dear Editor:

So, the Trump administration wants to swap lethal injections for the firing squad. According to NPR, the Justice Department wants to expedite the execution of all three men who now sit on the federal government’s death row.

Consequently, I’m against capital punishment. We can never be 100 percent certain of anyone’s guilt. I learned a long time ago that people make mistakes. We make mistakes naturally and we make mistakes willfully. Any jury could be wrong and we wind up killing an innocent person.

But, if you’re going to bring back the flawed death penalty, why pussyfoot around? Let’s drop the pretense of civilization and adopt the guillotine.

It’s cheap. It’s fast. It’s efficient. And it would make great reality TV.

Neil

C. Giannelli Woodhaven

More aid for healthcare

Dear Editor:

Fiscal spending has increasingly been used as a political weapon in today’s climate. The most recent example is the fallout from the Trump administration’s “Big Beautiful Bill.” It has reduced federal subsidies to New York State’s zero-premium health insurance program, which provides coverage to low-income residents and immigrants.

As a result, the state has been forced to scale back recent expansions. Now, approximately 450,000 New Yorkers are expected to lose coverage. While institutions like NYC Health + Hospitals have pledged to serve all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, pledges from such institutions should not be the safety net that the most vulnerable in our community rely on for healthcare (“About 450,000 to lose health coverage,” April 16, multiple editions).

Likewise, the broader implications of these funding cuts extend beyond New York. When federal support for healthcare programs is reduced, whether domestically or globally, the consequences are far-reaching. That is why I am calling on my representative, Congresswoman Grace Meng, to advocate for sustained investment in healthcare programs that protect vulnerable populations.

Samuel Korman Flushing

The writer is a fellow with the Fund for Global Health.

Israel needs weaponry

Dear Editor:

A number of people and organizations have proposed banning the sale of offensive weapons to Israel. However, such a unilateral ban would leave Israeli families vulnerable to the ongoing bombardment of missiles and drones launched by Iran’s proxy militias, Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. No agency can enforce a reciprocal ban on the delivery by Iran of offensive weapons to these proxy militias.

Defensive weapons for Israel are necessary but not sufficient because they are less than 100 percent successful in destroying all incoming projectiles. Some interceptors miss their targets. Not all projectiles are detected in time for all people to reach bomb shelters before they strike. Offensive weapons enable Israel to strike back against the fighters and facilities of the proxy militias to prevent them from continuing their attacks against Israeli civilians.

Prior to striking back at militia targets in both Gaza and Lebanon, Israel warns civilians in the target area to evacuate their homes. But Hamas and Hezbollah deliberately endanger the lives of civilians by refusing to wear identifiable uniforms to distinguish their fighters from civilians, and by refusing to remove themselves and all of their operations, equipment and facilities from civilian communities.

Theodore Sheskin Flushing

Miss an article or a letter cited by a writer? Want breaking news from all over Queens? Find the latest news,

Paper wins eight NYPA awards in reporting, photography and opinion Chronicle ‘an excellent mirror of Queens’

by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

The Queens Chronicle won eight awards last week in the New York Press Association’s 2025 Better Newspaper Contest, to go on the walls of an office so lined with certificates and plaques from prior years that they cannot all fit.

The awards were granted at NYPA’s Spring Conference, held in upstate Saratoga Springs. Contest entries are always judged by members of another state’s press association to avoid even the appearance of any conflict of interest, and this time Michigan did the honors.

Many, though not all, of the categories contain different divisions based on a paper’s circulation and whether it is a daily or weekly. The Chronicle is always in the top circulation division for a weekly paper.

The paper got one first-place award, three for second place and four for third place. All the judges offered comment, as is standard. The results are posted at nynewspapers.com/nypa/ better-newspaper-contest.

The first-place win was in the Elections/Politics Story category, for a piece written by this editor. “This story offers layers of revelations — a candidate who didn’t live in the district in which he ran; a lack of understanding of residency rules; and even worse, a journalist needing a voting group to help expedite official answers — all essential for voters to know,” the judge said.

Second place in the Arts Story category went to Editor Stephanie G. Meditz, the newest member of the newsroom, for her review of “Hamlet,” the judge saying, “Great use of quotations to move this along and keep it interesting. The theme woven through with the rele-

vance to today was well done.”

Meditz also won second place in the Feature Story-Lifestyle, Human Interest or Personality Profile category for a piece on Vietnam veterans. The judge said, “The Vietnam War is sadly still hardly covered in most public schools. We typically see the rehashing of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, zip past WWI and then spend a ton of time on WWII before all of a sudden school is out for summer. This was a great piece filled with anecdotal information as well as the perseverance of these soldiers once they came home. I really appreciated learning about all of the gentlemen interviewed.”

The final second-place award, in the Feature Photo(s) category, went to a freelance contributor who remained anonymous. The judge commented, “For capturing the moment in time, the emotion, the feeling, how the person felt. This captured it all. This picture by just looking at it told a story. Any reader would stop at the page and read more just to find out why there was so much emotion. This photo for a ‘feature photo’ in a newspaper is relevant, authentic, and timely, and newsworthy. Very nice job.”

Freelance lensman Michael Shain won third place in Picture Story for a parade. “Great variety of activities shown in photos,” said the judge. Meditz also won third place in the Environment Story category for a story on public works gone wrong and harming oysters, the judge saying, “This is a great example of holding government accountable for their actions and does a great job explaining the effects of government action on the environment.”

This editor and Production Manager Gregg Cohen teamed up for third place in Best Editorial Page. “Straight and to-the-point editorials,”

the judge said. “A pleasure to read these amid lots of letters. Good job!”

And the whole staff earned third place in the Past Presidents’ Award for General Excellence category, the judge saying of the Chronicle: “Excellent mirror of Queens and the people in the community. Every edition brings a fresh look into the region.”

Mayor blocks buffer zone bill

continued from page 2

base and enabling radicals to harass their victims right up to the doors of their school buildings.”

She added, “We’ve already seen the NYPD establish protest buffers at locations like homeless shelters. Don’t our students deserve that same protection?”

Opponents of the legislation praised the mayor’s decision. Councilmember Tiffany Cabán (D-Astoria) said the veto protected civil liberties.

“I am thankful the mayor has vetoed this illconceived bill that would further enable efforts to criminalize protests and stifle freedom of speech,” Cabán said in a statement. “We must

invest in efforts to end hate violence through initiatives like [Jews for Racial and Economic Justice’s] NYC Against Hate plan, not giving police more tools to silence dissent and brutalize protestors. I trust that my colleagues will sustain this veto so that we can protect our civil liberties and work together to address the root causes of hate violence.”

Councilmember Jennifer Gutiérrez (D-Brooklyn, Queens) also backed the veto, writing on X, “I stand with labor and the many constituents who reached out, of all faiths and backgrounds. This bill was too broad and risked limiting the right to speak and organize. Safety includes the ability to speak out. I support the Mayor’s veto.”

“Congratulations to everyone on the team for winning eight awards this year,” Publisher Mark Weidler said. “I am most proud of us getting third place for Overall Excellence.

“It’s great to get the recognition for all the hard work put in each and every week. I’m especially proud of our ‘rookie,’ Stephanie Meditz, for winning three awards.” Q

Resorts World starts table games

continued from page 4

held Resorts World accountable to this community, to their promises. And you know what? Here we are right now in 2026 seeing the benefits for this community. ... This location is going to set the model for the entire State of New York.”

Lim noted that the ribbon cutting was being held in Council District 28, on the 28th day of April, exactly 61 years to the day his family founded Genting Berhad.

“The number 28 is of particular significance, and it’s meant to be that Genting is here in the 28th District of Queens,” he said.

Lim added that Genting holds true to its commitments.

“We do not build and walk away,” he said. “We invest and we stay. Today, we open a new chapter, and it is just the beginning. We are all in. We have always been all in and we are just getting started.”

State. Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven), chair of the state Senate Committee on Racing, Gaming and Wagering, in a statement said he stood with Resorts World through every step of the process because he believed in its vision.

“Today that promise is fulfilled,” Addabbo said. “The jobs are here, the investment is here, and the positive impact on our community starts with the first hand dealt and the first roll of dice.” Q

The Chronicle newsroom is Senior News Editor Michael Gannon, left, Editor Kristen Guglielmo, Production Manager Gregg Cohen, Editor Naeisha Rose, Editor Stephanie G. Meditz, Proofreader Dennis O’Brien and Editor-in-Chief Peter C. Mastrosimone. PHOTOBYMOEENDIN

As seen in these images from the New York Press Association’s awards slideshows, among the Queens Chronicle’s wins were first place in Elections/Politics, left, for a story on an unusual candidate; second in Features, for a piece featuring several Vietnam War veterans; second in the Arts, for a review of “Hamlet”; second in Feature Photo, for the capture of an emotional moment; and third in General Excellence, a category judged by three whole editons of the paper, including one reporting on former Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s entry into the mayoral race. The paper also won three other awards.

Developers in $18B project update public, advisory council on progress Celebrating success with the JFK rebuild

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

Forgive the board members if April 23 wasn’t a traditional quarterly business meeting of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council.

The gathering was at the Golden Terrace Banquet Hall in Richmond Hill — but they had reasons to celebrate, including the ribbon cutting for Terminal 8 and numerous milestones in remaining construction and community benefits in the $19 billion project.

“Two days ago we cut the ribbon on Terminal 8,” Borough President Donovan Richards said, greeting about 200 guests.

Referring to Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica), Richards said, “One of the things the congressman and I have constantly said is we don’t just want contact flying through the airport.

“We want contracts at the airport ... We are the community most impacted by the airport, so we should receive the biggest benefits. And I am proud to say that $2 billion in contracts have gone to Queens businesses. And we’re not done.”

Just one example is Neir’s Tavern of Woodhaven.

Owner Loycent Gordon has spaces in both Terminal 8 and Terminal 4. He was one of a number of business owners who appeared in a promotional video presented by Terminal 8 management.

“Being in the terminal I came through when I immigrated from Jamaica when I was 10 was a heartfelt moment,” Gordon says.

Other Queens businesses with sites in or coming to new terminals include Villa Russo of Richmond Hill, Cobblestones Pub of Forest Hills and the Golden Krust Caribbean food chain.

The Terminal 8 project is a joint venture between American

Borough President Donovan Richards, standing, welcomes the crowd along with Rachelle Antoine, Ashkar Patel and Stacey Gilbert of the JFK Redevelopment Community Advisory Council.

Airlines and ASUR Airports. Joshua Mandel, vice president of development for the project, said it is a remodeling and expansion rather than a rebuild of some of the other terminals.

“We’re almost done,” Mandel said. We have crumbs to mop up.”

David Tullis of Skanska said their parking garages, ramps and bridges are proceeding nicely.

“We do the boring part of airports — like underground utilities. And there are miles of them.”

And, he said, in some good-natured trash talk to the other presenters, “We’ll be finished on time.”

Jennifer Aument, the CEO of The New Terminal 1 project, said work there is about 90 percent complete, and it will be the

largest terminal at JFK when finished. She said the carriers it will serve are as diverse as Queens itself.

“There are people who call Queens home,” Aument said. “But some also call their first or second home a country represented by our airlines.” And Aument wasn’t bothered by Tullis’ timeline remark.

“If I was building a driveway like that ...” she said.

Steve Thody, CEO Of JFK Millennium Partners, which is rebuilding Terminal 6, also chimed in.

“We’re 91 percent complete,” Thody deadpanned.

That project is being built in two phases on the sites of Terminal 6 and the present Terminal 7. He said the baggage systems and checkpoints in phase 1 recently passed muster with the Transportation Safety Administration. Terminal 7 will be shut down and torn down later this year to begin phase 2.

Representatives of the JFKIAT, which is partnering with Delta Air Lines on the new Terminal 4 project, expect the new international arrivals terminal to open in December.

Representatives of the council boasted of the thousands of scholarships that have been awarded for students to enroll in aviation-related programs at York College in Jamaica and Vaughn College in East Elmhurst.

They said the council’s Office of Second Chance Employment found jobs between 2020 and 2025 for 336 people who have been through the criminal justice system between 2020 and 2025.

Hersh Parekh, director of government and community affairs for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which runs the airport, spoke of a proposed $50 million upgrade to the Jamaica Long Island Rail Road complex as part of a modernization of the JFK AirTrain. Q

CONZA | MCNAMARA ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEYS

J. CONZA, ESQ.

CYNTHIA

EDWARD R. MCNAMARA, ESQ.

PHOTOBYMICHAELGANNON

HB resident, attorney and advocate on his agenda and top priorities Mike Scala makes his case for AD 23

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

In a district that hasn’t seen a competitive primary race since at least the 1960s, Democrat candidate Mike Scala is confident that voters are finally ready for a choice.

The Howard Beach resident, attorney, transit advocate and longtime civic hand is running for the open Assembly District 23 seat, a stretch of South Queens he calls “the purplest of purple seats.”

But his campaign distances itself from political ideologies.

“We focus on up-down issues, not left-right issues,” Scala said. “Democrat or Republican — whoever you voted for the last election, you’ve got to pay bills.”

Though the incumbent, Assemblymember Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), has endorsed his opponent, Pesach Osina, Scala is confident in his message for the area.

mounted a congressional bid. He then became the Democratic nominee for City Council in 2017 and ran again in 2021.

“In those races, I never lost this Assembly district,” he said. “So I’m coming into this race with a lot of established support.”

A former counsel and legislative director for the state Senate, Scala says he worked on roughly 150 bills in Albany, including laws requiring police to take reports of missing adults and creating a domestic violence clientadvocate privilege.

“I think I’ve established myself as someone who looks out for the people of this community,” Scala said during a Monday sitdown interview with the Chronicle. “I don’t think there’s any other candidate running for the seat who really has a reputation as someone who fights for this entire district.”

Scala has run here before. In 2012, he

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“I want to be known as an Assembly member who is hands-on with legislation and who actually gets bills passed,” he said. “I don’t want to be someone who is only known for being a community advocate.”

Near the top of his list of legislative priorities is reform of Tier 6, the pension system for public employees hired after 2012.

Under Tier 6, many workers pay up to 6 percent of their salary toward pensions and cannot retire with full benefits until age 63, while earlier hires get better terms. Scala wants to standardize contributions at 3 percent and allow retirement at 55 with 30 years of service.

“We’re losing workers, and we’re also having a hard time hiring workers knowing that the benefits are the way they are,” he said, noting

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Mike Scala, a candidate in the Democratic primary for the open seat in Assembly District 23, talked about his experience and priorities during a sitdown interview with the Chronicle on April 27.

the district’s large population of teachers, first responders and other public employees. “Especially at a time now when everything is unaffordable ... you need to do more to put more money in people’s pockets.”

Also a top priority for Scala is the Queens-

Link, the proposal to reactivate the defunct Rockaway Beach Long Island Rail Road Branch as a “rails plus trails” subway corridor with green space. He serves as counsel to the project, pro bono.

The QueensWay, a competing vision that would turn the right-of-way into a linear park, is scheduled to break ground on construction this year and is backed by the city.

“If done right, building a park does not stop us from getting the train,” Scala said.

QueensLink, in his telling, is about more than commuting: It’s about climate, economic development and basic fairness.

“There was a study that came out that showed that commuters in Assembly District 23 have some of the worst commutes in the whole city. Sixteen percent of us travel 90 minutes or more each way to work,” he said. “Meanwhile, Resorts World is about to have table games. And JFK — why is there no direct line from JFK to Midtown Manhattan? We’re losing out as a city, as a state, by not having this connection. And it’s time to end that.”

His green agenda extends beyond transit. Scala wants a moratorium on utility rate hikes while the state increases subsidies for cleaner energy and reforms rules that keep solar customers tied tightly to major utilities.

“We need to move into the future,” he said.

continued on page 15

Suozzi bill would federalize buffers

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

A bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Nassau, Queens) would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct or harass people within 100 feet of a place of worship “whether by threatening them, blocking their path, or approaching them within 8 feet for the purpose of harassment or intimidation.”

HR 8239, the Safeguarding Access to Congregations and Religious Establishment from Disruption, or SACRED, Act, is co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio).

Suozzi announced the bill at a press conference on April 24 in Glen Cove, LI.

“No one deserves to be harassed or intimidated, especially on their way to their place of worship,” Suozzi said in a subsequent press release. “We’re living in increasingly volatile times, fueled in part by social media fanning the flames of division and our foreign adversaries trying to divide us from within. I’ve heard real fear from my constituents over the last few years about the hate they see and feel, especially while going to pray or

being visibly religious.

“We have a responsibility to address that fear in a thoughtful, targeted way that protects our constituents while balancing the First Amendment right to peacefully protest.”

“Every American deserves to practice their faith free from fear, intimidation, or harassment,” Miller said in the statement.

“The SACRED Act ensures that people can access their place of worship safely and without obstruction, while still preserving First Amendment protections for peaceful expression. This commonsense legislation draws a clear line: intimidation and threats have no place in our communities.”

Penalties except for “exclusively nonviolent conduct” could result in a fine of up to $10,000 and six months in prison for a first offense; six months, or both, for the first offense; and up to $25,000, 18 months, or both, for a subsequent offense.

If bodily injury results, the length of imprisonment could be up to 10 years, and up to life in prison for causing a death.

There is not yet a companion bill in the U.S. Senate. Q

Scala makes his case for AD 23

continued from page 14

“We need to meet our climate goals, but we also have to make it more affordable for people to be able to do that.”

The district is also on the front lines of climate risk.

“People look at the beach as just a recreational area, but it’s not,” Scala said. “It’s our first line of defense against the elements.”

He backs continued beach nourishment, sea walls and jetties “where appropriate,” and is opposed to an offshore pipeline project he believes threatens water quality and worsens climate impacts.

On education, Scala supports keeping mayoral control of schools with reforms, and supports the Specialized High School Admissions Test for the eight schools it applies to. He opposes raising the charter school cap, arguing that regular public schools should be the priority.

“Our charter schools, too often, are taking resources away from our public schools,” Scala said.

On budget concerns, Scala said taxes should not be about squeezing the middle class.

“One of the things that I look at, for example, is that the top tax bracket in New York State is 10.9 percent,” Scala said. “But you have to make over $25 million a year to fall into that tax bracket. Would it kill us for it to be 15 million? Ten million? I think people making that much money can afford to pay their fair share.”

He rejected the premise of backing a bill that

would raise legislator salaries, calling it “not the appropriate way to go” while the budget is late and services are strained.

Scala’s advocacy is not confined to Albany.

On top of his history of civic work, he chairs the board of the Queens Defenders, a nonprofit that represents people who have been charged with a crime and cannot afford to hire a lawyer.

He said the group mainly focuses on housing work and outreach, and says that experience will travel with him to the Assembly.

“We’re going to organize tenants around housing issues,” Scala said. “We’re going to have someone in the office once a month who’s a housing attorney, who can come and give people advice, and, if necessary, will facilitate lawsuits. We’re not afraid to do that.”

If elected, Scala promised to make both the Rockaway peninsula and the “mainland” — Howard Beach and Ozone Park — feel seen in a district that he said has never had a mainlander in the seat.

“I do spend a lot of time in Rockaway as well — you can look at my E-ZPass statement,” Scala quipped.

He added that the district is a microcosm of the borough and the state.

“Queens is the World’s Borough. It’s the most diverse county on the mainland. We and our district, I think, are a perfect example of that. You have every background represented here.”

Authorities displayed some of the 38 firearms that allegedly were purchased by undercover NYPD officers in a 13-month investigation called Operation Extra Credit. The sales allegedly took place in Queens and the Bronx.

Two charged in gun sales to undercovers

DA says 38 guns sold outside Queens College, Forest Park and in College Pt.

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

A man who allegedly sold a loaded handgun to an undercover police officer while on duty as a security guard at Queens College was one of two Manhattan residents arrested last week after a 13-month buy-and-bust investigation.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in an April 23 press release that 38 guns were sold in transactions that took place in Queens and the Bronx during the investigation known as Operation Extra Credit.

Mouhamadou Sylla, 25, of West Harlem, and Ncodjigui Sanogo, 29, of Harlem, were charged in a 131-count indictment with first-degree criminal sale of a firearm, fourth-degree conspiracy, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, six counts of third-degree criminal sale of a firearm, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and criminal possession of a firearm.

Sylla was additionally charged with 24 counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, 68 counts of third-degree criminal sale of a firearm, 15 counts of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, six counts of criminal possession of a firearm, criminal sale of a ghost gun, second-degree criminal sale of a firearm, second- and third-degree attempted criminal sale of a weapon and two counts of thirddegree attempted criminal sale of a firearm.

Both have been remanded. They are scheduled to return to court on June 9. They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charges.

“These are 38 guns that will never be fired in our communities,” Katz said. “One defendant went as far as selling a loaded .38-caliber revolver while working in uniform as a security guard on the Queens College campus. I thank the brave undercover NYPD officers who put themselves in harm’s way to get these deadly weapons off the street and I commend the prosecutors in my Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau for their work on this investigation.”

“The defendants in this case created a firearms trafficking operation to funnel dozens of dangerous weapons into our city, including untraceable ghost guns, a TEC-9, and a semiautomatic Glock conversion device,” she said. “Thanks to our 13-month undercover investigation, the NYPD has taken 38 illegal firearms out of circulation. Large-scale seizures of this kind demonstrate the NYPD’s precision-policing plan in action, which has helped to take nearly 1,500 guns off our streets so far this year.”

Police opened their investigation in April 2025.

On June 10, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Sylla and Sanogo allegedly sold a loaded and operable .38-caliber Titan Tiger revolver to an undercover officer for $1,250. The alleged sale took place on Kissena

continued on page 18

Two suspects are in custody; police searching for additional perpetrator Teen shot on the A train in Ozone Park

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

A 15-year-old boy was shot while on a northboard A train on Monday. Cops made two arrests and are still searching for one suspect.

Police said that on April 27, at approximately 6 p.m., following a verbal dispute, a 15-year-old was shot in the neck and back as the train was approaching the 80th Street subway station, within the confines of the NYPD’s 106th Precinct and Transit District 23.

The perpetrator then exited the train and fled the location on foot to parts unknown, cops said.

The victim was transported by police to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in stable condition.

and added that two suspects were in custody and the investigation is ongoing.

Cops did not provide any details regarding those two perpetrators.

The remaining sought individual is described by the NYPD as a male with braids, medium build and a medium complexion.

He was last seen wearing all black clothing and gray sneakers, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 577-TIPS (8477), or, for Spanish, 1 (888) 57-PISTA (74782).

One may also submit tips by going to crimestoppers.nypdonline.org; or by texting 274637 (CRIMES) and entering TIP577; or by going to @nypdtips on X. All tips are strictly confidential.

“Violence like this has no place on our subway system.”

Daniel Hill, a civic activist and member of the Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol, was at the scene. He told the Chronicle that two perpetrators were detained nearby at 93rd Street and Liberty Avenue.

Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) in a social media post shortly after the crime said police briefed her on the situation

Four struck in club shooting

Four men were wounded as shots rang out at Elmhurst’s Amadeus nightclub in the early hours of April 26.

When police responded to 79-51 Albion Ave. at 3:39 a.m., they saw two injured 28-year-old men, one with a gunshot wound to the face and another whose head was grazed. EMS took them both to NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst in stable condition.

Cops were informed that two other men, 24 and 25, also had been shot, both in the arm and the latter also in the abdomen. Both were taken to area hospitals by private means in stable condition, the NYPD said.

No arrests had been made as of press time, and the investigation was ongoing.

In a statement, Councilmembers Phil Wong (D-Maspeth) and Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights) said the incident was the latest in a pattern of violence at the club. It saw another shooting last May, and a 19-year-old was fatally shot there in 2023.

“Our communities deserve safe streets, and establishments that repeatedly put lives at risk must be held accountable,” the lawmakers said. The club declined to comment on the shooting, when reached via phone. Q

— Stephanie G. Meditz

— Mayor Mamdani

Mayor Mamdani took to X Monday evening to say he had been briefed on the shooting and is relieved that the shot teen is expected to survive.

“This was an unacceptable incident; violence like this has no place on our subway system, and my administration is committed to doing everything in our power to make every New Yorker — especially children — safe on their daily commutes,” Mamdani

Cops are searching for a male suspect, right, in connection with the Monday rush hour shooting of a 15-year-old boy on a northbound A Train approaching the 80th Street subway station in Ozone Park.

wrote. “The NYPD is investigating the shooting, and our administration will share more information as appropriate.”

According to the latest NYPD CompStat data through April 26, felony assaults are up 9.5 percent this year to date within the 106th Precinct, which serves Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Lindenwood and Howard Beach. There have been 115 incidents so far this year, compared to 105 at this time in 2025. Overall crime within the command, per CompStat data, is up 10.6 percent, with 502 incidents recorded so far this year, and 454 at this time last year. Q

Sex offender arrested again in Howard Beach

Man had explicit material of kids, cops say

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

A man previously caught in a undercover sting involving a person he believed to be a minor was arrested again this month in Howard Beach on child pornography charges, according to police and court records.

Dominic Vitale, 45, was taken into custody April 1 at about 1:20 p.m. inside a building on 99th Street in Howard Beach, according to the NYPD, and charged with two counts of possessing a sexual performance by a child.

Authorities listed his address as East Meadow, LI, though two sources told the Chronicle that Vitale is known to often spend time in Howard Beach.

The arrest follows a 2025 Rockland County case in which prosecutors said Vitale exchanged explicit messages and images with an undercover investigator posing as a 14-year-old girl between March and May of that year.

Vitale, who also used the name “Tatt2Dom,” was arraigned in Rockland Coun-

ty in May 2025 on 10 counts of attempted disseminating indecent materials to minors in the first degree and one count of attempted endangering the welfare of a child, according to the District Attorney’s Office there.

He pleaded guilty to the full indictment on Aug. 19, 2025, and that November was sentenced to five years of probation and required to register as a sex offender in New York State.

At the time of his 2025 arrest, multiple reports identified Vitale as an employee of the U.S. Postal Service. A USPS representative told the Chronicle this week that Vitale is no longer employed there.

According to the criminal complaint in the Queens case, investigators recovered a cellphone from Vitale during the earlier Rockland County investigation.

A later forensic review allegedly found child sexual abuse material stored on the device, leading to the new charges.

Vitale is due back in Queens Criminal Court on June 5, according to court documents. He has pleaded not guilty. Q

Gun arrests

continued from page 16

Boulevard outside a building at Queens College where Sanogo was employed by a private company as a security guard at the school. He was on duty and in uniform during the sale and re-entered Kissena Hall afterward, prosecutors said.

Sylla then allegedly sold two guns to an undercover officer in a College Point parking lot on June 17, 2025, at approximately 1:45 p.m., and one gun on July 2, 2025, at approximately 7:40 p.m.

One gun was sold to an undercover officer on June 19, 2025, at approximately 3:40 p.m., in the Melrose section of the Bronx.

Twelve gun sales occurred on a Woodhaven street bordering Forest Park from Aug. 28, 2025, through April 8, 2026.

Sylla drove a 2022 Kia sedan to the transactions and allegedly sold the guns for approximately $1,200 each. Sanogo allegedly served as a courier in three of the 16 transactions.

Of the 38 guns sold in the investigation, two were reported stolen in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Another handgun acquired during the investigation is connected to multiple shootings in Newark, NJ.

Most of the guns sold to the undercover officers were loaded, and the purchases included 9 mm pistols and what prosecutors said was a machine gun.

Sylla was apprehended in Queens and Sanogo in Manhattan on April 22 by members of the Firearms Suppression Section of the NYPD. Q

MTA seeks IBX input in 5 May workshops

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is hosting five more community input sessions for the proposed Interborough Express light passenger rail project in the month of May.

Two will be in Queens, with the others in Brooklyn. One already was held here on April 28.

Members of the public are welcome to attend all meetings.

The IBX, as it is also known, will run for 14 miles between Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights and the Brooklyn Army Terminal, along what is now an active but lightly used freight rail right-of-way.

The Jackson Heights stop will be three blocks from the subway and bus hub at 74th Street-Broadway.

The next Queens meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 2, Christ the King High School at 68-02 Metropolitan Ave, Middle Village.

There also will be one from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, at PS 88 at 60-85 Catalpa Ave. in Ridgewood.

The sessions in Brooklyn are:

• 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, at the early childhood annex of PS 235, the Janice Marie Knight School, at 5811 Ditmas Ave.;

• 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, at Maimonides Medical Center at 4802 10 Ave.; and

• 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 30, at East New York Arts and Civic High School at 800 Van Siclen Ave.

Queens stops along the IBX line are planned for Myrtle Avenue, at the Ridgewood-Glendale border; Metropolitan Avenue in Middle Village; Eliot Avenue at the Maspeth-Middle Village border; and Grand Avenue in Maspeth.

Brooklyn stops will include Wilson Avenue just over the border and the Atlantic Avenue LIRR transit hub.

Thirteen of the 19 new stations will have direct transfers to 17 subway lines. The line also is projected to connect with about 50 bus routes.

Additional information on the meetings and the Interborough Express project in general, including translated invitations, is available online by visiting mta. info/IBX. Q

Cop killer gets 115 years to life in prison

Man sentenced in 2024 fatal Rockaway shooting of NYPD Det. Jonathan Diller

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Guy Rivera, the 36-year-old Long Island City man convicted in the 2024 fatal shooting of NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller in Far Rockaway, was sentenced on April 27 to 115 years to life in prison.

Queens State Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise sentenced Rivera to 25 years to life for aggravated manslaughter, 40 years to life for attempted murder, 25 years to life for one count of criminal possession of a weapon and 25 years to life for another count of criminal possession of a weapon, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

The terms will run consecutively, for a total sentence of 115 years to life in prison.

Authorities said members of the NYPD Queens South Community Response Team on March 25, 2024, approached a parked Kia Soul after spotting what appeared to be a gun-shaped bulge in Rivera’s pocket when he exited a nearby store and entered the car.

Prosecutors said Rivera ignored repeated commands to lower his window and exit the vehicle, then pulled a .380-caliber pistol from his pocket and shot Diller in the abdomen below his protective vest.

rank of detective.

The Kia’s driver, Lindy Jones, who also refused an order to unlock the vehicle at the scene, was arraigned April 16, 2024, on an indictment charging him with criminal possession of a weapon in the second and third degrees. He was remanded and faces up to 15 years in prison, if convicted. Jones is due back in court April 28.

Rivera then pointed the weapon at Sgt. Sasha Rosen and pulled the trigger, but the gun jammed, authorities said.

Diller wrestled the gun away before collapsing and was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he died after emergency surgery.

During the encounter, Officer Veckash Khedna fired two shots, wounding Rivera, who was arrested at the scene.

A court-authorized search of the vehicle the next day uncovered a loaded defaced 9 mm handgun in the glove compartment bearing Rivera’s fingerprints and DNA, prosecutors said.

Diller was posthumously promoted to the

Queens DA Melinda Katz in a statement said, “Jonathan Diller represented the very best of law enforcement: courage, commitment and service to community. He was a father, a husband and a son. He was also a dedicated member of the New York City Police Department ... The void left by his senseless loss at the hands of this defendant is immeasurable. Today’s sentence of 115 years to life in prison does not erase the tragedy of March 25, 2024, but it ensures that this defendant will never be free again to terrorize the streets of New York City.”

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said, “Today’s sentence of Guy Rivera for the murder of Detective Jonathan Diller means Rivera will spend the rest of his life in prison. That is obviously the right result, for him and for anyone who kills a New York City Police Officer. May Detective First Grade Jonathan Diller’s memory continue to be a blessing to Stephanie and Ryan, and Jonathan’s brothers and sisters in blue at the New York City Police Department.” Q

Det. Jonathan Diller NYPDPHOTO/FILE

Forest Park Drive, Woodhaven, NY

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Despite gray skies and steady rain, 45 people turned out for “Puttin’ on the Glitz” on April 25 at Woodhaven Manor, proving a little bad weather could not dampen community spirit.

The free spring and summer networking event, organized by Queens Chronicle Account Executive and creative director Ree Brinn, brought together area businesses, organizations and residents for an afternoon of connection and celebration.

Fabiola Mounkaila of Naturally Fab’s, top left, served up some healthy drinks and homemade muffins to Shamika Narain, center, president of the Kiwanis Club of

Ozone Park-Woodhaven and Cathy Williams, executive director of the Woodhaven Business Improvement District.

Representing Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, community liaison Jean Sooklall, above left, and staffer Rohanee Rita Gocool, far right, presented certificates recognizing Brinn, second from left, Liza Terra Asmr, Williams and the Queens Chronicle for their community contributions.

Rajkumar also had an honor for Tyra Emerson to mark the 30th anniversary of the Jamaica Arts & Music Summer Festival. Attendees accepted the honor on Emerson’s behalf. — Kristen Guglielmo

Believe in ghosts? You just might if you pass through Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens on Sunday, May 3.

That’s when the Friends of Maple Grove will host one of their most popular and intriguing events, Spirits Alive.

“The Past is Waiting to Meet You,” reads the kicker above the headline on the Friends’ Spirits Alive flier, which then promises, “History Steps Out of the Shadows! Discover new stories and unforgettable characters waiting among the paths of Maple Grove.” Spooky but educational.

The event, a self-guided educational

tour offered from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., features actors in period costume portraying various people buried at Maple Grove, “sharing dramatic stories drawn from the lives of those who shaped our community.” Spirits Alive is free, though donations are accepted. Parking is free, and the pedestrian entrance to the necropolis is at Kew Gardens Road and Lefferts Boulevard. Visitors are encouraged to wear period costumes, with the 19th century appearing to be favored. For more, call (347) 8786613 or visit friendsofmaplegrove.org. Q — Peter C. Mastrosimone

PHOTO BY REE BRINN,

B SPORTS EAT

Soto in, Lindor out

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

There are two terms that will make Mets fans wince when they reflect upon the first month of the 2026 season: “losing streak” and “calf injuries.” As soon as Juan Soto returned to the Mets lineup last Wednesday from the calf injury he incurred in San Francisco three weeks earlier, the club proceeded to end its nightmarish 12-game losing streak by beating the Minnesota Twins in a nail-biter, 3-2.

That was the good news. The bad news was that in the same game, shortstop Francisco Lindor, who is known for his durability, injured a calf muscle running the bases trying to score. Lindor slid in safely, but that was probably the last memory we will have of him until the AllStar break, based on Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza’s glum report to the media the following day. Adding to the bad vibes, Lindor’s dormant bat was finally coming to life.

Lindor’s absence creates the first real opportunity for Ronny Mauricio to play every day. He has been labeled a top position player prospect for years. Because the Mets have had a glut of infielders, he has only received sporadic playing time when he has been called up from the minors. He has not shown much in those cameo appearances. Mauricio is out of minor league options after the 2026 season, so it is finally put up or shut up time for him.

The media had a field day with the Mets’ losing streak and a lot of laughs were at the expense of New York City Mayor Mamdani. The start of the team’s bad fortunes coincided with a mayoral visit to Citi Field. He posed with a broad smile for a photo with the team’s mascots, Mr. and Mrs. Met.

That picture made WABC morning radio talk show host Sid Rosenberg declare he was switching his baseball fan allegiance from Queens to the Bronx, as he would now root for the Yankees.

As soon as the Mets’ losses started mounting, the New York Post ran the photo on its front page under a headline which read “The Curse of the Mambino.” A conservative satirical digital publication, The Babylon Bee, posted a story about how Mayor Mamdani was ordering visiting teams to redistribute 40 percent of their runs to the Mets to remedy “run inequality.”

Even the Mets’ cable home, SNY, got in on the act. Team field reporter Steve Gelbs held a voodoo ceremony, complete with incense, to chase the bad spirits away last Tuesday before the Twins-Mets game. Not to be outdone, Gary Cohen and Ron Darling lit candles in the broadcast booth.

The SNY theatrics did not change the Mets’ luck immediately, as they lost that night, but the streak did end a day later, Way to go, guys! Q

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

Estate Planning Fundamentals: Trust Decanting and the Irrevocable Trust

By Cynthia J. Conza, Esq.

Readers of this column know that proper drafting of an irrevocable trust can ensure the trust’s beneficiaries can claim a step-up basis on their inheritance and eliminate the capital gains tax. This allows the basis of an asset to be “stepped up” to the fair market value of the asset upon the grantor’s death. However, not every irrevocable trust is drafted properly, and some do not include language that allows beneficiaries to claim the step-up basis on inherited assets.

What can you do if you discover you transferred your most valuable assets, such as your home, to an irrevocable trust that was not properly drafted and will result in a significant capital gains tax? The terms and language of an irrevocable trust cannot be amended, so your trustee cannot just correct an error in the trust. While it is possible in some circumstances to terminate an irrevocable trust and transfer the assets back to your name, this means you would also restart the five-year Medicaid lookback window and potentially put the

property at risk to a nursing home or jeopardize your eligibility for Medicaid.

However, there is a solution to this problem where you can preserve your Medicaid status, prevent capital gains tax, and keep your property safely in an irrevocable trust. Your trustee has the authority under New York’s Estates, Powers & Trusts Law to transfer assets from one irrevocable trust to another irrevocable trust. This process is known as “decanting” a trust, and moves assets to a new irrevocable trust that corrects drafting errors in the original trust.

If you have any concerns about an existing irrevocable trust, or any other estate planning documents, we can review your documents and will identify any issues and advise on the proper solution.

Proper planning will have a significant impact on your ability to protect your assets for your children and beneficiaries. Please feel free to contact me at cynthia@conzamcnamara.com or (718) 845-5555 if you would like to discuss further.

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High notes and high spirits

The sound of awe-inspiring music filled Russo’s on the Bay in Howard Beach on April 27 as more than 200 residents were seated for “A Night at the Opera,” performed by the Queens Symphony Orchestra.

The evening was sponsored by Councilmember Joann Ariola, top right, who in a statement said access to the arts should never be out of reach.

“Supporting the Queens Symphony Orchestra and organizing events like ‘A Night at the Opera’ allows us to bring highquality performances directly into our neighborhoods, and gives residents the opportunity to experience live music close to home,” Ariola said.

Also in attendance was Queens District

Attorney Melinda Katz, top left, who said, “The QSO has become a cornerstone of our borough’s cultural identity. My father, the founder of QSO, believed that music, art, and culture played a vital role in the positive growth and development of people, families, and communities. I share deeply in that belief, which continues to guide my community-centered approach to prosecution.”

Deborah Surdi, the executive director of the QSO, expressed gratitude for Ariola’s support and added, “Additionally, this year she has enabled us to bring much-needed music lessons into schools allowing children to experience the transformative power of music.” — Kristen Guglielmo

HB Kiwanis offers scholarships

The Kiwanis Club of Howard Beach is supporting higher education by awarding scholarships to students living in the 11414 ZIP code. Applicants must be high school seniors who will continue their education at an accredited college or university in fall 2026. They must demonstrate academic excellence and financial need, and have a record of community service and extracurricular activities.

Nature lovers honor Castillo at Birdathon

Memorial event takes flight at Alley Pond, Forest parks and Jamaica Bay

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

The legacy of a beloved Queens naturalist will be honored once again next week as birders of all experience levels gather for the fourth annual César Castillo Memorial Queens County Birdathon on May 9.

Hosted by the NYC Bird Alliance in partnership with the Queens County Bird Club, the event features three guided outings through parks and wetlands that were among Castillo’s favorite birding spots.

Organizers say proceeds will support environmental programming in Queens, with a focus on connecting underserved communities to nature — a mission that reflects Castillo’s lifelong values.

Participants can choose from morning bird walks at Alley Pond Park and Forest Park from 8 a.m. to noon, followed by an afternoon outing at Jamaica Bay from 1:30 to 4 p.m.

For more information, or to register, one may visit tinyurl.com/3kyps96z.

Friends and fellow birders remember Castillo not only for his deep knowledge of wildlife, but for his generosity in sharing it.

Donna L. Schulman of the Queens County Bird Club, in a written blog post, recalled first meeting Castillo while searching for a rare Virginia’s warbler in Alley Pond Park. She said he patiently helped others spot the tiny bird hidden in dense shrubbery, repeating directions again and again.

Castillo was also a leader in making nature more welcoming and accessible. He served on the board of NYC Bird Alliance, where he worked on equity, diversity, inclu-

This year’s programs will feature three $2,500 awards, as well as two $1,000 scholarships, benefiting five total honorees.

The application, along with more information, can be found online at howardbeachkiwanis.org.

The completed application with supporting documents, including recommendation letters, should be sent to the Kiwanis Club of Howard Beach Scholarship Fund, at PO Box 140235 in Howard Beach, NY 11414. Those with questions may call (917) 745-2713.

The club’s scholarship committee will review all materials and make decisions by late May. Scholarships will be presented at the end of June at Lenny’s Clam Bar. Q

St. John’s basketball was a big winner at last Thursday’s Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association’s 93rd Annual Haggerty Awards dinner, for its prowess on and off the court.

St. John’s Zuby Ejiofor become the second straight Red Storm player to win the Lt. Frank J. Haggerty Award, as the best college basketball player in the metropolitan area after RJ Luis Jr. claimed the honor in 2025.

St. John’s Bryce Hopkins (All-Met first team), Dillon Mitchell (second team), Dylan Darling (third team) and Oziyah Sellers (honorable mention) were also hon-

sion and conservation initiatives. His contributions to citizen science were equally remarkable. Through iNaturalist, Castillo logged more than 17,000 observations and led New York State in vertebrate records. He also helped identify thousands of observations submitted by others.

Those who knew him say Castillo believed birding could inspire people to better understand and protect local ecosystems. This year’s memorial Birdathon aims to continue that work by bringing more Queens residents outdoors and into the habitats he loved most. Q

ored, along with Brooke Moore (second team) and Sa’Mya Wyatt (third team) from the women’s team.

Four more players from Queens were honored: Nkiru Awaka of Queens College; Bryce Merchant of Molloy University; Tayejon Lynch of Western Connecticut State University; and Esther Ramos of Manhattanville University.

This writer, MBWA Vice President Gregg Cohen, had the honor of the night, presenting the Distinguished Service Award to legendary broadcaster Bill Raftery. Q — Gregg Cohen

The fourth annual César Castillo Memorial Queens County Birdathon on May 9 honors the life and legacy of a beloved area naturalist who died in 2023.

by Marlee Wollman

Marlee Wollman st andi a sin e idea Gestures d i l s

Fifty-three New York-based artists take part in the most recent edition of the quinquennial “Greater New York” exhibit at MoMA PS1, providing a labyrinthine and multifaceted glimpse of the city’s metabolism.

The common factor is a connection to the city, whether through current or past residence or work. With an astonishingly vast collection of materials, viewpoints and personal realities, the show, open through Aug. 17, careens with pluralism rather than

for a idea. Gestures of closeness

standing for a single idea. Gestures of closeness coexist with morphological commentary from start to finish along each floor of the museum at 22-25 Jackson Ave. in Long Island City, depicting a hysterical city in ceaseless fluctuation.

ARTS, CULTURE

&

LIVING

Covey Gong’s “Shi” (2026) seizes that anticipation with bold economy. A fluid red textile form presses against a stainless steel grid, its softness visibly constrained by rigid geometry. The work resists narrative and instead stages a direct encounter between flexibility and control. The grid reads as both support and containment, paralleling the systems that institutionalize sentience in the urbanscape. In its restraint, the piece crystallizes many of the exhibition’s apprehensions into a single sustained figuration.

Mark Kokopelli’s “Problem_02”

Park”-like figures appear among piggy banks, receipts and tax manuals. The looping conversation invokes laughter in addition to the eerie impression of familiar life rendered. The comedic aspect gives way to the absurdity of financial survival as what first seems lighthearted becomes cramped; motifs of tax debt and bureaucracy as constraints that permeate daily life transform the walled display into a

tax debt and as constraints that permea diorama of contemporary fears.

“B

(S

): A

(22025), a part r of f the Red d Canary Song series, is a

“Belongings (Still Lives): Auspicious Future” (2025), a part of the Red Canary Song series, is a more somber but equally profound meditation.

ritual and

continued on page 27

Capri Jet Realty Hosts Exclusive Real Estate & Investment Seminar in Howard Beach

Capri Jet Realty successfully hosted its highly anticipated Real Estate Investor Seminar on Thursday evening April 23 at the Old Mill Yacht Club, bringing together both new and experienced investors for an informative and engaging event. Held from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the waterfront venue located at 163-15 Cross Bay Boulevard, the seminar deliv ered a comprehensive look into today’s real estate landscape, combining expert guidance with valuable networking opportunities in a professional yet welcoming setting.

The event featured a distinguished panel of industry professionals who each provided valuable insight into key areas of real estate investing. Dominick Ciccarelli Jr., a renowned New York architect, spoke about building and zoning regulations, offering attendees a deeper understanding of development potential and compliance requirements. Salvatore Tomaselli, an established mortgage broker, discussed the latest commercial and residential financing options available in today’s market. William “Bill” Durcan, a trusted real estate attorney, explained the importance of wills, trusts, and estate planning as it relates to real estate ownership. Mario Saggese, a well-known CPA both among attendees and throughout the real estate community, provided expert insight into 1031 exchanges and strategies for deferring capital gains taxes. Rounding out the panel, Robert Napolitano, broker of

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Capri Jet Realty, shared his expertise on current market trends and effective investment strategies.

The seminar covered a wide range of essential topics, including financing investment properties, property inspections, legal considerations, and strategies for maximizing returns—equipping attendees with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions in an evolving market.

Guests enjoyed an upscale experience complete with hors d’oeuvres and an open bar, fostering an environment where attendees could connect directly with experts and fellow investors. The event emphasized Capri Jet Realty’s belief that “Knowledge = Power,” reinforcing its commitment to educating clients and the broader community.

“This seminar was designed to give investors real, practical insight they can apply immediately,” said Robert Napolitano. “Whether you’re just starting out or expanding your portfolio, having access to the right professionals makes all the difference.”

With strong attendance and positive feedback, Capri Jet Realty continues to solidify its role not only as a leading brokerage but also as a trusted resource for real estate education. So if you’re thinking of buying, selling, or renting, trust Capri Jet and their network of industry professionals to assist you with your real estate needs.

Due to the success of the event, additional seminars are expected to be announced in the near future.

Ethel Merman had the

whole of Astoria on a plate I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

Edward Zimmermann married Agnes Gardner on Aug. 2, 1905 in Queens. Their only child, Ethel Agnes, was born on Jan. 16, 1908. By the age of 5 she was singing.

They lived in an apartment building at 29-08 31 Ave. in Astoria. Ethel studied to be a stenographer, graduating W.C. Bryant High School in 1924. In the evening she did singing gigs and was quickly discovered by agent Al Siegal, who introduced her to theater agents. She decided to change her name to Merman because Zimmermann was too long for a marquee.

On Oct. 14, 1930, Merman had her stage debut along with Ginger Rogers in “Girl Crazy.” It was a breakout hit, putting them both on the map. Her “I’ve Got Rhythm” done in her own “brassy” style became an instant classic. She never took a voice lesson and felt that after a tonsillectomy, her voice got even more powerful.

Merman originated some of the most memorable roles on Broadway, including Reno Sweeney in 1934’s “Anything Goes,” Annie Oakley in 1946’s “Annie Get Your

The childhood home of musical theater star Ethel Merman was at 29-08 31 Ave. in Astoria, seen as it looks today. GOOGLEMAPSIMAGE; ABCTELEVISIONPHOTO,INSET,VIAWIKIPEDIA

Gun” and the incomparable Mama Rose in 1959’s “Gypsy.” She was married and divorced four times. Her last marriage, to Academy Award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine, was on June 27, 1964. It was one of Hollywood’s shortest unions, ending after only 38 days.

Many fans assumed Merman was Jewish but she was raised strict Episcopalian. She performed all her life, up to the time she passed away from the aftermath of brain surgery on Feb. 15, 1984, at age 76. Q

St. Mary’s ‘Addams Family’ is morbid, but moving

by Stephanie G. Meditz editor

They’re creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky. And for just one more weekend, they’re onstage in Woodside.

The St. Mary’s Drama Guild musical production of “The Addams Family” is certainly full of death, crossbows, torture devices and all-black clothing. But at its core is the same lighthearted, uplifting message that has helped the franchise stand the test of time — your oddities are what make you, you.

“It’s kind of timeless in the way that everyone always comes back to it,” director and choreographer Claire Spinetti told the Chronicle last Friday. “And I think part of what makes it timeless is its embracing of uniqueness, that your unique, quirky qualities are not something you should have to hide.”

“The Addams Family” was first created by cartoonist Charles Addams in the 1930s, and through the years, a popular TV show as well as numerous reboots and movies have been created about the beloved, eccentric bunch.

Those unfamiliar with the stage production can look forward to seeing some new characters, in addition to the iconic ones they know and love.

on both his wife’s and his daughter’s good side.

Whitmore also succeeds in maintaining Wednesday’s typically nonchalant demeanor, while also showing a more vulnerable side through her feelings for Lucas. The young actress’ voice is strong, steady and rife with potential throughout the show.

Pedicini also does an excellent job playing Pugsley, the annoying little brother who truly loves being tortured by his big sister.

And of course, Uncle Fester (Ian Steckler) is a bright star, or perhaps moon, in this production. You never know what wackiness he’ll get up to next, but you can’t help but smile as he defends love at all costs.

Audiences can be unsettled by the creepy, kooky Addams family for two more performances by St. Mary’s Drama Guild this weekend.

In the musical, young Wednesday Addams (Claudia Whitmore) falls in love with Lucas Beineke (Daniel Diamandiev), a boy from a “normal” Midwestern family. She invites him and his parents over for dinner, and even though both Wednesday and Lucas urge their respective families to behave, the function goes about as well as one might imagine. With a “zombie butler” in Lurch (Dennis Schroeder) and some potion antics by Pugs-

PHOTO BY DANIEL DIAMANDIEV

ley (Emily Pedicini) facilitated by Grandma (Sarah Lee), the evening devolves into chaos, but nothing that a healthy dose of love can’t fix.

And no character is more devoted than Gomez (Andrew Villa) is to Morticia, played by alternate Michelle Vidal, in lieu of Shannon McDavid, at the April 26 show. Villa easily elicits laughs with his animated performance, from his facial expressions to his frantic movements as he attempts to stay

“They really feed off each other and really have become a family within themselves,” Spinetti said of the cast.

She also applauded music director Debbie Yanez for her work teaching the cast the difficult, sometimes jarring harmonies that one would expect in “The Addams Family.”

The remaining performances are May 2 at 6:30 p.m. and May 3 at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are at stmarysdramaguild.org for $22, while premium seats are $25 and kids under 13 get in for $15. St. Mary’s Winfield Church is at 70-20 47 Ave. One may email stmarysdramaguild@gmail.com or call (347) 450-6184 to learn more. Q

‘Greater New York’ tells tales of the naked city

from page 25

precarity is created by carefully placing items such as fruit, incense, coins, and a jar bearing the Chinese symbol for fortune. The context of the piece, a grassroots organization of migrant workers and advocates of the Asian diaspora based in Flushing, bolsters it with meaning and realworld implications.

“Casa Migrante” (2024) by Cinthya Santos-Briones creates a space for viewers to

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ponder migrant life — through a rich color photograph. The transient yet tranquil atmosphere is captured within the frame of an arched threshold, depicting a muted interior with personal belongings placed in a naturally serene disarray. The area creates an aura of impermanence, as if it could be disassembled at any time. Santos-Briones offers a controlled meditation on migration as a lived reality by concentrating on the little deeds that foster a sense of home in precarious circumstances.

The Women’s History Museum’s “Chez Les Heureux du Monde” (2026) takes such volatility into a more dramatic level. Hints of urban destruction may be seen peeking through the broken walls and scattered debris that show a disjointed interior space. While suspended objects such as shoes and birds drift in midair, a seated figure clothed in patterned fabric acts as the scene’s anchor. By combining household space with historical rupture, the installation implies that the house is continuously entwined with cycles of obliteration and revival.

Considered as a whole, the pieces in “Greater New York” wholeheartedly reject a singular story about the city and instead

Among the works seen at MoMA PS1 are, clockwise from left, “Shi”, “Belongings (Still Lives): Auspicious Future,” “Casa Migrante” and several pieces in the “Untitled (Travelogue)” series. On the cover: “Chez Les Heureux du Monde.” PHOTOS BY

create a dynamically fragmented depiction sculpted by the conundrum of surviving within limitations while attempting to strive beyond them. Displacement, exploitation and confrontation percolate beneath the concrete, stories to be told at every junction in the city the artists (or their art) at

least once called home.

The exhibition makes the argument that our city is an ongoing negotiation rather than a concrete identity, where individual and collective histories overlap — constricted, demolished, reconstructed and rewritten within the same precarious framework. Q

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Notice of Formation of 1010 47TH AVENUE LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/12/2026. 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, 5001 5TH STREET, 2A, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

25TH AVENUE PROPERTY

LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/28/2026. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 101-05 Lefferts Blvd., Ste 207, S Richmond Hill, NY 11419. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice is hereby given that a Liquor License, serial number NA0524-26-05633, for beer, wine, and liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to permit the sale of beer, wine, and liquor at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverages Control Law at HMSHOST JFK T5 PARTNERS, LLC located at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 5, Space No. 29EC-1 & 29EC-2 Central Terminal Building, Jamaica, NY 11430-2084 on premise consumption.

Notice is hereby given that a Summer Restaurant On Premises Full Liquor License, Application ID NA-0341-26-101203 has been applied for by Rockaway Ocean Club Rooftop LLC d/b/a Rockaway Ocean Club serving beer, wine, cider and liquor to be sold at retail for on premises consumption in a restaurant for the premises located at 157 Rockaway Beach Blvd., 3rd Floor, Rockaway Park, NY 11694

Notice is hereby given that an On-Premises, Profit Private ClubLiquor License, NYS Application ID NA-0425-26-106868 has been applied for by Rockaway Ocean Clubhouse LLC d/b/a Rockaway Ocean Club serving beer, wine, cider, mead and liquor to be sold at retail for on premise consumption in a Private Club with one addtional bar under the ABC law at 157 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Park, NY 11694.

Notice of Formation of CNPB GROUP LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 04/02/2026. 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: CNPB GROUP LLC, 28-13 DITMARS BOULEVARD, ASTORIA, NY 11105 Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of CONNECTA SOLUTIONS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/17/2026. 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: Giovanny Ospina, 3031 42ND STREET, APT 2, ASTORIA, NY 11103 Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of CROWN REGO LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/24/2025. 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: OSHER NIYAZOV, 161-10A UNION TPKE, FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11366. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of GAN STAMFORD HOLDINGS LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/13/2026. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o 220-46 73rd Ave., Bayside, NY 11364. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of IVY AVENUE LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 04/01/2026.

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: TINA NGUYEN, 3450 43RD ST., #1R, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101 Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MARATHON RELOCATION LLC

Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/06/2026.

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, 2067 SHORE BLVD., #1B, ASTORIA, NY 11105. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

PARALITOS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/06/2026. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Nikolaos Grigorios Kavnoydias, 23-31 28th St., Astoria, NY 11105. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NOTICE

OF SALE

Supreme Court County of Queens The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York as Trustee for the Certificateholders CWALT, Inc. Alternative Loan Trust 2005-36 Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-36, Plaintiff AGAINST Juan Pimentel, Leidy M. Pimental, Alexis Cordero, et al, Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 14, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Queens County Courthouse, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Second Floor Courtroom 25, Jamaica, NY 11435 on May 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM premises known as 133-12 129th Street, South Ozone Park, NY 11420. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements erected, situate, lying and being in the County of Queens, City and State of New York, BLOCK: 11787, LOT: 42. Approximate amount of judgment is $696,327.70 plus interests and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 705485/2024. This sale may be subject to the US Dept of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network Real Estate Reporting Rule. In such event, all purchasers are required to provide the information needed for proper reporting in accordance with the terms of sale. For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction. com or call (800) 2802832. Frances Yetta Ruiz, Referee FRENKEL LAMBERT WEISMAN & GORDON LLP 53 Gibson Street, Bay Shore, NY 11706 01-025057-F01 89657

Notice of Formation of POKENOBI LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/16/2026. 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: ZENBUSINESS INC, 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of PROSLOT BOS LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/20/2026. 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, 5031 211th STREET, BAYSIDE HILLS, NY 11364 Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

THREE IN ONE EQUITIES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/19/10. Latest date to dissolve: 12/31/2080. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 31-10 37th Avenue Ste 500, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Woodside North Condominium LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State: 3/26/26. Office location: Queens County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 203 Park Lane, Douglas Manor, NY 11363, principal business address. Purpose: all lawful purposes.

Notice of Formation of YNH NOTARY SERVICES LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 04/07/2026. 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: YOMARI NUNEZ HINRICKSEN, 28-24 STEINWAY STREET, #111, ASTORIA, NY 11103. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Real Estate

EQUAL HOUSING. Federal, New York State and local laws prohibit discrimination because of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, marital status, familial status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residential real estate. Queens Chronicle does not knowingly accept advertising in violation of these laws. When you suspect housing discrimination call the Open Housing Center (the Fair Housing Agency for the five boroughs of New York) at 212-941-6101, or the New York City Commission of Human Rights Hotline at 718722-3131.

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

Having a garage sale? Let everyone know about it by advertising in the Queens Classifieds Call 718-205-8000 and place the ad!

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SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST CO. NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK TRUST COMPANY, N.A., SUCCESSOR TO JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., Plaintiff -against- WILLIAM H. HSU AKA WILLIAM HSU, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered herein and dated March 17, 2023, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., in Courtroom # 25, Jamaica, NY on May 29, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at a point on the northwesterly side of Bayside Lane, distant 274.70 feet southwesterly from the corner formed by the intersection of the northwesterly side of Bayside Lane with southerly side of 26th Avenue 80 feet wide; RUNNING THENCE Southwesterly along the northwesterly side of Bayside Lane, 38.02 feet; RUNNING THENCE Westerly along the northerly side of 27th Avenue, 9.80 feet; RUNNING THENCE Northerly on a line at right angles to the northerly side of 27th Avenue, 110 feet; RUNNING THENCE Easterly on a line at right angles to the last mentioned course, 40 feet; RUNNING THENCE Southerly on a line at right angles to the last mentioned course, 86.90 feet to the northwesterly side of Bayside Lane, the point or place of BEGINNING. Block: 4902 Lot: 145 Said premises known as 26-30 BAYSIDE LANE, COLLEGE POINT, NY 11356 Approximate amount of lien $463,926.20 plus interest & costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. 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 or the Mortgagee’s attorney. Index Number 703556/2016. LESLEY J. LANOIX, ESQ., Referee David A. Gallo & Associates LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 47 Hillside Avenue, 2nd Floor, Manhasset, NY 11030 File# 5025.1240

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS SUMMONS Index #706189/2025 Original filed with Clerk March 4, 2025 Plaintiff Designates Queens County as the Place of Trial. The Basis of Venue is that the subject action is situated in Queens County. Premises: 189-02 120th Avenue, St. Albans, NY 11417 MORTGAGE ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC, Plaintiff, -against- TONY A. RICHBERG AKA ANTHONY RICHBERG AS HEIR OF THE ESTATE OF MAGLINE RICHBERG; TAIKEYA RICHBERG AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MAGLINE RICHBERG AND MAGLINE RICHBERG’S UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTERST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN; DAVID CEDER AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF SIMON CEDER AND HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF HANNAH CEDER AND SIMON CEDER’S UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTERST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN AND HANNAH CEDER’S UNKNOWN HEIRS AT LAW, NEXT OF KIN, DISTRIBUTEES, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, TRUSTEES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, ASSIGNEES, LIENORS, CREDITORS, AND SUCCESSORS IN INTERST AND GENERALLY ALL PERSONS HAVING OR CLAIMING UNDER, BY OR THROUGH SAID DEFENDANT WHO MAY BE DECEASED, BY PURCHASE, INHERITANCE, LIEN OR OTHERWISE, ANY RIGHT, TITLE OR INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE COMPLAINT HEREIN; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; SIMON CEDER; HANNAH CEDER; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, and JOHN DOE AND JANE DOE #1 through #7, the last seven (7) names being fictitious and unknown to the Plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, oc cupants, persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint, Defendants. TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance, on the Plaintiff’s Attorney(s) within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York); the United States of America may appear or answer within 60 day of service hereof; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Karina E. Alomar, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County, entered March 12, 2026 and filed with the complaint and other papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Office. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the amount of $525,000.00 recorded in the office of the clerk of Queens County on January 8, 2009 in CRFN: 2009000006098 covering premises known as 189-02 120th Ave, Saint Albans, NY 11412 a/k/a Block 12664, Lot 24. The relief sought in he within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this Summons and Complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who fi led this foreclosure proceeding against you and fi ling 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 ASSETS MANAGEMENT, LLC AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: Uniondale, New York March 4, 2025 Respectfully submitted, Pincus & Tarab, Attorneys at Law, PLLC By: Linda P. Manfredi, Esq.Attorneys for Plaintiff 425 RXR Plaza Uniondale, NY 11556 516-699-8902

SUMMONS Index No. 724401/2024 STATE OF NEW YORK

SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF QUEENS JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION S/B/M CHASE HOME FINANCE LLC, Plaintiff, -vs- THE HEIRS AT LARGE OF ANTENOR V. JOHNSON, deceased, and all persons who are spouses, widows, grantees, mortgagees, lienors, heirs, devisees, distributees, successors in interest of such of them as may be dead, and their husbands and wives, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors of interest of all of whom and whose names and places are unknown to Plaintiff; TERESA HOLMES; SHONTAY HOLMES; JANET JACOBS; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; SHANREL TORRES; ROBERTO TORRES; LEANNY GOMEZ and JANE DOE, individual whose name remains unknown to Plaintiff; Defendants. Mortgaged Premises: 7537 61st Street, Glendale, NY 11385 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on the plaintiff’s attorney within twenty (20) days of the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after service of the same is complete where service is made in any manner other 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. Your failure to appear or answer will result in a judgment against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. In the event that a deficiency balance remains from the sale proceeds, a judgment may be entered against you, unless the Defendant obtained a bankruptcy discharge and such other or further relief as may be just and equitable. 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 to 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 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. QUEENS County is designated as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the location of the mortgaged premises. Dated: October 30, 2024 Mark K. Broyles, Esq. FEIN SUCH & CRANE, LLP Attorneys for Plaintiff Office and P.O. Address 28 East Main Street, Suite 1800 Rochester, New York 14614 Telephone No. (585) 232-7400 Block: 3586 Lot: 28 NATURE AND OBJECT OF ACTION The object of the above action is to foreclose a mortgage held by the Plaintiff recorded in the County of QUEENS, State of New York as more particularly described in the Complaint herein. TO THE DEFENDANT, the plaintiff makes no personal claim against you in this action. To the above named defendants: The foregoing summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an order of HON. Denise N. Johnson Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, dated October 10, 2025 and filed along with the supporting papers in the QUEENS County Clerk’s ,Office. This is an action to foreclose a Mortgage. 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 Mortgaged Premises: 7537 61st Street, Glendale, NY 11385 Tax Map/Parcel ID No.: Block: 3586 Lot: 28 of the BOROUGH of QUEENS, NY 11385 89852

ALL

U.S. DIMES PRE 1965

QUARTERS PRE 1965

HALF DOLLARS PRE 1965

HALF DOLLARS 1965-1969

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SILVER DOLLARS PRE 1936

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