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USDA says November SNAP money won’t be issued without agreement Shutdown threatens food benefit funding

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that, barring any agreement in Washington, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which provides emergency food assistance to low-income residents, will be cut off Nov. 1 due to the ongoing partial government shutdown.

Gov. Hochul and Democrats are blaming the Trump administration. The administration is blaming U.S. Senate Democrats.

And numbers provided by Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills), who sides with Hochul, say more than 3 million New York State residents could have their food benefits suspended effective Saturday.

Hochul on Monday announced that the state will fast-track $30 million to regional emergency food providers in order to supply 16 million meals. The recipients include City Harvest and Food Bank for New York City, which serve Queens residents.

But even long before the shutdown, officials with emergency food providers have told the Chronicle that they have seen other cuts out of Washington since January that already had been making things harder for their client agencies. The director of one food pantry in Queens told the Chronicle that its lines have gotten longer since January, and it has seen an increase that now includes homeowners and two-income families forced to use pantries to make ends met.

“I am doing everything in my power to soften the blow of the destruction Republicans in Washington are inflicting on our state,” Hochul said in a statement on her official website Monday. “While I’ve said repeatedly that no state can backfill these devastating cuts, I am committed to ensuring New York-

SNAP food benefits could be suspended Nov. 1, when the partial federal shutdown enters its second month.

ers do not go hungry this holiday season and am taking action to support the families suffering the consequences of Republicans’ cruelty.”

Hochul said Republicans in Congress “voted to rip health care and vital services from millions of New Yorkers ...”

A statement on the website of the U.S. Department of Agriculture offered a decidedly different interpretation

“Senate Democrats have now voted 12 times to not fund the

food stamp program, also known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” the USDA said. “Bottom line, the well has run dry. At this time, there will be no benefits issued November 01.”

A 13th vote failed on Tuesday.

The administration said Senate Democrats “continue to hold out for healthcare for illegal aliens and gender mutilation procedures or reopen the government so mothers, babies, and the most vulnerable among us can receive critical nutrition assistance.”

With some exceptions, Democrats are unwilling to vote for Republican continuing resolutions that would fund government operations at levels previously approved. They seek to restore funding cuts that the GOP majority had made earlier this year.

On Tuesday, state Attorney General Letitia James joined her counterparts from more than 20 other states and the District of Columbia to compel the USDA to use contingency funds to cover as much of the November payments as possible.

James in a statement from her office called the threatened suspension unlawful, saying the USDA is legally required to continue providing benefits as long as it has the funding.

U.S. Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Jamaica) said in an email Monday that the contingency money could cover about two-thirds of SNAP’s November obligations.

“Millions of Americans are about to go hungry because the federal government has chosen to withhold food assistance it is legally obligated to provide,” James said. “SNAP is one of our nation’s most effective tools to fight hunger, and the USDA has the money to keep it running. There is no excuse for this administration to abandon families who rely on SNAP, or food stamps,

continued on page 16

Community gathers at Forest Park for dedication in honor of Simonsen Baseball field named for fallen detective

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

In honor of an NYPD detective killed in the line of duty in 2019, the baseball field at Victory Field in Forest Park on Oct. 25 was named Detective Brian “Smiles” Simonsen Field during a community fall festival.

Family and friends of Det. Brian Simonsen, NYPD leadership, city Parks Department Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa and area residents attended the dedication ceremony.

Simonsen was a 19-year veteran of the NYPD who was killed by friendly fire on Feb. 12, 2019 while responding to an attempted robbery in Richmond Hill. He served out of the 102nd Precinct, which took to social media after the ceremony to laud the fallen officer, who was nicknamed “Smiles” and beloved by his colleagues and the community for his dedication and warmth.

his memory and the legacy he left behind.”

The NYPD itself posted photos of the ceremony as well, and wrote, “Detective Brian Simonsen made the ultimate sacrifice six years ago while investigating a robbery. Today, a baseball field is being dedicated in his honor, a lasting tribute to his courage and service. His legacy will forever live on.”

The Det. Simonsen Foundation, a nonprofit created to preserve his legacy with a mission to “do good while spreading smiles,” celebrated the dedication.

“The new Detective Brian Simonsen Baseball field is unveiled,” the group wrote on Facebook. “This will ensure that Brian’s memory is etched into the Queens community he loved so much. We cannot wait to see this field build our future major leaguers.”

and every event held here will carry his memory forward.”

“Detective Simonsen’s courage, kindness, and devotion to others will never be forgotten,” the 102 wrote on its Faccebook page. “His wife, Leanne, and mother, Linda, were in attendance as we honored

Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said in a statement, “Detective Simonsen dedicated his life to uplifting this neighborhood, and through this renaming we can ensure that his legacy will live on, and he will continue to uplift the residents of this area for generations to come. Every game played here

Rodriguez-Rosa described Simonsen as a “true hero who made the ultimate sacrifice” and added, “This field will serve as a lasting tribute to his courage, his dedication to community, and his love for helping others. We are honored to ensure that his legacy lives on in this special place where generations of New Yorkers will gather, play,

and remember his service.”

The Detectives Endowment Association said, “DEA Board Officers were proud to join family and friends at the Fall Festival in Victory Park for the unveiling of the new Detective Brian ‘Smiles’ Simonsen Field — a lasting tribute to our fallen brother whose spirit and smile will forever be part of the community he loved so much. This field stands as a reminder that Brian’s

legacy continues to inspire the next generation — and our vow to #NeverForget is unwavering.”

Detective Brian Simonsen Field beginning in February 2026 is set to undergo a capital reconstruction project to enhance the baseball field, funded by $1.3 million from the Mayor’s Office. The project will include upgraded playing surfaces, improved drainage and modernized amenities. Q

Road milling leads to gridlock on Cross Bay

COPCP calls for better planning, stronger oversight from city DOT

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Construction and milling work along Cross Bay Boulevard caused a long standstill on the evening of Oct. 22, disrupting the flow of traffic and causing safety concerns for hours, according to area residents and the Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol, the latter of which is calling for better coordination from the city Department of Transportation.

“While the milling schedule may have been listed online, the message did not reach the drivers, transit operators, or residents most affected,” COPCP wrote in a press release.

Woodhaven Boulevard southbound was completely closed at Rockaway Boulevard, the group said, with no advance signage or traffic control measures in place. Vehicles were forced into residential streets, and MTA buses were even caught in the gridlock.

The traffic was backed up on Woodhaven

Boulevard all the way to Jamaica Avenue, COPCP said. Cars coming off South Conduit Avenue were driving into oncoming northbound traffic on Cross Bay Boulevard, while vehicles exiting the Belt Parkway were trapped, unable to turn because milling was taking place directly on the road they needed to access.

“Our volunteers were on the ground last night, and what we saw was chaos,” said Daniel Coffaro Hill, the communications director for COPCP. “We understand that a private contractor performs the milling, but DOT needs to be present. This was a major closure, and there was no visible DOT oversight onsite. Historically, DOT has either coned off one lane on the northbound side to allow southbound traffic to continue or milled three lanes at a time while leaving one open, then switched sides. This time, everything was shut down — it was crazy.”

Volunteers with the civilian patrol redirect-

ed confused motorists and shared live updates on social media, and even escorted an elderly woman home to Rockaway Beach via alternate routes after she was stuck for more than two hours.

“We support infrastructure work, but it has to be done with oversight and common sense,” Hill said. “DOT and its contractors must make sure agencies like the MTA are properly informed, signage is clear, and communities are engaged early. This can’t keep happening.”

The milling was completed last Friday night.

A DOT spokesperson told the Chronicle, “NYC DOT has finished milling on Cross Bay Boulevard and looks forward to delivering smoother streets for Queens residents. The agency completed proper notification of this work, which was planned for overnight hours to minimize disruptions, and appreciate residents’ patience as we improve the road quality on the boulevard for years to come.”

The baseball field at Victory Field last Saturday was named for Det. Brian Simonsen, a 19-year NYPD veteran who died in the line of duty in 2019 in Richmond Hill. PHOTOBYDANIELAVILA/NYCPARKS

Det. Brian Simonsen NYPDPHOTO/FILE

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BP, agencies take to the Conduit on foot

Community leaders tour the corridor to highlight plans for improvements

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards joined community leaders and agency representatives last Thursday for a walking tour along the Conduit corridor in Ozone Park, highlighting ongoing efforts to make one of the borough’s most dangerous roadways safer. The walk was part of his “Borough on Your Block” initiative within Community Board 10.

The walkthrough brought together representatives of the city Department of Transportation, as well as CB 10 Chair Betty Braton, Ozone Tudor Civic Association leader and CB 10 Parks Committee Chair Frank Dardani, and officials from the NYPD’s 106th Precinct, including the commanding officer, Capt. Mario Deras. The walking tour was led by Gloria Campbell of the DOT, one of the leaders on the Conduit Corridor Plan.

The three-mile stretch — known as Conduit Boulevard in Brooklyn and Conduit Avenue in Queens — connects Atlantic Avenue and Linden Boulevard to the Belt Parkway

and JFK Airport, serving as a critical link. Over the last five years, the corridor has seen more than 40 severe injuries and five traffic fatalities, according to DOT data.

Officials say the area’s limited pedestrian infrastructure, highspeed driving conditions and design have contributed to years of safety concerns. The ongoing study aims to produce a comprehensive redesign plan by 2026. For more information, or to submit feedback, visit tinyurl.com/conduitcorridor.

City agencies have already made progress in certain sections of the corridor, including a redesign of the intersection at North and South Conduit avenues and 79th Street in Lindenwood. But advocates and officials last Thursday agreed that more comprehensive improvements are needed across the corridor’s full length.

“This is like the new Boulevard of Death,” Richards said during the tour, referencing the name once given to Queens Boulevard. “That’s what I call it.”

From a pedestrian overpass, those on the tour observed multiple

left, who hosted the event.

PHOTOBYKRISTENGUGLIELMO

near-miss accidents on both the north and south sides of the corridor as cars merged onto the road. Some suggested the merging lanes should be extended.

Campbell also noted there’s about a 20-minute walk between pedestrian crossings along the ave-

nue. Throughout the tour, cars were held up as those in the group attempted to safely cross segments of roadway that serve as offramps and have no crosswalks, such as the start of 84th Street off the westbound Conduit.

Braton told Campbell and the

other representatives that any changes made to the area “have to make sense.”

She added, “It’s a complicated thing, but the intentions are all good.”

Richards said he organized the tour to keep the momentum going.

“We’ve seen a number of transit, transportation projects canceled by the federal government,” he said. “And to me, this is a no-brainer. This should not be a partisan issue.”

He said safety in the area is of great concern.

“This is not a highway, technically, and we should be able to look at some creative ways to improve transportation ... But most importantly, we have to get a grip on safety here,” Richards said.

He recalled a recent trip to London with the Regional Planning Association, where he went on a transportation-intensive tour, and commended their infrastructure.

“We’ve got to get creative,” Richards said, adding that he’s grateful for the partnership of the DOT and eager to come up with solutions. Q

Proposed OZP respite center gets pushback

Community members oppose plan for mental health facility programs

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

In the weeks following the news that a respite center may come to Ozone Park, area residents have been outspoken in their disapproval.

The proposal, presented by Transitional Services for New York at Community Board 10’s meeting earlier this month, includes plans to demolish the property at 96-25 Rockaway Blvd., the former Villa Marcello catering hall, and construct a new building.

The property would house a 10-bed crisis respite residence and a 14-bed short-term transitional residence, and the programs are designed to help adults with mental health needs. Admission to the programs would be based on referrals from area hospitals and mental health professionals, with a focus on individuals motivated to transition to independent housing.

While Dan Donoghue, the chief operating officer of the nonprofit, insisted at the Oct. 2 meeting that the organization has successfully operated similar facilities near schools without incident, residents of the area are still concerned.

The proposed location is within walking distance of PS 65, PS 63, PS 108, Queens Explorers Elementary School and John Adams High School, as well as in close proximity to bus stops and a train station.

Among those concerned is the Cityline Ozone Park Civilian Patrol, which wrote on Facebook, “At COPCP, we know that access to mental health care is critically important, and many New Yorkers are in desperate need of support. But, we also believe site selection matters. This proposed facility sits near several schools and along routes heavily used by students and families.”

The group continued, “Our concern is not with the need for services but with ensuring they are placed in locations that balance community safety, and quality of life. We urge city and state officials to explore alternatives that better serve both the individuals in need and the residents already here.”

A petition, at c.org/zq5TJYfKFR, was started by Ozone Park residents to stop the proposal in its tracks, and has gar-

nered more than 150 signatures.

“While mental health services are crucial, the location chosen is in close proximity to several schools and homes, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of our children and neighborhoods,” the petitioner, Anita Mangra, wrote. “Ozone Park already houses four homeless shelters,” the petition reads. “Our community is being saturated with facilities of this kind, and adding more can adversely affect our local environment, economy, and particularly our children’s safety.”

Mangra wrote that the influx of facilities in a compact area “poses the risk of criminal activities, congestion, and might devalue our properties” and said the neighbors “stand united for a solution that considers a more suitable location for these vital services without compromising the safety and character of our neighborhood.”

One comment under the petition, by a resident named Diana, said, “I live a few blocks from this place and I already feel unsafe as is because of the crime that has been going on in this neighborhood. We do not need a mental health facility near our school and elderly people and our children. This is a risk and for sure the crime will only get worse.”

Councilmember Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) told the Chronicle, “If this was a project that landed on my desk, I would never have let it get off the ground. Unfortunately, they have an as-of-right to build.”

She continued, “Now the precinct will have to waste even more resources babysitting this mess. And if the ballot proposals pass and community input is removed from other projects in November, we can expect even more of this in the future.”

Transitional Services for New York did not respond to multiple Chronicle inquiries for comments. Q

Gloria Campbell of the city Department of Transportation, a project leader on the Conduit Corridor Plan, leads a walking tour of the Conduit last Thursday in Ozone Park alongside community leaders, agency representatives and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards,

Cutting into new beginnings

Danny’s Chinese Kitchen, at 161-30 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach, celebrated its official opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last Friday in front of the restaurant.

Danny Antin, second from right, worked at a Chinese restaurant growing up. While he went on to pursue accounting, his dream was to open a Chinese eatery of his own. In January 2014, he partnered with his brother, David, right, and made that dream a reality with the first Danny’s Chinese Kitchen location in Bellmore, NY.

The restaurant has multiple locations, and this year, the local boys returned home

with an expansion to Howard Beach alongside Randy Klein, left, just minutes away from where they grew up in Rockaway.

Danny’s Chinese Kitchen prides itself on fresh ingredients and great customer service. For more information or to place an order, visit dannyschinesekitchen.com or call (718) 323-0600.

Last Friday’s ribbon-cutting was also attended by Jessica Genna, second from left, representing Councilmember Joann Ariola, and restaurant staff, who served up delicious egg rolls, sesame chicken, rice and dumplings. — Kristen Guglielmo

Hochul vetoes FOIL request deadline bill

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Gov. Hochul on Oct. 9 vetoed legislation that would have set stricter deadlines for government agencies to respond to Freedom of Information Law requests. FOIL requests, often used by journalists, activists and watchdog groups, can be made by any individual or organization to obtain records from a government agency.

Agencies must respond to FOIL requests within five business days by providing the record, denying the request or acknowledging receipt with an estimated completion date. But under the bill, A3425A/S2520B, if a request could not be fulfilled within 20 business days, the agency would have to provide a specific date in its response. Records would have been due within 180 days for requests made before Dec. 31, 2026, 90 days for those made in 2027 and 60 days for those after Jan. 1, 2028.

Exceptions would have been allowed under specific conditions, and agencies would have to notify the requestor and Committee on Open Government, provide an explanation signed by the agency’s commissioner and give monthly updates until

the request was fulfilled.

The bill’s prime Senate sponsor was state Sen. James Skoufis (D-Middletown). In the Assembly, the bill’s prime sponsor was Assemblymember Steven Raga (D-Maspeth), and it was co-sponsored by Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (D-East Elmhurst).

Hochul in her veto message said she supports enhancing transparency, but claimed the bill is “unworkable” and “establishes arbitrary deadlines ... regardless of the complexity or length of any given request or the staff time needed to complete review. Additionally, the bill does not allocate additional resources to agencies to ensure they are able to comply.”

Raga in a statement told the Chronicle that the way FOIL requests are processed has been in desperate need of revamping, which is why he and Skoufis worked with advocacy groups on the legislation.

“While I’m disappointed this transformative bill was vetoed, I look forward to working with Governor Hochul to pass an amended version next year so we can deliver a transparent New York to the people we serve,” Raga said. Q

PHOTO BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

T HOSE PA RT IC I PAT I NG & SU P PORT I NG THOSE PARTICIPATING SUPPORTING FOUR DECADES OF MEMORIES WITH OUR

A N N UA L H A LLOW EEN PA R A DE ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARADE

• Resorts World Casino NYC

• No Limit Auto Leasing

• N.Y. Mets

• Brothershelping.Org

• Mr Smoothie “Chris The Ice Cream Man”

• Almonte’s Key Food (Cross Bay Blvd. H.B.)

• Lenny’s Clam Bar

• Russo’s On The Bay

• River Fund

• Home Depot

• Gurino Family

• Greater Ridgewood Youth Council

• Esquire Realty Ciaramella & Company (Haunted House)

• Reach For The Stars Howard Beach

• Gametruckparty.com

• New Park, Ginos, Divino’s, La Villa, Hooks, Aldo’s & Romeo’s Pizzeria

• Michael Marone Photography & Celebration Central NYC

• NYPD, FDNY, West Hamilton Beach VFD & United States Park Police

• East Coast Car Club

• Scholars Academy & Beach Channel H.S. Marching Bands

• Carmula Cash For Cars, Xtreme Cuts, Bay Carpet & Flooring, Blowout Spot SII, Triangle Auto Body, Crossbay Mechanical, Health Bay Naturals, Darp Tow Inc, NYC Punishers L.E.M.C., Hi-Tech Heating, Taravella Professional Window Tinting

• Tee Shirt Sponsors: #HB Strong, Twist It Top It, All American Softball, East Point Realty, Lefferts Liberty Kiwanis, Security Concepts, Dr. Anthony Napolitano M.D., Marlowes Jewelry, Sen Joseph P. Addabbo, The Meat Market NYC, Cross Bay Travel, Panino Rustico, Trackside Collision & Tire, Etto Espresso Bar, Cross Bay Ace Hardware, Speedy Embroidery & Printing, Cross Bay Chemist, Cross Bay Diner, Sullivan & Galleshaw LLP, K&D Tax Preparation & Bookkeeping Service

KIWANIS CLUB HOWARD BEACH THANKS

EDITORIAL AGEP

Keep elections when they are

If you think local issues, local candidates and local elections get short shrift in public discourse, you have one more reason to vote in this crucial election: to say no to Proposal Number Six.

That’s the referendum question that would move city elections from odd-numbered years, like this one, to presidential election years.

Those are the same years in which people are also busy voting for state Assembly, state Senate, the House of Representatives and U.S. Senate.

Just how much attention do you think your concerns about the local park, the big zoning application, the graffiti down the street or constant flooding would get if your City Council seat was up for grabs the same year as, just as a for-instance, a former president voted out of office tried for a comeback against his successor, who then quit the race and was replaced on the ballot by his vice president?

The answer is none. No one would pay much attention to your parochial concerns (except of course for the Queens Chronicle, where we pride ourselves on hyperlocal pothole reporting).

As pointed out in an Oct. 18 Daily News op-ed by election attorney and Manhattan Democratic district leader Paul Newell, there is such a thing as voter fatigue. Political junkies may not feel it, but many people do. After about the fifth ballot decision they are to make, they zone out a little. Imagine how it would be with every election happening all at once.

Some elections on one ballot would have rankedchoice voting and some would not. What a confusing mess. And just imagine all the mailers, phone calls and texts you’d get if city, state and federal elections were simultaneous. More fatigue.

Also, as Newell notes, the proposal would time local primaries — which in New York City are often the races that matter most — with low-turnout congressional primaries, not presidential ones. So it would not get more voters to turn out when it counts.

The proposition has the laudable goal of increasing voter participation. But success is improbable — and don’t tell us what happened in cities unlike New York, which is all of them — and the costs would outweigh any benefits. Go vote, and vote no on six.

Deny this development

Community District 11 in northeast Queens sure is drawing its share of overdevelopment proposals.

Just three weeks ago this page stood against a 248-unit apartment complex proposed for the old Bayside Country Club site. Now we must oppose a 324-unit plan for the old Dr. Andrew J. Bertilucci Center in Fresh Meadows, across the street from Francis Lewis High School.

Leading the charge against the plan, which would put a 13-story block in a neighborhood mostly made up of single-family homes and low-slung garden apartments, is Community Education Council 26. The CEC is opposed for many reasons, key among

them being the strain the housing would put on already-overcrowded schools: Francis Lewis is at 157 percent capacity; PS 173 at 123 percent; and JHS 216 at 128 percent. One better idea for the site would be a new school.

Aside from the overcrowding, allowing the large building would alter the area’s character, would lead to more of the same and would eat up undeveloped space, now a parking lot, that could be made green, at least in part.

The rush to overdevelop Queens’ suburban-like areas is only going to intensify. This plan will be one fight among many. We stand with CEC 26 and look forward to Community Board 11 joining the fray in opposition.

MARK WEIDLER

President & Publisher

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Dear Editor:

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

Yes, vote Cuomo

Re your Oct. 23 editorial “We ask Sliwa supporters to vote Cuomo for mayor”:

I agree that Curtis Sliwa’s supporters and all NYC voters should vote for Andrew Cuomo, despite his tainted tenure as governor. Cuomo carries heavy baggage from his past, but it’s not as dangerous as Zohran Mamdani’s perilous potential. Putting him in charge of NYC is like putting Dracula in charge of a blood bank. Mamdani has a destructive economic agenda, but his public safety policies are more alarming.

As a state assemblyman, he sponsored the “Less Is More” bill that made it difficult for law enforcement authorities to send parole violators back to prison. As a result, one of those violators is now charged with the brutal murder of an elderly Queens couple. Mamdani wants to scrap the NYPD’s Criminal Group database that cops use to target violent street gangs. He claims it is racially biased. Would he replace it with a list of suspects approved by the American Civil Liberties union?

Cuomo, despite his ethical failures, brings a solid record of achievements as governor, state attorney general and U.S. secretary of housing and urban development during Bill Clinton’s administration. He offers a stable and sane future for our city. Mamdani would trigger chaos and calamity.

Richard Reif Kew Gardens Hills

Don’t reward bad behavior

Dear Editor:

I share many of your concerns regarding Zohran Mamdani’s policies, but given a choice between a candidate with a terrible track record and an untested candidate with questionable policies, I’ll pick the latter.

After listing many of Cuomo’s liabilities (scandals, shirking responsibility, lack of remorse, multiple miscalculations, selfaggrandizement and boundless arrogance) you had to resort to “and more” because all of his misdeeds couldn’t fit in your editorial. And you failed to mention even one positive thing that Cuomo did as governor.

Electing Cuomo would reward bad behavior and give the signal that powerful politicians are above the law. As we see with the current administration in the White House, it’s hard to rein in malfeasant executives who

simply disregard any laws they choose. If Mamdani tries to implement dangerous plans, I would hope the City Council an d other elected officials and agencies would keep him in check. He seems less likely than Cuomo to circumvent the law to benefit himself. If he uses his office to benefit himself at a cost to his constituents, we can kick him out in four years.

I doubt that your suggestion to appease Trump by electing his favored candidate would be likely to work any better than ABC and CBS’s settlements worked to reduce the administration’s pressure on those networks. The current administration is likely to try to cut funding to New York no matter who is elected mayor. Backing down to bullies just emboldens them to demand more.

Joanne Sullivan Rego Park

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

I’m voting for Sliwa

Dear Editor:

I was disgusted and disappointed to read your editorial telling people to vote for Andrew Cuomo for fear that Zohran Mamdani will become mayor.

Everyone I have spoken to has told me that they would love to vote for Curtis Sliwa but the media has told them from the start that he doesn’t have a chance. They also said that Hilary Clinton would win the presidency and they were wrong about that.

For my entire lifetime, I have found myself voting for the candidate I dislike the least. Now that there is one I really want to win, I choose to vote for him because it is my right as an American. If Mamdani wins it will be your fault because you voted for Cuomo.

Judith O’Neill Howard Beach

Bus lane, business bane

Dear Editor:

(An open letter to the Department of Transportation and the community)

We are writing to express significant concern regarding the implementation of the new bus lanes on Hillside Avenue, particularly the proposed 24-hour enforcement schedule. For many of our constituents, this decision has caused substantial frustration. Once again, Southeast Queens residents are being asked to adjust to major changes that were planned without real consultation or input from the very people who live, work, and commute along this corridor every day. Constituents feel blindsided by the rollout and frustrated by the lack of engagement.

Our past experience with the DOT on similar projects suggests a lack of responsiveness to community needs. When bus lanes were instituted on Merrick Boulevard, we had to advocate vigorously to pause enforcement during the weekend and after the weekday evening rush.

The lessons learned from Jamaica Avenue are particularly critical here. The lack of adjusted enforcement hours has already caused severe hardship for small businesses and places of worship in that corridor.

With the new Hillside Avenue bus lanes, the 24-hour enforcement poses an immediate threat to local small businesses. Our community is highly reliant on personal vehicles, as many residents live more than a mile from a subway station. Limiting customer parking through constant enforcement will inevitably harm these businesses.

We urge the DOT to reconsider the enforcement hours for the Hillside Avenue bus lanes to better align with the needs of our car-heavy community and protect our local economic stability.

Alicia Hyndman

NYS Assemblywoman for the 29th District

Springfield Gardens

Leroy Comrie

NYS Senator for the 14th District

St. Albans

Nantasha Williams

NYC Councilwoman for the 27th District

St. Albans

Bikes, energy, engagement

Dear Editor:

Two years ago, Citi Bike expanded its service to Elmhurst. At first, the response was far from enthusiastic. Residents worried about losing parking spaces, about safety and about whether the program really served the community. Yet today, those same blue bikes have become a part of daily life. Citi Bike learned to engage by partnering with local organizations, offering discounted memberships and showing up at community events. What started as resistance turned into participation.

This story reflects the challenge of the global energy transition. Moving away from fossil fuels toward cleaner and more sustainable systems requires more than new technology or policy. It demands the same kind of collaboration, transparency and trust that helped Citi Bike become accepted in Elmhurst. Both efforts ask people to rethink familiar routines, whether giving up a parking space or supporting a solar array.

Across the world, projects that connect directly with residents are proving that engagement matters. In France, nuclear plants open their doors to nearby communities and offer tours that explain safety and environmental measures. In Illinois, towns near new wind farms are seeing local tax revenue reinvested in schools and infrastructure. These efforts show how public participation transforms broad energy goals into tangible local benefits.

People must see themselves in the transition, not as passive recipients but as active partners. Even if some do not fully support every project, they should not view it with hostility. Most people want cleaner air, safer streets and a better future for their families. When communities are included early and treated with respect, skepticism can turn into understanding and disagreement can become dialogue. The clean energy future, like Citi Bike in Elmhurst, will succeed only when it becomes part of everyday life.

Abhinandan Gaba Elmhurst

No kings in America

Dear Editor:

House Speaker Mike Johnson described the peaceful exercise of First Amendment rights by over 7 million patriotic Americans at No Kings rallies as a “Hate America Rally.” The Hate America Rally happened on Jan. 6, 2021, when more than 140 police officers were wounded.

On his first day in office, President Trump pardoned all of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists.

On Feb. 19, 2025, Trump called himself a king; hence the name of the protests. Some of the many reasons we came out in protest of the wannabe king:

• Trump’s illegal attacks on Venezuelan fishing boats, in which 32 people have been killed in seven strikes, with no evidence. The U.S. Navy admiral leading the mission has resigned.

• Trump has declared war on American cities, deploying the military in those cities, and then giving it an illegal directive to arrest people, violating the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878.

• Trump directed a $40 billion bailout of Argentina, after cutting necessary foreign continued on next page

LETTERSTO THE EDITOR

continued from previous page

aids to poorer nations, without congressional authorization.

• Trump’s $4.5 trillion bill redirects money from the poor and gives it to his rich cronies, further increasing income inequality. The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion, after getting $1.2 trillion richer over the past year alone, while the rest of us are being squeezed by tariffs and high prices for groceries, utilities and healthcare.

• The administration is rushing to admit 7,000 relatively well-off white South Africans as refugees, while deporting millions of nonwhite immigrants.

• Congress refuses to seat the newly elected representative Adelita Grijalva from Arizona, the deciding vote on congressional release of the Epstein files. President Obama released his birth certificate; surely Trump can release the Epstein files to prove he’s not a pedophile.

Standing up in opposition to Trump’s policies is absolutely American.

Robert Keilbach Queens Village

Support our free press

Dear Editor:

Here’s where we are: Act IV of Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People,” an expression invoked by political villains like Stalin and Nero.

The unprincipled editor of the local paper suggests, “What is an editor’s ... duty ...? Is it not ... harmony with his readers?”

On the other hand, Thomas Jefferson prescribed a “press confined to truth” and believed “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”

Unfortunately, these are bad days for our freedom of the press. The Pentagon recently demanded that news organizations, in order to retain their normal access inside the Department of Defense, accept and sign a new set of restrictions affecting newsgathering. Many organizations refused. That’s the good news.

Similarly, the previously objective Voice of America has been gutted and now, the right-wing network One America News provides content to the international audience under the guise of that respected news outlet.

We see this war against the free press in the lawsuits that have been filed against The New York Times, ABC News, CBS News’ “60 Minutes, and The Wall Street Journal.

George Orwell in great part centered his dystopic novel “1984” around an agency that constantly “rectifies” the news record to

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“document” that the government is and always has been right. In his introduction to “Animal Farm,” Orwell warned that “people don’t see that if you encourage totalitarian methods, the time may come when they will be used against you instead of for you.”

For us, this argument started in 1735, with Peter Zenger, a New York City printer, who was imprisoned for printing the truth. Zenger prevailed in the courts and became our founding father for freedom of the press. We need to support our local free press.

Debra Michlewitz Bayside

Sides of the shutdown

Dear Editor:

Two impressions I have about the government shutdown are that: (a) President Trump does not seem to care if the government remains shut down throughout his term in office since he is doing whatever he wants without government interference, and (b) other than the one issue that is causing the shutdown, Congress does not seem to have any other important work or issues to negotiate and resolve for their constituents. So, Congress continues to get paid while the needs of constituents are put on the back burner.

Glenn Hayes Kew Gardens

Goldie’s Act, to aid dogs

Dear Editor:

I am writing about a subject close to mine and many other hearts. Protecting dogs from cruelty is the right thing to do and it’s just common sense. Yet, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is letting commercial dog breeders violate the law again and again without consequences. Multiple times, inspectors have documented instances in which dogs are left in cages so small they can’t turn around or have let dogs suffer from untreated wounds without providing them aid. The agency rarely issues fines, suspends licenses or removes animals to provide them with care.

The Animal Welfare Act was created to prevent exactly this kind of neglect, but without enforcement, it’s an empty promise. Goldie’s Act (HR 349) would fix that. Named in memory of a dog who suffered and died in a USDA-licensed puppy mill, this bill would require inspectors to document all violations, remove suffering animals and impose penalties that deter cruelty. These are simple, commonsense steps to ensure the law is enforced and taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.

We can all agree that dogs deserve basic care and protection under federal law. Thank you to Rep. Grace Meng for co-sponsoring this bill. I urge Sens. Charles Schumer and Kristin Gillibrand to co-sponsor Goldie’s Act when it is introduced in the Senate and help restore accountability and compassion to the USDA’s animal welfare program.

Thank you. Kathleen Fischer Forest Hills

New Yorkers casting early votes in droves

by Stephanie G. Meditz Editor

Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers headed to the polls during the first four days of early voting, according to preliminary data from the city Board of Elections.

On Oct. 25, the first day of early voting, nearly 80,000 people across the five boroughs cast their ballots. That figure reached almost 300,000 by the end of Tuesday, with 68,873 total early voters in Queens.

Those aged 25 to 34 made up nearly 16 percent of the weekend’s totals, a decrease from their early voting turnout in the June primary.

With several important votes to be cast, including for mayor, City Council and amendments to the City Charter, there is still time to make your voice heard, even before Election Day on Nov. 4.

That’s more than five times the number of early voters that the last mayoral election had in 2021. The totals by Tuesday in that election, after the polls were open for four days, were just 55,106 citywide, and 12,006 from Queens.

Several published news reports say turnout has been especially high among older adults, namely Baby Boomers and Generation X.

Gothamist first reported that voters 55 and older made up more than half of those who cast early ballots last weekend.

The remaining dates and times for early voting are as follows:

• Thursday, Oct. 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.;

• Friday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.;

• Saturday, Nov. 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and

• Sunday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The polls will be open on Nov. 4 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Those in line to vote by 9 p.m. may stay in line to cast a ballot.

One may look up his or her poll site or view a sample ballot at findmypollsite. vote.nyc.

Early voting locations often differ from Election Day poll sites. Q

More than $30,000 was raised for metastatic breast cancer research at the annual Miles for MBC & Kelly Marie walk in Howard Beach on Oct. 25. More than 100 residents gathered at Frank M. Charles Memorial Park to fill the day with hope, unity and vibrant clouds of pink, teal and green during a celebratory color toss.

All proceeds from the event are donated to Metavivor, a nonprofit that funds stage IV metastatic breast cancer research grants. The funds were raised in honor of Dr. Kelly Adams Mahindra, in chair at right, who has been living with MBC since 2019.

For more information or to support the cause, visit tinyurl.com/ye2a2nrh.

Miles for MBC & Kelly Marie received a proclamation from state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr., presented by his chief of staff, Raimondo Graziano, center right, in honor of the organization’s dedication to raising awareness and funding research for MBC.

The event was made possible through the generosity of sponsors ranging from statewide organizations, such as Lenox Hill Radiology, to businesses including Novack CPA, Mega Contracting and Sonny’s Collision.

Letting the ghoul times roll in Howard Beach

CONZA | MCNAMARA

CYNTHIA J. CONZA, ESQ.

EDWARD R. MCNAMARA, ESQ.

Hundreds of residents dressed in spooky, zany and funny garb headed to Cross Bay Boulevard last Saturday for the 39th annual Howard Beach Kiwanis Halloween Parade.

the first row, at left, the gentlemen that made the parade possible are all smiles; a baby takes a break from hard work for some Halloween fun; and the procession makes its way down

Cross Bay Boulevard.

row two, Scholars’ Academy students meet the president, left; two girls strike a pose in costume; and Santa and Mrs. Claus greet some fans. At right, three aliens from “Toy Story” smile big; and Stitch takes a break from space dwellings to spend time with some friends down on Earth. — Kristen Guglielmo

Key players vouch for Cuomo, Mamdani

On the eve of early voting, Mayor Adams, Hakeem Jeffries give nods

by Stephanie G. Meditz Editor

With less than a week to go until Election Day, some key endorsements are still being made in the race for mayor.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn) is supporting Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria), his party’s nominee, as Mayor Adams backs former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Jeffries’ endorsement came last Friday, the day before early voting started. He said in a statement to The New York Times that Mamdani has “relentlessly focused” on affordability and is committed to representing all New Yorkers.

“This campaign has always been about bringing people together to improve the quality of life for every New Yorker,” Mamdani said in a statement. “I welcome Leader Jeffries’ support and look forward to delivering a city government, and building a Democratic Party, relentlessly committed to our affordability agenda — and to fighting Trump’s authoritarianism.”

Mamdani’s other key backers include Gov. Hochul, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-Bronx, Queens) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vermont). They were among the officials who joined him at a Forest Hills Stadium rally last Sunday.

Adams backed Cuomo last Thursday, nearly a month after ending his own reelection bid.

Adams announced his endorsement at a press conference in Harlem the day after the final mayoral debate on Oct. 22, held at LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City. After he got offstage, Cuomo headed to Madison Square Garden, where he sat courtside with Hizzoner for the remainder of the New York Knicks’ season opener.

“Great win for the Knicks. We need to win for the city,” Adams said in a post on his personal X account, along with a photo of himself and Cuomo at the game. “Can’t go backwards.”

In his endorsement announcement, Adams likened Cuomo to family.

“When you think about it, Andrew is a brother, and I have three of them,” he said. “And brothers fight .. but when families are attacked, brothers come together.”

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, top left, was backed by Mayor Adams, above left, in the race for City Hall, while Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, center, has support from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, above righ t. Republican Curtis Sliwa, top right, also is vying for the mayoralty. FILEPHOTOS

The Times reported that Adams said he would campaign with Cuomo in areas where he is most popular in the hope of swaying votes.

Former Gov. David Paterson, Cuomo’s predecessor, also backed him Tuesday. Paterson had previously supported Adams.

The next day, U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-Nas-

ueens is home to the most diverse dining scene in the world – and now there’s an easy way to explore it. Dining Out in District 6, sponsored by Congresswoman Grace Meng, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, US Small Business Administration, and NYC Department of Small Business Services, highlights restaurants from the diverse neighborhoods across congressional District 6 that showcase our borough’s incredible creativity, culture, and community spirit. Before winter sets in, take advantage of these great restaurants and enjoy a delicious meal outdoors.

sau, Queens) endorsed Cuomo, too.

Several published news reports say early voting turnout has been especially high among older adults. More than half of last weekend’s early voters were 55 or older, Gothamist first reported, and some say that likely bodes well for Cuomo.

The most recent polls as of press time showed Mamdani maintaining a double-digit lead. But some reports say Cuomo is closing the gap — one Suffolk University poll showed Mamdani ahead by 10 points, down from his 20-point lead in September, The Times reported.

Republican candidate and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa trails them both. Election Day is Nov. 4, and early voting runs through Nov. 2.

Mansion, he insisted he would stay in the race, though he often polled in the single digits. The press conference was held amid rumors that the White House may offer him a job in exchange for dropping out. He also at that time said Cuomo is “a snake and a liar,” and that he is the only one who can beat Mamdani.

When announcing his endorsement, Adams said that while he is “angry” not to be the one “taking down” the Democratic nominee, the city means more to him than anything, and “it is time for us as a family to come together.”

“Today confirms what we’ve long known: Andrew Cuomo is running for Eric Adams’ second term,” Mamdani said in a statement. “It’s no surprise to see two men who share an affinity for corruption and Trump capitulation align themselves at the behest of the billionaire class and the President himself.”

Cuomo was the only mayoral candidate at the debate to say he would accept Adams’ endorsement.

“The mayor put his own ambition aside because he cares more about New York City, and he believes Zohran is an existential threat to New York City,” Cuomo said. “And we all have to do our best to make sure that Zohran does not become the next mayor.”

“When families are attacked, brothers come together.”

—

Adams, who was running as an independent, withdrew his reelection bid in a nearly nineminute video on X last month, citing a lack of funding and “constant media speculation.”

Weeks prior, at a press conference at Gracie

Also backing Cuomo are former state Attorney General Robert Abrams, the Asian Wave Alliance and Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum and Education NYC.

Sliwa has been facing pressure to drop his bid. After he learned Adams is backing Cuomo last week, he said the two are “corrupt birds of a feather flocking together,” The Times reported.

Among his backers are former mayor Rudy Giuliani, former Gov. George Pataki and the Queens County GOP. Q

Mayor Adams, about former Gov. Andrew Cuomo

Mamdani wants to shutter facility; Cuomo and Sliwa say otherwise Candidates differ on Rikers closure

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

There is little in common among the three candidates for mayor, and their views on the future of Rikers Island are no exception.

The jail complex is legally obligated to close by Aug. 31, 2027 to be replaced by four borough-based jails, but little progress has been made on that plan, which comes with a $16 billion price tag. The Queens facility, in Kew Gardens, is scheduled for completion in 2031.

The Independent Rikers Commission, which supports shuttering the facility, released a report earlier this year that showed it will not be able to close in time.

on the city, and said he will “do everything in [his] power” to meet that deadline. He blamed Mayor Adams and his administration for the lack of progress toward closing the facility.

The borough-based jails will not be ready by the August 2027 deadline, however, as their construction is behind schedule.

Mamdani’s campaign did not respond to Chronicle inquiries asking for details on how exactly he would get the closure complete by 2027.

The jail complex has long been plagued by controversy, making headlines for violence at the hands of both corrections officers and detainees, inmate deaths and a ruling that took the complex out of the city’s control and put it instead under the watch of a federal receiver who has yet to be assigned. Just this past September, three inmates died within 12 days.

At the mayoral debate last Wednesday evening, Democratic candidate and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria) repeated his stance: He wants to stick to the plan to close Rikers by 2027, calling it a stain

Joann

The other candidates, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who is running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa, differ.

Cuomo, in an op-ed published in AMNY, said he would rebuild Rikers Island into a state-of-the-art facility, one building at a time, so that operations may continue without disruption. Under his plan, the borough-based jail sites would instead be used for housing and community purposes.

During the debate, Cuomo accused Mamdani of wanting to release the inmates into the city.

“There is nobody on this stage who is saying that,” Mamdani responded.

The former governor also slammed Mamdani’s Rikers plan in an Oct. 15 press release,

Ario a

Rikers Island is legally obligated to close in 2027, though little progress has been made toward that goal. Of the three main candidates for mayor, only Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani wants to stick with that plan.

saying it “follows the [Democratic Socialists of America’s] dangerous blueprint to abolish jails outright — unleashing chaos, jeopardizing public safety, and putting our neighborhoods at risk.”

Sliwa during the debate said he would keep Rikers open, and would fight the law

requiring the jail complex to close in court. His plan for the facilities includes improving safety conditions and ensuring stronger protections for correction officers, per his campaign website. During the debate, he also suggested using the borough-based jail locations for affordable housing. Q

Mobster denied bail in federal gambling case

by Kristen Guglielmo Editor

Gambino crime family member and Howard Beach resident Angelo Ruggiero Jr., 53, was denied bail Tuesday at the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse and remains in custody after the federal takedown of a complex gambling scheme to rig illegal poker games using wireless technology, in which he allegedly had a role.

Named in the Oct. 23 indictment from the Eastern District of New York are 31 defendants, including members and associates of the Gambino, Bonanno and Genovese crime families, as well as Chauncey Billups, the head coach of the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers, and Damon “Dee” Jones, a former NBA player with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat. Ruggiero is one of three Gambino members or associates listed in the indictment.

Other defendants from Queens include Kenny Han, 40; Horatio Hu, 37; Seth Trustman, 43; and Sophia Wei, 40. The indictment did not specify which neighborhoods in Queens they reside in.

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. said former professional athletes acted as “Face

Cards” to lure unsuspecting victims to high-stakes poker games, “where they were then at the mercy of concealed technology, including rigged shuffling machines and specially designed contact lenses and sunglasses to read the backs of playing cards.”

The defendants are alleged to have defrauded victims of at least $7 million dollars and also committed violent robberies, beginning as early as 2019.

Ruggiero, the son of a former Gambino capo known as “Quack Quack,” who was the friend of crime boss John Gotti, is accused of receiving proceeds from the rigged poker games at 80 Washington Place in Manhattan. He was charged with wire fraud conspiracy and illegal gambling, per the EDNY.

His lawyers pushed for $5 million bond, according to a report by the New York Post, but, a government spokesperson said, Judge Joseph Marutollo agreed with prosecutors that Ruggiero should be held due to his history of threatening to kill a witness while still in prison for a prior conviction.

A status conference for all defendants is scheduled for Nov. 24 at the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse. Q

Nov. SNAP payments jeopardized

continued from page 2

as a lifeline. The federal government must do its job to protect families.”

Hevesi, chairman of the Assembly’s Committee on Children and Families, also slammed the GOP in Hochul’s press release. But he praised the governor and legislative leaders fighting annually to increase the New York State Environmental Protection Fund.

“That yearly fight pays off today for New Yorkers in need with this announcement of EPF-funded emergency food relief for nearly 100 non-profit food pantries and soup kitchens as well as emergency food relief equipment grants,” he said.

“Access to food should never be a luxury — it is a human right,” said Assemblyman Steven Raga (D-Maspeth). “As elected officials, it’s our responsibility to ensure that no New Yorker is left behind when it comes to access to food.”

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D- Flushing) posted last Friday on X that 94,000 of her constituents could have their benefits interrupted. Meng was one of more than 200 Democratic House members who signed a letter to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins dated last Friday saying the suspension would hit 42 million people, including 6 million children.

Co-signers of the letter, obtained from Meeks’ office, included Reps. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-Astoria), Nydia Velas-

quez (D-Queens, Brooklyn) and Tom Suozzi (Nassau, Queens).

“Now more than ever, millions of families across the country depend upon the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to make ends meet. For far too many veterans, seniors, and children, SNAP benefits are the difference between having food or not,” the letter says. “Now, due to the government shutdown, they are facing crippling levels of uncertainty about whether they will be able to afford food next month.”

The letter accuses Republicans of brinksmanship, asserting that there are sufficient contingency funds to pay for a sizeable portion of November’s benefits.

“USDA’s shutdown plan acknowledges that “Congressional intent is evident that SNAP’s operations should continue since the program has been provided with multiyear contingency funds,” the Congressional letter continues. “USDA still has significant funding available in SNAP’s contingency reserve — which Congress provides precisely for this reason — that can be used to fund the bulk of November benefits.”

Meeks said suspensions will hit every corner of the country regardless of party.

“Now, because of the Republican shutdown, hardworking Americans face uncertainty about whether they’ll be able to afford food next month,” Meeks said. “It’s simply unacceptable. Q

Uniting in culture and celebrating the season

More than 70 attendees enjoyed a day of food sampling, shopping and networking last Saturday at the International Harvest Festival at Woodhaven Manor, celebrating culture in fall style.

The event, sponsored by Woodhaven Manor Caterers and Banquet, Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar and the Queens Chronicle, saw 22 vendors displaying products to eager Queens residents, such as Anne’s Collection, a clothing business, near right, and Like Woah, which served up tacos and wings, far right. The gath-

ering also was co-sponsored by the Queens Chamber of Commerce and Access Future, above right.

Rajkumar, above center, also presented accolades to community movers and shakers for their work, including Fabiola Lormil, left, Jessica Coen; Allison Attong-Rogers; Shanika Small; Woodhaven Manor; the Chronicle’s own Ree Brinn, the event’s creative director; the Queens Chronicle itself; the Kiwanis Club of Ozone ParkWoodhaven, the Queens Chamber of Commerce, Cleveland Jones and Marty Vandenburg.

Could get 60 years after feds bust up conspiracy to aid Mideast extremists East Elmhurst man funded ISIS terror

by Peter C. Mastrosimone Editor-in-Chief

An East Elmhurst man was convicted Oct. 24 of all counts in a federal indictment charging him with sending thousands of dollars to support weapons purchases in the Mideast by the terror group ISIS.

Abdullah At Taqi was part of a conspiracy that used cryptocurrency and other electronic means to send the money to the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, a jury found. One codefendant pleaded guilty last January, another did the same on Oct. 6 and a final member of the group was prosecuted in Canada, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York.

“The defendants used Bitcoin, PayPal and GoFundMe to fund ISIS’s deadly mission,” U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District Joseph Nocella Jr. said in a prepared statement. “ISIS relies on supporters, like the defendants, to sponsor its terrorist aims, which is why our Office and our law enforcement partners are working tirelessly to disrupt that pipeline and prosecute those who provide material support to terrorist organizations and their evildoers.”

At Taqi, 26, and his co-defendants were arrested in December 2022 and charged with conspiring to provide and attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization and conspiring to launder money. They

At Taqi faces up to 60 years in prison for conspiring to fund weapons purchases for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham. The photo at right was sent by the recipient of the donations to show that they went toward buying weapons for ISIS.

sent approximately $35,000 to accounts they believed were funding ISIS, the government said. They communicated on an encrypted group chat and pretended that the money would be used for humanitarian purposes.

Instead, the funds were for the mujahideen, or holy warriors, fighting under the banner of ISIS, aka the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or as ISIL, the L standing for the Levant.

Prosecutors said they proved at trial that At

Taqi had sent 15 separate Bitcoin transactions to Osama Obeida, aka Osama Abu Obayda, a self-proclaimed ISIS member, over nearly a year. In conversations with an online confidential source, At Taqi said he was sending money “unnoticed” through a “brother,” meaning an ISIS supporter, whom he spoke to on an encrypted communications platform. At Taqi confirmed that the “brother” was “from Dawlah,” referring to ISIS. The man in

QV man charged with coercion

He allegedly imprisoned immigrant student in home

by Naeisha Rose Editor

A Bengali man in the United States on a student visa was allegedly scammed, imprisoned, abused and forced into house sitting for a Queens Village man who took advantage of his immigrant status, said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz’s office.

Rippon Uddin, 39, of 208th Street, was indicted and arraigned Oct. 23 on charges of labor trafficking, grand larceny, scheme to defraud and coercion, said prosecutors.

He had been arrested earlier that day at his home, located at 109-15 208 St.

“He took the student’s money, imprisoned the young man for more than a month and forced him to work for free, while threatening the victim with deportation if he failed to comply,” said Katz in a statement.

The student moved to the United States in 2021 initially to study in Missouri, but chose to attend a school in Manhattan instead, according to the indictment. It was upon his arrival in New York City that he met Uddin and enrolled into an online management program allegedly run by the defendant. The following year, the victim moved in with a family member in Florida and decided to take Uddin’s program virtually.

Uddin allegedly convinced the student that he could help him with his immigration status and would hire him an attorney in exchange for payments totaling $18,492 for the lawyer.

Uddin allegedly told the 21-year-old to

question was Obeida, whom At Taqi introduced to the source, referred to as CHS-1.

Obeida told CHS-1 that he had known At Taqi for two years and that At Taqi regularly sent money to him. He sent the source a photo of weapons lying on an ISIS flag to show where the money was going, adding the source’s screen name and the date to the photo, to show it was recent and real. The government covered up that part of the image.

The other defendants in the case were Mohammad David Hashimi, 38, of Virginia, who pleaded guilty on Oct. 6; and Seema Rahman, 28, of Edison, NJ, who pleaded guilty to one count last January and awaits sentencing. The co-conspirator prosecuted in Canada is Khalilullah Yousuf, 36, who pleaded guilty in May to two of three charges.

At Taqi and Hashimi, who admitted guilt without a plea bargain, both face up to 60 years in prison, the authorities said.

The press release on At Taqi’s conviction included statements from a U.S. deputy attorney general, an assistant attorney general for national security, the FBI’s top official in New York and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. They touted the case as a success in efforts to disrupt terrorist groups and credited all the agencies involved. ISIS briefly controlled as much land as the United Kingdom during its peak about a decade ago. Q

Donate blood to save lives

return to New York City in September 2023 for an immigration interview and to sign documents. The student arrived at the Queens Village home and was allegedly told by Uddin to house sit, clean and care for a cat while the defendant traveled abroad or else the victim would be forced to redo his immigration application.

Uddin allegedly locked the student inside the house often using a remote system and threatened to get him deported if he did not comply. The defendant allegedly also slapped the victim in the face once for not cleaning the home to his satisfaction and allegedly denied him access to the Internet to take classes, which threatened the student’s visa. The detainment lasted for 33 days, said prosecutors.

The victim contacted the attorney that Uddin allegedly claimed to retain, only for the lawyer to tell him that he never had heard of the student or been hired to represent him.

The charges were not bail-eligible and a judge ordered supervised release, said a QDA spokesperson. Uddin was ordered to return to court on Dec. 9. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.

“I thank the brave young man who came forward and my Human Trafficking Bureau for their work on this case,” Katz said. Q

“Donate Today, Save Lives Tomorrow” is the motto of the New York Blood Center, which is seeking donors as the state continues to face a blood shortage.

All types are sought, but O-negative is especially useful. To help via a blood donation or a financial gift, visit nybc.org.

There are four places in and around Eastern and Southeast Queens listed now where people may donate:

• Floral Park Bellerose School, gym; 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 1, at 2 Larch Ave. in Floral Park, LI; blood drive coordinator Lauren Quezada;

• Martin Van Buren High School, auditorium; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 230-17 Hillside Ave. in Queens Village;

• St. John’s University, Student Organization lounge room 128; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, at 8000 Utopia Pkwy. in Jamaica Estates; blood drive coordinator Paul Lazauskas; and • United Sikhs, main room; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 23, at 95-30 118 St. in South Richmond Hill; bood drive coordinator Inderjeet Singh. Q — Naeisha Rose

Abdullah

PHOTOSCOURTESYU.S.DEPARTMENTOFJUSTICE

The Queens Village home where a 21-year-old student allegedly was detained illegally for more than a month.

NYSUT: phone ban a success

A majority of educators surveyed by the New York State United Teachers show overwhelming support for the state’s distraction-free classroom policy, which prohibits smartphones in schools.

The union in a press release said it sent a survey to its members at the beginning of October, and educators, aides and school staff responded with stories of tangible, early gains in focus, engagement and school climate.

According to NYSUT, 89 percent of respondents said the new policies have improved their school environment, 76 percent reported that students are more present and participative during lessons and 77 percent of educators said students’ social interactions are considerably more positive in both classrooms and hallways.

“When students put down their phones, they pick up books — and build friendships,” NYSUT President Melinda Person said in a statement. “This survey shows that phone-free schools aren’t just improving academic outcomes; they’re rebuilding the human connections that make school a safe and vibrant place to grow.” Q — Kristen Guglielmo

Recent survivor cut the ribbon at Making Strides event on Oct. 19 Queens cancer walk projected to hit goal

by Naeisha Rose Editor

The American Cancer Society said it was a beautiful day as an estimated 8,500 people attended its 32nd Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Queens walk at Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Oct. 19.

Throughout the nonprofit’s walk, people went to a photo booth along the route, while others had their pictures taken as they sat on a giant pink chair sponsored by NewYork-Presbyterian/Queens hospital.

The walk is expected to hit or exceed its $540,000 fundraising goal based on the trajectory of funds coming in, said Michele Steigerwald, a development manager at ACS.

“On April 15, I got the call.”

— Stephanie Villaronga, breast cancer survivor, schoolteacher

Breast cancer survivors received giveaways at the Survivor Tent and rang the Bell of Hope — sponsored by Main Street Radiology — indicating they had finished their chemo treatment.

Karen “DJ Nett” Lawson and The Nettwork provided music for the event.

Mrs. Met and members of Eagle Academy’s Queens Campus Cheer also cheered folks on.

on folks at the walk.

“The funds raised will support groundbreaking cancer research, patient programs like Road to Recovery — which provides free rides to treatment — and our Hope Lodge, a home away from home where patients stay free of charge, as well as vital advocacy efforts,” Steigerwald said via email. “It was a truly impactful day filled with hope, love, and community spirit.

“Our survivor speaker, Stephanie Villaronga, who finished treatment just two days before the event, led the way for our survivors and proudly cut the ribbon to begin our walk.”

Villaronga, 29, a mother, wife and schoolteacher, is from Briarwood.

“On April 15, I got the call — the call — that confirmed my diagnosis. Breast cancer,” said Villaronga in a Voices of Hope Spotlight statement. “And I’m not here alone—because of the American Cancer Society. Thanks to their ACS Cares app, I’ve been able to connect with people who can answer my questions, share their own stories, and remind me that I’m not walking this road by myself.”

Road to Recovery started more than 30 years ago in New England and is now available in at least one market in all 50 states. The program has provided over 9.6 million rides since 2005, which is when the nonprofit started recording numbers. Last year, it provided 71,534.

Transportation is the No. 1 barrier to cancer treatment, according to ACS, which is

able to provide half of all rides requested.

Hope Lodge will celebrate its 18th anniversary on Nov. 5. It has served 31,479 cancer patients and their caregivers since opening in 2007 and guests have come from all 50 states and 74 countries. The lodge has enabled cancer outpatients from 31 referring hospitals or health offices, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, NewYork-Presbyterian, Mount Sinai Health System and NYU Medical Center, among them, to receive life-saving treatment.

Since 1991, the nonprofit has invested nearly $3.5 billion in cancer research and more than $600 million in breast cancer research in the last 30 years alone, helping to contribute to a 33 percent decline in the can-

cer death rate, leading to 4.1 million lives saved, said ACS.

People with cancer, along with their caregivers, may seek help from ACS’s 24/7 helpline at 1 (800) 227-2345 or at its website, cancer.org. For more information about Making Strides, visit MakingStridesWalk.org/ Queens.

The nonprofit sets cancer-screening guidelines to help people catch cancer early; advocates for high-quality and affordable healthcare; funds grants to reduce health disparities (Black women are 38 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than white women); and conducts research on early detection and survivorship, just to name a few of its deeds Q

OneLIC plan sees committee approval

CM Julie Won breathes a ‘sigh of relief’ as she expresses support

by Stephanie G. Meditz Editor

The City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises and Committee on Land Use voted unanimously to approve the OneLIC Neighborhood Plan with modifications on Wednesday.

The rezoning plan for a 54-block swath of Long Island City would allow for about 14,700 new housing units, 4,300 of which would be affordable, as well as waterfront access, more than 14,000 jobs and more. The office of Councilmember Julie Won (D-Long Island City) said it is the largest increase of affordable housing units ever produced by a rezoning.

“Today’s vote progressing the OneLIC plan forward — let me hear a deep sigh of relief — brings us one step closer to an integrated Long Island City,” Won said at the subcommittee meeting ahead of the vote, expressing her support of the plan.

Won has said she would only vote yes if the city committed to a slew of demands, including more affordable housing and public open space.

“Through our advocacy, persistent community engagement, and disciplined negotiations, we have secured a historic investment of nearly $2 billion in LIC, to fund a connected waterfront, a restored park underneath the Queensboro Bridge, over 1,300 new school seats, sewage and plumbing infrastructure, NYCHA investments, and so much more — all that is long overdue,” she said in a statement after the votes.

The plan is slated to come before the full Council in November, followed by the mayor’s desk. Mayor Adams said in a statement that Wednesday’s votes took the city closer to “writing the next great chapter of this vital, dynamic Queens community.”

“Finally, we will be one Long Island City,” Won said.

Stephanie Villaronga, center, a recent breast cancer survivor, cut the ribbon on the Stronger Together ribbon to start the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Queens walk. PHOTOSBYBRUCEADLER

Mrs. Met and Eagle Academy’s Queens Campus Cheer had their pom poms out as they cheered

Nov. 6 MidVille meeting on IBX

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will hold a series of public meetings as it kicks off its environmental assessment of the Interborough Express, the planned light rail system linking Queens and Brooklyn.

As per the State Environmental Quality Review Act, the process will produce a draft environmental impact statement outlining the project’s effects. The analysis will run concurrently with the IBX’s preliminary design and engineering phase, which started in August.

“The IBX will dramatically improve the commutes of over 160,000 daily riders and we are moving fullspeed ahead to keep this transformational project on track,” Gov. Hochul said in a press release issued Oct. 15.

The MTA will hold a public meeting on the plan’s draft scoping document at Christ the King High School in Middle Village on Nov. 6 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Red Storm seek to top a record season

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

The men’s basketball team at St. John’s University will start its regular season Monday night with high hopes — and even higher expectations.

After one of the finest seasons in school history — a record-tying 31 wins and the first Big East regular season and tournament titles in 25 year— the end came abruptly last spring in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

But on Big East Media day last week, conference and college basketball personnel looked to be believers.

Head Coach Rick Pitino’s crew will begin the season at home vs. Quinnipiac University at 6:30 p.m. as the fifthranked team in the country in the latest Associated Press poll. The team also was selected as the favorite to repeat as Big East champions.

nition from the conference.

It is believed to be the first time in league history that five players from the same program have earned Preseason All-Big East honors in the same season.

Forward and guard Bryce Hopkins was named to the Preseason First Team. Guard Ian Jackson earned a place on the Second Team while fellow newcomers, guard Joson Sanon and forward Dillon Mitchell, made the Third Team.

This year marks the first time since the 1991-92 preseason that St. John’s has been picked to finish atop the league.

Ejiofor became the first Johnnie to be named Big East Preseason Player of the Year since Shamorie Ponds ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.

Prior to Ponds, no St. John’s player had taken home the league’s top preseason individual honor since Malik Sealy before the 1991-92 season.

SS benefits up; premiums, too

Social Security benefits will rise 2.8 percent come January, the government announced Oct. 24, but Medicare Part B premiums will go up 11.6 percent, cutting into the gain for many recipients.

The average monthly benefit for all retired workers will increase $56, from $2,015 this year to $2,071.

More than $20 of that will go toward the Medicare premium, however, as it rises from $185 a month to $206.50.

For the average retired couple, the benefit will go up $88, from $3,120 to $3,208.

The maximum earnings subject to the Social Security tax will rise to $184,500.

Supplemental Security Income will increase by the same 2.8 percent costof-living adjustment as Social Security. More on the benefits hike is available at ssa.gov/cola. Medicare information is at medicare.gov, though the costs listed this week were still those for 2025.

Virtual meetings will take place Nov. 12, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. One may register to attend at mta.info/project/interboroughexpress.

In a press release, the school said the conference’s coaches also selected forward Zuby Ejiofor as the Big East Preseason Player of the Year.

— Stephanie G. Meditz

COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL IMAGING

Ejiofor leads a group of five Johnnies who received preseason all-league recog-

Pitino is entering his third season in Queens. A member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, his 885 career victories make him the winningest active head coach.

He ranks fifth all-time. Q

Social Security COLAs follow the rate of inflation over the last 12 months ending Sept. 30. The increase in 2025 was 2.5 percent, and the average over the last 10 years is 3.1 percent, the government said.

Q — Peter C. Mastrosimone

affair Festival of Lights Jamaica celebration

CenterLight Healthcare’s Diwali festivity

by Naeisha Rose Editor

CenterLight Healthcare’s South Asian Culture Center had a festive Diwali celebration on Oct. 22.

People danced to traditional music, exercised with a therapeutic recreational specialist, prayed and engaged in interactive activities such as lantern designing, painting, jewelry making and sand art during the event, which is also known as the Festival of Lights at CenterLight, a facility with a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly. There was also a specially prepared meal.

Tara Buonocore-Rut, president and CEO of the PACE facility, located at 97-35 Allendale St. in Jamaica, also welcomed participants, their families and staff at the event.

“When we started this center, we had the belief that if we created a place where people felt welcome — where their culture was celebrated and honored — they would thrive,” Buonocore-Rut said in a statement. “It has been a privilege to share in our participants’ rich cultural traditions. While CenterLight provides the care they need, our participants enrich our lives by allowing us to join in these joyful celebrations of light and community.”

Ayesha Siddiqua, a PACE participant for two years, who receives medical and physical therapy three times a week at the facility,

was an all-inclusive

CenterLight Healthcare had a Diwali celebration at its South Asian Cultural Center in Jamaica, which included dancing and music. President and CEO

shared her excitement.

“We are very happy to be celebrating Diwali today,” Siddiqua said in a statement. “It’s CenterLight — but actually, it should be called CenterLife. Here, you’ll find people who don’t traditionally celebrate Diwali because it’s not part of their culture — but at CenterLight, they make it possible for everyone to celebrate together and share. Whether it’s through movement, food, or simply talking about Diwali,

CenterLight believes in one family.”

Diwali is a South Asian holiday symbolizing triumph of light over darkness and good over evil while bringing families and communities together in the spirit of renewal, joy and hope.

The South Asian Center, known for its culturally focused programming, encourages participants to celebrate and share their traditions while embracing the diversity of the wider CenterLight community.

CenterLight provides comprehensive, community-based care for adults 55 and over throughout New York City, Westchester, Nassau and Western Suffolk counties.

The program delivers customized care plans designed and managed by an interdisciplinary team that includes, but is not limited to a physician, nurse, dietitian, social worker, rehabilitation therapist and therapeutic recreation specialist.

These health professionals work together to help participants continue to live safely and independently in their own homes. Visit CenterLight’s website at centerlighthealthcare.org for a full list of PACE eligibility requirements. PACE Centers provide primary care, including physician and nursing services; social services; restorative service, including physical therapy and occupational therapy; personal care and supportive services; nutritional services; nutritional counseling; recreational therapy and meals.

CenterLight also has Alternative Care Settings, which are an option for participants who prefer a smaller, more intimate setting to receive on-site socialization, social services, personal care services, therapeutic recreation and meals.

Other center-based services, such as primary care physician services, nursing and rehabilitation are offered at the PACE Centers. Q

Tara Buonocore-Rut, far right, welcomed guests to the elder care facility. PHOTOSCOURTESYCENTERLIGHT

by Kristen Guglielmo

“Wunderkammer III: The Language of Things,” at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum, brings together a dazzling array of artifacts that invite visitors to shine a light on something other than the familiar.

Running through May 29, 2026, the exhibit, the third iteration in the museum’s “Wunderkammer” series, encourages viewers to listen to the voices of objects —sacred and profane, ancient and practical — each one whispering stories of human life across millennia and cultures.

History blossoms

storage, a methodology wherein museums are able to display the riches of their collections.

The exhibition, free to the public in Klapper Hall at Queens College, persists as a tribute to the generosity, curiosity and diversity that unite human experience across time and place.

“My whole vision of ‘Wunderkammer’ is a cabinet of curiosities, which is the way that I view our miraculous collection,” said Louise Weinberg, the museum co-director, director of exhibitions and collections and curator. She described the cases as visual

“It’s really just a way to expose the objects,” Weinberg said. “So we have detailed labels, but we don’t go beyond that. It’s really kind of a cycling of bringing objects out of the boxes and into the light.”

The exhibit’s scope is astounding: a Ptolemaic figurine of Osiris, a 15th-century Adam and Eve baptismal plate, a Napoleonic letter opener, coins and currency from around the globe and everyday wonders such as early 20thcentury straight razors, one labeled for each day of the week.

The display is separated into cases that focus on a specific type of object, such as vases and vessels, bowls and platters, works of art and religious figures, tools and currency and pillows, lighting and mirrors.

One of the collection’s highlights is a case in tribute to Allen Rosenbaum, longtime Godwin Ternbach Museum board member, donor and Queens College graduate of 1958 who died in 2025.

continued on page 25

King Crossword Puzzle

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

Estelle Getty would be

‘Golden’

in Oakland Gardens

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

Charles Scher was born in Monastyryska, Poland, on May 10, 1893. He arrived in New York on the ship Zeeland at age 20 on June 11, 1913. He married Sarah Lacher on Nov. 29, 1919. Three children, Roslyn, Estelle and Samuel, soon followed. He was a glazier.

Estelle, born on July 23, 1923, had the passion to act and dabbled in Yiddish theater. However, acting was put on hold when she married Arthur Gettleman on Dec. 21, 1947. They briefly lived in the Bronx, but when their son, Carl, was born in 1949 they moved to 218-20 68 Ave. in Oakland Gardens. Son Barry followed in 1952. By 1970 they had moved to 68-85 218 St. in the same Bell Park Gardens complex.

As the boys grew up, she did more stage acting, culminating in her role as Mrs. Beckoff in “Torch Song Trilogy.” That led, in 1985, to her becoming the bold, witty and outspoken Sophia Petrillo on the TV sitcom “Golden Girls,” which ran for 180 episodes. She played her in two spinoffs, as well.

Getty suffered with Lewy body dementia and stopped acting in 2000. She passed on

New York’s Estate Tax Cliff and the “Santa Clause”

By Cynthia J. Conza, Esq.

July 22, 2008, just shy of her 85th birthday. Her performances are still enjoyed by new generations of fans today on reruns. Q

Correction

The Oct. 23 column, “Annette Insdorf went to the movies in Forest Hills” contained several inaccuracies. The corrected version can be seen at qchron.com under the qboro tab’s menu. We regret the errors. Q

B SPORTS EAT

Justin finally justifies Estate Planning Fundamentals:

The federal estate tax imposes a tax only on assets that are above the federal exemption threshold. In contrast, New York State’s estate tax has its own exemption with an important twist known as the “estate tax cliff.” This “cliff” means estates that exceed the New York exemption amount by only a small percentage can be taxed on the entire value of the estate’s assets, not just the amount that exceeds the exemption threshold.

The New York estate tax works as follows: Estates that are valued below the $7,160,000 exemption amount do not owe any New York estate tax. Estates that are valued up to 105% of the exemption amount, or $7,518,000 only owe tax on the amount exceeding the $7,160,000 exemption. The twist is that an estate valued at $7,518,000 or above fall off the “cliff” and owes tax on the entire estate, not just the portion exceeding the exemption amount.

The consequence is clear that the tax liability, which ranges from 3.06% to 16%, increases dramatically for an estate that falls off the cliff. One estate

planning tool to avoid this problem and minimize the New York estate tax is the charitable savings clause, often referred to as the “Santa Clause.” This provisional clause in your Will creates a charitable bequest only if your estate crosses the 105% threshold, and in an amount that brings the taxable estate down to the exemption amount. This ensures the net amount your heirs receive is higher than if the estate faced New York State tax liability

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.

by Lloyd Carroll Chronicle Contributor

This obviously has been a dreadful season for first-year Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn and his starting quarterback, Justin Fields. Going into Sunday’s game with the Bengals in Cincinnati, the Jets were 0-7, with Fields looking particularly feeble. He was constantly sacked by opposing defensive ends. When he was fortunate enough to get off a pass, it was rarely caught. Drives resulting in touchdowns were rarer than winning lottery tickets for the Jets.

Things had gotten so bad that Jets owner Woody Johnson figuratively threw Fields under the bus last Tuesday chatting with the press following an NFL owners meeting. “It would be nice to have a quarterback who could complete a pass,” Johnson wisecracked.

While Johnson was criticized for his remarks, it is easy to understand why he blew off steam. He knows he has become the butt of jokes. Going on 15 years without your team making the playoffs, the longest drought in professional sports, will do that. Johnson was also smarting from his team’s desultory loss the previous week to the Carolina Panthers. While he should have b een inured by now, seeing a half-empty MetLife Stadium on a summery October afternoon clearly enraged him.

To his immense credit, Fields took the jabs from his owner in good stride. He just wanted

to prove to him, and so many others, that he was a better QB than what he had shown in the first seven games of the season.

All indications were that Glenn would be giving Fields’ understudy, veteran Tyrod Taylor, the start against the Bengals. Taylor, 36, has played 15 years in the NFL. He has endured more than his share of injuries. He hurt his knee when he came in to relieve Fields in the Panthers game. Glenn had no choice but to give the younger player yet another chance. Fields seized the opportunity. Though the Jets frequently trailed by two touchdowns as late as the second half, he did not get rattled as he led Gang Green on a pair of fourth-quarter drives that gave them a 39-38 win. It was even more remarkable considering he did not have either of his top two receivers, Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds, who were hurt. Also missing was star cornerback Sauce Gardner, who was recovering from a concussion.

Bengals QB and ex-Jet Joe Flacco, along with his Pro Bowl receivers Tee Higgins and JaMarr Chase, easily carved up the Jets’ defense. After playing two games in which they limited opponents to 13 points, the Jets defense returned to form. Luckily, the Bengals’ defense was equally inept, especially when it came to containing running back Breece Hall. Q See the extended version of Sports Beat every week at qchron.com.

The home of “Golden Girls” star Estelle Getty was once at 218-20 68 Ave. in Bell Park Gardens, in Oakland Gardens. GOOGLEMAPSIMAGE; INSETPHOTOBYALANLIGHTVIAWIKIPEDIA

The Armstrongs and Corona: a love story

by Michael Gannon editor

Louis and Lucille Armstrong loved the neighborhood of Corona, and the neighborhood loved them back.

That special relationship is the subject of The Corona Collection, a compilation of interviews with people who knew the Armstrongs as neighbors and friends in their home at 34-56 107 St.

The house now is a museum. The collection of oral histories will be on exhibit across the street at the Louis Armstrong Center through March.

Charanya Ramakrishnan, director of community engagement for the Armstrong Center, also is director of the Corona Project. Louis died in 1971, and Lucille in 1983. But Ramakrishnan said in an interview last week that they themselves planted the seeds for the project over a half-century ago.

“The Armstrongs have a deep connection with the neighborhood,” she said. “And they saved everything. Letters, postcards ... They’re all in our archives. I was looking at a history of the neighborhood.”

She found correspondence from people who knew the Armstrongs and was able to track many down. The oldest was 95, while the youngest, now in their 60s, were children when they met the couple they came

to know as Uncle Satchmo and Aunt Lucille.

The aim, she said, was to find 15 people and interview them on video.

“We wanted to share their memories of what they meant to people, and what the people of Corona meant to them,” Ramakrishnan said. “They lived in a working-class neighborhood. He was a world-renowned jazz musician, but in the neighborhood, he was just Louis. He was a friend.”

ened in the morning by notes from Armstrong’s trumpet. He had never heard of Armstrong, but would be introduced after complaining to the family butler.

“Mr. Ernie thought that was the funniest thing,” Johnson says.

Johnson is a multi-instrument musician, including the trumpet. Blake, who came from a broken home, became a social worker. While Armstrong never discussed his own troubled childhood, Johnson came to realize he knew what it was like for a young boy to be hungry or cold; the house was often a refuge to listen to music, read from the encyclopedias on the shelf or just be alone.

“It’s always an honor to connect with someone who has a sincere heart of goodness,” Johnson said. “He was a good man. A good man. He had that care for people.”

The Armstrongs also served as mentors to children on the block and from the neighborhood, inspiring and helping some develop their interest and talent for music; and supporting PS 143, the school that now bears Armstrong’s name.

One of Ramakrishnan’s favorite stories

from the interviews was that of James Blake, who lived next door to the Armstrongs.

He would come home every Monday at the time when Armstrong was going through his daily paces of practicing.

“He said the notes from Louis’ trumpet reached to the stars,” Ramakrishnan said. “He said, ‘It was a free concert, and I had the best seat in the house.’”

Willie Johnson, upon moving in across the street, rang the doorbell after being wak-

Blake said the Armstrongs’ kindness showed even in little things, like sending over a cake to him and his siblings from a party.

“When you don’t have, you’re aware that you don’t have,” he said. “Lucille and Pops made us feel like we had.”

The museum and center are open Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets must be bought in advance at louisarmstronghouse.org. Top tickets are $20. Information is at (718) 478-8274. Q

Bringing objects to light at Godwin-Ternbach

continued from page 23

During the Covid pandemic, Rosenbaum became fascinated by Daruma dolls, which depict Bodhidharma, whose image is said to embody resilience and perseverance.

“Daruma is a manifestation,” Weinberg explained. “We don’t know whether he lived or not, so it’s kind of a mythological idea that became huge. He was ostensibly a Buddhist priest in India, where he was known as Bodhidharma, and he brought

Crossword Answers

Zen Buddhism to Japan in the fifth or sixth century.”

Rosenbaum wanted to present the museum with an exhibit, and the tribute to him displays items from his collection of Darumas in a wide breadth of mediums.

“Daruma is an enduring image that has sustained itself over time to this day,” Weinberg said.

She said the overall collection is a time machine.

“We’re always looking at it from its moment in time, but also who we are today,” Weinberg said.

“The Language of Things” invites visitors — whether students, scholars or the simply curious — into a miraculous collection that is continually in a state of discovery.

Godwin-Ternbach also has another exhibit on display: through the glass double doors in the museum’s lobby is “Quinceañera: Dress and Memory in Latine Culture,” which celebrates the enduring significance of the 15th birthday celebration within Latin communities in the United States. Dresses, images and personal accounts are all on breathtaking display

Clockwise from above: art depicting Daruma; early 20th-century straight razors; and a bowl held together with staples, all on display as part of “Wunderkammer III: The Language of Things,” at the Godwin-Ternbach Museum. On the cover: The museum lobby, and a tree of life candelabra.

through Dec. 18. For more on the museum, visit gtmuseum.org.

“It’s a privilege to be able to share these

objects,” Weinberg said. “You don’t have to go to the Met. You don’t have to go to the Brooklyn Museum. It’s right here.” Q

Willie Johnson channels a 1970 photo with Louis Armstrong and his brother, Jonny, on the steps of the Armstrong home.

PHOTO BY CHRIS BARHAM, LEFT,AND COURTESY PHOTO

PHOTOS BY KRISTEN GUGLIELMO

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To: Peter Vattiato, Claudia Pringles, Michael William Vattiato, if living and if dead, to their heirs at law, next of kin and distributees whose names and places of residence are unknown and if they died subsequent to the decedent herein, to their executors, administrators, legatees, devisees, assignees and successors in interest whose names and places of residence are unknown and cannot be ascertained after due diligence. Being the persons interested as creditors, legatees, distributees or otherwise in the Estate of Catherine Vattiato, deceased, who at the time of death was a resident of 60-77 71st Street, Maspeth, NY 11378, in the County of Queens, State of New York. SEND GREETING: Upon the petition of LOIS M. ROSENBLATT, Public Administrator of Queens County, who maintains her office at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens County, New York 11435, as Administrator of the Estate of Catherine Vattiato, deceased, you and each of you are hereby cited to show cause before the Surrogate at the Surrogate’s Court of the County of Queens, to be held at the Queens General Courthouse, 6th Floor, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, City and State of New York, on the 20th day of November, 2025 at 9:30 o’clock in the forenoon, why the Account of Proceedings of the Public Administrator of Queens County, as Administrator of the Estate of said deceased, a copy of which is attached, should not be judicially settled, and why the Surrogate should not fix and allow a reasonable amount of compensation to GERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ., for legal services rendered to petitioner herein in the amount of $8,885.41 and that the Court fix the fair and reasonable additional fee for any services to be rendered by GERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ., hereafter in connection with proceedings on kinship, claims etc., prior to entry of a final Decree on this accounting in the amount of 6% of assets or income collected after the date of the within accounting; and why the Surrogate should not fix and allow an amount equal to one percent on said Schedules of the total assets on Schedules A, A1, and A2 plus any additional monies received subsequent to the date of this account, as the fair and reasonable amount payable to the Office of the Public Administrator for the expenses of said office pursuant to S.C.P.A. §1106(3); and why the Last Will and Testament dated December 1, 2015, copy attached, should not be admitted to Probate; and why the Letters of Administration issued to the Public Administrator should not be revoked; and why Letters of Administration CTA should not be issued to the Public Administrator; and why the net residuary estate should not be paid pursuant to the Last Will and Testament as follows; 100 % to Claudia Pringles as Successor Trustee of the Peter Vattiato SNT dated December 1, 2015 Dated, Attested and Sealed 15th day of September, 2025 HON. CASSANDRA A. JOHNSON Surrogate, Queens County Janet Edwards Tucker Chief Clerk GERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ. (718) 459-9000 1981 Marcus Avenue, Suite 200 Lake Success, New York 11042 NOTICE: THIS CITATION IS SERVED UPON YOU AS REQUIRED BY LAW. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO APPEAR; HOWEVER, IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR IT WILL BE ASSUMED YOU DO NOT OBJECT TO THE RELIEF REQUESTED. YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY APPEAR FOR YOU, AND YOU OR YOUR ATTORNEY MAY REQUEST A COPY OF THE FULL ACCOUNT FROM THE PETITIONER OR PETITIONER’S ATTORNEY Accounting Citation

Notice of Formation of NIKI NIXX GLOBAL LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/29/2025. 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: NORTHWEST REGISTERED AGENT LLC, 418 BROADWAY, STE N, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: For any lawful purpose. NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. NAME: MR 2 REALTY, LLC. Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 06/18/2025, 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 the process to the LLC, 44-06 31st Avenue, Astoria, NY, 11103. Purpose: For any lawful

Legal Notices

Community Notice: Share Your Feedback on Accessible Transportation Jewel Human Services, Inc. is seeking input from individuals with disabilities, older adults, families, and community partners about local transportation challenges and needs. The agency is applying for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 funding to purchase a wheelchair-accessible vehicle and supporting technology that will expand safe, reliable, and affordable transportation options in Brooklyn and Queens. Your feedback will help shape how these transportation services are designed to improve access to day programs, employment, medical appointments, and community activities. Please share comments or suggestions by emailing anelson@jewel humanservices.org or calling (347) 280-9339. Public Comment Period: October 17 – November 17, 2025 Location: Jewel Human Services, 163 Buscher Ave., Valley Stream, NY 11580

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

On November 12, 2025, at 10am, a public hearing will be held in the City Council Committee Room, 2nd ﬂoor, City Hall, Manhattan for the purpose of considering a local law that authorizes an increase in the annual assessment amount to be expended in the Woodhaven Business Improvement District not to exceed $425,000.

24-32 27TH STREET LLC. Arts. of Org. ﬁled with the SSNY on 09/30/25. 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, 24-32 27th Street, Astoria, NY 11102. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE

OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff AGAINST Douglas Carr, as Executor of the Estate of Gloria Patrick a/k/a Gloria A. Patrick a/k/a Gloria A. Ballom a/k/a Gloria Patrick Ballom a/k/a Gloria A. PatrickBallom; et al., Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered August 25, 2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the Queens County Supreme Courthouse, on the second floor in Courtroom 25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on November 21, 2025, at 10:00AM, premises known as 18833 Keesville Avenue a/k/a 188-33 Keesville Avenue, Saint Albans a/k/a Jamaica, NY 11412. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Fourth Ward of the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, Block 10427 Lot 34. Approximate amount of judgment $413,024.00 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 710701/2019. Heidi J. Henle, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: September 15, 2025 For sale information, please visit www. Auction.com or call (800) 2802831 87190

Notice of Formation of 94-50 MERRICK BLVD. LLC Articles of Organization were ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/11/2025. 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: 94-50 MERRICK BLVD. LLC, 94-02 150TH ST., JAMAICA, NY 11435. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

PROBATE CITATION File

No.·2018-504/C SURROGATE’S COURT - QUEENS COUNTY CITATION. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE: OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent. To: WALTER JOHNSON JR., Tyrell JOHNSON., DONNELL JOHNSON, SHAQUILLE JOHNSON, JOAN JACKSON; if living and if dead, to his/her heirs at law, next of kin and distributees whose names and places of residence are unknown and If he/she died subsequent to the decedent herein, to his/her executors, administrators, legatees, devisees, assignees and successors in interest whose name and places of residence are unknown and to all other heirs at law, next of kin, and distributees of WATER JOHNSON, aka WALTER CECIEL JOHNSON aka WALTER CECIL JOHNSON, the decedent herein, whose names and places of residence are unknown and cannot be ascertained after due diligence, A petition having been duly-filed by Shantl Westen Johnson who is domiciled at 116-40 196th Street, St. Albans, Queens, New York 11412.

YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Queens County, at·88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, on the 4th day of December, 2025 at 9:30 A.M. of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Walter Johnson aka Walter Cecil Johnson aka Walter Ceciel Johnson , lately domiciled at 116-40 196th Street, St. Albans, Queens, New York 11412, a will dated April 10, 2009 copy of which is attached, as the Will of Walter C. Johnson deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that [x] Letters of Administration issue to: Shanti Weston Johnson (State any further-relief requested) Deny probate of will and grant letters of administration. HON.

CASSANDRA A. JOHNSON Surrogate OCT. 02, 2025.

JANET EDWARDS TUCKER

Chief Clerk. Jason C. Bost, Esq. (718 361-0299 Attorney for Petitioner. 45 Exchange Boulevard, Suite 802, Rochester. New York, 14614 (Note: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear with you.)

PROBATE CITATION. File No. 2025-577 SURROGATE’S COURT-QUEENS COUNTY CITATION THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK By the Grace of God Free and Independent TO: Heirs at law, next of kin, and distributees of JOSE RAMON ALONSO a/k/a JOSE R. ALONSO, deceased, if living, and if any of them be dead to their heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, legatees, executors, administrators. assignees and successors in interest whose names are unknown and cannot be ascertained after. due dillgenence. Public Administrator of Queens County Attorney General of New York State. A petition having been duly ﬁled by JOSE HERNANDEZ, who is domiciled at 5830 SW 63rd Avenue, South Miami, Florida 33143. YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, Queens County, at 8811 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, New York, on December 18, 2025 at 9:30A.M. of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of JOSE RAMON ALONSO a/k/a JOSE R. ALONSO, lately domiciled at 8337 Saint James Avenue, Apt. 3S, Elmhurst, New York, admitting to probate a Will dated September 30, 1992, a copy of which is attached, as the Will of JOSE RAMON ALONSO a/k/a JOSE R. ALONSO, deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that [x] Letters of Administration c.t.a. issue to. Jose Hernandez (State any further relief requested) HON. CASSANDRA A. JOHNSON Surrogate. Dated, Attested and Sealed October 8, 2025. JANET EDWARDS TUCKER, Chief Clerk. Daisy Echevarria. Esq., Attorney for Petitioner Telephone Number 212-286-9499. 270 Madison Avenue, Suite 1501, New York, New York 10016, Address of Attorney. [NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.]

Glendale, Sat 11/1, 2pm-3:30pm, 7818 65 St. Det 1 fam Colonial, HW fls & tile, updates kitchen w/SS appli, updated windows & baths. 3 BR & 2 baths. Fin bsmnt, pvt dvwy, gar, enclosed sun rm. Asking $949,000. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

Howard Beach, Sat 11/1, 12pm-1pm, 88-29 155 Ave, 6D. Lg 2 BR, 2 bath Co-Op, new bathrooms & HW fls. Asking $309,000. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

Lindenwood, Sat 11/1, 1pm-2:30pm, 87-10 149 Ave, Unit 5D, 2 BR, 2 bath condo w/pvt terrace. Call Janice 718-490-8023. By appt only. C21 Amiable II, 718-835-4700

Legal Notices

Notice of Formation of ARAL SIMTECH LLC Articles of Organization were ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/07/2025. 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: AGA ARCEDO, 40-15 81ST ST, APT B12, ELMHURST, NY 11373. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Legal Notices

COLOMBOS PROP. LLC. Arts. of Org. ﬁled with the SSNY on 10/22/25. 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, 60 Stone Hill Drive S., Manhasset, NY 11030. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Old Howad Beach, 3 BR, full LR w/fireplace, full DR plus eat in kitchen. Use of yard & private driveway. Old World Charm. Plus a brand new bathroom makes this a nice home. $3,000 per month, tenant pays utilities. Call 917-663-6986

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE ASSETS TRUST 2007-5, MORTGAGEBACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-5, -against- BEULAH FIGEROUX F/K/A BEULAH BLAKE ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on October 1, 2024, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN HOME MORTGAGE ASSETS TRUST 2007-5, MORTGAGE-BACKED PASSTHROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2007-5 is the Plaintiff and BEULAH FIGEROUX F/K/A BEULAH BLAKE, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the QUEENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., COURTROOM #25, JAMAICA, NY 11435, on 11/21/2025 at 10:00AM, premises known as 14306 FERNDALE AVENUE, JAMAICA, New York 11435; and the following tax map identification, -11935-3. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ETRECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH OF QUEENS, COUNTY OF QUEENS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 714058/2020.

Michael A. Cervini, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing.

*LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HARBORVIEW MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-5, -against- STACIE C. GRANT A/K/A STACIE N. C. GRANT, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on July 10, 2024, wherein DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR HARBORVIEW MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2007-5 is the Plaintiff and STACIE C. GRANT A/K/A STACIE N. C. GRANT, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the QUEENS COUNTY COURTHOUSE 88-11 SUTPHIN BLVD., COURTROOM #25, JAMAICA, NY 11435, on 11/21/2025 at 10:00AM, premises known as 115-112 225TH STREET, CAMBRIA HEIGHTS, New York 11411; and the following tax map identification, -11306-57. ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE FOURTH WARD OF THE BOROUGH AND COUNTY OF QUEENS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK, Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 722456/2022. Scott H. Siller, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/ CLERK DIRECTIVES.

To Advertise Call 718-205-8000

DIVISION OF TRAFFIC OPERATIONS INVITATION FOR BIDS

Engineering Service Agreement (ESA) for Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) projects

Contract No. 84124MBTR644

NYCPIN: 84124MBTR644

EPIN: 84124P0011

84124P0011 - Engineering Service Agreement (ESA) for Engineering, Design Inspect on Services Citywide for ITS Related and Planning Projects.

The Department of Transportation is seeking qualified Consultants to provide engineering, architectural design, and inspection services for Citywide Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)-related projects.

This Request for Proposals (RFP)/RFx is released through PASSPort, New York City’s online procurement portal. Responses to this RFP/RFx must be submitted via PASSPort. To access the RFP/RFx, vendors should visit the PASSPort public Portal at https://passport.cityofnewyork.us/page.aspx/en/rfp/request browse_public .To quickly locate the RFP/RFx, insert the EPIN, 84124P0011, into the Keyword search field. To respond to this RFP/RFx, vendors must create an account within the PASSPort system if they have not already done so.

A Pre-Proposal Conference has been scheduled for November 12, 2025, at 10:00 AM through Microsoft Teams.

Proposers who wish to attend the Conference meeting can access by using the meeting link provided in the “Prepare RFX” Section - SETUP Tab - Pre-Proposal/Pre-Bid Conference Section in PASSPort.

Any inquiries concerning this Proposals (RFP)/RFx should be directed by email to agency contact udommaraju@dot.nyc.gov, under the subject line 84124P0011.

The Consultant shall comply with the Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) goal for all Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funded projects. The DBE goal for this project is 0%.

Eric Adams, Mayor Ydanis Rodriguez, Commissioner

KAM 14 LLC Articles of Org. ﬁled NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 9/29/25. Ofﬁce in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to The LLC 8425 85th Ave., Woodhaven, NY 11421. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of KK MANAGEMNET NY LLC Articles of Organization were ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 09/10/2025. 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: KK MANAGEMENT NY LLC, 40-51 61ST STREET, WOODSIDE, NY 11377. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of LITTLE ROSE FLORALS, LLC

Articles of Organization were ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/02/2025.

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: JULIE MAK MOTAYNE, 141-10 82ND DRIVE, #234, BRIARWOOD, NY 11435. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Reem New York LLC Articles of Organization ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/10/2025. 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: 44-70 21ST STREET, #3119, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of ROSMUC INVESTIGATIONS LLC

Articles of Organization were ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 08/08/2025.

Ofﬁce location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: THE LLC, 6731 52ND AVE, MASPETH, NY 11373. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of S KIM CPA PLLC. Articles of Organization ﬁled with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/2/2025. Ofﬁce location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. 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: is The PLLC 3809 Union Street, Suite 3 Flushing, NY, 11354. Purpose/ character of LLC: Any Lawful Purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT

QUEENS COUNTY U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE ON BEHALF OF GCAT 2021-NQM7 TRUST, Plaintiff against NINA RIENZI, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Knuckles & Manfro, LLP, 120 White Plains Road, Suite 215, Tarrytown, NY 10591. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered April 4, 2025, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at the Queens County Supreme Court, Courtroom #25, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on November 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Premises known as 34-11 29th Street, Long Island City, NY 11106. Sec 4 Block 585 Lot 24. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $1,294,298.19 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 700029/2023. Cash will not be accepted at the sale. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 11th Judicial District’s Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Referee will only accept a certified bank check made payable to the referee. Martha Taylor, Esq., Referee File # 3000-001443

Notice of Formation of TON SERVICE LLC Articles of Organization were ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/03/2025. 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: DIEGO GIRALDO LOPEZ, 8732 78 ST., FLOOR 1, WOODHAVEN, NY 11421. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

October 30, 2025 For the latest

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS, INDEX NO. 717396/2023, Plaintiff designates QUEENS as the place of trial situs of the real property, SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS

Mortgaged Premises: 211-11 HOLLIS AVENUE, QUEENS VILLAGE, NY 11429, Block: 10922, Lot: 64, SELECT PORTFOLIO SERVICING, INC., Plaintiff, vs. RAUL LOKASI, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOHANNES T. LOKASI A/K/A JOHANNES LOKASI, if living, and if she/he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; ROMANO LOKASI, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOHANNES T. LOKASI A/K/A JOHANNES LOKASI, if living, and if she/ he be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; JONATHAN LOKASI, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOHANNES T. LOKASI A/K/A JOHANNES LOKASI; J.L., MINOR CHILD UNDER C/O MARGARETHA MENIG, AS HEIR AND DISTRIBUTEE OF THE ESTATE OF JOHANNES T. LOKASI A/K/A JOHANNES LOKASI; UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DISTRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF JOHANNES T. LOKASI A/K/A JOHANNES LOKASI, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or general or specific lien upon the real property described in this action; such unknown persons being herein generally described and intended to be included in the following designation, namely: the wife, widow, husband, widower, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA; NEW YORK CITY PARKING VIOLATIONS BUREAU; NEW YORK CITY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL BOARD; NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT ADJUDICATION BUREAU; PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK; MARGARETHA “DOE” (REFUSED LAST NAME) AS JOHN DOE #1; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #2; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #3; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #4; “JOHN DOE” (REFUSED NAME) AS JOHN DOE #5, “JOHN DOE #6” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last seven names being fictitious and unknown to plaintiff, the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises, described in the complaint, Defendants. To the above named Defendants 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. Your failure to appear or to 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. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above caption action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $383,760.00 and interest, recorded on August 24, 2006, in CRFN 2006000481088, of the Public Records of QUEENS County, New York., covering premises known as 211-11 HOLLIS AVENUE, QUEENS VILLAGE, NY 11429. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. QUEENS County is designated as the place of trial because the real property affected by this action is located in said county. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home. Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property. Sending a payment to the mortgage company will not stop the foreclosure action. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated:October 10th, 2025, ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC, Attorney for Plaintiff, Matthew Rothstein, Esq. 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, NY 11590, 516-280-7675

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Owner Trustee of CSMC 2019-RPL11 Trust, Plaintiff -against- Melanie N. Silvia as Heir to the Estate of Nancy M. Silvia, Cheryl M. Smith as Heir to the Estate of Nancy M. Silvia, Tremayne D. Silvia as Heir to the Estate of Nancy M. Silvia, Angela M. Matthews a/k/a Angela Monique Matthews as Heir to the Estate of Richard T. Matthews a/k/a Richard Matthews, Latoya S. Clay a/k/a Latoya S. Matthews as Heir to the Estate of Richard T. Matthews a/k/a Richard Matthews, Terrance Windham as Heir to the Estate of Richard T. Matthews a/k/a Richard Matthews, Jamaica East Homeowners Association, Inc., City of New York acting by and through its Department of Housing Preservation and Development, Commissioner of Social Services of the City of New York Social Services District, New York City Environmental Control Board, New York City Parking Violations Bureau, New York City Transit Adjudication Bureau, North Star Capital Acquisitions LLC, Successor Trustee of the Nancy M. Silvia Irrevocable Living Trust, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, United States of America - Internal Revenue Service, Nancy M. Silvia’s unknown heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in the real property described in the complaint herein, Richard T. Matthews a/k/a Richard Matthews’ unknown heirs-at-law, next-of-kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignees, lienors, creditors, and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise, any right, title or interest in the real property described in the complaint herein and “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #10”, the last ten names being fictitious and unknown to the plaintiff, the person or parties intended being the persons or parties, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the mortgaged premises described in the Complaint, Defendants. Index #: 725897/2024 Filed: 12/02/2024 SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. Venue is based upon the County in which the mortgaged premises is situated. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANT(S): YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your Answer or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a Notice of Appearance on the attorneys for the plaintiff within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service; or within thirty (30) days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York; or within sixty (60) days if it is the United States of America. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $118,100.00, and interest, recorded in the office of the Clerk of the County of Queens on May 14, 1996 in Reel 4339, at Page 2045, covering premises known as 106-41 160th Street a/k/a 10641 160th Street, Jamaica, NY 11433. The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the mortgage company who 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 COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. Dated: Bay Shore, New York November 27, 2024 FRENKEL, LAMBERT, WEISS, WEISMAN & GORDON, LLP BY: Deana Cheli Attorneys for Plaintiff 53 Gibson Street Bay Shore, New York 11706 (631) 969-3100 Our File No.: 01-096105-F01

Notice of Formation of Snap Chocolates LLC Articles of Organization were ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 10/17/2025. 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: ALEXANDRA ELLIOTT, 42-77 HUNTER STREET, APT 6B, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY 11101. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of STRICTLY WHOLESALE LLC Articles of Organization were ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/25/2025. Ofﬁce location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: ARTURO CIFUENTES, 8709 164TH ST BSMT, JAMAICA, NY 11432. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of THAT TAKES THE CAKE LLC Articles of Organization were ﬁled with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/30/2025. 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: ZENBUSINESS INC, 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.