Queens Chronicle South Edition 03-23-23

C M SQ page 1 Y K SOUTH QUEENS EDITION Serving Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, City Line and JFK Airport

YOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER VOL. XLVI

NO. 12

THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023

QCHRON.COM

Queens on high alert as smoke shops remain target

PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF

PAGES 14 AND 16

After an armed robbery of a smoke shop in Richmond Hill claimed the life of a 20-year-old employee last weekend, illegal activity at the stores remains a concern for police, elected officials and residents. Above, the NYPD patrols a shop near the site of the robbery. With pot shops cropping up on every corner, residents weigh in on their concerns.

CHUGGING ALONG QueensLink makes final push to be heard

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PAGES 22-23

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 2

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Albany floats city parking permit plan Bill would let city charge residents up to $30 a month in fees to fund MTA

by Michael Gannon

Q

Senior News Editor

ueens residents can complain about street parking as often or more than the Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it needs new sources of revenue.

A budget bill that has passed muster in the state Senate theoretically addresses both concerns, but what will come of it is far from certain at this point.

The Senate last week prepared its singlehouse transportation and economic development bill, all while the Senate, Assembly and Gov. Hochul worked on her proposed $227 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning April 1.

Part DDDD would, if eventually passed into law as written, allow New York City to create a residential parking permit program.

It would allow the city to charge residents up to $30 per month to park on the street in areas designated for residential permits.

The money collected could, according to published reports, raise up to $400 million for the MTA. The idea has been considered in the past, particularly in places like Astoria, Long Island City and other neighborhoods near subway lines, as people are known to drive from the suburbs, park on an unmetered street and hop

The state Senate has approved a “one-house measure” that would allow the city to set up a residential parking program as a way to raise revenue up to $400 million per year for the MetropoliPHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON tan Transportation Authority. the subway to Manhattan.

The catch is that it leaves it to the City Council to set up the program and establish regulations, such as how and by whom the program would be enforced.

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gia-

naris (D-Astoria) supported the proposal in published reports.

“Residential parking permits have been requested by many New Yorkers for years,” Gianaris told the New York Post. “At a time when the MTA faces a historic budget crisis,

giving New York City this option is a good way to raise revenue and benefit our neighborhoods at the same time.”

Gianaris’ office told the Chronicle the $400 million would show up in the state budget when and if the Council enacts the plan. If not, the money would have to be found from other sources.

The Old Astoria Neighborhood Association, in a press release sent to the Chronicle, said the group is open to some sort of program in the future and agrees with the transfer of authority for the matter from the state to the city.

OANA wants first to see how congestion pricing — a proposal to charge drivers for entering Manhattan below 60th Street that is under federal review — impacts parking, as Astoria is served by two major bridges and a number of highways.

While OANA supports congestion pricing, it is concerned about the potential impact in the outer boroughs. “[A]lways be aware of unintended consequences, and chief among those would be the loss of parking in the outer boroughs,” the press release said. “We feel there is a likelihood that local parking will be taken up by drivers from outside the neighborhood to avoid congestion pricing tolls.”

OANA said each neighborhood requires continued on page 20

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Fight for rails and trails trudges on Crunch time as QueensLink tries to get attention of mayor and the MTA

by Deirdre Bardolf

came up throughout the event. Several have supported the plan, including CouncilwomAdvocates for the QueensLink plan to an Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), who reactivate the old Long Island Rail Road attended on Thursday, and Assemblywoman Rockaway Beach Branch are keeping up the St acey Phef fer A mato (D -Rock away fight to bring more transit with park space, Beach), who had a representative present.

Ariola said she has always been an both of which are lacking in much of the area, despite the mayor’s backing of an “ardent” supporter of the plan and cited cont i nued d iscret iona r y f u nd i ng for alternative linear park plan.

The group held a town hall at MS 137 in QueensLink.

“With the way Queens is growing — Ozone Park last Thursday to get input and answer questions about possibilities and more people are moving to Queens and we have more development in Queens — it’s challenges.

The QueensLink team figures they have never been more important to have infrasix to eight months before shovels are in the structure and transportation,” said Ariola.

Despite the mayor’s funding of the first dirt for the QueensWay plan. Back in September, Mayor Adams announced $35 mil- phase of the QueensWay plan, which would lion for the first phase, which would run be positioned toward the upper middle of from Metropolitan Avenue to Union Turn- the right-of-way, some electeds say the move would not totally derail the Queenspike in Forest Hills.

“With the fact that it hasn’t come to be Link dreams.

But QueensLink backers are a little more yet, we know there is still a chance for us to voice ourselves so the mayor can hear that realistic.

“We’re like, ‘how is that possible?’” said the people of South Queens want better transit,” said Paul Trust, community liaison Trust.

“How could you possibly build a $35 milfor QueensLink.

In September, QueensWay plan developer lion, six-block stretch of park and not say Carter Strickland estimated work would that’s going to be used to stop South Queens from ever being able to have the upward begin in about a year.

Now, the underdog is continuing its momentum and equity it deserves? It’s comefforts to get the ear of the mayor, gather pletely going to stop it.” He continued, political support and push for an environ- “That’s where we’re still waiting for an mental impact study. Last year, elected answer from all of our electeds to say, ‘if officials signed on to a letter calling on the this is what is being told to you, how is this governor to fund the study and a City possible?”’

In attendance was Deputy Public AdvoCouncil resolution was passed calling for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority cate for Infrastructure and Environmental Justice Kashif Hussain. He attended with to conduct it.

The QueensLink team wants to be heard community organizers from the office of ahead of the expected completion of the Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

“We highly support this project,” said MTA’s 20-Year Needs Assessment, which is set to be completed in October and includes Hussain. He suggested the team push for more support from evaluating the reactithe City Council. vation of the line.

That, they have.

Aminta KilawanCouncilwoman SelNarine, founder of o one wants to live in a vena Brooks-Powers the South Queens transportation desert.”

(D-Laurelton) introWomen’s March and duced the resolution a Howard Beach resi— Brina Ciaramella calling for an EIS dent, asked about the along with Ariola, opposition to and and Councilman Bob Holden (D-Maspeth) competitors of the QueensLink project.

Referring to QueensWay, Trust said, signed on to it.

Mike Scala, counsel and legal advisor to “They are a very well-connected group and they have gotten the ear of the mayor very the QueensLink, asked instead that the Pubearly on in his [mayoralty]. We unfortunate- lic Advocate’s Office step up.

“Hopefully the public advocate can put ly, despite multiple attempts to try to get our way to Mayor Adams, were not even able to pressure on the mayor, whoever he needs to, to get it to move forward,” said Scala. get a meeting with the deputy mayor.”

Miriam Bensman, senior advisor to the Trust continued, “We said, ‘you know what? If they’re going to make that decision project, added, “We would welcome the without what we consider proper communi- public advocate’s help in getting through to ty outreach, then we’re going to engage the more City Council members.”

The EIS is needed in part because there community and let them speak their minds and let the mayor know that this needs to be are still unanswered questions, like where the subway line would go underground and part of the conversation.’”

Making voices heard to elected officials which end of Rockaway it would connect to.

Editor

For the latest news visit qchron.com

“N

Paul Trust explains the QueensLink proposal to reactivate the old Rockaway Beach Branch at a PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF recent town hall.

The group prefers an MTA subway line over an LIRR connection because it would be more accessible and affordable.

Bensman spoke of the economic benefits it would bring, including bringing prospective workers down to the Rockaways, including to the hospital, and conversely for those traveling to doctors and other professionals from the south to Forest Hills, for example, where there are many.

Other economic potential lies in what could become of Aqueduct Race Track — which Gov. Hochul proposed be moved to Belmont Park — whether it be a convention center or a casino. The Rockaway Beach Branch could help there, noted Trust.

Brina Ciaramella is a real estate attorney and broker from Howard Beach and she attended in support of the rail plan.

“The QueensLink project will serve to enhance not only the quality of life for so many work and school commuters, but will also increase the attractiveness of these neighborhoods to potential buyers,” Ciaramella told the Chronicle. “No one wants to live in a transportation desert.”

She said she is often asked how close homes are to the train.

“I would love to be able to point and say to someone, ‘do you see that gorgeous, elevated park over there? Well, the train runs right alongside it.’”

Felicia Singh, a community advocate and Ozone Park resident, asked if there was any affiliation with the Fix the MTA plan, a package of bills introduced by Deputy State Senate Majority Leader Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) and Assemblymember Zohran

Mamdani (D-Astoria) that would prevent fare hikes, make riding the bus free and bring more frequent train service.

“This is going to take a while to be actually implemented in our community and how we can really push forward with equity now is through Fix the MTA,” she said.

Noelle Hunter, QueensLink designer and communications director, said the group supports the plan and has been in touch with Mamdani and looks forward to working with legislators — but is focused on “something very specific,” the infrastructure here and reactivating the right-of-way.

“We need transit investment all across the board,” said Hunter. “It shouldn’t be one project or another. We need everything we can get.”

A teacher from the middle school sat in and expressed the possibilities the train line could open up for students, particularly high schoolers.

And the commute times for Rockaway residents, which have been found to be the longest in the city, was reiterated.

“And right through the center of the borough is an unused transit right of way,” said Rick Horan, QueensLink executive director.

“We understand that maybe not everyone appreciates the value of transit. Some people think parks are more important. You know, we happen to disagree. But the great news is that Queen’s Link incorporates both parkland and new rail.”

It’s about the participation, Horan said.

“This should be a boroughwide decision, not something that, you know, one or two peoQ ple make in the back room.”

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Lindenwood woman publishes first book Tomasina Decrescenzo’s ‘Two Left Feet’ tells takes of 1960s Cityline

by Deirdre Bardolf Editor

During the Covid lockdowns, Tomasina Decrescenzo gathered all the books of short stories she had written that were sitting in a red bin in her closet and compiled them into a single volume — all on a typewriter.

The longtime Lindenwood resident, a retired nurse who occupies her time with singing, acting and comedy, was using Wite-Out on the pages, she said, and making copies of the transcript at Staples to send the publisher at Page Publishing.

Then, she decided to edit the whole book to better reflect the Brooklyn accent her 11-yearold self would have spoken in, which is the perspective from which the book, “Two Left Feet,” is written.

It tells the tale of simpler times, she said, when kids spent their days playing in the street and chasing the ice cream man. She recalls the customs of her Sicilian family, the cast of characters on her beloved block, the street games they would play, the block parties they would have and the music of the time. But there were also the ongoing Italian and Irish rivalries in the Cityline area where she grew up, the drunk woman across the street who would send her for groceries and the handicapped man in the neighborhood whom some would make fun of but Decrescenzo believed had super powers.

Lindenwood resident Tomasina Decrescenzo’s debut book “Two Left Feet” details her childhood COURTESY PHOTOS in Brooklyn and is written from the perspective of her 11-year-old self.

“Once I started typing, it just started coming out,” she said. “It was not really much effort once I started because I felt like I was kind of revisiting my childhood.”

The book is based on real events, but like most tales of the past that are shared countless times, they have a fair amount of added drama and elaboration. And then there is the fantasy that was very much real in Decrescenzo’s

11-year-old head, like the belief that her brandnew PF Flyer sneakers that her grandmother treated her to and which usually only the rich kids wore could make her fly.

Those she got because her mom accidentally bought two left shoes for her from a discounted bin at a place they called Cheap John’s. OK, maybe that story was a little exaggerated but her mom really was that tough, she said.

HB to get a historical society Group teams up to preserve neighborhood’s history

by Deirdre Bardolf

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Editor

Since 2020, Gail Wetzel has been sharing rare historical photos to the nearly 4,500 members of the the Facebook group Ozone Park / Howard Beach & Beyond ... Now & Then. Now, she and other area history enthusiasts are launching an official society.

Wetzel has been printing and preserving hundreds of photos and the group plans to put them on display at the Howard Beach Motor Boat club. The group, which includes Frank Martin, Howard Sarter and Roger Gendron, is also raising money through a GoFundMe called the Howard Beach Historical Society.

“The goal is to put all of this wonderful history, pictures and articles into books so the community can enjoy them at shows and also have this history to pass on to future generations,” the fundraiser page states. “I, along with the others have no problem donating our time, but this will be a very expensive task with what we have planned to do to make this as successful as we would like,” Wetzel wrote.

Wetzel, who lives in Suffolk County now, grew up in Hamilton Beach and her husband grew up in Howard Beach. He was one of the brothers of Private First Class Walter J. Wetzel, who was killed in the Vietnam War and

Gail Wetzel and other history enthusiasts are forming a Howard Beach Historical Society. Among their goals is to compile all the photos she has gathered over the years. PHOTO COURTESY GAIL WETZEL for whom a triangle in Howard Beach is named.

Wetzel said there is so much history of the area that people do not know, like the first settlers of the area, the fact that people used to live on the other side of the train tracks and about the beach club that was near

Charles Park that people called a casino.

When the society eventually gets a display, there will be some never-before-seen gems, she said, pictures she will not share in the Facebook group. “I want people to come and actually read and see the story,” she Q said.

“I also changed all the names of the characters ... to protect the guilty,” Decrescenzo said.

Even her name is different in the book. She called herself Michelina, a spin on her actual first name. The first chapters detail her struggle with it, how her brother got off much easier, and the evil old lady her grandfather insisted she be named after because he once sold her rotten eggs from his farm and she put a curse on him.

Since publishing her debut book, Decrescenzo, who is about to turn 71, has worked hard to promote it and even recorded an audio version of that is available on Amazon. But that didn’t come without a story either: First, she had to insist that she, an actress, did not need a voice actor to read her own story and then she learned Amazon was giving the book away for free to some customers. That tale is to be continued.

She has done library readings and one at her old high school in Brooklyn. Her former u n ion, 1199SEI U, feat u red her i n its magazine.

Decrescenzo is preparing to play Mary Magdalene at the Howard Beach Assembly of God Church on Easter Sunday and is also doing a free standup show at The Vault in Queens Village on April 29. Proceeds go to the Hope for the Children Foundation.

“Two Left Feet” is available on Amazon. Q

Scala to not oppose Ariola T h e r a c e fo r C i t y Council District 32 opened up on the D e m o - Mike Scala, left, and Joann cratic side Ariola PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF w i t h incumbent Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) running seemingly unopposed after her challenger, attorney Mike Scala, decided to drop out.

“This was a very difficult decision in light of the fact that I believe we’re in need of better leadership,” Scala said in a statement on Monday.

He has other obligations including ongoing legal matters for clients, he said, and will continue serving the community.

Scala is the legal counsel for the QueensLink rail reactivation proposal.

He lost the Democratic primary in 2021 to Felicia Singh, who was then defeated by Ariola. In 2017, Scala lost to Republican Eric Ulrich. He also lost to Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Queens, Nassau) in 2012. Scala had raised $4,400 to Ariola’s Q $22,000 as of the last filing period.

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More recycling and less marine debris Council approves bill to clean up waterways, reso for more recycling

by Deirdre Bardolf Editor

The City Council last Thursday voted to pass legislation meant to ensure cleaner waterways with two environmental bills focused on abandoned boats and bottle deposits.

Introduction 210-A, sponsored by Councilwomen Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) and Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton), passed unanimously and would help keep city waterways clear by amending the City Charter to create a marine debris disposal and vessel surrendering office.

That will make it easier to clear city shores of vessels, often abandoned in the outer boroughs and communities including Jamaica Bay. “Int. 210 is vital towards enhancing the health and wellbeing of New York City’s waterways,” Ariola said in a prepared statement.

Ariola has called for creating such an office to receive boats that can no longer be cared for since before taking office. She has continued the efforts of her predecessor, former Councilman Eric Ulrich, is ridding areas like Hawtree and Shellbank basins of abandoned boats.

In 2021, joint efforts between the city Parks Department and the Jamaica Bay Ecowatchers tackled boats as large as 35 feet that were sunken around Jamaica Bay. Then, two in the

The City Council voted in favor of creating a new office dedicated to ridding the waters of marine debris, like derelict boats, above, and to incentivize bottle recycling. PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF / FILE canals were addressed, one of which was there since Superstorm Sandy. They pose safety and environmental concerns and inconvenience boaters.

“By creating an office specifically for marine debris disposal and vessel surrendering, we can better streamline the services necessary for beautifying our waters while offer-

ing boat-owners viable alternatives to abandonment for their old or unwanted vessels,” Ariola continued.

Brooks-Powers said the city has a responsibility to preserve its waterfronts.

“Abandoned vessels present ecological, recreational and safety risks to residents in communities like mine,” she said in a statement.

“An Office of Marine Debris Disposal and Vessel Surrendering will empower the Administration to address this problem and remove dangerous debris from our shores.”

Additionally, the Council passed Resolution 167-A sponsored by Councilmember Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn) that calls upon the state to pass and the governor to sign legislation to expand and update New York’s 40-year-old container deposit law to include noncarbonated beverages, wine and liquor and to raise the deposit from 5 cents to 10 cents. The goal is to further incentivize the removal of recyclable plastic and glass bottles from waste streams.

Known as the “Bigger Better Bottle Bill,” the legislation aims to increase recycling rates, and supports the canning community, according to a Council press release.

Another measure that passed, introduced

by C ou nc i l me mb e r P ie r i n a Sa nch e z (D-Bronx), would amend language in the existing Green Building Law to bring it in line with Local Laws 97 of 2019 and 154 of 2021, which require buildings over 25,000 square feet to meet new energy-efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limits by 2024 and phase fossil fuels out of new construction, respectively.

Four Council members voted against that one, including Ariola and Councilman Bob Q Holden (D-Maspeth).

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Now, in Howard Beach, NY, one doctor is helping local residents with knee pain live more active, pain-free lives.

Living with knee pain can feel like a crippling experience.

Let’s face it, your knees aren’t as young as you used to be, and playing with the kids or grandkids isn’t any easier either. Maybe your knee pain keeps you from walking short distances or playing golf like you used to.

Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but physically feeling held back from life because your knees hurt and the pain just won’t go away!

My name is Dr. Robert F. Gucciardo, D.C., owner of Gucciardo Specific Chiropractic and Natural Health Center.

Since we opened seventeen years ago, I’ve seen hundreds of people with knee problems leave the office pain free.

If you’re suffering from these conditions, a new breakthrough in medical technology may completely eliminate your pain and help restore normal function to your knees.

Do You Have Any of the Following Conditions?

• Arthritis • Knee pain • Cartilage damage • ‘Bone-on-bone’ • Tendonitis • Bursitis • Crunching and popping sounds Finally, You Have an Option Other Than Drugs or Surgery

Before the FDA would clear the Class IV laser for human use, they wanted to see proof that it worked.

This lead to two landmark studies.

The fi rst study showed that patients who had laser therapy had 53 percent better improvement than those who had a placebo. The second study showed patients who used the laser therapy had less pain and more range of motion days after treatment. If the Class IV Laser can help these patients, it can help you too.

Could This Noninvasive, Natural Treatment Be the Answer to Your Knee Pain?

For 10 days only, I’m running a very special offer where you can find out if you are a candidate for cold laser therapy.

What does this offer include? Everything I normally do in my “Knee Pain Evaluation.” Just call before April 9th, 2023 and here’s what you’ll get…

• An in-depth consultation about your problem where I will listen … really listen … to the details of your case.

• A complete neuromuscular examination.

• A full set of specialized X-rays to determine if arthritis is contributing to your pain (if necessary).

(If you have films please bring them for evaluation).

• A thorough analysis of your exam and X-ray fi ndings so we can start mapping out your plan to being pain free.

• You’ll see everything firsthand and find out if this amazing treatment will be your pain solution, as it has been for so many other patients.

Until April 9th, you can get everything I’ve listed here for only $37. The normal price for this type of evaluation including X-rays is $250, so you’re saving a considerable amount by taking me up on this offer.

Remember what it was like before you had knee problems – when you were pain free and could enjoy everything life had to offer. It can be that way again.

Don’t neglect your problem any longer – don’t wait until it’s too late.

A new treatment is helping patients with knee pain live a happier, more active lifestyle.

Here’s what to do now: Due to the expected demand for this special offer, I urge you to call our office at once. The phone number is 718-845-2323.

Call today and we can get started with your consultation, exam and X-rays (if necessary) as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule. Our office is called Gucciardo Specific Chiropractic and Natural Health Center and you can fi nd us at 162-07 91st Street in Howard Beach. Tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Knee Evaluation before April 9th.

Sincerely, Dr. Robert F. Gucciardo, D.C. P.S. Now you might be wondering…

“Is this safe? Are there any side effects or dangers to this?”

The FDA cleared the first Class IV Laser in 2002.

This was after their study found 76 percent improvement in patients with severe pain. Their only warning – don’t shine it in your eyes.

Of course at our office, the laser is never anywhere near your eyes and we’ll give you a comfortable pair of goggles for safety.

Don’t wait and let your knee problems get worse, disabling you for life. Take me up on my offer and call today (718) 845-2323. For more information go to www.drgucciardo.com and click on the laser therapy tab.

Federal and Medicare restrictions apply. Dr. Robert F. Gucciardo Upper, Cervical Chiropractor, Master Clinician in Nutrition Response Testing 162-07 91st Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414 • (718) 845-2323

ROBG-081788

For the latest news visit qchron.com

New research in a treatment called Class IV Laser Therapy is having a profound effect on patients suffering with knee pain. Unlike the cutting type of laser seen in movies and used in medical procedures, the Class IV therapeutic laser penetrates the surface of the skin with no heating effect or damage.

Laser Therapy has been tested for 40 years, had over 2000 papers published on it, and has been shown to aid in damaged tissue regeneration, decrease inflammation, relieve pain and boost the immune system. This means that there is a good chance cold laser therapy could be your knee pain solution, allowing you to live a more active lifestyle.

Professional athletes like The New York Yankees and team members of the New England Patriots rely upon cold laser therapy to treat their sports-related injuries. These guys use the cold laser for one reason only…

It Promotes Rapid Healing of the Injured Tissues.

Page 9 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

How To Get Rid of Knee Pain Once and For All...

Without Drugs, Shots or Surgery

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 10

C M SQ page 10 Y K

P Gov. must stand firm on crime, charter schools EDITORIAL

P

AGE

olitically wounded by the rejection last month of her nominee for chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, Gov. Hochul has to remain strong in her dealings with the Legislature on the budget. Especially vital is her support for amending some of the criminal justice laws to better protect the people and giving more children the chance at a good education by raising the cap on charter schools.

There are strong vested interests opposed to both measures, and in negotiations with the governor, they may have the mastery. But Hochul insists she’s no pushover.

“It’s a rough and tumble job for a woman, but I got steel running in my veins,” she said in her inaugural address.

Now she has to prove it. And if it takes digging in her heels and going over the April 1 budget deadline, so be it.

Issue No. 1 is crime. Oh, it’s not so bad, some say; it’s nothing like it was in the early 1990s. That’s true; it’s not — yet. But the rate at which crime is increasing is worse than it’s been in decades. Those who were around in the highcrime era see where things are going, and those who weren’t can easily believe they’re worse than they’ve ever been.

Some of the lawlessness has no easy solution. The state legalized marijuana without seriously restricting its sale, so

we’ve been inundated with hundreds of illegal pot shops.

Given their inventory and their reliance on cash transactions, they’re a magnet for robberies. Last Saturday a 20-year-old employee of a smoke shop in Richmond Hill was shot dead in one. He should have lived another six decades or so, but nope. Some unknown amoral person, armed with an all-toocommon firearm, made sure he wouldn’t. And the state didn’t do all it could proactively to prevent it.

What in particular could it do? Give prosecutors the resources they need to take more cases to trial rather than offer weak plea bargains. Also let judges consider how dangerous someone is when setting bail — the way it’s done in all 49 other states and the federal system. That’s something Hochul wants. The leaders of the state Legislature, who apparently don’t mind rising crime, stand in the way.

The other thing many in Albany don’t seem to mind is the deterioration of our education system. School spending explodes — New York’s is the highest in the nation among municipalities of any size — yet too little of the money gets to the classroom. Instead it goes to the administrators and consultants; it’s amazing how many of each there are today.

And then we graduate kids who can barely read.

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Don’t jail more poor Dear Editor: Gov. Hochul’s push to remove all standards for judges when deciding how bail should be set will lead to more poor people being incarcerated pretrial. Black and brown people will be impacted the most by this plan. The least restrictive standard that the governor is trying to remove comes directly from the U.S. Constitution.

We all want safe communities but rolling back bail reform will not accomplish that. Even the governor herself penned an op-ed in which she agreed that bail reform was not the reason crime spiked during the pandemic. The governor also agreed that bail reform was working as intended. I am not sure what the governor’s reason is for the 180 she is doing now, but rolling back bail reform will only make sure that more poor people end up behind bars while our communities in Queens continue to struggle from a lack of resources that the governor could be delivering instead.

Jon McFarlane Queens Village

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What’s the best answer we’ve come up with so far in the public school system? Charters. Charter school kids, on the whole, wildly outperform those in regular city district schools. They do it because they have families who support their education and because they’re in schools that operate without the bureaucratic and union-forced nonsense that cripples traditional schools. They’re not for every kid, but for those lucky enough to get in and driven enough to succeed, most of them minorities from rougher-than-average neighborhoods, they’re a godsend. And the regular schools should be learning from their innovations, not rejecting them.

Hochul wants to expand the number of charters. Many lawmakers do not. She has to stand her ground.

What about the horse-trading that goes into crafting the state budget? Yes, the governor has to make some concessions to secure the victories she needs. We suggest two right away. She could drop her housing plan, which, for all its benefits, would take away too much local control of zoning. She could also accept a hike in bottle deposits to 10 cents and expansion of the drinks to which they apply. Many enviros had hoped that would be in her budget plan and it was not.

Now let’s see Hochul, as steely as promised, negotiate.

E DITOR

controlled by the United Federation of Teachers.

The MLC voted last week to eliminate retirees’ excellent health coverage (Medicare, which pays 80 percent, and a Medigap from Emblem Health Senior Care to cover the remaining 20 percent) and replace it with a private for-profit Medicare Advantage program from Aetna. All the retirees are furious.

So now Michael Mulgrew, president of the UFT, says that he is looking for a Medigap plan just for “his teachers,” which will allow them to keep their original Medicare and still be covered 100 percent. You can hear him say this yourself on a YouTube video, at bit.ly/40ro6WW. In 2018 Mulgrew, along with former Mayor de Blasio, spearheaded their scheme to take $1.2 billion out of the Healthcare Reserve Fund in order to get money for teachers’ raises and then quietly switch retirees from their original Medicare to an Advantage program that the city

would not have to pay for.

Nice how after creating this nightmare for all retired city workers, he is only looking to protect the ones he represents.

Lee Rottenberg Middle Village

Take the A to the Big A Dear Editor: As far as the issue of perhaps Aqueduct Race Track closing and Belmont Park having racing year round, I just don’t see it happening.

You have people who can take the A train from Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Rockaways and it will drop them off right at the track. I do not see people taking the Long Island Rail Road to Belmont Park, especially in the middle of a regular winter season.

Attendance may be down, but let’s not forget that people can go online to bet their

C M SQ page 11 Y K

With autos, Austin sours Dear Editor: Re “Choosing sides on Austin St. petitions,” March 16, multiple editions: The Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce says “businesses of Austin Street and the businesses on surrounding streets want, need, and cannot exist without parking.”

What parking? Presumably the spot you find after you drive up and down Austin long enough, searching the side streets to Queens Boulevard, crawling along behind other cars and around all the double-parkers on the twolane street.

That parking is not what brings people to Austin Street. It keeps them away or sends them home, defeated. It certainly didn’t save all the more classy establishments many may remember that the strip was once locally famous for. All that parking also renders the Q23 bus a no-go as it struggles making progress to and from Yellowstone Boulevard.

End cars not only on Austin Street but also parking on Continental Avenue between Station Square and Queens Boulevard. Watch the area flourish and maybe return to its former glory. Get there on foot, with the bus, or the subway or stay home.

Edwin Eppich Glendale

E

zones. We should consider expanding this number to 12. During nonbusiness hours these spaces should revert to general metered parking. In addition, there needs to be enhanced enforcement to address double-parking.

While converting Austin Street to one-way westbound traffic may reduce congestion and is conceivable, it is an open question where the eastbound traffic volume would flow to and what impact that would have on local streets and businesses. In addition, one-way streets often lead to increased car speeds, which are contrary to increased pedestrian safety. At the same time, pedestrians would only have to contend with one-way traffic, which could enhance safety.

We will progress through consensus.

Ethan Felder Forest Hills The writer is a candidate for City Council.

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Dear Editor: Re “City could lower speed limits, again,” Feb. 9: I understand people’s skepticism about one next way the city might raise revenue from drivers, i.e., by red-light cameras flagging those speeding over a limit lower than today’s 25 mph. But pedestrians are being hit and killed more frequently in our city. Just look at any recap of the numbers of pedestrian fatalities the last eight to 10 years.

Here’s my two-part question: 1) If you could take the part out of the equation that garners your suspicion about it being a revenue raiser, but it was still making an ask of you for safety’s sake, how would you react? 2) Would you be willing to make a different decision about the vehicle you drive?

You might answer as below: 1) You might feel you don’t want to be told what vehicle to drive or how big it should be or Ways to fix Austin Street 2) You might acknowledge that heavier vehiDear Editor: cles/SUVs mostly mean a fatal crash for people A local community group, Neighbors for a hit by them.

Safer Austin Street, has laudably launched a Do you find yourself able to consider that petition to start a conversation about safety on cities need special considerations to be made Austin Street. Making Austin Street safer for because of population density and because we pedestrians, less congested and a nicer place to are a city that promotes many different modes experience are all too necessary. Double-parkof daily travel? ing, truck unloading and the long distance Everyone, driver and nondriver, should be between crosswalks must be addressed. There able to get home safely. are tangible and pragmatic ways to make AusFaye Edelson tin Street more pedestrian-friendly and improve Jamaica the corridor in general.

Today, when you can find it, parking is No to legal prostitution permitted for up to three hours. The goal should be more shorter-duration parking on Dear Editor: Austin and the neighboring side streets, creatI take issue with Larry Penner’s comments ing availability for relatively quick shopping on how we should “Legalize prostitution,” Letand pickup errands. ters, March 16. Larry and I go back a few According to a Department of Transportadecades in differing on issues like elephants in tion study, 23 percent of parking spaces on circuses and others.

Austin Street are used for two hours or more.

Prostitution may be part of “mainstream Longer-term parking consumes lots of valuable America,” but that doesn’t make it right. Of space. We need to discourage meter feeding, course what you do in privacy has nothing to prioritize the Austin Street commercial area for do with it being made legal or not, but you shorter-term parking and move longer-term could say the same regarding abortion. I’m not parking needs to less-critical space. one to pry into someone’s bedroom. But what We can reduce instances of double-parking he’s advocating is something that may work by commercial delivery vehicles by increasing out in some of those European countries I see the number of dedicated curbside delivery on Rick Steve’s PBS travel channel, but may spaces. Presently there are nine such loading continued on next page

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favorite horses. It is still an industry that provides jobs and procures money throughout the state.

In contrast to what a letter writer said last week, horse racing is a beautiful sport. Unfortunately, there are accidents occasionally. No one wants to see a horse go down. It is not done on purpose.

John Lynch Middle Village

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Page 11 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 12

C M SQ page 12 Y K

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continued from previous page not be good for ours. So much for being a Christian nation. I don’t recall anyone here voting to legalize prostitution.

Flippant comments about “delivering a service on time and within budget” are downright insulting. If you want to make money off a “woman’s back,” pun intended, and ”imagine the revenue” with a sales tax, you’re sounding like a politician!

I have lived in a very nice area in Queens Village since 1960, with a school and a police station down the block. A few years ago there was a “massage parlor” right across the street from me. Then there was another one down the block from me. Some are disguised as beauty parlors; others have posters covering all their windows so you can’t even see what it looks like inside. By me, you see more men than women going in and out of the place. It’s a blight on the neighborhood. I bet you wouldn’t want to see your loved one patronizing the place, let alone working there. So why not take heed of that expression, as long as it’s “not in my back yard” — or neighborhood?

Joan Silaco Queens Village

The old LGA express bus Dear Editor: “The ‘bused’ way to LGA” (Editorial, March 16) overlooked the Q57 express bus, operated by one of the previous NYC seven private franchised bus operators, Triboro Coach. It ran from the Queensbridge NYC Transit subway station at 21st Street and 41st Avenue, served by the F train, to LaGuardia Airport in 1990. It was marketed as the “QT (Quick Trip) LaGuardia Express” bus route.

The service was discontinued in May 1991 due to lower than expected ridership.

The QT ran every 20 minutes, arriving at the airport in 25 minutes, and stopping at all terminals. The route operated via 21st Street and Astoria Boulevard to LGA. Service was provided from 21st Street between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. and from LaGuardia between 6:35 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Restoration of this service might only require 12 buses to maintain a 10-minute headway along with operating assistance to cover deficits. Fare box revenue would not meet all operating costs. The MTA and airlines would also have to market the route along with other existing subway to airport bus connections.

This would save five or more minutes for those currently traveling to and from Manhattan to the Jackson Heights 74th StreetRoosevelt Avenue subway station who use the Q70 LaGuardia Air Link connection.

The service could restart within months versus waiting up to 10 years for construction of a new AirTrain, light rail, subway or commuter rail link.

Larry Penner Great Neck, LI The writer is a transportation historian, advocate and writer who worked for 31 years in the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration Region 2 New York Office.

E DITOR

Build green by law

Dear Editor: Why are we paying increasing utility service fees for new gas hookups when we’re mandated to transition to renewable power? The All-Electric Building Act would require new buildings be constructed without gas and oil heating and gas appliances, but gas companies would still enjoy their “obligation to serve” subsidies.

We need the NY HEAT Act to eliminate these subsidies, plus limit utility bills to 6 percent of total income for low- and moderate-earning families. Gov. Kathy Hochul, state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea StewartCousins must support it.

Hochul supports the AEBA, stalled by Heastie. The AEBA needs to take effect sooner than 2025 for small buildings and 2028 for larger ones or we’ll miss major opportunities to decarbonize right here in Queens, where fresh outdoor and indoor air is at a premium.

Queens is looking toward many plans for large-scale construction in the near future, such as a 23-acre mixed-use development including a new soccer stadium in Willets Point. (Geothermal heating is a great idea for stadiums.)

Our leaders should be bringing us energy-efficient, clean construction in line with the state’s climate mandate.

Daniel Salamon Whitestone

Stop Fox News lies Dear Editor: Why is it legal for Fox News to promote itself as a news program when it confesses to actually being an entertainment program? The broadcasters and Rupert Murdoch, the owner, have repeatedly admitted in court that they don’t believe the numerous lies they spread. Meanwhile, millions of gullible viewers believe them and some may have committed acts of violence in response.

Rupert Murdoch considered some of Trump’s voter fraud claims to be “bulls--t and damaging,” yet he did nothing to stop the broadcasters from promoting such claims. Referring to Donald Trump’s presidency, Tucker Carlson sent an email stating, “We’re all pretending we’ve got a lot to show for it, because admitting what a disaster it’s been is too tough to digest.

There isn’t really an upside to Trump.”

The despicable people at Fox News will say and do anything to make money, improve ratings and attract viewers. Now tapes of the Jan. 6 insurrection have been given to this fake news program so they can broadcast even more lies. Freedom of speech should not include the freedom to spread lies that create civil unrest and endanger democracy. Are there no laws to stop these depraved people from inflicting even more harm on our country?

Linda Imhauser Whitestone

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C M SQ page 14 Y K

Mixed reviews on pot shops in Queens

Concern varies but most agree that more regulation is needed

by Deirdre Bardolf

out its legal recreational adult-use marijuana program, only four legal Elliot Caminos moved to the Unit- shops have opened yet and they are ed States from Cali, Colombia, 40 all in Manhattan. Officials estimate around 1,500 smoke shops selling years ago.

For the first time since living in products illegally in the city and one source told the Chronicle that there Queens, he wants to move. “ I’m s c a r e d ,” h e t old t h e are around 225 here.

The legal ones will have to abide Chronicle.

On Saturday, Caminos was get- by regulations similar to bars and ting his hair cut on Jamaica Avenue liquor stores, like being a certain diswhen he heard loud bangs. He tance away from schools and houses thought it was firecrackers but it was of worship. But in the meantime, the the shots fired during an armed rob- ubiquitous illicit businesses have bery at The Plug smoke shop in opened all over. Many argue they are Richmond Hill, which resulted in the sucking up the revenue the state death of 20-year-old employee Dary- expected from the legal spots.

Some, like one on 30th Avenue in us Clarke of St. Albans.

“It’s very bad now, very danger- Astoria, a block from PS 17 and the ous,” said Caminos. “Mucho smoke Athens Square park, have sandwich board signs outside advertising shops.”

Standing on the southeast corner “flower,” meaning the actual smokeof Jamaica Avenue and Lefferts Bou- able bud, prerolled joints, oils and levard, Caminos, who lives on 121st gummies. Edibles and gummies are Street, pointed out three smoke advertised in many windows and rip shops visible, boasting smoking par- off popular brands that kids might be aphernalia, “exotic snacks” and interested in, like Doritos and Sour Patch Kids candy. more.

Georgios Samarais of Astoria One smoke shop did not even sell tobacco, as noted with a sign on its smells weed in Athens Square all front door. It did have a sign, howev- weekend long, he said. When he was young, before mover, alerting patrons to ing here from remove masks, hats Greece, he smoked, and hoodies, in line ucho smoke too. But he worries with a growing effort about young people to curb robberies of shops.” smoking the ganja the shops, which are — Elliot Caminos they get from the often cash-only. illicit stores and the “They’re just so bold and brazen,” said Kevin effects it can have on mental health.

“The good one makes you happy O’Leary, a Kew Gardens resident. ... the other one makes you very con“They don’t care.”

What really gets under his skin, fused. Something happens to your he said, is where some of them open, mind. You get depression,” he said.

Sarah Palmer brings her son to like one on Metropolitan, right near a that park but she doesn’t mind the pediatrician’s office.

As New York State slowly rolls marijuana use as much.

Editor

For the latest news visit qchron.com

“M

Although no licensed marijuana shops have opened yet in Queens, hundreds throughout the borough are pushing PHOTOS BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF weed products, like one in Astoria, above, as enforcement struggles to keep up.

“I’m glad it’s legal,” she said. “I think that there could be more legal ones opening instead of these fake ones that are not being regulated ... I don’t know why the state is taking too long to give these licenses out.”

She and her friend Amy, who declined to share her full name because of the nature of her job, agreed that there are way too many of t hem poppi ng up i n t hei r neighborhood.

Palmer said her young son has started asking about the shops he is seeing and hearing about on the news.

Palmer and her friend would like to see some other greens being sold.

An organic market, they said, would be nice.

Eddy B., a former yellow cab driver originally from Russia who has lived in Forest Hills for over 35 years, also blames the government rollout of the program.

“My opinion, if it’s illegal, it shouldn’t be,” he said of the shops.

“Because everybody starts selling illegal things. This city goes down more and more. There’s already no room for down, you know, it’s already so down.”

“The authority has to do something,” he added.

Several shops have opened around Austin Street and Continental Avenue. But they don’t make Eddy nervous, despite the uptick in robberies of them throughout the city.

“I’m too old to be nervous,” he said.

Near where Eddy was finishing up a game of chess, Ruby C. took a break to smoke a joint. She did not want to share her full name but said she obviously did not mind the shops much, gesturing to the burning preroll in her hand.

“It is very accessible now, a little too accessible,” she said.

“I’ve seen it now on almost every other block, which is not something you really grew up seeing ... I’ve seen younger kids doing it and it’s just, I didn’t really start that young,” she said.

Younger kids getting their hands on the products is worrisome, Ruby added.

“That’s why I don’t really go into them ... I’d rather go to places where they have their permits, they know where everything is from, maybe they grow it themselves.”

Gov. Hochul on Wednesday announced proposed legislation that would crack down on illegal stores that includes fining more than $10,000 a day for unlawful activity and strengthening enforcement powers. The City Council, too, is working to combat the budding business.

Legislation is being drafted that would hold landlords accountable for Q renting to the illegal shops.

A slew of shady shops in Queens all have at least one thing in common: They can’t yet sell marijuana legally. Yet, they boast prerolled joints, edibles and more. One on Austin Street in Forest Hills, left, has a sign that reads, “We have top shelf marijuana.” Another on Jamaica Avenue, center, warns that it does not sell tobacco. Another in Richmond Hill offers little more than a glowing pot leaf.

C M SQ page 15 Y K

HOSPICE IS ABOUT LIFE Hospice can be an uncomfortable topic. But the comfort and care it provides can greatly ease sadness, pain and fear during a difficult time. From medical support to peace of mind, understanding what hospice has to offer can help people decide if, and when, it's right for them. Some things you may not know:

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Comfort, familiarity and the presence of loved ones are everything during these times.

It's typically covered by insurance.

Most patients qualify through Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance.

It can last up to six months.

Many people would benefit by entering hospice earlier.

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It's not just for patients.

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Hospice isn't about death.

It's about life.

A hospice team can include doctors, visiting nurses, social workers and other care providers.

Loved ones can receive counseling, learn how to help and much more.

Hospice helps make this difficult time more comfortable, supportive and dignified.

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Page 15 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 16

C M SQ page 16 Y K

Deadly smoke shop robbery in Rich Hill More calls for crackdowns on illegal spots after broad-daylight shooting

by Deirdre Bardolf

There are over 1,400 smoke shops illegally selling marijuana throughout the city, according to estimates, and approximately 225 are A brazen daytime robbery of a smoke in Queens, the Chronicle reported last month. shop in Richmond Hill over the weekend left Rajkumar said warnings and fines are not a 20-year-old employee dead. enough and that the businesses should be Three men, who have yet to be identified, shuttered like restaurants that violate health entered The Plug smoke shop on Jamaica codes.

Avenue on Saturday just after noon. One disABC 7 reported that NYPD Police Complayed a gun while the other two loaded up missioner Keechant Sewell visited the Richmerchandise, according to police. mond Hill scene on Saturday and also that While the men were leaving the store, one robbers stole $100 in cash and $50 worth of fired a gun and hit the victim, Daryus Clarke products. of St. Albans, in the chest.

“My child didn’t deserve to lose his life The 102nd Precinct responded to the call over $150, and I think the mayor needs to around 12:15 p.m. really pay attention to that,” Clarke’s mother The men fled in a white Toyota four-door told local news outlets, which stated that her sedan northbound on 110th Street, said son was the oldest of four siblings. police.

Saturday’s shooting happening near the Clarke was transported to Jamaica Hospihome of Paul Trust, a Richmond Hill father tal Medical Center, where he was proand teacher. nounced dead.

Police from the 102nd Precinct patrolled The Plug smoke shop on Tuesday after an armed rob“It’s amazing how quickly these illegal There have not been any arrests yet and PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF bery on Saturday left a 20-year-old employee dead. weed shops have popped up,” he told the the investigation is ongoing.

The sign on the corner store, which demn the deadly robbery, which comes amid state Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Woodhaven) Chronicle.

“At this point it’s practically one every opened last year, reads that it is a CBD and efforts to rein in the proliferation of cash- on Saturday. heavy illegal weed dispensaries throughout “We need to crack down on illegal smoke block in Richmond Hill,” Trust continued.

THC dispensary.

“Something clearly was off about our shops in this city and give more resources to Police patrolled the shop, which was roped the city. state’s rollout in legalizing and selling, as I “We cannot stand on the sidelines just our NYPD and sheriffs who desperately need off with crime scene tape, throughout the think very few licenses have been granted, so them,” continued Addabbo. week. They also patrolled another smoke watching the further infiltration of these illethese shops have not been selling legally.” gal smoke shops and the unwanted criminal “I will continue to work on this issue and shop a block away on Jamaica Avenue.

Trust said he is baffled at how the illicit acts they bring into our communities,” said support legislation to end illegal smoke shop Area elected officials were quick to conshops are able to activity throughoperate so blaout our city.” tantly and thinks Assemblythat officers’ woman Jenifer fficials call for illegal smoke hands are tied — R a j k u m a r shops to be shuttered following b u t h e d o e s (D-Woodhaven) believe that is called the fatal a deadly armed robbery. changing someshooting “a wakewhat as more up call for the state and city coordination is in the works. need to shutter illegal smoke shops.”

He brought the issue up at a past Rich“When they are not being robbed, these shops are selling illegal cannabis products, mond Hill Block Association meeting — the some marketed to children and some contain- shooting occurred right across the street ing fentanyl or deadly contaminants,” Rajku- from the One Stop Richmond Hill Community Center, where the RHBA and 102nd Premar continued in a statement.

She noted another fatal shooting in a Har- cinct Community Council each meet.

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C M SQ page 17 Y K

George Grasso says rising crime, quality of life must be office’s focus

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

George Grasso spent more than 30 years with the NYPD, rising from a foot patrolman studying his law school books on his dinner breaks to first deputy police commissioner before spending 13 as a judge conducting and supervising criminal courts in the city.

He retired from the bench last fall with more than two years remaining in his term to challenge Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz in this year’s June 27 primary.

And he harbors no illusions and pulls no punches when discussing why, citing massive spikes in crimes such as robberies and felony assault; and what he believes is lax enforcement from the DA’s Office on things such as recidivism, violent youths, shoplifting and subway crime.

“I think my background gives me rather extraordinary credentials, starting in Southeast Queens as a beat cop,” Grasso said last week in a sitdown interview with the Chronicle’s editorial board.

As a York College student with the intention of going to law school, missing a bus at the Jamaica Depot on Merrick Boulevard caused Grasso and a friend to kill time by walking two blocks to the 103rd Precinct,

where he heard they were giving out applications to the Police Academy.

With the city coming out of a fiscal crisis, he was appointed to the NYPD faster than expected — but it also got him a full scholarship to St. John’s Law School.

“At 28, I was a sergeant in the NYPD and admitted to practice law in New York State,” he said. Rising through the ranks he wound up using his legal training in the Department Advocate’s Office, where he investigated and led internal prosecutions of rogue cops.

The biggest was the “Buddy Boys” case in 1986, involving rampant corruption in Brooklyn’s 77th Precinct.

“We got 16 officers indicted and about another 50 were implicated in serious corruption,” he said.

He was appointed a judge by Mayor Mike Bloomberg in 2010.

“Look at my platform,” he said.

“No. 1 is the quality-of-life platform ... Melinda Katz doesn’t even use those words. Google search ‘Melinda Katz quality of life’. You’re not going to find anything.

She doesn’t talk about it. Why?” The first plank in that platform is the establishment of a community response bureau, which would involve regular meetings in five geographic sectors of Queens; each involving Grasso, police brass including precinct com-

eens votes u Q

2 023

Educating our students to be independent thinkers and lifelong learners.

George Grasso says his time on the NYPD and as a judge make him the best candidate for district attorney. PHOTO BY PETER C. MASTROSIMONE manders, clergy, civic and community leaders and even members of the defense bar to present information as to what is happening in that region, and examine options for dealing with it.

“When I look at a crime stat sheet, I’m a Johns Hopkins physician looking at an MRI,” he said. “I look at that MRI and I look at the patient and I see that patient has a serious problem. I have to look at that patient and tell them there is a significant problem. When I look at a CompStat report and I see it telling me that assaults and robberies are skyrocket-

ing side by side over the course of two years, that patient’s got a big problem.”

He criticized Katz’s decision to not prosecute fare-beating, citing actions by Commissioner Bill Bratton in the 1990s.

“People are being shot on the subways,” Grasso said. “People are being robbed on the subways. Who was most likely to get involved in a shooting on the subway? Who was more likely to try and rob you on the subway? Who was more likely to beat you up or your wife or mother on the subway? Someone who pays the fare? Or someone who doesn’t? It’s kind of elementary.

“And, by the way, if I’m jumping over the turnstile and I’ve got warrants on me, I’m going in [to jail]. I’ve got a gun on me? I’m going in. I’ve got a big Bowie knife on me?

I’m going in. And guess what — it worked.

And the thing about it ... is how quickly it worked.”

Grasso points out that he initiated and contributed to numerous programs in the court system and in the de Blasio administration for youth diversion with sealed records, mental healthcare and others.

But he acknowledged that even if he were to take Katz’s place tomorrow, he still would be bound by things like bail reform and other state laws that he believes are a major part of continued on page 24

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Page 17 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

Retired cop, judge challenges DA Katz

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 18

C M SQ page 18 Y K

DSNY to take up street vendor enforcement

Sudden jurisdictional shift comes as a surprise to advocates, lawmakers

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

Mayor Adams announced last week that street vendor enforcement will no longer be under the jurisdiction of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, and will be transferred to the Department of Sanitation as of April 1.

“Street vendors are a vital part of New York City’s economic and cultural landscape, but unregulated street vending is a quality-of-life concern that affects the health, safety, accessibility, prosperity, and cleanliness of our streets, sidewalks, and neighborhoods,” Mayor Adams said in a statement. “New York City has the world’s greatest Sanitation Department, and there is no challenge too great for ‘New York’s Strongest.’ With DSNY becoming responsible for enforcing regulations around street vending, New Yorkers will enjoy improved quality of life, more accessible and cleaner streets, and a more welcoming city across all five boroughs.”

DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga said in a statement that the transition will allow her department “to concentrate on our mission to protect and enhance the daily economic lives of New Yorkers.”

The Street Vendor Project, an organizing group for such vendors, condemned the

move.

“The Department of Sanitation collects, recycles and disposes of our city’s waste,” the group said in a statement. “Small businesses run by immigrants, veterans and lowincome New Yorkers are not trash.”

Mohamed Attia, managing director of the Street Vendor Project, said the shift came as a surprise, and that “no one was consulted” on it.

“We never heard that proposal, and we have all the relevant agencies sitting on the Street Vendor Advisory Board,” he told the Chronicle. “It was not ever mentioned to us t h roug hout more t h a n a yea r of conversation.”

Councilmember Sandy Nurse (D-Brooklyn), who chairs the Council’s Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, was also taken aback, as the move was not discussed during the DSNY’s preliminary budget hearing two days prior to the announcement.

“We struggle to understand how this transition will happen in practice, given that a large portion of vacancy cuts in DSNY’s preliminary budget are enforcement positions,” she said in a joint statement with Councilmember Shahana Hanif (D-Brooklyn). “DSNY already struggles to enforce its essential imperative of street cleanliness

Starting April 1, the Department of Sanitation will handle street vendor enforcement as opposed PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. with the positions it has, a function that will be further complicated by implementation of a new trash set out time beginning on April 1.”

Later, the lawmakers added, “There are a number of questions this change raises, including how many sanitation police officers will be brought on, how they will be deployed, property confiscation protocols

and much more.”

Nearly a week after Adams made the announcement, several of those questions have not been answered. After the Chronicle was referred to the Office of Management and Budget and the Mayor’s Office, city officials did not respond to the paper’s repeated queries regarding staffing and Q funding for the initiative.

Not such a good cause: landlords

Small property owners are against a bill that would make it harder to evict

by Naeisha Rose

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Associate Editor

Many small property owners in Queens are against the Good Cause Eviction bill.

While the bill provides much in tenants’ rights for renters and its purpose is to protect them from unjust evictions, especially from big corporations, small property landowners believe they will be unfairly penalized if the legislation passes.

Roy Ho, a small property owner in College Point, told the Chronicle that the impact of the bill would be far-reaching for people like him versus a developer.

“We have a much smaller portfolio and therefore less methods to balance risks,” Ho said of why small landlords are against the bill.

“We own two-family and three-family homes.

We have a much stronger incentive to have an amicable relationship with our tenants than a corporate landlord.”

The pandemic highlighted that, according to Ho, who lives in the same neighborhood as the space he rents.

“If you are in a two-family home and your tenant has Covid, there is a pretty good chance you are going to get affected soon,” he said.

“I’ve heard so many stories about landlords and tenants who had a better relationship because they tried to cooperate to minimize their exposure.”

Small landlords are less likely to tenant who hasn’t paid me since have an acrimonous relationship July of last year. I’m still trying to with their tenants because they rely go through the court process.” on them more for income versus a Gomez said that she is owed developer that may rent to thou$20,000 in back rent and spent over sands of people and is less motivat$1,000 on legal fees to get through ed to resolve issues relating to the eviction process, but because things like heating, Ho said. the courts are backed up she will The GCE bill would make it have to continue deal with nonpayharder for people like him who live ment. She hasn’t been able to get a in the same neighborhood and Melissa Gomez is a court date. space to kick out unruly tenants small property owner She is a first generation Ameritoo, he said. who is against the can, whose parents hail from the “In my situation, I have a two- Good Cause Eviction Dominican Republic and worked bedroom condo,” said Ho, who is bill.

COURTESY PHOTO hard to give her the American also the president of the Property dream by building wealth in real Owners Association of Greater New York. estate, but now she feels it will be harder to “When I did a survey last year, some of the maintain that if the GCE bill goes through.

1,000 people I represent said they were lowerThe bill also does not consider the taxes peoing their rent because they want to be more ple must stay on top of whether rent is paid or selective.” not, according to Gomez. Her parents own two Exempt from the law would be any landlord two-bedroom apartments in Queens Village with an owner-occupied property with less than with a storefornt that costs $48,000 annually in four units. taxes. They are in their 60s and near retirement Melissa Gomez, a Queens Village resident age and she does not want them to suffer who grew up in Bellerose, said she is concerned because of the bill. about having an eternal tenant.

Vanie Mangal, a former South Ozone Park “It would make it very difficult to go through resident, had to leave her family home and move the eviction process, which is already problem- to another neighborhood, which she didn’t feel atic,” said Gomez, who rents one three bedroom comfortable disclosing, because her tenants apartment in the Bronx for $2,500. “I have a were allegedly physically and verbally abusive.

Because of the pandemic, her residents stopped paying rent three years ago, and she has had difficulty kicking out the family of three and getting a housing court meeting ever since.

“This is bad policy,” Mangal, a first-generation Guyanese American, told the Chronicle. “It exacerbates problems that we already have. It has a detrimental effect on small landlords like me and my mom.”

Mangal’s mother worked night and day as a nurse to buy their home. She did not take holidays or sick days off, because she too wanted to give her daughter homeownership.

The housing courts in New York City are backed up, and Mangal has been waiting for months to also have a meeting with a judge to move forward with her life.

“We haven’t even gotten a real court date yet,” Mangal said.

She has paid upwards of $5,000 in legal fees to speak with her lawyer and get paperwork filed, drawn up and sent to court.

“We had to move,” Mangal added. “Meanwhile our tenants have a new car ... I miss living in South Ozone Park and I miss my neighbors.”

Mangal used to brag about her love for New York City, but has reconsidered living here.

“I am not a big developer or someone with huge portfolio,” Mangal said about the legal fees. “Tenants get help with fees, but we small Q property owners don’t.”

C M SQ page 19 Y K

Adams, FDNY push more information and greater innovation to stop fires

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City ‘supercharging’ bike battery safety

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Just about every city agency and every level of government has been called to participate in a massive initiative from Mayor Adams’ office to educate themselves and the public on the dangers of lithium-ion batteries.

Speaking at a press conference on March 20, Adams said the city needs to ensure public safety while allowing the continued use of e-bikes and e-scooters to grow, particularly for people such as those in the delivery business who count on the devices for their livelihoods.

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens) were among those joining Adams.

Many of the issues have arisen from second-hand batteries or those being charged An e-bike battery fire on Jan. 25 injured 18 improperly, officials say. They have caused children, including one seriously, at a daynearly two dozen fires in the city this year, care center in Kew Gardens Hills. The city killing two people and injuring 35. has been struggling to stay ahead of the “They’re not just regular fires, they are dangers caused by the expanding improper basically explosions, and they spread so rapuse, storage and charging of lithium-ion idly,” Adams said according to a transcript batteries in scooters and bikes. from his office. “And it’s more than just PHOTO BY MICHAEL GANNON /FILE water to put them out, it’s a very complicated must take action, and this package of bills is fire. This is a new introduction into our firea step in the right direction.” fighting apparatus, and it’s going to come The other bills require greater publication with the combination of education as well. and dissemination of information on the safe And so today we are supercharging safety use and storage of the devices; prohibit the for our e-bikes and e-scooters, electric powered mobility devices. We know they’re con- assembly or reconditioning of batteries with venient, but they are a necessity, particularly cells removed from used batteries; prohibit the sale of batteries with cells taken from for those who are part of this booming economy — delivering food and other items used batteries; and prohibit the sale, lease or throughout the city. They play a major role in rental of bikes, scooters and batteries that help reducing congestion and how we move “fail to meet recognized safety standards.”

“Fires caused by e-bikes and the lithiumaround this city as we did with our environion batteries they rely on have increased dramental issues that we are facing.” matically in our city, with deadly conseThe Electric Micromobility Action Plan includes examining things such as creating quences for citizens and first responders,” Kavanagh said. “It is a problem we are tacksafe public charging stations and lots and lots of eduction. It also includes traffic safety ling aggressively with our partners in city, state, and federal government. We are grateinitiatives to increase e-device use and safe ful to the mayor for signing these bills into operation on public streets and in parks.

The entire plan for can be found online at law and to the City Council for passing legislation that supports the FDNY in addressing on.nyc.gov/3TAg7oo. this critical safety matter.”

Adams took the opportunity to sign five Velázquez recently introduced a bill to related bills into law, including one sponsored by Councilman Bob Holden (D-Mas- spend $500 million over five years for eduction and studies on things like creating safe peth) that requires the FDNY to regularly update city officials on identifying and com- infrastructure for charging.

“Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries repbating the risks associated with the growing resent a growing threat to all New Yorkers,” use of the batteries and recommending code Velázquez said in the press release. “We change to keep up.

“Lithium-ion batteries have become a real must implement policies that protect the public from these fires while not interfering danger, causing massive fires and fatalities, with the ability of our city’s 65,000-plus displacing people, and threatening public safety,” Holden said in a subsequent press deliveristas to make a living. This crisis release from the Mayor’s Office. “Our city requires a whole-of-government approach.” Q

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 20

C M SQ page 20 Y K

Hochul calls for Ardila to step down ‘He should resign’; governor joins chorus after sex assault allegations

by Sophie Krichevsky Associate Editor

Gov. Hochul called on Assemblymember Juan Ardila (D-Maspeth) to resign last Thursday afternoon, joining a growing group of elected officials to do so in light of sexual assault allegations made against the Queens lawmaker.

“I condemn all forms of sexual assaults. It is intolerable and unacceptable what he did,” Hochul told reporters when asked about the assemblymember last Thursday. “I support the survivors and their call for accountability — and yes, he should resign.”

Ardila did not respond to the Chronicle’s query regarding Hochul’s comments.

When, last Friday, Senate and Assembly leadership released committee assignments for the General Budget Conference, Ardila was the only freshman lawmaker not appointed to any panel. By Monday, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) said she, too, thinks Ardila should step down.

The governor’s call comes after the Chroni- Days after the Chronicle first reported allegations of sexual assault against Assemblymember Juan cle on March 13 broke the accounts of two Ardila, Gov. Hochul, center, seen at a rally last year, called on the lawmaker to resign.

FILE PHOTO women who said Ardila sexually assaulted Ardila contacted the first victim in 2018, Zohran Mamdani (D-Astoria), Councilmemthem at a small party of Fordham University students and alumni in October 2015. One of apologizing for his actions, a screenshot of bers Julie Won (D-Sunnyside), Tiffany Cabán (D-Astoria) and Jen Gutiérrez (D-Brooklyn, the women, who was a senior at Fordham at the which was shared with the Chronicle.

After publication, Ardila’s office sent the Queens). time, told the Chronicle Ardila touched her Borough President Donovan Richards said extensively while she was inebriated before he Chronicle a statement.

“I apologize for my behavior,” it reads. “I Ardila should quit “if these disturbing accusaproceeded to drag her toward another room; a friend, who was sober and also spoke with the have spent time reflecting and I hope to prove I tions against him are found to be true.”

The New York State Working Families Party Chronicle, intervened. A second women — have matured since college. I’m committed to whose account was relayed to the paper by the learning from this and I am able to demonstrate also pushed Ardila to resign Wednesday, after m y o w n p e r s o n a l urging from the Queens Working Families f irst — said A rdila growth.” He posted a Party Steering Committee. pulled her into the bathlonger st atement on Ardila’s former boss, Lander — now the city room and started kissing rdila has remained Twitter last Tuesday comptroller — urged Ardila to step down last her. When she realized night, elaborating on his Wednesday as well, as did former Assemblywhat was happening, she largely silent since previous one. woma n Cathy Nola n, the law ma ker’s pulled away and saw A f t e r c a l l s f r o m predecessor.

Ardila had exposed himputting out a statement Councilman Bob Holden But Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie self and was touching last Tuesday night.

(D-Maspeth) and Rep. (D-Bronx) has not called for Ardila to step himself. She immediateAlexandria Ocasio-Cor- down, and told reporters Wednesday that while ly ran out of the room.

At the time, Ardila was a recent graduate of tez (D-Bronx, Queens) last Tuesday for Ardila the assemblymember’s alleged behavior is Fordham, and had been a staffer in the office of to resign, the floodgates opened on Wednesday “totally unacceptable,” “that’s a decision that then-Councilman Brad Lander for less than two as multiple other elected officials joined in, Juan and his constituents have to think about including Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing), Sens. themselves.” months.

State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-East Elmhurst) When the Chronicle first asked Ardila about Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria), Kristen Gonzalez the allegations last Monday, he said, “I don’t (D-Long Island City) and Julia Salazar did not call for his resignation either, though she (D-Brooklyn), along with Assemblymember said she was “extremely disappointed” in a even know what this is.”

For the latest news visit qchron.com

A

Resident parking permits continued from page 2 individual study and that each could have different rates.

The group also said the fee for permits must be high enough to cover the costs of enforcing the regulations.

“Without enforcement, this program would be useless,” the press release states.

Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn), who serves as chairman of the Finance Committee, told the Chronicle in an email that he isn’t impressed with the bill.

“I do not support this proposal. In some neighborhoods (parts of Manhattan or beach

neighborhoods in the sum mer — for instance Coney Island in July) it might make sense but in most outer borough neighborhoods it does not. The reason you can’t find a parking spot is not because people from Kentucky are parking on your block but because there are more cars than parking spots on your block.”

Brannan also called any proposal to use permit fees to fund the MTA “a non-starter.

“We all want a fully-funded, reliable and safe MTA but New York City taxpayers already subsidize over 70% of the MTA’s operating budget!! Charging people for a

sticker that would still not guarantee you a parking spot would just be cost-shifting to another backdoor tax on working middle class New Yorkers living in outer borough transit deserts.”

Councilwoman Selvena Brooks-Powers (D-Laurelton), chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, said in an email that any proposal that passed in Albany would be given all due consideration.

“Several of my colleagues have introduced legislation on neighborhood-specific residential parking permit programs,” she said. “We will review and discuss this State Senate proposal, as well as any other state proposals to fund MTA service.”

Brooks-Powers added that Speaker Adri-

statement. Pressed on the issue of resignation, she said, “We passed the Adult Survivors Act to create an opportunity for this type of accountability. It is a tool available for survivors and t hey shou ld pu r sue a n i nvest igat ion accordingly.”

A sse mbly me mb e r Em i ly G a l lag he r (D-Brooklyn) and former Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou (D-Manhattan) called for Ardila to step down last Thursday afternoon.

Last Friday morning, Assemblymember Jessica Gonázlez-Rojas (D-East Elmhurst), who previously had not responded to requests for comment, joined her colleagues in urging Ardila to resign, noting her own experience with sexual violence.

“I am uncertain he can fulfill his obligation to his constituents given the violations he has engaged in and the trust he has lost from the community that supported him,” she wrote. “It is clear that in several attempts to address these allegations, he has fallen short.”

That night, Mayor Adams condemned Ardila’s alleged actions, but stopped short of calling on him to step aside. “These serious allegations should be handled within the parameters of the Assembly or his voters,” he said in a statement to the Chronicle. “There are procedures in place for how to move forward and I respect the Assembly’s power, so they will be the ones who make any decision related to these incidents.”

Assemblymember Catalina Cruz (D-Corona) did not call for Ardila to resign, either, and instead called for an “independent review.”

“As a survivor, learning of the allegations against AM Ardila brought up painful memories,” she said in a tweet Saturday afternoon.

“As an elected official, I believe that our responsibility and duty is to the constituents who elected us. Mr. Ardila must answer to his.”

Asked by the Chronicle this week, spokespeople for state Sens. Toby Stavisky (D-Whitestone) and John Liu (D-Flushing) and Assemblymember Nily Rozic (D-Fresh Meadows) said Ardila should step down.

State Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans), Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens) and Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills) declined to comment Q on the matter. enne Adams (D-Jamaica) has proposed expanding the Fair Fares program, with the aim of nearly doubling the number of bus, subway, and Access-A-Ride users eligible for reduced-fares and increase MTA ridership.

Robert Sinclair Jr., senior manager of public affairs for AAA Northeast, said the organization has not reviewed the matter, but would do so when and if it is “fully formed into a legislative initiative.”

Mayor Adams’ office did not respond to a request for comment on the matter.

A spokesman for Gov. Hochul did not address the parking permit matter specifically, saying in an email, “she looks forward to working with the legislature on a final budget that meets the needs of all New Yorkers.” Q

C M SQ page 21 Y K

Suspects include accused killer of Aamir Griffin, 14, in 2019 shooting

by Michael Gannon Senior News Editor

In 2019, Aamir Griffin, 14, was playing basketball with friends when he was shot to death, allegedly by a gang member who mistook him for a rival.

On Dec. 31, 2020Sean Vance, 26, was in a car on a Jamaica street when a man got out of a vehicle and shot him three times, killing him in the city’s last homicide of that year.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and NYPD brass on Tuesday announced arrests in both cases as part of the takedown of 33 alleged members of rival gangs in the Jamaica region. Katz’s office called it possibly the largest gang arrest in Queens history.

Katz and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell, in a press release after the conference, said the arrests came after at least 22 shootings involving alleged members of the Money World gang and its rivals in the Local Trap Stars and Never Forget Loyalty gangs.

The string of attacks and revenge allegedly run from April 2019 to January of this year.

“Whether it was a young man playing basketball with friends, a schoolteacher walking his dog, or a mother running out for milk for her children, we have seen law-abiding New Yorkers peacefully going about their business killed by mindless gang gun violence. We must do absolutely everything we can to get illegal

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, at podium, along with NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig, third from left, and others in the law enforcement community at Tuesday’s press conferPHOTO COURTESY QUEENS DA ence announcing a major gang takedown. firearms off of our streets. It is why the work of the NYPD’s Gun Violence Suppression Unit and my Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau is critically important.”

“The people of New York City are safer because of the meticulous investigation and sustained effort of the NYPD officers and Queens prosecutors involved in this important case,” Sewell said. “Our pledge is always to achieve justice for crime victims and to hold violent gang members who undermine public

safety accountable for their crimes.”

Five of the suspects were charged with murder and other charges and face 25 years to life in prison. Fourteen were charged with attempted murder while 28 are facing conspiracy charges. While one defendant faces as little as one to three years, the rest are looking at various sentences ranging from 8 1/3 to 25 years in prison.

Those charged with two counts of seconddegree murder include Tymirh Bey-Foster, 20,

of Springfield Gardens; Sean Brown, 20, of Baisley Park; Jokai Coy, 18, of South Jamaica; Justin Harvey, 20, of Brooklyn; and Joel Lewis, 19, of South Jamaica.

All are alleged members or associates of Money World. Other alleged members or associates charged on various counts include Dafina Bey, 40, of Springfield Gardens; Terence Burt, 21, of South Jamaica; Shaun Elliot, 18, of Woodhaven; Laquan Hardy-King, 20, of Rochdale Village; Dijon Marquis, 19, of Springfield Gardens; Tyseam McRae, 21, of South Jamaica; Tavion Scott, 20, of Fresh Meadows; Jadyn Skinner, 18, of St. Albans; and Gift Vasquez, 19, of Woodhaven.

Alleged members and associates of the Local Trap Stars facing charges include Ahmel Adison, 20, of Brooklyn; Jarrod Burt, 19, of Chesapeake, Va.; Elijah Cowan, 19, of Baisley Park; Jahnoi Dawkins, 19, of Brooklyn; Chance Goode, 20 of South Jamaica; Caolynn Griffin, 20, of Baisley Park; Evekiel Johnson.

22, of Baisley Park; Khavel Johnson, 20, of Springfield Gardens; Alihosene Kamara, 20, of South Jamaica; Shermel McCallum, 18, of South Jamaica; Lenny Nazon, 21, of Queens Village; Malachi Parham, 21, of Charlotte, NC; Steven Raphael, 29, of Elmont, LI; Kingsley Ruffin, 22, and Kobe Ruffin, 19, both of South Jamaica; Zaire Rush, 18, of South Jamaica; and Anthony Thompson, 22, of Jersey City, NJ. Q

Page 21 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

33 busted in major gang takedown: DA

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Camp has been providing special memories of hiking, swimming, friendships and adventure for generations. When children go to camp, they’ll likely come home gushing about the lifelong friends they’ve made and the exciting adventures they had.

What they probably won’t tell you about are the life lessons camp has given them — those skills that will translate into a lasting self-confidence, an awareness of the importance of kindness, and a greater comfort in voicing At summer camp kids learn how to live without stress, a skill that they can use throughout their lives. their opinions.

For more than 150 value everyone’s uniqueness. Former campyears, camp has been changing lives. ers confirm that their lives have been Camp is full of fun and excitement, but it is so much more — camp provides chil- expanded by those of different cultures, ethnicity, faiths and ideas. Camp provided a dren with the skills needed for a successful future such as independence, empathy, the broader perspective for their adult lives. ability to work as part of a team, and a • Camp builds and develops relationbroader world view.

The American Camp Association’s ships. At camp they learned how to meet new people, work together and carry on large-scale national study talked to 18- to important and sometimes difficult conver25-year-olds who attended camp as kids.

We asked them what they experienced at sations. They learned to make valuable connections with others. Former campers attest camp that broadened their perspective and to the importance of these relationship helped them in school and in their early skills in their success in higher education, careers. the workplace, and life.

They agreed that: • Camp is a safe and nurturing environment that enhances independence.

Camp gives children the guidance and freedom to explore activities, make new friends, and learn by doing. Camp encourages effort and perseverance. Inspiring success is fundamental to camp and former campers attest that camp helped them become self-reliant and confident.

Camp is a community that celebrates self-esteem, resilience and dependability.

• Camp teaches kids to live in the moment. Seizing each moment — each experience — is the heart of camp. Former campers confirm that their time at camp was spontaneous, unrehearsed and relaxed.

They didn’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. This ability to live in the moment has helped them in their education, careers and lives.

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• Camp is a community that celebrates diversity. Diversity is the essence of the camp. Campers meet new people and learn to appreciate differences — to respect and

As families search for the perfect camp for their children, be sure the camp is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA). “ACA accreditation is voluntary, and it assures families that camps have made the commitment to a safe, nurturing environment for their children.

Camps and ACA form a partnership through accreditation that promotes growth and fun in an environment committed to safety,” explains ACA President/CEO Tom Rosenberg. ACA accreditation is a thorough peer review of a camp’s operation — from staff qualifications and training to emergency management.

Rosenberg adds, “Our research shows that campers have the opportunity to gain new experiences and learn new, life-long skills. The impact of camp lasts forever.”

Families can find the accreditation status of any camp at any time by visiting ACAcamps.org or by calling 1-800-428-CAMP. If your child’s camp is not accredited, ask Q why not.

— American Camp Association

C M SQ page 23 Y K

You are considering a summer camp, but how to choose? There’s a camp that is ideally suited for every child, providing a summer of growth and fun whether your child attends a day or overnight camp, a specialized or traditional camp.

With a little help from the camp professionals at the American Camp Association, here’s some sound advice that helps parents sort through the choices and benefits that camp delivers. As spring approaches, parents and children can look forward to planning for the future — a future that includes the opportunities for exploration and discovery that arrives with summer camp.

When is your child is ready for camp?

Children are ready for new experiences at different stages. Parents know their children best and these questions can help gauge whether this is the summer your child will start camp.

What is your child’s age, and what is your perception of his or her readiness level? Children under 7 who have not had overnight experiences may do better with a day camp as their first camp experience. If you think your child might not be ready for an overnight camp experience, consider the day camp experience to prepare him or her for future overnight camp.

How d i d yo u r child become inter-

ested in camp? Does your child talk about camp on a sustained basis? How much persuasion is necessary from you?

Has your child had positive overnight experiences away from home? Visiting relatives or friends? Were these separations easy or difficult?

What does your child expect to do at camp?

Learning about the camp experience ahead of time allows you to create positive expectations.

Are you able to share consistent and positive messages about camp? Your confidence in a positive experience will be contagious.

A camp for every child — the perfect fit Camp can last for just a few days or stretch to all summer long. It’s well worth the trouble to investigate the variety of choices offered by camps before your child packs a backpack. Here are some ideas to help you consider the options.

Near or far? Where do you want your child to go to camp? Locally or far away? While each camp experience has something unique to offer your child, this is an opportunity for families to assess what they value for their campers.

Benefits of camp nearby: Easier to evaluate and visit; friends and family are likely familiar with camp; minimal travel costs; likely contact with classmates or children from same region.

Benefits of camp far away: More choices; different experiences, different geography, e.g., mountains or oceans — even different languages; promotes independence, particularly for early and late adolescent campers; diversity of campers; chance for family to visit and vacation at close of camp.

Session length offers another choice Camps offer widely varying options to help parents and children reach their goals for summer fun and exploration. Talking with your child about the goals you both share helps determine which choice is right for you.

Benefits of short sessions (one-three weeks): First-time or younger campers have a chance to learn new skills; bonds develop with other campers and staff; great exposure to camp experience with less expense; minimizes homesickness.

Benefits of longer sessions (four to twelve weeks): Strong sense of belonging to camp community; chance to learn new skills; development of specialized skills; multiple opportunities for learning and enrichment; lifelong friendships; opportunities to contribute to camp culture.

A camp for every child — traditional, specialty, and special needs Choices abound when it comes to camp programs. One may highlight a wide variety of activities geared to campers of all ages and skill levels; others, because of their setting and expertise, may concentrate on one or two activities while providing traditional activities as well. Parents of children with special needs are pleased to learn about the range of camp activities that help kids be kids first.

Benefits of traditional camps Wide variety of activities; chance for campers to try new activities; exposure to more campers and staff at varying activities.

Benefits of specialty camps One or two specialized activities (often combined with traditional offerings); expectation for increased proficiency during camping session; deepens knowledge and skill in particular area of interest or ability.

Benefits of special needs camps Activities geared to campers’ abilities; knowledgeable staff with expertise to understand campers’ strengths and challenges Supportive and fun atmosphere to share with others The value of camp for every child What happens when you make the decision to choose camp? You open up a world of discovery and learning for your child, a world that values children for who they are and who they will become.

Camp gives each child a world of good.

For nearly one hundred years, the American Camp Association has been serving the camp community and families considering camp. Please visit our family resource Web site, www.CampParents.org, to learn more about the camp experience, search the Find a Camp database, and explore the world of child and youth development.

For more information about child development and the camp experience, please visit ACAcamps.org or call our toll-free number, 1-800-428-CAMP (2267).

— American Camp Association

Page 23 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 24

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Rally held to maintain library systems’ funds Queens, New York and Brooklyn expect over $37M in reductions

by Naeisha Rose Associate Editor

Ahead of a hearing of the City Council’s Committee on Cultural Affairs, dozens of people were at the steps of City Hall on Monday protesting to get the city to reverse a proposed measure to reduce funding by more than $37 million in the 2024 fiscal budget to the Brooklyn, New York and Queens public library systems.

The 2023 budget for the library systems is $448 million and the city is proposing a $411 million budget for the following year, according to a spokesman for Mayor Adams’ office, which said that negotiations are ongoing.

“This administration has made critical investments in the city’s three library systems and recognizes the vital role they play in our communities,” said the spokesman.

“While every agency has been asked to tighten its belt in the current fiscal year in response to fiscal and economic conditions — including more than $4 billion in migrant costs by next year, the expiration of labor contracts that went unresolved for years, and skyrocketing health care costs — it is inaccurate to say we cut libraries’ funding in January’s preliminary budget. In fact, all agencies have been informed since September that any savings initiatives must not affect services or include layoffs. We will continue to evaluate their needs and work with them through the budget process.”

If the proposed 2024 budget goes through, the Queens system would go from having $130 million to $118 million from the city in its 2024 budget; New York would have its funds decreased from more than $165 million to $150 million; and Brooklyn would go from $125 million to $114 million, according to Amy Geduldig, a spokeswoman for the Brooklyn

Activists were on the steps of City Hall on Monday to preserve the current budget for the city’s three library systems PHOTO COURTESY AMY GEDULDIG for 2024.

March 20.

Library system.

“The cuts to the library service According to the Queens Library, the library systems expect $36.2 hours is definitely one huge conmillion in cuts for 2024. The QPL cer n,” Von D r at hen told t he 2023 fiscal budget is $127 million Chronicle.

The library is not just a space for — 93 percent of its funds come from the city. It expects 8.1 percent or bibliophiles, according to Von Drathen, but an information center, cul$10.3 million in cuts for 2024.

At the rally, the supporters of the tural institution, safe haven and public library systems wore shirts place for community support for that said, “No cuts to libraries!” and people of all ages, backgrounds and last week they kick-started an email walks of life.

“We do a summer food program, writing campaign that garnered cultural and arts more than 30,000 programs, afterletters to municischool help — I pal lawmakers to ibraries are vital.” mean, there are prevent a reducso m a ny pro tion in funds they — Councilman Francisco Moya grams it is hard say would cut to even list them hou rs at thei r local branches and severely impede all,” Von Drathen said. “There is free services, programs and resourc- Wi-Fi access, computer access and for people to not be able to have that es to New Yorkers citywide.

Michaeline Von Drathen, presi- due to fewer hours a week, that is dent of the Friends of Ridgewood hard.”

The summer food program at the Library, testified at the hearing on

“L

Free Easter egg hunt returns more will be given out.

Howard Beach is in for Nearly 300 kids particia hopping good time this pated last year. we eke nd . A ny bu n ny Children can be regislooking for some free Eastered in advance by emailter fun can find it at the ing howardbeachdads@ PS 207 park this weekend. gmail.com.

T he Howa rd Beach Team Up 2 Clean Up is Dads and Team Up 2 also continuing its comClean Up Team back with Last year’s Easter egg hunt. the third annual Easter PHOTO BY DEIRDRE BARDOLF / FILE munity trash pickups and is seeking volunteers. egg hunt this Saturday at Follow both groups on Facebook for 11:30 a.m.

Q Sponsorships and donations came from more. the community and 300 goodie bags and — Deirdre Bardolf

Ridgewood branch offers meals at no cost, art programs teach people who love crafts how to make watercolors and the library provides music lovers free concerts, among other services.

“For people who can’t afford to take an art class or go to a concert these programs are wonderful,” said the president of the Friends of Ridgewood Library. “For the afterschool program, not everyone can afford a tutor for their child.”

Teens credited public libraries for helping them navigate their education and career growth during the pandemic, according to the QPL, which along with the other library systems opened up centers specifically geared to aiding youths.

The QPL said programs for the city’s immigrant population and asylum seekers would also take a hit if the cuts were to go through.

“The potential cuts to our budgets would undoubtedly affect our hours,

George Grasso continued from page 17 the problem. He said the chief law enforcement officer for Queens County must be attuned to rising crime and quality of life issues.

“You made a ghost gun arrest? Great.

With an elite police squad? Great. We’ve been doing that since the beginning of time.

But that’s not the core of the problem here.”

“I’m a 40-year registered Democrat,” he said. “I’m not naive. I know what I’m up against running in this race.” The decision to run was a personal one, he said.

“My term wasn’t up until Dec. 31, 2024

programs, and collections, even as we work to support individuals who are recovering from the pandemic, help asylum seekers adjust to their new home, address food insecurity, assist job seekers, expand opportunities for teens and so much more,” QPL President Dennis Walcott said in a statement. “We hope the City Council will help protect our funding and protect the vital services New Yorkers rely on.”

Von Drathen was proud of the turnout at the hearing and the City Hall rally.

“The room was packed,” Von Drathen said about the hearing. “It was wonderful to see. The library reaches and touches so many people.

They are safe spaces that welcome everyone.”

Earlier this year, during a HipHop 50 celebration held at Central Library in Jamaica, Chuck D, who ref lected on the evolution of the musical genre, joked that he had the forum at that space because when growing up he never worried about shootings at a library.

Libraries are trusted institutions, Von Drathen said.

Henry Garrido, executive director of District Council 37, the union that many library workers are represented by, agrees with Walcott.

“Our communities can’t afford to lose these essential services at a time when access to information, free prog ram ming and educational resources is more important than ever,” Garrido said in a statement.

“We call on City Hall and the City Council to restore this critical funding immediately.”

Councilman Francisco Moya (D-Corona) shared that sentiment.

“Libraries are vital for our community,” Moya said in a statement.

“So we are doing everything we can to make sure they receive the right Q funding.”

... It was a great job,” he said. “I could have gone until I was 70, five more years in a great job.” But he said the next five years could be very critical ones for Queens and the city in terms of rising crime.

“I’m preparing for my 70th birthday party and I’m shaving ... and we’re looking at the type of New York that I could see potentially happening. Looking at myself in the mirror I say, ‘George, you could have had something to say. You could have done something. You didn’t even try.’

“So I have no idea where this ends. But I’m saying what needs to be said. I have plans here to turn this thing round. And however this story ends five years down the road, I’m not going to have problem with

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ARTS, CULTURE & LIVING

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Bridesmaids talk tough in ‘Five Women Wearing the Same Dress’

Page 25 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

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March 23, 2023

C M SQ page 25 Y K

by Mark Lord with her own reason for avoiding the proceedings below.

The ensemble cast consists of six actors, some already known to local audiences and some new to the scene: Liv Campbell, Margaret Leisenheimer, Virginia Harmon, Regina Lim Fischedick, Ashley Gage and, the sole male performer, Jordan Leer.

According to Montoni, the play premiered the year she was born. Her parents got married the summer before. She pointed out that costumer Amy Ellis based her designs for the women on the actual dress worn by her mother’s maid of honor, down to their color, peach.

The play retains its relevance all these years later, Montoni said, dealing, as it does, with “the emotional complexity of what it means to be a woman

in society.”

The topicality of the piece is not lost on co-producer Thom Harmon, either. He spoke of its timelessness in dealing with women’s desires, their sexuality and the societal pressures placed on them. “They’re five different women but they find commonality,” he said.

With a nearly all-female cast and women taking on major roles behind the scenes, the production offers a fitting conclusion to Women’s History Month.

Forest Hills resident Fischedick plays Georgeanne, a character she described as “the fun, motherly type” who is “recapturing her youth going through the wedding.” continued on page 27

For the latest news visit qchron.com

Flushing resident Amanda Montoni first came across Alan Ball’s comedic drama, “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress,” as a college student, recently recalling that a monologue spoken by one of the characters “jumped out” at her.

She explained in a phone interview that she would return to it years later, realizing, “I’d never felt so seen in a play before.”

And now Montoni is delighted to be directing the play for City Gate Productions, with a run scheduled for March 25 through April 2 in Maspeth.

Written in 1993, the play is set around that time during an ostentatious wedding reception at a Tennessee estate. Five reluctant, identically clad bridesmaids hide out in an upstairs bedroom, each

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 26

C M SQ page 26 Y K

boro

King Crossword Puzzle Reginald VelJohnson, from Bruce Willis to Urkel

ACROSS

1 Blunder 5 Sir’s partner 9 Witty one 12 Massage target 13 Lamb alias 14 “Evil Woman” gp.

15 Dairy aisle purchase 17 Zodiac feline 18 Indiana city 19 TV’s DeGeneres 21 Rejection 22 -- buddy 24 Bears’ hands 27 Candy-heart word 28 Ashen 31 “-- Believer” 32 Epoch 33 Actress Ruby 34 Attire 36 The whole enchilada 37 Barking mammal 38 Dark and gloomy 40 “I see” 41 “Shrek” princess 43 Scents 47 Adj. modifier 48 Canning jar feature 51 King, in Cannes 52 Tale teller 53 “Woe --!”

54 World Cup cheer 55 China (Pref.)

56 Legendary loch

DOWN

1 Stare stupidly 2 Twice cuatro

For the latest news visit qchron.com

I HAVE OFTEN WALKED

by Ron Marzlock Chronicle Contributor

3 “Hmm, I guess so” 4 Criminals 5 Office note 6 “The Greatest” 7 Be sick 8 “This -- no sense!”

9 Built to last 10 Downwind 11 Thug 16 Punk-rock subgenre 20 Prune

22 Strapping 23 Track shape 24 Pot-bellied pet 25 Docs’ bloc 26 “Dunkirk” or “Platoon,” e.g.

27 Faucet problem 29 Meadow 30 Snaky fish 35 Chignon 37 Sure winner

39 “Lady Love” singer Lou 40 Branch 41 Gambling game 42 Pedestal occupant 43 Sleek, in car lingo 44 Inspiration 45 $ dispensers 46 Females 49 Sundial numeral 50 Author Brown

Answers on next page

Did you know there are 5.2 million trees in NYC? Through our partnership with Trees New York, we’re protecting our urban forest and helping our city grow stronger—one tree at a time. conEd.com/Partnerships

Reginald Johnson was born on Aug. 16, 1952 to Daniel and Eva Johnson, a hospital attendant and a nurses aide, respectively. In August 1955, a brother, Barry, arrived. In 1965 when Reginald was 13, his father left the family.

Eva remarried. The family lived at 138-34 233 St. in the Laurelton section of Rosedale. Reginald was bused north to Benjamin Cardozo High School in Oakland Gardens.

He continued his education at NYU, receiving a bachelor of fine The childhood home of Reginald VelJohnson at 138-34 233 St. in Laurelton, as it looked in the 1950s. arts degree.

INSET VIA YOUTUBE / FAMILY MATTERS TV He got the acting bug and changed his last name to VelJohnson to get noticed and remembered. It tively play police officer characters, most worked. He got a leading role opposite notably Carl Winslow for nine seasons on Bruce Willis in “Die Hard” in 1988 when the hit show “Family Matters,” as his Gene Hackman wasn’t available for the career continued.

Today VelJohnson has homes in Los role of Sgt. Powell. He had to spend nine months in California for filming the role. Angeles and Oceanside, LI. He is now 70 After shooting he decided to stay in Cali- years old, he has never married and has no Q fornia permanently. He continued to effec- children.

C M SQ page 27 Y K

Flowers make for a ‘Strange Brew,’ but it’s not tea

by Peter C. Mastrosimone editor-in-chief

In her home garden, Denise Sfraga grows everything from early bulbs such as daffodils and crocus to roses and stately evergreen shrubs: arborvitae, boxwood, holly, euonymous.

In summer, the choices may seem virtually unlimited as she mixes things up every year in her search for beauty and artistic inspiration. But gardeners are, in the end, limited to what can grow in the climates they inhabit.

Not so Sfraga in her art. There she has no limits as she draws and paints stylized flowers and other images inspired by nature.

“Nature has always been an important and integral part of my creative life,” Sfraga said via email.

“As a visual artist and avid gardener, the life cycle of plants has always been at the root of my creative energies and exporation.

Working in my own garden and experiencing its constant state of flux, from seed germination, leaf and flower growth, and the dispersion of the next generation of

Denise Sfraga and two of her works, “Fetish deliciosa scarlet” and “Bloom floridus azur,” that will be COURTESY PHOTOS among those on display at The Garage Art Center in Bayside starting next week. seeds, to the final stages of plant decay, I have the opportunity to witness an ever evolving landscape of life forms which is where I draw visual inspiration.”

Now anyone can draw their own inspiration from Sfraga’s work, as about 40 of her pieces will be on display throughout April in an exhibit called “Strange Brew” at the Garage Art Center in Bayside.

An opening reception will be

held from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 1. On Saturday, April 15, Sfraga will host a workshop, “Probing Peculiar Plants,” from 3 to 4:30 p.m., in which she will give a presentation about unusual flora from around the world and participants will create drawings of “their own wacky and weird plant world,” as the gallery puts it. Attendance at either event is free and open to all, though registration is required for

the workshop. The gallery is located at 26-01 Corporal Kennedy St. and may be found online at garageartcenter.org. It is open by appointment.

“We are excited to welcome visitors to this exquisite exhibition, which showcases Sfraga’s extraordinary talent and her ability to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity in viewers,” Garage Art Center Director Stephanie Lee said via

email. “Her captivating works invite us to contemplate the beauty and complexity of nature, and we are confident that this exhibition will leave a lasting impression on all who attend.”

Sfraga’s works defy easy categorization, reflecting elements of various schools of abstract art. Do the geometric shapes within her flowers represent the cells of which they, and we, are made? Are the flag-like features in some of her works the leaves of the plant?

Those and infinite other questions are up to the viewer. Asked about her influences, Sfraga cited several specific artists, among them some she said have a “direct, honest simplicity of line and always intriguing form” and others who “bring energetic and expressive color in the mix.”

She also cites early plant-portrait photographers as well as more contemporary photographers who “create their own universe, their own reality.” A northern Queens resident with a long career in publishing and photography, Sfraga studied the latter at C.W. Post. Q

Page 27 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

boro

If you can’t abide the bride, you’ll understand

Crossword Answers

tion as Meredith, sister of the bride. The actress describes her as a “rebel, completely wanting to go against the grain.”

Working with her fellow actresses, she said, has been “so uplifting. You don’t normally get that experience.”

Audiences will find a special added attraction at the theater. Sandra Vucicevic, an artist who hails from Belgrade, Serbia, and now resides in Forest Hills, has created abstract portraits of the five female characters that will be on display at each performance.

“I never collaborated before with a theater,” Vucicevic said. “It is a great opportunity to try something new. It’s great to explore abstract versions of these women.”

While utilizing the same style of painting for all five portraits, Vucicevic used contrasting colors to highlight their differences. To learn about the characters, she interviewed their interpreters. “They gave me their vision of who these women are,” she said.

Performances will take place at Moose Lodge Theater, which Harmon said “felt like a great space” in which to present this particular work. “With the crown molding and homey light fixtures, it could be a nice bed-

Virginia Harmon and Jordan Leer play Trisha and Tripp, respectively, in “Five Women Wearing the Same Dress.” Each woman’s character is represented at the theater in paintings by Sandra Vucicevic, left. On the cover: Regina Lim Fischedick as Georgeanne, left, Liv Campbell as Meredith, Margaret Leinsenheimer as Frances, Ashley Gage as Mindy and Harmon will all wear the peach dress onstage. PHOTOS BY JOE SINNOTT EXCEPT LEFT, COURTESY PHOTO room,” he said. Partnering with the lodge, he added, has been “mutually rewarding.”

It should be noted that, due to adult language and themes, the play is recommended for mature audiences. Performances, at

72-15 Grand Ave. in Maspeth, are on March 24, 25 and 31 at 8 p.m., March 26 at 3 p.m., April 1 at 8 p.m. and April 2 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25; or $20 for seniors and students.

Q For more, visit citygateproduction.org.

For the latest news visit qchron.com

continued from page 25 “To be in an ensemble full of talented women, it’s such a treat,” Fischedick said.

That the run begins during this month is the “cherry on top of a perfect cake,” she said.

“Women supporting women goes a long way, in fiction and in real life,” she said.

“We all talk to each other and understand each other. That’s how it should be.”

Campbell, a transplant from Houston, makes her local stage debut in this produc-

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 28

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The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

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Page 29 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 30

C M SQ page 30 Y K REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS To Advertise Call 718-205-8000 LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC, Plaintiff - against - SIXTO VELEZ, et al Defendant(s).

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME 3037 BELLE PROPERTIES Pursuant to a Judgment of COURT - COUNTY OF QUEENS LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with Foreclosure and Sale entered DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL the SSNY on 02/13/23. Offi ce: on September 23, 2022. I, the TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE undersigned Referee will sell at FOR RESIDENTIAL ASSET Queens County. SSNY desigpublic auction on the Courthouse nated as agent of the LLC upon SECURITIZATION TRUST SERIES steps of the Queens Supreme 2006-A9CB MORTGAGE PASS- whom process against it may Court, located at 88-11 Sutphin THROUGH CERTIFICATES be served. SSNY shall mail SERIES 2006-I, Plaintiff, Against copy of process to the LLC, Boulevard, Jamaica, New York on the 21st day of April, 2023 CAROLYNN CITRIN, ET AL. Defendant(s) Pursuant to a 286 Crabapple Road, Manhas- at 10:45 AM. All that certain Judgment of Foreclosure and set, NY 11030. Purpose: Any plot, piece or parcel of land, situate lying and being in the Sale, duly entered 11/23/2022, lawful purpose.

Borough and County of Queens, I, the undersigned Referee, will City and State of New York. sell at public auction, on the 6901 REGO LLC. Arts. of Org. Courthouse steps of the Queens fi led with the SSNY on 01/30/23. Premises known as 107-57 Supreme Court located at Offi ce: Queens County. SSNY Union Hall Street, Jamaica, 88-11 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11433. (Block: 10140, Lot: NY, on 4/14/2023 at 11:00AM, designated as agent of the LLC 33) Approximate amount of premises known as 77-13 upon whom process against lien $532,487.96 plus interest Ditmars Blvd., Unit 1 a/k/a it may be served. SSNY shall and costs. Premises will be Unit A-1, East Elmhurst, New sold subject to provisions of York 11370, And Described As mail copy of process to the LLC, filed judgment and terms of Follows: ALL that certain plot 69-01 Woodhaven Boulevard, sale. Index No. 709309/2014. piece or parcel of land, with Rego Park, NY 11374. Purpose: Lamont R. Bailey, Esq., Referee. the buildings and improvements McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, Any lawful purpose. thereon erected, situate, lying LLC, Attorney(s) for Plaintiff, and being in the Unit Known BIGGIE’S JEWELRY LLC 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite As Apartment No. A-1 In The Building Known As And By The Articles of Org. fi led NY Sec. of 840, New York, NY 10170 Street Number, 77-13 Ditmars State (SSNY) 1/16/23. Offi ce in Tel. 347/286-7409 For sale Boulevard, Jackson Hts., In Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent information, please visit Auction. com at www.Auction.com or The Borough And County Of Queens, City And State Of of LLC upon whom process call (800) 280-2832 Dated: New York. Together with an may be served. SSNY shall October 21, 2022 During the undivided .1384 percent interest mail copy of process to Alex COVID-19 health emergency, appurtenant to the apartment bidders are required to comply unit in common elements of Musheyev 26104B Langston with all governmental health the property (herein after called Ave., Glen Oaks, NY 11004. requirements in effect at the the “common elements”). Block Purpose: Any lawful activity. time of sale including but 973 Lot 1009 The approximate not limited to, wearing face amount of the current Judgment BULLY DRIVELINE PARTS LLC. coverings and maintaining lien is $471,240.48 plus interest Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY social distancing (at least 6-feet and costs. The Premises will on 09/23/22. Offi ce: Queens apart) during the auction, while be sold subject to provisions County. SSNY designated as of the aforesaid Judgment of agent of the LLC upon whom tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are Foreclosure and Sale; Index process against it may be also required to comply with the #710963/2015 Stephanie S. Goldstone, Esq., Referee. served. SSNY shall mail copy Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency McCabe, Weisberg & Conway, of process to the LLC, c/o JoLLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite seph, Terracciano & Lynam, Rules issued by the Supreme 205, Port Chester, NY 10573 LLP, 2 Roosevelt Avenue, Court of this County in addition Dated: 12/5/2022 File Number: Suite 200, Syosset, NY 11791. to the conditions set forth in 14-308671 LD Purpose: Any lawful purpose. the Terms of Sale.

Legal Notices

Notice of Formation of EAT ME NYC JEWELRY LLC Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/13/23. Offi ce location: Queens County. Princ. offi ce of LLC: 33-46 160th St., Flushing, NY 11358. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Sara Klimavicius, Attn: Sara Klimavicius at the princ. offi ce of the LLC. Purpose: Designing, carving, casting, manufacture, sale and distribution of jewelry.

Legal Notices

Daisuke Osanai Dental, PLLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/15/2023. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 4705 Center Blvd., apt. PH1, Long Island City, NY 11109. Purpose: Dentistry

Notice of Formation of GLOBALPRIMEENTERPRISESLLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 01/19/2023. Offi ce 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: RAMON CANDO, 87-30 JUSTICE AVENUE, APT 6G, ELMHURST, NY 11373.

Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT QUEENS COUNTY MOREQUITY, INC., Plaintiff To Advertise Call 718-205-8000 against CENTENNIAL INSURANCE COMPANY, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for EQUAL HOUSING. Federal, New Plaintiff(s) Knuckles, KomosinYork State and local laws prohibit ski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Sunday, March 26, 1-3 PM discrimination because of race, Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY color, sex, religion, age, national 10523. Pursuant to a Judgment origin, marital status, familial of Foreclosure and Sale entered status or disability in connection with the sale or rental of residenJanuary 29, 2018, I will sell at tial real estate. Queens Chronicle public auction to the highest does not knowingly accept bidder at steps of Queens advertising in violation of these County Supreme Court, 88-11 laws. When you suspect housing TEANECK, NJ Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, discrimination call the Open 651 Beverly Road Housing Center (the Fair Housing NY 11435 on March 31, 2023 Charming Colonial/Historic Location.

Agency for the five boroughs of at 12:45 PM. Premises known LR/Fireplace, DR, Beautiful Kitchen/ New York) at 212-941-6101, or as 158-11 96th Street, Howard Breakfast Nook. 3 Bedrooms, 1.5 the New York City Commission Beach, NY 11414. Block 14166 of Human Rights Hotline at 718Baths. Ceramic Tile Basement. Split A/C. Garage. Manicured Grounds.

Lot 55. All that certain plot, piece 722-3131.

The Queens Chronicle reserves or parcel of land, with the build$549,000 the right to alter wording in ads ings and improvements thereon www.russorealestate.com to conform with Federal Fair erected, situate, lying and beHousing regulations.

(201) 837-8800 ing in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $356,888.84 Belle Harbor, 220 Beach 117 St, Sunday, March 26, 12-3 PM plus interest and costs. Prem- #2. 1 BR, newly renov, $2,100/ ises will be sold subject to mo. Laundry in bldg. All SS appli, dishwasher, ceiling fans, pvt terr, provisions of fi led Judgment 1 block to the beach. Avail Now! Index No 705317/2021 f/k/a Call Stellina Napolitano, 12717/2009. Cash will not be 646-372-7145.Capri Jet Realty accepted at the sale. The fore- Gravesend, 2351 82 St., #LL. 2 closure sale will be conducted BR/1 bath apt. $2,200/mo. open TEANECK, NJ in accordance with 11th Judicial kitchen, new stove, full bath. Heat & hot water inc. Avail NOW. Call 684 Ogden Avenue District’s Covid-19 Policies and Michael Bifalco, 917-704-5147.

Split Level. Entry Hall, LR/Fireplace, foreclosure auction rules. The Capri Jet Realty DR, Kitchen, Den, 3 Bedrooms, Referee shall enforce any rules Williamsburg, 216 N 6th St, #3. 2 1 Full Bath. Garage. Great Potential in place regarding facial cover- BR w/balcony. $5,600/mo. NO for Upgrades & Expansion. ings and social distancing. Ref- FEE! Newly renov, new doors, $515,000 eree will only accept a certifi ed W/D in unit, dishwasher, SS appli, Pets OK. Avail Now. Call Michael www.russorealestate.com bank check made payable to the Bifalco, 917-704-5147, Capri Jet referee. Autrey Glen Johnson, Realty (201) 837-8800 Esq., Referee 2296-002975

Real Estate

Open House

OPEN HOUSE

Apts.For Rent

OPEN HOUSE

Furn.Rm.For Rent

Howard Beach/Lindenwood. Sat

3/25, 1-2:30pm, 151-14 80 St. Notice of Formation of Brick attached 2 fam, great investRichmond Hill, near all, furn rm, HATS, HORSES AND HOLLYWOOD ment property. Walk-in fin bsmnt LLC Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of quiet person. Refs req. $800/mo. w/door to yard. 1st fl has 2 BR, 1 Call 347-502-6453, leave message State of NY (SSNY) on 03/09/23. bath apt w/terr. 2nd fl has 1 BR, 1 bath apt w/terr. A must see!

Offi ce location: Queens County.

Reduced $998,000. Connexion SSNY designated as agent of LLC Howard Beach/Lindenwood/ Real Estate, 718-845-1136 upon whom process against it Fairfield Arms, Sat 3/25, 1-3pm, may be served. SSNY shall mail 151-20 88 St. (High-Rise). Agent process to c/o Law Offi ces of Pam will be on the lobby. Unit 4CAnthony S. Cannatella, 53 Lg 2 BR, 2 baths. Reduced $228K. WCA TRADING LLC. Art. of Unit 2D, 3 BRs converted from 2 Orchard St., Manhasset, NY 11030. BRs, 2 full baths. Reduced $259K. Org. fi led with the SSNY on Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Unit 5D, 2 BR, 2 baths, needs 02/21/2023. Offi ce: Queens

Open House

Legal Notices

L42kathill LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 1/11/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 26 Bow St., Forest Hills, NY 11375. General Purpose

TLC, 5th fl. Reduced $225K. Connexion Real Estate, 718-845-1136

County. SSNY designated as agent of WCA TRADING LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to WCA TRADING LLC, 89-06 Springfi eld Blvd., Queens Village, NY 11427. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Howard Beach/Rockwood Park, Sun 3/26, 1-3:00pm, 164-18 90 St. 40x100, Hi-Ranch, unique 5 BRs, 2 full baths, 3 BRs, 1 bath, top flr & 2 BRs on walk-in level, new kit, HW flrs & new baths.

Cement & pavers front & back.

Full 1 car gar, sep ent to walk-in.

Reduced $965K. Connexion Real Having a garage sale? Let everyEstate, 718-845-1136 one know about it by advertising Classified Ad Deadline is 12 Noon in the Queens Classifieds. Call on Tuesday for Thursday’s paper. 718-205-8000 and place the ad!

C M SQ page 31 Y K

Legal Notices QML Meters LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 1/24/2023.

Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Queens Medallion Leasing, 21-03 44th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101. General Purpose

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF QUEENS Index No. 710658/2022 Date Filed: 3/10/2023 SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS Plaintiff designates Queens County as the Place of Trial Designation of Venue is based upon the situs of the Subject Property Subject Property: 129-34 155th Street a/k/a 12934 155th Street, Jamaica, NY 11434. U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for MASTR Asset-Backed Securities Trust 2005-FRE1 Mortgage PassThrough Certifi cates, Series 2005-FRE1, Plaintiff, -against- Ann Marie Hurgus a/k/a Ann Marie A. Hurgus, if she be living or if she be dead, her spouses, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; City of New York Environmental Control Board; City of New York Parking Violations Bureau; U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee under Pooling and Servicing Agreement dated November 1, 2005 MASTR Asset-Backed Securities Trust 2005-FRE1 Mortgage Pass-Through Certifi cates, Series 2005FRE1; State of New York “JOHN DOE #1” through “JOHN DOE #12,” the last twelve names being fi ctitious 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 Subject Property described in the Complaint, Defendants. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the Plaintiff’s Attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York) in the event the United States of America is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United States of America shall not expire until sixty (60) days after the service of the Summons; and in case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: The foregoing Summons is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Tracy Catapano-Fox, a Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County, entered March 8, 2023 and fi led with the complaint and other papers in the Queens County Clerk’s Offi ce. THE OBJECT OF THE ACTION is to foreclose a mortgage recorded on August 22, 2005 at CRFN 2005000469726, in the Public Records of the County of Queens, State of New York, covering premises known as 129-34 155th Street a/k/a 12934 155th Street, Jamaica, NY 11434 a/k/a Block 12259, Lot 57, part of Old Lot 54. 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 payment to the 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: July 22, 2022 Rochester, NY, LOGS Legal Group LLP By: Frank M. Cassara, Esq., Attorney for Plaintiff, 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard, Rochester, New York 14624 Telephone: (585) 247-9000#100251

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Supreme Court Of The State Of New York County Of Queens Index No.: 707048/2018 Date Filed: 05/07/2018 Summons Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial venue is based upon county in which the premises are situated: 107-49 155th Street, Jamaica, NY 11433 a/k/a 10749 155th Street, Jamaica, NY 11433 HSBC Bank USA, National Association, As Trustee For Fremont Home Loan Trust 2006-B, Mortgage-Backed Certifi cates, Series 2006-B, Plaintiff(s), against Unknown heirs at law of Julia C. Taveras, and if they be dead, any and all persons unknown to plaintiff, claiming, or who may claim to have an interest in, or generally or specifi c 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, Notice of Formation of descendants, executors, administrators, devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, and assignees of such Soho City LLC. Articles of Org. deceased, any and all persons deriving interest in or lien upon, or fi led with Sec’y of State of NY title to said real property by, through or under them, or either of (SSNY) on 9/27/16. Offi ce them, and their respective wives, widows, husbands, widowers, location is Queens County. heirs at law, next of kin, descendants, executors, administrators, SSNY is designated as agent devisees, legatees, creditors, trustees, committees, lienors, upon whom process against and assigns, all of whom and whose names, except as stated, are unknown to plaintiff, Lisandra Taveras A/K/A Lisandra C. it may be served. SSNY shall Lovelace A/K/A Lisandra C. Lovelage, Hilda Rodriguez, The mail process to 10712 90th St, Caledonian LLC, New York City Parking Violations Bureau, New Ozone Park NY 11417. Purpose: York State Department Of Taxation And Finance, City Of New York Environmental Control Board, City Of New York Transit any lawful activity.

Adjudication Bureau, “John Doe #1” through “John Doe #12,” the last twelve names being fi ctitious and unknown to plaintiff, Notice of Formation of United the persons or parties intended being the tenants, occupants, 45 Holding LLC Articles of Organization were fi led with the persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises described in the complaint, Defendant(s).

Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 03/08/2023. Offi ce To The Above-Named Defendants: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your location: Queens County. SSNY answer, or, if the complaint is not served with this summons, to has been designated as agent serve a notice of appearance on the plaintiff’s attorney within of the LLC upon whom process twenty (20) days after the service of this summons, exclusive of against it may be served. SSNY the day of service (or within thirty (30) days after the service is shall mail a copy of process to: TSZ complete if this summons is not personally delivered to you within LEONG CHEUNG, 43-45 160TH the state of New York) in the event the United States of America STREET, FLUSHING, NY, 11358. is made a party defendant, the time to answer for the said United Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

States of America shall not expire until sixty (60) days after service of the summons; and in case of your failure to appear MPACIFIC 2435 LLC, Arts.

Vidya & Keran Khedna Housing or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the of Org. fi led with the SSNY LLC, Arts of Org. fi led with relief demanded in the complaint. NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION on 03/06/2023. Offi ce loc: AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) Queens County. SSNY has been is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure the sum of $395,250.00 and interest, recorded on October 5, 2005 at CRFN 2005000556035 designated as agent upon 2/13/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY whom process against the desig. as agent upon whom at the Offi ce of the City Register covering premises known as 107-49 155th Street, Jamaica, NY 11433 a/k/a 10749 155th LLC may be served. SSNY process against may be served Street, Jamaica, NY 11433. The relief sought in this action is a shall mail process to: The LLC, fi nal judgment directing the sale of the premises described above & shall mail process to 109-20 48-02 25th Avenue, Suite 400, to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above, and to reform the Mortgage to add Hilda Rodriguez as a mortgagor.

Astoria, NY 11103. Purpose: 117th St., South Ozone Park, NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do NY 11420. General Purpose Any Lawful Purpose. 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 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 fi ling the answer with the court. Dated: May 3, 2018 Armonk, New York LEOPOLD & ASSOCIATES, PLLC BY: Michael J. Kenney, Esq., Attorneys for Plaintiff, 80 Business Park Drive, Suite 110, Armonk, NY 10504 914-219-5787

Legal Notices

Page 31 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT QUEENS COUNTY MTGLQ INVESTORS, L.P., Plaintiff against MICHAEL WILLIAMS, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered June 6, 2022, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at steps of Queens County Supreme Court, 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY 11435 on April 14, 2023 at 11:45 AM. Premises known as 133-14 146th Street, Jamaica, NY 11436. Block 12091 Lot 7. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Queens, County of Queens, City and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $559,996.46 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 706699/2021. 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.

Joseph Defelice, Esq., Referee 3000-000376

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 32

C M SQ page 32 Y K

THE BROOKLYN UNION GAS COMPANY d/b/a NATIONAL GRID NY

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by The Brooklyn Union Gas Company d/b/a National Grid NY (“Company”) that it has fi led with the New York State Public Service Commission (“PSC”) tariff revisions to its Schedule for Gas Service, PSC No. 12 – GAS, to become effective, on a temporary basis, April 1, 2023.

These revisions have been filed in compliance with the Commission’s Order issued August 12, 2021 in Case 19-G-0309. The table below compares the Company’s current rates (prior to April 1, 2023) to rates effective April 1, 2023 by service classification. Effective April 1, 2023, $2.5 million has been removed from base delivery rates to be collected through the ‘Rate Adjustment Clause’. The Rate Adjustment Cla use is a separate surcharge that will be included in the Delivery Rate Adjustment line on customers’ bills.

S.C. No. 1A, 17-1A – Residential Non-Heating Service S.C. No. 1AR, 17-1AR Residential Non-Heating Service Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 3 therms or less $16.25 Next 47 therms, per therm $2.0347 $2.2581 Over 50 therms, per therm $0.9523

$1.0568

S.C. No. 1B-DG, 17-1B-DG – Distributed Generation Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 3 therms or less $32.93 $32.93 Over 3 therms, per therm $0.1913

$0.2069

$0.6679 $0.4651

S.C. No. 2-2, 17-2-2 – Non-Residential Heating Service Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 3 therms or less $37.55 $37.55 Next 87 therms, per therm $0.7025 Next 2,910 therms, per therm $0.6263 $0.6582 Over 3,000 therms, per therm $0.4361

S.C. No. 3, 17-3 – Multi-Family Service Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 3 therms or less $39.51 $39.51 Next 997 therms, per therm $0.4628 $0.4839 Over 1,000 therms, per therm $0.3621 $0.3786

S.C. 4A, 17-4A – High Load Factor Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 10 therms or less $250.00 $250.00 Next 990 therms, per therm $0.2696 Over 1,000 therms, per therm $0.2696

S.C. 4A-CNG, 17-4A-CNG – Compressed Natural Gas Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 10 therms or less $250.00 $250.00 Next 990 therms, per therm $0.2643 Over 1,000 therms, per therm $0.2643

$0.2759 $0.2759

S.C. 4B, 17-4B – Year Round Air Conditioning Service Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 1 therms or less $130.00 Next 199 therms, per therm $0.8797 $0.9252 Over 200 therms, per therm $0.4400 $0.4627

S.C. 7, 17-7 – Seasonal Off-Peak Service Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 3 therms or less $39.51 $39.51 Over 3 therms, per therm $0.2074

$0.2242

S.C. 21, 17-21 – Rate 1 – Less than 1MW Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 10 therms or less $235.61 $235.61 Over 10 therms, per therm (Apr – Oct) $0.1011 Over 10 therms, per therm (Nov – Mar) $0.1289 $0.1349

$0.1058

$0.4769

$0.7383 $0.4583

$0.2815 $0.2815

$130.00

S.C. 21, 17-21 – Rate 2 – Equal to or greater than 1 MW but less than 5 MW Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 10 therms or less $333.14 $333.14 Over 10 therms, per therm (Apr – Oct) $0.1011 $0.1058 Over 10 therms, per therm (Nov – Mar) $0.1289 $0.1349

S.C. 21, 17-21 – Rate 3 – Equal to or greater than 5 MW but less than 50 MW Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 10 therms or less $771.69 $771.69 Over 10 therms, per therm (Apr – Oct) $0.0229 $0.0256 Over 10 therms, per therm (Nov – Mar) $0.0319 $0.0356 Demand charge per therm of MPDQ $4,927.82 $4,927.82 No change for the delivery rates for S.C. 22 & 18-22 – Non-Firm Demand Response Sales and Transportation Service.

These revisions have been fi led in compliance with the Commission’s Order issued August 12, 2021 in Case 19-G-0309.

Copies of the proposed revisions are available for public inspection and can be obtained on the Company’s website at https://www.nationalgridus.com/NY-Home/Bills-Meters-and-Rates/ or the PSC’s website (dps.ny.gov).

THE BROOKLYN UNION GAS COMPANY d/b/a NATIONAL GRID NY

NAGR-081823

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S.C. No. 2-1, 17-2-1 – Non-Residential Non-Heating Service Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 3 therms or less $37.55 $37.55 Next 87 therms, per therm $0.6369 Next 2,910 therms, per therm $0.4435 Over 3,000 therms, per therm $0.3037 $0.3185

$16.25

S.C. No. 1B, 17-1B – Residential Heating Service S.C. No. 1BR, 17-1BR-Residential Heating Service Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 3 therms or less $21.55 $21.55 Next 47 therms, per therm $1.2092 $1.2772 Over 50 therms, per therm $0.4515

C M SQ page 33 Y K NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by KeySpan Gas East Corporation d/b/a National Grid (“Company”) that it has fi led with the New York State Public Service Commission (“Commission”) proposed tariff revisions to it s Schedule for Gas Service, PSC No.1 – GAS, to become effective, on a temporary basis, April 1, 2023.

These revisions have been fi led in compliance with the Commission’s Order issued August 12, 2021 in Case 19-G-0310. The table below compares the Company’s current rates (prior to April 1, 2023) to rates effective April 1, 2023 by service classification. Effective April 1, 2023, $2.5 million has been removed from base delivery rates to be collected through the ‘Rate Adjustment Clause’. The Rate Adjustment Clause is a separate surcharge that will be included in the Delivery Rate Adjustment line on customers’ bills.

S.C. No. 1A, 5-1A – Residential Non-Heating Service

S.C No. 15, 5-15 – High Load Factor Service

S.C. No. 1AR, 5-1AR – Residential Non-Heating Service

Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23

Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23

First 10 therms or less $153.35 $153.35

First 3 therms or less

$19.75

$19.75

Next 47 therms, per therm

$1.6089

$1.6275

Over 50 therms, per therm $0.3926 $0.3971

Over 10 therms, per therm

$0.2231

$0.2243

S.C. No. 16, 5-16 – Year-Round Space Conditioning Service

Page 33 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

KEYSPAN GAS EAST CORPORATION d/b/a NATIONAL GRID

Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23

S.C. No. 1B, 5-1B – Residential Heating Service

First 3 therms or less $230.43 $230.43

S.C. No. 1BR, 5-1BR – Residential Heating Service Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 3 therms or less $21.66 $21.66

Next 497 therms, per therm

$1.7227

$1.7319

Over 500 therms, per therm

$0.2953

$0.2969

Next 47 therms, per therm $1.3435 $1.3528 S.C. 17 – Baseload Distributed Generation – Rate 1 – Less than 1MW

Over 50 therms, per therm $0.3163 $0.3185

Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 S.C. No. 2-A, 5-2A – Non-Residential Non-Heating Service

First 10 therms or less

$180.61

$180.61

Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23

Over 10 therms, per therm (Apr – Oct)

$0.1506

$0.1517

First 3 therms or less $37.66 $37.66 Next 87 therms, per therm

$1.8332

$1.8441

Next 2,910 therms, per therm $0.3717 $0.3739 Over 3,000 therms, per therm

$0.2390

$0.2404

Over 10 therms, per therm (Nov – Mar) $0.1934 $0.1949 S.C. 17 – Baseload Distributed Generation – Rate 2 – Equal to or greater than 1 MW but less than 5 MW

S.C. No. 2-B, 5-2B – Non-Residential Heating Service

Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23

Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23

First 10 therms or less $328.22 $328.22

First 3 therms or less $37.66 $37.66

Over 10 therms, per therm (Apr – Oct) $0.1506

Next 87 therms, per therm

$1.8319

$1.8428

$0.1517

Over 10 therms, per therm (Nov – Mar) $0.1934 $0.1949

Next 2,910 therms, per therm $0.4600 $0.4627 Over 3,000 therms, per therm $0.3175 $0.3194

S.C. 17 – Baseload Distributed Generation – Rate 3 – Equal to or greater than 5 MW but less than 50 MW

S.C. No. 3, 5-3 – Multi-Family Service

Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23

Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 $74.66

$74.66

Over 10 therms, per therm (Apr – Oct)

Next 997 therms, per therm $0.5025 $0.5053 Over 1,000 therms, per therm

$0.2968

First 10 therms or less $949.35 $949.35

$0.2985

$0.0373

$0.0376

Over 10 therms, per therm (Nov – Mar) $0.0509 $0.0513 Demand charge per therm of MPDQ $6,252.00 $6,252.00

S.C. 9, 5-9 – Uncompressed Natural Gas Vehicle Service Monthly usage Current Rates 04/01/23 First 3 therms or less $38.00 $38.00 Over 3 therms, per therm

$0.6133

$0.6165

No change for the delivery rates for S.C. No. 1B-DG, 5-1B-DG – Distributed Genera on & S.C. 18 / 19 – Non-Firm Demand Response Sales and Transporta on Service.

KEYSPAN GAS EAST CORPORATION d/b/a NATIONAL GRID

NAGR-081824

These revisions have been fi led in compliance with the Commission’s Order issued August 12, 2021 in Case 19-G-0310.

Copies of the proposed revisions are available for public inspection and can be obtained on the Company’s website at https://www.nationalgridus.com/Long-Island-NY-Home/Bills-Meters-and-Rates/ or the PSC’s website (dps.ny.gov).

For the latest news visit qchron.com

First 3 therms or less

QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 34

C M SQ page 34 Y K Brooklyn & Queens Real Estat e Experts!

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C M SQ page 35 Y K

BEAT

CENTURY 21 AMIABLE II

No trumpets this year

718-835-4700 69-39 Myrtle Ave., Glendale, NY 11385

by Lloyd Carroll

ners in 2010. Morales’s season ended at that moment, as he needed surgery to repair his leg Mets fans woke up last Thursday morning to because of careless exuberance.

There has been discussion of moving future the dreadful news their team’s closer Edwin Diaz, arguably the best in the majors, had to be World Baseball Classics from March to Novemtaken off the field at Miami’s loanDepot Park in ber after the World Series. This is a reasonable a wheelchair following an on-field celebration of idea, and not just because it would give players Team Puerto Rico defeating the Dominican more time to recover from any WBC injuries.

Spring training is a time when players need to Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

X-rays taken the following day revealed Diaz work on fundamentals with their teammates for suffered a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. It the upcoming season. Baseball fans, who are required surgery and he could miss the entire sea- spending big bucks traveling to Florida or Arizoson. Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco,” which became na in March, want to see all of their heroes. In famous as Diaz’s entrance music, may not be addition, it would be fun to be able to watch bonus baseball in November, as opposed to heard at Citi Field until 2024 at the earliest.

Needless to say, many of the Flushing faithful March, when most U.S. fans care about their were calling for the abolition of the tournament, teams, and not the countries playing in the WBC. No one can replace Edwin Diaz, but the Mets which is sanctioned by Major League Baseball in the hopes of growing the game worldwide and appear to be rather thin in the bullpen with their best closing options being long-in-the-tooth waris played every four years.

While I understand the negative visceral reac- horses Adam Ottavino and David Robertson.

Mets General Manager Billy Eppler has to tion, Diaz’s knee injury did not occur in the game, but rather, seems to be an unfortunate regret the minimum, if that, effort he made to fluky occurrence. He was just jumping up and retain Seth Lugo, who became a free agent at the down when his knee gave out, which makes you end of the 2022 season. Lugo signed a two-year wonder how sound his right knee was to begin deal with the San Diego Padres. While Lugo was with. Mets fans would have more of a right to be far from infallible, he was competent, and generperturbed if Diaz had gotten hurt because his ally got the job done. Mets fans would feel a lot Q teammates mobbed him, as happened to the better if he were still in the bullpen.

See the extended version of Sports Beat Angels’ Kendrys Morales when he hit a walk-off grand slam home run against the Seattle Mari- every week at qchron.com.

Chronicle Contributor

718-628-4700 • OPEN HOUSE • Friday, March 24th 5:30 - 7:00 pm 12-15 Cross Bay Blvd.

• Broad Channel •

Beautiful open fl oor plan: living room, kit w/granite countertops, cherrywood cabinets & center island, 1/2 bath, larger master BR with 1/2 bath, sliding doors to balcony. 2 more BR, 1 with 1/2 bath & 1 w/large deck. Hardwood fl oors & tiled floors thru out. Upper & lower decks, pool, hot tub, new pavers, sunset awning, large basement w/play room, laundry room, split unit AC, & lots of closets. Flood insurance yearly premium is $1,639.00.

• Rockaway Beach •

Six months common charges free!!

Luxury new condos- located in Rockaway, 1/2 block from the Atlantic Ocean.

Can be purchased or can be rented: rental fee paid by seller! Stylish exterior to contemporary interior. Three, 2 BR & 2 baths available. Floor to ceiling windows, hardwood floors, too much to list!! Parking spots available for sale.

• Old Howard Beach •

Charming 1 family ranch style home in Howard Beach. This well-maintained home Beautiful house located in the heart of Levitwas originally a 3 BR but was converted to town. 4 BR, 2 baths, large LR/DR w/beautifully a 2 BR & the cedar closet has ample space. updated Kitchen. Baths are updated w/modern The 2nd BR is very spacious. Home features tiles & beautiful fi xtures. Energy effi cient house. a formal living & dining room perfect for Solar panels run heating & cooling system entertaining. There is plenty of counter space which saves a lot of money. Brand new energy in the renovated kitchen that is only 5 years effi cient boiler/water heater. Insulated garage young; featuring SS appliances; Oak cabinets offers tons of space for parking or storage. Pvt & quartz countertops. Home has full basement Driveway. Convenient to all major highways, w/an outside entrance & full attic. Pvt dvwy shopping, restaurants & parks. True gem!!! that fits multiple cars & has a det 2 car garage.

• Levittown •

• Lindenwood •

Professional offi ce space currently set up for a dentist offi ce. Can be used for any other professional offi ce use. 3 rooms that can be used for private offi ce space.

2 Storage rooms. 1 room for reception; 1 waiting room area; 1 bathroom & good additional closet space. Has its own outside entrance. Monthly rent incls all - no additional fees for tenants.

Connexion OZONE PARKHOWARD BEACH

ARLENE PACCHIANO

REAL ESTATE

Broker/Owner

161-14A Crossbay Blvd., Get Your House Howard Beach SOLD! (Brother’s Shopping Ctr.) STEVEN PACCHIANO Lic. Broker Associate

718-845-1136 FREE MARKET EVALUATION

CONNEXIONREALESTATE.COM English / Habla Espanol & Italiano Spoken Here

WHY RENT WHEN YOU CAN BUY! OPEN HOUSE Saturday, March 25th 1:00-3:00pm 151-20 88th Street, Fairfield Arms Agent Pam will be in the Lobby!

FAIRFIELD ARMS

FAIRFIELD ARMS

FAIRFIELD ARMS

(High-Rise) Unit 4C Large 2 BRs, 2 Baths, All New Carpeting.

(High-Rise) Unit 2D 3 BRs Converted from 2 BRs, 2 Full Baths, Newly Renovated Lobby & All 6 Flrs.

Unit 5D 2 BR, 2 Baths, Needs TLC, 5th Floor

Reduced $228K

Reduced $259K

Reduced $225K

Beautiful 3 BR, 2 Bath Duplexx Condo in a Gated Community..

Washer/ Dryer, Private Parkingg Spot. S.S. Appliances, Hardwood Floors, Newly Renovated Baths, Terrace, Storage Unit. Mint AAA

Reduced $575K

IN

C

T ON

R

T AC

BeautifulHiRanch Beautiful Hi-Ranch, 4 BRs, 3 Baths.

Move-In Condition

Asking $845K

HOWARD BEACH/ ROCKWOOD PARK OPEN HOUSE

Sunday, March 26th 1:00-3:00pm 164-18 90th Street 40x100 - High Ranch, Unique 5 BRs, 2 Full Baths, 3 BRs, 1 Bath, Top Floor and 2 BR on Walk-in Level, New Kitchen, Hardwood Floors & New Baths, Cement & Pavers Front & Back. Full 1 Car Garage, Sep. Entrance to Walk-in

Reduced $965K

• Old Howard Beach • First time buyer!! 4 BRs, 2 baths, home is sitting on a 40x100 lot. Detached garage, needs TLC!!

OZONE PARK

Cross Bay Boulevard !

Can Be Used for Commercial Use! Residential 1 Family 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, full fi nished basement.

Asking $625K

HOWARD BEACH/ ROCKWOOD PARK

HOWARD BEACH/ LINDENWOOD

(New Listing) Colonial Move-In-Condition!

5/6 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths, Full Finished Basement, Pavers Front & Back, Heated Salt Water Pool

Asking $1,050,000

2 BR, 1 Bath, Garden Co-op, Granite Countertops, Stainless Steel Appliances

Asking $295,000

HOWARD BEACH/LINDENWOOD

OPEN HOUSE

Saturday, March 25th 1:00-2:30pm 151-14 80th Street Brick Attached 2 Family - Great Investment Property, Walk-in Fin Basement with Door to Yard. 1st Floor Has 2 BR, 1 Bath Apt. with Terrace, 2nd Floor Has 1 BR, 1 Bath Apt. with Terrace.

A Must See!!!

Reduced $998,000

CONR-081786

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Howard Beach/Lindenwood/Fairfi eld Arms

MAGNOLIA COURT

©2023 M1P • CAMI-081781

82-17 153 RD Ave., Suite 202, Howard Beach, NY 11414

Page 35 QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023

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Sale Dates

FRI. SAT. SUN. MON. TUES. WED. THURS. March March March March March March March

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$5.00 OFF Your Order WHEN YOU SPEND $75 Excluding catering orders. With this coupon.

Expires 03/30/23. Limit One per family.

Order on line KEYFOODOZONEPARK.COM For an extra 5% off your order!

102-02 101 st AVE. • OZONE PARK • 718-849-8200 PHONE ORDERS GLADLY ACCEPTED

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KEYF-081793

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QUEENS CHRONICLE, Thursday, March 23, 2023 Page 36

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