FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
THE WOODSIDE HERALD
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SERVING SUNNYSIDE-WOODSIDE AND LONG ISLAND CITY VOL. 88, NO. 48
WOODSIDE, L.I.C., N.Y. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
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THE WOODSIDE HERALD
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
MANAGING YOUR FEARFUL AND OBSESSIVE THOUGHTS by Stan Popovich
There are times that we encounter negative thoughts that can be overwhelming. For some people, the more they try to get rid of their thoughts, the stronger they become. As a result, here is a brief list of techniques that a person can use to help manage their obsessive thinking. 1. Do not focus on your fearful thinking: The first thing a person must do is not to dwell on the fear provoking thought when it comes. The more a person tries to reason out on the fear behind the thought, the stronger it becomes. The next time you encounter a negative situation, get into the practice of not dwelling on it. 2. Think of a red stop sign: At times, a person might encounter a fearful thought that may be difficult to manage. When this happens, visualize a red stop sign which can serve as a reminder to think about something else. Regardless of how scary your negative thinking may be, do not dwell on it. This technique is great in dealing with your negative situations and depression. 3. Its only fear: The difference between an obsessive thought and a regular one is that an obsessive thought is based on fear. With this in mind, try to find the source of the fear behind your negative thinking and then find ways to get rid of your worries. 4. Your thoughts are exaggerated: Sometimes, a person may encounter a lot of scary thoughts coming at them all at once. Instead of getting upset, remember that your negative thinking is exaggerated with worry. Ignore the fear behind these obsessive thoughts, regardless how the strong the fear may be. 5. Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking: When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge them by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. Focus on the reality of your situation and not on your negative thinking. 6. Carry a small notebook of positive statements with you: A person should keep a small notebook of positive statements that makes them feel good. Whenever they come across a positive and uplifting verse that makes them happy, write it down in a small notebook. A person can then carry this notebook around in their pocket and whenever they feel anxious, they can read their notebook. 7. Take it one day at a time: Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week or month, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your situation. In addition, you will not feel overwhelmed with everything if you focus on one thing at a time. 8. Get help: Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future.
IS LOCATED AT 43-11 GREENPOINT AVE. SUNNYSIDE All Stories, Letters to the Editor, Photos, etc that are emailed will receive first priority. Anything submitted must have a name and phone number for contact purposes.
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Please email photos (300dpi when possible) 43-11 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside, NY 11104 Telephone (718) 729-3772 Marlene Sabba ............................................................... Publisher Sherilyn Jo Sabba ................................................................. Editor CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dr. Sharon Cadiz, Rob MacKay, Peter Ross CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS Joe Gurrado, Robert Flanagan, Peter Ross
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
THE WOODSIDE HERALD
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NYCHA FUNDING AND THE FUTURE by Dr. Sharon M. Cadiz
Negligence, mismanagement and a significant deficit in funding have contributed to a growing sense that public housing is a problem and an unsalvageable system; yet, 400,000 people in the city of New York call it home. A lack of reinvestment and the failure of the city and state to pay their fair share over at least four successive administrations has created a large deficit and a system in disrepair. Public housing was created in 1934 as a housing solution for those who resided in tenement slums and has since become looked at as the same kind of problem it was designed to remedy. There are major threats that could undermine its future at a time when massive change and escalating costs have made public housing one of the few, or perhaps only, sources of affordable rent in the city. Profiles of public housing and its residents usually highlight a negative picture. They rarely show how public housing has created stability for successive generations of those who raised families; actively volunteered in support of their communities; served in city government as civil servants or municipal workers. It is not always clear that residents of public housing are the supermarket clerks; hospital staff, daycare workers; bus drivers, mechanics, home health aides, laborers, factory workers, new Americans, postal workers and homemakers that contribute to the city’s wealth and vitality. Public housing residents are voters and taxpayers which means that they support the tax base of a city that rests the burden of taxes on its very large population while giving tax abatements to the wealthy. During the height of the COVID 19 pandemic when rates of infection were disproportionately higher in these targeted communities, public housing resident associations and community partners helped to distribute food, masks and hand sanitizer, as well as provide testing at the Queensbridge Houses Riis Community Center. Instead of this picture, public housing residents have been given the unfair distinction that identifies them with the intentional decline that has often produced substandard living conditions, and lax adherence to enforcement of
basic guidelines that support mutual safety, a decent quality of life and resident accountability. By acting like a slumlord that doesn’t care, NYCHA has helped to create that negative profile. Just like the small businesses throughout our communities, affordable public housing is at-risk. New York City Public Housing (NYCHA) has reached a crisis point under the current Chairperson and CEO Greg Russ who was appointed by Mayor de Blasio in spite of the fact that he has a track record that has led to the privatization in large metropolitan cities like Chicago where, under his leadership, 17,000 people were displaced in 1997; Cambridge where he privatized every public housing unit ending public housing there in 2004; as well as the city of Minneapolis where 15,000 tenants were displaced with an additional 40,000 who were on a waiting list in 2017 when he was in charge. He is currently paid $400,000 as the highest paid employee in New York State, but continues to live in Minneapolis. He is also the architect of “The Blueprint for Change” which is his veiled attempt to initiate a restructuring of the NYCHA “business model” to engage private investors through a proposed “Public Preservation Trust” that will “collateralize these properties” and eliminate “the federally enforceable rights and protections currently granted.” The plan would replace the current designation as a public authority by creating this public trust that will definitely not benefit or support those living in public housing who need affordable rent and responsible management. Greg Russ can be characterized as a “closer” looking to make deals with profitdriven investors who are interested in “debt repayment, not housing provision.” The repair promises, federal oversight and the rights of residents to organize and elect leaders would not be guaranteed. We are facing a humanitarian crisis that could displace thousands of people potentially adding to the numbers of homeless and those facing housing insecurity. In effect, we will be creating a new class of our own internal refugee population because escalating housing costs, gentrification and displacement
don’t leave very many options. If some decide to leave the city, we will be losing part of the tax base and the human resources that support the city that never sleeps. In the private and public sector there are many who are doubled and tripled up with roommates, family members or tenants to manage the rising cost of living, of which housing is a large part, whether you are a homeowner or apartment dweller. The problems faced by NYCHA are not unsolvable based on the various alternative proposals that are virtually being ignored in favor of “The Blueprint for Change.” Congresswoman Nydia Velaquez has proposed “The Public Housing Emergency Response Act that would allocate funds for housing repairs and upgrades. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer who visited Astoria Houses over the summer, is calling for funds to be included in the American Jobs Plan for public housing. “The Green New Deal for Public Housing” is yet another proposal that would invest funds over the next ten years to “repair and retrofit public housing units to improve living conditions now and in the future.” Another proposal calls for a closing of tax loopholes that allow large corporations and the wealthy to “offshore income and avoid paying taxes.” Because the wealthy are not paying their share of taxes, there appears to be a shortage of funds to prioritize allocations for such things as public housing. Reprioritizing the city’s budget and acting on Senator Julia Salazar’s proposal of “the millionaires tax” would provide some of the needed funds to apply toward closing the gap in NYCHA funding. Redistributing some of the money that could come from ending state-level tax abatement programs that “only benefit corporate landlords and wealthy developers, is another source that keeps the needed funding support within the public sector. When “The Blueprint for Change” emerged during the height of the COVID 19 pandemic, Senator Michael Gianaris, Deputy Majority Leader and representative from the 12th Senate District, issued testimony stating his opposition. He cited the fact that it was a “rushed process,” and went on to
CB2 Board Meeting December 2, at 6:30PM CB2 is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
JOIN ZOOM MEETING https://us02web.zoom.us/j/ 86500004441?pwd= RGZtaG1yTHJ2MDMzbW0zLzV1QnVCZz09 To Advertise E-mail SSabba@WoodsideHerald.com or call 718-729-3772
say: “This plan was developed without sufficient input from NYCHA residents and creates too much uncertainty about the future of our public housing stock and how it would be managed. We can all agree that NYCHA has been failing to provide livable conditions and basic services to its residents, yet the desperation to do what is necessary to fix this injustice should not lead to the adoption of a plan that could make things worse if not developed properly…The Blueprint seeks to establish a new governance and financial model—The Housing Preservation Trust. Most concerning, it remains unclear to whom this new entity would be accountable and how much public control would truly remain over NYCHA properties.” Almost a year later, his concerns remain unanswered. We need other state legislators to join him in saying NO on the legislation that creates the Public Housing Preservation Trust and The Blueprint for Change. The human and fiscal resources allocated to the Blueprint need to be halted and representatives at all levels need to be diligent in finding ways to immediately allocate public funding using alternative options. I invite you to ponder this threat to public housing even as you may be enjoying the leftovers from your holiday meal in the warmth of your home. I urge you to consider the fact that there are solutions to the problems of NYCHA. I hope that we don’t grow numb to the needs of our neighbors, many of whom are NYCHA residents. Many of whom have suffered over successive Thanksgiving Days without heat, hot water or working stoves to prepare their meals. We can restore public housing, but to do that, we must allow it to remain public.
HELP THE NEEDY THIS SEASON
It’s never too late to receive, or to give during November through December. Sunnyside, Woodside, and Long Island City continue to be centers of hope, where folks give generously to needy families and neighbors. Parishes like Queen of Angels, St Teresa, St Raphael, St. Sebastian, St Mary’s (Winfield), Corpus Christi, and Mosaic Church, along with groups and agencies in our Community provide non-perishable food, clothing, and other resources. If you are in need of food, resources, or would like to donate items, visit our website @ https:/ /deaneryq2.blogspot.com/2019/01/resources-for-needy.html or use the QR Code to get more details.
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THE WOODSIDE HERALD
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
ILLUMINATE
THE FARM
Brighten up this holiday season at Illuminate the Farm – an ALL-NEW immersive experience at Queens Farm by the NYC Winter Lantern Festival! Wander through this whimsical outdoor lantern exhibit with designs like farm animals, fruits, vegetables, flowers, & holiday delights to capture the imagination. Opening day is November 25th! Learn more at https:// www.queensfarm.org/illuminate-the-farm/
We are open for business. A doctor’s visit is one-on-one and very safe. There are never more than 5 people in the whole office at any one time. We will be here for the duration if and when the public needs a foot doctor.
DON’T THROW OUT YOUR OLD CLOTHES! Clothing recycling is back- for one night. Sunnyside CSA has partnered with Wearable Collections, who ran the clothing / textile recycling at the farmer’s market until Covid hit, for a one-time clothing recycling event here in Sunnyside. On November 4th, the Thursday after Halloween, bring all your unused clothes, halloween costumes, and whathaveyou to Sunnyside Community Services (43-31 39th St, next to the NY Sports Club) between 5-8pm. There is a door to the left of the main entrance where CSA members pick up their vegetables- you can bring your clothes to them there. You don’t have to be a CSA member to donate clotheswe want everyone in Sunnyside to use this opportunity- donating clothes, even old, ragged ones, keeps them from the landfill. Usable clothes get reused, unusable clothes get recycled. Go here for more info about what you can and can’t bring: www.wearablecollections.com/faq
DONATE CLOTHING! Please visit St Teresa in Woodside NY, to donate clothing to the St Vincent De Paul Clothing Bins, located in the Parking Lot, next to the Church. Queen of Angels does not accept clothing for adults. We do take baby and children’s clothing, non-perishable food, and medical equipment. St Teresa, 50-20 45th Street,Woodside (50 Ave / Parking Lot is open on 44th Street / 45th Street Gate is open to the Parking Lot)
SUNNYSIDE CLOTHING SWAP EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY: FROM 4:30-8PM. If you need clothes or want to give clothes, visit the Sunnyside Clothing Swap near Noonan Playground (42nd Street & Greenpoint Ave)! If you have any questions, please DM @hebish.2 on Instagram or email zhoque13@gmail.com. To Advertise E-mail SSabba@WoodsideHerald.com or call 718-729-3772
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
THE WOODSIDE HERALD
DONATIONS TO SCS Bank of America generously donated PPE to help serve Sunnyside Community Youth Services and COVID-Free Queens programs. This donation of masks and gloves will help keep hundreds of staff and clients safe for weeks and months to come!
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THE WOODSIDE HERALD
MENTAL HELP ASSISTANCE *NYC Well – Free, confidential mental health support; Mobile Crisis Teams; Crisis Respite (888) 692-9355 *Nurse Family Partnership Program – (844)-637-6667/ nursefamilypartnership.org serves all five boroughs providing support to mothers *LifeNet – Mental Health Association in New York State; confidential counseling support; 1-800-543-3638 *SAMHSA – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association national helpline at 1-800-HELP (4357) for substance abuse or mental support. *NY Foundling Parenting Support Helpline: (888-435-7553). Child Abuse Prevention Program and Crisis Nursery. The Crisis Nursery is located at 590 Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) in Manhattan and offers “temporary safe haven for children from birth to age 10.” *Suicide Prevention Lifeline – National helpline for those “having trouble coping.” English 1-800-2738255 (en espanol, 1-800-628-9454)
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021
THE WOODSIDE HERALD
Letters To The Editor m co ld. era h e sid od wo
The following letters are the opinions of its author and not necessarily those of the Woodside Herald.
SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES Dear Editor, In these difficult economic times, as a result of COVID-19, it is especially important to patronize your neighborhood businesses. Do it not only on annual Small Business Saturday, November 27th but every day of the year. Small independent businesses are at the mercy of suppliers, especially third party brokers, who con-
PAGE 7 trol the price they have to pay for merchandise. There are additional costs of sanitizing the store and providing protection to employees, who deal with the public during this ongoing health emergency. I don’t mind occasionally paying a little more to help our local stores survive. The employees go out of their way to help find what I need. Customer service is their motto. As an independent mom and pop store, they don’t have bulkbuying purchasing power that Amazon or large national chain stores have. The owners can’t negotiate lower prices from suppliers. This is why they sometimes charge a little more. It is worth the price to avoid the crowds and long lines at larger stores in exchange for the convenience and friendly service your neighborhood community store offers. Remember these people are our neighbors. Our local entrepreneurs have continued the good fight to keep their existing staff and suppliers employed without layoffs and canceling product or supply orders. They continue to work
SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program. If you would like to apply and get more information please visit the following site: nysmallbusinessrecovery.com/
EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will provide significant economic relief to help low and moderate-income households at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability by providing rental arrears, temporary rental assistance and utility arrears assistance To Advertise E-mail SSabba@WoodsideHerald.com or call 718-729-3772
long hours, pay taxes and keep as many employed as possible. Many maintain the tradition of offering job opportunities to students during the holidays and summer. Customers also patronize other commercial establishments on the block. Foot traffic is essential for the survival of any neighborhood commercial district. If we don’t patronize our local community stores and restaurants to shop and eat, they don’t eat either. This helps keep our neighbors employed and the local economy growing. The owners of independent mom and pop stores are the backbone of our neighborhood commercial districts. Thank the hard working owners and employees who continue to work during these hard times. Show your support by making a purchase. Stop by your favorite store and also drop off a box of candy or cookies as a show of appreciation. Something sweet for the holidays helps take the edge off the stress we all face.
Sincerely, Larry Penner
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THE WOODSIDE HERALD
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2021