Wills Charged with Grand Larceny

• JAMAICA TIMES • ASTORIA TIMES • FOREST HILLS LEDGER • LAURELTON TIMES LARGEST AUDITED • QUEENS VILLAGE TIMES COMMUNITY • RIDGEWOOD LEDGER NEWSPAPER IN QUEENS • HOWARD BEACH TIMES • RICHMOND HILL TIMES May 9–15, 2014 Your Neighborhood - Your News® FREE ALSO COVERING ELMHURST, JACKSON HEIGHTS, LONG ISLAND CITY, MASPETH, MIDDLE VILLAGE, REGO PARK, SUNNYSIDE NYRA slights Aqueduct Visit us online LIC is the on funding from Resorts TimesLedger.com place to be Page 4 QGuide Page 41

Rapper’s mother relieved by arrest Wills charged with grand larceny in his 2013 slaying SE Queens councilman accused of lining his pockets with $30K in taxpayer funds BY RICH BOCKMANN BY CHRISTINA SANTUCCI City Councilman Ruben A Manhattan mother waited Wills (D-Jamaica) was arrested one year, two months and two early Wednesday morning and days for news that there had been charged with grand larceny and an arrest in the Queensbridge fraud for allegedly stealing some shooting death of her son, an as- $30,000 in state and city funds, au- piring rapper. thorities said. And two weeks ago Milagros Wills is accused of pocket- Ortega received the call from ing $19,000 from a $33,000 state a 114th Precinct detective that grant earmarked by his former authorities had caught up with boss, ex-state Sen. Shirley Hunt- 29-year-old Clarence Scott in ley, and $11,500 in public match- Petersburg, Va., and extradited ing funds allocated to his 2009 him to New York, where he was Council campaign, state Attor- charged with Francisco Leal’s ney General Eric Schneiderman murder, police said. and state Comptroller Thomas “I drove him crazy. I called DiNapoli announced Wednesday him every single day,” Ortega afternoon. said of the detective. “When he If convicted, Wills faces up gave me that good news, the bur- to seven years in prison, the au- den was lifted off and I dropped thorities said. the phone, and I got nervous. I A relative of Wills’, Jelani went to the floor and started to Mills, was also arrested and pray.” charged with grand larceny and A spokeswoman for the Pe- fraud for allegedly helping in the tersburg Police Department said theft and cover-up of the city Cam- Scott, who has ties to Far Rock- paign Finance Board monies. away, was cooperative when he Wills denied the allegations. was taken into custody by U.S. “How many people have Marshals Fugitive Task Force stood here before the cameras April 4. and said, ‘I’m innocent’?” he said. Once back in the borough, “I am.” Scott was arraigned on charges “This is America, and here of shooting Leal once in the chest you’re innocent until proven on 21st Avenue near the Queens- guilty,” he said. “I know because bridge Houses Feb. 2, 2013, accord- of where I come from and the ing to a criminal complaint filed color I am, it doesn’t usually work by the Queens district attorney’s City Councilman Ruben Wills arrives at the courthouse in Kew Gardens, where he was arraigned on fraud and larceny like that with you guys,” he add- Continued on Page 58 charges. Photo by Ellis Kaplan Continued on Page 58

A CNG Publication Vol. 2 No. 19 64 total pages 2 TIMESLEDGER, MAY 9–15, 2014 TIMESLEDGER.COM TL Boulevard, Bayside, N.Y. 11361. N.Y. Bayside, Boulevard, liable be not will Flushin at newspaper paid The postage reserved. rights Periodicals error. All the by 2014. occupied space copyright the of are cost the beyond publication this of advertising contents any in entire The appearing errors for 229-0300. (718) NY. 11361, Bayside, Boulevard, Bell 41-02 Inc., Holdings Newspaper Community News by weekly published is TIMESLEDGER Focus onQueens ...... Remember theDate ...... Mayoral SpinCycle ...... QueensLine ...... Editorials andLetters ...... Police Blotter ...... school system. and garbage sewage, the overburden would tricts dis- pacity single-family in and that doubling the ca- proven deadly had units brecht Hellen- Richard President saidaccomplish.” firesing to be a simple thing to orit’sby order executive go- in suchthink he can do this either how mayorsee the can don’t I .... Council City the in when Iwas proposal ing doonerezon- to years eight took “It Avellatask,” said. amonumental be would legal become to ments of New York base- allow to ing code of the entire city communities’ resources. strain and hazards safety pose would and realistic ground housing were un- below- authorize to efforts Avella said last Friday that leaders, association hood tained units within homes. self-con- other and ments apart- basement legalize vision of the plan that may Monday to denounce a pro-fordable housing blueprint his administration’s af- mayorwait for unveil to the not did civic groups Queens several (D-Bayside) and tate market. pect of the as- contentious most Queens the be real may now space low-ground es- Boro debates ﬂ basement Avella rails against legalizing units, butothers praise proposal BY SARINA TRANGLE “The one-family dis- Queens Civic Congress zon- the change “To Flanked by neighbor- State Sen. Tony Avella —be- rights air Forget best to bring these units how examine holders to with the relevant stake- said, plan His units. housing “Theto deal city about how heintends tails with will de- many notoffer unsanctioned did plan work want.” rent any they charge can homePeople who the own willthese units beguarantee that affordable“There’s no Association. Civic burndale Au- president ofthe vice either.said Henry Euler, first money for years,” over the of lots and lots paid people notwhat —that’s districts ofasuddentwo-family all tricts that would become apartments. apartments. State Sen. Tony Avella criticizes Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to study the legalization of basement De Blasio’s housing ISSUE THIS IN 12-13 28 14 15 15 8 Classified ...... Sports ...... QGuide ...... Focus onEducation ...... Boro Beat ...... See related story PAGE 4 project manager at Chha- used. being are ofhow aware buildings are responders emergency and they meet safety standards ensure would apartments that authorizing building argues BASE opment Corp. Devel-Chhaya Community Heights-based Jackson the zon- its to by unit spearheaded is code, ing ling dwel sory for acoali- Everyone, Safe the discussion.” to ideas fresh bring to tices prac- best cities’ of other areview including system, into the regulated housing Drew Goldsman, a Basement Apartments adding an acces- an adding tioned homes by rize safe unsanc- the city to autho- tion pushing for 59-63 35-39 55-57 41-52 30 g, N.Y.. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the TimesLedger C/O News Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. 41-02 Bell Bell 41-02 Inc. Holdings Newspaper Community News C/O TimesLedger tothe changes address Send N.Y..g, POSTMASTER: Classified: [email protected] [email protected] Classified: [email protected] Display Advertising: SUBSCRIBE: TO 224-2934 Editorial (718) E-MAIL: FAX: PHONE: MAIL: believed to have been cre- is 2005 and 2000 between in the four outerboroughs built new housing of all percent 40 nearly that notes nity Development 2008 in for Center Commu- Pratt leased in conjunction with solution.” acreative up with come and ing to research the issues with the mayor on continu- work to excited very are ises,” Goldsman said. “We prom- campaign up onhis mortgage. pay their to struggling homeowners to relief offer and income alimited with ket for those unaffordable housing mar- an improve would egory cat- new zoning the said ya, Continued on 58 Page Continued A report BASE re- followed mayor “The dtra: [email protected] Editorial: — 224-5821 (718) Advertising: 260-2549 (718) Classified: 260-4545 —Editorial: (718) 260-4521 (718) Display Advertising: 11361 Boulevard,Bayside, NY Bell 41-02 Photo by Sarina Trangle Sarina by Photo ats Call (718) 260-4521 260-4521 (718) Call was killed in a Brooklyn car crash. crash. car inaBrooklyn killed was who ofhisdaughter, aphoto holds Rebecca, Ramnarine Richard Hyundai Elantra she was shewas Elantra Hyundai ofthe metal twisted the from girl young the free to in Brooklyn Sunday. driver hit-and-run alleged by an killed was members youngest oneoftheir after was in mourning this week run driver. hit-and- alleged hit by an was in riding shewas car when the Sunday church a family gathering at the ows. Thursday in Fresh Mead- for scheduled was funeral vice from 6:30 to 7 p.m. The 6p.m., followedto by aser- 4p.m. from Brooklyn, in of God,toration Temple Assembly 4610 Res- at the held Wednesday be will Church Ramnarine becca Ave.weekend. crash in Brooklyn over the acar in who killed was girl Albans St. 9-year-old the ments have been made for St. Albans girl dead in Brooklyn hit-run HOW TO REACH US BY BOCKMANN RICH It took the jaws of life family Albans A St. left just had Rebecca for Re- viewing The arrange- Funeral Copyright©2014 Queens Publishing Corp. Corp. Publishing Queens Copyright©2014 off. took heagain resident, L.I., Huntington, the stopped earlier, and when officers cident afew just minutes ac- hit-and-run a nearby from scene the fled legedly al- had Palache, Kenneth 62-year-old Honda, of the said. Avenue, Remsen and police ofAvenueintersection N vehicle at the athird and smashed into the Hyundai minivan Odyssey a Honda blocks away fromfamily said. the for pier dinner,her Queens to ing to meet before heading go- was Pier, clan where the way Canarsie to on their riding with a family friend Sunday, every shewas and sembly of God in Brooklyn Temple As- Restoration the at services attend ily said. Brookdale Hospital, police at dead pronounced was she efforts best responders’ but despite in, first riding Continued on 53 Page Continued Police said the driver driver the said Police about But just adozen herfam- and Rebecca Photo by Christina Santucci Santucci Christina by Photo TIMESLEDGER, MAY 9–15, 2014 TIMESLEDGER.COM 3 TL His Michele daughter, “Everyonehas an opin- After the $2.65 million Reach reporter Bill ##$$$ ecutor of the estate and and estate the 2010. in of Kazarian, became the ex- ecutor quickly became frustrated selling of process the with the Mansion. Steinway get pulled andion you in every direction,” she said in March. been “It’s a very sell to difficult timeme and for wanted We yes, there but family, ismy buyer. a to the theit for longest city time, just we had but to on.” move deal was finalizedwith LLC, Mansion Steinway have don’t “I Kazarian said, to other say much than it’s a passing.” sold. It’s bparry@ at e-mail by Parry at phone by or cnglocal.com 718-260-4538. Street, Whitestone Visit our showroom: th >O`bg % &0/::==< 4]ZZ]eca]\4OQSP]]YOb 15-29 149 0OZZ]]\2SZWdS`gAS`dWQS( T]`OZZ]QQOaW]\a 0OZZ]]\a eeeTOQSP]]YQ][RWOZOPOZZ]]\ Singleton said his in- much very “We’re Built in 1858, the Let us help design your next party or event Delivery from NYC to Long Island 7 days a week tinuing forward.” tinuing group would be amenable to playing a significant role in future. the mansion’s that programs in terested celebrate the community’s heritage, ideas that we could explore, the tradi- tions of artsand artisans and the have opportunity to teach those disciplines to Sin- the of tomorrow,” youth Friends “The said. gleton of are because certainly the best party role that play to done inthe we’ve try- work ing together to put a focus thefor mansion.” the bought building was purchased by William of the Steinway, family legendarypiano-making infamily, 1870. The Hal- berian property in 1927. Michael Halberian lived in the home died he until life entire his Visit our new photo website at: dialaballoon.com Serving the Tri-State Area for Over 30 Years Serving the Tri-State Area DIAL-A-BALLOON “We’re disappointed disappointed “We’re Delivery 7 Days A Week Professional Balloon Delivery & Decorating Professional Balloon the mansion and restore it thefor use of the community. that we weren’t able to ac- quire the mansion this at he said. had time,” a lot “We of support and the specific talent to restore the man- The Friends properly. sion has every intention of con- dent of thedent Greater Astoria group a Society, Historical that traces its roots to the the in Mansion Steinway early 1980s, holding their was home, the in meetings let down he heard when of the sale. As leader of The Man- Steinway of Friends Singletonsion, had hoped to raise $5 million to buy The historic Mansion Steinway is sold for $2.65 million buyers to who it make part want to of the community fabric. . “We’re very proud to to proud very “We’re The owners new plan early and,“It’s of presi- Singleton, Bob a buyer for the for landmarkeda buyer 18-33 at home 41st St. is to procurebe able a deal for exterior said. Cornea mansion,” the building’s “The highest the at landmarked torn be cannot it and level down.” to restore the 27-room mansion andwork with of elected way fabric useful a find to the officials to it return to according community, the work said. to Constantinides.to he want course, nothing is set in really I get thestone, but feeling they center,” Astoriawith re-establish to museum, a as mansion the a cultural center or a community “No nightclub or disco, no catering hall or restaurant. I feel better we where about are right now.” is a private, co-educational Catholic High School with a 4-year college preparatory college 4-year a School with co-educational High Catholic private, a is http://www.ctkny.org/ (718) 366-7400 Christ the King High School 11379 York New Village, Middle 68-02 Metropolitan Avenue, Semi-Annual Blood Drive Semi-Annual

BY BILL PARRY BY Christ the King CommunityChrist Hosts Christ the King President, Michael Michel stated, “We take great pride in our students, faculty, Christ the King High School was Christ the King Community recently The are buyers listed “Imet these guys,” The mystery investors Steinway Mansion sold to investors for $2.65 million $2.65 for investors to sold Mansion Steinway Pol meets with buyers who want to restore historic home before returning it to community fabric community to it returning before home historic restore to want who buyers with meets Pol that success and surpassing last total year’s with our year end blood drive in December.” pints of blood were donated at this blood drive are alone. We well on our way towards continuing staff and friends of the CK Community who helped us reach this goal for saving lives. Over 200 the King donated a total of 287 pints of blood between the April and December blood drives. donations Last in 2013. Christ year, available is information More in the Diocese of Brooklyn for blood About Christ the King Regional High School School High Regional King the Christ Christ the King High School is governed by its Board of Trustees: Serphin R. Maltese, Chairman; Thomas Ognibene, V. Vice Chairman; Robert A. Normandia, Vice Chairman; Bernard G. Helldorfer, Counsel/Trustee; Anthony Como,Brenda Dolores Evans, Trustee; St. Louis, Mannarino, Peter Esq., J. Trustee; Principal; President; Michel, W. Michael Treasurer; Arthur Spanarkel, Financial Advisor; and Veronica Cokley, Executive Assistant. DiMarzio for being the #1 high school curriculum. Located in Middle Village, Queens, Christ the King Regional High School draws students from all areas. The school is accredited by The Board of Regents of the State of New York and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Christ the King’s current enrollment is approximately 900 students. The faculty numbers 45. Find Christ the King on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CKCampus. Blood Center and Bishop Nicholas honored last month by the New York Center. Center. conjunction with the Blood New York hosted its Semi-Annual Blood Drive in on the market in 2010: find find 2010: in market the on not do since the house went liman and could Sotheby’s tis Douglas to do what El- Paul and Christina Halva- the sale. She partnered with of the co-listing agents in in agents co-listing the of nea of Amorelli one Realty, according to Lauren Cor- as Steinway Mansion LCC, LCC, Mansion Steinway as thing.” are looking to do the right of the community who born-and-raised members members born-and-raised represent themselves as birth certificates, they but said. “Icheck didn’t their Constantinides (D-Astoria) (D-Astoria) Constantinides City Councilman Costa Costa Councilman City for Astoria. be the best-case scenario scenario best-case the be sion lastsion to week prove may the historic Steinway Man- Steinway historic the who paid $2.65who million for 4 TIMESLEDGER, MAY 9–15, 2014 TIMESLEDGER.COM TL up by 135 percent since 1995 1995 since percent up by 135 port said. decrease over time,” the re- rarely costs services, pal munici- most like year, and every system ofthe costs payfull lectively for the costs. operating maintenanceregular and lower without cutting rates ways to notsubstantial are released Monday, said there pendent Budget Office. Inde- city by the new report a to according soon, time any water bills ontheir lief getre- to notexpect should private the and government of corner every marshaling Blasio said. “And so we are from every walk of life,” de and community every in half-million New Yorkers a reach will today motion in setting we are changes to. The it has big because bill. the fit Elmhurst, to Sunnyside from corridor like the Queens Boulevard for development, prime eas Far Rockaway as well as ar- ened, such as Jamaica and fordable housing is threat- whereaf- neighborhoods Queens implemented, be five boroughs the plan the say where in willcifically page reportnew construction. doesnation of preservation and not acombi- through decade spe-able housing over the next ofafford- units ate 200,000 ministration’s goal to cre- ad- his strokes broad with out laying plan housing anticipated, $41.1 billion much- his released Monday City releases housing plan Borough neighborhoods ﬁt the bill for share of 200,000-unit initiative IBO weighs in on water rate hikes BY BOCKMANN RICH Water rates have gone “Ratepayers must col- which was report, The homeowners Queens “This plan thinks 116- the while And Mayor Bill de Blasio BY ALEX ROBINSON ALEX BY year 2015. This was the low- the was This 2015. year for fiscal increase percent a3.35 proposed Board ter deBlasio. Bill cate Advo- Public then-city by for rent payers tax hidden office in time Bloomberg’s chael Mi- Mayor was during budget criticizedthese funds in the general sewer-related costs. asrather than on water- and a budget city’son the general which spent is board, the city charges payment the utableof the rate hikes is attrib- to thepointed by rising the mayor. Part ap- all seven members, has rental which Water Board, city by the annually set are and earning between $41,951 households low-income for years,or create preserve to wants Blasio 58 over percent theresponse.” next 10sector will in an unprecedented be able housing units over the next 10 years. years. 10 next overthe units housing able afford- 200,000 preserve and to build hisplan unveiled has photo, inafile shown Blasio, de Bill Mayor Despite this, the Wa- the this, Despite The practice of using de units 200,000 the Of ing costs. ing operat- and maintenance ting cut- without rates water cut to substantially done be can that much isnot there says Office Budget Independent bythe report A new Councilman Rory Lanc- Rory Councilman City from met opposition but still 2006, since hike est low incomes. extremely at those with very low and aimed will percent 20 and middle-income families affordable to moderate- and be will offour,ily percent 22 for afam- ayear $67,120 and The bulk of the $41.1 $41.1 ofthe bulk The who prepared the report, report, the who prepared and policy analyst at IBO said. sewer rates,” report and the effect alimited only payment has on hike. proposed cent ofthe reducing per- for 12 which accounts by $14 million, increased was year payment for this rental proposed The said. waterrates’ growth, the report ofthe for 8percent only al payment was responsible budget. city general the into funds water pumping against adamantly been who has Meadows),man (D-Fresh will billion $10.5 maining than preservation, the re- more significantly costs new construction But since constructing new units. on spent be will percent, about 74.5 tag, price billion Continued on 53 Page Continued on 53 Page Continued Justin Bland, a budget budget a Bland, Justin “Lowering the rental From 2005-13, the rent- AP Photo/Jason DeCrow munity Board 11. “Our goal goal 11. “Our Board munity sessions onresident who attended both behalf ofAndy Rothman, Com- a Bayside have roundtables,” two said meetings. as anit will issue continue says Skies two, which Quiet the separate to opted stead to address at in- agency but the airports, upcoming roundtable with both major Port Authority the asked Skies Quiet to hold one noise. airplane dress ad- would that mandated he steps ofother a series in the roundtables, among part taking begin to thority that ordered the Port Au- March in legislation signed munities. airplane noise in their com- increasing problem with ever- an say is borough the many residents throughout what discuss to group the of members and sentatives repre- Authority Port cials, ation Administration offi- bring together Federal Avi- International Airport, to second at the John and Airport LaGuardia F. Kennedy at first the week, held last noise throughout the borough. airplane reduce to ing and fight- group advocacy the airports major York’s last week between New meetings that took place ofroundtable set first of the about results the optimistic feeling were Skies Quiet 2008. 2008. in F. Airport John at runways International on taxi Kennedy Planes hi-ﬁ ves roundtables Queens QuietQueens Skies BY KELSEY DURHAM BY KELSEY “It’s unyielding to Originally, Queens Gov. Andrew Cuomo Two meetings were ofQueens Members New York com- field to City in office anoise opening roundtable addressed also denied. was process put in the decision-making have to when in- itsrequest week last disappointed was hergroup said McEneaney study, the conduct and to companies terviewing ofin- process the now in 11. onCB serves net McEneaney, who also Ja- President Skies Quiet Queens to according 30, April meeting JFK at the hot topicsthe ofdiscussion oneof was concerns, noise address to legislation of his part as conduct to thority Au- Port the ordered also as Part 150, whichfrom here.” Cuomo go where to we’re going butproblems, about it was in-depth discussion of our “Itwasn’t an just Rothman. said meeting,” progressive it turned how itsure go, would but out to be a veryQueens. communities in northeast their affect shifts how these and changes pattern flight certain about months cent re- up in brought has Skies concerns Queens Quiet several included which part in the discussions, take to who invited were resentation from residents rep- community had tables ty to another.” onecommuni- it from shift not noise, ofthe getrid to is Continued on 54 Page Continued McEneaney said the the said McEneaney is Authority Port The known study A noise “We weren’t really Each of the round- AP Photo/Mark Lennihan TIMESLEDGER, MAY 9–15, 2014 TIMESLEDGER.COM 5 TL AP Photo/Seth Wenig The and city the UFT “New York City has has City York “New Blasio’s de Bill Mayor A fact sheet summariz- Continued Page 53 on Continued Page 53 on children with the security security the with children and peace of mind that a brings.” contract handshake a announced than some states,” Ulrich tives and types client that veterans to related requests Ulrich get “lost in the middle.” no states,” over 250,000 veterans .... some have moreWe veterans “There’s than said, emphasizing that he aisle. anticipated the bill garner- ing support from both sides the of Democratic or Republican of helping veterans.way a right andThere’s way a way.” wrong office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Veterans of Office the ing Affairs’ 2013 accomplish- veterans ments notes 50 that the orga- those, nization helped 1,206 cli- Of ents. requested search job assis- support sought 134 tance; eviction housing, rent, with or homelessness; and 256 aid. burial received He said the agency Mayor looks Bill de Blasio (c.) on as UFT President Michael Mulgrew (l.) and city Schools Chancellor Carmen talk dur- Fariña ing a City Hall news conference announcing a contract deal. Committee. “At long last, last, long “At Committee. teachers 100,000 city’s the who have worked without a contract since November educate to able be will 2009 and enrich the lives of our nity Development. nity initia- many so supervises between city, teachers city, between Borough leaders last deal landmark “This BY RICH BOCKMANNBY Ferreras applauds deal week praised the nine- $5.5year, billion contract agreement announced by City Hall and the United Federation of Teachers as a step forward in the right direction after years of ac- rimony between the two undersides the previous administration. will not only usher in a new era of educational reform and transparency, it but will also add certainty to process budget city’s the and financial outlook,” said City Councilwoman (D-East Ferreras Julissa chairwoman Elmhurst), of the Council’s Finance other veterans groups must Depart- city the through go and Commu- of Youth ment The Vision Zero initia- Zero Vision The CityCouncilman Continued Page 53 on City Councilman Eric Ulrich says the mayor’s Office Affairs of Veterans does not the have resources meetto its clients’ needs. Legion halls, Veterans of of Veterans halls, ary funding to American Legion Foreign outposts War and ad- Blasio’s de Bill becametive a focal for point Mayor the following ministration death of 8-year-old Noshat Nahian, was and hit who killed a tractor by trailer on his PS to school at way 152 in December. BramerJimmy (D- Van guard was able who Sunnyside), crossing a secure to thefor dangerous intersec- Northerntion at Boulevard and 61st Street, said, “We eyes the into looked have mother, Nahian’s Noshat of and if done that have you once into — looked the eyes of a mother has who lost her child as a result of a traffic collision know that — you In addition to the low- the to addition In road of stretch That The zone slow new The councilman said re- to like would He A board comprised of emphasized Ulrich program to Northern Bou- levard, long where cross- walks and high speeds have reali- unnecessary an been ty too for many Queens res- Trottenbergidents,” said. to re-timed be ered speed limit, traffic will signals Street diffi- more speeding make cult and signs 114th new will be to installed along 4.2 miles of Road Northern Boulevard from 40th near the Grand Central Parkway. has seen five fatalities, all pedestrians, since 2008. on Queens Boulevard will milesstretch from 7.4 Jack- son to Hillside be- avenues July. in ginning the mayor’s Officethe mayor’s of Veter- bud- $400,000 Affairs’ ans get does not include enough as- adequately to financing sist its target constituents. with a depart- place MOVA a by spearheaded ment commissioner overseeing annu- larger or $800,000 an al budget. The department would offer educational trainingemployment and services,health, medical assis- fami- rehabilitation and tance their and fed- implement or eral, state and local initia- privileges extend that tives veterans to lies, according to the bill. nine veterans — five ap- pointed and the by mayor four selected by the Councilspeaker advise — would the department. that under the current con- who lawmakers figuration discretion- direct to want

BY BILL PARRY BY “I am pleased to bring bring to pleased am “I DOT Commissioner Commissioner DOT The speed limit on Drivers will have to to will have Drivers “I believe that there there that believe “I Ulrich introduced introduced Ulrich

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on Northern, Queens boulevards Queens Northern, on Slow zones to cut speed to 25 mph 25 to speed cut to zones Slow the Arterial Slow Zone Zone Slow Arterial the the announcement May 1. and to make 39th Avenue ner of Northern Boulevard elected officials the at cor- Polly Trottenberg joined initiative. at part of the Vision Zero Zero Vision the of part at gins installing slow zones zones slow installing gins ment of Transportation be- Transportation of ment mph when the when city Depart-mph 25 from mph its current 30 levards will be reduced to cal veterans groups.” Northern and Queens bou- grants and funding lo- for month. my colleagues to secure secure to colleagues my beginningroadways next make it easier for me and and me for easier it make dangerous most borough’s Veterans. “And No. 2, No. to Veterans. “And the of two on down slow man of the Committee on serve,” said Ulrich, chair- Ulrich, said serve,” and gravitas that they de- they that gravitas and give veterans the standing Veterans Affairs 1, to No. should be a Department of of Department a be should the military. the benefit those served who in councilman saidwould and federal legislation the tions advocating for state state for advocating tions along with three resolu- three with along ment of Veterans Affairs Affairs Veterans of ment establish a city Depart- April 29 a bill that would department. erans with an autonomous autonomous an with erans charged with assisting vet- assisting with charged branch office of the mayor’s Park) wants to replace the Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Eric 6 TIMESLEDGER, MAY 9–15, 2014 TIMESLEDGER.COM TL the $41.09 million —37.07 million $41.09 the Law request. ofInformation a Freedom ments obtained through docu- financial NYRA’s of areview to according state, Saratoga at percent 20.69 and Island Race onLong Park at Belmont Coursemarked funds into projects ear- ofthe percent 25.64 up- poured has Association learned. has Newspapers from 2011-13, TimesLedger tracks racing horse three state’s at the projects capital World aside for set was that revenue Resorts of the from percent 16.59 received has facility Park Ozone South the racino, city’sthe first for over land handing track. in favor of Aqueduct Race- doing little to up the ante Aqueduct not getting fair share of Resorts funds Queens: BY SARINA TRANGLE The highest portion of portion highest The New YorkThe Racing Despite Aqueduct’s NYRA appears to be Clean, Comfortable Secure, &Affortable UÊ*ÀviÃÃ>Ê>`ÊÀi`ÞÊ-Ì>vv UÊÓ{ÊÀ°Ê-ÕÀÛi>ViÊÊ-Ìi UÊÓ{ÊÀ°Ê >Ìi>ViÊ>`Ê iÀ}iVÞÊ,i«>ÀÃ iÜÊÌV iÃÊ>`Ê >Ì ÀÃ UÊ À>`Ê UÊ-iÊÜÌ ÊÀiiÊ>Ã]ÊÞ]Ê>Õ`À>Ì 166-07 Hillside Ave. Jamaica, NY 11432 NY Ave. Jamaica, Hillside 166-07 Visit usat: ZARA REALTYZARA HOLDING CORP.

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Studios, 1,2 AvailableStudios, &3 Bdrms Furnished &Unfurnished vested outside of Queens,” Queens,” of outside vested in- being offunds balance im- atremendous was there doso. to no plans were there Ledger Times The told spokesman NYRA but a Aqueduct, closing ing consider- was association the said members board cent years.shutting of talk governors’ two least In 2013 at association’s and the ing NYRA follow- bet its hedging be to Aqueduct appeared NYRA said who Beach), abbo Jr. (D-Howard or state in Beach) (D-Rockaway feder re- Gold- Sen. Phillip Assemblyman state Joseph notsurprise did down Add-equipment. production television and upgrades telephone lation, instal- Wi-Fi suchas tracks, all whichtives benefited oninitia- spent was 2011 in World opened Resorts since ceived for capital projects re- NYRA —that percent www.zararealty.com

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or Monthly Short andLongTerm Short Leases Monthly

718-291-3331 C Y N LUXURY APARTMENTS &HOMES Horses leave the gate at Aqueduct Racetrack. Aqueduct gate at the leave Horses has recorded national slot ResortsWorldterminals. World’ssorts lottery video atrevenue Re- generated ofthe aportion receiving for exchange in state the to tracks three at all land ed racetracks ced- until 2033, state-owned three the erate op- to agreement franchise here.” we’re getting money than away more we’re sending that confirm just numbers “These said. Goldfeder NYRA, which has a which has NYRA,

obligated to distribute the it was said for NYRA, man agreement. the under how to invest this money and Saratoga. ects at Aqueduct, Belmont to capitalwinnings proj- out paying after in rakes money it ofthe percent 4 must earmark racino, York, the which operates ing in late 2011. open- since revenue records Eric Wing, aspokes- Wing, Eric choose can But NYRA Group New Genting Present this coupon Present this Offer expires Dec. 2014. Not to be combined with any other offer. other any with 2014. Dec. expires combined be Offer to Not & receive to up $ efited most however. 2013, in prieve from the show. VLT records financial $3,852,0000 into Saratoga, $3,444,000 into Belmont and funneled NYRA while increased to $932,000 track’s share Park Ozone year. that Aqueduct at $564,000 and Saratoga at ects at Belmont, $1,486,000 $1,893,000 in capital proj- bankrolled association The development master plan. money for received a toga Sara- while project agement water man- astorm from benefited also but 2011, Belmont in track each at grades up- barn and improvements area moneyspent onpatron for funds. VLT exchange in facility, at each assets, including property NYRA gave up $1 billion in lio of racetracks because portfo- its money across 200 S T P A The Queens track ben- track Queens The gotare- Aqueduct South the 2012, In show NYRA Records pare each track’s financial financial track’s each pare decisions. vestment in- in factor a significant not is generates track each e-mail. an in wrote Wing awhole,” as company of the sions in the best interests deci- we make and area, grandstand and in the barn and updating, both in the ofrepair need frequent in mature racetracks that are three operates NYRA year. facilities within any given equally invest in all three cost reduction. revenue generation and projects based on safety, capital potential analyzing of process arigorous has NYRA said for NYRA, man $3,164,000. $5,200,000 and Saratoga’s vs.Belmont’s investments $5,321,000 in capital project revenue year, receiving last Continued on 58 Page Continued It is difficult to com- how much said Wing “We to donotlook aspokes- Wing, Eric TIMESLEDGER, MAY 9–15, 2014 TIMESLEDGER.COM 7 TL BY HUNTER DOUGLAS 9OUR$RAPERIES For Added Your Convenience 7E0ROVIDE$RY#LEANING 7ASHINGAND2EHANGINGOF qhkqoOdksnkki 97-18 101st Avenue 101st 97-18 Visit our second location at: location second our Visit Ozone Park, NY 11416 Not a Hunter Gallery a Douglas Not

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Plans Accepted Plans Most Insurance Insurance Most sweatshirt, blue jeans and black and red Nike Jordan sneakers. Jordan Nike red and black and blue jeans sweatshirt, hooded black and agray wearing seen last eyes. Hewas brown and Monday, 4p.m. said. around police Monday. Queens in seen boy who last was Brooklyn young teens. their menin black as described are suspects The injuries. ed noreport- were phone. There cell Samsung his took and him approached suspects the when 14th Street Roadand of30th vicinity the in walking boy was p.m., a14-year-old arobbery. in wanted suspects finding in public’s for the help asking were Precinct 29. April items other herphone and took and Drive 67th and Boulevard Queens near old woman a61-year- approached sweatshirts hooded ing are believed to be about 16 to 18 and were wear- said. NYPD the MetroCard, and cense driver’s li- cards, woman’s credit cellphone, ofa61-year-old theft the in for menwanted two Jljg\Zkjjfl^_kè8jkfi`XZ\ccg_fe\ifYY\ip1:fgj and needed emergency personnel, the the personnel, emergency needed and said. cops 114th Street, and Citi Field between bridge extension Boulevard Northern the on adivider struck and control he lost Tuesday, 11 a.m. when after just SUV Benz the NYPD. to Center, Hospital according at Elmhurst condition critical in was 114th Street near bridge Boulevard Northern onthe crashed motorvehicle and ofhis lost control :Xcc:i`d\Jkfgg\ijXk($/''$,..$K@GJ /+.. #k\ok).+-*. :I@Dfkk`gj6 \\cjXZ\Jdl^ \c _e]ifd g_fe\ Z\cc JXdjle^ jeXkZ_\[ c\^\[cp Gfc`Z\Xi\j\XiZ_è^]fijljg\Zkjn_fXc$ Xk\\eè8jkfi`X#k_\EPG;jX`[% fek_\Efik_\ie9flc\mXi[Yi`[^\% Gfc`Z\èm\jk`^Xk\k_\XZZ`[\ek injuries, police said. driver’s ofthe severity due the to tigate inves- to scene the to ordered was Squad out vehicle, said. ofthe cops get him to Jaws the ofLife use to FDNY and NYPD \c _e# i[k X[# [`\Ëc`$ X ]ifd -($p\Xi$fc[nfdXe#XZZfi[è^kfZfgj% X [i`m\iËj jkfc\e n\i\ X X]k\i D\kif:Xi[ Xe[ ZXi[j# Z\ej\ jfl^_k Zi\[`k Y\è^ g_fe\# Z\cc Xi\ k\\ej Knf The NYPD Collision Investigation Investigation Collision NYPD The G_fkfYpIfpI\eeX&9DI9i\XbèÊ\nj A8?MFEA

Photo by Christina Santucci BY ALEX ROBINSON Nearly half of all the the all of half Nearly Language barriers barriers Language The borough’s num-The borough’s Queens’poverty rate From 2008-12, the pov- the 2008-12, From

While the poverty rate

More Queens Asians Queens More fall into poverty: City City poverty: into fall to new immigrantsto in Flushing. fers language and job services John Choe’s One Flushing of- Flushing One Choe’s John Asian languages suffer ers of Korean and South South and Korean of ers the same problem. Speak- problem. same the four Asian seniors have language and three of out proficiency in the English English the in proficiency immigrants have limited limited immigrants have city’s working-age Asian port said. port Asian the community, re- disparity in the borough’s borough’s the in disparity are largely to blame the for according to the study. population lives in Queens, Queens, in lives population than half of the city’s Asian Asian city’s the of half than nity’s povertynity’s rate, as more spike in the Asian commu- Asian the in spike bers are consistent with the the with consistent are bers 3.2 percent to 14.5 percent. land’s, which climbed which land’s, by 15.4 percent and Staten Is- only rose 1.5 by percent to hattan’s povertyhattan’s rate, which cession compared to Man- to compared cession 21.9 percent during the re- jumped 5.5 by percent to by the mayor’s office. theby mayor’s Measure, an annual report report annual an Measure, cording to the CEO Poverty any demographic group, ac- to 29to the percent, highest of community rose 6.6 percent erty rate in the city’s Asian Asian city’s the in rate erty revealed. hard, city study a new has munity was especially hit sion, Queens’sion, Asian com- out the city in the last reces- last the in city the out rose significantlyrose through- 10 TIMESLEDGER, MAY 9–15, 2014 TIMESLEDGER.COM TL all,” hesaid. all,” at for this support munity the denial. reviews would reverse ther fur- hedoubted said Rosen administrative remedies. without exhausting other court it in challenge can applicant the so decision provalrequested that the disap- be Center Knockdown the said deemed SLA, for the spokesman a finalwith alcoholic beverages. mature the menu into one Ave., bid its may renew to Center, Flushing at 52-19 tomers. cus- 600 than more serve to license cabaret a liquor and center’s application forart thority denied the Maspeth — for now. ter’s drinks will stay virgin SLA denies Knockdown Center’s liquor license BY SARINA TRANGLE “I really see no com-SLA Chairman Dennis Crowley, a William Knockdown But the Liquor Au- state The Cen- Knockdown The l a n a C t o o R • r e e n e V / s e g • Dentures •Braces d i r B / s •Cosmec/Esthec• Extracons Denstry n w o r C • Dental Implants Dental three-quarters roughly the walking while of a mile blocks residential disrupt to would center’s patrons the worried Neighbors goers. party- young to appealing of itsintentions belied ter portrayal as cen- an arts Center’s Knockdown the argued community ing parties. vate for pri- rent space outas the dences and exhibits as well resi- artist host classes, to venue the planned said Center, Knockdown of the license. liquor and for acabaret ing apply- and attendees 5,000 assembly public apermanent secure permitness busi- its for build to sought ter up to by takinggust 2012. Au- in permits temporary with factory glass former began steps hosting events in the venue it the since against to But the surround- But the Tyler Myers, manager Cen- Knockdown The railed has Maspeth

The state Liquor Authority denied the Knockdown Center’s liquor and cabaret license application. license cabaret and liquor Center’s Knockdown the denied Authority Liquor state The strain the 104th Precinct. could crowds large that and subway station nearest the An onlineAn petition

140 signatures. 140 Center received roughly Knockdown the opposing More than 440 people people 440 than More Call usor visitustoday few names on the list came came list onthe few names Center, said SLA but the Knockdown the supporting signed an online petition glocal.com. by e-mailTrangle at 718-260-4546 or at strangle@cn-celed. to haveand Friday. since slatedM.I.A. for Thursday rapper featuring concerts about two onedge larly been can- neighbors. appease not did events,its but that of half than fewer for pacity the facility fill to agreed and 3,100 to cap itsadmission reduce to only up toplan. ca- security its work detailing ter time Cen- Knockdown gave the and for weeks two tomatter submit in late April, but application tabled the on the rule to ed paper- rounding community. from addresses in the sur- Reach reporter Sarina show appears first The particu- was Maspeth venue offered The then slat- was authority The