QUEENS TIPublished forM the BoroughES of Queens VOLUME 25, NO. 7 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 25 CENTS eens Queens Politicians Endorse Bloomberg he Qu Times T WISHES at Opening of Bayside Campaign Office It’s Readers Pictured at the opening of former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Presidential Candidate’s Campaign Headquarters in Queens, NY are (l to r) New York State Director of Mike Bloomberg 2020 John Calvelli, NYS Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, former Queens Borough President Claire Shulman, Stephanie the Queens Director Suozzi and Linda Beigel Schulman for Bloomberg and NYC Councilmember Paul Vallone. See story on page 2. Advocate For Gun Violence Prevention David Villa Head of USL’s Queensboro FC With Councilmember Francisco Moya Suozzi and Schulman attend the State of the Union and call on the President and Mitch McConnell to address Pictured at USL’s Queensboro FC press conference is (l to r) John Krane, David the gun violence health epidemic. See story on page 2. Villa, NYC Councilmember Francisco Moya and Victor Onate. See story on page 3. One Edition for ALL of Queens! Visit our website at www.queenstimes.com PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 Queens Politicians Endorse Mike Bloomberg at Opening of Bayside Campaign Office (Continued from page 1) of the decisions and leadership president like Mike who is able to made by our previous Mayor bridge the divide and work on behalf Mayor Mike Bloomberg and Mike Bloomberg,” Vallone said. of all Americans.” Presidential Candidate opens a “He knew prioritizing economic Vanel said, “As a community campaign office at 39-36 Bell Bou- development would be critical to advocate, I admire his passion for levard in Bayside, Queens, with balance the needs of every citizen. causes like gun violence and climate support from Queens lawmaker He challenged every one of us to be change. As a business leader, I re- Paul Vallone the first New York our best so that our city could pros- spect his ability to create thousands City Councilman to back Bloom- per and he will do the same as our of jobs. And as an elected official, berg’s candidacy for President of President. That is why I am proud I appreciate his ability to get things the United States, along with Queen to stand with Mike Bloomberg for done. NYS Assemblyman Clyde Vanel. president.” Vallone also said “As Looks like Bloomberg will be “The unprecedented prosperity the political climate in Washington picking up many other key endorse- we have enjoyed is a direct result continues to deteriorate, we need a ments in Queens County. Suozzi and Linda Beigel Schulman Advocate For Gun Violence Prevention (Continued from page 1) background check bill almost one 1112 to support universal back- year ago, but Mitch McConnell ground checks and has cospon- Congressman Tom Suozzi (D- has refused to put it up for a vote. sored every major piece of gun Long Island, Queens) and gun vio- Hearing Linda speak about these violence legislation including, lence prevention advocate, Linda issues continues to inspire me to the Assault Weapons Ban and Ex- Beigel Schulman (Dix Hills), fight each and every day for gun treme Risk Protection Order (Red spent the week in our nation’s violence prevention legislation. Flag) legislation. Suozzi has also Capital highlighting the need Lives depend on it.” been a vocal supporter of provid- for commonsense gun violence “I was shocked that the Presi- ing funding to the Centers for Dis- prevention laws. Schulman, who dent said nothing about gun vio- ease Control and Prevention and is one of Suozzi’s constituents, lence prevention at the State of the the National Institutes of Health lost her son Scott Beigel in the Union and instead doubled down to study gun violence and worked tragic mass shooting at Marjory on the Second Amendment, which hard to ensure the inclusion of $25 Stoneman Douglas High School has nothing to do with gun safety. million to go toward research in two years ago. Our movement does not seek to the last round of spending bills. In addition to attending the infringe upon anyone’s rights, but Schulman, since losing her State of the Union, Suozzi and we do want to make our communi- son to gun violence more than Schulman spoke at a press event ties safer and ensure that no one two years ago in Parkland, has on Wednesday and met with gun has to endure losing a loved to gun dedicated herself to promoting violence prevention advocates. violence as I did,” said Schulman. common-sense gun legislation. Together with other gun violence “I want to thank Congressman Schulman advocated tirelessly survivors, they spoke about the Suozzi from the bottom of my for a Red Flag law in New York pressing need for action from the heart for inviting me to DC this and has noted that had a similar Senate on H.R. 8, which passed week and always standing beside law existed before the shooting through the House nearly one full us when it comes to gun safety. in Parkland, her son might still Subscribe to the year ago. Later, Suozzi introduced Tom totally gets that this is not a be alive today. Last year, the New Schulman to several prominent partisan issue, but an issue where York State legislature passed Red gun violence prevention advocacy we need to find common ground. Flag legislation. Queens Times organizations, including Every- We all have the right to be safe.” Quotes from National Gun Vio- town for Gun Safety, the Coalition In 2019, the House passed lence Prevention Organizations: Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens to Stop Gun Violence, Brady: the first significant gun violence “More than 100,000 Americans United Against Gun Violence, prevention legislation in decades. have been killed by guns since Just $28.50 per year... and have the paper and Giffords: Courage to Fight While rates of gun violence con- Donald Trump took office––and delivered to your door by US Mail Gun Violence. tinue to rise, the Senate has yet to twice that many have been wound- “More than 100,000 people in vote on either H.R. 8, the Bipar- ed,” said Sarah Trumble, Director Please Enter my Subscription For One Year America have been killed by gun tisan Background Checks Act or of Federal Legislative Campaigns violence since President Trump H.R. 1112, the Enhanced Back- at Everytown for Gun Safety. “On Name .............................................................................. took office. Yet, the President ground Checks Act, both of which a night where President Trump mentioned nothing about address- remain on the Senate Majority ignored this crisis, Rep. Suozzi Address .......................................................................... ing the gun violence health epi- Leader’s desk. led on the issue by inviting a gun demic that is plaguing our country Suozzi has been a fierce advo- violence prevention advocate to City..................................................Zip........................... in his State of the Union address,” cate for gun violence prevention attend the State of the Union as said Suozzi. “The House of Rep- since arriving to Congress. He Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: resentatives passed a bipartisan helped to pass H.R. 8 and H.R. 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 (Continued on page 7) Meng Statement On Flushing Waterfront Proposal U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D- be answered about this project. I overcapacity. Queens) has issued the following have a number of concerns and Flushing is an outstanding and statement on the proposal to re- priority areas that must be bet- vibrant community that continues zone and redevelop the Flushing ter addressed including: the low thrive. Its future growth and suc- Published every week by C.T. Publishing Corp. waterfront. percentage of affordable housing cess must include the needs of area Executive Office: 108-59 49th Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368 “I thank and commend the units; the need to ensure the high- residents. We want Flushing to Operations: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 many individuals and organi- est environmental standards and be an exceptional and welcoming Phone (718) 592-2196 • FAX (718) 357-3682 zations that have made their public access for Flushing Creek; neighborhood that New Yorkers Web Site: www.queenstimes.com positions known about this plan. a commitment to hire locally with can proudly call home for genera- email: [email protected] Listening to all community and family-sustaining wages and the tions to come. stakeholder voices in an inclusive use of union labor; not adding to With this proposal being such James C. Lisa .........................Publisher/Editor and transparent manner, includ- existing congestion or negatively a major project for the area, it Lew Scala .............................. Associate Publisher/Webmaster ing the views of local residents, is impacting quality of life in the is critical that the process not Joseph V. Dorsa ....................Photo Journalist imperative. area; and the necessity of educat- be rushed. All of the issues I’ve Lou Duro ...............................International Correspondent As I previously wrote in a let- ing the children who would reside raised must be addressed before Merle Exit ..............................Arts/Entertainment Editor ter to Community Board 7, there in the proposed housing units, as the plan is voted on by the City Nicole Rescigno.......................Office Manager are many questions that must still schools in Queens are already at Council.” Bob Grant................................Photo Journalist The Queens Times,