Baysiders Allege Illegal Biz Summit Eyeing Avella Demands Anti-Semitism TECH CHECK Agencies Probe
LARGEST AUDITED COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER • LITTLE NECK LEDGER IN QUEENS • WHITESTONE TIMES Jan. 22–28, 2016 Your Neighborhood — Your News® FREE ALSO COVERING AUBURNDALE, COLLEGE POINT, DOUGLASTON, GLEN OAKS, FLORAL PARK Pols demand Baysiders allege illegal biz summit eyeing Avella demands anti-Semitism TECH CHECK agencies probe
BY MADINA TOURE food production
City Councilmen Barry BY TOM MOMBERG Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gar- dens) and Rory Lancman (D- State Sen. Tony Avella Hillcrest), along with state (D-Bayside) rallied outside a Assemblyman David Weprin single-family rental home in (D-Fresh Meadows), were Bayside Tuesday with many among 13 lawmakers across concerned neighbors fearing the city who have joined with potential hazardous conse- the Simon Wiesenthal Cen- quences from what they allege ter to urge President Barack is a commercial food operation Obama to convene a summit being conducted illegally. on anti-Semitism, invoking Residents lodged com- the legacy of Martin Luther plaints with the appropriate King, Jr. city agencies and called on Rabbi Abraham Cooper, as- Avella to look into the suspect- sociate dean of the Simon Wi- ed business being run at 33-31 esenthal Center in Los Ange- 204th St. Avella said he called les, unveiled the center’s “Top on both the city Department Ten Anti-Semitic/Anti-Israel of Health and Mental Hygiene Incidents” Jan. 14 at the center and the city Department of at 226 E. 42nd St. Buildings to investigate. The Simon Wiesenthal Cen- The Health Department ter is a global human rights or- sent cease-and-desist orders to ganization that researches the both the property owners and Holocaust and hate in historic the tenants after attempting to and contemporary contexts. investigate resulting only in a Named for Nazi hunter Simon violation, which was paid. Wiesenthal, its educational But neighbors still claim arm, the Museum of Tolerance they smell potent food odors in Los Angeles, Calif., forces and burning oil at all times of visitors to confront bigotry day and night. They also say and racism. they have seen a large propane In the report, the center tank being taken inside and said that sports venues in Moments before the contest begins, a member of the Radical Robots team from Long Island checks many different people go in Europe witnessed “shocking out their entry in the First Tech Challenge robotics tournament at Francis Lewis High School. See and out of the home carrying anti-Semitic chants” in front coverage on Pages 3, 24. Photo by Michael Shain large food containers while Continued on Page 58 Continued on Page 58
A CNG Publication Vol. 82 No. 4 64 total pages COLLEGE POINT NOW OPEN! See Our Highly Skilled Physicians On Your ProHEALTHUrgentCare.com Schedule So You Can Feel Better, Faster! 132-01 14th Avenue • Located next to the Whitestone Plaza • 917-285-2158 Open Everyday • Just Walk In • Mon-Fri 9-9 • Sat & Sun 9-6 Kim challenges gov Tutti Play Cafe opens Lawmaker launches bill to ease nail salon inspections inside Bayside church BY TOM MOMBERG for kids in basketball, arts BY MADINA TOURE and crafts, music and Tae- The Tutti Play Cafe is kwondo. After more than six months opening this weekend in Bay- “This is something the of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s de- side as part of a new commu- residents of Bayside neigh- cision to impose a state of nity outreach endeavor from borhood would appreciate emergency on the nail salon BrokenBuilders Ministries, very much,” said cafe orga- industry, state Assemblyman the multi-congregational nizer Jennifer Luna, a Bay- Ron Kim (D-Flushing) has in- Korean church operating in side resident, educator and troduced the Transparency conjunction with the United mother of two. “I am so glad in Enforcement Act to combat Methodist Church in Man- that this new community what he has called selective hattan and Bayside. project is coming with a clear enforcement of the law against BrokenBuilders is hold- purpose to serve the people salons owned by Asian immi- ing a free open house at the in this neighborhood rather grants. new cafe at Bayside UMC, than as another business A number of angry nail 38-20 Bell Blvd., on Saturday, endeavor. This is something salon owners waving signs at- Jan. 23, and Saturday, Jan. 30 that will open new exciting tended the Tuesday crowded from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. . opportunities for Bayside news conference. “Our doors and our hearts families.” The act will amend the ex- are always open to the com- Organizers said free park- ecutive law, requiring every Nail salon owners yelled chants such as "We are not criminals!," claiming munity of Bayside,” Bayside ing for the open house would state agency, board or com- they are unfairly targeted by a state nail salon law. Photo by Madina Toure UMC Senior Pastor the Rev. also be available at the rear mission that directly or by William Wendler said. “I am of the church, entering from contract reports demographic salon workers and owners. store had any issues with un- thankful that we are able to 213th Street. A full program data resulting from any in- Peter Yu of the Chinese paid wages, the survey found. invite Bayside families to schedule for the spring is spections, pending cases or Nail Salon Association of East About 17 percent closed this great opportunity to con- supposed to be released at the penalties to base the data on America said Cuomo’s action their shops while 71 percent nect with one another and open house. The cafe is slated race, gender and region. makes the industry “even want to get out of the industry grow together.” to open every Saturday from “It’s been six months of de- more hostile than before.” by selling or shutting down, The open house is the pilot now on, organizers said. monization and vilification of “Many of you know since the survey added. for an expansion of the min- For more information, the industry,” Kim said. May of last year...we small Sangho Lee of the Korean istry’s Sunday children’s pro- visit BrokenBuilders Minis- At the news conference business owners are trying Nail Salon Association called gram, providing a number tries online at http://www. at the Mudan Restaurant in so hard to survive,” Yu said for more transparency in the of sports and arts classes to b3m.org/. Flushing, at least 100 nail sa- through a translator. inspection process, urging the Bayside youth, and will now lon owners chanted phrases The Chinese and Korean state to help the workers. include for the next two Sat- Reach reporter Tom on signs they held up such as nail salon trade groups teamed “When the inspectors go urdays, free snacks and cof- Momberg by e-mail at “Nail salon owners are NOT up to conduct a small business to the nail salons, they don’t fee, live music, face painting, [email protected] or monsters!!,” “Don’t kill small survey of 200 businesses—a even talk to the workers ... We balloon making and classes by phone at (718) 260–4573. business!,” “We are not crimi- roughly 5 percent sample of think that the inspection is nals!” and “We need support, the industry—to measure the very biased,” Lee said through not harassment!” They also impact of Cuomo’s executive a translator. noted the majority of nail sa- action against nail salons. The New York State Nail lon owners are Asian women, The survey found that since Salon Industry Enforcement who are unfairly targeted. May, 54 percent of nail salons Task Force’s Bill of Rights for Based on a New York Times laid off workers. nail workers indicates that investigative report in May, Some 80 percent of nail sa- employees must be paid at Cuomo launched a task force lon owners found wage bonds least $6.60 an hour before tips and imposed emergency regu- to be unfair and burdensome for the first 40 hours per week lations May 18 to crack down on and 28 percent encountered and $8.75 an hour if they do not nail salons, according to Kim. inappropriate behavior from earn tips. Workers must earn The lawmaker charged that investigators, communication $10.98 an hour before tips after despite a new law restricting problems or other difficulties 40 hours per week and $13.13 the state’s ability to unfairly during investigations, accord- an hour if they do not get tips. target and single out one com- ing to the survey. Joe Lin of the Chinese- munity, Cuomo has extended About 23 percent of sur- American Nail Salon Associa- his state of emergency three veyed owners received fines tion contended salon owners Bayside UMC and BrokenBuilders Ministries will now open Tutti Play times to unilaterally take pu- and penalties from targeted overpay their workers. Cafe at 38-20 Bell Blvd. every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. nitive measures against nail enforcement and only one “They’ve been misleading Photo by Michael Shain IN THIS ISSUE HOW TO REACH US Police Blotter...... 10 Borough Beat...... 40 MAIL: 41-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY 11361 Editorials and Letters...... 12-13 Business...... 42 PHONE: Display Advertising: (718) 260-4521 — Editorial: (718) 260-4545 Rhymes with Crazy...... 14 QGuide...... 45-51 FAX: Advertising: (718) 224-5821 — Classified: (718) 260-2549 Editorial (718) 224-2934 Political Action...... 14 Dining Out...... 47 E-MAIL: Editorial: [email protected] Mayoral Spin Cycle...... 15 Sports...... 53-56 Display Advertising: [email protected] Queens Line...... 15 Classifieds...... 59-63 Classified: [email protected] Education...... 27-38 TO SUBSCRIBE: Call (718) 260-4521 BAYSIDE TIMES (USPS#025088) is published weekly by News Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.., 41-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY.11361, (718) 229-0300. The entire contents of this publication are copyright 2016. All rights reserved. The newspaper will not be liable for errors appearing in any advertising beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Periodicals postage paid at Flushing, N.Y. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Bayside Times C/O News Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. 41-02 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, N.Y. 11361. 2 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM Robot-mania arrives at Francis Lewis HS First Tech Challenge brings students from over 32 tri-state area schools for tournament
BY GABRIEL ROM shift robot arena, dodging its opponent. Four teams of three Justin Pepe had a slice of huddled around, controllers in pepperoni pizza in one hand hand. and a pen in the other. Pepe, The goal was for each team 15, a member of the Syosset to use their robot to pick up Robotics team, was frantically and move debris into hard-to- sketching a redesign of his reach goals competitive robot in the caf- Suddenly, one of the ro- eteria of Francis Lewis High bot’s mechanical arms started School in Fresh Meadows, oth- slamming down on the little erwise known this past week- plastic blocks. end as “The Pit.” Alex Koldy, 15, captain of Justin was joined by more the Forest Hills Mighty Me- than 100 other students from chanics, stood behind his ro- over 20 high schools around bot’s operator and controller. the tri-state area competing “Put the lever down,” he at the two-day FIRST Tech barked. “Move it down, just a Challenge robotics qualifiers. little more!” The competition required “Robot 10791 has dropped teams to design, develop and in a block!” said the announc- build robots based on sound er. A group of parents cheered engineering principles—and wildly. then put the robots to the test Designs of robots are posted online and teams often collaborate to improve robots together. More photos on Alexander explained that in the annual match-up. Page 24. Photo by Michael Shain the program marries sheer fun The specific challenge, with complex problem solving. which changes yearly, was petition. ganization that helps organize straints. You need to plan “When you are solving prob- announced in September, forc- “Teamwork is paramount,” the tournament. and you need to work with a lems with friends, that’s when ing teams to develop a unique said Sam Alexander, High “This replicates pro engi- team.” you want to keep doing some- strategy, engineer their robot School program manager for neering,” Alexander added. In the Francis Lewis gym, thing,” he said. and then program it for com- NYC FIRST, a non-profit or- “You have cost and time con- Robot 10791 circled a make- Continued on Page 41 DIAL-A-BALLOON N< N
TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 3 Deal reached on horse carriages Elected offi cials, union agree to move stables to Central Park for smaller number
BY TOM MOMBERG involved.” A ban is supposed to be put Official proponents of a ban in place preventing carriage on the horse carriage indus- rides on city streets with the try in the city, the industry’s exception of the drivers going advocates and workers union to and from Central Park and have reached a compromise to the current stables on Manhat- introduce new limits on one of tan’s Upper West Side begin- Manhattan’s most widely rec- ning June 1, the mayor’s office ognized historic activities. announced. Many of the carriage driv- By the time a park stable is ers and other industry work- refurbished in October 2018, ers live in the Queens neigh- at which point officials said borhoods of Jackson Heights there would be space allotted and Bayside . for 68 carriages and 75 horses, Mayor Bill de Blasio, City the number of licensed horses Council Speaker Melissa would be limited to 95 or few- Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan) er—about half of the current and the Teamsters Union rep- 180 licenses. resenting the carriage drivers Drivers of pedicabs, elec- and horse caretakers jointly tronically assisted rickshaws, announced a new deal Sunday said they are concerned they agreeing to allow the industry would be banned from oper- to continue to operate in Cen- A preliminary compromise reached between city elected officials and the union representing the city's ating in Central Park south tral Park only and to build per- horse carriage industry says it would ultimately relocate all horses to be stabled in Central Park. of 85th Street under the deal, manent stables there. Photo by Richard Drew/AP handing horse carriages a mo- Some preliminary details nopoly on some of the park’s of the agreement have been re- and Ydanis Rodríguez (D- “We are pleased that at the jobs of many in the horse major attractions. leased, but many facets of what Manhattan), who have been the end of an exhaustive pro- carriage industry,” Dromm Nonprofit advocacy group will ultimately be included avid supporters of a ban on cess, all sides in this negotia- and Rodríguez said in a joint New Yorkers for Parks has in a new City Council bill are the industry, said they were tion were able to come to an statement. “Working out the threatened to file a lawsuit still being worked out. happy with the compromise, amicable agreement that both logistics of this agreement will against the city if the plan City Councilmen Daniel although more details are still removes horses from the dan- be key in reaching an outcome goes through — whether the Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) supposed to be worked out. gers of city traffic and saves that is suitable to all parties Continued on Page 41 Avella introduces proposals Report examines cost to transform Albany ethics of free CUNY tuition BY TOM MOMBERG existing tuition exemption BY MADINA TOURE least 2009 and found out no leg- program in his 2015 State of islation had ever been referred The Independent Budget the Union adress as a model At a news conference last to the committee. Office has put together a re- for higher education going week, state Sen. Tony Avella Many bills go to multiple port estimating the cost of forward. (D-Bayside) unveiled a series committees because they over- implementing free tuition in He said the IBO’s report of ethics reform proposals, as lap in committee jurisdiction, the City University of New reaffirmed for him that his well as going over some which he said. York’s community colleges at proposal to expand CUNY’s he had planned to pursue be- “Anything that has to do the behest of Brooklyn Bor- existing program would im- fore being reassigned from his with reforming how Albany ough President Eric Adams. prove student outcomes, ask- position as chairman of the works should go to the Ethics The IBO estimated the an- ing for modest increased state Senate Ethics Committee in Committee,” he said. “I mean, nual cost of free tuition for and city support to make the May. I tried to have the one and only CUNY’s current number of system’s community colleges One bill Avella introduced hearing ever. Unfortunately, I roughly 100,000 community tuition free. in May while on the Ethics wasn’t able to do that.” college students would range All CUNY community col- Committee requires regis- State Sen. Tony Avella announced Avella is a member of the from $138 million to $232 mil- leges would be affected by tration and disclosure for all proposals to reform ethics in Independent Democratic Con- lion, depending on whether such a change in tuition as- firms that work with both Albany. Photo by Madina Toure ference, a five-member fac- the implementation of such sistance, including LaGuar- elected officials and outside tion of breakaway Democrats. policies would be limited to dia Community College in clients. He was reassigned to serve as full-time programs of three Long Island City and Queens- Another bill, also initiated fice at 38-50 Bell Blvd., Avella chairman of the Children and years or less, or would extend borough Community College in May, mandates that politi- said he “made an attempt to Families Committee in June. to programs of unlimited du- in Bayside. cal consultants cannot lobby try and get them (bills) done He testified in the federal cor- ration for both full-time and Many CUNY community elected officials and that lob- for that short time that I was ruption trial of Senate Major- part-time students. colleges already participate byists cannot engage in politi- chair.” ity Leader Dean Skelos, who Adams made the request in the university system’s Ac- cal consulting. He tried to convene the com- was found guilty last month. after President Barack celerated Study in Associate Speaking at his district of- mittee’s first meeting since at Continued on Page 58 Obama mentioned CUNY’s Continued on Page 58 4 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM New council to help Airport workers rally boro Chinese seniors 25 arrested in fi ght for higher wages and union rights BY MADINA TOURE plexes, Nazi Victim Services programs, senior centers, BY BILL PARRY Selfhelp Community Ser- Naturally Occurring Retire- vices, a nonprofit that works ment Communities, case Several hundred low-wage to secure independent living management programs and a airport workers rallied with for seniors, has established legal guardianship program elected officials, religious and a Chinese Advisory Council in Manhattan, the Bronx, community leaders at LaGuar- to assist older Chinese immi- Brooklyn, Queens and Long dia Airport Monday demand- grants living in Queens. Island. ing a $15 minimum wage and The formation of the coun- More than 25,000 Euro- union rights. Coordinated cil, which has 10 founding pean Jewish refugees were actions took place at 10 other members from the Chinese- saved during the Holocaust airports across the country in American community, was because China allowed them other cities, including Boston, announced at a Jan. 13 news to settle in Shanghai, accord- Chicago and Philadelphia, conference at Selfhelp’s new- ing to Selfhelp. with all marking Martin Lu- est building at 137-39 45th Among the nonprofit’s cli- ther King Jr. Day. Ave. in downtown Flushing. ents are Holocaust survivors Speakers including City The council will advise and who lived in the Shanghai Councilmen Jimmy Van Bram- identify resources to address Ghetto as well as Chinese im- er (D-Sunnyside) and Donovan the crucial needs of Chinese migrants who lived in Shang- Richards (D-Laurelton), both elders. hai during World War II. sons of 32BJ SEUI members, The members are primar- About 25 percent of the who offered their support. ily from other places such 20,000 clients Selfhelp serves State Sen. Toby Ann as Manhattan and Long Is- are Asian, primarily Chi- Stavisky (D-Flushing) said, Hundreds of low-wage airport workers rally to demand a $15 minimum land, but some work or live nese, and the majority of “There’s a homeless shelter wage and union rights before 25 were arrested. Photo by Bill Parry in Flushing and represent a those are low-income seniors in my district where 48 per- variety of fields, including who emigrated from China. cent of the adults have full- increased base pay for state his support. physicians, business leaders, Out of the more than 5,000 time jobs but they can’t afford workers to $15 an hour by 2021. “He called on the Port Au- communications profession- Asian clients Selfhelp serves, rent or put food on their table. Yet for all the progress we’ve thority to get us to $10.10 per als and young generation 704 live in Selfhelp’s afford- We must raise the minimum made, we have not achieved hour and now he has to keep Chinese Americans. able apartment buildings and wage.” important wage increases for going,” Figueroa said. “Now “We will work to facilitate more than 4,200 Asian clients Gov. Andrew Cuomo airport worker, preventing we call on the Port Authority access to services, including attend one of Selfhelp’s state- agreed, penning an op-ed piece thousands of hardworking to just do it. We believe they housing, entitlements, home of-the-art senior centers. published Monday calling for people from taking home a fair have the legal right to do this care, classes and more for New York City has 350,200 higher pay for the nearly 8,000 and honest day’s pay.” by executive action. Other our Chinese elders who have Chinese residents, according airport workers at LaGuardia Before leading a march airports have done it in Phila- done so much for so many to a 2013 Department of City and Kennedy Airport. across the 94th Street Bridge, delphia, Miami and San Fran- over their lifetimes,” Tai Planning report. “In 2015, New York led the where he was arrested with cisco and now it is time to do it Wang, the council’s chair- The Chinese population fight for fair pay,” Cuomo 24 others by Port Authority here in New York City.” woman, said. could become the city’s larg- wrote. “We raised the hourly Police in front of Terminal B, The Port Authority of New Selfhelp also announced a est immigrant group in the wage for thousands of fast-food 32BJ SEUI President Hector Jersey and New York had no Chinese platform for its Vir- next few years. It is currently workers to $15 per hour and Figueroa thanked Cuomo for comment. tual Senior Center and the in second place behind Do- formation of YoungGen, an minican immigrants, the re- intergenerational program port said. that helps the younger Chi- CEO Stuart Kaplan said nese generation learn about Selfhelp has been in Flush- their elders and culture and ing since the 1960s, noting Terrorist registry bill fl oated give back to the community. that it serves the Asian popu- Founded in 1936 to help lations in Flushing, Bayside BY SADEF ALI KULLY agencies and other partners émigrés fleeing from Nazi and Queens in general. in the fight against terrorism persecution, Selfhelp has “The purpose of the coun- In the wake of the terrorist with the tools they need to affordable residential com- Continued on Page 58 attacks in San Bernadino, Ca- keep us safe,” said Addabbo, lif., and Paris last year, state who serves as the ranking Sen. Joseph Addabbo (D-How- Democratic member of the ard Beach) has co-sponsored committee. the New York State Terrorist Over the past year, in Registry Act as part of a bipar- Queens alone, there have been tisan effort to combat terror- four suspects, including a ju- ism across the state. venile, arrested and charged The state Senate Commit- with plotting terrorist attacks tee on Veterans, Homeland as well as one suspect who al- Security and Military Affairs legedly made several attempts approved a package of seven A Queens lawmaker has proposed to join ISIS before federal in- proposals, including the New state legislation aimed at crack- vestigators caught up with York state Terrorist Registry ing down on terrorism recruitment him, according to state and Act, designed to improve and and establishing a state Terrorist federal authorities. coincide with current anti-ter- Registry. The seven proposals that rorism security measures. won Addabbo’s support are “The recent and horren- ping some hateful events be- aimed at cracking down on ter- Selfhelp Community Services, a non-profit, announced the creation of dous attacks in Paris and San fore they have had a chance to rorism recruitment; address- the Chinese Advisory Council to assist Chinese elderly individuals in Bernardino, combined with happen, points to the need to ing cyber security threats; Queens. Photo by Jerry Lo our fortunate success in stop- provide our law enforcement Contnued on Page 58 TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 5 Swimming is critical life skill: Boys Club BY TOM MOMBERG
There are over 1,800 public schools serving about 1.1 million students in the city, and only a handful of them have swimming pools—meaning most city kids do not get water safety educa- tion. Because water will play a part in most people’s lives at some point in time, the lack of education is what is so alarming to Orlando Nazario, the aquatics director for the Boys Club of New York’s Abbe Clubhouse in Flush- ing. “The water safety factor is the big- Boys Club members are required to take gest thing,” Nazario said. “Predomi- swim classes at the Abbe Club House in nantly kids of color and kids from the Flushing unless their parents opt them out— inner city have a higher drowning rate sport which many kids do not have access to as opposed to those kids who do not. in the city. Courtesy of Boys Club of NY They just aren’t around the water as REGISTRATION often – they don’t get those life lessons early.” that, which most parents wanted their The League The rate at which black children boys to attend because of that.” Starting January 3rd ages five to 19 years old drown in swim- The Learn to Swim program also that feels ming pools is 5.5 times higher than it encourages boys to advance. The Boys all children Every Saturday 12pm–1pm is for white children, while Hispanic Club offers junior lifeguarding cours- Every Monday evening 7pm–8pm children drown about 50 percent more es, free Red Cross lifeguard training, should be playing (Through January 26th) often than white children, according coaches a nationally competitive swim and having fun to the federal Centers for Disease Con- team and give teens and young adults trol. opportunities for leadership and em- Baseball for boys and girls We accept Checks, Money Orders The Boys Club, which was created ployment in and around the pool. for ages 4–17 and Credit Cards. by philanthropist E. H. Harriman in Ameer Walker, 15, a sophomore at Girls softball available the late 19th century as a way to get the Eagle Academy in Jamaica, has for ages 10 and up kids off the streets and into a produc- been a Boys Club member for close tive learning environment, now has to five years. When he arrived at the VISIT THE WEBSITE: almost 3,500 members at its three club- Abbe Clubhouse, he knew the basics The Club House houses — each of which is equipped of swimming, but this year he will be 25-32 168th Street BaysideLittleLeague.com with a swimming pool. competing on the swim team in Wash- Lower Level The Abbe Clubhouse, 133-01 41st ington, D.C. as team captain and is tak- FOR THE APPLICATION AND INFO Road, taught 662 boys in its Red Cross- ing courses to become a lifeguard. certified Learn to Swim program in “I tried playing football and base- 2015. Starting this year, the Boys Club ball and I like sports, but I wanted is making the swim classes mandatory something different — I developed a for all members — unless their par- passion for swimming,” Walker said. ents wish to opt them out — in hopes of “Now people in school come up to me making a significant impact on water and ask me to teach them to swim, safety and the alarming drowning sta- which feels great. I really like to help tistics facing ethnic minorities. people out a lot.” “People take their kids to Great Ad- Although there is a waiting list ventures and other water parks, beach- for membership, families can regis- es and pools in the summertime, and ter boys ages 6 or older for $5 for a full you would be alarmed at the number of school year term, or $25 for a summer kids who don’t want to get in the water term. Everything from private tutor- but their parents force them,” Nazario ing, arts, swimming and reading help said. is included. Nazario has been involved with Nazario said the cost benefit is a the Boys Club for about 30 years, from “no-brainer.” being a member to an employee. He To learn more or to register at Man- said he is in debt to the club and loves hattan or Queens clubhouses, visit to give back by helping young people http://www.bcny.org/. learn, grow and find an interest in There are other options for swim swimming. He said he sees a piece of classes in Queens, including those himself in each of them. offered by the YMCA at locations “I am from the inner city and lived throughout the borough, the Commu- in low-income housing,” Nazario said. nity House, Take Me to the Water Swim “There weren’t many options for me School or the Astoria Sports Complex. as a young man except maybe hang- ing out in the street with my friends, Reach reporter Tom Momberg by e- maybe getting up to no good. The Boys mail at [email protected] or by Club was a sanctuary for me away from phone at (718) 260–4573. 6 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM Lancman plays table tennis with MS 216 kids Pol wins friendly match against student participant in George Ryan Middle School cafeteria
BY MADINA TOURE The councilman took an interest in the team after he City Councilman Rory attended the student govern- Lancman (D-Hillcrest) kicked ment inauguration, he said. off the middle-school table ten- “He liked the idea and the nis season with a friendly ping- kids got very excited about pong match against a member him coming to play, too,” Vi- of the defending champion- goda said. ship team from MS 216 George Ben Nisbet, director of the Ryan Middle School in Fresh American Youth Table Tennis Meadows. Association, said the students The MS 216 team started receive expert instruction and practicing for what could be- learn to appreciate the game come their third title in four quickly. years. Lancman, also an ar- “Table tennis is an official dent table tennis player, pre- varsity high school sport, so sented certificates to all the school students at Ryan who students for their commitment have a positive experience and dedication. with table tennis will now have He played against eighth- the opportunity to participate grader Joshua Capulong, 13, City Councilman Rory Lancman and eighth grader Joshua Capulong, 13, a first-year player, compete against at the high school level, college a first-year player, in a match each other in a table tennis match. Photo by Madina Toure and beyond,” Nisbet said. in the cafeteria of the school at Eighth-grader Daniel Yos- 64-20 175th St. The lawmaker like a tennis player. I don’t play ing and holding the paddle, dents and the team’s coach, opov, 14, a third-year player, won the match. it like a ping-pong player.” noting that it was similar to said the program has not only said the sport was challenging Lancman said table tennis Joshua said he enjoyed the manner in which tennis brought pride to the school but for him when he first joined is a good way for kids to learn playing against Lancman, al- players hold their rackets. has also given students the the team but he has since built teamwork and coordination. though he said he would have “It was very fun and he sense that there are opportu- up a variety of skills. “I used to be a tennis player liked to win the match. plays very tennis-like,” he nities to play a sport outside of “I feel like it’s a really good when I was a kid, a teenager,” He was intrigued by the said. basketball, soccer, baseball or opportunity,” Yosopov said. he said. “I played pingpong way the councilman was play- Paul Vigoda, dean of stu- football. Enter for your chance to win Join Us for Our 70th Anniversary Celebration
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*Sweepstakes date is Saturday, January 30, 2016. You do not need to be a customer of the Bank to enter and win. No purchase or bank transaction is necessary and it will not improve your chances of winning. One entry per person. The odds of winning the Grand Prize (40” LCD TV with an approximate retail value of $454.98) or the First Prize (Vera Bradley Large Duffel with an approximate retail value of $71.25) depend on the number of eligible entries received at the Little Neck 70th Anniversary Celebration taking place from Monday, January 25, 2016 through Saturday, January 30, 2016. Two prize winners will be selected by random Sweepstakes drawing on January 30, 2016 shortly after 2:00pm from all eligible entries submitted. The first random drawing will win the Grand Prize noted above. The second random drawing will win the First Prize noted above. You must be at least 18 years or older and a resident of the State of New York to enter. Entry Forms and Official Rules are available Monday, January 25, 2016 to Saturday, January 30, 2016 during normal business hours at the Little Neck branch of Queens County Savings Bank, a division of New York Community Bank, located at 251-31 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY 11362. For all terms and conditions of the Little Neck 70th Anniversary Celebration, please visit http://www.myNYCB.com/promotion/littleneck.pdf or stop by the Little Neck branch of Queens County Savings, a division of New York Community Bank, located at 251-31 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY 11362. All rights reserved. Vera Bradley is not a participant in or a sponsor of this promotion. © 2016 New York Community Bank - Member FDIC
TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 7 “Serving the Community Since 1974”
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8 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM Dr. King remembered Cleanup of Pomonok at multi-faith service Electeds help volunteers clean up grounds on MLK Day
BY GABRIEL ROM Dr. King dedicated his life to combating. BY MADINA TOURE Jews, Christians and Mus- In between speakers, The lims marked the birthday of York College Gospel Choir, Elected officials joined vol- the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther sang spiritual songs joined unteers from Pomonok Houses King Jr. together at the Flush- by the entire congregation. and Queens College in Flush- ing Free Synagogue Sunday. Coach Ron Naclerio, a ing to clean up the grounds Imam Yusuf Ramadan of Queens legend who has led around the Pomonok Commu- Masjid Nurriddin, in Corona Cardozo High School’s bas- nity Center on Martin Luther was one of the event’s guests ketball program to 16 city King, Jr. Day. of honor. championships, spoke to the State Sen. Toby Stavisky “Shalom Aleichem, Sa- congregation about his fa- (D-Flushing), City Council- laam Alecheim,” he offered ther, who saved King’s life by man Rory Lancman (D-Hill- as a greeting, setting an in- operating on him after an as- crest) and state Assembly- terfaith tone that would car- sassination attempt in 1958. man Michael Simanowitz ry throughout the event. The two became friends and (D-Flushing) helped rake up Ramadan, who was invit- Naclerio spoke of his father, leaves at the housing com- ed by Rabbi Michael Weisser, ghost-faced and silent, the plex’s Pomonok Community said their friendship is con- day King was assassinated. Center Monday morning. The nected by their shared belief “I never will forget that city Department of Sanitation that “most people are good — look,” he said. provided rakes, not bad.” A somber Weis- tools and trash bags “We come together on ser, who drew on to the volunteers. the basis of what we have in his past as a rabbi HONORING The MLK Day of common —and we work from for a synagogue in Service, a national there,” he said. “There is no Nebraska, closed DR. KING event, honors the Elected officials and volunteers from Queens College and the Pomonok progress until we can see the ceremony. legacy of King. Si- Residents Association cleaned up the grounds of the Pomonok Houses each other and know each “I remember manowitz stressed on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service. Photo by Madina Toure other as sons and daughters fire hoses knocking people the importance of getting of Abraham.” to the ground, I remember people involved in their com- Corbett echoed similar sen- John F. Kennedy airports in Ramadan told the congre- the phrase ‘segregation now, munities. timents. East Elmhurst, said the clean- gation that his first daughter segregation tomorrow, segre- “I want to commend Moni- “The Pomonok MLK Com- up symbolized Dr. King’s mes- has the name Moussa, Arabic gation forever.’” ca and the Queens College stu- munity Clean-Up is an early sage and philosophy. for Moses. Weisser harkened back dents, the Pomonok Residents start for residents and our “I can’t think of a better Shouts of “Inshallah!” to the civil rights coalition Association for really demon- community neighbors to help way to honor Martin Luther and “Mazal Tov!” filled the between Jews and African- strating in the best possible and assist in the beautifica- King’s memory and his legacy sanctuary. Americans. way what Dr. King’s legacy tion of our grounds,” she said. than participating in a com- Ramadan contrasted “I remember the spirit of meant for our community here “This is just the beginning.” munity affair,” she said. King’s message of peace with hope in the land, even with in Queens,” he said, referring Stavisky, who came to the Lancman said MLK Day is the incendiary rhetoric of the deaths of our heros,” he to Monica Corbett, president cleanup before heading off unique in that it is celebrated Donald Trump, Ted Cruz said.“I had a dream, but that of the Pomonok Residents As- to the labor rally by airport in a variety of ways, citing and the nation’s polarized dream has not happened.” sociation. workers from LaGuardia and Continued on Page 41 political discourse. He tried Weisser spoke of the deg- to remind people that King, radation of American politics a critic of capitalism and ma- and connected the struggles terialism, had a more radical of the 1960s to the Black Lives legacy than just his “I Have a Matter movement. Dream” speech. “I’m feeling like the “King shook things up. He American experience has was more revolutionary than taken a giant step back,” he we might think,” he said. said. “And I hope to live to see Ramadan focused on what the day when what we have he said were the three evils had here is not out of the or- of racism, militarism and dinary —but ordinary.” poverty — ills that he said
Three days before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, dozens of residents gathered to hear 14 poets from the borough to celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights activist on his birthday at the Bethany Baptist Church in downtown Jamaica. Archie Spigner, a longtime activist and politician in southeast Queens, Flushing Free Synagogue President Edward Schauder (l.), Cardozo spoke about the legacy of King, the Baptist minister, activist and leader best known for using nonviolent Men's Basketball Coach Ron Naclerio (c.) and Rabbi Michael Weisser civil disobedience during the civil rights movement. Photo by Nat Valentine (r.) attend a service at the Flushing Free Synagogue. TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 9 POLICE Blotter Cops use copter to nab traffic scofflaws: PD
BAYSIDE — The driver of a white se- dan led cops on a chase Sunday morn- ing when he fled after a patrolman at- tempted to pull him over for a seatbelt violation, the NYPD said. When you’re ready Once the driver headed north- bound on 216th Street in Bayside just to feel better, south of the Long Island Rail Road, an NYPD helicopter and a number of we’re right around patrol cars were dispatched to help of- ficers of the 111th Precinct locate the The NYPD said it dispatched a helicopter in car, cops said. pursuit of three men who ran from the po- the corner. As soon as police had the car cor- lice after resisting being pulled over and Gastroenterology and Advanced Endoscopy from nered, the driver crashed into a mound crashing a car in Bayside. Palmadessa & Brodsky of gravel and three men jumped out and attempted to run, according to the on foot, police said. police. The Simpson brothers were both Call us at (718) 461-0163 Two men were apprehended — An- arrested and charged with obstruction drew Simpson, 26, and his brother, An- of justice, but police said they did not or visit QueensGastroDoc.com thony Simpson, 28, were put in police have a third suspect identified as of custody — but the third man got away Tuesday.
Thief steals cash and car keys in Glendale: cops
241-02 Northern Blvd #1, Douglaston, NY 11362 GLENDALE —A man walked into a car dealership and strolled out with stolen cash and two sets of car keys, police said. The suspect entered JS Motors dealership on Cypress Avenue and 79th Avenue around noon on New Year’s Eve. He then pulled a black and silver handgun and proceeded to take an em- ployee’s wallet containing $100 and the keys, police said. C.O.D. Police released this image of a man The suspect fled on foot and is still suspected in a New Year’s Eve rob- at large police said. He was last seen bery at a Glendale car dealership. dressed in a red hoodie, black baseball Photo courtesy of the NYPD cap and sunglasses.
(718) 354-3834 Police seek suspects in Ozone Park deli
OZONE PARK—Police were looking in cash and a one carton of Newport # #" !&$"# ! for two suspects in connection with a cigarettes. &( $ ( $! # $"# deli grocery robbery last week, accord- Anyone with information in re- ing to police officials. Around 11:30 gards to this incident is asked to call !!!% # ) p.m., two men entered the MO Deli at Crime stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). # ) ! 85-02 Pitkin Ave., one who acted a the The public can submit their tips on lookout and another guy who showed a the Crime stoppers website at WWW. ! ( $!'# !! firearm while demanding cash, police NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or by said. texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) Police said the suspects took $1,400 then enter TIP577. All calls are strictly PAY C.O.D. PRICES & SAVE!!*
*À«ÌÊ iÛiÀÞÊUÊ >ÃÞÊ"iÊ"À`iÀ} Homeless man discovered dead in Jamaica iÌiÀi`Ê iÛiÀÞÊUÊ*ÀiÕÊi>Ì}Ê" JAMAICA—A 60-year-old homeless the man unconscious and unrespon- man was found dead inside Major Mark sive, police said. Park in Jamaica over the weekend. EMS responded and pronounced the www.CODOIL.com At about 7:21 a.m. Saturday, police man dead at the scene, officials said. responded to a 911 call of an uncon- The medical examiner’s office will *Cannot combine with any other offers. scious male on 175th Street and War- determine the cause of death and the Lic. #74-1810078 wick Crescent, according to the police. investigation was ongoing, a police Upon arrival, officers discovered spokesman said. 10 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM Grand Opening Celebration in Whitestone! Open a 1-Year Personal Platinum Savings Account Today! Receive a FREE Gift and a SPECIAL Rate!* 1.25% 1-Year Promo APY*
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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 11 EDITORIALS QUEENS VALUES
GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz’s intended zinger at rival Donald Trump as the embodiment of New York values puzzled many residents of the bor- ough, where The Donald was born and bred before moving across the river to Gotham. The Texas senator defined New York values as be- ing “socially liberal, pro-abortion, pro-gay marriage and (focused) on money and the media.” Queens has evolved into a more culturally diverse place since the “All in the Family” sitcom introduced Archie Bunker, the lovable conservative bigot to TV audiences in 1979 from a fictional address in Astoria. Archie might have agreed with Cruz at first, but the moral of the series was for the blue collar worker to face the truth behind his prejudices. Today 48 percent of Queens residents are foreign- born. These new New Yorkers speak 135 languages and come from 120 countries, making it next to im- possible to definite “socially liberal” in the borough. But not to Cruz’s surprise, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans 5-1 in Queens, which has only one GOP lawmaker on the books. Still it’s a big- ger Republican margin than in any other borough except Staten Island. As for abortion, all the borough’s elected officials support free choice whatever their personal views. Back in 1999 the St. Pat’s Parade for All kicked off in Sunnyside as an inclusive alternative to the March 17 extravaganza down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan which has banned gay groups from marching under its banners. Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg, with OTHER VOICES both a Dem and GOP pedigree, marched in the pa- rade, as has Bill de Blasio, in what has become a huge family event attracting thousands of onlookers. On the money and media front, we concede that A powerful advocate for animal rights territory to Trump’s Manhattan. We’re a middle-class borough filled with resilient newcomers whose man- tra is hard work to achieve the American dream. Congresswoman Grace Meng’s practices by testing product safe- I would like to thank Con- But even the head of Goldman Sachs, the invest- continued strong leadership is ty on innocent animals rather gresswoman Meng for her sup- ment banking empire where Cruz’s wife worked and evident through her support of ef- than seeking cheaper and faster port on this bill, as well as for the wangled a loan for $500,000 for his Senate campaign, forts to improve animal welfare. available alternatives that are Prevent Animal Cruelty and Tor- has a connection to Queens from its Lower Manhat- The Humane Cosmetics Act is cruelty-free. ture Act. The PACT Act would tan lair. Under Goldman CEO Lloyd Blankfein, who one of the Humane Society of the The United States is repre- make it a federal crime to com- grew up poor in East New York, the bank gave La- United States’ leading legislative sented as a progressive country, mit cruelty to animals in areas Guardia Community College in Long Island City $2 bills for 2016 and its future suc- yet 30 other countries—such as that the federal government can million—the biggest gift in its history—as part of a cess is dependent on co-sponsors Norway, Israel, India and the make any legal decisions. She long-term relationship. such as Congresswoman Meng. entire European Union—have deserves every bit of gratitude He told graduates at the June 2013 commencement This priority federal bill, if already phased out cruel animal from our community for her ad- that he understood their sacrifices. passed, would prohibit animal testing for cosmetics. It is time mirable efforts. “You built up muscles that others who’ve had an testing for all cosmetic products that we step up to the plate by sup- easier time don’t have. Those muscles will serve you that are manufactured or sold in porting humane initiatives and Christina Gdisis for the rest of your life.” the United States. Countless cos- collectively making conscious Middle Village These are Queens values. metic companies use outdated consumer decisions.
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12 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM READERS WRITE Convenient bus service comes at a cost
Let us all celebrate the tinue providing local bus ser- natural gas fueling stations, of daily riders. It is easy over average cost of riding a bus fourth anniversary of NICE vice. This resulted in creation facility modifications to ac- time to add service, providing in Nassau County has gone bus, which occurred Jan. 1. of the Metropolitan Suburban commodate CNG buses inside the financial support is avail- up at a lower rate than either Thousands of Queens resi- Bus Authority. Years later, the garages, new fare-collection able. the consumer price index or dents travel via Nassau Inter MSBA was followed by Long equipment, automatic vehicle- The riding public has a dif- inflation. The Metro Card in- County Express Bus to jobs, Island Bus and on Jan. 1, 2012, locator equipment, real-time ficult time understanding why troduced in 1996 affords a free schools and other destina- Nassau Inter County Express. communications systems to their route is subject to a re- transfer between NICE bus tions in Nassau County. In It is a four-way dance be- notify riders for anticipated duction in frequency or elimi- and the NYC Transit bus or addition, thousands of Nassau tween fares paid by riders arrival of the next bus, shel- nation of all service because it subway. Many employers offer County residents ride NICE (know as farebox revenues) ters, bus stop signs and other has become a financial drain transit checks, which pay even bus to jobs, schools and other along with funding provided support equipment necessary on the transit system. The more of the costs. destinations in Queens. Many by Nassau County, New York to run the system. Just like costs of labor for drivers, In the end, it all comes transfer to the subway at the State and the Federal govern- a homeowner, what is new to- along with fueling, washing, down to the availability of Flushing, Jamaica or Far ment to finance public bus day requires constant main- cleaning and maintenance of increased funding for addi- Rockaway stations. transportation operated by tenance, periodic upgrades equipment are major factors tional transportation service The viability of NICE ben- NICE. They operate a fleet of and eventual replacement. In in determining the price of to serve residents. Operat- efits everyone. To understand 308 buses out of the Rockville addition, significant changes service. You also have to add ing subsidies are required to the origins of how we got here, Center and Mitchell Field bus in technology may require the depreciation over time for the increase the level of service you must go back to the early garages. NICE also operates a replacement of outdated equip- life of the bus. The average and reduce the amount of time 1970s. Prior to NICE, bus ser- fleet of almost 122 Able Ride ment. cost of providing service on one waits for a bus on existing vice in Nassau County was op- paratransit vehicles. Farebox recovery rate anal- any bus route is $100 or more routes. The same goes for add- erated under the Long Island NICE attempts to schedule ysis is critical in determining per hour. ing more off-peak, evening and Bus and Metropolitan bus replacements on a 500,000- the frequency and continua- It has been 42 years since weekend service, as well as for Suburban Bus Authority. mile or 12-year cycle, which- tion of service on a route-by- Nassau County took control of those routes currently under In 1973, Nassau County pur- ever comes first. Bbuses oper- route basis. all bus routes from private op- discussion for elimination chased equipment, routes and ated by NICE under contract A rate of 50 percent is a erators. Over that time period, when there are insufficient some facilities from numerous to Nassau County are now on good transit industry stan- Nassau County, New York state revenues to maintain existing private bus operators, most of their fourth replacement cy- dard. There are bound to be and the federal governments service. whom were experiencing seri- cle, with most buses operated routes with a handful of rid- have invested over $700 mil- TANSTAFL—There ain’t ous financial difficulties. Nas- by NICE under 12 years old. ers and a very low farebox lion in capital improvements. no such thing as a free lunch, sau County followed up that This was not the case decades recovery rate. In these cases, Operating subsidy dollars eas- or in this case bus ride. same year by entering into a earlier. difficult decisions have to be ily top over $1.5 billion. lease and operating agreement Over time, there have made by management for pres- NICE services continue Larry Penner with the Metropolitan Trans- been other capital invest- ervation of the overall system to be one of the best bargains Great Neck portation Authority to con- ments, including compressed benefiting the other 98 percent around. Since the 1950s, the Playing politics with Flushing Meadows Corona Park
The TimesLedger edito- of structures alien to an ur- ing at all in the statutes that she is talking out of both sides such work as our descen- rial in its January 14-21, 2016 ban park, which would never states this park is to be treated of her mouth. Anyone who sup- dants will thank us for, edition (“Parks, Not Profits), be permitted in Central, differently from that of other ports a 1.4-million-square-foot and let us think…. that a defending the integrity of of Prospect or Bronx parks, nor municipal parks. The claim shopping mall on park prop- time is to come when…. Flushing Meadows Corona should they be. Parks are the that it is different was political erty is no friend of parks. men (and women) will Park as well as all urban lifeblood of an urban society nonsense claimed by Manes, Frederick Law Olmstead, say parks in our municipal park and must never be treated as who wanted the park to be- who created Central and Pros- ‘See, this our fathers did for system, is right on the mark real estate to be sold or bar- come another Meadowlands, pect parks in this city and us.’” and should be applauded by all tered to the highest bidder. It and the little people who need important parks elsewhere, who cherish parkland. is tax dollars that should be and use the park be damned. wrote a letter to the City of Descendants will not say As to FMCP, at the hands of used to maintain public parks When City Councilwoman Boston concerning Franklin thanks to Ferreras-Copeland myopic city officials—elected, and while philanthropic con- Julissa Ferreras-Copeland re- Park in that city, which was or to any of the City Council appointed or otherwise—and tributions are welcome, they mains disappointed over the one of his creations. In that let- fools who are totally ignorant beginning with the discred- should never be on a quid quo rejection of music festivals in ter he quoted John Ruskin: about the necessity and pres- ited former Queens Borough pro basis. the park and claims she will ervation of urban parks. President Donald Manes (now FMCP is a legitimate mem- continue to work towards im- “Let it not be for the present departed), it has become the ber of our city’s municipal proving parks for everyday delight, nor for the Benjamin M. Haber dumping ground for all sorts park system and there is noth- visitors and district residents, present use alone; let it be Flushing
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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 13 COLUMNS To pick the coffee, you need a scorecard
Cappuccino: “A shot of polar opposite drinks look amused itself by training us Lenore espresso topped with a deep about as unsimilar as those to say “tall,” when we mean Skenazy layer of foamed milk” “Spot the difference!” puzzles “small”—tall being the littlest Some marketing And, but of course: Caffe you do while waiting for a cup of coffee you can get with- ■ Latte—“A shot of espresso in Greyhound Bus. out whittling yourself a mug exec earned Rhymes steamed milk lightly topped Which perhaps explains on the spot. And some market- with foam.” why the ad is driving me to ing exec earned her wings by her wings by with Crazy Got that? Okay, quick: drink something stronger convincing us that grande and convincing us that Which drink dumps a shot of than a latte macchiato. (Or venti are the two most sophisti- espresso into a cup of foamed was it a caffe latte?) What I cated words in the world, even grande and venti lease pay attention. barium? mean is: I’m drinking grain though these really mean, “I There will be a quiz. Ah, just yankin’ your alcohol mixed with Yoo-hoo. am a grand baboon,” and “Ex- are the two most Starbucks recently chain. That’s at Dunkin’ Do- You see, here’s a company that cuse me. My vent is open.” sophisticated Ptook out a two-page, nuts. As for the Starbucks already asks us to fork over all Other Starbucks words fold-out, super-slick ad in the chart, I didn’t even give you our cash previously reserved that you might not realize words in the world. New Yorker to educate us be- all the concoctions on the list for necessities like medicine have direct English transla- nighted, Folgers-swilling to prevent your head from ex- and HBO just to drink some tions are: plebes on “The Art of Espresso ploding like an overheated scorched caffeine in a pseudo- Caffee Espresso Frappu- lation: Tea with sugar. Duh. and Milk .” doppio ristretto machine. chatty place where everyone cino. Translation: Milkshake And someone who isn’t you Using a chart only slightly (Didn’t Ristretto start out by is actually on their phone, Vanilla Frappucino. Trans- got paid (and healthcare, too!) less complex than the Periodic making a boy out of wood? Or staring at their laptops, and lation: Vanilla Milkshake to shake it. Table of the Elements (for in- am I confused?) hogging the seat across from Caramel Flan Frappucino. Caffe Americano, by the stance, it did not list Barium Anyway, after all this, the them. Translation: Gloppy Milk- way, simply means coffee. or Neptunium), it showed a ad explained as if to a dim bulb: And now, for us not to shake Like the stuff you get at the sort of timeline of coffee con- “Latte Macchiato: Foamed sound like idiots there—“I’d Caramel Ribbon Crunch donut cart, for $1, without coctions, starting with: milk marked with espresso like a coffee regular, please”— Frappucino. Translation: having to learn a new lan- Doppio: “Two shots of makes it intensely bold.” Okay. we have to study gradations Crunchy Milkshake guage, or inquire as to how espresso. Straight.” While, “Flat White,” which between coffee drinks more Double Chocolaty Chip artisinally the cart guy plans Latte Macchiato: “Foamed is—as you’ll immediately re- subtle than the ones between Frappucino. Translation: to dissolve your sugar. whole milk marked with shots call—sweet ristretto espresso fl atworms and tapeworms. Shameless Milkshake And with the extra $4 you of espresso.” fi nished with blah blah blah is (Do not go look these up! Or Hazelnut Frappucino. save, you can buy several hand Flat White: “Sweet ris- “rich & velvety.” at least, do not click on “im- Translation: Milkshake for twisted, cane-sugar dipped in- tretto espresso shots fi nished Never mind that the pic- ages.”) High-Income Squirrels zuppare ciambellas. with whole steamed milk.” tures of these two ostensibly Starbucks has already Shaken Sweet Tea. Trans- You know, glazed donuts. The presidential campaign shifts into high gear
Theodore Roosevelt, who had beaten Woodrow Wilson by a cal philosophy that guides our 2000. That could be because William served from 1901 to 1908, was significant margin, but with nation. the issues for the most part opposed to Taft’s policies and the Republican vote being As we look at what all the stand out. There are stronger Lewis challenged him for the Re- split between two candidates, candidates are saying, we see views held by many voters n publican nomination in 1912. Wilson was able to win with a a wide difference between the this year than in the recent Woodrow Wilson was the plurality of the vote. Roosevelt candidates of the two major past. Democratic candidate that came in second and the incum- parties. There is also a wide There are some indications year. bent president came in third. difference on issues among that former New York City Roosevelt campaigned hard That split in the Republican the various Republican presi- Mayor Michael Bloomberg may s the Republican presi- as he always did. At that time Party led to a Democratic vic- dential candidates. be considering an independent dential primaries move there were not as many state tory in 1912. Wilson would go In the Republican Party presidential bid this year if the into high gear there primaries as there are now. on to serve two terms in office there are significant differ- Republican and Democratic Ahave been rumors that Although Roosevelt did well after winning a narrow vic- ences. It is going to be hard candidates for president turn some establishment Republi- in the primaries, the Repub- tory in 1916. to unite once the Republican out to be Donald Trump and cans may be considering run- lican national establishment It would seem that if the Re- presidential candidate has Hillary Clinton. ning their own candidate for maintained control of enough publican presidential vote is been chosen. That is especial- I would hope that will not president if Donald Trump delegates at the convention to split between two candidates, ly true if there is discord at the be the case. Let the two major gets the official Republican give the nomination to Wil- it increases the Democratic Republican national conven- parties with their candidates Party nomination. liam Howard Taft. When that chances of success in this tion. battle it out. Once the election Since the Republican Par- happened, Roosevelt and his year’s fall presidential general In the Democratic race for is over, let our country unite ty was first founded in 1854, supporters left the convention election. president, Bernie Sanders as we move forward in the 21st there has been only one situa- and held a convention of their When the election takes is proving to be a stronger century. tion like that, which occurred own and promptly nominated place it will have been one of candidate than originally In addition to the presiden- in 1912. In that year, William Roosevelt under the name of the hardest fought campaigns thought. Hillary Clinton is in tial race, there will be many Howard Taft was the incum- Bull Moose or Progressive in American history. What a tough race against Sanders. races for state and federal bent Republican president. Af- Party. will take place is an election There seems to be a lot more elective office. How well their ter being first elected in 1908, Had there been just one Re- not only between two or three interest in the presidential presidential candidates do he was running for a second publican candidate that year, candidates, but an election race this year than there was will strongly influence local term as president. However, they probably would have that will determine the politi- in previous campaigns since and state elections. 14 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM COLUMNS Publicity is fueling Trump’s push for offi ce
and other demagogues like and aired a one-hour documen- up in 2017 with such a hang- main GOP rival and a modern- Kfd Ted Cruz—the attention they tary with warmed-over stories over that they swear never to day Joe McCarthy, would say: 8ccfe need to advance. about the most covered man in go near the cable dial again. We want people to have as In fact, I believe that former media history. You can channel surf all many guns as they want and N CNN anchor Campbell Brown That’ll show him. you want on the Sunday morn- we want the government to Mayoral had a good idea recently when I’m just waiting for some ing talk shows, but I guaran- leave us alone. Except when Spin Cycle she implored her former col- cynical cable television mogul tee you won’t have a Trump- it comes to abortion. Or gay leagues to ignore Trump for at to introduce a 24-hour Trump free five-minute reprieve. He’s marriage. On those, we want least one week. I am certain if television network. Kind of catnip for the feline broadcast- the government to invade your ook up the definition of that happened, the air would like what’s happened to VH1 ers who need him. They are doctor’s office or your bed- codependent in the dic- start leaking out of his cam- with the Kardashians. preying on a mousy public room. tionary and it indicates paign balloon. But, of course, In every dark cloud, that keeps on thinking: Will I recently heard a great Lan unhealthy relation- that seems incredibly unlikely, though, there is a potential Trump crash and burn this Cruz put-down by one of his ship between two people that is so we need to understand the silver lining. As Mark Twain time or will he continue to former colleagues: “Why is dysfunctional, leads to abusive problem and how it is wreck- once said of himself, “Reports glide along like a large float in Cruz so immediately disliked behavior, and is just plain-old ing our country. of my death have been greatly the Thanksgiving Parade that by those who meet him? It bad for both parties. Sure, there are some pun- exaggerated.” And so, too, the makes him appear larger than saves time.” I can’t think of a bet- dits on MSNBC or writing for death of media—one of those life? Well, against Cruz at least, ter word to describe Donald the Daily Beast or the edito- self-destructive solipsistic I’ve been trying to puzzle time is on Donald Trump’s Trump’s budding romance rial pages of the New York memes we have heard for over this phenomenon re- side. I think. with the media. They really Times who detest The Donald more than a decade—has been cently and I think I’ve par- As is the media, it seems. need each other, they make and all he stands for. But they greatly exaggerated because it tially figured it out. Politics To those who make their each other act more boorishly still write about and broad- has found a savior. and policy is generally very living covering the news: don’t and no matter how much they cast him 24-7. This unhealthy For now. predictable stuff. The Dems fall for this circus trick. You profess to try, they just can’t relationship is having a per- But like many false mes- want more government, more may get a sugar high now, but quit each other. nicious effect on our political siahs, the short-term ratings programs to help the needy, the ultimate crash and burn I also realize that just by discourse. gains made by the media in more help for the middle class, will do long-lasting damage. writing this column I am fall- Chris Matthews, the MSN- 2016 will come at far too great more equal rights for women, ing into the same trap as the BC talk show host, loudly ad- a cost: a degeneration into the gays, transgenders and all un- Tom Allon, the president of rest of the media. But I believe monishes Trump on his show crass, boorish and sensation- derdog subgroups of our popu- City & State, NY, was a candi- that by looking at this honestly and puts down his supporters. alistic. Readers and viewers— lation. date for Mayor in 2013. He can and exploring its destructive He is so outraged! In fact, he is many of whom have already The Republicans, well, they be reached at tallon@cityand- nature, we can come up with so mad that one night recently fled tabloid newspapers and want the opposite of all the stateny.com. ways to stop giving Trump— he pre-empted his own show broadcast media—may wake above. As Ted Cruz, Trump’s How a Maspeth boy became ‘The Last Don’
By the late 1960s, the fu- The Last Don’s ambition was operation, and by 2000, with ture Don was running a truck Dominick “Sonny Black” Na- many other Mafia leaders in hijacking crew as an associ- politano, who allowed under- prison, Massino was consid- ate of the Bonanno family. He cover FBI agent Joe Pistone to ered the most powerful don fenced his stolen goods and infiltrate his crew under the in the nation. His time at the n ran numbers from a lunch name Donnie Brasco. Upon top would prove short lived. In The Greater Astoria Historical Society wagon which he used as a hearing about the unprece- 2004, The Last Don was indict- front for his illicit business. dented breach of mob security, ed for murder and racketeer- In conjunction with the torious five Mafia families to In 1975, Massino participated Massino said of the disgraced ing based on the testimony of Greater Astoria Historical So- turn state’s evidence and co- in a mob murder with brother- capo: “I have to give him a other made mobsters, includ- ciety, the TimesLedger Newspa- operate with the government in-law Salvatore and future receipt for the Donnie Brasco ing underboss and brother- pers presents noteworthy events in prosecuting other Mafiosi. Gambino family head John situation.” in-law Salvatore Vitale. Fac- in the borough’s history The ex-mobster entered the Gotti. Two years after “mak- The mobster’s climb to the ing the death penalty if found Witness Protection Program ing his bones” by killing for top would not be without pit- guilty, Massino agreed to turn orn on Jan. 10, 1943 in after his 2013 release from the mob, the Maspeth native falls, however. In 1987, when against his former associates New York City, Joseph prison and his whereabouts became a made member of the some believe he was already and testify as a government Charles Massino is a are unknown. Bonanno family. Joe Massino the underboss, Massino and witness. Although initially Bformer member of the One of three boys raised was on his way to the top of a Bonanno family head Philip sentenced to life in prison, Italian Mafia who was the in Maspeth, Massino claimed criminal empire. Rastelli were sent to federal in 2013 he was resentenced to boss of the Bonanno crime he was a juvenile delinquent Following the 1979 murder prison on labor racketeering time served. family from 1991 to 2004. Dur- by age 12 and he was a high of acting family boss Carmine charges. Following Rastelli’s A Joe Massino quote: “There ing his 13 years running the school dropout at age 15. He Galante at a Brooklyn restau- death in 1991, Joe Massino are three sides to every story. crime syndicate, the powerful married Josephine Vitale in rant, Massino began jockey- was named boss of the Bonan- Mine, yours and the truth.” Massino was known as “The 1960, and soon began support- ing for power with other Bo- no family while still incarcer- Last Don,” as he was the only ing his wife and three daugh- nanno capos. Ever cunning ated. For further information, New York mob leader at the ters through a life of crime, and ready to use violence to Under his leadership, the contact the Greater Astoria His- time not in prison. However, with brother-in-law Salvatore serve his ends, he eliminated Bonanno crime syndicate re- torical Society at 718-278-0700 he is perhaps best known as as one of his earliest associ- several key rivals in 1981. One gained the prestige it lost fol- or visit their website at www. the first boss of one of the no- ates. capo who allegedly fell before lowing the FBI undercover astorialic.org. TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 15 THINGS ARE Wills is implicated LOOKING UP in plea agreement …with an MCU Auto Loan RATES AS LOW AS% 1.45 APR*
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BY SADEF ALI KULLY Wills, 44, ended up losing the 2009 Democratic primary for City Council. In the corruption case against In the case in Queens Supreme Councilman Ruben Wills (D-South Court, Wills and Mills were charged Ozone Park), his co-defendant Jelani with bilking the city Campaign Fi- Mills pleaded guilty last week to falsi- nance Board by taking matching funds fying business records and funneling to pay Micro Targeting for its role in campaign funds into a shell company Wills’ election bid even though the shell account under the direction of the company did not earn any monies. lawmaker, according to the plea agree- In 2014, Wills and Mills were arrest- ment with the state attorney general. ed after they were indicted for allegedly Wills’ attorney, Steve Zissou, did not pocketing public campaign funds and respond to repeated requests from the charitable grant money for personal TimesLedger Newspaper for comment benefit. Both were indicted by a grand on Mills’ plea, but he did tell the New jury after an investigation exposed the York Post that everything Mills said theft of approximately $30,000 and an was a lie. attempt by the councilman to cover Wills has continuously denied all their tracks, according to the AG. charges against him. According to the indictment, Wills Jelani Mills, 29, a relative of Wills, was accused of stealing more than Get Pre-approved Today! said he was directed by Wills to open $30,000 in public state funds from New an account for a shell company, Micro York 4 Life, a nonprofit, and of using Targeting, at Chase Bank in November some of the cash for shopping sprees, Visit nymcu.org/carbuyingservice 2009 when Wills was running for City which included the purchase of a $750 Council, according to the plea deal. Louis Vuitton handbag. Use promo code: BST Before he signed the plea agreement The AG said Wills received the Jan, 14 Mills disappeared from State funding through a grant obtained by Supreme Court in Queens for a couple former state Sen. Shirley Huntley, who of hours, causing the judge to issue a served a year in prison in 2013 for loot- warrant for his arrest. He reappeared ing a nonprofit that she controlled. and told Judge Barry Kron his child Wills had worked as her aide. was sick, according to a court source. The indictment charged Wills with Mills said he gave false information grand larceny, scheming to defraud, fal- and documents to the bank in order to sifying business records and offering a open the account, the agreement said. false instrument for filing, Schneider- He admitted to conducting the trans- man said. If convicted, he could face *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Subject to credit approval. Other restrictions action under the Micro Targeting ac- a maximum of seven years in prison. may apply. Rates may be higher based on applicant’s credit worthiness. Rates count, as well as depositing $11,500 The same indictment charged Jelani and terms are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions may apply. from the Ruben Wills for New York Mills with grand larceny and falsify- For model years 2016-2015, your payments will consist of 60 monthly payments campaign funds, according to the AG. ing business records, the AG said. of $17.29 on each $1,000 borrowed at 1.45% APR. For model year 2014, In the plea agreement, Mills said Last year, Wills was arrested again your payments will consist of 60 monthly payments of $17.42 on each $1,000 that almost two weeks after the ac- and charged with filing false docu- count was opened, Wills asked him to ments with the New York City Con- borrowed at 1.75%. APR. APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Best rate available withdraw $2,500 from the shell compa- flicts of Interest Board, according to when combined with TRUECar certificate (.50% APR discount) and Auto-Pay ny account. Mills said he gave Wills the the attorney general. (.50% APR discount) when direct deposit or automatic payroll deduction is utilized money and took out $2,000 for his per- As part of the plea settlement, the as the method of loan repayment. Annual percentage rates for auto loans will sonal use, Mills said. When Wills found attorney general recommended Mills increase by .50% after consummation if automatic payroll deduction or direct out that Mills withdrew money for him- be sentenced to one year’s probation deposit is cancelled. Late payment fee: $25.00. Membership is required. self, Mills was told to return the money, and perform 10 days of community ser- according to the plea agreement. vice. 16 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM Coverage Countdown to January 31, 2016!
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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 17 Christ the King High School 68-02 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, New York 11379 Restrictive covenants (718) 366-7400 Christ the King Students Join in Psychology Research at Museum of Natural History to be recorded by city Christ the King High School’s Psychology class recently visited the Museum of Natural History, where they took part in a research class on human origin and brain development. They examined skulls of different species to determine and compare their personality and functions compared to that of humans. Pictured (from left): Roenny Bueno, Arianna Arce, Melissa Rebecca, and Carmela Faruggio.
About Christ the King Regional High School Christ the King Regional High School is a private, co-educational Catholic High School with a 4-year college preparatory curriculum. Located in Middle Councilman Paul Vallone introduces a bill based on an agreement with the city Department 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 of Finance to record restrictive covenants, which often limit buyers on what they can and faculty numbers 45. cannot do with a residence, on its web database. Photo by Michael Shain Christ the King High School is governed by its Board of Trustees: Serphin R. Maltese, Chairman; Thomas V. Ognibene, Vice Chairman; Robert A. Normandia, Vice Chairman; Bernard G. Helldorfer, Counsel/Trustee; Anthony Como, Esq., Treasurer; Brenda Evans, Trustee; Dolores St. Louis, Trustee; Peter J. Mannarino, Principal; Michael W. Michel, President; Arthur Spanarkel, Financial Advisor; and Veronica Cokley, Executive Assistant. BY TOM MOMBERG our beautiful neighborhoods.” More information is available http://www.ctkny.org/. Find Christ the King on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CKCampus. Proponents of the bill said it would Restrictive covenants, binding le- provide transparency in real-estate gal requirements included in real-es- transactions, which include restrictive HOUSEHOUSE SERVING QUEENS SAME DAY TOP $ PAID AND THE ENTIRE SERVICE FOR JUDAICA tate transactions by a seller, may soon covenant clauses in residential deeds, CALLSCALLS TRI-STATE AREA AVAILABLE COLLECTIBLES be recorded into the city Department and give the city and the public a bet- of Finance’s Automated City Register ter tool for being able to hold property Information System, also known as owners responsible for maintaining ANTIQUESANTIQUES && ESTATEESTATE BUYERSBUYERS ACRIS. those restrictions. City Councilman Paul Vallone (D- “We will continue to strive towards We Pay $CASH$ For Bayside) introduced legislation into the ultimate goal of a coordination of ef- the Council, with the backing of the forts between the Department of Build- Paintings, Clocks, Watches, Department of Finance, to implement ings and the Department of Finance, a two-step process for homeowners and but the announcement today comes as Estate Jewelry & Fine China, homeowners associations to record another step towards a more positive From Single Items both existing and new restrictive cov- outcome for future construction and enants in the electronic database. renovation projects in neighborhoods to Entire Estates! Vallone said his bill would provide like Broadway-Flushing with enforce- s Coin & Stamp Collections the city’s very first system for safe- able restrictive covenants,” said Rob- s Costume Jewelry guarding property restrictions not ert Hanophy, Broadway-Flushing Ho- necessarily included within zoning. meowners’ Association president. s Antique Furniture s Lamps “We took the community’s long- ACRIS currently allows the public s Bronzes s Paintings s Prints standing battle to City Hall and deliv- to search property records and view Chinese & Japanese MOVING or ered exactly what we said we would,” real-estate documents for every pri- s DOWNSIZING? Vallone said in a statement. “Now the vately owned parcel in the five bor- Artwork & Porcelain CALL city will immediately recognize any oughs. Vallone’s legislation is pending, US! Military s Sports Collectibles newly filed restrictive covenants and but once civics and landowners start Collections allow every property owner, interested recording restrictive covenants, they Wanted s Comic Books s Old Toys s Records party, civic or homeowner association, too can be viewed on ACRIS at http:// Swords, a836-acris.nyc.gov/CP/. Knives, s Cameras s Sterling Flatware Sets the right to record and preserve them. Helmets, etc. HUMMELS & LLADROS We look forward to continuing our work with our associations to create Reach reporter Tom Momberg by e- additional layers of security against mail at [email protected] or by SEE OUR AD IN THE SUNDAY POST Top $ Paid any overdevelopment and to protect phone at (718) 260–4573. for Antique Sterling! 516-974-6528516-974-6528 ASK FOR CHRISTOPHER ANTIQUE & ESTATE BUYERS For more hyper-local Queens news on your computer, WILL TRAVEL We buy anything old. One piece or house full. smartphone, or iPad, visit TimesLedger.com. ENTIRE WILL TRAVEL.WILL TRAVEL. WE MAKE HOUSE HOUSE CALLS. CALLS. FREE TRI-STATE! 173 N. WELLWOOD AVENUE, LINDENHURST, N.Y. Estimates!
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TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 19 Chihuahua abuser charged by Queens DA offi ce Suspect accused of animal cruelty on same day Brown’s new animal abuse unit formed
BY GABRIEL ROM In creating the unit, Brown also announced he has ap- On the same day Queens pointed veteran Queens pros- District Attorney Richard ecutor Nicoletta Caferri as its Brown announced his office first chief. Caferri has been had created an Animal Cru- with the Queens DA’s office elty Prosecution Unit, a Jack- since 1992. son Heights man was charged Brown said the Animal with aggravated animal cru- Cruelty Prosecutions Unit will elty after allegedly killing his work closely with the Police girlfriend’s 3-year-old Chihua- Department’s newly formed hua. Animal Cruelty Investiga- “A Queens resident is tions Squad, which assumed accused of pulling his girl- the ASPCA’s law enforcement friend’s small dog out of her function in July 2014). hands during a verbal argu- The DA identified the defen- ment and killing the helpless dant in the Chihuahua case as animal by violently throwing Carlos Hernandez, 32, of 73rd the dog to the floor,” Brown Street in Jackson Heights. said. “Such acts of aggression Hernandez is presently await- toward animals cannot—and ing arraignment in Queens will not—be tolerated.” Criminal Court on a criminal The mandate of the Animal complaint charging him with Cruelty Prosecutions Unit — aggravated cruelty to ani- The first case prosecuted by Queens DA Richard Brown’s new animal cruelty unit is against a Jackson Heights the first of its kind in a district mals, fourth-degree criminal man accused of killing a Chihuahua like this one. Courtesy of Wikimedia/Florinux attorney’s office in New York mischief and endangering the City —will be to investigate welfare of a child,Brown said. est Hills residence around 4:15 out of her hands and slammed An 11-year-old girl, who was and prosecute animal cruelty If convicted, he faces up to p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, and en- the dog against the floor, caus- the Chihuahua’s caregiver, crimes and to educate the pub- four years in prison. gaged in a verbal dispute with ing the dog to bleed from its was allegedly present in the lic about how to prevent and Brown said Hernandez her. It is alleged that Hernan- ears and collapse on the floor room and witnessed the inci- detect abuse of animals. was inside his girlfriend’s For- dez grabbed the Chihuahua where it died minutes later. dent, Brown said.
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20 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM Uber not to blame for extra traffi c: City Health Care for $0 or $20 Per Month?
A $2 million traffic study has absolved Uber of causing traffic congestion in the city Photo by Jeff Chiu/AP
BY SADEF ALI KULLY and good jobs; cultivating a competi- tive and innovative market in for-hire The city released a traffic study service; ensuring accessible for-hire Tuesday which does not hold Uber or transportation options; safe and effi- other app-based car services respon- cient NYC streets; and maintaining a sible for traffic congestion across the regulatory structure with integrity.” city. The mayor said at a news confer- The $2 million traffic study began ence Tuesday he asked for the study to Sign last summer when Mayor Bill di Bla- resolve important issues and it ended sio announced a cap on Uber drivers, up reversing some misconceptions citing the Uber’s robust growth. The about the app-based car services. mayor contended the rise in the num- “The congestion situation is differ- Me up. ber of cars on the road was caused by ent than some of what we knew it to be, Uber, making traffic conditions worst and we have to address the congestion in the central business district in Man- issue unto itself, and that’s something hattan. we’ll be talking about in the coming Uber is a mobile app which allows weeks,” he said. passengers to order and pay for a car In Queens, there are currently an Visit us at Queens Center service with a smartphone. Passengers estimated 8,000 Uber driver-partners are picked up from their GPS-tracked who call Queens home out of 26,000 and green acres mall! location and at the end of the ride they in total, according to the $50 billion are charged through the app. technology company. And Uber said The study said “vehicles of all types it plans to add an additional 4,000 jobs play a role in congestion in the [cen- this year alone. tral business district]. The number of Uber said it made almost 600,000 trips by all vehicle types in the CBD trips through Queens on a monthly ba- remained flat between 2014 and 2015 sis but did not respond to specific ques- as increases in transit ridership offset tions on the breakdown of those trips increases in trip demand driven by or the start and end points in Queens growth. Increases in e-dispatch trips last year. are largely substituting for yellow Across the city, there are an esti- taxi trips in the CBD. Because these mated 13,000 yellow taxis, an estimat- e-dispatch trips are substitutions and ed 6,000 green cabs and an estimated not new trips, they are not increasing 25,500 livery and commuter vans, [vehicle miles traveled].” according to the city’s Taxi and Lim- The study made recommenda- ousine Commission’s latest numbers. tions for the city to “level the playing The different categories were not bro- field among yellow, green, black and ken down by borough. e-dispatch services, with differences in regulations or standard driven by Reach Reporter Sadef Ali Kully by MKT 15.71v2 clear policy goals: a quality passenger e-mail at [email protected] or by experience; new income opportunities phone at (718) 260–4546. TIMESLEDGER.COM BT TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 21 Addabbo, Miller target massage parlors
BY GABRIEL ROM a lease agreement; prevent a The latest illegal massage massage parlor from obstruct- parlor to shut down is Dream Following the closure of ing the view of their lobby Spa, located at 65-18 Myrtle several illegal massage par- area; and impose a duty on Ave. in Glendale. The closure lors in Glendale and Middle landlords to terminate a ten- is one of many over the past Village, state Assemblyman ancy at a massage therapist lo- three months due to increased Mike Miller (D-Woodhaven) cation found guilty of promot- police enforcement and state Sen. Joseph P. Add- ing prostitution within 60 days “We only have so much en- abbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) of notification to the landlord forcement powers the Police have introduced a package by a city or state agency. Department can do, but I need of legislation meant to deter “We don’t want to arrest help. I need legislative help. I and regulate these unlicensed these women,” Miller said last need the laws to be changed,” businesses. week at a Woodhaven Resi- Wachter said at a 104th Pre- The expansive legislation dents Block Association meet- cinct community meeting last comes after a substantial in- ing, referring to the many month. crease in the number of illicit undocumented workers who One of the bills would also massage parlors operating are employed at the parlors. grant the city Department of in Central Queens and a con- “Many of them are slaves.” Consumer Affairs the author- certed effort from police at the “I have introduced this ity to enforce the imposition of 104th precinct to shut them package of bills in an attempt fines relating to the practice of down. to shut these illegal parlors massage therapy. In December, police an- down,” Miller added in a writ- “While identifying these fa- nounced a new tactic which in- ten statement. “These bills cilities is the first step toward volved stationing a uniformed would increase regulation on shutting them down, enforce- police officer outside of sus- unlicensed massage parlors ment has been the downfall pected locations. by allowing the Department of due to current regulations that The bills would do the fol- Consumer Affairs the authori- tie the hands of law enforce- lowing: expand the definition ty to enforce the law and it also ment officials behind their of “massage therapist” and re- expands the definition of mas- backs,” Addabbo said. “This quire licensees to be on prem- sage therapist to require these package of bills will help rem- ises at all times; impose a duty illegal parlors to be licensed edy that and show those who on the landlords to verify the as opposed to just opening up operate these illegal facilities license of a massage therapist another massage parlor wher- that they will not get away Dream Spa at 65-18 Myrtle Ave was closed in November after police sus- tenant prior to entering into ever possible.” with breaking the law.” pected the spa was offering illegal services. Google Earth Do you know a hero of Queens? Nominate a person who has made a difference in the great borough of Queens
25 people will have their important work featured in the newspaper and will be feted at a reception gala in their honor. It can be anyone who has had an impact on the borough in any fi eld.
Name of nominee: ______
Why are you nominating them? ______
How can we reach you or your nominee for more information? Your name: ______Phone: ______Email: ______
Email your nomination info to: [email protected], or fax this form to: 718-224-5821, Att: Linda Lindenauer Or mail this form to: Queens Impact Awards Nominees CNG — TimesLedger Newspapers 41-02 Bell Blvd., Bayside, NY 11361 Att: Linda Lindenauer
22 TIMESLEDGER, JAN. 22–28, 2016 BT TIMESLEDGER.COM Language services Tap into savings! expand in schools NYCB Liquid CD
The city Department of Education says interpreters are 7-MONTH CD available in 200 languages. Courtesy of China Press
BY SADEF ALI KULLY tures, languages, tradi- tions and beliefs,” said With at least 135 Schools Chancellor Car- languages spoken in men Fariña. “Increasing % Queens, according to the translation and interpre- borough president’s web- tation services to fami- site, the city Department lies is a top priority, and 1 of Education last week a critical part of building 0.80 APY announced an expansion strong relationships be- of language-access ser- tween schools and com- vices across the city. munities.” The addition of nine In December, the positions for field lan- DOE started to provide Get this great rate when you enroll guage access coordina- schools with direct ac- in NYCB Elite# NYCB tors in the city who help cess to over-the-phone schools connect with interpreters. In the past, Liquid CD * interpreters for parents schools had to contact with limited English the Translation and In- NYCB Elite Gold Checking account proficiency to have full terpretation Unit, which access to translation and then connected the call— and maintain $100,000 or more in interpretation services a step that has been elim- combined balances1. available to them in inated. schools. The nine posi- According to the De- tions will be based in the partment of Education, # ' 9' seven borough field sup- the new positions will port centers, around the help reduce wait time for 9 * * 2. city and two in Queens an interpreter and allow and the Bronx. There teachers and staff to call # 3@#466 are currently more than non-English-speaking 1,500 voluntary language families after business earn interest. access coordinators who hours. help connect interpret- The city DOE said in- ers through the field of- terpreters are available fice to city schools. in 200 languages In the The field language ac- first month of the new +"% # FG<