Queens Times Endorses Ari Espinal for NYS Assembly 39Th AD Queens Times Endorses the Re-Election of Gov

QUEENS TIPublished forM the BoroughES of Queens VOLUME 23, NO. 36 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 25 CENTS SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION EDITION - VOTE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 POLLS ARE OPEN FROM 6AM TO 9PM the Queens Times Queens Times Endorses John Liu For Wishes All its Readers NYS Senate 11 District Queens Times Editor James C Lisa is in front of Tony’s Beechhurst Deli where John Liu is receiving the endorsement from the Queens Times for the NYS Senate, 11 District. Pictured above with NYS Senate Candidate John Liu and James C. Lisa is Emilo and Josephine Polito, owners of Deli. Queens Times Endorses Ari Espinal for NYS Assembly 39th AD Queens Times Endorses the Re-Election of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul The Queens Times believes that the best future for NYS is NYS Assembly Member Ari Espinal and Councilmember Francisco Moya are to re-elect Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul. pictured with Congressman Joseph Crowley, District Leader George Dixon, They have pointed NYS in the right direction and we believe Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, CB#4 Manager Christian under their guidance NYS will continue moving NYS forward. Cassagnol, and those children and family members receiving school supplies. One Edition for ALL of Queens! Visit our website at www.queenstimes.com PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 Subscribe to the Queens Times Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens Just $28.50 per year... and have the paper delivered to your door by US Mail Please Enter my Subscription For One Year Name .............................................................................. Address .......................................................................... City..................................................Zip........................... Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 Published every week by C.T. Publishing Corp. Executive Office: 108-59 49th Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368 Operations: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 Phone (718) 592-2196 • FAX (718) 606-8202 Web Site: www.queenstimes.com email: [email protected] James C. Lisa .............................................. Publisher/Editor Lew Scala .............................. Associate Publisher/Webmaster Joseph V. Dorsa ..............Assistant Editor/Photo Journalist Lou Duro ................................ International Correspondent Merle Exit ...................................Arts/Entertainment Editor Robert Elkin ....................................................... Sports Editor Nicole Rescigno ............................................... Office Manager Bob Grant........................................................ Photojournalist The Queens Times is published weekly by C T Publications, Inc. for an annual subscription charge of $28.50, mail subscription request to Queens Times: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2018 THE QUEENS TIMES PAGE 3 Queens Neighborhoods United Zoning Challenge Accepted; South Asian Leaders Endorse Department of Building Issues Stop Work Order on Assemblywoman Ari Espinal at Target Construction Jackson Heights Press Conference The New York City Department said Paula Segal, attorney in the lenges — brought by QNU around of Buildings (DOB) has issued a Equitable Neighborhoods Practice Target’s designated use group — stop work order after accepting a of the Community Development could present an opening for other zoning challenge to a proposed Project, which is counsel to QNU. communities seeking to challenge construction of a big-box corpo- “The Zoning Resolution is clear Target’s rapid expansion into the rate store, Target. On August 10th, that only retail that meets neigh- city. As of now, Target has plans to members of Queens Neighbor- borhood needs — small stores open new locations in the Lower hoods United (QNU) submitted where residents can buy essentials East Side, Astoria, Staten Island, a “zoning challenge,” calling on — is allowed on this lot in Elm- and the Upper East Side. the DOB to enforce the Zoning hurst. Residents simply asked the “The city’s zoning text is very Resolution regarding use groups DOB to do its job — and it did!” clear about use groups. In what currently in place that technically The effort follows a yearlong world is Target, which occupies prohibits the construction. The campaign and extensive com- the same market as Walmart submissions identified Target as munity opposition, which, last and Amazon, not a department a “department store,” which is not month, resulted in Sun Equity store,” said QNU organizer Ca- a use allowed at the site. Partners and Heskel Group for- rina Kaufman-Gutierrez, citing a Assemblywoman Ari Espinal (center), running for re-election in “This is a case where it is very, mally withdrawing their applica- recent report released by the As- the 39th District, was endorsed by South Asian leaders today at a very clear that the developers are tion to change the rules for this sociation for Neighborhood Hous- press conference at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, including not listening to the community,” site to allow for a larger building ing and Development. “We know District Leader Dr. Neeta Jain (D-25), District Leader-at-Large Moin said Allison Park, a lifelong resi- with luxury apartments. The with- that, in Jackson Heights and Elm- Choudhury, District Leader Dr. Taj Raj Kumar (D-31), District Leader- dent of Jackson Heights. “There is drawal was a significant victory hurst, the small business commu- at-Large Gurdip Narula, and District Leader John Albert (D-24). not a single community member for Elmhurst and Jackson Heights nity sustains over a third of jobs in Assemblyman David Weprin (fourth from right) and Queens Borough who I’ve spoken with or worked communities after community the area. Why is the city allowing President Melinda Katz (third from right) were also in attendance with who expressed the desire organizing efforts that built lo- a new incarnation of Walmart to to have a megastore, like Target, cal awareness about land-use exploit these loopholes when they Assemblywoman Ari Espinal, Borough President Katz. They here. We need housing; we need policies and focused pressure on know it will absolutely drive out running for re-election in the 39th have done so much to strengthen education; we need hospitals.” elected officials and the develop- the small businesses that support District, was endorsed by South Queens and make our borough The site is currently zoned as ers. Even prior to the withdrawal our working-class immigrant Asian leaders today at a press welcoming to all. I am excited to R6/C1-3 which only allows for of the rezoning application, the communities?” conference at Diversity Plaza in continue working with them to stores that serve “local consumer developers hedged their bets and Queens Neighborhoods United Jackson Heights. The leaders in- fight for our schools, small busi- needs,” such as laundromats and filed permits to build a two-story (QNU) is a community-based or- cluded District Leader Dr. Neeta nesses, immigrants, seniors, and small food and clothing stores commercial building at the site. ganization made up of members Jain (D-25), District Leader-at- working families,” said Assembly- — all stores that Target’s current Despite the location being a va- from Jackson Heights, Corona, Large Moin Choudhury, District woman Espinal. lease now currently prohibits cant lot, Target has held a lease and Elmhurst. QNU believes in Leader Dr. Taj Raj Kumar (D-31), These are the most recent from sharing space at 40-31 82nd at the site since April of 2017, establishing community control District Leader-at-Large Gurdip endorsers for Assemblywoman Street. The zoning also only according to documents filed over land-use, policing, and im- Narula, and District Leader John Espinal. She has also been en- allows for development with a with the Department of Finance. migration policies that directly Albert (D-24). They were joined dorsed by Representative Grace “small service area” — yet the Despite zoning to the contrary, impact us and displace us, our by Queens Borough President Meng, Representative José E. Ser- developers, Sun Equity Partners the developers presented this as families, homes, businesses, plac- Melinda Katz and Assemblyman rano, Queens Borough President and Heskel Group, have claimed the “as-of-right” alternative to the es of work, and neighborhoods. David Weprin (D-24). Melinda Katz, Bronx Borough that the site would be a “regional tower they wanted to build. Through grassroots organizing, “I am excited to endorse Assem- President Ruben Diaz Jr., New destination” and “rare outdoor The notification of “intent to leadership development, advo- blywoman Ari Espinal as she runs York City Council Speaker Corey mall experience” — directly revoke” the permit was issued to cacy, and community education, for re-election. A lifelong member Johnson, former New York City contradicting “local use” clauses. QNU and community members QNU builds power to fight crimi- of our community, Ari has worked Council Speaker Christine Quinn, “It’s the role of the Department who submitted challenges last nalization and displacement in our each and every day to improve the Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, of Buildings to make sure that all week. If the developer is unable to communities. QNU is supported lives of everyone that calls Queens Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, new construction proposed in the answer the objections, the

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