Volume 65, No. 110 Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 50¢ State inaction QUEENS could delay pay raises for justices TODAY By David Brand Queens Daily Eagle — September 18, 2019 — The state commission tasked with con- sidering salaries and pay raises for state Su- DEPUTY MAYOR VICKI BEEN AND preme Court justices is understaffed and so Councilmember Donovan Richards join far unable to fulfill its duty to evaluate judi- with DEP, DOT, DDC, EDC, Parks and SBS cial compensation. today in Far Rockaway to kick off a $139 Gov. Andrew Cuomo, State Senate Pres- million, three-year project that will bring ident Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly rebuilt streets with new pedestrian space, Speaker Carl Heastie and Chief Judge Janet landscaping and green infrastructure plus DiFiore are each responsible for appointing improved stormwater drainage to Downtown members to the commission, known as the Far Rockaway. The project will also create a New York State Commission on Legislative, Judicial and Executive Compensation. So far, new 15,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza at State law requires the governor, chief judge, senate president and assembly speaker to only DiFiore has appointed commissioners. Beach 21st Street. appoint members to a commission that evaluates judicial pay. So far, only Chief Judge The Daily News first reported on the delay in Janet DiFiore has fulfilled her responsibility. DiFiore appointed attorney Michael A. filling positions on the commission Tuesday. THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NEW Cardozo (left) and retired Justice Randall Eng (right) to the commission in August. Continued on page 16 York and New Jersey and Queens Borough Photo via Proskauer Rose; Eagle file photo by Andy Katz President Melinda Katz will present an informative orientation session at Queens Borough Hall aimed at bringing awareness to the competencies necessary to operate successfully in Airport Concessions. The Sunnyside Yard public meeting session will be from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm on Thursday, and is free to attend. taken over by vocal opponents CITY COUNCIL MEMBER PETER KOO By Jonathan Sperling announced the hiring of Joonyong Ahn as his Queens Daily Eagle Director of Community Affairs and Korean A public meeting Monday on the contro- Community Liaison. Ahn is a Flushing versial Sunnyside Yard planning process resident and a graduate of Yonsei University featured plenty of community engagement, in Seoul, Korea. He is former editor and including dramatic opposition from op- reporter for the Korea Daily, and he most ponents of a proposed mega-development recently returned from Korea where he spent six times larger than Manhattan’s Hudson the last four years working in marketing for Yards. a healthcare company. He is also tri-lingual, The early portion of the Monday meet- speaking English, Korean and Chinese. ing, the third public hearing on the massive development plan, remained calm and orga- nized as attendees milled about information QUEENS COUNCIL ON THE ARTS' stations. Artist Commissioning Program is But members of Queens Neighborhoods United and other organizations that op- seeking individuals with a connection pose the project soon took over the room, the communities of Flushing or Maspeth/ denouncing the plan to elevate the 180- Ridgewood to become an art commissioner acre yard from a sprawling network of or artist. Apply at queenscouncilarts.org by train tracks to a brand new neighborhood, Oct. 17 to be an art commissioner, or Nov. 14 complete with housing, transportation and to be an artist and receive a $10,00 grant to stores. Some activists stood atop cafeteria create an artwork. tables to address the attendees. “These are plans made by property de- velopers, plans for property developers,” THE KAUFMAN ARTS DISTRICT IN said Rutgers University Prof. James De- Astoria will host “The Backlot Festival” Filippis. this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. with “We don’t trust this process,” opponents performances, musical guests and more. The chanted, while others shouted “Let us in,” festival is free for all to attend, and will be outside the cafeteria as they tried to enter located at 34-12 36th St. The Sunnyside Yard development plan calls for decking over the 180-acre train yard the meeting. and building a brand new neighborhood, complete with housing, transportation and Continued on page 2 Continued on page 7 stores. Eagle photo by Jonathan Sperling SAVE THE DATE 10.03.19 Tickets/Information: Michael Nussbaum (718) 422-7409 ‧ [email protected] PRESENTS Guardians of Justice guardians-of-justice.eventbrite.com Vandal causes $10,000 of QUEENS damage at Hollis church TODAY By Victoria Merlino Queens Daily Eagle — September 18, 2019 — A Hollis church experienced two acts of vandalism last week that caused approximately AWARD-WINNING JAZZ AND WORLD $10,000 in damage, according to the Diocese of music artist Jane Bunnett will take the stage at Brooklyn, which has jurisdiction over Brooklyn Flushing Town Hall with her all-female Afro and Queens Catholic churches. Cuban jazz ensemble on Friday, Sept. 20 as The Diocese of Brooklyn reported that a the global arts venue’s season launch party at woman broke into St. Gerard Majella church in 8 p.m. Hollis and caused “significant” damage to the Rosary Stations, the parish signs and the sprin- kler system on Sept. 15. “EVERYTHING I’VE DONE HAS LED On Sept. 8, the same person was caught on up to this group, which is the perfect vehicle video tearing down signs and damaging potted plants in the church’s parking lot. for now,” says Bunnett. “Anybody who gets the “The things damaged were all purchased opportunity to perform gets to be a stronger through the fundraising of parishioners and the player. A lot of it comes down to hard work Generation of Faith Diocesan campaign,” said and talent, of course, but opportunity is key.” Father Josephjude C. Gannon, Pastor of St. Ge- rard Majella in a statement. “These are hurtful attacks against the image JAMAICA CENTER FOR ARTS & of Mary and the parish. Such acts of religious Learning will present the inaugural exhibition intolerance have no place within our society, culminating the first year of the ARTWorks, and every house of worship, regardless of their Inc., a professional development program of beliefs, should be respected. We are praying for an artist residency & training seminar series. the person and for justice,”Gannon continued. Father Gannon holds pieces of damaged church property. Photos courtesy of the Brooklyn Diocese The exhibition celebrates the work of ten participating artists in the program, including Jessica Alazraki, Christy Bencosme, Tara Homasi, Che Min Hsiao, Jason Lalor, Zatara On the McIntyre, Dister Rondon, Jennifer Sanchez, Devyn Wray, and Phyllis Yao from Sept. 12 to Oct. 5. docket for the RAYMOUR & FLANIGAN IS PART- Queens legal nering with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro Queens for a kid's finger paint and sip event on community Sept. 25 from 4-6 p.m. at 168-23 Jamaica Ave. A vandal caused $10,000 worth of damage a church in Hollis. WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18 Catholic Lawyers Guild of Queens County’s Red Mass 6 p.m. Queens County Criminal Court This event celebrates Bishop Nicholas Di- Get 'The Best of the Nest' Marzio. Immaculate Conception Center 7200 Doug- delivered to your inbox every week: Calendar — September 18 — laston Parkway in Douglaston QueensEagle.com/Subscribe Allasheed Allah is charged with sec- August 2018. Burton appears in APN for a Queens County Bar Association LGBT ond-degree assault as a hate crime for al- conference. Committee Mixer legedly taking a woman on the subway and Follow us on Twitter JUDGE WATTERS PRESIDES 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. using an anti-gay slur. Allah appears in APN. ••• Club Evolution at 76-19 Roosevelt Ave. in @queenseagle JUDGE BEJARANO PRESIDES Jackson Heights Mark Jenkins is charged with second-de- ••• THURSDAY, SEPT. 19 Like us on Facebook gree murder for allegedly killing a 3-year-old The Latino Lawyers facebook.com/queenseagle Jorge Andrade and Ramon Martines are girl. Jenkins appears in TAP B. Association of Queens County charged with second-degree conspiracy for JUSTICE BUCHTER PRESIDES celebrate Hispanic Heritage month allegedly conspiring to commit murder. They ••• The association holds its annual breakfast, Visit us Online appear in K14. honoring family law attorney A.Camila Popin. JUSTICE SCHWARTZ PRESIDES Doobie Kim and Yeong Woo Choi are 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. queenseagle.com ••• charged with first-degree criminal posses- Queens Civil Supreme Court, Part 38, sion of a controlled substance. They appear in Room 116 PUBLISHERS: Brandon Bledman and Nicholas Morris are APN for a conference. Queens County Bar Association Michael Nussbaum J.D. Hasty charged with assault on a peace of police offi- JUDGE BEJARANO PRESIDES Mentorship Program Kick-off Reception [email protected] [email protected] cer for allegedly attacking a correction officer 5 p.m. MANAGING EDITOR inside the Queens Detention Center. They ap- ••• Get matched with other professionals who David Brand pear in TAP A for a conference. Damein Walker is charged with second-de- can help mold your legal career, fine tune your [email protected] JUSTICE KRON PRESIDES gree criminal sale of a controlled substance networking skills and leave with an array of DIGITAL EDITOR for allegedly selling drugs in the Ravenswood new professional contacts. Jonathan Sperling ••• Houses. Walker appears in APN for a confer- 5 p.m. [email protected] Shahid Burton is charged with second-de- ence. Queens County Bar Association, 90-35 ADVERTISING MANAGER gree murder for allegedly killing someone in JUDGE MELENDEZ PRESIDES 148th Street in Jamaica Kat Ramus [email protected] FORMER PROSECUTORS FIGHTING FOR YOU! LEGAL ADVERTISING MANAGER Gina Ong Dominic Addabbo, Esq. | Todd Greenberg, Esq [email protected] ADDABBO & QUEENS GREENBERG LAW Experience Equals Results.