DiResto Eying Pheffer's Assembly Seat by Toni Cimino - Queens Courier

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Retired NYPD Lieutenant Glenn DiResto may be throwing his hat in the ring for Audrey Pheffer’s empty Assembly seat.

At least one person may be throwing his hat in the ring for Audrey Pheffer’s empty Assembly seat.

Retired NYPD Lieutenant Glenn DiResto said he decided to explore the possibility of running for the seat after Pheffer’s former chief of staff, Jo Ann Shapiro, decided not to run.

“Jo Ann has a tremendous amount of experience and would have been a great candidate. However, with her not running it makes the race more appealing,” said DiResto.

DiResto was a former City Council candidate in the 2009 Special Election that was won by Eric Ulrich.

“I am interested in the position because the problems that face our neighborhoods are the same as they were two years ago,” said DiResto. “We really need someone who understands the problems of the neighborhoods and has the personal, professional and civic experience to help solve those problems.”

DiResto has said he does not expect to get an official party line designation and notes he “hopes to be making a final decision in the next couple weeks” as to whether or not he will run.

“As a constituent, I believe everyone has an opportunity to run,” said County Clerk Pheffer. “There are many people who are very involved, and those who run must be responsive to the community.”

The 23rd Assembly district encompasses areas of Ozone Park, Howard Beach and the Rockaways. Pheffer told The Courier that the biggest challenge for whoever fills the seat will be the budget.

“He or she needs preparation to learn the process and make decisions,” she said. “The budget process is tough, and there’s still a deficit.”

Governor Andrew Cuomo has not yet set a date for the Special Election.

Borough Taxis Draws Boos at Meeting by Steve Mosco - The Queens Courier

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Finding a taxi in Queens is a lot like catching a glimpse of Bigfoot – it’s a rare sight and worthy of snapping a photo for posterity.

However, that might soon change as a new law proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg aims to create an outer borough cab service for passengers in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island and Queens. The livery cab type service would do away with the need for unlicensed – and in some cases, unsafe – ‘gypsy cabs,’ which are usually the only outer borough option.

David Yassky, who heads the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), is charged with implementing the plan that Bloomberg unveiled back in January.

“As all New Yorkers know yellow taxis almost never leave Manhattan, except to go to the airports,” said Yassky. “The ‘gypsy cabs’ that fill the void in [the outer boroughs] are decidedly third-rate.”

The bill requires a vote from the City Council and, if passed, would equip For-Hire Base Station vehicles with meters, allowing them to pick up random fares. Borough taxis will be assigned a uniform color separate from yellow taxis along with GPS locators, meters and the option for customers to pay by credit card as well as cash. The fare structure will be determined

“While the system works pretty well in Manhattan, there is enormous room for improvement in the rest of the city,” said Yassky. “That's what this plan should accomplish.”

At a Community Board 10 (CB10) meeting on March 3, TLC representatives gave attendees a general overview of the proposal – many residents did not like what they heard and voiced their disapproval, stating that there are safety concerns as well as concerns that they already have with TLC transportation in the area.

“Before we get involved with another layer of cabs, we need to deal with the ones we have now,” said Betty Braton, CB10 chairman, who stated that current issues include problematic routes and off-street parking locations.

TLC representatives did not provide specific details about the borough taxi service, but only a general overview, which residents felt was not enough to convince them to support the proposal.

“It seems like you only have half a package and you are already visiting community boards,” said one community board member. “There are many questions you can’t answer.”

TLC is looking for passenger feedback on what customers would want to see from the borough taxis. A short survey can be found at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NYCTaxiSurvey.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority declined to comment on this story.

– With additional reporting by Laura Cimera and Will Sammon

Plans to Revive the Forest Park Carousel by Will Sammon - The Queens Courier

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The President of the Woodhaven Resident’s Block Association fondly recalls when his late father used to take him as a child to ride the 100-year-old Forest Park carousel.

Ed Wendell said that many residents who live in the Woodhaven community that hosts the shuttered carousel have similar intimate stories regarding the attraction. He runs a Facebook page that boasts approximately 900 fans to prove it.

“It’s a special share of history. It was some place that my dad used to take me and this carousel is a touchstone for people who not only live here but for those who once did,” said Wendell.

The tradition of passing on stories about the carousel from generation to generation has been put on hold for the past two years. New York One, the company that was in charge of running the carousel allowed it to deteriorate over the years, according to civic leaders. After their contract was up with the city in 2008, they did not re-bid to run the concession, according to the NYC Parks Department.

Since that time, the Parks Department has had no luck in finding someone to run the carousel, mostly because it is not viewed as a money-maker. However, the Parks Department has a new plan for the future of the carousel. Their plan will link its future operator together with the operator of a profitable carousel nearby who benefits from more foot-traffic.

“The Parks Department is currently creating a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the operation of the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park (FMCP) carousel that will allow the selected concessionaire to also run the Forest Park Carousel. We look forward to receiving proposals to run these two beloved carousels,” said Patricia Bertuccio, a Parks spokesperson.

The FMCP carousel is currently run by New York One, the former operator of the one in Forest Park and a vendor that has several city concessions. Their contract expires in March 2012. After the new RFP is awarded, operation of the Forest Park Carousel can begin right away, according to Bertuccio.

The Forest Park’s 1910 D.C. Muller Bros. carousel is one of two Muller carousels in operation. This carousel features three carved Muller menagerie animals, a lion, tiger and deer positioned on the outside row. These three carvings are the only Muller figures on an operating carousel. The remaining outside row are all standing horses, including ten Muller horses, two Carmel horses and one Dentzel horse. The two inner rows include thirty-six Muller jumpers. Two Muller chariots complete the carousel.

Carousel enthusiasts and historians regard Daniel Muller as one of the elite carousel carvers.

“This is a very, very rare carousel. The Forest Park Carousel with further restoration and future operation would give New York City another rare example of carousel history. The Forest Park carousel, once operating, would join several other rare operating antique carousels in New York City. Together, this group of antique carousels would arguably be the finest in one location of any place in the world,” said National Carousel Association Census Chairman Patrick Wentzel.

Wendell believes that more money would be made if more attractions were built around the Forest Park carousel.

Rezoning Plans Presented to CB9 and the Community by Ashley Henry - The Queens Courier

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John Young, director of the Queens Office of City Planning.

At last week’s public meeting regarding the rezoning of Woodhaven, Richmond Hill and a portion of Ozone Park, residents were given the opportunity to comment on the Department of City Planning’s proposal.

Those in attendance at the Woodhaven forum were given a drafted plan by John Young, director of the Queens Office of City Planning, providing information on the proposed rezoning.

“Rezoning is to protect the existing character as well as focus development on mass transit,” said Brendan Pillar of the Department of City Planning.

Brendan Pillar of the Department of City Planning.

The plan would affect a 248-block radius from Park Lane to the north, the Van Wyck Expressway to the east, 103rd Avenue to the south and Eldert Lane to the west.

If completed, the rezoning effort will complement changes that were adopted in 2005 as part of the Kew Gardens-Richmond Hill plan. The rezoning will also help prevent out of character development and direct higher density residential and commercial developments to areas that need it the most.

“I saw the need to do this for other parts of Richmond Hill and Woodhaven,” said Ivan Mrakovcic, chair of Community Board 9, which requested the meeting.

Another informational session will take place on Wednesday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Indian Palace, 118-08 Atlantic Avenue, Richmond Hill. Residents are welcome and encouraged to give their feedback.

“This will give Richmond Hill residents an opportunity to comment as well on the proposal,” said Mary Ann Carey, Community Board 9 district manager.

Talk Therapy TV - NYS OMH Commissioner Michael Hogan Recommends Watching Talk Therapy TV - YouTube

I recently met Jacob Berelowitz, the host of Talk Therapy TV at the Community Board 9 meeting.

Jacob hosts a weekly show on mental health and all of the episodes can be viewed online on their website.

Additionally, all of the episodes are embeddable. They also have another website www.quickfact.org which host's a "Quick Facts" campaign that puts mental health facts on the backs of shopping receipts at Stop & Shop grocery stores throughout Queens and Long Island. Finally, they have a Q & A column in the Queens Courier. The latest edition can be found here.

Contact info for Jacob Berelowitz, LMSW, Host, Talk Therapy Television is Jacob@talktherapytv.org and their web site is: www.talktherapytv.org

Aqueduct Vendors Ask for Help by Timothy N. Lyman - Queens Courier

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Aqueduct Flea Market vendors gathered again last week to try to save their jobs.

The Aqueduct Flea Market operates three days per week on the grounds of the racetrack. There is still no definite word on whether or not the Market will continue to operate on the racetrack’s grounds as Genting prepares to begin construction.

So on Thursday, November 4, vendors and a representative from the Indo-Caribbean Alliance spoke to the members of Community Board 10 (CB). The vendors expressed fears of economic uncertainty and asked the Board to work with Genting to either preserve the Flea Market at Aqueduct or help the Market find a new location to operate.

“I’ve been working there for 14 years,” said Sudat, a vendor, as he wiped away a tear. “I’m just asking, please, for help.”

“Nobody is doing anything for the Flea Market,” said Martin Tai, who has worked there since he was 15. “Management is doing nothing. Now that Genting is working with Community Board 10, maybe you guys bring up the issue with them.”

Patrick Jenkins, Genting’s community relations official, was not present at the public forum. The Indo-Caribbean Alliance is circulating a petition, which has already gained over 200 signatures, to speak with the company.

According to vendors, Aqueduct’s management said it would negotiate in January. At last month’s meeting CB 10 chair Betty Braton said that the Flea Market’s lease would not be renewed after the holiday season.

“The Community Board plans on working with local officials and vendors to find the market a new site,” she said, adding, “if it comes to that.”

Genting’s Racino, which is expected to open in May or June of next year, will bring 800 permanent jobs to the community.

The Flea Market has operated at Aqueduct for over 40 years and currently provides approximately 2,000 jobs for its vendors, many of whom are immigrants and rely on the market as their sole source of income.

“All our investments, all our lives, are in this flea market.” Tai said.

Ozone Park Homeowner Nabs Burglar 102nd Precinct - The Queens Courier

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Homeowner nabs burglar

A man and his father apprehended a man who broke into their Ozone Park home and tried to make off with their belongings.

According to the district attorney, Hector Bermudez, 51, admitted that he broke into the 117th Street residence by forcing the front door, and took a watch, a BlackBerry cell phone and more than $1,000.

When the homeowner and his father saw Bermudez, they apprehended him and took their belongings back.

Bermudez, who is charged with second-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and possession of burglar’s tools, was found to have a screwdriver in his back pocket.

Election 2010 - Padavan Concedes Senate Seat by Bob Doda - The Queens Courier

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Frank Padavan’s pursuit for another term in the State Senate ended earlier today in a statement made through his press office. After impounding voting machines, citing problems with the new equipment and asking to wait for military and absentee ballots, Padavan pulled the plug on his pursuit stating that “the voters of the 11th Senate District have spoken.”

“It has been a deep honor to serve my country and city and a privilege to serve as a New York State Senator for nearly four decades,” said Padavan. “Over that time, we faced times of unimaginable adversity and moments of great triumph. We have overcome odds never thought possible and we stand stronger for taking on each and every challenge. I am proud of the countless good works our community has undertaken together and moreover I am proud to have been a part of them.”

Padavan’s statement did not include any thoughts about his ouster, Tony Avella – who took down the 38-year Republican incumbent by just over 3,000 votes on Election Day – or his current plans for the future.

“I leave with a wholehearted thank you for the support the voters of the 11th Senate District placed in me year after year as their Senator.”

Wills Wins Way into City Council by Tonia N. Cimino - The Queens Courier

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"Ruben Wills beat out six other candidates in the non-partisan Special Election and will now serve the 28th City Council District, a seat left open with the passing of Thomas White Jr.

“We intend on getting to work right away,” Wills told The Courier on Tuesday evening, November 2.

With just over 31 percent of the vote, Wills, a former aide to Councilmember Leroy Comrie, won over challengers Nicole Paultre Bell, widow of Sean Bell, 25 percent; Albert Baldeo, 14 percent; Allan W Jennings Jr., 10 percent; Charles Bilal, nine percent; Harpreet Singh Toor, seven percent and Martha Taylor Butler, four percent.

Wills’ agenda, he said, will focus on foreclosures, affordable health care, job creation and education.

“Despite the negativity, the community voted me in,” he said. “I’m a little choked up right now.”

White, a Democrat who represented the 28th District, passed away on Friday, August 27 after battling cancer.

Wills will serve until 2011, at which point there will be another primary and general election for the remainder of White’s term, through 2013."

The Liberation of Liberty Avenue by Tonia N. Cimino - The Queens Courier

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Margaret Finnerty of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association and City Councilmember Eric Ulrich test out the power washer after announcing an expanded graffiti removal program.

Liberty Avenue will soon be liberated from graffiti, thanks to City Councilmember Eric Ulrich.

On Tuesday, September 21, he announced the continuation and expansion of his comprehensive graffiti removal program in District 32. The joint effort with the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation has already cleaned up hundreds of properties, and this year is being expanded to include regular maintenance of Liberty Avenue and second floor locations.

“We are well on our way towards eliminating graffiti vandalism in our community,” said Ulrich. “With the addition of Liberty Avenue to the program, we are making these eyesores a thing of the past.”

Bruce Pienkny of CitySolve, Maria Thomson of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corp, Margaret Finnerty of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association and area business owners and residents joined the Councilmember along Liberty Avenue to kick off the effort.

Last year the program focused on 101st Avenue, Woodhaven Boulevard and Rockaway Boulevard. This year, it has been expanded to also include an initial cleanup and monthly maintenance of Liberty Avenue from 75th Street to Lefferts Boulevard.

“It’s the monthly maintenance that ultimately keeps the problem under control,” said Pienkny. “We clean it up, and then maintain, maintain, maintain.”

Residents can still call the Councilmember’s graffiti removal hotline at 718-738-1429 to report any locations within the 32nd District that are in need of cleanup.

Assembly Member Mike Miller & Nick Comaianni Debate on Queens Public Access Television with The Queens Courier...

In the race for NYS Assembly in the 38th District , the Democratic candidates -  current Assembly Member Mike Miller & challenger Nick Comaianni - will be appearing on Queens Public Access Television with Queens Courier publisher Victoria Schneps-Yunis...  

Their debate will air numerous times — here's the schedule:

September 3rd Fri. 9PM Ch. 34/82

September 4th Sat. 10:30AM Ch. 34/82

September 7th Tues. 7:30PM Ch. 34/82

September 9 Thurs. 6:30PM Ch. 34/82

September 10th Fri. 9PM Ch. 34/82

September 12th Sun. 10:30PM Ch. 57/85

Insensitive Graffiti Cleaned Up by Tonia N. Cimino - The Queens Courier

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Andrew Baumann is thrilled.

After an article in last week’s Courier Sun – and a timely response by City Councilmember Eric Ulrich – the insensitive graffiti on the Bernard Fineson Center in Howard Beach has been eradicated.

On Wednesday, July 21, City Solve, the company Ulrich has hired to clean up graffiti in the area, painted over the tag that read “Dirtnikki ♥s retards.”

Pamela Baumann, who, along with her husband Andrew, founded New York Families for Autistic Children (NYFAC), said she was alerted to the graffiti on the Bernard Fineson Center on Monday, July 12.

She called Ulrich’s office, the 106th Precinct, Community Board 10 and others, and less than 10 days later, it was gone.

“Thank you Eric Ulrich,” said Andrew. “I’m very pleased with his responsiveness to the needs of the community. Graffiti to me is bad as it is, but when you add that word, you step over the line.”

“Eric specifically had City Solve come out, especially for that,” said Conor Greene, spokesperson. “How people would do that – it’s awful.”

In the meantime, Andrew hopes to never see those words scrawled anywhere, ever again.

Stop and Frisk Law Eliminates Police Database by Steve Mosco - The Queens Courier

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Governor David A. Paterson signed a new law that effectively eliminates a database of individuals stopped and questioned by the police.

The Stop and Frisk legislation, which prohibits the retention of personal information – such as names, addresses and social security numbers – of individuals who are stopped by police but not charged with a crime, was signed into law on Friday, July 16.

"In a democracy there are times when safety and liberty find themselves in conflict. From the Alien and Sedition Acts to the Japanese internment camps during WWII to the Patriot Act, we have experienced moments where liberty took a back seat. And each time, hindsight made our errors clear," Paterson said. "Today, we have an opportunity to set the scales of safety and liberty in balance before we lose something we can't get back. We will continue to work together – citizens, civic leaders, and law enforcement officers – to make New York the safest and most free city in America."

While the governor has the support of Senators and Assemblymembers, City Councilmember Eric Ulrich, a member of the City Council Public Safety Committee, said that eliminating this electronic database leaves New Yorkers vulnerable to the city’s rising crime rate.

“As categories of crime continue to rise throughout the City, the NYPD needs every available tool at its disposal to keep our streets safe,” said Ulrich. “I am extremely disappointed in the Governor’s decision to eliminate this database, which was instrumental in solving many crimes.”

The new bill does not prevent the use of the stop-and-frisk technique, nor does it prevent police from entering generic information – such as the gender or race of a suspect – however, Paterson believes the new law will help to preserve a presumption of innocence.

"Those accused of a crime are permitted to have their records sealed upon the dismissal of the charges,” said Paterson. “Therefore, simple justice as well as common sense suggests that those questioned by police and not even accused of a crime should not be subjected to perpetual suspicion."

However, Ulrich believes that with the signing of this bill, the Governor has taken an important tool out of the hands of law enforcement and the people of New York will suffer because of this action.

“With the stroke of his pen, the Governor has effectively taken away an invaluable resource that has undoubtedly helped make New York the safest big city in America,” he said.

Residents Will Have to Wait to Ride Carousel by Justin Chan - The Queens Courier

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In addition to City Councilman Eric Ulrich, State Senator Joe Addabbo, Assemblyman Mike Miller and Community Boards 5 and 9 have sent letters to the Parks Dept citing the historical and cultural values of the carousel to their constituents and the community at large... I would urge all interested parties to join the Facebook "Save the Forest Park Carousel" page and share your memories of the carousel...

Hundreds of visitors to Forest Park are anxiously waiting for the restoration of its historic carousel, but they will have to wait a while longer.

Although local officials had hoped that the wooden carousel would be running this summer, plans to open it have been delayed for more than a year.

“Parks [the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation] is currently in negotiation with a concessionaire to run the Forest Park Carousel. In addition, the Parks Department is submitting an application for an EPF grant to help further fund the restoration the horses and other historic elements,” said Patricia Bertuccio, a Parks Department spokesperson.

The carousel is one of four that are operated by New York City parks. It is one of the few remaining works of master woodcarver Daniel Carl Muller. Known for his expertise in crafting fanciful figures for carousels, Muller carved the animals on the carousel in the early 1900s.

Despite being renovated several times, the carousel has gradually deteriorated and is in need of another restoration. Unfortunately, its previous vendor, New York One LLC, abandoned it two years ago.

“This isn’t just an amusement ride, it’s a thing of beauty – it’s art. It’s a unique classic wood carousel – there are only two like it in the United States,” said Ed Wendell, president of the Woodhaven Resident Block Association. “I think the message this sends to Woodhaven and the communities that surround Forest Park – Glendale, Ridgewood, Forest Hills, Richmond Hill – is that we don’t particularly respect our past, our history.”

Wendell has been working hard to round up community support for the carousel’s renovation in an effort to restore it to its former glory.

“We're hoping that if enough people speak up we can change this,” said Wendell.

City Councilmember Eric Ulrich has already appealed to Commissioner Carol Ash of the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. In his letter to the commissioner, Ulrich noted that the park has been a “unique and exceptional recreational, historic and cultural icon that has enriched the lives of thousands of children from all across New York City.”

“It’s truly a one-of-a-kind historic centerpiece,” said Ulrich. “If we lose it, Forest Park is just going to be another city park. People travel across the country to visit it.”

City Budget's Impact on Ulrich's District by Tonia Cimino - The Queens Courier

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After the passage of the city’s budget, and despite the proposed cuts to various agencies, City Councilmember Ulrich announced funding for dozens of local community groups and programs throughout the 32nd District, along with 18 capital projects totaling $4.2 million.

“Unlike Albany, the City of New York has once again passed an on-time, balanced budget that does not include any tax increases,” said Ulrich. “Thanks to years of responsible budgeting and smart planning, the city’s strong fiscal position has allowed us avoid drastic cuts to areas that would have had a devastating impact on the lives of nearly every New Yorker.”

Capital projects funded within District 32 include:

● Installation of guardrails along Cross Bay Boulevard’s southbound approach to Broad Channel;

● Improvements at London Planetree Park, including a skate plaza, fitness equipment and refurbishment of the old basketball courts;

● Resurfacing and new fencing at the Rockaway Beach handball courts;

● Fifteen security cameras at John Adams High School;

● Sidewalk repair and tree planting throughout the district totaling $1.2 million.

Ulrich has also secured funding for technology projects at the following public schools: John Adams H.S., M.S. 137, M.S. 202, M.S. 210, P.S. 108, P.S. 146, P.S. 317, P.S. 60, P.S. 63 and P.S./M.S. 47. In addition, electrical upgrades at P.S. 207 and funding for a new science lab at P.S. 232 are included in the budget.

Through discretionary spending allocations, funding is also earmarked for many community groups and programs that serve the district and borough, including Bridge to Life, Inc., Forest Park Trust, Franklin K. Lane H.S., Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation, Lindenwood Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps, New Hamilton Beach Civic Association, Point Breezy Volunteer Fire Department, Queens Symphony Orchestra, Woodhaven Intramural Soccer Club, Woodhaven Richmond Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Broad Channel Athletic Club, Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association, Blessed Trinity Parish (for senior services), Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services (to support four local senior centers), Forest Park Senior Citizens Center, Jewish Association for Services for the Aged (JASA), Locust Grove Civic Association of Queens County, Bobbi and the Strays, Howard Beach Columbus Day Foundation, Nativity BVM Youth Basketball League, New York Families for Autistic Children, Our Lady of Grace (youth soccer camp), Ozone Howard Little League, South Queens Boys and Girls Club and Works Little League.

In addition, funding has been secured for SAT prep courses at John Adams, Franklin K. Lane, Scholars Academy, Channel View School for Research, Robert H. Goddard High School of Communication Arts and Technology and Beach Channel High School.

Other projects and programs include movie and family nights offered through the Parks Department, and 50 premium trash cans will be installed along 101st Avenue.

In all, Ulrich secured approximately $576,000 in discretionary funding to support local initiatives.

New York City's fiscal year begins on July 1 and ends on June 30.

New Traffic Plans for Southeast Queens by Tonia N. Cimino - The Queens Courier

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If you live, drive, or shop on Liberty Avenue or Rockaway Boulevard, big changes may be coming soon.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has released its findings – and its suggested improvements – for both the Liberty Avenue and Rockaway Boulevard intersections following its “Congested Corridor” studies of the areas.

At “the complicated intersection where Woodhaven Boulevard, Liberty Avenue, Rockaway Boulevard and Cross Bay Boulevards meet,” according to the DOT, the agency is planning to install sidewalk extensions and medians to shorten crossing distances and improve current bus stop locations.

With a proposed implementation planned for September, traffic patterns will be redesigned and signal phasing will be modified. The DOT is also proposing to close Liberty Avenue between Cross Bay Boulevard and 95th Street and expand the Greenstreet that currently exists.

Along Rockaway Boulevard, where the DOT says speeding is common and there were 14.2 average pedestrian injuries per year from 2004 to 2008, they may remove one lane of traffic west of 104th Street and two through travel lanes east of 104th Street (except at junctions with the Van Wyck Expressway, Liberty Avenue, and Woodhaven/Cross Bay Boulevards).

With a proposed start date of August, center medians with left turn bays will also be installed to make turning easier and improve traffic flows.

The DOT also has a plan to help alleviate speeding along Cross Bay Boulevard in Broad Channel.

DOT representatives will be at the June 3 Community Board 10 meeting, according to CB 10 District Manager Karyn Petersen.

“So much was involved, we knew the community had to be involved,” said Petersen, who noted there will be an “extensive public review process” and comment period.

The DOT has said the plans won't be publicly available until after they are presented to the Community Boards.

Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer, who has said the areas’ traffic patterns need improvement, noted that one concern of hers is the potential loss of parking spaces – and the impact on area businesses.

“We have a thriving area there,” she said. “We don’t want to hurt people’s businesses or see people get hurt.”

Pheffer is pushing for a walk-through with the DOT.

“There’s some of it we like, some of it is a little extreme,” she told The Courier. “We want them to explain to us and see what its like in the car.”

The next meeting of CB 10 will be on June 3 at 7:45 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus, 135-45 Lefferts Boulevard.

Desecrated 9/11 ‘Living’ Tribute Restored by Noah Rosenberg - The Queens Courier

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A 9/11 “living memorial” destroyed a week after the eighth anniversary of the terrorist attacks has been brought back to life thanks to a group of city officials, activists and volunteers.

With New York City Parks Department funding, a group sprinkled with children and seniors battled the elements on Saturday, November 14 to replant a grove of ornamental trees at South Ozone Park’s Lefferts Playground, which fell victim to “arborcide” on September 18.

The original grove – which consisted of six plum and one red bud whose limbs had been cracked and ripped off – was planted on September 11, 2003 with funding provided by The Queens Courier, in partnership with the city Parks Department.

The new plantings consist of seven plum trees – at a cost of around $600 per tree, the Parks Department said – that will bloom come spring, restoring beauty to the park and reinvigorating the memory of the fallen.

Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski, who was joined at the replanting by Community Board 10 (CB 10) chair Betty Bratton, CB 10 manager Karyn Peterson and members of the Locust Grove Civic Association, told The Courier, “People in general who come out there and sit on those benches and walk that pathway were just happy to see the area restored.”

“Think about it in the larger picture,” Lewandowski added. “Queens is the borough of trees. It was devastating to see those trees destroyed.”

She said there are still no leads on who may have been behind the arborcide, but noted that the portion of the park that is home to the trees will now be locked in the evening hours. A second plaque commemorating those who perished on 9/11 will be added near the grove of trees, Lewandowski said.

A replanting of ornamentals in Middle Village’s Juniper Valley Park, also the scene of a late-summer arborcide, will take place on November 28.

Photo courtesy NYC Parks & Recreation - A group of city officials, activists and volunteers gathered in Lefferts Playground on November 14 to replant a “living memorial” to 9/11.

Police Alleged Threats with a Meat Cleaver - The Queens Courier

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102nd PRECINCT

A man claims that he was threatened with a meat cleaver on September 12 following a dispute in an Ozone Park home.

The victim told police that the suspect, Sarabjeet Sandhu, 57, “held a meat cleaver in his hand, moved said meat cleaver in a chopping motion, and stated, . . . ‘I’m gonna chop your head off,” according to papers obtained from the district attorney’s office.

The victim managed to call 9-1-1 and Sandhu was arrested and charged with menacing in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and harassment in the second degree.

Proposal to Use Rockaway Landfill for Solar Power by Noah Rosenberg - The Queens Courier

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Community Board 14 District Manager Jonathan Gaska, of the Rockaways, was watching President Barack Obama discuss the need for alternative energy when, Gaska said, “a light bulb – no pun intended – [went] off in my head.”

In a place like the Rockaways, surrounded by water on three sides, residents are “very sensitive to the environment,” Gaska explained. So, Gaska said he was not the least bit surprised by the lack of community opposition to his proposal to turn the closed Edgemere Landfill – which he calls “a huge mound” with no current “sensible use” – into a solar panel field.

“It’s an area that’s not being used at all,” said Gaska, who sits on the Long Island Power Authority’s (LIPA) community business advisory board and has vocalized his idea to the authority’s CEO, Kevin Law. “I know there’s federal money out there to do this.”

The landfill, in use between 1967 and 1991, sits on 158 acres, 118 of which are still monitored by the New York City Department of Sanitation, along the shores of Jamaica Bay near JFK Airport. The property is ostensibly waiting for some sort of intervention, in Gaska’s opinion.

“The only thing it does now is it breeds mosquitoes and makes life miserable for a lot of our residents,” said Gaska, who also wants to turn part of the property into a public park.

In a written response to Gaska, Law expressed interest in the proposal. In fact, LIPA has a “very aggressive” solar rebate program for consumers and recently selected two private companies to generate solar power back to the grid in Long Island, LIPA’s vice president of environmental affairs, Michael Deering, said.

Nonetheless, Law emphasized to Gaska the “numerous technical, engineering, fiscal, ownership and public policy matters” that must be considered with such an undertaking.

“What we have suggested to Jonathan is to try to get a meeting together, sort of a multi-jurisdictional meeting in the community to talk about the landfill,” Deering said.

“Solar and wind do come at a premium,” though, Deering warned, noting that alternative energy sources are more costly in the short-term.

For the time being, Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer, whose district includes the Edgemere Landfill, is the lone elected official to have come out in favor of the project.

“It would be an excellent opportunity and it would also be educational. People would see it being used,” said Pheffer, who sits on LIPA’s advisory board alongside Gaska.

Gaska noted that the first of the project’s hurdles is support from Mayor Michael Bloomberg, from whom he is awaiting a response.

In a statement, the Parks Department said it “has not received any proposals for solar panels at Edgemere Landfill, but it is open to looking at green technology at this future park.” The agency is currently looking into the possibility of offering tours of Edgemere, much like those offered at the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island.

“It’s a win-win for everybody,” Gaska said of his proposal. “There’s no downside that we know of, but that has not stopped government from killing a project.”

He admitted that while the proposal is in keeping with the Bloomberg Administration’s emphasis on environmental sustainability – “You cannot get any greener than this” – the idea is bound to confront some opposition.

“Look,” Gaska said, “this is the City of New York, there’s always somebody against something.”

No New Bids for Big A Racino by Victor G. Mimoni - The Queens Courier

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Artist’s rendering Courtesy Delaware North
It’s back to square one for bidders to operate a “Racino” gaming operation at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park. Delaware North’s plan (shown here) collapsed when they couldn’t come up with the $370 million down payment by the Tuesday, March 31 deadline.

According to a spokesperson for Governor David Paterson, recently published reports “have it all wrong” in claiming that Tuesday, March 31 was the deadline to submit new bids to operate a Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) “Racino” at Aqueduct Racetrack in Ozone Park.

The official statement reads, “The state is currently finalizing the final details of a new solicitation process.” An Albany source said “that means writing a new Memorandum of Understanding” to govern the details of the operation, and establishing a timetable for accepting bids – including a real deadline.

“We haven’t heard anything from the Governor’s office,” State Senator Joe Addabbo, whose district includes the track and its immediate environs, reportedly said on Friday, March 27, just days before the erroneous report.

“It’s all about the budget right now, understandably,” Addabbo told The Courier Sun. “But, we are very concerned about bidding on the franchise and on certain parcels of vacant land around Aqueduct.”

Addabbo said that the land deals were not to be finalized until sometime “in late May, so there’s time to look at that situation after we have budget matters resolved.”

Assemblymember Audrey Pheffer, who also represents the area, told The Courier Sun that the new bidding process would be accelerated. “I’ve been told that the time between the opening of bids and the deadline will only be three weeks.”

The authorization to operate VLT’s at racetracks operated by the New York Racing Association (NYRA) passed the legislature in 2001, just weeks after the September 11 attacks delivered a body-blow to the city’s economy.

The Governor “remains committed to bringing a VLT facility to Aqueduct, which will provide much-needed economic development to the racetrack and critical funding for both education and NYRA,” a spokesperson said.

Industry groups such as The New York Thoroughbred Breeders have suggested that the state is losing $1 million a day in lost revenue from VLT operations at Aqueduct, from “busloads of people” gaming in New Jersey and Connecticut, said the group’s president, Barry Ostrager, in published reports. “Money is being siphoned out of New York State,” he reportedly said.

According to reported figures, the Racino operation in Yonkers tendered roughly $5 million to the state’s education coffers in one recent week.

After years of wrangling, everyone thought the matter was settled last October, when Governor Paterson announced that Buffalo-based Delaware North had won the bid to operate a 4,500 VLT Racino and commercial-entertainment-hospitality complex on the sprawling grounds around the track.

Delaware North had out-bid gaming consortium Capital Play and real estate powerhouse S.L. Green, in part with the promise of a $370 million up-front payment – roughly $120 million better than the second place bid.

However, in early March, Delaware North announced that in “a changing economic landscape,” it couldn’t come up with the money by the payment deadline – March 31. Their request to parcel out payments after the beginning of the fiscal year on April 1 was rebuffed.

Nevertheless, Delaware North was allowed to submit another bid. “We couldn’t start the process all over again,” Addabbo said, “We’ll see what kind of bids are out there.”