36 The QUEE NS Courier • MAY 23, 2013 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com SCOTT BARON’S STAR OF QUEENS brought to you by SCOTT BARON & ASSOCICATES, P.C. Attorneys & Counselors at Law 1-866-WAS-HURT (866) 927-4878 718.738.9800 star OF queens Edwin Westley President Jackson Heights Beautification Group Community Service: Headed by Edwin Westley, the Jackson Heights Beautification Group (JHBG) fills the neighborhood with music, nature and goodwill. Founded in 1988, this all-volunteer organization hosts street cleanups and orchestral concerts in addition to creating more green spaces and preserving the Jackson Heights historic district. Westley, who has been involved with JHBG for more than 20 years, said the organization’s commitment extends beyond its greening efforts. “It shows the community that an organization is dedicated to keeping the neighborhood friendly, safe and welcoming of all our neighbors,” he said. Background: A Brooklyn native, Westley attended St. Francis Preparatory School and St. Francis College. He received his MBA at Long Island University and raised six children who are now “having wonderful careers and delivering wonderful grandchildren.” A senior planner at Northrop Grumman until he retired six years ago, Westley’s involvement with the community began with coaching his children’s baseball and basketball teams. He joined JHBG soon after moving to Jackson Heights in 1992. Favorite Memory: Westley said his most memorable moment as president of JHBG was at a holiday lighting ceremony, when residents came up to him to thank him for his contributions to the community. “The recognition that we get from the people on the street is more than worthwhile,” he said. “That’s really the ultimate satisfaction one gets in doing this kind of work.” Biggest Challenge: JHBG is currently fighting three commercial development proposals that they say would take a significant number of acres from Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. “We’re waging the good fight against the development,” Westley said. “We think that’s an outrageous attempt by the developers to commercially develop public parkland that belongs to the people.” Inspiration: The volunteers and members of JHBG inspire Westley the most. I get satisfaction “knowing that people are always willing to chip in and always willing to fight the good fight,” he said. By Rosa Kim Legally Speaking By: Scott Baron, Attorney at Law SLIPPED ON A BANANA PEEL Advertorial Q: At the supermarket, in front of the entrance to the cashier’s lane, I slipped and fell on a crushed, dirty banana peel. Of course, I did not see the banana peel before my accident. I noticed it for the first time after I fell. I have no idea how the banana peel got on the floor or how long it had been there. A: In cases like this, the manager generally will testify that she passes by frequently, to make sure there is no debris on the floor, that the front end of the store is maintained at all times, that a porter is available in case sweeping is needed and that everything is taken care of as soon as it is observed. Upon observing a banana peel or other spillage on the floor, a cashier will immediately pick it up or call the manager to have the floor cle aned. You will need to show otherwise – that owner had ‘notice’ of the dangerous banana peel. The peel was visible and apparent, and it existed for a sufficient length of time to permit the owner’s employees to discover and remove it. Please understand: under our law, the supermarket is not an insurance company for you. Also, you cannot rely merely on the crushed and dirty condition of the banana peel. Unfortunately, the condition of a banana peel is not sufficient to warrant an inference that it has been on a supermarket floor for a long time. For all we know, the banana peel had been deposited only seconds before. Before your accident, it may not have been at all crushed and dirty. Bear in mind, an accident like this hurts the peel, too. The law responds to changed conditions; exceptions and variations abound. Here, the information is general; always seek out competent counsel. This article shall not be construed as legal advice Copyright © 2013 Scott Baron & Associates, P.C. All rights reserved. 159-49 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach, New York 11414 1750 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10710 718-738-9800, 914-337-9800, 1-866-927-4878 Our job is making sure no longer goes that waste to waste. Find out more at ThinkGreen.com Energy creation. Recycling programs. Closed-loop solutions. Those are just a few of the innovations we’re delivering for customers and communities alike. We live in a world where things can no longer go to waste. That’s why Waste Management is working to get the most from resources. It’s good for business and the environment. ©2012 Waste Management, Inc.
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