FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com june 23, 2016 • The Queens Courier 3 COURIER SHOR TS Federal honors for Queens LGBT icons The House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation renaming the Jackson Heights post office in honor of two Queens residents who helped advocate for the advancement of LGBT rights. Congressman Joe Crowley sponsored the legislation to rename the post office for Jeanne and Jules Manford, both of whom were early champions for the rights of Americans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. “Last week, we faced a terrible and tragic attack on the LGBT community in Orlando. Today, we stand in honor of two individuals who, when faced with a hateful act of violence themselves, were inspired to start a movement couched in acceptance and support,” Crowley said. “Jeanne and Jules were instrumental in the fight for equal rights, and their incredible legacy can be felt throughout Queens, New York, and the entire country. It is only fitting that we name the post office that sits along the route of the Queens Pride Parade in their honor and I’m thrilled we are one step closer to that becoming a reality.” Flushing center gets $100K for upgrades Flushing’s Taiwan Center will receive $100,000 in state funding toward renovations of its auditorium, state Senator Toby Ann Stavisky announced on June 21. “So many seniors come to the Taiwan Center for a change of scenery and to interact with one another,” Stavisky said in a statement. “The renovations will not only benefit the employees here, but also every senior who comes in to enjoy lunch, play games and socialize.” Linda Wang, president of the Taiwanese American Senior Center, which operates at the Taiwan Center, thanked Stavisky for securing the funding. Wang noted that the auditorium “is one of the most utilized rooms in our center and where many of our seniors spend most of their time here.” Flex work schedules for state agencies? Before wrapping up its legislative session, the state Senate passed a bill requiring the state government to increase the availability of flexible work schedules for state workers. The bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Nily Rozic and state Senator Daniel Squadron, would mandate that agencies conduct regular feasibility studies focusing on ways to expand flexible schedules. With both chambers having passed the legislation, the bill was sent to Governor Andrew Cuomo for his signature. According to Rozic, more flexible work schedules would enable more workers to better balance their home and work lives, and reduce rush-hour commuting congestion on roadways and public transportation systems. “The demand for flexible scheduling is increasing, and this legislation takes the next steps to determine the most effective way to implement policies that benefit both employers and employees,” Rozic said. THE COURIER/Photo by Brianna Ellis A Whitestone couple honors the Orlando victims by displaying rainbow flags on their front lawn. Whitestone couple honors victims of Orlando tragedy with a beautiful lawn memorial By Briana Ellis bellis@qns.com/@briinformed One compassionate Whitestone family has placed a sea of rainbow flags on their lawn in memory of the 49 victims murdered at an Orlando nightclub earlier this month in the deadliest mass shooting in American history. Whitestone residents Louis and Leah Todisco decided to honor the victims in an extremely heart-warming, innovative way. They are using their front lawn as a memorial, sprinkling the grass with the colorful array of flags that symbolize the fallen victims; the display is also lit up at night. “I just had a thought about it and tried to show support,” Louis Todisco told The Courier. “It’s just shocking that these people were targeted and killed for their sexual preference and they’re Americans on American soil. In 2016, no person should be persecuted for their race, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.” Leah Todisco explained that fellow Whitestone residents are constantly showing support and gratitude, often stopping by the memorial to take pictures; some of these images have been shared on local Facebook pages. “I didn’t even know he ordered all these rainbow flags and then he lined them up. He’s very creative, inspired and he’s a great man. He has a big heart,” Leah gushed about her husband’s unique decision to commemorate the victims. “Everybody was saying, ‘Thank you, thank you, great idea.’ People were walking by like, ‘Oh my God, thank you. It’s beautiful.’” Louis Todisco said that the memorial will be on display for the next few weeks near 166th Street and 20th Avenue. Creepy man wanted for series of sexual assaults near Kissena Park in Flushing By Robert Pozarycki rpozarycki@qns.com/@robbpoz Police are looking for the public’s help in finding the male suspect who sexually assaulted three women in the area of Kissena Park in Flushing this month. The first of the three incidents took place at 6:30 p.m. on June 10 in the area of Oak Avenue. Authorities said a 50-year-old woman was riding her bike near the park at Colden Street when she was approached by the suspect, who was described as a 40-year-old Hispanic male standing 6 feet tall, weighing 200 pounds with a slim and muscular build, black and gray hair and a tattoo of a red and green star on the back of his arm above the elbow. Police said the perpetrator grabbed the woman off her bike and dragged her toward the park. He attempted to talk to the woman as he touched himself over his clothing. The woman managed to escape his clutches and fled the scene. Two days later, at 10:15 a.m. on June 12, the suspect attacked a 24-year-old woman in the vicinity of Colden Street and Mulberry Avenue, authorities said. The man engaged her in conversation, then hugged her, kissed her on the cheek and groped her buttocks. After he again touched himself over his clothing, police noted, the victim fled the scene on foot. Finally, at 6:30 p.m. on June 15, the perpetrator assaulted a 41-year-old woman in the area of 56th Avenue and 148th Street. According to police, he grabbed the woman’s arms and tried to drag her into a nearby backyard; when the woman screamed, he let her go and fled inside a red vehicle. All three incidents were reported to the 109th Precinct; there were no serious injuries reported. Anyone with information regarding the pattern or the suspect’s whereabouts that could prove helpful is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish speakers, dial 888-57-PISTA). Information may also be shared on the Crime Stoppers website or by texting 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
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