20 The QUEE NS Courier • JUNE 26, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Board votes against Kew Gardens QUEENS GOP: CHAIRMAN PHIL RAGUSA DIED BY LIAM LA GUERRE [email protected] Phil Ragusa, chair of the Q u e e n s Republican Party, died Tuesday after a short battle with Leukemia, party officials confirmed in a statement. He was 74. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our THE COURIER/File Photo very distinguished Queens Republican Party Chairman, Phil Chairman Phil Ragusa died Ragusa,” the Tuesday after a short battle statement said. with leukemia. “ C h a i r m a n Ragusa will be remembered for his integrity and commitment to the democratic process and was viewed by many as not just a friend but a mentor.” Ragusa died in a bed surrounded by family members, according to the statement. He survived a challenged to lead the county committee last year from former Congressman Bob Turner. Ragusa has been Queens GOP chairman since 2007. Hills synagogue expansion BY LIAM LA GUERRE [email protected]/@liamlaguerre A Kew Gardens Hills temple with numerous building violations that wants to expand may need to turn to a higher power after Community Board (CB) 8 voted unanimously to deny its variance application, following strong opposition from neighbors. The Sephardic Congregation, which operates in 141-41 72nd Ave., is seeking a variance from the Board of Standards and Appeals (BSA) to build a third floor on its temple in a residentially-zoned area to ease the growth of its popular shul. But because of 15 open Department of Buildings violations, including not having a Certificate of Occupancy or fire alarms and having a broken elevator, CB 8 members blasted the congregation’s leadership in a meeting on Thursday, Junes 18, and voted not to support the BSA variance application. The ruling was cheered on by residents, who were opposed to expansion because it could reduce parking spots and property value while increasing garbage and noise. “I am satisfied with the board’s decision,” said Denise Shore, a resident who lives next to the temple. “The system worked. It restored my faith.” The congregation was established more than two decades ago after converting a residential house into a temple. A school, Yeshiva Ohel Simcha, was added soon after and currently enrolls 70 elementary school students. Currently, there are two floors and a cellar in the building, and new students have been turned away due to classroom-size limitations, congregation leaders said. With the proposed third floor, they hoped to add six additional classrooms, to house a total of 185 students, doubling student enrollment and adding new teachers. The congregation’s variance application for the third floor included asking for a pass to work in the building despite violations. This was necessary, according to congregation lawyer Jay Goldstein, because without it they can’t legally work on THE COURIER/Photo by Liam La Guerre Community Board 8 denied support for Sephardic Congregation’s variance application to add a third floor on its Kew Gardens Hills building. the building. They pledged to amend the violations if approved for the application. However, frustrated board members split the application into two parts and denied both, the first being a variance to work in the building despite violations and the second being the variance for the third floor. The BSA will have the final say on the application for a third floor and before that, it’s expected to hit a borough president meeting. But losing the recommendation of CB 8 was a serious blow. Representatives of the synagogue were visibly displeased following the decision. “I have no comment. The board did their duties as a civic association,” Goldstein said. 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