76 The QUEE NS Courier • july 4, 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 Maria DeInnocentiis Utopia State Civic Asociation Order Sons of Italy in America Community Board 8 COMMUNITY SERVICE: Maria DeInnocentiis has dedicated her life to the service of others. She is the chair of the Utopia State Civic Association, the treasurer of the Order Sons of Italy in America and the chair and treasurer of Community Board 8, among other posts. “I work hard to support my community,” she said. “I try to keep up the quality of life for my neighbors, and make sure they have a place to file complaints when they need to.” BACKGROUND: DeInnocentiis was born in Brooklyn and moved to Queens when she was a teenager. She attended St. John’s University, where she acquired her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education and counseling. DeInnocentiis’s volunteering efforts began at her church. When she had children later on, she knew she wanted them to have a good life. She thought that getting involved in the community would help her better understand its problems and issues. “I see a need to give back, and people always ask me to help out,” she said. “I guess I just don’t know how to say no. It’s what I really enjoy doing, and I learned in my 30s that this is what I want to do with my life.” FAVORITE MEMORY: “I remember when I was at a rally with my one-year-old daughter,” she said. “That’s when Mayor Ed Koch walked up to me and told me that it was people like me that made a difference. He was a great man, and those words still stick with me.” BIGGEST CHALLENEGE: DeInnocentiis says that her biggest today is getting people away from mass media to focus on becoming involved. “Finding young people willing to persevere is harder than it was 30 years ago,” she said. “Twitter and Facebook are great for getting a message out, but they can’t solve problems. People have to get out and make sure your voice is heard.” INSPIRATION: “I have many people I look to for inspiration,” DeInnocentiis said. “But my true lifelong inspiration is Tami Hirsch, my best friend. She’s the president of the Utopia State Civic Association and she’s been my best friend and supporter for many years.” BY JOHANN HAMILTON Legally Speaking By: Scott Baron, Attorney at Law HILLARY’S HORSE HOUSE Q: Fire has damaged a barn on our property. Our sixteen-year old daughter has been using this barn as a place for her friends to keep their horses when the friends go away overnight. At the time of the fire, Hillary was actually blow-drying one of these horses. Our insurer has disclaimed coverage, pointing out that our homeowner’s policy excludes coverage for structures used for business purposes. In the policy, the term ‘business’ is defined as “any full or part-time activity of any kind engaged in for economic gain including the use of any part of any premises for such purposes”. A: Fundamentally, the question is how the exclusion commonly would be understood Advertorial by a policyholder of ordinary intelligence. If the terms of the policy and its exclusion clauses are clear and unambiguous, then they must be read in their ordinary sense and preclude any interpretation upon the part of a court. On the other hand, ambiguity works to your advantage, i.e. against the insurer who selected the wording. If an insurer wants to exclude some liability, it has the responsibility of couching the exclusion in clear and unmistakable language, so that no average person can be misled. To constitute a ‘business’, an activity must involve both continuity and, as that exclusionary clause acknowledges, a profit motive. The insurer must show a customary engagement or occupation on your daughter’s part. There must also be such activity as gainful employment, a means of earning a living or procuring subsistence or profit, or what unmistakably are commercial transactions or engagements. To the extent that your daughter’s activity was either not for profit or merely sporadic, then your attorney should be successful in arguing against this insurer. 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. 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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