FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.qns.com AUGUST 11, 2016 • The Queens Courier 3 The Department of Buildings informed state Senator Tony Avella that four massage parlors in Flushing were operating illegally. RUBBED THE WRONG WAY FOUR MASSAGE PARLORS IN FLUSHING WERE SLAPPED WITH VACANT ORDERS FOR ILLEGAL OPERATION By Briana Ellis bellis@qns.com/@briinformed Massage parlors in Flushing are not being totally honest about their business. Most recently, four spas were slapped with a slew of violations by the Department of Buildings (DOB) for alleged illegal activities, according to state Senator Tony Avella. Avella said that various massage parlors on 162nd Street between 46th Avenue and Northern Boulevard were operating illegally. Once constituents informed Avella about suspicious activity at the spas, he contacted the DOB, the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Queens District Attorney’s Office (DA) in December. The DA’s office responded that an investigation would be conducted by the chief of its Human Trafficking Unit and NYPD’s Vice Enforcement department collaboratively. The team concluded that the following spas, inspected on June 3 and 4, were operating without a permit and received vacate orders: - 45-53 162nd St. - 45-74 162nd St. - 162-13 46th Ave. - 45-60 162nd St. With the help of the DA’s office and NYPD’s recent findings, Avella is aiming to have criminal charges brought against the business owners to discourage other establishments from practicing illegal activity. “It’s unbelievable just how many of these ‘massage parlors’ exist in our communities, operating under false pretenses in an effort to conceal illegal acts,” Avella said. He expressed fear that women employed at these “massage parlors” may be victims of human trafficking. Illegal massage parlors have been an ongoing problem in Queens. Several of these spas have been busted in recent months for prostitution and more frequently for operating without proper permits. 1 Large Pizza 3 Toppings 2 Medium Pizzas 2 Toppings Each 2 Large Pizzas 2 Toppings .99 150-39 14 Ave., Whitestone, NY • 718-746-7272 GRAND OPENING!! CALL FOR DELIVERY 718-746-7272 $9.99 With this Coupon. Not valid with any other offer or coupon. $6.99 With this Coupon. Not valid with any other offer or coupon. 1 Large Pizza 2 Toppings & 8 Wings $19.99 With this Coupon. Not valid with any other offer or coupon. $21 With this Coupon. Not valid with any other offer or coupon. No waiting list for LIC Pre-K There’s nothing more worrisome than being put on a waitlist for something that you actually need. Luckily, as of Aug. 10, about 36 Long Island City families will no longer worry about whether their child will be able to start pre-K this fall. Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer and the Department of Education (DOE) announced the addition of 36 pre-K seats in Hunters Point. “Because of our urging, the DOE has added a total of 76 pre-K seats, eliminating the P.S. 78 pre-K waitlist and ensuring that all of the neighborhood’s children can attend pre-K close to home. I will continue to push for these seats to be made permanent,” Van Bramer said. The new classrooms will be located at 5-14/16 49th Ave. and serve pre-K students from Hunters Point for the 2016/2017 school year. Candace Higgins Queens economy strong as NYC slows: report Although the city’s economy appears to be slowing down, Queens’ economy is still going strong, according to a report that City Comptroller Scott Stringer released on Aug. 10. During the second quarter of 2016, Queens had a 4.1 unemployment rate, the lowest among the five boroughs and also the lowest second quarter on record in 2016. Housing sales in Queens rose 2.8 percent in the second quarter as well. Even though the city’s overall economic growth has slowed relatively compared to the first quarter numbers, it still outpaced the nation’s of 1.2 percent. “Our city’s economy is still growing, but in 2016 we’ve gone from a sprint to a jog,” Stringer said. Stringer predicted such a lag in economic growth in the first quarter report stating that while more New York City residents were employed now than ever, many of those jobs were gained in low-wage industries. This too is undermining the economy because despite having full-time jobs, New Yorkers still couldn’t afford a decent living. Slowing job growth and failing venture capital has contributed to the slowing of the city’s economy in the second quarter, Stringer noted. “New York City’s economy continues to grow, but has begun to feel the impact of national and global uncertainty,” Stringer said. Comptroller remained adamant that his office will continue to monitor the city’s economic progress as the second quarter may not be an indication of what is to come. Justin Alvarez
QC08112016
To see the actual publication please follow the link above