FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM OCTOBER 21, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 23
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A chance to
boost the
MTA’s vision
for the future
BY JANNO LIEBER
With the latest infrastructure bill now
under debate in Washington, we have a
once-in-a-generation chance to invest in
the future of mass transit. Th is vital legislation,
championed by President Biden,
will help to improve the lives of millions
of people, not just in the metropolitan
region but across the country.
Th e $1.2 trillion plan includes $550 billion
for public transit, bridges and highways,
with more than $10 billion potentially
headed for the MTA. Th e money
would give our historic 2020-2024 Capital
Program a major boost on top of the $15
billion in capital funding congestion pricing
is expected to generate. Until then, we
need every penny we can get from the federal
government to support our ambitious
plans to revitalize the MTA.
Money from the infrastructure bill is
diff erent than the hard-fought $14 billion
in federal COVID-19 relief funds that
Congress allocated to help the MTA keep
the lights on and the trains running aft er
the pandemic devastated our fi nances.
Instead, the infrastructure funds would
be used for just that: long-term improvements
and modernization projects for the
subway, bus and commuter rail systems.
Delaying action on the bill could jeopardize
long-planned upgrades that would
create new jobs and advance climate goals,
like zero-emissions buses, new signals on
six subway lines, and accessibility projects
at dozens of stations — not to mention
transformative mega projects like Second
Avenue Subway Phase 2 and Metro-North
Penn Station Access.
Th ese upgrades are only becoming
more important as customers return to
the system. Already, we’re back to regularly
serving more than 3 million riders
a day on just the subways, and more than
5 million including buses and the commuter
railroads. Th e best incentive we
can off er additional riders to come back
and drive these numbers even higher is a
seamless and modern travel experience,
which requires real investment on the federal
level.
Led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck
Schumer, our partners in Washington
have already done so much to keep mass
transit alive during the pandemic. But
now it’s time to look to the future of mass
transit and its short-term and long-term
importance to the region’s revival and survival.
By passing the infrastructure bill,
Congress could give the MTA’s indispensable
system new momentum as we carry
millions back to work, school, entertainment
venues and everything else that New
York has to off er.
Janno Lieber is acting MTA chair and
CEO.
PROBLEMS SURROUND
NEW QUEENS BLVD.
BIKE LANE
Finally! The section of Queens
Boulevard from Union Turnpike to
Yellowstone Boulevard is being remodeled
by the NYC DOT.
I was part of a local group tasked with
giving our opinion as to what should
be done. Sadly, the same problems that
aff ect the bike lanes on the other part
of Queens Boulevard transformed to
accommodate bicyclists will happen to
this stretch of the thoroughfare. I don’t
see any mitigation of the same problems
about to occur on this stretch.
Recently, I was in Elmhurst and
observed how the bike lanes are used
there. Motorcyclists use them, as well as
delivery persons on scooters and motorized
bikes. Buses and cars move onto
them when there are double parked cars
on the one available lane of traffi c available.
If a car is moving slowly, on the
local lane, a driver will go around that
car and enter that bike lane to the detriment
of any bicyclist traveling on it. I
have seen it happen many times.
Th e main reason for all these trespassers
is a lack of enforcement when
it comes to double-parkers on Queens
Boulevard, as well as no enforcement
when a non-bicycle utilizes these bike
lanes. Th e stretch from Yellowstone
Boulevard to Union Turnpike will carry
the same risks to bicyclists as the other
stretches of Queens Boulevard outfi tted
with these bike lanes. I also remember
being part of the group concerning that
earlier segment, from Elliot Avenue to
Yellowstone Boulevard.
Th ere were people double-parking on
that stretch as well, with little to no traffi
c enforcement. All you have to do is
ride those portions of Queens Boulevard
to see what happens and how vehicles
encroach on those bike lanes.
If only one lane exists, for local traffi c,
where are those cars and buses supposed
to go if there is a double-parker blocking
that lane: jump over it? It doesn’t seem
as though NYC DOT has traffi c enforcement
as a priority.
Until that is a priority, bicyclists using
these “dedicated” bike lanes will take
their lives in their hands using it.
SM Sobelsohn, Kew Gardens
GOODBYE AUNT BELLA’S
Another local neighborhood institution
has closed its doors on Sunday,
Oct. 10.
Aunt Bella’s, an Italian restaurant located
on Marathon Parkway, two blocks
south of Northern Boulevard in Little
Neck, opened in 1977 and celebrated its
44th anniversary in February 2021. I
have been a regular since 1983, my wife
Wendy since 1994.
Upon my fi rst visit in 1983, I was sold
on the menu. Chicken cutlet parmigiana,
garlic bread, salad and pasta became my
standard. Years later, I would switch to
sauteed chicken with peppers and sundried
tomatoes. In recent times, they
would make me salmon cutlet parmigiana
even though it was not on the menu.
Wendy always seems to enjoy ordering
the shrimp scampi over pasta. During
my bachelor days, on cold winter nights
I would phone in for a delivery “care
package.” Back then, my appetite could
handle an order of baked ziti as an appetizer
followed by a chicken cutlet parm
with a side salad, garlic bread and pasta.
I was so grateful for the delivery person
that I would always be sure to leave him
with a good tip.
Even with many loyal customers growing
older, moving away or sadly succumbing
to old age, prior to COVID-
19, Aunt Bella’s held on. New generations
of customers and neighbors would
replace those lost. Th ey quickly learned
about the great food at reasonable prices
that are accompanied by the personal
attention of the staff . Once hooked, they
became regulars. Many loyal customers
who may have moved would still try and
come back. It was not out of the ordinary
to see neighbors recognizing neighbors
while dining.
Th e new owner Andy was on the verge
of closing last Th anksgiving. He decided
to give it a try. First, they got rid of lunch
hours, as there were few customers to be
found. Th e new hours were 4 to 9 p.m.
(closed on Mondays).
We looked forward to spending New
Year’s Eve, Valentines Day and other special
holidays at Aunt Bella’s. Even when
there is a special limited menu (it is the
only way for any restaurant to keep up
with the high turnover rate of customers)
for New Year’s Eve or Valentine’s
Day, it is well worth the extra dollar
or two for your meal. Why travel into
Manhattan for some fancy, upscale restaurant
where you are a total stranger?
You can obtain a much better meal for
far less.
Eating at Aunt Bella’s was like dining
with family. On cold winter nights, hot
summer days or when it is my night to
cook, we walked a few blocks over to
Aunt Bella’s. Over time, we have gotten
to know many of the staff on a fi rst-name
basis. Frequently, the portions have been
so generous that we have had a doggy
bag for the next day.
It is a double loss with the closing of
Aunt Bella’s, along with the Little Neck
Stop & Shop on Oct. 14. Our neighborhood
will never be the same.
Wendy and I enjoyed our fi nal meal
there on the last day of business. We
will always cherish our memories of the
good times we had breaking bread at
Aunt Bella’s.
Larry Penner, Great Neck
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