FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT www.queenscourier.com NOVEMBER 14, 2013 • The Queens Courier 3 Photo Courtesy FDNY A four-alarm fire at a Kew Gardens apartment building destroyed several units and left 11 people with minor injuries. FAMILIES DISPLACED BY FOUR-ALARM FIRE BY CRIS TABELLE TUMOLA [email protected] A four-alarm blaze at a Kew Gardens apartment building left 11 people injured and displaced several families. The fire started just after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12 on the 3rd floor of the 129th Street dwelling and extended to the fourth, fifth and sixth floors, and an area below the roof, said the FDNY. Eight firefighters and three residents suffered minor injuries in the blaze. Those hurt were taken to Jamaica Hospital and North Shore Hospital, according to the Fire Department. The FDNY said the blaze was under control at about 9:15 p.m. Mireille Fabius, 81, said she and the other residents who live on the ground floor had to be evacuated. “I came out and it was turmoil. We didn’t know what was going on,” she said. The Red Cross, which sent workers to the scene to assist displaced residents, said 12 units were either destroyed by the fire or vacated as a result. According to a spokesperson for the organization, the Red Cross had to provide emergency shelter to four households and the remaining displaced families were able to find their own housing. -With additional reporting by Melissa Chan THE COURIER/FILE PHOTO Joseph “Jay” Savino BILL WOULD PUT THE BRAKES ON RUNNING BY MELIS A CHAN [email protected] State Senator Tony Avella, taking a shot at two newly elected officials, introduced a bill that would limit when registered lobbyists could run for office. Legislation the lawmaker announced last week would prohibit former registered lobbyists from running for city or state office for two years from the time they leave their firms. Elected lobbyists could have a “distinct and unequal advantage” when it comes to influence, access and money, Avella said. “It’s no question we have to reduce the amount of influence lobbyists have,” he said. “The less influence, the better.” Queens Borough President-elect Melinda Katz and Councilmember-elect Paul Vallone are registered as New York City lobbyists — a fact Avella said was not lost on him when he was running against Katz for borough president. Avella also supported Vallone’s primary opponent, Paul Graziano. The senator said he spoke to widely known good government groups on the bill, though he did not specify which organizations supported it. “I thought the bill was appropriate. I think that it’s something we should do in the future,” Avella said. “If elected officials and their staff are prohibited from working as registered lobbyists for a period of time after their term or employment has ended, why isn’t the reverse true?” The bill, which Avella says is the first of its kind, was referred to the Senate’s Rules Committee on July 1. If passed, it would take effect immediately. SMITH/HALLORAN BRIBERY SCANDAL: Savino pleads guilty BY MELIS A CHAN [email protected] The former Bronx Republican chairman has pleaded guilty in the bribery scandal involving two indicted Queens legislators. Joseph “Jay” Savino admitted to accepting a $15,000 bribe in February from an undercover FBI agent to let Democratic State Senator Malcolm Smith run for mayor as a Republican. Smith needed consent from three of the city’s five Republican chairmen. Prosecutors said Smith had Councilmember Dan Halloran set up meetings with the county leaders and negotiate payoffs. Halloran is accused of pocketing thousands in exchange for his help. Savino pleaded guilty to three public corruption counts on November 12 in federal court in White Plains for his hand in the alleged conspiracy that took place between November 2012 and April 2013. He faces up to 30 years in prison and is expected to be sentenced February 25, according to reports. Savino’s lawyer and Halloran, who has pleaded not guilty, did not respond to inquiries. Halloran’s lawyer declined to comment. Former Queens GOP vice chair Vincent Tabone, Spring Valley Mayor Noramie Jasmin and Spring Valley Deputy Mayor Joseph Desmaret, who were also arrested in connection to the scheme, have all pleaded not guilty to the charges. Tabone’s lawyers said a motion they filed to dismiss the charges against him is still pending and will be heard by Southern District of New York Judge Kenneth M. Karas on December 5. “Mr. Savino has his own reasons for pleading guilty, but as far as we can tell, he did not implicate our client in any of his pleas,” said Deborah Misir, one of Tabone’s attorneys. “It doesn’t change the fact that we have a very weighty motion to dismiss, pending the court,” Misir said. “We’re very confident the court is going to dismiss the two charges against our client.” POLICE SEEK CHURCH THIEF BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO [email protected] The thief may have made off with their valuables, but he didn’t shake their faith. Police are looking for a suspect who broke into Saint Demetrios Cathedral, located at 30-11 30th Drive in Astoria, on Wednesday November 6 at approximately 2:30 p.m. The suspect allegedly took off with cash and jewelry, which parishioners leave as offerings to a specific saint in an enclosed glass case, according to Father Anastasios Pourakis, one of Saint Demetrios’ Reverend Fathers. The suspect broke the case and the exact amount taken is unknown. “You can’t put a value, because there’s a spiritual bond there,” said Father Pourakis. “It is not so much about the monetary value but more about the faith and the goodness of the people being interrupted, not broken, just interrupted.” Father Pourakis said services are going on as normal and the parish’s main goal is having faith and praying that the suspect of the robbery will be healed of any “torment” he is undergoing which caused him to commit the crime. “We’re functioning,” said Father Pourakis. “We’re like native New Yorkers – getting back up again.” Members of Saint Demetrios are working with police as they continue the investigation to find the suspect. “This robbery is a despicable action,” said Councilmemberelect Costa Constantinides. “I know that the 114th Precinct will work to put the perpetrator to justice. It is shameful that this aggressive act took place in a peaceful place of worship, where the individual could have received help if they needed it.” Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS. Photo Courtesy NYPD Police are looking for a suspect who broke into Saint Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria on November 6 and took off with cash and jewelry.
QC11142013
To see the actual publication please follow the link above