TIMES, THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 • 30 Woman Fatally Struck By Car CB 5 Meets May 14 In Midville Board 5 Shelter Hearing May 22 -CONTINUED FROM PG. 3- Man Gets Impaled In Corona Fight Senate Bill Stops Vet Post Fines “This warning period of 120 days would not apply to serious violations that cause an immediate threat to safety or health, or that violate the alcoholic beverage control law” said Addabbo, who is the ranking Democratic member of the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. “This legislation represents a good faith effort to aid veterans’ organizations that had no intention of violating the law and that just need a bit of time to correct the problems identified. I think it’s the least we can do for men and women who put their lives on the line for our country and on our behalf.” Senator Addabbo noted many veterans’ organizations operate on a volunteer basis, with limited budgets, and do not receive a great deal of public funding support. “Many groups depend on their own veteran membership to help keep their organizations afloat and big municipal fines could mean the difference between a post staying open or closing,” he said. “My legislation isn’t looking to give any group a free ride—just to set up a reasonable period of time to allow veterans to rectify violations and continue serving their fellow servicemen and servicewomen.” Now that the bill has passed the State Senate, it is under review by the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs. The legislation is sponsored in that house by Assemblyman Mike Miller. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 4- Ben Carson News & Opinion Debate Over LIC Outdoor Cafés Tops Board 2 Meet Conley said he is open to talking about the issue, “There’s a renewed discussion in Hunters Point, This is not just on rear gardens or an issue for Long Island City or Hunters Point, but for the entire city,” he added. “We give everyone the opportunity to bring an application. There’s no preconceived notions,” he said.T here were nearly an even amount of speakers on both sides at the meeting. Most that spoke during the public hearing portion and feel no changes should be made remain opposed because of the noise and smoke that would be generated by people in the backyards, they claim. Others have found issue with the petition itself. They feel an online petition doesn’t accurately reflect the interests of community residents because it can be signed by anyone, regardless of where they actually live. “A lot of the people singing the petition don’t live in the area,” said Leslie Nillson, a local restaurant owner. She is also a resident of the neighborhood and said, “I see both sides of this issue. I think the residents that are experiencing these issues need to be considered.” David Hasse, an LIC resident that lives on 47th Avenue behind Alobar spoke at the meeting and feels the noise would have a significantly negative effect. “I don’t know why it’s difficult to imagine people will get screwed if they start allowing the restaurants to use their backyards. If someone drops a fork outside, it’s like in my house,” he said. Louis Diullio, a 25-year resident of the neighborhood agrees. He lives on Vernon Boulevard and believes its the community board’s duty to protect residents’ interests. “Two people talking on the street are like it’s in my bedroom,” Diullio said. “You’re responsibility as a community board is to lessen our noise. I’m asking you to consider our needs.”. Mark Barry, another LIC resident at the meeting offered his opinion in support of beginning the discussion and trying to find a compromise. “We’ve heard from a lot of residents in Long Island City. Let me give a dissenting opinion to that,” he said. “Noise has to be just one of the factors, these places not having access to their backyard effects the entire community. Long Island City is changing whether we like it or not. And we have to adapt to the changes,” Barry said. Katsaitis also spoke during the meeting in support of backyard gardens and searching for a middleground. “Being part of the community means compromise,” she said. Following her remarks, she read positive comments from the petition written online supporting rear gardens. Conley, put in something of a defensive stance tried to explain the community board process. “We do hold public hearings and hold public comments. It’s very transparent. The question is about rear yards,” he said. He then listed several area restaurants that do in fact have outdoor seating and advised, “some also don’t have certificates of occupancy for these places,” he added. Lissa Gillmore, an 11-year LIC resident used to live near an outdoor cafe that stayed open until 4 a.m. and noise was a problem. “We had to call the cops so many times,” she said. But she also feels there is room for compromise, like reduced outside serving hours, for example. “There should be some sort of compromise,” she added. LIC Post Office to relocate Big changes, most notably a change of location are coming to the Long Island City Plaza post office––Joseph Mulvey, United States Postal Service real estate specialist and Maria Entrates, manager of the branch said at the meeting last Thursday. Mulvey and Entrates came to the board meeting to inform the community that the LIC Plaza branch, operating at 24-18 Queens Plaza S., since 1951, will be relocated this summer. “Our landlord has informed us he has other plans for the property,” Mulvey said. “What is evident is he is unable to give us an extension.” Mulvey said the USPS is looking for a 1000 sq. ft space. When they find one, they will notify the local elected officials , make a presentation and solicit comments from the community. “Any members of the public may comment on this plan,” he said. He also advised a USPS facilities manager will review the public comments. Afterwards, a copy of the decision will be sent to the community board and borough president. “When a suitable location has been found, letters will be sent to the community board and the borough president,” Mulvey said. “That’s pretty much it in a nutshell,” he added. The USPS’ lease at LIC Plaza expires in August of this year, according to Mulvey. Long Island City is also served by the main Astoria post office at 46-02 21st St. * * * The next Community Board 2 meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at Sunnyside Community Services, located at 43-31 39th St. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- committee reports; and nominations for Executive Committee positions, with elections scheduled for the June meeting. Updates regarding the proposed homeless residence at 78-16 Cooper Ave. in Glendale and a liquor license application for DMI Inc., d.b.a. The Knockdown Center, at 52-19 Flushing Ave. in Maspeth will also be provided. For additional information or to register to speak in advance, call Board 5’s Glendale office at 1-718- 366-1834. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 4- engaged the victims—both 22-yearold men—in a verbal argument. Moments later, authorities said, one of the victims was impaled in the head with a metal rod, while the other was stabbed in the left hand and the back of his head. The perpetrators then fled from the scene in an unknown direction. According to information provided by the Queens District Attorney’s office, security camera images later obtained from the scene showed Franzese allegedly chasing the second victim with a machete. Members of the 110th Precinct and EMS units rushed to the scene. Paramedics brought both victims to Elmhurst Hospital Center; the impaling victim reportedly remains under sedation. Based on information obtained during the investigation, Franzese was tracked down by the 110th Precinct Detective Squad last Friday morning and booked on charges of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree gang assault, first- and second-degree assault and fourthdegree criminal possession of a weapon. According to court records, the suspect was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on Sunday, May 4, before Judge Toko Serita, who ordered him held on $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash bail. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 1- engaging in numerous extramarital affairs and wouldn’t even remember all of the parties with whom they had been involved. Under such circumstances, she assumed I would be willing to fork over the money to avoid public embarrassment. What she didn’t know is that I did not have to scratch my head and try to remember which affair she represented, because I know that the only woman I have ever slept with in my life is my wife. Even if that had not been the case, I think confession and dealing with the consequences would have been the best course of action. In the early history of America, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton was seduced by the wife of a political enemy with the intention of blackmailing him into complying with their wishes. Hamilton publicly confessed his transgression, and the public forgave him, completely thwarting the plans of his adversaries. I think the American people are just as forgiving today if people are willing to be honest. With so much at stake regarding our country’s future, I think now would be an excellent time to come clean for all national public figures who have been threatened by Chicago-style politics or who know that there are skeletons in their closets. If it were all done in a short time span, the media would be overwhelmed, and the people would quickly understand the extent of the disgusting and dishonest practices infesting the highest levels of government. Importantly, our public officials would be able to act with courage and conviction to rectify the corrupt practices that are all too readily ignored and that threaten the moral fabric of our nation. I am confident that the American people would be both forgiving and grateful for the willingness of public figures to take a risk to preserve the American way of life. B en S. Carson is professor emeritus of neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 4- families with the needed assistance for them to return to and maintain independent living. He told Board 5 that this would include administration, case management, and housing and employment counseling. According to Hernandez, off-site service linkages would include primary healthcare, vocational training, employment placement, GED instruction, legal services, and instruction in both personal finance and household management. Martinez reportedly stated that on-site security will be provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week to ensure a safe and secure environment, and that facility rules and regulations will be established. These would include access control, visitation and curfew policies that will be strictly enforced with congregating and loitering by residents not permitted. Anyone wishing to speak is urged to register in advance. Speakers can register by sending an email to [email protected], or by calling the Board 5 office at 1- 718-366-1834. and EMS units rushed to the scene. The woman, who suffered head trauma, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Jamaica Hospital medical Center. No charges were filed against the driver, and no criminality is suspected, law enforcement sources said.T he NYPD Collision Investigation Squad is continuing its inquiry, police said. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- If You See Breaking News On Your Block... Contact The Times Newsweekly Call 1-718-821-7500 • Email [email protected]
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