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history where a truly diverse jury pool is at least possible! Finally, the citizenry has the full power envisioned by our constitution! But many view jury duty as an annoying inconvenience, to be evaded if at all possible; every week, we send out about 15,000 questionnaires to determine if an individual is eligible, and we’re lucky if half of them come back. Frankly, it breaks my heart. Besides the fact that citizens are legally required to respond, whether they ultimately qualify or not (failure to do so is a crime carrying a possible fine of up to $1,000 and/or 30-day jail sentence), the personal experience is just too valuable to pass up. Along with the voting booth, the jury box provides an incredible opportunity for common citizens to actively participate in and influence the course of our democracy as the conscience of the community. We’ve tried to do our part to make jury service an empowering and pleasant experience; if you serve, you could be paid $40 a day, and all of our facilities are Wi-Fi compatible. Now it’s time for you, my fellow residents of Queens, to grasp the power provided by the United States and New York State constitutions. Please, stand up and make a difference. Audrey Pheffer is Queens County clerk and commissioner of jurors. My Say -CONTINUED FROM PG. 17- He Groped Woman In F.H. Law enforcement described the suspect as a black male in his late teens, 5‘4” tall, weighing about 170 lbs, with brown eyes and short dark hair with blonde coloring. Anyone with information in regards to the suspect or this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s crime stoppers hotline at 800-577-TIPS. The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. All calls and messages will be kept confidential. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 17- Former DEP Official From LIC Flushed For Bribery -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- It is alleged that Jones, who was responsible for drafting FLO TREND’s contracts and approving purchase orders, instructed the firm to submit fraudulent purchase orders to cover item expenses that were funnelled towards improper benefits. These allegedly included mobile phone plans, Las Vegas vacations, gas cards and fishing trips to Montauk, according to the investigation. In addition, the DOI uncovered that a DEP consolidation of authority supervising the contract, and a lack of oversight and review of these employees decisions made the agency particularly vulnerable to the illegal conduct, it was noted. As a result of the investigation, the DOI reportedly urged the DEP to reform its policies which lead to the illegal conduct. A statement noted that going forward, DEP has agreed to rotate the project managers; randomly check a sampling of approved requirements contracts orders before DEP makes purchase or takes action; and to authorize DEP’s Engineering and Audits Office to provide an additional process of review. This investigation into the scheme was conducted by DOI’s Office of the Inspector General for DEP, specifically Assistant Inspectors General Sadie Boursiquot and Byron Biggerstaff, and Special Investigators Joshua Richardson and Dan Taylor, under the supervision of Inspector General Gregory Cho and Senior Associate Commissioner Michael Carroll. Assistant District Attorney Theresa Smith from the office of Queens County DistrictAttorney Richard A. Brown is prosecuting the case under the supervision of James M. Liander, chief of the District Attorney’s Integrity Bureau. Bills Boost School Medical Care their physician. “These common-sense laws eliminate barriers that prevented students from having quick access to medication, even in the event of an emergency,” Cuomo said in a statement. “I thank the sponsors of this legislation, which will help save lives and prevent avoidable tragedies.” “As a parent, I know that there is nothing more terrifying than the thought of your child having a medical emergency and not being able to get to them right away, and for parents of Seek Pair In Sunnyside Mugging -CONTINUED FROM PG. 17- “No New Yorker should ever fear living in their own community,” Van Bramer said. “Our community and the 108th Precinct will remain committed to finding these cowardly thugs, bringing them to justice and punishing them to the fullest extent of the law.” “It takes two cowardly individuals to hit a frail, 81- year-old man,” added Mary Ann Gasparro, the victim’s daughter. “The citizens of Sunnyside and Woodside, Council Member Van Bramer, the 108th Precinct and this community will not rest until this crime is solved and our family is delivered justice.” Police said one of the perpetrators wore a leather jacket with dark-colored pants and brown boots, while his accomplice wore a hooded sweatshirt that had a picture on the front. The 108th Precinct Detective Squad is investigating the case. Anyone with information regarding the mugging or the suspects’ whereabouts is urged to call the 108th Precinct Detective Squad at 1-718-784- 5441 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS. Information may also be sent to Crime Stoppers via text message to 274637 (enter information, then the code TIP577) or online at www.nypdcrimestoppers.com. All calls and messages will be kept confidential. TIMES, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2014 • 52 Transit News And Changes A train service in Ozone Park. Riders can transfer between the A train and the shuttle bus at 80th Street. The shuttle buses will stop as follows: • 80th Street—on Liberty Avenue at 80th Street; • 88th Street (Far Rockawaybound only)—on Liberty Avenue at 88th Street; • Rockaway Boulevard (Far Rockaway-bound only)—on 93rd Street at Liberty Avenue (to Lefferts Boulevard) or on Liberty Avenue at 93rd Street (to 80th Street); • 104th Street—on Liberty Avenue at 104th Street; • 111th Street—on Liberty Avenue at 111th Street; and • Lefferts Boulevard—on Lefferts Boulevard at Liberty Avenue. Station Renewal Affects A Train The Manhattan-bound platforms at the 88th Street and 104th Street A train stations in Ozone Park remain closed through January 2015 for repairs related to the MTA’s station renewal program. For service to these stations, take the A train to 80th Street, then transfer to an Ozone Park-bound or a Far Rockaway-bound A train. For service from these stations, take the A train to Rockaway Boulevard or 111th Street, then transfer to a Manhattan-bound A train. Some L Trains Make Last Stop In R’wood Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues will be the last stop for alternate L trains from Manhattan on weekdays, Monday through Friday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. until Friday, Nov. 21. For Canarsie-bound service, transfer between L trains at Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues to continue the trip. It was noted that trains will operate every 12 minutes between Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues and Canarsie-Rockaway Parkway. Late Night Closure On G Line In Bklyn. G train service will be suspended between Metropolitan Avenue and Bedford-Nostrand Avenues late nights on Monday, Nov. 10, through Friday, Nov. 14, from 10:30 p.m. to 5 a.m. During this period, G trains will operate in two sections: between Court Square and Metropolitan Avenue (every 20 minutes) and between Bedford- Nostrand Avenues and Church Avenue (every 15 minutes). Free shuttle buses will replace G trains in the closed segment. Transfer between the buses and train at either Metropolitan Avenue (on Union Avenue at Metropolitan Avenue) or Bedford- Nostrand Avenues (on Lafayette Avenue at Bedford Avenue). * * * For a complete list of service changes and last-minute updates, visit the MTA’s website at www.mta.info or call 511. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 18- Traffic News And Changes on overnights from 1 to 5 a.m. Kew Gdns. Project Affects Union Tpke. Long-term construction related to the state Department of Transportation’s Kew Gardens Interchange project will require the right lane of Union Turnpike eastbound to be closed at all times between 128th and 134th streets. All existing traffic lanes will remain open and are shifted to the left. Sewer Work Leads To Pkwy. Closures One of three lanes of the Belt Parkway between Cross Bay Boulevard and 194th Street in either direction may be closed on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and weeknights 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Additionally, two of three lanes in either direction may be closed in this segment on early weekday mornings from 1 to 5 a.m. The closures are required to allow for sewer reconstruction, which is expected to continue through July 2016. Furthermore, one of two lanes of the Nassau Expressway exit ramp to the eastbound Belt Parkway between 115th and 128th streets will be closed until further notice. * * * For additional closures, visit the city DOT’s website at www.nyc.gov/dot or call 311. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 18- children with asthma, severe allergies or any other health condition, that fear can be amplified significantly,” added Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, who chairs the Assembly Education Committee. “This legislation will help alleviate some of that worry by allowing students with potentially lifethreatening conditions to have their medication with them while at school so that, in the event of an emergency, the student or a trained school staff member can act as quickly as possible.” -CONTINUED FROM PG. 17-


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