Ridgewood Seniors Mourn Loss Of Center Founder Peter Cardella, 97 Judge Dismisses Ousted Library Trustees’ Lawsuit send Queens Library President and CEO Thomas W. Galante— under investigation over library spending—on a leave of absence pending the outcome of the inquiries. They also voted in May to authorize limited financial disclosure in cooperating with an audit conducted by City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who sought full disclosure of the library’s finances. Both Katz and Mayor Bill de Blasio—who removed two other members in July—filled six vacancies since September. The revamped board voted that month to put Galante on a temporary leave of absence, named Bridget Quinn-Carey as interim president and CEO and agreed to fully cooperate with Stringer’s audit. “This lawsuit was a bitter attempt by the removed trustees at personal retaliation devoid of consideration for the public interest,” Katz said in a statement Sunday. “The court’s action underscores just how specious their claims were, and I am gratified this has finally been dismissed from official course of business.” Galante and Queens Library came under fire in February of this year after reports surfaced that the library leader received a nearly $400,000 annual salary and authorized a six-figure renovation of his Jamaica office. The expenditures came at a time the library cut staff and services amid reduced funding from the city; questions also surfaced about how the library hired outside contractors to perform certain services. The borough president and mayor share responsibilities in appointing trustees to the Queens Library board, but up until this summer, trustees could only be removed through a two-thirds majority vote of their peers. After the board deadlocked on the Galante leave vote in April, Katz worked with two state legislators—State Sen. Michael Gianaris and Assemblyman Jeffrion Aubry—to draft legislation granting the borough president and mayor authority to remove trustees if necessary. It also reduced the trustees’ terms of service; imposed new residency and business requirements; requires annual budget hearings and a public comment period for the same; and made the library system subject to the state’s Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). The bill was overwhelmingly passed in June by the state legislature and signed soon after by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- Republic—in a formal ceremony held at the New York consulate. It was just one of many honors Cardella received in his years of public service. Following the earthquake, Ferretti noted, Cardella also recognized the need for senior citizens, realizing that many of them depended on their children during their golden years. After the federal government enacted legislation paving the way for senior centers to open across the country, Cardella led the effort to open one of the first in New York City—then the Ridgewood Seneca Senior Citizens Center—during the early 1970s. Launched at the former Pellegrini’s Restaurant at the corner of Fresh Pond Road and 67th Avenue, Ferretti noted, Cardella played an instrumental role in helping to purchase and develop the center’s permanent home at the corner of Fresh Pond Road and Catalpa Avenue. The Ridgewood Senior Center opened its permanent home in September 1974 and initially served more than 3,750 seniors in Ridgewood and surrounding communities, providing daily activities and a daily lunch. Through continued support from Cardella, local elected officials and city agencies, the center’s services expanded over the past four decades and now includes breakfast and lunch service and Meals on Wheels for homebound residents. Proud of his Italian heritage, Cardella was an active member of the Federazione Italo- Americana di Brooklyn and Queens, which sponsors the Fresh Pond Road street festival held every September. Ferretti noted that his father-in-law also helped establish the Italian Cultural Center at St. John’s University, raising more than $1 million toward educating students in Italian studies. St. John’s University presented Cardella with its presidential medal during the 1970s and, 20 years later, awarded him an honorary -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- 27 • TIMES, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2014 As a final tribute to the center’s namesake, seniors and staff members at the Peter Cardella Senior Center in Ridgewood gathered at the corner of Fresh Pond Road and Catalpa Avenue on Monday, Dec. 1, as the hearse carrying Cardella passed by. Cardella, who died last week at the age of 97, helped create the senior center in the early 1970s. doctorate. Cardella also supported Princeton University’s archeological dig in the southern Sicilian town of Morgantina, where the ruins of an ancient Greek village were unearthed after hundreds of years. Preceded in death by his wife Provivenza and his son Joseph, Cardella is survived by daughter Kathleen and son-in-law Joe Ferretti, two granddaughters and four great-grandsons. A wake for Cardella was held on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 29-30, at Glascott Funeral Home in Forest Hills. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Monday, Dec. 1, at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills, followed by interment at Ridgewood’s Linden Hill Cemetery. SShhoopp LLooccaallllyy!! SSuuppppoorrt YYoouurr NNeeigghhbboorrhhoooodd MMeerrcchhaanntss!! Alleged R’wood Burglar Bagged -CONTINUED FROM PG. 8- removed from one of the burglarized apartments. P.O. Nicholas Mancuso of the 104th Precinct charged Jones with third-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglar’s tools, criminal mischief and petit larceny. Court records noted that Jones was arraigned the following day, Wednesday, Nov. 26, in Queens Criminal court before Judge David Hawkins, who ordered him held on $75,000 bail and to return to court on Dec. 10. 104th Precinct Blotter by P.O. Ostrowskatuznik. (Beat 11) Mark Graue, at Myrtle Avenue, for criminal trespass, by P.O. Marinacci. (Beat 16) Hashen Ahmed Saleh-Nasser, at Metropolitan Avenue, for criminal possession of a forged instrument, by P.O. Coronado. (Beat 14) Emelin Fernandez, at Mount Olivet Crescent, for assault, by P.O. Campos. (Beat 14) Yvette Urena, at Mount Olivet Crescent, for assault, by P.O. Campos. Nov. 29: (Beat 4) Luis Sepulveda, at Catalpa Avenue, for assault, by P.O. Maksimiuk. (Beat 10) Bram Mistr, at Borden and Maurice avenues, for DWI, by P.O. Siu. (Beat 13) Jaime Dominguez, at 55th Street and Grand Avenue, for DWI, by P.O. Anderson. (Beat 15) Brunno Manera, at Seneca Avenue, for assault, by P.O. Egnaczyk. (Beat 12) Kye Lee, at 69th Street, for criminal possession of a forged instrument, by P.O. Rieger. (Beat 2) Sefketa Kolenovic, at Forest Avenue, for assault, by P.O. Dupont. (Beat 3) Stephen Gonzalez, at Myrtle and Cypress avenues, for criminal possession of a weapon, by P.O. Martinez. (Beat 15) Juan Salas, at Grove Street, for assault, by P.O. Scrimenti. Nov. 30: (Beat 10) Andi Pulas, at 56th Avenue and 64th Street, for driving with a suspended license, by P.O. Gianesses. (Beat 5) Francisco Castro, at Vermont Place and Cypress Avenue, for graffiti, by P.O. Dagnese. (Beat 10) Gabriel Blanco, at 55th Drive and 60th Street, for driving with a suspended license, by P.O. Alvarez. (Beat 2) Miguel Jadan, at Gates Avenue, for petit larceny, by P.O. Steiger. (Beat 14) Dean Obregon, at 63rd Street and 59th Drive, for false personation, by P.O. Dick. The 104th Precinct, located at 64-02 Catalpa Ave. in Ridgewood, can be reached by phone at 1-718- 386-3004. To report an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911 immediately. Quality of life matters, such as noise or a blocked driveway, should be reported to 311. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 9-
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