TIMES, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2014 • 56 Coalition Against Glendale Shelter Provides Update At MVPORA Meet State Bill Mandates Advanced Notice On Shelters -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- Three Drag Racers Charged In Park ‘Drifting’ Bust -CONTINUED FROM PG. 14- was in a 2005 Lexus. The defendants were allegedly observed drifting and doing doughnuts (making circles on the pavement with tire skid marks). The drivers are alleged to have nearly caused the vehicles to strike other vehicles and stationary objects in the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park’s Meadow Lake parking lot. All the vehicles have been impounded. The investigation was conducted by Police Officers Abigail Soto, David Russo and David Meo of the 110th Precinct, under the supervision of Sgt. Matthew Starrantino and Lt. Louis LeBlanc, and under the overall supervision of Deputy Inspector Ronald Leyson. Assistant District Attorney Stephen M. Dixon-Gordon is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Oscar W. Ruiz, deputy bureau chief of the District Attorney’s Special Proceedings Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Anthony M. Communiello, bureau chief, and the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney of the Investigations Division Peter A. Crusco and Deputy Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Linda M. Cantoni. It was noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. are finalized. Currently, city guidelines and the homeless crisis allow the mayor’s administration to choose a location for housing facility or social services center without the requirement of considering a community’s input or consent. “Our efforts against the proposed homeless shelter in Glendale has been a long endeavor, and at times it seems we are fighting an impossible battle. I want us all to have a fair opportunity to voice concerns when it comes to what is being put into their backyards and affecting our quality of life in both the long and short term.” Addabbo said. “The shelter in Rockaway at the former Daytop Village center on Beach 65th Street, came about with little warning, with much confusion, and we barely had time to catch our breath.” “I understand there is a need for living facilities for the disadvantaged, but the local community deserves notice and a chance to have their concerns heard,” the senator added. Under the legislation, sponsored by State Sen. Jeff Klein of the Bronx, before any such facility can be established in New York City, its operator must file notice with the NYC Planning Commission and the local community board. After filing, the commission would host a community forum, followed by a 60- to 90-day review period. The City Planning Commission will then approve, modify or deny authorization for the location, or suggest an alternative site. The application’s sponsor will then be precluded from reapplying for two years. These requirements also stand for an existing shelter when its lease is renewed or extended. “These guidelines require, they enforce, community involvement. This should have been rule number one from the start, but it is my hope this legislation becomes law and we can correct the wrongs of the past and make decisions more efficiently going forward,” Addabbo said. “If city agencies can work with residents at the local level, we can restore trust that may have been lost this past year.” sums of money.” Samaritan Village, a nonprofit group renting the factory from owner Michael Wilner, received conditional approval from the DHS last December to operate the Glendale shelter, with the city paying $27.5 million over five years. The contract has yet to reach City Comptroller Scott Stringer for final approval or denial. The city pays an average of $3,600 per month per family housed in a homeless shelter, Scala noted; the average shelter stay is about 14 months. “That money could be better spent on rental subsidies, eviction prevention, affordable housing and other programs,” she added. Haller, a member of the coalition’s legal team, noted the group recently filed an Article 78 petition with the State Supreme Court seeking to invalidate an environmental assessment statement the DHS had an independent firm complete for 104th Precinct Blotter Dec. 5: (Beat 13) Matthew Perez, at Himrod Street and Grandview Avenue, for reckless endangerment, by P.O. Christian. (Beat 3) Thomas Johnson, at Wyckoff Avenue and Norman Street, for theft of service, by P.O. Nunez. (Beat 3) Ramon Rodriguez, at Myrtle Avenue, for criminal contempt, by P.O. Douglas. Dec. 6: (Beat 1) Mark Murphy, at 69th Lane and Grand Avenue, for driving while ability impaired, by P.O. Jonas. (Beat 15) Tavalinga Butti, at Seneca Avenue and Linden Street, for assault, by P.O. Campbell. (Beat 8) Grz Zebrowski, at Grand Avenue and 69th Street, for criminal contempt, by P.O. Pofanti. (Beat 16) Enda Dirrane, at 73rd Street, for criminal contempt, by P.O. Scrimenti. (Beat 14) Helian Vejuka, at Metropolitan Avenue, for petit larceny, by P.O. Salamone. (Beat 14) Lozjana Ibrahimi, at Metropolitan Avenue, for petit larceny, by P.O. Salamone. (Beat 11) Mohamed Elshendidi, at Cooper Avenue, for grand larceny, by P.O. Friedrich. (Beat 15) Janet Ortiz, at Gates Avenue, for assault, by P.O. Gaudio. (Beat 3) Hector Valentin, at Myrtle and Wyckoff avenues, for criminal possession of a weapon, by P.O. Martinez. Dec. 7: (Beat 5) Jia Zhao, at Jackie Robinson Parkway and Cypress Hills Street, for DWI, by P.O. Kim. (Beat 14) Jose Peralta, at 62nd Road and 69th Street, for DWI, by P.O. Maksimiuk. (Beat 8) William Watson, at Grand Avenue, for DWI, by P.O. Quintanilla. (Beat 4) Nazmi Duka, at 69th and Forest avenues, for endangering the welfare of a child, by P.O. Ock. (Beat 1) Jose Puli- Malan, at Harman Street, for criminal contempt, by P.O. Reyes. 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. 10- the site. Released in July, the statement indicated that— contrary to the factory’s industrial history and public belief—the site was safe for shelter development. The Article 78 motion, as previously reported, asks the court to compel the DHS to complete a full environmental impact study for the shelter site. Haller noted this would take up to two years to complete and may convince the city to look elsewhere for a shelter or change its plans altogether. But launching the motion, he said, required retaining specialized attorneys that cost the coalition $15,000 from the outset. Dooley stated it will take another $15,000 to complete the procedure. So far, the coalition raised more than $70,000—well above the total cost of the Article 78 motion, but Haller and Dooley stated the group needs more support to file other “a la carte legal actions” in the hope of stopping the shelter. As of last Wednesday’s meeting, Dooley noted, 445 individuals from Glendale and Middle Village donated to the cause either by mail (sent to Crifasi Real Estate in Middle Village), through the coalition’s online GoFundMe account or at fundraising events. The group also launched a block captain network in which local residents reach out to their neighbors for financial and moral support. Soon after the coalition was formed, Crifasi noted, his office received 10 to 15 mail donations for the coalition a day, but as the holiday season started, that number dropped to two or three. “We’re not asking for much,” he said, “just whatever you can give.” Dooley stated the coalition plans to raise additional cash at fundraisers being planned for January 2015. The coalition has a goal of raising $130,000 total for its legal fees. While appreciative of the public’s support, Haller lamented that community residents have to put up their own money to fight the proposal after other avenues of recourse—including direct appeals to the de Blasio administration and elected officials—proved incapable of slowing the project down. “We could be sending people to college,” he said. “We could be doing great things with the money we’re raising here. Instead, we’re spending it solely on legal fees to stop this project.” Community honors At the start of the meeting, the MVPORA took time to honor local principals, religious and civic leaders for their ongoing efforts and commitment to the community. Crifasi presented certificates of appreciation to Principals Thomas Carty of P.S./I.S. 49; Caryn Michaeli of P.S./I.S. 87; Dr. Philip A. Franco of St. Margaret School; Peter Mannarino of Christ the King Regional High School; and Michele Krebs of Our Lady of Hope School. Also awarded were Msgr. Steven Aguggia, pastor of St. Margaret Church; Rabbi Richard Levy of the Middle Village Adult Center; and Capt. Christopher Manson, commanding officer of the 104th Precinct. Several individuals scheduled to receive awards were not in attendance, including Camillo Turriciano, principal of P.S./I.S. 128; Fr. Michael Carrano, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Church; Pastor Leo Longan of Trinity Lutheran Church; Rabbi Jacob Malki of the Jewish Center of Forest Hills West; Det. Thomas Bell of the 104th Precinct; Millie Cruz, Juniper Valley Park manager; John Butkiewicz, superintendent of the Sanitation Department’s Q5 District; and a representative of FDNY Engine Co. 319. The next Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association is tentatively scheduled for February 2015 at a date and time to be announced in a future issue of this paper. -CONTINUED FROM PG. 6- THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING! Help New Yorkers Who Are In Need. Donate To Your Local Toys-For-Tots Drive. Give Non-Perishable Food Items To A Local Charity.
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