FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 25, 2017 • THE QUEENS COURIER 3 Major credit union merger Bethpage Federal Credit Union acquired Jerichobased Northwell Health Federal Credit Union on Friday in a merger worth more than $7.4 billion, the two institutions jointly announced Friday, May 19, when the consolidation took eff ect. Th e National Credit Union Administration approved the deal between BFCU, the largest credit union in the Northeast, and NHFCU, the credit union for the Northwell Health medical system, which has 19 hospitals and 62,000 employees, making it the largest private employer in New York State. BFCU acquires NHFCU’s $100 million in assets and 17,000 members under the deal. “Th rough our expanded charter, Bethpage now has a growing footprint that very closely aligns with Northwell Health’s growing footprint,” said Wayne N. Grossé, BFCU president and CEO. “We look forward to serving Northwell Health and continuing a healthy partnership for many years to come.” BFCU, which recently celebrated its 75 anniversary, is the 16th largest credit union and Northwell Health is the 14th largest health care system in the country. Long Island Press staff More seniors from abroad call Queens home A report released by the Center for an Urban Future found that the number of immigrant seniors has seen a large increase compared to the number of native-born seniors in Queens during a fi ve-year period. Th e report, titled “Th e Aging Apple: Older Immigrants A Rising Share of New York’s Seniors,” was released on May 18 and found that the number of immigrant seniors in the borough from 2010 through 2015 increased by 23 percent, while the number of native-born seniors increased by 1 percent. Seniors from China account for the largest increase citywide, especially in Sunnyside and Flushing. Th e average senior from China came to the United States at 46 years old, and approximately 27 percent of seniors from China live in poverty. Sunnyside and Woodside experienced the largest citywide increase in immigrant senior population during the fi ve-year period. Th e senior immigrant population in those neighborhoods increased by 80 percent, while the overall immigrant population increased by 55 percent. Angela Matua Former Congressman Weiner guilty of sexting Anthony Weiner’s fall from grace appears to fi nally be complete. Th e 52-year-old former Congressman from Queens, who stepped down in June 2011 aft er sending lewd images to women he associated with online, pleaded guilty in federal court on May 19 to charges that he sent indecent images to a girl that he knew to be 15 years of age. During his appearance in a Manhattan courtroom, NBC News reported, Weiner openly wept as he entered his plea, stating, “I have a sickness, but I do not have an excuse.” He faces up to 10 years behind bars. Prosecutors said Weiner made contact with the minor online between January and March of last year, using online messaging and video chats to communicate with the girl and send her obscene material. Robert Pozarycki Photos by Suzanne Monteverdi/QNS ‘REST IN PIECES’ Flushing residents rail against overdevelopment BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI [email protected] / @smont76 Flushing residents rallied on May 18 against a single-family home with some controversial fl oor plans and in support of a bill to protect their historic neighborhood last week. State Senator Tony Avella, local stakeholders and community leaders gathered in front of 33-05 157th St. to protest reported plans to build an eight bedroom, 10 bathroom single-family home at the site. The home that was there previously was demolished earlier this year, and a new, signifi cantly bigger home is being built in its place. “Does it look like a one-family house?” Avella asked over the sound of operating construction tools. “Th at’s a lot of bathrooms and a lot of bedrooms.” Located within the Broadway- Flushing neighborhood, which is zoned to only allow single-family homes, the expansive fl oor plan layout set out a red fl ag for residents. Last February, a Flushing house mere blocks away was ordered to be vacated by inspectors aft er it was discovered the 15-bedroom, three-bathroom property was being rented out to multiple individuals. Residents fear the same could happen again. Avella and attendees said they h a v e s e e n t h e original plans for the home, but have not been able to access the latest updated plans. “Th e plans for all permitted construction projects, including this one, are publicly available to view at the DOB borough offi ces,” a DOB spokesperson said. “Th is new building project went through a DOB plan exam where it was determined to be in compliance with the NYC Construction Codes and NYC Zoning Resolution.” Avella also used the press conference to call attention to his Architectural Districts bill in the state Senate. If passed, the bill would mandate the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to establish proposed architectural districts. Th ese districts would come with certain building restrictions, allowing residents to retain the unique architectural integrity of their community that would otherwise be lost to development. “Th e bill is so that something like this, which looks like a barracks or a hotel than a one-family home, wouldn’t happen,” Avella said. “Unfortunately, even having the strictest zoning in the city has not prevented the demolition of older homes and out-of-character alterations within the neighborhood,” said Janet McCreesh, representing the Broadway-Flushing Homeowners’ Association. “We are currently undergoing a record-number of tear-downs and a continuous erosion of the character and very charms that draws home buyers to Broadway-Flushing … We need the Architectural District bill passed.” State Senator Tony Avella and Flushing homeowners.
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