28 The Courier SUN • JUly 11, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com SCOTT BARON’S STAR OF QUEENS brought to you by SCOTT BARON & ASSOCICATES, P.C. Attorneys & Counselors at Law 1-866-WAS-HURT (866) 927-4878 718.738.9800 star OF queens Alan Ong Board of Directors Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association COMMUNITY SERVICE: Alan Ong has been active in the Queens community for years, serving as the PTA president for P.S. 173 before being appointed by Borough President Helen Marshall to the District 26 Community Education Council. “Even though I stepped down as PTA president, now I can try to effect things on a district level,” said Ong, who also serves on the board of directors for the Fresh Meadows Homeowners Civic Association. Ong said that he was very active in the PTA, doing a lot of outreach and safety awareness work for parents and students alike. At the head of the Homeowners Civic Association, Ong said he has worked hard to “maintain the quality of life within the neighborhood, like fixing potholes in the street. We also work with the local precinct to make sure everything is safe for the residents.” BACKGROUND: Ong was born in Manhattan and spent his early years in Chinatown. “I moved to Queens when I was a teen and have been living here ever since,” he said. He attended the City College of New York and now lives in Fresh Meadows. FAVORITE MEMORY: Ong recalls his time with the P.S .173 PTA as one of his best memories. “The reaction of the parents was very rewarding,” he said. “A lot of us work, and sometimes we don’t spend as much time with our children as we should. My aim was to get parents involved.” BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “The greatest obstacle I face is getting people to speak up,” Ong explained. “It’s difficult to tackle issues when you don’t know what they are. I have to inspire people to step up and tell us what’s going on.” INSPIRATION: “One of the main reasons why I do this is because I’m Americanborn Chinese, and in the community of Chinese culture, people don’t step up and help others as much. I do this community work because I feel there’s a need for that. Hopefully what I’m doing will help others to do the same.” BY LUKE TABET Legally Speaking By: Scott Baron, Attorney at Law IS A HOUSE A HOUSEHOLD? Q: We were staying rent-free in a house owned by my in-laws, while they stayed in Florida. My in-laws still had their own bedroom at the house, kept items throughout it, received mail at that address and were free to stay at the house whenever they pleased. In fact, they stayed there at various times for days, weeks and even months at a time. After the house was involved in a fire, we too sought to recover under the policy for damage to our own items and for our additional living expenses. The insurer denied coverage, pointing out that only my in-laws are the named insureds and asserting that we were not additional insureds. According to the policy, one can be an additional insured only if the house is the named insured’s “household”. A: When an insurance policy is so written as to be doubtful or uncertain in its meaning, all ambiguities are resolved in your favor against the insurer. As used in this policy, the term ‘household’ is, at best, ambiguous: it is devoid of any fixed meaning. The policy ought to be construed in your favor. Suppose that ‘household’ ordinarily means a family living together – people who dwell under the same roof and compose a family. Merely for the sake of argument, suppose further that you cannot be said to have dwelt under the same roof with your in-laws and composed a family with them. Even then, you still have an excellent case: your attorney will argue that the insurer had rejected this ordinary meaning. The insurer required, not that you be part of a household, but instead that the house be a household. The insurer had walked away from the ordinary meaning. Advertorial The law responds to changed conditions; exceptions and variations abound. Here, the information is general; always seek out competent counsel. This article shall not be construed as legal advice Copyright © 2013 Scott Baron & Associates, P.C. All rights reserved. 159-49 Cross Bay Boulevard, Howard Beach, New York 11414 1750 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10710 718-738-9800, 914-337-9800, 1-866-927-4878 Our job is making sure no longer goes that waste to waste. Find out more at ThinkGreen.com Energy creation. Recycling programs. Closed-loop solutions. Those are just a few of the innovations we’re delivering for customers and communities alike. We live in a world where things can no longer go to waste. That’s why Waste Management is working to get the most from resources. It’s good for business and the environment. ©2012 Waste Management, Inc.
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