24 THE COURIER SUN • november 13, 2014 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIt www.couriersun.com Bayside’s small businesses tell film industry to take five By ERIC JANKIEWICZ ejankiewicz@queenscourier.com @EricJankiewicz Call it Hollywood fatigue. The Bayside Village Business Improvement District (BID) wants the city to put a temporary stop on granting filming permits to movie and show makers using Bayside as a shooting location. The organization, representing dozens of small businesses, plans on sending a letter to the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting to request a moratorium on filming in commercial areas like Bell Boulevard, according to the organization’s executive director, Lyle Sclair. “Filming in Bayside is a balancing act, but too often it’s swayed away from us,” Sclair said. “There’s a much better way to work together.” Citing a marked loss of business because of frequent filming activity in the area, Sclair said that small businesses need more representation in government. The FX-produced show “The Americans” used Bayside to film several scenes in January. During filming, Harry Rutgers’ jewelry business was penned in on 41st Avenue and Bell Boulevard. “We might as well be closed when the film crews are here,” said Rutgers, who is the owner of Bell Family Jewelers. “The whole business district shuts down and everybody suffers while one group benefits.” Rutgers cited many of the same problems that Sclair will bring up to the city. The vehicles used to transport the film crews and equipment are big and bulky, and these vehicles take up all the parking spots on Bell Boulevard that would be used by potential customers. Rutgers said that another problem is that the crews don’t spend any money in the area because they come with their own food and services. “They don’t spend a nickel on Bell,” THE COURIER/File photo Rutgers said. “I never heard anyone say they benefited from the film crews.” Rutgers suggested that the trucks and trailers used by the film industry should park away from Bell Boulevard so they don’t take up parking. He also said that if the crews spent money in the area, business owners would be more willing to tolerate the film industry. Sclair plans on making all of these suggestions when he sends the letter to the Mayor’s office. He is also urging the City Council to pass oversight bills. Councilman Paul Vallone is signing the letter, according to his spokesman. “I firmly support the Bayside Village BID’s request for a moratorium on filming on Bell Boulevard and the surrounding avenues, as the area is rapidly becoming a filming hot spot,” he said. “Our residents and small business owners should not have to bear the burdens that come with excessive filming, especially in an area that already has very limited parking space availability. It’s unfair for our small businesses to suffer these consequences.” Film crews park trailers and trucks in front of businesses and take up many parking spots, causing the merchants to lose money, according to Sclair. The large vehicles also cause people to think that businesses are closed. Bayside is frequently used for movie and television shoots, reflecting the city’s initiative to make New York City a filming center. The mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment but, according to the city-run “Made in NY” site, the city “looks to support film and television productions of all shapes and sizes, and we look to make each and every one of those projects a clear, seamless, and enjoyable production experience.” In the city’s haste to make the five boroughs film-friendly, it’s alienated small businesses, Sclair said. “It seems like the city is saying, ‘We’re choosing the film industry over momand pop businesses,” he said. THE COURIER/Photo by Eric Jankiewicz Harry Rutgers, owner of Bell Family Jewelers, said that filming in Bayside kills his business. Jamaica Hospital Collaborates with Smoke-Free Partners to Celebrate the Great American Smokeout An estimated 42.1 million people in the United States and 14.9% of residents in Queens are tobacco smokers. These statistics are cause for great concern as the medical implications of smoking will cause the premature deaths of one third of this smoking population. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center is hoping to reduce these numbers in neighboring communities by launching a series of smoking cessation programs and events. The hospital, in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association and the Asthma Coalition of Queens will be kicking off its smoking cessation initiative by celebrating The Great American Smokeout. The Great American Smokeout is a national event promoted by the American Cancer Society. Smokers are encouraged to stop smoking for 24 hours on November 20th, in hopes that this decision will last a lifetime. Jamaica Hospital has an educational and fun-filled day planned for the community on November 20th from 10a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Guests will receive tips, resources and giveaways to help them quit. If a smoker is ready to quit and is looking for a program to help them achieve this goal, the hospital is also offering the Freedom from Smoking program in conjunction with the American Lung Association. The average smoker tries to quit at least six times before finding success; however with group-based programs such as Freedom from Smoking the chances of quitting will increase from about 5% to 40%. Participants enrolled in the program at Jamaica Hospital will learn how to overcome tobacco addiction and enjoy the benefits of better health in a supportive and interactive environment. They are six times more likely to be smoke-free one year later than those who quit on their own. Classes are forming now and trained professional can be reached at 718-206-8494 for assistance. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center serves a population greater than 1.2 million in Queens and eastern Brooklyn. This 424-bed medical center is an accredited community teaching hospital with a large network of community-based ambulatory care centers. JHMC offers an array of acute inpatient, rehabilitation and mental health services, and is one of the busiest Level 1 trauma centers in New York City. The hospital provides general medical, pediatric, and dental services, in addition to home health services. Jamaica Hospital Medical Center’s mission is to serve patients and the community in a way that is second to none. For additional information, please contact Public Affairs at 718-206-6020 ADVERTORIAL
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