A Spotlight on Two-Time NYC Mayor John Francis Hylan

 By Michael Perlman

With much dialogue underway for what may be the most debated mayoral elections, it is time to take a step back to a century ago, and enter the world of a political figure of Forest Hills. Mayor John Francis Hylan (1868 – 1936) resided in a charming stucco early Spanish/Mediterranean Revival home at 2 Olive Place in Forest Hills Gardens, after serving two terms. A graceful approach from Continental Avenue features a curved planting bed accompanied by three flagstone steps, parallel to the house, erected in 1926. In May 1932, The New Yorker reported that two white light globes were installed in front to symbolize Hylan’s terms in office.

Forest Hills is an extensive cultural breeding ground for notables, whose trades, talents, and personalities are often unique. It is inspirational how an individual raised on a sixty-acre farm in Hunter, Greene County in the Catskill Mountains, and with $3.50 in his pocket, made his way by stage and boat to New York City, and would become the 96^th mayor, serving office from 1918 to 1925. Prior to living in Forest Hills, he and his wife, childhood sweetheart Marion Louise O’Hara, made their home in a brownstone at 959 Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn.

In 1921, his mayoral reelection was a success after defeating a fare increase and founding a transit commission to reconfigure a transportation system. He played an integral role in the creation of a subway owned and operated by the public, which would become the Independent Subway System on March 14, 1925. A complete city-operated subway would come to fruition fifteen years later, when the ISS/IND merged with the IRT and BMT.

Backtracking, a young Hylan was employed with the Brooklyn Union Elevated Railroad, which was renamed the Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company (BRT), and operated streetcar trains in Brooklyn and Queens. It later joined forces with the Interborough Rapid Transit System, an early subway system of Manhattan, to launch a dual contract system of unregulated and privately controlled transportation. Hylan’s career path migrated to a lawyer who fought Tammany Hall’s advances, and eventually became their loyal candidate. Hylan pursued his studies at Long Island Business College and New York Law School.

On March 25, 1919, he tendered the Welcome Home Dinner at the Leading Hotels and Restaurants to the Gallant 27^th Division, American Expeditionary Forces with Major-General John F. O’Ryan, “commanding in recognition of their valiant services rendered in the Great World-War of 1914 – 1918.”

The earliest known recording of a New York City mayor dates to the fall of 1921 and can be found on an Okeh Record which is titled “Speech of acceptance on his Renomination for Mayor by Mayor Hylan at City Hall.” It was made available by the General Phonograph Corporation of New York. Hylan focused on the need for home rule, opposing the governor’s appointed transit commission, which he emphasized holds the power to “nullify subway contracts and take away the five-cent fare.” He referenced it as “supreme issues” and advocated for taking away subway leases from the private traction companies. This became a dominant subject on WNYC during its earliest months on air in 1924, and during the first full day of broadcasting at their new studio on July 9, he appeared with Plant and Structures Commissioner Grover A. Whalen. WNYC is regarded as one of the first municipal radio stations, which became a reality during the Hylan administration.

As of 1920, the 19^th amendment granted citizens the right to vote regardless of gender. In Hylan’s acceptance speech, he stated, “In the conduct of municipal affairs, the women of this city have been a most potent factor. This administration acknowledges the splendid and efficient service which they have rendered.” Hylan was also respected for his voice in opposition to “the interests,” consisting of international banking and standard oil.

Administration highlights also included erecting and repairing schools and hospitals, securing the city as the healthiest for a newborn, the beginning of the development of the city’s waterfront, and the building and opening of the much-praised Coney Island boardwalk. The Bureau of Fire Investigation originated to work around the clock, as the Fire Department expanded, new alarm systems were implemented. He was also recognized for reducing crime.

Mayor Hylan would not serve a third term after losing the Democratic primary in September 1925. “I will return to private life with my self-respect unimpaired and my conscience clear,” he graciously stated, which was noted by the Long Island Daily Press and Daily Long Island Farmer. “I take this opportunity to thank the many thousands of men and women who so kindly worked for and loyally supported me on primary day. I return to private life with the satisfaction of having scrupulously lived up to my oath of office.” His vote was reportedly at 154,036, whereas Senator Walker’s was 249,579.

If one looks closely for signs of Mayor John F. Hylan in Forest Hills, his name is inscribed on a plaque from 1923 at the landmarked Engine Company 305, Hook & Ladder Company 151 firehouse at 111-02 Queens Boulevard. He is commemorated alongside Fire Commissioner Thomas J. Drennan, Deputy Fire Commissioners Joseph M. Hannon and William F. Thompson, Chief of Department John Kenlon, Deputy Chief, Brooklyn & Queens John O’ Hara, and Chief of Bureau of Repairs & Supplies Hubert J. Treacy.

Hylan was active in community affairs as a judge at the Forest Hills lady popularity contest in 1930 at the Forest Hills Theatre, which featured Agnes Geraghty of Olympic swimming fame and musical comedy star Dorothy Stone. In the early 1930s, he served as Justice of the Queens Children’s Court at $17,500 annually. He was also a family man, with three grandchildren, and with civic matters in his heart, composed a history of New York.

Hylan’s Forest Hills Gardens home was designed and erected by the significant Manhattan-based firm Patterson & Willcox for an estimated $35,000. The architectural plans were revised in accordance with the planned garden community’s restrictive covenants. On August 20, 1926, The Daily Star referenced its distinctive style and 14 rooms, and an unusual half-story as part of the basement, whereas the majority of homes of this nature would feature a half-story atop. An excerpt read, “The dining and living rooms will be ceilings with huge rafters, similar to those found in the Spanish mission type of home. Three huge stone fireplaces with decorative mantels will be installed. One will be placed in the living room, and the third in the basement. The fireplace chimney is exposed on the outside of the house and forms one of the decorative features of the architecture.”

At the time of his passing in 1936, the Associated Press reported, “Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia ordered flags on all public buildings lowered to half-staff and instructed Police Commissioner Valentine to mobilize a uniformed escort for the funeral.” His final resting place is at St. John Cemetery in Middle Village. In 1939, a portrait of Hylan, which was painted by Peconic resident Irving Ramsey Wiles and presented by his nine-year-old granddaughter Norma Jean Sinnott, was displayed in a reception area that led to Mayor La Guardia’s office.

Today, Hylan’s spirit comes alive as New Yorkers and tourists alike take the subway or travel along Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island, a renaming that became official in 1923. Enthusiasts can also spend an afternoon in the 15-acre Hylan Park in the Bronx, which was named by NYC Parks Commissioner Stern in 1987. Another honorary property is Brooklyn’s John F. Hylan Public School.

The spirit of Hylan’s voice resonates if one were to pick up a copy of “Mayor Hylan of New York: An Autobiography” (1922). He advised “to never be afraid of hard work” and wrote, “A boy should never decline to perform a task which will make things easier for another. In order to succeed, one cannot be selfish. If you make rosy the path for another, your own path, beyond any doubt, will be bright. The lesson involved in this message applies equally to rich and poor, to the city lad as well as to the farmer’s son.”

Mayor Hylan memorabilia can occasionally be acquired on eBay, such as a 1924 tennis men’s double sterling medal, a 1922 Safe & Sane Fourth of July Athletic Celebration gold medal, a 1919 WWI Welcome Home Dinner menu, and his portrait alongside the Statue of Liberty and The Municipal Building on a 1924 bronze medal from the Democratic National Convention. He also appears in numerous news photos that capture significant events.

By CHRISTIAN SPENCER

news@queensledger.com

 

The 31st Annual Queens Flag Day Committee B.A.D.G.E. Awards was not only a celebration of active military and civil service members but also a solemn remembrance of those still missing in action.

Held at Douglaston Manor on Juneteenth, the black-tie event took place in an elegant venue with roots dating back to its days as a horse stable.

Uniformed members of the NYPD, U.S. Marines, and other branches filled the ballroom, joined by community leaders, families, and elected officials.

Many guests arrived in formal black attire and gathered to honor the men and women who continue to serve, protect, and, most notably, sacrifice.

This year, a total of 18 individuals received awards, including two U.S. Army soldiers, one Marine, one Airman, one Coast Guardsman, nine NYPD officers, one FDNY firefighter, and a sheriff. Superintendent John Addeo and Wendy Phaff Gennaro were honored with the Public Service Award for Sanitation and the John J. Farrell Sr. Memorial Award, respectively.

“This is the first time I’ve ever been awarded something like this,” Addeo said. “It feels truly blessed to be honored. I really appreciate it.”

A 21-year veteran of the New York City Department of Sanitation, Addeo has worked across every neighborhood in Queens. “Every day working in Queens — every neighborhood — I’ve worked,” he said proudly.

As The Queens Ledger previously reported, the 2024 Queens Flag Day had 16 honorees.

The night featured a wide array of awards presented to a diverse group of distinguished honorees, but one stood out for an act of heroism that set him apart.

Lieutenant Ari A. Cankul of the 102nd Precinct was personally praised by First Deputy Commissioner of the NYPD Tania Kinsella, speaking on behalf of Police Commissioner Jessica Tish.

He was honored with a Public Service Award for his swift and composed response in a harrowing case that unfolded on Nov. 29, 2024, when a car thief in South Richmond Hill unknowingly drove off with a 4-year-old girl asleep in the back seat of a red Acura.

The car had been parked near 101st Avenue and 131st Street when it was stolen, triggering a frantic search, according to The New York Daily News.

Within 20 minutes, and just five blocks away, officers led by Cankul recovered the vehicle by tracking an iPad that was in the girl’s possession and safely rescued the unharmed child, according to ABC Eyewitness News.

“As a mother, I cannot express the amount of gratitude I feel for that,” Kinsella said during the awards ceremony. “He brought someone’s baby home.”

Runners-up for the most recognized Public Service Award were Officers Robert Greco and Shawn Rogers of the 106th Precinct with the latter relocating to the 116th Precinct, credited with apprehending a suspect who had stabbed two individuals on Aug. 5, 2024. 

The pair pursued the assailant to a local train station, where he was found hiding in the vents.

“They attacked with great tactics and were able to get the individual back on the platform and place him under arrest,” their commanding officer, Captain Berkley K. Vantull, said. “Thanks to these officers’ courageous work, you can just imagine how many countless lives that they saved.”

Greco, speaking humbly and unscripted at the podium, said, “Me and my partner, Officer Rogers, we weren’t even partners. We were just together for the day. But he did what we took our oath to do. If someone’s going around randomly attacking innocent people in New York City, we’re going to go out there and we’re going to go.”

Representing the U.S. Marines, Sergeant Sebastian Andagoya was also honored for his outstanding service.

“It was a pleasure,” Andagoya said of the recognition. “I’m born and raised here in New York and I’m able to influence a lot of individuals such as the NYPD, FDNY, and all these first responders here.”

He also had a message for aspiring Marines: “Just be confident in what you do and everything will help you out in the long term. As in, if you’re confident with whatever you end up doing, I promise you you’ll be successful later down the road.”

Another highlight was the presentation of the John J. Farrell Sr. Memorial Award to Gennaro, who works as the director of development for the Queens Center of Progress and is a member of Queens Community Board 8, honoring her years of community service.

The evening opened with a symbolic Missing Man Table ceremony, commemorating those who never returned from duty: the white tablecloth, the slice of lemon, the inverted glass, the empty chair, and the candle, as a bugler played Taps in the background.

Emily Nieman, a board member of the Queens Flag Day Committee, explained the emotional and logistical effort behind the event.

“It takes a year,” Nieman said. “We no sooner finish than within a month we start all over again. We contact all the military and civil service divisions and ask them who they would like to honor. Because they tell us. We feel it’s more personable when they do it that way. They know who should be honored.”

Nieman, a former FEMA associate, said her experience working with first responders deepened her respect for their sacrifices.

“No matter how many times you say thank you, it feels like it’s not enough. So if you can do a little bit more to make people aware of what they sacrifice… It’s the families too. The families serve as well.”

The diversity of the crowd, spanning generations and ethnicities, is a reflection of Queens.

“Let’s be honest. This is Queens, and this is the city; you don’t have one group of people. We’ve got eight and a half million people. Not everybody’s the same. I think we should show who we are. And I think it shows here,” Nieman said.

The event at Douglaston Manor was fully funded by sponsors, including several Queens-based businesses such as a local repair service and a barbershop.

While the venue typically charges $98 per guest for its summer promotions—and wedding or large event rentals can range from $6,000 during the off-season to $7,500 at peak—attendees did not pay a cent. Everything was covered, allowing honorees and guests to enjoy the evening of a three-course meal free of charge.

“As we honor these officers, all members of public service and members of our military, let us renew our commitment to the values that unite us. And what better time to do it than on a day when we celebrate our beautiful flag. I’d also like to thank our families that’s here, our friends, and our leaders. We don’t do things alone, so behind every achievement is a network of support. So let’s keep working together, looking out for one another, and remembering what our flag stands for. Thank you for being here, and thank you for your service,” Kinsella said.

 

A man who brutally assaulted a woman with a hammer inside a Queens subway station in 2022 was sentenced on July 10 to 25 years to life in prison, following a conviction for robbery and assault.

William Blount, 61, was found guilty by a jury in April for launching an unprovoked and violent attack on 57-year-old Nina Rothschild at the Queens Plaza subway station in Long Island City. The attack drew national attention for its shocking nature and the severity of the victim’s injuries.

Authorities said Blount approached Rothschild from behind around 11:20 p.m. on February 24, 2022. As she descended the station stairs, he kicked her from behind, causing her to fall, then struck her in the head 13 times with a hammer before stealing her multicolored tote bag and fleeing the scene.

Rothschild, a scientist with the city’s Health Department, was left with multiple skull fractures, a broken finger, and other injuries. She underwent emergency surgery to replace parts of her shattered skull with titanium mesh.

Blount, whose last known address was in Manhattan, was arrested three days later. Surveillance footage and forensic evidence linked him to the scene. Police recovered the hammer, cane, and stolen bag from a relative’s home in Long Island City, where DNA testing confirmed Blount’s involvement.

The jury convicted him on two counts each of first-degree assault and first-degree robbery, as well as fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was acquitted of attempted murder.

 

 

“This was an unprovoked attack that caught the attention of the entire country,” District Attorney Katz said. “A 57-year-old woman was blindsided as she entered the New York City subway system and kicked down the stairs by William Blount. The defendant then repeatedly struck her in the head with a hammer and stole the woman’s tote bag. I thank the survivor for testifying during this trial and bravely facing her attacker in court. Our transit system must be safe for everyone and this conviction sends a strong message that those who cause mayhem on our subways will be brought to justice.”

A jury convicted Blount in April on multiple counts of first-degree assault and robbery, along with criminal possession of a weapon. He was acquitted of attempted murder. Queens Supreme Court Justice John Zoll handed down the maximum sentence.

Coney Island Residents Fight Casino Over Culture, Affordability

By MOHAMMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

 

A proposed casino and resort development in Coney Island has ignited a wave of impassioned debate among residents, business owners, advocacy groups, and city leaders—pitting economic opportunity against cultural preservation and neighborhood stability.

The plan, spearheaded by a consortium including Thor Equities, the Chickasaw Nation, Saratoga Casino Hotel, and Legends Hospitality, aims to transform five acres of mostly vacant land near Stillwell Avenue into a year-round entertainment hub. The multi-billion-dollar project would include a casino, hotel, public park space, on-site parking, and retail and dining venues designed to highlight Brooklyn-based businesses. Backers say the development would create thousands of construction and permanent jobs while revitalizing aging infrastructure and expanding tourism beyond the summer months.

“This project would guarantee significant investment in our community. Coney Island has been waiting for a year-round economy that creates not just jobs—but careers. Local residents would have access to job training and access to union jobs with a living wage and benefits,” the development group stated. “Our team has already been engaging with local businesses to ensure that additional visitors and activities benefit their business. We have experience and results to show that cross-promotional agreements—like discounts with a rewards card—can directly increase the sales and success of local business.”

Yet opposition to the project is fierce—and growing. Local housing organizations, cultural institutions, and residents have raised alarms about the potential impacts on community life, affordability, and Coney Island’s historic amusement district.

In a strongly worded statement, the Board of Directors of the Luna Park Housing Corporation—representing approximately 6,000 residents in one of Brooklyn’s largest Mitchell-Lama developments—declared its “vehement opposition” to the casino plan.

“The proposed casino in Coney Island, which would be located right across the street from our homes, poses a major and direct threat to our quality of life and our ability to even be able to continue living in our homes,” the board wrote, citing concerns about increased crime, traffic congestion, noise, and displacement of working-class families. “We will not support any politician who does not stand with us at this time.”

Opponents argue the casino could undermine one of the city’s last affordable coastal neighborhoods while endangering Coney Island’s legacy as a family-friendly and culturally rich destination.

Coney Island USA, a nonprofit arts organization known for producing the annual Mermaid Parade, Coney Island Film Festival, and the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, has warned that the development could overshadow or even eliminate long-standing amusement attractions.

“A billionaire developer is trying to replace Coney Island with a massive casino, hotel, and convention center that would cast shadows over the amusement area,” the organization said. “The Casino would remove almost half the rides and put the others at risk of disappearing. Soon the only rides left could be the Wonder Wheel and the Cyclone. Everything else could be gone. The future of Coney Island USA, the non-profit arts organization that sponsors the Mermaid Parade, could be put at risk, and the Mermaid Parade, one of New York’s most iconic and beloved events, could be gone forever!”

The development team has pledged to deliver union jobs with living wages, job training for local residents, and partnerships with local merchants through cross-promotional programs. They emphasize that their plan includes parkland, environmental resilience upgrades, and enhanced lighting and security.

But community leaders say the benefits are overstated—and the risks profound. To proceed, the casino proposal must receive two-thirds approval from a Community Advisory Committee composed of six key officials: the local Council Member, State Assembly Member, State Senator, Borough President, NYC Mayor, and New York’s Governor. While the City Council has already voted to support rezoning and the transfer of public air rights for the development, final approval is far from certain.

Advocacy groups have launched petitions and organized rallies urging the six officials to block the proposal. Critics say the decision-making process has lacked transparency and ignored widespread local opposition.

“This is a public land giveaway to a billionaire developer,” read a joint statement from several community organizations. “The future of Coney Island must be determined by its residents, not dictated by private deals behind closed doors.”

Supporters counter that the project will address decades of underinvestment in the area, bringing infrastructure upgrades, added security, and new sources of tax revenue for the city and state.

The controversy has spotlighted a broader debate over the direction of urban development in New York: who benefits, who decides, and what kind of city residents want to build for future generations.

For some, the casino represents long-overdue revitalization. For others, it signals the loss of a beloved cultural icon. As the Community Advisory Committee prepares to weigh in, both sides are intensifying their campaigns—with the outcome likely to shape the future of Coney Island for decades to come.

As the state weighs up to three downstate casino licenses, the proposed Coney Island development is just one of several high-stakes projects vying for approval—and it’s far from the only one drawing intense local debate.In Queens, Mets owner Steve Cohen and Seminole Hard Rock are pushing for an $8 billion casino and entertainment district on the Citi Field parking lot. Like the Coney Island bid, the plan touts thousands of jobs, green space, and community investment. Initially, the project faced a political roadblock because State Senator Jessica Ramos had not introduced the required parkland alienation bill. However, State Senator Liu later introduced the bill, which has since been passed and signed into law, allowing the project to move forward with support from multiple local officials and labor unions. Meanwhile, another Queens proposal from Resorts World seeks to expand its existing racino into a full-scale casino resort—backed by billions in prior investment and broad political support, making it a front-runner despite questions about long-term revenue potential.

All three proposals promise economic revitalization, job creation, and upgraded infrastructure, yet they share a common challenge: navigating deep community skepticism. In Coney Island, critics say the proposed casino threatens cultural landmarks and working-class stability, echoing concerns raised in Queens over traffic, displacement, and the transformation of public land into private enterprise. While Resorts World faces less local resistance, both the Coney Island and Metropolitan Park projects have become flashpoints in a larger debate about urban development, equity, and who ultimately benefits from these billion-dollar bids. As public review processes continue and the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board prepares for a final decision later this year, the outcome of each bid may hinge not just on money or renderings—but on whether developers can truly win over the neighborhoods they aim to reshape.

By Alice Moreno

Alanna O’Donnell thought it was a normal day at school on May 30, going to her usual meetings to discuss her farming initiative. She found it weird that none of her colleagues would speak to her that day, but didn’t think too much of it. She was told it was an end-of-the-school-year party, and as she arrived at her classroom, the principal, Christopher Duffy, said that they might not be telling the whole truth — in fact, they were there to honor someone. The entire time, she thought someone was retiring, and they were hosting a party for them.

Little did she know, she was about to be rewarded with a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize as well as a $10,000 grant, as she is the Queens recipient of the FLAG Award for Teaching Excellence.

O’Donnell is a veteran of the New York Department of Education, having worked as a special needs teacher for over 12 years. A Flushing native, she is currently working on her second Master’s degree at PACE University, in literacy in TESOL (teaching English to students of other
languages).

Though she doesn’t consider herself a farmer, she and her students run a farm within school grounds. She began this initiative three years ago when she first began teaching at PS 177, Robin Sue Ward School for Exceptional Children, when she noticed that there was a run-down space due to an oil spill that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. She wanted to find a unique way for children with disabilities to learn, and with that, the farm idea came to be.

“Our first year was a bit of a struggle, but then it just kind of blossomed,” said O’Donnell. “And we wrote a grant to New York [Department of Agriculture and Markets] in the classroom, [and] we got $1,500 to raise chickens.”

O’Donnell and her students — in which all except one are non-verbal — run a chicken coop. She jokingly calls the seven chickens, “morbidly obese young ladies,” and has two baby chickens on the way to be integrated.

She notes that the farm has helped students gain independence, developing a certain level of empathy and respect. The students started off afraid, but after two weeks, the students began to hold the chickens and perform various chores to take care of them.

“Every day, we provide them with a job that has specific tasks and steps that they need to complete,” O’Donnell said. “So, one day it might be they’re in charge of garbage. The next day, they’re in charge of sweeping out the coop. The following day, it’s getting all their food prepared. The next day, it’s getting all their water and spraying down the coop, removing any of the dirty poop.”

O’Donnell’s biggest accomplishment, however, was seeing one of her students initiate a task without help. The student went to the farm, opening the gates, letting the chickens out, shaking the bag (as a way to get the chickens to follow them), and bringing the chickens back. The room fell silent as everyone watched; not a dry eye was in the room.

“His mom said to me, I didn’t know my son [could] do that by himself. And I was like, yeah, he can,” said O’Donnell. “And now it’s like secondhand nature to him, and other students have followed him. So we’re up to, I think, three or four [students] that are doing it independently.”

The FLAG Award, according to their website, states that it “recognizes and celebrates extraordinary public school teachers who inspire learning through creativity, passion, and commitment.” The award is given to a teacher in each of the boroughs, plus one 3K-5th grade teacher from any borough.

O’Donnell was nominated by one of the parents of her students, an honor that she is privileged to have. She feels that being nominated by a parent feels as if she already won — a parent seeing her efforts is different from when a stranger sees her efforts.

“I’m super humbled by the award, but to know that a parent sat down one night and wrote an essay about me says does a lot about who they are and how they feel about me, so that was really important to me,” said O’Donnell.

Upon revealing the award, O’Donnell reacted in shock, but nonetheless, was grateful to receive it. The crowd roared with cheers as her name appeared on the big screen, showing the
outpouring of love and respect the students, parents, and faculty have for her.

“This is amazing, and I am so humbled [that] one, to accept an award like this, because when one of us shine, we all shine,” said O’Donnell in her speech. “[And] two, because I’m here at 177th.”