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Grasso Officially Makes Ballot for Queens DA

Alicia Venter on April 13, 2023

By Alicia Venter

aventer@queensledger.com

 

Retired Judge George Grasso is officially running for Queens District Attorney along the Democratic line, filing 9,500 signatures to run for the position on Monday.

Immediately after leaving City Hall, Grasso hopped on the train to Queens Borough Hall where he shared updates with the campaign, many times delving into fervent monologues about an increase in crime in Queens.

Shooting CompStat statistics off at a whim, Grasso claimed Katz was “too little, too late” in addressing the crime sprees across Queens, particularly Flushing, and called on the current District Attorney to debate him before the primary on June 27.

“We have a crime wave in Queens right now. Crime in Queens is out of control during the tenure of Melinda Katz,” he said.

According to the most updated CompStat information, Grasso passionately stated, NYPD’s Patrol Borough Queens South has seen an increase of major felony crime of over 40% in two years.

“You think that’s bad?” he questioned. “How about Patrol Borough Queens North?” According to CompStat, major felony crime is up over 68%. The 109th Precinct, he said, is up over 126%. While currently running on the Democratic line, Grasso shared that he has begun the process to run independently should he lose the party’s nomination.

Herb Woods, who worked with Grasso in the NYPD, shared a few words in support of his old friend.

“If you don’t acknowledge a problem, you can’t fix a problem,” Grasso announced.

The Grasso for Queens Campaign received 11 endorsements from local law enforcement agencies on Monday, including from the New York 10-13 Association, the Retired Lieutenants Association and Retired Police Association of New York State.

“If you want to bring back safety, security and sanity to the county of Queens, it is so important to vote for Judge Grasso,” said Bob Valentino, the President of the New York City Retired Transit Police Officers Association, which has endorsed Grasso. “With him, you will bring back Queens like it used to be in the old days.”

Herb Woods, former NYPD Assistant Commissioner, Department Advocate, who led police discipline, has known Grasso for 35 years after meeting as police officers of the NYPD. Seeing him rise through the ranks, Woods claimed to be a first-hand witness to Grasso working diligently within the department to create strategies to reduce crime when he was the first deputy commissioner of the NYPD.

“He wanted to immediately create a disciplinary system that was fair, that was transparent, would enforce due process and brought everyone to the table equally,” said Woods. “He made it doubly clear to me that whether you are a police officer or a civilian, no one is above the law.

The first step in Grasso’s plan, he explained, is quality of life enforcement. It is the small things — not enforcing misdemeanor assault and trespassing, or those who avoid tolls — that must be enforced to avoid repeat offenders.

Current district attorneys, he feels, are too muted across the city, citing State District Attorney David Soares as a role model of how all district attorneys should speak out.

“This is real now. I consider this the official first day of my campaign,” Grasso said. “We are going to win on June 27… this is coming. This is happening.”

“Joy – This Place I Land” Exhibition Opens in JCAL

Alicia Venter on April 6, 2023

By Alicia Venter

aventer@queensledger.com

Jean-Louis’ piece, “Closing Halloween.” It can be seen in JCAL through the month.

What is joy?

This is what Jardley Jean-Louis tries to answer in their newest exhibition, “Joy – This Place I Land,” which will be on display at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL) from April 6.

As a Black and Queer person, joy is in the small moments for award-winning artist Jean-Louis. It’s these moments they portray — sharing an intimate moment with a loved one on the train, fixing dinner with family and a Halloween with family are some of which they depict in their work. Through character-driven artistic expression, Jean-Louis portrays their intersectionality and the way in which joy shows itself in their life, often in the “light moments.”

“The expression of joy — what does it look like, especially as a Black person?” Jean-Louis posed in a Zoom interview with the Queens Ledger. “What does it mean to thrive?”

In their exhibit, which is a collection of digital art, they tackle what is making them happy right now as well as what could bring happiness in their future.

“A lot of my work is about simple life moments. It’s not about anything that’s some supernatural thing,” Jean-Louis said. Though they were originally going to do about six pieces, they decided on doing more works once they saw the space available in JCAL.

Though born in Harlem, the 32-year-old was raised on Liverpool Street in Jamaica, currently lives in Forest Hills and considers Queens their home. Art has been a consistent part of their life, as Jean-Louis briefly studied Illustration at the School of Visual Arts. However, they considered the classroom space stifling, depriving them of their passion. They have since reignited their love for the arts, producing both digital illustrations and films. Jean-Louis is currently working on an animated film about gay culture and the AIDs epidemic in the 80s, particularly to bring more visibility to Black gay people and the Haitian gay community.

Jean-Louis themselves are second-generation American, with their parents immigrating from Haiti.

The impact of the Haitian culture in their upbringing can be seen in the work, “Heritage.” In one particular piece, “Closing Halloween,” Jean-Louis paints the picture of friends enjoying simple time together on Halloween day.

“Heritage” by Jean-Louis

“We’re waiting for the trick-or-treaters to come, and we are just watching something while waiting for them,” Jean-Louis said.

Another piece, “To Be Black, Gay, and Gay,” Jean-Louis describes as being “about Queerness and intimacy. It’s about love and the Black identity and just having it in the public.”

Jean-Louis’ piece, “To be Black, Gay, and Gay”

Though the exhibit is centered around the Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) identity, Jean-Louis wanted to make sure to include work that extends to those who do not fall within that identity.

“I do want to make sure it’s inclusive,” they said. “I want for people to feel the joy to learn, and also feel from looking at the work and say, ‘oh, that this isn’t something that different from what I have in my own life.’”

JCAL is hosting an opening reception and artist talk this Saturday at 4:00 p.m. for free, with registration at https://www.jcal.org/show-details/opening-reception-artist-talk-joy-this-place-i-land.

Cop Shot on Jamaica Ave, Search Underway for Perp

Alicia Venter on April 5, 2023

 

Image

A 22-year-old rookie cop was shot in the right hip near 161st St. along Jamaica Avenue Wednesday.

Police are asking for the public’s help in finding the perpetrator, who remains on the loose. There is a $10,000 reward for any information. The individual has a tattoo of the name “Jocelyn” on his left hand, police say.

A press conference was held at Jamaica Hospital — where the officer was in the operating room at around 6 p.m. according to doctors —  later on Wednesday to update the public on the incident. A surveillance photo of a suspect accused of shooting an NYPD officer.

At approximately 3:20 p.m., an MTA bus driver traveling eastbound on Jamaica Avenue called for two police officers assigned to the 103rd Precinct field training unit, NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig shared at the press conference.

“He was where our communities tells us they want their officers to be, standing a foot post,” said NYPD Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell.

The bus driver told the officers that a dispute had emerged between two men over a seat. When they approached the bus, a man exited through the front door and a “slight struggle ensued,” said Essig.

The man, who was wearing a black bubble jacket, black mask and orange sweatshirt pushed the officers and attempted to flee northbound on 161st Street, according to Essig.

One officer managed to catch up to the man, who fired one shot into his right hip  after a brief struggle.

The other police officer returned fire two times. Recovered shell casings from the crime scene reinforce this information. It is undetermined whether the perpetrator was struck.

A surveillance photo of a suspect accused of shooting an NYPD officer. The shell casing from the perpetrators’ weapon was recovered as well. As of 7:30 p.m., the caliber of the gun has yet to be determined.

The perpetrator then fled to a parking garage, where NYPD found the mask, jacket and orange sweatshirt. He was caught on video surveillance leaving the parking garage in a white t-shirt.

Patrick Lynch, head of the NYPD’s Police Benevolent Association union, expressed that he was concerned for both the environment that police officers work in and the environment that the community has to live in.

“While [the perpetrator] was running from police officers and shooting at police officers, there were children along that shopping corridor,” Lynch said. “There were people that were just going about their life… They had no regard for those people. ”

He then applauded those members of the community, who stopped and helped the police officer.

“When you can display a weapon over a dispute on the bus, that says a lot,” said Mayor Eric Adams at the press conference.

Today marked the cop’s third month as a member of the 103rd Precinct. He was appointed to the police department in July 2022, and to the 103rd Precinct in January. The injured officer was not identified at the press conference.

The partner of the shot officer has been with the NYPD for less than a year. His lack of hesitancy in helping his fellow officer was thanked by Sewell.

The officer’s father is a NYPD detective in Brooklyn.

“New Yorkers — you are our force multiplier. We are going to need your assistance in identifying and apprehending this offender,” Sewell said.

Anyone with any information in regard to this incident, contact 800-COPSHOT or @NYPDTips on Twitter.

Briarwood family demands justice for dog euthanized by ACC

Alicia Venter on March 29, 2023

By Alicia Venter 

aventer@queensledger.com

 

On March 12, the Leon family of Briarwood frantically searched for their missing dog Leona.

As a 19-year-old animal, they knew her eyesight wasn’t great and she was frail, so they spent the morning walking the blocks around their home calling her name and scouring the internet for any signs of her.

Through Facebook, they found good news — a picture of Leona on a missing pets group page. Upon calling the Good Samaritan who made the post, they found out she had been taken to an Animal Care Centers of New York City (ACC) shelter at 2336 Linden Blvd in Brooklyn.

This, the Leon family described on Monday at a press conference in Briarwood, is where the good news ended. Upon calling the shelter, the family discovered their dog had been euthanized by the shelter managed by ACC, which is overseen by the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH).

Standing at the intersection where Leona was first discovered by that good samaritan, on the Southeast corner of Smedly Street and Coolidge Avenue, the Leon family and local council member James F. Gennaro (D-Kew Gardens) claimed that the ACC went outside of its own policy and euthanized Leona inhumanely. They are calling upon the DOHMH to launch a formal investigation into the practices of the ACC.

“This is a grieving family that suffered the loss of their beloved pet, Leona, at the hands of the ACC for reasoning that I truly believe was completely unwarranted and atrocious,” Gennaro said. “Nothing like this should befall this family.”

“They didn’t get us the opportunity to say goodbye,” Vianey Areica Leon, the family’s mother said. 

Vianey Areica Leon, the family’s mother, meeting Councilmember Gennaro for the first time.

According to policy found on their website, ACC shelters give potential owners 72 hours to reclaim their pet.

“We also will check for a microchip and search through various databases for any reports of lost pets that may fit the description of that animal. If no one claims during the holding period, he/she will receive a Placement Evaluation to determine next steps,” the website states.

Juan Leon described how the official time of death has not been provided for their dog, but that he expects it was just hours after she arrived at the shelter.

“Part of us is truly gone. She was the first love of my life,” Juan said, adding that he doesn’t understand how the ACC is able to operate in this way.

“We keep getting told different answers and we’re starting to notice that with every comment the ACC makes, they change the rules. They have a loophole for every action that they do,” he said.

However, the ACC shared in a statement to the Queens Ledger that the pets’ deteriorating health conditions led them to step outside this policy.

“She had no identification, no dog license and was not microchipped. Upon intake, Leona was seen spinning in circles and was wobbly when walking.  A comprehensive physical exam was done by a veterinarian indicating that she was in a very debilitated state and suffering from progressive neurologic symptoms.  She was minimally aware of her surroundings, non-reactive to stimuli, weak and unable to stand for more than a few minutes before falling.  She was emaciated with a body condition of 2/9 indicating possible chronic illness. The doctors at ACC do not take euthanasia lightly.  It is their job to direct a course that is in the best interest of the animal.  In Leona’s case, given her present state and in addition to all the other chronic, debilitating conditions she had (heart disease, blind, deaf, and severe dental issues) the doctors believed her to be suffering,” the statement read.

The emailed statement then stated that the law was on their side.

“For dogs with serious medical conditions and especially those stemming from extreme old age who are in pain and suffering, it is the duty of veterinary staff to provide peaceful end of life care. This decision is not made lightly but is always made in the best interest of the pet. In these cases, if a pet has been lost or abandoned, we scan for identification that ideally will lead us back to an owner before any end-of-life decision is made. However, if there is no information at all from a microchip or any other identification, we must make the decision on our own within the most humane timeframe. Euthanasia of stray animals is regulated by New York State Agriculture and Markets Law: https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/AGM/A26. The law specifically states that if an animal is suffering, euthansia may be performed before the stray hold period is over.”

Juan shared that their veterinarian had described how there was little that could be done regarding the age-related issues that Leona had, but the family made the decision with the veterinarian that she would live the rest of her life at home.

“Leona never stood a chance the moment she walked to ACC and that’s not fair,” he said. “That’s not fair. She should have came home to us, and she should have died on our terms. Our family should have made that decision of when to start her end-of-life story.”

Juan’s sister Ericka expressed heartbreak over what happened to her dog, adding that she “thought shelters were a safe haven.”

“They took my dog from me,” she shared, holding back tears, adding that while she plans to fight with her family for justice for Leona, “at the end of the day, I’ve already lost.”

The Leon family suggested that their dog was cremated without their permission, and when they went to retrieve their pet, they were met with a hostile environment, claiming they were reminded more than once that there were officers near the property.

They also insinuated that they plan to take legal action.

The Leon family is planning a rally on April 15 at the ACC Administrative Offices at 11 Park Place in Manhattan.

Gennaro is calling upon the New York City Council’s Legislative Integrity Unit to ensure that the city is on-track in construction of a full-service shelter in Queens and the Bronx, as mandated by Local Law 123 of 2018. The law requires that the shelters be completed by July 1, 2024, and the Queens shelter is under construction in Ridgewood. The mayor’s office did not reply by publication with details of how far along the construction is.

Through having a fully-functioning city shelter in each borough, Gennaro believes that capacity will no longer be a consideration in the decision-making by veterinarians regarding euthanasia.

“I don’t know if it’s a capacity issue, where they have to do whatever it takes to minimize capacity,” Gennaro said. 

GJDC’s Justin Rodgers Reimagines Jamaica Avenue

Alicia Venter on March 28, 2023

By Alicia Venter

aventer@queensledger.com

 

Justin Rodgers has been a part of the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation (GJDC) for 17 years — however, Jamaica has been a part of him for much longer, having grown up in the Southeast Queens neighborhood.

Justin Rodgers. Photo: GJDC

Margherita Pizza was the place to be growing up (and today, he noted, as the pizza parlor is still open) for now-President and CEO of the GJDC.

It’s this connection, Rodgers explained, that led the Board of Directors at GJDC to unanimously elevate him to President and CEO in June 2022 after he served as Interim President from November 2021. He is the third president of GJDC since it was formed 56 years ago.

“In the eight months that I was actually interim president, I was able to do a lot in a short period of time. I expanded our business service group and I was able to raise money for the corporation. I was able to really prove that I can run the corporation,” he shared. “That being said, I think that what I had over other candidates is that I’m personally invested in Jamaica. I’m from Jamaica. That’s one hundred percent why I am still here after 17 years.”

To develop Jamaica, Rodgers began his time at GJDC developing Jamaica Avenue, the neighborhood’s bustling shopping corridor.

The street grew in the 1920’s as Jamaica became a transportation hub. LIRR lines, subway lines and buses all converge near Jamaica Avenue, and major shopping centers began to appear.

In 1930, on the corner of 171st St. and Jamaica Avenue, the first King Kullen Grocery Company, which the Smithsonian Institute has deemed ‘America’s First Supermarket,’ was born. It has been home to department stores including Macy’s and Gertz, and now welcomes national brands such as Target, Aldi, Burlington, Old Navy and Primark.

Bringing national brands was Rodger’s project for 14 years, as concerned residents expressed to him how they were driving to Nassau County or hopping on the E train to the Queens Center to shop at those locations.

Now, Rodgers leads the effort to bring mom-and-pop shops back to Jamaica. The key, he explained, is to present real estate that is on the side streets to Jamaica Avenue.

“It’s not financially possible for mom and pop shops to open on Jamaica Avenue due to the high cost of rent. You just can’t make the numbers work. But you can make the numbers work on side streets,” said Rodgers. “So now we’re in the process of working with potential restaurant tours on some of the side streets.”

Retaining businesses was a point of concern during a recent meeting of the Sutphin Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) Annual Meeting, when the board of directors was elected for a newly consolidated BID emerging from the Sutphin Avenue BID, the 165th Street Special Assessment District and the Jamaica Center Special Assessment District. The question arose: What must be done to get businesses to stay open in Jamaica?

The issue with businesses retention, Rodgers described, has a considerable amount to do with the new busways along Jamaica Avenue. Implemented in October 2021, these busways allow only buses, trucks and emergency vehicles to make trips along Jamaica Avenue between Sutphin Blvd. and 168th St. in both directions. This bus project was designed to increase bus speeds and reliability for 14 bus routes on Jamaica Avenue and 19 bus routes on Archer Ave.

On Jamaica Avenue, all other vehicles may make local trips to access the curb, the DOT stated on their website, but must make the next available turn off the busway.

Some businesses have seen a 40-50% drop in business, according to Rodgers, since this was implemented, and the GJDC is trying to work with elected officials and the DOT to try and find ways to modify the busways.

“The busways have really harmed businesses, not only along Jamaica Avenue, but also on the side streets. The reason why is because Queens is a driving community, specifically Southeast Queens,” he said. “It’s very difficult to navigate around Downtown Jamaica if you are driving. Some people just don’t want the headache and they don’t come anymore.”

Rodgers suggested that busways be limited only to peak hours.

The consolidated BID that is coming to Jamaica, Rodgers described, will “100% benefit the businesses,” because its $1.4 million assessment will allow them to provide additional services to the businesses and the community.

Those additional services must be voted on, but they can mean more vendors, security and additional cleaning days.

Crime is a major concern for those who are looking to shop on Jamaica Avenue, especially with the recent shooting of a 22-year-old cop along the street. However, Rodgers emphasized that the shooting was an “isolated incident,” and that efforts by the 103rd Precinct and their Commanding Officer Eric A. Robinson’s involvement in community events and presence have made Jamaica a safer place.

Since taking the helm at GJDC, Rodgers has been able to provide national retailers to the residents of Jamaica, and continues to work in order to ensure small businesses continue to feel supported. For more information, visit https://gjdc.org/.

Jackson Heights man indicted on narcotics, weapons charges

Alicia Venter on November 10, 2022

Search of defendant’s home found cocaine, handgun and ammunition 

 

By Alicia Venter

aventer@queensledger.com

 

A Jackson Heights man has been indicted on charges of criminal sale of a controlled substance, criminal possession of a weapon and other charges, according to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. 

Alejandro Rodriguez, 43, was arraigned yesterday on an 18-count indictment, including 14 counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the first and third degrees. He faces 20 years in prison if convicted.

According to the charges, Rodriguez is accused of supplying a large quantity of narcotics to an undercover officer over the course of five months.

The indictment states that there were a total of seven transactions Rodriguez and an undercover officer where more than 14 ounces of cocaine were sold. 

Rodriguez is of 91st Street in Jackson Heights. On Oct. 19, a search of the defendant’s home resulted in the recovery of 60 grams of cocaine, an unlicensed .45 caliber handgun and 20 rounds of ammunition.

Following this search, the defendant was arrested, and an additional 100 grams of cocaine were recovered from his person.

The defendant has been ordered to return to court on Dec. 6.

“Illicit drug sales fuel addictions that destroy lives and violence that endangers  our communities,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement. “We will not relent in our efforts to remove this poison from our streets and hold accused dealers  accountable. I thank my Major Economic Crimes Bureau as well as our law enforcement partners for their commitment to those we serve.” 

 

LIC Partnership looks to expand

Alicia Venter on November 9, 2022

By Alicia Venter

aventer@queensledger.com

As Long Island City expands, the Long Island City Partnership President Laura Rothrock has her hands full. Beginning in September, Rothrock has taken the mantle of an organization unlike any other in Queens, offering aid to local businesses, members and stakeholders to Long Island City.

The mission of the partnership, which is the neighborhood development organization for Long Island City, is to advocate for the economic development of the community. The partnership is a member and sponsor-based organization.

The partnership, which also manages a business improvement district (BID), which began in 2005, has shown its strength in the past year. In the 2022 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, there were 30 new businesses opened in the BID’s boundaries. That is a record number, which Rothrock noted is interesting given the residual effects of the pandemic.

“It’s been a tricky time economically, but people have long-term confidence in Long Island City, which is great,” Rothrock said.

The BID’s core services include marketing, sanitation, beautification and public safety.

Through their services, 204 businesses were assisted with permit approval, access to financial and payment plans set up with Con Edison within the fiscal year.

“A BID is only a piece of what we do,” Rothrock said. ”We do a lot with a limited budget.”

The LIC BID has a texting service to directly connect with the community regarding their services. Rext LICBID to (929) 269-8848 for more information.

The organization provides business services to six different zip codes, helps community members navigate the city agencies, manages a marketing team and holds events. A key initiative for the partnership is marketing for stakeholders and so locals can see the services offered nearby.

“We’re really unique because we are the most mixed use community in the country,” Rothrock said. “We want to be able to promote that more.”

The partnership has their marquee event soon — the LIC summit is on Tuesday, Nov. 15.

The event will be a panel discussion — with speakers including Councilwoman Julie Won and Queen Borough President Donovan Richards — on how being a mixed-use neighborhood has contributed to the resiliency of the community, as well as Long Island City’s future.

The LIC Summit will be held at the Museum of the Moving Image, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased through the LIC Partnership website, licqns.com.

There are typically four major events held by the partnership, such as the Real Estate Breakfast held in March. These events, Rothrock said, bring a “signature program” for the partnership.

Working with elected officials such as Won — who is on the board of the partnership automatically as the councilwoman for the area — and the Borough President’s office, the partnership is able to connect with the local residents in the community as well as the businesses it serves.

“Even though we are a business organization, we also want to collaborate with the residents and that we’re promoting the local retail business to the residents,” Rothrock said.

Her last job was as a consultant at Nicholas and Lence Communications. Prior to this, during the Bloomberg Administration, she worked at the Department of Small Businesses Services and managed the BID Program. As such, she has experience both as a private consultant and within the government.

The organization is working on two BID expansions, one towards the west and one to the east, past Sunnyside Gardens. Stakeholders outside of the Long Island City BID boundaries expressed the need for supplemental services, the partnership website stated, to address the changing needs of the neighborhood. If all goes through, the BID assessment budget will double through this growth.

It will be under “the BID umbrella,” Rothrock said, but given the difference in the neighborhoods, each sub-district needs its own budget and planning to meet its needs.

The expansion to the east is in the industrial area of Long Island City, and it has no residents.

“For all intents and purposes, we’re one BID, but [the east expansion] will have its own budget and slightly different services, because the services needed in the industrial area are different,” Rothrock said.

It is a very lengthy process to expand the BID, Rothrock said, beginning with a planning phase that took the partnership approximately two years to complete.

The outreach phase has begun, which included four public forums, and soon the planning will enter the legislative phase.

Rothrock’s experience prior to becoming President allowed her to transition easily into the role.

The biggest controversy in Long Island City is Innovation QNS, which the partnership has expressed support of through testifying at the city council meetings.

“We’re hoping that they reach an agreement, because it really would be a missed opportunity if the project didn’t go through,” Rothrock said.

However, Rothrock expressed how the organization is apolitical and non-partisan — Innovation QNS does not fall within the boundaries of the BID, and they purely look at the project as a way for the community to grow economically, as well as gain quality of life improvements such as new open space.

More information about the LIC Partnership can be found at www.licqns.com

Dog Parade Held in Kew Gardens

Alicia Venter on November 2, 2022

First parade a huge success for the community

Pepper is the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man and the Ghostbusters were with him. Photo: Michel Leroy, @michelleroyphoto www.michelleroyphoto.com.

 

By Alicia Venter

aventer@queensledger.com

Forest Park Barking Lot and We are Kew Gardens wished the community a “Happy Howl-o-ween,” partnering to host their annual Dog Parade and Costume Contest.

The parade on Saturday, Oct. 23 featured approximately 40 dogs, according to organizers Esta-Joy “EJ” Sydell and Anne Craig. 

Onyx the Husky was Harry Potter and won 2nd Prize. Photo: Michel Leroy, @michelleroyphoto www.michelleroyphoto.com.

Some owners joined their dogs in costume as they marched from Forest Park Barking Lot to Austin Ale House at 82-70 Austin St. The winner this year was a beagle named “Bella” who dressed as Wonderwoman. The whole family of Bella’s was there, celebrating their dog’s victory. In second place was husky “Onyx” dressed as Harry Potter and third place went to “Moose,” a chocolate lab dressed as R2D2.

Honorable mentions included local dog “Cleo” dressed as a “Poop Factory” and Queens Khalifa, a bulldog dressed as a sunflower. 

“I was really kind of impressed by them, because I thought there would be a lot of barking,” Sydell said. “The dogs were moving along like it was their day down the street.”

The dog park has held similar contests within the park for the past four years, but this year, Craig approached Sydell with the hope to bring the event more into the community. 

Craig is part of the community organization We are Kew Gardens. The group is focused on building volunteer and community service opportunities for people in the neighborhood and creating events to engage the community.

“What began as a costume contest in the Barking Lot became a parade,” Craig said. 

Beyond Craig and Sydell, two key organizers of the event included Viana Tran and Hannah Bridgham.

Sydell has been part of the dog park, which is a nonprofit organization, since it opened in 2015. She has served as its president since 2019 and serves on Community Board 9 on the Parks, Recreation and Environment Committee. Sydell works in the community to support dog parks and educate the community on responsible pet ownership. 

Sydell’s love for the community shined through every time she spoke of the different businesses and organizations around the dog park. Austin Ale House has been overwhelmingly supportive of the park in its early years, and Sydell shared her deep appreciation for their help.

“Shoutout to the Austin Ale House. They’ve been nothing but really good to the dog park and the community as a whole for many years,” she said. She has held fundraisers at the restaurant, including Cocktails for Canines.

Among the attendees was Queens Borough President Donovan Richards. He enjoyed the event so much, Sydell and Craig shared, that he said he wanted to be a judge the following year. 

“We are going to hold him to that,” Sydell said with a laugh. 

“It was just really nice for Anne to bring this to me, so that we can combine forces and maybe draw some people in the community’s attention more to helping volunteer at the dog park, as well as just bringing some joy to the neighborhood,” Sydell said. “People really had great feedback and a great time. People who didn’t have dogs came out to watch. It was just a really fun, nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.”

Judges included Roberta “Bobbi” Giordano, owner of the no-kill shelter Bobbi and the Strays, Mark Morrill, the Democratic District Leader for Kew Gardens, and Vina Castillo, who owns the Kew and Willow Store. 

Local pet supply stores donated the gifts given at the event: K9 Caterers, Dog Days and Cat Nights and Wagging Tails all provided supplies and gifts for the dogs, as well as gift certificates. 

Bobbi and the Strays donated “huge gift baskets filled with doggie toys and treats that were absolutely incredible,” Sydell shared.

“When it comes to dogs, the community really steps up,” Sydell shared. “You can’t be upset about dogs, especially in costume. What’s cuter?”

Both Craig and Sydell encourage the community, particularly the younger members, to get involved in the dog park and We are Kew Gardens, as well as the community at large.

“We believe in community service. We believe that communities are built by the communities that live in them,” Craig said. “We do these things like the dog parade to really engage the community. To get the community involved and have a really fun day, while also giving back to the community.”

‘Friends of Smokey Park’ brings community together for its first cleanup

Alicia Venter on November 2, 2022

By Alicia Venter

aventer@queensledger.com

 

Phil Rizzuto “Smokey” Park sits in the middle of Richmond Hill, and long- time residents Aleena and Bill Knight have heard neighbors talk for years about their desire for the park’s renovation.

As the founders of the 95th Avenue Block Association, which was formed two years ago, the couple decided to lead the initiative to

beautify the neighborhood park themselves.

“My wife and I just decided, ‘let’s do it,’ so we did,” Bill Knight said.

Four months ago, the group “Friends of Snokey (Phil Rizzuto) Park” officially formed.

This past Saturday, they held their first cleanup, drawing elected officials and members of the community for a memorable afternoon.

In attendance were volunteers and members of Friends of Smokey Park, Juliet Ganpat, Pastor Charles McGowan of Gospel Baptist Church, Sherry Algredo, Chair of Community Board 9 and Senator Joseph Addabbo.

A few years prior to the group’s organization, the children’s playground was redone; the group now looks to other sections of the park to continue the improvements that were halted in what likely was due to funding, Knight said.

One of the goals that the organization has, though Knight acknowledges it “won’t happen right away,” is to put a three or four lane track around the large grass field within the park.

There is a large senior citizen community that frequents the park, Bill Knight explained. However, he noticed that they would do their morning exercises outside the park, while enjoying the park’s interior.

Another major concern they noticed takes place during the summer — during baseball games held in the park, visitors will park on the sidewalk, which causes safety concerns and concerns regarding the overall quality of the park.

“It will be available to local schools for track teams and groups,” Knight said. “More importantly, it [will give] senior citizens a safe place for them to walk around.”

The group also looks to renovate the basketball court.

“We are really serious about making an impact that will be beneficial to the community, not to us,” Knight said. “We are a non- profit. We have no skin in the game.”

Though they have long- term goals on the horizon, the group is also looking to make change now.

On Saturday, the group took rakes and trashbags around the park, cleaning trash and other debris. They also planted bulbs.

Aleena Knight and Joe Addabbo

“On a beautiful Saturday, these volunteers could all be somewhere else, with families or private businesses or home,” Addabbo said. “But they are there in the park, giving back to the community. It’s great to see, and I just came by there to say thank you — because too often those two words often volunteers don’t hear.”

Addabbo noted the presence of Community Board 9 Chair Sherry Algredo and the Partnership for Parks. It was “great to see” the city park’s department providing supplies and support to the group.

“It is always great when you can see the local folks take an initiative to upkeep their parks and be involved in their community,” said Algredo. “That is exactly what some residents have chosen to do and hosted their first ‘It’s my Park’ cleanup this past Saturday. Community Board 9 was happy to be there to support this effort and we applaud all the volunteers that came out and worked hard in this cleanup initiative.”

The Park’s Department was not just supporting from afar.

Alejandra Vanegas, outreach coordinator for “Parknership for Parks” was in attendance, helping the organizers plant bulbs and clean.

Her job is to help provide the tools and provide support in the organization of the event so as to make their vision of beautifying the park a reality.

A huge part of the organization of the group was Senator James Sanders Jr., who suggested the group form.

The 95th Avenue Block Association has printed newsletters monthly and delivered them door-to-door with information regarding Community Board meetings, and events.

Now, the Friends of Smokey Park has a Facebook page, which they encourage nearby residents to join. Visit www.facebook. com/groups/friendsof- smokeypark for more information.

Electeds introduce bill to make Diwali a public school holiday

Alicia Venter on October 20, 2022

Legislation has been introduced to the New York State Assembly for Diwali to become a public school holiday. This designation would constitute for school to be canceled for the celebration of Diwali.

Despite previous efforts not coming to fruition due to an inability for holidays to be added to the academic calendar, elected officials believe they have found a solution — remove ‘Anniversary Day’ as an academic holiday so room can be made for Diwali.

The bill for Diwali to become a public school holiday was introduced last week by Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, with support from Mayor Eric Adams and Department of Education Chancellor David Banks. They announced their partnership and support for this bill on Thursday, Oct. 20, at Tweed Courthouse on 52 Chambers Street in Manhattan.

“South Asian and Indo-Caribbean families like mine all over this city have made incredible contributions,” Rajkumar said. “Today, I am proud to say, our time has come.”

Diwali, one of the most sacred holidays for Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, was celebrated this year on Oct. 24. It is observed on the 15th day of the 8th month in India’s calendar, and falls in either October or November of the Gregorian calendar used in the United States. Diwali is celebrated by an estimated 200,000 New Yorkers, with celebrations for the “Festival of Lights” held throughout the city.

Similar bills have been presented in the past — in 2021, Rajkumar introduced a bill to establish Diwali as a school holiday and it was introduced in the New York State Senate by Senator Kevin Thomas. In 2018, Councilman Danny Dromm introduced a resolution, wanting the Department of Education to establish an official Diwali holiday.

None of these attempts came to fruition, with claims that there were not enough days in the academic calendar to add another holiday. As mandated by State Education Law Section 3604, there must be a minimum of 180 days of school instruction.

Together, Rajkumar, Chancellor Banks and Adams were able to find a “surplus” — a day that can be used to celebrate Diwali “without our young people losing days of school in the process.” That day is Anniversary Day, also known as Brooklyn-Queens Day. 

Anniversary Day, termed an “antiquated holiday” by Rajkumar, recognizes the anniversary of the founding of the first Sunday school in Brooklyn in the 1800s. State law requires Brooklyn and Queens schools close on this day, and as a result the city closes all schools that day.

“There is no religious obligation or longstanding tradition compelling anyone to forgo school or work to observe the day. Given this lack of significance, Anniversary Day is an appropriate school holiday to rescind to accommodate designation of Diwali as a school holiday,” the bill reads.

“This is an educational moment,” Adams said. “When we acknowledge Diwali, we are going to encourage children to learn about what [Diwali is].”

“As [Chancellor Banks] has stated over and over again, education must be a place where we develop the full personhood of our children, not only to make them academically smart but emotionally intelligent,” he continued. “That intelligence comes from acknowledging and seeing each other.”

Community Board 9 — which represents Woodhaven, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill and Kew Gardens — and its chairperson Sherry Algredo have previously shown support for Diwali to become a public school holiday. When Rajkumar introduced the bill in 2021, Algredo, then first Vice Chair and an education chair, headed the passage of a resolution in the Community Board calling for Diwali to be recognized as a school holiday.

“It is a religious holiday,” Algredo told The Ledger on Oct. 20. “Just like everybody else, you would like to see it recognized.”

If passed, the bill would take effect on July 1, 2023. The assembly is set to reconvene in January 2023.

“If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” Rajkumar said, quoting Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress. “I have brought this bill to the table so that all South Asian and Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers will have a seat at the table.”

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