Glendale unites with Lindenhurst against stink trains

From NBC:

There's new outrage over plans to expand a recycling plant in Lindenhurst on Long Island. Some people who live nearby have been against the move, which they say would cause noise, odor and safety issues. And now neighbors in Queens are getting in on the fight. Greg Cergol explains.

Suffolk land deal to affect Queens

From the Times Ledger:

A land deal approved by the Suffolk County Legislature expanding a railyard on Long Island will bring terrible repercussions for the people of Queens, elected officials, civic groups and residents of the borough said.

More than 230 acres of public land in Yaphank, L.I., was sold to the operators of the Brookhaven Rail Terminal last Thursday immediately after Glendale and Middle Village residents pleaded their case to Suffolk officials.

Residents and elected officials said the expansion of the terminal would greatly increase the number of garbage trains passing through the Fresh Pond Rail Terminal in Glendale, increasing train traffic and hurting clean air quality.

“The expansion of this rail terminal will prove chaotic and will be a health hazard to the residents of Glendale,” said Anthony Pedalino, who lives near the rail lines in Glendale and deals with the noise and odor on a nightly basis. “The people deserve a little protection. Trains sit there spewing out fumes an hour at a time. This is so inhumane, it’s revolting.”

The $20 million deal gives the land to Brookhaven Terminal Operations, which said in a statement it has worked with the community before and will participate in an advisory board.

But that is not good enough for the people of Queens, who believe Suffolk County has not taken the borough’s well-being into consideration.

Long Island is surrounded by water, so why not barge their trash out?

Illegal conversions also rampant outside NYC

From NBC:

A Suffolk County woman's death in a fire over the weekend marked the second time this month that a fire in an illegally converted garage apartment claimed lives.

Dori Costa, 46, was killed in a Sunday's fire inside a converted Islip garage, according to Suffolk county police. The cause was believed to be accidental, and the apartment where the single mother lived and died was illegal, according to Islip town officials.

"I know she was in between jobs and trying to provide for her kids," said neighbor Mike Curry. "It's a tragedy."

Gary Munsch, 54 and his wife, Toni, 51, were killed in a March 17 fire at their garage apartment in Massapequa.

According to housing experts, both tragedies can be linked to Long Island's lack of affordable rental apartments.

"There's thousands of illegal apartments on Long Island," said Peter Elkowitz. the CEO of the non-profit Long Island Housing Help.

Long Island has long had a shortage of affordable rentals, Elkowitz said. And more are seeking cheap places to live, as foreclosure rates rise in the area.

In addition, said Elkowitz, Long Island's rising property taxes continue to force homeowners to rent out garages or basements as a way to reduce their costs.

Okay, this may be part of it, but the biggest reason for illegal rentals is greed. People buy homes they wouldn't be able to afford if not for the illegal rentals and many unscrupulous realtors advertise the fact that you can illegally convert the home in order to make a sale. It also seems that when tragedy strikes, rarely does the homeowner live on premises; these are generally investment properties. You can make more off a property by illegally subdividing it and renting out the multiple units at a cheaper price. Throw in rental income from parking spaces - and it's all tax free! A renter also saves money by renting a cheaper illegal unit. But they could also share a legal apartment with roommates and probably pay about the same.

You want to see illegal apartments disappear? Ramp up the enforcement, stand firm against legalizing out of compliance units and then follow it up with IRS and state tax penalties. Enough with the excuses already.

Flushing prostitutes arrested in Happauge

From NBC 4:

Cops busted two women in connection with a prostitution sting on Long Island.

Chun Zhi Bates, 55, and Weili Cai, 53, both of Flushing, were each charged with prostitution and unauthorized practice of a profession after the raid at the Qi-Gong Relaxation Massage Center in Hauppauge on Thursday.

The center's employees were also performing massages without a required New York State License, police say.

Investigators seized massage tables, assorted body oils, towels, a computer and cash while executing a search warrant at the business.

The women were held overnight and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Vourt in Central Islip some time today.

Illegal aliens sleeping in LI woods

HUNTINGTON STATION, N.Y. (AP) -- A dozen Latino day laborers living in the woods of a New York suburb can't stay in the local county's long-term emergency housing because they are undocumented.

Suffolk County officials said Friday that the legal status of the men living in tents in the woods of Huntington Station makes them ineligible for county housing.

Department of Social Services Deputy Commissioner Ed Hernandez says the state doesn't reimburse the county for housing undocumented immigrants.

In recent days, the temperatures have plummeted on Long Island. On Friday, the high was about 32 degrees.

Hernandez says he doesn't know where the men should live.

One of them, Nino Bonilla, says a tent in the woods is his only option.

Queens recycler in hot water

Queens Recycler, L.I. Liquor Stores Targeted in Bottle Scam

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. (AP/1010 WINS) -- Authorities say a Queens recycler and five Long Island liquor stores made hundreds of thousands of dollars by redeeming beverage containers more than once.

The recycling company's owner is accused of sending previously redeemed containers back to Long Island in exchange for a cut of the profits.

Prosecutors say a store owner distributed the containers to other retailers. They were redeemed by apparently unwitting beverage wholesalers, which had to pay the nickel deposit and 2-cent handling fee.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo were announcing the crackdown Tuesday. The investigation was expanded following some arrests last month.

2 different municipalities, 2 different philosophies

From the LI Press:

The Suffolk County Legislature will vote next week to spend nearly $15 million to buy and preserve up to 164 acres of the 568-acre Overton Preserve, a triangular-shaped area bordered by Route 112, Granny Road and Mill Road in Coram.

“There is very little of this kind of land left on the Island,” said Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy of the property, which is also designated as part of the Central Suffolk Special Groundwater Protection Area. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever.”

And the land almost was gone forever. Several plans for development, now defunct, were underway for the Overton preserve, including the building of 144 homes spanning 160 acres by one of the property owners, Jerry Spiegel.

In addition to the Overton Preserve purchase, the Suffolk County Legislature will also vote next week to buy farmland development rights for dozens of acres in the Town of Riverhead.

Compare this to the Bloombergian philosophy of developing the open space of housing projects.

Grandma is safer than you thought

Although 39 elderly Queens pedestrians were killed in a recent three−year period, the borough was statistically safer than Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island and other several other nearby counties, according to a new survey.

In numbers of elderly pedestrians killed in 2005 through 2007, Brooklyn led with 57 and Manhattan had 50, with Queens and Nassau County trailing at 39 each. They were followed by Suffolk County at 21, the Bronx at 18, Staten Island at 11 and Westchester County at eight.

The Tri−State Transportation Campaign, which issued the report “Older Pedestrians at Risk,” said the fatality rates of the elderly per 100,000 people was 8.27 for Manhattan and 6.65 for Nassau County in contrast with 4.37 for Queens.

At 4.37, the pedestrian fatality rate for Queens residents aged 65 and older was five times that of residents younger than 65. For those aged 75 years and older, the fatality rate of 4.99 was 5.7 times that of their younger neighbors.

Queens relatively safe for older pedestrians

Long Island Motor Parkway turns 100

When it was completed, it stretched from Queens into Suffolk County -- the first reinforced-concrete, high-speed, limited-access highway ever built in the United States.

Motor Parkway ready for its 100th anniversary

This month, the Long Island Motor Parkway, a pioneering marvel that was part racecourse, part toll road, part playground for the rich and famous and even part driveway for one of the richest men in the world, celebrates its 100th anniversary.

The parkway was the first automobile toll road in America when it opened on Oct. 10, 1908. It was used for the famed Vanderbilt Cup races -- and served as a winding, high-speed path that allowed William K. Vanderbilt, a daredevil millionaire playboy, the ability to easily access his vacation home in Lake Ronkonkoma.

The parkway was the first automobile toll road in America when it opened on Oct. 10, 1908. It was used for the famed Vanderbilt Cup races -- and served as a winding, high-speed path that allowed William K. Vanderbilt, a daredevil millionaire playboy, the ability to easily access his vacation home in Lake Ronkonkoma.

The road also kicked open the door for other builders -- proving that the future of Long Island was in mechanized transportation: the automobile.

Landlord Charged in Carbon Monoxide Deaths

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- A Long Island landlord has been charged with criminally negligent homicide in the carbon monoxide deaths of three tenants, including a 4-year-old girl.

Wilson Milord of Dix Hills appeared Wednesday in Suffolk County Court.

Milord did not enter a formal plea because he did not yet have a lawyer. He told the judge, however: "I'm not a criminal."

District Attorney Thomas Spota says Milord placed a gasoline-powered generator in the West Babylon home, instead of providing an electrical hookup.

Tenants Ricardo Pearce, Tanisha Armstrong, and Armstrong's daughter, Talani Johnson, were overcome by fumes from the generator. They died in their sleep on Nov. 20, 2007, a day after it was placed in the home.

Previously: Illegal LI rental has tragic consequences

Former NYC Buildings Inspector Indicted

NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) -- Authorities say a former inspector at the New York City Department of Buildings has been indicted on bribery charges.

Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau alleges that former crane inspector James Delayo was paid to certify cranes without conducting mandatory inspections, and to grant crane operator licenses to unqualified applicants.

Morgenthau says Delayo, who was arrested in June, admitted to investigators that he had accepted bribes totaling more than $10,000. His lawyer, David M. Oddo, had no immediate comment.

Two other men, and a Suffolk County crane company, also are named in the indictment. Those men were arrested on Tuesday.

All three have pleaded not guilty to bribery charges.

Morgenthau said no construction fatalities or injuries were related to the case.

Babydolls of Queens

One of the two new chocolate browncolored babydoll lambs that recently found a new home at the Queens Zoo in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The oldest known purebred sheep in the world, the babydoll, weighing in at only 40 pounds, is also known as the miniature Southdown sheep. The new fleecy pair brings the zoo's sheep count to 18, with the Queens herd also consisting of Jacob's four-horned sheep and Suffolk sheep. The babydoll is an example of a breed that used to be very popular before the industrialization of livestock production caused it to become rare.

Queens Zoo Welcomes Two Babydoll Lambs

Developers seek support for tunnel to Westchester

By SUSANA ENRIQUEZ | susana.enriquez@newsday.com

In an effort to rally support for a proposed 16-mile tunnel under Long Island Sound that would link Nassau and Westchester counties, developers held a meeting Wednesday with a Suffolk County legislative committee.

The meeting is the latest one that Garden City developer Vincent Polimeni said he has had with officials in the region with the hope that they will support the project and write letters to Gov. David A. Paterson requesting that he seriously consider the project.

"We have done this presentation -- I lost count how many times," Polimeni said. "I need the governor on board because the state owns the land we want to go under."

The tunnel between Syosset and Rye would carry up to 80,000 cars each day. Its cost of $10 billion would be privately funded.

Suffolk Legis. Wayne Horsley (D-Lindenhurst), who is the chairman of the Economic Development, Higher Education and Energy Committee, said the project got the committee's attention.

"I applaud you for your vision," Horsley said. "It's shades of Gov. [Nelson] Rockefeller and [ Robert] Moses."

After the meeting, he said he would poll the board members next Tuesday to determine whether they would want to write a letter of support.

"Anytime you can bring $10 billion into the local economy and reduce traffic and pollution, you have to consider it," Horsley said.

Previously: Introducing the Cross-Sound Tunnel

Rating our local beaches & parks

The Natural Resources Defense Council, in its 18th annual report gave the highest rating, four stars, to two of the beaches at Jones Beach (West and Central). Long Beach, Coney Island and Rockaway all had beaches with three stars.

Coney Island and Rockaway, however, also had beaches with only two stars.

Orchard Beach in The Bronx and Ocean Beach in Suffolk County were the only beaches in the region to get only one star.

But nationwide, the shores are more polluted than ever, according to the report.

A SHORE THING

And here's a rating of our local parks: Low Marks for City’s Playgrounds, Courts and Fields

Where Queens women go to give massages

3 women arrested in Smithtown spa raid
BY JOSEPH MALLIA | joseph.mallia@newsday.com

A Smithtown spa was raided by Suffolk police Tuesday after neighbors complained that they suspected it was a front for prostitution, police said.

Three Queens women were arrested at 5:20 p.m. at the Blue Spa at 207 Terry Rd. and were charged with prostitution. One also was charged with providing massages without a license.

The three, all from Flushing, were held overnight at the Fourth Precinct pending arraignment Wednesday at First District Court, Central Islip.

The arrests came after Suffolk police "conducted an investigation where it was discovered that women performed unlicensed massages and sexual acts for a fee," a police report said.

"Police seized $1,342 in cash, massage tables, and other items commonly used in prostitution activity," the report said.

Queens whores apparently are making a mint on Long Island. They might be here, too, but you never hear about any of them being arrested for it.

New Law: Contractors to Prove Workers are Legal

From Newsday:

A new law has been passed requiring all of Suffolk County's 17,000 licensed contractors to prove their workers are in the United States legally.

Critics claim the legislation - passed by the county Legislature Tuesday night - is aimed at thousands of undocumented workers.

The proposal builds on legislation enacted in 2006 that requires any company doing business with the Suffolk County government to verify its employees are in the United States legally. Now every contractor, regardless of whether they have government contracts, will need to verify workers' status.

Opponents have threatened lawsuits.

Former L.I. Building Inspector Indicted

SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (AP) -- A former Long Island building inspector is accused of taking bribes from developers.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota says former Smithtown chief inspector Robert Bonerba is part of a broadening investigation. He held the position from 1988 until retiring last year.

Bonerba was arraigned Tuesday on a 42-count indictment that includes bribery, coercion and conspiracy.

The DA says the alleged bribes were designed to speed up inspections and to improperly obtain certificates of occupancy and other building approvals.

Bonerba's lawyer says his client was a ``diligent, hardworking and reliable'' inspector. Attorney Anthony M. La Pinta says he is conducting his own probe into the allegations.

Bonerba faces more than 20 years in prison if convicted.

Photo from Daily News

Developer pleads guilty to bribery

A Smithtown developer pleaded guilty to a felony bribery charge yesterday - the second person to admit guilt and agree to cooperate in a widening building department corruption probe that has rocked town government.

Robert Fitzpatrick, 55, of Bayport, pleaded guilty to third-degree bribery before Suffolk County Court Judge Martin Efman. He was released on his own recognizance until his sentencing on July 14.

As part of a plea deal, Fitzpatrick faces a reduced maximum sentence of 1 to 3 years in prison, or as little as no jail time at all.

Prosecutor Kevin Ward said Fitzpatrick admitted to offering a $5,000 bribe to then-chief building inspector Robert Bonerba in March 2003 in connection with a house being built by Smithtown developer Frank Esposito.

Ward said Fitzpatrick lied on building permits for the developer's house to save money on permit fees and avoid a higher tax liability.

Smithtown developer pleads guilty in bribery case

Why con tax would have been a disaster

A long-simmering feud over how to fund Long Island Bus in Nassau County is literally leaving riders by the side of the road, as ridership outpaces the service the agency is able to provide, Long Island Bus President Neil Yellin said.

Ridership exceeds service Long Island Bus can provide

Long Island ridership has grown 16.5 percent over the past decade, from 28.2 million in 1998 to a projected ridership this year of 32.8 million, making it one of the busiest suburban bus systems in the nation. Long Island Bus serves all of Nassau County and a few spots in Queens and western Suffolk County.

Over the same period, however, the agency has expanded its fleet just 4 percent, by 13 buses.

"We're really crowding them in. We're at capacity on numerous trips every morning and afternoon," Yellin said in an interview last week. "There've been occasions where we've had to pass people up on street corners just because there is no room."

Scenario: Con tax is passed, and forces a lot more people onto public transportation. They would take LI buses to the LIRR or subway. Only problem is that they won't be able to board because the MTA and Nassau County are having a pissing contest over who pays for it. This is classic B.S. as only New York can produce. Maybe the Mayor, Janette Sadik-Khan and their number one cheerleader, Transportation Alternatives, should have provided an answer for this before proposing something so ridiculous.

LI building inspector bribed

Long Island developer admits giving bribes to Smithtown official

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- A Long Island developer has pleaded guilty to giving two $5,000 bribes to a Smithtown building inspector.

The Suffolk District Attorney's office says 72-year-old Frank Esposito of Nissequogue bribed building inspector Robert Bonerba in 2003 to expedite the construction of a single family home in Nesconset.

D-A Thomas Spota says Esposito pleaded to one count of bribery in the third degree.

Bonerba was Smithtown's chief building inspector from 1988 until 2006, when he retired.

The D-A says the investigation is continuing, and Esposito is cooperating with prosecutors.

Esposito has been described as an influential background player in Smithtown's Republican party. He helped start the Long Island Commercial Bank, which has since folded, and he was chariman of Suffolk's Off Track Betting Corporation in the 1980s.

Thank God this never happens in NYC.