Committed fraud? Welcome to America!

From the Daily News:

Q. I once worked using a phony social security card. Will that keep me from getting U.S. citizenship? When I first came to the United States, I had trouble finding work. Everywhere I went, employers asked me for a social security card. Finally, I paid someone to get me a card using someone else’s documents. Later, when I got my own employment authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, I got a new card at the Social Security office. The clerk there said she corrected the information in my social security records.

I.O., N.Y.

A. Your having worked using a phony social security card shouldn’t keep you from naturalizing. Using a false card is not, by itself, grounds for denying you U.S. citizenship. Note however, that making a false claim to U.S. citizenship is grounds for denying permanent residence and for deportation. If when using your phony social security card to work you claimed that you were a U.S. citizen, and USCIS finds out, you could have problems. Courts have restricted immigration’s right to penalize a person for claiming U.S. citizenship in employment. If you have concerns however, see an immigration law expert before applying for naturalization. I doubt USCIS will deny you citizenship, but you should be ready should that happen. That said, getting a new card was the right thing to do. If your employers were deducting taxes and reporting your income using the phony card, the Social Security Administration should credit your social security retirement payments to your new account. So, by “reconciling” the two accounts, if you retire in the United States you can get credit for all the time you worked.

Postal facility to stay open

From Douglaston Patch:

The Whitestone postal facility, which has been in danger of closure since 2011, has been saved, according to U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman.

If the facility had been closed, more than 700 jobs in Queens would have been eliminated altogether, with a small number of jobs being transferred to the post office’s sorting center in Brooklyn.

Ackerman credited a near-constant campaign of workers, political leaders and community members who pressed the post office to change their decision, dating back to a rally in December.

This explains everything...

As a member of the City Council, I'm used to my every move being public. It's one of the downsides to a life of public service, but I have grown accustomed to it. Today, however, I need to share with you something about the most private of subjects - my personal health.

On Wednesday, I will undergo a neurosurgical procedure to remove a benign tumor. It's a lengthy operation that will require me to remain in the hospital for the rest of the week. Then, after all goes well, I'll return home to rest and recuperate. My doctors expect a speedy recovery, and I hope to be back on my feet within a few weeks -- and get back to the business of serving you in City Hall and fighting for our district, the middle class, and our shared values.

I had the good fortune to have been timely diagnosed, back in March. Since then, I have introduced legislation to reform the Board of Standards and Appeals, fought against the DEP's water rate hikes, and helped revitalize a blighted lot in Whitestone. And I've gone to every Council meeting, attended all hearings for the committees I oversee, and been to a host of events to support our local charitable organizations, youth sports associations, and senior centers. While this has been in the back of my mind the whole time, as you can see, it hasn't slowed me down. Nothing can.

As with any operation, there is the potential for complications. I'll admit to being afraid. Who wouldn't be?

But my surgery is a small ordeal compared to what many New Yorkers are going through. I will keep you all in my mind as I fight through this surgery so I can get back to working for you.

I am fortunate to have good doctors working to resolve my health issues and a great staff who will be there for our community day in and day out. There will be no lack of attention to your needs while I am on the mend, and my staff will continue to provide the best constituent service in the City of New York.

In the meantime, I ask for your thoughts during these next two weeks, and welcome the prayers and well-wishes of those who have expressed their concern.

It is deeply gratifying to realize how much so many of you care. Know that I will be back to fight for you and for our neighborhoods as soon as possible.

In Service,

Dan Halloran

I personally wish Dan a speedy recovery since half of my material is derived from his antics.

Wacky anti-prostitution bill

 

Whitestone comedy school continues to post illegal signs

Interesting how a "local civic leader" can continue to illegally promote his businesses in the community with impunity. This one was taken outside of PS209 and was placed well over 10 feet up, making in impossible to reach and remove. Questions are: How did they get it so high up? Did they have a permit for the equipment used to illegally get it up? Why is this being allowed?

When we inquired in the school, we were told they have complained about that same company's signs around the entire school to 311 numerous times, and nothing has been done. "As a matter of fact more signs were placed."

- Anonymous

Plea for garbage help in Jamaica

Dear Councilman Leroy Comrie, Queens Borough President Helen M. Marshall, Senator Malcolm Smith, Assemblymember Rory Lancman, Iggy Terranova, Community Board #12 Members and Other Concerned Individuals:

I am once again making a complaint about the huge litter/garbage problem in Jamaica in various areas all over our community that just does not seem to get resolved. I have talked to others in the community who feel the same way I do and have heard people talk about this issue at the Community Board Meetings and at Senator Smith's most recent town hall meeting, where I spoke to Department of Sanitation Community Affairs Officer Iggy Terranova about this issue. It is ironic that Jamaica has the most landmarked buildings in all of Queens (approximately 15, something to be very proud of) but has the worst garbage/litter dumping problem of the borough. Of course Jamaica has many problems such as foreclosures, crime, black on black crime, high unemployment, but this garbage problem is just as important an issue since it is the first thing that people see when they come into our community and speaks volumes about our community. It not only is an eyesore and an ugly blight on Jamaica, but it brings with it pests and rodents, lowers property values in the neighborhood and deters quality people from moving into Jamaica, which I feel has so much potential and can become another downtown Brooklyn. This problem need to be addressed and have solutions to not only clean it up, but to stop it from constantly continuing.

Personally speaking, I am again complaining about some problem areas that I have complained about the past several times to very little avail. One is a vacant lot with garbage inside it and on the outside on the sidewalk right next to where I live. This fenced vacant lot is on the NW corner of 170th St & 90th Avenue (next to my co-op building, Avalon Terrace Apartments). I have been complaining since the beginning of 2011 to not only all of you, but have filed numerous complaints by both phone and on-line to 311 and the Department of Sanitation (at least 20 times). All I ever hear it that it takes time. Well, over a year is NOT ACCEPTABLE. The summer of 2011, the owner of that lot finally came out and started to clean-up both the outside and inside of the lot, BUT left the garbage bags along with other debris in the empty lot and has never removed this, plus new various types of garbage (bottles, cans, bags, umbrellas, etc.) have been thrown inside this lot and just continues to pile up, not only on the inside but on the sidewalks as well, plus the weeds on the sidewalks are getting a couple of feet high, a perfect place to dump more garbage. I have cleaned this sidewalk several times even though it is not my property otherwise it will just continue to pile up like it did when I first complained about it a year ago. Here it is May of 2012 and this problem has never been adequately taken care of. Now with the warmer weather and another summer approaching this problem is just going to escalate. I wonder how many of you would tolerate this if you lived in my building or would allow this to happen in your neighborhoods.

Another lot (Block 9803, Lot 7, Lot 6) on 90th Avenue (between 170th St and 169th St) which is just two lots west from the above lot, also has a major litter problem in front of it on the sidewalk. This lot has a huge wooden fence in front of it (which was falling down into the sidewalk and only was taken care of because of Howard Thompson from "Help Me Howard" who saw my video on You Tube) and garbage is always piling up in front of it on the sidewalk, including a dead raccoon last year and a few days ago had a dead squirrel along with various garbage. The squirrel is gone, but the garbage is still there.

Another empty lot on 89th Avenue on the North side of the street (between 170th and 171st), which just recently had a home torn down, also has a garbage problem in front of it as well. Garbage gets dumped all the time in front of that lot and it just piles up.

The tunnel on 170th Street between Jamaica Avenue and Archer Avenue is a notorious dumping ground for everything you can think of, from garbage bags to mattresses. At this time, there is a small amount of garbage, but that is a big trouble spot.

These are 4 places which are all in close proximity to where I live and there are many others all over Jamaica, including the Post Office Parking Lot and the surrounding sidewalk on 90th Avenue and the vacant lot at the corner of Merrick Boulevard and Foch, right across from the park (although I have been told that this was recently cleaned up by some community group). I am sure there are many, many other places that I have not even seen, but have heard people complain about.

I realize that some of the people who live here and visit Jamaica are the culprits of dumping the litter and garbage, BUT the owners of such properties are majorly responsible for cleaning their areas on a continuous basis. Also the city needs to respond to these complaints in a more appropriate and timely fashion. Again I do not think dealing with some of these same problems for over a year is acceptable. I have no idea what the fines are against property owners, but a huge increase in fines should be considered as well as turning some of these properties over to community groups who actually care about our neighborhood.

I am once again asking for help in this matter since I cannot do this all alone. I am going to continually monitor this situation near me as I have been. This problem needs to be addressed once and for all and everyone on this list should be ashamed that this problem is not getting taken care of and also continues over and over again. I am willing to work with all of you, other politicians, and the city to see that this situation gets addressed. This type of problem does not happen (nor would it be tolerated) in Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Long Island City, Astoria, Maspeth and other places in Queens, but for some reason it is allowed to happen in Jamaica at an alarming rate and does not seem to get addressed properly. I do my share by filing complaints, document the areas and even going out on on weekends to clean the sidewalk in front of the empty lot by my building, but I can only do so much.

Jamaica has so much potential with it's wonderful history, historical buildings (the amazing Loew's Wonder Theatre), various parks, a burgeoning arts community (including the Jamaica Performing Arts Center Black Spectrum Theatre, York College, etc), close proximity to highways, airports, train stations, but if the city cannot even keep it clean, how are we going to attract the necessary people and businesses here to help Jamaica rise above its image and other problems. Jamaica can be the crowning jewel of Queens but as it stands it is the eyesore and embarrassment of Queens.

Please help with this ongoing problem. I know I will not stop complaining to all of you and will make my voice heard until it gets addressed properly.

Sincerely,


Joe Moretti

Food stamp fingerprinting to end

From WNYC:

Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Thursday that food stamp recipients will no longer be fingerprinted. It was a controversial policy that Mayor Michael Bloomberg has staunchly defended for years.

The city had been allowed to fingerprint food stamp recipients, while other cities chose to opt out receiving a waiver from the state. Cuomo’s rule change does away with the need for a waiver, and instead will do away with the fingerprinting requirement altogether. This will go into effect in July.

Mayor Bloomberg has long maintained that fingerprinting food stamp recipients deters fraud. The city's Human Resources Administration oversees the food stamp program. In a written statement, Commissioner Robert Doar defended the policy, saying it saved the city $35 million in duplicate payments over a decade.

Quinn says she doesn't work for the little people

From Bloomberg News:

Donny Moss, who blogs for votechristinequinnout.com, says Quinn backed the term-limits extension for Bloomberg because her own mayoral prospects were tarnished. The New York Post in 2008 reported that she participated in a practice, which predated her leadership, whereby money was allocated to fictitious organizations so it could be doled out to community groups later in the budget year.

Quinn ended the practice and instituted rules that required council members’ names to be linked with any appropriations of discretionary funding. A federal investigation closed in 2011, without any action taken, Quinn has said.

“She has betrayed the public trust by overturning term limits, by stripping the City Council of the democratic process, using discretionary funds and committee assignments to control the way council members vote,” Moss said in an interview.

Quinn shrugged off the criticism.

“I don’t work for them,” she said. “My job is not to make some random no-name blogger happy. My job is to get things done, and that means working with and for everyone who can help move agendas forward.”

So she has told us point blank that she doesn't work for the citizens of our fair city, she works for lobbyists, developers and other assorted fat cats. What she wants is more important than what we want.

True News agrees.

Court hands Johnny a big blow

Hey Crapper,

The First Dept of the New York State Court of Appeals crapped on John Liu. Essentially they said that Liu can not just make up a prevailing wage to help out his union supporters and so the prevailing wage for movers in the City may not be set by the Comptroller in this manner.

Here's the link:

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2012/2012_03756.htm

they don't typically admonish a Government Official but they wrote:

"We find that the Comptroller's use of Local 814's collective bargaining agreement as the sole basis for determining the prevailing wage schedule was arbitrary, capricious, and lacked a rational basis

and

"And, as noted earlier, no matter what statistical method is chosen - average, median or mode - the survey results reveal figures substantially lower than the wages chosen by the Comptroller.

By ignoring the data from his own survey and instead blindly adopting Local 814's rates, the Comptroller failed to comply with the statutory mandate to determine the wage "to be prevailing" (Labor Law § 230[6]), meaning the actual prevailing wage (see Matter of Action Elec. Contr. Co. v Goldin, 64 NY2d 213 [1984] [annulling Comptroller's prevailing wage determination because it was based on arbitrary and irrational interpretation of statute]).

The Comptroller's exclusive reliance on a labor union agreement that does not reflect wages that are actually prevailing was arbitrary and capricious.

and

"Where, as here, the union contract contains wage rates grossly disproportionate to the other data collected, the Comptroller cannot blindly use the 30% rule while ignoring the other data."

Crowley exposed as puppet of police union

From DNA Info:

A confused-looking Queens Congressional candidate got some personal coaching from the head of the police union, Pat Lynch, Friday morning about the NYPD's controversial stop-and-frisk policy — with Lynch whispering advice to her during a press conference that was caught on camera.

City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, who chairs the council’s Fire and Criminal Justice Committee, was holding a press conference Thursday at police headquarters in lower Manhattan in which she received the PBA’s official endorsement for her race for the 6th Congressional district when a reporter asked her whether she supports the NYPD’s controversial stop-and-frisk policy.

“The least we could do is have some gratitude and be grateful for the work that they do,” Crowley answered, ducking the question about the controversial policy, which has come under fire by many council members and civil liberties activists.

Pressed again to clarify whether or not she supports the policy, Crowley froze while Patrolmen's Benevolent Association President Pat Lynch whispered into her ear.

“Support it as a tool,” Lynch said, according to footage of the exchange captured by NY1's camera and mic.

A flustered Crowley then asked the reporter to state her question again.

“I believe our police officers stop when they suspect that there is somebody out there that is up to, you know, no good, so to say,” she said.

Police academy to be built on contaminated soil

From the Times Ledger:

Construction crews are currently working on the College Point Police Academy project near the Whitestone Expressway, but civic leaders said the city has not lived up to promises about handling contaminated soil on the site.

The NYPD’s new digs will eventually consolidate many training facilities from around the city into an1.8-million-square-foot academy in the College Point Corporate Park.

A consultant for the city has determined that the soil at the project site is made up of contaminated fill material further tainted by petroleum spills.

The city and its contractors are following state regulations to reuse some of that contaminated soil as fill material on the site, but members of Community Board 7 contend they were told all the contaminated soil would be removed.

The NYPD disputed that claim, saying that no specific measures were discussed prior to CB 7 giving the green light.

In a 2009 environmental impact study on the site, a consulting firm hired by the city confirmed the widespread presence of metals, including arsenic, incinerator waste and semi-volatile compounds. Lead, PCBs and other toxic compounds were found in isolated areas along with contaminates accumulated from nearly 100 years of dumping leftover construction debris on the site, which is roughly between College Point Boulevard, Ulmer Street and 28th Avenue.

CB 7 unanimously approved the project in 2009, but according to board members they were told by the NYPD that all excavated contaminated material would be taken away.

Another firehouse proposed for landmarking

From the Forum:

The building that houses New York’s bravest in Forest Hills could be added to the list of New York City landmarks if it gets the approval of a city agency and the City Council.

Engine 305, a firehouse on Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, has been nominated for landmark status by the Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC).
The facility was built between 1922 and 1924, and was intended to serve the population boom of that neighborhood during that time. It had an increase in residential construction after World War I ended.

The building is a two-story Neo-Medieval-style firehouse that is made out of red bricks. The size and design of the facility is thought to be unique for a New York City firehouse, but it was built to fit the structure of nearby communities in the area. John Sliney is credited with designing the building. During his tenure as head building inspector of the Fire Department, he designed about 70 firehouses throughout New York City.

When it rains, it pours - and floods

From NY1:

The old saying says when it rains, it pours. In Springfield Gardens, Queens, it often floods, making water damage an all-too-familiar scene.

Frustration over this ongoing problem has been mounting for years. Residents have seen their fair share of high water over the last 30 years.

The Department of Environmental Protection has remedied much of the problem through a long-term sewer construction project, but the flooding persists in this low-lying area.

"We have spent $130 million reconstructing streets around this area, putting in new sewers, sanitary sewers and also storm sewers which also take the storm water when it falls," says DEP Commissioner Carter Strickland.

The city will spend $50 million more to create wetlands around Springfield Lake, plant more than 500 trees and building pavements that will absorb water as part of the next phase of the project set to begin in the fall.

UWS illegal hotel busted

From The Real Deal:

An illegal hotel operating out of the Upper West Side last week became the latest victim of a new state law that’s cracking down on these facilities, the New York Press reported. Located at 318 West 75th Street, the landmarked five-story, 11-unit building had four of its units used as hotel rooms.

The rooms were advertised online at Airbnb.com, a travel site where owners can rent out their rooms or homes for short-term stays at a lower price than general hotel rates. Dee Rieber, the president of the neighborhood block association, said the building’s owner, Ron Shoshany, who is also the president of Sirkin Realty, has been trying to rid his building of tenants in hopes of operating all units as hotel rooms. Shoshany did not return calls requesting comment.

The online ads are now gone, as are guests of the illegal hotel, said Rieber. The Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement has issued violations, though specifics of the penalties were not mentioned.

Strip club goes full monty after liquor license denied

From the Daily News:

Show Palace, formerly known as Gypsy Rose, is slated to open May 31 as a gentleman’s club and restaurant.

A message sent out on the club’s Twitter account touts it as “the newest, largest, most upscale FULL NUDE Adult Nightclub/Restaurant in NYC.”

Owners of the club have tried twice to get a liquor license without success.

Local civic leaders, elected officials and business owners lobbied hard against the club, saying it would hurt the rebirth of Long Island City as a family friendly neighborhood.

In recent days, young women have walked into local businesses and handed out cards with risque pictures advertising Show Palace.

The club’s web page outlines its hours, 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays, noting it offers a $10 steak, eggs and mimosa meal deal.

While full nudity is not allowed in clubs where alcohol is served, the rules are looser for dry establishments.

Terry Flynn, an attorney for the club’s owner, said they are still pursuing a liquor license.

Avella calls for LiMandri's resignation

From the Daily News:

A Queens lawmaker called on Thursday for the city buildings commissioner to step down, charging he has done little to clip the wings of notorious developer Tommy Huang.

State Sen. Tony Avella rallied with local leaders in Elmhurst at a construction site for one of Huang’s projects where a worker died last year when a wall collapsed.

The city has done little since then to curb Huang, they said, and called for

Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri to shape up or ship out.

“This is the perfect example of how the city has failed,” said Avella. “Here we have a notorious, unscrupulous developer who continues to develop illegally, create violations and cause damage to neighboring properties.”

Avella (D-Bayside) called on LiMandri to take action and adopt a policy similar to that of the state, which has barred Huang from selling condos and co-ops. Huang is still allowed to pursue other kinds of developments.

“If you can’t solve this issue, maybe you should step down and let someone else do it,” Avella said of LiMandri.

“In 30 years, not one project he’s undertaken has had a successful outcome,” said urban planner Paul Graziano.

Graziano suggested that Huang’s ties with City Controller John Liu could partially explain the city’s inaction. Alice Liu, Huang’s wife, is John Liu’s cousin.

A gem of an editorial, part 2

From the Queens Chronicle:

Last week my son took copies of the Chronicle to his second-grade class for a project he had. If my newspaper ran adult services ads, I would be embarrassed for him to bring it to school. I would be ashamed to show his teachers and classmates what I do for a living. Does the management of the Tribune feel any shame?

Some have said that the Queens Chronicle must be supporting Lancman or Halloran and that our coverage has been “biased.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Grace came into the Chronicle offices last Friday for an interview, as we are planning to have with all of the major candidates in the race. Readers can view the story about her interview in this edition or at qchron.com. She is certainly qualified to represent our great borough. We may or may not endorse in this race. The decision will be made after all the candidates are interviewed.

“Not 4 Publication,” is the title of Schenkler’s column every week. I humbly suggest that it is the “adult services” ads in the classified section that are really “not for publication” in a community newspaper.

In closing, I hope that Schenkler will invoke the last word of his headline — “Leadership” — by taking a stand for women in Queens and ending the running of these despicable ads.

Does she ever listen to herself?

From Forest Hills Patch:

City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, D-Middle Village, lashed out at Republican Bob Turner of Forest Hills Thursday, slamming him for voting for a “watered-down” version of the Violence Against Women Act.

The bill, which was up for renewal this year, originally included new protections for same-sex couples in abusive relationships and a confidentiality clause that protected women who called the police in cases of domestic violence.

The version that passed the house on Wednesday had those provisions stripped out.

“Yesterday, you and your Republican colleagues in the House of Representative rolled back protections for women who are victims of domestic abuse, and your decision puts the safety of half of your constituents — including myself — at risk,” Crowley wrote.

Half of her constituents including herself? So, all women in NY-9 are currently getting the crap beaten out of them and she's in one of those violent relationships? Did they let McLaughlin out of prison without our knowledge?

BTW, this is why she thinks she's qualified to run for the seat and why you should vote for her:

City Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley (D-Middle Village) touted her life experience as to why she is the best candidate for the new Queens congressional seat in a sitdown with the TimesLedger Newspapers last week.

Crowley was the 14th out of 15 children in a close-knit western Queens family, worked as a restorative art painter and was the first woman elected to her western Queens Council district.

A gem of an editorial, part 1

From the Queens Chronicle:

If preservation through LPC action isn’t feasible, the city should simply buy the site at the fair market rate, whether the owner is willing to sell or not. The last time it was sold, in 2010, the price was $105,000.

Compare that to the $3 million going toward saving a schoolyard in Jackson Heights. Or the $14 million being spent on an unnecessary expansion of Borough Hall. Or the $180,000 per station the MTA shells out for its Arts for Transit and Urban Design Program.

Our office receives announcements of much larger spending initiatives from the proud politicians who secured the funding just about every day. Just this week the mayor announced that the city will be spending $9 million to encourage parents to make sure their kids attend school, largely through advertising and education about the importance of avoiding truancy.

Let’s say for the moment that parents really do need to see ads on buses to know their children should go to class. Could the city maybe get away with spending $8.9 million and put the remaining $100,000 into preserving Brinckerhoff?

Whatever the source of the money, it can and should be found. Let’s see our elected officials who are voicing support for preservation put their money where their mouth is. Yes, you’re right, our money, not theirs — but we all know they often treat it like their own. If the 14-member Queens City Council delegation split the cost evenly, using their so-called member item funding, it would be a little more than $7,000 apiece. There’s no reason whatsoever that could not be done.

Will the City of New York make a one-time payout of a measly hundred grand to let dozens of the people who first settled the place we call home rest in peace? You’d think so. We hope so. We’ll see.

WPU returns to CB7 to demand road repair

From the Times Ledger:

In the wake of a city decision to drop its eminent domain proceedings, property owners from Willets Point called on the city Department of Transportation to repair the streets of their neighborhood at Monday’s Community Board 7 meeting and had a unique guest speaker to help make their case.

Ralph Paterno, who owns property where the city wanted to build the first phase of a $3 billion redevelopment project for the area, took to the podium flanked by large posters of the pothole-strewn streets.

“The city will not be in the position to actually develop Willets Point anytime soon or perhaps ever,” he said. “So I and other Willets Point property owners are here tonight to publicly ask Community Board 7 to please help us put pressure on DOT to repair and maintain the Willets Point streets.”

The mayor’s office recently dropped the bid to condemn property in the 20-acre Phase 1 section of the plan, but without providing any details said the redevelopment project is still moving forward.

Sources with knowledge of a city-issued request for proposals said that Related Co. and Sterling Equities, run by the Wilpon family, were awarded a contract to build a 12-acre mall across from Citi Field.

But that was not on the minds of the property owners who spoke at the meeting, saying that while they paid taxes to the city, they were not getting the requisite services in return.

“Would you tolerate conditions in front of your house that looked like this?” Paterno asked before turning to CB 7 Chairman Gene Kelty. “Mr. Kelty, back in 2008 you actually chastised the people of Willets Point for not being vocal enough in demanding city services.”

A young man who came to the meeting then activated a CD player and Kelty’s voice from 2008 was immediately audible.

“I can tell you this — if someone was taking taxes from me and I wasn’t getting my services, I certainly wouldn’t be paying my taxes,” Kelty said on tape.