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By Carlotta Mohamed

TimesLedger Newspapers

Thousands of spectators flooded the vibrant streets of Jackson Heights Sunday as dancers, musicians, advocates, and elected officials marched down 37th Avenue from 89th Street to 75th Street in the 26th Annual Queens Pride Parade and Festival in celebration of Pride Month.

At the forefront of the parade serving as grand marshals were Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, who has been a LGBTQ supporter during her time in office, and Elijah Betts, the youngest non-binary-identified youth who is an active leader at Generation Q, an LGBT Youth Center for ages 13-24 in Forest Hills, followed by approximately 76 groups and organizations that marched along the avenue. Afterwards, participants attended a festival with a headlining music performance from Ultra Nate.

Just hours after the Queens Pride Parade, however, a 25-year-old man was approached by two individuals in Jackson Heights on 83rd Street and 37th Avenue at around 10 p.m., yelling anti-gay slurs and punched him several times in the face causing bruising and lacerations. The assault is being investigated as a possible biased crime by the Hate Crime Task Force, police said.

The suspects who fled the scene after the attack were black males, police said. There is no further information about the men.

LGBTQ Queens activists and allies scheduled a press conference on the steps of the Jackson Heights Post Office at 78-02 37th Ave. Wednesday night to condemn the vicious assault standing in solidarity with the victims of hate-motivated violence.

State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst), who marched in the Queens Pride Parade, denounced the attack saying it’s “intolerable.”

“I am outraged that attacks against people because of their sexual orientation or gender expression continue to occur,” said Peralta. “There is no room for hate in our community, especially in one as diverse as Jackson Heights. Our diversity should unite us not divide us. “We must ensure we all work together to put an end to hate, and send a clear message of unity and solidarity.”

The first Queens Pride Parade was launched in 1993, after the murder of Julio Rivera, a gay Latino man who was brutally attacked by three men near the PS 69 school playground in Jackson Heights, and died from his injuries.

The tragic death of Rivera prompted the Queens LGBTQ community to take action forming several community groups and the creation of the Queens Pride Parade — the second largest parade in the New York metropolitan area — celebrating pride and visibility in the borough of Queens.

Each year, the parade has passed by the school and the corner of 37th Avenue and 78th Street named in Rivera’s honor.

Elected officials such as Councilmen Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside), and U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-Jackson Heights), were in attendance.

Council member Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), who chairs the Council’s LGBT Caucus, and a founder of the Queens Pride Parade, expressed outrage of Sunday night’s attack.

“It is horrific that a member of the LGBTQ community experienced such violence after Queens Pride, a celebration of who we are,” said Dromm. “While the fight for equality and justice for LGBTQ people in Queens has come a long way since then, sadly, attacks like these still occur. They are in no way representative of Jackson Heights or our borough, and we will continue to resist attempts like these which seek to force us back into the closet.”

A Democratic candidate for state Senate, Jessica Ramos, a resident of Jackson Heights, who was recently endorsed by the Jim Owles Democratic Club in the race against Peralta, and marched in Queens Pride, pledged to fight for equality in her LGBTQ agenda.

“New York is the birthplace of the gay rights movement, and we have come so far since then—but there’s more work to do to reach true LGBTQ equality,” said Ramos. “For too long, LGBTQ priorities have been left to the wayside by Republicans in the state Senate, and the Independent Democratic Conference senators who voted for Republican leadership.”

Ramos’ LGBTQ agenda includes the banning of conversion therapy for minors; increased funding for LGBTQ homeless youth and seniors; the end of “Gay and Trans Panic Defense;” support child-parent security act; support of Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act; and expansion of MWBE contracting opportunities to trans entrepreneurs.

In a statement Crowley said that although there have been “incredible progress in the march toward equality,” there’s still a long way to go to ensure the full rights of LGBTQ Americans, especially communities of color.

The following day after Queens Pride, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a landmark proposal to make birth certificates more inclusive to all gender identities. New York City birth certificates will include male, female and a new, third category of “X” to reflect non-binary gender identity, the mayor’s office said.

“Pride Month is is a time to celebrate how far we’ve come in the fight for equality, and reaffirm our commitment to protecting all New Yorkers from discrimination,” said de Blasio. “This proposal will allow transgender and gender non-conforming New Yorkers to live with the dignity and respect they deserve, and make our city fairer.”

Several participants at Queens Pride said some progress today has been made in the LGBTQ community, but there are still issues that are pertinent such as continued discrimination for just being gay and protection of transgender individuals and use of restrooms.

Sharon John, 62, of Harlem, who described herself as a “free spirit,” could easily be singled out in the crowd for her stand-out attire. She was wearing a red hat that said “Pride” with a big colorful bow attached and a long pride flag as a cape, as she stood on the corner with her black cart filled with pride flags, necklaces, and other accessories for sale.

“I have a nephew that’s gay and some friends that are bisexual,” said John. “I’m here to show support and there needs to be a realization that people are people, and we shouldn’t judge anyone. I raised my children to be the same way, and I’m happy to be here today.”

Nelson Silverio, 30, of Corona, who is a member of the Latino Commission on AIDS’ Oasis Wellness Center, said it was his seventh year participating in the Queens Pride Parade and Festival.

“I’m from the Dominican Republic, so I don’t have the opportunity there to say ‘I’m gay’ in the open,” Sirverio said. “Here in the United States I have the freedom to just be me and celebrate. Pride Month is not just for the LGBTQ community, it’s for all communities and I invite everyone to come out and celebrate with us.”

Reach reporter Carlotta Mohamed by e-mail at cmohamed@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4526.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Robert Cole

TimesLedger Newspapers

The Flushing Red Devils traveled to the Bronx Saturday Looking for their fifth-straight playoff win and a birth in the PSAL Class AA City Championship game at Yankee Stadium. In their way was an undefeated Bathgate Educational Complex team, at Monroe High School Field.

Unfortunately for the Red Devils, Bathgate’s offense was rampant, recording nine runs on 14 hits to secure a 9-1 victory. Bathgate also benefitted from a strong pitching performance by junior Emmanuel Lopez, who stifled the Flushing offense all game. Lopez surrendered just one run on four hits, while striking out 10 Red Devils. He was masterful in changing the speeds of his pitches throughout the game and kept the Flushing hitters off balance with his curveball.

“Today, the better team won,” Flushing coach Joseph Gerloven said. “They put the ball into play and found the gaps. They were able to spray their hits and move the ball around.”

Flushing was not without its chances, but ran into some hard luck in the bottom of the first inning when, with two outs and a runner on first base, Bathgate’s Jason Frias hit a ground ball into a spot vacated by the second baseman, who had gone to cover second base as Bathgate’s Emmanuel Lopez attempted to steal.

After a walk loaded the bases, Able Jimenez drove a base hit past the centerfielder for a three-run triple, which gave Bathgate a 3-0 advantage they would never relinquish.

Bathgate scored another run on a double by Eudy Dolville to increase its lead to 4-0 after one inning.

Flushing pitcher Matthew Perez tried to keep the game close, but Bathgate’s strong offense continued to push runs across the plate with some clutch hitting.

The Red Devils scored in the seventh inning after a walk and an error by Bathgate’s third baseman, Starling Rodriguez, allowed Samy Matias to move to third base and Christopher Gonzalez to reach first. Matias scored on a fielder’s choice, making the score 9-1. That’s as close as Flushing would get, as Lopez struck out Jose Otanez to end the game.

Despite the semifinal loss, it was a very successful season for the Red Devils, as they advanced farther in this year’s playoff tournament than expected and finished the season with a 14-4 record.

“It’s been a long season and I have been very proud of my team every step of the way,” Gerloven said. “They have exceeded expectations at every corner. As a coach, a man, and as an educator, I have seen things from these boys I have not seen before. Their perseverance, and dedication, were the epitome of hard work, and I could not be more proud of them.”

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Bill Parry

TimesLedger Newspapers

The self-proclaimed “Taxi King” pleaded guilty last week to felony tax fraud for failure to pay $5 million in 50-cent MTA surcharges between 2012 and 2015, according to New York State Attorney General Barbara Underwood.

Evgeny Freidman, 46, the CEO of Taxiclub Management Inc., who has a fleet of 800 medallion taxicabs operating out of Long Island City, Woodside, and other locations around the city, pleaded guilty to criminal tax fraud and agreed to pay restitution and judgments totaling $5 million to New York state.

“Today, the ‘Taxi King’ admitted that he built his empire by stealing from New Yorkers,” Underwood said. “Freidman pocketed money that should have provided much-needed investment in our transit system — and now he’ll have to pay back every cent. Our office will continue to hold accountable those who cheat the system.”

The case was the result of a joint investigation by the attorney general’s office and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. The guilty plea followed an indictment filed last year, which charged Freidman, together with his Taxiclub Management business partner, attorney Andreea Dumitru of Sunnyside, with four counts of criminal tax fraud. Prosecutors alleged the two schemed to avoid paying the “MTA Tax,” which was automatically collected from passengers at the start of their fare, by filing improper or falsified tax returns.

Freidman’s sentence will be adjourned to allow him to complete his restitution payments to New York state, and if he satisfies the terms of the agreement, he will be sentenced to five years probation, according to the AG’s office.

The charges against Dumitru, 42, remain pending. In a separate case, Dumitru was charged with immigration fraud in March by the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office for allegedly making false statements on more than 180 asylum applications.

The New York Times reported that Freidman is a “significant partner” of Michael Cohen, President Trump’s personal lawyer, and that Freidman agreed to cooperate with the government as a potential witness in state or federal investigations. Cohen is facing an investigation by the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, who is examining his business practices. Anything that bolsters that inquiry could increase pressure on Cohen to cooperate with Robert Mueller, the special counsel who is investigating Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election

Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4538.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Bill Parry

TimesLedger Newspapers

With the city’s school zone speed camera program set to expire in Albany next month, Mayor Bill de Blasio called on the state legislature Wednesday to immediately reauthorize and expand the life-saving strategy.

Standing at the recent site of a deadly crash in Park Slope that took the lives of two children and an unborn baby, the mayor unveiled a safer street design but urged Albany to do its part to protect kids in school zones.

“We will do everything in our power to protect New Yorkers from dangerous drivers. It’s time that leaders in Albany did the same thing,” de Blasio said. “It’s time that Albany did all in its power to protect New Yorkers from dangerous drivers. And there is more to be done and it must be done quickly.”

Currently just 140 school zones — which represent only 7 percent of public schools in the five boroughs — benefit from the life-saving technology, which reduces speeding by 63 percent and lowers pedestrian injuries by 23 percent at locations where it has been installed, according to the city Department of Transportation.

“We need school zone speed camera legislation extended and expanded immediately to prevent future tragedies in our streets,” de Blasio said. “Speed cameras save lives. We can’t wait any longer. We need the power to protect New Yorkers. Albany must act.”

The mayor wants the state to allow the city to install speed cameras at an additional 150 school zones — more than double the current number. He also wants the definition of a school zone to be revised to allow the DOT to address speeding on streets that are near a school as opposed to only the street or streets on which a school is located.

“The time for excuses is over,” state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) said. “There is plenty of evidence that shows that this program has been successful since pedestrian, cyclist and motorist-related crashes have been reduced by 15 percent where speed cameras are installed. My proposal to increase the number of speed cameras has only one goal: Protect school children and New Yorkers in general. We must act before the current school zone speed camera program expires this summer, so children will not be at risk when they return to school in September.”

Since 2016, more than 2.5 million tickets have been issued to drivers caught by traffic cameras speeding through less than 10 percent of school zones currently authorized to use the cameras. This number includes more than 82,000 repeat offenders who have wracked up more than five speeding violations each in the last 26 months alone, according to city Comptroller Scott Stringer.

“Having lost family to a car accident right by a school, the issue is all too real to me, and if speed cameras can help families avoid the pain and needless death, then I absolutely support it,” state Sen. James Sanders (D-South Ozone Park) said.

Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparry@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4538.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By William Lewis

TimesLedger Newspapers

The Executive Committee of the mainstream political parties’ County Committee is very important in local politics.

That Executive Committee is usually comprised of Assembly district leaders, elected county officers and members at large. It is the Assembly district leaders who are supposed to be loyal to the party county organization. During these county executive meetings the county district leaders are instrumental in formulating county policy.

The Assembly district leaders usually work closely with the clubs in getting political work done. In many cases, district leaders hold office in one or more clubs. It is usually the case that district leaders have loyalty to the county leadership, including the county chairman. During political campaigns it is the district leaders who are instrumental in keeping communication open between campaign organizations and their candidates.

The district leaders organize petition drives to help get their candidates on the ballot. Although it is not the case now, there were a significant number of district leaders who caused friction and who opposed the county organization in Queens. This resulted in inter-party battles years ago in the 1960s and ‘70s when primaries were prevalent.

These major splits led to a civil war of sorts within the Democratic Party inside Tammany Hall, the powerful political machine, from 1958 to 1961. The group was being confronted by insurgents seeking to take control of the Democratic Party in New York City.

Those running Tammany Hall after 1961 had a more liberal political philosophy compared to those previously who previously ran the political machine. In the early 1960s there were primaries for district leader, county committee and state committee all over the city. The net result was that the insurgents won most of the primaries for these three positions during that period of time.

Under the rule of Tammany Hall and its leader, Carmine DeSapio, the battle for control of New York City went on for several years and the Democratic Party emerged under new leadership in New York City. The candidates who came on during that period usually were more liberal than during the time before. As we look at the current situation in Queens through their organization by district leaders all over Queens, the Democratic Party here controls all the offices except for two City Council seats in Queens and western Queens.

In the Republican Party this past year in Queens, the district leaders voted in a new county chairman.

Looking again at the organizational structure, there are district leaders who also are elected officials and who come to county and club meetings as both district leaders and elected assemblymen or some other office. The district leaders in both the Republican and Democratic parties have a leader and a co-leader, consisting of one male and one female. Winning elections depends upon the efforts of district leaders in organizing a campaign. The grassroots efforts of political organizations are very important throughout the election cycle in determining election results.

This year as we look at the national political situation, President Trump is having a difficult time getting the finances to build the wall in the southwestern United States to keep out illegal immigrants. Most of the Congress does not seem to want to go along with the finances of building the wall.

The candidates who are going to be running in the Republican Party are either for or against the wall, which should make the elections nationally very interesting this year.

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Source: Times Ledger

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TimesLedger Newspapers

A brand-new elementary school, built from the ground up, is something New Yorkers rarely see anymore. But after more than a decade on the planning boards and in construction, PS376 — for students ranging from pre-K to fifth grade — was officially inaugurated last weekend at a special ceremony that fell somewhere between grade-school pageant and summer festival.

More than 300 parents — nearly all with kids in tow — filled the school’s hardly-used gymnasium for a show put on by the school’s first-year classes, including kindergartens and pre-K students. The school will add a new grade every year until 2022, when the building will at last be filled.

More than one teacher remarked that the school’s signature feature may be that it has central air conditioning, another rarity in a system where buildings date back to the 1930s.

The school, located on 48th Avenue just down from Bell Boulevard in Bayside Hills, is part of a huge push that began with Mayor Michael Bloomberg to ramp up the number of classroom seats in the city — especially Queens — to accommodate the sharp rise in the number of kids.

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Source: Times Ledger