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By Zach Gewelb

TimesLedger Newspapers

The Dark Knight is now working a little later.

The Mets pulled Matt Harvey from the stating rotation last week, placing him in the bullpen in a move the team hopes will help its former ace turn things around. Harvey simply hasn’t been a good pitcher since undergoing surgery to correct thoracic outlet syndrome in 2016.

He had a down year in 2017 and has struggled early this season, pitching to an 0-2 record with a 6.00 ERA in four starts spanning 21 innings. While he has recorded 17 strikeouts and walked just four batters in those 21 innings, Harvey has been hit hard, allowing opposing batters to hit to a .302 average.

Despite his poor performance, Harvey, being the fierce competitor that he is, was ticked off about his demotion.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, I obviously am at a 10 with being pissed off,” Harvey told reporters last weekend. “But my performance hasn’t been there, so I have to do whatever I have to to get back in the starting rotation and that’s, right now, go to the bullpen and work on some things. I have to get back where I need to be, get my sh-t in order and figure it out.”

The decision to delegate Harvey to the pen wasn’t made lightly, according to Mets manager Mickey Callaway.

“It’s a big decision,” Callaway said. “Matt Harvey has pitched some meaningful games for the Mets in his career and he’s done some special things and I knew it wasn’t going to be the most comfortable conversation. It’s a tough message, but it sounds like he is going to embrace it and go out there and get the job done.”

The move to the bullpen could be a blessing in disguise for Harvey, who has a history of using his emotion to fuel his success on the mound. Perhaps the demotion will serve as a kick in the rear end and force Harvey to up his game.

Aside for the revenge factor, Harvey’s stuff may actually play better out of the bullpen. He may be able to add some more velocity to his fastball, knowing he can empty the tank in one or two innings of relief as opposed to saving his stuff for a five or six-inning start. His off-speed offerings should also be sharper out of the pen.

The bottom line is that with the return of free agent signing Jason Vargas — who has been out since the beginning of Spring Training with an injury to his non-pitching hand — someone needed to be removed from the rotation. There was zero chance Noah Syndergaard or Jacob deGrom were going to be removed from the rotation, while Steven Matz and Zack Wheeler have each pitched better than Harvey this season, making Harvey the most logical choice to move to the bullpen.

Harvey has every right to be “pissed off,” though he has only himself to blame for his lack of success this season. He has given the Mets some great seasons and led the team on a memorable run to the World Series in 2015. But that’s in the past.

It’s clear Harvey isn’t the pitcher he once was. He needs to come to terms with that and do whatever is necessary to better himself. The Mets have played great so far in 2018, and a motivated Harvey dominating from the bullpen would greatly improve the team’s postseason odds.

Reach reporter Zach Gewelb by e-mail at zgewelb@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4539.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Naeisha Rose

TimesLedger Newspapers

After a six-month nightmare, Flushing residents are celebrating the clearing of a residential lot that was being used as a dumping site for a landscaping company.

The 40-24 149th St. lot was taken over on Oct. 12 by Fresh Meadows-based Arnoldo’s Tree Service, according to neighbor Daniel Hollingworth. The residential lot is owned by Frank Camisi, owner of Whitestone-based Camisi Construction LLC, and was being loaned out to Arnoldo’s to store their trucks, neighbors said.

The lot had been shared by neighbors since 1983, according to Hollingworth. Since he was a child, the neighbors had separated the lot into sections with small gates and used it to garden, make a place for their kids to play basketball and set up playgrounds with swings. He said no one had problems with the arrangement, but on that October day he saw trucks come in and that’s when the ordeal began for neighbors.

Hollingworth said Frank Camisi told him personally that everything had to go and almost immediately cleared out the lot, barely giving neighbors time to collect their property.

The neighbors’ gardens were destroyed in the process, with gravel being poured on the groundand a bulldozer flattening the lot.

Arnoldo’s trucks then almost immediately set up shop in the lot, disturbing whatever peace existed in the normally quiet Flushing community.

Hollingworth said Arnoldo’s Tree service moved all their equipment into the lot and would begin making noise from 6 a.m. all the way to 6 p.m., disrupting neighbors’ sleep schedules. He said that everyday the trucks came in with chopped wood, causing the block to smell of chemicals and also claimed the Arnoldo’s crew would hang out drinking beer, becoming rowdy on some nights.

Frank Camisi could not be reached for comment. Arnoldo’s Tree Service did not respond before presstime.

Not knowing who to turn to, Hollingworth and other neighbors made noise complaints to 311 for months with no results. On Feb. 8 at 7:27 a.m. a complaint was filed that read “Trucks and workers making a lot of noise at 6:30 a.m. people who live on this block are getting pissed off. People are already getting into each other’s faces over the noise since October 2017. These trucks are not supposed to be there. It’s illegal.”

By 9:50 a.m. the complaint was closed.

“The Police Department responded to the complaint and with the information available observed no evidence of the violation at the time.”311 responded.

From December 2017 to March 2018 there were several complaints made to the city Department of Buildings regarding illegal commercial vehicle storage.

Hollingworth said he and neighbors, who are mostly elderly, did not know who to turn to. He said they felt hopeless when 311 was not taking action. Hollingworth contacted Times Ledger on March 14 where he was directed to DOB and City Councilman Peter Koo (D-Flushing) for further assistance. Two days later on March 16 DOB inspected the lot and issued violations for illegal commercial use of the property in a residential area. The violations had a cure date of April 25 or a date by which the property owner was compelled to correct the violating conditions. DOB’s padlock unit also sent a warning letter to the property owner April 17 directing him to cease illegal use of the lot.

Neighbors speculate that Frank Camisi loaned the lot to Arnoldo and told him if he cleaned the lot out for him, he would be able to park his trucks there for free or at a low rate.

On April 22 neighbors said the the truckers were gone from the lot, but debris remained that reminded them of their misery.

“We’re happy, yes, but not 100 percent because of the way they left it,” Hollingworth said. “It stinks. If you would take a look at it, there are holes all over the place with cement blocks everywhere and left-behind wood. The dirt is all messed up and I noticed there is this white crustation, I don’t know if that’s because of chemicals that were spilled.”

Hollingworth said he is relieved Arnoldo’s trucks have left, but he is nervous something like this could happen again and said the damage is done.

“Frank might do this again in the future,” he said. “He got away with it for so long before anything happened, more than six months. The lot is also very unsafe, it’s not boarded up, you can still go in there and it’s all out in the open. All they left was an orange mesh “fence” you can easily flip up.

“I already saw a homeless guy go in there. That’s the problem because it’s open to everyone’s backyard next to our garages.”

Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmartinez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4566.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Tammy Scileppi

TimesLedger Newspapers

Richard Mazda is at it again.

The LIC Arts Open executive director is revving up for yet another year of incredible showings — this time, by a whopping 500-plus artists who will be participating in this highly anticipated local endeavor.

You can feed your artistic cravings, while taking part in fun cultural activities when the 8th Annual LIC Arts Open Festival — Queens’ largest arts fest — transforms the entire neighborhood from May 16 through May 20.

“Each year, the festival brings together the considerable artist community in a celebration of the breadth and depth of the talent in the area,” Mazda said. “Long Island City is one of the most populous communities in terms of the number of artists’ studios all within close proximity of one another.”

Since 2011, the area’s cultural and economic development has been enjoying a hefty boost, thanks to a lot of help from local friends. The LIC Arts Open has contributed by connecting artists, residents, businesses, tourists, art enthusiasts and collectors, as well as the local government, to make that happen.

The festival always kicks off with the traditional and exclusive garden party fund-raising event. This year, two local artists will receive the Local Legends Award at the May 2 gathering, which takes place on 45th Avenue. Catering this year is once again provided by the popular LIC Market, run by Chef Alex Schindler, and fine wines are provided by Blue Streak Wines.

“There will be multiple exhibitions throughout the LIC area, including at The Factory LIC, The Plaxall Gallery, Flux Factory, Studio 34, and Materials for The Arts,” Mazda said. “Most years, we have around 65 different venues offering exhibits, pop-up shows, as well as our legendary launch and closing parties on the 16th and 20th. Some works will be shown in exhibitions that will actually last a month.”

All events are free and all artwork is for sale.

The highlights include a special event called “Plastique III,” at LIC’s Sound River Studios at Anable Basin — located at 4-40 44th Drive; Local painter Clare Stokolosa’s watercolors, oils, acrylics and collage creations — on display at Studio 34 (Studio No. 434), located at 34-01 38th Ave. — are really eye-catching; a lot goes on at Reis Studios, located at 43-01 22nd St., so if you want to discover something new while schmoozing with Salvadorian-born, Canadian-raised painter Ernesto Vela in his LIC Studio No. 426; and “Open Studios,” during the weekend of May 19 and 20, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. If you have the stamina, you can visit numerous artists in their studios for a chat and to observe how they work. This gives art lovers, buyers, and visitors an opportunity to discover a cornucopia of offerings.

During the week of the festival, folks can also partake in the aforementioned launch and closing parties. A 10×10 Silent Auction event will be held during the May 20 closing party. Multiple artists working in different mediums all donate original artworks on 10×10 birch-faced plywood boards. Since this has been a tradition for over six years, many people have been building collections over the years. One can usually pick up a piece to start or add to their collection at a reasonable price.

For more information, visit licartsopen.org.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Naeisha Rose

TimesLedger Newspapers

April is Sikh Awareness and Appreciation Month and the city will host its annual Nagar Keertan (meditation) Celebration, also known as the Sikh Day Parade, in Manhattan Saturday.

It is one of the largest parades to celebrate Sikhism in the country, according to United Sikhs, a non-profit that aims to help minority communities across the world.

The parade will stretch from Madison Avenue and 36th St. to Madison Avenue and 26th Street, according to the Sikh Cultural Society in Richmond Hill. The celebration is from noon to 4 p.m. on April 28.

Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world, according to Jatinder Singh, the national director of Sikh Aid, a non-profit.

“They say Sikhs and potatoes are found everywhere in the world,” joked Singh.

The monotheistic religion has three primary principles, according to Singh.

“No. 1 is humanity and service, No. 2 is hard work and sharing, and No. 3 is meditation.”

The religion started 550 years ago in Punjab, India, but after a Sikh genocide in the country during 1984, followers of the religion dispersed around the world.

“Thousands of Sikhs were murdered and burnt alive,” said Singh.

The Sikh place of worship is called a Gurudwara and followers wear turbans as a symbol of honesty, compassion, generosity, humility, equality and protection, according to Singh.

Similar to a policeman wearing a uniform, a Sikh person wearing a turban is a sign that an individual can come to that person for help if they are need, according to Singh.

Before the 1984 genocide many Sikhs migrated to the United States 125 years ago, and were some of the first Indians to arrive in the country, said Singh.

“We’ve migrated here in the 1890s,” said Singh.

Most of the borough’s Sikhs live in Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Ozone Park and to a lesser degree Jamaica, said the Sikh director.

A spokesman for United Sikhs said the parade would be followed by the fifth annual Vaisahki 5K race on Sunday at Victory Field in Forest Park in Woodhaven. The Vaisakhi is a festival marking the beginning of spring.

Victory Field is between Myrtle Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard, according to www.vaisakhi5k.com. The check-in for the run is at 7 a.m.. There will be entertainment at 10:30 a.m. and the award ceremony will be at 11 a.m..

Reach reporter Naeisha Rose by e-mail at nrose@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4573.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Naeisha Rose

TimesLedger Newspapers

As part of his city wide listening tour, New York City Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza attended a student town hall at Francis Lewis High School Monday where he introduced himself to students and asked what their main concerns were as part of one of the city’s largest and most successful schools.

Carranza joined about 50 students at the Fresh Meadows schools gymnasium, located at 58-20 Utopia Parkway for a Q&A session.

He was chosen to replace former Chancellor Carmen Farina, but only after Miami-Dade schools superintendent Alberto Carvalho bailed on the job.

One student asked about school safety and what can be done to avoid violence in schools.

Carranza said the traditional methods being used, such as school officers, are effective, but he said the best security system is an environment where students are encouraged to speak up when they hear or see something suspicious. He said when students feel empowered to own their security and that of their peers, nothing is better.

“I spent a lot of my career in school buildings and I will tell you this,” Carranza said. “There’s nothing that happens in school that students don’t know about. The most effective school security system is all of you. Why? Because if you have an environment in your school where if you see something, suspect something, read something on Facebook or Instagram that you think is crazy and feel safe enough telling an adult and you know you’ll be kept anonymous and you know the adult is going to actually follow up, that is by far the most effective security system, better than cameras, metal detector, random searches or sniffing dogs.”

When one student asked about getting more funding for arts programs, Carranza said he agreed the arts should be a priority.

“We have to value arts as not something we do in addition to English and math,” he said, “but as a core component of school curriculum. Would we ever imagine having school and not studying English? There are some schools that have less money than others. The good news is in all five boroughs, there are arts organizations that are doing great work partnering with schools and helping with funding. I want every student in New York City public schools to have an experience with the arts. Arts can be anything from instruments, singing, dancing, panting, drawing — you name it. As long as you’re able to use creativity, that’s arts.”

Carranza also talked about testing. He said that while Regents exams are an important measure to evaluate students, teachers should not be base the curriculum solely on the exam and their job should be to educate, not just get students to pass test.

Carranza also said he was working with NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill to look for ways to improve relationships between students and school safety officers.

Reach Gina Martinez by e-mail at gmartinez@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4566.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Mark Hallum

TimesLedger Newspapers

Bayside residents are calling for city agencies to address a longstanding issue of flooding on their street, claiming the water consistently turns their yards and basements into large puddles.

James Bitetto, who lives on 211th Street between 34th and 35th avenues, said flooding has occurred in his backyard since the DOT repaved the road in 2012 and resolution of the issue seems just out of reach.

State Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside) led an April 19 news conference calling on the city DOT and DEP to address the issue, which affects neighboring homes as well.

“The way this mayoral administration has treated homeowners and communities in this city is nothing short of disgraceful. They have money to spend on a billion-dollar trolley but can’t seem to find funds to provide basic city services or pave a street properly. The fact that no one from DOT has responded to my letters about this situation shows that doing right by the community is not a priority of theirs. Shame on this administration for allowing the quality of life of all of these homeowners to deteriorate before our very eyes,” Avella said.

Avella said many residents have paid out-of-pocket for flood mitigation of their homes since the repaving took place, slanting the street away from the only catch basin on the street.

“Four years ago, 11 Bayside residents signed a petition requesting that Queens DEP and DOT take action to eliminate the street flooding, which has caused flooding in our basements as well. I have contacted a number of Queens agencies, including DOT and DEP, and attended Mayor de Blasio’s Queens Town Hall,” Bitteo said this week. “Our request is simple: You had the funds to create this problem, now find the funds to correct this problem.”

Bitetto told the senator the issue would be resolved in 2017, but almost a year later, residents are still waiting.

“DOT repaved this location in May of 2012,” DOT responded in an email Monday. “The initial complaint regarding ponding at this location was forwarded to DOT in the spring of 2013. In 2013, DOT determined the repaving did not impact the contours of 211th Street at the rear of the constituent’s property where they claim ponding is occurring. In an effort to remedy the ponding conditions here, DOT worked with the property owner to install an asphalt berm across the end of 211th Street to deflect water from the property in November of 2013. Last fall, DOT conducted a follow-up survey/investigation of this location and recently informed Mr. Bitteo DOT now aims to increase the height of the berm to address the flooding condition.”

Bitetto said the flooding attracts mosquitoes and has caused damage to his garage.

Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhallum@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Bill Parry

TimesLedger Newspapers

Corona resident Ari Espinal, 30, will head to Albany after she won a special election to represent the 39th District in the state Assembly Tuesday, capturing the seat vacated when her former boss Francisco Moya was elected to the City Council last year.

Moya was present at Espinal’s victory celebration held after the April 24 election at Tony’s Pizzeria in Corona, where she thanked supporters from the neighborhoods she served as a district leader.

“I am so honored to have the opportunity to represent Corona, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst in the Assembly,” Espinal said. “I grew up in this community, and I am ready to fight for my neighbors when I get to Albany. This is a responsibility that I take very seriously, and I will work hard every day for the working families that call central Queens home. From securing funding for our schools, to supporting immigrants in our community, to fighting for more affordable housing and smart development. I am excited to get to work.”

Espinal captured 90.7 percent of the vote with 741 votes, according to the city Board of Election. The Queens GOP didn’t run a candidate on their party line.

“I would not be here today without the hard work and support of my parents who came to this country from the Dominican Republic and gave my sister and me the foundation we needed to succeed,” Espinal said. “I also must thank City Council member Francisco Moya, for giving me my first job in government and being my mentor. I learned so much while serving in your office, and I am ready to use this knowledge and experience to build on your legacy.”

Espinal will face a Democratic primary challenge from Jackson Heights attorney Catalina Cruz on Sept. 13. Cruz served as Julissa Ferreras-Copeland’s chief of staff before she retired from the City Council, clearing the way for Moya to take her seat.

Ferreras-Copeland and former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito joined Cruz at La Estrella del Caribe in Corona Monday night and endorsed the candidate. Cruz, a Colombian native who moved to New York in 1992 with her single mother, will be the first Dreamer to run for office in New York and, if elected, would become only the third Dreamer to take public office in the United States.

“I am humbled to receive the endorsements of two incredibly accomplished Latinas from whom I have learned so much about advocation and legislating,” Cruz said. “I am running for the state Assembly because Albany can do much better by electing grassroots candidates with proven track records. I am focused on solving the tough problems our communities face like fixing the MTA, helping seniors afford to stay in their homes, and ending the overcrowding crisis in our schools.”

Cruz currently serves as the president of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County.

“Catalina Cruz is exactly the leader we need in Albany to advocate for our community,” Ferreras-Copeland said. “I have worked closely with her for years and I know she will be a powerful force for justice in the state Assembly. For decades, Catalina has been a leader for our community and someone who has fought hard to keep people in their homes and keep families united.”

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 Esther Animalu

TimesLedger Newspapers

The 109th Precinct was searching for a suspect in connection with a series of grand larcenies in Flushing.

Reports of stolen property from several victims were disclosed to police, all believed to be victims of the suspect.

On April 12, at 6 p.m. inside 41-10 Main St., a 30-year-old woman placed her bag on a chair beside her, when the suspect removed her wallet without the victim realizing, police said. Upon further investigation by authorities, it was determined that the individual made several purchases including buying an MTA fare card.

This incident was the second of its kind in April, following two prior thefts in March, police said.

On April 2, at 6:20 p.m. inside of 39-20 Main St., a 38-year-old woman left her bag unattended and when she returned to her seat, she realized her purse was missing, according to authorities. The purse contained $40 in cash, police said.

On March 22, at 12:51 p.m. inside 136-20 Roosevelt Ave., a 22-year-old woman was dining at the location and had her purse hanging on the chair. The suspect sat behind the victim and removed her wallet, which contained $800 cash and her credit cards, before departing in an unknown direction, police said. Authorities determined that the suspect also used the victim’s credit card to make several purchases after the theft, including a purchase of an MTA card.

The first incident occurred March 15, at 11:23 a.m. inside of 40-06 Main St., when a 51-year-old woman was approached from behind by the suspect, who removed the victim’s wallet from her purse without her realizing it, before departing in an unknown direction, police said. It was later determined that the individual used the victim’s credit card to make a purchase on an MTA vending machine, according to authorities.

Police described the individual as a black man between the ages of 50 and 60.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). All calls will remain confidential.

Reach reporter Esther Animalu by e-mail at eanimalu@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4574.

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Source: Times Ledger

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By Mark Hallum

TimesLedger Newspapers

As Landmarks Preservation Commission Chairwoman Meenakshi Srinivasan plans her departure from the city agency, organizations are hoping for a better outlook for the future of historic places.

Srinivasan announced her resignation April 19 following the recent citywide backlash over a proposed rule change within the agency to remove public input from decisions regarding approval of work on designated property.

“I am honored to have served as chair of the Landmarks Preservation Commission for the past four years and to have had the opportunity to serve the city for the past 28 years. I am proud of what we have accomplished — promoting equity, diversity, efficiency and transparency in all aspects of LPC’s work, and working with the administration to make preservation a critical part of the city’s planning process,” Srinivasan said.

Loycent Gordon has been attempting to have his business, Neir’s Tavern in Woodhaven, designated for years to no avail despite widespread political and community support.

“Until a person truly from the ‘outer boroughs’ who understands our plight becomes the chair, our periodic efforts momentarily ‘coming up for air’ every other year to fight for landmark recognition will go down as another statistic of the oligarchy of the Manhattan-centric system,” Gordon said. “How else can you explain Queens County being five times larger than Manhattan but has one-fourth of the landmarks compared to Manhattan.”

Built in the 1820s at 87-48 78th St., Neir’s represents what little remains of the Union Race Course, which was Woodhaven’s main attraction at the time. The tavern was adjacent to the track.

The LPC decided in May 2016 that the establishment, which was used for a scene in the Martin Scorsese film “Goodfellas,” did not have the significance needed to warrant landmark status.

Queens has 80 individual landmarks, 4 interior landmarks and 12 Historic Districts recognized by the LPC. But a map from the agency shows massive concentrations of protected sites in Manhattan compared to a sparse scattering of spots in Queens.

Members of the Historic District Council, an organization which advocates for preservation, have been vocally opposed to the de Blasio administration’s stance on landmarking which they believe only serves the interests of developers as opposed to honoring the city’s past.

Srinivasan said her last day will be June 1 and she will spend the upcoming weeks working with her staff during the transition.

She was appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014 to oversee the city organization, which protects 36,000 architecturally, historically, and culturally important sites. Before her tenure at the LPC, Srinivasan was chair of the Board of Standards and Appeals under the Bloomberg administration.

“Meenakshi Srinivasan is a talented, dogged public servant and a leader with know-how, and she’s proved that time and again,” de Blasio said. “At the helm of the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission, she’s slicing through decades of regulatory red tape and modernized the commission. We congratulate her and thank her for the important reforms she instituted, and we wish her well in her future pursuits.”

Srinivasan faced intense backlash over the last two months with preservation groups and activists calling for her resignation in March over the proposed rule changes.

Community boards, Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer joined the effort to pressure the LPC to reverse its course on a rule change that went along with others designed to “increase transparency.”

Community Board 11 voted unanimously in favor of a resolution to oppose new rules at its April meeting, joining others such as the Municipal Art Society, Historic District Council, The City Club, the New York Landmarks Conservancy and others.

Johnson issued a letter to Srinivasan praising the agency’s efforts to bring changes to comply with other potential needs, such as barrier-free access, energy codes, and resiliency mandates, but asking the city agency to back down from the this particular rule change.

Srinivasan will be going to the private sector and candidates to succeed Srinivasan have not been named.

Reach reporter Mark Hallum by e-mail at mhallum@cnglocal.com or by phone at (718) 260–4564.

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Source: Times Ledger