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By Gina Martinez

TimesLedger Newspapers

Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) wants to combat “mail fishing” in Queens.

This growing crime has affected Flushing residents over the last couple of months and has led Meng to request new anti-theft collection boxes from the United States Postal Service.

Mail fishers place string connected to a sticky material into collection boxes and the sticky substance attaches to the mail and the crooks pull out the envelopes. The thieves then open the letters and steal people’s personal information including bank, credit card, and Social Security numbers. According to Meng, mail fishers also engage in check washing schemes, in which they wash ink off of checks they stole and rewrite the name of the payee or the amount. According to Meng, one of her constituents was recently a victim of check washing, costing them $4,000.

Last week Meng sent a letter to Elvin Mercado, the head of the USPS’ Triboro District, urging him to take action and install anti-theft collection boxes that have smaller slots throughout the borough. Meng said the smaller slots make it more difficult for thieves to steal the mail inside.

According to the congresswoman, it is unacceptable that Queens residents cannot safely leave their mail in USPS collection boxes.

“Many of the victims of mail fishing are seniors who are particularly vulnerable to these reprehensible schemes and have no means of protecting themselves,” she said. “USPS must act at once to stop this unconscionable crime. The agency must replace all collection boxes in Queens with anti-theft collection boxes to prevent continued mail fishing in our borough.”

In her letter she said that mail fishing has become so prevalent that local police precincts have suggested that residents bring their mail directly to the post office and not leave it in local USPS collection boxes. She said that it is not an acceptable solution because post offices in her district have limited hours, and residents cannot drop off mail when post offices are closed.

“This also creates a significant barrier for seniors and disabled persons in my district, who have issues with mobility,” she wrote. “My constituents need the USPS to provide relief, including, but not limited to, replacing all old USPS collection boxes with anti-theft collection boxes.”

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 Naeisha Rose

TimesLedger Newspapers

A Jamaica man was convicted last week of kidnapping and raping a 15-year-old girl that he convinced through social media to run away from home, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.

A criminal complaint stated that Santiago Reyes, 31, engaged with a 15-year-old Toronto resident on Facebook four years ago and communicated with her online for nine months, urging her to run away after she complained about her parents being too strict and that she was bullied at her new school.

“While social media can be entertaining and informative, it can also be a very dangerous place for youngsters,” said District Attorney Brown. “The defendant in this case used Facebook to establish a relationship with the then-15-year-old girl and manipulated her.”

While she was on a family trip to New York City, the defendant picked up the teenager when her parents were out and took her to his house, according to the complaint.

Reyes lived on the second floor apartment of 87-25 144th St. in Jamaica, according to an indictment.

At the time of the encounter, the teenager was shocked to discover that Reyes was 27, and the defendant forced her to have sex with him while keeping her prisoner at his home, said the complaint.

According to Brown, “the defendant … held her against her will.”

In the indictment, the teenager told Officer Robert Patterson of the 107th Precinct that the defendant had sex with her twice from Aug. 3 to Aug. 4, 2014.

In the complaint, Reyes told the victim when she wanted to leave that there was no going back, according to Brown.

A jury convicted Reyes of kidnaping and rape last Monday after a two-week trial.

State Supreme Court Justice Robert Kohm presided over the trial and is expected to sentence Reyes to 25 years to life next Thursday.

“The defendant will be incarcerated for his actions,” said Brown.

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

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By Zach Gewelb

TimesLedger Newspapers

The Mets seem to be the only team willing to spend money this offseason. They’ve already added reliever Anthony Swarzak, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and brought back Jay Bruce, along with Jose Reyes. Now, the Amazins have welcomed former Yankee third baseman Todd Frazier to Queens.

Frazier, who reportedly agreed to a two-year, $17 million pact with the club, is a great get for New York. I’ve made the argument for the Mets to sign the New Jersey native all winter, as he’s seemingly a perfect fit for this ballclub.

Frazier isn’t the hitter he once was, but still has power and excels at getting on base. Look at last year’s numbers, for example: He only hit .213 with the White Sox and Yanks, but he recorded a .344 on-base percentage, proving his ability to be patient at the plate and draw out at-bats.

The Mets have a lot of free swingers on the roster. The only full-time players who recorded an OBP better than Frazier last season were Yoenis Cespedes (.352) and Asdrubal Cabrera (.351). As a team, New York recorded a .320 OBP, which ranked ninth in the National League and 18th in all of baseball. Adding Frazier helps in that regard.

He also adds some right-handed power to a lineup that recorded a National League best 224 home runs in 2017. The additions of Frazier and Bruce will deepen and balance the Mets’ lineup, which should once again rank near the top of the majors in dingers.

Frazier also brings a solid glove to the hot corner. His addition means Cabrera can slide from third to second and should improve the team’s infield defense. He may not be a gold-glover, but he makes all the routine plays and is quick on his feet over at third.

But, as I’ve mentioned earlier this offseason, Frazier’s best asset is his leadership. He’s been in the league for seven years and has some postseason experience, which should come in handy in Queens. Frazier is also one of the more likeable players in the league and has a knack for keeping things loose in the clubhouse.

Mets manager Mickey Callaway, who faced Frazier’s Yankees in the ALDS, had nothing but praise to offer Frazier, who turns 32 on Monday, when asked about him earlier this month.

“He’s a baseball player. And you know what he did at the end of the season when we were preparing to play the Yankees, he made some adjustments at the plate. He stopped chasing balls,” Callaway said. “He stopped trying to go down there and flick that ball to left, he was laying off balls that he was going after in the past. You look at his average (.213), but that’s going to change if he continues to do what he did the last month of the season. And he can hit some home runs.” Frazier’s OBP in September 2017 was a season-high .389.

Frazier brings a solid bat, a strong glove and leadership to a team in need of all three, and the Mets were able to bring him in without breaking the bank.

This is a strong move for New York, who have quietly pieced together a nice offseason. There’s still work to be done, but for now, Mets fans should be happy with how their team is coming together.

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

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By Mark Hallum

TimesLedger Newspapers

Non-profit advocacy group Tri-State Transportation Campaign reinforced the assessment from the Fix NYC panel that congestion pricing would only affect around four percent of outer borough drivers in a new report.

The Fix NYC panel proposal, released in January to implement congestion pricing, keeps traditionally free bridges into Manhattan free while only imposing fees on vehicles entering a central business district from 60th Street to South Ferry.

The new report from Tri-State breaks down driver information based off demographics from “U.S. Census 2011-2015: 5-Year American Community Survey” by state Senate and Assembly districts.

According to the report, the farther west the district, the less impact congestion pricing will have on commuters.

The district farthest to the east, that of Assemblyman Edward Braunstein (D-Bayside), will have the heaviest impact with about 5.7 percent of drivers expected to pay the $11.52 toll for entering lower Manhattan.

Braunstein did not offer a statement regarding the toll but Chief of Staff David Fischer said simply that the assemblyman “is opposed to the plan proposed by Governor Cuomo’s Fix NYC congestion pricing panel.”

The district with the lightest impact is that of Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas (D-Astoria) with only 2.6 percent projected impact, which is in league with other districts such as that of Assemblyman Jefferion Aubrey (D-Corona) and is representative of accessibility to subways for residents.

Councilman Barry Grodenchik (D-Oakland Gardens), a staunch opponent of congestion pricing since Governor Andrew Cuomo announced over the summer it was an idea “whose time has come,” said that although four percent seems like a small metric it may have a surprising impact on a large population.

“The answer is in how one counts. About 1 million people in the other boroughs commute to Manhattan to work. 118K represents almost 12% of all those people,” Grodenckik said on Twitter.

Grodenchik’s district is mostly within that of Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (D-Flushing), whose constituents will see about 4.8 percent impact.

Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows) stood with Grodenchik and state Sen. Leroy Comrie (D-St. Albans) after the release of the proposal at a Manhattan rally opposing the plan. Comrie’s district would be impacted 3.6 percent according to the report.

“Congestion pricing would be disastrous for Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island residents,” Weprin said. “The tolls would inadvertently place a tax [on] middle-class communities and small businesses in these areas and raise the cost of goods and services from these areas while also limiting the competitive ability of local businesses.

“On top of that, private drivers who rely on the free bridges would have to pay each and every time they travel into the city, in addition to the vehicle registration fees, fuel taxes and other garage fees charged to New York City drivers. New York cannot afford to break the backs and empty the wallets of its outer-borough locals to ‘Fix NYC.’”

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 Merle Exit

TimesLedger Newspapers

There’s another fabulous season of performances coming to the Queensborough Performing Arts Center on the campus of Queensborough Community College. Highlights of the February and March calendar include Russian dancers, a tribute to two of pop’s greatest pianists, and a celebration of the Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year 2018 celebrates the Year of the Dog, and the Feb. 23 season opener, the New Shanghai Circus, will certainly have some tricks in store. “The circus sold out last year and is back by popular demand,” said Susan Agin, the center’s executive and artistic director. “Their athleticism and breathtaking, fearless feats leave the audience spellbound.”

Adding to the lunar celebration is Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly,” one of the most performed operas in the United States. It will be fully staged, with an orchestra and English supertitles, on Sun., Feb. 25. Teatro Lirico D’Europa, led by artistic director Giorgio Lalov, will take the stage for the performance.

“I recommend that you step outside of your comfort zone to experience an opera of this quality and of this magnitude right in the neighborhood,” Agin said. “Nowhere outside of Manhattan can you see a fully staged opera, except at the Queensborough Performing Arts Center. We are so proud of this legacy.”

The appropriately-titled “Piano Men” arrives Sat., March 24. Broadway veterans Craig A. Meyer and Donnie Kehr will play the hits of Elton John and Billy Joel on dueling grand pianos, backed by an all-star band. “This is an exceptional event celebrating two giants of pop music,” Agin said.

Those with a taste for ballet will want to mark down the March 25 showing of the romantic work “Giselle,” performed by the Moscow Festival Ballet.

“When you think ballet, you think Russia,” Agin said. “Every country has its claim to fame. In my opinion, the Russian ballet companies perform with a sophistication, dedication and mastery that is hard to beat.”

You may also want to look ahead to April, when Brian Stokes Mitchell will perform songs from Broadway hits and Tony Orlando will appear in concert.

QPAC is located at 222-05 56th Ave. in Bayside. Call the box office at (718) 631–6311 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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By Mark Hallum

TimesLedger Newspapers

Members of Community Board 11 narrowly passed a variance on Feb. 5 that will allow owners of Douglaston Plaza to oust a MovieWorld from the shopping center and replace it, along with a recently closed Macy’s, with a Lowe’s home improvement store.

The meeting, during which there was bitter debate between those in favor of Lowe’s and those wishing to keep the theater, summoned memories of the June vote to approve the Northern Boulevard bike lanes for which the members complained there was not enough time to review the details before a vote was to be cast.

Jon Popin, an attorney with Duane Morris representing Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation, argued in favor of the Lowe’s location on the stance that since Macy’s closed shop, the shopping center has become a “ghost town” without a major outlet, but that Lowe’s will need a larger footprint to operate.

“What we have now is a faceless shopping center,” Popin said. “What the owners of the shopping center are trying to do is revitalize and reposition the shopping center, but really keep it from closing. If the shopping center closes, it’s likely, because this is a residential district, it won’t be redeveloped as another shopping center… It may be residential housing — maybe affordable housing with de Blasio — who knows.”

Community members spoke out against the insinuation they would be opposed to affordable housing and Popin eventually apologized for the remarked.

“We don’t like being threatened with affordable housing,” Janet McEneaney said.

With Douglaston Plaza lacking highway accessibility and with retail centers drawing customers in Long Island, A.J. Levine, AAC’s Chief Operations Officer, said they had exhausted all other options to fill the space with another business and Lowe’s would be the only suitable one. But Lowe’s would require both spaces to operate and only after heavy renovation.

With five years still on its lease, MovieWorld owner Russell Levinson said their contract included the right of the shopping center to buy them out, which will pave the way for the closure if the variance was approved by the CB11.

During the public discussion period, many residents, including one MovieWorld employee of 14 years who gave an impassioned speech, voiced their support for preserving the theater as the best option for affordable tickets for schools and the elderly on fixed incomes.

Macy’s closed hundreds of stores in 2017 as a result of its inability to keep up with online markets, executives of the company said, and in April this included the location at Douglastion Plaza. But in January, permits had already been filed with the Dept. of Buildings for a Lowe’s to swallow both spaces occupied by Macy’s and MovieWorld, but these were permits were shot down by the agency.

The space in which Macy’s operated was 157,000 sq. feet, but Lowes needs 250,000 to operate, and would need to reenforce parts of the multi-level structure to support their often heavy inventory.

David Koerne, Lowe’s director of engineering and construction, said the location would not be feasible from a structural standpoint if they did not expand the footprint of the current business because the lower level did not have high enough ceilings for much of its inventory.

During the meeting, audience members contested this assessment and asked for repeated reiteration on why they would not be able to better utilize the space without consuming the movie theater. On more than two occasions, CB11 Chairwoman Christine Haider threatened to call the police to remove members of the audience who spoke out of order.

When Koerne made the point that Lowe’s makes it an corporate initiative to “be a good neighbor” by hiring local residents, and especially veterans, one board member retorted that they can be good neighbors by not forcing the movie theater out of business.

The motion to recommend the Board of Standards and Appeals give final approval of the variance passed 18 to 12.

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

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By Gina Martinez

TimesLedger Newspapers

After visiting Puerto Rico a week ago to asses the damage and what work needs to be done, Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) brought a displaced Puerto Rican resident currently living in Queens to last weeks State of the Union address.

Meng, who has called for additional funding to the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for hurricane relief, brought 33-year old Omar Miguel Nieves Delgado to President Trump’s address. Delgado was living in San Juan when Hurricane Maria struck and severely damaged his home. Delgado, a trained dancer, also lost his source of income after the island was devastated by the storm. He and his partner were forced to relocate Queens and live with a close friend.

Meng said it was an honor to bring Omar after everything he had gone through. She said it was important not to forget that fellow Americans in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are still suffering from the damage caused by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

“I am proud to amplify Omar’s story of resilience, and I hope his attendance at the State of the Union will remind the President, and my congressional colleagues, of our obligation to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” she said. Delgado called it an “incredible honor” to be Congresswoman Meng’s guest for the State of the Union and being part of her effort to make sure that American citizens living in Puerto Rico are not forgotten.

He said there is still tremendous suffering in Puerto Rico that has led to no power, closed businesses, and the consequences of losing any opportunity for a bright future.

“For me, as an artist, I had the chance of leaving on a ship with a carry-on ten days after the hurricane hit in order to begin a new life in Queens,” he said. “But there many people who don’t have the same choice. The job is still not done and we feel as if we have been forgotten. The struggles of Puerto Rico must continue to be addressed and I thank leaders like Congresswoman Meng for working to make a difference.”

Meng spent two days in Puerto Rico last week assessing recovery efforts from damage caused by Hurricane Maria.

Meng received briefings on rebuilding, toured damaged and impacted facilities, spoke with local residents and met with officials from Puerto Rico and the U.S. government. Meng visited the island as a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for funding all federal agencies, programs, and projects within the United States.

During her visit she met with San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz at a relief supplies site where many of the donations were sent in by New Yorkers. Meng also toured Hospital Centro Medico, the largest public hospital on the island and received an update on the island’s health care needs from Dr. Rafael Rodríguez-Mercado, Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Health, as well as a tour of the San Agustín Elementary School where Meng spoke with students and teachers and heard about local education needs.

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

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By Leroy Gadsden

TimesLedger Newspapers

President Trump’s State of the Union speech was disappointing, and held very little hope or promise for African Americans and other minorities.

Trump focused on only some issues, while basically ignoring those that continue to plague the black community. The only thing he said in regard to our issues was to take credit for a low black unemployment rate. This was basically started by Barack Obama, the first African-American President, before he departed the White House more than a year ago.

While the President spent a great deal of time focusing on immigration and foreign issues and building the wall, he failed to address any of the primary issues that continue to plague African Americans.

During his short time in office, America has experienced an increase in racial hatred and violence, which came to an explosive boiling point in Charlottesville, Va., where a brave and conscientious young woman with a bright future ahead of her — Heather Heyer — was killed for merely exercising her rights.

Here in New York, we experienced the bitter taste of racial hatred and bigotry when a white supremacist traveled from Baltimore to New York for the sole purpose of killing an innocent black man —Timothy Caughman — simply because of the color of his skin. During his short time in office, President Trump has said some mean and racially divisive things. This has led to an increase in racial violence across the country.

President Trump had an opportunity to speak to the unification of this great nation but failed to do so. The State of the Union was the perfect national platform to call for unity in the nation and condemn racism and discrimination. Discrimination is still a major issue in our country and the President failed to address this issue.

He also failed to address such issues as voter suppression and criminal justice reform. Police brutality and police killings of unarmed citizens of color remains a major concern for African Americans, but this was ignored by the President. Our response must be demonstrated in the voting booth on Election Day. Starting today, we must register everyone around us, and on Election Day we must show up at the polls and let our discontent be known. In addition, we cannot support any elected person or party that refuses to uphold the standards and creeds of America, nor can we support any elected official or party who refuses to denounce and root out racism wherever it rears its ugly head.

It is up to us to determine whether or not there will be a day of reckoning for those who refuse to condemn racial hatred and bigotry. We must ensure that America lives up to the creed of the Constitution: that all men and women are created equal.

This guest editorial was written by Leroy Gadsden, president of the Jamaica Branch of the NAACP

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