Genting is on the Right Track - Op/Ed by Anthony J. Gellineau -Leader-Observer

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When I hear so-called “LEADERS” of South Queens rail about the lack of job creation by companies like Genting, I think back to the days when quite a few people would prey upon the ignorance of those in earshot to bring attention to THEMSELVES. These are people who thrive in the midst of those who are less fortunate, taking advantage of their fears by casting something as the bogeyman that is out to get them. These same “leaders” do nothing to improve the life condition of the people they are talking at – they produce no results other than the temporary mental satisfaction of those who feel someone is standing up for them, only to have those same people leave in the same way in which they came.


True civic organizations fight daily to improve the quality of life of the residents in our communities. We meet with entities in our communities to address issues; we bring decision-makers to our meetings with our members to get their questions answered. We spend an inordinate amount of hours researching, communicating and disseminating information to our constituents. We teach our constituents to fish, and we don’t expect anyone to give us a fish.


My civic association, together with other civic associations that surround the Aqueduct racetrack have been fighting for close to 20 years, looking forward to the reconstruction and revitalization of the track. We have been in discussions with Community Board 10, Borough Presidents Schulman and Marshall, Assemblywoman Pheffer, deceased Assemblywoman Pauline Rhodd-Cumming, and Senators Maltese and Addabbo; we have worked on several different plans and we have lived through several different disappointing fits and starts. When Genting was awarded the right to build their casino, we all felt a sense of relief and optimism. And to their credit, Genting has been working with us in partnership, alerting our constituents to their opportunities, answering all of our questions – all the while becoming acclimated to our community. The relationship thus far could not be better.


Despite the feelings of optimism for many, there are some that believe that the selection of Genting brought disenfranchisement. You would think that it would be those who sought the rights to build the casino but were not selected. In this case however, it is a community of people who thought they were initially awarded the rights in a previous process, only to be disappointed when that process was deemed invalid. Some decided to own the previous process as if they were investors. They had built a sense of ownership with the belief that they were going to be intricately involved in the development of the project. Rightly or wrongly, the invalidation of that process left some people feeling as if they lost a significant stake in the development of the racetrack. These people, led astray by the supposed previous winners, are ripe for exploitation by the misguided and their cohorts who are more than eager to accommodate.


Before Genting was even chosen to develop the racetrack, a group of people, led by MISGUIDED LEADERS held a protest in front of the racetrack in June of 2010 to protest the bidding process. Illustrating a severe lack of understanding of the procurement process, THEY denounced the state’s RFP and it’s “lack of inclusion”. Since then, THEY have continued to lead people astray with poorly conceived assertions and sound bites. Those of us who live next to Aqueduct have been simply baffled by these tactics. They continue to antagonize our community without consulting those that live here – promulgating mistruths along the way. Simply put, it needs to stop.


The NAACP is this country’s foremost civil rights organization, and using its legacy to back a misguided campaign devalues its meaning to all of us. The redevelopment of Aqueduct means a lot to all of us, and inappropriately calling a company racist because it has not “consulted” any one self-appointed “leader” is unjust. While holding true to our values of fairness and community, have maintained a high level of communication with Genting and we have met their efforts to hire locally with vigor and anticipation, not cynicism. We have publicized their many opportunities and we have encouraged our constituents to respond. We will continue to reciprocate the same respect the Genting officials and representatives have shown to us. We will continue to urge those who have the community’s interest at heart to do the same. We ask those with PERSONAL agendas to go elsewhere.


Anthony J. Gellineau is president of the South Ozone Park Civic Association West.

CBP K 9 Sniffs Out Travelers’ Undeclared Cash at JFK by Stephen Geffon - Leader-Observer

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Customs and Border Protection K-9 Grill thinks of her job as play. But it's no joke when she quickly sniffs departing JFK Airport travelers and their carry-on luggage on randomly selected international flights looking for large sums of undeclared U.S. currency.

The Leader/Observer was invited to watch Grill, a five-year old female German Shepherd, in action on Tuesday, May 2, as she checked departing passengers on an afternoon flight to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

Grill, who is cross-trained to also detect firearms, did not find any cash or guns. However, to show how she would react if she did find what she was looking for, a plainclothes CPB officer volunteered to slip into the passenger line with a large amount of CBP-supplied $1 bills similar to the number of $100 bills a smuggler would have on his person or in his luggage.

When Grill sniffed the cash the CBP officer was carrying, she reacted just as she had been trained to do, immediately sitting down in front of him. Grill was rewarded for her “find” with her favorite toy, a rolled up terrycloth towel given to her by her handler, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer Chad Duryee, which she eagerly played with.

Although it is legal to transport any amount of currency into or out of the United States, currency reporting laws require individuals to report any money equivalent to $10,000 or more.

CBP officials said the purpose of the agency’s undeclared cash program is to go after criminal organizations, terrorist organizations and money-laundering operations.

Grill also showed off her skills at a cargo warehouse at JFK. For this training exercise, CBP officials hid two unloaded firearms in a box and put the box among the numerous other cargo containers in the warehouse. They then watched as Grill walked up and down the aisles. When the CBP canine came to the box containing the guns she passively sat down, pointing her nose at the container.

Grill and Duryee underwent an intensive 12-week training course at the agency’s training center in Front Royal, Virginia, before being assigned to the canine unit at JFK.

The Shepherds, Labradors and Beagles of the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection stand ready to protect airline travelers at JFK Airport. Man’s best friend is on duty at JFK 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, stopping narcotics and illegal firearms and protecting citizens from insect infested fruit, vegetables and meat entering the country.

“The canine program has been instrumental in assisting officers to identify cargo and luggage containing contraband quickly and with little effort since the early 1970's when the program was established,” said Gary Walck, deputy chief of the Anti-Terrorism Contraband Enforcement Team (ATCET) at JFK.

“Detector dogs are an integral part of CBP's anti-terrorism and enforcement efforts," he added. "The canine unit serves as a valuable tool to officers in the field as they carry out the agency's mission.”

Further information about Customs and Border Protection is available at www.cbp.gov. To find out about their Outreach Program and demonstrations contact their Public Affairs Office at (646) 733-3275.

Ozone Park Slated to Get New Skate Park by Stephen Geffon - Leader-Observer

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The forthcoming $1.6 million state-of-the-art addition to London Planetree Park, otherwise known as the 88th Street Park on Atlantic Avenue in Ozone Park, is sure to have a little something for everyone.

The proposed plan consists of a new skate park, two basketball courts, adult fitness equipment, a walking path, trees, shrubs and seating areas.

A Parks Department spokesperson said the skate park design features include two-, three- and five-stair sections, grind rails, hubba ledges, a stamped brick quarter pipe and a series of banks and slopes.

The skate park plans must be approved by the Design Commission before the design of the project can move forward. After the project is approved by the Design Commission, the plans will go out to bid.

Once construction starts, it will take approximately one year to complete.

Queens Parks Commissioner Dorothy Lewandowski said the impetus for the skateboard park came after community concerns were voiced to Councilman Eric Ulrich about teens constantly skating in the shopping center parking lot at Atlantic Avenue and 92nd Street.

Lewandowski said that since there was a local park located nearby with a large open asphalt field, “we thought this would be the best mix where we add an element to the park that would encourage kids to skateboard and bike in a safe public area rather than in a pedestrian shopping area.”

Lewandowski said that after meeting with the community and Ulrich, they came up with what they thought would be a very creative design that would accommodate skating, seating areas and exercise locations as well.

“It’s a nice re-adaptive use of that large open field and makes it a much more active location for people to recreate,” she said.

The city is currently home to 13 city skate parks. A few new skate parks in Queens were recently unveiled, putting the borough on the map for avid skateboarders. The parks include Astoria Skate Park, Flushing Meadows Corona Skate Park, Forest Park Skate Park, and Rockaway Skate Park.

The requirements for use of the skate parks are a signed liability waiver, helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and wristguards (for those under age 18).

“This is a plus for the Ozone Park Community and the youth who utilize this park,” said Andrea Crawford, chair of Community Board 9. “It will serve the multi-generational community’s needs.”

Lindenwood Alliance Discusses Crime in Howard Beach by Stephen Geffon - Leader-Observer

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More than 50 people attended the Lindenwood Alliance’s most recent meeting at the Rockwood Park Jewish Center in Howard Beach last week, a good showing for the young civic association.

“This shows we have issues in Lindenwood that need to be addressed,” said the group’s co-founder Joanne Ariola regarding the number in attendance.

The Lindenwood Alliance was founded last December by Ariola and Christina Gold to promote cooperation between residents, police, and elected officials in the area.

“Each little area in Howard Beach has its own very specific issues, and we wanted to have a unified voice for Lindenwood,” Ariola said.

Ariola told the audience that burglaries and auto thefts were two major issues in the community, which 106th Precinct Community Affairs Officer Brenda Bratcher discussed at the meeting.

Bratcher reported that in Lindenwood during 28 days between February and March, there had been one robbery, one felony assault, three burglaries, two grand larcenies and two auto thefts. She said the burglaries in the area have occurred between 76th and 88th streets and 149th and 156th avenues.

According to Bratcher, among the most frequently stolen items were money, jewelry and electronics including cameras, computers and large screen televisions. Bratcher said that in most cases the perpetrators entered apartments from the fire escapes.

“If you see anyone suspicious entering or exiting a property, don’t wait, call 911,” she said.

Bratcher told attendees that there was a recent home invasion at 149th Avenue and 88th Street. Since there was an ongoing investigation into the incident, she said she could not provide any additional details. However, she was able to say that there were four alleged perpetrators involved, two of whom have been captured.

FBI Special Agent James Capozzi also addressed the residents and asked them to participate in the FBI’s InfraGard program, designed to help keep the city’s infrastructure safe from future terrorist attacks.

“By raising your awareness, you are better positioned to let us know what you might see that we should respond to,” he told the audience.

Though still not widely known, InfraGard has been in existence since 1996. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) took over responsibility for InfraGard in 2003.

The effort is an association of businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies and other participants dedicated to sharing information and intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the U.S.

Today, InfraGard’s protection efforts involve a close working relationship between the FBI and the private sector, as well as other agencies, including DHS, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Small Business Administration.

Membership in the InfraGard program is free. To join, or for further information, contact infragardteam@infragard.org or visit infragard.net.

Woodhaven Richmond Hill Kiwanis Club Hopes for More Members by Lisa Fraser - Leader-Observer

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Joan DeCamp, president of the Richmond Hill-Woodhaven Kiwanis club and David Quintana, a RHW Kiwanis member, pose for a picture with Project Woodhaven blogger, Ed Wendell

The Woodhaven-Richmond Hill Kiwanis Club held their first meeting of the spring on Wednesday, March 9, in an effort to recruit more community members and to have their voice heard more in the area.

Held at Avenue Diner at 91-06 Jamaica Avenue, local community businesses and members discussed the history and goals of their organization.

Joan DeCamp, the president of the club, spoke about the various community outreach services that the club performs, such as the Key Club at Richmond Hill High School, food drives at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and the scholarship program, which offers two $2,500 scholarships to residents of Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Kew Gardens or Forest Hills who demonstrate academic excellence, and three $600 scholarships awarded within the Kiwanis family.

The Richmond Hill-Woodhaven Kiwanis club is one of 18 clubs in the Kiwanis Queens west area.

Ozone Park Company Looking to Join City's Bike Share Program by Lisa A. Fraser -Leader-Observer

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Worksman Cycles in Ozone Park has been making industrial-grade bicycles and tricycles for 112 years. And now, the company, located at 94-15 100th Street, is hoping that the city picks up their bid to be part of the Department of Transportation's new bike share program.

“All of our 112 years has been spent in New York City, our factories, our offices, so it's only the right choice for the city to work with us on this,” said Wayne Sosin, president of Worksman Cycles.

The cycle manufacturer has a history of providing bikes to various bike-share programs around the country, including Princeton's bike share program, University of Colorado's bike share program, and the University of Central Oklahoma's bike share program.

“We're the perfect resource, given our history, employment and logistics,” Sosin said.

The company has also provided bikes to the Queens Zoo, which uses their tricycles, and the Queens Botanical Garden is set to start rolling with a new batch of bikes provided by the company come spring.

The company hires locally and Sossin noted that all of his 50 employees of the factory are all New York City residents. “We're all local, they all work within a bike ride,” he said.

This local employment is another reason why Worksman Cycles hopes to be picked up by the city and it's a reason local elected officials Senator Joe Addabbo, Assemblyman Mike Miller and Councilman Eric Ulrich are promoting the company.

“I don't see why the city shouldn't choose them, it's a positive,” said Addabbo. “They're credible, they're long-withstanding, and they are a business that could do the job given their history.”

Addabbo and Sosin both stressed that it would be a benefit to the city to not only have a great program, but to say they are also using a local manufacturer. “It's an opportunity of unity, it's a good program and a good manufacturer,” Addabbo said.

If the city picks Worksman Cycles to provide the bikes for the program, it will mean a new employment opportunity for the area, something Addabbo said the neighborhood needs.

The program, which will begin in 2012, is set to require between 10,000 and 50,000 bikes and Worksman would be looking at hiring anywhere between 35 and 50 people.

Worksman Cycles is one of the oldest bike manufacturers in the country. First started in Manhattan, the company moved around Brooklyn before calling Ozone Park their new home in 1979.

Forest Park Carousel Could Soon be Spinning Again by Lisa Fraser - Leader-Observer -

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It’s been a wild ride for the Forest Park Carousel. Spinning round and round on an uncertain future, it might soon be up and running again for the summer.

According to the Parks Department, the carousel will be tied to the 1903-08 Mangels-Illions Carousel at Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the vendor that is responsible for the Flushing carousel will also need to be responsible for the Forest Park carousel.

Linking the two carousels together through one vendor is a tactic that the Parks Department believes will help bring more people to the beloved Forest Park carousel and enable it to run again.

The carousel in Flushing Meadows Park is located in an area where traffic is heavy and it is near more attractions. One of the reasons why no vendors have claimed the Forest Park carousel is because it is situated in an area with no nearby attractions and far less foot traffic than Flushing.

The Parks Department has put the Mangels-Illions Carousel at Flushing Meadows Corona Park up for bid on the condition that the person who signs for it will be required to get the Forest Park carousel back in business by the end of the year.

“We’re very glad to hear the Parks Department is trying a new approach to get our carousel up and running again,” wrote Ed Wendell, president of the Woodhaven Residents Block Association, on the WRBA blog.

Members of the block association have been calling for restoration of the carousel for some time now.

“It is time for New York City Parks and Recreation to treat the Forest Park Carousel as the treasure it is," said Maria Thomson in a letter to this paper last month. "It is time to engage a professional artisan for its care and repair, and find someone with a passion for carousels to be the concessionaire.”

Thomson, executive director of the Greater Woodhaven Development Corporation, said that they have also been trying for the last 15 years to have the carousel be designated as a historic landmark, although nothing has come out of their efforts yet.

The Parks Department has been searching for a vendor to run the carousel since its former operator, New York One LLC, let its contract expire while refusing to maintain it.

It's Time to Fight for Social Security by David M. Quintana - Leader-Observer/Queens Chronicle

It s time to fight for Social Security - LeaderObserver

Save Social Security - Queens Chronicle

Saving Social Security - Forum South

Dear Editor:

America is a community. We look out for each other as a nation. We build schools for our children, fund police for our safety and provide a secure retirement for our seniors. We don't toss aside our most vulnerable citizens when they need our help the most.

Instead, each generation of American workers invests in the Social Security Trust Fund under the guarantee that someday when they retire or get too sick to work, that Social Security will be there for them.

Now, our community and that safety net is coming under a fierce right-wing attack..

Republicans in the House are chomping at the bit to gut Social Security, threatening to raise the retirement age and cut benefits that millions of seniors depend on to survive. Claiming Social Security is in crisis is simply not true, but that doesn't stop these mendacious Republicans from saying it. Even with no changes to the system, reports show Social Security can pay out full benefits until at least 2037.

That's why cutting benefits now, including raising the retirement age, must remain completely off the table. Social Security is the economic backbone of a retirement free from poverty and homelessness for aging and sick Americans no longer able to work. Raising the retirement age is a job-killer for young Americans while cuts to benefits will force the elderly to choose between food and rent. That is not the America we believe in and we must do everything in our power to stop cuts from happening.

But stopping cuts should not be good enough. We can do much better.

Right now, Bill Gates doesn't pay the same percentage of his income into Social Security that most Americans pay. Neither does Derek Jeter, Mayor Bloomberg or for that matter even President Obama. The reason why: the Social Security payroll tax is capped at $106,800 per individual costing tax payers billions of dollars in lost revenue from the people most able to invest. The cap risks the long-term health of the program while currently giving wealthier Americans a tremendous tax cut.

It's never been more important to stand up and fight than now. Scurrilous right-wing Republicans are willing to lie and to do anything to tear down Social Security. They're talking about shutting down the government, holding the debt ceiling hostage. Whatever it takes to destroy Social Security and prop up big banks, insurance companies and Wall Street, they're going to do it.

I believe in a robust community that will keep Social Security strong for future generations of Americans and we all need to stand up and be heard to make it happen.

I urge every working class American to deliver a message that we are unified and standing strong against cuts while fighting for improvements. It's time to send Congress and the President a strong clear message about the Social Security Trust Fund.

Join me in calling your member of Congress to keep Social Security safe, stable, and secure for generations to come.

Sincerely,

David M. Quintana