Man Hit By Car on Crossbay Blvd and Liberty Avenue - April 29th...

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I took the above photos on Friday evening, April 29^th at about 6:15 pm, as I was going to the Ridgewood Democratic Club for the monthly meeting.

I observed a man who was hit by a black sedan lying on the ground at the intersection of Crossbay Blvd and Liberty Avenue in front of the former OTB.

The EMTs from Jamaica Hospital and cops from the 106 Pct showed up while I was still there. The driver remained at the scene.

Witnesses told me that the driver of the car was impatient and jumped the red light striking the man as he entered the crosswalk and dragged him a about 10 feet before coming to a complete stop. The driver of the car was a middle-aged black woman, she was accompanied by a male passenger.

The pedestrian seemed to be injured and in shock. He remained on the ground until the EMT's arrived and placed him on a back board and a neck brace. I heard him complaining of back and neck injuries while he was on the ground.

DC #37 Lobby Day with Senator Shirley Huntley

On May 3, 2011 Senator Huntley met with many members of District Council 37 (DC 37) in her Albany office and at the convention center. Senator Huntley has supported the hardworking efforts of DC 37 and the millions of middle to working class people who are a part of the group. DC 37 spoke with Senator Huntley about legislation and other pending bills that would be very controversial or have their football spirit.

Some of the issues DC 37 supports include a wide range of topics. Renewal of Rent regulation was very important to members due the fact that there is a housing crunch in New York City for affordable housing. They also support restarting New York City Off-Tracking Betting to bring more jobs and revenue to the communities they live in. Most of the DC 37 members supported extended the Personal Income Tax surcharge. They felt everyone had to pay their fair share, but the wealthiest New Yorkers were not doing so and wanted them to be charged more.

The bills DC 37 did oppose included the Last In, First Out and New York City Property Tax Cap.

Genting Wants More Than 4,500 VLTs by James M. Odato - Capitol Confidential

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It has yet to open its Aqueduct race track racino, but Genting officials this morning already started talking about currently illegal expansion to allow for Las Vegas-like casino games.

Michael Speller, president of Genting’s proposed racino in Queens — named Resorts World New York — told a Senate racing and wagering hearing that he foresees no obstacles to opening the new facility by midsummer. But he told the Senate panel that it would be swell for Aqueduct, the state and the other racinos statewide to offer table games.

He said the competition in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut can all offer such casino games, and it would be wise for New York to do the same to keep revenues in the Empire State, Speller said. Genting entered into a contract with the state to become a Division of the Lottery franchise offering up to 4,500 video lottery terminals at Aqueduct.

“I agree with you,” said Senate Committee on Racing, Wagering and Gaming Chairman John Bonacic, R-Mount Hope. He said he would like a constitutional amendment to allow for such additional gambling. He also mourned the fact that past attempts to change the Constitution to accommodate for casinos all failed.

“I have visited those places you refer to, and they’re all eating our lunch,” Bonacic said.

Other participants in the hearing on the future of gambling in New York included the New York Racing Association, which suggested that Off-Track Betting corporations should be working with NYRA for operational efficiencies and that the racing and wagering model in New York must be restructured to avoid disaster. NYRA President Charles Hayward said that there should be no concern that the Saratoga meet won’t occur this year. Last year his calls for financial help from the state set off speculation that the summer racing schedule would be in jeopardy. Others spoke about their interest in having the OTBs consolidate. Bonacic said he suspects a bill calling for that will emerge.