woodside herald 12 25 15

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FRIDAY,DECEMBER 25, 2015 THE WOODSIDE HERALD PAGE 1

VOL. 82, NO. 51 WOODSIDE, L.I.C., N.Y. FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015 FREE

SERVING SUNNYSIDE-WOODSIDE AND LONG ISLAND CITY

108 CHILDREN’S HOLIDAY PARTY

On Saturday, Decem-ber 19 the 108th PrecinctCommunity Council heldits Annual Holiday Party atSunnyside CommunityServices. The toys weregiven out by Santa to thechildren at the IglesiaAlianza, Cristiana YMisionera EbenezerChurch in Long Island City.

“During the holidayseason, it is always impor-

tant to help the many chil-dren of our community” saidDiane Ballek, President ofthe 108th Precinct Commu-nity Council. “I would liketo thank Captain JohnTravaglia, Sunnyside Com-munity Services, OfficerLuis Diaz, Officer MarkTorres, the 108th Precinct Ex-ecutive Board, Edwin Cadiz,108th Precinct Explorers andthe many other volunteers

who helped make this partya success. Special thanks toGianna Cerbone-Teoli fororganizing the toy drive.”

Thank You To All OfOur sponsors:

Congressman JosephCrowley, State SenatorMichael Gianaris, Assem-blywoman Catherine Nolan,Assemblywoman MargeMarkey, Bricklayers & Al-lied Craftworkers - Local 1,

D.A.R. Food Corporation,PRP Restaurant Inc., IraGreenberg, Edward D.Lynch Funeral Home,Steamfitters Local 638,Woodside Herald, MathisPfohl Foundation, DBA,Inc., Gabrielle Gonzales,Dynasty Meat Corp., Mr.& Mrs. Stamatiades, BingsHallmark, DragonflyGraphics, Triad Manage-ment LLC., Rockrose

Members of the Sunnyside-Woodside Lions Clubenjoyed two special occasions this December. Theymet to distribute 200 individually wrapped gifts to theresidents of the Queens Boulevard Extended CareFacility and they held their annual Christmas Dinner atthe Copper Kettle.

The group looks forward to continuing to service theCommunities in the New Year.If you would like any information about joining this LionsClub or just to learn more about us, please feel free tocall 718-784-3719. Photo Credit: Anne Walsh

LIONS CLUBCARES

LIONS CLUBCARES

PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE

THOUSANDS OF FOOD ITEMS DELIVERED TO LOCAL VETERANS SHELTER

SEE PAGE 5


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2015THE WOODSIDE HERALDPAGE 2

43-11 Greenpoint Ave., Sunnyside, NY 11104Telephone (718) 729-3772

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSMary Caulfield, Peter A. Ross, Rob MacKay

CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS AND PHOTOGRAPHERSJoe Gurrado, Robert Flanagan

Marlene Sabba ............................................................... Publisher

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NEW

TAX EXTENDERS BILL PASSESLegislation Includes Tax Relief for Families

Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Vice Chairof the Democratic Caucus, re-leased the following statementon his vote in support of legisla-tion that extends and makes per-manent key tax credits. TheHouse passed the tax extendersbill by a vote of 318 to 109.

“While our economy is improv-ing, there is no question that Ameri-can families are still struggling toget by. This legislation will sig-nificantly ease some of the finan-cial burdens faced by hardworkingfamilies, and help to provide themwith more stability and security byensuring that a number of widely-supported tax deductions and cred-its remain in place.

Specifically, this legislationmakes permanent improvementsto three key programs: the EarnedIncome Tax Credit, the Child Tax

Credit, and the American Op-portunity Tax Credit. Together,these programs provide immedi-ate relief to American familieswhile providing long-term ben-efits, such as helping to defraythe costs of education and boost-ing earnings for workers. I wantAmericans to get as much mile-age as possible out of every dol-lar they earn, and this legislationwill help do exactly that.”

The Earned Income Tax Credit(EITC) is a refundable federal in-come tax credit for low-to-moder-ate-income working individualsand families. The Child Tax Credit(CTC) gives taxpayers a tax creditfor each qualifying child under theage of 17, generally worth $1,000per child. The American Opportu-nity Tax Credit (AOTC) helps low-and middle-income families de-fray college costs. These tax cred-

its are even more valuable to fami-lies because they are refundable,meaning that once the tax creditexceeds the amount of taxes owedby an individual, it results in a taxrefund to those who claim andqualify for the credit.

In addition, the bill includesprovisions to help stimulate oureconomy, including two bipartisanbills co-authored by Crowley: theReal Estate Investment and JobsAct of 2015 (H.R. 2128) and theFacilitating Investment in LocalMarkets (FILM) Act (H.R. 2405).The Real Estate Investment andJobs Act would remove a 1980’s-era tax provision that discouragesforeign investment in U.S. real es-tate. The FILM Act would extendfederal tax incentives to encouragedomestic film, television, and the-atrical productions, which are in-creasingly moving overseas.



ANNEX RIBBON CUTTINGAssemblywoman Catherine Nolan re-

cently joined several elected and communityleaders to cut the ribbon on the opening of anannex for P.S. 305 in Ridgewood, Queens.

This new annex will provide muchneeded additional classroom seats for our

Ridgewood community said Assembly-woman Catherine Nolan. I will continueto work with the NYC Department ofEducation to make sure that our schoolscontinue to receive the support andre¬sources they need.

Lorraine Grillo, President & Chief Executive Officer, NYC School Construction Authority,Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan, Councilman Antonio Reynoso, Lynn Botfeld, Principal, P.S.305Q and Edward Santos, Principal I.S. 93Q

Assemblywoman Nolan with astudent of P.S. 305

Assemblywoman Nolan with MichelleLopez, Parent Coordinator, P.S. 305

Assemblywoman with several teachers from P.S. 305



“SMILES OF LOVE” HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVEA Thousand Gifts for A Thousand Smiles

On Sunday December 20, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Bill Chong and Brooklyn BoroughPresident Eric Adams hosted the “Smiles of Love” holiday gift drive at Brooklyn Borough Hall. DYCD and partnering agencies collected enough toys to put smileson the faces of more than a thousand youth across all five boroughs who participate in DYCD’s afterschool, Fatherhood and Runaway and Homeless Youth programs.On Saturday, DYCD also held gift drives in Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island.

Maritime AcademyTraining VesselIncluded in Government

Spending BillFunds Will Benefit Nation’s 6 Maritime Academies,

Including SUNY Maritime College in the Bronx

Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens,the Bronx), Vice Chair of theDemocratic Caucus, applaudedthe inclusion of $5 million for thedesign of a new National SecurityMulti-Mission Vessel for thecountry’s six State MaritimeAcademies in the bill funding thefederal government for FY2016recently signed by PresidentObama. For over a year, Crowleyhas championed the need for up-dating our nation’s aging trainingships, spearheading multiple bi-partisan letters to the U.S. De-partment of Transportation andthe White House Office of Man-agement and Budget.

“Our maritime industry con-tinues to play an essential role inour nation’s economy and nationalsecurity,” said Rep. Crowley,whose district includes SUNYMaritime College in the Bronx.“Yet, our maritime academies –the institutions that produce thenext generation of mariners – arestuck with an aging, outdated fleetof vessels. We need to ensure thatSUNY Maritime College and otheracademies have the resources nec-essary to continue developinghighly skilled mariners – and thatmeans replacing the vessels where

they are being trained.”“We are extremely grateful to

Congressman Joe Crowley whospearheaded this initiative over thepast several years. His leadershipand enthusiastic support have beenoutstanding. I appreciate Congress-man Crowley’s keen understand-ing of the nation’s need to main-tain a strong maritime workforce,”said RADM Michael A. Alfultis,(USMS) Ph.D., President, StateUniversity of New York, Mari-time College.

Last year, Crowley led 25 bi-partisan members of Congress insending a letter to the U.S. Depart-ment of Transportation and theOffice of Management and Budgetwith the initial request that theagencies to develop and support aplan to replace the aging ships usedby our nation’s State MaritimeAcademies. In February, PresidentObama designated $5 million inhis budget to design and replaceaging ships. In April, Crowley an-nounced that the bill to fund theDepartment of Transportation andDepartment of Housing and UrbanDevelopment would include thesefunds, which was just signed intolaw as part of the larger bill fund-ing the entire government.

MAY THE PEACE ANDMAY THE PEACE ANDMAY THE PEACE ANDMAY THE PEACE ANDMAY THE PEACE ANDJOY OF THEJOY OF THEJOY OF THEJOY OF THEJOY OF THE

HOLIDAYS BE YOURS.HOLIDAYS BE YOURS.HOLIDAYS BE YOURS.HOLIDAYS BE YOURS.HOLIDAYS BE YOURS.


FRIDAY,DECEMBER 25, 2015 THE WOODSIDE HERALD PAGE 5(continued from front page)

PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE

New York City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer visited the BordenAvenue Veterans Residence in Long Island City to drop off thousands of items fromhis 6th Annual Holiday Food Drive.

The holidays are a great time to remember not just good times and cheer, but alsoa time to think about those who have less and may be struggling to put food on theirtables, said Van Bramer. I would like to thank the hundreds of constituents whoreached out to our office and so generously donated food to those in need this year.

Hundreds of local families and children donated thousands of canned goods andother non-perishable items at five branches of the Queens Library, the RavenswoodSenior Center and schools throughout Western Queens.

Majority Leader Van Bramer is joined by Bruce Alston, Facility Manager at BAVR,Sophonna Cottle, Program Director at BAVR, and Kendell McLaurin, MaintenanceDirector at BAVR.



SUPREME COURT OF THESTATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF QUEENSSUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONSMortgaged Premises: 120-41193RD STREETSAINT ALBANS, NY 11412Block: 12675 Lot: 64 Plaintiffdesignates QUEENS as the placeof trial situs of the real propertyINDEX NO. 709250/2015CIT BANK, N.A., Plaintiff, vs.JOSEPH HARDNETT, AS HEIRAND DISTRIBUTEE OF THEESTATE OF ADA MITCHELL,any and all persons unknown toplaintiff, claiming, or who mayclaim to have an interest in, orgeneral or specific lien upon thereal property described in thisaction; such unknown personsbeing herein generally describedand intended to be included in thefollowing designation, namely: thewife, widow, husband, widower,heirs at law, next of kin,descendants, executors,administrators, devisees, legatees,creditors, trustees, committees,lienors, and assignees of suchdeceased, any and all personsderiving interest in or lien upon,or title to said real property by,through or under them, or eitherof them, and their respectivewives, widows, husbands,widowers, heirs at law, next ofkin, descendants, executors,administrators, devisees, legatees,creditors, trustees, committees,lienors and assigns, all of whomand whose names, except as stated,are unknown to plaintiff;SECRETARY OF HOUSINGAND URBAN DEVELOPMENT;NEW YORK STATEDEPARTMENT OF TAXATIONAND FINANCE; UNITEDSTATES OF AMERICA, “JOHNDOE #1” through “JOHN DOE#12,” the last twelve names beingfictitious and unknown to plaintiff,the persons or parties intendedbeing the tenants, occupants,persons or corporations, if any,having or claiming an interest inor l ien upon the premises,described in the complaint ,Defendants. To the above namedDefendants YOU ARE HEREBYSUMMONED to answer thecomplaint in this action and toserve a copy of your answer, or, ifthe complaint is not served withthis summons, to serve a notice ofappearance on the Plaintiff’sAttorney within 20 days after theservice of this summons, exclusiveof the day of service (or within 30days after the service is completeif this summons is not personallydelivered to you within the Stateof New York) in the event theUnited States of America is madea party defendant, the time toanswer for the said United Statesof America shall not expire until(60) days after service of theSummons; and in case of yourfailure to appear or answer,judgment will be taken against youby default for the relief demandedin the complaint. NOTICE OFNATURE OF ACTION ANDRELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECTof the above caption action is toforeclose a Mortgage to secure thesum of $544,185.00 and interest,recorded on July 3, 2007, at CRFN2007000341459 of the PublicRecords of QUEENS County, NewYork, covering premises known

File No.: 2015-173/A CITATIONTHE PEOPLE OF THE STATEOF NEW YORK BY THE GRACEOF GOD, FREE ANDINDEPENDENTTo:Michael Nurko,Rita Cutrofello,Peter Carroll,Attorney General of the State ofNew YorkThe unknown distributees,legatees, devisees, heirs at law andassignees of LINDA NURKO,deceased, or their estates, if anythere be, whose names, places ofresidence and post office addressesare unknown to the petitioner andcannot with due diligence beascertained.Being the persons interested ascreditors, legatees, distributees orotherwise in the Estate of LINDANURKO, deceased, who at thetime of death was a resident of 41-38 67th Street, Woodside, NY11377, in the County of Queens,State of New York.SEND GREETING:Upon the petition of LOIS M.ROSENBLATT, PublicAdministrator of Queens County,who maintains her office at 88-11Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica,Queens County, New York 11435,as Administrator of the Estate ofLINDA NURKO, deceased, youand each of you are hereby cited toshow cause before the Surrogateat the Surrogate’s Court of theCounty of Queens, to be held atthe Queens General Courthouse,6th Floor, 88-11 SutphinBoulevard, Jamaica, City and Stateof New York, on the 21st day ofJanuary, 2016 at 9:30 o’clock inthe forenoon, why the Account of

as 120-41 193RD STREET SAINTALBANS, NY 11412. The reliefsought in the within action is afinal judgment directing the saleof the premises described aboveto satisfy the debt secured by theMortgage described above.QUEENS County is designated asthe place of trial because the realproperty affected by this action islocated in said county. NOTICEYOU ARE IN DANGER OFLOSING YOUR HOME If you donot respond to this summons andcomplaint by serving a copy of theanswer on the attorney for themortgage company who filed thisforeclosure proceeding againstyou and filing the answer with thecourt, a default judgment may beentered and you can lose yourhome. Speak to an attorney or goto the court where your case ispending for further informationon how to answer the summonsand protect your property. Sendinga payment to the mortgagecompany will not stop theforeclosure action.YOU MUST RESPOND BYSERVING A COPY OF THEANSWER ON THE ATTORNEYFOR THE PLAINTIFF(MORTGAGE COMPANY) ANDFILING THE ANSWER WITHTHE COURT. Dated: October 16,2015 RAS BORISKIN, LLCAttorney for PlaintiffBY:__________________________THOMAS ZEGARELLI, ESQ.900 Merchants Concourse, Suite106 Westbury, NY 11590 (516)280-7675. 11/20/15, 11/27/15, 12/4/15, 12/11/15

Proceedings of the PublicAdministrator of Queens County,as Administrator of the Estate ofsaid deceased, a copy of which isattached, should not be judiciallysettled, and why the Surrogateshould not fix and allow areasonable amount ofcompensation to GERARD J.SWEENEY, ESQ., for legalservices rendered to petitionerherein in the amount of $4,294.78and that the Court fix the fair andreasonable additional fee for anyservices to be rendered byGERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ.,hereafter in connection withproceedings on kinship, claimsetc., prior to entry of a final Decreeon this accounting in the amountof 6% of assets or income collectedafter the date of the withinaccounting; and why the Surrogateshould not fix and allow an amountequal to one percent on saidSchedules of the total assets onSchedules A, A1, and A2 plus anyadditional monies receivedsubsequent to the date of thisaccount, as the fair and reasonableamount payable to the Office ofthe Public Administrator for theexpenses of said office pursuantto S.C.P.A. §1106(4); and whyeach of you claiming to be adistributee of the decedent shouldnot establish proof of your kinship;and why the balance of said fundsshould not be paid to said allegeddistributees upon proof of kinship,or deposited with theCommissioner of Finance of theCity of New York should saidalleged distributees default herein,or fail to establish proof of kinship.Dated, Attested and Sealed 17thday of November, 2015

• LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE •

• LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE • LEGAL NOTICE

PROBATE CITATIONFile #2014-4615SURROGATE’S COURT-QUEENS COUNTYSUPPLEMENTAL CITATIONTHE PEOPLE OF THE STATEOF NEW YORKBy the Grace of God Free andIndependentTo Juan Vargas, Pedro Vargas &Josefa Vargas-Jones if living andif dead, to his/her heirs at law,next of kin and distributes whosenames and places of residence areunknown and if he/she diedsubsequent to the decedent herein,to his/her executors,administrators, legatees, devisees,assignees and successors ininterest whose name and places ofresidence are unknown and to allother heirs at law, next of kin, anddistributes of Juan Vargas. Thedecedent herein, whose names andplaces of residence are unknownand cannot be ascertained afterdue diligence,

HON. PETER J. KELLYSurrogate, Queens County ,Margaret M. Gribbon Clerk of theSurrogate’s CourtGERARD J. SWEENEY, ESQ.(718) 459-9000, 95-25 QueensBoulevard, 11th Floor Rego Park,New York 11374This citation is served upon you asrequired by law. You are notobliged to appear in person. Ifyou fail to appear it will beassumed that you do not object tothe relief requested unless you fileformal legal, verified objections.You have a right to have anattorney-at-law appear for you.Accounting Citation 12/11/15, 12/18/15, 12/25/15, 1/1/16

A petition having been duly filedby NAVEZDA GIRALDO, whois domiciled at 32-56 88th Street,Jackson Heights, NY 11369YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TOSHOW CAUSE before theSurrogate’s Court , QueensCounty, at 88-11 SutphinBoulevard, Jamaica, NY, onJanuary 21, 2016, at 9:30 o’clockin the forenoon of that day, why adecree should not be made in theestate of JUAN VARGAS latelydomiciled at 32-56 88th Street,Jackson Heights, NY 11369admitting to probate a Will datedDecember 12, 2009 a copy ofwhich is attached, as the Will ofJUAN VARGAS deceased,relating to real and personalproperty, and directing that: [x]Letters Testamentary issue toNAVEZDA GIRALDO.Dated, Attested and Sealed Dec 7,2015HON. PETER J. KELLYSurrogateMargaret M. Gribbon Chief ClerkJerry S. Leibner Attorney forPetitioner3061 Timothy Road, Bellmore,NY 11710516-242-2616[Note: This citation is served uponyou as required by law. You arenot required to appear. If you failto appear it will be assumed youdo not object to the reliefrequested. You have a right tohave an attorney appear for you.]12/11/15, 12/18/15, 12/25/15, 1/1/16



HELP WANTEDADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, REAL ESTATE &/

OR COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED;

MUST TYPE.PLEASE

SUBMIT RESUME To:

[email protected]

(P/T MONDAY 11-4)

EXTENSION OF ZADROGA9/11 HEALTH & COMPENSATION

Lawmakers & 9/11 First Responders hail permanent extension of World Trade

Center Health Program, full compensation through 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund

The United States Congresshas voted to extend the JamesZadroga 9/11 Health and Com-pensation Act as part of a majorspending bill that now heads tothe President s desk to besigned into law. The bill willextend the World Trade CenterHealth Program to 2090, and pro-vide full compensation to survi-vors and first responders throughthe September 11 Victim Com-pensation Fund.

The two programs were in theprocess of shutting down afterCongress missed a September 30reauthorization deadline. SenatorsKirsten Gillibrand and CharlesSchumer, and RepresentativesCarolyn B. Maloney, JerroldNadler and Peter King mountedan aggressive push, along with 9/11 responders and survivors, topass an extension this year. In theend, 68 Senators, and 272 HouseMembers backed the bill.

After months of tireless workby our 9/11 first responders, thesebrave men and women can finallyfeel secure that they will havehealthcare for the rest of their lives.This victory belongs to them, saidU.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.And while this should have beenan easy moral question for Con-gress with an obvious answer, ourfirst responders were more thanready to stand up and fight forwhat they deserve, and today theywon. This is an extraordinarygroup of men and women, and Iam honored to represent them.

“This is the Christmas the 9/11 responders deserved: somepeace of mind for each and everyhero. Their selfless actions in re-sponse to that tragic day deserve alifetime s worth of care andrespect, so it is welcome news thatCongress has finally agreed to fullyfund the 9/11 Health Program,providing security to those bravemen and women throughout theirlives. Thank you to SenatorGillibrand, my other colleagues,firefighters, cops, veterans, unionworkers and everyone else whofought on behalf of our 9/11 firstresponders, walking the halls ofCongress to win support for thesevital health services, said U.S.Senator Charles Schumer.

Fourteen years ago I becameconcerned about the health ef-fects of exposure to toxins atGround Zero, said Congress-woman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), the lead House sponsor ofthe bill. Eleven years ago I intro-duced the first 9/11 health bill.Five years ago we got it passed.This week we are making it per-manent. Never again will survi-vors and responders be forced towalk the halls of Congress, beg-

ging for their health care. Con-gress has taken bipartisan actionto do right by the heroes of 9/11.

“I am especially relieved thatincluded in this bill is the much-needed extension of the JamesZadroga 9/11 Health and Com-pensation Act. Fourteen yearsafter the September 11th attacks,thousands of our brave heroesare suffering from severe illnessesas a result of their service. Itbrings great reassurance to theseheroes, and their families, thatCongress will finally do right bythem,” said Rep. Joe Crowely(D-Queens), Vice Chair of theDemocratic Caucus.

BACKGROUND:

As the nation recovered fromthe terrorist attacks of September11, 2001, a public health disasterwas just beginning to unfold.After 9/11, Americans from all50 states rushed to Ground Zeroto assist with the rescue and re-covery effort. Thousands of bravemen and women risked their livesto help others, working in ex-tremely hazardous conditionsoften without proper protectiveequipment while the federal gov-ernment assured them that the airwas safe. Many were injured inthe course of this work.

Rescue and recovery workersbreathed in a toxic stew of chemi-cals, asbestos, pulverized cement,and other hazardous substancesreleased into the air when thetowers fell, and as the site smol-dered for months. The dust cloudthat rolled through lower Man-hattan after the attacks settled inhomes, offices, and buildings –exposing tens of thousands moreresidents, students, and areaworkers to the same toxins.

Today, more than 33,000 9/11 responders and survivors arestruggling with illnesses or inju-ries caused by the attacks. Theylive in every state and 433 out of435 Congressional districts na-tionwide. Many are disabled andcan no longer work. They aresuffering from a host of chronicdiseases: asthma, obstructive pul-monary disease, and gastroesoph-ageal reflux disease, to name buta few. Medical research has iden-tified more than 50 types of can-cer caused by 9/11 toxins. At least4,166 people have been diagnosedwith cancers caused or madeworse by 9/11 – a number that issure to grow in the years to come.

To date, over 94 NYPD po-lice officers have reportedly diedfrom their 9/11 injuries since 9/11 – more than were killed on 9/11 – and more than 110 FDNYfirefighters have also died within the years since, with moredeaths expected among all the

responders and survivors.Summary of the Final James

Zadroga 9/11 Health and Com-pensation Reauthorization thatwas included in the Omnibus.

World Trade Center

Health Program Section

(score $3.5 billion):

Extends the Health

Program to 2090 with

only minor revisions

-Adds a requirement that theAdministrator provide for anindependent peer review of thescientific and technical evi-dence prior to adding a condi-tion to the List of WTC-Re-lated Health Conditions.

-Changes the deadline for theAdministrator to act on petitionsto add health conditions to within90 days.

- Sets yearly caps for fundingfor the health program for thefirst 10 years and then ties futureincreases to the Consumer PriceIndex for all urban consumers.

- Allows any unexpendedfunding in each year to be avail-able for use in future years.

- Requires a GAO reportevery 5 years to ensure pro-gram integrity.

-Other technical changes Victim Compensation

Fund Section (score $4.6

billion) Extends the 9/11

Victim Compensation

Fund for an additional 5

years and adds an

additional $4.6 billion to

pay claims. Revisions:

-All applicants that receivedan award determination letterbefore the day of enactmentwill receive the full amount oftheir award.

-The following caps and lim-its will apply to any applicantthat has not received an awardletter by the day of enactment:

-Codification of the legal defi-nition for the exposure area – thearea will be the same as that usedby the current VCF program butwould take an act of Congress toexpand the area in the future.

-Non-economic loss awardsfor cancer claims capped at$250,000.

-Non-economic loss awardsfor non-cancer claims capped at$90,000.

-The yearly salary maximumfor the calculation of economicawards capped at $200,000/year.

-Minimum payments will nolonger be provided.

-The Special Master is re-quired to re-evaluate the policiesonce a year to ensure that spend-ing and award determinations pri-oritize those suffering from themost debilitating conditions.

-Other technical changes.

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

TO SERVE ONCOMMUNITY BOARDS

Queens Borough PresidentMelinda Katz is accepting appli-cations from qualified and com-munity-minded individuals whowant to serve on one of theborough’s 14 Community Boards,which play an important advisoryrole in considering land use andzoning matters. Communityboards also contribute to publicdialogue by holding hearings andissuing recommendations aboutthe city budget, municipal servicedelivery and many other mattersthat impact their communities.

“The City of New York is acity of neighborhoods, and Com-munity Boards help address nu-merous issues relating to the well-being of those neighborhoods,”said Borough President KATZ.“Serving on a Community Boardis a significant commitment, de-manding in both time and energy.Any civic-minded resident will-ing to make this commitment isencouraged to consider applying.All candidates – both new appli-cants and those re-applying for anadditional term – are evaluatedbased on the relevant experiencesthey bring to the table.”

There are 14 communityboards in Queens and a total of

59 citywide, with each boardhaving up to 50 unsalaried mem-bers and each member servingtwo-year terms. All Queens com-munity board members are ap-pointed by Borough PresidentKatz, with half of her appointeesnominated by the CityCouncilmembers for the respec-tive community board districts.

All Community Board ap-pointees are required to re-applyat the conclusion of each two-year term and are subject to re-view and reconsideration by lo-cal elected officials. The deadlinefor returning applicants is Janu-ary 22, 2016; new applicants isJanuary 29, 2016. For the up-coming round of appointments,the two-year term of service willbegin on April 1, 2016.

Despite the important rolecommunity boards play in citygovernment, community boardmembers are not compensated fortheir service. The CommunityBoard appointment application isavailable online atwww.queensbp.org/community-boards. Further information maybe obtained by calling the Bor-ough President’s office at (718)286-2900.

Join theSUNNYSIDE DRUM CORPS

718-786-4141



WOODSIDE YOUTH TARGET FRONTIERS

by David Rosasco

In the penultimate Saturday service of2015 where so much work by the youth ofthis community already having fallen backinto the past, the enormity of the scale andscope of what they left in their wake wasbecoming more apparent as the year comesto an end, with Jeyson Gonzalez, 9th gradestudent at St. John’s Prep observing “We’vebeen all across Woodside, and even intoSunnyside, Jackson Heights and Elmhurst afew times, but there is almost more to do.”

Such devotion to duty and willingness toadd value, even where the youth have al-

ready made improvements brought them tothe eastern border of Woodside with Jack-son Heights to repaint a set of bridges alongRoosevelt Avenue between 71st and 72nd

Streets, not because of graffiti, but becauseof stains and other strange discolorationsthat degraded their visual appearance sincethe first time they repainted them almost 2years prior.

With ruthless efficiency in the smallhours of Saturday, December 19, the youthwere able to complete this large scale re-painting in under two hours, anotherachievement given the suddenly cooler

temperatures, confident in their abilitiesbecause of their many experiences per-forming such work.

After a brief break in the activities toenjoy lunch, exchange tools and plan theexecution of the next series of projects forthe day, the youth ventured out to 61st Streetbetween Roosevelt and 39th Avenues torestore a small parcel of land adjacent to thestaircase that rises to the LIRR platform,perched directly across from the Post Of-fice, removing an unexpectedly large vol-ume of litter, preparing the soil, plantinganother 140 bulbs and, based on another

generous donation of 25 bags of cedarmulch from Mustafa Arshad, deployed themto the location.

The youth of this community have mas-tered the ability to deploy their vast capa-bilities to every location within the zip codethat has been overlooked, adding detail andcompleteness to the innumerable projectsover the course of the year, with KarimaRahman, 11th grade student at the YoungWomen’s Leadership Academy remarking“It’s amazing that we can do much in oneday, but I guess that has a lot to do with theunity of the team.”

ELDERS GARCIA, GLENN,

OSBORNE & MANEHA

KARIMA &

SISTER MEJIA

JEYSON, SISTER DOS

SANTOS & SISTER MEJIA

WILLIAM, HAQUE & MELISSA

THE MULCH

THE WALL

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