In an exclusive interview with The Forum over the weekend, Barbara Sheehan says she was devastated when the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Second Department upheld the sentencing decision that intends to send her to prison for five years. Sheehan and her attorneys were hoping that the court would have at least ruled to reduce the sentence, however they voted 3-1 in favor of upholding the maximum term of the sentence. Under the current decision, with good behavior factored … Continue reading
A 26-year-old member of the Sikh community was the only passenger of four shot in the face while riding in the back seat of a late model Mercedes SUV on Sunday evening around 6. The victim, identified by hospital sources as Rinder Singh, was transported to the Level One Trauma Center at Jamaica Hospital in critical condition. At least one bullet struck Singh in the face shattering his jaw and causing a large hole in the cheek. According to doctors, … Continue reading
While some South Queens residents breathed sighs of relief about the preliminary flood maps released by the Federal Emergency Management agency on Monday, they said the new documents are by no means a cure for what many worry will be devastating hikes in flood insurance rates. The proposed federal maps released this week, which replace the previously released Advisory Base Flood Elevation maps that were rushed out right after Hurricane Sandy and still have a lengthy approval and appeal process … Continue reading
Bounding across the red carpet, St. Thomas the Apostle School students-turned-novice-filmmakers hugged their teacher, pivoted and turned to face the audience. There, under the lights of Forest Hills’ Cinemart Theaters on Monday night, they smiled at an audience of Woodhaven residents – past and present – and clenched plaques commemorating the documentary film they credit with making them realize just how vibrant their neighborhood’s history is. After spending months collecting more than 15 hours of filmed interviews of everyone … Continue reading
That’s what Peter Mahon, president of the West 12th Road Block Association, said the implementation of the Biggert-Waters Act of 2012 could do to Broad Channel. Now that the Federal Emergency Management Agency released another round of preliminary flood insurance maps on Monday, it is becoming increasingly clear just what kind of future could be in store for coastal communities in Queens and in places across the city – and country – with the implementation of the new proposed maps … Continue reading
After last week’s discussion in this very space about my decision to step away from the Editor-in-Chief position at this newspaper, I thought I had made it very clear that I would in fact be handling other duties at the paper, including acting as the publisher. Apparently, I was misunderstood and have to say that I am very touched at the amount of response I got from people who thought I was stepping away from The Forum all together. I … Continue reading
The Howard Beach Relay for Life celebrated its first landmark anniversary over this weekend. The event was originally brought to the community by Phyllis Inserillo and Melissa Fochetta five years ago and since then, the two co-chairs have worked to organize the event. To date the Howard beach Relay event has raised over $750,000 and has become the most successful of the American Cancer Society Relay events in Queens. “We thought that focusing on donations this year was … Continue reading
There are indicators that the large beige building set amidst weeds on 113th Street in Forest Hills once housed a 251-bed hospital, but they, like the blue awning outside what was once the emergency room, are quickly fading. There are the outlines of the white letters that once spelled out “Parkway Hospital” on the facility that was shuttered by the state in 2008, and it is not hard to remember the ambulances that once screeched to a halt in the … Continue reading
A New York City Correction Officer was convicted of second-degree murder in the shooting of his ex-girlfriend, also the mother of his son then 2-years-old. At the time of the murder, Clavell was assigned to Rikers Island. Christopher “Noel” Clavell, 48, of Staten Island, shot the victim a total of nine times, once to the chest and eight times to the head in August of 2000. He was a suspect from the beginning but was released after having been questioned. … Continue reading
The Lindenwood Alliance billed its last meeting of the season as a Summer Shutdown and hosted a party for members at the Fairfield Arms. As part of their sendoff for vacation, the Alliance also gave the community an opportunity to meet and talk with the person whom many political insiders say will be the next borough president of Queens. Melinda Katz has emerged as the frontrunner in a contest populated by her and three men, all vying to replace Helen … Continue reading
For the veterans gathered in the backyard of Paddy G’s Sports Bar in Elmhurst last Saturday, serving – whether it be their country or their neighbors – has come the way the summer seemed to arrive that day – naturally and making everyone grateful. For years, the former military members, who served in places like Vietnam and Korea, and auxiliary members of Broad Channel’s VFW Post 260 have donated countless hours helping disabled veterans at the St. Albans Community … Continue reading
After considering ousting Community Board 9 District Manager Mary Ann Carey from the post she has held for 30 years, citing frustrations with communication and the speed with which issues are dealt, board members ultimately decided to instead place Carey on probation for six months. Originally entertaining a motion to dismiss Carey, CB 9 members never voted on such a proposal and, after a four-hour meeting that included an hour-long executive session, opted to retain Queens’ longest serving district … Continue reading
For Margaret Finnerty, life is South Queens. It’s where she met her husband, Bob, where she raised her kids – Bob and Margaret, where she works and where she has lived since birth. Finnerty has devoted her life to maintaining and beautifying the neighborhood she knows and loves – especially while serving as president of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association for the 20th time. At her inauguration last week, numerous elected officials and community members showed up to sing … Continue reading
While Community Board 10 members said at their meeting last week they are pleased the city Department of Transportation is looking into additional parking for the congested 156th Avenue between 77th and 78th streets in Lindenwood, they voted to have DOT officials to take a closer look at their proposal. Residents who spoke at last Thursday’s meeting said they supported the city’s plan to make parking less of a headache in the area, but asked that the DOT implement … Continue reading
News spread quickly through Howard Beach on Monday afternoon, when two fast thinking female residents prevented the robbery of their home, sending the potential intruders away with nothing. Police say the female homeowner receives a lot of packages at her house on 90th street between 156 and 157 avenues, and was at once suspicious when the two black males, wearing authentic FedEx uniforms, did not have the electronic tablet drivers always carry. When she questioned the men as to where … Continue reading