Controversial Flushing developer Tommy Huang is attempting to complete several homes he has constructed in Bayside, but Community Board 11 is fighting to prevent the development. Photo by Christina Santucci

Baysiders slam empty houses built by Huang

Bayside community leaders said they planned to fight the completion of several homes that were constructed in the neighborhood several years ago by controversial developer Tommy Huang but have been sitting vacant ever since.

The project had drawn numerous complaints, violations and stop-work orders since Huang acquired the property in 2002 and began constructing four homes at the site, at 39-39 223rd St. near the Cross Island Parkway in Bayside. The property’s lot had held one house.

“This is a blemish on the community,” Community Board 11 Chairman Jerry Iannece said. “During the course of being built, there was illegal work, dangerous conditions and unlicensed contracts....

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Ex-Caffé owner plans restaurant in Whitestone

The former owner of Bayside’s Caffé on the Green said he plans to open a new restaurant and catering hall in Whitestone in the near future. But there is still no date set for the opening of Valentino’s on the Green, the city’s replacement for Caffé, along the Cross Island Parkway.

Tea Party protests Ackerman

A group of Queens and Long Island residents associated with the national Tea Party movement protested outside U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman’s (D-Bayside) Northern Boulevard-based office last week, blasting his stance on health care.

Funeral for slain Rosedale family draws hundreds

The hearts of the 200 people packed into the Springfield Gardens United Methodist Church on a rainy Saturday morning were as drenched as the sodden streets outside as they bade farewell to a beloved mother and her two teenage daughters.

Little Neck super pup awarded for heroism

A 9-year-old Little Neck pup was named as one of the top 10 national finalists by the Humane Society of the United States as a 2010 “dog of valor” after he saved an 89-year-old neighbor’s life in August.

Hevesi staffer pleads in pension fund case

Former state comptroller Alan Hevesi’s chief investment officer pleaded guilty last week to charges stemming from state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s investigation into corruption of the state pension fund during Hevesi’s tenure.

Mayor urges boro to fill out Census forms

Mayor Michael Bloomberg and an entourage of city and borough officials urged Queens residents to fill out the census forms coming their way this week in order to land more federal funding for a borough that has experienced a population increase in the past decade.

State criticizes AEG biz practices

Gov. David Paterson hopes to solicit new bids for the Aqueduct video lottery terminal project in one month after the deal between Aqueduct Entertainment Group and the state collapsed last week because the consortium was not granted a gaming license from the state Lottery Division.

Budget ax threatens county senior centers

Proposed city and state budget cuts may force six Queens senior centers to close, eradicating a crucial system of support for a vulnerable population susceptible to loneliness and depression, officials said.

Queens pols high-five Ravitch's budget

Queens legislators said they were impressed by Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch’s proposal to reform the state’s budget process, although they had their doubts about how many of his recommendations would see the light of day.

Peralta trounces Hiram in Senate race

So long, Hiram.

Memory of Triangle Shirtwaist fire lives on in Queens

The 10-story building in Greenwich Village where 146 garment workers died in a fire that changed the political landscape of the state and the nation still stands.

Queens College hosts Def Jam founder, renowned rabbi

The black and Jewish communities in the United States need to promote the goodwill that formed between the two groups during the civil rights movement to combat prejudice, especially against Muslims, hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons and Chairman of the World Jewish Congress United States Rabbi Marc Schneier said at Queens College this week.

JFK runway work prompts airlines to seek penalty relief

Queens-based JetBlue Airways, Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have asked the federal government to exempt them temporarily from a new rule limiting how long passengers may be held in an airliner on the ground.

Subway rider advocates report deteriorating weekend service

Weekend subway service keeps getting worse, according to a new report by a transit advocacy agency.

Cut back on gambling in budget: Padavan

State Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Bellerose), the state Legislature’s leading opponent on betting, took Gov. David Paterson’s proposed budget to task for what he said contained a rise of gambling initiatives he said would harm New York in the long run.

Federal court upholds Monserrate expulsion

A federal appeals court on Friday denied former state Sen. Hiram Monserrate’s request to restore his position in the state Legislature and cancel Tuesday’s election for the 13th Senate District.

109th Pct. crime down, but burglaries on rise

The crime rate in the 109th Precinct is down 21.51 percent over this time last year, but a number of distinct criminal patterns have contributed to a 9.2 percent increase in burglaries, Deputy Inspector Matthew Whelan said.

Pols push wage law for utility

State Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria) is calling on the state to enact laws that would guarantee good wages, health care and other benefits to cleaners and security guards at Con Edison and other public utilities that serve Queens.

Going Green in Queens offers pruning workshop

The borough will be seeing green March 27 at an annual conference on green initiatives that will be hosted by the Queens Coalition for Parks and Green Spaces at Flushing’s Al Oerter Recreational Center.

Teen stabbed in Newtown HS

Police have arrested a 16-year-old Woodhaven student who attends Elmhurst’s Newtown High School after he allegedly stabbed another teenager during school last week, the Queens district attorney said.

Vantage tenants to wait months for settlements

The tenants of more than 80 buildings owned by Vantage Properties in Queens are riding high after their landlord settled with state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office over allegations of harassment.

Bell civil suit waits for NYPD

A Brooklyn federal court judge has given the NYPD a timetable for its own internal investigation into Sean Bell’s death before he hears the civil case filed by the bridegroom’s fiancée and friends.

Former sex slave details life at Kew Gardens event

During her teenage years, Somaly Mam said she had to live through the toughest hell as a sex slave in a Cambodian brothel.

Liu plans to scrutinize school report card data

City Comptroller John Liu has embarked on an initiative to audit the city Department of Education’s annual school progress reports in the wake of the department’s January decision to close 19 low-performing city schools.

Northeast Queens Bulletin Board

Ongoing events and notices in your community

Business  (top)

NYC PaintBall and LaserTag a city first

Lebanese eatery opens in Greek Astoria

Columnists  (top)

Berger's Burg: Spring cleaning has nothing on having to paint the house

Dishing with Dee: Issue of boro GOP leadership continues to remain unclear

Our History: Bayside's 'Gentleman Jim' left boxing for acting career

Political Action: Primaries often prove damaging to Queens Dem candidates

Editorials  (top)

What a Waste

Letters  (top)

Let state conduct better traffic study

Bloomberg, Klein must stop running schools like businesses

Interstate buses must have seat belts

Do not combine two boro bus routes

Discount factory outlets offer more torture than fun for Dad

MTA must not eliminate the student MetroCard pass

Raw data can be misleading in report on Queens' health

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