Page 1 - Queens Times Edition #12

TI MES

QUEENS

Published for the Borough of Queens

VOLUME 28, NO. 12 THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023 25 CENTS

NYS Governor Kathy Hochul Holds
CONSUMER ALERT:
Attorney General James Warns St. Joseph Day Feast at CCF
New Yorkers to be Cautious of
Practices Targeting Jewish
Communities Before Passover

New York Attorney General Letitia James today issued a
consumer alert urging New Yorkers to be cautious of potential
discriminatory pricing practices at car washes in advance of
Passover. In previous years, there have been reports of car wash
businesses in predominantly Orthodox Jewish communities
in New York City raising prices by as much as 50 percent for
Jewish customers seeking cleaning services close to Passover.
In the days leading up to Passover, many Jews clean their
homes, cars, and other spaces to remove “chametz” (leavened
products). According to reports provided to the Office of the
Attorney General (OAG), some companies have advertised
“specials” for car washing services related to Passover, but
instead, charged higher prices to customers. To protect New
Yorkers from these practices, Attorney General James has
previously sent letters to organizations representing car wash
owners in New York to remind their members that any such
business practice is illegal and should be reported to OAG.
“Taking advantage of someone’s religious observances
and practices is offensive, discriminatory, and absolutely
unacceptable,” said Attorney General James. “For millions
of observant Jews in New York and beyond, Passover is an
important holiday, and their preparations should be respected,
not manipulated for profit. I urge any New Yorker who is con-
cerned that they have been a victim of discriminatory behavior
because of their religion, race, or background to contact my NYS Governor Kathy Hochul held a St. Joseph Day Feast at the Columbus Citizens Foundation
(CCF) in NYC where Gov. Hochul presented a St. Joseph Day Citation to the CCF. After the
(Continued on page 2) presentation Gov. Hochul is pictured with ( l to r) Robert Ferrito, National President of the
OSDIA Commission for Social Justice; John Fratta, Chairman NYS Commission for Social
District Attorney Melinda Katz Justice; James C. Lisa, President of Italian American PAC and Editor of GIA (Giornale Italo
Americano); Gov. Hochul; Angelo Vivolo, President of Columbus Heritage Coalition; John
Receives Endorsement of NYC Calvelli, the Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the Wildlife Conservation Society
(WCS); Min. Plen. Fabrizio Di Michele, Consul General of Italy in New York and Dr. Joseph Scelsa,
District Council of Carpenters President and Founder of the Italian American Museum. Not pictured Robert Fonti I AM PAC VP.

And SMART Local 28 33 Reputed Gang Members Indicted on

Two of New York’s largest building trades unions Murder, Gun Violence Charges
endorse Melinda Katz for four more years as
District Attorney
District Attorney Melinda
Katz’s campaign for re-election
proudly announced the endorse-
ments of the New York City
District Council of Carpenters,
who represent nine local carpen-
ters unions, and SMART Local
28 Sheet Metal Workers. These
unions, who represent thousands
of New Yorkers, living and work-
ing throughout the city, are speak-
ing with one voice to call for four
more years of District Attorney
Melinda Katz. They join a long
list of other labor organizations day. They make their voices heard
endorsing the DA. for fair working conditions, safe
“The hardworking men and streets, and fair courtrooms and
women of organized labor build
this City and keep it moving every (Continued on page 2) Possibly Largest Gang Takedown Ever in Queens. See story on page 2.

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