Page 2 - QT CURRENT EDITION #16

PAGE 2 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024

Congressman Tom Suozzi Op-Ed in
Wall Street Journal

(Continued from page 1) anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia mes- tion, and end the era of American-
sages—some of which we even style democracy. America must
gated by Vladimir Putin and hear being uttered on the House stop Mr. Putin before our men and
furthered by Mrs. Greene. floor.” Foreign Affairs Chairman women in uniform are forced to
The Russians have killed Michael McCaul said this propa- defend NATO soil.
more than 100,000 Ukrainians, ganda has “infected a good chunk Republicans in the House
kidnapped more than 20,000 of my party’s base.” must listen to their intelligence
children, and chased more than “The ignorance of one voter in chairman and follow the lead
10 million Ukrainians from their a democracy impairs the security of the Senate, which passed a
homes. Mr. Putin’s goal is to push of all,” John F. Kennedy said. $95.3 billion foreign-aid bill in
Russia’s borders farther west, What happens if Russia convinces a bipartisan 70-29 vote. Mean-
to control Ukraine’s substantial Americans of its lies? Kyiv is while, Democrats can’t just wait
agricultural exports and natural running out of the antiaircraft for Republicans to work with us.
resources, and to destabilize weapons it uses to defend from That’s why when Mrs. Greene
Europe’s and the world’s democ- bomb-carrying drones. When will introduced her proposal to remove
racies. In addition to Russia’s sub- we begin running interference on Speaker Johnson, I announced
stantial military might, Mr. Putin the misinformation online that is that I will support him if he does
and our other strategic adversaries a direct threat to our democracy? his job.
have employed a decades-long Mr. Putin didn’t invent Ameri- Democrats must offer Speaker
disinformation campaign using can partisanship, but his lies and Johnson our votes to save democ-
A & F Auto Repairs, Inc. social media and state-controlled propaganda have fed it, giving rise racy in Ukraine and here. We can’t
media to get Americans fighting to extremists like Mrs. Greene, let our partisan instincts get in our
General Auto Repairs among ourselves. who would rather America do way. We must work with Republi-
(Foreingn and Domestic) According to leading Repub- nothing with democracy on the cans to disarm Mr. Putin’s puppet,
Accessories licans, Mrs. Greene is parroting line. This fight isn’t only about get a vote to support Ukraine, and
• Tires • Batteries Russia’s propaganda. House Intel- Ukraine. Russia seeks to tear defeat Russian disinformation.
• Electronic Tune-ups ligence Chairman Mike Turner apart the fragile fabric of inter- Our democracy is at stake.
• Inspection Station said this week: “We see directly national order, end American Mr. Suozzi, a Democrat, repre-
• Towing coming from Russia attempts to prominence in Europe, destroy the sents New York’s Third Congres-
mask communications that are North Atlantic Treaty Organiza-
ARIS & FRANK sional District.
43-05 111th Street • Corona Heights, NY Liu, Kim Introduce Legislation
Greek, Spanish and Italian Spoken Defining Squatter in NYS Housing Law
(718) 592-7470 (718) 699-2499
(Continued from page 1) breaking the law. Criminals look- legislature to take a hard stance
ing to exploit property owners do against squatters who twist exist-
Read Our Paper Online Visit our In response to recent reports not enjoy the same rights as ten- ing loopholes through acts that
website: www.queenstimes.com of squatters who take over pri- ants and will be brought to justice. would, by any other circumstance,
or scan QR code vate property in New York, State Our legislation makes clear under constitute theft. This legislation
Senator John Liu and Assembly no uncertain terms that squatters is desperately needed, amongst
Member Ron Kim introduced are thieves and do not have any our Queens residents, especially
legislation, S8996/ A9772, on rights in the state of New York. our seniors and homeowners,
Subscribe to the Monday that will add strength and Thank you to my colleagues for who have been living in fear and
clarity to New York State’s hous-
Queens Times ing laws by adding the definition work towards its passage over the possibly allow for such abuses. I
taking up this issue, and we will confusion as to how the law could
of squatter.
am proud to stand with my col-
coming days.”
Including this definition in real Today’s press conference was leagues to resolve this matter and
Your Local Newspaper-One Edition for All Of Queens property law will help to distin- held outside the Queens house hope for this bill’s swift passage.”
guish legal renters from those who of squatter victim Dr. Young State Assembly Member Ed
Just $36.50 per year... and have the paper unlawfully intrude and take over Seh Bae, who was successful in Braunstein stated, “Reports of
delivered to your door by US Mail property. It also defines squatters removing squatters from the resi- homeowners returning to their
as those without legal rights to the dence she purchased in hopes of properties and finding squatters,
Please Enter my Subscription For One Year premises they occupy. housing elderly disabled residents only to discover that the squat-
The legislation identifies the for her non-profit, Community ters cannot be removed without
Name .............................................................................. term “squatter” as one who enters Inclusion and Development Al- a lengthy and costly eviction
onto a property or building with- liance. proceeding, have been deeply
Address .......................................................................... out title, right, or permission, and Dr. Young Seh Bae stated, disturbing to hear. Trespassing
therefore is not subject to the same “Last year squatters took over our individuals in these situations are
City..................................................Zip........................... rights and protections of lawful house, causing us incredible hard- abusing a law meant to protect
Please make check payable to: Queens Times and mail to: tenants, occupants or owners. ship when we were only trying to lawful tenants and they absolutely
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 This legislation also makes it clear provide community service. We should not be afforded the same
that squatters do not get any rights need to make sure these kinds of rights and protections. I am proud
or protections even after 30 days. scams stop happening, and I am to co-sponsor this bill, which
State Senator John Liu stated, very grateful that our legislators seeks to close this loophole and
“Recent incidents of squatters are looking to strengthen our laws protect New York homeowners
taking over private homes have so that others don’t have to endure from these unlawful opportunists,
hit a raw nerve for many in our similar difficulties.” and I continue to urge New York
community, whose homes are State Senator Roxanne J City leadership to work to tackle
often their life savings. Housing Persaud stated, “Squatters have this issue at the local level.”
law in New York State is often jeopardized the livelihood of State Assembly Member Nily
Published every week by CT Publishing Corp. complicated and nuanced, but homeowners far too long. By Rozic stated, “Squatting not only
Executive Office: 102-54 Nicolls Avenue, Corona Heights, NY 11368 there’s one thing we all agree on: introducing this legislation, the undermines property rights but
Operations: 11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357 People who intrude into others’ rights and protections of legal also poses challenges for our com-
Phone (718) 592-2196 • FAX (718) 357-3682 homes should not have rights in renters will be clearly defined and munities. This important legisla-
Web Site: www.queenstimes.com state housing law, and this legis- those who take advantage will be tion will ensure that we can keep
email: editor@queenstimes.com lation codifies just that in simple legally held accountable. This bill our neighborhoods safe for all.”
and straight-forward language. seeks to protect the hard earned State Assembly Member Grace
James C. Lisa .........................Publisher/Editor We need to immediately enact assets of property owners and al- Lee stated, “This legislation sends
Lew Scala .............................. Associate Publisher/Webmaster this legislation and continue ex- lows them to further secure their a message to small landlords in
Lou Duro ...............................International Correspondent amining even stronger measures economic stability.” our communities that we recog-
Nicole Rescigno.....................Office Manager to protect homeowners without State Senator Toby Ann nize the challenges they are facing
Joseph V. Dorsa ...................Photo Journalist inadvertently putting renters at Stavisky stated, “Incidents of when ‘professional squatters’ take
Joseph Natalle .......................Photojournalist risk.” squatters must be addressed. We advantage of them. To address our
The Queens Times, USPS # P127 AIC060 is published weekly by CT Publishing Corp. State Assembly Member Ron must close the loophole and this housing crisis, small landlords
for an annual subscription charge of $28.50, mail subscription request to Queens Times, Kim stated, “In New York City, legislation does that. That’s why must be protected and supported
11-20 154th Street, Whitestone, NY 11357, Periodicals Postage at Flushing, NY. squatters, cosplaying as tenants, I am a co-sponsor.” so they can provide high-quality
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Queens Times at 11-20 154th Street, are taking advantage of property State Senator Leroy Comrie housing to our communities, and
Whitestone, NY 11357 owners when in fact, they are stated, “It is time for the state this bill will help achieve that.”