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Vol. 27 No. 33
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Calls rise for long-promised civic center Development’s downstate comm u n i c a t i o n s d i r e c t o r, explained, the department has Community leaders are given NYAP month-to-month growing frustrated at the lack extensions to ensure continued of progress by Empire State progress on the project. According to members of Development in fulfilling its the Belmont Complans to build a munity Advisory community center Committee — in Elmont, nearly whose board comsix years after the prises residents of signing of a 2019 Elmont, Floral Park agreement with and Queens New York Arena appointed by state Partners that promsenators representi s e d re s i d e n t s a ing districts impact“community space.” ed by the developN YA P — t h e ment — ESD has partnership of the not met with them New York Islanders; since last July, or t h e O a k Vi e w provided a written Group, a professionupdate since al sports and comDecember. mercial real estate MiMi Mijatovic did not company; and SterPiERRE-JohNSoN offer any details on ling Project Development that devel- Community advocate the status of the development, but oped and built UBS she claimed that the Arena — received a six-month extension on the project last org anization was actively November from ESD, the state exploring locations in Elmont department tasked with over- that meet the project’s requireseeing the development, after ments: a 10,000-square-foot facing a $5 million penalty for building, sufficient access to not completing the project by public transportation, and proximity to other community uses. that month’s deadline. “An update will be provided Since the extension expired, Emily Mijatovic, Empire State Continued on page 12
By RENEE DeloRENZo
rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Y
Renee DeLorenzo/Herald
gina Centauro, center, with her Woman of distinction plaque alongside her husband, Vincent Centauro, and assemblywoman patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, who presented her with the award at the Rescuing Families headquarters on July 30.
Gina Centauro honored as 2025 Woman of Distinction By RENEE DeloRENZo rdelorenzo@liherald.com
Gina Centauro, co-founder of Rescuing Families Inc., was named a 2025 Woman of Distinction at the New York State Senate for her support of the disabled community through her work renovating the homes of disabled families. While Gina was unable to attend the May 13 ceremony, Assemblywoman Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, who nominated Gina, hand-delivered the award to her at the Rescuing Families headquarters, in Franklin Square, on July 30. The annual awards ceremony honors exceptional women from across New York whose pioneering contributions — in areas
like community service, business, education, science, and the arts — have significantly shaped their communities. State senators each nominate a woman from their respective districts to be celebrated in the State Capitol in May. Gina, 54, who co-founded Rescuing Families with her husband, Vincent Centauro, in 2016, said the honor meant much more than personal recognition. Rather, she said, being a woman of distinction helps expand the mission of Rescuing Families and spread the word about the work the Centauros and volunteers do. “It is an honor,” Gina said. “I believe that our work—not just by me but my husband and our volunteers — that got me this Continued on page 15
ou cannot have a community center and not have all the people in the community participate.