The petition calls on Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan and Congressman Joseph Crowley to help “close” or “move the location” of a proposed EZ Pawn Corp. store that is schedule to open next month.

“We are distressed about the opening of an EZ Pawn Corp. branch at the most visible, prominent corner of the area, across the street from the Sunnyside Arch and at 46th/Bliss station,” the petition read, adding that it sends a “message of financial decline, counter to every effort community groups and individuals work hard to achieve every day.”

The petition was signed by about 60 residents and business owners, including Ira Greenberg, the president of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, to well-known business owners and residents (see petition letter below). The group, spearheaded by Patricia Dorfman, continues to collect signatures.

In response to the petition, Van Bramer said that he too didn’t want EZ Pawn to be located there.

“I would certainly prefer an old fashioned deli,” he said, adding that he lives on the same street just two blocks over. However, “I don’t have the power to say no pawn shops.”

Van Bramer said he would try to get the owner of EZ Pawn, the landlord and the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce together to see if some sort of a solution could be worked out.

Van Bramer said that he was working with the Small Business Administration, Department of Consumer Affairs and the Department of Finance to track down the landlord and to see if E Z Pawn has been subject to past violations.

Assembly Cathy Nolan, although aware of the petition, did not get back in time for comment. Congressman Crowley’s office said that he would be reviewing the matter.

David Kaminsky, the owner of Spanish Harlem-based EZ Pawn, which has seven branch offices throughout the city, said in an interview today that he has no plans to “move the location” of the store. In fact, “I’m trying to get it up as fast as I can,” he said.

“Why should I have to move? This is a great location – right by the train,” Kaminsky said. Furthermore, “this branch would be good for the area. We will bring business to the area. I see the bar next door is for sale and there are many vacant stores in the area.”

Kaminsky was aware that some Sunnyside residents opposed the establishment of the branch. However, he said, he had not heard from any elected officials.

EZ Pawn Corp is legally able to operate its store in Sunnyside and it does meet zoning requirements, according to Joe Conley, the chairman of community board 2. However, Conley did say, if it does open “It will be under the microscope,” adding, “if anything smells or looks illegal this community will be all over it.

Jamaica branch

Petition Letter

 Candidates have turned in their petitions in western Queens, and though the City Board of Elections has not officially announced who will be running, the Queens Chronicle (and YourNabe) has compiled a list of likely suspects for competitive races in the area.

Races pertaining to Sunnyside/Woodside:

1) The primary between incumbent U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Queens and Manhattan) and newcomer Reshma Saujan for the District 14 congressional seat has gained some nationwide attention. Republican Dino LaVerghetta plans to liven up the election, challenging Maloney on a platform of reducing spending. LaVerghetta would also like to repeal the new tax on indoor tanning. He says he will not vote the party line and would like to eliminate the don’t ask don’t tell policy in the armed forces. According to Hornak, two other Republican candidates, Roger Blank and Ryan Brumberg, are also expected to run, though they have not been endorsed by the party.

2) Assemblyman Mike Gianaris (D-Astoria) will be running for state Senate in the 12th District. Though unopposed for many months, Republican-endorsed challenger Jerome Patrick Tina said he intends to run against Gianaris. Tina said he also hopes to be on the ballot as a Conservative. 

3) U.S. Rep. Joe Crowley (D-Queens and Bronx) will likely be challenged by Ken Renolds, a Republican endorsed by the Bronx County GOP.

4) Markey vs. Nunziato

A Republican challenger has filed for the Maspeth Assembly district seat (which includes chunks of Sunnyside) held by Democrat Margaret Markey. Republican Anthony Nunziato is running with the support of the Independence and Conservative parties. Since Jan. 1, Markey has raised $11,655, with her top donors being LawPac of Nassau, which has contributed $1,000, and Local Union No. 3, which has contributed $1,000.

Markey’s total expenditures are $6,212.87. Her biggest outlay was for a $1,484.44 fund-raiser at Euro Bistro in Maspeth. Nunziato has raised $15,950, with his top donor listed as the Friends of Marty Golden, who contributed $3,800. His total expenditures have been $2,278, including his biggest expense of $2,000 for a fund-raiser at Abbracciamento Restaurant in Middle Village.

5) Nolan vs. Wilson

State Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan (D-Ridgewood), who also has the support of the Working Families Party, is facing Republican opponent John Wilson. Nolan has raised $41,340, with her largest contributions coming from Sheet Metal Workers LU 28 Political Action League, which donated $2,000, and Astoria Studios LTD Partnership II, which contributed $2,000. Her total expenditures have been $43,400.17, with her top destined for consulting firm Promotional Strategies at $19,381.78. Wilson has not filed his contributions and expenditures.

The Congressional Ethics Office has sent corporate donors and fund-raising hosts more than three dozen requests for documents involving eight members who solicited and took large contributions from financial institutions even as they were debating the landmark regulatory bill, according to lawyers involved in the inquiry.

The requests are focusing on a series of fund-raisers last December, in the days immediately before the House’s initial adoption of the sweeping overhaul, which could win final approval this week. Some of the fund-raising events took place the same days as crucial votes.

For example, on Dec. 10, one of the lawmakers under investigation, Representative Joseph Crowley, a New York Democrat who sits on the Ways and Means Committee, left the Capitol during the House debate to attend a fund-raising event for him hosted by a lobbyist at her nearby Capitol Hill town house that featured financial firms, along with other donors. After collecting thousands of dollars in checks, Mr. Crowley returned to the floor of the House just in time to vote against a series of amendments that would have imposed tougher restrictions on Wall Street.

For the rest, please click on NYT

However, Saujani’s critics are arguing that the hedge fund lawyer’s claims ring hollow - since she has raised funds from the Wall Street crowd for her campaign.

For more, please read:  Salon Story ,   Reshma Saujani’s path to victory

Read: NYDAILY NEWS

The following is Saujani on Hardball with Chris Matthews.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

A plot of land unofficially dubbed the “Woodside Triangle Park” in Woodside, Queens may be safe from destruction, after a decade-long fight to save the space, according to the New York Daily News.

Community advocates had lobbied to stop the plot’s landowner, Vinny Oppedisano, from developing the vacant site, which sits at the intersection of three streets, 34th Avenue and 59th and 60th streets. But City Council member Jimmy Van Bramer’s plan to buy the land on behalf of the city may solve the residents’ troubles.

Van Bramer has secured $350,000, which he plans to offer to Oppedisano for the plot. But some damage has already been done, residents say — Oppedisano built a fence and chopped down several trees in the park, as part of his original plan to construct an 11,000-square foot home in the space.

Van Bramer was able to help restore $61 million in funding for libraries. The restoration has ensured that the Sunnyside library will remain open and that 14 libraries in Queens will not close. In Queens, the funding also helped save more than 350 jobs.

“People would stop me on the street and ask me whether the [Sunnyside] library would close,” Van Bramer said, who is the chairman of the NYC council’s Cultural Affairs and Libraries committee. “There was real concern out there.”

While he said he was optimistic about getting some of the funds restored, he was pleased with the final result, pointing out that it was the largest restoration in funding for libraries in New York City history.

Other big victories included:

1)      Securing the funding for the purchase of the Woodside Triangle Park. Van Bramer is meeting with the developer today to negotiate the terms of a land sale. (click on previous story)

2)      Getting funding for the full rehabilitation of the Lou Lodati Park, including a dog run in Sunnyside, Queens. (see story below)

3)      The restoration of funding for the after-school program at PS 150 on 43^rd Ave (bet 40th and 41st). The program provides free after-school services to more than 200 children.  “This is what I was most proud of,” Van Bramer said, “after seeing the concern of parents at PS 150 when I spoke there.” (click on previous coverage here)

4)      Generating funds for an anti-graffiti campaign.

5)      The first phase of funding for security cameras at Woodside Houses

6)      The saving of 20 firehouses, including Queens’ Hook and Ladder 116 in Dutch Kills

The completion of the overhaul should take about two years, with the design phase about to begin.

Half the funds for the rehabilitation are coming from Van Bramer’s office, with the borough president’s office kicking in the rest.

Van Bramer said that the entire park will be resurfaced and it will include well-marked sports fields.

“While the park is in functional, active use — it needs to be resurfaced, since the concrete is uneven and could cause injuries,” Van Bramer said, adding that “many folks have also asked for a dog run.”

He said it was too early in the design phase to say what sports fields will be incorporated as part of the park. However, he did say the basketball courts will be revamped. There will be some trees and additional green space, he added.

The Torsney Playground, which is adjacent to the park, will remain unchanged.

This map represents what the Sunnyside United Dog Society has been advocating for.