Over 300 concerned residents packed into the cafeteria at St. Helen Catholic Academy in Howard Beach for the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic’s meeting to discuss a topic making the rounds at civic groups all over Queens: marijuana dispensaries.
Specifically, the meeting called into question a dispensary application for 157-02 Cross Bay Blvd., which is currently shared by multiple establishments, including medical offices and a European Wax Center. The location is about a 10-minute walk from three schools: PS 146, PS 207 and St. Helen Catholic Academy.
The applicant, Andray Sukhu, initially agreed to attend the meeting, the civic said, but later decided against it. He could not be reached for comment.
“We wanted to give the owner the chance to be transparent with us,” said Barbara McNamara, the group’s co-president, in a press release.
“We gave him the option, he chose not to take it and is already showing us what type of community partner and business owner he potentially will be by refusing to be transparent and show up in good faith for our residents,” Phyllis Inserillo, the civic’s other co-president, said.
At the meeting, Inserillo asked for a show of hands to see how many people in the crowd, whose