THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | OCTOBER 6, 2016

VOL. 15 • NUMBER 40 • OCTOBER 6, 2016

Howard Beach • Ozone Park • South Ozone Park • Woodhaven • Richmond Hill • Broad Channel

RIGHT TURN

Gotham Stakes Claim to Safest Big City in America Title, as Most Major Index Crime Figures Continue to Coast Downward – Including Auto Theft, with Precincts like the 106th Posting a 52 PERCENT Year-to-Date Decline in an Offense that has Hounded South Queens for Decades

Page 3

Broad Channel Native Reminisces over Borough Roots in Memoir

Page 10

Assembly Candidate Asks MTA to Suspend Cross Bay Bridge Tolls for Food Festival

See Story on Page 7

Page 16 Mayor Bill de Blasio (c.) and NYPD Commissioner Jim O’Neill this week touted the NYPD’s recordsetting public safety stats, thanks in part to the work of precinct-level commanders like Capt. James Fey (inset), top cop of the 106.

South Queens Transportation Issues Take Center Stage at Civic Election Forum

Photos Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office and Patricia Adams

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 15 • Number 40 OCOTOBER 6, 2016| 1

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2 OCTOBER 6, 2016 • Number 40 VOL. 15 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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Broad Channel Native Pens Memorable Memoir of Unique Borough Upbringing

By Michael V. Cusenza

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much…”

-- Success, Bessie Anderson Stanley Live. Laugh. Love.

The ubiquitous combination of terms easily could have been the title of Tara Clancy’s moving and memorable memoir, “The Clancys of Queens.”

(It’s our understanding that “Fear and Loathing from Broad Channel to Bridgehampton” has already been used.)

Clancy’s debut tome takes you from an apartment ensconced in a “tiny ad hoc geriatric Italian village” in Bellerose, to a Broad Channel boat shed that came complete with built-in character, all the way out to Onepercenterville, a.k.a. the Hamptons, with the able author as your trusted tour guide to her entertaining existence.

Imagine riding shotgun in Clancy’s tricked-out blue plastic Power Wheels pickup (an endearing, unconscionably slow gift from her mom’s rich boyfriend when Tara was 7) as she paints vivid pictures with punchy prose and cleverly captions a series of short true stories that somehow come together as the life and times of a proud kid from Queens.

“We’ve got no supermarket, high school, pharmacy, or library. Almost everything is on the other side of the bridges at either end of our town,” Clancy writes as she describes the, ahem, small-town charm of 1980s Broad Channel. “For better or worse, we are 2,500-odd people adrift in Jamaica Bay, unteCourtesy of The Crown Publishing Group thered from the rest of the world. Really. No poetics intended — despite being Queens, Broad Channel isn’t even connected “The Clancys of Queens” is Tara Clancy’s first book.

to the New York City sewage lines. Instead, we have septic tanks.

Even our sh*t can’t escape.”

Asked why she landed on a memoir for her first foray into author-hood, Clancy said it wasn’t a conscious decision, initially, but sort-of sprang to life from essays and articles she penned for periodicals like The New York Times Magazine and the Paris Review Daily.

“I feel that if you’ve got a story to tell, age shouldn’t matter,” posited the married mother of two boys. “I knew that I had enough material to put together a whole book.”

Clancy also recalled feeling a budding sense of duty and determination as (an increasingly rare) home-grown Gotham girl to publish her piece, to serve up a slice of her city, as she embarked on her maiden literary voyage.

“The last book like this written by a woman like me was ‘A Tree Grows in Brooklyn’ — that was 73 years ago,” Clancy said, referencing the Betty Smith classic. “That really inspired me to write – I gotta get my story out there because we need it. I definitely felt motivated by the fact that my voice was missing. Native New Yorkers…we’re kinda disappearing. So if we don’t get these stories out now, it’s not getting done.”

Those of us born and bred in the Big Apple have that appreciation of the moment, that sense of urgency to thank, in part, for a book that really does capture the essence of the one-of-akind county — warts and all.

“The Clancys of Queens” might have “a memoir” stamped on the jacket cover, but the easy read feels more like a 230-odd page love letter from Tara Clancy to the beloved borough that helped raise her.

For more information, log onto taraclancy.com.

Popular Recycling Event Nets More than Four Tons of Electronic Trash

By Forum Staff Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. hosted his annual e-waste recycling event on September 10, in Rockaway, collecting more than four tons of old electronics to be safely disposed of.

The annual collection this year took in 8,903 pounds of electronics waste including computers, printers, televisions, cell phones and other electronic equipment that could potentially be harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly. This year’s total, which was contributed from more than 100 households, surpassed the 6,300 pounds of electronics collected in last years e-waste event held last September.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo’s Office “The increase in electronic waste collect- The e-waste recycling event at St. Cammillus in Rockaway took in 8,900 pounds of computers, printers, televisions, cell ed at this year’s recycling event in Rockaway phones and other electronic equipment that could potentially be harmful to the environment if disposed of improperly. truly shows the awareness my constituents

have for our environment and how we can do our part to keep it clean and safe,” said Addabbo, a member of the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. “Events such as these that offer a more environmentallyfriendly way of getting rid of electronics are a big part in making sure harmful chemicals do not end up in landfills, ultimately causing serious damage to the earth and the atmosphere. I am proud to have hosted the event again this year.”

This event followed the Senator’s annual Spring Recycling Event in April, where more than 1,000 cars visited Forest Park to also dispose of unwanted items, including electronics.

“I am thrilled to see that more people took advantage of this wonderful opportunity this year and look forward to continuing to host this event in the future.”

Richmond Hill Murder Victim's Family Remembers his Birthday

Friends and family paid tribute to Kenneth Schemitz who was murdered on August 14th at his mother's home in Richmond Hill. A banner and Schemitz was a math teacher at the Lillian Rashkis School of Telecommunications in Brooklyn.

Schemitz was stabbed to death on August 14th and his mother, Vivian, was beaten severely beaten in the attack. His mother is still recovering from her injuries. There has not yet been an arrest in the case.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 15 • Number 40 OCOTOBER 6, 2016| 3

After Public Outcry, FCC to Update Emergency Alert System

By Forum Staff It seems the power of the pen is still mightier than the sword.

At least that’s the way it appears for U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer who successfully pushed the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to finally modernize its Wireless Emergency Alert System (WEA), after the bombing incident in Chelsea two weeks ago. After the incident took place, WEA notifications were sent to millions of New Yorkers to help aid in the search for the suspect while he was on the run however the messages only contained text, advising recipients to search the internet for immediately expressed his dismay over the fact that the information provided to New Yorkers in the notification was limited because of a 90-character restriction which also does not allow for multimedia images or links.

Now however, those wireless notifications will now be allowed to include embedded URLs, which will lead directly to photos of suspects. Moreover, the FCC has increased the maximum length of messages from 90 to 360 characters, and it has put into place rules for better geographic targeting of notices, so that the right people will see them.

“The FCC is doing the right thing by quickly improving its wireless emergency notification system to match today’s tech-

Photo Courtesy of Android Central

According to Sen. Schumer, the FCC has approved an order to modernize the Wireless Emergency Alert system.

nological capacities,” said Senator Schumer.

“The Chelsea terror threat highlighted a major weakness in our Wireless Emergency Alert system…”

WEA is a public safety notification system which delivers geographically-targeted message alerts reporting imminent threats to safety or life. There are three types of alerts:

1) alerts issued by the President; 2) alerts involving imminent threats to safety or life (i.e.: evacuation orders, shelter-in-place orders, a terrorist threat); and 3) Amber Alerts for abducted children.

Since 2012, WEAs have typically been used to issue ‘Amber Alerts’ and severe weather warnings. However, there have been several

instances in which law enforcement agencies have used WEAs to alert citizens in the wake of a terror threat.

Schumer noted that the Monday morning after the terror threat to Chelsea was the first time such an alert had been issued to track the whereabouts of a suspected terrorist in New York.

The message the WEA sent to millions of cell phone users in New York City was to be on the lookout for the suspect and advised readers to seek out a photo of him on the Internet.

New York City has always been on the cutting edge of using emergency public safety technology. And in 2012, New York City became the first local or state alerting authority in the country to issue a WEA message when ordering the mandatory evacuation of its coastal counties during Hurricane Sandy.

Last week, Schumer urged the FCC to finalize its proposed rules as soon as possible so that WEAs are quickly updated and brought into the 21st century. Schumer also urged the FCC to make sure the use of multimedia is included in the finalized rules. Schumer said that WEAs are essential and critical in the effort to keep America safe. Therefore, Schumer said, these notifications should be improved so that cell phone users receive the most comprehensive information available when their safety is potentially at risk.

De Blasio Credits Homeless Policies with Decrease in Shelter Population New figures released as debate over borough hotel facilities rages

By Michael V. Cusenza The number of people in Department of Homeless Services shelters is now at nearly 60,000, rather than the expected 67,000 – a direct result of rental assistance and other preventative measures implemented by the administration, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio and DHS Commissioner Steven Banks.

“We said five months ago when we announced the results of the 90-day review of homeless services that it would take time to reverse 20 years of policies and that the number of people in shelter might continue to grow. Our current programs have substantially slowed the rate of growth in homelessness.

And we will keep working to strengthen our efforts to prevent homelessness,” Banks said.

Had the new measures not been implemented, the census would have grown to 67,000 by October 2016 and to 71,000 in June 2017, according to DHS. Instead, the census is now at nearly 60,000, 7,000 less than projected, and should continue to be well below the projected 71,000 in June 2017.

The move out and prevention efforts include: • New rental assistance and other move out programs that helped 40,000 people leave shelter or avoid entry through the end of FY 2016.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor de Blasio (c.) and DHS Commissioner Steven Banks (r.) recently indicated that the City is aiming for a borough-based approach to homeless shelter placement .

• A tenfold increase in legal services for tenants to $62 million from $6.4 million.

• A 24-percent reduction in evictions by marshals in 2015 compared to 2013.

• Emergency rent help to nearly 53,000 households at a cost of $180.7 million in Fiscal Year 2015, an average cost of $3,400 per family, much less than $41,000 annual cost for a family in shelter.

At the same time that it works to prevent 4 OCTOBER 6, 2016 • Number 40 VOL. 15 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

homelessness, the City has indicated that is also aiming to phase out the use of cluster shelters and commercial hotels. Cluster shelters are individual apartments in apartment buildings that the City has rented to house homeless households in a program that began 16 years ago. They are an expensive form of shelter, according to DHS, many are not in good condition, and by renting them the City takes the apartments off the rental mar-

ket. For that reason, the City has made exiting clusters a priority, committing to stop using them by December 2018, DHS said.

As a stop-gap, since the City has a legal obligation to provide shelter to individuals and families with no place to live, the administration said it has had to increase its use of commercial hotels as temporary shelter, which is also expensive. There are currently 11,400 adults and children in clusters and about 6,000 in commercial hotels.

The de Blasio administration’s shelter placement policy has been a hot-button issue across the borough in recent months.

On Thursday, Oct. 6, elected officials representing Queens communities are set to gather at City Hall “to condemn” de Blasio’s response to the homeless crisis and treatment of borough residents “who are fed up with inappropriate shelters,” according to an advisory issued by State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (DHoward Beach).

The pols “will urge the Mayor’s administration to change its plan of action to include more long-term solutions and will offer up more effective ways of dealing with homelessness that do not include warehousing homeless individuals into rooms that are not equipped to serve as a primary residence,” according to the memo.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 15 • Number 40 OCOTOBER 6, 2016| 5

Jackson Heights Man Sentenced to 60 Days in Jail for Killing Girlfriend’s Beloved Chihuahua

By Forum Staff The man who viciously murdered his girlfriends Chihuahua in January has been sentenced to 60 days in jail and must register with the City as an animal abuser. Carlos Hernandez, 33, of 73rd Street in Jackson Heights, pleaded guilty to killing Honey, a three-year-old Chihuahua, by slamming the dog against the floor during a verbal dispute with his girlfriend in January. The incident happened while the girlfriend’s 11-year-old daughter was present in the apartment.

District Attorney Brown said, “My office takes a strong stand against animal cruelty and is committed to aggressively enforcing those laws to protect animals from harm. In this case, the defendant has admitted to pulling his girlfriend’s small dog out of her arms during an argument and killing the helpless animal by violently throwing the dog to the floor. Such acts of aggression toward animals cannot – and will not – be tolerated.”

The defendant, who has been out on $7,500 bail since his arrest in January, pleaded guilty last month to an indictment charging him with one count each of aggravated cruelty to animals, third-degree robbery, fourth-degree criminal mischief, endanger-

Photo Courtesy of Instagram

Hernandez admitted that he ripped Honey out of his then-girlfriend’s arms and slammed the Chihuahua against the apartment floor. She died moments later.

ing the welfare of a child and second-degree harassment and two counts of fourth-degree grand larceny.

A judge sentenced Hernandez to 60 days in jail, four years’ probation and to register with the New York City Department of Health as an animal abuser following the completion of his jail sentence. The registration will prevent city shelters, rescue groups

and/or pet stores from permitting him to purchase or adopt a pet. In addition, the Court issued orders of protection preventing Hernandez from having any contact with his former girlfriend and her daughter for the next eight years.

During sentencing, a victim impact statement by the former girlfriend was read into the court record in which she stated, in part,

“Honey didn’t deserve to die this horrible way. She was adorable and was a big part of our family . . . I regret opening the doors of my house to a person who is so cruel and cold.”

According to the charges, Hernandez was inside the apartment he then shared with his girlfriend and her daughter in Forest Hills and on the morning of Sunday, January 10, 2016, he engaged in a verbal dispute with her.

Hernandez forcibly grabbed the Chihuahua out of her arms and slammed the dog against the floor, causing the Chihuahua to bleed from its ears and collapse on the floor where she died minutes later. The girlfriend’s 11year- old daughter, who was the Chihuahua’s caregiver along with her mother, was present in the apartment when this violent incident occurred.

The indictment against Hernandez was the first one to be brought by his Animal Cruelty Prosecutions Unit, which was established this past January. The mandate of the Animal Cruelty Prosecutions Unit – the first of its kind in a District Attorney’s Office in New York City – will be to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty crimes in Queens County and to educate the public about how to prevent and detect abuse of animals.

Final Two Perpetrator’s in Anthony Collao Beating Death Sentenced to Prison

By Forum Staff The last two individuals of a group of six New York City teenagers who violently beat and stomped an 18-year-old Long Island man to death has been sentenced to prison. The 21-year-old defendant from Brooklyn was sentenced to 18 years behind bars and the 23-year-old Queens man was given an eight-year term of incarceration.

The attack occurred in March 2011 as the victim left a birthday party in Woodhaven, Queens, that was hosted by two openly gay men.

“This is the final chapter to this horrific case,” said District Attorney Brown.

“The victim, who did nothing to provoke this heinous attack, was leaving a birthday celebration. He was chased down by the defendants who yelled anti-gay slurs as they pursued him. When they caught up to the 18-year-old recent high school graduate, the defendants punched, kicked and viciously beat him. He died a couple of days later in a local hospital. Hopefully, the sentencing of these last two defendants will bring some measure of comfort to the family of the man killed and send a message that bigotry in any form is not tolerated in Queens County.”

The defendants were identified as Jonathan Echevarria, 21, of Greene Avenue in Brooklyn, and Nolis Ogando, 23, of Seneca Avenue in Ridgewood. Echevarria, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 years in prison to be fol-

File Photo

A memorial vigil was held for Anthony Collao in March 2011 after he was beaten to death by six people as he was leaving a birthday party in Woodhaven that was hosted by two openly gay men.

lowed by five years’ post release supervision. Ogando pleaded guilty to first-degree gang assault and was sentenced to eight years in prison to be followed by five years’ post release supervision.

6 OCTOBER 6, 2016 • Number 40 VOL. 15 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

According to the charges, Anthony Collao, 18, of Long Island, and another individual had just left a party in Woodhaven on March 12, 2011, when the six defendants – Alex Velez, Calvin Pietri, Luis Ta-

bales, Christopher Lozada, Nolis Ogando and Jonathan Echevarria – chased the two men under the impression they were gay.

The defendants made derogatory remarks to the two. Three of the defendants were carrying what appeared to be a stick, pipe and cane. At approximately 12:50 a.m., the six teenagers caught the victim on 90 Street, between 88and 89 Avenue, and threw him to the ground where he was punched, kicked and bashed with objects and a piece of lattice fencing. The defendants took the victim’s Atlanta Braves baseball cap and his sneakers and left him injured on the ground. Anthony Collao died two days later as a result of the injuries he sustained during the attack.

About fifteen minutes after the attack, police apprehended five of the defendants in the vicinity of Woodhaven Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue and recovered a metal pipe with blood on it near the victim along with a piece of fencing. A sixth defendant was apprehended three months later.

Calvin Pietri, 22, of Woodhaven, Queens, pleaded guilty to first-degree gang assault and was sentenced to 16 years in prison. Luis Tabales, 22, of Richmond Hill, pleaded guilty in May 2013 to firstdegree gang assault and was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Christopher Lozada, 22, of Woodhaven, pleaded guilty to seconddegree assault and was sentenced to four years in prison. Alex Velez, 22, of Queens pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Cops Look to Commuters for Help in Catching A-Train Creep

Ridgewood Man Charged with Murder in Stabbing Death of Roommate

The murder occurred in a second-floor apartment in this Stanhope Street building (c.)

By Forum Staff

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

Police say this man exposed and touched himself on the A train in Broad Channel last month.

By Michael V. Cusenza Police this week reached out to the public for help in identifying a man wanted for committing an act of public lewdness aboard a southbound A train last month.

According to investigators, on Thursday, Sept. 8, around 5:20 p.m., a 38-yearold woman, identified by cops as the victim, was on the train when it left the Noel Road and West Road subway station and witnessed the suspect, who was sitting across from her, expose his groin and begin to masturbate. He detrained at the Broad Channel subway station and fled in an unknown direction, police said.

A Ridgewood man has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of his 26-year-old female roommate in their residence.

District Attorney Brown said, “This is a disturbing case that ended with the death of a young, innocent woman. The defendant now faces a lengthy prison term if convicted of this senseless crime.”

The defendant was identified as Render Stetson-Shanahan, 26, of 1861 Stanhope Street in Ridgewood. Stetson-Shanahan is presently awaiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on a criminal complaint charging him with second-degree murder, second-degree menacing and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in

The suspect has been described as a black man, approximately 40 years old, 6-feet tall, 180 pounds, with brown eyes, black hair, and a dark complexion. He was last seen wearing a green baseball hat, blue jeans, and a cross tattoo on his left forearm.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, (888) 57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit info by logging onto NYPDCrimestoppers.com or by texting their tips to 274637 (CRIMES) then enter TIP577.

All correspondences are strictly confidential.

Photo Courtesy of Google

prison.

According to the charges, Stetson-Shanahan pointed a knife and lunged at an individual outside his Stanhope Street residence on or about 11:26 p.m. on Wednesday, September 28, causing the individual to be in fear of physical injury. In response to the individual’s call to 911, police officers discovered StetsonShanahan inside his second-floor residence with an alleged self-inflicted leg wound. In another room, police discovered the defendant’s roommate, Carolyn Bush, 26, who StetsonShanahan had allegedly stabbed numerous times with a knife or knives. Ms. Bush was taken to a local Queens hospital where she was pronounced dead. Stetson-Shanahan was also taken to the hospital for treatment of his wound, which is not considered life-threatening.

NYPD Hails Safest September in CompStat Era

Steep decline in auto thefts in 106th Pct. contribute to positive citywide results

By Michael V. Cusenza The City this year followed the safest summer in the CompStat era with the safest September since 1994 – the year CompStat was implemented during former Police Commissioner Bill Bratton’s first tenure as top cop under then-Mayor Rudy Giuliani, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Department brass.

“We are very pleased to be in a city where crime continues to go down,” de Blasio said on Monday at 1 Police Plaza.

According to the NYPD, last month was the safest September in the modern era, with 1,163 fewer total index crimes reported, or a 12-percent decrease compared with September 2015. Robbery is down 220 crimes, or -14.3 percent; burglary is down 338 crimes, or -24.8 percent; and grand larceny auto is down 176 crimes, or -22.7 percent. Additionally, murder is down 5.8 percent; rape is down 27 crimes, or -20 percent; felonious assault is down 89 crimes, or -5 percent; and grand larceny is down 311 crimes, or -7.9 percent.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor de Blasio (l. to r.), Police Commissioner Jim O’Neill, and Chief of Department Carlos Gomez touted the latest NYPD major crime stats this week at 1 Police Plaza.

Shootings, however, are up by about 10 percent compared to September 2015.

“The hard work of the men and women of the NYPD is self-evident, but it is also supported by a sustained reduction in crime,” O’Neill noted in his first crime stats press conference since taking over as top cop a couple

Additionally, according to the latest available citywide CompStat figures, there were 2,322 fewer index crimes reported year-todate, or -3 percent, compared with 2015.

There were 97 fewer shootings year-to-date, or -11 percent, and 10 fewer murders this year compared with the same period in 2015.

Car thefts are also down citywide – nearly 13 percent year-to-date. At the precinct level, the 106th has posted a dramatic drop in the grand larceny auto category: down 98 offenses, or -52.4 percent year-to-date compared with 2015.

This can be characterized as a spectacular improvement, especially when you consider that more than 3,000 vehicles were being swiped from the south Queens command 20 years ago.

“Here in Queens County,” District Attorney Richard Brown noted earlier this year after being sworn in for a record seventh-consecutive term, “auto theft has long been considered a benchmark in measuring our effectiveness in combating crime.”

of weeks ago. “With September’s sharp reductions in every major crime category, on top of a historically low-crime summer, we are poised for a terrific fall season. I am privileged to lead such a committed group of law enforcement professionals, and look forward to telling their ongoing stories of success.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 15 • Number 40 OCOTOBER 6, 2016| 7

TRUMPED UP SUPPORT Dear Editor, Five very conservative newspapers have not supported a Democrat presidential candidate in a long time. The Arizona Republic-1896, The Cincinnati Enquirer-1916, The Dallas Morning News-1940, The Houston Chronicle, The San Diego Union Tribune. Until now. They are endorsing Hillary Clinton. But it doesn't matter to diehard Trump supporters. They would celebrate the endorsement of "American Sociopath" Magazine. None of the top 100 Fortune 500 companies are endorsing Trump.

ZERO! Even though he wants to give them all huge tax breaks. Why? Because they know a Trump presidency will crash the nations economy! And (god forbid) if he is elected in November, the economy will crash before he takes office. After reviewing court cases in 33 jurisdictions, the Wall Street Journal found a pattern over Trump's 40 year career of refusing to pay vendors.

Trump has been sued 82 times in federal court by contractors and vendors. Poor "little guys" who couldn't afford to wait out long, drawn out court battles. Trump would tell them "it will cost you more to sue me".

As a result, many had to accept payments much lower than the agreed upon fees.

Sometimes pennies on the dollar. Trump

continues to say the Clinton foundation is corrupt. Of course he does. Facts, on the other hand prove that 88% of the money the foundation takes in is used to help people.

The other 12% is spent on administrative costs. Trump says anyone who contributes to the foundation is a pawn in the Clinton machine. I wonder if he felt that way prior to this election when HE gave the Clinton Foundation $100,000. And now it's been released that Trump hasn't paid a dime in taxes for 18years. Why? Because this "Business Genius" declared a $916 million dollar LOSS in 1995. Of course Rudy Giuliani and Chris Christie are 100% behind Trump.

Why? Because they won't be able to get jobs when Trump loses. What's the bigger threat to America? Undocumented immigrants who pay billions in taxes each year, or a "billionaire" who pays none? Republicans have to take a good long look in the mirror and decide if they TRULY believe Trump is the better choice for America. If you want facts to help you, go to Votesmart.com or Voteeasy.com. And if you accept facts as "facts", answer the questions truthfully and still are for Trump there is only one thing left to dohave yourself committed. P.S. Trump attacked Hillary for her "stamina". She looked like she could go all night while he was sipping water constantly. After 30 minutes he looked like "Low Energy Donnie". He was so angry. But that's just because a "woman" was kicking his ass.

Robert LaRosa Whitestone

LEGALLY SPEAKING I just returned from the Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group’s (WILG) Annual Convention. I am extremely proud to announce that one of my law firm’s partners, Mike Gruber, was installed as the president of this esteemed group of men and women whose common bond is representing the interests of injured workers and their families. Mike is the fourth partner from my firm to hold this office, which includes former partner Lew Heller, Senior Partner Edgar Romano, and me. My firm is proud to continue the tradition of national leadership in an organization that fights to protect injured workers.

This year we were updated on a number of interesting topics including one near and dear to my heart – benefits for first responders. My friend and colleague JR Boyd, a past president of WILG and a leader in his home state of Missouri, lectured about the dangers inherent in firematic duties. As the daughter and sister 8 OCTOBER 6, 2016 • Number 40 VOL. 15 •

HILLARYOUS Dear Editor, I find it absolutely incredulous that many of Donald Trump's biggest critics completely overlook transgressions of Hillary Clinton. Transgressions which committed by anyone else would result in severe punishment or penalty.

For over thirty years I worked for two agencies of the federal government and one municipal. During that time it was impressed upon employees that protection, safeguard, confidentiality and accuracy of official government documents was of utmost importance. During my tenure I saw at least nine employees dismissed for improper handling of such information, from loss to destruction to amending documents without authorization. I recall coworkers being disciplined for not placing paperweights on piles of documents, misfiling or completion in red ink instead of blue or black. Often these violations were held against employees for years.

Then along comes Hillary Clinton who uses a private server, deletes tens of thousands of emails, stole White House articles and alleges bankruptcy when she and Mr. Clinton left office in 2001. She claims she didn't know that documents marked "c" meant "confidential". I find that hard to believe.

In the past, she lied about Benghazi,

Vince Foster, and being on battle lines in Bosnia. A candidate who talks about creating jobs fired members of the White House travel and kitchen staffs. And there is also the "pay to play" policy of the Clinton Foundation. She has made a career of lies and deceptions and is entirely untrustworthy.

Any of us working class folks would have found ourselves quickly on the unemployment line had we committed any of these actions. But I suppose that shows the difference when one has the liberal media, Hollywood and colleges behind her. Plus a husband who is a former president and who just happens to meet Loretta Lynch on a tarmac in Phoenix.

So serendipitous, isn't it?

Edward Rickes Howard Beach

PUBLISHED by The Forum

Newspaper, Inc.

EDITOR-IN- Michael V. CHIEF Cusenza CONTRIBUTING Alan Krawitz REPORTERS Samantha Geary PHOTOGRAPHY Richard York

Catherine M. Stanton is a senior partner in the law firm of Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano, LLP. She focuses on the area of Workers’ Compensation, having helped thousands of injured workers navigate a highly complex system and obtain all the benefits to which they were entitled. Ms. Stanton has been honored as a New York Super Lawyer, is the past president of the New York Workers’ Compensation Bar Association, the immediate past president of the Workers’ Injury Law and Advocacy Group, and is an officer in several organizations dedicated to injured workers and their families. She can be reached at 800.692.3717.

of retired firefighters and sister of a current FDNY Lieutenant, I am always trying to keep updated on the latest issues affecting those I love. I have grown up knowing that at any moment tragedy may strike.

Ironically, on the day of the lecture news broke of the death of New York City Firefighter Chief Michael Fahy. He was on the scene of a reported gas leak and while in the midst of an investigation, an explosion occurred and part of the structure fell on him. Chief Fahy graduated from law school but decided to pursue his dream as a firefighter. He was following in the footsteps of his father Thomas Fahy, himself a retired FDNY Chief.

Chief Fahy is but one of the many men and women who have sacrificed their lives for their City, their state, or their country.

Tragedy can strike without warning in the form of a building collapse, an explosion, a flashover, or when a floor or roof is compromised. First Responders may end up burned, electrocuted, or receive THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

blunt force trauma. These are just a few of the ways firefighting can turn deadly.

Unfortunately, our firefighters do not just face immediate dangers on the job, but also must contend with lung issues, cancer, and heart conditions. Three hundred forty-three firefighters lost their lives during the attacks of 9/11, but so many more have died from the after effects of being exposed to toxins in the air.

While there are still nine volunteer fire companies in New York City that respond to calls in their neighborhoods and are covered under the New York State Workers’ Compensation System, the vast majority of residents are protected by a paid force of brave men and women who are employed by the City. The Fire Department of New York is the largest municipal fire department in the United States, employing more than 10,000 uniformed firefighters.

When firefighters get injured, they are paid a salary until they are able to return

to work. Some firefighters who get injured on the job as a result of the wrong doing of another may be able to file suit against the negligent party. Some firefighters may receive a three-quarter disability pension if they suffer an injury and are unable to work but benefits may differ depending upon the type of injury sustained and years of service. As a result of the heart, stroke and lung bills, there is a presumption that disabling heart, stroke, and lung conditions are the result of employment as a firefighter. I have seen the damage the job has done to the people I care about and the untimely deaths of many whose health has been severely compromised as a result of the rigors of the job.

While benefits do exist, one can never truly repay these brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us.

Nana’s Named By CBS News in Top 5 Best Breakfast Restaurants in NYC! LATEST BEST OF NY NYC’S BEST EGG BREAKFASTS: EGG, BEC, EGG SHOP, NANA’S BREAKFAST NOOK & SHOPSINS.

Nana’s will be open on Monday October 10 Columbus Day from 8 am until 1:00pm

Nana’s Breakfast Nook specializes in hearty, fortifying breakfasts, with a reliance where possible on organic ingredients, including free-range eggs. The Howard Beach restaurant’s version of a BLT includes arugula, eld greens, smoked bacon, and Vermont Cheddar, while the “southern charmer” comes with poached eggs, sausage gravy, bacon bits, and biscuits. Another option? A three-egg omelet with mushrooms, spinach, and Gouda. Oh, and start with the brulee grapefruit, in which the fruit gets rubbed with ginger and raw sugar and gently torched.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 15 • Number 40 OCOTOBER 6, 2016| 9

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Assembly Candidate Calls for Suspension of Bridge Tolls during Rockaway Food Fest

By Michael V. Cusenza An area Assembly candidate recently served the Metropolitan Transportation Authority a bit of food for thought when she asked the agency for a temporary suspension of toll collection at the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge for motorists visiting the surfside community for the biannual Taste of Rockaway festival.

In a letter to MTA Bridges and Tunnels President Donald Spero, Stacey Pheffer Amato, a Democrat, called for a one-time moratorium on tolls at the bridge linking the Rockaway Peninsula to the rest of the borough during the next Taste of Rockaway in December. Pheffer Amato said she believes that the fee discourages visitors to the popular food fair, thereby affecting the community’s ongoing recovery from Superstorm Sandy. The revenues generated by TOR and its promotion of local businesses would far outweigh a single day’s loss in tolls, Pheffer Amato reasoned.

“Taste of Rockaway has become a symbol of our community’s recovery and resiliency from Superstorm Sandy. This great festival showcases our best local, familyowned restaurants and helps generate much-needed economic activity,” said Pheffer Amato, who also co-owns Elegante Restaurant and Pizzeria on Rockaway Beach Boulevard. “By suspending the toll on the Cross Bay Bridge during Taste of Rockaway, the MTA can send a strong message that it supports small businesses in this community and is committed to our long-term recovery.”

Photo Courtesy of the Pheffer Amato Campaign

Democratic Assembly Candidate Stacey Pheffer Amato said the one-day suspension of toll collection will help the Taste of Rockaway festival help “generate much-needed economic activity” in the area.

Organized in 2013, just months after Sandy plowed through the peninsula, the semiannual Taste of Rockaway invites foodies of all ages to sample the fare of Rockaway Beach’s myriad eateries. According to Pheffer Amato, more than 18 vendors participated in the last TOR in May, attracting nearly 2,000 revelers to the community.

Pheffer Amato has characterized her toll-free request as a “novel solution” to one of the main issues of the race to represent the 23rd Assembly District. In 2012, outgoing Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Howard Beach), who has endorsed Pheffer Amato, secured a rebate program in the State

budget to reimburse residents of Rockaway and Broad Channel for the bridge tolls. Still, Pheffer Amato said, many in the community continue to see the fee as a barrier to economic growth, especially in the years since Sandy struck in October 2012.

Goldfeder said the toll “divides our community and deprives us of needed economic growth following Sandy. I was proud to bring back the residency rebate and I applaud Stacey Pheffer Amato for her new proposal to encourage residents from across the city to enjoy our popular Taste of Rockaway festival. Our restaurants and familyowned small businesses rely on visitors and

we must do everything we can to encourage travel to our beautiful community.”

Robert Kaskel, president of the business advocacy organization Rockaway Union added, “Our Taste of Rockaway event has grown annually since its inception after Hurricane Sandy. Removing the toll on the Cross Bay Bridge will greatly enhance the event’s participation and make it even more accessible to those outside of the Rockaways.”

An MTA spokesperson told The Forum that they are reviewing Pheffer Amato’s letter.

City, Elected Officials Help Spread Word about Rent Freeze Programs

By Forum Staff Local elected officials and representatives from the New York City Department of Finance have joined Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr to draw attention to two city initiatives aimed at helping to control rising rent prices for senior citizens and disabled New Yorkers.

Addabbo, along with members of the city Finance Department as well as Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, former Assemblywoman and current Queens County Clerk Audrey Pheffer and her daughter, Stacey Pheffer Amato, unveiled plans at the JASA Senior Center in Far Rockaway to establish new outreach efforts for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) programs. These two initiatives prevent eligible New Yorkers from being faced with a rent increase that could put those on a fixed income at risk of not be able to pay their rent.

“As the cost of living continues to rise across the nation, and especially here in New York City, it becomes more impor-

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo’s Office

Sen. Addabbo joined fellow pols and officials from the City Department of Finance last week at the JASA Senior Center in Far Rockaway to announce new outreach efforts for the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption and Disability Rent Increase Exemption programs.

tant than ever that we do our part to make sure senior citizens and individuals with disabilities are able to stay in their homes,” said Addabbo. “Through programs such as SCRIE and DRIE, thousands of New Yorkers and their families will be free from the burden of having to figure out how to pay

12 OCTOBER 6, 2016 • Number 40 VOL. 15 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

an increased rent bill that could potentially shatter their strict budgets. These initiatives are essential to helping keep people in their homes, but they only work if the public knows about them.”

There are 80,000 seniors city-wide, including thousands in Addabbo’s district,

who may be eligible for SCRIE, but are not taking advantage of the program, either because they are not aware of the exemptions or because they do not realize they are able to receive them. As part of his efforts to increase awareness for both programs, Addabbo’s office plans to visit residents throughout his district to explain the eligibility requirements and inform constituents who are able to receive the exemptions of where they can go to get help applying for the programs.

The Senator also is seeking to promote sites where seniors can get more information or apply for SCRIE, such as his district offices or sites like the Maspeth Town Hall, located at 53-37 72nd Street in Maspeth.

“For many families, the financial assistance offered by these two programs can be the difference between having to choose between paying rent or buying food, and being able to do both,” Addabbo said. “I look forward to working with the community to help provide my constituents with these rent increase exemptions and make sure that our aging population and those who have a disability can stay in their homes where they belong.”

10

New City Laws To IncreaseTransparency of Public Safety Stats

7

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Mayor de Blasio recently signed 13 bills into law.

By Michael V. Cusenza Mayor Bill de Blasio recently signed into law a package of bills aimed at making public safety statistics, in Hizzoner’s words, “even more transparent.”

All four pieces of legislation, which became law last week, call on the City Police Department to improve reporting and analysis of raw information on sex offenses, domestic violence incidents, and hate crimes.

“The data required by these bills will not only deepen our understanding of important public safety issues, but also help us to identify ways to address them,” de Blasio said, prior to signing Intros. 869-A, 948-A, 961-A, and 968-A. Intro 869-A requires the NYPD to report quarterly on all sex offenses broken down by specific felony or misdemeanor.

Intro 948-A requires the NYPD to report monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, and annually on domestic violence; and quarterly and annually on hate crimes.

“The increased reporting of domestic violence incidents, sex crimes, and hate crimes will give every New Yorker a clearer picture of where these crimes occur,” said Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.

“The efforts of the City Council to amend the administrative code of New York to strengthen NYPD reporting on these crimes should be applauded. Reporting on these encounters is a vital step toward increased transparency and identifying where these incidents begin, so that we can potentially stop these crimes before they occur, or provide increased services to the victims in the communities that are becoming most affected.”

Intro 961-A requires the NYPD to report quarterly and annually on intimatepartner domestic violence.

“Last year, there were 8,027 domestic incidents reported in my district – that’s 22 per day, so I feel compelled to work

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

proactively on this issue,” said Councilman Antonio Reynoso (D-Queens and Brooklyn). “Tracking these incidents and distinguishing intimate-partner violence from other types can give us the ability to target services to meet the needs on the ground. [The Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence] and local organizations, such as the North Brooklyn Coalition Against Family Violence in my district, provide targeted services for intimate partner violence, both for prevention, such as OCDV’s Healthy Relationship Training Academy, and for victim services as well. Data can help us figure out more specifically where outreach about these services is needed. I look forward to a day where we can say that these services are no longer needed because we’ve eradicated domestic violence from the city; but until then, am glad that we can use this information, and the information generated by the other bills in this package, to make sure that needed services reach our communities.”

And Intro 968-A requires the NYPD to report semi-annually and annually on domestic violence in public housing; and quarterly and annually on the percent of reported felony crimes citywide related to domestic violence.

“Domestic violence continues to be a silent act that occurs behind closed doors, with limited information of where it happens and why. Public housing has some of the highest incidents of domestic violence, yet we don’t have a sense of where the incidents happen and how to better allocate resources in order to prevent them,” said Councilman Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx).

“This bill will shed a light on where domestic violence incidents are occurring on NYCHA developments and give us more information on DV so that we are able to better address the issue.”

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A percentage of proceeds will go to Breast Cancer Research THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 15 • Number 40 OCOTOBER 6, 2016| 13

Peralta, Glick Announce Bill that Targets Drivers who Speed through School Zones

By Forum Staff State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) and Assemblywoman Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan) joined transit safety advocates in Manhattan last week to unveil a bill aimed at reducing traffic accidents around schools by penalizing drivers who speed in school zones.

Under the proposed legislation, drivers convicted of three or more speeding violations in school zones on school days within an 18-month period would lose their license for 60 days.

“We have a responsibility to hold reckless drivers accountable for their actions,” Peralta said. “Schools zones are slow zones.

Period.”

In 2013, according to the City Department of Transportation, at least three in every four drivers exceeded limits within a quarter mile of 100 school buildings surveyed. In addition, at another 306 school zones, between 25 and 75 percent of the drivers exceeded the speed limit.

“This is one more step to keep our children safe,” Peralta said. “Last year, more than a thousand schoolchildren under the age of 17 were injured in crashes, and nine children were killed. So, this proposal is aimed at improving schoolchildren and pedestrian safe-

der the age of 14 is struck by a vehicle traveling 35 miles per hour, they are five times more likely to die than if they were hit by a vehicle traveling 25 miles per hour.

“Undoubtedly, exceeding speed limits a few miles can be the difference between life and death in crashes,” he said.

“When a parent or guardian sends their children to school, they deserve the peace of mind to know that speeding motorists will not put their children in danger,” said Glick.

“Requiring the suspension of a driver’s license after three or more speeding violations within a school zone in an 18-month period of time is the least we can do for our children. We must put all speeding motorists on notice that reckless driving in our school zones will not be tolerated. I am happy to be working with Senator Peralta, Transportation Alternatives, Make Queens Safer and our community members to slow motorists down in our school zones.”

Cristina Furlong, co-founder of Makes Queens Safer, added, “When drivers persist in disregarding the safety of our children, Photo Courtesy of Sen. Peralta’s Office the result could be tragic. We believe that it Caroline Samponaro of Transportation Alternatives (l. to r.), Sen. Peralta, Assemblywoman Glick, and Cristina is fair and just to have this new legislation to Furlong, co-founder of Make Queens Safer, unveiled the bill last week in front of PS 41 in Manhattan. act as a deterrent to the dangerous behaviors ty, especially in and around school zones. must ensure that our students are safe at all and rampant speeding that put our kids in Every day, more than one million children times.” harm’s way.” travel to and from schools in the City, so we Peralta also noted that when a child un-

Youth Employment Task Force to Ensure that ‘Youth Remain a Top Priority’: de Blasio, Mark-Viverito

By Forum Staff Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito last week announced the formation of the Youth Employment Task Force to, as they characterized the responsibility of the new body, inform future investments and assess the best areas for growth and improvement in youth workforce programming.

The development of the task force, which held its first meeting last Friday, comes after this year’s increase in funding for youth workforce initiatives and a record-breaking year for the Summer Youth Employment program. This season, 60,000 young people participated in the SYEP – the nation’s largest summer youth jobs initiative – and the City and Council supported the program with a record $72.4 million in funding.

Chaired by Richard Buery, deputy mayor for Strategic Policy Initiatives, and City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras-Copeland (D-East Elmhurst), the panel boasts senior administration officials and City Council members, as well as stakeholders from philanthropy, business, academia, advocacy, and youth development.

“Beginning work experience as a youth is an invaluable asset when considering how to come out ahead during later searches for full-time employment,” Mark-Viverito said.

“The City Council is proud to have funded more than $85 million toward the Summer 14 OCTOBER 6, 2016 • Number 40 VOL. 15

Photo Courtesy of Demetrius Freeman/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Mark-Viverito recently announced the formation of a new 20-member Youth Employment Task Force.

Youth Employment Program and Work, Learn, Grow in its FY 2017 budget, ensuring that thousands of young people around New York City will continue to gain valuable work experience. The oversight of the Youth Employment Taskforce is the next step in evolving our youth employment programs to best serve the youth of the five boroughs, and I look forward to the results that will come from the leadership of Mayor de Blasio, Deputy Mayor Richard Buery, Council Finance Chair Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, and those • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

of us at the Council who have ensured that NYC youth remain a top priority.”

According to the administration, the task force will convene four times before the end of the year with the goal of developing recommendations for the city’s youth workforce programs and assess areas of potential investment and growth. Specifically, the task force is charged with: • Defining the role of the Summer Youth Employment Program and Work Learn Grow in preparing NYC youth for suc-

cess in school and career.

• Developing recommendations for improving both the Summer Youth Employment Program and Work Learn Grow program models.

• Highlighting the system-building efforts necessary to implement these changes and sustain successful programs.

“The Council made youth development a priority during this year’s budget process, and we are proud of the significant investments the City is making in summer internship and job training programs. Yet we must strive for more – which is why I am pleased to Chair this task force,” said Ferreras-Copeland. “I look forward to working with the diverse members to develop recommendations which will expand and strengthen programs like SYEP. In New York City, all young people should have the opportunity to gain real workplace experience.”

Started in 1963, SYEP provides city youth between the ages of 14 and 24 with up to six weeks of entry-level experience at worksites in all five boroughs. SYEP offers workshops on job readiness, career exploration and financial literacy, and opportunities to continue education and social growth.

Specialized programming for disabled, foster care, runaway/homeless and court-involved young people is also available. Participants are selected by lottery for the program.

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Last week we talked to you about the usefulness of the flu shot in trying to offset the dreaded complications of the seasonal nuisance. But this week we’d like to share with you a basic primer to address the single largest complaint everyone seems to have everyday---fighting off the symptoms of a cold or allergies.

If you’re like nine out of ten people walking around these days, your eyes are watering, you’re coughing, sneezing and completely stuffed up.

And in addition to feeling lousy, you’re staring at hundreds of preparations on the shelves of your pharmacy wondering just which one of these promised land medications will take your insufferable woes away.

Here are the general rules of thumb. First, it doesn’t matter if you have allergies or a cold… you use the same OTC medications.

Don’t let all the packaging fool you--it doesn't matter what is says it is for…always turn the box around and look at the “active ingredients”.

There are 7 main categories of drug treatment: 1- oral antihistamines(diphebhydramine, chlorphreniramine, loratadine or cetirizine)take these for runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing

and dry cough.

2- nose spray decongestants phenylphrine, oxymetazoline) only use nose sprays for 3 days.

3-oral decongestant (phenylphrine or pseudophedrine)for head congestion--you need ID to purchase this one.

4- cough supressant (dextromethorphan)for a bad dry cough 5-expectorant (guaifenisin)-if you're coughing up phlegm/mucous 6-eye drop antihistimine (ketotifen)-annoying, watery eyes, take this and an oral antihitimine 7-pain/fever reducer(ibuprofen, naproxen, acetominophen) for aches, pains and/or fever.

You can safely take one medication from each category. Most symptoms can be managed effectively with a combination of antihistimine/ pseudophedrine.

Now although you won't find it on the shelves in your pharmacy, there is one other thing which is undoubtedly considered to be very helpful in healing these types of ails. And that is Chicken Soup--unlike some of the pills, that's definitely not hard to swallow...

Until next week...

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 15 • Number 40 OCOTOBER 6, 2016| 15

Candidates Share Stances on Area Transportation Issues at Civic Election Forum

By Mike Scala The Queens Public Transit Committee last Thursday evening hosted a candidates night in Rockaway Beach featuring incumbents and those vying for seats at the federal and state tables sharing their views on area transportation issues, including the Rockaway Beach Rail Line, Select Bus Service, and the Vision Zero initiative.

The forum was held at the Knights of Columbus Council 2672 on Beach 90th Street. State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and 15th Senatorial District challenger Michael Conigliaro participated, as did 23rd Assembly District candidates Stacey Pheffer Amato and Alan Zwirn, the GOP nominee. Michael O’Reilly, running on the Republican ticket to represent the 5th Congressional District, also presented his transit plans. Due to duties on the Hill in Washington, O’Reilly’s opponent, U.S. Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Jamaica), could not attend.

The reactivation of the Rockaway Beach Rail Line, or QueensRail, proved to be the most contentious issue of the evening. The QPTC has long advocated for restoration of the defunct, four-mile

By Forum Staff

Photo Courtesy of Laura Deckelman

Sen. Addabbo was among five candidates to participate in last Thursday’s forum organized by the Queens Public Transit Committee.

spur that once connected Rockaway and southern Queens with Rego Park, and provided area residents with expedient access to Midtown Manhattan and other parts of the city. Both Assembly hopefuls, as well as O’Reilly, pledged to support plans that called for reactivation.

The Senate contenders, however, were more measured in their responses.

Addabbo said that he frequently broached the issue with Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast, but indicated that he did not want to get his constituents’ hopes up until the MTA was fully behind the project.

According to published reports, the agency’s study to determine the feasibility of various implementation options is just getting

underway. Conigliaro also cited the upcoming study, adding that he would prefer a quiet train, busway or light rail.

When it came to the proposed QueensWay, the concept to turn the former rail line into a linear park, opposition was unanimous.

Conigliaro, who ran against Addabbo two years ago, said he supported other park projects, but not the QueensWay concept. Add-

abbo noted that opponents of the rail project are adamantly against the park idea as well, because the latter, they have reasoned, could attract more criminal activity to their neighborhoods.

Select Bus Service on Cross Bay and Woodhaven boulevards was another major issue, with each candidate expressing concerns about particular features, such as losing lane capacity, removing left turns and forcing bus riders into the median. None of the candidates endorsed the plan, which has also been opposed by the committee. Zwirn was especially critical of Mayor Bill de Blasio, whom he characterized as unwilling to work with the community on this and other matters.

The City’s Vision Zero initiative was widely criticized, in principle, by the candidates.

“They’re trying to get us out of our cars,” O’Reilly said.

Other forum topics included the Citywide Ferry, improving the A train, speed limits, redlight cameras, bike lanes, funding for transit infrastructure and the elimination of tolls.

Mike Scala is an attorney and the first vice president of the Queens Public Transit Committee

New Federal Law Features Provisions to Aid Borough Veterans

Several provisions authored

by U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (DFlushing) that aim to assist veterans were signed into law last week

by President Barack Obama.

The provisions are part of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations legislation, and were attached to the stop-gap spending bill that Obama signed last Friday to avert a government shutdown.

They include: •A provision that seeks to have the Department of Veterans Affairs hire more female healthcare professionals in order to provide female veterans with greater opportunities to choose the gender of their healthcare provider. The measure, Meng said, would create more options for female veterans who prefer to select female healthcare providers.

•A provision that seeks to have the VA allow for religious

16 OCTOBER 6, 2016 • Number 40

Asian-American to the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans.

Asian-Americans are currently underrepresented on the panel which provides the Secretary and Congress with advice about medical care, benefits, and services for veterans, Meng said.

•A provision that seeks to have the VA accept medical opinions from non-VA doctors in order to determine whether or not a veteran has a disability. According to Meng, usage of non-VA doctors for this purpose would facilitate faster payment of disability benefits.

“I am extremely pleased that these important measures are now the law of the land,” Meng added. “We must continue to do all we can to take care of our nation’s veterans, and these proviOfficial White House Photo by Pete Souza sions will help our former service President Obama last Thursday signed the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill into law. members in several key areas. emblems on headstones of un- stones of these veterans as long documentation.

Many thanks to the President and claimed, deceased veterans. The as documentation of the veteran’s •A provision that seeks to my Congressional colleagues for measure would allow religious beliefs can be produced, such as have the Secretary of Veterans moving these items forward.” identifiers to be on the head- through dog tags or other military Affairs appoint an additional VOL. 15 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Fed Report Exposes Vulnerabilities in Licensing Process for Radioactive Materials

Chelsea explosion highlights real risk of dirty bomb in New York City: Schumer

By Forum Staff U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) this week urged the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to overhaul its nuclear licensing protocol, which Schumer characterized as being riddled with loopholes that allow wrongdoers to legally obtain radioactive materials that can be used to develop a dirty bomb.

Additionally, New York’s senior senator cited a recent “shocking” Government Accountability Office report in which a fictitious shell company successfully obtained a license that allowed them to purchase enough materials to construct a radioactive explosive device.

“It is simply shocking that in a post 9/11 world, where we are faced with metastasizing homegrown terror threats, creating a shell company and collecting radioactive material is made possible through the U.S. government’s own policies and procedures,” Schumer said.

“We must adapt and fix our weaknesses, even as the terrorists who seek to do us harm are adapting to our efforts to root out and destroy them in other parts of the world. The fact that the NRC has oversight over this shocking loophole is something they must swiftly address before a nefarious attempt is made. The GAO did the right thing by exposing this ‘dirty bomb’ secret, and now we must finish the job by closing this loophole, while scouring the list of just who is being granted access to these dangerous mate-

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

In the wake of recent terror attacks in Manhattan (pictured) and New Jersey, Sen. Schumer has urged the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission to overhaul its nuclear licensing protocol.

rials.”

Schumer added that, in light of the GAO report, the increased prevalence of homegrown terror threats, and the recent attacks in Manhattan and New Jersey, the feds should scour the list of newly-approved shipments of radioactive material to make sure that all those who were granted a recent license are legitimate.

“The bottom line is that we must have a rigorous background-check system in place for any entity that seeks to purchase radioactive material, and an equally rigorous system for tracking what they do with it afterwards,” Schumer said. “In an age of terror threats, purchasing radioactive material is not just a medical matter or research matter, it is a national

security matter, too.”

According to Schumer, There are three categories of radioactive material that range in descending order of danger: Category 1, Category 2, and Category 3. Despite the three levels of danger, each category could cause permanent injury to a person handling the radioactive material or in a city where it might be deployed as part of a dirty bomb. Unlike the process for obtaining a license for category 1 and 2 radioactive materials, the NRC does not review specific security measures before a Category 3 license is issued. Schumer said that this is “a highly concerning loophole” because a malicious individual may be able to obtain enough Category 3 radioactive materials to create and detonate a deadly dirty bomb capable of poisoning a major city like New York.

According to the National Resources Defense Council, Category 3 radioactive material poses serious exposure risks to humans.

In its July study, the GAO established three fictitious businesses – including the leasing of vacant space for each fictitious company – and applied for a Category 3 radioactive materials license for each. In one of the three scenarios, GAO successfully obtained a license and secured commitments to purchase Category 3 radioactive material that could be used to develop a dirty bomb.

Commuter Advocacy Groups Lead Push for Half-Priced MetroCards for Low-Income Riders

By Forum Staff The New York Public Interest Research Group Straphangers Campaign last week helped to expand the #FairFares Photo Petition Tour to include college commuters who want to show Mayor Bill de Blasio “the unfair choices low-income students face to afford public transit.”

Volunteers and students stood outside Hunter College at the 68th Street 6 train station last Thursday in Manhattan to announce the expansion of the tour that was initiated by members of the Riders Alliance in August. In the photos, low-income students use props of necessities – e.g. textbooks, meals – to illustrate how the cost of a MetroCard “has been a barrier to their higher education,” according to the Riders Alliance, which noted that a monthly MetroCard costs approximately $1,400 annually – more than the average price of textbooks (approximately $1,200 a year).

That’s why the Community Service Society, the Riders Alliance and 25 other organizations have said that they are calling on the mayor to implement half-priced subway and bus fares for low-income New Yorkers.

“Low-income students forgo meals, their textbooks or even skip class entirely,” said Straphangers Campaign Associate Jaqi Cohen. “When we saw the #FairFares photo tour

Cards to public school students under 18, but they are cut off once they graduate, the Riders Alliance noted.

“This is a crisis. If low-income students are unable to get to the classes that will help them get a job upon graduation, than there is no real opportunity for upward mobility,” said Riders Alliance Campaign Manager Rebecca Bailin.

“Mayor de Blasio has been looking for ways to help ease the growing economic inequality in this city. Luckily, #FairFares is a simple solution that will allow Mayor de Blasio to help low-income students, along with hundreds of thousands of other struggling New Yorkers, get ahead.”

According to the Alliance, as of 2014, 18 percent of CUNY students live below the federal poverty level, with some 40,000 CUNY Photo Courtesy of NYPIRG @ Hunter College students part of households earning a comThe #FairFares tour features images in which low-income students tell Mayor de Blasio how the cost of a MetroCard bined $10,000 a year or less. has been a barrier to their higher education.

“Taking mass transit to class is a right, not a launch, our volunteers were inspired to help According to a CSS study released in April, luxury. I don’t think deciding between getting students share their stories with Mayor de Bla- one in four low-income New Yorkers reported to class and purchasing textbooks should be a sio. We know that education is the primary way being unable to travel to doctor’s appoint- choice I or any student should make. I have to in which people can pull themselves out of pov- ments, jobs, college classes, and other essen- carefully plan my route by walking a long time erty. But the ticket, the MetroCard, is getting in tials. The same report found that the cost of a from the Bronx to Harlem so I only have to take the way. Creating a reduced-fare system has the 30-day unlimited MetroCard makes up more one bus to the train instead of two,” said Alepotential for benefiting thousands of CUNY than 10 percent of a family’s budget, forcing jandro Brown, a sophomore at Hunter. “Mayor students living below the federal poverty line, individuals to make sacrifices, including funda- de Blasio: we need your help. Nobody should easing the already tremendous burden of pay- mentals like rent, food, textbooks, and utilities. have to make these complicated calculations to ing for college.”

New York City provides limited-use Metro- get to school.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 15 • Number 40 OCOTOBER 6, 2016| 17

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Legal Notices Notice of Formation of ALTRADE LLC, Art. of Org. filed with Sec’y of State (SSNY) on 8/11/16. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ALLTRADE LLC, 39-26 218TH STREET, BAYSIDE, NY 11361. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of Sun Square Towers, LLC, Art. of Org. filed with Sec’y of State (SSNY) on 7/29/16. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to Jiashu Xu, 112-15 Northern Blvd., #2, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: any lawful activities.

44-33 NORTHERN PROPERTY, L.L.C. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/14/16. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 43-40 Northern Boulevard, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of KUM & GO, L.C. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/19/16. “ L.L.C.” will be added to the name per Sec. 204 of NYS LLC Law. Office location: Queens County. LLC formed in Iowa (IA) on 11/10/97. Princ. office of LLC: 6400 Westown Pkwy., West Des Moines, IA 50266. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the princ. office of the LLC. Cert. of Form. filed with IA Secy. of State, 6400 Westown Pkwy., West Des Moines, IA 50266. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

1501 Emmons LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 8/25/16. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Yacov Benlevi, 193-07 85th Rd., Holliswood, NY 11423. General purpose.

JALANA SHEREESE, LCSW, PLLC, filed with the SSNY on 8/24/16. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the PLLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 5774 246TH CRESCENT, DOUGLASTON, NY 11362. General purpose.

THE MAJESTIC APTS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/27/2015. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 494 Seneca Avenue, Ridgewood, NY 11385. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

TENNIS COURT APTS., LLC Authority filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/22/16. Office location: Queens Co. LLC formed in Florida (FL) on 3/4/16. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to The LLC 19548 Planters Point Dr Boca Raton, FL 33434. FL address of LLC: 19548 Planters Point Dr Boca Raton, FL 33434. Arts. Of Org. filed with FL Secy. of State, P.O. Box 6327 Tallahassee, FL 32314.

Purpose: any lawful activity BELL BLVD PLAZA LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/23/2016. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 125 East Main Street #131, Kings Park, NY 11754. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

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Legal Notices

MA ORGANICS, LLC Arts of Org filed with NY Sec of State (SSNY) on 2/25/16.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may Labrena LLC, a domestic LLC, filed with be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE the SSNY on 9/8/16. Office location: Queens LLC, 2617 28th Street, Apt 1, Astoria, NY County. SSNY is designated as agent upon 11102 whom process against the LLC may be served.

BR HOLDINGS OF NEW YORK, LLC SSNY shall mail process to Donovon Mason, 168-02 144th Dr., Springfield Gardens, NY Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 8/30/2016. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig.

11434. General purpose. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 13012 90thAve., Richmond Hill, NY 11418, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

GILDED MONDAY, LLC a domestic LLC, filed with the SSNY on 5/23/16. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN may be served. SSNY shall mail process to FORECLOSURE C/O United States Corporation Agents Inc, SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF 7014 13th Avenue Ste 202, Brooklyn, NY QUEENS 11228. General purpose.

NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff – against – MARIA ROSARIO, et al JC PAYMENT, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with Defendant(s). the SSNY on 08/15/16. Office: Queens CounPursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure ty. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY and Sale entered on December 20, 2013. I, shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 148-14 the undersigned Referee will sell at public 60th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355. Purpose: auction, at court room #25 located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens County, Any lawful purpose.

New York on the 21st Day of October, 2016 3515 MURRAY LLC. Art. of Org. filed with at 10:00 a.m. All that certain plot, piece or the SSNY on 07/05/16. Office: Queens County. parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon Fourth Ward of the Borough and County of whom process against it may be served. SSNY Queens, City and State of New York. shall mail copy of process toPETER YOM, 189Premises known as 95 30 92nd Street, 51 45TH ROAD, FLUSHING, NY 11358 Ozone Park, (City of New York) NY 11416.

GL STOCK PHOTOS LLC Arts of (Block: 9031, Lot: 20) Org filed with NY Sec of State (SSNY) on Approximate amount of lien $779,459.48 6/28/16. Office: Queens County. SSNY des- plus interest and costs. ignated as agent of LLC upon whom process Premises will be sold subject to provisions may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: of filed judgment and terms of sale. c/o United States Corporation Agents, 7014 Index No. 9656-2008. Eugene Crowe, 13th Avenue, STE 202, Brooklyn NY 11228 Esq., Referee.

Davidson Fink LLP UR ARA, LLC Articles of Org._ filed NY Attorney(s) for Plaintiff Sec. of State (SSNY)09/27/2016. Office in 28 East Main Street, Suite 1700 Queens Co. SSNY Desig. agent of LLC upon Rochester, NY 14614-1990 whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail Tel. 585/760-8218 process to PO Box 20-0745, South Ozone Park, Dated: September 7, 2016 NY 11420. Purpose: Any lawfulpurpose.

18 OCTOBER 6, 2016 • Number 40 VOL. 15 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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Statement of Ownership Statement of Ownership, Management, and Circulation, PS Forum 3526. The Forum, USPS publication number 3378, is published weekly 52 times a year at an annual subscription price of NY State-$19.99, outside NY-$25. Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 155-19 Lahn Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business office of publisher: 155-19 Lahn Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Publisher: Patricia Adams, 15519 Lahn Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Editor: Michael Cusenza, 155-19 Lahn Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Full name The Forum Newspaper Inc. Complete Mailing Address: 155-19 Lahn Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414 Teresa Gulino, president The Forum Newspaper, Inc /The Forum Queenswide, 155-19 Lahn Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414 Issue Date for circulation data below: 10/06/2016.Extent and Nature of Circulation: Average Number Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months: Total number copies (Net Press Run), 125; Paid or Request-ed Mail Subscriptions outside-County, 36. Paid in-County subscriptions, 89 (Include Advertisers’ Proof Copies/Exchange Copies). Paid distribution outside the mails, 0; Paid distribution by other classes, 0. Total Paid and/or Requested Distribution, 125; Free Distribution Outside County, 0. Free Distribution in County, 0.

Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes, 0. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail, 0. Total Free Distribution, 0; Total Distribution 125; Copies Not Distributed, 0. Total 125. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation, 100%. Actual Number Copies of Single Issue Published Nearest to Filing Date: Total number copies (Net Press Run), 132; Paid or Requested Mail Subscriptions outside-County, 43. Paid in-County subscriptions, 89 (Include Advertisers’ Proof Copies/Exchange Copies). Paid distribution outside the mails, 0; Paid distribution by other classes, 0; Total paid and/or Requested Distribution, 132; Free Distribution Outside County, 0; Total Free in County Distribution, 0; Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes, 0. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail, 0. Total Free Distribution, 0: Total Distribution: 132; Copied Not Distributed, 0; Total 132, Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation, 100%.

This Statement of Ownership will be printed in the 10/06/16 issue of this publication.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 15 • Number 40 OCOTOBER 6, 2016| 19

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