THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | FEBRUARY 1, 2018

VOL. 17 • NUMBER 5 • FEBRUARY 1, 2018

Howard Beach • Ozone Park • South Ozone Park • Woodhaven • Richmond Hill • Broad Channel Forest Hills • Middle Village • Glendale • Maspeth

South & West

THOROUGH PRESIDENT

Still Recuperating from Knee Surgery, BP Melinda Katz Outlines ‘Infrastructure for the Future’ of Queens in 2018 State of the Borough Address See Story on Page 8 The borough president delivered her remarks on Friday at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria.

Photo Courtesy of the Office of Borough President Melinda Katz

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 17 • Number 05 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | 1

St. Francis Prep Hoops Star Named McDonald’s All-American

By Michael V. Cusenza It’s been quite the school year for St. Francis Prep standout senior Emily Engstler.

In September, ESPN dubbed the 6-foot-2 Roosevelt Island resident New York’s top women’s basketball prospect; a month later, after being courted by NCAA Division I heavyweights like Ohio State, Rutgers, Miami, and Purdue, Engstler indicated that next fall she would be taking her talents upstate to Syracuse.

Engstler’s final year at the Fresh Meadows high school got even sweeter on Friday afternoon when officials from McDonald’s presented her with the jersey she will don at the vaunted McDonald’s All American Games in March in Atlanta.

“This is a great honor and I’m humble and so appreciative,” Engstler gushed inside the SFP gym. “It shows me that hard work and dedication pays off.”

According to McDonald’s, this year’s boys and girls teams, featuring 48 total athletes, were chosen from more than 700 nominees by the McDonald’s All American Games selection committee. Since 1978, more than 1,300 players have com-

peted in the McDonald’s All American Games, including some of the top names in basketball history: Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Elena Delle Donne, and Breanna Stewart.

And Emily Engstler.

On Friday, in the World’s Borough, she recognized the support system that helped get her to this stage.

“To my teammates: Every one of you has a special place in my heart. I’m so happy to share this moment with all of you—I love St. Francis Prep!” she exclaimed into the mic. “My parents, teammates, teachers, and classmates helped guide me, and for that I’m extremely grateful.”

Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Fresh Meadows) said Friday was a “great day for St. Francis Prep and a great day for Queens.” He also highlighted Engstler’s work ethic—on and off the court.

“She did it the old-fashioned way,” Weprin added. “She earned it.”

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

2 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Number 05 VOL. 17 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Cashless Tolling Great for Drivers, Environment: MTA

By Michael V. Cusenza The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s move from traditional toll booths to Open Road Cashless Tolling at all state bridges and tunnels has sparked “significant and sustained improvements for motorists and the environment,” according to data released on Friday by the agency.

Statistics reveal that the gains include decreased travel times, reduced congestion, lower carbon emissions, improved safety, and savings to the MTA through reduced overall costs.

“The initial results are very encouraging and we will continue to work at providing our customers an enhanced travel experience at our crossings, while also making sure our facilities remain safe,” said MTA Chairman Joe Lhota.

The MTA implemented Open Road Cashless Tolling at all toll plazas in 2017.

According to the agency, ORCT has allowed for a smoother, safer, quicker, environmentally friendly, and more continuous commute across all facilities: • Customer travel time has been reduced by up to 32 percent.

• Customers have saved 3.4 million hours of travel time.

• Fuel consumption has been reduced by 1.6 billion gallons.

• Carbon emissions reduced by 15,393 tons.

Photo Courtesy of the Office of the Governor

The Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge switched to open-road cashless tolling last April.

• Compared to the pre-ORCT period, total collision rate on MTA bridges and tunnels has decreased by 12.8 percent.

• Number of collisions in the old toll areas is down by 41.42 percent.

Lhota also pointed out that a series of enforcement measures are in place to tackle toll payment evasion and chronic toll scofflaws. Customers who do not pay their tolls are subject to violation fees, registration suspensions, and other actions. Late fees will apply if an initial toll bill is unpaid, and

if a second notice is also ignored, violation fees of up to $100 per toll violation may be imposed.

Additionally, the State Department of Motor Vehicles has enacted regulations that allow suspension of the vehicle registration of motorists with three or more unpaid tolls, violation fees and other charges resulting from violations on different days, as well as registration suspension of commercial vehicle owners with $200 or more in unpaid tolls and violation fees within a period of five

years. Repeated notices are sent before eligibility for suspension, according to NY DMV. However, the nascent tolling system has also caused its fair share of headaches.

Some drivers have reported unknowingly incurring steep fines because, they claimed, they never received an original notice or bill in the mail. Other complaints include insufficient signage and the dangers caused by confused motorists who stop under the scanners when they’re supposed to continue driving through them.

Addabbo Calls for Election Law Reform

By Forum Staff A group of State senators are looking to advance a package of election law reform bills in an effort to combat the trend of low voter turnout in New York, according to Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), who is co-sponsoring four of the proposed measures.

Addabbo said that S. 7538 would change the layout of ballots to make them easier to read and understand; S.840 would establish “no fault” absentee balloting by enabling any voter to request and cast their ballot by mail without declaring any reason for doing so; S.3562 would save taxpayer money spent on organizing and holding elections by requiring state primary elections and federal primary elections to be held on the same day.

Additionally, the Voter Empowerment Act would create a modern voter registration system to reduce costs for processing registrations, maintain complete and accurate voter registration lists, and make it easier overall for New Yorkers to register and vote.

“Expanding and protecting vot-

Photo Courtesy of Project Woodhaven

“Having one of the lowest voter participation rates in the nation does not reflect well on our state,” said Sen. Addabbo.

er rights here in New York is paramount in making the process easier and more accessible for a larger number of voters,” Addabbo said.

“Having one of the lowest voter

participation rates in the nation does not reflect well on our state.

Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and if we want to continue to have a strong democracy,

we need to enact sensible measures to allow and encourage more voters to get to the ballot box.”

Addabbo indicated that he’s also supporting bills in the pack-

age that would: establish an early voting system; make voter suppression a crime; and implement uniform poll-closing procedures to ensure integrity in the process.

Others would expand and reform affidavit voting by allowing ballots to be cast and counted when a voter accidentally appears at the wrong election district in the right county.

The senator noted that this latest package of proposals build upon legislation he sponsored during the period when the State and City were implementing provisions of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002.

“It’s no secret that we have great challenges ahead in restoring public trust in our electoral system and in our government itself,” Addabbo added. “We obviously require reasonable safeguards to ensure the integrity and veracity of our election process and results.

However, it is equally clear that we need to remove unnecessarily burdensome obstacles that cause people to jump through hoops to participate in their democracy and that ultimately discourage people from even bothering to vote.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 17 • Number 05 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | 3

Bill Would Regulate Chemicals in Kids’ Products

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Pheffer Amato said the proposed law helps parents “make informed decisions about the items they are purchasing for their family.”

By Forum Staff Legislation aimed at protecting children from toxic exposure by allowing the State Department of Environmental Conversation to regulate, and in cases of significant public health concern, ban the use of some dangerous chemicals in children’s products, is making its way through the Assembly, according to Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), a co-sponsor of the bill.

The proposed law amends the Environmental Conservation Law to better regulate the use of toxic chemicals in children’s products and establishes an infrastructure within State government to categorize chemicals of concerns along with requiring disclosures by children’s products manufacturers as to whether their products contain chemicals of concern.

According to Pheffer Amato, a 2005 study of industrial chemicals conducted by the nonprofit research-based organization Environmental Working Group detected 287 chemicals and pollutants in umbilical cord blood, 180 of which cause cancer, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests.

The assemblywoman praised the bill for allowing “parents to make informed decisions about the items they are purchasing for their family.”

“As a mother of two, I deeply feel the stakes of getting this issue right because so many toxic chemicals are used to make children’s products without any sort of restriction,” said Pheffer Amato, chairwoman of the Assembly Subcommittee on Child Safety.

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Knife-Wielding Crook Strikes Ozone Park, Ridgewood

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The suspect robbed at least two victims in Queens last month.

City Police on Monday reached out to the public for help in identifying and locating a young man wanted in connection with armed robberies last week in Ozone Park and Ridgewood.

According to police reports, on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the 70-year-old female victim was just arriving at her residence in the vicinity of Glenmore Avenue and 76th Street when the suspect approached her, displayed a knife and demanded money. He removed $100 in cash and $6,300 worth of jewelry, then fled on foot in an unknown direction. No injuries were reported in the incident, cops said.

And on Monday, Jan. 22, around 7:55 a.m., the man entered the Bank of America on Myrtle Avenue and Forest Avenue, approached a 27-year-old woman and displayed his knife while demanding cash. He stole $120 from the victim and fled northbound on Forest Avenue. No one was injured.

The suspect is described as a black man in his early 20s, 5-foot-7, last seen wearing a black hooded jacket, backpack, blue jeans and red sneakers.

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.

The NYPD Crime Stoppers Program, which began in 1983, offers rewards up to $2,000 for anonymous information provided to the hotline or website that leads to the arrest and indictment of a violent felon.

Area Officers Honored for Bravery

Six City police officers assigned to the “She also spoke to our officers giving 106th Precinct received official citations words of encouragement and support for from Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer law enforcement,” said Capt. Brian BoAmato (D-Howard Beach) on Thursday hannon, precinct commander. for their bravery during a recent blaze.

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DA Dismissed Arson Case Against Contractor

By Michael V. Cusenza The case against a Yonkers contractor who had been charged with sparking a massive fire in Elmhurst last April has been dismissed, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced last month.

Declan McElhatton, 53, was arraigned on a criminal complaint charging him with fourth-degree arson, second-degree reckless endangerment, and a violation of the fire code.

“After a lengthy investigation at this time we do not believe we are able to prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt,” said Assistant District Attorney Charissa Ilardi, according to the Jackson Heights Post.

The five-alarm blaze injured 11 firefighters and left 175 people homeless after it gutted 112 apartments in the six-story building on 94th Street.

According to the original complaint, File Photo the doomed building’s construction manDeclan McElhatton ager contracted McElhatton to repair the roof. The manager indicated to City fire ties that he had been instructed by his marshals that the materials that were to boss to recover a torch and the propane be used to repair the roof were “all de- tanks from the building’s storage area, and signed to be applied cold, without the use worked on the roof “using said items.”

The FDNY said that “based upon his of heat.” However, according to the complaint, a firefighter said he recovered two training and experience, the above menpropane tanks from the roof. And a man tioned use of the torch on the roof caused who works for McElhatton told authori- said fire.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 17 • Number 05 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | 5

NYPD Detective Convicted in Fake Drug Arrest Case

By Forum Staff NYPD Detective Kevin Desormeau has been convicted at trial of perjury and other charges for having falsely arrested a man in August 2014 on drug charges and then repeatedly lying about the arrest before a grand jury and during a court hearing.

Desormeau, 34, of Long Island was convicted following a week-and-a-half-long jury trial before Queens Supreme Court Justice Michael Aloise. He was found guilty of one count of first-degree perjury for his grand jury testimony on January 16, 2015; one count of first-degree perjury for his testimony during a court hearing on November 5, 2015; two counts of official misconduct; and one count of making a punishable false written statement on the criminal complaint filed with the court.

Justice Aloise set sentencing for March 21, 2018, at which time Desormeau faces up to seven years in prison.

According to the indictment, Detective Desormeau arrested the victim for allegedly selling crack cocaine to a woman on a street corner in the vicinity of 108th Avenue and

Kevin Desormeau once worked as a patrol officer in the 106th Precinct.

Guy R. Brewer Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, on August 28, 2014, between 6:40 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Detective Desormeau stated in the criminal court affidavit that he observed a handto-hand exchange between the victim and an

Photo Courtesy of DHGate.com

unapprehended woman and that he recovered rock cocaine from the man’s waistband at the time of the arrest. He testified before a Queens County grand jury on January 16, 2015, and stated that he saw the man hand two unapprehended women an object in exchange for cash

and that upon arresting the victim he recovered a twist of crack cocaine. During a court hearing on November 5, 2015, he again stated that he saw the victim take part in a drug transaction with two women on the street and that he recovered a plastic bag of crack cocaine and $725 in cash from the man. As a result of his testimony, the victim was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on charges of criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell and held at Rikers Island in lieu of bail.

Following the victim making bail and being released from jail, his attorney presented surveillance video to the district attorney’s office.

This video surveillance captures the inside of a restaurant and bar located on Guy R. Brewer Boulevard and showed the victim, who had been arrested by the detectives, playing pool on August 28, 2014 – during the exact same time that the alleged drug transaction was to have taken place. The video also showed the detective enter the restaurant and bar while the victim was inside playing pool, and then escorting him outside. Drug charges against the victim were dismissed as a result of the investigation.

Jamaica Man Convicted of Kidnapping and Rape of Teen Girl

By Forum Staff

A 31-year-old Jamaica man has been convicted of kidnapping and rape charges after luring a teenager living in Canada to run away from home in August of 2014.

“While social media can be entertaining and informative, it can also be a very dangerous place for youngsters.

The defendant in this case used Facebook to establish a relationship with the then-15-year-old girl and manipulated her to run away when her family visited New York City. The defendant had sex with the teenager and held her

against her will. A jury has now found him guilty and the defendant will be incarcerated for his actions.”

Santiago Reyes of 144th Street in Jamaica, was found guilty of second-degree kidnapping and third-degree rape after a nearly two-week-long trial.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Robert Kohm, who presided at trial, set sentencing for February 15.

According to the charges, Reyes met the then-15-yearold who lived in Toronto, Canada, on Facebook.

He communicated with her online for nine months, urging the teen to run away after she confided that her

parents were too strict and she was being bullied at a new school.

When the girl and her family visited New York City, the defendant picked up the teenager when the parents were out, and took her to his house.

The defendant, who was much older than the teenager expected, was manipulated into having sexual intercourse with the defendant. When the teenager stated she wanted to leave, Reyes refused and told her there was no going back.

Reyes faces up to 25 years in prison.

Jamaica Mom Charged for Bilking Medicaid out of Nearly $70K

By Forum Staff Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown, joined by the New York State Welfare Inspector General Catherine LeahyScott, have announced that a 37-year-old Jamaica, Queens, mother has been charged with grand larceny, welfare fraud and other crimes for lying on a Medicaid application and renewal forms in order to receive benefits for herself and her four children between January 2012 and December 2015.

As a result of this scheme, the defendant bilked the system out of nearly $70,000.

District Attorney Brown said, “The defendant in this case is alleged to have gamed the system for her own financial gain for years… this defendant’s bank records allegedly show her family’s income was well above the levels that would have made her and her children eligible for assistance…The defendant is now facing serious prison time.”

Inspector General Scott reffered to the defendants actions as “a breathtakingly misplaced sense of entitlement by reaping a very comfortable family income while utilizing benefits meant for those Galit Levi and her husband. in need to cover her expenses, as if she were in dire 6 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Number 05 VOL. 17 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Photo Courtesy of Facebook

financial distress.”

The District Attorney identified the defendant as Galit Levi, 37, of 82nd Avenue in Jamaica. She was arraigned this morning before Queens Criminal Court Judge Karen Gopee on a complaint charging her with second-degree grand larceny, second-degree welfare fraud, first-degree falsifying business records and first-degree offering a false instrument for filing. Judge Gopee set bail at $5,000 and ordered the defendant to surrender her US and Israeli passports and to return to court on February 13, 2018.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to 15 years in prison.

The defendant allegedly submitted a falsified application and several renewals for Medicaid assistance. Between January 2012 and December 2015, Levi claimed she was unemployed and that her husband earned approximately $1,750 per month. As a result, the defendant and her four children were approved for assistance. However, a review of the bank account records for Levi and her husband allegedly revealed that the couple had deposits from 2012 through 2016 exceeding $1.13 million. Medicaid benefits for the defendant and her four children totaled in excess of $67,000.

Brooklyn Man Charged with Assaulting Two Cops, City Worker in Maspeth

By Forum Staff A Brooklyn man has been charged with assaulting two NYPD officers and a City Department of Environmental Protection (“DEP”) agent last week at the Maspeth, home he owns and was renovating. The incident occurred when police attempted to arrest the man after he had assaulted the DEP agent.

The defendant is identified as Edward Wysk, 51, of 241 Monitor Street, Brooklyn who was arraigned before Queens Criminal Court Judge Karen Gopee on charges of assault on a peace or police officer, second- and third-degree assault, fourth-degree criminal mischief, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, resisting arrest and second degree harassment.

Wysk, was ordered held on $10,000 bail and to return to court on February 7, 2018.

According to the charges, DEP Agent Michael Lateef, attempted to issue a work stoppage order for construction at Wysk’s house at 5891 Maspeth Avenue house at approximately 12:30 p.m., on January 23, 2018, for lacking the proper asbestos reports. A verbal dispute ensued and Wysk ripped up the stop work order and threw the agent’s credentials to the ground. When Agent Lateef attempted to call the police, Wysk grabbed his cell phone and threw it against a wall, breaking it. Wysk then allegedly grabbed the agent by his arm and shirt.

When the police arrived, PO Matthew

Photo Courtesy of Google

The incident occurred after a City Department of Environmental Protection agent attempted to issue a work stoppage order for construction at Wysk’s house on Maspeth Avenue.

Portoles approached Wysk to place him under arrest, and Wysk ran inside of the house.

Then when Officers Portoles and Randy Paulsaint attempted to enter the home, an object, thrown from inside, crashed through the window of the door striking P.O. Paulsaint in the forehead. Officer Paulsaint was removed to a local Queens hospital where he was treated for a deep laceration that required

Brooklyn Man Shot Dead in South Ozone Park

five stitches and a concussion. When Police Officer Portoles attempted to place Wysk under arrest he resisted and caused Officer Portoles’s arm to strike a metal scaffolding, causing bruising and swelling. Officer Portoles was also taken to the hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Wysk admitted that he was involved in an argument with the DEP agent because he

didn’t trust his credentials and that he told him to call 911. He also admitted to breaking the agent’s mobile phone and said, when I saw the cuffs come out I ran into the house and up the stairs, pushing things out of the way, like two by fours and a fire extinguisher, and I think it may have hit the officer.

Wysk faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Passenger Caught with 2 Pounds of Coke at JFK

By Michael V. Cusenza

Photo Courtesy of Google

Beverly was shot in the head after a gunman opened fire on the vehicle on the Van Wyck Expressway near North Conduit Avenue.

By Michael V. Cusenza A Brooklyn man was shot dead in his friend’s car as they waited at a red light early Sunday morning in South Ozone Park, according to police and published reports.

Sherwood Beverly, 51, was shot in the head after a gunman opened fire on the vehicle as it idled on the Van Wyck Expressway near North Conduit Avenue. Beverly, a father of two who was sitting in the front passenger seat at the time of the incident, later

died at Brookdale Hospital. The driver and another passenger were also shot, but were treated and released from the same facility, cops said. According to a New York Daily News report, the victims drove five miles to the 69th Precinct stationhouse on Foster Avenue in Canarsie after the car was sprayed.

The investigation is ongoing. Relatives of Beverly told the News that he had been “out late catching up with old friends” at Moka Nightclub & Lounge on 91st Avenue in Richmond Hill.

Federal officers recently caught a Pennsylvania woman allegedly attempting to smuggle cocaine through John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Tuere Easter, 38, was detained by CBP agents on Jan. 20 after arriving on a flight from the Eastern Caribbean island of St. Lucia. Officers scanned her bag after a drug-detection dog indicated that it possibly contained narcotics. The investigators then manually probed the luggage and discovered approximately 2 pounds of a white powdery substance that later tested positive for cocaine.

Easter was arrested and turned over to the Port Authority Police Department. According to court records, she was arraigned the following day on a criminal complaint charging her with first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell. The judge ordered Easter to undergo a psychiatric exam and remanded her without bail.

Her next court date is Feb. 21.

The total weight of cocaine seized was approximately 2 lbs. with an approximate street value of more than $30,000.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 17 • Number 05 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | 7

Katz Sets ‘Roadmap’ and Vision for the Future of Queens in State of the Borough Speech

By Michael V. Cusenza Though still hobbled by a recent major knee injury, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz rallied on Friday morning at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts in Astoria to deliver an impassioned State of the Borough address that at once highlighted that which the World’s Borough has accomplished, where it stands today, and the milestones ahead.

“Queens…where the significance of where we’re from is far outweighed by our determination and our dreams for where we want to go,” said Katz, who earned a second term at Borough Hall by cruising to victory in November.

Highlights of her fourth State of the Borough speech included: Plans to convene a Queens Complete Count Committee that will be charged with strategizing and implementing ways to maximize the participation of Queens residents in the 2020 U.S. Census.

“Another Census undercount in New York is not an impossibility,” Katz offered.

“But we have so much at stake here in Queens: federal resources for infrastructure, for health services and for our schools, representation by our local elected officials, and more.”

A breakdown of Katz’s funding allocations during her first term, totaling nearly $300 million for capital priorities throughout the borough: more than a third of the total went toward education, funding hundreds of schools across K-12, upgrades at all five CUNY institutions based in the borough, and major renovations and expansions at neighborhood libraries. Another third went toward 57 Queens parks.

Millions more went to hospitals and health centers, housing projects, cultural institutions, and safety enhancements including upgrades to historic firehouses, Argus security cameras in the streets, and a new

NYPD mobile command substation in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

“So with all these investments, what we’ve actually been doing in Queens is setting a roadmap and building the infrastructure for the future, of where we want the borough to be by the beginning of the next

8 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Number 05 VOL. 17 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

generation, by at least 2030,” the borough president noted.

Urging for more parity in per pupil spending and a greater share of the City’s budget for borough schools, the most overcrowded yet also the most underfunded in the city. While most other boroughs are be-

low capacity, Katz pointed out that Queens schools as a whole exceed capacity at 108 percent, with 116 percent capacity at its elementary schools and 113 percent capacity in its high schools. Queens, however, also receives the lowest amount of funding per pupil than every other borough.

“I’ll be working closely with the administration to get even more than the 18,632 seats already heading our way,” Katz pledged on Friday, “because as we look to where we will be and where we want to be by 2030, it’s clear we need more, and our families deserve more.”

The Western Queens Strategic Tech Plan, a study commissioned by Katz to create the city’s leading tech ecosystem and ultimately, more equitable job growth.

“By leveraging Western Queens’ ample space for growth and its projected development, and by working closely with great partners for our future like [the City economic Development Corporation], we are steering our borough into the competitive lane of the digital age,” she said.

Katz concluded by noting how the identity of her beloved home borough has changed since she embarked on her career in public service more than 20 years ago.

“Today, the narrative of Manhattan and Brooklyn as being the economic engines leading New York has changed. Queens has changed that narrative with our innovation, our ambition, our drive, our grit. And a little bit of our Queens attitude,” Katz added.

“Together, we’ve all brought Queens so far.

And so much more remains to be done. But with a shared vision – our vision – New York’s greatest potential, opportunities, and future are all here. And in 2030, when I’m 64, we’ll be able to look back fondly to today, and how, together, we built our tomorrow.”

Photos Courtesy of the Office of Borough Presient Melinda Katz

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Phone: 718-738-6721 • Fax: 718-846-7755 THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 17 • Number 05 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | 9

Low-Level Radiological Contamination Discovered at Spring Creek Park

The radioactive element radium was recently discovered in Spring Creek Park.

By Michael V. Cusenza Radiological contamination was recently detected at Spring Creek Park, according to federal officials who detailed the discovery Tuesday night at the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic meeting.

Soil sampling for the Spring Creek Resilience and Ecosystem Restoration Project previously identified contaminants in the soil, including pesticides, Polychlorinated Biphenyls, and various metals including lead. Based on these results and what is known of the landfill history at Spring Creek, U.S. National Park Service Environmental Protection Expert Kathleen Cuzzolino said the agency initiated a walkover survey of all trails and roads of the federal Howard Beach green space. The analysis identified five man-made radioactive articles containing the naturally occurring element radium near surface soils as well as other localized areas of radioactivity.

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One such device introduced by Abbott in 2017 was the FreeStyle Libre Glucose Monitoring System, a cutting edge device that uses a sensor placed on the upper arm allowing patients to trace their blood glucose levels throughout the day.

Market executives expect that more patch pumps will hit the shelves over the next few years as well.

Another innovative technology is the ability to electronically track patient data. Patients and health professionals can keep diaries and logs for insulin, diet, activity and blood glucose levels through the use of wireless glucose meters which are compatible with their Smartphone’s.

Patients will be able to keep better records

through the use of smart insulin pens that track time, date and insulin doses delivered.

The role of pharmacists is expected to increase with the advent of these new technologies, helping patients navigate their way through a bevy of treatment options that can make their lives much more livable while providing safe, effective and cost conscious options for living with diabetes.

In the future medical experts expect that their industry will advance toward what are known as closed loop systems or artificial pancreas systems whose goal is to copy the activity of a normal, healthy body.

Technologists are working on non invasive ways to monitor glucose and Apple is included in the industry giants said to be working on this type of device, although no plans have been disclosed as of yet.

If you have questions on any of these technologies and would like to find out how one or more of them may fit into your lifestyle, you are welcome to bring your questions to us. Counting on your local pharmacist for management of your diabetes is something you should not be afraid to take advantage of.

everything from medical “cures” to children’s toys. It was widely used in luminescent paint for watches, aircraft switches, clocks, and instrument dials, often in military applications; in commercial applications as an additive in products such as toothpaste, hair creams, and food items due to its supposed curative powers; and for medical use as a cancer treatment.

Cuzzolino said that scientists believe that the man-made radioactive articles are from Until next week… discarded materials historically brought to Spring Creek.

While the park requires further investigation, current survey results indicate there For your family’s prescription needs, please call is a low risk of exposure to radium from pasCROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644 sive use (e.g., walking, jogging) of established or stop by either of our two convenient locations: 157-02 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm. Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. trails. or 96-05 101st Ave. in Ozone Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.

“It’s not like asbestos fiber, where it can get airborne,” Cuzzolino noted. “You really have near surface soils on and near trails at evaluate potential human health and ecologito come in direct contact with a radioactive Spring Creek have been removed. cal risks associated with exposure to hazardarticle to risk exposure.”

The National Park Service is currently ous substances that may be present, identify Cuzzolino assured all that the man-made performing an Engineering Evaluation/Cost pertinent cleanup requirements, and if necesradioactive articles containing radium buried Analysis to further investigate Spring Creek, sary, identify cleanup actions for the park.

Mayor Talks Rockaway and Jamaica Bay with Army Corps of Engineers

By Michael V. Cusenza

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Friday met with Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, mainly to discuss coastal protections on the Rockaway peninsula and in Jamaica Bay. In December, after a number of residents raised concerns at a town hall meeting hosted by City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), de Blasio pledged to talk about borFile Photo ough resiliency, especially vulnerDe Blasio promised residents at the December town hall he held with Councilman Eric able south Queens communities, Ulrich that he would talk about coastal protections on the Rockaway peninsula and in during the scheduled January con- Jamaica Bay when he met with the Army Corps of Engineers. fab with USACE. According to City Hall press officials, the 45-minute conversation beach erosion they were seeing in mulation Plan – a massive, severalbetween de Blasio and Semonite their neighborhoods. Semonite re- billion-dollar project to install the kicked off at 10:45 a.m. and was held portedly agreed to expedite beach- best possible coastline defense to at USACE headquarters in Wash- front protections and bayside in- protect the whole Rockaway peninsula and communities surrounding ington, D.C. The mayor indicated vestments.

The Corps is moving forward on Jamaica Bay from storms and floods that he made the case that residents of the Rockaways felt exposed to the the Rockaway/Jamaica Bay Refor- in a way that is sustainable over 10 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Number 05 VOL. 17 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

the long-term, both for the natural coastal ecosystem and for nearby neighborhoods.

Additionally, the City announced in October that it has secured a $145 million investment for up to seven resilience projects to help protect communities in the Rockaways from the impacts of climate change.

According to the administration, the seven projects include: • Bayswater Park: will install berm along the waterfront and other feature to help manage stormwater; will also include new sports fields, play areas, a public plaza, a refurbished comfort station and access for kayaks.

• Edgemere Raised Shoreline: will include new vegetated berm and new bulkheads to help mitigate coastal flooding.

• Shore Front Parkway Recreation Zone: will include six new rec-

reational facilities along Shorefront Parkway to replace those lost during Superstorm Sandy.

• Rockaway Community Park: will include a raising of the shorelines around the park’s eastern and western edges as well as restore the native wetlands as a natural buffer between the park and Jamaica Bay. • Beach 88th Street Park: new waterfront park will include a new seawall and restores wetlands to mitigate tidal flooding in the Rockaway Beach neighborhood.

• Thursby Basin Park: will transform a vacant lot into a park with seawall and new resilient vegetation along the water to help protect against tidal flooding.

• NYC Parks’ Operations Headquarters for the Rockaways and Broad Channel: improvements to protect facility from future flooding to ensure it can act as a response center in the event of a future storm.

Schumer Calls on Feds to Send Special CDC Flu Team to New York

By Forum Staff Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday demanded that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immediately designate a special “domestic flu surveillance team” for New York.

In a letter to the CDC, Schumer noted that the Empire State is facing an historic outbreak of influenza this season, with nearly 20,000 reported cases and more than 5,200 residents already hospitalized with the serious disease. There were 3,533 flu hospitalizations in New York all of last year. According to the CDC, flu activity peaks between December and March and can last as late as May. “A New York-specific flu surveillance team would help take the state’s temperature on the epidemic and help break its fever,” the senator said. “With record-setting highs this season, it’s absolutely critical that New York have the resources it needs to track the flu’s path, gather intelligence, and combat this powerful virus. The CDC should immediately designate a special domestic flu surveillance team for New York to hone in on the virus and augment the great work of our local hospitals and health departments.”

Schumer said that the purpose of the CDC domestic flu surveillance team is to collect, analyze, and publish data on the im-

pact of the flu. Specifically, the team seeks information on when and where the flu activity is occurring, determining the strain of flu circulating, detecting changes in the virus and measuring the impact of the virus on hospitalizations and deaths. The data gathered is used to improve and adapt the influenza vaccination, and geospatial data can be used to issue public health advisories to healthcare workers keeping them updated about symptoms, diagnosis and

treatments.

“It is imperative that we commit all and every available resource to combat and mitigate the widespread effect of the flu on New Yorkers this season,” Schumer wrote in the letter.

New York’s senior senator also asked the CDC for guidance on preparing for such an epidemic in the future.

“I request a list of additional activities that the CDC and broader administration

can take in subsequent years to better combat the flu, as well as recommendations for any actions that Congress can take to augment federal and state efforts on flu prevention,” he wrote. “I stand prepared to work hand in hand with state and federal officials to help with this year’s flu epidemic, and ensure that Congress plays it role in working towards preventing years like this one from happening again.”

Photo Courtesy of CDC

Advocates Urging NY Pols to Allow Safe Sites for Addicts to Use Drugs: Report

By Michael V. Cusenza Days after Philadelphia Health officials announced that the City of Brotherly Love will encourage private-sector development of supervised heroin consumption sites, advocates trekked up to Albany on Monday to urge lawmakers to draft legislation to establish such facilities across New York for addicts to “safely” use the powerful narcotic in a controlled environment.

“The sooner New York allows safer consumption spaces, the more lives we’ll save,” Shantae Owens, of Voices of Community Activists & Leaders, told the New York Daily News.

Last week, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney noted that the City will “actively encourage” groups like community nonprofits or medical organizations to operate and fund one or more Comprehensive User Engagement Sites – medical interventions in which essential services are provided to reduce substance use, the harms associated with substance use, and fatal overdose.

Services, which are provided in a walk-in setting, include referral to treatment and social programs, wound care, medically supervised drug consumption, and access to sterile injection equipment and naloxone.

Philly Mayor Jim Kenney called the idea

from the grip of addiction.”

However, it seems that the controversial consumption-site option is not appealing to New York pols. As the DN story noted, Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (DManhattan) introduced such a bill last year, but the measure went nowhere.

“Our State dollars should not be going to a facility that is allowing people to continuously inject drugs,” State Sen. Fred Akshar (R-Binghamton) told the News.

Philadelphia officials last week also released a scientific review of studies of supervised injection facilities, including sites in Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington, which showed that these establishments “reduce deaths from drug overdose; prevent HIV, hepatitis C, and other infections; and help drug users get into treatment.”

The report estimates that one site in Philadelphia could prevent up to 76 deaths from drug overdose each year.

The prescription painkiller, heroin, and Photo Courtesy of DEA fentanyl crisis has had serious impacts on The “supervised consumption sites” would be designated facilities where heroin addicts could “safely” shoot up. the five boroughs. According to the administration, the number of drug-overdose of CUES “a bold action to help save lives.” Health Commissioner (and former NYC deaths has increased in the city in each of “We cannot just watch as our children, Health Commissioner) Thomas Farley, the last six years. Rates of drug-overdose our parents, our brothers, and our sisters M.D. “We have to use every proven tool deaths in NYC more than doubled between die of drug overdose,” said Philadelphia we can to save their lives until they recover 2010 and 2016.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 17 • Number 05 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | 11

EDITORIAL LACK and BLUE His actions—or lack thereof—are sickening.

To think he swore to serve and protect the proud people of this great city, counted himself among the few dubbed the Finest.

What’s worse is he pulled off stunt after stunt, seemingly with impunity, for a solid year…in our own backyard.

So on Saturday, City Police Det. Thomas Rice got what he deserved: a humiliating picture of the veteran cop on the front page of the New York Daily News next to the headline that blared: “Slimiest of the Finest.”

The exclusive story therein paints a picture so rotten that it’s almost too ridiculous to believe. According to the News, Rice—now dubbed Det. DoLittle—made up fake names and addresses to improperly close at least 22 grand larceny and auto theft cases over a 12-month period in 2011 and 2012, all while assigned to the 106th Precinct detective squad, an NYPD investigation found.

Rice often used the same fake names and made-up addresses across multiple reports and cutand-pasted the exact same statements, including typos, into reports. Four different supervisors in the 106, including Rice’s lieutenant, signed off on the breathtaking fraud, an internal investigation found.

It gets better. (I employ “bet-

ter” here because the alternative, while certainly accurate, just makes this that much more depressing. Sort of like laughing – if only just to keep from crying.)

Even after he was exposed, Rice was just docked 20 vacation days and briefly demoted. Since 2013, he has been a detective in the 67th Precinct in Brooklyn.

“If someone is going to go to

the extent of fabricating names and addresses, they just don’t care about the people they are supposed to be serving,” retired NYPD Chief of Patrol and former City Transportation Commissioner Wilbur Chapman told the News. “He was able to accomplish this because no one was paying attention. It’s an insult to all the detectives who are out

there working very hard to solve cases.”

And a couple of days before the Rice debacle hit the front page, a Queens jury determined that another Finest Fraud who decided to shame his shield and infect the names of good and decent (see: real Finest) cops with his abhorrent behavior has to pay the piper. Det. Kevin Desormeau was convicted of perjury and other charges for having falsely arrested a man in August 2014 on drug charges and then repeatedly lying about the arrest before a grand jury and during a court hearing.

He now faces up to seven years in prison when he’s sentenced on March 21.

We document these cases not to point and laugh, or to kick cops when they’re down, but rather to show you that, indeed, bad apples can spoil a bunch.

These two lions of laziness ruin it for the vast majority of the Finest who actually do right by the proud people of this great city.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 17 • Number 05 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | 13

Legal Notices MAIN STREET ASSOCIATES GROUP LLC Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 11/30/17. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC.. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

TONY BROWN REAL ESTATE HOLDINGS, LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/14/2017. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 140-19 169thSt., Jamaica, NY 11434. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

BEN TOTH PRODUCTIONS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/19/17. 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 REGISTERED AGENTS INC., 90 STATE STREET, SUITE 700, OFFICE 40, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Thrivos Consulting LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/27/17. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall Notice is hereby given a license, num- mail process to: The LLC, 162-10 Powber (PENDING) for on-premises Liquor ells Cove Blvd., Apt. 4B, Whitestone, NY has been applied for by the undersigned 11357. Purpose: any lawful activity. to sell liquor at retail in a Restaurant unFE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS der the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law LLC Arts of Org filed with NY Sec of at 69-16 Roosevelt Avenue, Woodside, State (SSNY) on 10/31/17. Office: NY 11372 for on premises consumption.

Queens County. SSNY designated as PHO THANH NA LTD. agent of LLC upon whom process may MEADOWS GREATER MANAGE- be served. SSNY shall mail process to: MENT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SOPHIE-ANNE NELSON, 9014 161St SSNY on 11/16/17. Office: Queens Street, Apt. 507, Jamaica, NY 11432.

County. SSNY designated as agent of the General Purposes.

LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: THE LLC 61-42 168TH STREET, FRESH Notice is hereby given that an order enMEADOWS, NY 11365. Purpose: Any law- tered by the civil court, Queens county, on ful purpose. the 18 day of JANUARY 2018, bearing Index Ride Rite Transportation LLC Arts Number NC-000812-17/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the clerk, loof Org filed with NY Sec of State (SSNY) cated at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY, on 10/23/17. Office: Queens County. 11435, grants me the right to assume the name SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon of (first) MADHAV(last) SHARMA. The city whom process may be served. SSNY and state of my address is 7715 30th Avenue, shall mail process to: 23-53 31st St, As- FL 2, East Elmhurst, NY 11370-1503. The date of my birth is November 27, 1994; place toria, NY 11105. General Purposes. of my birth is DELHI, INDIA; my present Notice of Qualification of RETRO- name is MADHAV NLN AKA FNU MADHAV PERSPECTIVE, LLC Appl. for Auth.

Notice is hereby given that an order enfiled with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) tered by the civil court, Queens county, on on 01/16/18. Office location: Queens the 18 day of JANUARY 2018, bearing Index County. LLC formed in California (CA) Number NC-000813-17/QU, a copy of which on 04/01/16. Princ. office of LLC: Su- may be examined at the office of the clerk, losanne Filkins, 43-01 21 St., #320, Long cated at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, Island City, NY 11101. SSNY designat- NY, 11435, grants me the right to assume the ed as agent of LLC upon whom process name of (first) TENZIN (last) DHONDUP. against it may be served. SSNY shall mail The city and state of my address is 40-34 process to the LLC at the addr. of its Hampton Street, Elmhurst, NY 11373-2060. princ. office. CA addr. of LLC: c/o Pat- The date of my birth is March 23, 1998; place of my birth is NEPAL; my present name is TEN­ rick McCabe, One Maritime Plaza, 18th ZIN D. NLN AKA TENZIN NLN, AKA TENZIN Fl., San Francisco, CA 94111. Cert. of DHONDUP, AKA MR. TENZIN DHONDUP Form. filed with Alex Padilla, CA Secy. of State, 1500 11th St., Sacramento, CA Notice is hereby given that an order en95814. Purpose: Any lawful activity. tered by the civil court, Queens county, on the 17 day of JANUARY 2018, bearing Index Number NC-000930-17/QU, a LANGSIMM RENTALS LLC Arts. copy of which may be examined at the ofof Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/20/17. fice of the clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY, 11435, grants me Office: Queens County. SSNY desig- the right to assume the name of (first) MA­ nated as agent of the LLC upon whom RISSA (middle) CANDICE(last) FARQUprocess against it may be served. SSNY HARSON. The city and state of my address is shall mail copy of process to:MICHAEL 200-01 118TH AVE., SAINT ALBANS, NY SIMMONS, 117-42 141st STREET, JA- 11412. The date of my birth is AUGUST MAICA, NY 11436. Purpose: Any lawful 10, 1986; place of my birth is BROOKLYN, NY. My present name is MARISSA CAN­ purpose.

DICE WATSON AKA MARISSA C. WATSON

14 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 • Number 05 VOL. 17 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

STATE OF NEW YORK SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF QUEENS CITIMORTGAGE, INC., Plaintiff, vs.

Any unknown heirs, devisees, distributees or successors in interest of the late James A. Hennings, if they be living and/or if they be dead, their spouses, heirs, devisees, distributees and successors in interest, all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to Plaintiff; AMY LOWERY; MYRON HENNINGS; USA/IRS; NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TAXATION AND FINANCE; and “JOHN DOE” and “MARY DOE,” (Said names being fictitious, it being the intention of plaintiff to designate any and all occupants, tenants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein.)

Defendants.

Filed: _09/25/2017_ Index No.: 713248/2017 SUMMONS AND NOTICE Mortgaged Premises: 11502 Van Wyck Expy South Ozone Park, (City of New York) NY 11420 TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in the above entitled action and to serve a copy of your Answer on Plaintiff ’s attorney within twenty (20) days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service, or within thirty (30) days after completion of service where service is made in any other manner than by personal delivery within the State. The United States of America, if designated as a Defendant in this action, may answer or appear within sixty (60) days of service hereof. In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

NOTICE OF NATURE OF ACTION AND RELIEF SOUGHT THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is for the foreclosure of: Mortgage bearing the date of February 18, 2012, executed by James Hennings to “MERS” Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., acting solely as a nominee for Citibank, N.A. to secure the sum of $166,403.00, and interest, and recorded in the Office of the Clerk of Queens County on March 8, 2012 in CRFN 2012000093424.

That Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. (“MERS”), as nominee for Citibank, N.A. duly assigned said Note and Mortgage to

Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the civil court, Queens county, on the 29 day of JANUARY 2018, bearing Index Number NC-001042-17/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY, 11435, grants me the right to assume the name of (first) SHYMANIQUE (middle) NY­ QWASHA (last) SHERIFF. The city and state of my address is 533 Beach 43rd Street, Apt#2, Far Rockaway, NY 11691-1216. The date of my birth is DECEMBER 18,1999; place of my birth is BROOKLYN, NY. My present name is SHUMANIQUE NYQWASHA SHERIFF AKA SHYMANIQUE SHERRIFF (INFANT)

CitiMortgage, Inc. by Assignment dated January 5, 2016 and recorded on January 27, 2016 in the Office of the Clerk of Queens County in CRFN 2016000026897.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the Mortgaged Premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above.

Plaintiff designates Queens County as the place of trial. The basis of venue is the County in which the Mortgaged Premises is situated.

Block: 11678 Lot: 7 DATED: _09/20/2017_ Rochester, New York NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME If you do not respond to this summons and complaint by serving a copy of the answer on the attorney for the Mortgage company who filed this foreclosure proceeding against you and filing the answer with the court, a default judgment may be entered and you can lose your home.

Speak to an attorney or go to the court where your case is pending for further information on how to answer the summons and protect your property.

Sending a payment to your Mortgage company will not stop this foreclosure action.

YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE. SCHEDULE A LEGAL DESCRIPTION ALL that a certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected situate, and being in the Borough and County of Queens, City and State of New York, bounded and described as follows: BEGINNING at the corner formed by the intersection of the westerly side of Van Wyck Expressway (Boulevard), 360 feet wide with the southerly side of 115th Avenue, 80 feet wide, RUNNING THENCE southerly along the westerly side of Van Wyck Expressway, 33.34 feet; THENCE westerly at right angles to the westerly side of Van Wyck Expressway and part of the distance through a party wall 100 feet; THENCE northerly parallel with the westerly side of Van Wyck Expressway, 33.34 feet to the southerly side of 115th Avenue; THENCE easterly along the southerly side of 115th Avenue, 100 feet to the corner, the point of place of BEGINNING.

WE COURT YOUR LEGAL NOTICES For the best pricing & service CALL 718.845.3221

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 17 • Number 05 FEBRUARY 2, 2018 | 15

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