VOL. 17 • NUMBER 15 • APRIL 12, 2018

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

South & West

RIGHT ANGLE Community Gives Green Light to DOT Proposal to Turn Treacherous Lindenwood Traffic Triangle into Safer ‘Mini Roundabout’

See Story on Page 2 The Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic, Community Board 10, and area elected officials have overwhelmingly approved the City Department of Transportation’s plan to finally recompose the infamous intersection of 153rd Avenue and 88th Street. Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 18 • Number 15 APRIL 12, 2018 | 1

It’s (Round)about Time: Community Approves DOT’s Plan to Redesign Lindenwood Triangle

In 2015, Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic President Joann Ariola ( far l.) helped to lead Queens DOT officials on a tour of the notorious intersection.

By Michael V. Cusenza Lindenwood community leaders and elected officials have enthusiastically approved the City Department of Transportation’s proposal to turn a dangerous traffic triangle into a safer mini roundabout. The Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic, Community Board 10, City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) and State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) all gave the green light to the plan late last week. “Everyone’s on board,” civic President Joann Ariola told The Forum on Tuesday. Poor visibility and the confusing, labyrinthine configuration of the traffic triangle at the intersection of 153rd Avenue and 88th Street have sparked accidents and myriad near-misses for many years, area residents have noted. “It’s a problem,” Ariola sighed. “I’ve lived here my whole life and even I’ve taken a wrong turn there.” According to the DOT proposal, the mini roundabout features: new crossings with painted refuge islands and curb extensions; additional pedestrian space; flush medians; and striped parking lanes. And the benefits of the plan include: new

The road markings at the traffic triangle at 153rd Avenue and 88th Street have long caused confusion among motorists and pedestrians.

shorter crossings clarify pedestrian paths and expand the pedestrian network; calms traffic on all approaches to intersection; reduces speeding by narrowing travel lanes with painted parking lanes and flush medians; large, painted pedestrian area provides a new public space to the community. “The ins and outs of the traffic pattern will be evident,” Ariola said. A brightly decorated centerpiece will also be noticeable when the project is completed in time for the start of the 2018-2019 school year. The City has promised to install flower boxes and other amenities at the intersection. The civic has pledged to maintain it. “So it’s going to be a beautification site as well as a safer place for motorists and pedestrians,” Ariola added. The redesign of the Lindenwood traffic triangle has been a long time coming. For years, community leaders and elected officials have implored DOT to do something to enhance pedestrian and driver safety at the intersection. Ariola noted that the reconfiguration is the product of a public-private partnership. “This really is the perfect example of community and government working together,” she said. Photos Courtesy of Michael V. Cusenza and DOT

School and MTA buses jockey for position with cars and SUVs at the triangle all day.

2 APRIL 12, 2018 • Number 15 VOL. 17 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

The proposal calls for turning the triangle into a much safer “mini roundabout.”

Police Union Galvanizes Push to Block Release of Notorious Cop Killer By Michael V. Cusenza The union that represents City Police officers is leading the effort to block the release of an infamous, cold-blooded cop killer who was recently granted parole after 45 years in prison. Herman Bell, 70, one of three radicals who admitted to gunning down Police Officers Waverly Johnson and Joseph Piagentini near a Harlem housing project in May 1971, was awarded early release last month by the State Parole Board. He is set to be freed on April 17. On Thursday, the NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association filed a lawsuit in Albany on behalf of police widow Diane Piagentini against the board and its chairwoman, Tina Stanford, for failure to follow the Criminal Procedure and Executive laws in considering Bell’s release. “There are some crimes so heinous that those who commit them forever forfeit their right to freedom,” Piagentini said. “Herman Bell was convicted after the death penalty

Photo Courtesy of NYC PBA

Diane Piagentini, widow of hero Officer Joseph Piagentini, has been vocal in her opposition to Herman Bell’s early release.

was declared unconstitutional and before the sentence of life without parole was instituted. The judge and prosecutor at his trial made it clear that he should never get out of prison. He, and many horrible cop-kill-

ers like him, who would have been put to death before it was struck down or would have been given life without parole if they committed the same crimes today, shouldn’t be freed because of coincidental tim-

ing. I hear talk of rehabilitation from politicians but I don’t hear talk of murderers being held accountable for their horrible crimes and I never hear even the mention of punishment for their crimes. Herman Bell

denied his crime for four decades. Now, to meet parole requirements, he has admitted his role in the sadistic murder of my husband Joe. He should suffer the torment of knowing that he will spend the rest of his natural life in prison for that crime, just as our family has forever been denied the blessing s of having Joe with us. That is a punishment that he has earned and he deserves.” The case is scheduled to be heard this Friday, April 13. City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) applauded the union’s parole-blocking efforts and “for standing up for the families of Herman Bell’s victims to ensure that justice is truly served. Each and every day, police officers risk their lives to protect our city. Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his handpicked parole board should be ashamed they ever let a cop killer out of prison. It is my hope that the PBA successfully blocks Bell’s release. No one convicted of murdering a police officer in cold blood should ever be allowed to walk free.”

Howard Beach Woman Struck by Truck in Shopping Center Parking Lot By Patricia Adams Sandy Rosenthal never knew what hit her. Witnesses at the Monday afternoon scene said the 75-year-old Howard Beach resident was making her way across the Howard Plaza Shopping Center parking lot to the car where her husband was loading up groceries when a late-model, black Dodge Ram 1500 struck her. According to eyewitnesses and surveillance video, the driver was traveling in reverse and against the stenciled arrows painted on the lot asphalt. He remained at the scene. A number of good Samaritans immediately ran to Rosenthal’s side where she lay motionless and called 911. She was rushed to the Traumatic Brain Injury Unit at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center where Forum sources confirmed late Tuesday night that her condition was extremely critical and that she was in the Intensive Care Unit. Sources say she suffered two broken arms and a brain bleed. On Wednesday, however,

THURSDAY, April 26 6:30-10:30 PM

Forum Photo Courtesy of a witness at the scene

Police tape roped off the truck that struck Sandy Rosenthal during a police investigation at the scene.

The Forum learned from a hospital spokesperson that Rosenthal’s condition had been upgraded to stable. Police have not released the name of the driver as they have determined that there was no criminality associated with the incident. Almost immediately after the accident,

social media rants were posted on various sites, the majority of which were laced with inaccurate and inflammatory comments. More than one such post indicated that Rosenthal had succumbed to her injuries, while others condemned the driver and pointed fingers at the management of the shopping center.

Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic President Joann Ariola was quick to clarify any lack of responsibility by Howard Plaza management. “I have personally worked with these people on repeated occasions over the years and have never encountered anything less than 100 percent cooperation from them in ensuring the public’s well-being and safety on their property,” she told The Forum. Ariola bolstered her remark by noting the installation of signage and stenciling of the parking lot to direct traffic, which was all redone late last year. “This was a most unfortunate and tragic accident,” she added, “however, everything that could possibly be done to inform drivers of the regulations in that lot has been done. This was a case of utter disregard for regulations. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rosenthal family and we are hopeful that Ms. Rosenthal makes a full and speedy recovery.” Please see related editorial on Page 6

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Three Rescued from Fire at Illegally Converted Richmond Hill Home

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Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato’s Office

Neighborhood Policing launched in the 106th Precinct in July 2017. The three victims were rescued from the illegal third-floor living space.

By Michael V. Cusenza Three people living in an illegally converted attic apartment were rescued Sunday morning from a two-alarm fire at a home in Richmond Hill, according to City Fire officials. “If our members didn’t get up there and put that ladder up to help these people, they would have died,” said FDNY Battalion 51 Chief Robert Bohack. “It was a death trap in that place filled with heavy smoke and fire.” The blaze broke out on the second floor of the 107th Street building around 7:45 a.m. In total, five victims were safely removed from the home and taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Bohack later detailed the effort of the Bravest to get to the people cornered in the

Photo Courtesy of FDNY

illegal abode. “Upon arrival we found heavy fire and were told that at least three people were trapped in the third-floor attic,” he said. “The outside team grabbed a 35-foot ladder and brought it to the rear with great difficulty. It was a narrow alleyway with two parked cars. Once they got past that and into the backyard, there was another parked car, a shed, and some wires. They raised the ladder to the very small attic window on the third floor. There was a makeshift kitchen there, so the patients had to climb over a sink to get out.” The City Buildings Department immediately issued a vacate order on the house—the second one in nearly a decade. On Nov. 18, 2008, a vacate order was issued due to “no secondary means of exit for the apartment in the attic.”

Federal Spending Bill Features Items to Help Veterans By Forum Staff The federal omnibus spending bill recently signed into law features several provisions to assist veterans, according to U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing), a member of the House Appropriations Committee who attached the Armed Forces measures to the legislation. The provisions include: • Directing the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand its no cost flu shots for vets program at local pharmacies to cover additional vaccines. • Directing the Department of Defense and the VA to establish a program that assists transitioning military medical professionals find employment in the Veterans 4 APRIL 12, 2018 • Number 15 VOL. 17 •

Health Administration. This, Meng noted, is an effort to address the staff shortages at the VHA, which serves more than nine million veterans. • Directing the Secretary of Defense to fund outreach efforts at minority-serving colleges and universities in order to recruit more minorities into officer positions within the U.S. military. “Our veterans deserve our unwavering support and gratitude for their service,” Meng said. “These provisions are a first step to addressing challenges that veterans and the military face and I look forward to helping them in the next fiscal year.” The omnibus bill funds the government through the end of Fiscal Year 2018, which runs through the end of September. THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

By Michael V. Cusenza Neighborhood Coordination Officers assigned to Sector A (Howard Beach and Lindenwood) of the 106th Precinct reached out to The Forum this week to help spread the word about the next sector meeting, which is set for this Monday, April 16, 5:30 p.m., at St. Helen Church, 157-10 83rd St., in Howard Beach. Pete Paese and Mike Petrizzo, who have been the Sector Adam NCOs since Neighborhood Policing launched in the 106 last July, will lead the hyper-local confab. In all, the south Queens command has one Coordination Sergeant and 10 Neighborhood Coordination Officers who serve four sectors and Resorts World New York Casino. According to the City Police Department, NCOs are conceived as liaisons between the police and the community, but

also as key crime-fighters and problem solvers in the sector. While they answer some radio calls to keep them conversant with the daily workload, the NCOs spend more time actively familiarizing themselves with the community to better respond to neighborhood-specific crime and other conditions. The NCOs immerse themselves in the community by attending meetings with community leaders and clergy, visiting schools, following up on previous incidents, and using creative techniques and adaptive skills to fight crime unique to their particular sectors. “The NYPD’s Neighborhood Policing Program marks the first time any police department, anywhere, is totally reorganizing to deliver the same cops, in the same neighborhoods, every day,” Police Commissioner Jim O’Neill said earlier this year. “So, now we will know members of the community, know the problems, and work together to solve them.”

SMGH Welcomes New Pastor

Diocese of Brooklyn Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio recently named the Rev. Carlos Velasquez the new pastor of St. Mary Gate of Heaven Roman Catholic Church in Ozone Park. Father Velasquez previously served as SMGH’s parochial vicar. Upon learning of Velasquez’s appointment, City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) said DiMarzio “could not have picked a better priest to serve the people of Ozone Park.” Photo Courtesy of Fr. Velasquez

De Blasio Administration Official Arrested with Gun in Vehicle

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By Michael V. Cusenza A de Blasio administration official was arrested Saturday night in Jamaica after cops discovered a loaded handgun with the serial number scratched off in the glove compartment of a vehicle in which the City staffer was a passenger, according to court records and published reports. Reagan Stevens, 42, a deputy director in the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, was arraigned on Sunday on a criminal complaint charging her with two felonies: second-degree criminal possession of a loaded firearm and third-degree criminal possession of a defaced weapon. She was released on her own

recognizance and ordered to appear in court on April 24. Stevens was sitting in the backseat of a parked SUV near the corner of 177th Street and 106th Avenue with a man in the driver’s seat and another in the passenger seat when cops descended on the vehicle after a ShotSpotter gunfire detection and location alarm went off indicating that a weapon was fired in the area. Investigators allegedly found the 9mm firearm, which was loaded with two rounds, in a bag in the glove compartment. A spent shell was also discovered on the floor of the vehicle. Reagan Stevens’ mother is Queens Criminal Court Judge Deborah Stevens.

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Mayor’s Name Comes up in L.I. Corruption Trial By Michael V. Cusenza A Queens restaurateur who has claimed to have engaged in a quid-pro-quo years ago with Mayor Bill de Blasio, raising thousands in campaign cash in exchange for access and favors, invoked Hizzoner on a Central Islip witness stand over several days this past week as he testified in the federal corruption trial of former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano. Harendra Singh, owner of the nowshuttered Water’s Edge eatery in Long Island City, said, in no uncertain terms, that he bribed de Blasio because he was having permit and lease issues with his restaurant. “I wanted to get my lease extended… The key was to have [then Department of Citywide Administrative Services] Commissioner [Stacey] Cumberbatch comply with the mayor’s request,” Singh said, according to a New York Post report. De Blasio has steadfastly and vehemently denied all accusations of impropriety. Singh is considered the prosecution’s star witness in Mangano’s trial. Singh has said that he engaged in a similar quid-proquo with the former Nassau County executive. Mangano and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto were indicted in October 2016 on charges of conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and

sau County’s award of certain contracts to Singh’s businesses. According to the indictment, Singh provided Linda Mangano with a “no-show” job at his restaurant from April 2010 to August 2014. The payments from Singh to her in connection with her “no-show” job totaled more than $450,000. In addition, Singh paid for various hotel and travel expenses for the Mangano family, including vacations to Niagara Falls in 2010, Marco Island Florida in December 2011, St. Thomas in July 2012, Turks and Caicos in July 2013, and Amelia Island, Florida in July 2014, as well as an ergonomic office chair in January 2010 ($3,371.90), massage chair from Brookstone in September 2012 ($3,623.73), a Panerai Luminor watch in November 2012 ($7,304), and hardwood flooring and its installation in the MangaPhoto Courtesy of Benjamin Kanter/Mayoral Photography Office nos’ bedroom in January 2013 ($3,701.81). Notorious de Blasio donor Harendra Singh discussed raising funds for Hizzoner on the witness stand at former Singh also provided free meals to Ed ManNassau County Executive Ed Mangano’s corruption trial. gano and his family and associates, according to federal prosecutors. honest services fraud. Mangano was also a scheme to receive bribes and kickbacks And from July 2011 to December 2013, charged with extortion. Ed Mangano, his from Singh, in exchange for performing of- according to the indictment, Singh addiwife, Linda, and Venditto also were charged ficial actions to benefit Singh in connection tionally provided Venditto and his family with obstructing justice; Linda Mangano with his businesses in Nassau County and members and associates with free limouand Venditto were also indicted for making Oyster Bay. The official actions included: sine service. Singh also allowed Venditto to false statements. (a) Oyster Bay’s guarantee of certain loans hold fundraisers at Singh’s restaurants at a As alleged in charging documents, be- that Singh received from a bank and lend- discounted rate and permitted Venditto to tween January 2010 and February 2015, Ed er in connection with Singh’s status as an use a conference room in the basement of Mangano, Venditto, and others, engaged in Oyster Bay concessionaire; and (b) Nas- one of his restaurants. THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 18 • Number 15 APRIL 12, 2018 | 5

EDITORIAL We’ve heard it a thousand times before. We communicate it to our loved ones. And we hope it sticks in their head anytime they’re out walking on the streets. Look both ways. This week a tragic accident in the Howard Plaza parking lot in Lindenwood offered a clear example of the consequences of not looking both ways. On Monday afternoon, Sandy Rosenthal, 75, was struck by a truck travelling in the wrong direction. She had no reason to think anyone would be coming along a path clearly marked wrong way. She left her Howard Beach residence with her husband to go grocery shopping. Afterwards, he headed to the car; she followed not long after. But she never made it. Instead she wound up in an ambulance being rushed to the Traumatic Brain Injury unit at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Rosenthal remained unconscious in the Intensive Care Unit where reportedly both of her arms were broken and she had sustained a cranial injury that caused a brain bleed. Miraculously, by Wednesday, the hospital reported that her condition had been upgraded to stable. Mere minutes after the accident, social media hawkers began their usual barrage of comments. Inaccurate speculation flooded

BEFORE WALKING BEFORE TALKING local sites. And another tragedy was compounded by false suppositions. The woman was dead, the driver was drunk, the parking lot is dangerous. Fortunately, none were true. We have repeatedly cautioned readers to take these postings with a few hundred grains of salt. But it seems that humans are predisposed to making the unfettered leap

to the dark side, before ascertaining all the facts. But let’s suppose for one second that we were a member of Sandy Rosenthal’s family, or friends, who hadn’t yet spoken to someone who actually knew the truth. For that moment they suffered the unspeakable loss of a loved one in a tragic accident.

Or what about someone who knew the young man who was behind the wheel— perhaps his parent, a sibling or a girlfriend. They were gripped with overwhelming panic and anxiety. And how about one of the owners or the management team at Howard Plaza Shopping Center, assigned blame for something they took every conceivable measure to prevent. Perhaps we should all look toward expanding the traditional inferences of looking both ways — when we cross into the dangerous path of vehicles, and when we cross the harmful lines of disseminating false information. We hope Sandy Rosenthal continues on the path to a full recovery. We hope the young man who was driving realizes the error of his ways and in the days ahead can come to terms with what he did in a moment of recklessness that cost both he and the Rosenthal family such pain. And we hope that when you step off a curb you take a moment to turn your head in every direction to ensure your safety. And that when you step out onto the highway of information, you resist the temptations of dangerous and harmful speculation. Just look both ways.

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Feds Clip Wings of JFK Finch Smugglers

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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By Michael V. Cusenza Two travelers were recently nabbed at John F. Kennedy International Airport for allegedly smuggling more than two-dozen live finches, federal officials announced. According to court documents, Victor Benjamin and Insaf Ali arrived last Wednesday at JFK from Georgetown, Guyana, and were each selected for a Customs examination. The inspection revealed that both passengers possessed live finches— small, seed-eating birds—concealed in hair curlers and tucked into their socks. In total, 26 finches were found. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Agent Gabriel Harper noted that both Benjamin and Ali stated on their Customs and

Border Protection declarations that they were entering the country “without any wildlife.” Additionally, neither Benjamin nor Ali applied for permits authorizing the importation of the birds into the United States. According to Harper, some people import finches to enter them in singing competitions in Queens and Brooklyn. Many who attend the contests wager on the birds. “Although certain species of finch are available in the United States, species from Guyana are believed to sing better and are therefore more highly sought after,” Harper added. “An individual willing to smuggle finches into the United States from Guyana can earn a large profit by selling these birds in the New York area.”

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SNEEZES OF SPRING & SUMMER Get ready cause here they come... With the change in seasons come a host of bodily changes especially to the eyes, ears, nose and throat. And if you think that the sneezing, watery eyes, and scratchy throat are just signs of the proverbial 'summer cold,' experts from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI ) say you might have to think again. While many think allergies only strike in the spring and fall months, we're here to remind those of you anxiously awaiting the onset of summer that allergies are very common in the summer and actually often last throughout the year. The villains are grass pollens and mold spores -- the most common of the allergy triggers during the summer, with mold turning out to be more of a problem than pollen. Mold spores are ubiquitous--simply put, they are EVERYWHERE! And if you've been fortunate enough to coast through life thus far without having been burdened with allergies, well that's something else you might not want to take for granted. Summer allergies can rear their ugly heads in adults who have never had an allergy.

These are the cases where allergies are most often misinterpreted as a summer cold. Here are some tips to help you piece the truth together: --Symptoms which persist beyond a couple of weeks are definitely signals that you have allergies. --When your symptoms become progressively worse however, it is more likely that you have a cold. --Itchy eyes, throat and nose -- along with sneezing -- usually indicate allergies. If you have asthma, you are more likely to have allergies--nearly three quarters of people with asthma have an allergy to accompany an already bad situation. Most people tend to pass off both summer colds and allergies as conditions that are not serious, but if left unattended they can cause serious problems, the most common being sinus infections. Anyone who has ever had one of those surely wishes they hadn't. While there is no cure for seasonal allergies remember that your local pharmacist can offer advice on treatment, medication or allergy shots, to provide relief and prevent progression. Until next week...

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Positive Crime Stats Eclipsed by Special Victims Division Scrutiny By Michael V. Cusenza City Police officials on Friday deservedly touted the news that crime continued to decline in the Big Apple in March, setting a new record for the first three months of any year since the CompStat crime-fighting tool was introduced in 1994. However, the celebration was relatively brief, as department heads weathered a fusillade of criticism and pointed questions on Monday from City Council members during a joint Committee on Public Safety and Committee on Women oversight hearing of the NYPD’s handling of sex crimes investigations. City lawmakers convened the hearing following an eyeopening Department of Investigation report which noted that the department has “routinely understaffed and neglected the Special Victims Division, negatively impacting sexual assault investigations.” The year-long DOI investigation found that the NYPD has understaffed and under-resourced SVD for at least the last nine years, despite recommendations from the NYPD’s own Sex Crimes Working Group in 2010 and consistent warnings raised by SVD leadership in the years since. Internal NYPD documents, not previously made public and obtained by DOI investigators, acknowledge that many sexual assault cases are not properly investigated due to staffing and resource limitations. Interviews with multiple prosecutors confirmed the concern. For example, as a result of understaffing, the DOI report notes that the investigation found that the NYPD has prioritized so-called “stranger rapes” and other more high-profile

Photo Courtesy of City Council

NYPD Chief of Department Terry Monahan was grilled at a recent City Council hearing regarding the department’s Special Victims Division.

cases, while “acquaintance rape” and other investigations receive less attention and, in some instances, are even sent to local precinct squads for post-arrest investigation, which means the case is not investigated post-arrest by SVD at all. That responsibility instead stays with precinct-level detectives who are not trained in sex crimes investigations. Documents as well as current and former SVD staff, sex crime prosecutors, service providers, and victims’ advocates all confirmed to DOI that chronic understaffing and inexperience have “diluted” and “shortened” investigations, jeopardized prosecutions, re-traumatized victims, and negatively impacted the reporting of sex crimes, thereby adversely affecting public safety.

“The neglect and understaffing of NYPD’s Special Victims Division are serious and deeply troubling and the failure to treat acquaintance rape as an equal priority is unacceptable,” said DOI Commissioner Mark Peters. “While DOI’s report details the shortcomings currently hindering SVD, it provides a critical roadmap for the future. NYPD must give the Special Victims Division the resources and personnel it needs to carry out its important mission.” The DOI report makes 12 recommendations to address the issues, including: • NYPD should immediately increase staffing in SVD units to meet the minimum investigative capacity required by an evidence-backed and nationally-accepted staffing analysis model. To appropriately handle a caseload that existed in 2017, that model would require 73 additional hires, including an additional 16 detectives in the Queens adult sex crimes squad. • NYPD should require all adult sex crimes be investigated and/or enhanced by SVD detectives — including “domestic rape” and “acquaintance rape” in which patrol officers have made an arrest. • NYPD should invest in a new case management system for SVD that would replace its current system. The new system should have the highest security protocols, as well as advanced caseload, staff management, and data analysis capabilities. Of the seven major index felonies, only one actually increased in March, according to CompStat: There were 76 more reported rapes last month, an increase of 24.8 percent compared to March 2017.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 18 • Number 15 APRIL 12, 2018 | 7

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718-619-4955 THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 18 • Number 15 APRIL 12, 2018 | 9

Crime Victim-Assistance Programs to Get $20M Boost from State, Feds By Forum Staff Dozens of State-funded crime victim-assistance programs will receive approximately $20.4 million over three years to hire case managers to help streamline and improve services for them and their families, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday as he kicked off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in New York. Funded through the federal Victims of Crime Act and State Criminal Justice Improvement Account, and administered by the New York Office of Victim Services, the grants allow 86 victim-assistance programs to hire or contract with 110 professionals who can coordinate services for victims and/or their families. The programs provide direct services to help men, women and children, including counseling, crisis intervention and legal assistance. Case managers will provide individuals with a continuous point of contact through which they can navigate and apply for assistance and obtain other resources, Cuomo noted, “as they start on their road to recovery.” “These grants will support the addition of new staff at victim-assistance programs across the state, help the healing process for crime victims of all ages, and further our efforts to support a stronger, safer New York for all,” he added. All 223 victim-assistance programs funded by OVS were eligible to apply for up to four case managers. According to the administration, the 86 programs that received grants met all the criteria in the request for assistance application. A total of 61 community-based organizations, hospitals and government agencies—including two in Queens—administer the 86 different victim-assistance programs that have received grants. Case managers will be funded for three years with an

option for a two-year renewal. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown’s Office received one grant totaling $152,370 for one case manager in Kew Gardens; and Queens Legal Services Corporation also received one grant totaling $240,000 for one case manager in Jamaica. “It is critical that important services be made available to crime victims and their families, and these funds will help improve needed programs that provide counseling, crisis intervention, legal assistance and other crucial resources,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing). According to the administration, case managers will coordinate and collaborate with the OVS Vocational Rehabilitation Unit, which helps crime victims who have long-term disabilities obtain assistance to improve their lives. In addition, case managers will help connect victims with legal assistance in civil matters, such as housing and immigration cases and Family Court cases involving custody, support and orders of protection. Cuomo also pointed out that OVS compensates eligible individuals and family members for medical and counseling expenses, funeral and burial expenses, lost wages and support, and loss or damage of essential personal property, in addition to other assistance. According to the agency, funding for crime victims’ compensation and the cost of OVS’ day-to-day operations comes entirely from the fines, mandatory surcharges, and crime victim-assistance fees that certain offenders must pay following conviction in state or federal courts. “We want to help ensure that any victim who needs help File Photo Queens District Attorney Richard Brown’s Office received one grant totaling receives it,” said OVS Director Elizabeth Cronin. “Through $152,370 for one case manager in Kew Gardens. these grants, programs will be better able to direct crime victims to the critical resources they need to become survivors.”

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As MTA Gears up for Subway Action Plan, City Council Calls for ‘Fair Fares’ By Michael V. Cusenza Fresh off his State Budget victory, in which political rival Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City finally relented and agreed to foot half of $836 million bill for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Subway Action Plan, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday toured MTA New York City Transit’s 207th Street Car Overhaul Shop in Manhattan with MTA Chairman Joe Lhota and announced a series of accelerated car repairs associated with the full funding of the plan. The Overhaul shops in Manhattan and Coney Island, according to the Cuomo administration, will now fully rehabilitate more than 1,300 cars a year—nearly 40 percent more than previous years. Additionally, the full funding secured in the Fiscal Year 2019 State Budget will allow New York City Transit to significantly enhance the number of workers hired as part of the Subway Action Plan and allow the MTA’s car overhaul shops to be fully staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to Cuomo and Lhota, the car rehabilitation efforts include a focus on subway car doors – the most problematic element of the cars – which are the most likely to lead to delays. City subway car doors open and close seven million times

Photo Courtesy of Don Pollard/Office of the Governor

MTA New York City Transit's 207th Street Car Overhaul Shop in Manhattan.

a day across the system. The increased staffing at the shops will allow NYCT to continue to focus on the repair, replacement, and testing of key door components to stop car-related delays before they start, the governor noted. The Subway Action Plan, unveiled by Lhota last summer, features two phases: Phase One, which began in July, targets a

better customer experience through increased reliability and capacity, enhanced stations and safety, and clear and accurate communication; Phase Two will focus on modernizing the antiquated city subway system. In other MTA news, the City Council on Tuesday featured the Fair Fares program in its FY 2019 Preliminary Budget Recom-

mendations. “The administration should fund a program to provide half-fare MetroCards to individuals and families living below the poverty level so that approximately 800,000 low-income people could save up to $726 per year,” Council leadership stated. Last month, 35 Council members, including eight who represent Queens communities, sent a letter to Council Speaker Corey Johnson and Finance Committee Chairman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) affirming their support for a reduced transit fare program for New Yorkers below the poverty line. “To be a truly progressive city, we should fund half-price MetroCards for New Yorkers living in poverty,” they wrote. “New York, which continues to face staggering levels of income inequality, cannot be the fairest city in America while hundreds of thousands of our neighbors have trouble accessing daily necessities because they cannot afford to take the bus or subway. Over the past year, Mayor de Blasio has evinced a clear understanding of the bar that full fares pose to so many New Yorkers’ participation in city life and struggle to rise out of poverty. We are confident, that where the Council leads, the mayor will follow and join us in weaving a vital new thread into our social safety net.”

IDC Members Unite with State Senate Democrats By Michael V. Cusenza IDC ya later. The breakaway Independent Democratic Conference, a group of eight Democratic State senators who have caucused with Republicans since 2012, has dissolved. Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) and Senate Democratic Deputy Leader Jeff Klein (D-Bronx) last week announced a unified Democratic State Senate. “The State of New York, I don't think it’s over dramatic to say it, is under attack. It is under attack by the Trump administration, working with [House Speaker] Paul Ryan and [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell which are trying to bring an extreme conservative ideology to this country and to this state,” Cuomo said at a press conference with Stewart-Cousins and the former IDC Leader Klein. “Very simply, they are repugnant to all the values that we represent and that we hold dear. And they have specifically targeted New York and New York’s economy. They’re against everything that we have fought for and everything that we have achieved.” According to Cuomo, the newly unified Senate Dems have two goals. “Number one: Elect a Democratic Congress so we can stop the Washington agen-

don’t stand, a house united, we stand. We stand tall. We stand for the right things and we’re able to move not only the state, but to send a message that we really are stronger and more productive for everyone when we work together.” Of the eight members of the IDC, two represent Queens communities: Sen. Tony Avella (D-Bayside), and Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst). “Since the election of Trump, my constituents, and the rest of New Yorkers, have been constantly under attack. This is why it is vital for all Democrats to work and fight together to protect all New Yorkers,” Peralta said. “Under the leadership of Gov. Cuomo, we will be able to promote our values and ensure our progressive common agenda moves forward.” Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie echoed the sentiment of the importance of DemoPhoto Courtesy of the Office of the Governor cratic unity. Senators Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Jeff Klein flank Gov. Cuomo as they make the announcement. “During a time when we are facing an increasingly hostile federal government this is more important than ever. Republida and stop the Washington agenda from ate special elections that are coming up on cans are threatening to undo the progress further damaging our state. And secondly, April 24: the 37th District (Westchester) we have made for all our citizens and we to elect a Democratic Senate so we can pro- and the 32nd District (the Bronx). must make sure this does not happen. We tect ourselves with our own state laws here “It is not about us, it is not about indimust be united in defeating the destructive in New York.” viduals, it’s about our collective commitpolicies of Donald Trump and the RepubliAnd the first order of business for the ment to serving the people who send us can Party,” Heastie said. “Working together, new-look legislative chamber, according here to do their work,” Stewart-Cousins we can grow our majorities and accomplish to the governor, is to win two State Sen- said. “I think we are a house divided, we great things for the people of New York.” THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 18 • Number 15 APRIL 12, 2018 | 11

NY Issues Synthetic Marijuana Advisory after Life-Threatening Cases in Other States By Forum Staff The New York State Department of Health has issued a statewide health advisory to hospitals, emergency departments, and urgent care centers following severe and life-threatening bleeding cases reported in Illinois, Maryland, Wisconsin, Indiana and Missouri, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday. The severe-bleeding cases are due to the consumption of synthetic weed (“K2,” “Spice,” “AK47”) believed to be contaminated with rat poison, according to Cuomo and the Health Department. “Laboratory investigation has confirmed that some of these patients were exposed to brodifacoum, a longacting anti-coagulant found in rat poison. This exposure is believed to have come from synthetic cannabinoids contaminated with brodifacoum,” the advisory notes. To date, no cases have been reported in New York. “This disturbing outbreak proves yet again the dangers of using synthetic marijuana,” said State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, M.D. As part of the advisory, health care providers are urged to watch for severe bleeding unrelated to an injury, or bleeding without another explanation and with a possible history of synthetic marijuana use. The Cuomo administration noted that synthetic marijuana is marketed as legal and sold in colorful packets which typically consist of plant material coated by chemicals that are supposed to mimic the effects of naturally grown marijuana. This makes synthetic marijuana both extremely unpredictable and dangerous, the governor said. “The health and safety of New Yorkers is our number

one priority,” Cuomo said. “While there have been no current reports of these symptoms in New York, we are asking public health officials to keep an eye out and to remind people that this poison is dangerous, unpredictable and seems to be getting more so with each passing year.” Cuomo has been particularly aggressive with enforcement actions when it comes to synthetic cannabinoids. In July 2016, he announced that DOH’s Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, in partnership with the State Police, would step up efforts in communities across the state to crack down on the illegal sale of cannabinoids like K2. Additionally, Cuomo required that the State Liquor Authority and State Gaming Commission increase their oversight and enforcement efforts to revoke a store owner’s liquor and lottery licenses if they are found to be illegally peddling synthetic weed. “These man-made substances are extremely dangerous and can be deadly. Sellers of these poisons must be stopped. We have raised awareness across the state about the dangers of these drugs, but today, with these actions, sellers of synthetics will now be held accountable,” State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said at the time. Since Cuomo announced the crackdown in 2016, State Police have made 13 arrests, seized more than 1,100 packets of synthetic marijuana, and one threepound bulk seizure. Under current law, an owner of an establishment, as well as any other person possessing, distributing, selling File Photo or offering prohibited synthetic drugs for sale, will face a Governor Cuomo once called the evolution of synthetic drugs “an alarming public fine up to $500 and/or up to 15 days in jail. Civil penalhealth risk.” ties include a fine up to $2,000 per violation.

City Launches Ad Campaign to Encourage the Reporting of Sex Harassment in the Workplace By Forum Staff The City has launched a five-borough, multi-platform ad campaign to encourage New Yorkers to report sexual harassment incidents in the workplace to the NYC Commission on Human Rights. According to the City, the multilingual campaign, which will run for six weeks, follows a more than 40-percent increase in sexual harassment claims at the commission over the last two years. “We created this public outreach campaign to remind New Yorkers that the commission is a venue where New Yorkers can report sexual harassment, get justice, and hold violators accountable,” said Chairwoman and Commissioner of the NYC Commission on Human Rights Carmelyn Malalis. “At the commission, we understand that many victims may hesitate to report sexual harassment given the imbalance of power in the workplace. Many victims fear retaliation, damaging their careers, or worse, that they won’t be believed. We want to assure New Yorkers that the commission takes every claim of sexual harassment seriously and investigates claims to get justice for victims. We encourage victims to come forward and report sexual harassment to the commission so we can help put an end to it. No one should suffer sexual or gender-based harassment in the workplace, not now, not ever.” Photo Courtesy of the City Commission on Human Rights The ads highlight three common phrases perpetraThe ads are scheduled to appear in English and Spanish in nearly 5,000 placements tors may use to excuse sexual harassment in the workcitywide over the next six weeks, including on subway cars and stations, bus shelters, place, including “It’s just a joke,” “It’s just a hug,” and LinkNYC kiosks, and in nail salons, barber shops, and bars. “It’s just flirting,” and exposes these unwanted actions for what they are — sexual harassment. Since reports 12 APRIL 12, 2018 • Number 15 VOL. 17 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

of sexual harassment are often dismissed or minimized in the workplace, the ads remind New Yorkers that the commission recognizes these actions as sexual harassment and encourages them to report such incidents by calling (718) 722-3131. Victims of sexual harassment in the city may file claims at the commission even when they are bound by arbitration agreements that prevent them from filing cases in court. Independent contractors, interns, and volunteers, whether paid or unpaid, are also protected under the City Human Rights Law, the commission noted. The campaign ads are scheduled to appear in English and Spanish in nearly 5,000 placements citywide over the next six weeks, including on subway cars and stations, bus shelters, LinkNYC kiosks, and in nail salons, barber shops, and bars. The ads will also appear in 24 ethnic and community newspapers in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Arabic, Bengali, Russian, and Haitian Creole, including in El Diario, World Journal, Carib News, Allewaa Al-Arabi, Amsterdam News, Weekly Bangalee, and Gay City News, among others. Digital campaign ads will run on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Google, as well as on several online publications, including New York Magazine, Jezebel, and Bklyner. Additionally, the commission has pledged to launch a series of short films on Facebook, Taxi TV, and NYC TV later this month as part of the campaign. “This ad campaign makes it clear that our City cannot and will not tolerate sexual harassment of any form, and that victims have a reliable, safe way to seek the help and justice they deserve,” said Public Advocate Tish James.

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LEGAL NOTICES Notice of formation of APEX D & M HOLDING LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/5/18. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 150-2722nd Ave., Whitestone, NY 11357. Purpose: any lawNotice is hereby given that an order entered by the civil court, Queens County, on the 2 day of FEBRUARY 2018, bearing Index Number NC-001172-17/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 SUNITIE ANJANIE SOBHAI. The city and state of my address is 110-10 JAMAICA AVENUE, Richmond Hill, NY 11418. The date of my birth is January 14, 2005; place of my birth is Queens, NY; my present name is ANJANIE SOBHAI (infant) Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the civil court, Queens county, on the 13th day of DECEMBER 2017, bearing Index Number NC-000836-17/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) NAOMI (middle) GRACE LUNA (last) LOWE. The city and state of my address is 6034 60th Road, Maspeth, NY 11378-3518. The date of my birth is MARCH 8, 1997; place of my birth is MANHATTAN, NY; my present name is NAOMI GRACE LUNA TINGA aka NAOMI LOWE Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the civil court, Queens county, on the 18 day of JANUARY 2018, bearing Index Number NC-000815-17/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 VIOLET JIMENEZ. The city and state of my address is 51-25 Van Kleeck Street, Apt #3L, Elmhurst, NY 11373-4207. The date of my birth is February 28, 2014; place of my birth is Queens, NY; my present name is VIOLET MOLINA (infant)

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 18 • Number 15 APRIL 12, 2018 | 13

Notice of formation of ZFA MANAGEMENT LLC Articles of Organization Filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 01/23/2018. Office located in Queens. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY Shell mail copy of any process served against the LLC 13692 ROOSEVELT AVE FLUSHING NY 11354. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Legal Notices

REFEREE’S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE SUPREME COURT – COUNTY OF QUEENS NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC, Plaintiff – against – MARIA ROSARIO, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on December 20, 2013. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction, at court room #25 located at 88-11 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, Queens County, New York on the 27th Day of April, 2018 76-40 263rd STREET, LLC. Arts. of at 10:00 a.m. All that certain plot, piece or Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/16/18. parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Office: Queens County. SSNY designated Fourth Ward of the Borough and County of as agent of the LLC upon whom process Notice of Qualification of Thirty-Ninth against it may be served. SSNY shall mail Street Strategies, LLC. Authority filed with copy of process to the LLC, 252-54 Leeds Secy. Of State of NY (SSNY) on September Road, Little Neck, NY 11362. Purpose: 21, 2017. Office location: Queens County. Any lawful purpose. LLC formed in Connecticut (CT) on June

RKP REALTY, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/21/18. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it ay be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 217-47 51st Street, Bayside, NY 11364. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Notice of Formation of TOCAPAMA LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/22/18. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 1087 Jackson Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: any lawful activity.

30, 2017. Princ. Office of LLC: 98-01 67th Avenue, Rego Park, NY 11374. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Marc Silverman, 98-01 67th Avenue, Rego Park, NY 11374. Name and address of each general partner are available from SSNY. CT address of LLC: 1579 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762. Arts of Org filed with CT Secy of State: June 30, 2017. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

BRAZEN NYC, LLC Arts of Org filed with NY Sec of State (SSNY) on 1/16/18. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC.,7014 13TH ANY AVENUE, LLC Arts of Org filed with AVENUE, SUITE 202. BROOKLYN, NY Sec of State (SSNY) on 12/11/17. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC NY 11228. General Purposes. upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall Notice of formation of THERAPY mail process to:United States Corporation Agents, WORKS O.T.A PLLC. Articles of Org. Inc.,7014 13th Avenue, Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY filled with the Secretary Of State of New 11228. General Purposes. York (SSNY) on 1/26/2018. Office locaBARE NY LASER AESTHETICS, LLC tion: Queens County. SSNY is designated Arts of Org filed with NY Sec of State (SSNY) on for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy 02/01/18. Office: Queens County. SSNY desigof any process served against the PLLC nated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:Bare NY 147-18 116th Ave. Jamaica, NY 11436. PurLaser Aesthetics, LLC, 253-15 80th Avenue #211, pose: any lawful purpose. Queens, NY 11004. General Purposes.

G & A GROUP LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/01/18. 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, 79-10 35th Avenue, #4C, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. NOTICE OF FORMATION of MENUON, LLC. Art. of Org. filed w/Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/14/17. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent for service of process. SSNY shall mail process to: 7014 13 Ave. #202, Bklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

14 APRIL 12, 2018 • Number 15 VOL. 17

NOTICE OF FORMATION of CITY FUNDING & DEVELOPMENT, LLC. Articles of Org. filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/1/2017. 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: THE LLC 8810 136TH STREET, UNIT #2, RICHMOND HILL, NY 11418. Purpose: any lawful purpose. NOTICE OF FORMATION of CITY FUNDING & DEVELOPMENT, LLC. Articles of Org. filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/1/2017. 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: THE LLC 8810 136TH STREET, UNIT #2, RICHMOND HILL, NY 11418. Purpose: any lawful purpose. • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Queens, City and State of New York. Premises known as 95 30 92nd Street, Ozone Park, (City of New York) NY 11416. (Block: 9031, Lot: 20) Approximate amount of lien $779,459.48 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale. Index No. 9656-2008. Arthur Terranova, Esq., Referee. Davidson Fink LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 28 East Main Street, Suite 1700 Rochester, NY 146141990 Tel. 585/760-8218 Dated: March 8, 2018 JANE PARKER BAKED GOODS LLC Arts of Org filed with NY Sec of State (SSNY) on 1/31/18. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:THE LLC, 3811 DITMARS BLVD., SUITE 120B, ASTORIA, NY 11105. General Purposes.

Rk Williams Jr LLC. Filed 11/8/17. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: United States Corporation Agents, Inc., 7014 13th Ave Ste 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Purpose: General. ACMK Group Property LLC Arts of Org filed with NY Sec of State (SSNY) on 2/1/18. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 93-09 71st Ave, Forest Hills, NY 11375. General Purposes. 76-40 263rd STREET, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/16/18. 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, 252-54 Leeds Road, Little Neck, NY 11362. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MGBB13110 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 3/19/18. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 48-02 25th Avenue, Ste. 400, Astoria, NY 11103. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 41-30 73rd Street, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 2/1/18. Office location: Queens County. Princ. bus. addr.: 51 W. 48th St., Bayonne, NJ 07002. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 10 E. 40th St., 10th Fl., NY, NY 10016, regd. agent upon whom process may be served. Purpose: all lawful purposes.

Notice of Formation of PEDUNCLE, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State on 2/2/18. Office location: Queens County. Princ. bus. addr.: 51 W. 48th St., Bayonne, NJ 07002. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: DAVID HOLZMAN, 35-05 72nd Street, 3B, Queens, NY 11372regd. agent upon whom process may be served. Purpose: all lawful purposes. Notice of Formation of BAILEY’S LUXURY, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) 3/30/18. Office location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of any process to: BALIEY’S LUXURY, LLC, 117-15 225th Street, Cambria Heights, NY 11411, regd. agent upon whom process may be served. Purpose: all lawful purposes.

Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the civil court, Queens county, on the 22nd day of MARCH 2018, bearing Index Number NC-000265-18/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) SHABBIR (middle) MOHAMMED (last) AHMED. The city and state of my address is 107-50 78th Street, Ozone Park, NY 11417. The date of my birth is JUNE 13,1983; place of my birth is SYLHET, BANGLADESH; my present name is MOHAMMED SHABBIR AHMED aka MOHAMMED S. AHMED Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the civil court, Queens county, on the 2nd day of FEBRUARY 2018, bearing Index Number NC-001125-17/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) LUBNA (last) AKTER. The city and state of my address is 107-44 77th Street, Ozone Park, NY 11417. The date of my birth is November 27, 1991; place of my birth is BANGLADESH; my present name is RUBINA AKTER Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the civil court, Queens county, on the 28 day of FEBRUARY 2018, bearing Index Number NC-000189-18/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) TASNIM (middle) JAHAN(last) ALAM. The city and state of my address is 75 14 97th Avenue, Apt.1, Ozone Park, NY 11416. The date of my birth is FEBRUARY 01, 2018; place of my birth is QUEENS, NY. My present name is TASNIM JAHAN (infant)

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