THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | JUNE 1, 2017

VOL. 16 • NUMBER 22 • JUNE 1, 2017

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

South & West

STARS & STRIPES & SACRIFICE

See Story on Page 3

Pride and Patriotism on Full Display as Howard Beach Honors Service Members who Paid the Ultimate Price with Gripping Memorial Day Ceremony Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 22 JUNE 1, 2017 | 1

Christ the King High School

The Board Of Trustees, Administration, Faculty & Staff Would Like To Congratulate The CLASS OF 2017 Upon Its Commencement Graduates Have Been Awarded Over $16.26 Million In Scholarships

LAURA JANS VALEDICTORIAN

William Abbene* Edwin Acevedo Oscar Aguirre Matthew Allie Emily Allocca Jose Alvarado Paulina Ambrus* Min An Nicholas Anspach Julio Arce Aaliyah Atanda Diana Aucapina Imani Austin-Scipio* Devin Berry Kenneth Bisono Giovanni Bobadilla Taylor Brown Prince Brown Daniel Bruno Pawel Bryla Roenny Bueno Ramone Burford Tiffany Caldwell James Cantos Ashley Caporal Emily Casanova Samantha Castillo Kimberly Castro

Frank Cesare* Saundra Cleckley* Antonia Concordia Kelsey Constantine* Kylon Coombs Julian Corredor Jonathan Coste Luis Jacobo Cruz Tabares Proteeti Das Frank Davila II Deanna D'Elia Jaden Dennis Tsering Dolma Augusto Dominguez Briana Drepaul Peter Dutan Jaren Ellis Carmela Farruggia* Jovan Fernandez Shania Figueroa Jessica Fischer Joseph Fleischhacker Diavian Fleming Brianna Forster Maria Giovanna Galante* Joshua Garcia Stanley Garrett III Alexander Golonka Victoria Gomez Santino Gonzalez Alex Gorski Kendale Greenidge-Bullock Cheyanne Griffin Alexander Grullon Gabrielle Guerra Hayley Guerrero Joseph Guerrero Wenzhe Guo (Jeff)* Ziqi Han

Heaven Henry* Malik Herrera Kyle Hilgendorf Tomasz Horczak Justin Jannazzo Laura Jans* Christopher Jasabe Terrell Jones Amanda Khan* Amelia Khan* Maria Khan Hailey Landin Anthony Lang Kiana Leger Emmanuel Leon Felipe Lopez Hantao (Robin) Luo Siqing Lyu* Briana Machado Catherine Manganiello Justin Martial Anthony Mazza Maalik McClymont Bryce McEvilley Jonathan Mendez Dayana Miranda Nicole Mongelli* Michael Morales Kimberly Moreira Douglas Morel Maria Motisi Matthew Mucha* Siddiq Muhammad

Hasan Muhammad-Chambers

Jordan Myers Erich Karl Naumann IV* Vanessa Lisette Navarrete* Darius Nieves Sean Nolan

Claudia Nougues Johncarlos Nunez Javier Obregon Oluwatosin Oyekanmi Heather Paniagua* Julia Papayiannis Justin Parbhoo Gian-Paolo Pasadilla* Angeles Paucar* Luzellis Pena Daniel Alberto Pesantes Sharelle Pettway Kameron Pharr Keegan Phillip Nathaniel Pierre Casey Pirc Salvatore Pistone Anthony Prestigiacomo Breanna Preuss Randy Pringle Angelo Salvador Ranieri Melissa Rebecca Vincent Ricciardi Edward Riley Meilani Rivera* Eddie Rodriguez Graciela Ruiz Nathaly Salomon Aron Sanabria Brandon Sharma Torri Danielle Sherard Luis Siguencia* Destiny Stribling* Cynthia Sudhu Brandon Surillo Lorenza Taormina* Joseph Tatano Justin Terry Kiara Torres

CK Class of 2017 Graduates Have Been Accepted to:

SIQING LYU SALUTATORIIAN

Victoria P. Townsend Jasmin Trujillo Katarzyna Tworek Matthew Valentino Luis Vega Adrian Velez Bianca Vertus* Kenneth Waite Yirui (Andrew) Wang Alexandra Weigert* Josiah Williams Keivon Williamson Jiale(Jason) Xu Duojia (Alex) Xu* Shuqing (Alan) Yang Anthony Young Erika Yuquilima* Chenhui (Michael) Zhao Yilin Zhou Andy Zhu Nikola Zivkovic

*National Honor Society

Adelphi • ADMA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts • Arizona State • Bentley • Boston University • Carnegie Mellon • Columbia • CUNY C.W. Post • Drexel Duke • Fairfield • Fairleigh Dickenson • Florida State • Fordham • Georgetown • Hofstra • Howard • Iona • Johnson & Wales • Lehigh • LIU • Macaulay Honors College Manhattanville • Marist • MIT • New York Institute of Technology • New York University • Northeastern • Notre Dame • Pace • Purdue • Quinnipiac • Rutgers • Sacred Heart Seton Hall • Siena • St. Bonaventure • St. Francis • St. John's • St. Joseph’s • St. Thomas Aquinas • SUNY • Syracuse • U Conn • University of Pennsylvania University of South Carolina • Utica • Wake Forest • Wells College • USMA at West Point • Washington University • West Virginia State • Yale

Serphin R. Maltese, Chairman Michael W. Michel, President Peter J. Mannarino, Principal (718)366-7400 68-02 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379 www.ctkny.org 2 JUNE 1, 2017 • Number 22 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Ulrich Addresses Shore Pkwy. Sanitation Woes at Civic Meeting

By Michael V. Cusenza City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) this week called on his neighbors to take on a greater role in community upkeep and get involved in the beautification of Shore Parkway, a Howard Beach thoroughfare that has devolved into a magnet for trash.

“I’ve received a good amount of complaints of garbage, debris along Shore Parkway,” Ulrich said at Tuesday’s Howard BeachLindenwood Civic meeting at St. Helen Catholic Academy.

Ulrich also noted that while the recent deployment of a large Wildcat Service Corporation crew netted “well over 100 bags” of refuse, making the parkway look “125-percent better,” he can slowly see the blight coming back.

“I cannot commit to Wildcat coming 24-7 when inconsiderate people litter,” the councilman said, adding that it costs taxpayers

Councilman Ulrich noted that, while Shore Parkway looks much better these days, it’s still a magnet for trash.

roughly $65,000 a year to secure the cleaning group’s services. “This is supplemental sanitation. We’re thrilled to bring it to the community, but we need help.”

That assistance, Ulrich said, is “co-ops, civics, community boards spreading the word” so that neighbors can take part in

keeping their own immediate environment clean.

Asked if garbage cans dotting the roadway could be part of the answer, Ulrich quickly put the kibosh on that idea.

“I don’t want to put pails on Shore Parkway – it invites [illegal] dumping,” he said.

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

Wildcat will return this fall to the parkway, Ulrich noted. Until then, the councilman implored his constituents to think about giving back to their beloved neighborhood.

“I need, and the community needs people to be responsible neighbors,” he said. “We have to do our job to keep it clean.”

Howard Beach Honors its Fallen Military Service Members with Stirring Memorial Day Ceremony

By Michael V. Cusenza “Raise Old Glory to full staff!” Patrick Connolly barked, the U.S. Marine Corps veteran’s order piercing the damp, overcast atmosphere just as much as the ceremonial rounds spit from the rifles of the armed corps, or “Taps” crying out of the trumpet.

Howard Beach recognized its war dead on Monday.

Braving the inclement elements, hundreds gathered for the community’s annual Memorial Day parade to pay respect to those military service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The parade made several stops, including at the Vietnam War Memorial at 157th Avenue and 99th Street, where Connolly, the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2565 and organizer of the annual event, called for the Stars and Bars to be raised high in sentry above the neigh-

borhood. Though he relied on a cane to get around on Monday, Connolly stood at attention as the flag made its way up the pristine white pole, a red, white and blue wreath at its base.

Marchers also made a pilgrimage to the global conflict.

World War II Memorial at Howard Beach “It is our honor and our duty to rememAssembly of God on 99th Street, where ber and honor Howard Beach’s war dead,” they listened to the names of soldiers who Connolly said. died in the line of duty during the second Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 22 JUNE 1, 2017 | 3

Wild Four-Car Van Wyck Expressway Accident Leaves One Dead, Three in Cuffs

a.m. when he was hit by the cab, which set off a chain-reaction that ultimately involved four vehicles. The licenses of the hack and two other drivers were suspended at the time of the incident, so they were placed under arrest at the scene and later charged with aggravated unlicensed driving, according to a New York Daily News report.

By Michael V. Cusenza

A pedestrian was struck and killed by a yellow taxi on Saturday in a wild accident on the Van Wyck Expressway in Richmond Hill that also saw three motorists taken into police custody, according to the City Police Department and published reports.

The victim was walking on the southbound side of the expressway near the Jamaica Avenue/Hillside Avenue exit around 2:30

By Michael V. Cusenza

Forum Photo by Richard York

The NYPD’s Highway Patrol Unit 3 responded to the scene on Saturday morning.

Mayor Appoints Sikh Leader to City Human Rights Commission

Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced the appointment of Gurdev Singh Kang, the former president of the largest Sikh temple in the five boroughs, to the City Commission on Human Rights.

Kang led The Sikh Cultural Society Inc., located on 118th Street in South Richmond Hill, from 2012 to 2016.

“It is a great honor to serve as a Commissioner. It is very important that the voices of minorities be heard during this crucial time,” Kang said. “Therefore, I hope to help prevent discrimination against New Yorkers based on their race and religious beliefs. Every New Yorker has the right to practice his/her own religion without having to face any fear or threat of a violent attack.”

As president of the Sikh Society, Kang started the Nagar Kirtan program and sports initiatives for youth. Kang is a member of the Mayor’s Clergy Advisory Council and a clergy member of 1 Police Plaza.

He emigrated from Punjab, India, in 1981

The Sikh Cultural Society Inc. is located on 118th Street in South Richmond Hill.

and started a deli/grocery business. By 1986, Kang encountered great success in his business endeavors ranging from real estate to retail. Kang has been a member of Community Board 2 in Staten Island since 2006.

The City Commission on Human Rights enforces and educates on the City Human Rights Law, one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the nation. Human

Photo Courtesy of Google

Rights Commissioners are appointed by the mayor and advise and assist the chair and commissioner in identifying issues of bias, discrimination, and harassment impacting their communities. Commissioners also encourage positive community relations, meet quarterly with the chair and commission staff, vote on proposed and final rules, and provide recommendations to the commission.

De Blasio also appointed Carrie Davis and Faiza Patel to the CCHR last Thursday.

“Spanning LGBTQ rights, national security issues, and leadership in Sikh communities, today’s appointees represent the very best of New York City. This progressive and extraordinarily qualified group share strong dedication to safeguarding the rights, safety, and dignity of all people in New York City,” the mayor said. “Reiterating what I said when I appointed Carmelyn P. Malalis at the helm of CCHR, I am confident this agency will continue to be a robust enforcer of our fundamental civil rights and improve community relations among New Yorkers throughout the five boroughs.”

Malalis called the new appointees “true pioneers in the fight for equality and dignity. As fierce and zealous advocates, their knowledge, skills, and strong commitment to human rights will serve to strengthen and energize the mission of our agency to eliminate discrimination in this City and ensure equity and equality for all New Yorkers.”

City Unveils Veterans Mentoring Initiative

By Forum Staff The de Blasio administration recently announced the formation of the NYC Veterans Mentoring Initiative, a public-private partnership bringing together government, service providers, universities, and others to ensure that the city’s veterans and their families have access to high-quality mentorship, according to City officials.

“Mentoring is good for the city by being good for veterans,” said Loree Sutton, commissioner of the City Department of Veterans’ Services. “Veterans make great New Yorkers— nationally, we know that veterans vote more, Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office volunteer more, and are employed at higher “This initiative will help veterans succeed in school and find long-term careers,” said Mayor de Blasio. rates than their peers. And, veterans often come to the city bringing hundreds of thou- life experiences to contribute to the city. Given and convening stakeholders. The initiative is sands of dollars of federal benefits. But, transi- their demonstrated commitment to service, bringing together more than a dozen service tion is a vulnerable time for veterans and their veterans and their families are ultimately hap- providers that offer best-in-class mentoring for families. Mentoring drives behaviors—build- piest when they’re contributing to and leading veterans and their family members. Officials ing discrete skills, making informed decisions within their communities and workplaces.” said that the initiative will mentor at least 2,000 about higher education, and learning how to According to the administration, the DVS city veterans and family members by July 1, cultivate networks—that increase the likeli- is acting as “the backbone” of the Mentoring 2018. hood that a veteran can utilize their unique Initiative, setting the agenda, driving action, “New York is at its best when all of its citi4 JUNE 1, 2017 • Number 22 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

zens are coming together,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This mentoring initiative will help veterans succeed in school and find long-term careers. This program is about building relationships between veterans and civilians, and recognizing what they have in common as citizens of this great city.”

The announcement includes a web page housed on the DVS website – nyc.gov/vets – that allows New Yorkers to engage with veterans and family members by serving as a mentor. In the fall, aligned with the beginning of the school year, the City will launch a marketing campaign targeted toward veterans and their family members. The campaign will steer veterans and family members to a website that will coordinate referrals to ensure that every mentee is getting the most out of their mentorship experience.

The initiative is the City’s first contribution to Veterans on Campus-NYC, a new coalition of major public and private universities in the five boroughs that aims to attract more student veterans by helping them to thrive once they’re here.

Mobile Food Vendors to Receive Health Department Letter Grades

By Michael V. Cusenza The letter-grade signs that New Yorkers see displayed in the windows of their favorite brick-and-mortar eateries are on their way to mobile food vendors after the City Council voted last week in favor of a bill that would require food carts and trucks to post a letter grade that is based on their most recent health inspection by the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

“I cannot imagine someone not looking for a restaurant’s letter grade from our city’s Health Department before deciding whether or not to patronize a restaurant,” said Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz (DForest Hills), the legislation’s sponsor. “The ‘A, B, C or GRADE PENDING’ carries with it real significance. The letter grade has become absolutely essential as it relates to restaurants. Yet, every day, countless numbers of people in New York are expected to purchase food from a street vendor without knowing to a general degree the cart’s compliance with the NYC Health Code.

The customers who buy food from a street vendor deserve to have the same ability to make an informed decision as patrons of restaurants. Intro 1456 would mandate that the Health Dept. expand letter grading to street food vendors and that it should mirror the restaurant grading system as closely

Photo Courtesy of Edwin Torres/Mayoral Photography Office

The new law would require food carts and trucks to post a letter grade that is based on their most recent health inspection by the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

as possible.”

In Albany last week, as the State Senate prepared to vote on a bill sponsored by Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) to assign letter grades to pushcarts and food trucks, the Senator and members of the Independent Democratic Conference issued a report, “Grades-on-the-go: An Inside Look into the Dirtiest Pushcarts & Food Trucks

Camera Shield

Your safety is our concern

Camera InstallationWI-FI Setup DVR-PPOE Setup No monthly Fees!

Own your own system Lorex, Hikvision, Dahua and more

Serving the five boroughs, Westchester and Long Island

Miguel Reyes CCTV/IP Camera Installation 917.662.5373 Miguelreyes@gmail.com

in New York City,” that analyzed inspection data from 2016.

According to Peralta, while mobile food vendors are inspected the City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene, the results of said inspections are not made public. Peralta’s legislation would assign letter grades to pushcarts and food trucks just like restaurants and make it easier for

DOHMH to obtain locations for inspections.

“A vast majority of street vendors support a letter grading system, since it brings increased legitimacy to their businesses,” Peralta added. “With this more transparent system in place, consumers will have fewer worries about their food being unsafe when they pick up a falafel, a hot dog or a taco on the go. This investigation illustrates the need for transparency.”

The report indicated that the six dirtiest food trucks in the city where inspectors issued violations could have resulted in a “C” grade, including one Queens cart posted on 71st Avenue in Forest Hills.

Peralta said that in order to improve the sanitary conditions of these trucks and to provide consumers with easy access to information on the cleanliness of these establishments, his legislation would require that DOHMH convert the existing health inspections into the letter-grade equivalent.

“At the New York Food Truck Association, we think food trucks should be held to the same food safety regulations as brickand-mortar restaurants, not only including letter grades, but also addressing the onerous food safety permitting process for food truck employees,” said Ben Goldberg, founder and CEO, New York Food Truck Association.

The Pharmacist’s Corner Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

IT'S TIME TO TRAVEL-SAFELY It may be easy to overlook the cautious side of going on vacation and at this time of the year when so many people are headed for some relaxation spot— hopefully tropical–but you shluld your local pharmacist can be of great help in assuring you make the most out of your vacation time.

Follow these simple tips and travel without complication—especially if you’re travelling out of the country or to a destination with a different climate and/or geographical changes, many things can occur and you definitely want to be prepared for them.

First of all, ask your pharmacist what you’ll need to include in order to have a travel kit that can address the issues that arrive most commonly while on vacation. That list would surely include–sunscreen, painkillers, antiseptic, insect repellent and anti-diarrhea pills. No matter what, these will be useful.

We’ve spoken to you about skin cancer in this column before, and when travelling, the sun exposure that we are accustomed to on a daily basis, is different than that of our travel destinations.

Extra care must be exercised following these general rules is strongly advised in order to protect yourself from the sun: • Use factor 15 or more sunscreen.

• See your doctor about any changes to moles or any unusual skin growths.

• Spend time in the sahde between 11 a.m & 3 p.m • Don't get burned.

• Cover up with a t-shirt, hat and sunglasses.

• When taking care of children’s skin--plain and simple-- cover them up and keep them in the shade.

When travelling for a long period of time without moving, you may have concerns about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a condition that can occur in your legs and thighs when immobile for extended periods and lead to blood clots. Although instances of DVT are fairly rare, they have the potential to be fatal.

Follow these preventative measures to help alleviate concern: To exercise your calf and foot muscles in flight • Every 1/2 hour or so, bend and straighten your legs, feet and toes while seated.

• Avoid putting bags under the seat in front of you and recline when possible.

• To increase the blood flow in the legs press the balls of your feet down hard against the floor or foot rest • Walk up and down the aisle every hour Until next week...

For your family’s prescription needs, please call

CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644 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. or 96-05 101st Ave. in Ozone Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 22 JUNE 1, 2017 | 5

Jamaica Man Charged with Using Power of Attorney to Steal $100K+ from Elderly Friend

By Forum Staff A trusting 83-year-old woman was raked over the financial coals for more than $100,000 after she assigned a “friend” a power of attorney because of her failing eyesight and deteriorating health.

Herman Smith has been charged with one count each of second-degree larceny, seconddegree attempted larceny, first-degree scheme to defraud and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person. The 68-year-old Jamaica, Queens resident was released under supervision and ordered to return to court on June 27. Smith faces up to fifteen years in prison if convicted.

“This case is a clear example of why people have to be very careful as to whom they give power of attorney over their financial affairs.

In this case, the defendant is accused of betraying the trust of a friend to unscrupulously steal more than $100,000 from her and with attempting to steal additional monies by liquidating an investment account she maintained

to open a guaranteed lifetime annuity account, listing himself on the application as the sole beneficiary and the purported spouse of the victim,” said District Attorney Brown.

Charges in the case say that the victim executed a power of attorney back in September of 2014 authorizing Smith to act as her agent.

It did not however, grant Smith permission or authority to transfer and/or withdraw monies for any purpose other than to assist her with her financial responsibilities.

Smith paid bills on behalf of the victim and represented her at a real estate closing for a property she owned on North Columbus Avenue in Freeport, Long Island.

In 2015, after the victim had relocated to North Carolina, she authorized Smith to represent her at the sale of a second property she owned. After authorities reviewed bank accounts belonging to the victim, they established that checks made payable to the victim were deposited by Smith, using different accounts, and that over a period beginning in 2015 and extending through 2016, he embez-

Photo Courtesy of Atkins & Markoff

zeled over $100,000 from his elderly friend.

Chase bank records went on to reveal a second account holder on Smith’s account. Yvette Kelly, was a 64-year-old female who had also added Smith as her power of attorney. When she died in 2014, Smith kept her account open.

He transferred more than $80,000 from his Chase account to Ms. Kelly’s account between Feb. 2014 and June 2015 and removed in through ATM withdrawl’s from Atlantic City.

Smith also had a Discover credit card in his victim’s name since 1991. The company sent a statement due to the inactivity of the account

with information on available credit as well as a promotional offer for $15,000 which Smith took full advantage of through a cash advance check for nearly $11,000 and cash advances at machines in Atlantic City of over $6,000.

He then submitted an application to New York Life Insurance Company on behalf of the victim for a Guaranteed Lifetime Annuity with the sole beneficiary listed as Smith, whose name appeared on the application as the spouse of the victim.

To deposit funds to pay for the annuity however, Smith had to move money from an account at David Learner and Associates. They refused to release the money through a power of attorney and insisted on speaking with the victim directly. When an investigator from David Learner interviewed the victim it was determined that she was completely satisfied with the learner account, did not want to transfer the money and further had not authorized a transaction in question from May of 2015 when the funds from the Discover promotion.

If convicted, Smith faces 15 years in prison.

City Touts Reduction in Use of Homeless Cluster Units

By Forum Staff The City recently announced that the Department of Homeless Services has transitioned more than 3,000 New Yorkers out of cluster units into a mix of permanent housing and shelter since Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 90day review of homeless services in February, completely ending the use of over 800 cluster units as shelter.

According to the administration, cluster units are individual private apartments rented across apartment buildings spread throughout the city on a per-unit basis to shelter homeless families.

On Jan. 1, 2016, the City was utilizing 3,658 cluster units across 314 buildings, including 2,877 units across 236 buildings in the Bronx, where the vast majority of cluster sites have been located. Since that date, we have

Photo Courtesy of Edwin Torres/Mayoral Photography Office

The mayor unveiled his “Turning the Tide on Homelessness, Neighborhood by Neighborhood,” plan in February.

ended the use of 842 units citywide.

In February, de Blasio “Turning the Tide on Homelessness, Neighborhood by Neighborhood,” the 114-page “comprehensive borough-based plan to reduce the footprint of New York City’s homeless shelter system and drive down the population of homeless New

Yorkers relying on shelter.” De Blasio’s plan pledges to end the use of all 360 cluster sites and commercial hotel facilities citywide, while opening a smaller number of 90 new and more effective traditional shelters. The City has committed to ending the use of all cluster sites by 2021.

“We made a commitment to getting out of cluster apartments to house our homeless neighbors and today I am glad to say we are making great progress having gotten out of 842 units, helping 3,000 New Yorkers transition out of them in the process,” de Blasio said. “Our homeless families deserve better and we will continue to take aggressive action in closing down the remaining sites and replacing them with better, safer shelters to help them get back on their feet and into permanent housing.”

Dr. Herminia Palacio, deputy mayor for Health and Human Services, added, “This administration has made significant investments to ensure that homeless families have the supports and services they need to return to stable housing. Closing cluster apartments demonstrates this commitment and our dedication to providing high quality purpose built shelters to all New York City families.”

Indian Man Charged in LaGuardia Airport Security Breach

By Michael V. Cusenza

Authorities last Thursday finally caught up to the wandering traveler who set off a security scare at LaGuardia Airport – including an evacuation – when he strolled into a restricted zone inside Terminal B, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown’s Office.

Phani Kumar Varanasi, 41, who hails from Sanikpuri, India, was arraigned on a criminal complaint charging him with third-degree criminal trespass. He was released on his own recognizance.

According to the complaint, a Transportation Safety Administration officer told Port Authority detectives that Varanasi “did walk Photo Courtesy of LaGuardia Airport in the exit door passed screening without be- According to the criminal complaint, Varanasi “did walk in the exit door passed screening without being screened” ing screened” in the airport’s Central Terminal in LaGuardia Airport’s Central Terminal Building.

6 JUNE 1, 2017 • Number 22 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Building around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23.

The charges state that TSA security surveillance captured a photo of Varanasi, which was a facial identification match to an American Airlines passenger who had just flown in from Detroit.

“There was a TSA agent at that location where my client allegedly was,” Varanasi’s defense attorney argued at his arraignment, according to a New York Daily News report. “He didn’t say anything to my client, didn’t say, ‘Go the other way.’. . . [Varanasi] was simply looking for luggage.”

Security footage allegedly shows a TSA employee posted at the doorway through which Varanasi entered the restricted area. The agency indicated last week that, regarding the officer, “appropriate action will be taken.”

City Launches Anti-Discrimination Campaign

By Forum Staff Mayor Bill de Blasio and the City Commission on Human Rights recently launched a citywide anti-discrimination campaign “affirming New Yorkers’ right to live, work, and pray free from discrimination and harassment.”

The campaign, which, according to the administration, includes ads, public service announcement videos, and community events, follows a 60-percent increase in reports of discrimination to the CCHR in 2016, a trend that continues into 2017.

The ads feature six individuals standing up to scenarios of discrimination and harassment commonly experienced by vulnerable New Yorkers, including Jewish, Muslim, Hispanic, Asian, Black, and LGBTQ New Yorkers, and affirms their right to pray, speak, and live in New York City without discrimination or harassment. The ads also urge people to contact the commission at (718) 722-3131 to report discrimination.

“Every New Yorker has the right to be themselves without being discriminated against, no matter where they come from, what language they speak, who they love, or their religious faith,” said CCHR

The citywide campaign includes ads, public service announcement videos, and community events.

Chairwoman and Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis. “At a time when bias incidents are on the rise, this campaign sends a clear message to all New Yorkers that they do have the right to live free from discrimination and harassment and that NYC has your back. In this city, we are all New Yorkers. No one has permission to discriminate against you or your community. If they do, rest assured that the NYC Commis-

sion on Human Rights will hold them accountable.”

The campaign follows a significant increase in reports of discrimination and bias incidents in the city to the CCHR, as well as an increase in investigations resulting from those reports: Reports of discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and immigration status increased by 30 percent in 2016.

Photo Courtesy of the CCHR

The commission is currently investigating 30-percent more complaints of discrimination than this time last year, with more than 1,600 current open cases of discrimination compared to 1,200 in May 2016.

More than 40 percent of all open cases at the CCHR (more than 700 cases) involve discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, and immigration status.

The commission has more than doubled the number of investigations into race, religion, national origin, and immigration status over the last two years, filing 823 complaints in those areas in 2016 and 2015 combined compared to 418 complaints in 2014 and 2013 combined.

“Incidents of bias and discrimination have been occurring with more frequency throughout New York City and across the country. This is not OK,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz.

“Now, it is more important than ever for New Yorkers to stand together against discrimination in all its forms. If you see something, say something. If you witness an incident, call it out and report it to the commission. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, and Queens denounces any act of discrimination, whether microaggression or blatant.”

Over the next six weeks, the CCHR indicated that it will host a series of community events tied to the campaign to further educate the City’s diverse communities about their rights and how to file discrimination complaints with the commission. For a full list of events, including times and locations, visit nyc.gov/youhaverights.

De Blasio Pledges to Crack Down on Parking Placard Abuse

By Michael V. Cusenza Mayor Bill de Blasio recently emphatically vowed to crack down on City employees who abuse the privileges that come with a parking placard – including on City Police Department Traffic Enforcement agents, whose job it is to enforce the rules.

“We’re announcing today a set of new policies, and they are very tough policies. We will not tolerate the misuse of placards by anyone,” de Blasio said in a press conference last Thursday in the Bronx.

“We are going to be very clear, to all City employees from a whole host of agencies that placards must only be used as designated, and not abused for personal gain.

We’re going to be adding a number of new enforcement measures and new personnel to enforce the rules.

We’re going to make clear there are real consequences for anyone who abuses a placard. We’re also going to say to the agents who provide the enforcement that they have to be consistent in the work they do.”

The administration’s pledge

Mayor de Blasio made the announcement last Thursday.

to punish placard abusers comes amid the growing popularity of the Twitter account @placardabuse, which posts photos of misused plaques and parking agents seemingly ignoring the flouting of the rules.

“We’re going to invite the public to help us in this enforcement effort by putting any information either online or calling it into 311, and our enforcement personnel

Photo Courtesy of Edwin Torres/Mayoral Photography Office

will be looking for those public reports, we welcome those public reports,” de Blasio said. “Someone put together a website that shows public employees not doing their job – we don’t criticize that or look away from that, [or] ignore that…we want to use that as a tool to make sure that the public’s interest are being protected.

Calling it “a major priority” for the Police Department, de Blasio

announced the creation of a Placard Fraud Enforcement Unit at the NYPD that will report directly to the Chief of Department. The City is set to hire 100 more Traffic Enforcement agents who will be focused on placard enforcement every day; and an additional 16 police officers will be assigned to “hot spots” around the city where there’s been a history of placard abuse. The mayor also said that

the City will be adding additional towing capacity to this enforcement plan.

“Before anyone thinks it’s a clever idea to misuse our placards, my advice is you better get to know where our impound lots are because you’re going to end up visiting them if you misuse our placards,” de Blasio added. “Now let’s be clear, there need to be consequences. One of the most profound consequences will be that anyone found in violation will have their placards permanently revoked. And abuse cases in certain instances will be turned over to the Department of Investigation for further action.”

The mayor encouraged all New Yorkers to get involved by calling 311 if they see what they believe is a violation of the rules regarding placards.

“Bottom line is all New Yorkers need to know that are City employees are here to serve you, not serve themselves,” de Blasio said.

“And we will be very resolute in cracking down on any inappropriate behavior.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 22 JUNE 1, 2017 | 7

QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT MELINDA KATZ

in partnership with NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, NYC Parks Department & City Parks Foundation presents

GEORGE CLINTON & PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC CHLOE X HALLE . MAIN SOURCE DJ MARLY MARL . ROXANNE SHANTÉ . June 11 . 2017

5PM — SUMMERSTAGE Sunday

Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens

2PM — Unisphere Stage

Bartlett Contemporaries Alive N’ Kickin The Devotions

Scavenger Hunt NYS Pavilion Tours Queens Night Market

food & craft vendors until 8PM

MORE DETAILS AT queensbp.org/OnlyInQueens

Scott Stringer Comptroller, City of New York

Promotional support provided in part by the NYC & Company Foundation.

8 JUNE 1, 2017 • Number 22 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

E T E FR EN EV

EN M OP L 9 P TI LY UN DAI

of Howard Beach RAGTIME GOURMET SALES 06/01/2017 – 06/07/2017

PREMIUM PRODUCE

RIPE SEEDLESS WATERMELONS

PINEAPPLES

49¢ LB.

CHERRIES

2/$5.00

$3.99 LB.

RED & GREEN SEEDLESS GRAPES

ICEBERG LETTUCE

$1.99 LB.

99¢ EACH

PLUM TOMATOES

99¢ LB.

ITALIAN SPECIALTIES

SCLAFANI TOMATO SAUCE ANNA & DIVELLA PASTA 1 LB. BAGS

28 OZ. CAN (EXCLUDES HANDPICKED)

$1.79

99¢

FRESH MOZZARELLA 1 LB. SALTED WRAPPED

$6.99 EACH

PARMIGIANO REGGIANO & LOCATELLI GRATED CHEESE

$9.99 LB.

HORMEL ROSA GRANDE PEPPERONI WHOLE OR SLICED

$6.99 LB.

DELI BOARS HEAD BOLOGNA & BOARS HEAD YELLOW AMERICAN CHEESE BOARS HEAD BOARS HEAD COMBO (1/2 LB. MIN EACH) PEPPERED SALAME LOW SALT TURKEY

$5.99 LB.

$7.99 LB.

$7.99 LB.

BOARS HEAD EVER ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST

$7.99 LB.

HOMEMADE MARINATED ROASTED RED PEPPERS

BOARS HEAD PROVOLONE CHEESE

$5.99 LB.

$6.99 LB.

SANDWICH OF THE WEEK:

HOMEMADE TOMATO & ONION SALAD

PHILLY CHEESE STEAK HERO

$5.99 LB.

$4.99 EACH

USDA PRIME CUT MEAT

FRESH GROUND SIRLOIN CHOP MEAT

$2.99 LB.

BELL & EVANS THIGHS & DRUMSTICKS

$1.99 LB.

USDA PRIME USDA PRIME BLACK BLACK ANGUS ANGUS SHOULDER BONE IN RIB STEAKS LONDON BROIL

$7.99 LB.

$2.99 LB.

USDA PRIME BLACK ANGUS FLAT IRON STEAKS

$3.99 LB.

ALL ITEMS MAY NOT BE EXACTLY AS THEY ARE REPRESENTED IN PHOTOGRAPHS. THEY ARE JUST REPRESENTATIONS OF ACTUAL SALE ITEMS.

GIFT & FRUIT BASKETS MADE FOR ALL OCCASIONS. WE CAN SHIP ANYWHERE!

BONELESS WHOLE OR HALF PORK ROAST

$1.99 LB. We now accept EBT or SNAP

Not Responsible for Typographical Errors

157-48 CROSSBAY BLVD HOWARD BEACH, NY 11414 FREE LOCAL DELIVERY Open 7 days 7 am – 9 pm TEL: 718-845-4582 FAX: 718-843-2202

INSTAGRAM@Ragtime Gourmet • RAGTIMEGOURMET.COM

Why Wait?

Text in your order from Zingle

718-208-0450

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 22 JUNE 1, 2017 | 9

NY Senators Rip Proposed Trump Transportation Cuts

Ulrich, Richmond Hill Advocates Unveil ‘Historic’ Sign

Photo Courtesy of Councilman Ulrich’s Office

City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) joined the Richmond Hill Historical Society and community leaders on Friday for the formal unveiling of the new “Welcome to Historic Richmond Hill” sign on Park Lane South near Myrtle Avenue. Congratulations!

Photo Courtesy of Shealah Craighead

Sen. Gillibrand said, ““The president’s budget cuts would only further delay long overdue repairs to make our transit systems more safe and reliable.”

By Forum Staff U.S. Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand (both D-N.Y.) last Thursday slammed President Donald Trump’s proposed budget cuts to critical transportation programs that help fund regional mass transit systems throughout New York that millions of commuters rely on each day. The senators especially pointed to the administration’s proposed cuts to Amtrak as an example of “doubling down on dilapidation” at exactly the moment when more is urgently needed to repair and modernize our aging transit infrastructure.

According to the lawmakers, Trump’s proposed budget slashes $760 million in federal funds for Amtrak, virtually eliminates the New Starts program—which helps fund the new Gateway Tunnel Program—and cuts the Highway Trust Fund, which is the primary source of funding for States and the MTA to receive federal dollars for repairs, by $96 billion. Schumer and Gillibrand said that after decades of GOP budget cuts and disinvestment in transit infrastructure, Trump’s proposed cuts will only mean further dilapidation and disrepair for New York’s transit systems including the Long Island Rail Road, Metro North, subway and Amtrak.

“President Trump’s campaign promises on infrastructure are crumbling faster than our roads, railways and bridges,” Schumer said. “The president’s proposal to slash American infrastructure investments is a job-killing, 180-degree turn away from his repeated promise of a trillion dollar infrastructure plan. The fuzzy math and sleight of hand can’t hide the fact that the president’s $200 billion plan is more than wiped out by other cuts to key infrastructure programs.”

The senators added that already, the lack of adequate investment in Amtrak has led to an over $38 billion state-of-good-repair backlog and has led to a situation where Amtrak is currently operating on some bridges built between 1890-1910, tunnels built between 1900-1910 and signaling systems dating back to 1930. Maintenance issues are also made worse by a lack of redundant capacity in and out of Penn Station. This means that when signal issues or derailments occur, the delays can last for days because there is only one way in and out of Penn Station.

In its current state, service disruptions on the Northeast Corridor alone cost the national economy over $500 million per year and a loss of transit service on the Corridor for a single day would cost the US $100 million.

“New York City is a major transportation hub that services hundreds of thousands of commuters through Penn Station, Amtrak, LIRR and regional mass transit,” Gillibrand said. “The president’s budget cuts would only further delay long overdue repairs to make our transit systems more safe and reliable. I will do everything I can to fight these harmful cuts and protect the funding that helps support our transit systems.”

Schumer added, “Despite the many challenges we are facing at Penn Station, President Trump has just proposed to make it worse by slashing billions in transportation funds from Amtrak and New Starts and the Trust Fund needed to get our mass transit system back on track. Democrats sent President Trump a comprehensive infrastructure plan nearly six months ago to rebuild our nation’s roads, bridges, schools, and expand rural broadband, but it’s apparently fallen on deaf ears.”

10 JUNE 1, 2017 • Number 22 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Distinguished Veterans Honored at Borough Hall Memorial Day Observance Ceremony

Photo Courtesy of the Borough President’s Office

Katz ( far r.) hosts the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony at Borough Hall every year.

By Forum Staff Three distinguished Queens veterans received special commendations from Borough President Melinda Katz last Thursday during her annual Memorial Day Observance Ceremony at Borough Hall.

The former service members who were presented with Citations of Honor are: Sgt. First Class Marvin Jeffcoat, U.S. Army (veteran of the Iraq War: Operation Desert Storm); Specialist Fourth Class Albert Noble III, U.S. Army (veteran of the Vietnam War); and First Lt. S. Les-

ter Friedman, U.S. Army Air Corps – Air Force Reserves (veteran of World War II).

The event also included a wreathplacement ceremony to honor all those whose lives were lost in service to the nation, and remarks from special guest speaker Kathryn Cross, a Navy Gold Star Mother.

“The sacrifices made by the men, women and their families are how I may tuck my babies in safely every night. And so today – and every day – we remember, salute and march for our fallen,” Katz posted to her Facebook page.

Prepare for Economic Growth to Taper off in NYC: Comptroller

By Forum Staff As the national economy reaches its full employment level, the five boroughs should prepare for growth to taper off, according to City Comptroller Scott Stringer, who recently testified before the City Council Finance Committee on the Fiscal Year 2018 Executive Budget.

Stringer initially noted last Thursday as he spoke to the Council panel that NYC’s economic outlook “remains strong.”

“We’ve hit the lowest unemployment rate since the government began recording it in 1976, now at 4.1 percent. And labor force participation is up to 61.3 percent, also the highest on record,” the comptroller said.

However, Stringer pointed out that his Office is projecting growth to dwindle and a slowdown in job creation.

“The situation in Washington, under the Trump administration, is so uncertain, that the risk to the U.S. economy is higher than ever,” Stringer added.

Stringer also on Thursday released a preliminary analysis of President Donald Trump’s federal budget proposal. According to the comptroller, the White House’s budget would have a devastating impact on

File Photo

City Comptroller Scott Stringer recently delivered testimony before the City Council Finance Committee on the FY18 Executive Budget.

New York, touching every borough, changing the lives of millions of residents, and fundamentally shredding the safety net as we know it. In all, Stringer’s Office said it had identified at least $850 million in cuts to the city.

“This budget has been called dead on arrival in Congress — and let’s hope so, because lives are at stake,” Stringer said. “President Trump’s budget wittingly targets New

York and strips our most vulnerable of services they need. It’s deliberately designed to shred the safety net as we know it — and virtually nothing goes untouched. Counterterrorism, Medicaid, adult literacy, affordable housing, teachers, infrastructure, seniors — all of it is slashed. My message to President Trump is this: this document doesn’t put taxpayers first — it puts everyday New Yorkers last. Budgets are about priorities, but they’re also a statement of values. It doesn’t get any more heartless – or more catastrophic – than this. It’s yet another document from this White House designed to support billionaires at the expense of the rest of us, and it’s wrong.”

Additionally, Stringer presented to the Finance Committee his priorities “for improving the lives of everyday New Yorkers,” including: Supporting the immigrant population at the local level by reducing the cost burden of citizenship applications; Supporting non-profit social service providers; and addressing what he deemed a “glaring problem” – procurement at the City Department of Education.

According to Stringer, “Time and time again, my office finds that current departmental processes are inadequate. The facts are straightforward. Whether it is through

an audit of DOE or a review of DOE’s contracts, we find a lack of transparency and a lack of detail that is frightening when you are talking about billions of dollars earmarked for our children,” including: • Inadequate oversight and documentation of project and contract spending; • A failure to ensure that payments for goods and services are appropriate and for work properly done; • A lack of transparency in the bidding process; • Use of limited or non-competitive procurement processes; • And an inability to account for unspent funds.

“There is no good reason that an agency representing nearly 30 percdent of the entire City budget, with a contract budget of $6.7 billion, should not be subject to the same level of scrutiny as all other City agencies,” Stringer said. “Don’t get me wrong – no one is more for Mayoral Control than me. But that passion for control must be met with the highest expectations of transparency and accountability. So I am asking for your help to call hearings to get to the bottom of this — because our kids deserve a school system that functions at the absolute highest level of performance.”

Organization Voices Opposition to Controversial Puerto Rican Parade Honoree at Borough Hall Rally

By Michael V. Cusenza A Queens civic organization headed by a GOP City Council candidate led a rally on Tuesday afternoon at Borough Hall that repeatedly blasted Mayor Bill de Blasio and Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito for supporting the honoring of the militant leader of a terrorist group at the upcoming Puerto Rican Day Parade.

Oscar Lopez Rivera is a Puerto Rican activist and the leader of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional Puertorriquena, a clandestine paramilitary organization responsible for more than 120 attacks on United States targets, including the bombing of downtown Manhattan’s Fraunces Tavern in 1975 that killed four people.

Lopez Rivera was arrested on May 29, 1981 and tried by the U.S. government for seditious conspiracy, use of force to commit robbery, interstate transportation of firearms, and conspiracy to transport explosives with intent to destroy government property. In August 1981, López Rivera was convicted and sentenced to 55 years in federal prison. On Jan 17, 2017, President Barack Obama commuted his sentenced, and Lopez Rivera was released from prison last month. He is set to be honored on June 11 by the parade board at the 60th annual celebration of Puerto Rican pride.

Joe Concannon, a retired City Police Department captain who is running for the District 23 Council seat and orga-

Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis’ Office

The Square Deal Committee rally ripped the mayor and City Council Speaker for supporting the honoring of Oscar Lopez Rivera.

nized Tuesday’s demonstration through his Square Deal Committee, ripped City leadership for “supporting terrorism” by rewarding Lopez Rivera.

“Never, never in a million years did we think that the Mayor of the City of New York would reach this far into the bowels of New York City to pull out of the sewer an international terrorist and promote him to the position of hero,” Concannon said.

Many of the parade’s sponsors have

pulled out of the event. And myriad City tenacity and resolve of Puerto Rico and its officials, including Police Commissioner people,” the letter reads. “As countless famiJim O’Neill, have vowed to skip the cel- lies continue to struggle in Puerto Rico’s ebration due to Lopez Rivera’s presence. current fiscal crisis, Oscar is a reminder of Last week, Mark-Viverito and 35 elect- the hope that has always anchored the Ised officials wrote a letter to the National land — and that’s why we fully stand behind Puerto Rican Day Parade Board commend- your efforts to honor him during this year’s ing them for their resolve and support of 60th National Puerto Rican Day parade.

Lopez Rivera.

Oscar’s presence will lift people’s spirits and “We commend you for recognizing that bring attention to the challenges that must Oscar Lopez Rivera represents the voice, be immediately addressed on the Island.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 22 JUNE 1, 2017 | 11

EDITORIAL

A TERRORIST BY ANY OTHER NAME We believe in second chances. We don’t condone terrorism.

Yet recent words and actions have left us wondering just where City leadership stands. Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito have publically supported the decision of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board to honor convicted terrorist Oscar Lopez Rivera at this year’s celebration of Puerto Rican pride in New York City.

Lopez Rivera is a Puerto Rican activist and the leader of the Fuerzas Armadas de Liberacion Nacional Puertorriquena, a clandestine paramilitary organization responsible for more than 120 attacks on United States targets, including the bombing of downtown Manhattan’s Fraunces Tavern in 1975 that killed four people.

Lopez Rivera was arrested on May 29, 1981 and tried by the U.S. government for seditious conspiracy, use of force to commit robbery, interstate transportation of firearms, and conspiracy to transport explosives with intent to destroy government property.

In August 1981, López Rivera was convicted and sentenced to 55 years in federal prison. On Jan 17, 2017, President Barack Obama commuted his sentenced, and Lopez Rivera was released from prison last month. He is set to be honored on June 11 by the parade board at the 60th annual celebration of Puerto Rican pride.

Many of the parade’s sponsors have pulled out of the event. And myriad City officials, including Police Commissioner Jim O’Neill, have vowed to skip the celebration due to Lopez Rivera’s presence.

“I believe he renounced terrorism. He was part of an organization that obviously did employ violence. He was not involved directly in that violence. He has renounced violence. Two Presidents of the United States came to the conclusion that he was worthy of commutation of

his sentence – that’s fine, that’s all I need to know,” de Blasio said last Thursday, striking an unmistakably defiant tone.

Your own top cop calls Lopez Rivera a terrorist, but you won’t? Even if he didn’t plant the bomb inside the tavern – Lopez Rivera’s leadership of the FALN left a tacit fingerprint on the explosive, and the four death certificates it created.

And Mark-Viverito is certainly standing by her militant man. On May 22, the Council Speaker and 35 elected officials – including a shameful six from Queens – wrote a letter to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade Board commending them for their resolve and support of Lopez Rivera.

“As you know, June 11th is a day to come together as a community, and we are highly disappointed that one of the parade’s main sponsors has backed out of supporting this longstanding tradition, which as its primary purpose, has celebrated the advances and contributions of the Puerto Rican community.

We march to honor our history and uplift our people – a message all of the parade’s sponsors should take to heart,” the letter reads, in part. “We stand in solidarity with Oscar and express our full support for the Board’s decision to recognize and uplift the legacy of Oscar Lopez Rivera.”

We believe in redemption. We believe in second chances. Even for Oscar Lopez Rivera.

But we simply cannot condone terrorism. And by honoring Lopez Rivera in New York City on June 11, the leadership of this great municipality that bounced back from the ravages of Sept. 11 is doing just that.

Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP

Attorneys At Law

WorkErS’ CompENSAtioN w SoCiAl SECUrity DiSAbility Civil SErviCE DiSAbility pENSioNS w pErSoNAl iNjUry QUEENS

Catherine M. Stanton, Esq.

800.692.3717

www.workerslaw.com Offices also located in Brooklyn, Suffolk, Bronx, Westchester, Rockland, and Orange Our staff is multilingual and can assist you no matter what language you speak

12 JUNE 1, 2017 • Number 22 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

118-21 Queens Blvd.

Suite 302 Forest Hills, NY 11375

NASSAU 25 Newbridge Road Suite 203 Hicksville, NY 11801

HOWARD BEACH

Help Wanted OFFICE HELP: FEMALE AND MALE ALIKE. TO ANSWER PHONES, FILING, DATA ENTRY, ETC. WILL TRAIN. $36,000.00 PAY PLUS MEDICAL AND DENTAL 100% PAID, 401 K, 2 WEEKS PAID VACATION, HOLIDAY PAY. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. COME WORK FOR NEW YORK'S LARGEST PORTABLE SANITATION COMPANY. APPLY IN PERSON MONDAY- FRIDAY BET: 2:00PM AND 7:00PM. AT 4 CROSSBAY BLVD, BROAD CHANNEL QUEENS 11693 AIRLINE CAREERS Start Here ñGet trained as FAA certified Aviation Technician. Financial aid for qualified students.

Job placement assistance. Call AIM for free information 866-296-7094

Vacation Rental OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND. Best selection of affordable rentals. Full/ partial weeks. Call for FREE brochure. Open daily.

Holiday Resort Services. 1-800-638-2102.

Online reservations: www.holidayoc.com

OFFICE HELP: FEMALE AND MALE ALIKE. TO ANSWER PHONES, FILING, DATA ENTRY, ETC. WILL TRAIN. $550.00 PER WEEK PLUS MEDICAL AND DENTAL 100% PAID, 401 K, 2 WEEKS PAID VACATION, HOLIDAY PAY. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. COME WORK FOR NEW YORK'S LARGEST PORTABLE SANITATION COMPANY. APPLY IN PERSON MONDAY- FRIDAY BET: 9:00AM AND 7:00PM. AT 304 CROSSBAY BLVD, BROAD CHANNEL QUEENS

Financing Fix & Flips, SFH 1- 4 Units, Hard/ Bridge loans, Stated income- NO Doc Loans, Up to 90% Cost, 100% Rehab, Purchase- Refinance, Multi-Unit, Mixed-Use, Commercial; 888-565-9477

FARMING Our Sportmen will Pay Top $$$ To hunt your land. Call for a Free Base Camp Leasing info packet & Quote. 1-866-309-1507 www.

BaseCampLeasing.com

WATERFRONT 1 Fam,, 6rms 3 bedrms, 2kit, 2.5bths ,sunrm, Gar, Pvt drive, great view

HOWARD BEACH

Waterfront 2 Fam, 12 rms, 5 bedrms, 5 bths, 4 terraces, all redone . Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

1 Fam det , Col, 10 rms, 5 bedrms, 3 bths , Pvt drive, 48 x100 lot Call Now !

HAMILTON BEACH

H B/ RKWD PK,

1 fam, det Split 7 rms, 3 bedrms, 2 bths, new heat & ac, bsmt, pvt drive & gar, Call Now

Waterfront with dock

space det 1 fam,5 rms, 2 bedrms, 1.5 bths, 40x164 lot, stainless appliances Call Now!

OZONE PARK

Small store for rent, 14x 3,0 (Vic linden Blvd) full bsmt, great location and visibility Call Now !

HOWARD BEACH

Store across from HB subway station approx 800 sq ft, ready to move in Call Now !

H B/ RKWD PK

1 fam, Det Hi ranch, 8 rms, 3 bedrms, formal dining rm, large lot, gar, pvt drive. new heat & cent air Call Now!

HOWARD BEACH

Co-Op Hi Rise, 5rms 2 bedrms, Formal dining rm, 2 new bths, track lights, Call!

Now !

ATTNY./LEGAL REAL ESTATE Attorney. Buy/Sell/ Mortgage Problems. Attorney & Real Estate Bkr, PROBATE/CRIMINAL/BUSINESS- Richard H. Lovell, P.C., 10748 Cross Bay, Ozone Park, NY 11417 718 835-9300 LovellLawnewyork@gmail.com

FORUM CLASSIFIEDS 718.845.3221

OZONE PARK 78-02 LIBERTY AVE • 888-998-2373 JAMAICA 109-09 180TH ST • 877-295-5171

TISTORAGE.COM

see manager for details THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 22 JUNE 1, 2017 | 13

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

ETA DEVELOPMENT LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/21/16.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 63 Cook Road, Preston Hollow, NY 12469. Purpose: Any 7/6 Notice of Formation of HOLAND DEVEL- lawful purpose.

OPMENT LLC Art. of Org. filed Secy. of State Notice is hereby given that an order entered of NY (SSNY) on 3/15/2017. Office location: by the civil court, Queens county, on the 3 day Queens County. SSNY Designated as agent of of MAY 2017, bearing Index Number NCLLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to: The LLC, 000121-17/QU, a copy of which may be exam4136 COLLEGE POINT BLVD, FLUSHING, ined at the office of the clerk, located at 89-17 NEW YORK,11355. Purpose: any lawful activity. Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY, 11435, grants me the right to assume the name of (first)JAY BLESSED QUEEN LLC, Arts. of Org. (middle) ALEXANDER (last) PEREZ. The filed with the SSNY on 02/03/2017. Office loc: city and state of my address are 97-15 PITKIN Queens County. SSNY has been designated as AVENUE, OZONE PARK, NY 11417; the agent upon whom process against the LLC may date of my birth is May 11, 1992; place of my be served. SSNY shall mail process to: C/O Ad- birth is Queens, New York; my present name is ejoke Babalola, 11546 Mexico Street, Saint Al- (first) JUNAID (middle) AMIR (last) PEREZ Notice of Formation: M & M Toledo, LLC Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on February/2017. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copies of any process served against the LLC to 36-36 Main Street Suite 1NA Flushing NY 11354 Purpose: Any lawful purpose or activity 6/1

bans, NY 11412. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

FDP, LLC. Filed 2/2/17. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: C/O Tomasz Makowski, 25b Jennifer Pl, Staten Island, NY 10314. Purpose: General.

6/8 BLISS STREET CREAMERY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/27/2017. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Bliss Street Creamery LLC, 45-06 Queens Blvd., Suite 317, Sunnyside, NY, 11104. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

223 Development LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/26/17. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 259-36 149th Ave., Rosedale, NY 11422. General Purpose.

Notice of formation of OneSource Accounting, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on March 15, 2017. Office located in Queens county. SSNY has been designated for service of process.

SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 8410 Main Street, Unit 447, Briarwood, NY 11435. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of JJN SHIMON LLC. Art. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/03/2017. Office location: Queens County.

SSNY designated as service for process. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 75-35 167th Street, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

KEMZURI MANAGEMENT LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/28/17.

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 the AYESHA BILAL. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

ACE DEVELOPMENT LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/24/17. 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 the LLC, 20216 45th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11361. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of BETES 2427 29th STREET LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/03/17.

Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 24 40 29th St., Long Island City, NY 11102. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Qualification of C2U HOMES, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with NY Dept. of State on 5/01/17. Office location: Queens County. NY Sec. of State designated agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served, and shall mail process to THE LLC, 17214 133RD AVENUE, APT. 7G, JAMAICA, NY 11434. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of SUTPHIN REALTY GROUP LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/3/17. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be Notice is hereby given that an order enserved and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 133-47 Sanford Ave., Unit C1E, Flush- tered by the civil court, Queens county, on ing, NY 11355. Purpose: any lawful act.6/15 the 14 day of April, bearing Index Number Notice of Qualification of Packard Hospitality Management, LLC. Appl. for Auth. filed with NY Dept. of State on 1/31/17. Office location: Queens County. NY Sec. of State designated agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served, and shall mail process to Michael Saul Goldstein, 9555 Chesapeake Dr, Ste 202, San Diego, CA 92123. CA addr. of LLC 9555 Chesapeake Dr, Ste 202, San Diego, CA 92123. Cert. of Form. filed with CA Sec. of State, PO Box 944228, Sacramento, CA 94224-2280 on 10/15/12. Purpose: any lawful activity.

6/22

NC-001032-16/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 ROMONA ELLEN BROWN. The city and state of my address are 106-65 97th Street, Apt. 2FL, Ozone Park, New ork 11417; the date of my birth is November 17, 2003; place of my birth is Queens, New York; my present name is (first) ROMONA (middle) ELLEN ASZALEA(last) SMITH aka ROMONA ELLEN BROWN aka ROMONA E. BROWN aka ROMONA BROWN

14 JUNE 1, 2017 • Number 22 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the civil court, Queens county, on the 12 day of MAY 2017, bearing Index Number NC000229-17/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) MIA (Middle) EMMA (Last) MORGAN. The city and state of my address are 8732 PITKIN AVENUE, OZONE PARK, NY 11417; the date of my birth is APRIL 6, 1985; place of my birth is GERMANY; my present name is (First) MICHAELA (Last) BAHNEN. Notice of formation of SPITI ENA, LLC. Articles of Org. filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 05/04/2017. Office located in Queens County. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to: the LLC, 2 Bay Club Dr. Apt 18P, Bayside, NY 11360. Purpose: Any lawful activity or purpose.

FOREVER MANOR LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/18/17.

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 the LLC, 135-11 Northern Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

WE COURT YOUR LEGALS CALL THE FORUM TODAY !

FOR THE BEST PRICES IN LEGAL ADS 718.845.3221

DONATE YOUR CAR

Wheels For Wishes Benefiting

Make-A-Wish® Metro New York

*Free Vehicle/Boat Pickup ANYWHERE *We Accept All Vehicles Running or Not *Fully Tax Deductible

WheelsForWishes.org Call: (917) 336-1254 * Car Donation Foundation d/b/a Wheels For Wishes. To learn more about our programs or financial information, visit www.wheelsforwishes.org.

Now is the perfect time to buy your first home.

SPECIAL FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAMS*

Buying a home may seem overwhelming— especially for a first-time homebuyer. That’s why we offer special first-time buyer advantages like: • Low Down Payments • Zero Point Option • Reasonable Qualifying Guidelines • SONYMA Loans • Fixed and Adjustable Rate Loans available on 1-4 Family Homes, Condos and Co-ops

SPECIAL FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER PROGRAMS*

We’re here to help you every step of the way, from providing expert pre-qualification and personal mortgage advice, to finding the program that is truly best for you.

Call today.

Marsha Bronfeld (NMLS #: 488782) 516-535-8776 MBronfeld@astoriabank.com astoriabank.com / 1-800-537-4888

MEMBER FDIC

* First-time homebuyers only. Income limits and location restrictions may apply. NMLS #411768

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 22 JUNE 1, 2017 | 15

We gladly accept phone orders!

718-835-4

Sale Dates

Fri. June

Sat. June

Sun. June

Mon. June

Tues June

Wed June

Thurs.

June

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

BOAR’S HEAD DELUXE HAM

5

$ 99

per LB Sliced to order

MINI WATERMELONS 5-7 lbs

2

RED, BLACK OR GREEN SEEDLESS GRAPES

1

$ 99

LB.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR FORUM READERS ONLY!

assorted 24 Oz.

2

for $

10

each

FILET MIGNON

NESTLE PURE LIFE WATER 24 PACK $ 99

WITH A $50.00 PURCHASE customer is responsible for tax and deposit

USDA CHOICE

BONE-IN RIB STEAKS

$ 99

per lb.

8

per lb.

PERONI ITALIAN BEER 6 PK

GOOD ONLY FROM 6-2 thru 6-8 ONE OFFER PER HOUSEHOLD NO OFFERS HONORED WITHOUT PRESENTING THIS COUPON COUPON EXPIRES 6/08/2017 ACTUAL PRODUCT MAY NOT APPEAR AS SEEN IN INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS.

16 JUNE 1, 2017 • Number 22 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

00

USDA CHOICE

FREE

$ 99

7

RAO'S PASTA SAUCE

7

$ 99