THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | MARCH 2, 2017

VOL. 16 • NUMBER 9 • MARCH 2, 2017

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

South & West

WAIT EXPECTATIONS

Mayor Vows to Eliminate Use of Commercial Hotel Sites as Homeless Facilities – Such as the Ozone Park Comfort Inn – by… 2023 Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday outlined his administration’s new 114-page vision “Turning the Tide on Homelessness, Neighborhood by Neighborhood.” City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) ripped the plan as “an insult to the 60,000 plus New Yorkers who are desperately waiting for permanent housing.”

See Story on Page 5

Photo Courtesy of Edwin Torres/Mayoral Photography Office

Page 3 Civic-NYPD Partnership Leads to Increased Police Presence at Infamous Lindenwood Intersection

Page 11

Schumer Blasts TSA for Latest JFK Airport Security Breach

Pages 10

Coalition of Electeds Demands that Cuomo Restore $65M in Promised MTA Funding

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 9 MARCH 2, 2017 | 1

Pheffer Amato Installed as Deputy Grand Marshal for Rockaway St. Patrick’s Day Parade

By Forum Staff Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) was recently installed as a deputy grand marshal for the 42nd Annual Queens County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the second-largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City.

The installation took place last month at Antun’s Banquet Hall in Queens Village during the 2017 Parade Dance. The grand marshal, Gael of the Year, two honorary grand marshals, and 15 deputy grand marshalls, recruited from lo-

cal, regional, and state leadership and from the Hibernian community, were installed as parade officers, Pheffer Amato noted.

“I’ve been coming to the Queens County Parade since I was a kid, and my kids grew up coming,” the freshman assemblywoman added. “The parade is fun, it’s historic, and it’s one of the wonderful, festive occasions that make living in this diverse community such a delight year-round. To all of the Irish residents of the 23rd District, and to Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s Office the Irish at heart, like myself: I am “Erin go bragh, slainte, and a joyous holiday to you and yours,” said Queens County St. so proud and honored to join your Patrick’s Day Parade Deputy Grand Marshal Stacey Pheffer Amato.

parade this year as a deputy grand marshal. Erin go bragh, slainte, and a joyous holiday to you and yours.”

The 42nd Annual Queens County St. Patrick’s Day Parade festivities will kick off this year on Saturday, March 4, with a Mass for Peace and Justice in Ireland at St. Francis de Sales Church, Beach 129th Street and Rockaway Boulevard. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. at Beach 130th Street and Newport Ave. The Awards Ceremony will be held at St. Camillus School Hall on Beach 100th Street following the parade.

Elected State Officials Tout Legislation to Reform Restaurant Health Inspection System

By Forum Staff Four elected State officials recently announced a bill designed to reform the current food-service establishment health inspection system.

Assemblymembers Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach), Ron Kim (Flushing), Clyde Vanel (DQueens Village), and State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) last week unveiled the Restaurant Owners’ Whistleblower Protection Act at Flushing Town Hall. The officials noted that the bill was crafted to make the health code enforcement “more collaborative, educational, and meaningful, instead of forcing arbitrary and unfair taxes on small business owners and their employees.”

Photo Courtesy of Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato’s Office

Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato joined her colleagues last week to announce the Restaurant Owners’ Whistleblower Protection Act.

According to the pols, ROWPA allows business owners to reschedule an inspection if it occurs outside the promised time window, or in case the owner has reason to believe the inspector is acting unprofessionally or vindictively. Additionally, the

bill mandates the establishment of a hotline to field complaints in multiple languages so that business owners and employees have some system of feedback when they have a bad encounter with an enforcement agent.

“My husband has owned a pizzeria in Rockaway for 35 years. He, like other small business owners, understands the need for inspections. But the system New York City uses is adversarial, and too often, inspections are used as a way to milk businesses for fines as an added, unpredictable and unfair tax,” Pheffer Amato said.

The freshman assemblywoman’s family owns and operates Elegante Restaurant & Pizzeria on Rockaway Beach Boulevard.

“Some inspectors are professional and do their jobs. But many aren’t,” she said. “If an inspector appears outside the planned time window, or seems unprofessional, disruptive or vindictive, the Department of Health provides no recourse for restaurant owners or employees.

The grading system NYC uses is also arbitrary, which privileges abuse of the fine system and the personal feelings of inspectors above a real rubric that would help restaurants and patrons stay safe and healthy.”

Pheffer Amato commended Kim and the bill’s other sponsors for including an inspection rescheduling option and for “requiring a multilingual feedback hotline where employees and owners can voice their concerns.”

She added that ROWPA is“a good first step in creating a new, educational, non-adversarial system.

Restaurants should be able to use inspections as learning opportunities and points of pride, not an inevitable slew of fines and uncertainty.

This legislation is a big step in that direction.”

NYPD Reaffirms Policy on Immigration Status

By Michael V. Cusenza In an age of travel bans and highly publicized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions, the City Police Department recently reiterated its immigration-related policies.

According to the Community Affairs Bureau, the NYPD “is committed to maintaining a welcoming environment for immigrant communities while also maintaining public safety for all.”

The department also indicated last week that it believes it’s important to note that: • The NYPD accepts the city’s IDNYC as a valid and recognized form of government-issued identification including for the issuance of summonses and Desk Appearance Tickets.

• The NYPD does not inquire about the immigration staPhoto Courtesy of NYPD tus of crime victims, witnesses, or others who call or approach “We don’t enforce the law based on people’s immigration status,” said Police the police seeking assistance.

Commissioner Jim O’Neill.

• The NYPD does not conduct civil immigration enforcement. Specifically, the department does not enforce adminis- Order: “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry trative warrants issued by Immigration and Custom Enforce- into the United States.” The presidential action bars refugees ment agents or federal immigration judges solely in connection from entering the United States for the next 120 days; and with civil immigration violations. precludes all immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim In January, President Donald Trump signed the Executive countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen – 2 MARCH 2, 2017 • Number 9 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

from entering the U.S. for three months.

And ICE has seemingly stepped up immigration enforcement actions across the country, including in the city, fueling a heightened sense of fear and anxiety among immigrant communities, according to many alien advocates.

“We don’t enforce the law based on people’s immigration status,” said Police Commissioner Jim O’Neill, in interviews with The Wall Street Journal. “We enforce the laws based on crimes committed.”

O’Neill also told the Journal that “he was concerned that Trump’s calls for a tougher stance on illegal immigrants, a hallmark of his campaign, would keep illegal immigrants in the city from cooperating with police.”

Additionally, the commissioner and Queens District Attorney Richard Brown recently warned New Yorkers about immigration scams and reiterated that one’s immigration status should never be a deterrent from seeking assistance from law enforcement or achieving justice in Queens courts.

“We are fully committed to protecting all those who live, work and visit our community regardless of a person’s immigration status, nationality or language spoken and we will combine our efforts to vigorously prosecute anyone who targets people because of their background,” O’Neill and Brown said.

Police Maintaining a Presence at Notorious Lindenwood Traffic Triangle

By Michael V. Cusenza The recent increased police presence at an infamous Lindenwood intersection is being credited with a positive change in driving habits in the area.

Residents have been calling attention to 153rd Avenue and 88th Street for years for being confusing for motorists and perilous for pedestrians, including at the January meeting of the Howard Beach-Lindenwood Civic.

“There’s a yield sign, but no one yields to it – they knock it down,” Ellen Buonpastore said at the confab as she implored the NYPD to ramp up enforcement in the area.

Captain Michael Edmonds, executive officer of the 106th Precinct, was at that meeting and told The Forum on Tuesday, “If it’s im-

portant to [the community], it’s important to us. We need to maintain a presence there.”

And the precinct has. Shortly after the meeting, Capt. Brian Bohannon, the precinct commander, ordered a stop-sign enforcement at the intersection. Cops from the 106th Precinct descended on the notorious traffic triangle to make sure drivers were following the rules of the road.

“I can tell you I’ve seen them, and I know the presence is working,” civic President Joann Ariola told The Forum on Wednesday.

“This is a very good safety measure.” Ariola credited Bohannon and Edmonds “for really getting in front of this issue.”

The configuration of the triangle has long caused confusion among drivers and is a frequent

File Photo

Though it has been characterized as dangerous, confusing, and high-risk, this Lindenwood intersection has seen just three accidents in the past 15 months, according to the NYPD.

issue for residents. In winter, the unusual positions of the crosswalks at the intersection prevent City Sanitation Department plows from properly clearing paths for pedestrians.

Edmonds noted, however, that there have been only three accidents at the triangle in the past 15

months, compared to other precinct intersections, such as North Conduit Avenue and Cohancy Street, which sees 60 accidents per year. But near-misses, of course, are not recorded.

“It’s a tough intersection to manage if you’re not familiar with the area,” Edmonds added.

The executive officer said that precinct administration sends a sector car and any available Auxiliary support to the area every morning between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., which seems to be the time period during which pedestrians are most vulnerable. Personnel might not write tons of tickets, Edmonds said, but a marked NYPD vehicle stationed at the intersection can make a huge difference.

“People need to know that the Civic and police are aware of [the problems],” Ariola said. “Because children are crossing for school and seniors are going to stores – and you have cars and trucks just barreling through with no regard.”

Additionally, the City Department of Transportation is currently analyzing the area for possible enhanced safety measures.

Pheffer Amato Bill Would Require 45 Days’ Notice before Homeless Housing is Placed in a Community

By Forum Staff Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) last week introduced a bill requiring 45 days’ notice before homeless housing is placed in a community.

The bill would also require that elected officials and community boards be made aware of any such plans, making sure that through community conversation, the overall impact can be lessened and that vital services are delivered to the homeless.

Last month, Pheffer Amato joined City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) and State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) in releasing a statement calling for an end to theCity De-

File Photo

Last month, Pheffer Amato and three other pols released a joint statement admonishing the City for not notifying any of the elected officials in the area that 50 families are being housed at the Comfort Inn in Ozone Park.

partment of Homeless Services policy of spontaneous housing of homeless individuals and families in area hotels, with no notification of community leadership.

“Mayor de Blasio’s failed policy of housing homeless families in hotels is simply unacceptable,” said the statement in part. “These types of shelters are not cost-effective,

and do not offer any real services that actually help homeless families get back on their feet. To add insult to injury, the Administration did not notify any of the elected officials in the area that 50 families are being housed at the Comfort Inn in Ozone Park.”

Pheffer Amato added this week, “Community leaders were not given a heads up. The Department of Homeless Services brought in a private security force, without checking in with the local police precinct. From a conversation we had with the hotel’s owner, it didn’t seem that job training or placement was being provided. It was just warehousing. That’s unacceptable, and it must end.”

The freshman assemblywoman

said that the community must be part of any instance of homeless shelter siting.

“Until communities are included in the conversation, people with complex needs will never get the consideration and planning they need,” Pheffer Amato noted. “During my campaign, I heard from communities who had been shut out of the process, and I promised to make sure they would be let back in. This bill does that. The relationship between homeless people and communities should be established and thoughtful, not anxious and uncertain. Let’s bring this conversation into the open, and find a way forward that works for everyone, regardless of economic status.”

106th Precinct Officers Hailed as Heroes for Saving Suicidal Man

By Forum Staff Police officers from the 106th Precinct last month were able to save a despondent man who was attempting to take his life last week in Ozone Park.

The cops responded to a home on 135th Street after they received a call for an emotionally distraught man. The officers arrived quickly and found a 63-year-old man in the home’s garage, sitting inside of a car with the engine running.

“You could hear the car’s engine running from the front of the house. Once we knew the vehicle was inside the garage we forced

open a gate to get to the man,” said Officer Edward Walters. “There were a lot of fumes in that garage and it was hard to breathe, but we were able to work together to bring him to safety.”

The officers were able to remove the unconscious and unresponsive man to a safe area with fresh air as EMS workers responded to the location. A nearby FDNY engine company was the first to arrive and rendered medical assistance. The man was taken to a local hospital for further treatment.

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

Kudos to Officers Walters (l. to r.) and Poblete, Sgt. Echevarria, and Officers Martinez and Guerriero.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 9 MARCH 2, 2017 | 3

State Senate Passes Addabbo Sept. 11 First Responder Legacy Credit

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo’s Office

The bill would, according to Sen. Addabbo, enable step-children and other non-biological children raised by deceased Sept. 11 first responders to become eligible for “legacy credits” on competitive civil service exams.

By Forum Staff The New York State Senate recently passed a bill introduced by NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (S.3070), which would enable step-children and other nonbiological children raised by deceased 9-11 first responders to become eligible for “legacy credits” on competitive civil service exams.

“Years ago, New York State sought to honor the memories of first responders who died as a result of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks by providing their surviving children and siblings with an additional 10 points on competitive civil service exams,”Addabbo said. “Many of these children and other relatives of firefighters, police officers, EMTs, paramedics and others who perished as a direct result of the attacks – whether at the scene or from related health issues – often wish to follow in the footsteps of the people they lost and pursue a civil service career. But, the initial legacy credit law inadvertently left out a number of other loved ones of first responders who died, and my legislation is an effort to address a specific deficiency.”

Under Addabbo’s bill, the stepchildren or children of surviving spouses of deceased first responders, who were not legally adopted or their biological offspring, would become eligible for the extra points on civil service exams. The issue was brought to Addabbo’s attention when a local woman told him that her son, whose step-father perished as a result of the attacks, wanted to carry on his step-dad’s legacy as a firefighter

through the credit program but was ineligible to apply.

“For many of these children, the moms or dads they tragically lost as a result of the 9-11 attacks and the aftermath, were the only moms or dads they ever knew – regardless of whether they were related by blood,” Addabbo said. “These children were forced to say good-bye to parents who cared for them, raised them, supported them financially, and loved them. That these men and women were not the biological parents of these children did not prevent them from being loving families and feeling as much loss as any other sons and daughters of 9-11 heroes and heroines.”

In the Assembly, Queens Assemblyman Mike Miller – the sponsor in that house – is pushing for passage of the bill, which is under consideration by the Committee on Governmental Employees.

“Sometimes, the definition of family is much bigger and more complex than the law officially recognizes,” said Addabbo.

“This legislation will help to ensure that additional children who suffered the loss of a parent as a result of the terrorist attacks 16 years ago will have a greater opportunity to enter public service – whether as first responders themselves, or in other civil service capacities.”

Addabbo stated that the bill originated from a situation involving a constituent, Joanie Abruzzino-York, and her son Robert, who was raised from birth by his step-father, Ray York, an honored FDNY firefighter who perished at the World Trade Towers on September 11, 2001.

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4 MARCH 2, 2017 • Number 9 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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Bank Bandit Hits Same Rego Park Chase Branch Twice in Five Days

By Michael V. Cusenza City Police detectives have asked for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect wanted for robbing a Chase Bank branch in Rego Park twice in less than a week.

According to the NYPD and published reports, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, around 11:15 a.m., the man entered the bank on Queens Boulevard near 67th Avenue, approached a teller and passed a note demanding money. Cops said that the teller complied and the suspect fled the branch

with roughly $3,000. There were no reported injuries during the incident, according to authorities.

The same crook returned to the bank on Monday morning, toting a note and making off with another $3,000, according to a New York Daily News report.

The suspect is described as a white man, approximately 35 years old, 5-foot-9, and 175 pounds. At last week’s robbery, he wore a black wool hat and a short-sleeved, wool red coat; on Monday, he was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt, dark

jeans, and black dress shoes.

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

All correspondences are strictly confidential.

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

This man robbed the same Rego Park bank twice in less than a week, according to investigators.

De Blasio ‘Turn the Tide on Homelessness’ Plan Pledges to End Use of Hotel and Cluster-Shelter Sites

By Michael V. Cusenza Mayor Bill de Blasio this week unveiled what he has characterized as a “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.”

Titled “Turning the Tide on Homelessness, Neighborhood by Neighborhood,” the 114-page vision to address the homelessness crisis outlines the timing and logistics of ending the use of 360 cluster sites and commercial hotel facilities. Replacing the sites will be 90 traditional shelters distributed across the five boroughs. According to the administration, the new network will be able to more effectively house the homeless near the communities, jobs, school, houses of worship and support systems needed to help them get back on track.

According to the City, “Turning the Tide…” relies on three strategies to address the homelessness crisis, integrating current successful tactics with a new shelter strategy: • Continue to implement an aggressive prevention-first strategy that keeps more people in their homes by making housing more affordable, stopping illegal evictions, and connecting New Yorkers who are struggling to

Photo Courtesy of Edwin Torres/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday released a 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.”

resources that will help them stabilize their lives; • Continue to actualize the 46 reforms identified throughout the 90-day review of homeless services, making long-needed operational and other reforms to better serve New Yorkers on the verge of homelessness and homeless New Yorkers in shelter; • Completely eliminate the use of cluster apartment units by the end of 2021 and commercial hotel facilities by the end of 2023; reduce the current number of shelter sites by 45 percent; and keep homeless New Yorkers closer to their communities and supports that they need.

The City said it will eliminate the use of

360 cluster sites and commercial hotel facilities and replace them with approximately 90 new shelter facilities and 30 expanded existing sites. The administration estimates opening about 20 new shelters annually over the next five years, which will require a combination of building new locations and renovating existing buildings. At the same time, prevention and rehousing initiatives will reduce the current number of homeless New Yorkers in shelter by 2,500 people over five years – the first projected systemic reduction of New York City’s homeless shelter population in a decade.

South Queens political leaders weren’t impressed with the new “…Tide…”

“Mayor de Blasio set expectations so incredibly low today that you have to wonder if he was even being serious. Over the next four years, he aims to move a mere 2,500 people out of the shelter system. This is an insult to the 60,000 plus New Yorkers who are desperately waiting for permanent housing,” said City Councilman Eric Ulrich (ROzone Park). “Homelessness is at an all-time high. It is a serious issue and deserves serious, thoughtful solutions. Instead of feuding with the Governor, the Mayor should be fighting in Albany to bring back Section 8 vouchers.

Instead of building more shelters, the Mayor should be investing in transitional housing programs that actually work by encouraging rehabilitation and upward mobility. The Mayor should also fire his DHS Commissioner, Steven Banks, for doing an abysmal job running this Agency. Until there are real programs, real solutions and real accountability – we will not see real progress or help for the people who need it the most.”

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said he believed the mayor was “short on explaining how he plans to fund this program, or who will provide the essential services for homeless individuals, or how the community will be included in the site selection for the 90 new shelter sites.”

Queens Communities Join Cops in Marking 29th Anniversary of Murder of Officer Eddie Byrne

By Forum Staff Southern borough civic leaders, elected officials, clergy, community members, and firefighters on Sunday morning joined the City Police Department in Jamaica in marking the anniversary of the death of Police Officer Eddie Byrne.

Hundreds gathered at the corner of Inwood Street and 107th Avenue, where Byrne was murdered 29 years ago. A member of the NYPD for only seven months, Byrne was ambushed, shot and killed while he sat in his marked patrol car outside the house of a critical witness in a drug case in the early morning hours of Feb. 26, 1988.

According to authorities, the four men that were convicted of the assassination were members of a drug

gang that had been instructed to kill a police officer. At approximately 3:30 a.m., one of the suspects knocked on the passenger-side window of Byrne’s car to distract him as a second man opened fire just outside the driver’s side window. Byrne was shot five times in the head.

He was 22 years old.

“I want to thank you on behalf of the Byrne family for gathering here for the 29th time and I want to thank you on behalf of our NYPD family for coming together on another cold evening,” said Deputy Commissioner Lawrence Byrne, who leads the department’s Legal Matters bureau. “To make this city so much safer than it was in 1988 is nothing short of extraordinary Photo Courtesy of NYPD and incredible. You’ve done an amazing job and there can be no greater tribute to Eddie than the drive to fight Byrne was murdered as he sat in a marked patrol car outside the Jamaica home of a family that agreed to testify against neighborhood drug dealers. down crime.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 9 MARCH 2, 2017 | 5

IMPEACHMENT ON THE HORIZON? Dear Editor, Trump's chooses Philip Bilden to be Secretary of the Navy. Philip Bilden's response"No thanks". Trump chooses Vincent Viola to be Secretary of the Navy. Vincent Viola's response-"No thanks". Trump chooses Vice Adm. Robert Harward to be National Security Adviser. Robert Harward's response-"No thanks". Does anyone see a pattern forming?

One month into his term, Trump heads a Whitehouse with no national security adviser, a half-full NSC staff, and hollow Defense and State Departments (where Trump has yet to nominate any deputy or undersecretaries), and the secretaries heading those departments have never run a federal agency. The Trump administration? A "Fine Tuned Machine"?

What a complete MESS! And now "tough guy" Trump has just announced that he will not attend The Whitehouse Correspondents Dinner. Why? Because he's a coward. It's just that simple. Speaking of "simple"-Trump is considering Sarah Palin for ambassador to Canada. But a few questions need to be asked-Can she see Canada from her house? How long do you think it will take her to learn the language? Trump is also scheduled for an official meeting with the queen of England. Has he been schooled on the proper etiquette? Does he know it's not appropriate to grab the Queen's genital area?While it is true that the DNC basically handed Hillary Clinton to Democrats and didn't give Bernie Sanders a fair chance the RNC handed their supporters 17 choices and our country ended up with a clown. Certain clueless, cowardly republicans (who refuse to admit they're republicans) claim that Trump won in a "landslide" of 32 states. Of course, there's no mention of illegal GOP redistricting in states like Texas, Florida and Wisconsin(to name just 3). The "alternative fact" is that Clinton received a "landslide" of 3 million more votes than the current disgrace roaming the halls of the Whitehouse in his Trump Taj Majal robe at 3am tweeting to 15 year-olds.

A month into Trump's presidency his job approval rating keeps breaking records, but not in the way the way he would like. According to a Gallup poll, Trump's 40 percent job approval is 21 points below the historic average for elected presidents around mid-February (61 percent). That's also 11 points below the lowest mid-February numbers for ANY president in history. And the numerous protests on Presidents' Day back up the REAL "not so silent" majority. But I guess both parties are the same right? After all, one party enacts "Citizens United" giving more power to corporations than actual citizens. While another party curtails the ability of unions to bargain collectively. One party denies the existence of climate change despite a consensus of more than 99% of scientists. While another party reverses laws to allow the coal industry to release toxins into rivers. One party thinks it's more

important to protect a mentally ill individual's right to buy a gun than it is to protect children from being slaughtered by that same individual. While another party wants to repeal healthcare. One party puts a man in charge of the EPA who built his career suing the EPA. While another puts a woman (who's never gone to, or taught in any public school at any level) in charge of the country's public school system(I'm sure her family contributing more than $200 million to that party had nothing to do with it). One party's House Oversight Chairman Rep. Jason Chaffetz wants Attorney General Jeff Sessions to look into the staffer who helped set up former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's private email server. While another party refuses to investigate Russia's involvement in the presidential election of THE UNITED STATES! National security advisor Michael Flynn resigned because of his illegal contacts with Russia and Trump's first choice to replace him, Vice Admiral Robert Harward declined the appointment to "spend more time with his family"(close friends said he considered the job a "sh&@" sandwich).

Oops, my mistake-The GOP is the party that's responsible for all those actions! Our country is experiencing the most serious political scandal in our nations history. Benghazi?

Emails? Give me a break. For the first time in over 240 years we have a president who may have influenced and been elected with the assistance of a foreign intelligence agency.

There are four FISA investigations going on right now, and the question is how deep was the involvement of President Trump?

The intelligence agencies are leaking info to send a desperate message that he is not just a "different kind of president". They're telling us that Trump is nuts. He's dangerous! They're saying "this man cannot be president". They're terrified that they have to report to a man that CANNOT be trusted. And with these leaks there going above his head to the ultimate commander-in-chief the American people!

The Ways and Means committee could clear up Trumps involvement(or lack, thereof) by looking at Trump's tax returns. They have that power. They refuse. The Republicans in Congress are part of the cover-up. It's time to put country above party. The media is not the enemy, republicans are. How much longer must we wait for the impeachment proceedings? Both parties are the same? That is truly delusional! I don't understand how some people equate facts with being pompous.

Forgive democrats for not coming down off their high horses. But It's just because they're afraid they might step in something Trump just tweeted. P.S. To J. Bernardo- If you're not afraid of the truth regarding religion, I beg you to read 1 book. God is not Great-How religion poisons everything by Christopher Hitchens. I too was raised a catholic, but then something happened- I grew up. And if I meet "your" God(experts estimate that over 4600 different deities are being worshipped on the planet today) when I die, wouldn't he have to welcome me open-armed? After all, he made me, right? But in reality, when you're dead you don't know you're dead so it doesn't bother

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you. It's only difficult for your friends and family. It's kind of like being a republican.

Robert LaRosa Whitestone

MORE SILENT VOICES Dear Editor,

I must respond to Robert W. Rice's letter in the Feb. 23 issue. Had he voted for Senator Sanders in the primary, his complaint would have been answered. I firmly believe that if more voters listened to Senator Sanders and came out to vote, and if this candidate had all the free publicity lavished on candidate Trump, he would now occupy the Oval Office.

Don't take my word for it. I invite Robert Rice, and others who were unhappy with both candidates and did not vote in the November election, to read OUR REVOLUTION by Bernie Sanders. Pay equity, tax reform, global warming and campaign reform are a few of the critical issues we face. Good jobs with a return to the middle class heads the list. How we afford higher education, universal health care are clearly explained.

Our democracy is threatened by an oligarchy of the super rich who control every government office, pharmaceuticals, energy and transportation, the supreme court and most of the State houses. The only bastion left is the press. This too is being eroded by mergers and takeovers. Public radio and TV are at the mercy of their listeners and viewers. Commercial stations and channels fear loss of their licenses when they criticize giant corporations and government. Assault weapons are not controlled thanks to the powerful gun lobby.

Is it okay to carry a concealed weapon in a school, church, theater or sports arena? Is it OK to poison the air and drinking water? I don't think so. We all wanted need changes, but are the current ones we really want?

the rest of the lost world who are devoid of faith in the only thing that ever really gets us through life.

For in order to have God by our side, in our lives to watch over and protect and love us unconditionally, we do not need money, or beauty, or fame––all we need to do is to think of Him and ask for His grace and mercy through prayer.

We do not necessarily need to go to church every day or pretend to be things we are not. All we need to do is talk to Him, quietly and without reserve.

To respect His commandments is not a torturous obligations. The commandments set forth are not rules as we think of them conventionally. They are merely the guide to a life full of immeasurable riches and peace of mind.

I am a fortunate person, I have adequate money to live a nice life, a good family and friends and all else I need. But as much as I love my luxuries and feel blessed to have them, two things are very clear to me: none of it would mean anything at al if not for the constant love and protection of God. When something goes wrong in my life or in the lives of those I love and care for, I do not go to the bank, or take out a Prada bag or slip into a buttery Gucci loafer. I do not head for the gold course, the tennis courts or a cruise ship.

I go to the only place where I know true comfort and salvation come from. It can be done at anyplace, at anytime and it has no cost at all. I pray to God--not for Him to take away the situation. But for Him to comfort me and show me His way. Because that my friends is the only way that you will ever find true peace.

For those of you who doubt or don't believe try this simple exercise: look at a flower or the patterns of color on a butterfly. Listen to the ocean as it's tide rolls in and recedes in perfect rhythm. Study the development of a fetus in its mother. And if that doesn't work, if looking at those miracles don't convince you, then try looking in the mirror, for you, disbeliever, are also a miracle of God.

Mary Allegro Howaard Beach

B K Brumberg Howaard Beach

HERE'S TO GOD Dear Editor,

When I read the letter from a woman named Jean in the Forum contesting the condemnation and denial of the existence of God by regular letter writer Robert laRosa of Whitestone, I rose to my feet and praised her and asked God for His forgiveness. I should have written a similar letter long ago.

I am not angry with Mr. LaRosa , rather I feel so sorry for him that words would never serve to explain. He is bankrupt, missing out on the greatest of riches that life has to offer.

Luckily for him, God has not, and will never turn His back on Mr. LaRosa and

PUBLISHED by The Forum

Newspaper, Inc.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael V.

Cusenza

CONTRIBUTING REPORTERS Alan Krawitz

Samantha Geary

PHOTOGRAPHY

Richard York

EDITORIAL

WE DESERVE BETTER If you saw the Spectrum News New York 1 report this week, we’re sure you shook your head in disgust just as much as we did.

According to the City Department of Homeless Services, Queens – by leaps and bounds – hosts the most hotels turned into homeless shelters. There are 40 hotel-shelter sites in the World’s Borough, which of course includes the now infamous Comfort Inn in Ozone Park, home to some 50 homeless families. The closest borough is Brooklyn with 22. Staten Island hosts one shelter, zero clusters, and zero hotel-shelters.

Seems like a fair distribution, no?

And we see the results in south Queens. We all see the increased number of panhandlers on Cross Bay and Woodhaven boulevards, the vagrants sleeping on benches on major thoroughfares in Howard Beach and Ozone Park.

So against this backdrop, Mayor Bill de Blasio this week unveiled his embattled administration’s “comprehensive boroughbased 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.”

Among the highlights of said plan: Launch a reimagined shelter strategy that will: Completely eliminate the use of cluster apartment units by the end of 2021 and commercial hotel facilities by the end

of 2023; reduce the current number of shelter sites by 45 percent; and keep homeless New Yorkers closer to their communities and supports that they need. Additionally, prevention and rehousing initiatives will reduce the current number of homeless New Yorkers in shelter by 2,500 people over five years. “…eliminate the use of commercial hotel facilities by the end of 2023.” Really?? So we have at least six more years of the current conditions to look forward to?

We deserve better.

“Mayor de Blasio set expectations so

LEGALLY SPEAKING I recently traveled to Virginia with most of my immediate family to celebrate my father’s 80th birthday.

While he is not in the best physical shape, he was clearly touched that we all came to wish him well as he celebrated this milestone birthday. As an added bonus, we also got to visit with my grandmother, Mary Walsh, who will celebrate her 109th birthday in August.

My dad was a New York City firefighter for many years. Unfortunately, quite a few of his current health issues were caused by his exposure to smoke while battling fires during the worst years – the 1970s and 1980s – the City of New York has seen in terms of firefighting calls. Along with the smoke inhalation, years of carrying heavy packs, rescuing people and sustaining burns, broken bones, and other injuries have wreaked havoc on his body. While he saw more than his share of death and destruction, it pales in comparison to the

incredibly low today that you have to wonder if he was even being serious. Over the next four years, he aims to move a mere 2,500 people out of the shelter system. This is an insult to the 60,000 plus New Yorkers who are desperately waiting for permanent housing,” said City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park).

Aim low, underachieve. We couldn’t agree more.

We deserve better.

“We have heard and read in the past directly from the Mayor's administration on how it was to curtail the use of hotels as

shelter for homeless individuals, only to witness an increase throughout Queens.

In spite of all the limited facts and figures, I believe the Mayor was short on explaining how he plans to fund this program, or who will provide the essential services for homeless individuals, or how the community will be included in the site selection for the 90 new shelter sites,” said State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach). “Instead of addressing the issue of having a sound short- and long-term plan to actually help an individual, either before that person or their family become homeless or subsequently thereafter, with the adequate services and assistance to get them back on their feet, this administration has continued to increasingly fund DHS without any clear, precise plan for credibly dealing with this foreseeable growing homeless crisis. I am hopeful that in the days and weeks following the Mayor’s announcement, we can work together to include the community and elected leaders to supplement this new initiative with details and ideas that truly help those in need.”

Elected leaders. Maybe it’s time we reevaluate the leadership qualities of the current tenant in Gracie Mansion – which, incidentally, does not double as a homeless-shelter site. Probably because it’s not in Queens.

We deserve better.

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

losses the City sustained on September 11, 2001, when 411 emergency responders, including 343 firefighters, lost their lives. Even more distressing is that according to statistics, more than 850 additional first responders have died as a result of 9/11 related illness since that day. Just two weeks ago in fact, retired firefighter Robert Newman from Patchogue, Long Island, died from cancer as a result of breathing in toxins at the World Trade Center.

Many of these first responders initially retired without realizing the extent of their illnesses, and that they were entitled to compensation for their injuries. While Workers’ Compensation benefits are not available to uniformed employees of the FDNY or NYPD who participated in the rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations, they are still eligible for certain benefits.

In 2005, the World Trade Center (WTC) Disability Law took effect in New York State. This law establishes a presumption that certain disabilities for those who

participated in the rescue, recovery, and Application for World Trade Center Accicleanup at the World Trade Center and dental Disability other specified sites would entitle them Presumption. If you have not already to accidental disability retirement benefits done so, you must file this Notice on or subject to certain criteria including when, before September 11, 2018. In order to where, and for how long they worked at preserve your right to file at some time a WTC site. Subsequent amendments in the future if you are presently not disexpanded the list of individuals eligible, abled, you will also need to file an Applicaextended the filing deadline, and added tion for World Trade Center Notice on or qualifying conditions. before September 11, 2018. While you do The bill allows many police officers not need an attorney to represent you, it and firefighters who retired with non- may be in your best interest to seek the adWTC accidental disabilities to have their vice of a professional as there are certain retirement reclassified as an accidental restrictions, deadlines, various forms, and disability related to the WTC disaster. qualifying conditions that could make filDeath benefit legislation enacted in 2006 ing the application difficult. provides an accidental death benefit to The after effects of 9/11 continue to certain city and state employees within take their toll even after all these years, this same eligibility group. If approved, with no immediate end in sight. We are World Trade Center accidental disability grateful that there is at least some small retirement will become effective as of the consolation for our first responders who date of reclassification and not retroactive should at least not have to be worried to the date of retirement. about financial issues for themselves and If you are disabled, you should file an their families.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 9 MARCH 2, 2017 | 7

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Gillibrand Announces New Legislation to Protect Seniors from Financial Scams

By Forum Staff Every year, it is estimated that tens of thousands of New York seniors are victims of scams and abuse, according to U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who held a roundtable meeting with Empire State senior citizens on Sunday and unveiled new legislation to protect the vulnerable population from financial fraud.

The Senior Financial Empowerment Act would, according to Gillibrand, ensure that seniors and their caregivers have access to critical information regarding financial abuse. The bill would standardize and improve the way senior financial abuse is reported, establish a national hotline that would advise seniors on where and how to report fraud, and provide more resources to combat financial exploitation of seniors before it happens, Gillibrand said.

“Senior fraud is a destructive and dangerous crime, in which scammers prey on vulnerable citizens, steal their personal information, and harm them financially with very few consequences,” she added. “Under the current system, when seniors report these crimes, the information often isn’t shared with the proper authorities, and scammers are able to continue committing these crimes against other seniors. We need to do everything we can to prevent and fight back against senior fraud. This new

Sen. Gillibrand last weekend introduced the Senior Financial Empowerment Act.

legislation would give seniors the resources they need to be educated about this crime and the tools they need to get help if they have been a victim of fraud.”

According to Gillibrand, the SFEA would help protect New York seniors from financial fraud by: • Centralizing services for consumer education and data on scams and fraud targeting seniors; • Improving reporting of suspected instances of elder financial abuse; • Educating certain entities regarding elder financial abuse;

Photo Courtesy of The Wing

• Creating a grant program to prevent mail, telemarketing, and internet fraud; • Directing the National Institutes of Health to conduct scientific research on older adults’ increased vulnerability to scams; • Designating a National Senior Fraud Awareness Week.

AARP commended Gillibrand for addressing “the already serious problem of elder financial exploitation – which will only get worse as our population ages unless we confront it. With 10,000 Americans turning 65 every day and older Americans

having worked a lifetime to accumulate assets they depend on, AARP looks forward to working with Senator Gillibrand and our other elected officials on bi-partisan solutions that help protect older New Yorkers and Americans from an often invisible but insidious and growing scourge,” said the group’s New York State Director Beth Finkel.

Other senior advocacy groups applauded New York’s junior senator for tackling the problem of senior fraud and scams.

“Socioeconomic conditions are one of the broader determinants of healthy and active aging, and financial exploitation can be a significant risk to the wellbeing of all older people, especially those on a fixed income” said New York Academy of Medicine President Jo Ivey Boufford, M.D. “The New York Academy of Medicine, which works to promote healthy and active aging, supports the Senior Financial Empowerment Act because it leverages a multi-pronged approach involving older citizens themselves in creating solutions and creates strong mechanisms to discover and respond to fraud and abuse. We believe this act will help to maintain the financial security and improve the wellbeing of older citizens.”

Gillibrand indicated that she plans to introduce this new legislation in the Senate “in the coming days.”

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 9 MARCH 2, 2017 | 9

Cops Recover Cache of Weapons, Drugs in New Hyde Park

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

The 105th Precinct Anti-Crime team that recovered the weapons and drugs: Officers Von Fricken (l. to r.), Levy, Hammerschlag , Sgt. Reilly, Officers Manzella, Kearon, and Sgt. Sykora.

By Michael V. Cusenza Police recovered a cache of weapons and drugs after responding to a dispute at a New Hyde Park home last month.

The 105th Precinct Anti-Crime team responded to the residence on Langdale Street near 80th Avenue after a 911 caller observed a man with a gun arguing with a woman. After a brief search of the area the officers located a man fitting the description that was provided by the caller. Further investigation led the officers to make a request for a search warrant of the home. As the Anti-Crime team conducted the search warrant, two men were arrested – including a Richmond Hill resident – and the following weapons and

drugs were recovered at the location: • Bullet proof vest • Hi-point 9mm hand gun • Ruger SR9 9mm hand gun with defaced serial number • Smith & Wesson M&P 40 Cal hand gun with defaced serial number • Intratec AB-10 9mm fully automatic tech 9 • Smith &Wesson 9mm handgun with defaced serial number • Davis Industries 22 Cal Derringer • Springfield 87A 22 Cal rifle • . 44 Cal revolver • Winchester I300 12 gauge shotgun • Mak 90 Sporter 7.62 ak-47 • Remington 710 30.06 Rifle

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

A THREAT TO US ALL Opioid Addiction a Series This week we begin a series of candid discussions on one of the most pervasive health epidemics ever encountered by our society-opioid addiction.

In this segment of the series we would like to introduce you to what we will term here as a primer.

Opioids are a class of drugs that include the illicit drug heroin as well as the licit prescription pain relievers oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, fentanyl and others.

Opioids are chemically related and interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the brain and nervous system to produce pleasurable effects and relieve pain.

Addiction is a primary, chronic and relapsing brain disease characterized by an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.

Of the 20.5 million Americans 12 or older that had a substance use disorder in 2015, 2 million had a substance use disorder involving prescription pain relievers and 591,000 had a substance use disorder involving heroin.

The United States is currently in the throws of an opioid overdose epidemic.

Drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental death in the US, with 52,404 lethal drug overdoses in 2015. Opioid addiction is driving this epidemic, with 20,101 overdose deaths related to prescription pain relievers, and 12,990 overdose deaths related to heroin in 2015.

From 1999 to 2008, overdose death rates, sales and substance use disorder treatment admissions related to prescription pain relievers increased in parallel. The overdose death rate in 2008 was nearly four times the 1999 rate; sales of prescription pain relievers in 2010 were four times those in 1999; and the substance use disorder treatment admission rate in 2009 was six times the 1999 rate.

In 2012, 259 million prescriptions were written for opioids, which is more than enough to give every American adult their own bottle of pills.

Four in five new heroin users started out misusing prescription painkillers. 94% of respondents in a 2014 survey of people in treatment for opioid addiction said they chose to use heroin because prescription opioids were “far more expensive and harder to obtain.

Next week we focus on the impact that this epidemic has on specific groups.

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Coalition of Elected Officials Urge Cuomo to Restore $65M in promised MTA funding

State Sen. James Sanders, Jr. (D-South Ozone Park). “I stand with my colleagues in government in asking the Governor to keep his promise and continue to provide the full funds outlined in 2011 Transit advocates and members of the state Legislature this restructuring of the Payroll Mobility Tax.” week gathered outside the Times Square subway station to release However, Cuomo has argued that his funding cut is not a cut new letters from 65 legislators, demanding that Gov. Andrew Cuobecause overall the MTA is getting more money than last year. Ridmo agree to restore $65 million in promised Metropolitan Transers Alliance has called Cuomo’s position “misleading in multiple portation Authority funding that he has threatened to cut in the ways:” Fiscal Year 2018 executive budget.

Cuomo is taking credit for tax revenues from other sources like According to the transit advocacy group the Riders Alliance, real estate taxes and gas taxes that fluctuate up and down each year, the legislators’ letters “open a new front in the battle over transit but which he has no control over—that revenue must be given to funding, which riders and advocates say is particularly important the MTA. at a time when subway delays have more than tripled in five years Where Cuomo does have discretion, including in these funds and severe crowding has become a daily feature of New Yorkers’ that were promised to replace lost payroll mobility tax revenue, he commutes.” is choosing to cut $65 million.

In 2011, RA noted, Cuomo and lawmakers scaled back the PayThese funds were specifically promised to the MTA in addition roll Mobility Tax that helps fund the MTA, but promised to replace to the other revenue sources. The State does not add extra funds in the missing funds every year. And for six years, the State kept its Photo Courtesy of Assemblyman Robert Carroll’s Office years when those revenue sources go down, and has never before promise, contributing between $307 and $311 million each year to Members of the State Senate and Assembly gathered outside the Times subtracted funds in years when they are up. offset the revenue that was lost because of the 2011 tax cuts. Last Square subway station this week to release new letters from 65 legislators, demanding that Gov. Cuomo agree to restore $65 million in promised “New Yorkers are already frustrated with the lack of good public year the amount was $309 million. transportation options, fare increases, and unreliable service. A cut But this year, for the first time in his tenure in Albany, Cuomo MTA funding that he has threatened to cut in this year’s budget. in MTA funding would make this situation even worse for our city’s has proposed to put only $244 million toward the missing funds – a 21-percent reduction that would leave the MTA with a $65 million of my life, and as a Senator representing a district that is in need subway and bus riders,” added State Sen. Michael Gianaris (D-Asof more transportation options, I know first-hand how devastating toria). “The proposed budget must be improved and appropriate gap.

“As someone who has used mass transit to get around for most this $65 million proposed cut to the MTA’s budget would be for funds must be provided in order make needed improvements." commuters by potentially causing delays and overcrowding,” said 10 MARCH 2, 2017 • Number 9 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

By Michael V. Cusenza

Investigators Hunt Gang of Four in Ozone Park Attack and Robbery

Far Rockaway Man Charged in Stabbing Death of Common-Law Wife

Photo Courtesy of Google

Jones allegedly stabbed Monet Franklin to death inside their Beach 32nd Street apartment.

By Michael V. Cusenza Police have reached out to the public for help in identifying four men wanted in connection with an assault and robbery in Ozone Park last month.

According to police reports, on Sunday Feb. 19, around 9:20 p.m., the four suspects surrounded the 32 year-old male victim in the vicinity of 77th Street and 95th Avenue and assaulted him. They removed his AM/FM transistor radio and earphones and fled westbound on 95th Avenue. The victim suffered

lacerations and bruising to his face, cops said.

The suspects are described as four black men, 16 to 20 years old, 5-foot-7 to 5-foot-10; last seen wearing dark-colored clothing.

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

Photos Courtesy of NYPD

A Queens man was charged with murder after his common-law wife was found with multiple stab wounds inside their Far Rockaway residence on Sunday morning.

The defendant, Jonnie Jones, 42, of Beach 32nd Street in Far Rockaway, was arraigned this week in Queens Criminal Court before Judge John Zoll on charges of second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree assault and two counts of fourth degree criminal possession of a weapon.

The defendant was held without bail and ordered to return to court on March

16, 2017.

Charges against the defendant state that, in the early morning hours of February 26, Jones stabbed the victim, Monet Franklin, 51, with a knife, multiple times about the body which resulted in wounds to her left lung, heart, liver and right kidney thereby causing her death. He also attacked the victim’s mother, Maria Franklin, 74, stabbing herin the left hand causing severe lacerations.

If convicted, Jones faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Schumer Demands Answers Following Latest JFK Airport Security Breach

By Forum Staff

Following a recent security breach at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer last week demanded answers from the Transportation Security Administration as to why communication break downs and security lapses continue despite federal recommendations he helped spur to tighten security being delivered months ago.

In August, following the shots-fired scare at JFK, Schumer called on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to investigate the airport’s security procedures and determine whether security flaws exist. While recommendations were put forth late last year, Schumer noted that it seems issues with communication between law enforcement agencies, real time video feeds, and adequate worker training continue to plague JFK. On Feb. 20, 11 people walked through an unattended TSA checkpoint at JFK; three of the individuals set off the metal detector. According to reports, Schumer noted, it took the TSA two hours to notify Port Authority police of the breach. The three passengers who set off the detectors were located in San Francisco upon landing. The remaining eight passengers were screened by a canine prior to boarding.

Schumer said that the lack of communication

File Photo

Senate Minority Leader Schumer has demanded to know why communication break downs and security lapses continue at JFK International Airport despite federal recommendations he helped spur to tighten security being delivered months ago.

shown in this recent breach at JFK demonstrates that there is a great need for changes in how the agencies at the airport work together.

“It is simply inexcusable that there have been repeated breakdowns in communication and security at JFK despite major federal recommendations to improve security being delivered months ago. My question for TSA is simple: Why does this keep happening and what are you doing about it?” Schumer said.

“If previous recommendations to improve

One such recommendation of the Schumer-backed DHS investigation included the creation of a unified command center at the airport to oversee operations. Schumer noted that had such a command center been effectively implemented at the time of this most recent breach, it’s possible that the incident could have been identified more quickly and all law enforcement agencies could have been notified immediately.

“In the wake of 9-11, we learned painful lessons about the dangers of imperfectly coordinated parallel first-responder operations and lack of critical information sharing between various agencies and levels of government. This last August at JFK, we were reminded again we must be ever-vigilant to make sure operations at critical spaces like our airports conform to the highest levels of coordination to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past and to maximally protect the flying public from those who could do them harm,” Schumer wrote in his missive to Huban Gowadia, acting deputy administrator of the TSA. “Yet despite these repeated lessons and the recommendations from the investigation at the end of last year, this latest JFK incident demonstrates once again that communication between law enforcement agencies at the airport is disjointed, inadequate, and hinders response times during emergencies.”

communication and security had been effectively implemented, it’s very possible this breach could have been rectified more quickly or even avoided. The public deserves answers and TSA has a lot of explaining to do. We all want to know: Have these federal recommendations been implemented? In the meantime, I am urging the TSA to thoroughly review the most recent security breach so that corrective action is taken immediately and the traveling public is better protected.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 9 MARCH 2, 2017 | 11

12 MARCH 2, 2017 • Number 9 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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Legal Notices GAVIN JACK LLC Art. Of Org. Filed Sec. of State of NY 9/19/2016. Off. Loc.: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY to mail copy of process to The LLC, c/o Trop Spindler LLP, 19-02 Whitestone Expressway, Suite 103, Whitestone, NY 11357. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of Rich 108 LLC. Art. of Org. filed Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/29/2016. 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,114-42 Taipei Court, College Point, NY 11356. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of the 35TH DEVELOPMENT GROUP LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/3/17. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 133-47 Sanford Ave., C1E, Flushing, NY 11355. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of 533 MAIN STREET LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/17. Office location: Queens County. Princ. office of LLC: 30-56 Whitestone Expwy., Whitestone, NY 11354. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of BLEU FITNESS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/09/17. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to THOMAS CHUNG, 20-12 COLLEGE POINT BLVD., COLLEGE POINT, NY, 11356. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

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JECTURE TECHNOLOGY LLC Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/01/16. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process toTHE LLC, 19720 99TH ROAD, HOLLIS, NY 11423.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Ying Cheung Realty LLC, App for Auth filed with SSNY on 12/07/16, Cert of Frmn filed in NJ on 02/14/06. Off Loc: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: 1319 New York Ave., Union City, NJ 07089. The off add required to be maintained in the jurisdiction of its frmn is: 1319 New York Ave., Union City, NJ 07089. The name and add of the Sec. of State in its jurisdiction of org where a copy of its art of org is filed is NJ Sec of State, PO Box 002, Trenton, NJ 08625. Purpose to engage in any lawful act.

HOWARD BEACH 96 STREET, LLC. Art. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/13/16. 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, 162-24 85th Street, Howard Beach, NY 11414.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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Garden co-op 2 fl, 4 rms, 1 bedrm, 1 bth , small pet ok, needs TLC, call now.!

Notice of Formation: SIMPLY BETTER 236, LLC Arts of Org filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) 9/27/2016. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail process to the UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC. 7014 13TH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY 11228. Purpose: General

Notice of Formation of USA KING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/06/17. 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, 172-39 HIGHLAND AVENUE 4H, JAMAICA ESTATES, NY, 11432. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Liquid Bread Rockaway Beach LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/5/16. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 101-19 Rockaway Beach Blvd., Rockaway Beach, NY 11694. General Purpose.

Notice of Formation of Horizon 31J, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY

(SSNY) on 12/23/16. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: c/o The LLC, 193-38 Keno Avenue, Hollis, NY 11423. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Flosscare Worldwide LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 9/1/16. County: Queens. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to The LLC, 81-52 Little Neck Pkwy., Floral Park, NY 11004. General Purpose.

Notice of Formation of Chestnut Apartments, LLC, Art. of Org. filed with Sec’y of State (SSNY) 11/28/16. Off. loc.: Queens Co. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of proc. to Cortisidis & Lambros, 46 Trinity Pl., NY, NY 10006. Reg. Agt. upon whom proc. may be served is Zannis Angelidakis, 152-53 10th Ave., Whitestone, NY 11357.

Purp.: any lawful activities.

whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to LEGALINC CORPORATE SERVICE INC., 1967 WEHRLE DRIVE, SUITE 1 #086, Buffalo, NY,14221 Purpose: Any lawful activity.

6626 Grand Ave LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/3/17.

Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 59-41 72nd St., Maspeth, NY 11378. General Purpose.

QI QI 2017 LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/3/17. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Zhi Keng Jiang 51-15 Junction Blvd 1F Elmhurst, NY 11373. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Tax Service A1 LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/22/15. County: Queens. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to The LLC, 10304 39th Ave., Fl. 2, Ste. 102, Corona, NY 11368. General Purpose.

Notice of Qual. of 4 INVESTORS GROUP LLC, Authority filed with the SSNY on 01/23/2017. Office loc: Queens County. LLC formed in NJ on 03/01/2015. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Humberto Gonzalez 309 3rd St., Union City, NJ 07087. Address required to be maintained in NJ: 309 3rd St., Union City, NJ 07087. Cert of Formation filed with NJ Dept. of Treasury, Div. of Rev, Comm.

Recordings, 225 W. State St., PO Box 308, Trenton, NJ 08625. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Element Services LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/7/16.

County: Queens. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to The LLC, 37-57 85th St., Jackson Heights, NY 11372. General Purpose.

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TOP END INVESTORS LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/23/16. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 146-B FERRY STREET SUITE #1034, NEWARK, NJ, 07105. General Purpose.

45-15 25TH AVE LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/11/2017. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Marco Vicari, 45-11 25th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

14 MARCH 2, 2017 • Number 9 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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Legal Notices

Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/6/17. County: Queens. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against may Notice of Formation of NQA FOODS LLC be served & shall mail process to The LLC, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY 9523 Liverpool St., Jamaica, NY 11435. Gen- (SSNY) on 01/23/17. Office location: Queens Notice is hereby given that a license, serial eral Purpose.

County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon

number 1299914 for Restaurant Wine License has been applied for by SUNNY RESTAURANT, INC. to sell beer and/or wine at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 25-25 PARSONS BLVD., FLUSHING, NY 11354, QUEENS County for on premises consumption.

SUNNY RESTAURANT, INC.

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Notice of Formation of SV PENINSULA LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/23/16. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 40-06 Warren Street, Elmhurst, NY Notice of Formation: 37 Ave East West LLC 11373. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Arts of Org filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) 11/03/2016. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served & shall mail process to the LLC, 47-36 161st ST Flushing, NY 11358.

Purpose: General

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 9 MARCH 2, 2017 | 15

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