THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | MARCH 2, 2017

VOL. 16 • NUMBER 10 • MARCH 9, 2017

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

South & West

BURNED DOWN & OUT Approximately 40 people Homeless after Massive Fire Blazes through Richmond Hill Buildings

On Saturday night, it took 250 firefighters roughly four hours to knock down the seven-alarm inferno on Liberty Avenue near 111th Street.

See Story on Page 3 Photo Courtesy of FDNY

Page 12

South Queen Celebrates St. Patrick’s Day at Rockaway Parade

Page 5

Borough Pioneer Helen Marshall Dies at 87

Pages 16

NYFAC Hosts 19th Annual Dinner Dance

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 10 MARCH 9, 2017 | 1

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Several Families Homeless after Seven-Alarm Blaze Guts Liberty Avenue Buildings

By Michael V. Cusenza An aggressive, seven-alarm inferno tore through a block of attached buildings in Richmond Hill on Saturday, leaving several families homeless and businesses completely devastated.

The blaze began around 11 p.m. in a building on Liberty Avenue near 111th Street, according to the City Fire Department. It took 250 firefighters approximately four hours to bring the fire under control. Two firefighters and three civil-

ians sustained minor injuries. More than a dozen buildings were destroyed, leaving 40 residents displaced, the Red Cross said.

According to FDNY officials, the fire is not considered suspicious. The blaze was able to spread from edifice to edifice through the help of high wind gusts overnight and flammable building materials.

“It’s a shame they lost their houses, lost the buildings,” FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard said in a New York Daily News report. “But if we don’t have loss of life, that’s the most important thing.”

Photos Courtesy of FDNY

Pheffer Amato Set Missing Woodhaven to Host Electronic-Waste Woman Last Seen More Recycling Events than Two Weeks Ago: Cops

By Forum Staff Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) announced on Monday that she will be hosting two electronic-waste recycling events in the 23rd Assembly District this spring.

The first e-waste extravaganza is scheduled for Sunday, March 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rockwood Park Jewish Center, located at 156-45 84th St. in Howard Beach; and on Sunday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pheffer Amato will host the second electronics recycling event at the Bayswater Jewish Center, located at 23-55 Healy Ave. in Far Rockaway The dropoff opportunities – which have been organized in partnership with the Lower East Side Ecology Center, the City Department of Sanitation, Rockwood Park Jewish Center, and Bayswater Jewish Center – are open to everyone, Pheffer Amato noted. Accepted items include working and non-working computers, monitors, printers, scanners, keyboards, mice, cables, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, phones, audio/visual equipment, cellular phones and PDAs.

By Michael V. Cusenza

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

“Electronic waste is a major environmental hazard. Too many people just drop computer parts in the garbage,” Pheffer Amato added. “If e-waste isn’t processed the right way, it can poison sanitation workers and our water supply. So that’s why events like these are so important, and why I wanted to host two right here in our community. I highly encourage everyone to come on down and take advantage of the opportunity to dispose of their old computers, phones and more, safely and for free!”

Police on Friday reached out to the public for help in locating a Woodhaven woman who was last seen late last month.

According to investigators, Maria Rozycka was last seen on Monday, Feb. 20, at approximately 8 a.m. inside her 89th Street residence. The 71-year-old is described as white, roughly 5-feet tall and weighing 125 pounds, with a thin build, brown eyes, and short, brown hair.

Anyone with information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at (800) 577TIPS (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 Photo Courtesy of NYPD confidential.

Maria Rozycka has been missing since Feb. 20.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 10 MARCH 9, 2017 | 3

QueensRail vs. QueensWay: Public Transportation vs. Park Land

The debate rages over an abandoned railroad track that runs from Ozone Park to Rego Park.

File Photo

with the ability to operate on both lines, a one-seat ride from Midtown to JFK would be The debate over what to do with a roughly created, the coalition has noted.

The Subway Option would divert the R four-mile stretch of abandoned rail track in the middle of Queens perhaps reached or M subway line east of 63rd Drive (via an its apex recently when both sides of the ar- already built connection) to the northern gument faced off at a forum at the Queens section of the Rockaway line. The subway Chamber of Commerce offices in Jackson would converge with the A train north of the Aqueduct Station and continue into the Heights.

What’s it all about? QueensRail vs. the Rockaways. At Rego Park, two stations would QueensWay: public transportation vs. park be built, one for the subway and one for the LIRR mainline to permit transfers between land in the World’s Borough.

Proponents of the QueensRail are devot- the two services. This would allow Rockaway ed to the reactivation of the Rockaway Beach riders a quick trip to Midtown or to eastern Rail Line either as part of the Long Island points in Long Island.

Friends of the QueensWay are leading the Rail Road or, more likely, the City subway system. The defunct spur was put into service effort “to transform a blighted stretch of abanin the late 19th Century under the control doned railway in Central Queens into a famiof the LIRR and connected Rockaway and ly-friendly linear park and cultural greenway.” southern Queens with Rego Park, provided The QueensWay project involves converting area residents with expedient access to other the long-abandoned RBRL into a 47-acre, parts of the city, and 40-minute commutes $120 million public park, similar to the Highto Midtown Manhattan from the Rockaway line in Chelsea, boasting trails and amenities.

Plans call for park to include a bike, jogPeninsula. In the early 1960s, parts of the railroad service were condensed, sectioned off, ging and walking path, upgrades for the facilities of local Little Leagues, schools, commuand it eventually closed in 1962.

The Metropolitan Transportation Au- nity and cultural comforts.

“The QueensWay represents a once-inthority is currently conducting a comprehensive feasibility study of the reactivation of a-lifetime opportunity to improve the qualthe RBRL. The findings of the examination, ity-of-life of Queens residents and provide which includes an assessment of transporta- a helpful boost to many of the Borough’s tion options and issues identified with re- incredible businesses,” Thomas Grech, exstoring the QueensRail, are scheduled to be ecutive director of Queens Chamber of Compresented to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie merce, said last summer. “The Queens Chamber of Commerce has been a proud supporter

by June 30.

According to the QueensRail Coalition, of the QueensWay since its inception and we two options exist for revitalization of the are thrilled to be part of a diverse coalition adRBRL: The Railroad Option would have vocating for its success and calling on the City the LIRR resume operations between Penn to make the project a reality.”

Where do you stand on this issue? What Station and Aqueduct. At least two stations would be built at Rego Park and at Aqueduct. would you rather see – more public transportaThe latter would allow transfers to the A train tion options? Or a state-of-the-art park? Let The and to the AirTrain (if it was extended from Forum know at michael@theforumnewsgroup.

Howard Beach). If rail cars are developed com 4 MARCH 9, 2017 • Number 10 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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‘Queen of Queens’ Helen Marshal Dies at 87

By Michael V. Cusenza

Helen Marshall was the first black Queens borough president.

“Helen Marshall was a kind, caring & dedicated public servant. She was a good friend. I used to refer to her as the Queen of Corona #RIP,” Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) wrote on Twitter.

Marshall served on the Council for 10 years. She ran for borough president in 2001, succeeding Claire Shulman, who was forced to step down due to term limits. Marshall was president of the World’s Borough for three four-year terms before

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she was succeeded by current BP Melinda Katz in 2014.

“Helen Marshall was a larger-than-life figure in the civic life of Queens and the State of New York. During her decades in public life, Helen fought tenaciously to improve our children’s schools, to address seemingly intractable quality-of-life issues and to secure a fair share of City resources for Queens,” Katz said. “As the first African American borough president of Queens

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Helen Marshall, who in a 30-year political career served Queens as borough president, a member of the City Council, and a member of the Assembly, died on Saturday at her home in California. She was 87.

“Helen Marshall – the Queen of Queens – will be remembered as a trailblazer who dedicated her life to public service through her work as an educator, community activist, and elected official,” said Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. “I was fortunate enough to know Helen Marshall, to work with her, to be inspired by her and to witness her fervor for public schools, public libraries, and the children of our community. The Borough of Queens, and New York City as a whole, is a better place because of Helen Marshall’s leadership. She will be sorely missed.”

Marshall was born in Harlem on Sept.

29, 1929. A proud Queens College alum, Marshall was an ardent supporter of the City University of New York system. Prior to her career in public service, Marshall was a City public school teacher for eight years. After serving as the first director of the Langston Hughes Library in Corona, she represented the 35th Assembly District from 1983 to 1991, before succeeding Walter McCaffrey in the 21st District seat on the City Council.

and only the second woman to be elected to the position, Helen was a trailblazer who inspired many to pursue public service. She was a deeply compassionate person who cared tremendously about the well- being of her fellow Queens residents. Her love of the borough was exceeded only by her love for her family, especially her devoted husband Donald, who passed away recently. Helen will be sorely missed and I extend my condolences and the condolences of the 2.3 million residents of Queens to Helen and Donald’s children, Donald Jr. and Agnes Marie, and to Helen’s entire family.”

Marshall, whose husband, Donald, died in January, is survived by her two children and a sister.

“Helen Marshall was an extremely compassionate person who served our borough well over a long period of time in a number of capacities,” long-time Community Board 10 Chairwoman Betty Braton told The Forum. “For me, one shining example of her concern and compassion for people was her arriving with no fanfare at my home to start working on [Superstorm] Sandy issues on Day 1 following the night of the storm. She always mentioned her service on her own community board whenever she commented on what led her to go on to serve the people as an Assembly member, Council member, and borough president.

She will be missed by all who knew her.”

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Middle Village Preparatory Charter School PO Box 790224 Middle Village, NY, 11379 THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 10 MARCH 9, 2017 | 5

106th Precinct Cops Stop Burglary, Get Guns off South Ozone Park Streets

By Forum Staff Anti-Crime officers from the 106th Precinct last week arrested three people and recovered four guns after responding to a 911 call of a burglary in progress in South Ozone Park, according to the NYPD. The team responded to the scene near the Van Wyck Expressway and 105th Avenue and spoke to the victim before broadcasting the three suspects’ descriptions and direction of flight over the department radio.

Officers searched the area and discovered the two men and one woman heading westbound on 107th Avenue. As the cops attempted to stop the three individuals, one of the men dropped a gun to the floor as they continued to walk. Uniformed officers exited their vehicle and stopped the three individuals. One of the men began to reach into his waistband and the woman dropped her The 106th Precinct Anti-Crime team helped make the arrests and recover four guns.

Photo Courtesy of NYPD

purse to the ground. The officers retrieved a loaded Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolver from the waistband of the man and a loaded .22-caliber revolver from the purse. Officers also recovered a 9mm Hi-Point semiautomatic handgun that was dropped by the other man, according to the NYPD. All three suspects, cops said, were arrested and charged with criminal possession of a weapon and criminal trespassing.

Additionally, a further investigation revealed that the suspects had exited a Lincoln Navigator, which was parked near the initial incident location near the Van Wyck Expressway and 105th Avenue. Officers responded to that location and saw ammunition in plain view inside the vehicle. After obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle, officers recovered a .40-caliber Hi-Point semiautomatic handgun, as well as approximately 200 rounds of various ammunition.

Elected Official Applauds Delta for Opting to Fly Quieter Aircraft at LaGuardia

By Forum Staff At least one elected borough official recently commended Delta Air Lines for its decision to fly quieter airplanes at LaGuardia Airport.

“I am thrilled over Delta’s decision to use quieter airplanes at LaGuardia and I applaud the airline for being responsive to the needs of Queens residents,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing). “Delta’s

move will have a positive impact on airplane noise over our borough and it will make a difference to those who reside near the airport. I look forward to building on this switch to quieter aircraft, and working with airline officials to further mitigate airplane noise.”

Effective March 2, Delta stopped flying loud MD-88 aircraft on a scheduled basis; instead opting to fly the existing routes with a mix of

quieter Airbus A320 family planes, Boeing 737s, and a limited number of MD-90 mainline aircraft, Meng noted.

The Flushing congresswoman is a founder and active member of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons/Magnus Manske

Delta has pledged to use more of the quieter Airbus A320’s in their fleet at LaGuardia Airport.

Couple Indicted on Sex-Trafficking Charges

By Forum Staff A 32-year-oldPennsylvania man and a 29-year-old Brooklyn woman have been indicted by a Queens County grand jury on charges of sex trafficking, kidnapping, promoting prostitution and other crimes for forcing a 21-yearold woman into prostitution.

Defendants Elizabeth O’Sullivan, 29, of 4th Avenue in Brooklyn, and Lee Vargas, 32, of Main Street in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania were on a 22-count indictment variously charging them with first- and second-degree kidnapping, sex trafficking, The suspects used websites such as backpage.com to allegedly promote prostitution. second- and third-degree promoting prostitution, fifth-degree AttorneyBrown said that, accord- allegedly forced to have sex on a criminal possession of marihuana, ing to the charges, O’Sullivan and daily basis with numerous men in third- and fourth-degree tamper- Vargas traveled to Massachusetts exchange for money turning over ing with a witness, third-degree in October 2016 and picked up all proceeds to the defendants.

On one occasion the victim intimidating a victim or witness, the victim, a 21-year-old woman, third-degree assault and forcible and brought her to Queens to began to cry and Vargas repeattouching. The defendants if con- work as a dancer/stripper and edly slapped and choked her and victed, were ordered to return to earn money for them. After her threatening he and O’Sullivan court on May 8, 2017. District arrival in Queens, the victim was would harm her further if she 6 MARCH 9, 2017 • Number 10 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Courtesy of backpage.com

didn’t stop crying.

The victim managed to reach out to her family, who notified police and an undercover rescue operation was initiated in which an officer allegedly responded to an advertisement posted on Backpage.com in January, and was directed to a hotel on Main Street

in Flushing. Later that night the victim allegedly met with the undercover officer at the hotel and offered and agreed to have sexual intercourse with him in exchange for $200. At 4:00 a.m. the following morning, police returned to the hotel and found the defendants in a vehicle in front of the hotel with marijuana burning in the ashtray. They were placed under arrest, and a vacuum-sealed bag of marijuana was found in O’Sullivan’s pants.

Authorities say that in addition O’Sullivan contacted a friend of the victim in late January, trying to scare the victim into not testifying in the grand jury which resulted in making both the victim and her friend fearful of testifying.

If convicted the defendants who each face up to 25 years to life in prison, “face a lengthy prison term for sex trafficking – a vile and very violent, degrading crime that will not be tolerated,” said DA Brown.

Eleven New Yorkers, Two Corporations Indicted in Deed Fraud Scheme

By Forum Staff Eleven individuals – including three attorneys – and two real estate corporations have been charged by a Queens grand jury with preying on New York City homeowners in financial distress and defrauding them into signing over their properties.

A joint investigation into Kings Development Group stemming from Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown’s Office of Economic Crimes Bureau and the New York City Sheriff Office’s Deed Fraud Unit has placed nine of the individuals are presently in custody and the remaining two are being sought.

“Instead of tossing the victims a lifeline, half of whom were elderly individuals, the defendants are accused of creating a financial nightmare for the homeowners and placing them in worse financial situations than when first contacted by the defendants. As a result of the alleged fraudulent deed transfer scheme, the homeowners are no longer the titled owners of their own properties and therefore cannot move toward a resolution with their own mortgage companies. In each case, the homeowner must retain a real estate attorney to have the fraudulent deed reversed, resulting in additional financial hardships on them.” The defendants, both those in custody and the remaining being sought are awaiting arraignment on a 55-count indictment in which they are variously charged with

Photo Courtesy of Google

According to DA Brown, the investigation began in 2014 when several borough homeowners informed his office that they had received cold calls from individuals employed at Kings Development Group on Jericho Turnpike in Bellerose.

the first- and second-degree criminal possession of stolen property, first-degree falsifying business records, first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, second- and third-degree grand larceny, unlawful eviction, fourth-degree criminal facilitation, fraudulently obtaining a signature and first-degree scheme to defraud. If convicted, the defendants face varying prison sentences, the shortest being up to four years in prison and the longest being up to 25 years in prison.

An investigation began in 2014 when several Queens homeowners reported receiving cold calls from individuals employed at the defendant corporation, Kings Development Group, of Queens.

The caller promised to assist homeowners with financial problems with their home instead a fraudulent real estate operation was re-

vealed in which the “purported assistance” was a scheme to get homeowners to unknowingly sign over the deeds to their property.

A review of deeds filed with the City Register, determined the defendants had received deed transfers from the homeowners, which transferred ownership of the properties to a corporate entity. Although the homeowners were no longer the recorded owners of the properties, they were still financially responsible for the mortgages. Once the new deeds were recorded, the defendants allegedly: 1) advised the current tenants of the homes that they were the new owners and began collecting the monthly rents; 2) evicted the current tenants; 3) notified the New York City Housing Authority and/or the Department of Social Services that they were the new

owners of the properties and – by providing a copy of the newly recorded deeds – began collecting monthly subsidies for the tenants in the homes; or 4) placed new tenants into the victims’ properties and began collecting monthly rents in excess of $1,000 for each tenant.

Between August 2012 and January 2017 the defendants collected rental income from individuals or from the City’s Housing Authority or Human Resources Administration while the homeowners’ credit continued to be destroyed while their properties underwent the foreclosure process.

In one instance, it is alleged, a United States veteran, while hospitalized for more than a year for illness and ultimately an organ transplant, was visited at the Veterans Administration hospital in

October 2013 by representatives from Kings Development Group.

While sick and on medication, the veteran and his wife were allegedly directed to sign several different documents that would enable Kings Development Group to help them resolve the financial issues that had arisen with their home during the veteran’s hospitalization. One of the documents to be signed was allegedly a deed transfer, transferring ownership of their property to an unknown corporation associated with Kings Development Group. In a second instance, a single mother with five children was in foreclosure and Kings Development Group employees promised that they could solve her financial problems with her house, restore her credit and assist her in buying a new house once the one in foreclosure was resolved. It is additionally alleged that, as part of Kings Development Group’s assistance, the victim was told that she had to move out of her own house but that Kings Development Group would provide her residency in a different house. But when the mother and her children moved into the home, she learned that Kings Development Group did not own the house in which she was placed but rather was owned by another homeowner whom Kings Development Group was purportedly helping with a short sale. The real owner of the house was forced to evict the single mother and her children, forcing them to live in a shelter for many months.

Cops Hunt for Violent Rego Park/Forest Hills Robber

By Michael V. Cusenza Police last Wednesday added two robberies to the resume of a violent thug who is now wanted for three muggings in Rego Park and Forest Hills.

According to police reports, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, around 5:50 p.m., the suspect approached an 82-year-old woman from behind on 70th Road in Forest Hills, hit her on the head with a blunt object and knocked her to the ground. He then grabbed her purse and fled in an unknown direction. Among the items inside her purse were two debit cards and a credit card. The victim suffered lacerations to the back of her head and was removed to Forest Hills Hospital in serious but stable condition, cops said.

And on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at approximately 5:45 p.m. in front of 70-47 Harrow Street, the individual stepped out of the driver’s side of a blue four door sedan on Harrow Street in Forest Hills, approached a 53-year-old woman from behind and hit her on the head with a blunt object; the victim fell to the ground unconscious. When she awoke, the victim realized that her purse was gone. Among the items inside her purse were four debit cards, two credit cards, and approximately $51 in cash. The woman suffered lac-

Sketch Courtesy of NYPD

erations to the back of her head and was removed to Forest Hills Hospital in serious but stable condition.

In the first reported incident, on Wednesday, Jan. 18, around 8:20 p.m., a 63-year-old woman was approached by the suspect at the corner of 65th Avenue and 99 Street in Rego Park. The unidentified male displayed a knife, punched the victim in the face and removed her purse containing an iPhone and credit card. The suspect then fled on foot toward 102nd Street. The woman suffered bruising to the face and refused medical attention.

The suspect is described as a black man, 6-feet tall with a medium build, last seen wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt.

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

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

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 10 MARCH 9, 2017 | 7

TRUMP, CLIMATE AND RELIGION Dear Editor, TrLast week the temperature in Antarctica reached 63.5°. What is Trump going to do about it? Well, the Whitehouse has proposed major cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. For those of you who are not aware, that is the agency tasked with studying climate change! They're also cutting the budget to improve water quality in the Great Lakes(as well as Chesapeake Bay, San Francisco Bay and Puget Sound) by 97%. As well as drastically cutting the amount of money spent on "Water Quality Compliance" which is what helped alert the nation to the crises that happened in Flint Michigan.

Instead Trump plans to increase military spending by billions of dollars. But let's give him a chance. Maybe he has a plan to bomb Antarctica with warheads full of ice cubes to lower the temperature. Or maybe he'll have refrigeration specialists Carrier ship jobs to that location and install giant air conditioners on the remaining glaciers. Who knows. But I'm a bit confused, didn't he say China was responsible for fake global warming? Next-I just want to be clear. Republicans call it a "homerun" when Donald Trump addresses both houses of Congress, doesn't soil his pants, doesn't make fun of a handicapped reporter, doesn't criticize the "fake news", successfully reads off the Teleprompter, makes no mention of Russia and says to the wife of a dead Navy Seal: your husband is "happy in heaven" because he just received a long round of applause? And that makes him "presidential"? Longest applause for a dead soldier was on Trump's watch? How wonderful. I'm sure Trump had his aides check to see if he got a ratings bump at that time. William "Ryan" Owens' FATHER refused to meet with Donald Trump when he and the president went to Dover air force base in Delaware to

receive the casket carrying his son. One day in the near future Ryan's poor wife will wish she hadn't still been in shock from his death when she agreed to be used as a pawn for Trumps political gain. Ryan's father has demanded an investigation into the planning and timing of what he called a “stupid mission”. A mission Donald Trump launched one week into his new administration. God help us. Speaking of "god"-Last week Mary Allegro prayed for God to forgive me. Then said she felt sorry for me, that I was missing out on the greatest of riches that life has to offer and that when something goes wrong in my life all I need to do is pray to God, for god has not and never will turn his back on me or anyone else who is devoid of faith(strong belief in God based on spiritual apprehension rather than PROOF). Mrs. Allegro needn't pray for me. Perhaps she should pray for the more than 21,000 people that die each day of starvation. For obviously they're praying incorrectly or to the wrong deity. Or maybe she should've concentrated her prayers on one person -Elizabeth Fritzel. Elizabeth's father Joseph repeatedly raped his terrified daughter for 24 years and refused to let her or her trapped children(his incestuous grandchildren) see daylight. Do you think Elizabeth may have prayed to God a few times over those 24 long years? Beseeching him why? Why!?!? Do you think Elizabeth was comforted with the belief that it's all part of gods grand plan? The Greek philosopher Epicures thought about the existence of god(s) in 300 BCE, and he came up with this: "The gods can either 1-take away evil from the world and will not, 2-are willing to do so but cannot, 3-neither can nor will, or lastly, 4-they are both able and willing. If they have the will to remove evil and cannot, then they are not omnipotent. If they can, but will not, than they are not benevolent. Lastly, if they are both able and willing to annihilate evil, how does it exist?"

And please don't tell me it's all about gods gift of "free will". If God knows every single thing that happens in the universe, both now

and infinitely into the future. Do you have free will? No. If God knows everything that will happen to you, the instant you were created, God knows whether you are going to heaven or hell. To create someone knowing that that person will be damned to hell for eternity is the epitome of evil. Noah's Ark? Housing 2 of every creature on earth(over 6 million different species) in an Ark with dimensions of 450 × 75× 45ft? For 40 days? Noah may have needed a slightly bigger boat. Regardless, if the tale were true, the flood would've been an atrocity of the highest order. Mass murder on a global scale. What kind of merciful, wondrous, loving god sentences innocent children to death by drowning? All part of his grand plan? Does Mrs. Allegro believe the Aztecs were justified in sacrificing their people, ripping out their still beating hearts and offering them to Quetzalcoatl? Was an all knowing God taking a nap during the holocaust? Is the earth only 5000 years old? Was there room on the Ark for the dinosaurs? Does the sun revolve around the Earth? Or perhaps she is one of those people that pick and choose which parts of (the fairytale known as) the Bible they believe in? I don't mean to sound condescending but Science is my god. My religion is my family.

And I don't need a God to know right from wrong. If Mrs. Allegro needs to and can still believe in a deity after all the proof I've given to the contrary all I can say is one thing- "God" bless you. P.S. Trump recently said "nobody knew healthcare could be so complicated".

Wow. You know what else nobody knew? That so many people would be fooled into electing a clown as President of the United States. Too harsh? I don't think so because Trump recently claimed that he was wiretapped by Obama.

Proof? Who needs a shred of that? Sources?

BREITBART "news". You know, Breitbart.

The "news organization" run by Steve BannonTrump's CHEIF STRATEGIST! What an odd coincidence. The ridiculousness of Trump's accusation is cause for alarm. Alarm that he's an irresponsible, unstable, uneducated, clueless

man who willfully distorts the truth and has absolutely no idea how national security investigations work. So much for that "homerun".

Let the impeachment process begin.

Robert LaRosa Whitestone

PROMISES, PROMISES There is more than $65 million reasons for "Coalition of Elected Officials Urge Cuomo to Restore $65m In Promised MTA Funding" (Michael V. Cusanza -- March 3). Besides cutting $65 million, Cuomo only proposed providing $1.5 billion more toward the $8.3 billion shortfall he originally promised two years ago to fully fund the $29 billion 2015 2019 MTA Five Year Capital Plan. This leaves a balance of $5.8 billion that he owes carried over into 2018 and 2019. Cuomo still needs to come up with $5.8 billion balance of the $8.3 balance he still owes to fully fund the $29 billion 2015 - 2019 MTA Five Year Capital Plan, $6 billion for Second Avenue Subway Phase 2, $6 billion for New York State's 25% share of the $24 billion Amtrak Gateway Tunnel, pay back $3 billion federal loan for Tapanzee Bridge and $2 billion for LIRR Main Line Third Track between Floral Park and Hicksville in Nassau County just to name a few. This doesn't even include $400 million for Woodhaven Select Bus Service and $1 billion for restoration of LIRR Rockaway Beach service.

Cuomo reminds me of the character Wimpy who famously said "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." Tuesday never seems to come for commuters and taxpayers.

201 7 GIRLS AGES 4-16. BOYS AGES 4-13 SOFTBALL & BASEBALL SATURDAY MARCH 11 9 AM UNTIL 2PM

8 MARCH 9, 2017 • Number 10 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Dear Editor,

Larry Penner Great Neck

EDITORIAL

ALL ABOARD On Feb. 28, the Coalition for QueensRail and Friends of the QueensWay met inside the Queens Chamber of Commerce Bulova Corporate Center Conference Room in Jackson Heights to debate the merits of their plans for the long-defunct Rockaway Beach Rail Line.

The RBRL is a roughly four-mile spur that was put into service in the late 19th Century under the control of the Long Island Rail Road and connected Rockaway and southern Queens with Rego Park, provided area residents with expedient access to other parts of the city, and 40-minute commutes to Midtown Manhattan from the Peninsula. In the early 1960s, parts of the railroad service were condensed, sectioned off, and eventually closed in 1962.

The Coalition is “devoted to reactivation of the QueensRail route – either as part of the LIRR or, more likely, the NYC subway system.”

Friends of the QueensWay are pushing to “transform a blighted stretch of abandoned railway in Central Queens into a family-friendly linear park and cultural greenway.”

Former Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder, an ardent supporter of the QueensRail, has said, “Tens of thousands of Queens families are forced to endure some of the longest commutes in the city…reactivation is the

best and most cost-effective way to speed commute times for our families and boost our local economy.”

Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Forest Hills), an early funder of the QueensWay, said last summer, “The Queensway Plan will benefit our local economy, allow an additional green space in our urban landscape, and will literally link local communities together...”

Both sides, for years, have presented

clear, cogent arguments for their respective projects. However, only one side, in our opinion, heralds the option that is absolutely critical to the future success of our beloved borough.

All aboard the QueensRail.

For decades, the southern section of Queens has been, for all intents and purposes, ignored when it comes to public transportation. Several communities have actually been dubbed “transportation deserts.”

Think about that. Deserts. This is 2017, right?

The fact that it can take some people who live and work in the same city more than an hour and a half to get to that job is nothing short of pathetic. It’s ludicrous. So if you can reactivate a public transit option that can quite literally change the lives of thousands of people – including the business owners in these transportation deserts – why wouldn’t you go for it?

We can also appreciate the benefits of a High Line-style, state-of-the-art park smack-dab in the center of the World’s Borough. This option, too, could mean a tremendous boost to individual neighborhood economies and, through an anticipated tourism boon, create a new, lucrative identity for Queens.

But we see this as need vs. want. And Queens desperately needs more transportation options.

If we can find the public-private partnership to develop 47-acre park, then we can find the right public-private partnership to help make the Rail a reality. It would mean so much to so many people.

We’re with the Coalition, especially when it calls the QueensRail a “critical investment in public transportation for this and future generations.”

All aboard.

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Strength in ‘Diverse’ Numbers as Queens Rallies at Borough Hall

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

A THREAT TO US ALL Opioid Addiction Part 2 This week we continue our discussion of the deadly opioid addiction epidemic sweeping across the country.

We will focus this week on the impact on specific population groups.

Adolescents (12 to 17 years old)

Photo Courtesy of the Queens Borough President’s Office

Borough President Melinda Katz on Sunday hosted the “Unity in Diversity” rally at Borough Hall “to affirm Queens’ values of diversity and inclusion.”

Hundreds of faith and civic leaders, elected officials, and borough residents joined Katz on the Hall steps to denounce

the recent upsurge in hate crimes across the country and express support for those currently fearing for the futures of their families.

“A call to awaken, in solidarity from here in #Queens, the most diverse place on the planet. #UnityRally,” Katz captioned a picture of the event on Twitter.

• In 2015, 276,000 adolescents were current nonmedical users of pain reliever, with 122,000 having an addiction to prescription pain relievers.

• In 2015, an estimated 21,000 adolescents had used heroin in the past year, and an estimated 5,000 were current heroin users. Additionally, an estimated 6,000 adolescents had heroin a heroin use disorder in 2014.

• People often share their unused pain relievers, unaware of the dangers of nonmedical opioid use. Most adolescents who misuse prescription pain relievers are given them for free by a friend or relative.

• The prescribing rates for prescription opioids among adolescents and young adults nearly doubled from 1994 to 2007.

Women • Women are more likely to have

chronic pain, be prescribed prescription pain relievers, be given higher doses, and use them for longer time periods than men. Women may become dependent on prescription pain relievers more quickly than men.

• 48,000 women died of prescription pain reliever overdoses between 1999 and 2010 Several factors have contributed to the severity of the current prescription drug abuse problem. Drastic increases in the number of prescriptions written and dispensed, greater social acceptability for using medications, and aggressive marketing by pharmaceutical companies.

The total number of opioid pain relievers prescribed in the United States has skyrocketed in the past 25 years The number of prescriptions for opioids (like hydrocodone and oxycodone products) have escalated from around 76 million in 1991 to nearly 207 million in 2013, with the United States their biggest consumer globally, accounting for almost 100 percent of the world total for hydrocodone (Vicodin) and 81 percent for oxycodone (Percocet).

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Revelers Descend on Rockaway for Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade

By Michael V. Cusenza Irish eyes – even those that are Irish just for a day – smiled and set their gaze on Rockaway on Saturday to take in the grand tradition that is the Queens County St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

The 42nd annual event featured Hon. William Lynn, business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 30, as Grand Marshal and Michael Clarke as Gael of the Year. Freshman Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-

Howard Beach) was one of the parade’s 14 deputy grand marshals.

The popular, long-standing celebration of all-things Emerald Isle began Saturday morning with a Mass for peace and justice in Ireland at St. Francis de Sales Church, followed by the Parade Brunch at the Knights of Columbus hall on Beach 90th Street. The parade kicked off at Beach 130th Street and Newport Avenue, and wrapped up at the St. Camillus parking lot on Beach 100th Street.

Happy St. Paddy’s Day to all!

Photos Courtesy of State Sen. Joe Addabbo’s Office

12 MARCH 9, 2017 • Number 10 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Trump Re-tools Executive Order Travel Ban

By Michael V. Cusenza Out with the bold, in with the new. Sort of.

President Donald Trump this week signed a new Executive Order, essentially an update of the “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States” action that he introduced in January. The original EO 13769 barred refugees from entering the United States for the next 120 days (Syrian refugees were barred indefinitely); and precluded all immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen – from entering the U.S. for three months.

As a result, bedlam erupted at airports across the country, including at John F. Kennedy International Airport, with some arrivals either turned away and placed on the next available flight home, or detained by federal officials in the facility.

However, as Trump noted this week, EO 13769 “has been delayed by litigation.”

The presidential action that the Jamaica Estates native inked on Monday revokes the original order.

Under the updated order, all foreign nationals from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – countries that “continue to present heightened risks to the security of the United States,” according to the presidential action – are barred from entering the United States. Additionally, all refugees, including from Syria, are banned from

U.S. President Donald Trump

the U.S. for 120 days from March 16, the day the new EO goes into effect. All legal permanent residents of the U.S. are exempt from the so-called travel ban.

Iraq was conspicuously removed from the barred list. According to the updated Executive Order, “Iraq presents a special case… the close cooperative relationship between the United States and the demo-

Photo Courtesy of the White House

cratically elected Iraqi government, the strong United States diplomatic presence in Iraq, the significant presence of United States forces in Iraq, and Iraq’s commitment to combat ISIS justify different treatment for Iraq.”

As expected, many elected New York officials voiced their disdain for the latest White House travel edict.

“If the President took a quick look around his own hometown he would see that we don’t need to discriminate to be safe,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “In fact, New York City’s inclusiveness helps make this the safest big city in America. Thankfully, the stroke of a pen in Washington won’t change our New York values and it won’t make us any less proud to be the ultimate city of immigrants.”

State Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) added, “This revised Executive Order banning travel from six predominately Muslim nations is just as un-American as President Trump’s previous attempt to single out migrants based upon their national origin. The White House clearly ignored the nation’s outrage generated by a similar ban issued last month. Vetting people on the basis of their place of birth, or their religious background is inhumane, and against the very core of what we stand for, as Americans. It is appalling that discriminatory actions such as this take place in our nation, one that was built by immigrants from all backgrounds. This ban breaks families apart, keeps talent from coming into our country, and interrupts students from completing their degrees. I believe this will do nothing to help protect our national security, and I will continue to fight this policy. I am hopeful that the federal courts will again strike down this unconscionable attack on immigrants, as I am certain that lawsuits will follow in the next few days.”

Senate Bill Calls for Greater Transparency of the Placement of Homeless Shelters

By Michael V. Cusenza State Sen. Jeff Klein (D-Bronx, Westchester) last week introduced legislation to require greater transparency of the placement of permanent and temporary homeless shelters.

Under the new proposal, communities would have a greater amount of input on the placement of shelters within their communities than by those announced by Mayor Bill de Blasio last Tuesday when Hizzoner unveiled his administration’s 114-page plan “Turning the Tide on Homelessness, Neighborhood by Neighborhood.” Rather than community notification 30 days prior to the opening of a permanent shelter, the Senate bill gives communities notice 45 days before the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services hearings. The legislation would also empower community boards to request public hearings on a shelter. The City Department of Homeless Services would be required to modify its proposal based on reasonable concerns from such hearings, Klein noted.

For temporary shelters, the Senate proposal requires notification one week from the City’s use of the hotel as a shelter and requires DHS perform inspections to ensure sites are safe and free of violations. The City must also maintain a publicly available

Beach) on Friday announced his support for the new Senate legislation.

“While the Mayor’s announcement lacked details as to the short and long term plan for resolving the homeless crisis, one element is clear – the input and notification to the community and elected officials is crucial,” Addabbo said. “Unlike the Mayor’s proposal, the new bill I am co-sponsoring will require advance notification to local officials and community boards when hotels and motels are being eyed for use as homeless shelters. In addition, the legislation would expand the review and community input process for permanent shelters housing homeless individuals and families.”

Klein also noted that he has previously Photo Courtesy of RWDSU introduced similar legislation to require State Sen. Jeff Klein has previously introduced similar legislation to require community notification of shelter community notification of shelter placeplacement that has passed in the State Senate. ment that has passed in the Senate.

“Mayor de Blasio has continuously failed list of these sites, according to the legisla- often dangerous and unsanitary, is a step tion. The proposal also requires a quarterly in the right direction, the City still fails to to provide communities in New York City report from DHS on the use and proposed fully address concerns coming from com- with adequate information on the placement use of these sites to be submitted to local munities,” Klein added. “This plan includes of homeless shelters,” said State Sen. Tony elected officials. Because many times ho- no advance notification to officials or com- Avella (D-Bayside), a candidate for mayor. tels are used for weather-related emergen- munity boards when hotels and motels are “Residents need to know what is going on cies, the legislation allows for 48 hour post planning to be used, and only 30 days prior in their neighborhoods and have a say in the placement notification in the event of an to the opening of a permanent shelter for a process when they have concerns. This legisemergency situation. hearing. Residents want a bigger role in this lation adds accountability to the process and “While the announcement by Mayor de process and deserve to be heard because ensures that when any shelter is planned the community members are made aware and it Blasio to phase out cluster sites and hotels they know their communities best.” from use in the shelter system, which are State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard is safe for families staying there.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 10 MARCH 9, 2017 | 13

Jewish Community Centers Should be Able to Trace Threatening Phone Calls: Schumer

By Forum Staff Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer recently reached out to the Federal Communications Commission, urging the panel to grant a special waiver to all Jewish Community Centers, and other entities that lately have been the targets of bomb threats, that would allow the organizations to access anonymous phone caller’s information.

Sen. Schumer noted that last week, over the course of one day, bomb threats were simultaneously made to JCCs in 11 states across the country, including at groups in Westchester, Long Island, and Staten Island. Schumer said these centers need intelligence to help stop the threats and thwart phony calls that, he said, have a real economic and psychic impact.

“Perpetrators terrorizing Jewish communities across the country—and here in New York—should not be allowed to hide in the shadows,” Schumer declared. “We cannot give these fear-mongering criminals protection when they are instilling hate and panic. That’s why I am urging the FCC to grant a critical waiver, which will allow targeted JCCs to work with local law enforcement to access the critical caller ID information that would finally allow us to identify and locate these perpetrators. All communities and entities targeted by intimidation and fear deserve access to all of the tools needed to ensure these criminals are brought to justice.”

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Schumer’s Office

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is urging the FCC to allow Jewish community centers to trace call information so threats can be investigated.

In a letter to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, Schumer pointed to a “swatting” threat – an incident in which a false report is made in an effort to solicit a police response where emergency teams, including Special Weapons and Tactics units, are dispatched to an unsuspecting resident’s home – directed at the Middletown School District in Upstate

NY last year. Following the threat, former FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler worked with Schumer’s office to pass a special waiver allowing the district to access caller information of the individuals placing the threats.

Given the recent uptick in swatting incidents, Schumer is urging the FCC to allow targeted JCCs to trace call information, just

as the FCC did for the Middletown School District, in order to allow the calls to be properly investigated.

“I believe the current circumstances require that your agency pursues similar extensive investigatory measures,” Schumer wrote in his missive to Pai. “In doing so, I urge you to coordinate your federal resources with local law enforcement across the nation to ensure they have the resources needed to thwart these attacks. In that vein, I respectfully inquire that you provide me and my staff with more information about the steps your agency will take to fulfill this request. Specifically, I ask: 1. What actions has your agency taken to date in response to these bomb threats?

2. Will you consider allowing JCCs to trace this call information, as the FCC did for the Middletown school district, in order to allow these calls to be properly investigated?

3. What resources can your agency provide to local law enforcement to ensure they are equipped to thwart these attacks?”

Schumer added, “Our local JCCs provide so many services to the community at-large—from daycare, to education to sports. And no community should be the focus of threats designed to create a climate of fear. I stand united with the members of the Jewish community in Westchester, on Long Island, in Staten Island and in every community across America, against fear, intolerance and intimidation.”

Administration Announces Expansion of ‘NYC Well’ Service

By Forum Staff The City last Thursday announced an expansion of NYC Well, the free and confidential service that connects New Yorkers to mental health, crisis counseling and substance misuse services. Since its inception in the fall of 2016, NYC Well has seen a significant increase in usage, to an average of 753 contacts a day last week from an average of 326 contacts a day in October 2016.

In response to the great demand, the program has expanded its current capacity to handle 200,000 calls, texts and chats a year to 290,000 calls, text and chats a year. Part of the ThriveNYC iniCourtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office tiative, NYC Well is available 24 First Lady Chirlane McCray and City Health Commissioner Mary Bassett, M.D. havePhoto praised the results of NYC Well. hours a day, seven days a week and accessible in more than 200 lan- tober to make sure that any New fall of 2016, there was an average percent.”

The expansion guages, according to the adminis- Yorker struggling with their men- of 326 contacts with New Yorkers tal health or substance misuse per day, and as of last week that of NYC Well follows a growing tration.

“No New Yorker should be left would not also have to struggle number is over 750. The data also demand, the City said. In the on hold when it comes to their to find help. The number of peo- indicated the need to do more to month of January, the system recare, or the care of a loved one,” ple calling NYC Well reflects the keep up with the demand. That is ceived 20,959 contacts (via calls, said First Lady Chirlane McCray. need people have for a connec- why we are expanding our annual texts, and chats). During that “We launched NYC Well in Oc- tion to mental health care. In the counseling capacity by nearly 50 month, NYC Well crisis counsel14 MARCH 9, 2017 • Number 10 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

ors spoke with 8,270 people about their mental health treatment history, including 2,359 (29 percent) who reported no prior treatment. Crisis counselors made 4,681 referrals to behavioral health services. Counselors are skilled at matching people with the most appropriate services, including crisis services. Counselors may teach coping skills, de-escalate the situation so that it does not develop into a bigger crisis, refer to a crisis team that visits the person urgently in their home or, in very rare circumstances, connect to 911 for an ambulance.

“We’re pleased that NYC Well has already proven to be a valuable resource for thousands of New Yorkers,” said City Health Commissioner Mary Bassett, M.D. “Increasing our capacity allows us to provide free, confidential counseling and resources to even more New Yorkers. If you’re not sure who to talk to about your mental health, NYC Well is here for you – 24/7/365.”

Cross Bay Hardware 16254 Crossbay Blvd Howard Beach, NY 114143443 (718) 848-5699 www.acehardware.com Store Hours: Mon-Fri 0-0, Sat 0-0, Sun 0-0 THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 10 MARCH 9, 2017 | 15

NYFAC Honors Justice Augustus Agate With Lifetime Acheivement Award Contributed by Bruce Schwartz, NYFAC Nearly 300 friends and supporters turned out on Thursday, March 2nd at Russo’s on the Bay to help the NYFAC Foundation in its mission of “Bettering the lives of those with autism.”

The Foundation’s 19th Annual Dinner Dance in Loving Memory of Ruth Cirello, recognized the contributions of this year’s distinguished honoree’s. Howard Beach resident and retired Supreme Court Justice Augustus Agate was honored with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his extraordinary involvement with NYFAC and other organizations in and around South Queens.

“The Generations Award” was presented to the Ruggiere Family, who established and still operate the oldest Insurance Business in Woodhaven Queens, Ohlert- Ruggiere Inc.. The Ruggiere’s continuously demonstrated their commitment to NYFAC and many other charities and local organizations in the South Queens Community. Brian O’Connell, Principal of Scholar’s Academy in Rockaway Park, was named “Educator of

Time, Inc. and founders Lucina and Wayne Clarke were named “Autism Organization of the Year.” “Humanitarian of the Year” was presented Frank Scafo. Prior to receiving his award, a ceremony was held where former Foundation Chair Michael “Mike” Brothers passed the gavel to Frank Scafo as the newly elected chair to the NYFAC Foundation. At that time, Mike received a plaque for his dedication, support and leadership as the first Chairman of the Foundation.

Distinguished guests, Senator Joseph Addaboo, Assemblywoman Stacey PhefferAmato, Supreme Court Commissioner of Jurors, Audrey Pheffer and Assemblyman David Weprin were on hand to congratulate each of the honorees.NYFAC President and CEO Andrew Baumann, expressed his gratitude to the honorees and all of the guests in attendance. “Everyone in this room is an integral part of the NYFAC Family. And Photo Courtesy of NYFAC thanks in part to all of you, the money we LtR: Fellow Kiwanians Justice Augustus Agate and Stephen Sirgiovanni present NYFAC founder Andrew raise tonight, will help toward our plans Baumann with check to expand our facilities by the addition of the Year.” A “Community Service Award” John Anthony Passarella. John donates his NYFAC’s new Center for Physical Achievewas given to another Howard Beach resi- time and resources as a DJ at NYFAC fundment.” dent, NYPD Counter-Terrorism Officer raising events. Brooklyn organization, My

Queens DA Presents NYPD with $20.4M in Forfeiture Funds for Neighborhood Policing Initiative

By Forum Staff Queens District Attorney Richard Brown this week presented a check representing $20,391,864 in asset forfeiture funds to City Police Commissioner Jim O’Neill to support the NYPD’s implementation of a number of important new law enforcement initiatives in the World’s Borough.

The funds are part of the historic 2012 HSBC Holdings agreement, in which HSBC admitted to money laundering and sanctions violations and agreed to forfeit $1.256 billion as part of a deferred prosecution agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice, and to pay an additional $665 million in civil penalties for its antimoney laundering program violations.

The Queens DA’s Office, which, Brown noted, played a significant role in helping to develop the case against HSBC, received an equitable sharing award of $116 million from the U.S. Treasury Department’s program under this agreement for its contribution and efforts in the HSBC Holdings investigation. Under general Treasury guidelines, Brown explained, equitable sharing funds must supplement existing resources and be used only for valid law enforcement purposes. And the Queens DA-NYPD spending plan had to be approved by the Treasury Department’s Executive Office for Asset Forfeiture prior to the transfer of funds to New York’s Finest from Brown’s Office.

The more than $20 million in funds being provided to the department will

Photo Courtesy of Queens District Attorney’s Office

DA Richard Brown presented the check to Police Commissioner Jim O’Neill this week.

be used, in part, to purchase 264 new vehicles for use by uniformed police and assigned law enforcement officers in a new NYPD Neighborhood Policing model to be implemented in all 16 police precincts in Queens. This Neighborhood Policing initiative focuses on highly localized community-based efforts, with the goal of enhancing officer engagement with neighborhood-based sectors within precincts through active collaboration with community members in identifying crime and quality-of-life problems and patterns and developing and implementing strategies

16 MARCH 9, 2017 • Number 10 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

to address them.

“The principal use of the funds will be centered on enhancing Commissioner O’Neill’s community-based policing strategies in all 16 Queens County police precincts,” Brown said on Monday at a checkpresentation ceremony at the Police Academy in College Point. “In essence, it heralds the return of a familiar figure – the cop on the beat who knows the people and the community he or she serves. By forging closer, more meaningful relationships with local business owners, community advocates, religious leaders and residents,

it is hoped that a line of dialogue can be opened up between the police and the communities that will result in mutual understanding and an easing of the tension and mistrust that ofttimes exists between the police and many of the communities they protect.”

Additionally, funds will be used to purchase equipment for NYPD enhanced training initiatives at the Police Academy, as well as provide the newest training technology to all of its recruits.

A portion of the funding will be used to purchase 19,000 new, upgraded gun holsters, which will be a critical enhancement to safety for both uniformed members of service on patrol and members of the public to ensure security in the event that officers are confronted with an aggressive suspect, Brown noted. The requested holsters will be issued to all newly hired recruits; for all other uniformed NYPD members, it is intended that holsters will be replaced upon re-qualification of firearms training.

“I want to thank Judge Brown for his leadership and for supporting this police department with critically essential funding,” O’Neill added. “The $20 million Judge Brown has allocated for this department will be an important investment in neighborhood policing, our crime fighting strategy. This forfeiture funding will provide our cops with essential tools – like vehicles, technology, and training – they need to do their job. I thank him for this investment in us and helping us keep this city the safest big city in America.”

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Local References Available

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 10 MARCH 9, 2017 | 17

Legal Notices 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Legal Notices

5 bedrms, 5 bths, 4 terraces, all redone . Call Now !

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.

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 11373. Purpose: any lawful activity.

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.

Notice of Formation of NQA FOODS LLC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/23/17. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon 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.

HOWARD BEACH/ RKWD PK

1 Fam, det, ranch, 6ms, 3 beds, 2.5 bths, full fin bsmt. 2 car gar, call now

HOWARD BEACH

Det Splanch, gar, 8 rms, 3 bedrms, 2 bths ,fireplace, Jacuzzi, 40x100 call now !

HOWARD BEACH

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

HOWARD BEACH

HOWARD BEACH

3.5 rm, 1 bedrm, 1 bath, hi-rise co-op mint move in ready, hardwood flrs, updated kit & bath, terrace Call Now!

HOWARD BEACH

Cape, 6 rms, 3 bedrms,2 bths, Gorgeous, all updated ,extended 1st fl , stainless appliances in-ground pool.

HOWARD PARK

Waterfront 2 Fam, 12 rms,

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

OCEANSIDE

det colonial , New Construction , 3 available,, 11 rms , 4 bedrms, 2 bths, gas fire pl, lg lot, Call now !

Legal Notices Largavista QP 41st, LLC, App. Of Auth. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/7/17. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent of LLC upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to c/o Largavista Companies, 275 Madison Ave., 37th Fl., New York, NY 10016. General Purpose.

TERRAFORM ARCHITECTURE PLLC, a Prof. LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/27/2017. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: 32-24 212th Street, Bayside, NY 11631. Purpose: To Practice The Profession Of Architect.

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25-19 18TH STREET LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 10/28/2016. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 25-19 18th St., Astoria, NY 11102. Purpose: Any lawful 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.

7527 Holding LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/13/17. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 75-27 182nd St., Flushing, NY 11366. General Purpose.

18 MARCH 9, 2017 • Number 10 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

WE COURT YOUR LEGALS FOR INFORMATION & PRICING CALL 718.845.3221

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 10 MARCH 9, 2017 | 19

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