THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | MARCH 30, 2017

VOL. 16 • NUMBER 13 • MARCH 30, 2017

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

South & West

NEIGHBORHOODFELLAS Less Than a Week after Feds Cuff Vincent Asaro and Gotti Grandson, Agents Return to Howard Beach in Pre-Dawn Sweep to Lock up Longtime Members and Associates of the Bonanno Crime Family

See Story on Page 3 Photo Courtesy of Google

Page 4

Communities Rip Mayor for Moving Forward with SBS Construction

Page 12

Councilman Saves PS 207 Afterschool Program from the Gallows

Pages 15

Governor Launches Liberty Defense Project for Immigrants

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 1

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Ten Bonanno Members and Associates Indicted on Racketeering and Related Charges

By Michael V. Cusenza Federal authorities recently turned back the clock on Howard Beach, charging more than a dozen residents of the southern borough enclave with a slew of violent crimes across three separate indictments in less than a week.

On Tuesday, just six days after hauling Bonanno Crime Family captain Vincent Asaro, John J. Gotti, and five others into Brooklyn federal court to face two indictments on charges of robbery, attempted robbery, arson and arson conspiracy, agents donning the familiar blue-and-maize FBI raid jackets descended on several targeted Howard Beach homes, executing arrest warrants after a 37-count indictment was unsealed charging 10 members and associates of the Bonannos with racketeering conspiracy, including predicate acts of murder conspiracy, attempted murder, extortion, illegal gambling, robbery conspiracy, arson conspiracy, narcotics distribution conspiracy and obstruction of justice conspiracy.

The defendants include Ronald “Ronnie G.” Giallanzo, an acting captain in the Bonanno family; Michael Padavona, Michael Palmaccio, and Nicholas “Pudgie” Festa, soldiers in the Bonanno family; and six Bonanno associates. All were arraigned in Brooklyn on Tuesday.

According to Acting Eastern District of New York U.S. Attor-

Photo Courtesy of Google

Federal agents met early Tuesday morning at this Starbucks parking lot on Cross Bay Boulevard prior to executing the arrest warrants

ney Bridget Rohde, the indictment is the result of a long-term investigation, with evidence gathered through a variety of methods including wiretap recordings of the defendants, cooperating witnesses, government and public records, electronic evidence and visual surveillance, all of which revealed a pattern of violence and intimidation that the defendants employed to further their enterprise’s economic interests in Howard Beach and elsewhere between January 1998 and March 2017.

The 51-page indictment alleges that Giallanzo conducted a lucrative loansharking operation in which he provided money to, among others, Festa, Palmaccio, and Padavona, to extend extortionate loans to, and collect

from, numerous individuals. Even while incarcerated, Giallanzo kept watch over his illicit loansharking book, directing his associates to commit acts of violence to ensure that the customers paid the exorbitant weekly interest rate. At one point, Giallanzo had lent over $3 million in extortionate loans to customers, the indictment states.

One of those acts of violence occurred in May 2013, the indictment alleges. Giallanzo ordered an associate of the Bonanno family to bring to him a loanshark customer who owed Giallanzo $250,000, but had not been making the required weekly interest payments. Giallanzo and the associate placed the victim in a car and beat him until the customer soiled himself, while Giallanzo

screamed, “Where’s the f-----g money?!?!”

In addition to the extortion charges, the indictment charges Giallanzo and Padavona with participating in a plot to murder an individual in the summer of 2006. Giallanzo, who at the time was on pre-trial release for a previous case filed in the Eastern District, ordered the murder of the victim because, among other reasons, the victim had robbed members of Giallanzo’s crew. The dispute lasted months, during which Giallanzo’s crew and the victim shot at each other on the streets of Howard Beach on several occasions.

Also, Rohde noted, as a result of their illegal activities, including loansharking, illegal gambling, robbery, extortion and other of-

fenses, the defendants earned over $26 million in illicit proceeds, which the indictment alleges will be subject to forfeiture if the defendants are convicted.

In addition to the cash proceeds of the racketeering conduct, the indictment further alleges that the houses and businesses belonging to several defendants are subject to forfeiture.

“Today’s arrests reveal La Costra Nostra’s continued presence in the community,” Rohde added. “Through acts of violence, including murder conspiracy, loansharking, illegal gambling, robbery and other offenses, the defendants are alleged to have amassed a fortune in ill-gotten gains. With these arrests, the defendants will be held accountable for their wide-ranging and destructive conduct.”

If convicted of the racketeering or loansharking offenses, the defendants face a maximum of 20 years in prison.

“The mafia hasn’t stopped operating and the crimes these members are charged with today proves that. To put an end to their brand of violence and criminal behavior, the FBI/NYPD Joint Organized Crime Task Force will continue pursuing them with every tool we have. I’d like to commend the work of the agents and detectives who put much time and effort into this investigation,” said FBI New York Assistant Directorin-Charge Bill Sweeney.

JFK Passenger Nabbed Trying to Smuggle Cocaine in Wooden Picture Frames: Customs

By Forum Staff A Mexican citizen last week was caught at John F. Kennedy International Airport attempting to smuggle cocaine inside wooden picture frames, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

CBP agriculture specialists conducted a physical search of Fabiola Guerrero Mendoza’s luggage after she arrived at JFK from Mexico City on March 21 and discovered three wooden frames that displayed an anomaly while being X-rayed. Customs officers then probed the frames, revealing a white powder that tested positive for cocaine.

Approximately 14 pounds of cocaine-filled wooden picture frames were seized. Due to the

concealment method, CBP officials said, a street value could not be determined.

“CBP officers remain ever vigilant in protecting the United States from the distribution of these dangerous drugs, regardless of the concealment methods employed by these would-be smugglers,” said Leon Hayward, acting director of CBP’s New York Field Operations.

Mendoza was turned over to the Port Authority Police Department and will be prosecuted on narcotics-smuggling charges by the Queens District Attorney’s Office.

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Agriculture specialists first noticed an issue with the wooden frames while they were being X-rayed.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 3

Activists Decry de Blasio’s Call to Kickoff Construction on Select Bus Service

By Michael V. Cusenza Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced that with the arrival of spring and warmer weather, the City is beginning work on dozens of Vision Zero street redesign and construction safety projects, including Woodhaven-Cross Bay Corridor Select Bus Service, as part of a $1.6 billion, safety initiative—and some outspoken residents of communities that would be directly impacted by SBS are not happy.

“We’ll be living with this mayor’s mistakes long after he is out of office,” Woodhaven activist Ed Wendell told The Forum.

According to de Blasio, New Yorkers will soon see new crosswalks, wider sidewalks, pedestrian refuge medians and new protected bicycle lanes in every borough.

“Dangerous streets have to change,” the mayor said. “We want to get the word out: we’re moving lanes, adding new space for pedestrians and making it safer to cross intersections—all to keep your family safe.

These changes have helped make each of the last three years under Vision Zero safer than the last.”

Police Commissioner Jim O’Neill added, “As we start 2017, the City continues to experience decreases in both crime and traffic fatalities. We welcome the early signs of success, yet we remain focused on both.”

Photo Courtesy of the Mayor’s Office

Mayor Bill de Blasio said the City would begin construction on Vision Zero projects like Woodhaven-Cross Bay Corridor Select Bus Service.

Highlights of this year’s Queens safety projects (with anticipated season when construction is expected to begin) include: Woodhaven and Cross Bay boulevards, multiple neighborhoods: addition of Select Bus Service for Q52 and Q53 routes; numerous pedestrian and corridor safety improvements (Spring) Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica: major Vision

Zero pedestrian and school safety project with new pedestrian islands (Spring) 23rd Ave and Corporal Kennedy Blvd, Bay Terrace: complex intersection redesign that will create simpler, safer pedestrian crossings and clearer vehicle traffic patterns.

(Spring) “We will continue to oppose Select Bus Service on Woodhaven and Cross Bay bou-

levards,” Queens Public Transit Committee First Vice President Mike Scala told The Forum in an email. “Community Boards 9 and 14 voted against the plan because it would remove local stops, lanes of traffic and left turns, as well as create safety issues by forcing bus riders into the median. To make matters worse, the lack of New Starts funding in the proposed federal budget could result in the total waste of an incomplete project.

Mayor de Blasio campaigned on the promise of paying attention to our needs in the socalled outer boroughs. Now is a great time for him to remember that and stop trying to force something we don’t want down our throats.”

As for support from Washington, De Blasio warned that “steady progress” under Vision Zero would be undercut by cuts in transportation programs in President Donald Trump’s proposed budget announced earlier this month. The mayor noted that since 2014 the City Department of Transportation has committed $98.8 million in federal funds for over 30 Vision Zero capital projects. The agency’s four-year capital plan (FY17-20) includes over $200 million in federal funding for dozens of additional projects, including SBS. De Blasio and DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg have pledged a bipartisan effort with other major cities to push back on Trump’s proposed cuts.

Asaro, Gotti Kin and Seven Others Indicted for Series of Violent Crimes

By Michael V. Cusenza If at first you don’t succeed, indict again.

Sixteen months after reputed long-time Bonanno Crime Family captain Vincent Asaro was found not guilty on all counts – including the Hobbs Act robbery conspiracy charge for his alleged role in the infamous 1978 Lufthansa heist at John F. Kennedy International Airport – in a Brooklyn courtroom, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York last week moved to indict the 82-year-old Howard Beach resident again.

Two indictments were unsealed last Wednesday morning in Brooklyn federal court charging Asaro and six other defendants variously with arson, bank robbery, Hobbs Act robberies and firearms offenses based, in part, on their participation in the criminal affairs of the Bonannos.

Among Asaro’s co-defendants is fellow Howard Beach resident John J. Gotti, the grandson and namesake of the original Dapper Don. Gotti, 23, was sentenced earlier this month to eight years in prison after admitting to selling

Vincent Asaro

massive amounts of prescription painkillers in Howard Beach and Ozone Park.

“This case blindsided us, we didn’t even know this case was happening whatsoever,” Gotti’s attorney, Gerard Marrone, told NBC New York. “He was actually told that he was being moved to another upstate facility, and the FBI met him and put him in federal custody.”

According to the indictment involving Asaro and Gotti, in early

4 MARCH 30, 2017 • Number 13 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

File photos

A p r i l 2012, Asaro was traveling in a car in Howard Beach when he became enraged at another motorist who had cut him off at a traffic light. Asaro allegedly chased the other vehicle at a high rate of speed. Later, after obtaining the home address of the owner of the other vehicle, Asaro allegedly directed an associate of the Bonanno family to set fire to that vehicle.

That associate then allegedly recruited Gotti and co-defendant Matthew “Fat Matt” Rullan to help

John J.º Gotti

him carry out the arson.

As further alleged in the indictment, Gotti and Rullan drove in Gotti’s Jaguar sedan to a service station in the pre-dawn hours of April 4, 2012, where they filled a container with gasoline and proceeded to the residence of the owner of the other vehicle. The Bonanno associate doused the vehicle with gasoline, and Rullan ignited it. A City Police Department officer in an unmarked car observed the crime in progress and pursued the Jaguar on a high-

speed chase through the streets of Queens until he terminated the pursuit for safety reasons due to Gotti’s alleged reckless driving.

The following day, the Bonanno associate told Asaro about the arson, and Asaro drove to the auto body shop where the burned vehicle had been towed to confirm that his order had been carried out.

Two weeks after the arson, as alleged in the second indictment to which Asaro is not a part, Gotti and two others robbed the Maspeth Federal Savings and Loan Association on 69th Street in Maspeth.

“The defendants are charged with committing an assortment of violent crimes – arson to exact punishment for a perceived slight and robberies to unjustly enrich themselves. This Office and its partners will continue to vigilantly pursue such organized violence and stop it in its tracks,” said Acting EDNY U.S. Attorney Brudget Rohde, who also noted that all of the defendants face a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on the robbery, attempted robbery, arson and arson conspiracy charges.

State Forensic Science Sub-Committee Unanimously Approves Familial DNA Searches

By Michael V. Cusenza The DNA Sub-committee of the State Commission on Forensic Science this week unanimously voted to approve familial match DNA testing.

“Today’s action by the DNA Sub-committee of the NYS Commission on Forensic Science unanimously approving familial match DNA searches is an important step forward in identifying the guilty, excluding the innocent and bringing closure to the families of victims of unsolved homicides,” said Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. “While the journey for justice for those families is not yet complete, this is an important milestone.”

According to the National Institute of Justice Forensic Technology Center of Excellence, familial DNA searching is a two-phase process which attempts to provide investigative leads by identifying an individual in existing DNA databases who is highly likely to be a close relative of the donor of the DNA profile derived from the evidence found at the crime scene.

Calls for the panel to quickly authorize the testing recently increased after the family of slain Howard Beach jogger Karina Vetrano and Brown in December implored the State to act in order to aid investigators who at the time had yet to develop a sus-

File Photo

Queens DA Richard Brown called the vote “an important step forward in identifying the guilty, excluding the innocent and bringing closure to the families of victims of unsolved homicides.”

pect in the four-month-old case.

Vetrano, 30, was beaten, strangled, and sexually assaulted in the evening hours of Aug. 2 on her daily run inside Spring Creek Park. DNA collected at the scene and from Vetrano’s body yielded no hits in any lawenforcement database. East New York resident Chanel Lewis, 20, was charged in February with the murder.

“Following the tragic death of Howard

Beach resident and constituent, Karina Vetrano, your state elected officials have continued to push the Commission on Forensic Science to adopt guidelines that would allow the use of familial DNA testing, a system that has been proven effective in other parts of the country,” Addabbo said.

“Today, I commend the Sub-committee for the Commission on Forensic Science for hearing the advantages of proper use of

familial DNA and approving its use in our state. It is our hope that by approving the careful use of familial DNA matching, we will be better equipped to solve investigations and assist law enforcement.”

Elected officials, including Brown, Addabbo and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) testified last month before the CFS Sub-committee on DNA and urged the panel to approve expanding DNA inquiries to allow the use of familial searching. Pheffer Amato on Monday said she wanted to “thank and congratulate every member of the Sub-committee, our relentless police, our excellent Queens District Attorney, Richard Brown, and his team, and of course the Vetranos, for keeping the faith and keeping up the pressure.”

“With today’s unanimous approval of FM by the DNA Sub-committee of the Commission on Forensic Science, which was considered to be the most challenging hurdle to passage, New York State is very close to adding its voice to this search for justice,” she added. “If the Commission accepts the Sub-committee’s recommendations, it will say that, as a government, we are absolutely committed to using all available tools to convict the guilty and free the innocent. I strongly urge the Commission to do so at their next meeting; we expect that they will.”

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see manager for details THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 5

Fresh Meadows Man Charged with Killing Dog by Hurling her from his 7th Floor Balcony

By Forum Staff A Fresh Meadows man has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after he threw a 12-year-old female pug, whom his ex-girlfriend was caring for, from a seventh floor balcony on March 17.

Authorities say Yuk Cheung, 35, of Parsons Boulevard threw the dog 70 feet to the street below the balcony from the balcony following a dispute with Jennifer Chan. He was arraigned on a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals. Bail was set at $10,000 and Cheung was ordered to return to court on April 4, 2017. If convicted, he faces up to two years in prison.

According to the charges, Cheung went to his former girlfriend’s apartment on 40 Road in Flushing on Friday, March 17 and the two argued about the care of his dog. When Cheung moved out of the apartment, he left the 12-year-old pug behind. During the argument Chan, told him he needed to get a place to stay that allowed dogs. She said he then told her that she “would not have to worry about the dog anymore”, picked up the dog and Photo Courtesy of Pets 4 Homes took it out on the balcony. When he came Cheung said he didn’t throw the dog, but that he tripped going onto the balcony and the dog left his hands.

Pilot Convicted of Possessing Child Porn on iPad

By Forum Staff

A commercial airline pilot from Frisco, Texas, has been convicted of having videos that depict the sexual exploitation of two girls, each under the age of sixteen.

Thomas Perkins, 39, was the subject of a border search at JFK Airport on April 18, 2014, after the plane he flew from Montreal arrived in New York City. An inspection of his iPad revealed possible child pornography images.

Photo Courtesy of Apple, Inc.

A U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent discovered potential images of child exploitation on Perkins’s iPad.

6 MARCH 30, 2017 • Number 13 VOL. 16 •

“The defendant has been convicted of possessing disturbing videos of young girls being sexually degraded,” said District Attorney Brown. “As I have previously stressed, it is important for the public to remember that these videos are, for all intents and purposes, footage of crime scenes as they depict real children being cruelly victimized both physically and emotionally and who will have to carry the painful memory of that which occurred to them for the rest of their lives.”

Perkins was convicted of two counts of possessing videos of a sexual performance by a child following a two-week jury. Perkins, who has been out on $50,000 bail, was ordered remanded and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6, at which time he faces up to four years in prison.

According to trial testimony, Perkins, who was employed by Republic Airways, which flies various regional routes under the Delta Connection banner, arrived at JFK on April 18, 2014, after co-piloting a Delta Connection flight from Montreal, Canada.

In going through border security, an iPad belonging to Perkins was inspected by a U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent who discovered potential images of child exploitation. Thereafter, a forensic analysis of the iPad revealed two videos of child pornography involving young girls.

The investigation was conducted by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations special agents.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

back inside he did not have the animal with him.

Chan asked him what happened to the dog and he told her the pug had slipped.

On March 21, Chueng was talking with detectives about the incident and he told them that he slipped while going outside and the dog got out of his arms. But later he changed his story saying that the dog had leapt out of his arm and fallen through the metal railings to its death.

He went downstairs and found the animal dead on the street and placed her in a box with ice and dumped the remains in a nearby garbage receptacle.

Further investigation at the apartment building by the detective investigating the case, revealed that the balcony extends about five or six feet from the building and directly below it there is a landing that extends approximately 25 feet beyond the building’s façade. In consideration of those measurements it is clear that the defendant had to have propelled the dog about 40 feet through the air for her body to have cleared the balcony, landing below and the sidewalk before hitting the street - about six feet from the edge of the sidewalk.

Former Marine Convicted of Murder in Fatal Shooting Outside Ozone Park Club

Harrigan shot the victim five times outside Club Flirt on 80th Street and Atlantic Avenue.

By Forum Staff A former U.S. Marine from Brooklyn, has been found guilty in the fatal shooting of a 22-year-old Queens man outside the club Flirt in Ozone Park in August of 2012.

“In rendering its verdict, the jury found the defendant guilty of senselessly murdering a young man during an argument that escalated into blows. As a result of his actions that night, the defendant now faces the prospect of being locked away for the rest of his life, ” said District Attorney Brown.

William Harrigan, 33, of Schenck Avenue has been held without bail since his arrest in August 2012, and was convicted of seconddegree murder and second-degree criminal

Photo Courtesy of Google

possession of a weapon following a three week jury.

Harrigan, faces up to 25 years to life in prison, and will be sentenced on April 19.

According to trial testimony, Harrigan and the victim, Boutin Williams, 22, of Rockaway Beach were involved in a brief verbal dispute after being ejected from the club at 94-02 80 Street sometime between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. on August 27th. Punches were thrown and the defendant went to his car, retrieved a firearm and returned to the scene and shot Williams five times, striking him four times in the back and once in his upper right arm.

At trial, Harrigan claimed that his time as a Marine resulted in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Corona Man Charged Two Men Charged after with Stealing John Legend’s 10 Kilos of Heroin are Found Louis Vuitton Luggage Hidden inside Crate from JFK Airport with Dog Shipped to JFK

This crate is similar to the one in which the heroin was discovered.

By Forum Staff

How the musician explained the situation on his verified Twitter account.

By Forum Staff “I made a mistake,” is the explanation offered by a 63-year-old Corona, Queens, man who lifted a $3,000 Luis Vuitton bag belonging to Grammy and Academy Award winning singer songwriter John Legend at JFK on Thursday.

Legend returned to New York on March 23 from a trip to France and as he was leaving Terminal 4, his luggage cart was briefly unattended and a black leather Louis Vuitton bag, containing a pair of Cartier panther head cufflinks with clear and green stones valued at $25,000, articles of clothing and personal items, was stolen from the cart.

Authorities identified the defendant as Agustin Hilario, 63, of 101 Street in Corona and have charged him with grand larceny and other crimes for swiping the bag.

“The defendant is known to airport personnel and was quickly identified through surveillance camera footage by Port Authority Police, who then contacted the defendant about the missing bag, said DA Brown. “The defendant allegedly admitted

Courtesy of John Legend

to taking the designer bag, claiming it had been left unattended. The defendant is now facing serious charges.”

According to the charges, when someone went to retrieve Legend’s bag, it was gone. Security footage allegedly showed Hilario approaching the cart and pushing it away from the area before removing the Louis Vuitton bag and leaving the scene.

Hilario was identified by a Port Authority police officer who recognized Hilario from the security camera images and contacted him. The defendant allegedly stated, “I know I should not have taken it.. I made a mistake” He is beleived to have also said that he’d planned to take the bag to the airport’s lost and found. The defendant did return the bag and its contents to Port Authority Police, who reunited Legend with his belongings.

The defendant was arraigned in Queens Criminal Court on a complaint charging him with third-degree grand larceny, third-degree criminal possession of stolen property and third-degree attempted grand larceny. Hilario faces up to seven years in prison.

A sweet faced, cream colored Sheppard mix dog, transported in a crate from Puerto Rico to JFK Airport this week, was according to authorities used as a drug mule in an attempt to smuggle more that $1 million dollars of heroin.

Two men from Bronx and Putnam Counties have been charged with drug possession and conspiracy after ten kilos (22.046 pounds) of heroin were found hidden in the false bottom of the dog’s crate.

According to District Attorney Brown.

“It’s alleged that man’s best friend was used in an attempt to smuggle drugs into the city, but great police work led to the seizure of more than 10 kilograms of heroin…” And with an estimated street value of over a million dollars, the defendants will face considerable prison time if convicted.

Authorities have stepped up their efforts to reduce the amount of heroin trafficking that has made a tremendous comeback in New York City and surrounding suburbs with the number of fatal overdoses outpacing homicides.

Law enforcement officials say their efforts are concentrated on all phases of the surge in heroin distribution including trafficking selling and distribution of the illegal drug.

Police Commissioner James O’Neill said, “This amount of heroin, when distributed at the street level, would jeopardize numerous lives and undoubtedly contribute to other crime. No matter how, or from where, you traffic illegal drugs

Photo Courtesy of Ren’s Pet Depot

into New York City, you will be trackeddown and prosecuted through these coordinated enforcement operations.”

The defendants, identified as Samuel Seabrooks, 35, of the Bronx, and Carlos Betancourt-Morales, 27, of Carmel New York were arraigned on charges of firstdegree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree conspiracy.

Bail was set at $500,000 bond/$250,000 cash for each defendant with an order to return to court on April 10.

According to the charges, Seabrooks and Betancourt-Morales met up at a Bronx IHOP restaurant at approximate 6:00 p.m. last Friday and then traveled in separate vehicles to American Airlines Priority Parcel Services at JFK Airport. They arrived around an hour and BentancortMorales approached Seabrook’s vehicle.

The two men had a short conversation after which Betancourt-Morales entered the cargo building and signed an American Airlines cargo air waybill delivery receipt giving him authorization to accept a crate containing the dog and which had a chargeable weight of approximately 86 pounds. He was then stopped by police as he pushed the crate on a rolling cart toward the building’s exit.

A court-authorized search warrant was executed crate and police recovered ten packages of heroin. Each of the packages was in brick form, encased in dark and clear plastic wrap, and was three to four inches in width and six to eight inches in length. The packages were stamped with the Nike Swoosh and a five-pointed star.

If convicted the defendants each face up to 20 years in prison.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 7

TREASON, IMPEACHMENT AND DECENCY Dear Editor,

In 1993 both her legs were amputated below the dents continue to be forgotten. They should also and the Governorships in most states, term limits knee, and it was now essentially over for good. be included in both the Freedom Ticket and week- should be made mandatory. Career politicians Ella died on June 15, 1996. Ella Fitzgerald remains end $4.25 City Ticket. are nothing more than power brokers, looking to the most recorded female vocalist of all time, and dominate control through a totalitarianism strucsecond only to Bing Crosby. Ella is known to have Larry Penner ture. What good is an “affordable” healthcare, for made 2,309 total sides in her career from 1935 to Great Neck all these benefits, if the price of insurance premi1990. UNIVERSAL music has prepared a yearums and deductibles exceed the ability to pay? long celebration of releases, from her vast invenThe rise in costs in these areas are inevitable, in tory, which will carry through April 2018. Space order to sustain insurance company profits. It is prohibits my further elaboration on this marvelnot good news for lower income Americans, to ous performer, and human being, but I do hope now see the well intentioned promise of affordable this capsule summary serves as a means for further insurance, becoming not so affordable. Competicuriosity, to know more of her many contributions tion is shrinking, as a percentage of these compaDear Editor, to American music, and why she remains so dear, nies are bailing out, from healthcare altogether. It to the hearts of collectors and musical historians. is alleged that Wyoming has but one company to A few weeks ago, I alluded to my recollections, choose from. That is a ransom high jacking! Pres“St. Louis Blues” 1958. She ha Robert Rice relating to our past eleven Presidents. Each had ently, Americans are prohibited from purchasing Woodhaven their burden to face during their time in office, and insurance across state lines, where open bidding the mood of the electorate went back and forth in could bring down costs considerably. A healthy those revelations, by supporting nominees from auction war, promotes a healthier healthcare! The both parties, as a means to balance the scales, and major weakness of the current system is the rising to move the needle past the stagnant status quo. uncontrolled premiums and deductibles. Until The new administration is now finding out early, this element is solved, the quality phase of doctor its’ first test of metal, in dealing with real solutions care, pre-existing conditions, and long term treatDear Editor, for real problems. There were no winners or losers, ment cannot be addressed. Predictions are abunThe Long Island Rail Road Freedom Ticket in last week’s marathon demonstration, of replac- dant from both sides of the Congressional aisle, Program coming to Southeast Queens still has ing the Affordable Care Act of 2009. The GOP as to whether the COST factor will determine an significant unresolved financial and peak service had promised to scrap the eight year plan, which ultimate success, or destroy the entire healthcare capacity issues when transferring to the subway at has caused a division of frustration across the en- legislation. The defeat of the GOP plan gave little tire country. Political egos were more at stake, solace to Democrats, who now reputedly own it, Penn Station or Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn.

Those Southeast Queens residents who al- than what was best for Americans, in their search but who remain ever wary to the possibility that ready utilize either the Long Island Rail Road, for a safe and effective program, for themselves, the rising out of control increased costs, may well MTA Bus or NYC Transit Express Bus are aware and for their families. It was not so much the good bring down the entire system, lock stock and barthe cost is more than either the bus or subway. If intentions, nor the components of the healthcare rel. Neither party factored C O S T as the centeryou agree and follow the Freedom Ticket logic, bill put up for debate, as it was in defining the qual- piece, in the original drafting of a comprehensive there should be a reduction in the cost of any ity of those services, and the ability to pay, for what bill. Physicians, for the most part are not propoNYCT or MTA Express Bus Service from $6.50 amounts to basics for each individual. Before all nents of socialized medicine. They will consider to $2.75 as well. There are already almost 100,000 else, the starting point should have been the C O S opting out, rather than compromising the prinNYC residents who travel weekday to and from T consideration, as in AFFORDABLE. The spirit ciples of their profession, leaving the most critical work paying extra to ride the LIRR, Metro North, of cooperation between parties, for the good of the shortages imaginable, in the hands of lay people.

MTA Express Bus, NYC Transit Express Bus or people is DEAD! A brief e-mail, from a viewer, It is not doomsday, but it must be seriously ponprivate ferry. All understand that they are paying to one of the cable news networks said it best; dered, by every member of Congress that a possi“Where was the GOP in the last eight years?” The bility exists for an implosion, be it later this year, or for a premium service.

At Penn Station, it can up to five minutes be- health care legislation was the hallmark topic of next, leaving healthcare in shambles. The time is fore everyone can depart the train. Can you imag- Republications, from its inception in 2009. Gut- now, to stop bickering over unsubstantiated chargine the chaos should several thousand additional ting it, and replacing it was job one, and though es of wire tapping of Trump Tower, or Russian inthat was only a pipe dream, while a Democratic fluence in the 2016 election, neither of which has daily riders also attempt to exit?

Offering new NYC LIRR riders a discounted President resided in the White House, no action produced a shred of tangible evidence, on which transfer to the NYC Transit Subway at Penn Sta- was proposed, to begin a program of re-writing it, to proceed further. Weak kneed politicians, should tion or Atlantic Terminal Brooklyn during rush and having it at the ready, completely fine tuned, be addressing the job they were sent to Washinghours sounds great. At Penn Station, the #1, 2, & from stem to stern, and yes—AFFORDABLE. In ton to do;—THE PEOPLE’S BUSINESS! 3 subway lines are already operating at or above ca- my opening reference, to our former Presidents go pacity. Many wait for a second subway train to ar- ing back to the mid fifties, it wasn’t always a Con Robert W. Rice rive before being able to board. The same is true to gressional donnybrook. The country’s business

Woodhaven a lesser extent for Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn Sta- was foremost, until the millennial, when Bill Clintion travellers attempting to access subway lines. ton left office, and There is little room for new riders who might want Congress in its State of New York Mortgage Agency anger to take advantage of a free commuter rail to sub- infinite declared; way transfer. Current LIRR riders from St. Albans, then Locust Manor, Laurelton and Rosedale already “let the people riding the LIRR will clearly switch to the Freedom be damned!” As Ticket. How will the MTA LIRR & NYCT deal is the case with the Presidency, with the revenue loss?

Why are riders Mortgages with down payment who board at the Far Rockaway LIRR not assistance for first-time homebuyers included in the Freedom Ticket? Rockaway residents have PUBLISHED by The Forum fewer transportation options and Newspaper, Inc. face longer trips than their St. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michael V. Albans, Locust Cusenza Manor, LaurelCONTRIBUTING ton and Rosedale REPORTERS Alan Krawitz neighbors. When Samantha it comes to public PHOTOGRAPHY Geary transpor tat ion, Call (800) 382-4663 Rockaway resior visit sonyma.org

One of America’s national treasures is being commemorated, in a centennial celebration this year. Ella Fitzgerald was/is the first lady of popular music. She was born on April 25, 1917, in Newport News Virginia, and went on to be the most recognized jazz voice the world has ever known.

As a young teenager, Ella first aspired to be a dancer, but to cut to the chase, the story has it that a friend dared her to audition as a singer, for an amateur talent night at Harlem’s famed Apollo Theater in 1934. Although it is alleged that she was discovered, by famed band leader of the time, Benny Carter, it was the top pre-band era leader Chick Webb, who actually hired the singer in June 1935.

Webb had had, an all instrumental band, and was rated at the top, in popularity for that time. Ella changed all that. Her seamless pure, perfect pitch voice literally became a part of his orchestra, and her natural feel for jazz began to overshadow the integrity of Webb’s arrangements. Chick Webb was no fool, as he saw early on, the potential of diversity Ella brought to every number. He quickly remolded his band around her performances, and it rode him into the big band era ahead of the pack.

On May 2, 1938, she recorded what would become her career signature, “A-Tisket-A-Tasket” and her only number one hit. In later years, she unsuccessfully tried to avoid public performance of it.

It was much in the same way Rosemary Clooney hated, to sing “Come On A-My House.” The premature death of Chick Webb, in June 1939 at age 30, during the height of the band era, brought Ella to a new pinnacle. At 22 years of age, Webb’s musicians convinced her to stay on as its leader, and to front the band. Two years later in July 1941, the last recording session of “Her Famous Orchestra” saw the end of one era, and the start of another. At this point, it was now simply Ella Fitzgerald, vocalist. Over the next 15 years, she toiled at current pop favorites, where at times, she teamed with the likes of the Mills Brothers, Ink Sports, Delta Rhythm Boys, Louis Jordan, and of course Louis Armstrong. A big change took place in 1956, at the start of the Rock and Roll craze, when Norman Granz formed his Verve label, and brought Ella on board, to set the standard on its heels. It was here that the series of song books saw the light of day, highlighting America’s greatest composers. The Cole Porter struck a nerve, and it was all Ella. No one had ever taken these masterpieces to task quite like she. Ella sang them as the composers wrote them, and they sold big time. She went on a roll. Rodgers & Hart, Duke Ellington, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer. Then there was Ella and Louis re-creating “Porgy and Bess” and other duet pairings. Her work with Nelson Riddle arranging did much to keep these albums selling and charting. Add to this the swing sessions with William “Count” Basie. Her roots were always with jazz, but it was that chemistry setting sessions with Nelson Riddle, which set the juices flowing for a revival of standards. From 1972 to 1992, she recorded for Pablo Records. Jazz festivals were frequent, as well as continued associations with Riddle, Basie, Oscar Peterson, Ellis Larkin,Buddy Bregman, Billy May and others. Ella appeared in two major films, “Pete Kelly’s Blues” 1955, and “St. Louis Blues” 1958. She had open heart surgery in 1986. By 1990 with her health failing, diabetes was taking its toll. Her final concert was in December 1992. Her last released recording was “All that Jazz” in 1990.

8 MARCH 30, 2017 • Number 13 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

THE HEALTH OF HEALTHCARE

NO FREEDOM FOR ALL

LOAN TODAY. HOME TOMORROW.

EDITORIAL

TOSS THE TOLL Ah, yes. Another week, another Queens transportation issue.

Two weeks ago, in this space, we explored the frustration surrounding ludicrously long commute times, especially for residents of southern borough communities, and how that could ostensibly be alleviated by the reactivation of the long-defunct Rockaway Beach Rail Line.

This week, we cautiously wade deeper into the murky waters of Lake Ludicrous to discuss the continued absurdity that is the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge toll for World’s Borough residents.

As State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) noted on Monday, Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges and Tunnels staff have begun to remove tolling stations along the Cross Bay Bridge as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plans to implement cashless tolling for all MTA-operated spans in the New York metropolitan area by the end of the year. Beginning April 30, the Bridge will feature open-road tolling – sensors and cameras will be suspended over the highway on structures called “gantries” that read

E-ZPass tags and take license plate images, so vehicles no longer have to stop to pay.

We believe certain vehicles should not be compelled to pay the toll. Period.

“Access over the bridge should be free for all Queens residents,” Addabbo said. “We all know that the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge is the

LEGALLY SPEAKING

More than a century ago, 146 garment workers, mostly women, died when a raging fire trapped them behind doors that were locked by their employer to prevent perceived theft. They died of smoke inhalation or falls while trying to flee the fire, or were burned alive because they were unable to get out. In order to save money and increase profits, their employer had previously refused to install sprinkler systems and provide working fire equipment. Despite clear fault on their part, the employers were cleared of any wrongdoing in what is known as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 1911.

Protracted lawsuits filed against them by the families of the dead were eventually settled for $75 per life lost. While this tragedy temporarily outraged the public and forced public officials to improve worker safety, which was the impetus

only bridge in New York City that requires you pay a toll to travel within the same borough. As I recently drove into the Rockaway part of my district and watched the dismantling of the toll structures there, I thought that this toll should be eliminated totally.”

Bravo, Addabbo!

That familiar transportation frustration begins to settle in when we

stop and really consider that the Cross Bay Bridge is the only link in the greatest city in the world that requires drivers to pay a fee to travel WITHIN THE SAME BOROUGH. According to the State Senate, the bridge is the only practical access to shopping and services for residents.

The toll had been free for 12 years for those Broad Channel and Rockaway residents who used E-Z Pass, but was reinstated a few years ago to help close an $800 million gap in the MTA budget.

In December 2011, former U.S. Rep. Bob Turner penned a letter to Cuomo, calling on the governor to bring a merciful end to the only intraborough bridge toll in the Big Apple.

“There is no justification for the residents of Queens to bear this toll,” Turner said in the missive. “Quite simply, the toll is a discriminatory fee against Queens’ residents. It forces them to pay a toll to travel from one part of the borough to another. It is a dubious and expensive distinction that my constituents who commute to New York City, who visit friends and family in Queens, and who travel throughout the area have to pay this toll.”

Turner ended the letter by appeal-

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.

for Workers’ Compensation legislation, years later workers are still getting injured, maimed, and killed and are not at all compensated adequately for their injuries.

I recently read a story in the New York Post about an incident that took place 10 years after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire about young women who were hired to paint watch dial numerals and hands with radium. At the time, these young ladies were unaware of the dangers of radium, which is highly radioactive with exposure that can result in cancer and other illnesses, as well as death. The women would dip their paint brushes in the radium and then paint the watches.

Since the brushes needed to have a fine point, they would put the tip of the paint brush in their mouths. They were never informed of the dangerous nature of their work.

It appears that at least some, if not all, of the managers and owners of the factory knew of the dangers, but almost nothing was done to discourage the practice as it would have slowed down the

work and thus reduced profits. Within fighting a battle against greed. Once a number of years, many of these wom- again, big business in the form of the en became quite ill and died torturous Business Council is using its vast resourcdeaths. There was very little investigation es to try to get Albany to again reduce the by the Department of Labor, which was benefits given to injured workers in this pro- business and worker safety was low state. Those people who now are unable on their list of priorities. Once the dying to obtain adequate wage replacement or women learned that they had been poi- medical treatment, whose lives are upsoned by the radium, a law suit was filed. rooted, or have lost their homes and their Despite the fact that the women’s skin hope for a healthy future are engaged in a was perpetually glowing, the company battle that they are financially, physically, fought against the claim for years hoping and emotionally unable to fight alone. they would die before they could testify, You can help by contacting your State but eventually agreeing to a meager mon- Senator and Assemblymember to vote etary settlement. against any bill that would reduce benBoth tragic stories are similar in that efits to injured workers. Injured workers worker safety was very much ignored in include those who have built your towns favor of profits. The hope for monetary and cities, who have watched your chilcompensation was pretty much a David dren, who have served you at restaurants, and Goliath battle with big business and and who have taken care of your sick. insurance companies pitted against the They are your family, your friends, and sick and injured. Neither was a fair fight. your neighbors – and they need you to Here we are, 100 years later and still help them battle Goliath.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 9

Addabbo Talks 2017-2018 State Budget Priorities

By Forum Staff With the state budget deadline just a couple of days away, Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) this week said this fiscal year he’s focused on fighting for veterans’ services, programs for senior citizens and disabled New Yorkers, education, health care and infrastructure funding.

“By April 1, we should have a state budget in place for the upcoming fiscal year that will meet the most important needs and concerns of New York residents,” Addabbo said. “To me, this means – among other issues – ensuring adequate funding for counseling, legal defense and other programs for veterans; protecting resources for New York City senior centers under Title XX; providing necessary support for New York City children in both public and private schools, and maintaining access to health care for the poor, elderly and disabled. It also means improving our roads, mass transit services and other vital components of our infrastructure.”

Addabbo also mentioned that he’s keep-

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo’s Office

Sen. Addabbo said he believes that the upcoming budget “will meet the most important needs and concerns of New York residents.”

ing an eye on federal budget movements, because, he warned, future action by the White House and Congress may at one point lead to significant cuts to important programs and services in New York.

“Our fiscal year in New York begins on April 1, but the federal fiscal year starts in October,” Addabbo noted. “As the United States Senate and House of Representatives begin to consider the President’s budget

proposals and other items on his agenda, it is very possible that decisions in Washington will threaten to unravel progress we are working to achieve in New York. Ultimately, and unfortunately, this could mean the State Legislature and Governor may need to come back later in the year to make changes to the enacted State Budget to address federal cuts.”

The senator said early indications are that President Donald Trump is seeking to slash “domestic programs of vital importance to New York’s residents, including its most vulnerable populations. Possible infrastructure cuts may also affect such local transportation programs as the Select Bus Service proposal. I’m no fan of SBS, but I also don’t want to see Washington tampering with the City’s efforts to manage its own transit policies.”

Addabbo also pointed out that the state budget process is now in the final stages of the conference committee process in which the Senate and Assembly examine different issue areas, propose final funding and language bills, and work to come to agreement with Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the plan.

Cashless Tolling on its Way to Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge

be mounted inside the vehicle’s front windshield, Cuomo noted.

Addabbo supports cashless tolling, but also said that he worried about the fate of toll booth staff.

“While the MTA has assured me that

there will be no immediate loss of jobs, I am concerned about the possible elimination of the toll booth positions over time,” the senator, who worked the Cross Bay Bridge booth in the 1980s, said. “Aside from the likely jobs reduction, there are other is-

sues that will have to be monitored with the new cashless toll arrangement, such as the potential for lax enforcement against toll evaders and unpaid invoices mailed to the registered vehicle owners, which could cause the MTA to lose millions.”

While Cuomo’s plans include provisions to enforce stiffer penalties on toll evaders and out-of-state travelers, Addabbo said he feels more can be done for the taxpaying residents in the 15th District and throughout the borough. Addabbo has been advocating for an idea that has been heard before: Remove the toll entirely on the Cross Bay Bridge – if not completely, then minimally from Labor Day to Memorial Day. “Access over the bridge should be free for all Queens residents,” Addabbo said.

“We all know that the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge is the only bridge in New York City that requires you pay a toll to travel within the same borough. As I recently drove into the Rockaway part of my district and watched the dismantling of the toll structures there, I thought that this toll should be eliminated totally.”

grow deep and strong. Deep, strong roots are essential to healthy, lush lawns. While aeration can help many lawns, not every lawn will necessarily need to be aerated. Lawns that get heavy use, such as those that are often played on by children or pets, will likely benefit from periodic aeration. Feeling the lawn also can help homeowners determine

if it needs to be aerated. Lawns that dry out quickly or feel spongy may be overcome with thatch, which can prevent lawns from getting the air, water and nutrients they need to thrive. Lawncare professionals recommend aerating lawns that contain thatch that is more than one-half inch. Thatch also can foster grub infestations, providing an-

other benefit to removing it and aerating a lawn. When to aerate depends on the type of grass. Homeowners should consult with a lawncare professional about the best time to aerate their particular lawns, but it’s generally recommended that cool-season grasses be aerated in early spring or fall, while it’s best to aerate warm season grasses in late spring.

By Forum Staff Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges and Tunnels staff have begun to remove tolling stations along the Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge as part of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s plans to implement cashless tolling for all MTA-operated spans in the New York metropolitan area by the end of the year, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (DHoward Beach) noted this week.

According to Cuomo, with the April 30 implementation of open-road tolling, sensors and cameras will be suspended over the highway on structures called “gantries” that read E-ZPass tags and take license plate images, so vehicles no longer have to stop to pay the toll. Vehicles with E-ZPass tags are automatically charged. Non-E-ZPass vehicles have their license plates recorded and a bill is mailed to the registered owner of each vehicle every 30 days. Customers who pay tolls by mail will pay the same toll rate as previously paid by cash customers, and E-ZPass customers with New York Service Center tags will continue to get at least a 30 percent discount. E-ZPass tags should

By Forum Staff One of the ways homeowners can keep their lawns looking lush and green is to aerate the turf when the need arises. Aerators perforate the soil with small holes. These holes allow air, nutrients and water to penetrate all the way to the roots, helping them

Cashless tolling on the Cross Bay Bridge will begin on April 30.

10 MARCH 30, 2017 • Number 13 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 11

Ulrich Secures Funding to Keep PS 207 Afterschool Program Running Through June

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

OPIOID ADDICTION

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The PS 207 Champions Club afterschool program will remain in operation until the end of the school year.

By Forum Staff

“It would have been a tremendous hardship to have the program come to a close at the end of March, as it provides an invaluable service to families and a safe environment for students. Council Member Ulrich’s office stepped in and was able to secure funding to sustain the program. We are grateful for his quick action and dedication to the community.”

The Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation program at PS 207 provides a wide range of sports, arts and academic enrichment activities to students grades K-5. The Champions Club began in 2014 as part of a citywide expansion of afterschool services for communities in need. Prior to its opening, PS 207 was one of two schools in the neighborhood that did not offer an afterschool program.

“At SASF, our goal is to give families the support they need by offering after school programs where students’ learning is enhanced and they can explore new passions,” said Maureen Fonseca, CEO, SASF. “With the help of Councilman Ulrich, we can continue to support the children at PS 207.”

Parents Luis and Surisaday Gatti added, “On behalf of all the PS 207 parents and students attending the after school program, we want to express our gratitude to Councilman Ulrich and his staff for helping keep open the program that we hardworking parents desperately need, and students love so much. This achievement is in large part to his leadership, hard work and commitment to our community.”

To learn more about the Champions Club program at PS 207, contact Nathalie Louis at (718) 638-7086 or Jan Vazquez at (718) 440-6237.

City Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park) on Monday announced he will appropriate the funds necessary to sustain the PS 207 Champions Club afterschool program through the end of the school year.

“Programs like the ‘Champions Club’ offer students a safe place to go after the school day is over, where they can learn, engage in physical fitness and socialize,” Ulrich said. “In nearly half of all households with children, both parents work full-time. It is essential that families have access to programs like this in their communities. I’m happy to work with Principal [Eileen] Davies and [Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation] to save this very important program.”

According to the councilman, after he learned that the Champions Club, which is run by SASF, may have to close, he met with Principal Davies and organization representatives last week. To preserve the service, Ulrich said he committed to appropriate the discretionary funding necessary to sustain the program at the Howard Beach school.

Open Monday through Friday from 2:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m., the program offers a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics-focused curriculum. The Champions Club also provides students with homework help, educational trips and physical fitness activities at the 88th Street school.

“Thank you to Council Member Eric Ulrich for helping to keep the SASF after school program at PS 207 up and running,” said parents Peter and Mary Laddomada.

12 MARCH 30, 2017 • Number 13 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

We spent the last several weeks bringing you information about the sweeping epidemic of opioid addiction.

Prescription painkillers like Percocet and Vicodin, as well as the staggering escalation in heroin use, killed more than 33,000 people in 2015.

Opiate addiction, whether it starts at the office of local physician, in a hospital or in an illicit transaction on the street, is all around you. Opiates are dangerous equalizers and do not discriminate against their victims. They can insinuate themselves into the lives of kids, parents, teachers, students, lawyers, housewives, priests and stay at home moms.

Numbers don't lie and in this case they add up to death. Over the last decade, the number of lives lost in women due to prescription pain killers has quadrupled ; in men it has more than doubled. Heroin overdoses have tripled in women over the last few years. In 2015 there were 33,000 opioid induced deaths.

These are not warning signals–they are five alarm blazes.

We need to recognize the fact whatever the reason for a person's opiate use dependence on these drugs, whether from pills or heroin, it can quickly morph into a life threatening situation.

If you know someone that you think is dependant on opiates, you should be aware of the fact that a great percentage of overdoses occur in the home and in the presence of family members and friends.

KNOW THE SIGNS of an opioid emergency. Unusual sleepiness, slow or shallow breathing, pinpoint pupils– these are all indicators of potentially lethal situation.

Overdosing is so rampant that it has encouraged the production and manufacture, by the pharmaceutical industry, for a sort of "antidote."

They have essentially produced an "epipen type device" for opioid overdoses which deliver lifesaving drug Naloxone in time to halt the episode. The sad fact is that we need such a remedy, but the fact is we do and we thankfully have it.

We know for some folks it may be a difficult subject for discussion, but please remember that your pharmacist can provide you with a wealth of information to deal with every aspect of this complex addiction.

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House Votes to Repeal FCC Protections of Personal Consumer Information

By Michael V. Cusenza The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday voted in favor of repealing protections of personal consumer information from being sold to third parties or the highest bidding companies.

Last week, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer noted, Senate Republicans voted in support of a bill to roll back broadband privacy regulations that were put in place by the Federal Communication Commission last October to prevent internet service providers – Comcast, Verizon, AT&T – from collecting and selling sensitive information.

According to Schumer, now that the bill has passed the House, the contents of an individual’s emails or web browsing history – which could include anything from health to finances to Social Security Numbers, and more – could be sold to third parties without the individual’s explicit consent. Schumer said that ISPs should be held to stricter standards, and that consumers should be required to consent to this kind of information being sold to data brokers and other private companies looking to make money off of personal information.

“A family’s personal information shouldn’t go to the highest bidder and an internet connection shouldn’t come with a

Photo Courtesy of Bordas & Bordas Attorneys, PLLC

According to Sen. Schumer, if the bill passes the House of Representatives, it could mean dire consequences for personal consumer information.

welcome mat for companies to walk all over you without your knowledge,” Schumer added. “This vote to dismantle and kill the protections put in place for a person’s private information is a real danger to consumers, who, for years now, have been on the losing end of privacy battles. The little

privacy we have left, the kind that enshrines our personal emails, our health information, our finances and even the websites our kids visit must not be made available to everyone and anyone. That’s why I will continue to fight this rollback on consumer privacy tooth and nail.”

Schumer made the case that by overturning the broadband privacy rules, companies will be able to learn more about an individual’s identity and track personal habits. For instance, Schumer said that ISPs may sell personal data on a person who might be pregnant and googling baby products; or ISPs may sell personal data on a person who might have cancer and is googling cancer treatment options; or a person who might have an addiction problem who is googling rehabilitation centers. He said that these examples show how serious this issue is and how important consumer privacy is to people nationwide.

Under the Senate bill, private browsing information and application-usage history is compromised.

New York’s senior senator went on to note that the broadband regulations that were enacted by the FCC last term were part of an effort to improve the way ISPs treat customer data. Under the rules, information such as one’s SSN, email contents, browsing history, precise geo-location, app usage, and health and financial information were defined as sensitive personal data. As a result, ISPs would be barred from using this information, unless the consumer consented. Now that the legislation has passed the House as well, the law would prevent the FCC from reinstating similar privacy protections in the future, Schumer said.

Leader of Violent Extortion Crew Targeting Astoria Businesses Sentenced to 57 Years in Prison

By Forum Staff The head of a violent Albanian crew on Friday was sentenced to 57 years and one day of imprisonment for three counts of extortion conspiracy, three counts of attempted extortion, three counts of threatening physical violence in furtherance of an extortion plan, and three counts of brandishing a firearm in connection with the crimes, according to the Justice Department.

The charges relate to Redinel Dervishaj’s participation in three schemes to extort small business owners in Astoria. His co-defendants Denis Nikolla and Besnik Llakatura, a police officer with the NYPD on Staten Island at the time of the crimes, previously pled guilty. Nikolla was sentenced on March 10 to 18 years’ imprisonment. Llakatura is awaiting his fate.

According to court filings and evidence presented at trial, between May and November 2013, Dervishaj, Llakatura and Nikolla conspired and attempted to extort a restaurant owner, demanding monthly payments in exchange for so-called “protection.” Shortly after the victim opened a restaurant in Astoria, Dervishaj demanded $4,000 per month because the victim had opened it in “our neighborhood.” The victim sought help from his friend Llakatura, who at the time was a City cop working in the 120th Precinct. Unbeknownst to him, Llakatura was already conspiring with Dervishaj and Nikolla in the extortion. Llakatura actively discouraged the victim from reporting the extortion to the police and warned the victim that Dervishaj, 40, would hurt him. Llakatura added that Dervishaj had ties to dangerous Albanian organized crime figures, including

Redinel Dervishaj

Photo Courtesy of DOJ

his brother Plaurent Dervishaj, at the time Albania’s most wanted fugitive. When the victim failed to make the demanded payments, Nikolla – accompanied by Dervishaj – threatened him on a public street in Queens and chased him at gunpoint, ready to fire, before the victim managed to escape in his car. Shortly thereafter, Dervishaj called the victim and told him that he “got lucky this time.” Over the course of five months, Dervishaj, Llakatura, and Nikolla took turns collecting monthly extortion payments totaling $24,000.

Additionally, In April 2012, the three defendants attempted to extort $400 a week from the owner of two borough nightclubs. After he refused to pay, Nikolla stuck a gun in the owner’s ribs, and informed him that if he wasn’t paid, Nikolla would come to the owner’s house and beat him up in front of his wife and children.

Also in 2013, Dervishaj, Nikolla, and Llakatura conspired and attempted to extort the owner of two Astoria social clubs. Nikolla made the initial extortion demand, seeking payments of $1,000 per week from the proprietor for “protection.” The owner refused to make the demanded payments and ceased going to his social clubs out of fear for his safety.

Court-authorized wiretaps of the defendants’ telephones revealed evidence of the extortion conspiracy and the crooks’ attempts to locate the victim. In one instance, according to the U.S. Attorney, all three threatened, punched, and pulled a gun on a friend of the victim in an effort to make the friend locate the victim. The victim ultimately fled to a foreign country for a period of time to avoid the threats.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 13

New Report Highlights Need for Comprehensive Plan to Serve Seniors: Stringer

By Forum Staff

City Comptroller Scott Stringer recently unveiled a new report that highlighted current challenges and the need for additional support for NYC’s senior population now and in the future.

In announcing the findings of the analysis – “Aging with Dignity: A Blueprint for Serving NYC’s Growing Senior Population” – Stringer called on the City to launch an agency-by-agency, neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach to serving its seniors.

“We need to act today – not tomorrow. Seniors are the anchors of our communities, and we must ensure they have the support they deserve. We need to have an all-hands-on-deck approach, from every City agency, because this is too important. As we face significant demographic changes, we need to reimagine how we support our current and future seniors,” Stringer said. “We hope these specific ideas and this blueprint will jumpstart a longterm conversation in the city – and help develop a long-term strategy – about how to deliver for New Yorkers for decades to come.

Our approach should help more New Yorkers stay in their homes and age in place – it’s cheaper, it’s smarter, it allows New Yorkers to remain involved in their communities. Most importantly, it’s the right thing to do, and now is the

time to act.”

According to the analysis, the growing population of New Yorkers aged 65 and older faces challenges with affordability, transportation, housing, and other obstacles. While calling for the City to perform long-term, comprehensive planning, Stringer’s blueprint lays out specific proposals that he said will be necessary to better serve seniors, including: Creating Housing Options Freezing rents by automatically enrolling New Yorkers in the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption: Additional senior renters can more easily remain in their apartments if they are automatically enrolled in the Senior Citizens Rent Increase Exemption program, which freezes their

rent. This change would add an estimated 26,000 seniors to the program.

Mitigating affordability challenges by expanding tax credits through the Senior Citizens Homeowners’ Exemption: To support seniors who own their homes, the City should expand eligibility for the Senior Citizens Homeowners’ Exemption to cover those with incomes up to $50,000. That would make approximately 29,000 more homeowners eligible for the program and mitigate affordability challenges.

Transforming age-friendly home improvements: The City should establish a program that helps seniors make their homes age-friendly through enhanced requirements on landlords, or new tax credits for homeowners, that

finance modifications like widened doors, grab bars in bathrooms, and no-slip surfaces, as other cities already have.

Developing More Liveable Communities Creating tailored, neighborhood action plans by expanding the Age-Friendly Neighborhoods program: In 2010, the City launched the “Age-Friendly Neighborhoods” program, which created neighborhood action plans for over a dozen neighborhoods to better support seniors.

To plan for the long-term, that program should be expanded significantly so communities can pinpoint their needs in a local way.

Eliminating senior center deserts by strengthening investments: Senior centers are not

consistently located in places with a large number of seniors, which may be preventing seniors in certain neighborhoods from benefitting from services. Currently, certain neighborhoods –like borough communities Bayside, Queens Village, Cambria Heights; Bensonhurst in Brooklyn; and Tottenville, Staten Island – with large numbers of seniors have relatively few options, Stringer said. Studies show that seniors who do not utilize senior centers cite inconvenient locations as one of the top five reasons they do not attend. Additional funding and modernization of our senior centers is necessary to not only eliminate senior center deserts, but also to prepare for an aging population.

Significantly increasing the number of bus shelters and benches and bolstering the Safe Streets for Seniors program: Just onefourth of all bus stops have shelters, and 14 of the 20 community districts with the largest number of seniors have among the lowest ratios of benches per 10,000 seniors. The ability to travel is critical for older New Yorkers as they age in place, Stringer noted, and sometimes a bus shelter or bench can be the deciding factor.

The City and State can improve accessibility to public transportation by adding more bus shelters, benches, elevators, and escalators.

Courtesy of the City Comptroller’s Office

Mayor Promotes Mansion Tax Proposal at Rally in Albany

By Michael V. Cusenza Mayor Bill de Blasio last week attended a rally in Albany to promote the proposed Mansion Tax which would establish and fund the Elder Rental Assistance Program.

De Blasio unveiled ERAP in February as part of his 2017 State of the City address.

According to the administration, revenues under the mayor’s Mansion Tax proposal would be lock-boxed specifically for senior affordable housing. The tax would institute a 2.5-percent marginal tax for incremental price over $2 million. According to recent sales data, the policy would affect the top 4,500 residential real estate transactions in the upcoming year and would generate approximately $336 million in Fiscal Year 2018. Those funds would be devoted to ERAP for 25,000 New Yorkers, 62 years and older who earn less than $50,000 per year.

“The Mansion Tax makes so much sense. It says anyone who buys a home in New York City of over $2 million in value 14 MARCH 30, 2017 • Number 13 VOL. 16 •

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

De Blasio also recently visited senior centers in Astoria and Manhattan to promote the mansion tax and Elder Rental Assistance Program.

pays a little bit more so senior citizens can have affordable housing. 25,000 senior citizens would get affordable housing through the Mansion Tax,” de Blasio noted as he addressed the capital crowd last WednesTHE FORUM NEWSGROUP

day. “You know what the average cost of a home covered by this tax [is]? $4.5 million.

I think we can all agree, if someone can afford to buy a $4.5 million-dollar home, they can give a little more so our seniors

can have affordable housing, right?”

The Elder Rental Assistance Program, created jointly by the Assembly and the Mayor’s Office, would ensure a senior living on a Social Security check of $1,350 per month would spend no more than $450 per month on rent—helping them stay in their home and age with dignity, according to the administration and the Lower Chamber.

“We say as a society, we honor our elders. We say that we want to make sure they’re taken care of in their golden years.

But, for too many of them, they cannot afford the rent. They’re choosing between rent, and medicine, and food. I’ve talked to seniors – I know people have here too – who literally have to make that choice each month,” de Blasio said. “We owe it to them to get it right and asking the wealthy to pay their fair share so our seniors can have decent life is a thing we call common sense.

Let’s pass this Mansion Tax. Let’s pass this expanded millionaires’ tax. Let’s serve the people of New York City and New York State.”

Cuomo Launches Public-Private Immigrant Legal Defense Initiative

By Forum Staff

Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday launched the nation’s first public-private immigrant legal defense initiative called the Liberty Defense Project in response to what Cuomo characterized as “the surge in demand for help that is overwhelming nonprofit organizations serving immigrants.”

The partnership will be supported by more than $1 million in funding to provide legal assistance and representation to immigrants in New York, regardless of their residency status, through a network of pro bono attorneys, law students and legal professionals.

According to the Governor’s Office, the initiative is a public-private partnership between the New York Department of State, two philanthropic organizations—the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Ford Foundation— and a statewide coalition of 182 advocacy organizations and legal entities. Private sector law firms, legal departments at universities, bar associations and advocacy organizations, will be coordinated by the State’s Office for New Americans to provide pro bono legal and additional resources for immigrants threatened by recent changes in immigration policies.

According to Cuomo, the LDP pledges to: • Provide legal assistance and repre-

Photo Courtesy of Kevin P. Coughlin/Office of the Governor

In launching the Liberty Defense Project, Gov. Cuomo said that “immigrants have always been part of the fabric of this great state.”

sentation to immigrants in New York State through a network of pro bono attorneys, other legal professionals and law students.

• Assist immigrants in deportation proceedings.

• Assist in completing and filing applications for lawful permanent residence (also known as a green card), or temporary status, as well as work permits.

Provide outreach and educational help to assist parents who are potentially at risk of deportation to fill appropriate forms and prepare emergency plans for the care of their

children in case they are detained or deported. This will enhance the work already being done at centers run by the State Office for New Americans throughout New York.

“New York is a beacon of hope and opportunity for all, and immigrants have always been part of the fabric of this great state,” Cuomo said. “During these stormy times, it’s critical all New Yorkers have access to their full rights under the law. The first-of-its-kind Liberty Defense Project will provide legal support to protect immigrants and ensure this state is living up

to the values embodied by the Lady in our Harbor.”

Cuomo also said that the initiative will rely on immigrant advocates, such as Catholic Charities, to help provide greater access to legal services for immigrants threatened by recent changes in federal immigration policies. According to the governor, these advocates will help to organize the participation of volunteer attorneys and offer other support and guidance to the Liberty Defense Project.

Additionally, in recognition of the scarcity of immigration attorneys in areas outside New York City, the LDP will also partner with Equal Justice Works to place approximately 20 new attorneys and over 100 law students in communities with limited legal resources and high immigrant populations.

These lawyers will work full-time to aid immigrants in the state to access legal advice while adjusting their immigration status.

“New York’s immigrants are at the heart of our state’s rich civic and social diversity.

Legal representation dramatically improves outcomes for all New Yorkers,” said NY Secretary of State Rossana Rosado. “The Liberty Defense Project will ensure that immigrants in need are provided with counsel that will protect their rights. I want to thank Carnegie Corporation and Ford Foundations for their support and commitment to this vital and much-needed assistance.”

Russo’s Celebrates 30 Years With Fabulous Facelift

Forum Photo by Patricia Adams

The grand remodeling project focused on the terrace where hundreds of guests feast on fabulous cocktail hours prior to weddings and other grand parties in main rooms of the 440 area.

By Forum Staff Over the last thirty years thousands of brides and groom have come through the doors of Russo's on the Bay to celebrate arguably, one of the most important days of their lives.

No doubt a million or more memories have been made within the rooms of the iconic catering

establishment. The ever popular venue is well known for their focus on quality and their ever evolving commitment to bringing "the best of everything" to their clients.

Such commitment extends well past the menu. Russo's maintains a strenuous and firm commitment to upgrades and renovations.

But the recent multi-million dollar makeover of the 440 ft. ter-

race––which plays host to the legendary, lavish cocktail hours that have left many a guest boasting about its splendor––has certainly surpassed any project at the venue.

Soft and warming taupe and grey hues are blended and balanced so perfectly that one is at once comforted by the decor and at the same time, energized by its uncompromised style.

Chandeliers, their geometry alternating between square and circular throughout the space, highlight the ceiling and are no doubt one fpca; point of the room.

Three bars, the largest of which While there are many exis in the middle of the space, were amples of classic Russo grandeur crafted by combining understated from floor to ceiling, it is highly elegant etched wooden panels doubtful that any project before framed with granite. it has accomplished more for a Sections of the floor alternates transformed space. The most reporcelain tiles–grey wood grained markable success of the design is planks with creamy colored blocks. it's ability to incorporate so many The ceiling is on a slant and houses influences and avoid chaos or cona grid reminiscent of screens in a flict. It's seems clear that Russo's Japanese tea house. has spent its thirty years wisely.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 15

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 17

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

Amato Brokerages, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/26/17. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 13320 85th St., Ozone Park, NY 11417. General Purpose.

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.

RRMS CAPITAL LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/05/2016. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: Rajesh Shah, 81-11 45th Ave., Apt. 6D, Elmhurst, NY 11373. Purpose: Any Lawful 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 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 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.

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.

Notice of Formation of SNOWY ROSY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/08/2016.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC 7025 YELLOWSTONE BLVD. #24N, FOREST HILLS, NY 11375. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

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.

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.

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.

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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

Real Physical Therapy PLLC. Art. of Org. filed w/ SSNY 2/21/17. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated for service of process and shall mail to: 17-52 Francis Lewis Blvd, Whitestone, NY 11357 Purpose: Physical Therapy

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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.

Notice of formation of DAMO IN NY LLC. Arts. of Org., filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 02/09/17. Office location: Queens County. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to JUNE NOH, 25 06 120TH STREET, FLUSHING, NY, 11354. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

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.

32-55, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/02/12. Amended to 34-35 100 STREET, LLC on 04/11/12. 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, 522 Alicia Drive, 45-15 25TH AVE LLC, Arts. of Org. Westbury, NY 11590. Purpose: Any lawful filed with the SSNY on 01/11/2017. Office loc: purpose.

Queens County. SSNY has been designated as

Notice of Formation of EMILY KLOPPENBURG STUDIO LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/09/17. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: Emily Kloppenburg, 4106 50th St., #6K, Woodside, NY 11377. Purpose: any lawful activities.

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.

501 Seneca Qiu LLC. Filed 2/1/17. OfDAMO IN NY LLC LLC App for Auth filed fice: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for with SSNY on 02/09/17. Off Loc: Queens Counprocess & shall mail to: 2032 Greene Ave Fl 3, ty, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom Ridgewood, NY 11385. Purpose: Genera process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail

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.

Higher Education Access Path, LLC. Filed 12/9/16. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 24425 130th Ave, Rosedale, NY 11422. Purpose: General.

a copy of process to: JUNE NOH, 25 06 120TH STREET #1E, FLUSHING, NY, 11354. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

SUKHAYU LLC App for Auth filed with SSNY on 2/24/17. Off Loc: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: SMITA KOSARE, 97-45 QUEENS BLVD 321205, Rego Park, NY, 11374. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of limited liability company (LLC). Name: 8MDR OF QUEENS REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/19/2016. 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 158-13 72ND AVENUE, FLUSHING, NY 11365. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

YAK SIPPIN ENTERTAINMENT LLC App for Auth filed with SSNY on 12/28/16. 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: DAMIEN HAYES, 176-09 129TH AVENUE, JAMICA, NY 11434.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

18 MARCH 30, 2017 • Number 13 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Geo 30 LLC. Filed 1/13/16. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: Andrew D. Greene, P.c., 3000 Marcus Ave Ste 1W11, New Hyde Park, NY 11042. Purpose: General.

Rhythmic Learning LLC. Filed 12/5/16.

Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 3458 32nd St Fl 2nd, Long Island City, NY 11106. Purpose: General.

Notice is hereby given that license #1300373 has been applied by the undersigned to sell liquor wine and beer under the alcoholic beverage control law at 113-30 Queens Blvd., Forest Hills, NY 11375 for onpremises consumption. R&S Hospitality LLC d/b/a Queens Bully.

Name Chnage Notice is hereby given that an order entered by the civil court, Queens county, on the 21 day of March, bearing Index Number NC-001177-16/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the office of the clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Boulevard, Jamaica, NY, 11435, grants me the right to assume the name of Ariana Singh. The city and state of my address are 87-23 124th Street, Apt.#2, Richmond Hill, NY, 11418-2760 the date of my birth is July 30, 2015; place of my birth is Queens, New York; my present name is (first) Ariana (last).

Sami

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 16 • Number 13 MARCH 30, 2017 | 19

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BOAR’S HEAD OVENGOLD TURKEY

7

$ 99 lb

Sliced to order

$5.00 OFF!

With Club Card. Limit one offer

EGGLAND’S BEST LARGE EGGS

WITH A $75.00 PURCHASE

GOOD ONLY FROM 3-30 THRU 4-6 ONE OFFER PER HOUSEHOLD NO OFFERS HONORED WITHOUT PRESENTING THIS CUPON COUPON EXPIRES 4/06/2017 ACTUAL PRODUCT MAY NOT APPEAR AS SEEN IN INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS.

20 MARCH 30, 2017 • Number 13 VOL. 16 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

2

$ 99

18 PACK