VOL. 21 • NUMBER 15 • APRIL 21, 2022
MOM MURDER MYSTERY Woman’s Massacred Body Found inside Duffel Bag Dumped near Forest Park
See story on page 2
City cops believe 51-year-old mother of two Orsolya Gaal was stabbed to death inside her Forest Hills home early Saturday morning. Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 15 • APRIL 21 2022 | 1
Cops Hunt Forest Hills Mom Slayer
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Neighbors left flowers at the base of a tree just outside the Juno Street home in which Orsolya Gaal was viciously stabbed to death.
By Michael V. Cusenza The butchered body of a Forest Hills mother of two was discovered inside a hockey bag on Metropolitan Avenue and the Jackie Robinson Parkway, near Forest Park, early Saturday morning, according to police and published reports. Detectives said Orsolya Gaal, 51, was stabbed to death inside her Forest Hills home a few hours before her body was found roughly a half-mile away by a man walking his two dogs. According to the New York Post, Gaal was stabbed almost 60 times. As of Wednesday afternoon, cops were still trying to figure out what the victim had been doing 24 hours prior to her demise. According to the Post, Gaal spent the night out with friends in Manhattan at Lincoln
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Center and at least one borough bar. “What happened in the hours leading up to her brutal slaying remains largely a mystery,” the Post wrote. Police sources have indicated to several publications that detectives believe Gaal knew her assailant, but that the killer did not plan the brutal slaying. At press time, cops sought to question “a former handyman lover of Gaal who had intimate knowledge of her home—including where the family kept a spare key” to their Juno Street home.
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
A man walking his dogs early Saturday morning discovered Gaal’s body inside a bload-soaked hockey bag on Metropolitan Avenue and the Jackie Robinson Parkway.
Brooklyn Man Charged in Attacks on Sikhs in Richmond Hill
Photo Courtesy of NYPD
Detectives announced on social media that Douglas had been apprehended.
By Forum Staff A Brooklyn man has been charged with attacking and robbing three Sikh men in three separate incidents in Richmond Hill earlier this month, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Saturday. Vernon Douglas, 19, was arraigned on
Saturday on a 13-count complaint charging him with robbery in the first and second degree as a hate crime, four counts of assault in the second degree as a hate crime, assault in the second degree of an elderly person over 65, three counts of assault in the third degree as a hate crime and three counts of aggravated harassment in the second degree as a hate crime. A second man, Hezekiah Coleman, 20, is also charged with Douglas in connection with one of the attacks. Coleman, a Richmond Hill resident, was arraigned last Wednesday on a five-count complaint charging him with robbery in the first and second degree and assault in the second degree. District Attorney Katz said that, according to the criminal charges, at approximately 6:45 a.m. on April 3, Douglas approached a 70-year-old man as he was walking near the intersection of 95th Avenue and Lefferts Boulevard. The victim was
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wearing a turban. Douglas allegedly punched the victim several times in the face and head. The victim was treated at a local hospital for bruising to his right eye and bleeding from his nose. According to the complaint, during a second incident at the same location, on April 12, at approximately 7 a.m., Douglas, shirtless and carrying a stick, approached a 45-year-old man wearing a turban. Douglas allegedly hit the victim several times with the stick, striking him in the head and face and then punched him several times, again aiming for the man’s head and face. During the volley of blows, the victim’s wallet was dislodged from his pocket and fell to the ground. Douglas allegedly picked it up, removed $300 in cash, threw the wallet to the ground and then fled the scene. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he required stitches to his forehead and treatment of his injuries. Minutes later, at the same location, Douglas, still shirtless, approached a third
victim, 58, and allegedly hit him multiple times in the head and face with a stick, causing the man’s turban to fall from his head. Douglas then picked up the head wrap and allegedly pulled the victim’s beard. At that time, Coleman allegedly approached the victim and punched him multiple times, then threatened to shoot him. Douglas allegedly took $200 from the victim’s pocket and ran away. The victim was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for the injuries. “We will not tolerate beatings motivated by hate in the borough of Queens— the most diverse county in the world. Our diversity is our strength and no acts of violence will undermine who we are,” Katz said. “This defendant, along with his codefendant, will be held to account for the charges of which they are accused.” If convicted, Douglas faces up to 25 years in prison. If convicted, Coleman faces up to 25 years in prison.
Pol Lauds State Public Safety Reforms By Forum Staff State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) recently noted that that Fiscal Year 2023 Enacted State Budget includes a number of public safety reforms to improve the protection of New Yorkers and make the criminal justice system more accountable. These changes allow judges to set bail for gun charges that previously only allowed for release, add circumstances judges must consider when setting bail for any bail-eligible offense, address Discovery and “Raise the Age” loopholes, improve the effectiveness of Kendra's Law, and provides $90 million in new funding to support the implementation of discovery reform and pretrial services. The Enacted Budget includes $227 million to strengthen the prevention of gun violence. This includes $13.1 million to expand the use of Community Stabilization Units, tripled investments in New York's SNUG outreach program, $18 million in direct support to local law enforcement for gun violence prevention, $20 million to respond to the aftermath of gun violence, and $3 million for the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The enacted reforms will expand the list of factors that judges must consider when setting bail to include: • Any previous violation of an order of protection, which currently only applies in domestic violence cases; • History of gun use or possession, which currently only applies in domestic violence cases; • Whether the charge is alleged to have caused serious harm to an individual or individuals. Police would now be able to make arrests for all repeat offenses currently covered by the bail law. Those with repeat felonies and class A misde-
meanors involving harm to a person or property will now be bail-eligible or arrest-eligible, as well as repeat theft of property offenses, with minimal exceptions for crimes of poverty. All hate crimes will become arrest-eligible if the individual is eighteen or older. Judges can set bail for all felony gun offenses that are not currently bail-eligible including: • Criminal sale of a firearm to a minor • Criminal possession of a defaced firearm • Criminal possession of an unloaded gun and arrest-eligible on a second offense • Criminal possession of a gun on school grounds is already bail-eligible but not arrest-eligible, will now become arrest-eligible if the individual is eighteen years old or older Prosecuting gun trafficking will now be easier, Addabbo said: • The illegal sale of two or more guns (previously 5 guns) within a year, will now constitute a C felony • The illegal sale of three or more guns (previously 10 guns) within a year will now constitute a B felony • Possession of three or more guns (previously five guns) will constitute a presumption of the intent to sell, making it easier to bring forth charges These new reforms will ensure that when a prosecutor cannot access discoverable material but has tried to obtain the material diligently and in good faith, the court can only issue sanctions and remedies that are proportionate to the nature of the missing material, and cases will not be automatically dismissed, Addabbo added. “I intend to stand with my colleagues in the State Legislature ready to do whatever is necessary to address the need to protect the people of our state,” the senator said.
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“I intend to stand with my colleagues in the State Legislature ready to do whatever is necessary to address the need to protect the people of our state,” Sen. Addabbo said.
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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 15 • APRIL 21 2022 | 3
Betty A. Leon, Esq. to Become First Woman of Color on NYRA Board of Directors By Forum Staff Renowned Rockaway community leader Betty A. Leon, Esq. is set to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the New York Racing Association, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) announced Tuesday. Pheffer Amato, who represents the Aqueduct Racetrack, is authorized to nominate a member of the community to the New York Racing Association’s Board of Director, with the final approval and official appointment by New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie. This specific appointment plays a critical role in ensuring that the community of South Queens, along with the hundreds of residents who work at the racetrack not only have a voice, but an advocate and a seat at the table. “This is victory not only for the State, but for our community in South Queens. The board will be greatly improved by the contributions Betty will make through her vast experience and wealth of knowledge,” said Pheffer Amato. “Her decades of leadership in the community make her the perfect person to ensure that our community, and the individuals and families who work in the racing and wagering field, are properly represented and cared for on a State level.”
File Photo
The assemblywoman sits on the New York State Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee and brought Leon’s name forward to Heastie for consideration. “It was the Speaker who gave the final approval on Betty ’s appointment. I am grateful for his extraordinary partnership and for elevating Betty to this position,” Pheffer Amato said.
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“I am proud to appoint Betty Leon to the NYRA Board of Directors because I am confident that she will be a valuable asset to the board, and that she will add much-needed diversity to the board.” Heastie said. “Her deep roots in the Rockaway community ensure that she will protect the interests of all the stakeholders, including the hardworking New Yorkers whose livelihoods depend on the
continued success of New York’s horse racing industry. I would also like to thank Assemblymember Pheffer Amato for her recommendation.” Leon is a resident of Far Rockaway and is a registered nurse and attorney. Her activism and involvement in the community knows no limit as she has been involved in Community Board 14, sitting on the Board of Directors as First Vice Chair at the Addabbo Health Center, serving as Chair of Peninsula Preparatory Academy Charter School and work throughout Queens County. "I am extremely humbled and excited to be appointed to the Board of Directors of the New York Racing Association. I have been on many boards and an advocate for my South East Queens Community in the Rockaways for decades. I do this not for the recognition, but to ensure that our community is in the forefront and has a seat and voice at the table. It is welcoming to know that someone like our Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato noticed my works and was willing to place my name for consideration. Thank you, Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato and thank you Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for your appointment. I will continue to be a fierce advocate for the people of my community and the State,” Leon said.
Healthcare Fraudster Sentenced to Federal Prison
Village Stardrugs Inc. was located in South Richmond Hill.
By Forum Staff The owner and operator of five borough pharmacies was recently sentenced to 78 months in prison for carrying out multiple schemes to defraud health care programs, including obtaining more than $6.5 million from Medicare Part D plans and Medicaid drug plans, federal prosecutors announced. Aleah “Abby” Mohammed, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud, one count of health care fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud in April 2021. According to court documents, Mohammed was an owner and operator of five pharmacies: Superdrugs Inc., Superdrugs I Inc., Superdrugs II Inc., S&A Superdrugs II Inc. and Village Stardrugs Inc. Between 2015 and 2020, Mohammed utilized these pharmacies to engage in schemes that defrauded health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, by submitting claims for prescription drugs that were not dispensed, not prescribed as claimed, not
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medically necessary, or that were purportedly dispensed during a time when the pharmacy was no longer registered with the State of New York. The fraudulent claims included claims for expensive prescription drugs for the treatment of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Mohammed and her family used proceeds of the scheme to purchase luxury items such as a Cadillac Escalade SUV, a Mercedes Benz sedan, a Porsche Turbo coupe, as well as jewelry and property in Queens and Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania. “Through the Superdrugs Pharmacies that she owned and operated, the defendant was dispensing phantom prescriptions for fraud, stealing millions of dollars from the Medicare and Medicaid programs by submitting false claims for reimbursement,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “Today’s sentence demonstrates there are consequences for those who choose to finance lavish lifestyles by diverting government resources from health care programs intended to help those truly in need.”
Photo Courtesy of Google
Mohammed used to run Superdrugs I Inc. out of the storefront to the left of this Allstate branch on Liberty Avenue.
Drinking enough water each day is crucial for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, keep joints lubricated, prevent infections, deliver nutrients to cells, and keep organs functioning properly. Being well-hydrated also improves sleep quality, cognition, and mood. The recommend drinking daily dose is roughly 11 cups of water a day for the average woman and 16 for men. Not all of those cups have to come from plain water; you can flavor your water with fruit or vegetables (lemons, berries, or orange or cucumber slices), and also include coffee or tea–just remember to leave out the sugar! Generally speaking, it’s best to limit caffeinated drinks. Caffeine may cause some people to urinate more frequently or feel anxious or jittery. The benefits to drinking water are available with no inconvenience and little to no expense. In addition to preventing dehydration, when you’re feeling hungry, drink water. Thirst is often confused with hunger. True hunger will not be satisfied by drinking water. Drinking water may also contribute to a healthy weight-loss plan. Some research suggests that drinking water can help you feel full. If you don’t drink enough water, you may become dehydrated. This means your body doesn’t have enough fluid to operate properly.
Your urine can be an indicator if you’re dehydrated. If it’s colorless or light yellow, you’re well hydrated. If your urine is a dark yellow or amber color, you may be dehydrated. There are other signs that can signal you may be dehydrated. They include: Little or no urine or urine that is darker than usual, dry mouth, sleepiness or fatigue,extreme thirst, headache, confuse,dizziness or lightheadedness and no tears when crying. Some people are at higher risk of dehydration, including people who exercise at a high intensity (or in hot weather) for too long, have certain medical conditions (kidney stones, bladder infection), are sick (fever, vomiting, diarrhea), are pregnant or breastfeeding, are trying to lose weight, or aren’t able to get enough fluids during the day. Older adults are also at higher risk. As you get older, your brain may not be able to sense dehydration. It doesn’t send signals for thirst. Note that water makes up more than half of your body weight. You lose water each day when you go to the bathroom, sweat, and even when you breathe. You lose water even faster when the weather is really hot, when you’re physically active, or if you have a fever. Vomiting and diarrhea can also lead to rapid water loss. Be sure to actively drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated.
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106th Precinct Welcomes New Cops The 106th Precinct on Tuesday welcomed 11 newly minted police officers to the fold. Members of the communities they will serve took to social media to greet the rookies. “Congratulations! May your tours all be uneventful! Stay safe out there!” wrote Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic’s Barbara McNamara. “Welcome to the 106th Precinct and our community! Look forward to meeting some of you,” Rajesh Dianand added. The 106th Precinct includes Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Lindenwood, Howard Beach, and Old Howard Beach. Photo Courtesy of NYPD
THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 15 • APRIL 21 2022 | 5
MTA Invites Riders to Provide Input on Borough Bus Network Redesign at Public Workshops By Forum Staff The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Friday reminded Queens riders of upcoming opportunities to participate in public workshops to provide input on the Queens Bus Redesign New Draft Plan. The Queens Bus Network Redesign is one of the largest bus network redesigns in the country, with over 100 routes, serving almost 800,000 average weekday riders in 2019, and is now the third project of the MTA’s ambitious initiative to rework and enhance bus networks in every borough. The New Draft Plan is a forward-thinking redesign focused on routing, bus stop locations, and frequency proposals that aim to address the evolving needs of local communities, considering factors such as population growth, travel patterns, commute times, and off-peak ridership for current and future Queens riders. There will be 14 virtual public workshops held through June – one workshop for each community district in Queens. At these workshops, attendees will be provided information about all the changes proposed in the New Draft Plan and will be able to share their questions, comments, and concerns. Workshops will be held virtually via Zoom and conducted Date
Community district
Monday, April 18 Thursday, April 21 Tuesday, April 26 Thursday, April 28 Wednesday, May 4
Community District 1 Community District 2 Community District 3 Community District 4 Community District 5
Thursday, May 5 Tuesday, May 10
Community District 6 Community District 7
Thursday, May 12
Community District 8
Monday, May 16 Wednesday, May 18 Tuesday, May 24
Community District 9 Community District 10
Thursday, May 26 Tuesday, May 31
Community District 12 Community District 13
Thursday, June 2
Community District 14
Community District 11
File Photo
The Queens Bus Network Redesign is one of the largest bus network redesigns in the country.
in English with captioning in other languages per the list below. Additional language interpreters will be available upon advance registration form no later than five business days before the workshop you want to attend. The workshops will be held on the following dates: Join the Virtual Workshop at https:// mta.zoom.us/j/86541509211?pwd=Qk5M ZUpZa2k2SmRBMldtRUVmZnVzUT09 Meeting ID: 865 4150 9211 One tap mobile +19294362866,,86541
Language assistance provided Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside Spanish, Mandarin, Bangla Hunters Point, Long Island City, Sunny- Spanish, Manside, Woodside darin, Bangla East Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, North Spanish, ManCorona darin, Bangla Corona, Corona Heights, Elmhurst Spanish, Mandarin Ridgewood, Maspeth, Middle Village, Spanish, ManGlendale, Fresh Pond, Liberty Park darin Neighborhoods covered
Forest Hills, Rego Park
Spanish, Mandarin Kissena Park, Flushing Meadows, Corona Spanish, ManPark, Bay Terrace, College Point, Beech- darin, Korean hurst, Queensborough Hill, Willets Point Briarwood, Cunningham Heights, Flushing Spanish, South, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Hilltop Bangla Village, Holliswood, Jamaica Estates, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Pomonok, Utopia Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Ozone Spanish, Park, Kew Gardens Bangla Howard Beach, Ozone Park, South Spanish, Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Tudor Vil- Bangla lage, Lindenwood Bayside, Douglaston to Little Neck, Au- Spanish, Manburndale, East Flushing, Oakland Gar- darin, Korean dens, Hollis Hills Jamaica, Hollis, St. Albans, South Ozone Spanish, Park, Springfield Gardens Bangla Bellaire, Bellerose, Brookville, Cambria Spanish, Heights, Floral Park, Glen Oaks, Laurel- Bangla ton, Meadowmere, North Shore Towers, Queens Village, Rosedale, Wayanda Breezy Point, Belle Harbor, Neponsit, Spanish Arverne, Bayswater, Edgemere, Rockaway, Rockaway Park, Far Rockaway
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509211#,,,,*6256615911# US (New York) “These public workshops are a chance for Queens bus riders to learn more about our ambitious plan to speed up bus service and deliver a better bus network for the borough,” said MTA Bus Company President Acting President and New York City Transit Department of Buses Senior Vice President Frank Annicaro. “We are excited to reach this critical next step in the bus redesign process and encourage New Yorkers to attend these workshops and share their input with the MTA.” Components of the New Draft Plan include: • More direct routes. Implementing more direct routes allows for faster service. Downtown Flushing and Jamaica are areas where effects of congestion hinder bus service. A contributing factor to this congestion are bus routes that terminate in these areas. A series of proposed routes that serve downtown Flushing and Jamaica will travel through these congested areas, instead of terminating there. • Balanced Bus Stop Spacing. Removing and adjusting closely spaced bus stops along routes results in fewer route turns and faster service. The seconds saved per trip by having fewer bus stops have a positive cascading effect on overall travel times. Bus stop placement is also key in filling gaps in the bus network; proximity to key destinations and transfer points are important components in deciding bus stop locations. In the proposed redesigned draft plan, placement of bus stops expands the reach of accessible public transportation. • Enhanced Connectivity. The proposed
Courtesy of MTA
The redesign features changes to the Q52…
redesign presents new connections, enhancing connectivity at key transfer locations necessary to ensure customers have a smooth transition between buses and other modes of public transportation. The plan focuses on expanding connectivity to ADA accessible subway stations, including stations that have been identified to receive accessibility upgrades in the near future. • Bus Priority. The MTA will continue working with the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) to build upon existing efforts of expanding bus priority improvements on corridors throughout the city, implementing measures such as dedicated bus lanes, queue jumps, and transit signal priority. Additionally, the MTA this week published in-depth route profiles for the New Draft Plan of the Queens Bus Redesign. These route profiles allow riders to review the following information for each of the proposed bus routes: • A detailed description of the proposed routing changes. • Proposed route improvements • Route destinations and length • Proposed versus existing average stop spacing • Proposed versus existing service frequency and span (note that more detailed frequencies will be provided as part of the Proposed Final Plan, after receiving comments on this plan) • Proposed subway and bus connections • What route(s) currently serve the area • A map of the proposed route, showing exactly where proposed service is added or discontinued, along with callout boxes explaining which routes would replace discontinued segments • A stop list showing which stops the proposed route would serve and which are proposed to be removed Customers are encouraged to learn more about the Queens Bus Network Redesign at any one of the MTA’s outreach events listed or via any of the online resources available and submit feedback through the online comment portal. The list of all workshop dates is also available on the project’s main webpage, along with a detailed presentation of the proposed redesign, full report of the New Draft Plan, and an interactive map that allows users to post comments directly on proposed bus routes and stops.
…and Q53 Select Bus Service buses.
Courtesy of MTA
Construction Unions Rally Against Tax Fraud
Photo Courtesy of New York District Council of Carpenters
Union carpenters show up to support workers’ rights at Rally against Tax Fraud.
By Forum Staff Led by the New York City District Council of Carpenters, construction union members recently rallied as part of the annual National Tax Fraud Days of Action during which trade workers and elected officials demand accountability from immoral contractors committing tax fraud. According to research by the Institute for Construction Economic Research, tax fraud is an epidemic in the construction industry, and it is costing communities bil-
lions of dollars in lost revenue. ICERES research found that payroll and tax fraud costs New Yorkers more than $1 billion annually. Construction tax fraud frequently goes hand-in-hand with wage theft, with unscrupulous contractors stealing over $946 million annually from construction workers nationwide. Carpenters noted that last year the General Contractor Liability Act was signed into law in New York. The law eliminates loopholes that allowed general contractors to deny responsibility for offenses committed by subcontractors and give state prosecutors more power to hold contractors accountable. “I’m proud of union carpenters’ ongoing fight to protect the rights of working people throughout New York and stop cheating contractors from evading their fair share of federal and state taxes. Our strong turn out during the Tax Fraud Day of Action Rally is representative of our union’s collective effort to put an end to tax fraud for good,” said Joseph Geiger, executive secretarytreasurer of the New York District Council of Carpenters. “Our union helped secure a huge victory with the General Contractor Liability Law, but the fight against wage theft and tax fraud is far from over and this rally is a critical step toward a better future for construction workers everywhere.”
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Alternate Side Parking to be Fully Restored this Summer By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams and City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Monday announced an $11 million investment in cleaner streets and improved mobility for DSNY. As part of an effort to make City streets cleaner, alternate side parking will be fully restored beginning July 5, 2022. This $11 million commitment will appear in the Fiscal Year 2023 executive budget to be released later this month, Adams said. “Environmental justice begins at the street level, and clean streets are vital to vibrant neighborhoods and our city’s economic recovery,” Tisch added. “The nearly 10,000 DSNY employees — and I’m proud to count myself as one of them — are excited to be getting more of the tools we need to do our job of keeping the city healthy, safe, and clean.” The investment includes: • A full restoration of alternate side parking, to allow DSNY’s mechanical brooms to do their jobs. Mechanical brooms are the city’s most effective tools for street cleaning — sweeping litter from along the curb on thousands of miles of New York City streets. ASP had been partially suspended as a COVID-19 pandemic measure, and this restoration is not only part of a return to normal, but to the high
Alternate side parking will be fully restored beginning July 5, 2022.
level of street cleanliness New Yorkers expect and deserve. • Funding for both equipment and personnel to perform year-round street cleaning on protected bike lanes and other narrow infrastructure. DSNY will begin piloting sweeping operations this summer using a fleet of 10 Micromobility Operations Machines (MOMs), similar to the ones
File Photo
used to plow bike lanes effectively during winter 2021-2022. DSNY will have several dozen of these units in two different sizes by the end of next year. Each of these initiatives builds on existing work by DSNY, and takes services for New Yorkers “to a new level” officials said. During the partial ASP suspension, DSNY and the City Cleanup Corps continued to
sweep the streets as effectively and as fully as possible. This announcement will facilitate that work further. Similarly, the MOMs street sweeping program follows a successful implementation of these devices for plowing — often simultaneous with carlane clearance. “We’re no longer just going to talk about cleaning up our streets or taking steps to fight climate change, but we’re going to actually put really money behind these initiatives and lead by example here in New York City,” said Mayor Adams. “To begin Earth Week, we’re committing $11 million to cleanliness and expanded mobility so that our city can come back stronger than ever. This announcement includes items that have been talked about for years, but we’re finally ‘Getting Stuff Done’ for our neighborhoods.” “New Yorkers in every neighborhood deserve clean streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes. We congratulate Jessica Tisch on her appointment to DSNY commissioner and applaud her commitment from day one to keep bike lanes clean,” said Danny Harris, executive director, Transportation Alternatives. “As New York City’s bike boom continues, keeping bike lanes free of trash and debris is important to keeping riders safe. We look forward to working with the new commissioner to getting litter off the streets in all parts of the city.”
City Announces Expansion of Gifted and Talented Programs Citywide By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams and City Schools Chancellor David Banks on Thursday announced the expansion of the public school’s Gifted and Talented program serving elementary school students. Adams and Banks are adding 100 kindergarten seats and 1,000 third-grade seats, expanding both entry points to all districts. Through this expansion and updates to the admission process, the city’s Gifted and Talented program will serve every community citywide for the first time. Applications for both programs open on May 31. The 2022-2023 elementary Gifted and Talented expansion is the result of the DOE’s engagement with parents and community stakeholders to establish priorities for this year’s admissions. Specifically, the DOE met with a diverse set of parent representative groups and advocacy groups with a dedicated interest in this topic and which provided thoughtful, nuanced feedback. Even though their perspectives may have differed, three focus areas became clear: 1) Expanding the number of seats, 2) Creating an equitable screening process, and 3) Providing an expanded third-grade entry point in every district. These perspectives helped the DOE shape its plans, and the agency
looks forward to even more expansive engagement on this topic in the future. Historically, kindergarten has been the initial entry point for New York City Gifted and Talented programs. For the 2022-2023 school year, approximately 100 new kindergarten seats are being added to the Gifted and Talented portfolio — expanding the program to all 32 districts and bringing the total number of seats to 2,500. To fill these seats, every current pre-K student will be evaluated by their current teacher for a potential nomination. Universal pre-K screening takes the initial burden off families and creates access for more children with a more diverse eligibility pool. First implemented for the 2021-2022 school year, universal screening led to a more diverse pool of students receiving invitation to apply for Gifted and Talented programs. Students enrolled in non-DOE programs and those not yet enrolled in school will participate in an interview with DOE staff to confirm eligibility. Families of eligible, nominated children will receive an eligibility letter inviting them to apply before the application opens. For the first time ever, every district in New York City will provide an additional third-grade Gifted and Talented entry point, amounting to a baseline of one program in every district and a total of 1,000 seats.
Child development research shows that identifying gifted behavior in later grades may provide a more accurate assessment of gifted ability. Determined by grades in the four core subject areas, the top 10 percent of second graders in each school will be invited to apply to a third-grade Gifted and Talented program. Using grades in the four core subject areas ensures the DOE is using multiple
measures to determine eligibility for the program. Grounding the screen at the school level will ensure that district programs are representative of the district’s population. Families will be considered for placement at all of their application choices and offers will be made based on district and sibling priorities, as well as seat availability. Grade three programs will grow to grades four and five in subsequent years.
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Mayor Adams (l.) and Chancellor Banks announced the expansion of the public school’s Gifted and Talented program serving elementary school students.
THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 15 • APRIL 21 2022 | 9
City Celebrates $4B Allocated for Child Care in State Budget
Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Officer
“This tremendous increase in funding will make it possible for thousands of working families to provide their children with the high-quality care they need, and the highquality care they deserve,” Chancellor Banks said.
By Forum Staff Weeks after Mayor Eric Adams and parents across the five boroughs asked State lawmakers to fight for an affordable expansion of quality education, City officials on Friday celebrated the allocation of $4 billion in the State budget for child care in New York City over four years, as well as the authorization of new tax incentives to increase the number of childcare seats in the Big Apple. “We are grateful for Gov. Hochul for her support for New York City’s youngest chil-
dren,” said City Schools Chancellor David Banks. “This tremendous increase in funding will make it possible for thousands of working families to provide their children with the high-quality care they need, and the high-quality care they deserve. Education is a lifelong journey, and we are committed to ensuring that all children begin this journey with their best foot forward.” While New York City will receive $4 billion over four years, the state allocated a total of $7 billion for the whole state. In addition to investing in children and families, this investment will ensure NYC providers
and childcare workers feel supported and have the resources necessary to run successful programs. In addition, the State acted on two critical priorities the Adams administration pushed for to increase the number of childcare seats throughout the city. In the adopted budget, the state authorized the city to provide property tax abatements to property owners who retrofit property to establish childcare centers. It also authorized the city to offer a tax credit for businesses that provide free or subsidized childcare to their employees. Together, these incentives are
estimated to create thousands of new childcare seats if fully utilized. New York City has approximately 500,000 children aged 5 and younger. Adams administration officials said they aim to maximize all funding to reach as many families in need who are currently not receiving care. “Today is a win for New York City families and for our kids,” Adams said. “Raising a family in New York City shouldn't be hard, so we are making things a little easier for working families by expanding access to high quality childcare programs across our city. This historic investment of $4 billion will expand quality childcare comes at a crucial time, while families struggle with the increase in the cost of living and lost wages as a result of the pandemic. I am grateful to Gov. Hochul and my colleagues in the state that fought for New York City families and delivered. Promises made, promises kept.” Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright added, “This administration made a promise to working parents across New York City to deliver critical childcare funding — and that’s exactly what we did. Childcare centers are foundational to families, creating a space for children to learn, grow, and simply to be kids. With this historic funding, we are beginning a transformative moment for child care, supports for high-quality providers, and bringing muchneeded peace of mind to parents.”
Pols Applaud Earned Income Tax Credit Enhancement in State Budget By Forum Staff
increase from $181 to $905 — a 400 percent increase. A married couple with two children and an income of $25,000 will see their New York City benefit increase from $299 to $897 under the city payment — a 200 percent increase. The expansion of EITC will help the 800,000 New Yorkers who qualify to better afford essential items like food, rent, and utilities, and will super-
charge New York City’s economic recovery. Borough pols praised the enhancement. “As we emerge from the pandemic, working-class New Yorkers need all the relief they can get, and it was long overdue for an increase. Any measure that eases the burden of New York taxpayers is a welcome change,” said City Councilman Bob Holden (D-Middle Village).
Community leaders and elected officials last weekend celebrated the enhancement of the Earned Income Tax Credit in the Fiscal Year 2023 State budget. Mayor Eric Adams announced Saturday that over 800,000 families will benefit from the enhancement. Additionally, the City committed to investing $250 million annually to EITC and will receive a one-time State payment estimated at $100 million. “Earlier this year, I told New Yorkers I would fight for them by expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit. Today, we say to New Yorkers: promises made and promises kept,” Hizzoner said. “The additional $250 million annually in EITC reaches 800,000 New Yorkers — putting money back in their pockets for food, bills, and rent. Too many working families suffered because of COVID-19, losing wages and falling through our social safety net. With this critical expansion, we are making sure no one falls through the gaps again.” The State and City match to EITC had not previously been increased in almost 20 years, according to the Adams administration. Under the City’s expansion of the EITC, a single parent with one child with Photo Courtesy of Emil Cohen/NYC Council Media Unit an income of $14,750 will see their benefit “Any measure that eases the burden of New York taxpayers is a welcome change,” Councilman Holden said.
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“When you have a mayor like Eric Adams who ‘Gets Stuff Done,’ we all want to ‘Get Stuff Done,’” said Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven). “My Albany colleagues and I did exactly that when we expanded the EITC in this year’s budget bill, putting more money in the pockets of hundreds of thousands of working-class New Yorkers. Our expansion will be the lifeline that so many New Yorkers need for putting food on the table and having a roof over their heads. On top of that, the enhanced EITC will act as a force multiplier for all of Mayor Adams’ work to eliminate poverty in our city.” Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. added, “The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic devastation has forced far too many families in Queens and across New York City to make incredibly difficult decisions in order to make ends meet and support their families. This enhancement of the Earned Income Tax Credit means more money in the pockets of hard-working families throughout the five boroughs and a stronger overall economic recovery for our city. Thank you all our elected partners and community advocates who successfully pushed for this critical tax credit enhancement, as we fight for a stronger, fairer city.”
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Legal Notices CITYMADENEWYORK LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/19/22. 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 ABIEL SOARES, 92-11 35TH AVE 2P, JACLSON HEIGHTS, NY, 11372, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. HAYES & J ENTERPRISES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/28/22. 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 JONATHAN HAYES, 1340 GIPSON ST. APT #2, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY, 11691, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. SUMAITAT ETY & RUHUL KAHN LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/10/21. 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 SUMAITAT ETY & RUHUL KHAN LLC, 9832 57TH AVENUE APT 18H, CORONA, NY, 11368, USA Purpose: Any lawful purpose. Liberty Essentials LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 12/07/2021. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 37-76 62nd St., APT C4, Woodside, NY 11377. General Purpose ROOSEVELT 7004 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/17/22. 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, 70-04 Roosevelt Avenue, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. 83-05 Doran Avenue LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/18/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 70-16 53rd Ave., Maspeth, NY 11378. General Purpose. Notice of Qualification of Wowee Zowee, LLC. Authority filed with NY Dept. of State: 3/11/22. Office location: Queens County. LLC formed in DE: 3/9/22. NY Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to the principal office address: 21-12 74th St., East Elmhurst, NY 11370. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Sec. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: all lawful purposes.
ASTORIA DREAMS 45TH STREET LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/07/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to LEONARD RIDINI, ESQ., c/o Westerman Sheehy Samaan & Gillespie, LLP, 90 Merrick Avenue, Suite 802,East Meadow, NY 11554. General Purpose. ASTORIA DREAMS 44TH STREET LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/07/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to LEONARD RIDINI, ESQ., c/o Westerman Sheehy Samaan & Gillespie, LLP, 90 Merrick Avenue, Suite 802,East Meadow, NY 11554. General Purpose. GRACIOUS OWL DESIGN, LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 03/09/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to LISA DICK, 6610 YELLOWSTONE BLVD., APT 2D, FOREST HILLS, NY, 11373, USA. PURPOSE: General Purpose. MARY JANE SOLUTIONS LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 01/14/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to MARY JANE SOLUTIONS LLC, PO BOX 863292, RIDGEWOOD, NY, 11386, USA. PURPOSE: General Purpose. MEMENTO GROUP L.L.C., Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/31/2022. 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, 11-11 44th Drive, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose. SUNNY 21, L.L.C. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/20/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: SUNNY 21, LLC, 58-27 197TH ST., FRESH MEADOWS, NY, 11365, USA, Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
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86-13 94th Street LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/18/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Warner Wai Jit Moy, 86-17 94th St., Woodhaven, NY 11421. General Purpose. CTSQ Asset LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 3/14/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 3636 Main St., #CS, Flushing, NY 11354. General Purpose. SAPPHIRE CDS LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 2/10/22. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Daniel Sosa, 7849 221st St., Bayside, NY 11364. Purpose: Any lawful purpose. GEM HUNTING TRADING LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY)4/15/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to GEM HUNTING TRADING LLC, 88-04 CORONA AVE, 1 FL, ELMHURST, NY, 11373, USA**. General Purpose.
JANEL CAMPBELL NP IN FAMILY HEALTH, PLLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/18/21. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to THE PLLC, 112-16 176TH STREET, JAMAICA, NY, 11433, USA. General Purpose. THE WALKER GROUP VENTURES, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 03/08/22. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to WAYNE BROWN, 130-16 228TH STREET, LAURELTON, NY, 11413, USA. General Purpose.
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