THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | APRIL 4, 2024

CONGESTION PRICING PLAN APPROVED

MTA Board Adopts Central Business District Toll Rates

Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann/MTA

The MTA Board recently approved Congestion Pricing by a vote of 11 to 1.

MTA Board Votes in Favor of Congestion Pricing Plan

By Michael V. Cusenza

Following a public comment period in which the MTA received 25,600 written comments and heard from 386 speakers at four public hearings, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board, in its capacity as the board of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, last week approved Central Business District toll rates by a vote of 11 to 1.

The approved toll rates align with rates recommended by the Traffic Mobility Review Board on Nov. 30, 2023, and put forward for public review by the MTA Board on Dec. 6, with a handful of clarifications provided.

Passenger vehicles and small commercial vehicles – sedans, SUVs, pick-up trucks, and small vans – paying with a valid E-ZPass will be charged $15 during the day and $3.75 at night, when there is less congestion, to enter the congestion relief zone in Manhattan below 60th Street. They will be charged no more than once a day.

“Today’s vote is one of the most significant the Board has ever undertaken, and the MTA is ready,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber. “In advance of day one of tolling, we’ve increased ser-

vice on 12 subway lines, advanced redesigns of the entire NYC bus network, and implemented the largest service increase in LIRR history. And there’s more to come with the funds raised from congestion pricing – more accessible stations, modernized subway signals, and new expansion projects like Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway and Metro-North Penn Station Access.”

Trucks and some buses will be charged a toll of $24 or $36 during the day to enter the congestion relief zone in Manhattan below 60th Street, depending

on their size and function, and $6 or $9 at night. The toll for motorcycles will be $7.50 during the day and $1.75 at night.

Yellow taxi, green cab and black car passengers will pay a $1.25 toll for every trip to, from, within or through the zone; customers of app-based for-hire vehicles will pay $2.50. As previously proposed, qualifying authorized emergency vehicles and qualifying vehicles carrying people with disabilities will be exempt. As will school buses contracted with the NYC Department of Education, buses providing scheduled commuter services open to the

public, commuter vans licensed with the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, and specialized government vehicles.

As previously proposed, a 50-percent discount will be available for low-income vehicle owners and a tax credit is available for low-income residents of the Central Business District.

In a statement titled “MTA Board to Outerborough Commuters: Drop Dead”, the City Council Common Sense Caucus wrote, “Congestion Pricing was a fait accompli ever since the New York State Legislature approved the Manhattan Central Business District Tolling Program five years ago, so we fully expected the MTA Board to rubber stamp this multi-billiondollar tax today. Under this scheme, our constituents, who have the misfortune of living in communities that don’t have adequate public transit options, will now be paying exorbitant fees for transit improvements in communities that already do. At the very least, our MTA overlords could have been truthful about this cynical money grab rather than pretending it’s all about helping the common folk commute.

“We will continue fighting Congestion Pricing in the courts, but this is a sad day for New York City.”

September 11 Hero Succumbs to Illnesses

By Michael V. Cusenza

South Queens on Tuesday bid farewell to a hero, a legend—most of it all, one of its own—at the funeral for retired City Fireghter Dominick DeVito.

“A beautiful send-o to say goodbye to retired re ghter and September 11th rst responder Dominick DeVito today,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) wrote on Twi er. “Dominick was a staple of our community and a true hero for so many people, and he will be missed greatly. Cars lined up all along 101st Ave to follow the

procession—a true testament to the impact and the legacy that he leaves behind.”

At a recent public appearance, DeVito, whose body had been ravaged by myriad World Trade Center diseases, reminded the community of the bravery and courage that marked his career as a rst responder.

DeVito, once again, led the way at Howard Beach’s Sept. 11 Ceremony last year at the memorial site at 84th Street and 157th Avenue. With assistance from his fellow Bravest, DeVito was able to stand and help raise the ag up the brand-new pole, along with Army veteran Eddie Earl, and salute

Old Glory. In a much-deserved respite, DeVito returned to his chair—only to continue saluting the Stars and Stripes.

Tears ooded the hallowed grounds.

“ is is one way that as a community, we can continue our promise to Never Forget and make sure generations to come know about the signi cance of that day. ey need to know Dominick’s story and [FDNY Capt.] Jay Frango’s story and [retired City Fire ghter] John Morabito’s story of heroism and hope on a day the unthinkable happened,” said Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Co-President Phyllis Inserillo.

Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann/MTA

e MTA Board last week approved Congestion Pricing by a vote of 11 to 1.

File Photo Dominick Devito has died.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola “Cars lined up all along 101st Ave to follow the procession—a true testament to the impact and the legacy that he leaves behind,” Councilwoman Ariola said.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

Members of the West Hamilton Beach Volunteer Fire Department were among those to pay their respects.

Woodhaven Welcomes Mayor for Community Convo

By Michael V. Cusenza

e Woodhaven community recently welcomed Mayor Eric Adams and representatives from many City agencies for a “Community Conversation”, the 25th such chat this administration has held across the ve boroughs (not counting senior and youth town halls).

“Woodhaven is known for its diversity and community spirit, its strong sense of community,” Commissioner Fred Kreizman of the Community A airs Unit noted.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-ozone Park) and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven) represent Woodhaven on the Council and in Albany.

“It really is wonderful to see such a large crowd, and it’s really great that you now get to see each and every person that we deal with when we come to your meetings and you come to us to address your issues,” said Ariola, chairwoman of the Fire and Emergency Management Commi ee.

Ariola later said that, as a member of the Council Common Sense Caucus, she regularly works with Democrats to help keep the City running.

“We are people who know how to work across the aisle. We are people who understand that it’s not about your party, it’s about the issues that are a ecting the community. at’s what ma ers,” Ariola added. “But leadership comes from the top. And that’s why I thank Mayor Adams, because no matter what, he sits with us from the Common Sense Caucus. We’re 9 in the Common Sense Caucus, and yet with all that’s going on in the city, you make time. You make time to listen to us, to see what’s necessary, what we are hearing. We are the ears on the ground. ere has never been a more available

administration than the Adams administration. We’re able to get in touch with each commissioner and have a relationship. Every borough commissioner, every single member of the department, the NYPD, DSNY, it doesn’t ma er. Everyone wants to do their job. And we didn’t have that for the prior eight years, but that’s what was brought through this administration.”

Rajkumar, the daughter of Indian immigrants, said dreams are big in Woodhaven.

“ at is why you see me at PS 60, the Woodhaven School, PS 97, Rosa Parks School, speaking at every h grade graduation, because I want all of the kids of Woodhaven to know that anything is possible from here in Woodhaven if they put their mind to it. And that is my a hundred percent commitment,” she said.

But as a proud member of e World’s Borough, Rajkumar said Woodhaven knows Queens is not all roses.

“Now, as residents of Woodhaven, we face common challenges together. When I knocked on all of your doors, the number one concern that came up and the number one concern that came up tonight was public safety,” she noted, adding, “I want to thank I want to thank all the top NYPD brass who came and made sure that we could talk directly to them. In the name of public safety, I’m working to shut down all the illegal smoke shops proliferating across our neighborhood, that’s why I was proud to introduce and author the SMOKEOUT Act, which will allow New York City to shutter all these illegal smoke shops very quickly. Next, e-bikes. I've introduced two bills in Albany that will regulate e bikes by requiring them to have license plates, insurance and inspection, so we can finally take care of these public safety issues.”

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

“It really is wonderful to see such a large crowd, and it’s really great that you now get to see each and every person that we deal with when we come to your meetings and you come to us to address your issues,” said Councilwoman Ariola.

By Stacey Phe er Amato

It has been a year since my law took effect and made New York the FIRST state in the county to require insurance companies to pay for either breast reconstructive surgery or aesthetic flat closure after a mastectomy. I want women to thrive, not just survive cancer. In the past year doctors have changed their conversation with patients to include this vital information, insurance booklets have been updated to include this covered procedure, and pamphlets and literature have been amended to provide details on a woman’s choice. We didn’t just change the law, we changed the conversation over women’s health. This law gave women autonomy over their chests, and while we have just concluded Women’s History Month, I think that women and our fundamental rights are something we should always celebrate!

As your State Legislator, I am actively working on ways to empower women. Whether it be by ensuring that all feminine hygiene products continue to be tax exempt, guaranteeing insurance coverage for breast cancer screenings, safeguarding women’s reproductive health, or shepherding the passage of a bill to require insurance coverage of prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a doctor,

I am Woman, Hear me Roar

our State is moving forward in making sure issues impacting women are heard, addressed and changed—and that’s something all of us should want. In addition, as the State budget process is underway, I am working on amending our current law from the 1980’s to provide women with protection and coverage in the event of a stillbirth. As it stands, technically, in the event a woman suffers from a stillbirth (which according to the Centers for Disease Control is defined as the loss of a pregnancy at 20 weeks

and later), Paid Family Leave is not applicable because there was no live birth. For example a woman who suffers from a stillbirth on a Tuesday would be expected to return to work on Wednesday - and believe it or not, that has happened right here in our own community. It is estimated there were over 1,200 stillbirths in New York in 2021. That’s why I have introduced legislation, A.9568, and am working to have this change enacted as soon as possible to automatically convert approved Paid Family Leave

to Temporary Disability Insurance in the event of a stillbirth. This will give women, and their families, the time they need to grieve and begin their recovery in private.

In 1848 a group of women signed the Declaration of Sentiments and asserted that “all men and women are created equal.” Years later, that sentiment took effect as women in New York won the right to vote in 1917, a whole two years before the 19th Amendment was ratified. This made New York the first State on the East Coast to grant women this suffrage. We have a rich and full heritage in our State, and I’m proud to promote and advance that in every way possible.

As many of you know, I annually award several women throughout our community with the coveted “Women of Distinction” Award. This award seeks to highlight the remarkable contributions by women who work or reside within the 23rd Assembly District. Since first elected I have presented this honor to women who have been nominated by their partners, friends, coworkers and neighbors. I am happy to once again open the application period and welcome nominations for women who devote themselves to their community and exemplify the best of the New York spirit.

City Launches Migrant Kids Task Force

By Michael V. Cusenza

e City has launched a task force tasked with ge ing migrant kids who peddle snacks o of City streets and subways.

“I saw that in Ecuador. I saw that in Mexico. I saw that in Colombia. So sometimes people bring their culture, and how practices are done, into the city, and we want to make sure that people understand that children should be in school,” Mayor Eric Adams said.

The task force consists of staffers from the Administration for Children’s Services, Department of Education, and Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and GenderBased Violence. It formed two months ago, according to the New York Post, and will now pivot to roadside outreach after the Post last month revealed how young migrant children were routinely seen selling snacks on major thoroughfares in south Queens.

“[The task force’s] work includes making sure school-aged children are enrolled in schools, parents know about safe after-school programs available to kids, and childcare referrals — to communitybased organizations that we partner with — are made whenever possible,” City Hall spokesperson Kayla Mamelak told the Post.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) has been working on ge ing the children out of harm’s way since they began popping up and peddling snacks at intersections in her 32nd District nearly two years ago.

“I’m glad to see that the City is nally addressing this issue a er nearly two years of us talking about it,” Ariola told the Post. “I just hope that they don’t waste any additional time conducting unnecessary studies and focus groups before the task force actually hits the streets and starts making a di erence.”

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

SNEEZES OF SPRING & SUMMER GET READY CAUSE HERE THEY COME...

With the change in seasons come a host of bodily changes especially to the eyes, ears, nose and throat.

And if you think that the sneezing, watery eyes, and scratchy throat are just signs of the proverbial 'summer cold,' experts from the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI ) say you might have to think again.

While many think allergies only strike in the spring and fall months, we're here to remind those of you anxiously awaiting the onset of summer that allergies are very common in the summer and actually o en last throughout the year.

e villains are grass pollens and mold spores -- the most common of the allergy triggers during the summer, with mold turning out to be more of a problem than pollen.

Mold spores are ubiquitous--simply put, they are EVERYWHERE! And if you've been fortunate enough to coast through life thus far without having been burdened with allergies, well that's something else you might not want to take for granted.

Summer allergies can rear their ugly heads in adults who have never had an allergy. ese are the cases where allergies

are most o en misinterpreted as a summer cold.

Here are some tips to help you piece the truth together:

--Symptoms which persist beyond a couple of weeks are de nitely signals that you have allergies.

--When your symptoms become progressively worse however, it is more likely that you have a cold.

--Itchy eyes, throat and nose -- along with sneezing -- usually indicate allergies.

If you have asthma, you are more likely to have allergies--nearly three quarters of people with asthma have an allergy to accompany an already bad situation.

Most people tend to pass o both summer colds and allergies as conditions that are not serious, but if le una ended they can cause serious problems, the most common being sinus infections. Anyone who has ever had one of those surely wishes they hadn't.

While there is no cure for seasonal allergies remember that your local pharmacist can o er advice on treatment, medication or allergy shots, to provide relief and prevent progression.

Until next week...

For your family’s prescription needs, please call CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644

157-02 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm. Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. or 96-05 101st Ave. in Ozone Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.

Ariola Presents ‘Thin Blue Line’ Flag to 102 Pct.

Councilwoman Joann Ariola’s (R-Ozone Park) o ce on Tuesday presented a “thin blue line” ag to 102nd Precinct Commanding O cer Dep. Insp. Jeremy Kivlin at the 102nd Precinct Community Council meeting.

“We will continue to stand strong with the members of the NYPD who each day selflessly risk their lives for the people of New York City,” Ariola said.

e councilwoman indicated that she “wants every precinct to have a thin blue line ag, and every rehouse to have a thin red line ag.”

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

“I’m glad to see that the City is nally addressing this issue a er nearly two years of us talking about it,” Councilwoman Ariola told the Post.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola e task force consists of sta ers om the Administration for Children’s Services, Department of Education, and Mayor’s O ce to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence.

City Council Releases Preliminary Budget Response

By Forum Sta

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Finance Commi ee Chair Justin Brannan, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, and councilmembers unveiled the Council’s Fiscal Year 2025 Preliminary Budget Response that proposes a balanced and responsible budget to provide stability for the city. e response identi es $6.15 billion in newly available resources through Fiscal Year 2025 to help reverse recent budget decisions that have been destabilizing, address underbudgeting in the Mayor’s Preliminary Budget, account for expiring federal stimulus funds, and strengthen the city’s budget reserves and surplus.

e response calls for investment in speci c programs and priorities that will help ensure that the city continues to support all New Yorkers. ese include:

• Laying a Strong Foundation of Housing for New Yorkers and Families –$1.32 Billion in Capital Funding and $56.7 Million in Expense Funding

• Prioritizing Continued Access to Education and Learning – $483.1 Million in Capital Funding and $860 Million in Expense Funding

• Advancing A Healthy and Safe City – $4.2 Million in Capital Funding and $125.8 Million in Expense Funding

• Enhancing Institutional Pillars of NYC – $200 Million in Capital Funding and $222.7 Million in Expense Funding

• Strengthening Opportunity and Services – $451.5 Million in Capital Funding and $361.7 Million in Expense Funding

Laying a Strong Foundation of Housing for New Yorkers and Families – Capital Funding: $1.32 Billion and Expense Funding: $56.7 Million

• Investing in A ordable Housing –e Council calls upon the Administration to increase capital spending on a ordable housing by $3.66 billion over the next ve years, including a $732 million annual increase in capital funding for a ordable housing and homeownership.

• Prioritizing Maintenance Repairs for NYCHA – e Council also urges the Administration to increase capital commitments for NYCHA by $584 million in FY25 to address critical maintenance repairs.

Prioritizing Continued Access to Education and Learning – Capital Funding: $483.1 Million and Expense Funding: $860 Million

• Replacing Expiring Federal Stimulus Funds – e Council calls for approximately $550 million in city funding to replace expiring federal COVID stimulus funds that have supported vital school and student support programs, like community schools, pre-school special education, restorative justice, mental health services, and support for students living in temporary housing.

• Supporting Early Childhood Education – e Council calls for $361 million for early childhood education, including $170 million to restore cuts to 3-K, $96 million to replace expiring federal stimulus funds for preschool special education, $60

million to provide additional extended day, extended year seats, $25 million for Promise NYC, and $10 million in new funding for 3-K marketing and outreach.

• Restoring School Food Programs–

e Council calls for an additional $60 million for the school food program, including $17 million to restore cafeteria sta headcounts to pre-pandemic levels and at least $3 million to fund nutrition commi ees in schools.

• Placing a Certi ed Arts Teacher in Every School – e Council calls on the Administration to enhance and baseline the budget for arts education by $38 million, which would allow for a certi ed arts teacher to be placed in every remaining school that currently does not have one.

• Supporting Learning to Work –e Council calls for $33 million in funding to support the Learning to Work program

with an additional $7 million to increase the Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team budget by nearly 50 percent.

• Investing in Housing for Justice

Involved Individuals – e Council calls on the Administration to allocate an additional $6.4 million for Justice Involved Supportive Housing to ful ll the City’s previous commitment to provide 500 supportive housing units for individuals leaving Rikers.

• Expanding Victim Services – e Council calls for a baselined $7.2 million to triple the current funding for trauma recovery centers that support underserved victims of crime and help stop cycles of violence.

e Council also urges the Administration to increase baseline funding for housing stability microgrants for domestic violence impacted individuals with an additional $4.8 million, bringing the baseline funding up to $6 million starting in Fiscal 2025.

and continue reengaging older youth in completing their high school education and matching them with workforce opportunities.

• Restoring CUNY Funding – e Council calls on the Administration to restore $40 million in cuts to CUNY’s budget that were initiated in the Mayor’s November and Preliminary Plans. e Council also calls for over $25 million in restorations and enhancements to several CUNY related programs, like CUNY Reconnect, ACE and ASAP.

Advancing a Healthy and Safe City –Capital Funding: $4.2 Million and Expense Funding: $125.8 Million

• Restoring and Enhancing Recidivism Reduction Programs – e Council calls on the Administration to reverse cuts to the Mayor’s O ce of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) by restoring $27.8 million in Fiscal 2025 for Alternatives to Incarceration ($6.7M), supervised release ($13M) and reentry ($8M) programming that is essential to public safety and reducing recidivism. Additionally, the Council calls on the Administration to provide nearly $9M in additional funding for mental health courts and diversion programs for District A orneys, along

• Investing in Postpartum Care Services – e Council calls on the Administration to allocate $5 million to each H+H hospital for a maternal health-focused psychologist, an additional $5 million in the Nurse Family Partnership program, and $500,000 in the Fiscal 2025 Budget to enhance the Maternal and Child Health Services initiative and increase the scope of services.

Enhancing Institutional Pillars of NYC –Capital Funding: $200 Million and Expense Funding: $222.7 Million

• Restoring and Baselining Cultural Funding – e Council calls $55.5 million to restore and baseline the $40 million allocated in FY24 for the Department of Cultural A airs and restore the $15.5M that was cut in the November and January PEGs.

• Restoring Funding and Baselining Library Funding – e Council proposes to restore 7-day service at the city’s library systems by allocating an additional $58.3 million which would cover the $22.1 million November cut to their budgets, FY24’s one-time funding of $20.5 million and the Council’s discretionary funding subsidy of $15.7 million.

• Restoring the Parks Dept. Headcount and Services – As part of the November and Preliminary Plan PEGs, several critical Parks Department neighborhood services were reduced alongside their budgeted headcount. e Council calls for $59.7 million to fully restore these cuts and provide additional programming to advance the health and safety of New Yorkers, such as access to swim lessons and programs.

• Restoring Sanitation and Community Composting Cuts – e Council calls on the Administration to provide baseline funding of $22 million annually to maintain the same level of li er basket service in each district throughout the ve boroughs. Additionally, the Council urges the Administration to support community composting by fully restoring and baselining $7.1 million for these programs and extending GrowNYC’s contract.

Strengthening Opportunity and Services – Capital Funding: $451.5 Million and Expense Funding: $361.7 Million

• Restoring Funding for Shelter and Services for Homeless Youth – e Council calls for the Administration to fully restore and baseline $36.2 million to reinstate homeless shelter providers’ contract levels from cuts in the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. Additionally, the City should invest in restoring and enhancing services for runaway and homeless youth with an investment of more than $14 million for housing and peer navigators, as well as shelter beds.

• Supporting Older Adult Services –e Council calls on the Administration to restore the nearly $16 million in PEGs for older adult centers. Additionally, the Council’s Response invests in increasing the baseline funding by $12.7 million annually for home delivered meals.

• Restoring and Investing in IDNYC and Language Access Services – e Council calls on the City to restore the PEG savings for the IDNYC program that were included in the Fiscal 2023 Executive Plan for the IDNYC program, which totaled $3.4 million in Fiscal 2025 and $5.1 million in Fiscal 2026 and in the outyears. Additionally, the Council urges the Administration to restore and baseline $8.7 million for language services, starting in Fiscal 2025, and expanding these services. And the Council calls on the Administration to restore funding and allocate an additional $50 million for immigration legal services to enhance the program to meet the growing needs for these services.

• Investing in Services for Low-Income New Yorkers – e Council calls for an additional $54.2 million to expand eligibility for Fair Fares to City residents with incomes up to 200 percent of FPL to provide a ordable transit for more low-income individuals. Additionally, the Council urges the Administration to provide $5 million in new funding to support anti-poverty guaranteed income programs, and an additional $10 million to restore and baseline DYCDfunded adult literacy programs in Fiscal Year 2025.

Photo Courtesy of John McCarten/NYC Council Media Unit City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams

Addabbo to Host Distracted Driving Event at Richmond Hill High School

By Forum Sta

In commemoration of APRIL as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) is partnering with multiple agencies to bring an interactive distracted driving event to the community that will give a endees a oneof-a-kind experience that will help prevent the devastation that can occur when a motorist takes their eyes o the road.

e event will be held on Wednesday, April 10, 2024, from 6 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Richmond Hill High School, located at 89-30 114th St.

e participating agencies are the NYC Police Department, NYC Department of Transportation, National Highway Tra c Safety Administration, Governor's Tra c Safety Commi ee and the New York State Police.

e event will feature virtual reality crash simulations, distract driving / drunk goggles, and use of the seatbelt convincer and rollover convincer. Attendees can also take the NHTSA’s distracted driving pledge.

e Seat Belt Convincer provides a realistic experience of a 5-10 mph collision, underscoring the critical role of seat belts in preventing injuries. Participants can ride in a cart that simulates a crash, emphasiz-

ing the impact of not wearing a seat belt. Additionally, the rollover convincer demonstrates the dangers of not using seat belts by showcasing the e ects on occupants in a rotating pickup truck cab with dummies representing an adult and a child.

e impaired driving simulation utilizes drunk/impaired goggles to replicate symptoms like disorientation, altered perception, vertigo, and distorted vision, illustrating the dangers of driving under the in uence.

“I am not o ering a class in what not to do, but rather allowing people to truly experience impairment and distraction using the senses of touch, sight, and sound,” Addabbo said. “In doing so, hopefully it will get people to think twice about being pre-occupied behind the wheel.”

Distracted driving, which includes activities like texting, eating, adjusting the stereo, or interacting with passengers, diverts a ention from the road and signi -

cantly increases the risk of accidents.

According to NHTSA, 3,522 were killed by distracted driving in 2021. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes o the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football eld with your eyes closed.

For more information on the Wednesday, April 10, distracted driving event at Richmond Hill High School, call Addabbo’s District O ce at (718) 738-1111.

Photo Courtesy of NY State Police Sending or reading a text takes your eyes o the road for 5 seconds.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Intel Free Press e event will feature virtual reality crash simulations, distract driving/drunk goggles, and use of the seatbelt convincer and rollover convincer.

Mayor, NYPD to Pilot New Subway Gun-Detection Technology

By Forum Sta

Mayor Eric Adams and City Police Commissioner Edward A. Caban on ursday announced e orts being taken to make the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s subway system safer by investing in new technology to detect rearms, as well as invest in more clinicians that will help those su ering from severe mental illness in the nation’s largest subway system.

e city is exploring, and will soon begin piloting, emerging technologies designed to detect weapons carried by travelers into the transit system. In accordance with the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology (POST) Act, the NYPD also published online its Impact and Use Policy for electromagnetic weapons detection systems, starting a mandatory 90-day waiting period before new technology can be tested and used in New York City. Additionally, Adams announced that the city will begin hiring clinicians to support the expansion of the Subway CoResponse Outreach Teams (SCOUT), a pilot program launched in partnership with the state and the MTA to connect people with untreated severe mental illness in the subways to mental health treatment and care.

During the 90-day waiting period, the NYPD will be working to identify companies with proven expertise in weapons detection technology. At the end of the waiting period,

a pilot program will be instituted in some subway stations where the NYPD will be able to further evaluate the equipment’s e ectiveness.

As of March 24, NYPD o cers have seized a total of 450 weapons — including 19 illegal guns — in the city transit system this year, compared to 261 weapons — including nine guns — during the same period last year. e NYPD also seized 1,515 weapons in the

subway system in 2023, including 1,470 cutting instruments and 45 illegal rearms. at tally was a stark increase from the previous year, when 947 total weapons were seized, including 912 cu ing instruments and 35 guns.

In February, Adams directed the NYPD to surge an additional 1,000 police o cers into the subway system each day to keep help New Yorkers safe. Additionally, earlier

this week, the NYPD announced “Operation Fare Play,” an initiative to ensure people pay their fare when entering the subway system by deploying 800 more police o cers into the subway system to crack down on fare evasion. rough Sunday, overall crime in the transit system was down nearly 16 percent for the month of March, compared to the same month last year, adding to February’s 15.4 percent month-over-month decrease in crime in the subway system. Since the start of 2024, overall arrests in the subway system are up nearly 56 percent compared to last year, including a 78 percent increase in fare-evasion arrests and a 111 percent jump in gun arrests.

Launched in October 2023, the SCOUT pilot program has operated with two teams in the subways focused on connecting those with untreated severe mental illness with mental health support and long-term care. SCOUT teams are comprised of a clinician and two MTA police o cers, and, in the 90 days of operation, the two teams have moved 90 individuals out of the subway system and into care. Earlier this month, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a $20 million investment to scale this pilot and bring the total number of SCOUT teams to 10 by the end of 2025. With this investment from the state, the city will begin hiring additional clinicians to support the expansion of SCOUT and reach even more New Yorkers in need of care.

Pols Lead Letter Seeking Expansion of Fare-Free Bus Pilot Program

By Michael V. Cusenza

Congressmembers Grace Meng (DFlushing) and Dan Goldman (D-Manhattan/Brooklyn) on Monday led a le er to Governor Hochul requesting the expansion of New York City’s Fare-Free Bus Pilot Program.

e program launched one fare-free bus route in each borough through last year’s State Budget, introducing New York to the economic and social bene ts of free public transit.

e correspondence, which was signed by eight other New York Members of Congress, speci cally asks for $45 million to expand the initiative as the 2025 New York State budget negotiations continue.

“According to the MTA, the purpose of the pilot is to study how fare-free service affects ridership, access, equity, and fare evasion,” the lawmakers said in their letter. “And while the study has not yet concluded, reports indicate not only strong support for fare-free service expansion, but also increased ridership under the program. Millions of New Yorkers and visitors rely on the MTA to access economic and educational opportunity. An expansion of the FareFree Bus Pilot with additional routes will give the MTA a more wholistic un-

derstanding of fare-free transit’s benefits in New York.”

Meng and Goldman later added, “Most importantly, expanding this pilot program is an investment in a more equitable public transit system. Giving New Yorkers more free bus routes will increase the dynamism of our communities and reduce the nancial burden of accessing transit for low-andmiddle-income New Yorkers. At the same time, this program makes our city more affordable and more connected. at is why

we encourage this crucial investment in the MTA’s Fare-Free Bus Pilot in the nal [Fiscal Year] 2025 budget.”

e

le er also seeks $45 million to expand bus service reliability and frequency.

ose signing the le er include Reps. Meeks, Velázquez, Bowman, Nadler, Clarke, Espaillat, Ocasio-Cortez, and Torres.

Additionally, on ursday the MTA announced that it held the most expansive single day of action in all ve boroughs of New York City to promote and enroll riders into the City’s half-priced Fair Fares program in partnership with the Mayor’s O ce of Public Engagement, the New York City Department of Social Services and City Human Resources Administration. While 327,000 New York City residents are enrolled, more than a million are estimated to be eligible. Today’s “Fair Fares Day of Action,” informed riders of eligibility requirements and provided the opportunity to enroll on the spot. e program o ers a 50-percent o discount on the full fare to New York City residents aged 18 to 64, who live in a household that meets income guidelines, and eligible Access-ARide customers.

As outlined in the Blue-Ribbon Report on MTA Fare and Toll Evasion, the authority is expanding awareness around the Fair Fares program among the riding public to actively increase enrollment.

“Fair Fares is a lifeline for low-income New Yorkers, and since expanding eligibility to 120-percent of the federal poverty level and focusing our outreach on neighborhoods with higher concentrations of potentially eligible individuals we’ve seen a record number of New Yorkers enroll in the program and begin saving on transit costs,” said DSS First Deputy Commissioner Jill Berry.

Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann/MTA e city is exploring, and will soon begin piloting, emerging technologies designed to detect weapons carried by travelers into the transit system. File Photo

is

awareness around the Fair Fares program among the riding public to actively increase enrollment.

Adams Signs Bills Extending Rent-Stabilization Laws, Honoring Vallone

By Forum Sta

Mayor Eric Adams recently signed two pieces of legislation: one to extend the New York City Rent Stabilization Law of 1969 and another honoring late public servant Paul A. Vallone by naming the Animal Care Centers of NYC facility in Queens the "Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center."

In response to the New York City Department of Housing and Preservation Development's Housing Vacancy Survey, highlighting a historically low 1.4 percent rental vacancy rate, Intro. 0653A extends the city's rent-stabilization law to April 1, 2027 and underscores the need for support from all levels of government to build more housing in New York City.

"New York's intersecting crises of rising evictions, record homelessness and housing unaffordability are only worsening," said Councilwoman Pierina Ana Sanchez (D-Bronx), the bill’s sponsor. "The most recent housing vacancy survey highlights the lowest vacancy rate on record since the 1960s, showing a 1.4 percent vacancy rate with nearly 90 percent of unassisted low-income households severely rent burdened. As the demand for housing continues to surge and supply

remains severely constrained, low-income and working-class New Yorkers are leaving in record numbers. In charting the path forward, we must increase housing supply to accommodate the city's needed growth, invest in building upgrades and tenant protections so tenants can remain safely in their homes, and increase New Yorkers' ability to afford their homes so they can stay and contribute to our city's vibrancy. Thus, Intro. 653 and Reso. 256, which acknowledge the finding of a historically

low vacancy rate of 1.4 percent, allow for the continuation of rent regulation in New York City, a necessary step in providing even a modicum of stability for nearly a million rent regulated city households."

Intro. 0001-B honors public servant Paul Vallone – who died on Jan. 28, and served as deputy commissioner for external affairs at the New York City Department of Veterans Services and previously represented District 19 in Queens in the New York City Council – by naming a re-

cently completed ACC location at 19-06 Flushing Ave. in Ridgewood after him. As a councilmember, Vallone was a champion for animal welfare and advocated for improving the conditions for animals in the five boroughs.

“Paul Vallone was a beloved friend to all who infused New York City politics with his civility, passion, and humanity,” said Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven). “A champion for the welfare of all living creatures, he passed Local Law 123 that required full-service animal shelters in every borough. Renaming the Queens Animal Care Center in his memory is a fitting tribute to the man who championed animal welfare. Our furry friends bring us love and comfort, even in a city as bustling as New York. We must reciprocate that love by always caring for their wellbeing. Just as Paul was a friend to all, may his shelter be a safe haven for all animals in need.”

The $30 million facility is scheduled to open in 2025.

“The untimely passing of Paul A. Vallone came as a shock to the community,” said Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (RWhitestone). “I am thrilled that we can honor him by renaming the ACC of NYC in Queens the Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center.”

Meng, Malliotakis Introduce Legislation Expanding Housing Benefits for Veterans

By Forum Sta

Congresswomen Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-Brooklyn/ Staten Island) recently announced the introduction of the Fair Access to Co-Ops for Veterans Act, a bipartisan bill to make it easier for veterans in Queens and across the nation to purchase co-ops.

The legislation would expand the Veterans Home Loan Guarantee program to include co-ops, allowing the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs to guarantee co-op loans taken out by veterans. The bill would also direct the VA to advertise this co-op program to eligible veterans, participating lenders, and interested realtors.

e legislation comes as Meng last month testi ed in support of the bill before the House Veteran A airs Subcommi ee on Economic Opportunity.

“ e VA home loan program has been a transformative bene t for servicemembers for 80 years,” Meng said during the hearing on Capitol Hill. “But this program cannot be fully enjoyed by New Yorkers who served in our armed forces. In New York City about two in three apartment buildings are co-ops…Co-ops on average are more a ordable in New York than condos or homes. ey o er a realistic way for New

Yorkers to own their place and build equity. Currently, a veteran or service member can use their VA home loan to purchase a condo, a townhome, a mobile home, or a manufactured home, but not a co-op. It is our job to serve those who serve us. So, let’s serve them by increasing the accessibility of homeownership to more veterans… Let’s give veterans and servicemembers access to co-ops.”

In 2006 Congress passed a bill creating a ve-year pilot program allowing veterans to purchase cooperative housing. Prior to this legislation the VA Home Loans program could not be used for co-ops. However, the pilot program expired in 2011 and has not been renewed since.

e Veterans Home Loan Guarantee program helps veterans, servicemembers, and eligible surviving spouses become

homeowners. rough the program, loans are provided by private lenders with the VA guaranteeing up to 50 percent, allowing the lender to o er more favorable terms.

“With co-ops accounting for roughly a quarter of the housing market in New York City, it’s critically important that we ensure access to these properties for our veterans who’ve sacri ced so much for our nation,” said Malliotakis. “I’m proud to join Rep. Meng in introducing this bipartisan legislation to make co-ops available for VA home loans, expand a ordable housing options for our veterans and make their post-service lives a li le bit easier.”

“ e VFW supports the Fair Access to Co-Ops for Veterans Act to extend the VA home lean to veterans seeking to purchase residential cooperative housing or co-op,” Kristina Keenan, deputy director of National Legislative Service at the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said during the House hearing. “Most of the co-op housing in the United States is located in New York, which has statistically lower rates of veteran homeownership. We have worked with the New York City Department of Veteran A airs, which brought this issue to our attention. Expanding VA home loans to include co-ops would help provide long-term housing stability for more veterans around the country.”

Rendering Courtesy of Cheever Development Corporation e $30 million Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center is scheduled to open in 2025.

Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng

“Let’s give veterans and servicemembers access to co-ops,” Rep. Meng said.

25-22 30th Avenue, LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 9/28/2023. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Lucille A. Anzalone PLLC, 213-37 39th Ave, Ste 247, Bayside, NY 11361. General Purpose

LX 168 OPULENCE LLC, Art. Of Org, led NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 01/15/2024. O ce in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 16818 65th AVE, FRESH MEADOWS, NY 11365 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

BOOBILINA, LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 03/01/2023. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: JOSE ROMERO, 88-14 LIBERTY AVENUE, Ozone Park, NY 11416. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Quali cation of Koniag IT Systems, LLC. App. For Auth. led with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/19/24. O ce location: Queens County. LLC formed in Alaska (AK) on 10/17/19. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Cogency Global, Inc., 122 E 42nd St, 18th Fl, NY, NY 10168. AK address of LLC: 3800 Centerpoint Drive, Ste 700, Anchorage, AK 99503. Arts of Org led with Julie Sande, Commissioner of AK Dept of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development, 550 W 7th Ave., Ste 1535, Anchorage, AK 99501-3587. Purpose: any lawful activity.

HARBOR WATERPROOFING SERVICES LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 11/27/2023. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: e LLC, 1102 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City, NY, 11101, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

V’S PRIME MECHANICAL LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 12/05/2023. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: e LLC, 97-06 101st Ave, Ozone Park, NY 11416. Reg Agent: Vincent Castellano, 97-06 101st Ave, Ozone Park, NY 11416. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

D FT DAY LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 1/21/2024. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to D FT DAY LLC, 84-70 98TH STREET. WOODHAVEN, NY 11421. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of Professional Service Limited Liability Company Arts. of Org. of Amana Mental Health Counseling, PLLC led with Dept. of State of NY on January 30, 2024. O ce location: Queens County. Sec. of State designated agent of PLLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 8330 AustinStreet, #150301, Kew Gardens, New York 11415, principal business address. PLLC does not have a speci c date of dissolution. Purpose: Mental Health Counseling. Filer: Lavelle & Finn, LLP, 29 British American Bl., Latham, NY 12110.

Legal Notices

SSC PARTNERS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/08/2024. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZEN BUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

142-43 249TH LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 03/14/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: JOEL MOREAUX, 249-10 139TH AVE, QUEENS, NY, 11422, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of formation of OTHER MINDS PUBLISHING LLC Arts of Org led with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/05/24. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: ZEN BUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: any lawful act.

SHEFFIELDERS LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 03/13/2024. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZEN BUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

GLASS SKIN NYC LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/11/2024. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZEN BUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY 12207. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

30-16 ASTORIA LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 03/18/24. O ce: 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, 21-11 74th Street, East Elmhurst, NY 11370. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

ALPHA LANE HOLDINGS LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 03/18/24. O ce: 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 LUIS FABIAN PULLUTASIG CRIOLLO, 814 WYCOFF AVE, #2F, BROOKLYN, NY, 11237, USA.. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

ATM Services 3000 LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/27/2024. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to JeanJoseph Negouai, 76-10 34th Ave, Apt 3J, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. General Purpose

Citrus Garden LLC, Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 3/22/2024. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 104-19 177th St, 3FL, Jamaica, NY 11433. General Purpose