THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | AUGUST 26, 2021

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 24 • AUGUST 26, 2021

DEBATE & TACKLE Clear Lines are drawn between Ariola and Singh—and their Respective Supporters—as Council District 32 Race Heats up Following Spirited Forum-Sponsored Confab

See Story on Page 2

City Council candidates Felicia Singh (l., Democrat) and Joann Ariola (Republican) face off at Tuesday evening’s debate in Ozone Park.

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • AUGUST 26 2021 | 1

City Council District 32 Candidates Delivered Spirited Debate in Ozone Park

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

By Michael V. Cusenza The dozens of supporters and concerned Council District 32 residents that braved the sweltering temps Tuesday were rewarded by a spirited exchange of ideas and opinions inside the cool, comfortable Ozone Howard Little League clubhouse Tuesday evening at the second debate between candidates Joann Ariola and Felicia Singh.

Ariola, running on the Republican line, and Singh, a Democrat, are seeking to succeed Councilman Eric Ulrich (R-Ozone Park), who has represented the expansive D32 with dignity and distinction since February 2009. Term limit laws preclude him from running again.

Sponsored by The Forum, the debate was moderated by publisher Patricia Adams.

The Hon. Augustus Agate (ret.) and Forum Editor-in-Chief Michael V. Cusenza pep-

pered the candidates with questions during the roughly hour-long confab.

As expected, Ariola and Singh did not see eye-to-eye on most issues.

“Why am I running?It’s simple: I want to serve the public—I have been serving the public,” Ariola noted before rattling off her grassroots bona-fides, which include being a long-time member of Community Board 10 and the president of the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic.

“I raised my family in this district, and now they’re raising their families here,” the Lindenwood mother and grandmother added.“I am invested in this community.”

Singh, a special-education teacher by trade and Peace Corps alum, indicated in her opening statement that her parents imbued in her a strong sense of selflessness from an early age.

“I have always been taught to lead with service,” Singh said.

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

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Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

Asked if a palpable divide exists along District 32 neighborhood lines and ultimately affects where critical funding is funneled, Ariola answered, “The money goes to the needs of the community—no matter race, creed, or color.”

Singh said, “When we talk about funding—our neighborhoods don’t see the money on the ground. Not every community is the same. Give the neighborhoods that need the most the funding on the ground.”

Asked what she would do to improve relations between GOPers and Dems, conservatives and liberals, in the interest of getting things accomplished in City Hall, Singh said it’s all about fostering strong relationships with everyone through conversations and compromise.

“The first step is to understand each other,” she said. “We need to work across lines of division.”

Ariola prefaced her answer to the same

inquiry by noting, “I have a very different take on bipartisan relationships.

“We are not Republicans, we are not Democrats—we are all tax-paying members of our communities,” Ariola said. “And what we want for our hard-earned taxes is services that we all deserve.”

In her closing statement, Singh, who has characterized NYPD cops as “overburdened,” remarked that Ariola “is promising you a police car on every corner—and that is a shame.”

Ariola, the clear law-and-order candidate, shot back: “I’ve yet to meet a resident of this district that said they want less police—maybe better-trained police, but never less police.”

Ariola concluded by turning to Singh.

“The difference here is I am not movement-based or movement-backed.

I’m community-based and communitybacked.”

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

Richmond Hill Man Held more than Two-Dozen Dogs in Dungeon-Like Conditions: DA

The dogs were rescued from this home on 95th Avenue home in Richmond Hill.

By Forum Staff Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced that Andrew Cato, 59, has been charged in a 92- count criminal complaint with aggravated animal cruelty, prohibition of animal fighting and other crimes. The Richmond Hill resident allegedly bred dogs for fighting, as evidenced by numerous dog bite scars and wounds on some of the 27 dogs and the retrieval of dog fighting paraphernalia.

Cato has been arraigned on a complaint charging him with three counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, 35 counts of prohibition of animal fighting, 27 counts of failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animals, and 27 counts of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide sustenance. Cato has been ordered to return to court on Sept. 8.

According to the charges, said DA Katz, on July 28, 2021, defendant Cato directed a NYPD detective, who was responding to neighbors’ complaints about barking dogs and bad smells, into a backyard garage located at 130-15 95th Ave. The officer observed 17 pit bull-type dogs inside the garage, which was not equipped with ventilation, had a very strong odor of feces and urine and was infested by flies.

The officer further observed that the dogs were housed individually inside concrete enclosures that were without proper bedding and soiled with urine and feces. Dirty water was only available inside of five of the enclosures.

Further, said DA Katz, the defendant then took the officer into the basement of the above-mentioned location where she observed 10 additional pit bull-like dogs also individually housed in concrete enclosures. This area did not have fans or air

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conditioners, was extremely hot and had minimal air ventilation. This basement area also had a very strong odor of ammonia from urine and feces and had numerous flies. The paper bedding inside the enclosures were all soiled with urine and feces and only five enclosures had food that was contaminated with the urine and feces. None of the enclosures contained water.

Also observed and allegedly recovered from the location by the detective was a “breeding stand” and three “break sticks.” A breeding stand is typically used to immobilize the female to prevent the pit bulls from fighting when breeding.

A break stick is a device inserted behind a dog’s molar to force the jaws apart and loosen the grip of the bite.

ASPCA veterinary and behavior experts conducted forensic exams on the dogs and determined that they all suffered from pain and discomfort due to various medical ailments, were intact and had dirty, stained, malodorous hair coats from living in a filthy environment with prolonged contact to urine and feces and lack of adequate grooming. ASPCA forensic exams revealed that some of the dogs had injuries consistent with dogfighting, including scarring. The ASPCA assisted in the rescue and removal of all the dogs and continues to provide ongoing medical and behavioral treatment and enrichment.

District Attorney Katz said, “Pets and animals are meant to be protected and nurtured. In Queens, I will hold accountable those who choose to abuse them instead,” Katz said. “The animals have now been rescued from the deplorable conditions the defendant allegedly subjected them to and can no longer be bred for dogfighting.”

If convicted, Cato faces up to four years in prison.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • AUGUST 26 2021 | 3

Vandals Desecrate 9/11 Tribute Park Memorial

Vandals recently defiled the Tribute Park 9/11 Memorial.

By Michael V. Cusenza Just weeks before the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, vandals recently violated one of the most sacred patches of Queens: the Tribute Park 9/11 Memorial in Rockaway Park.

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) seethed in a statement released Monday.

“What an absolute disgraceful act of vandalism at Beach 116th Street’s 9/11 Tribute Park memorial. A crime like this would be

Photo Courtesy of NYC Parks

horrific during anytime of the year, but being so close to the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks makes this especially painful, not only for the residents of the area, but for everyone who lost a loved one on that day. I offer my support to the 100th Precinct and the NYC Parks Department in their efforts in apprehending those responsible for this disrespectful crime.”

Each year a solemn ceremony is organized at Tribute Park to honor the 57 Rockaway Park residents who lost their lives in Downtown Manhattan on Sept. 11, 2001.

File Photo

The sacred site as it once looked.

In 2016, on the 15th anniversary of the catastrophic tragedy, then-Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder said at beautiful Tribute Park, “After 15 years since 9/11, laying this rose at the Rockaway memorial service never gets any easier!” said Goldfeder, a native and resident of Far Rockaway. “Truly emotional and beautiful service where we all show our strength, resilience and send a message to our heroes that we will never forget!!!”

According to the City Parks Department, Tribute Park is scenic and quiet, a

lovely spot for visitors and community members to stop and reflect, and to find peace. The waterfront oasis was an empty lot on Sept. 11, 2001. The Twin Towers were visible from the spot, and hundreds of local residents stood here and watched the tragedy unfold. With help from the community, this serene park was built to commemorate the day. It includes a mosaic centerpiece, a cupola, and a granite rock engraved with the names of all 343 firefighters who died on that Tuesday morning.

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Diocese Announces COVID Plan for Catholic Schools

St. Helen Catholic Academy in Howard Beach

By Michael V. Cusenza The Office of the Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of Brooklyn, which includes 69 elementary schools in Brooklyn and Queens, earlier this month announced the COVID-19 safety protocols that will be in place when school opens on Wednesday, Sept. 8.

In the absence of a mandate, the New York State Department of Health recommends school districts adopt universal indoor masking for all based on guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Therefore, Catholic Academies and Parish Schools in Brooklyn and Queens will require all students, faculty, and staff members to wear masks beginning on the first day of school.

In addition, school officials will continue to encourage vaccinations, social distancing, hand washing and hand hygiene, while maintaining the rigorous daily cleaning and sanitizing of facilities as well as enhanced ventilation. Parents will be reminded to keep their child home from school if they are sick, and their child will be required to receive medical clearance from a healthcare provider that they can safely return to in-person instruction.

The Catholic Academies and Parish Schools will also continue to follow city and

Photo Courtesy of Diocese of Brooklyn

state guidelines regarding contact tracing, quarantine and isolation protocols.

“As the numbers of coronavirus cases continue to spike in children, and the overall numbers of hospitalizations in New York City are on the rise, this is the most responsible approach to take when we begin the new school year. I know the return to these safety measures is not the situation parents, teachers or students were hoping to be the case in the 20212022 school year, but we cannot ignore the trends,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Chadzutko.

“Let us do our part from day one to prevent further increase of cases. If we are successful, as this academic year moves along, we will revisit these guidelines and adjust them accordingly. As much as we want a return to normalcy in our classrooms, we want our students, faculty, and staff to be safe,” continued Dr. Chadzutko.

“Looking at the trajectory of past pandemics, it seems that a virus such as this one does linger for some time even with the vaccination. I have received my vaccination and continue to encourage others to do so as well. It is our hope that the COVID-19 vaccines will help bring an end to this terrible virus that has controlled our lives for much of the past year and a half,” said Rev. Nicholas DiMarzio, Bishop of Brooklyn.

Photo Courtesy of DOB

As much as we want a return to normalcy in our classrooms, we want our students, faculty, and staff to be safe,” said Superintendent Dr. Thomas Chadzutko.

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

THE TRUTH ABOUT HEMP OIL: IT MAY HELP YOU By now you have likely heard about the revolution sweeping the country that centers around the legal sale of hemp oil.

We’d like to clear up some common questions and misconceptions about this wonder product, so that you can consider incorporating it into your life and start receiving its benefits.

It is true that hemp oil comes from the same species of plant that marijuana does.

The primary difference is that hemp oil comes from the stem of the plant, and that which we commonly refer to as pot, comes from the flowering part of the plant.

Hemp oil and products that we now offer for sale, contains less than 3% of THC, which is the psychoactive substance that causes the high associated with marijuana. HEMP OIL DOES NOT CAUSE A HIGH! We have carefully selected a manufacturer that provides carefully tested and maintained sources for the production of their preparations and have incorporated a line of products at our store that have proven to help with a myriad of medical conditions.

CBD (cannabidiol), the non-psychoactive portions of the hemp plant, in hemp oil can be used by patients with epilepsy to ex-

perience as much as a 50% reduction in seizures.

CBD has also been shown to significantly decrease activity in the limbic part of the brain, where our fight-or-flight response is located, thereby reducing anxiety.

Although studies show that CBD containing THC are most effective in reducing inflammation and pain, topical hemp oil has been shown to be effective in pain reduction as well Studies conducted in 2014 have shown that CBD oil prevented the development of social recognition deficit, which is a common occurrence in Alzheimer’s disease. Much more research is needed in this area, but the promise of current findings has left medical community with great hopes for the future.

CBD is also a potent antioxidant, which means it protects your body from free radical damage, and is thought to exhibit antidepressant, anti-nausea, gut-protective, and immune-system-balancing effects.

Please feel free to come in and ask any questions you may have. Let us help you decide if any from the wide selection of products that we have is right for you.

Until next week!

For your family’s prescription needs, please call

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Volunteers Prep Site for Sept. 11 Mural Area volunteers last weekend completed power-washing efforts in an effort to help prepare the once-dilapidated walls under the overpass of the Belt Parkway at 84th Street between Shore Parkway and 157th Avenue for a highly anticipated Sept. 11 mural.

“THANK YOU to everyone who helped out [Saturday] to make sure the September 11th Memorial Mural is completed in time for the 20th anniversary,” the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic wrote on Facebook.

“Thank you to the West Hamilton Beach Fire Dept. with Chief Nick Spinelli, Deputy Chief A.J. Quiles and firefighter Jon Stewart and the 106th Precinct and the auxiliary team headed up by Michael Hennessy, for keeping everyone safe and coordinating with the civic on this long-awaited mural.

“Thank you to the power washing crew MIKES POWERWASHING LLC, Stephen and AJ. “Thank you to Frank and Mike who spent the morning helping and have volunteered to paint the site this week.

“Thank you to Jay Frango for your help and generosity and for finding the artists to beautify this location.

“Thank you to Gino’s Pizzeria for sending lunch for the crew!

“This was truly a community effort,” civic leadership concluded. “We thank everyone who has reached out to us to share their excitement about this project.”

Photo Courtesy of Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • AUGUST 26 2021 | 5

Richmond Hill Housekeeper Indicted for Allegedly Embezzling $72K from Elderly Boss

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

“The defendant was a long-time employee, entrusted to not only clean the home of her employer but to also help pay the bills following the death of the elderly woman’s husband. She betrayed that trust and allegedly began embezzling money instead of paying the bills,” DA Katz said.

By Forum Staff Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on Thursday announced that Ondina Flores, a trusted housekeeper for an elderly couple, has been indicted by a borough grand jury for allegedly embezzling more than $72,000 from her employers’ bank accounts over a period of four years.

Flores, 52, of Richmond Hill, was arraigned last week on a 105-count indict-

ment charging her with grand larceny in the second degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the second degree, and criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. She has been ordered to return to court on Sept. 29.

Katz said that, according to the charges, for more than 15 years Flores was a housekeeper for an elderly couple. After the death of the husband, the couple’s son continued to have the defendant clean his deteriorating mother’s home and had her assist with paying some of the recurring bills. Having the power of attorney for his mother, the son regularly signed checks against his parent’s bank accounts and gave them to the defendant to fill in the payee and the amount of the bills.

After the son’s mother died, said the DA, the victim then hired Flores to be a housekeeper at his own home in Queens.

But one day, the son and his wife observed Flores on video surveillance allegedly rummaging through their personal papers in an unauthorized location inside their home. They also caught her allegedly disconnecting the wires to cut the video feed.

This prompted the son to review bank statements of his mother’s bank accounts, which revealed that the defendant had allegedly been stealing from the mother’s bank accounts by writing numerous checks payable to cash.

A joint investigation conducted by the Queens DA’s Office and the NYPD concluded that between January 2015 and June 2019, Flores allegedly diverted 103 checks in various amounts by making them payable to cash, endorsing the back of the checks, and then either depositing them into her own bank accounts or cashing them out at a Chase bank branch in Queens. In that period, Flores is accused of stealing more than $72,000 from her em-

ployer’s bank accounts.

“The defendant was a long-time employee, entrusted to not only clean the home of her employer but to also help pay the bills following the death of the elderly woman’s husband. She betrayed that trust and allegedly began embezzling money instead of paying the bills,” Katz said. “In custody, the defendant now faces very serious charges.”

If convicted, Flores faces up to 15 years in prison.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Between January 2015 and June 2019, Flores allegedly diverted 103 checks in various amounts by making them payable to cash, endorsing the back of the checks, and then either depositing them into her own bank accounts or cashing them out at a Chase bank branch in Queens.

Richmond Hill Man Charged with Transporting Guns into NY after Buying them at Penn. Gun Show

By Forum Staff Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday that Richard McCormick, 42, is charged in a 117-count criminal complaint for allegedly purchasing a cache of high-capacity magazines, firearm components and ammunition at a gun show in Pennsylvania and driving to New York—where all are illegal to possess. Police also allegedly recovered a stockpile of illegal guns, high-capacity magazines, silencers, and ammunition in the defendant’s Richmond Hill home.

McCormick was arraigned last week on a complaint charging with criminal possession of a weapon in the second, third and fourth degree, criminal possession of a firearm, maketransport-dispose-deface weapons and dangerous instruments and unlawful possession of pistol or revolver ammunition. McCormick was remanded and his court date set for Aug. 20.

According to the charges, on Aug. 15, shortly after 10 a.m., the defendant was allegedly observed in Pennsylvania attending the Oaks Gun Show. McCormick allegedly purchased numerous high- capacity magazines, firearm components and ammunition and loaded the items into a Cadillac vehicle. McCormick then drove through New Jersey and crossed the George Washington Bridge into New York City.

Shortly after entering New York City, the defendant was pulled over by members of the

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

Police allegedly seized a cache of illegal firearms from McCormick’s Richmond Hill home, along with 9,991 bullets, four gun silencers and other illegal firearm parts.

Port Authority Police Department.

Cops allegedly seized the following items from the vehicle: • 44 high-capacity magazines • An upper slide and barrel for a 9mm pistol • A trigger assembly • 15 rounds of 12-gauge slug ammunition • 1,000 rounds of 7.62 rifle ammunition • A hook knife and switchblade • 15 rounds of 12-gauge buckshot ammunition • 100 rounds of 9mm ammunition During the stop, said the DA, McCormick

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allegedly told police that everything in the car was his. He was bringing it home and he lives in Queens.

Continuing, according to the complaint, police executed a court-authorized warrant to search McCormick’s 85th Drive home. Law enforcement seized $8,500 in cash and more weapons and ammunition allegedly from McCormick’s residence.

The following items were allegedly recovered from the defendant’s residence: • A package containing all parts needed to assemble a 9mm SCCY pistol

• Parts needed to assemble a polymer80 .45 caliber ACP pistol • The parts to assemble a 9mm semi-automatic pistol • 5 high-capacity magazines capable of holding in excess of 10 rounds • 4 firearm silencers • A set of brass knuckles • 2 switchblades • 3 finished upper receivers for pistols • 9,991 bullets for various calibers of weapons, including 9mm and .45 caliber firearms District Attorney Katz said, “The scourge of illegal guns in our City has caused bloodshed and heartache. This defendant is accused of taking advantage of the easy access to guns outside of our state in order to bring them into our communities. This is an all-time, too-often issue in our City. We will now seek to bring this defendant to justice for his alleged crimes.”

If convicted, McCormick faces up to 20 years in prison.

DA Katz noted that the investigation was conducted by Investigator Jason Robles, of the DA’s Detective Squad, Investigators Al Vasquez and Christian Spears of the New York State Police and Senior Investigator MK Fagan of the New York State Police.

Also assisting with the investigation is Assistant District Attorney ShanonLaCorte, of the District Attorney’s Crimes Strategies Unit.

Get the Most Out of Your Tomato Harvest

By Melinda Myers Nothing beats the flavor of fresh-fromthe-garden tomatoes and when they’re left on the plant five to eight days after the fruit are fully colored, the flavor only gets better.

Check plants regularly and keep harvesting, so the plants continue to produce throughout the fall. This also reduces problems with insects and disease attacking overripe or rotting fruit. Store the mature red tomatoes in cool, 45- to 50-degree, conditions with high humidity and they’ll last about 7 to 14 days.

Consider pinching off the growing tip of indeterminate tomatoes now. These plants will keep growing and producing new flowers and fruit until the frost kills the plant. By pruning off the tip in September the plant will direct its energy into ripening the existing fruit instead of producing more tomatoes that won’t have time to mature.

When frost is in the forecast be prepared to protect your plants and harvest. Cover plants

with sheets, lightweight blankets or floating row covers in the afternoon. All but the row covers must be removed each day when the temperatures are above freezing. Since row covers allow air, light and water through to the plants while trapping the heat, they can remain in place until the end of the harvest season.

Once you grow tired of fighting the frost, consider picking any tomatoes that are starting to show some color and allow them to finish ripening indoors. The blossom end of the tomato should be greenish white or starting to show the color of the tomato variety you’re growing. Store green tomatoes in a cool 60- to 65- degree location to extend their storage life.

Spread out the tomatoes on heavy paper or wrap them individually in newspaper so the fruit do not touch. This prevents one rotten tomato from spoiling nearby fruit.

The green tomatoes will ripen over the next few weeks. Speed up the process by moving a few tomatoes to a bright, warm location a few days before they're needed.

Next season consider growing some short season tomatoes like Fourth of July that start producing fruit earlier in the season. Extend your enjoyment by growing a few tomato varieties such as Garden Peach, Golden Treasure, Long Keeper and Reverend Morrow’s Long Keeper that last longer in storage.

And don't let the rest of the green tomatoes go to waste. You can use them for frying, chow chow, green salsa and other tasty treats.

GO ROYAL’S

The Ozone Howard Royals men's softball team ended the 2021 summer season with overall record of 26-18, finishing 2nd in the division.

The Royal’s are managed by league president Joe Bode, the team’s pitcher, and many former Ozone Howard little league players are on the roster, in-

cluding JoJo and Michael Bode, VinnyBlandino, Jose Velasquez, Jamie passerella, Andrew and John Sapia, Travis Zurita, Isaac Stumme, Andrew Rodriguez and coach Danny Villanueva.

The Royal’s will begin thier fall season September 12th.

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Hochul Hails Return-to-School Plan

By Forum Staff Newly minted Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced a new plan that she has said will help ensure a safe, productive return to schools this fall in the midst of rising COVID-19 numbers fueled by the Delta variant.

As part of the plan, Hochulsaid she has directed the State Department of Health to institute a universal mask requirement in all schools, public and private, as determined necessary at the discretion of the commissioner. The Department of Health will issue the requirement through regulatory action established by the Public Health and Health Planning Council.

Hochulpledged to also pursue options to mandate vaccines for school employees or require weekly testing in the absence of vaccines, and will continue to work with the DOH, education stakeholders, and the State Legislature on establishing the mandate. ”As governor, my priorities are now the priorities of the people of New York—and right now that means fighting the Delta variant,” Hochuladded. “My Number 1 priority is getting children back to school and protecting the environment so they can learn safely.”

In order to help ensure testing is available to students as they return to school, Hochul administration officials have indicated that the governor is using $335 million in federal

funds to launch a new COVID-19 Testing in Schools Program in partnership with local health departments and Boards of Cooperative Educational Services in the Empire State outside of New York City. In addition, NYC has received $225 million directly to initiate a COVID-19 Testing in Schools Program across the five boroughs, for a total of $560 million in federal funding in New York State to support these programs.

Hochul also launched a back-to-school COVID-19 testing program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rite Aid, and BioReference to make testing more widely available for State public school students before the start of the 2021-2022 school year.

In addition to these new testing programs, State officials have noted that more than 4.3 million child-sized clothed face masks, about 10 million adult-sized clothed face masks, and almost 55 million non-surgical face masks have been made available to students and teachers in schools across NY. “Our highest priority is helping to ensure the health and safety of our students and educators as we work together to combat COVID-19,” said State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, M.D.“Since early July, COVID-19 cases in New York have risen 10-fold and 95 percent of sequenced positive cases were confirmed to be Delta variant. Based on incidence and prevalence,

Photo Courtesy of the Office of the Governor

“My No. 1 priority is getting children back to school and protecting the environment so they can learn safely,”

our findings demonstrate the necessity of layered prevention strategies, including this mask requirement. While a simple measure of prevention, requiring masks now is crucial for protecting the health of our children and ensuring we can get our students back in their schools this fall.”

State Commissioner of Education Betty Rosa, Ph.D.,added, “Since the onset of the pandemic, the health and safety of our students, teachers, and school personnel has

been our top priority. With the increase in COVID variant cases around the state, Gov. Hochul’s action, taken after consultation with educators, demonstrates her commitment to the health and wellbeing of our students and the importance of keeping our schools open.

The State Education Department supports a consistent application of masking requirements in schools, easing the return to school with a common line of defense against the spread of the COVID variant.

Mayor, DOE Announce DOE Employee Vaccine Mandate

City Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

By Michael V. Cusenza Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter, and Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Dave A. Chokshion Monday announced a new healthcare mandate requiring all New City Department of Education employees to provide proof of first dose of vaccination by Sept. 27.

The mandate is in alignment with recom-

mendations from the CDC, which has recommended that school teachers and staff be vaccinated as soon as possible because vaccination is the most critical strategy to help schools safely resume fully in the fall. It will apply to all 148,000 Department of Education employees, including school-based and central staff, as well as DOE contractors who work in school-based settings. Currently at least 63 percent of DOE employees have at

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least one dose. This number will continue to increase in the lead-up to the first day of school and reach one hundred percent by Sept. 27.

Employees will upload proof of their first dose to the DOE Vaccination Portal, which allows all DOE employees and students to provide their vaccination status and to upload proof of vaccination. Accepted uploads can be an image of a vaccination card, NYS Excelsior Pass, or another government record. Submitting this information will support New York City’s pandemic response and recovery efforts, and help ensure that the DOE is a safe place to work for all employees and a safe place to learn for all children.

“The vaccine is both a personal defense against disease and a community defense against spread,” Chokshi said. “When it comes to younger children, our defenses are their defenses. This is the right policy where it matters most—in our schools.”

More information about locations where New Yorkers can receive a vaccine for COVID-19 can be found at vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

“As a parent, I put the health and safety of my children first, always. Parents can be assured this fall that their school communities and the phenomenal school staff our children interact with every day are protected by safe, effective vaccines,” said

City Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter.

“This is another layer to our multi-layered health and safety strategy and an important step in keeping our school communities safe.”

As expected, many organizations have vowed to fight the mandate.

The Communication Workers of America Local 1180, one of the largest public sector locals of CWA, representing more than 9,000 active members and 6,200 retirees, promised legal action against the City.

“Local 1180, along with other City unions, received notice today that the mayor has issued yet another mandate regarding COVID vaccinations, this time for all employees of the Department of Education. This applies not only to teachers, but to everyone who works at the DOE, including our members,” Local 1180 President Gloria Middleton said on Monday. “Effective Sept. 27, all DOE employees must get at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, without the option of submitting to weekly testing instead.Local 1180, as part of the Municipal Labor Committee, will file an Unfair Labor Practices complaint over the City’s failure to bargain. Unions firmly believe that the impact of this policy must be negotiated with unions under the contractual obligations as per the collective bargaining law.”

Federal Approval Granted to Kick off Environmental Assessment, Public Outreach Process for Congestion Pricing Plan

By Forum Staff The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, State Department of Transportation, and the City Department of Transportation on Friday announced an agreement to kick off the Environmental Assessment that will jump-start the public outreach process for the proposed Central Business District Tolling Program, or Congestion Pricing.

Under the plan, which was developed with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, the Environmental Assessment is scheduled to take 16 months and include more than 20 public meetings and outreach to Environmental Justice communities in relevant areas of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Though the Central Business District Tolling Program Environmental Assessment is unprecedented in its complexity of interlinked variables and covers an extraordinarily broad geographic scope—significantly larger than is typically covered in an Environmental Assessment—the agreed upon 16-month time-frame is actually shorter than those done for many projects with relatively small geographic, population and environmental footprints.

Environmental Assessment and Outreach Unprecedented in Scope Incorporating and documenting all this public input, the project partners will create

an Environmental Assessment document analyzing the impact of Central Business District Tolling on traffic congestion, transit, air quality and numerous other environmental indicators in 28 counties across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. All told, the Study Area contains 22 million people, including 12.3 million residents residing in environmental justice communities, and five Tribal Nations.

Public Outreach The “robust public outreach” effort required by FHWA will commence in coming weeks with meetings with federal, state and local agencies from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Those meetings will be followed by 10 virtual public meetings that will be held online and start in late September in which individuals and stakeholder groups can learn about the project and comment.

Besides the public meetings, there will be additional briefings for elected officials, community boards, transit and environmental advocates, and other interested parties.

A project website and informational handout will be rolled out in coming days.

Focus on Environmental Justice for Minority and Low-Income Communities The public outreach will also place heightened attention on Environmental Justice communities in relevant counties in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut to study potential positive and adverse impacts

MTA Acting Chairman and CEO JannoLieber

the proposed CBDTP could have on minority or low-income populations. In addition to the public outreach meetings, there will be an additional three virtual public meetings in early October with specific outreach to EJ communities in the same 28-county Study Area. An Environmental Justice Technical Group and a separate EJ Stakeholder Working Group will also be created in coming weeks.

The Central Business District Tolling Program was authorized by the State in April 2019 and modeled on urban congestion pricing programs around the world to

Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann/MTA

reduce traffic congestion and raise needed revenue to improve public transportation.

Other cities across the world that have similar programs have also experienced improved air quality. If approved by FHWA, the CBDTP would be the first such program in the United States.

“Our recent successfulprojects like the LIRR Main Line Expansion show how the MTA is able do unprecedented levels of public outreach and also deliver projects on schedule at the same time,” said MTA Acting Chairman and CEO JannoLieber.“We intend to do just that again here.”

Borough Chamber of Commerce Launches Prescription Drug Discount Program

Photo Courtesy of Google

Thousands of pharmacies accept the QCC Prescription Discount Card, including Cross Bay Chemist in Howard Beach.

By Forum Staff The Queens Chamber of Commerce on Monday launched its QCC Prescription Discount Card Program. Through the program, Chamber members will be eligible to receive a card that helps decrease prescription drug costs by as much as 80 percent.

According to Chamber officials, the QCC Prescription Discount Card provides members with savings as high as 80 percent on both brand-name and generic prescription medications, and is accepted at more than 67,000 pharmacies around the country. Officials emphasized that the

Card is free—there are no enrollment fees, premiums, or deductibles and no claims forms, referrals, or paperwork are needed to receive benefits.The QCC Prescription Discount Card is a drug coupon and is not insurance. While it cannot be combined with insurance, members can use the card instead of insurance if: • A drug isn’t covered by insurance • Current insurance plan has no drug coverage • Current insurance plan has a high deductible • Member has met a low medicine cap

Courtesy of Queens Chamber of Commerce

To learn more about the QCC Prescription Discount Program, visit: discount-queenschamber.citizensrx.com/.

“The Queens Chamber of Commerce represents over 1,400 member businesses with over 150,000 Queens based employees. 90 percent of those businesses have 10 or fewer employees,” said Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “As the cost of running a small business continues to increase, both business owners and their employees know that every nickel counts. We are thrilled to help our membership decrease their medical prescription costs.”

To learn more about the QCC Prescription Discount Program, visit: discountqueenschamber.citizensrx.com/.

Photo Courtesy of QCC

“As the cost of running a small business continues to increase, both business owners and their employees know that every nickel counts,” said Tom Grech, president and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to help our membership decrease their medical prescription costs.”

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Legal Notices BITE BACK EXTERMINATION LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/21/2021. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:BITE BACK EXTERMINATION LLC, 13946 87th RD., JAMAICA, NY 11435. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

DR. HILLARY HANCOCK, PSYD, PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/12/2021. 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, 41-06 50th STREET, 6B, WOODSIDE, NY 11377. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Formation of 65-75 WOODHAVEN, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/19/21. Office location: Queens County. Princ. office of LLC: 65-75 Woodhaven Blvd., Rego Park, NY 11374. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Farmers Handicrafts LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 7/12/21. 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 James Howlader, 111-32 43rd Avenue, Corona , New York 11368.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

LawEd Connections, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 7/20/21. 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 the LLC, 118-21 Queens Blvd Suite #606 Forest Hills, NY 11375. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

GLOBAL LUXURY COLLECTION LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 03/04/2020. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:MISHAEL MULLOKANDOV, 11949 UNION TURNPIKE, #5B, FOREST HILLS, NY 11375 . Purpose: any lawful activity.

JSR DISTRIBUTION LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/30/2020. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: JSR DISTRIBUTION LLC, 231-10 148TH AVE., SPRINGFIELD GARDENS, NY 11413.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

LOYALTYVARISITY LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 06/03/2021. Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: LOYALTYVARSITY LLC, 14557 232ND STREET, SPRINGFIELD GARDENS, NY 10457 . Purpose: any lawful activity. Purpose: any lawful activity.

PB ELECTRICAL AND MECHANICAL LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 06/11/2021.

Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: CHARLES F BRANDY, 209-20 HOLLIS AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY 11429 .

Purpose: any lawful activity.

SIP AND SLIP SLUSH BAR LOUNGE LLC Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 07/09/2021.

Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:SIP AND SLIP SLUSH BAR LOUNGE, PO BOX 900421, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY 11690-0421 . Purpose: any lawful activity.

LAW OFFICE OF SEEMA GULIANI, PLLC. Articles of Org. filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 08/03/2021.

Office in Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 198-42 Foothill Ave,. Hollis, NY 11423 . Purpose: To practice Law.

Notice of Formation, BEIW LLC Articles of Organization were filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 07/09/2021 Office Location: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to the LLC, 47-15 164th St. Flushing, NY 11358. Purpose: For any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of THE PURPLEDOT LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Secretary of State (SSNY) on 07/19/2021. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process may be served against the LLC against the LLC. SSNY mail process to c/o Cabanillas and Associates 120 Bloomingdale Road, Suite 400, White Plain NY 10605. Any lawful purpose.

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Notice of formation of CITYPRINTS, LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Secretary of State (SSNY) on 07/23/2021. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process may be served against the LLC against the LLC. SSNY mail process to ERICK TERAN, 83-09 35TH AVE, APT E21, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372, US. Any lawful purpose.

8032 JAMAICA CHICKEN LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/06/2021. 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, 8032 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11421. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of formation of CITYPRINTS, LLC Articles of Org. filed with NY Secretary of State (SSNY) on 07/23/2021. Office location: Queens, NY. SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process may be served against the LLc . SSNY mail process to ERICK TERAN, 83-09 35TH AVE, APT E21, JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372, US. Purpose:Any lawful purpose.

C & C CAPITAL HOLDINGS GROUP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/09/2021 Office: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process served against the LLC to TIMOTHY CASALLAS, 61-55 98TH STREET, APT ST. G, REGO PARK, NY 11374, USA.. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of a Foreign Limited Liability Company ( LLC) Name: RD Rockaway, LLC Application for Authority filed by the Department of State of New York on: 07/14/2021 Jurisdiction: Delaware Organized on: 04/20/2021 Office location: County of Queens Secretary of State of New York (SSNY ) is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to:The LLC, 418 Clifton Avenue Lakewood, NJ 08701. Address required to maintained in Delaware: 874 Walker Road, Suite C Dover, DE 19904 Authorized office in it jurisdiction is: Delaware Secretary of State 401 Federal St., #4 Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any and all lawful activities.

SERICA FACTS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/15/2020. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: SAMANTHA PARCHMENT, 153-50 89TH AVE, APT 825, QUEENS, NY 11432. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County, on the 19th day of FEBRUARY 2021, bearing Index Number NC000444-20/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, New York, 11435, grants me the right to assume the name of SHAAN SALAHUDIN. My present name is SHAAN SEEPAL (infant). The city and state of my present address is South Richmond Hill, NY. The month and year of my birth are MARCH 2015. The place of my birth is QUEENS, NY.

For the best service and prices for classified ads and legal notices Call The Forum 718-845-3221

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