THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | AUGUST 4, 2022

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 29 • AUGUST 4, 2022

BLUE BYE

Community Bids Farewell to Beloved 106th Precinct Community Affairs Detective at 2022 National Night Out Against Crime

See story on page 2

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (l.) and her Chief of Staff Phyllis Inserillo on Tuesday honor Det. Brenda Reddick at Tudor Park in Ozone Park for her 21 years of service to the people and businesses of the 106th Precinct.

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

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South Queens Celebrates that Special Cop-Community Relationship—and One Exceptional Public Servant—at the 106th Precinct’s 2022 National Night Out Against Crime

By Michael V. Cusenza From Ridgewood to Far Rockaway Tuesday evening, the city that never sleeps seemed to press pause—at least for a couple of hours—to relax, enjoy their neighbors’ company (and food), and celebrate that unique bond between the Finest and the people they sore to protect every day.

Hundreds of families joined members of the 106th Precinct at its public-police party at Tudor Park in Ozone Park. One special NYPD attendee was Det. Brenda Reddick.

After more than 21 years at the 106, Det. Reddick is moving on to bluer pas-

tures at Patrol Borough Queens South— but not before she was showered with gifts, awards, and various tokens of appreciation for decades of hard work.

“Tonight we honored Detective Brenda Reddick for her 21 years of service at the 106 and to our communities. Brenda has become a friend and family to so many of us. We will miss you, we love you but we know just where to find you. May God bless you and keep you safe,” Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park) said.

After wiping away tears, Reddick placed her feelings in a succinct, yet incredibly profound proclamation.

“This is not simply somewhere I work.

This is somewhere I love.”

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

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Teen Faces up to 15 Years for Hate Attack

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Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

“Hate crimes in the most diverse county in the world undermine the very fabric of this great borough and will never be tolerated,” DA Katz said.

By Forum Staff Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced that a 16-year-old girl has been charged with assault as a hate crime and other charges for allegedly assaulting a 57-year-old woman on a public bus near the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard last month. An apprehended juvenile female has also been charged; a third female remains unapprehended.

District Attorney Katz said, “As alleged, this defendant, as well as two other individuals, carried out a vicious assault on a public transit rider simply because of the victim’s race. Hate crimes in the most diverse county in the world undermine the very fabric of this great borough and will never be tolerated. The defendant is now charged with assault as a hate crime and will be held to account for her alleged actions.”

The defendant, of Murray Avenue, in Syracuse, was arraigned last week before Queens Criminal Court Judge Joseph Casper on a seven-count complaint charging her with assault in thesecond and third degree as a hate crime, assault in the second and third degree, menacing in the third degree as a hate crime, aggravated harassment in the second degree and menacing. If convicted, the defendant faces 3 1/2 to 15 years in prison.

Katz said that, according to video surveillance footage and information provided by the complainant, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 9, the victim indicated that she was sitting near the rear of the Q53 bus and was approached by three unknown females, the defendant, the apprehended juvenile and an unapprehended female who was holding a shopping bag. The unapprehended other looked directly at her and stated, “I hate white people” and “hates white people’s skin.” As they continued riding, the bus passed a cemetery and the unapprehended other stated to the victim, “I am going to kill you, this is where I’m going to bury you.”

As the bus came to a stop near the intersection of Jamaica Avenue and Woodhaven Boulevard, the apprehended juvenile along with the unapprehended other who was carrying a shopping bag both spat on the victim. The unapprehended other then allegedly hit the victim repeatedly in the head with the shopping bag. The defendant, along with the apprehended other allegedly punched the victim several times in her head and fled the bus together.

The victim was taken to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center for her injuries, including a deep laceration on the right side of her head which required three staples close.

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The victim was assaulted on a bus traveling Woodhaven Boulevard near Jamaica Avenue.

Photo Courtesy of Google

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Mayor ‘Flips the Switch,’ Turns on Speed Cameras 24/7

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“Traffic safety is public safety, and today marks the start of a new chapter for traffic safety in our city,” Mayor Adams said.

B y Fo r u m S t a f f Mayor Eric Adams on Monday flipped a ceremonial switch to mark the expansion of the city's speed camera program that will help keep New Yorkers safe around the clock. Beginning tonight, the city's 2,000 speed cameras in 750 school zones citywide will operate 24/7 for the first time. Throughout July, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the New York

City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC), the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), and other agencies and offices in the city's Vision Zero Task Force led a multimedia, multilingual public awareness campaign to inform drivers of the coming change and remind them to drive safely and responsibly. Speed cameras and automated traffic enforcement are proven tools that prevent dangerous behavior and crashes, reducing speeding by 72 percent on average.

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Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

A State law supported by the Adams administration and signed in June by Gov. Kathy Hochul now allows the cameras to operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

The city's 2,000 automated speed cameras were previously authorized by the state to operate only on weekdays, between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM – missing the 59 percent of traffic fatalities that occurred when the cameras were previously required to be turned off.

A state law supported by the Adams administration and signed in June by Gov. Kathy Hochul now allows the cameras to operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Nearly one-third of on-street traffic fatalities occur in camera zones at times when cameras were previously not permitted to operate.

"The NYPD is committed to driving down fatalities," said NYPD Chief of Transportation Kim Royster. "Extending the hours of speed cameras in our communities is another layer of enforcement that will hold reckless drivers accountable and protect our most vulnerable road users. We support this technology and will work with our Vision Zero partners to educate the public. The message is clear: Slow down. Everyone should drive safely because traffic safety is public safety."

NYC, States Target Illegal Cigarette Shipments

Photo Courtesy of City of New York

Photographs of illegal cigarettes delivered by the USPS.

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Corporation Counsel Sylvia O. Hinds-Radix on Monday announced a settlement with the United States Postal Service (USPS) that implements robust measures to end the unlawful practice of mailing cigarettes into the United States by foreign shippers. The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by the City of New York and four state attorneys general alleging the USPS transported cigarettes in violation of a 2010 federal law.

Enacted by Congress in 2010, the Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking (PACT) Act prohibits the USPS from knowingly accepting or transporting cigarettes in the mail unless authorized by certain narrow exceptions.

For the most part, the PACT Act appears to have deterred domestic sellers from shipping cigarettes using the USPS, but has been less effective in eliminating cigarettes mailed from overseas.

Investigations under taken by the New York Cit y Sher if f ’s Of f ice and multiple state attorneys general from across the countr y have revealed that hundreds of thousands of packages of cigarettes are estimated to be mai led through foreign postal ser v ices, transferred into the U.S. mai l system, and delivered to U.S. households each year. These investigations include package audits at USPS international mai l faci lities and undercover investigations of international cigarette sel lers deliver ing to U.S. households. The investigations demonstrated that the USPS’s practices for detecting and

stopping the transpor t and deliver y of cigarettes from overseas sources to consumers have been inef fective over the last decade.

Following unsuccessful attempts by the city and others to negotiate improvements to the USPS’s compliance with the PACT Act, in October 2019, the city co-led a lawsuit in federal court in Brooklyn, seeking a permanent injunction prohibiting the USPS from delivering packages known or reasonably believed to contain cigarettes and prohibiting the USPS’s practice of returning identified packages of cigarettes to shippers. The USPS’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit was denied, and the court ruled that the USPS was subject to suit by state and local governments for violations of the PACT Act and that the USPS’s practice of returning cigarette packages to overseas senders, as alleged in the complaint itself, violated the PACT Act. In the settlement, the USPS has agreed to implement the following comprehensive reforms: • Upgrade its Advance Electronic Data technology to significantly improve its ability to detect cigarette packages in international mail.

• Permanently discontinue its practice of returning cigarette packages to senders that would often just resend the packages in another attempt to get them delivered. Instead, the USPS has agreed to destroy these cigarette packages as allowed by law, a costly disincentive to these international shippers.

• Provide the identifying information of illegal shippers to plaintiffs’ law enforcement arms so enforcement actions can be taken.

• Designate a compliance manager to oversee and manage PACT Act compliance, including ensuring that the changes in this agreement are implemented.

• Form a joint committee with representatives of each of the plaintiffs that will assess the USPS’ progress on implementing reforms.

• Implement additional policies and employee training to ensure compliance with the PACT Act, and help employees recognize and dispose of packages containing cigarettes.

The City’s action against the USPS follows prior successful actions against Federal Express, United Parcel Service, and LaserShip, among others, for shipping cigarettes in violation of the PACT Act. Joining NYC in announcing this settlement are the attorneys general of California, Connecticut, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

BANKING YOUR BABY’S FUTURE: Insight into Stem Cells, Cord Blood & Tissue In today’s ever changing technology landscape there are options for our newborn children that could never have even been dreamt of in past years.

Medical technology has progressed to a point where harvesting the blood from the umbilical vein in the cord during birth provides a supply rich in stem cells. These harvested stem cells are then banked in a medical facility and stored in the event that a child becomes ill and is in need of these potentially life saving cells.

Cord blood contains blood-forming stem cells that can be used in the treatment of patients with blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, as well as certain disorders of the blood and immune systems, such as sickle cell disease and Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome.

Because chemotherapy kills both cancer cells and the healthy blood-forming stem cells, transplanted stem cells from cord blood can help re-grow healthy blood cells after the administration of chemo. Regeneration of blood-forming cells is a process facilitated by successful stem cell implantation. .

Cord blood is an FDA-approved treatment for nearly 80 diseases including numerous types of malignancies, anemia, inherited metabolic disorders and deficiencies of the immune system. It has saved thousands of lives around the world through more than 40,000 transplantations.

Cord tissue research continues in clinical

trials for the hopes of treating diseases including ALS, Alzheimer’s, heart disease, Lupus, Parkinson’s stroke and many other illnesses.

But consumers must be aware that choosing a reputable facility for these procedures is a time consuming and tedious process. It is a daunting task for those without medical knowledge and familiarity.

There are many avenues to be explored and many companies who offer the services. We at Cross Bay Chemist recognize that many of the families in the communities we serve are considering these life saving options for their unborn children.

As a result we are looking forward to offering information to make your research easier and help you to make informed and life saving decisions for your children.

In weeks to come we will be providing you with information supported by both science and the laws regulating these procedures. If you are considering ay of these options we caution you to act with extreme care and caution before committing to any specific companies. This is not an area in which a YELP or online review provided by individual companies is an appropriate platform on which to base your decision.

Consult with your Ob-Gyn as well to determine their familiarity with the collection process and make sure your hospital is prepared for collection of blood and tissue.

We will be back with much more information on this topic.

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.

Man Charged with Richmond Hill Homicide

By Forum Staff Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday that Tariek Sykes, 34, has been charged with shooting his female friend in broad daylight on the street in Richmond Hill. The Monday shooting took place following a verbal dispute between Sykes and Sydney Lugo.

Sykes, who has no known address, was arraigned Monday on a complaint charging him with murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

According to the charges, on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022, at approximately 9:30 a.m., the defendant was involved in an argument with the victim, Sydney Lugo, 24, in front of 119-11 109th Ave. The defendant then allegedly fired one time at Lugo,

striking her in the arm and chest, fatally wounding her.

Officers responding to the scene recovered a 9 mm pistol loaded with one round of ammunition in the chamber and a magazine loaded with two rounds of ammunition. Also recovered from in front of the location was one shell casing.

If convicted, Sykes faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

Photo Courtesy of Google The murder took place at this Richmond Hill home on 109th Avenue.

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MTA Touts ‘Significant Steps’ toward Congestion Pricing

By Forum Staff Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) chairman and CEO Janno Lieber, on behalf of the MTA, New York State Department of Transportation and New York City Department of Transportation, recently announced two significant steps toward the implementation of congestion pricing, known formally as the Central Business District Tolling Program. He announced the empaneling of the program’s Traffic Mobility Review Board (TMRB) with the appointment of five members. He also announced an anticipated timeframe for the release of the program’s Environmental Assessment, which must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for the program to proceed.

The document is anticipated to be released on or about Aug. 10, with agencies to hold a series of six virtual public hearings seeking public feedback beginning on Thursday, Aug. 25, and concluding on Wednesday, Aug. 31.

The agencies will begin collecting public feedback on the Environmental Assessment on or about Aug. 10. Comments will be accepted online as well as email, mail, voicemail, fax and via a series of six hearings, which will be held online and accessible via mta.info/CBDTP at the dates and times listed below. Comments at these sessions will

File Photo

The timeframe for the release of the Central Business District Tolling Program’s (a.k.a. Congestion Pricing) Environmental Assessment, which must be approved by the Federal Highway Administration for the program to proceed, is anticipated to be released on or about Aug. 10

also become part of the formal record.

Thursday, Aug. 25, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 27, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 29, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 30, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Should congestion pricing be approved by the Federal Highway Administration, the TMRB would develop recommendations for toll rates, as well as any credits,

discounts, or exemptions and then present the recommendations to the MTA Board for consideration before the program is implemented. Appointing the TMRB members prior to the release of the Environmental Assessment will allow them to benefit directly from the public comment period, reviewing feedback as they learn and understand information provided by the CBDTP Team.

The TMRB will take into consideration traffic patterns, traffic mitigation measures,

operating costs, vehicle types, public impact, public safety, peak and off-peak rates and environmental impacts. Accompanying their recommendations, the TMRB will provide a report on the review and analysis behind its recommendations. Ultimately, the MTA Board (which is also the Board of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, known legally as the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority) will determine the final toll structure after the TMRB’s recommendations.

The recommendations must ensure collection of annual net revenues and fees necessary to fund at least $15 billion for the MTA’s 2020 to 2024 capital program.

The Board consists of one appointee recommended by the Mayor of the City of New York, one resident in the Metro-North Railroad region, and one resident in the Long Island Rail Road region. All members have experience in one or more of the following areas: public finance, transportation, mass transit or management.

The MTA recently announced the appointment of the chairman of the Traffic Mobility Review Board and four members: Carl Weisbrod, chairman of the Traffic Mobility Review Board; John H. Banks; Scott Rechler; Elizabeth Velez, Kathryn Wilde/ A sixth member will be recommended

by Mayor Eric Adams.

Districting Commission Releases Online Software to Allow Residents to Draw their Own District Maps

By Forum Staff The City Districting Commission recently released a customized NYC-version of DistrictR, an online mapping tool, which will allow New Yorkers to draw their own City Council districts -- and submit their drawings to the Commission as their public testimony.

“This is a big step forward in digital democracy,” said Commission Chairwoman Dennis Walcott. “Never before have New Yorkers had this kind of opportunity for full participation in the mapmaking process.”

The City is in the middle of the mapmaking process. A new City Council plan is drawn every ten years following the U.S. Census to bring the city into compliance

with the Constitutional doctrine of oneperson, one vote, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the charter of the City of New York.

DistrictR, accessible through the Commission’s website at nyc.gov/districting, allows individuals to draw maps like the city’s mapmakers do. The software gives every New Yorker access to data and mapping capabilities like those used by the Commission. This includes population data, census blocks, citizen voting age population data by race, existing Council district lines, Community Board boundaries, and the new five percent population deviation legal requirement. This was created by the city’s mapmakers: Redistricting Partners.

The city’s population grew 8.2 million in 2010 to 8.8 million in 2020, according to

For more information in districting , visit https://districtr.org/event/NYC2022.

Courtesy of CDC

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the Census, an increase the size of the city of Detroit. To reflect this growth and bring the city in line with federal, state, and local laws the new preliminary plan raises the average number of residents per City Council district from 160,710 to 172,882. These parameters are built into DistrictR. The independent District Commission voted on the Preliminary Plan on Friday, July 15th, after receiving public testimony from nearly 500 city residents at public hearings held from May through June in each of the five boroughs. Testimony was heard in person and received via Zoom and by email. The Commission also meets with advocates and stakeholders.

These maps are available for public review and comment online at nyc.gov/districting.

Next, the Commission will hold another five hearings in each of the boroughs to get more public testimony on the Preliminary Plan. The hearings are scheduled for Aug. 16, 17, 18, 21 and 22.

Testimony may be provided via Zoom, in person during the public hearings, and by email at PublicTestimony@redistricting. nyc.gov, and by mail at NYC Districting Commission, 253 Broadway, 3rd Floor, NY, NY 10007.

The public can submit their DistrictR maps to the Commission by simply hitting “save” on DistrictR and emailing their maps to the Commission at PublicTestimony@redistricting.nyc.gov. The final maps are anticipated to be completed by December 2022.

Photo Courtesy of CDC

“This is a big step forward in digital democracy,” said Commission Chairman Dennis Walcott.

Monkeypox State of Emergency in NYC

File Photo

Both Mayor Adams and Gov. Hochul have issued emergency executive orders declaring a states of emergency due to the monkeypox outbreak.

By Michael V. Cusenza Mayor Eric Adams on Monday issued an emergency executive order declaring a local state of emergency due to the monkeypox outbreak and released the following statement: “As the monkeypox outbreak continues to grow in New York City and across the country, I am today issuing an emergency executive order declaring a local

state of emergency. New York City now has over 1,200 reported cases, approximately 25 percent of cases nationally, and we are continuing to see the numbers rise.

This order will bolster our existing efforts to educate, vaccinate, test, and treat as many New Yorkers as possible and ensure a whole-of-government response to this outbreak. In partnership with federal, state, and local officials we will continue to respond with the urgency required to keep people safe and this order is another tool to help us do so.”

As the governor has declared a state of emergency in New York, this emergency executive order allows the mayor to suspend local laws, and enact rules, as necessary, to protect the well-being and health of all New Yorkers. The separate public health declaration of emergency issued on Saturday by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene allows DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan to issue commissioner’s orders amending provisions of the New York City Health Code to protect public health and slow the spread.

According to the Mayo Clinic, monkeypox is a rare disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The monkeypox virus usually affects rodents, such as rats or mice, or nonhuman primates, such as monkeys. But it can occur in people.

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Three Construction Companies Accused of Illegal Waste Hauling on JFK Project

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams, City Business Integrity Commission (BIC) Commissioner and Chairwoman Elizabeth Crotty, the Office of Inspector General for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PAOIG), and Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced that three companies have been charged with unlawful waste hauling in connection with construction work to modernize John F. Kennedy ( JFK) International Airport.

The three companies involved in this investigation — LMC Trucking Corp., Ferreira Construction Co. Inc., and Bond Civil & Utility Construction, Inc. — all lack the BIC license or registration that is required in order to operate as a waste hauler in New York City.

BIC — the city agency charged with regulating the commercial waste hauling or “trade waste” industry — even previously denied the application for a waste hauling registration of LMC Trucking Corp. The company’s application was denied in 2020 on the grounds that the company falsely represented who operated the entity in its application to BIC, conducted trade waste-related business

Photo Courtesy of JFK

Three companies have been charged with unlawful waste hauling in connection with construction work to modernize JFK Airport.

with members of organized crime, and defrauded a trade waste union by paying employees in cash and failing to pay union benefits. The company’s continued operation of its trade waste business in defiance of BIC’s denial led to the arrest and related charges.

“Companies that operate without the required regulation by BIC present a public safety and corruption risk to New York City. Illegal trade waste hauling cannot be allowed to occur on public works projects,”

Crotty said. “LMC Trucking Corp. is an especially egregious case because the company’s application for a BIC registration was denied when the company was found to lack the good character, honesty, and integrity required to operate lawfully in this industry. I would like to express my gratitude to the NYPD, the PAOIG, and the Queens District Attorney’s Office for their collaboration on this matter.”

“It is imperative that we keep the busiest port on the East Coast operating safely

and with the utmost integrity,” Sewell said.

“Not only is it our responsibility, it is critical to the infrastructure, economy, and vitality of our nation. This investigation exemplifies the significance of interagency collaboration when serving New Yorkers, and we thank everyone involved in this important case from the Mayor’s Office, the New York City Business Integrity Commission, the Queens District Attorney’s Office, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.”

Operating a trade waste business without a BIC license or registration is punishable by imprisonment of up to six months and a criminal fine of up to $10,000 for unlicensed activity, or $5,000 for unregistered activity for each day of violation.

“The regulation of our city’s commercial waste hauling industry prevents corruption and criminality from seeping into a vital service market,” Katz added. “Those who attempt to skirt the law by operating without a proper license, or operating despite a denial of a license application, should be held accountable. We thank the BIC for their diligence in making sure that New York’s private trade waste and wholesale market industries remain safe and reliable.”

DOT Announces Completion of Project Improving Access to Highland Park, Ridgewood Reservoir

By Michael V. Cusenza The City Department of Transportation on Friday announced the completion of an intersection redesign to improve safety at Highland Park and Ridgewood Reser voir, helping underser ved communities better connect w ith their local greenspaces along the Brooklyn and Queens border.

“In the heat of the summer, communities li ke Ocean Hi l l, East New York , Cy press Hi l ls and R ichmond Hi l l need and deser ve safe access to high-qualit y park s as much as anyone else,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis R odr iguez.

At the request of local advocac y groups, DOT targeted upgrades at the intersection of Vermont Place and Highland Boulevard to transform a highway-like intersection into a pedestrianfriendly crossing that calmed traffic and added a new concrete sidewalk . The DOT also painted a curb extension to reduce pedestrian crossing time and slow vehicles turning off of Vermont Place.

The upgrade f i l ls gaps in the DOT ’s pedestr ian net work and of fers safer pedestr ian access to Highland Park , a heav i ly used park for wal king and exercise. The park is situated on a high plateau, stradd ling the Brookly n and Queens boarder, of fer ing sweeping v iews of the R ockaways and Atlantic Ocean.

Under the Adams administration, DOT has pledged to improve 1,000 intersections a year to address pedestr ian safet y. Intersections pose a special safet y chal lenge in New York Cit y, w here crashes at intersections t y pical ly compr ise 50 percent of al l fatalities and 70 percent of al l injur ies. For pedestr ians, the dangers are more pro-

nounced : 55 percent of pedestr ian fatalities and 79 percent of pedestr ian traf f ic injur ies occur at intersections. DOT is wel l on its way to meet its 1,000-location target for 2022. " These intersection upgrades go a long way toward improv ing safet y and the overal l qualit yof-life for those liv ing near the Queens -Brookly n border," said Queens Borough President Dono-

Photos Courtesy of DOT

van R ichards Jr. " Those seeking to wal k uti lize the beautif ul Highland Park and R idgewood R es er voir for recreation and exercise, or w ho are just looking to wal k in this wonder f ul neighborhood, can now do so more safely and w ith more peace of mind. I commend the New York Cit y Depar tment of Transpor tation, led by Commissioner R odr iguez, for its continued commitment to addressing pedestr ian safet y, especial ly at our Cit y 's intersections.”

"Our park s and green spaces are the jewels of our cit y and it 's impor tant that ever yone has safe, convenient access to them,” said Counci l member R ober t Holden (D -Maspeth). “ That 's w hy I applaud the D OT for improv ing this intersection and al low ing more fami lies to safely enjoy Highland Park and the R idgewood R eser voir." “ I am p roud to jo in t he D OT and p ed est r ian saf et y ad vocates to d o thi s cr it ical inter sect ion red es ign in my d i st r ict. I have long champ ioned p ed estr ian saf et y in R idgewood at dangerous inter sect ions ,” said A ssembly Member Jeni f er R ajkumar (D -Wood haven). “ The inter sect ion of Ver mont Place and Highland B oulevard , w here there have been at least 20 traf f ic injur ies , w i l l now have a p ed est r ian- f r iend ly cross ing f or ever yone v i s it ing the beaut i f ul R idgewood R eservo ir. Highland Park bene f its t he saf et y, healt h, mental wel lness , cl imate, and air q ual it y of my const it uent s in R idgewood , and the red es ign w i l l p rov id e an und er ser ved communit y w it h green s pace. I commend Mayor Adams and Commi ss ioner R od r ig ue z f or s p earhead ing thi s red es ign.”

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Hochul Announces Rollout of Electric and Gas Utility Bill Credits for Low-Income Families

By Forum Staff

Governor Kathy Hochul announced Wednesday that the vast majority of $567 million dedicated to help low-income electric and gas utility customers pay off past utility bills will be reflected on customers' August bills. The financial assistance program includes an estimated $557 million statewide COVID-19 bill credit program for low-income customers adopted by the New York State Public Service Commission. Under the bill credit program, the PSC leveraged $250 million from the FY 2023 Enacted State Budget to require utilities to provide a one-time credit to customers enrolled in the Energy Affordability Program that will eliminate unpaid utility bills that have accrued through May 1, 2022. The program also authorizes the same relief for any eligible low-income customers that enroll in EAP by December 31, 2022.

At the direction of Hochul, the Department of Public Service, the staff arm of the PSC, worked with the state's major utilities to credit the customers' accounts. The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial hardship for New Yorkers, particularly low-income consumers. Since March 2020, the number of customers more than 60 days behind in their electric and gas utility payments (i.e., in arrears) and the total dollar amount of arrears has grown

Photo Courtesy of Mike Groll/Office of the Governor

“No New Yorker should have their lights and air conditioning shut off as a result of financial problems caused by the pandemic,” Gov. Hochul has said.

to unprecedented levels. Low-income customer credits are expected to be posted to customer accounts beginning August 1, 2022 and consumers can expect to see the credit on their next billing cycle. Credits will be received by the vast majority of lowincome customers of the major electric and gas companies on their August bills.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant financial hardship to low-income customers and resulted in the shuttering of businesses and widespread loss of jobs. The number of customers that have unpaid utility bills and the total dollar

amount of unpaid utility bills has risen considerably since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, and this bill credit program provides financial relief to the most vulnerable residential customers in order to help them avoid having their utility services terminated for nonpayment. More than 327,000 low-income New York households will directly benefit from the program.

Under the bill credit program, all State assistance available for utility bill assistance will be coordinated to ensure maximum benefits to ratepayers and to avoid dupli-

cation of efforts This includes relief available to low-income customers from the State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance's Emergency Rental Assistance Program to reduce unpaid utility bills, estimated at $100 million, coupled with $250 million from the New York State budget appropriation directed to utilities to eliminate pandemic-related unpaid utility bills for low-income households. Utility shareholders have provided more than $36 million in contributions to benefit ratepayers. The bill credit program is estimated to cost the major utility ratepayers $181 million after they are allocated their share of the budget appropriation, and customer credits and shareholder contributions that reduce the program cost are applied.

This one-time, low-income utility bill credit, which will be applied to affected customers' bills by the utilities, requires no action by existing low-income customers enrolled in the EAP to receive the benefit. PSEG Long Island and the municipal utilities have been allocated $10.4 million of the $250 million appropriated in the budget to be used for the bill credit program for low-income customers. The PSC anticipates a future proposal by consumer groups and stakeholders to address the substantial increase in unpaid electric and gas utility bills for remaining residential and non-residential customers resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

City has Unlocked Billions for Nonprofits through ‘Clear the Backlog Initiative’

By Forum Staff

the backlog: the New York City Department of Social Services, the New York City Administration for Children’s Services, the New York City Department for the Aging, the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice, the New York City Department of Probation, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the New York City Department of Education, the New York City Department of Homeless Services, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, and the New York City Department of Housing

Preservation and Development. Oversight entities, such as the New York City Law Department, the New York City Office of Management and Budget, and MOCS have devoted their efforts and staff to streamlining approvals.

The process was spearheaded by Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright and Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom, in partnership with Comptroller Lander.

Earlier this year, Mayor Adams and MOCS announced the beta launch of

Mayor Eric Adams and the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) today announced more than $4.2 billion in contractual dollars unlocked through the ‘Clear the Backlog’ initiative, a key recommendation of the Joint Task Force to Get Nonprofits Paid on Time. Launched on May 9th, this 12-week initiative to clear the existing backlog has resulted in 2600 previously unregistered, retroactive contract actions being registered or submitted for registration, helping 451 providers.

Earlier this year, Mayor Adams and New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released “A Better Contract for New York: A Joint Task Force to Get Nonprofits Paid on Time,” which identified concrete steps to reform and improve the city’s procurement process, particularly for human services providers. Among the key recommendations was an initiative to clear the backlog of unregistered, retroactive contracts and amendments to allow nonprofits who are owed considerable funds to begin invoicing as expeditiously as possible.

This groundbreaking initiative was made possible by the intense coordination and commitment of resources by various Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office city agencies, oversight bodies, and part- “[W]e are clearing the backlog and finally giving non-profits the resources they’re owed to continue delivering the ners. This includes agencies impacted by services New Yorkers have come to rely on,” Mayor Adams said.

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PASSPort Public, a data transparency portal that provides unprecedented insight into the city’s main procurement system.

PASSPort Public beta makes current information, at all stages of the procurement process, available to city vendors, not-forprofits, and the public, fulfilling another recommendation of the Joint Task Force to Get Nonprofits Paid on Time and to build transparency and accountability among all stages of the contracting and procurement process.

“For far too long this city has been negatively impacted by a bloated and slow bureaucracy, and this backlog is a symptom of that,” said City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park). “By clearing out this backlog, Mayor Adams is taking a strong first step towards reversing decades of neglect and waste. This will enable so many nonprofits across the five boroughs to finally get the money that they’ve been waiting for, and then put that money to good use by improving the lives of New Yorkers in need.”

Mayor Adams added, “For too long, non-profits have been crushed by the boulder of bureaucracy and rolls of red tape, but we are clearing the backlog and finally giving non-profits the resources they’re owed to continue delivering the services New Yorkers have come to rely on.”

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Legal Notices 104 CORONA ASSOCIATES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/06/22. Office: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 104-01 Corona Avenue, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

FERN AND AURORA LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/14/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:CHERRY ADAME, 8316 CHARLECOTE RIDGE, JAMAICA ESTATES, NY, 11432, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

70th Ave Forest Hills LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/23/2022. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 100-11 70th Ave., Forest Hills, NY 11375. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of ZMWIN LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/27/22.

Office location: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 106-18 49th Ave, Corona, NY 11368.

Purpose: any lawful activity.

DMLIC LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/9/2022.

Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process 4325 Hunter St., apt.

837E, Long Island City, NY 11101. General Purpose

48-39 40TH SUNNYSIDE, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/29/22. Office: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 70Bluebird Lane, Plainview, NY 11803. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

REALTOPIA REAL ESTATE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/06/22. Office: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to REALTOPIA REAL ESTATE LLC 4721 188TH STREET, FLUSHING NY, 11358, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation: REDMAN NYC LLC Art. Of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/24/2022.

Office Loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: VERONICA A TAPIA ELIZALDE, 4811 192ND STREET. FRESH MEADOW, NY, 11365, USA. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation: DOCK 3366 LLC, Art. Of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/21/2022. Office Loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: TAI K. AARON POON, 142-38 ROOSEVELT AVE., FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation: Penn Foster LLC, Art. Of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/30/2022. Office Loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 3808 Union St Ste 10C, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

360 VERMONT IGY LLC. Filed 1/10/2019. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 143-24 84 DRIVE, QUEENS, NY 11435. Purpose: General.

Lara Amadahzie Investors LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 6/8/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 195-04 Linden Blvd., #120055, Saint Albans, NY 11412. General Purpose

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Notice of formation of limited liability company. Name: BJJ ENTERPRISES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/11/2022. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Lila Ayers, Esq, 8 East Project Avenue, Suite A1, Mount Vernon New York, 10550, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of formation of limited liability company. Name: MJM TONG FA PROPERTY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/20/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to MJM TONG FA PROPERTY LLC P.O. BOX 541400, FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Pur-pose.

Notice of formation of limited liability company. Name: EMILY FRANCES OLSON LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/17/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to EMILY FRANCES OLSON LLC, 72-32 KESSEL STREET, FOREST HILLS, NY, 11375, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

EmiTito Properties, LLC. Articles of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/26/22. Off. loc.: Queens Co. SSNY des. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 157-26 Locke Avenue, Whitestone, NY 11357.

Purpose: General.

XTELL AUSTIN PARKING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/15/22. Office: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to HARRY JIMENEZ, 6914 171 STREET, FRESH MEADOWS, NY,11365, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose CLUMSY IBEX FILMS LLC Articles of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/2/22. Off. loc.: Queens Co. SSNY des. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to AACHAREE UNGSRIWONG, 3113 55TH ST APT 1, WOODSIDE, NY, 11377. Purpose: General.

PISTILLI HOLDING LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/12/22.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 35-01 30th Avenue, Suite 300, Astoria, NY 11103. Purpose: Any lawful purpose TASSLIFE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/1/22.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Zsuzsanna Tass, 35-46 74th st., Apt 422, Jackson Heights, NY 11372. Purpose: Any lawful purpose M & AQ FIX & FLIP LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/22/22.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Segundo Pandashina, 739 Knickerbocker Ave, apt 3HH, Brooklyn NY, 11221, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

LITTLE ROOFERS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/20/22.

Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to JUSTO DANIEL GUANANGA ESPIN, 4102 111TH ST, 1 FL, CORONA, NY 11368, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

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