THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | DECEMBER 2, 2021

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 24 • DECEMBER 2, 2021

SHOOTING GALLERIES Nation’s First Supervised

Consumption Site Opens in Manhattan—Will Queens be Next?

See Story on Page 2

Supervised consumption facilities, or Overdose Prevention Centers, are places where addicts can safely use drugs, receive medical care, and be connected to treatment and social services.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/MatthewTRader

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • DECEMBER 2 2021 | 1

Nation’s First Publicly Recognized Supervised Consumption Site Opens in NYC

By Michael V. Cusenza The country’s first publicly recognized Overdose Prevention Center has opened in Manhattan, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Tuesday.

OPCs are an extension of existing harmreduction services and will be co-located with previously established syringe service providers, City officials noted.

According to the administration, OPCs, also referred to as supervised consumption sites or facilities, are safe places where people who use drugs can receive medical care and be connected to treatment and social services. OPC services are proven to prevent overdose deaths, and are in use in jurisdictions around the world. There has never been an overdose death in any OPC. A Health Department feasibility study found that OPCs in New York City would save up to 130 lives a year, and will be in communities based on health need and depth of program experience. A host of City agencies will run joint operations focused on addressing street conditions across the five boroughs, and will include an increased focus on the areas surrounding the OPCs as they open.

“The national overdose epidemic is a five-alarm fire in public health, and we have to tackle this crisis concurrently with our COVID fight,” said Health Commissioner

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“Giving people a safe, supportive space will save lives and bring people in from the streets, improving life for everyone involved,” Dr. Chokshi said.

Dr. Dave Chokshi. “Giving people a safe, supportive space will save lives and bring people in from the streets, improving life for everyone involved. Overdose prevention centers are a key part of broader harm reduction.”

According to City officials, the pioneering facility opens at a critical time. During 2020, over 2,000 individuals died of a drug overdose in New York City, the highest number since reporting began in 2000. The Centers for Disease Control and Preven-

tion projects that across the United States, more than 90,000 individuals died of a drug overdose during 2020, the worst year on record.

2020 Epi Data Brief highlights: • The rate of overdose death increased to 30.5 per 100,000 New York City residents in 2020, compared to 21.9 in 2019.

• In 2020, opioids were involved in 85 percent of overdose deaths.

• For the fourth year in a row, fen-

tanyl was the most common substance involved in overdose deaths, present in 77 percent of overdose deaths in 2020.

• By race/ethnicity, Black New Yorkers had the highest rate of overdose death (38.2 per 100,000 residents), and the largest absolute increase in rate from 2019 to 2020 (+14.2 per 100,000).

• From 2019 to 2020, rates of overdose death increased among White New Yorkers (24.3 to 32.7 per 100,000 residents) and Latino/a New Yorkers (27.1 to 33.6 per 100,000 residents). The rate of overdose remained the same among Asian/ Pacific Islander New Yorkers (3.3 per 100,000 residents).

• Residents of the Bronx had the highest rate of overdose death in 2020 (48.0 per 100,000 residents) followed by residents of Staten Island (37.0 per 100,000 residents), Manhattan (25.2 per 100,000 residents), Brooklyn (21.1 per 100,000 residents), and Queens (19.9 per 100,000 residents).

According to an ABC News report, the district attorneys for Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan have voiced their approval of supervised consumption sites.

Queens DA Katz said she believes “we must explore all viable public health and safety strategies to save lives and connect drug users to treatment, medical care and critical social services.”

Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings to Help Howard Beach Residents Deal with Summons Issues

Photo Courtesy of Google

On Thursday, Dec. 16, representatives from OATH will be at Addabbo’s Howard Beach office — located at 15953 102nd St. — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

By Forum Staff Later this month, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) is partnering with the NYC Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings for an event at his Howard Beach district office to provide residents with assistance for their City summonses and hearings, Addabbo announced Tuesday.

On Thursday, Dec. 16, representatives from OATH will be at Addabbo’s Howard

Beach office — located at 159-53 102nd St. — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

OATH is New York City’s central, independent administrative law court. OATH has two divisions that are responsible for adjudicating City matters: the OATH Trials Division and the OATH Hearings Division.

During this in-person event, OATH will assist and educate individuals about what to do should they have received a summons and can check to determine if

2 DECEMBER 2, 2021 • Number 24 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

someone has an outstanding summons.

OATH staff will also provide materials for individuals on remote hearings and other free resources that are made available to the public by OATH. The OATH Trials Division adjudicates a wide range of issues that can be referred by any City agency, board or commission.

The cases it handles includes employee discipline and disability hearings for civil servants, Conflicts of Interest Board cases, proceedings related to the retention of seized vehicles by the police, City-issued license and regulatory enforcement, real estate, zoning and loft law violations, City contract disputes and human rights violations under the City Human Rights Law. While the OATH Hearings Division holds hearings on summonses issued by 25 different City enforcement agencies for alleged violations of law or City rules including the Departments of Buildings, Sanitation, Environmental Protection, Consumer and Worker Protection, Health and Mental Hygiene and the Taxi and Limousine Commission, among others, as well as summonses from certain non-City entities such as the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

“OATH is a vital part of City government that can help you resolve a summons

issue from a number of City agencies,” Addabbo said. “If you have any questions about a summons you may have received, or are curious to find out if you have an outstanding summons, then this event is for you. OATH representatives will be at my office to assist constituents with their summons issues. I want to thank OATH for coming to my district and partnering with me on bringing their important services to my residents.”

All visitors to the Addabbo’s office for this event will be asked to wear a mask.

File Photo

“If you have any questions about a summons you may have received, or are curious to find out if you have an outstanding summons, then this event is for you,” Sen. Addabbo said.

City Updates on Borough Jails Construction

Your problems are our job.

Let us begin helping you with a free consultation.

Courtesy of DDC

Overall, heavy construction for the program began in June at the Queens site, where a structure that will house a new parking garage and 25,000-square-foot community space is currently under construction.

By Forum Staff The City Department of Design and Construction announced Tuesday that it has selected four separate teams of designers and builders to receive design-build contracts to prepare the sites where four new borough-based jail facilities will be constructed in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx. A fifth new contract has been awarded through the City’s regular competitive bidding process for infrastructure work at the Queens site.

The teams/firms selected to receive the five contracts are: • Brooklyn Dismantle/Swing Space – NorthStar Contracting Group Inc. (design-build, $59.7 million) • Queens Dismantle/Swing Space – Hunter Roberts Construction Group, LLC (designbuild, $43.1 million) • Manhattan Dismantle/Swing Space – Gramercy Group Inc. (design-build, $125.2 million) • Bronx Site Preparation – Yonkers Contracting Company Inc. (design-build, $76.7 million) • Queens Water Main Installation – Triumph Construction Corporation ($6.4 million) “These expert teams will design and build jails that reflect our city’s strength and compassion, and I look forward to celebrating fast progress toward completing each Borough-Based Jail in the years to come,” said First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan.

DDC officials said the agency anticipates that the four contracts for dismantling structures in Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan, and for site preparation in the Bronx, will be registered by the end of 2021, with work starting in the first quarter of 2022. The contract for the Queens trunk water main installation has already been registered and

work is also expected to begin in the first quarter of 2022, taking 18 months to complete.

Overall, heavy construction for the program began in June at the Queens site, where a structure that will house a new parking garage and 25,000-square-foot community space is currently under construction. The structure is being built on the west side of an existing parking lot at Union Turnpike between 126th Street and 132nd Street.

DDC is working with the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and the NYC Department of Correction to implement the City’s plan to build four smaller, safer and fairer borough-based jail facilities and to close the jails on Rikers Island.

Design and construction firms participating in the program will have a rare opportunity to build facilities grounded in dignity and respect, offering better connections to the Court system that are emblematic of NYC’s criminal justice reform work. The facilities will be designed to accommodate the needs of families as well as for medical, mental health, education and therapeutic programming service providers. Passed by the City Council in October 2019, the City’s plan comes at a time when New York City has the lowest crime and incarceration rates of any large city in the United States.

Procurement for all Borough-Based Jails Program work takes place through a two-step process: submittal of a Statement of Qualifications in response to an RFQ, followed by submittal of a proposal by short-listed vendors in response to a Request for Proposals. SOQs are reviewed to create a shortlist of firms that will be able to respond to a future Request for Proposal for the work. DDC will also make stipends available to firms that are short-listed and participate in a Request for Proposal process but are not selected to be awarded a design-build contract.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • DECEMBER 2 2021 | 3

Borough Men Charged with Robbing LI Warehouse after Rehearsing Heist Plan at Queens Locations

By Forum Staff Three Queens men have been indicted by a borough grand jury following a complex surveillance investigation that uncovered a Long Island warehouse break-in scheme that was planned in Queens over a two-week period in early July, District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced.

Christopher Tsang, 44, of College Point, Joe Lin, 40, of Flushing, and Chung Wei Wang, 38, of Oakland Gardens were arraigned on a 10-count indictment charging them with burglary in the second degree, four-counts of robbery in the first degree, four-counts of robbery in the second degree and conspiracy in the fourth degree. The defendants have been ordered to return to court on Jan. 10.

According to the charges, throughout early July, the defendants—sometimes just a few of them, and other times a group of as many as 15—met at various Queens locations to flesh out their plot. On July 8, Tsang and Lin drove to the West Babylon warehouse on Route 109, met with others and watched their target from a nearby supermarket on the same street. They also called a nearby auto body shop to check their hours of operation on their planned robbery date. On July 9, the group met

The plot twist here—the heist flopped and the accused are facing prison time if convicted,” DA Katz said.

again in a movie theater parking lot in College Point and reviewed photographs of the warehouse.

Tsang, Wang and another man met on July 11 in Long Island City on 30th Street.

The men—in dark clothing, masks and gloves—covered all identifiable markings on several vehicles.

On July 18, according to the charges, around 7 a.m. several of the defendants allegedly barged into the West Babylon warehouse wearing masks and NYPD-branded

4 DECEMBER 2, 2021 • Number 24 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

File Photo

tactical clothing. The men also are accused of brandishing what appeared to be firearms. They encountered two workers as they were unloading boxes in the warehouse. The two employees were restrained with zip ties and had hoods placed over their heads. Two delivery workers at the scene were also restrained with zip ties. As alleged, the defendants then removed approximately 100 boxes from the warehouse, placed them into the unmarked trucks and vans and left the scene.

Police executed court-authorized search warrants for the homes of Tsang, Wang and Lin. During the search of Tsang’s 124th Street home investigators allegedly recovered an imitation pistol, an inoperable firearm and approximately $8,500 in cash.

The DA said during the search of Lin’s home on 163rd Street in Flushing, cops allegedly seized up to 100 pounds of marijuana and roughly $50,000 in cash. When police searched Wang’s 232nd Street home in Oakland Gardens, an unloaded .22-caliber firearm, eight Tasers (which resembled imitation pistols), zip ties, various policelike paraphernalia, including hats, shirts, badges and vests, along with approximately $120,000 in cash was recovered.

“These defendants are accused of orchestrating an elaborate ‘Ocean’s Eleven’style plot to rip off a warehouse and rake in hundreds of thousands of dollars. The alleged ring-leaders arrested [last week] met at illegal gambling parlors, a movie theater parking lot and other locations in Queens to plan the logistics of their heist. As alleged, they used phony NYPD tactical gear, waved weapons and restrained warehouse workers before taking more than a hundred boxes of merchandise from a Suffolk County warehouse,” Katz said. “The plot twist here—the heist flopped and the accused are facing prison time if convicted.”

NY AG Releases Annual Charities Report

Courtesy of AG’s Office

“As New Yorkers get ready to give to their favorite charities, they deserve to know where their money is going,” NY Attorney General James said.

By Forum Staff Charities that retained professional fundraisers received about two-thirds of every dollar donated in 2020; professional fundraisers retained the remainder—earning more than $380 million, according to State Attorney General Tish James’s annual “Pennies for Charity: Fundraising by Professional Fundraisers report, issued Monday.

Analyzing 718 campaigns conducted by professional fundraisers in 2020, the report concludes that charities earned 73 percent of donations from those campaigns, a small increase from the previous year and in line with the last four years’ results.

New York is home to a large and diverse number of charitable organizations.

As did all sectors of our society, charities faced many challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. However, despite a significant decrease in in-person fundraising and pandemic-related closures and postponements, charitable giving in response to fundraising campaigns in New York jumped to over $1.4 billion in 2020 — an increase of more than $179 million from 2019 pre-pandemic campaign revenues.

Other report findings include: • In 339 campaigns, or 47 percent of campaigns, charities received less than 50 percent of funds raised, with professional fundraisers retaining the rest.

• In 150 campaigns, or 21 percent of the campaigns, fundraising expenses exceeded revenue, costing charities more than $10 million.

This year’s “Pennies for Charity” aggregates information from reports filed with the Office of the Attorney General’s Charities Bureau by professional fundraisers for campaigns conducted on behalf of charities in 2020. Professional fundraisers must register with the OAG and their financial reports must break down the revenue raised,

as well as the expenses generated by the campaign. The report and the searchable Pennies for Charity database containing data from those reports is posted on the Charities Bureau website.

This year’s report lays out tips for donors to follow before donating over the phone, through the mail, or online to ensure that their contributions reach the causes they intend to support. Important tips to keep in mind include: • If you’re contacted by a telemarketer, ask questions to make an informed decision: New York law requires telemarketers soliciting for charities to make certain disclosures to potential donors and prohibits them from making false, misleading, or deceptive statements when soliciting contributions. Telemarketers are required to tell potential donors their names, which professional fundraiser employs them, and if the telemarketer is getting paid. Donors may also ask what percentage of their donation will be paid to the fundraiser for fees and expenses.

• If you receive a direct mail charitable appeal, verify the soliciting organization: Does the organization have a name that sounds like a well-known charity?

Doublecheck — is it the one you think it is? Does the mailing claim to follow up on a pledge that you do not remember making?

Does it clearly describe the programs that the charity plans to fund with your donation?

• If you’re donating online, do your research first: Donating online or via an app is convenient for donors and can be cost effective for a charity. But before hitting “Send,” donors should check whether a campaign is legitimate.

“As New Yorkers get ready to give to their favorite charities, they deserve to know where their money is going,” AG James said.

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

PROTECTING OUR ELDERS MONITORING SENIOR MEDS We've spoken to you in the past about mistakes made by chain pharmacies in having dispensed the wrong medication to a child.

And now we'd like to discuss with you something of equal importance about another "at risk" population—especially when talking about medications—our senior citizens.

Whether you’re a full-time caregiver to your parents, a volunteer in a senior service program or you just help out an aging aunt or uncle from time to time, part of that responsibility is likely helping them get their medications.

Our elders use more prescriptions than any other age group in the country. In fact although they comprise roughly 13% of the population, they use at least 34% of all prescription medication.

Because most older adults live with at least one chronic condition and generally have more than one prescribing physician, there are often complications in keeping track of the multiple meds and the interactions between them.

One of the most valuable services your local pharmacy can offer you is a strong effort to educate older adults and their caregivers about every medication the patient takes.

Additionally, as your family pharmacist, we can help to close gaps in the process of managing prescriptions. Opening the lines

of communications between adults with hectic schedules, who also care for their parents on a regular basis, is a valuable asset that cannot be overstated. We are available to discuss your elders entire medication protocol and can advise on the safest, most expeditious way of guaranteeing that they are protected when it comes to their medication.

One practice, which can offer a safeguard, is reducing risks by filling your prescriptions at the same pharmacy. Studies show that using one source for all medications significantly reduces life-threatening mistakes.

Studies show longer life expectancy among adults over 65 is on the rise and in the next 12 years that population is expected to number around is 71 million elders by 2030.

Those same studies name pharmacists as integral figures in helping to insure the health and safety of the fastest growing segment of the population—those 85 and older!

Patients and their caregivers should feel free to ask for their pharmacists help in performing what can be a daunting and difficult task.

Consult your pharmacist with any questions you may have. And remember it’s the questions we fail to ask that can bring on unnecessary health problems. So by all means, ask away!

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.

Hunting Season

Congratulations to all who participated in Saturday’s Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Fall Scavenger Hunt. Special tip of the cap to Brina Ciaramella and her team for winning it all!

Participants gathered in the school yard of PS/MS 207 Saturday morning where the first in a series of riddles was

delivered at 11 a.m. Riddles led teams around to different locations in Howard Beach. At each location, a member of the civic rewarded players with candy and the next riddle.

Photo Courtesy of Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • DECEMBER 2 2021 | 5

Council Passes New Parking-Related Bills

By Michael V. Cusenza The City Council recently voted in favor of several bills related to parking rules in the five boroughs.

Int. No. 2422-A, sponsored by Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Manhattan), will authorize the use of pay-by-plate parking meters in addition to pay-and-display parking meters.

Parking meters currently used throughout the City are “pay-and-display” meters that dispense a paper receipt that must be displayed on a vehicle’s dashboard, or in a visible and secure location on a motorcycle.

In contrast, “pay-by-plate” parking meters require someone who wishes to park in a metered location to enter their vehicle or motorcycle’s license plate information to register payment for parking. The Department of Transportation would be able to track payment by the vehicle’s license plate instead of by a paper receipt.

The pay-by-plate parking system has been used successfully for many years in other cities, and would streamline the process by which motorists pay for parking.

Additionally, the pay-by-plate parking system would be easier for enforcement purposes and would help with addressing placard abuse. It would also lead to less paper waste because paper receipts are not printed.

Before DOT makes changes to the parking meter rates or replaces a pay-anddisplay parking meter with a pay-by-plate parking meter, DOT would provide 30days written notice to the Council Member and Community Board in whose district such change would occur and post such change on the DOT’s website.

Additionally, parking time will only be authorized on the blockface, or street section, for which it was purchased and could not be transferred between blockfaces.

Int. No. 2279-A will increase the number of loading zones in neighborhoods citywide. Additionally, the bill will require the Department of Transportation to establish a public-facing methodology for determining where loading zones are necessary to enhance safety and reduce congestion.

While the uses of the City’s streets – for transportation, commerce and recreation – have undergone many recent changes, curb space dedicated to the loading and unloading of personal, commercial and for-hire vehicles remains limited.

“I am proud to have passed Intro 2279 today, a bill to expand loading zones across New York City,” said Councilman Antonio Reynoso (D-Brooklyn), the bill’s sponsor.

“This legislation will require the Department of Transportation to ramp up the creation of loading zones in neighborhoods across the city. Most New Yorkers receive deliveries, and we need a way to get them to folks more efficiently. Loading zones will help do this, all while making our streets safer, reducing congestion, and restoring our streets as the common good they are.”

The lack of such space can have significant negative impacts on neighbor-

Photo Courtesy of Jeff Reed/NY City Council

Councilman Rodriguez’s bill will authorize the use of pay-by-plate parking meters in addition to pay-and-display parking meters.

hoods through the effects of traffic con- crowded with vehicles, and thank Speaker gestion, harmful emissions, and safety Johnson for his support.“ hazards.

The bill will require that all permits of Among other factors, the methodology 180 days or more for a street segment with must consider commercial and residential a truck loading zone carry a stipulation density, and requests from elected officials that such zone may not be occupied or oband the public. structed. In the event that permitted work DOT would be required to implement necessitates a loading zone obstruction, at least five loading zones annually in each DOT may require that the applicant mainneighborhood tabulation area that meets tain a temporary loading zone, and revoke a the methodology, and to immediately im- permit or refuse to renew a permit for nonplement at least 500 total loading zones per compliance. year in the first three years following the The bill would also amend the Adminlaw’s effective date istrative Code to prohibit the use of cityBy January 1, 2023, the department issued parking placards in certain spaces in would also be required to report on the the central business district of Manhattan, program and provide publicly accessible including truck-loading zones. information on the location of all loading Further, the bill would codify new and zones. existing regulations for truck loading zones Int. No. 2277-A will reform existing and commercial parking meter areas, inlaws governing truck loading zones and cluding those related to how such spaces codify new curb management practices. are metered or reserved and the lengths of Truck loading zones are an effective so- time that they may be occupied. lution to the problems of double-parking Finally, the bill would allow DOT to auand blocked sidewalks that often occur thorize cargo bicycles or other sustainable when trucking companies drop off com- modes to use loading zones and to create mercial deliveries, small businesses make service calls, and workers unload tools or materials in heavily utilized public spaces.

However, truck loading zones are only usable if they are well-regulated, and not blocked by unauthorized vehicles or construction activity.

“For too long, commercial trucks have done their business on public streets without paying their fair share,” said Councilman Keith Powers (D-Manhattan). “My bill, Int. 2277, will ensure that commercial trucks cannot unnecessarily hover and take up room on the street, while decreasing congestion and truck emissions. I’m proud to be working to make our streets cleaner, safer, and less The City Council recently voted in favor of several pieces of legislation.

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reduced rates for zero emission vehicles.

Additionally, the council voted in favor of a bill requiring annual reports from all five district attorneys. Int. No. 1392-A, sponsored by Speaker Johnson, will require the City’s district attorney’s offices to report annually on the basic functioning of their offices.

These annual reports, which will be posted publicly, will require each office to release data points related to decision making at various stages of a criminal case; such as, data on decisions to prosecute or dismiss a case following arrest, bail recommendations, and average length of a case before a disposition.

The report also requires the numbers to be disaggregated by offense, and the race, gender and age of the defendant.

Currently, there are no requirements that the City’s district attorneys conduct any public reporting on office function.

Although some local district attorneys issue periodic reports, there is no uniformity in such reporting and very little data is publicly released regarding prosecutorial conduct.

As a result, there is significant lack of transparency regarding prosecutorial decision making in a manner that limits effective oversight of the district attorneys and hinders public trust in the criminal justice process.

The council also voted in favor of a bill requiring some City agencies to be capable of issuing warnings for first-time violations.

Recognizing the difficulty that many small businesses have in complying with the myriad laws and regulations that apply to them, certain Administrative Code provisions permit the enforcing city agency to issue a written warning in lieu of a citation for a first-time infraction. Agency inspectors are not always able to issue such warnings, however, because they lack the equipment necessary to determine whether a violation observed in the field is a first, second, third or subsequent violation.

Photo Courtesy of Emil Cohen/NY City Council

Gennaro Blasts DOE over Alleged Perv Teacher

Canzoneri was a teacher at Townsend Harris High School in Kew Gardens Hills.

By Michael V. Cusenza City Councilman Jim Gennaro (DHillcrest) on Monday ripped City Education officials for allowing a teacher found to have plied a student with marijuana and alcohol before sleeping with her to return to Townsend Harris High School in Kew Gardens Hills.

It was only after a group of THHS student journalists uncovered the issue in a series of school-paper stories that the City Department of Education acted and permanently removed the perv instructor.

Gennaro delivered his thoughts in a lengthy, scathing statement: “In 2019, a city Special Commissioner

Photo Courtesy of Google

of Investigation report found that THHS teacher Joseph Canzoneri had sexual relations with a student after providing her with alcohol and marijuana and that he engaged in other forms of sexual misconduct with other students. THHS is located in the 24th Council District, which I represent.

“The NYC Department of Education appropriately pursued his termination after the SCI report, but all charges against him were later dropped because the involved students refused to testify against him in a hearing.

“Although I am normally cautious to not call for the removal and punishment of a teacher over allegations unless they are substantiated after appropriate due process, in this case the SCI report was unequivo-

Photo Courtesy of Emil Cohen/NY City Council

“I find it unconscionable that Canzoneri was returned in September to THHS, where although he was no longer assigned to a teaching position, he had access to students,” Councilman Gennaro said.

cal in the findings of its investigation that Joseph Canzoneri had indeed engaged in sexual relations with several students. The report findings are the difference.

“In light of the findings of the SCI report and the gravity of the charges against Canzoneri, I find it unconscionable that Canzoneri was returned in September to THHS, where although he was no longer assigned to a teaching position, he had access to students. This was an outrageously insensitive and dangerous decision by the DOE, and I condemn the judgement of the DOE that put additional students at risk for sexual predation.

“Fortunately, intrepid student reporters at the THHS’ student newspaper, The

Classic, revealed the colossal blunder of the Board of Education and their reporting led to the permanent removal of Canzoneri from THHS and his placement in a DOE central administration building without contact with students, according to the DOE. “I stand with the students and parents of the THHS student body, and with the students and parents and guardians of all NYC students that there needs to be zero tolerance for any form of sexual predation in NYC schools. I congratulate the student reporters of The Classic for their service to the THHS community in revealing the DOE’s dangerous and unconscionable lapse in judgement.”

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FEMA Relies on Exterior and Remote Inspections to Determine Fed Assistance Eligibility for Ira Vics

File Photo

Initial exterior and remote home inspections determine eligibility for federal disaster assistance and are offered to survivors of Hurricane Ida who reported that their home is not livable, sanitary or safe.

By Forum Staff Due to the COVID nationwide emergency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is conducting initial exterior and remote home inspections. These inspections determine eligibility for federal disaster assistance and are offered to survivors of Hurricane Ida who reported that their home is not livable, sanitary or safe,

FEMA officials said Tuesday.

• An exterior inspection will be the primary form of inspection. The meeting will take place outdoors with the inspector following current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In some cases, survivors may be contacted for a remote inspection.

• The FEMA inspector will ask the applicant to show a photo ID, and to pro-

vide photos, receipts, bills, or estimates to demonstrate losses. The inspector will not keep or photocopy these documents.

Applicants are encouraged to upload their documents to their account at DisasterAssistance.gov or get help uploading the documents from specialists at a Disaster Recovery Center. Find a recovery center at fema.gov/DRC. • The FEMA inspector validates damage from the exterior and from questioning the applicant about their damage.

If the applicant or co-applicant is unable to meet with an inspector, a third party can be designated in writing.

• The FEMA inspector does not determine the totality of your storm-caused losses. The inspector is neither an engineer nor a safety official. FEMA inspectors cannot make building safety decisions on behalf of your municipal government. If you are not sure if your home is safe for legal occupancy, contact your municipal officials.

• FEMA does not provide replacement-value amounts for damaged items or assistance with non-essential items. FEMA provides assistance only for repairs to make a home safe, sanitary and functional.

FEMA assistance is not a substitute for insurance.

• Exterior home inspections have no impact on eligibility for the types of

Courtesy of FEMA

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362.

assistance available under FEMA’s Other Needs Assistance program. That program, which does not require a home inspection, includes childcare, transportation, medical and dental, funeral expenses, moving and storage expenses, and Group Flood Insurance Policy assistance.

• If an applicant later discovers that his or her home sustained more costly damage than originally reported, the applicant may file an appeal with FEMA requesting additional assistance. The applicant may also then request an inspection.

To apply for FEMA disaster assistance, visit DisasterAssistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app or call the FEMA Helpline at (800) 621-3362.

Infrastructure and Jobs Bill to Ensure Clean Water in NY: Schumer both protect public health and boost local to make public water systems and eligiunion jobs. ble nonprofit organizations that service Schumer highlighted the below addi- schools and childcare locations eligible The infrastructure and jobs bill that was recently signed into law by Presi- tional programs included in the legislation grant recipients. It also expands the program to allow funds to be used for complident Joe Biden will deliver major victo- to help eliminate lead pipes in NY: ries to help ensure clean water in New York and eliminate toxic lead pipes, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced.

Schumer said that the infrastructure bill makes one of the largest federal investments in water infrastructure and eliminating lead service pipes in history. He also noted that there is $15 billion in the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund specifically for lead service pipe replacement included in the bill. He also detailed other programs included in the legislation to help eliminate lead pipes in New York.

Schumer said that New York has approximately 360,000 lead pipes still delivering water to people’s homes, the fourth largest number of lead service lines in the country. Schumer said that lead is known to cause severe health problems for chilPhoto Courtesy of Sen. Schumer dren and adults alike, including damage to the brain and nervous systems, cardiovas- “There is nothing more important than keeping New York’s children’s drinking water safe,” Sen. Schumer said. cular diseases, and adverse effects on the • Lead Contamination in School ance monitoring as well as lead reduction reproductive system and kidneys. With the Drinking Water: The Voluntary School projects. bipartisan infrastructure deal’s new cash • Technical Assistance and Grants infusion, New York will have access to ad- and Childcare Lead Testing Grant is auditional funds needed to replace lead water thorized for $200 million over the next for Emergencies Affecting Public Water pipes across the city and state, which will five years. The program is also amended Systems: The legislation extends an expired 10 DECEMBER 2, 2021 • Number 24 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

By Forum Staff

authority in the Safe Drinking Water Act to provide resources to communities that face a public water system emergency. The fund will help mitigate drinking water threats to public health, and is amended to expand the definition of emergency situations to include an intrusion of lead into the drinking water supply or an emergency situation resulting from a cybersecurity event.

The program is reauthorized at $35 million for each of fiscal years from 2022 through 2026.

• Assistance for Small and Disadvantaged Communities Program: The program is expanded to allow for use of funds to purchase filters and filtration systems that remove contaminants of concern from public drinking water systems and for providing information regarding proper filtration use and maintenance and options regarding replacing lead service lines or other sources of lead from water systems and technical assistance. The program is authorized for a total of $510 million over the next five years.

“There is nothing more important than keeping New York’s children’s drinking water safe, and this legislation will make the largest federal investment ever solely dedicated to getting toxic lead pipes out of our communities—which will both protect public health and boost family-sustaining union jobs,” Schumer said.

Mayor Releases November Financial Plan Update for Fiscal Year 2022 Recovery Budget

By Forum Staff Mayor Bill de Blasio today released New York City's November Financial Plan Update for Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). The FY22 budget is now $102.8 billion and remains balanced. The final plan of this administration reflects strong fiscal management by drastically lowering budget gaps, remaining focused on savings, maintaining strong budget reserves and gives the incoming administration a springboard to success.

Budget growth in FY22 is driven by FEMA reimbursable costs and recognition of federal COVID-19 relief and stimulus funding the City used to save lives and drive an equitable recovery. NYC spending in FY22 funds investments to help the fight against COVID, bolster our recovery, and make the five boroughs more resilient to climate change.

The plan achieves $983 million in the Citywide Savings Program across Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023.

Budget reserves are $5.1 billion with $3.8 billion in the Retiree Health Benefits Trust, $1.0 billion in the Rainy-Day Fund which was created and funded under this administration, and $300 million in the General Reserve. At their highest NYC reserves totaled $6.1 billion in Fiscal Year 2020, before the pandemic hit.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

“As this administration comes to an end, we’ve substantially lowered budget gaps and increased reserves, leaving the next administration with a strong foundation to continue New York City’s recovery,” Mayor de Blasio said.

Because the City’s financial position has improved since the early days of the pandemic, the assumed annual outyear labor savings of $1.0 billion has been reduced to $500 million in Fiscal Years 2023 through 2025.

New agency spending of $534 million in FY22 is completely offset by a combination of pension adjustments, agency and debt service savings totaling more than $600 million achieved over the same year.

FY22 investments deepen the Recovery for us All, expand the fight against COVID-19,

increase the City’s commitment to protecting New Yorkers from the impact of climate change and extreme weather, and more: • Funding for Emergency Rikers Relief Plan actions ($57M) • Provide debt relief for taxi medallion owners with a City funded backstop, $50M on top of the existing $65 million Medallion Relief Program • Reentry housing with healthcare and employment counseling for justice involved New Yorkers returning to the community ($29M)

• Extend COVID-19 Emergency Food Distribution ($15M) • Reduce recidivism with the MOCJ precision employment initiative ($14M) • Deepen funding for Key to NYC vaccine canvassing ($10M) • Expand street homeless outreach with mobile treatment vans ($4.4M) • Increase Test & Trace outreach ($7M) • Expand mental health services at domestic violence shelters ($5M) • $500 vaccine incentive initiative for City workers ($6M) • Address critical needs related to the response to tropical storms Ida, Henri and Isaias ($36M) • Fund offshore wind capacitybuilding initiatives that will support the development and equipping of manufacturing firms in the City ($2M) “This budget is an investment in working families and our recovery. The November Plan recognizes crucial help from the federal government which has allowed New York City to rebound strong and invest in our future, from fighting COVID-19 to climate change,” de Blasio said. “As this administration comes to an end, we’ve substantially lowered budget gaps and increased reserves, leaving the next administration with a strong foundation to continue New York City’s recovery.”

Far Rockaway Man Indicted in Broad-Daylight Shooting Slay

Uriah Richardson was shot in the vicinity of Mott Avenue and Beach 22nd Street.

BY Forum Staff A Far Rockaway man has been indicted for allegedly shooting a young man to death in front of a car service on Oct. 4, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday.

Waturi Johnson, 51, was arraigned on Monday on an indictment charging him with murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

Johnson was ordered to return on Jan. 20.

According to the charges, at approximately 1:10 p.m. on Oct. 4, Johnson was

Photo Courtesy of Google

observed on surveillance video having a brief conversation with 29-year-old Uriah Richardson outside a car service business near Mott Avenue and Beach 22nd Street. Johnson dropped a plastic bag and allegedly pulled out a gun, which he then pointed and fired several times in the victim’s direction. The victim ran away from Johnson across Beach 22nd Street and collapsed moments later in front of a nearby subway station. The defendant allegedly put the gun into his back pocket, picked up the plastic bag he had been carrying, and

“This is yet another reminder how senseless gun violence is causing heart-wrenching loss in our communities,” DA Katz said.

walked in the opposite direction.

Richardson was taken to a nearby hospital with gunshot wounds to his shoulder and chest. The victim died from the injuries.

Cops from the 101st Precinct identified Johnson using still images culled from surveillance video. Johnson was apprehended last week, Katz noted.

“The defendant is accused of using a

gun to end the life of a young father of three. This is yet another reminder how senseless gun violence is causing heartwrenching loss in our communities. On the run since this inexcusable killing, the defendant is now in custody and facing very serious charges,” the district attorney said.

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

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12 DECEMBER 2, 2021 • Number 24 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • DECEMBER 2 2021 | 13

Legal Notices MOU MERIL ENTERPRISE LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/19/2021. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Gazi M Z Hossain, 21123 99th Avenue, 1st Floor, Queens Village, NY 11429. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Formation of BORED LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/23/2021. Office loc.: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 30-06 29TH STREET, APT. 3H, ASTORIA, NY 11102. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

130TH STREET HOLDINGS LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 9/30/21. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to 20 Boulevard, Malba, NY 11357, which is also the principal business location. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NUHA NIHAL LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/15/2021.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: MD Nazrul Islam, 4222 64th St, 2nd Fl, Woodside, NY 11377. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose..

COOPER AVENUE REALTY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/24/21.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, 79-08 ooper Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NN BASRA LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/03/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: Amar Jit, 77-51 252 Street, Bellerose, NY 11426.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

DIAGORAS NUTRITION LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/15/21.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 tMOHAMED AIDARA, 5525 98TH PALCE, CORONA APT 2B, QUEENS, NY 11368, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Wing Jay Construction NY LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 10/22/21.

Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 13419 Blossom Ave #OFC, Flushing, NY 11355. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.3H. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

EUNICE FASHION CLOSET LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/18/21.Office: Queens County.

SSNY designated as agent of the LLC uponwhom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to BEMMIE S. TAMORADA, 6633 YELLOWSTONE BLVD., FOREST HILLS, NY 11375, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Formation of CRESCENT TAX SOLUTIONS, LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/25/2021.

Office loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to KAREEM ALMATHRAHI, 6011 CATALPA AVE, RIDGEWOOD, NY, 11385,USA. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

JAMES QUIGLEY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/14/2021. 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 LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 3319 BROADWAY #2A, ASTORIA, NY 11106, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Formation of CLEAN AND CLEAR LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/05/2019. Office loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to CLEAN AND CLEAR NYC LLC, 11139 180TH STREET, JAMAOCA, NY 11433. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

LACE LIFE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/04/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: ALANENA WALKER, 1-50 50TH AVE, 1245, LONG ISLAND CITY, NY, 11101, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Formation of NEMA PROPERTIES LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/19/2021. Office loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to NEMA PROPERTIES 67-04 MYRTLE AVENUE, 1523, GLENDALE, NY 11385, USA. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NN BASRA LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/03/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: Amar Jit, 77-51 252 Street, Bellerose, NY 11426.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

PLAPS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/09/2021. 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, 240-12 Oak Lane, Douglaston, NY 11363. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Formation of LINY ASSOCIATES LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/27/2021. Office loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. The address SSNY shall mail process to Jeff Kolessar, 1628 JFK Blvd., Ste. 2300, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Formation of VENNASYA LLC filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 03/04/2021. Office loc.: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to VENNASYA LLC, 14019 159TH ST., JAMAICA, NY 11434. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

14 DECEMBER 2, 2021 • Number 24 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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16 DECEMBER 2, 2021 • Number 24 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP