THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | DECEMBER 30, 2021

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 52 • DECEMBER 30, 2021

STAND & SHIVER Fear and Freezing Wind Chills

Reign along Jamaica Avenue in Woodhaven as Hundreds Line up for Free COVID Test

See Story on Page 2

On Monday, City Councilmembers Joann Ariola and Bob Holden, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar sponsored a COVID-19 mobile testing site for both rapid and PCR testing from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. in front of the Woodhaven Business Improvement District office on Jamaica Avenue near 89th Street.

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

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Hundreds of Concerned Borough Residents Turn out in Woodhaven for Free COVID Testing Event

Photos Courtesy of Michael V. Cusenza and Sen. Addabbo

By Michael V. Cusenza Hundreds of concerned Queens residents on Monday braved the fear, freezing winds, frustration—and lengthy lines—to get a free COVID-19 test in Woodhaven.

City Councilmembers Joann Ariola (R-Howard Beach) and Bob Holden (DMiddle Village), State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven), and the NYC Health + Hospitals System ar-

ranged a mobile testing site for both rapid and PCR testing from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. in front of the Woodhaven Business Improvement District office at 89-07 Jamaica Ave. Lines wrapped around blocks on both sides of Jamaica Avenue. Hundreds of uneasy Queensites also gathered outside of the ModernMD Urgent Care site at the corner of Jamaica Avenue and 90th Street.

“What are you going to do?” a shivering Middle Village resident who requested that his name not be published asked rhetori-

cally. “This is free—everybody’s going to flock to this.”

Holden reported that he’s working with NYC H + H and the Mayor’s Office to set up more mobile vans and brick-and-mortar testing sites in the 30th Council District.

He said that his office is also requesting more testing kits.

“With the demand for testing hitting record levels, my constituents need better access so that they can have peace of mind during the holiday season,” Holden added.

Last week, Addabbo partnered with the Deshi Senior Center of Ozone Park and community activist Raimondo Graziano to bring free COVID-19 testing to his Howard Beach district office. The medical professionals at Addabbo’s office gave out 109 COVID-19 PCR nose swab tests to residents.

“As more people are looking to travel for the holidays and become more aware of their own health needs, I wanted to be able to help them out by providing free COVID testing,” Addabbo said.

Photos Courtesy of Michael V. Cusenza and Sen. Addabbo

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Schumer Calls for 100 Testing Sites in NYC

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Photo Courtesy of Sen. Schumer

“While I am grateful for these efforts and for the work of FEMA staffers, I ask that FEMA continue this partnership and build on its efforts as cases increase due to the Omicron variant,” Sen. Schumer wrote in a personal letter to the FEMA administrator.

By Michael V. Cusenza Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer recently announced that he has formally requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency send 100 mobile testing facilities to the five boroughs.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic, FEMA has played a central role in New York City’s fight against COVID-19. While I am grateful for these efforts and for the work of FEMA staffers, I ask that FEMA continue this partnership and build on its efforts as cases increase due to the Omicron variant,” Schumer wrote in a personal letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell. “On December 21, 2021 New York City recorded its highest 7-day daily average of cases at nearly 9,500 cases. As reports of daily cases and hospitalizations continue to trend upward, it is vital that FEMA provide the City with the necessary resources to help slow this spread. With more testing capabilities in the form

of at-home kits and testing sites, the City can better gauge the trends of this variant and provide more accurate guidance and information to residents.”

New York’s senior senator also asked Criswell that FEMA “swiftly provide New York City with increased at-home testing kits.”

“When I became Majority Leader, one of the biggest priorities was lifting New York out of this pandemic, and we are on that path. We have secured the funds, we have built the community infrastructure to educate and vaccinate, while also ensuring testing that is accurate and accessible remains in place across the city, Long Island and upstate—but now we need a ramp up on the testing side, and that is what I am calling for today with FEMA,” Schumer said. “Omicron should not mean panic. No variant should mean we panic. We plan and we activate the mechanisms, like testing, that we have the federal resources for and, now, the experience to fully carry out.”

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“With more testing capabilities in the form of at-home kits and testing sites, the City can better gauge the trends of this variant and provide more accurate guidance and information to residents,” the senator also said.

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Network of Drug Dealers Dismantled Following LongTerm Investigation

By Forum Staff Eleven people have been indicted by a Queens grand jury and four of the accused have been additionally charged in criminal complaints for their roles in a network of dealers who supplied a variety of drugs to buyers in New York City and beyond between December 2020 and December 2021, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz recently announced.

Utilizing surveillance, undercover buys and Court-authorized eavesdropping warrants, the District Attorney’s Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau along with the NYPD’s Queens Violent Crime Squad conducted a lengthy investigation leading to the arrests of the 11 defendants, as well as the seizure of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, six handguns, an assault rifle, a sawed-off shotgun, ammunition and other items.

Katz said this investigation began by looking into the activities of defendants Jason Hibbert and Troy Greene. Undercover detectives posing as “buyers” met with Hibbert on seven different occasions and allegedly bought drugs. Greene allegedly sold drugs to a “buyer” on eight separate meets.

Hibbert, 35, of Dillon Street; Greene, 38, of 173rd Street; Kwansia Frasier, 44, of

Jamaica Avenue, all of Jamaica, Queens; and Kevin Joseph, 50, of South Long Beach Avenue in Freeport, Long Island, were all arraigned on Wednesday on a 68-count indictment before Queens Supreme Court Justice Daniel Lewis. These four defendants were ordered to return to Court on January 25, 2022.

According to the charges, Hibbert and Greene allegedly set up a stash house on Liberty Avenue where customers visited frequently to buy drugs. The clientele developed code words to make buys, such as using the phrase “pieces of cake” to indicate the specific drug desired. Another defendant, Luis Parreno, allegedly made drug deliveries to buyers throughout Queens and the Bronx, as well as in Nassau County.

DA Katz said that the court-authorized eavesdropping warrant picked up various conversations regarding buying and selling drugs over the course of the investigation.

On one of these calls, defendant David Mustiga allegedly talked with co-defendant Jose Torres about buying two kilograms of cocaine from Puerto Rico for $25,000 per kilo.

In July, police executed a court-authorized search warrant for the home of defendant Torres on Waldo Avenue in the Bronx. Law enforcement recovered the following items allegedly from Torres’ residence: a loaded .45-cali-

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ber pistol, a loaded defaced .380-caliber pistol, ammunition, over $13,000 in cash, three kilograms of controlled substances and other items.

In August, police executed a Courtauthorized search warrant for the home of co-defendant Luis Parreno on 97th Avenue in Queens. Law enforcement recovered the following items allegedly from Parreno’s residence: over $20,000 in cash, over five kilograms of controlled substances and other items. Court-authorized search warrants were also executed on two vehicles registered to Parreno and controlled substances were allegedly also found inside a hidden compartment in each vehicle.

Concurrent court-authorized search warrants were also executed on the home of another co-defendant David Mustiga on Jamaica Avenue. Law enforcement recovered a quantity of controlled substances and other items allegedly from inside the location.

Law enforcement also recovered two high-capacity magazines and a loaded assault rifle from defendant Edwin Hernandez, in front of Parreno and Mustiga’s stash house, located at 14206 Pershing Crescent in Briarwood.

Mustiga, Parreno, Torres, and Perez have each been charged with operating as major traffickers in this investigation.

Parreno and Mustiga’s stash house was located at 142-06 Pershing Crescent in Briarwood.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Governor Signs ‘Fred’s Law’

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo

“The D’Amico family has fought hard to make sure that no other family goes through the pain they felt when they lost Fred because no one was allowed to be with him when he entered the hospital in 2020,” Sen. Addabbo said.

By Forum Staff Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed into law a bill that will now give New Yorkers with disabilities the right to bring a primary care person with them if they are admitted to a hospital during a state of emergency or pandemic, according to State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (DHoward Beach), who introduced the legislation in Albany’s upper chamber.

Addabbo drafted the bill after hearing the story of Fred D’Amico, an adult with autism that lived within the Senator’s district, who passed away at the hospital on March 31, 2020 after medical staff would not allow his mother or father, who were Fred’s life-long caretakers, to be with him at the hospital to advocate on his behalf due to COVID restrictions.

The new law — known as Fred’s Law — prohibits hospitals from precluding individuals with disabilities, who are unable to describe for themselves their medical condition, from having an essential support person accompany them for the duration of their hospitalization in

response to a pandemic or state disaster emergency.

This means that during an emergency situation or a pandemic those with a disability, such as autism, would be able to have an essential person with them in the hospital to assist in their medical care.

“The D’Amico family has fought hard to make sure that no other family goes through the pain they felt when they lost Fred because no one was allowed to be with him when he entered the hospital in 2020,” Addabbo said.

“People with disabilities and their families must be heard in New York State and this bill accomplishes that,” added Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (DHoward Beach), who co-sponsored the bill in the Assembly. “Fred’s Law is a major victory for people with disabilities and their families that have a hard time receiving the proper medical care. This legislation will ensure that families with folks in Fred’s position will never go through what they went through, and that everyone has a voice in their own healthcare.”

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

EASING THE LIMITATIONS OF JOINT PAIN Many of our customers who are used to maintaining a healthy active lifestyle are finding themselves compromised by joint pain.

Joint pain is something that is experienced at some point by most people in their lifetime. For some people the pain is minor and non-progressive, but for many it means giving up activities they enjoy and can limit their ability to work.

Avid cooks can lose their ability to cut and chop because of pain and swelling in their fingers, especially thumbs. Swimmers who swim multiple times a week for exercise have such shoulder discomfort that they can lo longer enjoy the benefits of their exercise program.

Joint pain is the main symptom of many different musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, including all types of arthritis, connective tissue disease and osteoporosis.

Patients typically rely on topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory preparations (NSAID) and prescription drugs in order to ease their symptoms and get to sleep at night.

Many rubs, balms and lotion-like/ gel preparations are available to address the aches and pains that accompany joint discomfort. Some common names you may recognize are BioFreeze, Icy Hot and Voltaren and in addition, there is the advent of CBD oils and preparations contributing a “healing touch” to joint pain.

Whatever MSK condition you are suffering from, using your local pharmacist as part of your healthcare and pain manage-

ment team is an opportunity you should not fail to take advantage of.

Your pharmacist can offer information on lifestyle modification and helping you to navigate to the different specialties that should be involved in your care.

Many pharmacists have the skills needed to significantly assist patients managing joint pain. By knowing and understanding the medications and topical preparations, pharmacists can actually help patients live with less or no pain. Essentially your pharmacist can guide you on a path to the right medications that will help patients live and carry on with their -normal activities.

Pharmacists and their advanced knowledge of the medications they dispense can certainly clear up conflict and correct many misinterpretations by their patients. One very prevalent example of this is that most patients know that overusing NSAIDS can lead to a variety of complications, especially in the gastro intestinal tract. But patients do not realize that applying topical meds containing NSAIDS two to three times a day is perfectly fine.

A very critical part of the pharmacist’s role in pain management for MSK conditions is also keeping their patients informed about potential drug interactions between their other prescriptions and those they employ to treat their joint pain.

So if you suffer from joint pain, make the effort to have a talk with your pharmacist.

You may just be taking steps toward resolving some of the pain that can limit you life.

Until next time.

For your family’s prescription needs, please call

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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.

From Howard Beach to City Hall

Fred D’Amico with his mom, Maria

File Photo

ber for the 32nd Council District.

Ariola succeeds Eric Ulrich in serving the people and businesses of Howard Beach, Lindenwood, Ozone Park, Belle Harbor, Breezy Point, Broad Channel, Lindenwood, Neponsit, Richmond Hill, Rockaway Park, Roxbury, South Ozone Park, West Hamilton Beach and Woodhaven.

Surrounded by family and friends at “I look forward to City Hall on Dec. 22, long-time Howard serving you!” Ariola said.

Beach community leader Joann Ariola Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola was officially sworn in as the councilmemTHE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 52 • DECEMBER 30 2021 | 5

Man Charged in Two Forest Hills Sexual Assaults

The second incident was captured on video surveillance.

By Forum Staff Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Friday that Ralph Toro, 62, has been arraigned on attempted robbery, sexual abuse and other charges for two separate elevator attacks in Forest Hills earlier this month.

Toro, of Queens, was arraigned Thursday evening on two separate complaints charging him with two counts of attempted robbery in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree, menacing in the second degree and harassment in the second degree.

Courtesy of NYPD

Katz said that in the first incident, on Dec. 17, just before 11:13 a.m., a 28-yearold woman observed the defendant standing inside the elevator in an apartment building on 75th Street. As the elevator door opened, the defendant exited, but immediately turned around and allegedly displayed a knife.

Toro then began to extend his hand back and forth in a threatening manner, acting as if he was going to strike the victim and then reached into her jacket pockets.

The victim pushed the defendant away and he fled the scene.

In the second alleged attack, DA Katz said, between 12:00 p.m. and 12:45 p.m.,

The second incident occurred inside an apartment building on 108th Street.

a 51-year-old woman entered an elevator inside of an apartment building on 108th Street and was followed by a bald man wearing a multicolored camouflage face mask which covered his nose, mouth and neck. The defendant allegedly pulled out a knife and demanded that the victim give him money and blocked the doorway.

As the defendant continued to demand money from the woman, she informed him that she had no cash and emptied the contents of her pocketbook onto the elevator floor. The defendant, while still displaying the knife, grabbed the waistband of the victim, put his hand down her pants and sexu-

Photo Courtesy of Google

ally abused her. The victim tried to fight off the defendant and was able to shove him out of the elevator car. The defendant then fled the location.

The second incident was captured on video surveillance. The police were able to locate additional surveillance footage from various sources to track the defendant, who entered a shelter located less than half a mile away.

The defendant was arrested at the shelter after employees viewed still photographs taken from the surveillance videos and identified Toro to police.

If convicted, Toro faces up to 16 years to life in prison.

City Launches Digitized Placard Reader Program

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

“Placard abuse clogs our streets and weakens New Yorkers’ trust in the government that serves them,” Mayor de Blasio said.

By Forum Staff Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday announced the launch of a digitized placard reader program in north Brooklyn—a “major step” toward cracking down on abuse and ensuring public servants use their parking privileges appropriately.

Starting this week, NYPD’s Traffic Enforcement agents in Patrol Borough Brooklyn North are able to validate is-

sued parking permits with handheld electronic devices. The devices will allow agents to determine if the placard was legitimately issued; if it belongs to the vehicle it’s placed in; and if it’s being used in accordance with the privileges it confers.

“Placard abuse clogs our streets and weakens New Yorkers’ trust in the government that serves them. There’s no place for it in our city, and I’m proud to take this next

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Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“Placard abuse has no place in New York City,” said DOT Commissioner Gutman.

step toward a fairer and more accountable system,” de Blasio said.

The program’s phased rollout will begin in north Brooklyn, with a special emphasis on downtown Brooklyn. It will expand to lower Manhattan by mid-January, and to the rest of the city by the end of January.

By 2022, all placards will be replaced with vehicle stickers, officials noted.

“Placard abuse has no place in New York City and we are grateful to Mayor de Blasio

and the NYPD for launching this program to help strengthen enforcement and keep our streets safe,” said Department of Transportation Commissioner Hank Gutman.

“The DOT has joined our sister agencies in sharing our placard data with the NYPD to help end this type of corruption.”

NYPD has issued 43,000 parking summonses to improperly parked vehicles displaying placards in 2021 alone—a 21-percent increase from 2020.

Jackson Heights Woman Charged with Keeping More than 50 Animals in Unsanitary Living Conditions

Grant’s alleged house of pet horrors on 82nd Street in Jackson Heights.

By Forum Staff A Jackson Heights woman has been charged with failure to provide proper food and drink to animals and other charges for allegedly keeping more than 50 pets in unsanitary living conditions, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.

Elizabeth Grant, 53, was arraigned last Wednesday night on a 54-count complaint charging her with failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animal

Photo Courtesy of Google

and criminal contempt in the second degree. On Nov. 28, Grant was also charged in a second 87-count complaint and arraigned on failure to provide proper food and drink to impounded animals, criminal contempt in the second degree and overdriving, torturing and injuring animals/ failing to provide sustenance charges.

Grant has been ordered to return to court on March 2.

According to the charges, on Nov. 26, a New York City Adult Protective Services employee arrived at Grant’s 82nd Street

home to do a wellness check on her elderly mother. While in the home, the official allegedly observed dogs, cats, turtles, guinea pigs, and a rabbit in the home. The employee also stated that upon entering the home, he was struck by the heavy smell of ammonia from urine and could see excessive feces all over the floor.

The employee also indicated that he had observed that animals were allegedly without food or water; their coats appeared to be matted with dirt and feces and discharge was observed in the animals’ noses and eyes. Many of the pets were emaciated and one dog had blood stains around its mouth.

Another canine was observed to have a rash under its eye.

Katz said that members of NYC Animal Care Centers were dispatched to the home on Nov. 26 and rescued a total of 29 animals, but some of the pets scurried away and could not be captured. Last Wednesday, officers of the 115th NYPD Precinct executed a court-authorized warrant to enter Grant’s home where the other 23 cats were rescued, along with eight fish.

Members of the ASPCA were present and removed those animals and took them into their care and custody for forensic evaluation.

Katz noted that Grant is banned from owning, harboring or having possession of

File Photo

“Pets are not inanimate toys. They are living, breathing members of our households who, at a bare minimum, deserve to be cared for and kept healthy,” DA Katz said.

any animals per a court order that remains in effect through April 30, 2028.

“Pets are not inanimate toys. They are living, breathing members of our households who, at a bare minimum, deserve to be cared for and kept healthy,” Katz added. “Instead, this defendant is alleged to have kept her pets in filth with unaddressed diseases and other ailments.”

If convicted, Grant faces up to three years in prison.

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Disbarred Bayside Lawyer Charged with Swindling $500K+ from Clients

By Forum Staff A disbarred Bayside attorney charged with allegedly bilking more than 40 clients out of nearly $620,000, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.

Between August 2015 and August 2020, Yohan Choi represented the victims in personal injury claims and allegedly failed to give his clients their share of the settlements.

Choi, 47, was arraigned on a 44-count complaint last Wednesday before Queens Criminal Court Judge Scott Dunn. Choi has been charged with grand larceny in the second degree, 41 counts of grand larceny in the third degree, and the practice of law by an attorney who has been disbarred, suspended or convicted of a felony.

Choi operated a law office on Northern Boulevard near 154th Street in Flushing for many years. According to the charges, the defendant held bank accounts for his law practice at Chase, Capitol One and HSBC dating back to at least August 2015. A forensic examination of the accounts showed dozens of deposits for lawsuit settlements on behalf of Choi’s clients.

DA Katz said, according to the com-

plaint, in November 2016 a woman the defendant represented in a personal injury case agreed to a settlement for $52,500. The victim was entitled to just over $35,000.

Even though a check from the insurance company paying the settlement was allegedly deposited into the defendant’s

$75,000 in May 2018, according to the complaint. After the lawyer’s fee and other expenses were deducted, the victim was entitled to $50,250. Choi allegedly never turned over that money, despite the insurance company depositing a check for $75,000 into his account.

Photo Courtesy of Google

Choi operated a law office on Northern Boulevard near 154th Street in Flushing for many years.

account, the woman never received any Continuing, the DA said, a man who money. also hired the defendant to represent him Another woman Choi represented in in a personal injury matter agreed to settle a personal injury case agreed to settle for his case for $45,000 and was entitled to re-

ceive $30,150. The investigation showed that Choi’s bank account on May 12, 2020, allegedly received a check for $45,000 from an insurance company. However, three days later that same escrow account’s balance totaled just $423. The victim never received the money he was due.

According to the charges, the defendant repeated this scheme at least 41 times over the course of five years. Clients due varying sums of money – from as little as $1,000 to more than $50,000 – were left empty-handed. In all these instances, Choi’s business accounts received the settlement checks that totaled more than $600,000, but his victims were never issued a check for their injuries.

Choi’s license to practice law was suspended on Nov. 20, 2017, Katz noted.

“Despite being disbarred, this defendant allegedly continued to represent clients and successfully reached settlements on dozens of personal injury cases. But, instead of taking his fair share of the proceeds, this former attorney is accused of pocketing all of the settlement money – victimizing his clients a second time,” the district attorney added.

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

Borough President Launches Cultural Tourism Grant Program

Photo Courtesy of Borough President Richards

“This grant program is an investment in the stability and strength of our borough’s unmatched arts and culture scene,” Borough President Richards said.

By Forum Staff Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr. recently announced the launch of the Queens Cultural Tourism Grant Program to directly support Queens as a culturally vibrant destination by funding notfor-profit arts and cultural programming and events across The World’s Borough.

Made possible by the NYC & Company Foundation, the charitable arm of New York City’s travel and tourism des-

tination marketing organization, grants are available to fund the marketing and promotion of cultural programs and organizations.

All grant recipients must be registered as a 501(c)3 with the State. Projects eligible for funding must be tourist-facing and include, but are not limited to, promotional materials for cultural institutions, programs and events—such as paid media, print or digital content or videos.

Organizations and programs meeting

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File Photo

The program will provide funding for not-for-profit arts and cultural programming and events across Queens.

these requirements will be selected by Richards, with funding administered by the BP’s Office after verification of recipient eligibility by the NYC & Company Foundation.

“Like many other sectors of our society, the arts and culture industry were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

But culture never truly closed in Queens— the most culturally diverse county in the continental United States,” Richards said.

“This grant program is an investment in the

stability and strength of our borough’s unmatched arts and culture scene.”

The deadline to apply is the close of business on Monday, Jan. 24, 2021, and completed applications must be submitted to Richards’ Director of Cultural Affairs and Tourism Phil Ballman at pballman@queensbp.org. The necessary documentation needed to apply and additional information about the program can be found at queensbp.org/queensculturegrant.

Mayor, Comptroller Tout $3B Divestment from Fossil Fuels

By Forum Staff Mayor Bill de Blasio, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, and trustees of the New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) and the New York City Board of Education Retirement System (BERS) announced the successful divestment of securities related to fossil fuel companies, bringing the total divestment across all funds to an estimated $3 billion.

The divestment, one of the largest in the world, will address the significant financial and environmental risks that these fossil fuel holdings pose to the funds and to our planet. The announcement by the Mayor, Comptroller, and Trustees follows an extensive and thorough fiduciary process to prudently assess the portfolio’s exposure to fossil fuel stranded asset risk and industry decline and other financial risks stemming from climate change.

“Today is a major victory for our planet, our children, and our pensioners,” said Stringer. “The successful divestment of $3 billion out of fossil fuels is proof-positive that environmental and fiscal responsibility go hand-in-hand. New York City is leading the way toward a clean, green and sustainable economy, and the impacts of the actions we are announcing today will be felt for generations to come. Today is made possible by so many people—the trustees whose leadership and steadfast commitment to our pensioners’ retirement secu-

rity kept this process on track, investment experts who made sure that every step of this process was thoughtful and fiduciarily sound, to advocates who sounded the alarm about the growing financial and environmental risks posed by climate change.

Thank you for standing up for a cleaner, greener, brighter future.”

In January 2018, the trustees announced a goal to divest from fossil fuel reserve owners within five years, consistent with fiduciary duty; thereby, making New York City the first major city in the nation to commit to divesting major public pension funds from fossil fuel reserve companies. The Systems retained independent investment consultants who conducted investment analyses showing the risks posed by fossil fuel companies and the prudent nature of the divestment actions adopted by the Boards.

The New York City Employees’ Retirement System (NYCERS) and the New York City Board of Education Retirement System (BERS) have completed their process of divesting approximately $1.8 billion and $100 million in securities, respectively. The New York City Teachers’ Retirement System’s (TRS) divestment is underway with over $1 billion divested to date, and is expected to be complete by Q1 2022 with approximately $1 billion remaining. Securities were identified based on demonstrated risk from fossil fuel reserves and business activity, and the trust-

Photo Courtesy of Susan Watts/Office of the City Comptroller

“Today is a major victory for our planet, our children, and our pensioners,” Comptroller Stringer said.

ees will continue to evaluate risk in their portfolios to determine additional actions as warranted. TRS utilized a different investment consultant and employed different criteria to identify a different overall list of securities to divest than NYCERS and BERS. The names of TRS’ divested securities will be released upon completion of its divestment.

“From the destruction inflicted on our coastal communities during Superstorm

Sandy to the unprecedented flooding of our inland neighborhoods during Hurricane Ida, no borough has felt the severe sting of climate change like Queens. By successfully divesting billions of dollars from fossil fuel-related securities that directly contribute to a warming planet, New York City is once again claiming its place at the forefront of the global green revolution,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr.

Pol Calls on Feds to Ensure NY is equipped to Keep Residents Safe during Looming Energy Crisis

BY Forum Staff U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined her colleagues in a bicameral letter urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address the ongoing energy crisis and ensure families that rely the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) have the resources needed to stay safe throughout the winter.

The cost of home heating is expected to increase by 30 percent nationwide this winter for the nearly half of U.S. households that rely primarily on natural gas, a level not reached since 2014. In New York State alone, there are already more than 1.2 million households that collectively owe roughly $1.7 billion in late energy bill payments. LIHEAP is a critical home heating assistance program that is vital to New York’s most vulnerable seniors and families who depend on this money to offset the high cost of energy bills. However, the ongoing energy crisis means this lifeline program could lose much of its appropriated purchasing power due to volatile heating costs.

“The ongoing economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has strained global energy markets still struggling with a surge in demand, supply shortages, and supply chain issues. For low-income families, these price increases are unsustainable and could force them to choose between heating their homes and paying for essentials like rent, food, and medicine,” Gillibrand said.

The average cost of home heating is unaffordable for millions of low-income households, costing over $900 per year nationally. With prices surging worldwide for heating oil, natural gas, and other fuels, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) is projecting even higher prices for home heating this winter. The EIA’s Winter Fuels Outlook reports households nationwide could see their heating bills jump as much as 54 percent from last winter. The EIA also projects that Northeast customers who use natural gas will see their bills rise to $865, up from $731 last year. New Yorkers can spend more than $3,000 a year on energy bills alone — for low-income New Yorkers, that can amount to more than 10 percent of their income on energy.

Robust and early LIHEAP funding is a crucial lifeline that will help meet the demand

of rising utility costs and help financially strained households pay their energy bills and stay safe throughout the winter.

In the letter, Gillibrand and her fellow pols asked the following questions “1. On November 18, 2021, the Biden administration unveiled recommendations on how American Rescue Plan funds should be used to protect households from rising home heating costs. Can you provide us with an update on your agency’s efforts to meet these recommendations and share your timeline for expediting assistance? 2. Last year, LIHEAP funding reached about 16 percent of the eligible population. This winter season, what percentage of the eligible population does your Department expect to serve with the additional $4.5 billion for LIHEAP and emergency rental assistance from the American Rescue Plan? 3. How has your Department made it easier for households to apply for LIHEAP assistance during this pandemic and ongoing energy crisis?

4. What steps has the Department taken to increase outreach to non-traditional households, especially those who have recently become unemployed and/or do not know that they qualify for LIHEAP?

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Gillibrand “The ongoing economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic has strained global energy markets still struggling with a surge in demand, supply shortages, and supply chain issues. For low-income families, these price increases are unsustainable and could force them to choose between heating their homes and paying for essentials like rent, food, and medicine,” Sen. Gillibrand said.

5. Does the Department anticipate that current funding is sufficient to meet expected increases in energy prices or will additional resources be necessary?”

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Legal Notices 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.

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, 66-33 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.

2810 LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/23/21. Latest date todissolve: 12/31/2120. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 70-18 261st Street, Glen Oaks, NY 11004. Purpose: Any lawful purpose CATHERINE MULHOLLAND LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/10/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: CATHERINE MULHOLLAND 6 BEACH 221 STREET, BREEZY POINT, NY 11697. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of formation of New York Built, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York on 11/29/2021. Office located in Queens.

SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC at 37-08 36 AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR, ASTORIA, NY, 11101. Purpose: any lawful purpose

M C DAS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/03/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 15330 89th Ave, #324, Jamaica, NY 11432. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Formation of Checo Multiservices LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York on October 29, 2021. Office location: Queens County, Secretary of State is designated as agent upon who process against the LLC may be served. Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the LLC served upon the LLC to C/O 108 – 05 51st Street, Corona, NY 11368. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SHZ ESTATE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/07/21. 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, 9720 164th Ave, Howard Beach, NY 11414. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 9201 AVENUE L LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/07/21. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Attn: Aristotle G. Mirzaian, c/o Curcio Mirzaian Sirot LLC, 48 Wall St., 11th Fl., NY, NY 10005-2903. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

HAGION PROPERTY LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 11/30/2021.

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, 7123 Nansen St., Forest Hills NY, 11365. Purpose: To engage in any lawful act.

R&W FOODS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/30/21. Office located in Queens. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to UNITED STATES CORPORATION AGENTS, INC., 7014 13TH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11228, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

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Notice of Formation: 140-35 69 AVE LLC (the ‘LLC’) filed Articles of Organization with the New York Department of State on 02/19/2021. Office location: QUEENS County. The New York Secretary of State is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and is directed to forward service of process to Lowenfeld Law Firm P.C. - 1706 Sheepshead Bay Rd, Brooklyn, NY 11235 193-03 Union Turnpike LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/17/21. Off. loc.: Queens Co. SSNY des. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 193-03 Union Turnpike, Fresh Meadows, NY 11366.

Purpose: General.

TB ORGANIZED LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/03/21. 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 TB ORGANIZED LLC, 1041 ANNAPOLIS STREET, FAR ROCKAWAY, NY 11691, USA.Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

28-13 48 ST LLC filed w/ SSNY on 12/21/21. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 25-84 Steinway St., Astoria, NY 11103.

Exist date: 1/1/22 Purpose: any lawful.

QL CONSULTS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/26/21. Off. loc.: Queens Co. SSNY des. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Legalinc Corporate Services Inc., 1967 Wehrle Drive, Suite 1-086, Buffalo, NY 14221. Purpose: General.

WEI BUSINESS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/09/21. Off. loc.: Queens Co. SSNY des. as agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to WEI BUSINESS AND PROPERTY CONSULTANT LLC, 65-17 110th St., Forest Hills, NY, 11375, USA.Purpose: General.

HARPREET KAUR REALTOR LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/28/2021. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Harpreet Kaur, 8225 247th Street, Bellerose, NY 11426. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

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