THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | FEBRUARY 17, 2022

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 7 • FEBRUARY 17, 2022

POWER PAY

Customers Blast Con Ed, Pols Call for Probe of Utility as Energy Bills Dramatically Jump

See pages 2 Forum Photos Courtesy of Michael V. Cusenza and Con Edison

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 7 • FEBRUARY 17 2022 | 1

Hochul Urges Con Ed to Review Billing Practices, Announces Actions to Address Surging Energy Prices

By Michael V. Cusenza Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday urged Con Edison to review their billing practices and better communicate with New Yorkers after the recent surge in energy costs in New York State left many already struggling New Yorkers surprised, through a letter from Public Service Commission (PSC), and also announced increased relief efforts to reach low-income New Yorkers about millions of dollars in aid available.

"The extreme utility bill increases we are seeing across the state come at a time when New Yorkers are already struggling financially following the COVID-19 pandemic," Hochul said. "Even though the spike we are seeing in electricity, natural gas and fuel prices were predicted and are due to severe winter weather, I am calling on Con Ed to review their billing practices because we must take unified action to provide relief for New Yorkers, especially our most vulnerable residents."

This winter the cost of natural gas, which is used to heat homes and generate electricity, has risen sharply resulting in a significant increase — sometimes more than doubling - of the supply component of customer electric and/or natural gas bills as compared to prior months. These bill increases are being driven by a global increase in natural gas commodity prices due to higher domestic usage because of colder-than-normal weather, increased economic activity, and increased international demand for natural gas.

On Friday, the PSC sent a letter to Con Edison requesting a detailed review of the utility's billing practices including an assurance that the full hedged value the utility secured in January is provided to customers in the next billing cycle, improved customer communications, and an evaluation of alternatives to their current billing practices with recommendations due to DPS staff by February 28, 2022.

“While the Department recognizes that these weather-related price impacts are outside of the utilities’ control, there are several actions that Con Edison should consider taking to address this situation.

1. Con Edison should mitigate the recent high customer bills by providing the full value of its hedged commodity procurements to customers in the next billing cycle. While the Public Service Commission (Commission) does not regulate commodity prices of natural gas and electricity, and New York’s utilities do not control market prices of these commodities, utility procurement and billing practices do impact the prices that customers pay and can dampen or exacerbate price swings from month to month.

The Commission has repeatedly found that utilities have a responsibility to use strategies that responsibly procure commodity on behalf of their customers at least cost and have hedging strategies that smooth out market price fluctuations.1 This recent cold weather spell has exposed weaknesses in Con Edi-

son’s billing practices that warrant closer examination. When Con Edison issues bills, it passes through the weighted average supply rate based on the residential customer load shape and New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) market prices in effect in each billing cycle.2 The company also applies a forecasted hedge value, which is updated mid-month. This value is fixed for one month and includes reconciliations to account for underestimated forecasted hedge values and sales variations from prior periods. If the actual electric market prices vary significantly from those assumed in the hedge value forecast for the upcoming month, the mismatch between the value of the hedges and the supply rate billed to customers is exacerbated. This situation occurred in January and is continuing to occur in February. Total bills for full-service massmarket customers billed at the end of Janu-

son’s hedging practices will likely result in substantial cost savings to customers this winter compared to what customers would have paid if Con Edison did not hedge, 3 the underestimated forecast of the hedge benefits, added to the flow through of weighted average market prices based on customers’ individual billing cycles as noted above increased bill volatility this winter. Con Edison should immediately reassess its approach to full-service supply billing with a goal to reduce the likelihood of extreme and sudden price volatility, and report to Staff its findings. 3. Con Edison must improve communications to electric and gas customers to better explain forecasted commodity price changes. At our October 7, 2021 session, Department Staff provided its annual winter readiness presentation to the Commission.

Based on commodity price forecasts, Staff explained that it expected that utility cus-

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ary were 49 and 58 percent higher for New York and Westchester customers, respectively, from their previous bill for the typical energy usage. Department Staff estimates that approximately 70 percent of the increase in supply rates between December and January was attributable to Con Edison’s forecasting hedge values being underestimated. Specifically, based on information Con Edison provided to staff, the hedge value forecast for January, while apparently reasonable in the assumptions used at the time of the calculation, led to the actual hedge gains being significantly underestimated. The value of the underestimated hedge benefit should be included in Con Edison’s next billing cycle update to ensure that customers receive the full value of Con Edison’s hedge. Assuming normal weather for next month, we expect that this adjustment will significantly reduce the commodity price reflected on customer bills next month. The Department has determined that the Company’s current hedging strategies combined with a revised supply billing practice may have effectively mitigated the bill volatility seen in January.

2. Con Edison should reassess its approach of forecasting its hedge value in billing cycle updates to reduce the likelihood of dramatic and sudden price volatility. While Con Edi-

2 FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • Number 7 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

tomers would see significantly higher utility bills this winter. Staff and the Commission worked with utilities to provide information to customers so that they could prepare for the expected higher costs. The Department held workshops throughout the State. Utilities provided bill inserts and provided direct messages to customers. Yet many customers were surprised by the sudden bill increases this winter. While Con Edison included bill inserts and sent out messages on other platforms that natural gas commodity prices were expected to be higher this winter, it did not inform customers that electric commodity prices were also expected to be higher, or in its billing for last month that there was a spike in electric commodity prices.

Con Edison should have foreseen the likely electric commodity price spikes and done more to provide advance notice to their customers and other stakeholders. In addition to preparing customers in advance of expected price increases, it is essential that Con Edison also continue to offer customers deferred payment agreements and provide information regarding other bill assistance programs. This experience is a painful reminder that the State remains overly reliant on fossil fuels to meet our energy needs. This dependence on fossil fuel is contributing to

climate change and air pollution, but, as this experience shows, it is also exposing consumers to global commodity price fluctuations. We must continue working together to advance the State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act to both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels that are subject to dramatic price swings experienced this winter.

“All week my office has been receiving calls from frustrated and angered residents who are concerned with the large jump in price of their Con Ed bill,” State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said. “While Con Ed says that they cannot control the price of the energy from their suppliers, they should know who those suppliers are, if there will be any change in price in the energy they provide, and at least notify their customers of any potential changes. I believe there should be an investigation into this situation by the Public Service Commission to ensure that customers are not taken by surprise by such a large jump in price for a necessary utility, especially when so many residents, workers and businesses are still suffering from the negative economic effect of the COVID pandemic.”

Con Ed reps said in a statement, “Current global events, coupled with increased energy consumption due to lower than normal temperatures have had impacts on natural gas and electricity costs, and we want to help. Click the link to find the right assistance program for you.”

The PSC and the Department of Public Service have been proactively messaging the projected increase in supply prices and the impact to customers' winter bills.

In January 2022, the Department of Public Service partnered with other state agencies and held a series of virtual workshops throughout the state for community leaders and elected officials. The workshops focused on: financial assistance programs, such as Home Energy and Low-Income Household Water Assistance Programs; utility energy affordability programs; weatherization and other actions consumers can take to be energy efficient; home and community-based services and supports for older adults and their caregivers; and how to direct consumers to the winter resources.

Additionally, since the onset of winter, the utilities been proactively communicating that customers' bills will be higher this winter due to increased supply prices. Such outreach and education included press releases, newsletters, utility call center representative training, YouTube videos, and social media posts.

The PSC has said that it is committed to making sure customers are aware of these programs to receive the assistance and information they need to effectively manage their energy bills. For more information on winter preparedness efforts and these assistance programs, please go to dps.ny.gov/ winter.

Man Convicted in 2012 Death

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Workers with the City Department of Parks were clearing garbage from the vicinity of Beach 13th Street in Far Rockaway when they saw an elbow sticking out of the sand and discovered the remains of Mr. Rucker.

By Forum Staff A Far Rockaway man has been convicted at trial of murder for the brutal beating death of a man in 2012. The victim’s remains were discovered by park employees clearing garbage and debris from the damaged sand dunes of the beach in Far Rockaway following Superstorm Sandy, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.

Thyron Aycock, 48, was found guilty of murder in the second degree today. A jury deliberated for two hours before rendering a verdict. Queens Supreme Court Justice Cassandra Mullen, who presided at trial, set sentencing for March 8, 2022, at which time Aycock faces up to 25 years to life in prison.

According to trial records, the defendant lived with his girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend – Shawn Rucker - in Far Rockaway. Sometime between November 5 and November 7 of 2012, Aycock demanded Mr. Rucker leave the home. That’s when the two men became embroiled in an argument that turned physical. Aycock struck the 32-year-old victim at least eight times in the head with a hammer. Mr. Rucker died as a result blunt force trauma and chest compressions.

The DA said, according to trial testimony, the defendant then made attempts to dismember the

body of the deceased. There were lacerations to Mr. Rucker’s wrist and his left thigh had a gapping cut to the bone. His body was bound with a very distinctive patterned cloth and he was stuffed in a garbage bag and buried on the beach.

November 15, 2012, according to trial testimony, workers with the City Department of Parks were clearing garbage from the vicinity of Beach 13th Street in Far Rockaway when they saw an elbow sticking out of the sand and discovered the remains of Mr. Rucker. Trial testimony revealed that during the investigation, police executed a Courtauthorized search of the defendant’s home where they recovered a knife with the victim’s blood on it.

A saw was also found and was forensically-matched to the deep thigh wound of the victim. A bedsheet with the same distinctive pattern as the cloth used to bind the victim was also in the home.

The defendant, however, was not apprehended until roughly seven years later when he admitted to a friend that he had killed someone and gave very detailed information about the homicide. That friend contacted the police.

“Despite the 10 years that have passed since this brutal killing, our Office pursued this case— investigating and prosecuting—and today the jury found the defendant guilty of murder,” Katz said.

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“Despite the 10 years that have passed since this brutal killing, our Office pursued this case—investigating and prosecuting,” DA Katz said.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 7 • FEBRUARY 17 2022 | 3

Five Members of Family-Run Sex Trafficking Ring Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences sentenced to pr ison terms of nearly 40 years, federal prosecutors announced Thursday.

Jose Mig uel Melendez -R ojas, 45, of Mex ico, was sentenced to 39 years and si x months in pr ison; Jose Osvaldo Melendez -R ojas, 46, and R osalio Melendez -R ojas, 40, both of Mex ico, were each sentenced to 39 years and four months; Francis co Melendez -Perez, 27, and Abel R omero-Melendez, 35, both of Queens, were sentenced to 25 years and 20 years in pr ison, respectively.

The defendants were also ordered to pay restitution to their v ictims.

The defendants were conv icted by a federal jur y in March 2020 of sex traf f icking , sex traf f icking conspirac y, sex traf f icking of minors, interstate prostitution, alien smuggling and money launder ing conspirac y.

A si x th co-defendant, Fabian Photo Courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of R eyes-R ojas, 42, of Mex ico, pleadNY ed gui lt y to sex traf f icking conspir“Today’s lengthy sentence reflects the immeasurable ac y and sex traf f icking in December harm the defendants’ brutality and exploitation 2019 and is awaiting sentencing , inflicted on these young women and girls,” Brooklyn prosecutors noted.

U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

According to federal of f icials,

By Forum Staff bet ween 2006 and July 2017, the defendants transpor ted young and Five members of a fami ly-r un sex v ulnerable Mex ican women and traf f icking organization have been

4 FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • Number 7 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

girls, some of w hom were minors, to the United States and forced them to work in prostitution. The defendants used false promises of love, marr iage, and a better life to lure the women and girls into romantic and sex ual relationships and isolated their v ictims from their fami lies by br inging them to live w ith them at the defendants’ homes in Tenancingo, Mex ico. The defendants then used physical and sex ual v iolence, threats, and fraud to coerce their v ictims to work in prostitution in New York Cit y, Long Island, New Jersey, Connecticut and Delaware.

The defendants took the proceeds generated from the v ictims’ prostitution and laundered them to conceal their source.

Si x v ictim-w itnesses testif ied at tr ial regarding the physical and sexual abuse they endured at the hands of the defendants. One v ictim identif ied as “Diana” testif ied that she was smuggled into the United States as a minor and forced to work as a prostitute. W hen she tr ied to es cape, Jose Miguel Melendez -R ojas beat and raped her in front of other members of the household, including R osalio Melendez -R ojas and Abel R omero-Melendez. Another

v ictim identif ied as “Delia” testif ied that she was forced into prostitution by Francisco Melendez -Perez and his uncle R osalio Melendez R ojas w hen she was 14 years old.

W hen she ref used to work , she was beaten. Victims “Fabiola” and “Mar ia R osalba” also testif ied that they were forced to work as prostitutes through threats, physical abuse and forced abor tions by R osalio Melendez -R ojas and Jose Osvaldo Melendez -R ojas. Victim “Daisy ” testif ied that she was forced into prostitution by Fabian R eyes -R ojas. Victim “ Veronica” testif ied at tr ial that Jose Miguel Melendez -R ojas threatened her and her fami ly, tel ling her that he would “chop [ her] mother up into little pieces” if she did not work in prostitution for his benef it. ““ Through false promises of a better life, the defendants ensnared young , v ulnerable v ictims in a sordid world of sex-traf f icking and used v iolence and cr uel threats to force them into prostitution. Today ’s leng thy sentence ref lects the immeasurable harm the defendants’ br utalit y and ex ploitation inf licted on these young women and girls,” Brookly n U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said.

Got Questions about your Notice of Property Value?

Help on the Way

To register for the event, visit nyc.gov/dofevents.

By Forum Staff State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) is set to partner with the City Department of Finance to promote the agency’s Notice of Property Value virtual outreach session next week, the senator noted on Tuesday.

On Thursday, Feb. 24, at 4p.m., residents can log on to the designated site for an information session presented by representatives from DOF regarding the Notice of Property Value statement.

Participants at the NOPV event will learn: • About their market and assessed values; • How their taxes are calculated; • How to change their property’s description; and • How to save with property tax exemptions and abatements.

“Many residents have questions regarding their property values this time of year,” Addabbo said. “It is vital that homeowners are up to date on their property values so they know what they owe. I want to thank the Department of Finance for their con-

Courtesy of DOF

tinued partnership and helping my constituents and residents across the city, especially during these tough times.”

This will be an informational session.

The sessions are designed to provide constituents with resources and tools they need to submit inquiries and proactively research their property value and tax concerns. Only those who attend these virtual information sessions will have the ability to contact DOF for a follow up session where they can discuss their personal matters related to their NPOV statement.

“At the Department of Finance, we always want to ensure that our customers have a clear and accurate understanding of their property tax bills,” said DOF Commissioner Preston Niblack. “Partnering with local elected officials for outreach sessions like these allows us to do that, and to make ourselves available to taxpayers.”

To register for the Feb. 24 event, visit nyc.gov/dofevents. While Addabbo is sponsoring this date with DOF, there are other sessions available on other dates at different times, so be sure to look at the schedule at the link above for the additional sessions.

Photo Courtesy of NYS Media Services

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

SNEEZES OF SPRING & SUMMER Get ready cause here they come With the change in seasons come a host of bodily changes especially to the eyes, ears, nose and throat.

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

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

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

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

Summer allergies can rear their ugly heads in adults who have never had an allergy. These are the cases where allergies are most often misinterpreted as a sum-

mer cold.

Here are some tips to help you piece the truth together: --Symptoms which persist beyond a couple of weeks are definitely signals that you have allergies.

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

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

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

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

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

Until next week...

For your family’s prescription needs, please call

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DOT Launches Massive Queensboro Bridge Project The City Department of Transportation this week kicked off its previously announced project to replace the upper deck of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge. The construction will require long-term lane reductions on the upper roadway.

Work on the 113-year-old span began in earnest Monday morning when DOT staff implemented lane closures on the upper roadway’s Manhattan-bound side. This will continue six days a week—excluding Sundays—until further notice.

One Manhattan-bound lane will be closed 24 hours a day. The second Manhattanbound lane will be closed during off-peak hours: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the day, and from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. overnight.

On Friday nights, the second Manhattan-bound lane closure will extend into Saturday afternoons, from 8 p.m. on Fridays to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

During off-peak closures, the DOT will redirect upper-roadway traffic to the two current Queens-bound lanes, with one lane serving Manhattan-bound traffic and the other maintained for Queens-bound traffic.

Motorists are strongly encouraged to take mass transit or seek alternate routes for the duration of the critical infrastructure project, DOT officials said.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia

“It is vital that homeowners are up to date on their property values so they know what they owe,” Sen. Addabbo said.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 7 • FEBRUARY 17 2022 | 5

Nine Wrongly Convicted New Yorkers Sue the Corrupt Cops who Framed Them

By Forum Staff On Wednesday morning, nine in a potential avalanche of wrongfully convicted New Yorkers sued two convicted NYPD officers for framing them, along with New York City for condoning their massive corruption.

"For well over a decade, former NYPD Officers Kevin Desormeau and Sasha Cordoba abused their power to frame innocent people for crimes they did not commit, uprooting their lives and, at times, severing them from their families for years at a time," said Danielle Hamilton of the civil rights firm Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law. "The NYPD was well aware that Desormeau and Cordoba had a history of fabricating and concealing evidence yet allowed them to continue their unconstitutional tactics unabated. Though the City knew of their misconduct for years, it was only after Desormeau and Cordoba were finally convicted and sentenced for their crimes that they left the force."

The Queens DA’s Office has vacated 54 convictions tied to these disgraced former police officers. “ We cannot stand behind a criminal conviction where the essential law enforcement witness has been convicted of crimes which irreparably impair their credibility,” Queens DA Melinda Katz said. “Vacating and dismissing these cases is both constitutionally required and necessary to ensure public confidence

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in our justice system.”

Taron Parkinson, Michael Suber, Keith Garlin, Davon Armstrong, Audrey Brown, Vaughn Payne, Dennis Smith, Ramona Jacquez, and Barry SeaseBey came forward today in an attempt to repair the wrongs inflicted against them. Convicted for crimes they did not commit, many of them suffered devastating losses, ranging from losing employment to losing custody of their children.

"The NYPD is rife with many more officers just like Desormeau and Cordoba who violated the con-

stitutional rights of innocent people in the course of their duties," said Renee Spence, also of Loevy & Loevy. “NYPD has done little, if anything, to aid the process of exonerating New Yorkers who were victims of their officers’ crimes of dishonesty. Instead, the NYPD had repeatedly lied about the information it has access to and has done its best to obstruct efforts to uncover the corruption that exists within its ranks. Simply put, the NYPD has no interest in policing itself.”

According to today 's suit, the NYPD refused to oversee and punish cops who were well-known to withhold evidence and/or fabricate testimonies in order to secure convictions. These officers were aware that they could act with impunity and were even rewarded for their ruthless tactics to close cases at all costs. “ W hile NYPD allows its officers to exist above the law, countless New Yorkers are suffering under the weight of their unjust, baseless convictions. The consequences of even one single day spent behind bars can destabilize a person’s life for years,” said Kelly Jo Popkin of Loevy & Loevy. “This case illustrates how everyday citizens have been powerless against the enormous power of the NYPD, which all too often treats innocent individuals as nothing more than collateral damage in pursuit of its own agenda. This suit seeks to finally hold those in power accountable and ensure these abuses never happen again.”

Adams Testifies before State Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means Committees

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

“It has been nearly 20 years since the City and State of New York increased the Earned Income Tax Credit benefit that has helped so many low- to moderate-income families,” Mayor Adams said.

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams recently provided testimony to both the State Senate Finance and Assembly Ways and Means committees, focusing on several key initiatives aimed at making the five boroughs safer and more prosperous: Substantial investments in an enhanced Earned Income Tax Credit, a new childcare tax credit, and investments in mental health resources.

Key components of Mayor Adams’ testimony include:

On mental health resources “It is urgent that we request the state’s immediate assistance in expanding the number of beds for those in critical need of mental health care, and funding for the medical and support staff they require.

Too many of our fellow New Yorkers are cycled through temporary care and released before they are ready, often due to the limited availability of long-term support and housing.”

On Earned Income Tax Credit “The second major step of my plan is to increase the Earned Income Tax Credit. It

6 FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • Number 7 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

City Budget Director Jacques Jiha

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

has been nearly 20 years since the City and State of New York increased the Earned Income Tax Credit benefit that has helped so many low- to moderate-income families.

“That is why I’m asking the state to authorize the city to boost the amount the city gives back to recipients of the Earned Income Tax Credit, up to 30 percent of the federal benefit depending on income.”

“In addition, I am calling on the State to match our efforts by increasing the amount it gives back to recipients with an additional state investment of up to $250 million.”

On childcare tax incentives “Two additional proposals could help create more childcare space by utilizing tax incentives.

The first proposal would authorize the city to offer property owners a tax abatement for retrofitting space to establish childcare centers.

“The second proposal would authorize New York City to provide a tax credit to companies that provide free or subsidized childcare for their employees in their place of business.”

Longtime Queens Pol Nolan to Retire

Courtesy of DOF

To register for the event, visit nyc.gov/dofevents.

By Michael V. Cusenza Assembly Deputy Speaker Cathy Nolan on Friday announced that after 38 years of public service she will not seek reelection.

Nolan (D-Long Island City) represents the 37th Assembly District in Western Queens, which includes the historic New York City neighborhoods of Sunnyside, Ridgewood, Long Island City, Queensbridge, Ravenswood, Astoria, Woodside, Maspeth, Dutch Kills and Blissville. She was first elected to the Assembly in 1984.

Nolan was appointment Deputy Speaker in the winter of 2018 by Speaker Carl Heastie. Prior to this, Ms. Nolan chairs the Assem-

bly Education Chair (2006-2018). Nolan also chaired the Committee on Labor.

In addition, she serves on the Ways and Means Committee and Veterans' Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Assembly Majority Steering Committee, and the Rules Committee. Assemblywoman Nolan previously chaired the Real Property Taxation Committee, where she was successful in passing important legislation to save taxpayer dollars by consolidating assessing units and a bill allowing the United Nations Development Corporation to expand its New York City-based operation for UNICEF. Prior to that, she chaired the NYS Assembly Commission on State-Federal Relations, where she focused on fighting for more federal aid for public transportation. Assemblywoman Nolan is also a proud past Chair of the Legislative Women’s Caucus.

“For decades, Assemblymember Cathy Nolan has been a steadfast advocate for the people of Queens,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “We are grateful for her service, from her tenure as education and labor chair, to the farm workers bill, and more, and wish her best in retirement.”

Councilman Bob Holden (D-Middle Village) added, “I thank my colleague, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, for her decades of dedicated service and wish her good health and a very happy retirement.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 7 • FEBRUARY 17 2022 | 7

8 FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • Number 7 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

City Brings back $100 Vax Incentive cards being distributed to New Yorkers. Already, 77-percent of incentives distributed have gone to New Yorkers of color and tens of millions of dollars have been reinvested into local businesses and spent at grocery stores, restaurants, bodegas, and on transportation.

Both first doses and booster doses will be eligible for the $100 incentive until Feb. 28, and prepaid cards will be redeemable until March 31. Additionally, the City retains the capability to quickly relaunch

these initiatives if the need arises.

“Every vaccine brings us one step closer to the other side of this pandemic,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “The vaccine incentive program has encouraged over 800,000 New Yorkers to prioritize getting their COVID-19 vaccine, and thereby protect their health, the health of their families, and school communities. We urge all New Yorkers to do their part and get vaccinated and boosted.”

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New Yorkers who received their first dose at a City-run site will also continue to be eligible for a $100 incentive until the end of February.

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams on Friday announced that the City has reopened the $100 COVID-19 vaccine incentive for New Yorkers who get boosted at a City-run or SOMOS site through the end of the month.

New Yorkers who received their first dose at a City-run site will also continue to be eligible for a $100 incentive until the end of February. The incentive is being made in a continued push to get residents vaccinated and boosted.

“New Yorkers have done a tremendous job getting vaccinated, but I know we can do

more,” said Adams. “The more of us protected against COVID-19, the quicker we can get through this pandemic. To anyone thinking about getting vaccinated or boosted, now is the time! Protect yourself and those around you and make some money while you’re at it.

I also encourage New Yorkers thinking about how to spend their $100 to buy from our small businesses. They have kept New York City running throughout the pandemic and are the backbone of so many communities.”

Since launching the incentive program in July 2021, the percentage of all New Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office Yorkers with at least one dose increased 25 “New Yorkers have done a tremendous job getting vaccinated, but I know we can do more,” Mayor Adams said. percent, with over 800,000 pre-loaded gift

Adams Applauds Record 100,000 Summer Youth Employment Opportunities

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

Mayor Adams said that this expansion is a key part of an overall strategy to keep the city’s youth engaged and active over the summer months when crime spikes.

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced that the City will, this summer, support a record 100,000 summer job opportunities annually for young people ages 14-24, with 90,000 of the opportunities stemming from the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and 10,000 opportunities coming from other city programs.

The 90,000 opportunities through SYEP is the largest number of jobs ever made available in the program’s 60-year history. The record number of opportunities

— an increase from the previous record of nearly 75,000 — is possible in part due to a $79 million investment that will be made in the mayor’s upcoming Fiscal Year 2023 Preliminary Budget.

Adams said this expansion is a key part of an overall strategy to keep the city’s youth engaged and active over the summer months when crime spikes — and is a preventive action outlined in his Blueprint to End Gun Violence.

The city’s SYEP program, which is the largest in the country, typically runs for six weeks in July and August. SYEP provides participants with paid opportunities

to explore potential career interests and pathways, allowing participants to engage in learning experiences that help develop their professional, social, civic, and leadership skills. Research shows summer jobs save lives, cut crime, and strengthen communities. A 2021 study found that SYEP participation lowers participants’ chances of being arrested that summer by 17 percent and by 23 percent for felony arrests.

Other research has found that SYEP youth are significantly less likely to be incarcerated in New York State more than five years after their participation in the program.

Beyond the public safety implications, summer jobs can offer life-changing experiences for participants who discover a passion, connect with a mentor, and gain the confidence that comes from successfully navigating the world of work. As the program has evolved over its six-decade history, the Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) has put greater emphasis on youth development.

City officials are also working with private sector partners, non-profit organizations, and others to help place participants.

Applications for New York City’s SYEP CareerReady and Special Initiatives tracks opened on February 14, and the general community-based application period for all youth opens on March 1. The CareerReady track is designed for students between the ages of 14 and 21 from select DOE schools, while the Special Initiatives track offers tailored oppor-

tunities for youth aged 14-24 who are: • Residents of select New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments; • Homeless or have run away; • Justice- or court-involved; • In foster care; • Receiving preventative services through the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS); • New York City Human Resources Administration participants receiving Cash Assistance via Business Link; • Students from Access and alternative schools; or • Have experienced gender-based violence.

“Having a robust Summer Youth Employment Program is a great way to teach teens and young adults the importance of hard work and will hopefully help them take the first steps to finding a passion and creating a career for themselves,” State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) said.

“In addition to providing jobs, the Summer Youth Employment Program is vital in keeping kids off the streets during the summer and can go a long way in helping to curb potential criminal behavior in the city. I believe addressing the issue of crime starts with creating a foundation where people don’t feel the need to resort to a path of criminal activity to survive, which is why I wish this program continued success moving forward.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 7 • FEBRUARY 17 2022 | 9

Fair Fares to be Expanded, Made Permanent

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams on Monday announced a historic agreement to baseline $75 million in funding for Fair Fares — which provides discounted Metro Cards to low-income New Yorkers — in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

This agreement represents the first time that the city has guaranteed annual funding for Fair Fares.

Launched in January 2019, Fair Fares offers a 50-percent discount on both subway and eligible bus fares, or Access-A-Ride to eligible New Yorkers with incomes up to 100 percent of the federal poverty level who are not eligible for other transit subsidies or benefits. According to the city’s most recent figures, more than 260,000 New Yorkers have enrolled in the program.

Adams’ Preliminary Budget adds $15.5 million to the program in the current year, bringing the FY 2022 investment to $68.5 million, and increases the city’s annual investment to $75 million annually in FY 2023 and in the outyears of the financial plan. Previously, the program was funded a year at a time through negotiations with City Council in connection with the Adopted Budget.

The highest previous expenditure under the Fair Fares program was $48.9 million in FY 2021. The Adams administration also noted that it will monitor ridership and programmatic demand and, if needed, can adjust funding in the future.

“Affordable access to our public transit system is essential to our recovery from the

Courtesy of MTA

pandemic, and to achieving equity at all times,” said Adams. “I thank Mayor Adams for taking this great first step to baseline Fair Fares, now making it a permanent part of the budget for the first time. The Council remains committed to returning the program to its original funding level, and if uptake of the program reaches the budgeted amount before the end of the fiscal year, additional funds should be made available to meet the transportation needs of New Yorkers. In order for this program to be successful, a stronger commitment and focus on outreach than the one taken by

the previous administration is needed, and the Council is a willing partner to help advance those efforts. I applaud my Council colleagues who have expressed their strong support for Fair Fares and for helping to increase awareness across the city, so it benefits more New Yorkers and communities.”

“The Fair Fares program is a lifeline for low-income New Yorkers struggling with transit affordability. Our research shows that awareness of the program is low citywide, with only 35 percent of eligible New Yorkers taking advantage of it,” said David R. Jones, board member, Metropolitan

Transportation Authority; president and CEO, Community Service Society, which led the campaign to establish the program in 2019. “We applaud Mayor Eric Adams, City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, and the City Council for committing to fund this critical program in the budget, and to make it a permanent budget line item going forward, so our public transit system serves as a gateway to economic opportunity for all New Yorkers, and not a barrier. And we look forward to working with our elected officials to raise public awareness of Fair Fares across the city.”

NYC Loves Vets; Cats…not so Much: Reports headed by OneVet, a website and app that pro v ides 24/7 access to veter inar ians, New York Cit y is the No. 5 home to the best vets in the countr y.

In terms of methodolog y, OneVet turned to Yelp because “we wanted to know w here in the U.S. the most vetted of veter inar ians can be found.”

To determine the cities w ith the highest rated vets, OneVet averaged the ratings for ever y veter inar y clinic and independent practitioner in the 50 most populous U.S. cities and the Distr ict of Columbia. It also determined the percentage of veter inar y rev iews that were 5- star rev iews.

The Big A pple scored a 4.28. Austin, TX rank s highest w ith an average star rating of 4.34.

However, it wasn’t al l banner news for NYC this week . According to another research, New York is the “worst ” cit y for cats.

The 10 worst cities for cats tend to make it dif f icult for cat ow ners to f ind a cat-fr iend ly home, a local veter inar ian, and a pet store. Only three out of the 10 cities have cat cafes —New York , NY, Los Angeles, CA , and Houston, TX .

Cat adoption in the worst cit y for cats, New York , is the lowest per capita out of al l 50 analy zed cities, at only 187 adoptions per capita; even if New Photos Courtesy of OneVet

By Michael V. Cusenza Yorkers do adopt a cat, their chances of f inding a pet-fr iend ly rental are slim, w ith only 17.3 avai l- Orlando (43.37), and Tampa comes in at No. 9 (33.97).

It seems that the f ive boroughs are teeming able rentals per capita.

New York arr ived dead-last w ith just 5.93 out w ith vaunted veter inar ians.

Flor ida seems to be the best state to be a cat. of a possible 50.

According to a crowdsourced study spear- Miami is tops (43.47 out of 50), fol lowed by

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12 FEBRUARY 17, 2022 • Number 7 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 7 • FEBRUARY 17 2022 | 13

Legal Notices Notice of Formation of 3EEES PROPERTIES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/12/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 3EEES PROPERTIES LLC 14309 222nd Street, Bsmt. Laurelton, NY,11413,USA. Purpose: any lawful activities.

New York ADR LLC filed w/ SSNY on 1/5/22. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: PO Box 604607, Bayside, NY 11360. Purpose: any lawful.

Notice of Formation of 300 KENMORE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/04/19. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 300 Kenmore Rd., Douglaston, NY 11363. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of ICEKOUTURE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/12/22. Office location: 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, 13004 135TH AVENUE, South Ozone Park, NY, 11420, USA. Purpose: any lawful activities.

INCHEN SONAM LLC, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/30/21. 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 KONCHOK RINCHEN, 4163 74TH ST. FL2, ELMHURST, NY, 11373, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of DAGA CONSULTING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/12/22.

Office location: 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, 13004 135TH AVENUE, South Ozone Park, NY, 11420, USA. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of HAIR DEN LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/12/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to: MARIA ZACCHEO, 156-47 94th Street, Howard Beach, NY, 11414,USA. Purpose: any lawful activities.

CHEN & HONG REALTY, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/18/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served.

SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 136-20 BOOTH MEMORIAL AVENUE, UNIT 2D, FLUSHING, NY 11355, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

CANDACE’S EXQUISITE COLLECTIONS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/20/21. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 189-22 MANGIN AVE, SAINT ALBANS, NY 11412, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of DELMONICO MANAGEMENT CO LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/17/21. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Michael Esposito, 30-15 35th Ave., Long Island City, NY 11106. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

PANDAYO NY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 1/27/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the RACHEL JARVINA ELAZEGUI, 83-45 VIETOR AVENUE APT. 5E, ELMHURST, NY, 11373, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

MIPPI LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 1/26/22. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 21-34 45th Rd Apt 12 Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF LLC, MR 1 REALTY, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 12/16/21.

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, 35-01 30TH AVENUE, SUITE 203, ASTORIA, NEW YORK, 1103. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

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ADEMOLA RN & MIDWIFERY PLLC, a Prof. LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/28/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 137-47 234th St, Rosedale, NY 11422. Purpose: To Practice The Profession Of Registered Professional Nursing and Midwifery.

35-18 97 LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/03/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 35-18 97 LLC, 1059 BRINSMADE AVE, BRONX, NY, 10465, USA. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation: Jiejie Realty LLC Art. Of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/20/2017. Office Loc: QUEENS COUNTY. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 9-24 129th Street, College Point, NY, 11356. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

DIVERSE DETAIL ASSOCIATES LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 10/21/21. 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 DIVERSE DENTAL ASSOCIATES, 109 10 QUEENS BLVD, APT 1D, FOREST HILLS. NY, 11375 USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

“Notice is hereby given that a license, number 1334933 for on premise beer, wine and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine and cider at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 109-01 72nd Road, Forest Hills, NY 11375 for on premise consumption”. LA BOULAGERIE DE FRANCOIS CORP. 109-01 72nd Road, Forest Hills, NY 11375

Notice of formation of WOK N’ STAPLE LLC, a domestic LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 02/14/2022. Office location: Queens.

SSNY is designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 136-31 41ST AVENUE SUITE 5A, FLUSHING, NY, UNITED STATES, 11355 . Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Parsons One Capital LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 1/18/2022. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 142-38 37th Ave., #12B, Flushing, NY 11354. General Purpose.

Notice is hereby given that an Order entered by the Civil Court, Queens County, on the 25th day of AUGUST 2020, bearing Index Number NC000442-20/QU, a copy of which may be examined at the Office of the Clerk, located at 89-17 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, New York, 11435, grants me the right to assume the name of (first) VICTORIA (middle) ALEYDA (last) MARTINEZ. My present name is VICTORIA ALEYDA PAREDES. The city and state of my present address is WOODHAVEN, NEW YORK. The month and year of my birth are MAY 2014. The place of my birth is QUEENS, NEW YORK.

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

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