THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | FEBRUARY 9, 2023

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 6 • FEBRUARY 9, 2023 | 1 VOL. 21 • NUMBER 6 • FEBRUARY 9, 2023
Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic SOCIAL SECURITY See Stories on Pages 2 The Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association has made available a survey for residents regarding the possibility of a paid private security patrol in Howard Beach. Ariola, Civic Lead Conversation as Community Mulls Hiring Private Anti-Crime Force
Photo Courtesy of

Howard Beach Considers Hiring Private Security Patrol

Howard Beach residents are mulling the possibility of hiring a paid security patrol.

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) and members of the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association sparked the conversation about a private anti-crime force patrolling the streets of the South Queens enclave during the civic’s meeting last week.

Interested residents can obtain the civic’s security survey on its Facebook page.

Captain Jerome Bacchi, commanding ofcer of the 106th Precinct, has reported that crime increased 13 percent in the precinct in 2022 compared to 2021.

According to the civic, to answer the call from many residents the group gathered information regarding the possibility of a private security company to patrol the area overnight. The most feasible option being explored is a security service from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. at a cost of $101,665 per car per year. The security officer is not an NYPD member, they are

Interested residents can nd the

not armed, they cannot arrest and will call 911 ere are approximately 7,500 households in the Howard Beach, Lindenwood and the Hamilton Beach neighborhoods; about 1,000 households would be needed to participate in the program to keep the fee at $100 per household per patrol car, yearly.

Residents and businesses would have the security dispatch phone number to call for assistance, while the civic would act as the liaison and collect all monies and contract the security company for its services. If the program is agreed upon and the monies collected, services will start by this summer.

Richmond Hill Man Sentenced for Sexually Abusing Woman on Jamaica Street

A Richmond Hill man has been sentenced to three years in prison a er pleading guilty to forcibly rubbing his genitals on a woman last summer, Queens District A orney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.

Basam Syed, 43, pleaded guilty on Jan. 24 to persistent sexual abuse before Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir Pan-

dit-Durant, who imposed Tuesday’s determinate sentence of three years in prison to be followed by ve years’ post-release supervision.

e defendant was previously convicted of sexual abuse in Queens in 2015 and for forcible touching in Manha an, also in 2015.

According to the charges, Syed approached a woman who was working as a college summer intern canvassing the Ja-

maica area seeking signatures for a petition.

e defendant approached the victim and signed his name to the petition. A er signing, Syed sexually abused the victim on the sidewalk near the intersection of Parsons Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue and then ed on foot.

Syed was arrested about a week later a er the victim identi ed him utilizing an internet search with the information he entered on the petition.

“ e sentence punishes the defendant’s lewdness and should teach him that his disgusting behavior has no place on our streets and simply will not be tolerated,” Katz said.

By 2015, Syed, a registered sex o ender, had been arrested at least 28 times, according to a New York Daily News report. He has been collared twice for grinding on a woman on a train, burglary, and for tongue-kissing the 4-year-old son of his exgirlfriend.

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File Photo
Courtesy of HBL Civic Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic Association’s security survey on its Facebook page. City Councilwoman Joann Ariola is chairwoman of the City Council’s Commi ee on Fire and Emergency Management. Photo Courtesy of Department of Correction Basam Syed Photo Courtesy of Google Syed sexually abused the victim on the sidewalk near the intersection of Parsons Boulevard and Jamaica Avenue and then ed on foot.

COVID Vax to be Optional for City Workers

Mayor Eric Adams on Monday announced that — with more than 96 percent of City workers fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — the City will make vaccination optional for current and prospective city workers effective Friday, Feb. 10, following the expected ratification at the next Board of Health meeting.

With the vast majority of City workers and New Yorkers vaccinated, and more tools readily available to protect people from serious illness, the vaccine requirement for the primary series of shots has served its purpose, driving rates of vaccination up among the city’s workforce during a critical period in the pandemic, Adams noted.

Beginning Feb. 10, the City will make the COVID-19 vaccination requirement optional for City employees, in addition to City Department of Education (DOE) employees. At this point, the City has fully processed and issued decisions for all pending reasonable accommodation appeals. While the approximately 1,780 former employees terminated for failing to submit proof of vaccination will not be able to automatically return to their previous positions, they will be able to apply for positions with their former agencies through existing City rules and regulations and hiring processes. The City will also end the vaccination requirements for nonpublic school, early child care, and daycare staff.

As part of this change, beginning Feb. 10, visitors to Department of Education school buildings will no longer be required to provide proof of at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. This will allow students’ families and loved ones to attend school activities, celebrations, and events.

“City workers stepped up tremendously throughout the pandemic,” said Adams. “From our health care frontline workers and first responders who saved lives, to the City employees who kept our streets clean, our schools open, and our streets safe, we owe City workers a debt of gratitude for their service during New York City’s darkest days. With more than 96 percent of city workers and more than 80 percent of New Yorkers having received their primary COVID-19 series and more tools readily available to keep us healthy, this is the right moment for this decision. I continue to urge every New Yorker to get vaccinated, get boosted, and take the necessary steps to protect themselves and those around them from COVID-19.”

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom added, “The city’s vaccine requirement is one such measure and has yielded significant results with 96 percent of city workers vaccinated with the primary series. More broadly, across the city, over 80 percent of New Yorkers have had their initial two shots. In this context, we can adjust our guidance but continue to strongly encourage every New Yorker to take the steps that we know help keep us and our loved ones safe and healthy — getting vaccinated, getting boosted, wearing a mask when appropriate, getting tested when appropriate, staying home if sick, and maintaining good hand hygiene.”

The City Council Common Sense Caucus praised the move.

“There is more to be done for those workers who were unjustly fired for making personal medical choices, but this is a tremendous step toward righting the wrongs of the previous administration’s misguided pandemic policies,” the group penned in a statement.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 6 • FEBRUARY 9, 2023 | 3
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Photo Courtesy of Caroline Willis/Mayoral Photography O ce “[T]his is the right moment for this decision,” Mayor Adams said.

Union Calls for all Engine Companies to be Fully Staffed with Five Firefighters

e Uniformed Fire ghters Association of Greater New York on Friday called on the City to fully sta all engine companies with ve re ghters.

Just 20 out of a total of 197 engine companies have ve re ghters, the union noted.

“ is morning on Underhill Avenue in Brooklyn, a re resulted in a re ghter being taken to the Cornell burn center

with non-life threatening burns and civilian being taken to the hospital with lifethreatening injuries. It is clear that having a h re ghter on the responding engine companies would have a signi cant impact on pu ing out res faster, reducing the destruction of property and increasing the chances of a civilian surviving a re,” the UFA wrote in a statement. “Currently, only 10 percent of NYC re engines are fully sta ed with a h re ghter, which can

help get a hose line in place and water on the re more quickly. Slowing the growth of a re keeps residents and re ghters safer. It is imperative for the Fire Department, City Council, and mayor to understand this. During code blue sub-freezing temperatures, it becomes even more challenging to get water on the re due to frozen hydrants. is is especially important during the peak re season, when residents use space heaters and sometimes their ovens to

stay warm. e City and FDNY need to acknowledge the connections between dangerously cold weather and its e ect on res and public safety and fully sta all engines with a h re ghter in these conditions.”

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park), chairwoman of the Council Commi ee on Fire and Emergency Management, said she “could not agree more” with the UFA. “Understa ed engines can cost lives,” she said.

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Photo Courtesy of FDNY e Uniformed Fire ghters Association of Greater New York is urging the Adams administration to fully sta all engine companies with ve re ghters. Photo Courtesy of FDNY A fully sta ed engine company “can help get a hose line in place and water on the re more quickly,” the union said.

Donate to Vets this Valentine’s Day

URINARY INCONTINENCE: YOUR PHARMACIST CAN HELP

Urinary incontinence (UI), the involuntary leakage of urine, is a di cult condition for many patients to face and discuss. Statistics demonstrate that an estimated 10 to 30% of men and women are a ected nationally. e numbers are believed to be even higher however, because of the unwillingness in many patients to acknowledge or address the situation.

Patients who su er with UI symptoms can develop poor self-rated health, depression, and mobility disability. And in addition to the varied psychological burdens on patients with UI, there are also signi cant nancial taxation on these patients. Studies show billions of dollars are spent on the condition, its treatment and supplies yearly..

prior stroke, high body mass index (BMI), recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs), and positive metabolic screening, which factors in triglycerides.

What actually causes UUI/OAB is unknown, however in patients with this condition, control is not well regulated. e main muscle of the bladder, contracts involuntarily even if the bladder is not full, resulting in the urge to urinate.

Valentine’s Day is next week and State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) recently announced that he’s opening his offices as drop-off locations for St. Mary Gate of Heaven’s Valentines for Veterans drive.

Addabbo’s new district office, located at 84-16 Jamaica Ave. in Woodhaven, and his Middle Village office at 66-85 73rd Pl., will act as drop off spots to collect body wash, deodorant, tissues, shampoo, hand lotion, combs and hair brushes, decks of cards, pens writing paper, tube socks, and t-shirts (XL size only) for the drive. In addition to these items, Addabbo is also accepting Valentine’s Day cards which he will hand-deliver to the veterans.

The Ozone Park church is not collecting dental care products, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, lap blankets, razor blades, powders, wipes, or bars of soap.

Cash donations will also be accepted. If you wish to make a donation by check, please make the check out to “Dept. of Veterans Affairs”.

All donations will be delivered to the veterans at the St. Albans Veterans Center.

“This Valentine’s Day spread the love to our local veterans and consider making a donation to the St. Albans Veteran Center,” Addabbo, a member of the Senate Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs Committee, said. “Our veterans have sacrificed so much for our freedoms and way of life, so I am proud to be part of this great event. I want to thank St. Mary Gate of Heaven for organizing this drive and remembering our veterans.”

If you wish to bring your donations directly to St. Mary Gate of Heaven, please drop off your donations by Sunday, Feb. 12 in the church basement, located at 103-12 101st Ave., between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Or you can drop them off at the rectory on Monday, Feb. 13.

UI can be transient and reversible, or it can be established and chronic. ere are four main types of UI–stress, urge, overow, and functional incontinence. Incontinence di ers and is categorized according to individual types based on the symptoms.

Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine on e ort or physical exertion or on sneezing or cough.”

Urge incontinence is the “complaint of involuntary leakage accompanied by or immediately preceded by urgency.”

Over ow incontinence is related to an obstructed urine ow and/or bladder under activity where an individual has a full bladder, but is unable to completely void at time of urination, which later leads to leakage.

Functional incontinence, unlike the other forms of incontinence, occurs when an individual has issues ge ing to the rest room due to an external factor (i.e. dementia, immobility, etc.), but is not associated with urinary tract dysfunction.

While these conditions are most commonly found in the senior population, other patients who are much younger may be a ected due to neurological diseases like

Your pharmacist can really o er you help in the management of OAB/UUI. We have the ability to explain and discuss with you non-pharmacological interventions and pharmacological therapy. e rst-line of therapy is always behavioral intervention, and on that front, pharmacists can provide education and abundant resources for patients to use.

Kegel exercises, done daily, can improve symptoms of urinary incontinence within weeks to a few months by building strength in pelvic muscles.

Counseling can be provided to explain these exercises and how to do them.

Pharmacists can also provide a medication review and identify medications that could cause or exacerbate urinary incontinence. If pharmacotherapy is warranted, pharmacists can assist in product selection based on age, adverse drug events pro le, dosage form, dosage adjustments, and cost, as well as assess lifestyle and pharmacotherapy adherence on follow-up visits.

Pharmacists can provide a vital role in recommending therapy and providing direct care in patients diagnosed with OAB or UUI.

ere are a host of products available at your local pharmacy, including pads, washes, creams and other preparations. We will help you create a changing schedule to prevent skin breakdown.

Discreet help is always available, so please don’t hesitate to ask..

Until next week…

Area Officers Lauded for Saving Baby in Distress

Two cops assigned to the 106th Precinct recently saved the life of a 1-monthold baby who was choking, not breathing, and turning blue.

According to the City Police Department, veteran o cers Paese (r.) and Diaz “expeditiously rendered medical aid” on the child.

“ anks to their quick actions, the child is alive and well,” NYPD o cials said.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 6 • FEBRUARY 9, 2023 | 5
R.Ph The Pharmacist’s Corner
Presented by Frank Pantina,
Photo Courtesy of Google St. Mary Gate of Heaven Church in Ozone Park is once again holding its Valentines for Veterans drive.
Veteran
your family’s prescription needs, please call CROSS BAY CHEMIST at 718-659-9500 or 718-880-1644 157-02 Cross Bay Blvd. in Howard Beach: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm. Sat-Sun 9am-7pm. or 96-05 101st Ave. in Ozone Park: Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. Sunday: Closed.
Photo Courtesy of Google e St. Albans
Center. For
Photo Courtesy of NYPD

Borough Man Charged with Child Exploitation, Enticement of Minors and Firearm Possession as a Felon

Angel Almeida, a borough resident, has been arraigned at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn on a superseding indictment charging him with the sexual exploitation and attempted exploitation of a minor, coercion and enticement and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, possession of child pornography, and possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon, prosecutors recently announced.

Almeida, 22, was arrested in November 2021 on a complaint charging him with being a convicted felon in possession of a rearm. He was indicted in December 2021 and has been detained pending trial.

As set forth in court lings, in September 2021 and October 2021, the FBI received tips regarding an individual named Angel Almeida possessing rearms and posting sexually explicit images of children online. e tipster identi ed social media pro les used by Almeida, including a Facebook account with the pro le name

“Sargent Grey” (the “Sargent Account”).

A review of the Sargent Account, as well as Instagram accounts used by Almeida, revealed photos of Almeida holding what appeared to be rearms. On Nov. 23, 2021, members of law enforcement executed a search warrant at Almeida’s residence and recovered a 9 mm Taurus handgun that appeared to be the same rearm that the defendant had posed with. Almeida has a 2019 felony conviction in Florida for burglary.

As a result, in December 2021, Almeida was charged in an indictment with being a felon in possession of a rearm.

In addition, between July 2021 and December 2021, Almeida enticed a minor, Jane Doe-1, to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing videos. Between February 2020 and November 2021, Almeida also enticed another minor, Jane Doe-2, to engage in sexual contact, a violation

of the Mann Act. In addition to the enticement and coercion charges, Almeida is also charged with possession of child pornography recovered from multiple cell phones. e government’s investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about sexual exploitation by Almeida is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips. i.gov.

If convicted of the charges, Almeida faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment and up to life in prison.

Lawmakers, Advocates Rally to Lower Legal Blood Alcohol Limit in NY

Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, NY State Senator John C. Liu and Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon will join New York State legislators, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the National Transportation Safety Council, and transportation advocates from around the nation to call for New York State to lower the legal

Blood Alcohol Limit (BAC) from .08 to .05 percent. e legislation, S776 (Liu)/A1627 (Simon), would allow New York State to join countries around the world who have lowered the BAC. From Australia and Argentina to Ireland, countries have lowered their BAC limits – and have seen tra c fatalities immediately decline by more than 10 percent.

“Since the pandemic, we have seen an alarming increase in high-speed car wrecks,

especially on highways, very o en fueled by the deadly combination of drinking and driving,” Rodriguez said. “DOT is working around the clock to reduce fatalities on our roads, and we know there is a simple policy solution to curb this reckless behavior: lowering the BAC threshold for Driving While Intoxicated in New York State from .08 percent to .05 percent. is change will both align us be er with countries around

the world and save lives. I want to thank Mayor Adams, State Senator John C. Liu, Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, and the brave advocates – many of whom have lived the tragic consequences of drunk driving -for taking on this important ght.”

Both the State Senate and Assembly versions of the bill are being reviewed in the legislative bodies’ respective Transportation commi ees.

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Photos Courtesy of the U.S. A orney’s O ce for the Eastern District of NY According to federal prosecutors, the photo on the le depicts Almeida pointing what appears to be a rearm at the camera. e photograph on the right depicts an individual with ammunition across their chest, with a skull face mask obscuring the individual’s face. Photos Courtesy of the U.S. A orney’s O ce for the Eastern District of NY In November 2021, members of law enforcement executed a search warrant at Almeida’s residence and recovered a 9 mm Taurus handgun that appeared to be the same rearm that the defendant had posed with, along with ammunition and books and drawings consistent with an interest in extremist views related to Satanism.
Limit om .08 to
Photo Courtesy of DOT Legislators and advocates rallied on Tuesday in Albany to call for New York State to lower the legal Blood Alcohol .05 percent. Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force Countries that have lowered their BAC limits have seen tra c fatalities immediately decline by more than 10 percent.

Group Saves 50 Dogs from Death in China

Je rey Beri, founder of international rescue organization No Dogs Le Behind, is taking the 20-plus hour ight from China to the United States and is set to arrive on ursday, Feb. 9, at John F. Kennedy International Airport with the 50 dogs he was able to save from certain death in the Red Dragon.

Beri, a native New Yorker, has spent the last year working to gain permission to bring these rescues from China to New York.

Because of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ruling until now dogs have not been allowed to come into the U.S. from certain countries, including East Asia. ese 50 dogs are the rst group to be allowed into the country since CDC li ed the ban.

Beri, dubbed the Rambo for Dogs, has lined up adopters and fosters from Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, New Jersey, Long Island, Connecticut, and other parts of the country who will be meeting the dogs at JFK’s The Ark. Twenty-one of the dogs do not yet have someone to take them and Beri is working to find fosters or adopters. If none are found, Beri has indicated that he will drive the dogs to the new No Dogs Left Behind sanctuary in upstate New York.

No Dogs Le Behind is a registered 501(c)(3). rough the support of donors, rescued dogs receive medical care, placement in the NDLB shelter, food, and eventually the transport needed to get them to their forever home. No Dogs Le Behind is a community of dedicated animal rights activists who believe in a cruelty-free and sustainable world, Beri noted.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 6 • FEBRUARY 9, 2023 | 7
Photo Courtesy of NDLB No Dogs Le Behind founder Je rey Beri.
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8 | FEBRUARY 9, 2023 • Number 6 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

City DOT Begins Major Expansion of On-Street Carshare Program

City Department of Transportation

Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez on Tuesday announced the expansion of its citywide curbside carshare program to increase access to convenient carshare, after a successful five-year pilot has proven to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and personal car ownership. Over the next two weeks, DOT will install new signage to de

marcate the first 80 new, dedicated curbside parking spaces for carshare service across Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens, with an explicit focus on equitable access.

DOT’s program goal for 2023 is to supplement the current 230 on-street parking spaces with several hundred more, working with the three carshare companies –Zipcar, Getaround, and Truqit – to deploy their shared vehicles at new locations.

Carsharing is a service that gives members access to an automobile for short-term use – usually by the hour, or day – at a cost that includes maintenance. With cars parked in publicly accessible neighborhood locations across the city, members can reserve vehicles entirely via smartphone, and then just walk up to a car and drive away, returning later to the same reserved spot.

DOT’s original pilot program was launched in 2018, with a goal of 300 spaces in on-street parking spaces and in DOT-managed public lots.

As part of its initial citywide expansion, DOT and Carshare Companies have identified 80 curbside carshare spaces in the Pelham Bay and Westchester Square sections of The Bronx; Bay Ridge, Bushwick, Brownsville, and Sunset Park, in

Brooklyn; and Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Long Island City, and Woodside, in Queens. Spaces will be installed in Brooklyn and the Bronx starting today, with site installations in Queens taking place next week.

Information on precise site locations

being installed this month can be found on the DOT’s website. DOT is conducting extensive outreach, taking feedback from community boards and making adjustments where applicable. Once all sites are installed, an up-to-date map of locations will be available here: nyc.gov/carshare.

Pheffer Amato Assigned to Assembly Education Committee

Amato

Beach) has been appointed to the Assembly Committee on Education, the pol announced Monday.

Pheffer Amato is a mother of two public school graduates and served as the Parent Association president at her children’s school. In addition, the assemblywoman worked for the City Board of Education as a paraprofessional for several years.

Pheffer Amato noted that last year she successfully negotiated funding to non-public schools that granted a historic $58 million for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) curriculum.

“I’m honored by this appointment and graciously thank the Speaker. Through this committee I will bring the voice of my constituents forward and will only further work to ensure that public and non-public schools have an ally. I will stand up for our schools, pub -

lic and non-public, and work to create the best educational opportunities for the children of our State,” said Pheffer Amato.

“Our Catholic School Superintendents congratulate Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato on being appointed to the Assembly Education Committee. Having a record of commitment and support to all families of school-age children, regardless of where they go to schools, her work on the committee will no doubt benefit

the schools and families of southern Queens, and indeed across the state,” said James Cultrara, executive secretary, NYS Council of Catholic School Superintendents.

Rabbi Yeruchim Silber of Agudath Israel added, “Assemblywoman Pheffer Amato has proven to be one of the best friends of the Yeshiva community in Albany. We are confident she will be a powerful voice on the Education Committee advocating for all students including yeshiva students.”

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-
Courtesy of DOT DOT’s carshare map illustrating existing service and future expansion, which begins this week, by community board district. Courtesy of DOT DOT’s program goal for 2023 is to supplement the current 230 on-street parking spaces with several hundred more, working with the three carshare companies – Zipcar, Getaround, and Truqit – to deploy their shared vehicles at new locations. File Photo “ rough this commi ee I will bring the voice of my constituents forward and will only further work to ensure that public and non-public schools have an ally,” Assemblywoman Phe er Amato said. Photo Courtesy of Google Assemblywoman Phe er Amato said she is “known for being a rm advocate for parents of children in public and non-public schools,” such as St. Helen’s Catholic Academy in Howard Beach.

Borough Flooding Victim is Pol’s Guest at State of the Union

In September 2021, unprecedented ooding from the remnants of Hurricane Ida devastated Queens. Lives were lost and homes and property sustained extensive damage, and more rainfall over the past year caused additional ooding throughout the borough.

Meng brought Allison Sesso to President Joe Biden’s speech. She is a long-time resident of Forest Hills whose house on Selfridge Street, which she had moved into two weeks before Ida struck, was severely ooded during the storm. Water lled her basement, and several feet of water also gushed into the rst oor. It destroyed much of her home’s interior, furniture, personal belongings and even a car, costing her well over $100,000 in damage.

A Forest Hills ooding victim was U.S. Rep. Grace Meng’s (D-Flushing) guest at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.

“Stories like Allison’s are heartbreaking and it’s something that many others living in Queens were forced to endure during Ida and other storms,” Meng said. “A er Ida, I visited a ected constituents all across my district and saw the destruction rsthand. From tackling the impacts of climate change to upgrading local sewers and catch basins, this problem in our borough must be addressed, especially with the threat of more ooding occurring in

the future. Having Allison as my guest will help keep a light shined on this urgent issue and further underscore the need for our city, state and federal governments to take action. I thank Allison for accepting my invitation to a end, and for sharing her harrowing ordeal.”

Sesso added, “Queens residents need upgrades to our sewer systems that will prevent the loss of life, destruction of our homes, emotional anguish and nancial uncertainty caused by increasingly common extreme rain events. I look forward to seeing progress on these needed infrastructure improvements.”

Addabbo Impressed with Adams’ State of the City Address

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) recently said he was impressed with Mayor Eric Adams’ State of the City address and the four pillars of Adams’ “Working People’s Agenda”.

Last week, Addabbo commented on the topics of the speech that stood out most to him.

“Mayor Eric Adams laid out an extensive jobs program that not only creates good-paying jobs, but also lays the foundation for New Yorkers to get the appropriate training and experience for these jobs. The job plan is the central part of the wheel, and the programs that go to support the people applying for the jobs are the spokes that lead into the wheel. Programs like the Apprenticeship Accelerator program, the Science Park and Research Campus (SPARC) Kips Bay project, the Nursing Education Initiative, and programs aimed at ensuring our school children receive the education they need to be successful adults, are vital in setting up the City’s future workforce,” Addabbo wrote of Adams’ job plan.

“I’ve always said that small businesses are the backbone of our local communities, and Mayor Adams is dedicated to supporting that backbone. The proposed Small Business Opportunity Fund will provide $75 million to help small businesses, and NYC will award $25 billion in contracts to Minority-/

Women-Owned Businesses by Fiscal Year 2026, with an increase to $60 billion by 2030. By supporting small businesses, we are also supporting local jobs and the local economy,” he said of Ad -

ams’ take on small businesses across the five boroughs.

As for a more fair justice system, Addabbo said, “We in Albany are looking forward to partnering with our colleagues in

the City government to further improve our state’s bail reform laws, with an intense focus on repeat offenders. Through reasonable, evidence-based solutions, we can provide the resources all links in the chain of the justice system — including law enforcement officers, district attorneys, judges and prosecutors — need to work with each together to ensure that people get a fair and speedy trial, and are not sitting in jail waiting to be seen by a judge. We should work towards a balance between a fair justice system, protecting our residents and addressing issues like repeat offenders. Because when one link in the chain is broken, it jams up the legal system and causes a ripple effect that reaches our communities.”

Gun violence in the city has been a focus of the Adams administration.

“Getting illegal guns off the streets is a top priority if we want to keep our communities safe, and Mayor Adams’ plan to fight against gun violence focuses on creating a stronger connection between the police and the people that they serve. I support the expansion of neighborhood safety teams, including the new Neighborhood Safety Alliance, as well as commonsense gun reform, and more violenceprevention programs in neighborhoods with the highest concentration of violent crime. By strengthening the bond between police and the community, we can all work together to end gun violence in our city,” Addabbo said.

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Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng Congresswoman Meng and Allison Sesso on Capitol Hill Tuesday night. Photo Courtesy of e White House President Biden delivers the State of the Union. File Photo Senator Addabbo commented on Mayor Adams’ second State of the City address.
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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 6 • FEBRUARY 9, 2023 | 13
SOLD

20-49 LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 11/08/22. O ce: QueensCounty. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 20-49 23rd Street, Long Island City, NY 11105. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

2457 HOFFMAN NY LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 01/24/22.Ofce: 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, 144-20 69th Ave, Flushing, NY 11367. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

MELLA’S BOUTIQUE Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 10/21/22. O ce: 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, 21420 113th Ave, Queens Village, NY 11429, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of HBJ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, a limited liability company. Art of Org. led with the Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/03/2022. O ce located in QUEENS. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process served against the LLC to c/o HBJ PROPERTY MANAGEMENT LLC, 120-19 RIVE CT UNIT 6A, COLLEGE POINT, NY 11356. Purpose: any lawful activity

Da Feng Enterprises LLC, Arts of Org led with SSNY on 01/09/23. O .

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: e LLC, 166-44 20th Rd, Whitestone NY 11357. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of JJML HOLDINGS I LLC Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/30/22. Ofce location: Queens County. Princ. o ce of LLC: Phoenix Management 23 LLC, A n:Joseph Pistilli, 35-01 30 th Ave., Ste. 300, Astoria, NY 11103. SSNY designated as agentof LLC upon whom process against it maybe served. SSNY shall mail process to theLLC at the addr. of its princ. o ce. Purpose: Any lawful activity

SPARKLIN CLEANING SERVICES

LLC Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 08/05/22. O ce: 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, c/o Michael Johnson, 548 51st Avenue, Apartment 3R, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Legal Notices

BULL MINE LLC led Arts. of Org. with the Sect’y of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/5/2006. O ce: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: e LLC, 52-47 Browvale Ln, Li leneck, NY 11362. Purpose: any lawful act.

HPS CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 12/05/22.

O ce: 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, c/o Michael Johnson, 548 51st Avenue, Apartment 3R, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

PAWEL SZURNICKI MEDICAL PLLC, a Prof. LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 01/13/2023. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: e PLLC, 8005 Woodhaven Blvd, Ridgewood, NY 11385. Purpose: To Practice e Profession Of Medicine. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of VSTOCKS US LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/16/2023.

O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Registered Agents Inc., 418 Broadway, STE R, Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Al-Barakah Properties LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 1/17/23.

O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 8740 165th St, Apt 4N, Jamaica, NY 11432. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of 47 TH STREET LLC. Arts of Org led with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 2/1/23.

O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to: 22-45 47th St., Astoria, NY 11105. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Formation of GLENDALE 75 PROPERTY, LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/29/22.

O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 60 21 75th Ave., Glendale, NY 11385. Purpose: any lawful activities.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of limited liability company (LLC). Name: MJ-AN, LLC. Articles of Organization led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/24/2023. O ce location: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and address SSNY shall mail a copy of process is 143-07 Cherry Avenue, Flushing, NY 11355. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that a license No. 1358036 for beer, cider, and wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, cider, and wine at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 224-23 Union Turnpike, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364.

5M74 LLC, Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 02/07/2023. O ce loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Peter Demertzis, 24-13 26th Street, Apt 1, Astoria, NY 11102. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

ACCU TE RELIABLE TIMELY BOOKKEEPING LLC Arts of Org. led with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY)12/19/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to DEBITA SINGH, 1044 130TH AVE APT 4B, JAMAICA, NY, 11434, USA. General Purpose

Notice of Formation of LRH Realty of Amsterdam LLC. Arts. of Org. led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/04/23. O ce location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Paregt Singh, 11 Allen St., New Hyde Park, NY 11040. Purpose: any lawful activities.

NORTHERN 409 LLC. Arts. of Org. led with the SSNY on 01/31/23. O ce: 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, 144-49 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY 11354. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

14 | FEBRUARY 9, 2023 • Number 6 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP
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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 6 • FEBRUARY 9, 2023 | 15
SHOW STOPPING CENTER HALL COLONIAL HOME LOCATED ON A BEAUTIFULLY LANDSCAPED 100X100 PROPERTY. THIS 6 BDRM, 6.5 BATH STUNNER HOME OFFERS ALL THE TECHNOLOGY FOR TODAY'S MODERN LIVING. THIS MAGNIFICENT COLONIAL IS AN ENTERTAINER'S DELIGHT, FEATURING OVER 5,000 SQ FT OF LIVING SPACE. THE MAIN LEVEL HAS A GREAT FLOW OFFERING A SPACIOUS LR WITH A FULL BAR AND A GAS FIREPLACE. A DEN DOUBLES AS A HOME OFFICE WITH BUILT IN SHELVES THRU OUT. MOST IMPRESSIVE IS THE FABULOUS KIT. THAT DELIVERS THE 'WOW' FACTOR. THE DESIGNER KIT. HAS A HUGE CENTER ISLAND, VIKING STOVE, MULTIPLE SUBZERO FRIDGE UNITS, 2 BOSCH DISHWASHERS AND RADIANT HEAT THROUGHOUT. THE KIT. FLOWS DIRECTLY INTO A FDR WITH A WOOD BURNING FIREPLACE, WITH LARGE WINDOW AND GLASS SLIDERS OVERLOOKING AN OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT PARADISE WHICH FEATURES AN INGROUND POOL, HOT TUB, POND, FULL KIT. AND SOUND AND LIGHTING SYSTEM. UPSTAIRS HAS A LARGE PRIMARY BDRM AND 5 OTHER BDRMS AND 5 BATHS. RADIANT HEAT, 9 FOOT CEILING IN BASEMENT AND MUCH MORE
16 | FEBRUARY 9, 2023 • Number 6 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | FEBRUARY 9, 2023 by Mike Kurov - Issuu