THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | MAY 12, 2022

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 17 • MAY 12, 2022

WASHED AWAY? Area Pols Fear Summer

Rockaway Beach Closures will Harm Small Businesses

See story on page 2

City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) this week sent a letter to federal elected officials asking them to postpone Rockaway Beach construction until after the summer season.

File Photo

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 17 • MAY 12 2022 | 1

Area Pols Urge Officials to Postpone Rockaway Beach Construction until After Summer tracts millions of visitors from across the five boroughs and beyond.”

Ariola, Addabbo, and Pheffer Amato went on to say that “closing the beaches during the week will be a major financial burden for many of our constituents—not only the ones directly operating along the boardwalk, but others in the neighborhood

Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

Councilwoman Joann Ariola

By Michael V. Cusenza Three area pols have reached out to federal elected officials and the City Parks commissioner urging them to postpone beach construction until after the summer, to allow small businesses to get the seasonal commerce they rely on every year.

“Our offices have recently learned of the planned closures of several beaches on the Rockaway peninsula, from Beach 92nd Street to Beach 116th Street, from

Sen. Joe Addabbo

who depend upon the increased pedestrian traffic of the summertime as well…while we understand that sometimes there are setbacks when it comes to any construction project, in no way should the Rockaway community and its businesses suffer by the closing of such a large stretch of beach throughout the entire summer.”

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Memorial Day weekend to the end of July,” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park), State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) wrote in their May 10 missive to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Greg Meeks (D-Rockaway), and Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. “This area is the commercial and economic engine of the neighborhood during the summertime, and at-

Rockaway Beach attracts millions over the summer season.

File Photo

Howard Beach Man Charged in Shooting Death of Ozone Park Woman

By Forum Staff A Howard Beach man has been charged in the shooting death of a woman who was standing in the doorway of her Ozone Park home when she was gunned down Thursday afternoon, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Friday.

Giuseppe Canzani, 41, was arraigned late Thursday night on a complaint charging him with murder in the second degree

and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.

According to the charges, at approximately 2:26 p.m. on May 4, 2022, emergency medical technicians responded to 94-59 109th Ave. in Ozone Park, Queens, and observed the victim, Anna Torres, 51, lying face up in a pool of blood just beyond the entrance to her home. Torres was shot in the neck and succumbed to the injury.

Furthermore, DA Katz said, recovered video surveillance allegedly shows the defendant wearing a blue sweatshirt, dark sweatpants with red stripes down the side and black and white New Balance sneakers walking away from the location and enter a black Chevrolet Traverse. The vehicle was parked approximately two houses away from the scene. Canzani then allegedly drove to the 106th Precinct, exited the Chevy with a silver .45mm handgun

and turned himself in to police.

“As alleged, this defendant clearly has no regard of human life and in broad daylight shot the victim as she stood in the entrance to her home,” Katz said. “This is yet another reminder how senseless gun violence is causing heart-wrenching loss in our communities. The defendant is now facing very serious charges.”

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

Photo Courtesy of Google

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

File Photo

Torres was shot and killed as she stood in the doorway of her Ozone Park home.

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Man Indicted in Savage Forest Hills Stabbing Death

Gaal was stabbed to death inside her Juno Street home in Forest Hills.

By Forum Staff A South Richmond Hill man has been indicted in the brutal murder of a Forest Hills mother of two, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Tuesday.

David Bonola, 44, was arraigned Tuesday on a 13-count indictment charging him with two counts of murder in the second degree, two counts of burglary in the first degree, concealment of a human corpse, tampering with physical evidence and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.

According to the charges, on Saturday, April 16, around 12:30 a.m., Orsolya Gaal returned to her home located on Juno Street in Forest Hills after an evening out. Bonola, who was a handyman and had done work at Gaal’s home on and off for the last two years came to the victim’s home a few minutes later. He entered the residence and the two engaged in a verbal argument. The argument escalated to Bonola allegedly slashing the woman’s throat and stabbing her more than 50 times.

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Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

The defendant retrieved a hockey duffle bag belonging to one of the victim’s sons and stuffed the woman’s bloody body inside and is allegedly seen on video surveillance from a nearby home rolling the duffle bag through the quiet neighborhood.

According to the charges, the duffle bag was later discovered near Forest Park at Metropolitan Avenue and Union Turnpike around 8 a.m., Saturday. Inside were the remains of the married mother of two. Police followed a trail of blood from the bag to the crime scene—the Juno Street home of Gaal.

“This heinous murder left two teenagers without a mother and terrified an entire community,” Katz said. “As alleged, this defendant brutally stabbed the victim over 50 times before stuffing her body into a duffel bag – which he then dragged for several blocks in an attempt to dispose of the victim’s remains. The defendant has now been indicted and arraigned on very serious charges and faces a lengthy prison sentence if convicted.”

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

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“This heinous murder left two teenagers without a mother and terrified an entire community,” DA Katz said.

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 17 • MAY 12 2022 | 3

State Senate Approves Unemployment Bill The legislation also provides an exception to the department when exigent circumstances prevent the agency from making a final determination within this timeframe. However, the department is then required to notify the applicant of a new estimated timeframe for a determination; the retroactive date of any approved benefits, and how the claimant may confirm the status of the determination, the senator noted.

“Ever since the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, many thousands of residents

have faced job losses and the State Department of Labor has been inundated with requests for unemployment assistance,” Addabbo added. “My office has been actively helping hundreds of applicants for jobless aid who have sometimes waited months to learn the status of their claims. It’s a very critical and frustrating situation for people who are having difficulties purchasing basic necessities and keeping roofs over their heads without any source of income.

“The pandemic has had a devastating impact on virtually all of us – in-

cluding the tragic loss of too many innocent lives – and has been particularly hard for those who lost their livelihoods as a result of COVID’s ripple effect on our economy,” Addabbo continued. “This legislation would help ensure greater accountability from the DOL to people who are very anxiously waiting to learn whether they will receive unemployment benefits in these very difficult times.”

Now that the bill has passed the Senate, it is under review by the Assembly Committee on Labor.

Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo

“This legislation would help ensure greater accountability from the DOL to people who are very anxiously waiting to learn whether they will receive unemployment benefits in these very difficult times,” Sen. Addabbo said.

By Forum Staff The State Senate has approved a bill that would address ongoing delays with unemployment claims from New Yorkers in need of aid, one of the legislation’s co-sponsors, Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach), said on Friday.

The bill would require the State Department of Labor to notify applicants within 30 days of whether their initial claims for jobless benefits have been accepted or deThe senator also said that since 2020 the DOL has been inundated with requests for unemployment assistance. nied, Addabbo said.

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Courtesy of DOL

City Launches Pandemic Response Institute

By Forum Staff The City this week launched the Pandemic Response Institute, a new partnership with Columbia University and The City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH) to help New York City learn from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic and tackle the urgent public health emergencies currently facing New Yorkers — from infectious diseases to climaterelated events, Mayor Eric Adams said on Tuesday.

According to the administration, the PRI will help the city develop greater resilience to the adverse consequences of public health emergencies — maximizing engagement and impact across the city, particularly in underserved communities, with community-based locations in each borough.

In coordination with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), the PRI will work with New Yorkers in communities across the five boroughs to develop locally tailored health solutions, information, and resources to prepare for, respond to, and recover from future health crises. The PRI previously received critical funding from the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC).

The PRI includes diverse partnerships with dozens of nonprofit, community, faithbased, research, and corporate entities — including Amazon and Cepheid — that responded to COVID-19 across New York City and are committed to the PRI’s wholeof-society approach. Together, this diverse group of contributors brings the necessary resources, expertise, commitment, and vision to the critical task of equipping New York City to prepare and respond to future public health emergencies and to invest

in more robust infrastructure and greater health equity in New York City.

Following a request for proposals for the PRI last year, NYCEDC, DOHMH, and NYCEM reviewed and selected Columbia with key partner CUNY SPH, and the city awarded $20 million in capital funding for eligible costs.

To learn more about the New York City Pandemic Response Institute, visit pri.nyc.

“We can’t wait for the next COVID-19 to arrive to look for downstream responses — we have urgent public health crises in our city, and we need to proactively face them with upstream solutions,” Adams said. “The Pandemic Response Institute will bring together city agencies, experts across various fields, and nonprofit and for-profit partners to tackle some of the biggest, most intractable public health challenges for New Yorkers. I look forward to working with the PRI to help grow our public health toolbox with the strategic upstream solutions we need to tackle these crises.

“Preparing for the next generation of public health emergencies demands strengthening core and non-emergent public health infrastructure, including our frontline community health workforce, surveillance and interoperable data systems, strategic communication functions, and public health policy development — all with an eye toward addressing structural inequities in our recovery and ensuring strong relationships and partnership with communities,” said DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “In support of government and a whole-of-society approach to pandemic response, PRI will help spur innovation and will be a vital public health workforce capacity builder and community partner. We look forward to being a part of PRI and to supporting all partners as our city continues to recover, heal, and prepare for a brighter, healthier future.”

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

“The Pandemic Response Institute will bring together city agencies, experts across various fields, and nonprofit and for-profit partners to tackle some of the biggest, most intractable public health challenges for New Yorkers,” Mayor Adams said.

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

SIGNS OF MELANOMA: What You Should to Look For No doubt we are all glad the summer is almost upon us. And no doubt we will all be happily flocking to the beachesthe one's that are open anyway (sorry we couldn't resist). But in any case we'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that while the sunshine provides us with a backdrop for many wonderful activities to enjoy, it also brings along a danger we have to watch out for. Melanoma.

The most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanomas develop when unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors. Most times, melanomas re¬semble moles; some develop from moles. Most are black or brown, but they can also be skin-colored, pink, red, purple, blue or white. Mela¬noma is caused mainly by intense, occasional UV exposure. Melanoma kills an estimated 10,130 people in the US annually.

The bright side of this condition is if mela¬noma is caught early it's almost always curable, but if left unattended, the cancer can advance, spread be fatal.

Even if you carefully practice sun safety all summer, continue being vigilant about your skin throughout the year.

Examine your skin head-to-toe once a

month, looking for any sus¬picious lesions. Self-exams can help you iden¬tify potential skin cancers early.

You obviously need to know what you're looking for. As a general rule, to spot either melanomas or non-melanoma skin cancers (such as basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), take note of any new moles or growths, and any existing growths that begin to grow or change significantly in any other way. Lesions that change, itch, bleed, or don't heal are also alarm signals.

Prevention is the best medicine and mela¬noma is no exception. Seek the shade, between 10 AM and 4 PM. Don't get burned. Never use UV tanning beds.

Cover up with clothing, hats and sunglasses. Use a broad spectrum sun¬screen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. Apply 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going out¬side. Reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming. Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months. See your physician every year for a professional skin exam.

Stay safe. Have fun and ask your local pharmacist what they have to help protect you from the sun!

Until next week!

For your family’s prescription needs, please call

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Pols Visit Great Wall Chinese Restaurant

By Michael V. Cusenza Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) and City Councilwoman Lynn Schulman (D-Forest Hills) announced on Tuesday that they visited the Great Wall Chinese restaurant in Forest Hills where Zhiwen Yan worked.

Yan, 45, was the food delivery worker who was shot and killed a week-and-a-half ago while making a delivery on his scooter in the vicinity of 108th Street and 67th Drive.

Meng and Shulman took part in a meeting they facilitated with the restaurant’s owner and the commanding officer of 112th Precinct to discuss safety concerns, and ways to improve security. The two lawmakers also visited other nearby business owners on Queens Boulevard to talk about how they can better protect themselves and their employees.

In addition, Meng and Schulman met at the site with the detectives investigating the case.

“Zhiwen Yan was well known and beloved by many in the community, and our hearts continue to ache for his family,” Meng and Schulman said. “This was such a horrible and senseless tragedy, and we are confident that the person responsible will be apprehended and brought to justice. We thank the 112th Precinct for continuing its investigation into this terrible crime, and for addressing safety in the area with local businesses. We remain committed to helping Zhiwen’s loved ones in any way we can.”

Meng is currently working to help secure a visa for the mother of Yan’s wife so that she can travel to New York from China to attend the funeral, which has been scheduled for May 24.

Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng Meng and Schulman talk with the owner of the Great Wall Chinese restaurant in Forest Hills.

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Mayor, Schools Chancellor Announce Lifting of Vax Requirement for Proms

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

“Graduation and prom are such momentous occasions in the lives of our young people, which is why I am so excited that thanks to the hard work of our school communities, we have come to a point where we can safely take this next step,” Chancellor Banks said.

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams and Schools Chancellor David Banks, in consultation with the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), on Monday announced the lifting of the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for public school proms. Students were previously told they could attend graduation this year regardless of vaccination status.

Vaccination continues to be the best tool to fight COVID-19 and to keep schools safe, City officials noted. But through a combination of the City’s health and safety efforts, fully vaccinated staff, and the continued care and resil-

ience of school communities, students have been able to remain in the classrooms, learning and receiving the supports they need, Adams said. The City still strongly recommends students wear a high-quality mask at prom and graduation.

While the DOE will no longer have a vaccination policy in place for proms and graduations, students attending ceremonies or events held at private locations will still be subject to any vaccination requirements of that facility.

Guests attending graduation are still required to be vaccinated in order to attend in a school building.

The City DOHMH strongly recom-

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

“I am thrilled that, starting this year, every one of our young people will have the chance to celebrate all of their hard work with a prom and graduation, regardless of vaccination status,” Mayor Adams said.

mends testing before any events, providing students with at-home tests, and masking with high-quality masks, especially for those who want to have an additional level of protection.

As a reminder, families with children who are eligible but not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 can make an appointment for vaccination at vaccinefinder. nyc.gov or call 311 to find a vaccine site.

The vaccine is free for all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration or insurance status.

“I am thrilled that, starting this year, every one of our young people will have the chance to celebrate all of their hard work with a prom and graduation, regardless of

vaccination status,” Adams said. “Vaccinations got us to where we are today, so I want to thank the millions of New Yorkers who went out and got vaccinated, doing their part to keep our city safe. I encourage anyone who hasn’t yet gotten vaccinated to do so, and to all of our students, congratulations!”

“The health and safety of our students and staff is, and has been, my top priority,” Banks added. “Graduation and prom are such momentous occasions in the lives of our young people, which is why I am so excited that thanks to the hard work of our school communities, we have come to a point where we can safely take this next step.”

Four Charged in 2019 Fatal Shooting of Queens Man

File Photo

“Prosecuting killers will always be a top priority for this office—whether the defendant pulls the trigger, or pays someone else to do his dirty work for him,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Peace.

By Forum Staff A two-count indictment was unsealed Tuesday in federal court in Brooklyn charging Qing Ming Yu, also known as “Allen Yu,” Antony Abreu, also known as “Anthony,” You You, also known as “Eddie,” and Zhe Zhang, also known as “Zack,” with the Feb. 12, 2019 murder of Xin Gu, a 31-year-old Queens resident.

Qing Ming Yu and You You were arrested today in New York and Zhe Zhang was arrested in California. Antony Abreu is already in federal custody serving a sentence in an unrelated matter and will be transferred to the Eastern District of New York at a later date.

As detailed in court documents, between 2015 and 2018, Xin Gu worked for Qing Ming Yu’s property development company at its Manhattan office. After several years, Xin Gu became concerned about the company’s financial viability. Thereafter, Xin Gu resigned and formed his own property development company.

After Xin Gu’s departure, several clients and employees also cut ties with Qing Ming Yu’s company, which then closed at the end of 2018. Enraged at Xin Gu’s perceived disloyalty, Qing Ming Yu allegedly hired his nephew You You to kill Xin Gu in exchange for payment. You You in turn allegedly hired Zhang and Antony Abreu to assist in carrying out the murder.

On the evening of Feb. 11, 2019, into the following morning, Xin Gu’s new company hosted a celebration of the Lunar New Year at a karaoke bar in Flushing. The defendants learned of Xin Gu’s party and decided to kill him that night, with You You acting as a lookout, Zhe Zhang serving as the getaway driver and Abreu shooting Xin

6 | MAY 12, 2022 • Number 17 • VOL. 21 • THE FORUM NEWSGROUP

Gu multiple times, killing him.

If convicted, each defendant faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison, or the death penalty.

“Prosecuting killers will always be a top priority for this office—whether the defendant pulls the trigger, or pays someone else to do his dirty work for him,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace.

“The tireless work of the detectives, agents, and prosecutors in this case helped hold the men allegedly responsible for this murder accountable for their actions. It is another example of our agencies’ collaborative commitment to public safety, and further proof that no one is beyond the reach of the law,” added City Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell.

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“The tireless work of the detectives, agents, and prosecutors in this case helped hold the men allegedly responsible for this murder accountable for their actions. It is another example of our agencies’ collaborative commitment to public safety, and further proof that no one is beyond the reach of the law,” added City Police Commissioner Sewell.

Suspect in Fatal Shooting Kills Self

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

The Fresh Pond Road crime scene.

By Michael V. Cusenza Pedro Cintron, the suspected killer of an NYPD employee in her Ridgewood apartment, killed himself Wednesday morning, according to police and published reports.

Cops discovered the body of Cintron in Greenpoint Brooklyn. The alleged killer took his own life by shooting himself in the head.

Cintron has been on the run since Monday morning when he allegedly

gunned down his girlfriend, Migdalia Ortega, 51, and her 48-year-old neighbor.

The concerned neighbor is still in an area hospital recovering from two gunshot wounds.

Two area pols commented on the horrific shooting.

“The violence and lawlessness in this city affects every neighborhood,” City Councilman Bob Holden said. “Bad policies have turned every borough into a shooting gallery. Albany needs to get on board with Mayor Adams ‘blueprint and get criminals off the streets.”

Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar added, “This shooting is part of a disturbing trend that shows a rise in gun violence and crime in our city. Shooting incidents in New York City rose in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the first quarter of 2021, from 260 to 296. Overall crime increased by 34.2% in April 2022 compared to April last year. NYPD officers effected a 64.6% increase in arrests for illegal gun possession this April compared to April of last year.

It is our number one job to make sure our streets are safe for our children, families, and all New Yorkers. I remain committed to ensuring our public safety through legislation, supporting our police, and strengthening mental health and other critical support services.”

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 17 • MAY 12 2022 | 7

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City Officials, Union Leaders Urge State Legislature to Extend Mayoral Accountability for Public Schools

By Forum Staff Mayor Eric Adams, City Schools Chancellor David Banks, and union leaders and members on Monday urged the State Legislature to extend mayoral accountability for New York City schools and its nearly 1 million students.

Representatives of District Council 37 (DC37), Hotel Trades Council (HTC), 32BJ SEIU, Local 372, and the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) joined the mayor and chancellor in support.

Mayor Adams highlighted the numerous successes of mayoral responsibility, including the launch of Pre-K for All, a more than 20 percent increase in graduation rates, ensuring every school receives 100 percent Fair Student Funding, and coordinating the massive inter-agency COVID-19 response. If the state does not take action by June 30th, control of city schools would revert to the decentralized system of 32 school boards that existed prior to 2002 — a system that proved vulnerable to politics, corruption, and bureaucracy.

Adams and Banks have outlined a bold agenda for City schools that includes expanded opportunities for summer learning; a renewed focus on literacy, screenings, and early interventions for dyslexia; and providing every student with a pathway to a good paying

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

“Continuing mayoral accountability will benefit every one of the nearly 1 million New York City students and will allow us to make transformative changes in the education system to address systemic inequities that plagued public schools for years,” Mayor Adams said.

career. They have said that mayoral accountability is essential to driving these and other new initiatives that will help address the impacts of the pandemic on learning and puts all students on the path to success.

“Continuing mayoral accountability will benefit every one of the nearly 1 million New York City students and will allow us to make transformative changes

in the education system to address systemic inequities that plagued public schools for years,” Adams said. “Mayoral accountability will also provide parents with certainty as we prepare for the summer and the following school year.

We look forward to working closely with our colleagues in Albany to ensure our schools continue moving in the right direction.”

“Mayoral accountability made it possible to put mental health services in every school, open the largest summer enrichment program ever, and find innovative ways to respond to the needs of our families and students,” Banks said. “ W hether it is responding to a crisis or providing the supports for our children's bold futures, it is clear that our students, schools, and communities deserve to have the stability that a quick renewal provides, and I look forward to continuing to work with the legislature on how to best serve future generations of New Yorkers.”

“Mayoral control has proven to be an accountability tool for our schools that we cannot ignore,” said DC37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “It is important that we have in place an educational system that seeks to create standards, push back against inequities from one school district to the next, and provide a strong foundation for our 1.1 million students. We support the extension of mayoral control and recognize the valuable impact it has had on the Department of Education's operations.”

“New York City’s 1.1 million school children should be above politics and our schools system should embrace clear accountability,” added 32BJ SEIU President Kyle Bragg.

Two Former Managers of National Grid Sentenced to prison for Bribery, Kickback Scheme

Courtesy of National Grid.

By Forum Staff On Friday, in Brooklyn federal court, Patrick McCrann and Richard Zavada, two former managers in the facilities department of the New York utility company National Grid, were sentenced to prison for their participation in a years-long bribery and kickback scheme.

Zavada was sentenced to a year and one day in prison, with a $10,000 fine and $330,735 forfeiture; McCrann was sentenced to a year and one day of prison, with a $10,000 fine and $200,000 forfeiture.

The defendants each pleaded guilty to a violation of the Travel Act in October 2021.

McCrann, 57, and Zavada, 65, were National Grid managers employed in the facilities department, who steered contracts to certain contractors in exchange for hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes and kickbacks. One contractor (the

work did not meet contractual specifications.

The illicit payments to the defendants took multiple forms, including cash, the purchase of recreational vehicles, home improvements, landscaping and overseas vacations. As part of the investigation, agents

recovered approximately $300,000 in cash from a safe deposit box held by Zavada.

Three other former National Grid managers, Devraj Balbir, Ricardo Garcia and Jevan Seepaul, have previously entered pleas of guilty to accepting bribes from the Contractor and are awaiting sentence.

“Contractor”) secured more than $50 million in facility maintenance contracts from National Grid during the time that the Contractor was paying bribes to the defendants. As managers, the defendants had the authority to approve “no-bid” contracts valued at less than $50,000.

The Contractor understood that if it did not pay bribes, these defendants would award National Grid’s work to the Contractor’s competitors. In exchange for the bribe payments, the defendants also took various steps to assist the Contractor in obtaining contracts from National Grid, including, among other things, offering favorable reviews of the Contractor’s work. The Contractor paid bribes to ensure that the defendants did not slow or stop disbursement of project funds to the Contractor, provide negative performance reviews regarding the Contractor’s work, or otherwise claim that the Contractor’s The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of NY made Friday’s announcement.

File Photo

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 17 • MAY 12 2022 | 9

Adams, Robin Hood Foundation Announce $100M Commitment for Childcare Quality, Innovation Initiative

By Forum Staff

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“Investing in childcare is a down-payment on progress and the future of our kids,” Mayor Adams said.

Mayor Eric Adams this week announced new funding for a forthcoming Childcare Quality and Innovation Initiative for the five boroughs.

The funding, announced at Robin Hood’s annual benefit to support poverty-fighting efforts in New York City Tuesday evening, includes $50 million from Robin Hood and $50 million in additional funding through the city over the coming four years, as a result of state and federal block grant funding.

The Childcare Quality and Innovation Initiative will be part of the Adams administration’s broader childcare plan, which will be released in the coming weeks.

The Childcare Quality and Innovation Initiative will seek to make high-quality, affordable childcare more accessible, while improving the quality of care provided to New York children, the mayor said. This new funding can be used to develop innovative solutions to the sector, such as expanding access in childcare deserts — neighborhoods without enough licensed childcare providers, provide options beyond traditional working hours to accommodate parents with atypical schedules, and workforce development programs that help drive quality across New York City, including encouraging models that compensate providers more fairly, reduce turnover, and create opportunities for growth within the sector.

Research has shown that the most impactful povertyfighting investment we can make starts in infancy, providing returns to society that far outweigh the costs. Currently, though, more than half (52 percent) of New York City families with children under age four cannot afford

childcare, and since the start of the pandemic, one in four parents have had to turn down a job, change jobs, or take leave due to childcare needs. Currently, there is only one available childcare slot for every five infants in New York City. Investing in New York City’s childcare system will help reduce poverty, improve family economic stability, ensure healthy child development, and increase the ability of parents and caregivers — especially women — to work and earn more.

“Investing in childcare is a down-payment on progress and the future of our kids. We need to get New Yorkers back to work and lower the cost of childcare — both of which will uplift families and remove the obstacles that are holding too many parents back,” said Adams. “We’re excited to partner with Robin Hood on this $100 million Childcare Quality and Innovation Initiative to not only position New York as a leader in the sector, but to take major steps towards a new, more equitable city for all.”

“As we recover from the pandemic, poverty remains persistent and pervasive in New York City, but we know investing in high-quality, affordable childcare will uplift families in all five boroughs. Access to high-quality and affordable childcare sets a child up for success to excel developmentally and academically and gets parents back to work — it’s good for the economy and good for fighting poverty,” added Robin Hood CEO Richard R. Buery, Jr. “That’s why we brought together our generous supporters and Mayor Adams at Robin Hood’s 2022 Annual Benefit and are committed to investing $100 million into reimagining New York City’s childcare sector and giving every family the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty.”

City Commits $47.6M in Funding to Connect Greenways across Queens and Brooklyn

By Forum Staff

during the design process, where community members will have the chance to share additional input.

These projects were identified in the 2022 Destination: Greenways! study to improve and connect greenway segments within parks, making them both destinations and thoroughfares to increase access.

As part of the study, Parks and DOT reviewed two routes in the city’s greenways network, held public meetings and engaged

community stakeholders to determine key needs, and set priorities for new park amenities along each route. The studies were made possible with a $1 million grant through the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City from The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.

“Enhancing the greenway experience is a key initiative of DOT and our sister agencies — as we know cyclists especially love riding along their waterfronts and parks,”

Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced that the Fiscal Year 2023 Executive Budget includes $47.6 million for Brooklyn and Queens greenway improvements outlined in Destination: Greenways!, a plan by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks) in partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT).

The investment will fill gaps in existing greenway routes in central Queens and along Brooklyn’s southwest shoreline, with a focus on connecting communities to New York City’s greater park system, Adams added.

The milestone investment in outer-borough greenways will fund a total of six projects in Brooklyn and Queens, led by Parks with on-street work by DOT. In Queens, projects will build new segments in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Kissena Corridor Park, and Kissena Park, helping to close greenway gaps in neighborhoods that have been historically disconnected.

In Brooklyn, work will improve access to the waterfront by building new greenway segments in Leif Ericson Park and reconstructing the existing greenway in part of Shore Road Park.

Photo Courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office Full project details will be determined City DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Mayor Adams.

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said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

“We know there is great demand for more and better connections to greenways. And we are proud to be working alongside Mayor Adams and Parks Commissioner [Sue] Donoghue to improve and finally connect existing greenways in central Queens and Brooklyn. Equity has been at the forefront of DOT’s decision making when it comes to expanding and improving the safety of all pedestrians and cyclists, and with the mayor’s steadfast support and funding, we can make accessing these beautiful greenways safer and more convenient for all.”

Expanding greenways has been a key priority for the City — there are now more than 150 miles of greenways throughout the five boroughs. Parks and DOT intend to expand the Destination: Greenways! model of determining greenway improvements to additional routes in other boroughs.

"Mayor Adams is creating a fantastic piece of green infrastructure for our city that will serve as an urban oasis for generations to come,” said Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven). “As someone whose district includes the Forest Park section of the greenways, I look forward to the day myself and my constituents can travel dozens and dozens of miles enjoying the beauty of nature.”

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Legal Notices GRACIOUS OWL DESIGN, LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 03/09/2022. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to LISA DICK, 6610 YELLOWSTONE BLVD., APT 2D, FOREST HILLS, NY, 11373, USA. PURPOSE: General Purpose.

MARY JANE SOLUTIONS LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 01/14/2022. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to MARY JANE SOLUTIONS LLC, PO BOX 863292, RIDGEWOOD, NY, 11386, USA. PURPOSE: General Purpose.

MEMENTO GROUP L.L.C., Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 03/31/2022.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 11-11 44th Drive, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

SUNNY 21, L.L.C. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 02/20/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: SUNNY 21, LLC, 58-27 197TH ST., FRESH MEADOWS, NY, 11365, USA, Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

GEM HUNTING TRADING LLC Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY)4/15/2022. Cty: Queens.

SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to GEM HUNTING TRADING LLC, 88-04 CORONA AVE, 1 FL, ELMHURST, NY, 11373, USA**. General Purpose.

CTSQ Asset LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 3/14/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to 3636 Main St., #CS, Flushing, NY 11354.

General Purpose.

SAPPHIRE CDS LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 2/10/22. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Daniel Sosa, 7849 221st St., Bayside, NY 11364. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

86-13 94th Street LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 2/18/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Warner Wai Jit Moy, 86-17 94th St., Woodhaven, NY 11421. General Purpose.

SIKDER TAXI 2 LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 4/18/2022. Office in Queens Co. SSNY design. Agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 88-39 HOLLIS COURT BLVD, QUEENS VILLAGE, NY, 11427. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

THE WALKER GROUP VENTURES, LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 03/08/22.

Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to WAYNE BROWN, 130-16 228TH STREET, LAURELTON, NY, 11413, USA. General Purpose.

JANEL CAMPBELL NP IN FAMILY HEALTH, PLLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 11/18/21. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to THE PLLC, 112-16 176TH STREET, JAMAICA, NY, 11433, USA. General Purpose.

Notice of formation of EIGHT NYC HOLDINGS LLC. Arts of Org filed with Secy of State of NY (SSNY) on 4/21/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process may be served and shall mail copy of process against LLC to:4148 68th St., 3/F, Woodside, NY 11377.

Purpose: any lawful act.

Easy Movements L.L.C., Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 4/6/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to Imran Imtiaz Khan, 111-34 130th St., South Ozone Park, NY 11420. General Purpose Notice of formation of Young Ambitious Enterprise LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 04/07/2022. Office located in Queens.

SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC 240-17 143rd Ave Rosedale NY 11422. Purpose: Any lawful purpose

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Notice of formation of EE GLOBAL LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 04/25/2022. Office located in Queens. SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY Shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to JOSE FARJARDO, 15021 107TH AVE., FL-1, JAMAICA, NY, 11433. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

DONCH LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 03/15/22. 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: TJorge Meneses, 45-18 Pearson Street, Long Island City, New York, 11101. Purpose: to engage in any lawful activity.

Notice of formation of AI-TOP LLC Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York SSNY on 07/25/2021. Office located in Queens.

SSNY has been designated for service of process. SSNY Shall mail copy of any process served against the LLC to 1335 Bell Blvd Bayside, NY 11360. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

MMJ Homes LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 04/21/22. 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, 133-12 84th St, Ozone Park, NY 11417. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

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