THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

VOL. 21 • NUMBER 24 • SEPTEMBER 23, 2021

HOME WRECKER

South Ozone Park Man Indicted for Dramatic Shootout with Cops following Spat with NYPD Wife

See Story on Page 2

Off-duty Police Officer Daisy Mosquera leaped out of a 2nd Floor window of her home on 133rd Avenue to escape the wrath of her gun-toting husband. Marco Mosquera was shot in the forearm after opening fire on responding cops.

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 23 2021 | 1

South Ozone Park Man Charged in Shootout with Cops after Domestic Row with Wife

By Michael V. Cusenza A South Ozone Park man has been indicted for sparking a wild shootout with City cops following a domestic spat with his wife last week, an NYPD officer who works in the 101st Precinct, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Monday.

Marco Mosquera, 43, was arraigned Monday on a 13-count indictment charging him with attempted murder in the first and second degree, assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree and reckless endangerment in the first degree. Mosquera was remanded to Department of Correction custoday and ordered to return to court on Nov. 10.

According to the charges, at approximately 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, Marco Mosquera confronted his wife, Daisy Mosquera, who was off-duty, when she entered their home in South Ozone Park.

The defendant became increasingly agitated and broke picture frames and other household items around the residence.

Officer Mosquera tried to calm her husband and clean up. The victim turned her back to her husband as they continued to argue and he retreated to his wife’s bedroom. The defendant emerged from her bedroom and approached her from behind, allegedly pointing her two service weapons at her. Officer Mosquera told her husband that his actions would make the situation worse. Marco Mosquera alleg-

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

The dramatic incident took place at the Mosquera home on 133rd Avenue in South Ozone Park.

edly warned his wife not to contact law enforcement or the “things would end badly” and reportedly said “there was no way out for them” and that “they would be dying that day.”

Officer Mosquera was able to access a telephone and made calls to a relative, then her supervisors and 911 for assistance.

When officers from the 106th Precinct and Emergency

Service Unit responded to the home, they discovered the entrance was barricaded. The defendant allegedly fired multiple shots toward the responding officers that shattered the glass door panel. Another responding officer was able to contact Officer Mosquera inside the house by telephone and instructed her to exit the residence. Officer Mosquera made her way to a second-floor bedroom and jumped from its window. When she landed on the concrete below an officer was able to protect her with a ballistics blanket and shielded them both from additional shots from her husband. At that time, other Emergency Service officers returned fire at the defendant and struck him once in the forearm. As alleged, Marco Mosquera then retreated, walking backwards into the house and continuing to shoot towards officers.

After the defendant eventually surrendered to officers, officers recovered firearms on the walkway beside the home and ammunition—including more than twenty rifle casings, nine .9mm casings inside and outside a bedroom window, and discovered bullet marks inside and nearby the home.

The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated for multiple leg fractures. The defendant was also treated for gunshot injuries at a local hospital.

“This defendant in this case was filled with jealousy when he took his wife’s service weapons and threatened both their lives,” Katz said. “The responding officers swiftly took control of this crisis and averted a much greater tragedy that day.”

Mosquera faces 75 years to life in prison if convicted.

Governor Takes Action to Improve Justice, Safety in City Jails

By Forum Staff Governor Kathy Hochul on Friday announced actions to improve justice and safety in city jails.

She signed the Less is More Act, which modifies the standard of evidence and certain other procedures when determining whether to revoke the community supervision of a person on parole. Hochul also announced an agreement with the State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to allow for incarcerated individuals who have been sentenced to at least ninety days to be transferred from Rikers Island to State facilities.

“Our fellow New Yorkers on parole deserve to reenter society with our support and respect - reincarcerating parolees for technical violations traps them and doesn't help our communities,” Hochul said. “New Yorkers currently serving sentences in jails and prisons also deserve our support— there is no justice in mistreating incarcerated New Yorkers.

While this is just one step and more work needs to be done collaboratively with all levels of government, I am proud to take these steps to increase the safety in City jails, not only for those incarcerated, but for the staff who work tirelessly to keep operations running.”

The Less is More Act aims to ensure the DOCCS focuses its resources on helping people successfully complete community supervision and avoiding future return to DOCCS custody or supervision.

Preventing these reincarcerations allows the State to focus its limited resources on substantive parole violations.

This promotes greater community safety and justice for families.

In addition, with the governor signing the “Less is More” bill, in the spirit of this new legislation, DOCCS is currently reviewing the current parole violators and will work with City officials to immediately release up to 191 individuals, who will no longer qualify for incarceration.

The DOCCS has worked with the City to leverage an existing statute that will allow for hundreds of definite sentenced incarcerated individuals, which are those sentenced

Governor Hochul signed the Less is More Act into law on Friday.

to at least one day but less than one year, to be transferred from Rikers Island to State custody, where they will serve out their sentences in DOCCS facilities.

Hochul is also directing that 40 individuals sentenced to at least 90 days be sent off of Rikers Island each day to State facilities for the next five days. This will continue on a rolling basis for those eligible.

“For far too long, people who are on parole have lived in fear that a technical violation, like being late for curfew, would send them back to prison. We all know that life happens. Anyone who lives in New York is aware that subways

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Photo Courtesy of Kevin Coughlin/Office of the Governor

and buses can run late and cause a missed deadline. A noncriminal technical parole violation should not be a reason for families to be separated from their loved ones. The Less Is More Act will help end the punitive practice of re-incarcerating individuals and allow them the chance to reintegrate into their communities,” Assemblyman David Weprin (DRichmond Hill) said. “As Chair of the Assembly Committee on Correction, I worked on this bill for many years. I am proud to witness this much needed signing today. I thank the sponsors of the bill, legislative leadership, the Governor, and the advocates for all of their tireless work on this bill.”

Recycling Events Return to Forest Park

The first fall recycling event at Forest Park is this Sunday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the Bandshell Parking Lot.

By Michael V. Cusenza Historically popular recycling events co-sponsored by State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) and Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (DWoodhaven) will be coming back to Forest Park this fall—beginning this weekend.

On Sunday, Sept. 26, Addabbo and Rajkumar will have a paper-shredding truck from USA Shred and the United War Veterans Council to collect household goods on hand at the Forest Park Bandshell Parking Lot from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photo Courtesy of Councilman Holden

“It is one of our most popular events and allows our constituents to clean out their homes and donate some of their extra things to a great veterans organization, and to safely and securely shred their personal, business or medical files,” Sen. Addabbo (c.) said.

File Photo

Items that will be accepted are: paper (three boxes maximum of personal, business or medical files), clothing and shoes, small appliances, kitchenware, toys, jewelry, small furniture, American flags, and eye glasses.

Items that CANNOT be accepted are: any electronics, cardboard, magazines, file folders, preshredded paper, air conditioners, paint, and tires.

In order to keep everyone safe, the City Parks Department is requiring all participants to wear masks when in the parking lot, especially when interacting with a volunteer. Those who wish to make donations or shred their documents are also asked to stay in their vehicles as much as possible, for the safety of the staff and volunteers. Please have all items in an easily accessible part of the car, such as the backseat or trunk, to allow a volunteer to safely remove them and bring them to the proper location.

If anyone wishes to exit their car, they must fill out a visitor health screening questionnaire—as per Parks Department requirements—indicating if they have any symptoms of COVID-19 or if they have been in close contact with someone who has contracted the virus in the previous 14 days. They will also have to provide their name, phone number and email address for contact tracing purposes if it is found that anyone with COVID was present at the event.

“I am happy to announce that this great event will be returning to Forest Park again this fall,” Addabbo said. “It is one of our most popular events and allows our constituents to clean out their homes and donate some of their extra things to a great veterans organization, and to safely and securely shred their personal, business or medical files.”

For more information about this event, or the electronic recycling event scheduled for the following Sunday, Oct. 3, contact Addabbo’s office at (718) 738-1111.

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 23 2021 | 3

Pols, Community Leaders Break Ground on New Rosedale Precinct

By Forum Staff Southeast Queens community leaders and elected officials on Monday broke ground on the City Police Department’s new 116th Precinct at 244-04 North Conduit Ave. The precinct, the city’s first new precinct since 2013, is the result of decades of advocacy from committed community groups in the area, which had previously been served by just one command in the 265-mile stretch of blocks from Middle Village to John F. Kennedy International Airport, Mayor Bill de Blasio noted.

“This new police precinct was conceived by the communities of Southeast Queens. It was forged, and designed, as a reflection of their best vision for effective public safety and is thankfully now being realized after decades of their hard work and inspiration,” City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea added. “The NYPD embraces this moment for the opportunities this premier facility gives us to help deepen our connections and better serve the people who live in the neighborhoods it will cover.”

Construction on the $78 million building began last month and is projected to be completed in January 2024. The City Department of Design and Construction is managing the design and construction for NYPD. The total project cost is $104.8 million.

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

The new 116th Precinct will be the first new precinct established in New York City since 2013.

The new 48,410 square foot facility has been designed with a Community Meeting Room on the first floor, with a dedicated entrance from the front of the building, to allow members of the neighborhood to engage with the precinct in a way that strengthens awareness of the NYPD’s commitment to community policing. The precinct is placed strategically within the community to allow for more rapid responses and effective policing.

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The precinct’s parking lot has been sited in the rear of the building, bringing the new precinct closer to the street and protecting the neighborhood’s residential character. A second parking lot will be located in front of the existing 105th Precinct Annex. A public plaza leading to the Long Island Railroad will occupy the western area featuring benches, a water filling station, bicycle racks and new landscaping.

“The groundbreaking for the new 116th Precinct is a historic moment decades in the making, and was only possible due to the relentless and committed advocacy of local residents and community organizations,” said Councilwoman Adrienne Adams (D-Jamaica). “This precinct will cut response times for residents, provide more resources for public safety, and improve police-community relations. I am thankful to Mayor de Blasio, Queens Borough President Richards, and all of the leaders who played a role in advancing this important project.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Jr., added, “The 116th Precinct is open today thanks to the residents’ advocacy hand in hand with the New York Police Department. This precinct will be living proof of successful community policing while ensuring quality of life and public safety, especially with anticipated improved response time. I proudly secured funds to make this precinct a reality, and I am thrilled to see it is a new day in Southeast Queens.”

The 116th Precinct will serve Rosedale, Laurelton, Springfield Gardens, and Floral Park.

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

Hochul Touts #VaxtoSchool Campaign

Photo Courtesy of Kevin Coughlin/Office of the Governor

“With these pop-up vaccinations sites, we are ramping up our #VaxtoSchool campaign on the road and going into communities where vaccination rates are still lagging among young New Yorkers, so we can reach as many families as possible and make our schools safer for students and staff,” Gov. Hochul said.

By Forum Staff Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday announced 120 new #VaxtoSchool popup vaccination sites will take place across New York over a 12-week-period as part of the #VaxtoSchool campaign to increase vaccination rates among younger New Yorkers. Over the next 12 weeks, the State Department of Health will be working with localities, community-based organizations and healthcare centers on-theground to establish these new sites in all regions of the state, supporting the State's goal of significantly increasing vaccination rates among this demographic. In partnership with the State, each region will be hosting two new events per week, and partners, host sites, and outreach efforts will be tailored to best meet the needs of the communities they are built to serve.

The State launched the multi-faceted statewide #VaxtoSchool campaign to support increasing COVID-19 vaccination rates among school-aged New Yorkers, furthering the Governor's commitment to making the health and well-being of students, teachers and families a top priority.

A community-based medical professional will be available at each site to answer any questions parents and guardians of school-aged New Yorkers may have.

Alongside the new sites, as yet another tool to promote and access vaccinations across New York communities, #VaxtoSchool buses—mobile vaccination efforts—are being launched in convenient, youth and school-centric areas statewide, such as public recreational spaces like basketball courts and parks. This will help to make the vaccine available and accessible to school-aged New Yorkers and their families - meeting them where they are, in a way they can trust.

As part of this effort, Governor Ho-

chul recently announced the launch of a new, dedicated website at ny.gov/vaxtoschool with critical resources and materials for parents and guardians of school-aged New Yorkers and school communities.

The new site includes information, and an FAQ for parents and guardians, as well as a multitude of ready-made signage for school leaders to support #VaxtoSchool education and operations in their local communities on the ground. The site will continue to be updated with new information about the #VaxtoSchool campaign, including pop-up sites and incentive efforts—such as the recent partnership with Governor’s Ball, where 125 free tickets were donated as incentives to support the State’s #VaxtoSchool program.

The State has launched a new Instagram channel, @VaccinateNY, to educate school-aged New Yorkers and their families about the COVID-19 vaccine directly.

The new social media page provides approachable, interactive content through easy-to-understand vaccine information, prospective content partnerships, #VaxtoSchool news and social media design contests, and quick video explainers, ensuring that no stone is left unturned in our effort to provide all New Yorkers with the facts about the COVID-19 vaccine. DOH will also amplify these digital education efforts across all of their channels including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

“Since becoming Governor four weeks ago, I’ve made it clear that we need to bring children, teachers and staff back to school safely,” Hochul said. “With these pop-up vaccinations sites, we are ramping up our #VaxtoSchool campaign on the road and going into communities where vaccination rates are still lagging among young New Yorkers, so we can reach as many families as possible and make our schools safer for students and staff.”

The Pharmacist’s Corner

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

ARE EXPIRED MEDICATIONS STILL SAFE? It’s 2 a.m. -the cough and stuffy nose you have been battling is still keeping you up. You reach for the nighttime cold relief medicine only to find it expired a few months ago. If you take a dose to ease your symptoms, will you be putting yourself at risk? This situation is a relatively com¬mon occurrence. Many medicine cabinets are stocked with over-thecounter drugs as well as prescription medications that may be past their expiration dates.

It’s a good idea to routinely discard expired medicines, but if you happen to take a drug that has passed its expiration date, you will most likely suffer no ill effects. According to the Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide, the expiration date on a medicine is not the dates when a drug becomes hazardous. Rather, it marks the period of time after which a drug company can no longer guarantee the efficacy of the medication. Since 1979, drug manufac¬turers selling medications in the United States have been required by the Food and Drug Administration to stamp an expiration date on their products.

This is the date until which the manufacturer can still guarantee full potency of the drug.

Expiration dates also may be a marketing ploy. Some experts say drug manufactur¬ers put expiration dates on products for marketing purposes rather than scientific reasons. It

doesn’t make financial sense to a company to have products on the shelves for years. Therefore, most drug manufac¬turers will not do long-term testing on products to confirm if they will be effective 10 to 15 years after manufacture. The U.S. military has conducted studies with the help of the FDA. FDA research¬ers tested more than 100 over-thecounter and prescription drugs. Around 90 percent were proven to still be effective long past the expiration date -- some for more than 10 years. Drugs that are stored in cool, dark places have a better chance of lasting because the fillers used in the product will not separate or start to break down as they might in a warm, humid environment. Storing medicines in the refrigerator can prolong their shelf life. Although a pharma¬cist cannot legally advise consumers to use medication past an expiration date, most over-thecounter pain relievers and drugs in pill form should still be fine. Certain liquid antibiotics and drugs made up of organic materials can expire faster than others. For those who still want to err on the safe side, routinely clean out medica¬tions from cabinets once they expire. How¬ever, if an expired medication is taken by mistake, there's little need to worry about potentially adverse effects.

Until next week!

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City Crushes Illegal Dirt Bikes, ATVs

A downright giddy Mayor Bill de Blasio recently delivered remarks on Staten Island as a Sanitation worker pulverized dozens of illegal dirt bikes and ATVs with a bulldozer.

The loud vehicles have fueled quality of life concerns across the five boroughs—especially in South Queens neighborhoods, including Howard Beach and Ozone Park.

“I want to be very clear to anyone out there that has an illegal dirt bike: Don’t even think about it, because the NYPD will find it and we’ll crush it. It’s as simple as that. We’re not playing games,” Hizzoner declared. “We want to send a message here today that these dirt bikes do not belong in New York City. It’s against the law, period. And instead of just talking about the fact it’s against the law or giving a summons or anything like that, we’re doing the most aggressive thing possible—we’re taking the dirt bike away and you’re never going to see it again.”

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 23 2021 | 5

De Blasio Administration Releases Final Mayor’s Management Report

By Forum Staff The de Blasio administration on Friday touted its work over the past eight years as it released the Mayor’s Management Report for Fiscal Year 2021, an analysis of City agencies’ performance from July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.

The MMR presents more than 2,000 indicators from 45 City agencies that measure the City’s performance in providing services to New Yorkers. The Fiscal Year 2021 MMR, the last of the Mayor Bill de Blasio’s tenure, features the City’s response and recovery efforts to the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the de Blasio administration’s achievements in education, public safety, criminal justice and police reform, open space, transportation, access to healthcare, affordable housing, economic security and uplifting working families.

MMR Administration Fiscal Year 2013 – Fiscal Year 2021 Highlights include: Education • Student enrollment in Full Day Pre-K increased over 267% from 15,917 in Fiscal Year 2013 to 58,469 in Fiscal Year 2021.

• Proficiency in English Language Arts for Grades 3-8 increased 21 percentage points from 26.4% in Fiscal Year 2013 to 47.4% in Fiscal Year 2019.

• Proficiency in Math for Grades 3-8 increased 16 percentage points from 29.6% in Fiscal Year 2013 to 45.6% in Fiscal Year

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“From expanding Pre-K and 3K to the creation of our affordable housing plan to driving down crime, this year’s report captures trends from the past eight years that I’m proud to share with New Yorkers,” Mayor de Blasio said.

2019.

• The percentage of high schoolers taking AP exams increased 15.9 percentage points from 23.9% in Fiscal Year 2013 to 39.8% in Fiscal Year 2019.

• The four-year high school graduation rate increased 12.8 percentage points from 66.0% in Fiscal Year 2013 to 78.7% in Fiscal Year 2020.

• The School Construction authority added more than 50,000 new school seats

during the administration.

• The four-year college readiness rate increased 26.3 percentage points from 31.4% in Fiscal Year 2013 to 57.7% in Fiscal Year 2020.

• The number of students enrolled in CUNY ASAP increased nearly ten-fold from 2,204 students in Fiscal Year 2013 to 23,118 students in Fiscal Year 2021.

Personal and Community Safety • Major felony crime decreased

13.4% from 110,099 in Fiscal Year 2013 to 95,369 in Fiscal Year 2021.

Core Infrastructure and Environment • Citi Bike Trips increased 145% from 9.4M in Fiscal Year 2014 to 23.1M in Fiscal Year 2021.

• DOT has installed over 500 new miles of bike lanes since Fiscal Year 2013 including over 130 miles of protected bike lanes.

• The number of Select Bus Service miles covered increased 123% from 65 miles in Fiscal Year 2015 to 145 miles in Fiscal Year 2021.

• The cumulative estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from all DCAS energy projects is 262,285 metric tons.

• The City has added more than 13 megawatts of solar energy capacity.

• The percentage of vehicles in the City fleet that are hybrid or alternative fuel like electric vehicles increased from 26 percentage points from 41% to 67 percent.

“From expanding Pre-K and 3K to the creation of our affordable housing plan to driving down crime, this year’s report captures trends from the past eight years that I’m proud to share with New Yorkers,” Hizzoner said. “This year’s report also details how City agencies rose to meet the greatest challenge in a generation, COVID-19. Together, we will continue to drive vaccination rates upward and build a recovery for all of us.”

DOT Begins Work on Jamaica and Archer Avenue Busways

By Forum Staff The City Department of Transportation has begun work to install busways on Jamaica and Archer avenues, as part of the de Blasio administration’s Better Buses commitment to install new and improved bus lanes later this year.

The two miles of busway coming to Jamaica and Archer avenues will improve bus speeds in the busiest bus hub in the five boroughs, where more than 45 New York City Transit, MTA Bus, and Nassau Inter-County

Express bus routes connect to the E, J, and Z subway lines and the Long Island Rail Road.

Due to traffic congestion, buses along Archer Avenue currently have average speeds of 5.7 to 6.1 mph during the afternoon rush, with speeds of only 4.7 to 4.9 mph on Jamaica Avenue.

On Archer Avenue, the eastbound busway will begin at 150th Street and extend to 160th Street, with the following elements: • Double bus lanes eastbound from 150th Street to 160th Street, with no trucks in bus lanes

Photo Courtesy of Google

On Jamaica Avenue, the busway pilot will begin at Sutphin Boulevard and extend to 168th Street in both directions.

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• No curbside access between 150th Street and 160th Street for any vehicle except buses • Eastbound traffic restriction from 153rd Street to 160th Street (all Archer Avenue eastbound traffic must turn left on 153rd Street) • Jersey barriers installed to prevent illegal vans from entering busway • Busway regulations are proposed for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week On Jamaica Avenue, the busway pilot will begin at Sutphin Boulevard and extend

to 168th Street in both directions, with the following changes: • Buses and commercial trucks will have local and thru access • Passenger vehicles will be able to access most blocks, but would have to make the next right turn • New parking, loading, and pedestrian space where curbside bus lanes are removed • Busway regulations are proposed for 24 hours a day, seven days a week The City expects to complete the installation this fall.

Photo Courtesy of Google

On Jamaica Avenue, the busway pilot will begin at Sutphin Boulevard and extend to 168th Street in both directions.

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 23 2021 | 7

Howard Beach Community Unites to Mark 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11 Terror Attacks

the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

After a stirring rendition of the “Star The Howard Beach community on Saturday gathered at the new Sept. 11th Memo- Spangled Banner” by Nicole Cicero, comrial Mural in Lindenwood to solemnly mark munity leaders and elected officials delivBy Michael V. Cusenza

ered remarks in front of the patriotic painting during the 40-minute ceremony, which was organized by the Howard Beach Lindenwood Civic.

“This area has been an eyesore for many

years. I’ve lived here my entire life, and it’s never been anything but an eyesore,” Civic President and City Council candidate Joann Ariola said of the location of the mural at 84th Street between 157th Avenue and

Shore Parkway. “And what we really wanted to do for so many years was to beautify this area—but the timing was never right.”

Ariola went on to note that after meeting Jay Frango at an event for the New Hamilton Beach Civic Association, a mural was born.

“He said, ‘Don’t worry about. I’m going to donate the money, and I’m going to find the artists,’” Ariola recalled. “And he did both.”

Ariola said that they sent a rendering to 1 Police Plaza and in two days got the green light from the NYPD to go ahead with the project.

“Each star represents a person who died on 9/11, and I think that is the most beautiful part of this mural because no one was forgotten,” Ariola added. “That’s what Howard Beach is all about: We’re a community that is resilient. It is a way of celebrating their lives, but still, we mourn them.”

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) followed Ariola with his own gripping thoughts.

“As we remember those we have lost, and the families they have left behind, we remember those that were saved—and we re-

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member those that saved them. So to our police, our fire, our first responders, our EMS, our vollies: Thank you, thank you thank you.

These days, those are words you don’t hear often enough,” Addabbo said, eliciting a raucous cheer from the dozens in attendance.

“That day brought out the worst in some people. It brought out the best in some of us. And it brought out something that we believe in. We believe in our country—the patriotism that followed 9/11 was amazing.

It also brought out our belief in our community. And that’s why we’re here today—the belief in our community. Thank you to those that created this mural that for generations will understand what 9/11 meant to us, and how great this community is.”

Sept. 11 first responder Frango was moved to tears.

“I’m just happy Howard Beach is my town,” he said.

Forum Photos by Patricia Adams

THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 23 2021 | 9

City Launches Free Program to Help Homeowners Install Solar and High-Efficiency Electric Heating, Cooling

By Forum Staff

Mayor Bill de Blasio on Monday announced the launch of ElectrifyNYC, a program run by the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability, in partnership with Kinetic Communities, and Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens and Staten Island, to help New Yorkers adopt solar panels and air source heat pump technologies in order to accelerate the City’s path toward carbon neutrality and curb the impacts of climate change.

The program is designed to create equitable access to green technologies through no-cost technical assistance for property owners and promote just workforce development for contractors with a focus on Minority & Women-Owned Businesses and priority population organizations.

ElectrifyNYC is the first program from the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Sustainability that exclusively supports one-tofour unit family homes and contractors as part of the City’s decarbonization strategy.

This building stock is particularly well suited for electrification using air source heat pumps - rather than continuing to rely on fossil fuel gas or oil for heating, and they also have high potential to lower energy costs through solar panel installations. The emissions generated from heating, cooling, and powering one-to-four family homes account for 20% of New York City’s greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.

Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office

“New York City is on the frontline of the climate crisis, and our response must empower New Yorkers to take action today while setting a clear path for an equitable and sustainable future,” Mayor de Blasio said.

This year, the program will partner with Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens and Staten Island and Kinetic Communities to target low- to moderate-income homeowners and tenants in Queens and on Staten Island to improve indoor and local air quality, increase tenants’ comfort, reduce maintenance costs, and increase homeownership and housing affordability, though free services and assistance are available to any owner or resident of a one-to-four unit family home across all five boroughs.

To bolster the creation of green jobs,

ElectrifyNYC is employing a three-pronged workforce development strategy of providing training, leads, and business development resources—especially for Minority and Women-owned Businesses, priority population businesses, and contractors who are not yet skilled or qualified for utility and state incentives. This approach to capacity building is aimed to build wealth within the community and address disparities in green technology adoption due to structural inequities among people of color and people with low-income.

This program is part of the City’s efforts to install 1,000 MW of solar in the five boroughs by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Since 2013, the de Blasio administration has overseen a 10-fold increase in solar, from 25 MW in 2013 to more than 285 MW installed citywide today.

Nearly $700,000 in support is also provided by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority as ElectrifyNYC is one of 20 HeatSmart Community Campaigns throughout the state, which conduct community outreach and education efforts to inform residents about the benefits of heat pumps, home energy efficiency improvements, and other clean energy technologies.

“New York City is on the frontline of the climate crisis, and our response must empower New Yorkers to take action today while setting a clear path for an equitable and sustainable future,” de Blasio said.

“ElectrifyNYC is ready to support Queens and Staten Island homeworkers in joining the fight against climate change and prioritize minority and women-owned businesses—the backbone of our economy—in the City’s just recovery.”

New York City homeowners with oneto-four units can get free assistance with finding tailored energy solutions for their buildings, financial incentives, and professional contractors by contacting ElectrifyNYC at ElectrifyNYC@KC3.nyc and (718) 500-0172.

Pol Pushes for Implementation of ‘Health Force’

By Forum Staff Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) recently pushed for the implementation of Health Force, her multibillion-dollar public health legislation passed in the American Rescue Plan earlier this year.

Gillibrand noted that she successfully secured nearly $8 billion for her Health Force legislation—the Health Force, Resilience Force, And Jobs to Fight COVID-19 Act—to create a robust public health workforce to aid vaccine distribution and mobilize community leaders to improve health outcomes in their communities. Now, as COVID-19 Delta variant rates surge across the nation and cases are likely to rise significantly in the fall and winter months, it is imperative that vulnerable communities and health leaders have the resources and capability to distribute vaccines equitably and efficiently, and trusted messengers with whom they can talk through their concerns, Gillibrand said. In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gillibrand pushed to ensure implementation of her ARP-passed provisions behind Health Force in Section 2501, the public health workforce provision, aligned with its original intent, including the implementation of labor standards and wages no less than $15 an hour plus benefits, and targeted hiring in underserved communities.

Over the last decade, the nation's public health workforce lost nearly 40,000 jobs, while state and local budgets were slashed by 16 percent and 18 percent, respectively.

Hospitals across the country have been facing a nursing shortage throughout the pandemic, making it difficult for hospitals to meet rising patient needs. In the Capital Region, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

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Photo Courtesy of Sen. Gillibrand

two of the largest health care employers have stated they are struggling to recruit nurses – a shortage that is only expected to grow. Researchers project that by 2030 New York State could be short as many as 39,000 nurses, leaving hospitals, nursing homes, and patients in jeopardy. To make matters more urgent, it is expected that 80 percent-85 percent of the population would need to be vaccinated by the end of 2021 to prevent a revival in case numbers to 2020 levels. The pandemic has also magnified the systemic health inequities rural, Black, Latino and Indigenous communities have faced for far too long that can often lead to anxiety and distrust toward medical treatment, including vaccine hesitancy.

As the United States continues to battle the next phase of the coronavirus pandemic and rebuild the economy, the Health Force, as intended, would support overburdened state and local health departments, provide jobs for thousands of unemployed Americans, build public health capacity in underserved communities, and directly support the nation’s efforts to recover. When implemented properly, these community-based public health jobs are known to improve local health outcomes, including vaccination rates, and would help ensure every community is positioned to meet its most pressing needs with trusted partners. Gillibrand is calling for the administration to prioritize equitable hiring and service in low-income and underserved “focal communities,” to pay at least 15 dollars an hour plus benefits, and implement targeted hiring plans that prioritize hiring workers from socially vulnerable communities.

“Now that we have secured this bill in Congress, we must revisit implementation standards and use this opportunity to build trust in community-centered health care and build a stronger public health system,” Gillibrand said.

Laurelton Man Charged in 173-Count Indictment after Ramming Cop Car

Photo Courtesy of Google

At 119th Avenue and 236th Street, Griffiths allegedly jumped out of the car and attempted to flee the scene on foot, discarding evidence as he ran from police.

By Forum Staff A Laurelton man has been indicted by a borough grand jury for allegedly stealing a car, and while attempting to avoid arrest, slamming into a police vehicle—flipping the car over and injuring the officers inside, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.

David Griffiths, 24, was arraigned Thursday on a 173-count indictment charging him with criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, assault in the second degree, criminal possession of stolen property in the second and fourth degree, criminal possession of a forged instrument in the first and second degree and criminal possession of forgery devices. Griffiths was ordered to return to court on Oct. 27.

According to the charges, at approximately 8:40 p.m. on Aug. 7, 2021, at 223rd Street, police officers observed Griffiths get into and drive off in a blue Mercedes Benz GLE 43 AMG that was allegedly obtained using a stolen identity. Officers attempted to pull the defendant over, leading to Griffiths taking evasive action, driving onto a sidewalk and then ramming a police vehicle, flipping it onto its roof.

Two of the officers inside of the car were taken to a hospital for treatment.

At 119th Avenue and 236th Street, Griffiths allegedly jumped out of the car and attempted to flee the scene on foot, discarding evidence as he ran from police. Included in the items allegedly discarded by Griffiths were a loaded purple Taurus 9mm pistol, counterfeit currency, forged State identifications, some

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

“This case is a stark reminder of the intersection between violent crime and ‘white-collar’ offenses; both of which take a devastating toll on our communities,” DA Katz said.

of which included a photograph of the defendant but with a different name and stolen and forged credit cards.

Griffiths was apprehended near the Cross Island Parkway, about a block away from where he abandoned the Mercedes.

A search of the Mercedes allegedly driven

by Griffiths lead to the discovery of 81 stolen checks from various banks with various names.

These checks totaled more than $411,000.

There were also 26 stolen credit cards recovered, along with seven additional state identification cards containing the defendant’s photo but with different names and addresses, and over $18,000 in cash - $10,600 of which was counterfeit. Also recovered from inside the vehicle were items indicating the defendant was operating a forgery operation, as he was in pos-

session of reams of check stock paper, a color printer and high-quality ink.

The investigation by police did not stop at the point of arrest. Police executed a Court-authorized search warrant for a storage facility unit allegedly owned by Griffiths.

Cops allegedly recovered an additional cache of stolen credit cards, mail phishing tools, forged identifications, and a “check washing” station with chemicals used for altering information contained on stolen checks.

“This case is a stark reminder of the intersection between violent crime and ‘whitecollar’ offenses; both of which take a devastating toll on our communities,” Katz said.

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

City DOE Faces Significant Challenges in Closing COVID Achievement Gap: Comptroller

By Forum Staff The City should avoid creating new risks, while failing to address existing risks, in the Department of Education’s budget, according to a report released Thursday by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.

The City has expanded existing programs and implemented new programs to address the educational shortfalls and inequities created by the COVID-19 pandemic, but several of them are expected to last well after federal funding sources dry up at the end of fiscal year 2025.

If revenues do not trend better than projected, the city may be forced to cut services or find new revenue sources or funding partners.

DiNapoli’s report details the DOE’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of the pandemic on attendance and enrollment, difficulties in measuring student achievement and learning loss, and budgetary risks that arise from the reliance on federal aid.

The DOE is set to receive more than $8 billion in emergency federal funding between fiscal years 2021 and 2025, including $6.96 billion in education-related emergency federal funds between 2020 and 2024, $721 million in CARES Act allocation, and additional unrestricted federal emergency funding.

The DOE’s FY 2022 budget reached $37.7 billion and accounts for more than 38 percent

of the City’s total expenditures. Even prior to the pandemic, the DOE faced recurring risks to its budget. Longstanding weaknesses in the DOE’s forecasts for spending on charter school tuition, services for students with disabilities, and pupil transportation consistently required the city to add hundreds of millions of dollars more than planned to the department’s final budgets. The largest risk to the DOE’s budget in the years prior to the pandemic was the city’s out-year projections of growth in State education aid.

DiNapoli made several recommendations for the DOE to continue to provide a safe and high-quality education in the future, including: • Ensure frequent, regular, and clear communication with staff, parents, and students about its decisions and operational protocols.

• Assess student progress to determine whether new programs are helping students overcome learning loss and close the achievement gap.

• Leverage DOE infrastructure to expand vaccine access to younger children to help provide protection against the virus and increase safety systemwide as students return to school buildings.

• Acknowledge existing budgetary risks and commit to prudent long-term financial planning to identify resources to ensure

Photo Courtesy of Comptroller DiNapoli

“It is critical that the city’s Department of Education be clear about how it will help students recover from the impact of the pandemic and address inequalities in the provision of educational services,” Comptroller DiNapoli said.

the continued provision of necessary services to students.

“New York City’s school faculty and staff, as well as students and families have been resilient and resourceful in the face of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic,” DiNapoli said. “It is critical that the city’s Department of Education be clear about how it will help students recover from the impact of

the pandemic and address inequalities in the provision of educational services. Historic federal investment has provided an opportunity to meet short-term challenges, but it won’t last forever. I urge the department to address future budgetary risks and commit to prudent long-term financial planning, to ensure its ability to sustain high-quality educational services over the long-term.”

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THE FORUM NEWSGROUP • VOL. 21 • Number 24 • SEPTEMBER 23 2021 | 13

Legal Notices 8032 JAMAICA CHICKEN LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/06/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 8032 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11421. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

CREATIVITECH LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/24/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ROSEANNE GIUTINIANI, 163-34 97TH STREET, HOWARD BEACH , NY, 11414, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

C & C CAPITAL HOLDINGS GROUP, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/09/2021 Office: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process served against the LLC to TIMOTHY CASALLAS, 61-55 98TH STREET, APT ST. G, REGO PARK, NY 11374, USA.. Purpose: any lawful act.

Notice of Qualification of DYNAMIC PRICING PARTNERS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/04/21. Office location: Queens County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 02/26/21. Princ. office of LLC: 78 Lindner Pl., Malverne, NY 11565. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: c/o CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Secondary market ticket sales for sports and entertainment events.

Notice of Formation of a Foreign Limited Liability Company ( LLC) Name: RD Rockaway, LLC Application for Authority filed by the Department of State of New York on: 07/14/2021 Jurisdiction: Delaware Organized on: 04/20/2021 Office location: County of Queens Secretary of State of New York (SSNY ) is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to:The LLC, 418 Clifton Avenue Lakewood, NJ 08701. Address required to maintained in Delaware: 874 Walker Road, Suite C Dover, DE 19904 Authorized office in it jurisdiction is: Delaware Secretary of State 401 Federal St., #4 Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any and all lawful activities.

AA Leaf LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 08/11/21. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: The LLC, 91-28 86th St, Woodhaven, NY 11421. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

PSB NY HOLDINGS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 05/10/2021.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: PAUL STEPHEN BOYINGTOM, P.O. BOX 7604, SANTA MONICA, CA 90406. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

MILITANO & CO., LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/23/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:CHRISTOPHER MILITANO,7122 67th Street, Glendale, NY, GLENDALE, NY, 11385. PURPOSE: Any lawful purpose. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

SERICA FACTS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/15/2020. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: SAMANTHA PARCHMENT, 153-50 89TH AVE, APT 825, QUEENS, NY 11432. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

CORFU 33 REALTY LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/02/2021.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 21 14 Hoyt Avenue South, Astoria, NY 11102.

Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NY ATLANTIC OCEAN LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 04/26/21. Off. Loc.: Queens County, SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: NY STLANTIC OCEAN LLC, 133-27 39TH AVENUE, APT 12P, FLUSHING, NY 11354. Purpose: to engage in any lawful act.

BLACK PEARL BEAUTY, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/08/2021.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:BLACK PEARL BEAUTY, 104-13 209TH ST., QUEENS VILLAGE, NY 11429 USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

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JXD ENTERTAINMENT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/13/2021.

Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:JXD ENTERTAINMENT LLC, 13618 62nd ROAD, FLUSHING, NY 11367 Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

CYNEMATIC ENTERPRISE LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/21/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:CYNTHIA LOPEZ, 74-18 64 LANE, GLENDALE, NY 11385 USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

NYC EV MOBILITY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 6/30/21. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served.

SSNY shall mail process to 33-24 Northern Blvd., 5th Fl., Long Island City, NY 11101, which is also the principal busines location.

Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

WANG & MEI ENTERPRISE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/09/21.

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, 2820 214th Pl, Bayside, NY 11360. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FILMS, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/29/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to:WEDNESDAY NIGHT FILMS, LLC, 1624 BELL BLVD.,BAYSIDE, NY 11360, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

LW REALTY LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/1321. 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 LW REALTY 0528, LLC, 13631 41ST AVENUE, 4A, FLUSHING, NY, 11355, USA.Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

T & Z LAUNDRY LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 7/06/21. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail process to THE LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY, 8935 155TH AVENUE #4E, HOWARD BEACH NY, 11414, USA.. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

DALEY DENTAL GEMS STUDIO BOUTIQUE, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/8/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: STACY DALEY, 80-11 161st. ST., JAMAICA, NY,11432, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

MIRACLES MADE PUBLISHING LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 09/14/2021. Office loc: Queens County.

SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: BARBARA CASTRO, 25504 61st AVE., LITTLE NECK, NY, 11362, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

SWOON DESIGN LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/02/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: CHASE LOKEN, 163 BEACH 91st St., Rockaway Beach, NY 11693, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

T&Z LAUNDRY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/06/2021. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC, 8935 155TH AVENUE #4E, HOWARD BEACH, NY, 11414, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

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