THE FORUM NEWSGROUP | SEPTEMBER 29, 2022

FOUR SHOT ON

OZONE PARK

Rivals unloaded dozens of slugs at each other Tuesday evening inside the popular park at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 88th Street.

Four innocent bystanders, including two teens, suffered gunshot wounds Tuesday evening at London Plane Tree Skate Park after two rivals suddenly pulled out firearms and unloaded slugs in the popular park.

Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza

Four Innocent Bystanders, Including Two Teens, Suffer Gunshot Wounds at Shooutout in Ozone Park Playground

By Michael V. Cusenza

Just three days after Queens District At torney Melinda Katz and the City Police Department boasted of taking more than 60 guns off NYC streets at a buyback event at Calvary Assembly of God Church in Ozone Park, four innocent bystanders suffered gun shot wounds Tuesday night at a nearby skate park.

The victims, including two teenagers, were shot after a gunfight erupted around 6:15 p.m. between two men inside London Plane Tree Skate Park on Atlantic Avenue and 88th Street.

According to PIX11, a 15-year-old girl was shot in the leg, a 16-year-old boy was shot in the back, a 20-year-old man was shot twice in the leg and a 32-year-old man was shot in the leg, NYPD officials said. All four

victims were hospitalized in stable condi tion. Police did not specify which of the vic tims was believed to be the intended target.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visit ing crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, down loading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then en tering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Army Engineers Release Draft Report on Plan to Protect Coastal Communities from Future Storm Surges

By Forum Staff

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (US ACE), New York District announces the public release of a Draft Integrated Feasi bility Report and Tier 1 Environmental Im pact Statement for the New York- New Jer sey Harbor and Tributaries coastal storm risk management feasibility study (NYN JHAT Study). The report was completed in cooperation with the non-federal spon sors, New York State Department of Envi ronmental Conservation and New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, as well as the study partners, New York De partment of State and the New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environ mental Justice.

The release of the Draft Integrated Fea sibility Report and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement opens a public comment period ending January 6, 2023.

The Draft Integrated Feasibility Report and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement can be accessed from the study website at https://nan.usace.army.mil/NYNJHATS.

The NYNJHAT Study is an investiga tion into strategies to manage coastal storm risk in the tidally-influenced regions of New York & New Jersey Harbor. This includes tidally affected tributaries encompassing all of New York City, the Hudson River to Troy, NY; the lower Passaic, Hackensack, Rahway, and Raritan Rivers; and the Upper and Lower Bays of New York Harbor, New ark, Jamaica, Raritan and Sandy Hook Bays; the Kill Van Kull, Arthur Kill and East River tidal straits; and western Long Island Sound.

The NYNJHAT Study is one of nine studies that the USACE North Atlantic Coast Comprehensive Study (NACCS) Report, issued January 2015, identified for further investigation. The NYNJHAT Study is authorized by Public Law 84-71,

June 15, 1955 which directs the examina tion of damages in coastal and tidal areas due to coastal storms such as hurricanes “and of possible means of preventing loss of human lives and damages to property, with due consideration of the economics of pro posed breakwaters, seawalls, dikes, dams, and other structures, warning services, or other measures which might be required.”

“With storms such as Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Ida becoming increasingly common, projects like the NYNJHAT Study are needed to improve coastal resil iency throughout the five boroughs,” said U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). “A full understanding of the damages caused by coastal storms, as well as the range of po tential measures to mitigate risk, will help protect vulnerable communities and inform future actions. I commend the Corps for completing this stage of the study, and I look forward to the release of the final report.”

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach) added, “As we approach the 10-year anniversary of Superstorm Sandy this Oc tober, I support the New York-New Jersey Harbor and Tributaries Coastal Storm Risk Management Feasibility Study’s Tentative ly Selected Plan to protect us from future storms. This tentative plan is the Multi-Ba sin Storm Surge Barriers with Shore-Based Measures — which manages coastal storm risk through several measures, including a storm surge barrier at the entrance to Ja maica Bay. This $52.6 billion plan has been worked on and advocated for by commu nity leaders over the years and would create a system of flooding features to reduce the risk of coastal storm surge, while also mini mizing environmental impacts to the sur rounding communities. I look forward to seeing the next steps of this plan to protect our neighborhoods from damages caused by storms and hurricanes.”

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

Courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Pol to Host Opioid OD Training

By Forum Staff

Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (DHoward Beach) will be hosting a Narcan overdose and drug prevention training on Monday, October 3 at the American Legion Post 1404 at 209 Cross Bay Blvd. in Broad Channel. The Assemblywoman, who has hosted this event in years past, is bring ing the heavily sought-out training with Dynamic Youth Community Inc. to the 23rd Assembly Dis trict for free.

Narcan is the antidote that reverses the danger ous effects of an opioid overdose. Throughout the session, individuals are given the knowledge and guidance that can help save lives. With this train ing, one will learn how to administer Narcan and the follow-up stages after an overdose.. Through out the session, individuals are given the knowl

edge and guidance that can help save lives. With this training, one will learn how to administer Nar can and the follow-up stages after an overdose.

“It’s incredibly important that we understand that overdoses can happen to anyone. I’m proud to continue to work with the State as we take tremen dous steps to fund drug assistance programs and provide treatment for opioid use. It is also critical that we ensure all of us have the knowledge and tools at our disposal to stop an overdose in the pro cess. This training gives people the tools to literally save a life and I’m happy to bring this and so many other ongoing resources to the people of South Queens,” said Pheffer Amato.

For those interested in attending the Narcan training please reach out to the Office of Assem blywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato at 718-945-9550 to reserve a spot.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Responsory Narcan is the antidote that reverses the dangerous effects of an opioid overdose.

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Responsory

Narcan is the antidote that reverses the dangerous effects of an opioid overdose.

Sixty-Two Guns Taken off Streets at Buyback Event Co-Hosted by DA, NYPD

By Michael V. Cusenza

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and the City Police Department announced that 62 guns were collected Saturday at Cal vary Assembly of God Church in Ozone Park. The gun buyback comes as the city has experienced an increase in gun violence and sought to curb this devastation by accepting working unloaded firearms — with no ques tions asked — in exchange for compensa tion.

The gun buy-back event was co-spon sored by the NYPD, the Office of the State Attorney General Letitia James, Assembly Member Jenifer Rajkumar and Assembly Member David Weprin.

DA Katz said, “Every effort that we make against the proliferation of gun violence makes an impact. I am committed to inves tigating and prosecuting drivers of violence but it is just as important for all of us to work together as a community on meaningful solutions before such violence occurs. Each of the 62 guns recovered today is a potential life saved and a potential tragedy averted. I thank the NYPD, our community partners, faith-based leaders and co-sponsors for their unwavering commitment to public safety.”

“Taking guns off the streets is essential to preserving public safety and fighting crime,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “Gun buybacks are one of the many measures we are taking to prevent potential

tragedies and save lives. Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, and my office will continue to do every thing to protect communities in Queens and across the state. I thank District Attorney Katz and our partners in law enforcement for their shared commitment to this initia tive.”

Assembly Member Weprin said, “Gun violence is truly becoming an epidemic in

our communities. “It’s important that we, as elected officials, take direct action and part ner with community leaders to take guns off the street. Thus, I’m proud to be one of the many co-sponsors of DA Katz’ gun buyback initiative”

Assembly Member Rajkumar said, “Each gun we recovered today is a possible tragedy averted and a precious life saved. Our city has already experienced 1,000 shootings this

year. We must use every tool at our disposal to tackle this crisis. That is why I supported today’s gun buy back initiative in my district, which gets guns off our streets and will bring down the deadly toll of firearms. Thank you to District Attorney Katz for helping orga nize this event.”

Today’s buyback was the seventh of DA Katz’s administration. Combined, they have collected nearly 400 guns.

In 2021, DA Katz announced that Col leen Babb, Executive Assistant District Attorney of the Community Partnerships Division, is the Queens County recipi ent of the seventeenth annual Thomas E. Dewey Medal, which is awarded each year by the Association of the Bar of the City of New York to an outstanding as sistant district attorney in each of the City’s five District Attorney’s offices and in the Office of the City’s Special Narcot ics Prosecutor.

“Under her leadership, Community Partnerships has played a significant, visible role in each of the diverse neighborhoods in Queens, participating in more than 800 public events, engaging more than 400 local leaders who currently serve on our commu nity advisory councils, awarding nearly $3.5 million dollars in grants to deserving partner programs this year to help our young people and sponsoring gun buyback events to take hundreds of dangerous firearms off our streets,” Katz said last year.

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

More than 60 firearms were collected Saturday at Calvary Assembly of God Church in Ozone Park.

Pol Preps for Food, Clothing Drive

By Forum Staff

State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-How ard Beach) wants to make sure that all residents have the food and clothing they need, so he is partnering with Bottomless Closet for a food and clothing drive this fall, he announced Tuesday.

Starting on Monday, October 3 through Friday, November 18, Addabbo’s Howard Beach and Middle Village offices will act as drop off points to collect nonperishable foods as well as new or gently used women’s professional attire and win ter clothes for the drive. The food dona tions will go to benefit the Our Lady of Grace and the Sacred Heart food pantries in Howard Beach and Glendale respec tively, while the business clothing will go to Bottomless Closet and the winter clothing will be donated to the local Sal vation Army.

Addabbo’s Howard Beach office is located at 159-53 102nd Street, and his Middle Village office is located at 66-85 73rd Pl. in Middle Village. The offices are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The holidays are a time for us to re flect on the year we had and recognize all the amazing things that we have to be grateful for. And while it is a time for re flection, it is also a time for giving, and we should also be thinking about those that are less fortunate than us and how we can help,” Addabbo said. “With this clothing and food drive I hope to provide my con stituents a way to help those in need dur

ing this holiday season."

Non-perishable items that are needed include:

Canned vegetables and fruit;

Cereals;

Crackers and snacks;

Pasta and rice;

Soups, stews and chili;

Cooking oil;

Dried herbs and spices;

And additional non-perishable foods.

The winter clothing that will be ac cepted include new or gently used coats, hats, glove, scarves, boots, pants, sweaters and sweatshirts, and more.

Addabbo is also partnering with Bot tomless Closet for this drive to collect new or gently used women’s profession clothing. Bottomless Closet is an organi zation that collects professional attire for women who are entering the workforce. They also provide women with resume help, interview prep and a wide variety array of professional workshops to give them the skills they need to land a job.

“I am proud to partner with Bottom less Closet on this drive because they provide a vital service to women who are looking for work but who may not have the necessary clothing or skills for them to feel confident to achieve their goals,” Addabbo said. “I look forward to getting them lots of clothing to help their clients reach their dreams.”

To learn more about Bottomless Clos et visit bottomlesscloset.org/ and to learn more about this drive, call Addabbo’s of fice at 718-738-1111.

The Pharmacist’s Corner

HELP WITH MIGRAINES: Part 1: A headache proof house...

Many of our patients are among the more than 30 million Americans who suf fer from migraine headaches. We’ve done some research and would like to offer some advice we feel will be very helpful, beyond what medication and therapy can do.

One of the most important steps you can take to curing migraines is to educate yourself on their causes and triggers and try to control them. Believe it or not, there are things you can do around your home to help ease the suffering.

We’ve taken the time to consult with a neu¬rologist who says that migraine suf ferers can cut down considerably on the number of headaches they get by control ling some very simple factors like lighting and smells around their homes.

Overly bright lights at home can be a huge problem. People with migraines are often extra sensitive to sensory input. Fluorescent lights have a flickering qual ity that can induce pain, and while there is no “perfect” light bulb option, getting rid of halogens and fluorescent bulbs and replacing them with dim incandescent can definitely help because of the steady, muted light they emit.

Install dimmers so you can turn down the lights when you feel a headache com ing on you can lower the lights. And make sure you have shades and blinds to protect you from any streaming light.

Next up is getting rid of those hidden al¬lergens, of which there are at least six in every home. Dander, dust mites and mold are all ir-ritants which can trigger pain-triggering chemi¬cals.

There are easy fixes for these situa tions. In¬vest in a quality vacuum and an air purifier with HEPA filters. HEPA filters can remove up to 99% of airborne allergens like cat dander.

Regularly run a dehumidifier to keep the humidity levels between 30% and 50%. That's the dry zone where dust mites and mold are less likely to thrive.

Launder your bedding every week in hot water, and slip microfiber allergenblocking en¬casements over your pillows, mattress, and box spring.

You may not believe this but air qual ity in our homes is oft times worse than outside and the culprit here is poor ven tilation. Intense aro¬mas of any kind irri tate the trigeminal nerve, which runs from your nose to your brain and is responsible for most headaches. Do not use scented candles or air fresheners to mask the odors because they contain many of the agents we are looking to get rid of, they just have a pleas¬ant odor.

Crack your windows and get the fresh air moving through the house and stick to unscent¬ed, non-toxic cleansers.

Finally, the myriad of gadgetry that crowds our everyday lives, i.e computers, iPads, cell phones have damaging glare. Turn down the brightness and remem ber that while using them your posture tends to slack . Sit straight so that you do not cause undue tension to your neck and back which can dramatically reduce the likelihood of getting a migraine attack.

We will be back next week with more ways to stay migraine free!

Car Trouble

If you regularly travel along South Conduit Avenue near Cross Bay Bou levard, then you’re familiar with the long-standing problem: vehicles in various states of disrepair parked on the grass median across from the busi nesses that use the green space seem ingly with impunity.

Constituents called City Coun cilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Ozone Park); Ariola reached out to the 106th Precinct.

Problem solved.

“This dangerous condition no longer exists on South Conduit Av enue at Cross Bay Boulevard thanks to our NYPD 106th Precinct Sector A officers,” Ariola said, congratulat ing Neighborhood Coordination Of ficers Pete Paese and Ryan Kirkwood.

Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph

Photo Courtesy of Google

Addabbo’s Howard Beach office

Photo Courtesy of Google

Addabbo’s

Photo Courtesy of Councilwoman Ariola

Richmond Hill Man Indicted for Sexually Assaulting, Robbing Victims he met on Grindr, Locanto

By Forum Staff

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Monday that Jadu Davindra, 34, has been indicted by a Queens County grand jury and arraigned in Supreme Court on criminal sexual acts, robbery and other charges for allegedly forcing a stranger he met on an online dating app to engage in sexual acts before demanding money. The defendant has also been indicted on charges of robbery and grand larceny for stealing over $1,000 worth of personal property from a second victim he met on a classified advertise ment website.

Jadu was arraigned Monday before Queens Supreme Court Justice Ushir

Pandit-Durant on a nine-count indict ment charging him with two counts of criminal sexual act in the first degree, two counts of robbery in the first degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, two counts of menac ing in the second degree and one count of grand larceny in the fourth degree. Justice Pandit-Durant ordered the defendant to return to Court on November 1, 2022. If convicted, the defendant faces consecu tive prison sentences of 25 years for each victim.

According to the charges, on the night of May 20, 2021, the defendant met vic tim #1 over Grindr, and the two agreed to meet in person at the defendant’s home later that night. While at the apartment,

after an initially consensual sexual en counter, the defendant then ordered the victim to undress, restrained him with a belt, and forced him to engage in non-con sensual oral and anal acts. The defendant also threatened the victim with a pair of scissors and demanded the victim transfer him a sum of money using an app on his phone.

Continuing, DA Katz said, on the evening of October 27, 2021, the defen dant and a second victim agreed to meet in person at the victim’s apartment after connecting on a classified advertisement website, Locanto. Following a consensual sexual encounter, Jadu allegedly displayed a knife and demanded money. The victim the victim fled his apartment and sought

help. Later, the victim observed the defen dant running from his apartment. Multi ple personal items belonging to the victim were missing upon his return to the apart ment.

The defendant, who was out on bail following an arrest over the first incident, surrendered himself to a local precinct on November 17, 2021.

SPECIAL NOTICE TO THE PUB LIC: If you believe that you have been a victim of similar criminal activity, contact our Special Victims Bureau at SpecialVictims@queensda.org or 718-286-6505 or the NYPD Queens Special Victim’s Squad at 718-5209277.

Unlicensed Driver Charged in Deadly Hit-and-Run Accident that Killed Boy

By Forum Staff

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday that Xavier Carchi pulla, 40, has been charged with criminally negligent homicide, leaving the scene of an incident and other crimes for allegedly striking a 5-year-old pedestrian with his 2018 Dodge Ram pickup truck. The defen dant, whose license was suspended at the time of the incident, immediately fled the scene without stopping.

District Attorney Katz said, “This is a gut-wrenching case involving a young life cut tragically short because of the defen dant’s alleged criminal negligence while behind the wheel. My heart goes out to the young victim’s family and loved ones. The rules of the road, including the re quirement of a valid driver’s license before driving, exist to keep motor vehicles from becoming deadly weapons of destruction. The defendant stands accused of ignoring these rules, with absolutely tragic con sequences. He now faces justice in our courts.”

Carchipulla, of 33rd Street, Astoria, is currently pending arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on a complaint charging him with leaving the scene of an incident without reporting/death, criminally neg

ligent homicide, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree, aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the second degree, failure to exercise due care, driving or parking uninspected motor vehicle, no insurance, registration of motor vehicles; fees; renewals and driving by unlicensed operator.

District Attorney Katz said that on September 1, 2022, at approximately 5:28 p.m., the victim, Jonathan Martinez, 5, began walking on 100th Street next to

his father and siblings. As they attempted to cross 100th street towards McIntosh Street, the defendant, who was driving a white 2018 Dodge Ram travelling north bound on Mcintosh Street, made a south bound turn onto 100th Street in front of the family, striking Jonathan who was still standing next to his father. After striking the victim, defendant continued driving down 100th Street and did not stop.

The victim was immediately trans ported to a local Queens hospital where he was treated for severe head trauma and se

vere injuries to his torso. He was later pro nounced deceased as a result of his injuries.

According to the New York State mo tor vehicle database, the defendant does not possess a valid New York State driver’s license, which was previously suspended, and that the RAM does not have valid reg istration.

In addition, the license plate affixed to the vehicle does not properly correspond to the vehicle identification number.

If convicted, Carchipulla faces up to 7 years in prison.

Photo Courtesy of Google

The accident occurred at Mcintosh Street and 100th Street in Astoria.

Photo Courtesy of DA Katz

District Attorney Katz said, “This is a gut-wrenching case involving a young life cut tragically short because of the defendant’s alleged criminal negligence while behind the wheel.”

Courtesy of Grindr

The Grindr app

Courtesy of Grindr The Grindr app

Schumer Announces Push to Add $290M to Fight ‘Rainbow’ Fentanyl

By Forum Staff

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer an nounced a push to beat back “Rainbow Fentanyl,” which is the latest and perhaps darkest attempt by drug-traffickers and dealers to lure and addict young users to the very deadly drug.

Schumer said he will make the nation al funding push this week, as part of the must-pass budget vote that needs to occur to keep the government funded. Schumer said that in addition to the public warnings about this latest fentanyl ploy, his office was also briefed about the federal teams tasked with fighting this scourge. Schumer said these teams, 61 across the U.S, need sustained federal funds to win the larger fentanyl fight, contend with this latest and dangerous ‘rainbow’ tactic, and prepare for what might come next. Schumer said that drug-traffickers and dealers are well aware of the federal crackdown on the fen tanyl supply chain and that they will stop at nothing to try and innovate new ways to push this deadly drug.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy and the CDC, the Overdose Response Strategy Team (ORS) is an unprecedented and unique collabo ration between public health and public safety, created to help local communities reduce drug overdoses and save lives by

sharing timely data, pertinent intelligence and evidence-based and innovative strate gies. The ORS is implemented by teams made up of Drug Intelligence Officers and Public Health Analysts, who work together on drug overdose issues within and across sectors, states, and territories.

By sharing information across sectors, the ORS is growing the body of evidence related to early warning signs and preven tion strategies. The mission of the ORS is

to help communities reduce fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses by connecting public health and public safety agencies, sharing information, and supporting evidencebased interventions.

In New York, the ORS team works across local, state and federal agencies to get ahead of fentanyl—from upending traf ficking to informing public safety, public health, public education officials and more.

According to DEA, brightly-colored

fentanyl is being seized in multiple forms, including pills, powder, and blocks that re sembles sidewalk chalk. Despite claims that certain colors may be more potent than oth ers, there is no indication through DEA’s laboratory testing that this is the case. Ev ery color, shape, and size of fentanyl should be considered extremely dangerous.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Just two milligrams of fentanyl, which is equal to 10-15 grains of table salt, is considered a lethal dose. Without laboratory testing, there is no way to know how much fentanyl is concentrated in a pill or powder.

Fentanyl remains the deadliest drug threat facing this country. According to the CDC, 107,622 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2021, with 66 percent of those deaths related to synthetic opioids like fen tanyl. Drug poisonings are the leading kill er of Americans between the ages of 18 and 45. Fentanyl available in the United States is primarily supplied by two criminal drug networks, the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG). Among New York State residents, the number of overdose deaths involving any opioid in creased each year between 2010 and 2017, with an overall increase of 200.2 percent from 1,074 in 2010 to 3,224 in 2017, ac cording to the State Health Department.

Photo Courtesy of DEA

Woodhaven Welcomes the Fall with Family Fun at Street Fair

By Michael V. Cusenza

Woodhaven welcomed thou sands of South Queens revelers to Jamaica Avenue on Saturday for some family fun for people of all ages.

Sponsored by the Woodhaven Business Improvement District, the annual event has become a featured fall tradition for Wood haven and surrounding commu nities, including Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, and Howard Beach.

From noon to 6 p.m., the thor oughfare under the el, between 80th Street and Woodhaven Bou levard, was packed sidewalk to sidewalk with rides, games, ven dors, and entertainers.

As it does each year, the BID also encouraged festival attendees to take the opportunity to sup port the small businesses on the avenue.

Forum Photos by Michael V. Cusenza

City Employee Pay Equity Report Finds Inequities Remain among Municipal Workers

By Forum Staff

The City Council on Thursday released its annual report on pay inequities within New York City’s municipal workforce, showing continued inequities. In conjunc tion with the release of the 2022 Pay Equity report, the Council also is holding a hearing on pay inequities in the City’s workforce and legislation to address them.

The 2022 report reveals two persis tent, large pay gaps in the City’s municipal workforce – one between Black, Latino, and white employees, and another between male and female employees. The data confirms non-white employees and female employ ees predominantly occupy civil service titles with the lowest median salaries, and the same groups represent a much smaller pro portion of employees who occupy civil ser vice titles with the highest median salaries. This produces an ‘occupational segregation’ that results in pay disparities.

Female municipal employees on aver age make 73 cents for every dollar made by male employees; Black city workers on aver age make 71 cents to every dollar for white employees; Latino workers on average make 75 cents to every dollar for white employ ees; and Asian employees on average make 85 cents to every dollar for white employees.

Furthermore, pay inequity is particularly higher among non-white female employees. Black and Latino women municipal employ ees make 69 cents to every dollar made by white male employees, and Asian women

city workers make 82 cents for every dollar made by white male city workers.

While a small but significant pay ineq uity can be observed within the same civil

service titles (Black, Latino and Asian city workers earn about 99 cents on every dollar for white workers of the same civil service ti tle), the pay inequity is most pronounced for

non-white female employees. While Black or African-American male employees make 0.9% less than White male employees with the same title, Black or African-American female employees and Hispanic or Latina female employees make even less—1.4 per cent and 1.3 percent less, respectively.

The new legislation introduced at Thurs day’s hearing would require City agencies to include an analysis of compensation data and measures to address pay disparity and occupational segregation, as well as report on recruitment and retention efforts to ex pand diversity across city government. It would also amend the existing Pay Equity Law 18 of 2019 to require that agencies pro vide new categories of information to the Council for each City employee, expand the definition of ‘agency’ to capture more of the City workforce, and provide the Coun cil with the pay and employment data yearround to provide more robust oversight over public municipal employee data. The three proposed bills will be heard at a Thursday oversight hearing of the Council’s Commit tees on Civil Service and Labor & Civil and Human Rights. Earlier this week, the Coun cil announced legislation to improve the di versity, equity and inclusion practices at the Fire Department.

“As the most diverse and first womenmajority Council, we will not rest until all New York City workers are valued equally with job salaries and opportunities for their contributions to our City regardless of gen der or race,” Adams said.

Adams, Banks Launch Inaugural Chefs Council

By Forum Staff

Mayor Eric Adams and City Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor David Banks on Tuesday announced the launch of New York City’s first-ever Chefs Council in partnership with Wellness in the Schools (WITS). The council is chaired by Rachael Ray and includes celebrated chefs, culinary industry professionals, and food activists.

“Teaching students at a young age to eat healthy, nutritious meals is critical to setting up them up for success,” said Adams. “The new Chefs Council will develop delicious, nu tritious, culturally relevant meals for schools with direct input from students and parents. Through this partnership with WITS and our tremendous staff of school food workers, we will take school meals to the next level.”

“Healthy and nourishing meals are es sential in ensuring our students can succeed both inside and outside the classroom. This initiative will help to expand our menus while making sure they follow our strict health standards and are reflective of the cultures and communities we serve,” Banks said. “I’m grateful to the Chefs Council for the work they will do as part of this initiative and to our food service workers, who work day in and day out to ensure our students are well fed and cared for.”

The Chefs Council will develop scratchcooked, plant-based, and culturally relevant recipes and provide hands-on training for the New York City Department of Education’s Of fice of Food and Nutrition Services (OFNS) chefs. They will create over 100 recipes that will be tested in schools across all five boroughs during the 2022-2023 school year in partner ship with the new OFNS Cook Ambassadors. After feedback from students and parents, the recipes will be introduced as a monthly sea sonal menu and the chefs will then train school cooks on implementing the new recipes onsite in all public school locations.

In partnership with local education de partments, WITS programs have served more than 86,000 children in nearly 200 schools nationwide during the 2021-2022 school year. In New York City, programs are currently implemented in 38 schools across Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhat tan. The launch of the Chefs Council will ex pand the programming presence to all DOE schools for the 2023-2024 school year.

The full list of Chefs Council members is below:

• Rachael Ray, Chefs Council chair, tele vision personality, author, and philanthropist

• Zoe Adjonyoh, chef, author, and media personality

• Kenneth Collins, chef, Kemited Kitchen

• Ricardo Diaz, chef and regis tered dietitian nutritionist, Wellness in the Schools

• Tyler Harvey, senior director of re search and development, Sakara

• JJ Johnson, chef and television host

• Anup Joshi, chief culinary officer, Green Top Farms

• Anita Lo, chef and restaurateur

• Grace Ramirez, chef, activist, au thor, and television personality

• Chef Anthony T. Solano, founder and owner, ZoJu, Afro-Latino Vegan Res taurant

• Bill Telepan, executive chef and board, Ember, Wellness in the Schools/Bon Appetit Culinary Director for the Metropol itan Museum of Art

• Marion Williams, national pro gram director, Wellness in the Schools

Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

Founded in 2005, Wellness in the Schools is a national nonprofit that teaches kids healthy habits to learn and live better through partnerships with school districts to provide nutrition and fitness education, healthy scratch-cooked meals and active re cess periods.

“Teaching students at a young age to eat healthy, nutritious meals is critical to setting up them up for success,” said Mayor Adams.

Courtesy of City Council

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Notice of Formation of ALPHA LAW NY PLLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 04/18/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY desig nated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE PLLC, 37-12 PRINCE STREET, SUITE 11A, FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: any lawful activities.

FOOK AN JING RESOURCES LLC filed Arts. of Org. with the Sect'y of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/18/2022. Office: QueensCounty. SSNY has beendesignated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail pro cess to: The LLC, 3522 Prince St., Flushing, NY, 11354. Purpose: any lawful act

Bayview MJ LLC, Arts of Org filed with SSNY on 08/12/22. 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.

KONDOR MANAGEMENT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 08/26/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: KONDOR MANAGE MENT LLC, 142-10B ROOSEVELT AV ENUE, UNIT P24, FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA.Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

ORASIS LASER LLC, Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 09/09/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to NICHOLAS NISSIRIOS, 200-20 44TH AVENUE, BAYSIDE, NY 11361. General Purpose.

ELEVENTH AUTOS LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/20/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 17805 Edgerton Rd, Jamaica, NY 11432. Reg Agent: Yo natan Gazal, 17805 Edgerton Rd, Jamaica, NY 11432. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

M & V Restaurant LLC filed w/ SSNY on 8/25/22. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 143-23 Barclay Ave., #5A, Flushing, NY 11355. Purpose: any lawful.

2724 JSI EMPIRE LLC filed w/ SSNY on 9/14/22. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: Jubar Chowdhury, 91-07 25th Ave Unit 690386, East Elmhurst, NY, 11369, USA. Purpose: any lawful.

Legal Notices

SAJ8 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/21/2022. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been des ignated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 14112 ELBERTSON ST. 3B, ELLMHURST, NY,11373. Purpose: Any Lawful Pur pose.Arts of Org. filed with Sec. of State of NY (SSNY) 09/09/2022. Cty: Queens. SSNY desig. as agent upon whom process against may be served & shall mail process to NICHOLAS NISSIRIOS, 200-20 44TH AVENUE, BAYSIDE, NY 11361. General Pur pose.

ABUNDANT ROYALTIES, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/20/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 121-32 Lucas Street, Spring field Gardens, NY 11413. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

LOMBEIDA SALIM REALTY

LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 07/05/22. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 26-11 96th Street, East El mhurst, NY 11369. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

VISHO MARKET LLC filed w/ SSNY on 9/21/22. Office: Queens Co. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: Beshoy Magdy Fawzy Bas ta, 6804 79th St., Apt 2R, Flushing, NY 11379, USA. Purpose: any lawful.

Notice of Formation of E-J / KAS SELMAN JV, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/31/22. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 46-41 Vernon Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: any lawful activi ties.

Notice of Formation of A MUFFIN AND A BUG PRODUCTIONS LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/23/22. Office loca tion: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Dana Chan, 168-09 33rd Ave, Flushing, NY, 11358, USA. Purpose: any lawful activities.