City & State New York 010922

Races to watch New Brooklyn district

Partisan rancor rises

Finding fresh recruits

POLITICAL PR POWER

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EDITOR’S NOTE

NEW YORK CITY MAYOR Eric Adams last week declared on a radio program that there was “no more room at the inn,” in reference to the city’s capacity to take in more asylumseekers.

Thirty-one thousand migrants arrived in the city last year from the southern border. That prompted the mayor’s many warnings that resources for welcoming them, providing shelter and schooling, among other services, were being stretched to the breaking point. Since the first arrivals in June, Adams has maintained that it was unfair for the city to shoulder this burden without financial help from the federal government that is in charge of border enforcement.

RALPH R. ORTEGA Editor-in-chief

The annual funding bill, which Congress passed before the end of last year, included $800 million to cover the cost of migrants moving to the nation’s cities. The Daily News reported that a “substantial share” will go to New York, according to a source close to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. That’s not going to make New York whole. Adams wants $1 billion, while the city comptroller’s annual state of the city’s economy and finances report was holding out for as much as $3 billion through 2026.

The city no doubt will continue to be a safe haven for migrants, regardless of how much it costs. “There’s a reason the Statue of Liberty sits in our harbor,” Adams said Friday on Fox 5’s “Good Day New York” morning program. Washington needs to be reminded of that and do its part.

RALPH R. ORTEGA;

Susan Zhuang is one of three candidates who have already declared for District 43.

FIRST DAY JITTERS

There’s a new kid on campus, and he’s not popular with his peers. George Santos, the Republican representative-elect from Long Island, arrived for his first day at Congress on Jan. 3 with a cloud of ever-growing controversy

hanging overhead. Questions and concerns have circulated for weeks now about claims he made – a growing list of accusations and dishonesty including lying about his resume, his education, his background, finances and his connections to Wall Street firms.

SANTOS? SANTOS?

Both federal and local investigations have been launched into whether Santos committed any crimes. Fellow New York Rep. Ritchie Torres has even said he will introduce legislation to make it illegal for congressional candidates to lie about their biogra-

Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels,

phies. But House Republicans had bigger problems as they floundered to elect a speaker. Santos did vote for Rep. Kevin McCarthy.

NURSES STRIKE

l Wannabe speaker McCarthy turned back as conservatives rebel; GOP to try again today l Santos swearing-in delayed amid infighting

Thanks to Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Republican George Santos is not having the worst week in Congress. But the not-yet-seated fraudster came in a close second to the man who lost at least 13 speaker votes, as of Friday. Santos was welcomed to Capitol Hill by hordes of press, found himself ignored by colleagues and missed hearing his own name called during one of those speaker votes. Either he checked out on his second day of work or his name was just one more résumé fib that he can’t keep straight.

– Gov. Kathy Hochul, shortly after being sworn in as the first elected female governor of New York at a convention center in Albany, via the Times

New York nurses, perhaps more than any other profession, have been under immense strain in recent years. While many sang their praises as heroes during the COVID-19 pandemic, chronic understaffing and burnout has become an increasingly big issue among their ranks. Things intensified Dec. 30 when nurses from the New York State Nurses Association at seven hospitals and health systems submitted 10-day strike notices for Jan. 9. Three of the hospitals, New York-Presbyterian, Richmond University Medical Center and Maimonides Medical Center avoided a strike by reaching tentative contract agreements, but the threat remains at four other medical centers. Around 10,000 nurses would still strike if negotiations stalled. In preparation for this possibility, the Mount Sinai Health System announced plans to divert most ambulances from four of its facilities as well as transfer babies from intensive care units to other systems.

THEY’RE BACK IN ALBANY

As New York state lawmakers returned to Albany for the first day of a new session, a high-profile battle may already be underway. Gov. Kathy Ho-

“I didn’t come here to make history. I came here to make a difference .”

Rep.-elect George Santos had a lonely first week in Washington, D.C., plus he couldn’t even get officially sworn in because of the debacle with the speaker.

“He’s tried everything … But it’s time that we revert to the best measure that’s ever worked. And that’s cats .”

–

on why he’s offering to outfit New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Brooklyn property with a cat colony to kill the rats there, via The New York

Times

chul’s decision last month to nominate Hector LaSalle to be the next chief judge of the Court of Appeals swiftly drew a swell of backlash from the left. Pointing to LaSalle’s conservative judicial record, a host of powerful progressive groups urged state senators to reject his nomination. A variety of left-leaning groups had urged her to choose someone else before Hochul made her announcement, citing concerns that his appointment would tip the court’s power balance toward its conservative faction. In the days since, more than a dozen Democrats, including Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris and Judiciary Committee member state Sen. Jessica Ramos, have publicly said they wouldn’t vote in favor of confirming him. Hochul has continued to voice her support for LaSalle, who would be the first Latino to lead the Court of Appeals.

Several Republican senators have unexpectedly offered support, arguing that he should be given a fair chance.

FIRST LEGAL MARIJUANA SHOP MAKES ITS DEBUT

Droves of New Yorkers turned up to celebrate the opening of New York’s first recreational marijuana storefront. Demand was high and the air was thick with more than excitement –the dispensary, Housing Works Cannabis Co., served over 500 people on its first day. Some patrons even reported waiting more than an hour to get inside. It was a historic moment in New York’s battle to roll out a recreational marijuana industry. Elected officials have emphasized that the process needs to be as equitable as possible and should prioritize aiding communities that have been disproportionately criminalized.

Jay Jacobs’ election report on who’s to blame

State Democratic Party Chair

Jay Jacobs released a midterm analysis this week outlining the main drivers of Democrats’ election losses in November while defending his performance and laying out plans for the party’s future.

In the 10-page report, the embattled chair pointed to “robust turnout” by Republicans as the main reason for Democratic losses – comparing the 62.8% of Republican voters that cast ballots to the 47% of Democrats who voted. The report said Democratic voter turnout in competitive races exceeded the overall turnout from Democratic voters across the state. Jacobs highlighted other contributing factors that he said resulted in losses, including redistricting complicating their campaign efforts, competitive primaries resulting in financial challenges for the victors, the Republican strategy of focusing on crime and certain media outlets amplifying the Republican crime narrative.

While Republicans underperformed in congressional races across the country, the party successfully flipped several seats that had been held by Democrats in New York. Many Democrats placed the blame on Jacobs for the losses in congressional and state Senate races as well as the relatively close race

Lee Zeldin. Several state senators, Assembly members and district leaders have called on Jacobs to resign and penned an open letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul. But the governor has remained by the chair’s side.

In an interview with City & State, Jacobs said there were improvements to be made within the party’s campaign efforts, but added he was undeserving of the harsh criticisms. “The narrative that came out the day after the election was Democrats lost Congress because of New York, losing four congressional seats downstate all because the state Democratic Party didn’t do its job,” Jacobs said. “That narrative goes against the data and the facts. That’s what this report was to clarify, and the data speaks for itself.”

However, experts who spoke with City & State argued the Democratic Party had the ability to have high voter turnout given that Democratic voters outnumber Republicans 2 to 1. State Sen. Jessica Ramos, a progressive Democrat representing Queens, agreed with this sentiment while maintaining the state Democratic Party could have done more voter outreach.

– Shantel Destra

THE WEEK AHEAD

TUESDAY 1/10

her State of the State address at 1 p.m. in the Assembly chamber.

THURSDAY 1/12

The New York City Council holds a hearing at 10 a.m. in the council chamber on a bill that would move toward recognizing Lunar New Year as an annual school holiday.

INSIDE DOPE

The Lunar New Year, celebrated by Chinese and other East Asian cultures, starts on Sunday, Jan. 22, and public school students aren’t getting any days off for it this year.

MONDAY 1/16

Expect many top New York City officials to head to Harlem for the National Action Network’s King Day Public Policy Forum at 1:30 p.m.

between Gov. Kathy Hochul and her Republican opponent

Gov. Kathy Hochul delivers

Housing Works opened the first legal marijuana dispensary in New York last week, with over 500 people being served on its first day of operations.

Get up to speed on the hot political trends.

It’s a new year, and it’s time to tell you what political trends to expect this year, and what’s getting left behind. You may not love everything that’s “in,” and you may mourn some trends that are “out,” but we’re just calling ‘em like we see ‘em.

By Caitlin Dorman

& WHAT’S FOR 2023 N I O uT OUT IN

OPPO RESEARCH

Why do oppo research when you can just lose an election and blame everyone else for not doing the research for you?

CHOPPERING OFF TO

Bermuda is old news! When the weather gets dangerous in New York City, you want to be further

CRYPTOCURRENCY

Eric Adams should accept his next paycheck in microchips, since that industry hasn’t imploded yet.

BARBECUING ON THE SUBWAY

Exceptions will be made if you are BBQing rats as a form of pest extermination, but the Adams administration would really prefer if you waterboarded them instead.

NOT KNOWING WHAT THE COURT OF APPEALS DOES

GENEALOGY

Do you suspect your opponent of lying about their identity (because lying is hot right now)? Buckle up and hire a genealogist to get to the bottom of where their grandparents are from.

JETTING OFF TO THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS

You know what’s cooler than vacationing in the U.S. Virgin Islands? Telling the press about it beforehand. Huge trendsetter vibes.

LEGAL WEED

If the long line outside of Housing Works means anything, New York is pumped to puff on some legally purchased weed.

RIDING THE SUBWAY

The numbers don’t lie! Everyone pull out your laptops to work on the train, we’re back baby!

USING THE ACRONYM OF A BILL TO THROW SHADE

Tired: Subtweeting a political opponent and leaving observers to puzzle out what you’re implying.

Wired: Confidently naming a bill after a political opponent to openly drag them.

AGREEING ON DINNER

We are no longer pretending to be vegan. In 2023, we are lying about our résumés but practicing radical honesty about our diets.

A Q&A with Manhattan District Attorney

ALVIN BRAGG

There are still a lot of calls to continue to roll back bail reforms. So do you have a position on any additional tweaks that need to be made?

I’ve always said that we’re going to follow the data. Our rate of return to court is up. The rate of rearrest, especially on violent felony offenses, is relatively low. Obviously I assume there’s going to be a discussion with this legislative session starting in January and we’ll be a part of that discussion, as we were last year.

The part of the discussion that really the DAs were more a part of last year was discovery and the impact that discovery

has had on our practice –really trying to get some IT investments, funding commitments, so that we can operate under the law in a way that we meet our obligations.

You know, before I was in office in 2021, more than 1,800 misdemeanor cases out of Manhattan were dismissed on speedy trial grounds, based on discovery issues, so it’s a significant issue.

And that continues to be a challenge?

The discovery requirements?

Yes. All the stakeholders have been talking. We were at Gracie Mansion convened by the mayor several weeks ago, and

discovery was a lead item on the agenda. And it’s something that we’ve been in touch with the institutional defenders about. It’s a significant priority, obviously. Our statutory and constitutional obligations to turn over evidence is something we take profoundly seriously, and we need the information technology infrastructure to be able to meet that obligation.

I haven’t heard about that so much: needing to update the technology itself. Yeah, no it’s something we’ve been talking about a lot. It is, I think, a frustration because when you see a solution, like

Our Perspective

another program that’s out there, this is a fixable issue. It just is one that costs significant money. But the platforms are out there and being used, particularly in this city with all the commercial litigation and big firms, every single day. So I know there’s been some discussion about trying to get some private sector support. And this affects not just the workload here of lawyers and paralegals and analysts. It also affects the cadence and pace of cases moving through which in turn, affects, ultimately, public safety. And so it’s an issue that can be viewed as sort of wonky and inside baseball, but it’s a safety

issue. Make no doubt about it.

You recently earmarked $9 million for mental health initiatives. Was that in response to the mayor’s recent announcement about involuntary hospitalization?

No, no relation. We’ve been working on this for some time. To get (a request for proposals) or really in this instance, two RFPs, takes some time. We consulted with a lot of mental health experts. This specific work really was born from my own observations throughout the year.

– Holly Pretsky

We Fought to Protect Warehouse Workers, and Won!

By Stuart Appelbaum, President, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, RWDSU, UFCW Twitter: @sappelbaum

Warehouse workers are the backbone of the modern ecommerce economy. Yet, regulations that would protect workers and communities affected by this new industry have lagged far behind its rapid growth. That’s why we are celebrating the passage of the critically-needed Warehouse Worker Protection Act. The new law in New York will help protect workers from inhumane, invisible quotas that cause injuries and stress. It’s a huge victory for New York’s workers and the unions and activists who have supported the bill, especially the workers who have courageously told their stories and provided important data. The bill’s sponsors — New York State Senator Jessica Ramos and Assemblymember Latoya Joyner — and Governor Kathy Hochul, who signed the bill into law in late December, all deserve appreciation for their actions in making this important worker protection the law in New York.

The RWDSU made this legislation a priority. We know that when New York’s warehouse and distribution center workers leave for work every day, they face a job that sees them three times more likely than the average private industry worker to suffer an injury or illness. Too many of these workers have been subjected to unreasonable work quotas that put stress on workers’ bodies and minds and contribute to the skyrocketing rate of injuries and sickness in the industry — including heart attacks, strokes, repetitive motion injuries, and irreparable lifelong joint and back pain. The issue has become more pressing as the industry has continued to grow in the Empire State. More people are shopping online, buying everything from toothpaste and tissues to desks and dining tables. As a result, warehouse facilities are popping up across New York at staggering numbers; Amazon alone has opened more than 70 facilities in the state and over half of those

facilities have been built since January 2021. And at Amazon, where workers from Alabama to Staten Island are fighting for the protections of a union contract, the injury rate is 54 percent higher than the average rate for the state’s warehousing industry — and even that downplays the true number given how many injuries at Amazon go unreported.

The Warehouse Worker Protection Act creates transparency; for the first time, New York’s warehouse workers will be able to know the quotas that are expected of them. The law prevents workers from being disciplined for failing to meet their quota due to taking care of their basic human needs, like using the bathroom or getting water. Warehouse work will be more humane as a result.

The law benefits all New Yorkers. Beyond providing for dignified treatment of warehouse workers, it will lessen the strain companies like Amazon are putting on our communities and our health care and worker compensation systems. All workers deserve to be protected, and all workers deserve to have their humanity recognized. This law provides this protection and dignity; and it is a win for all of us who fight for better treatment for working people.

www.rwdsu.org

DAVID MALAN, MAN_HALF-TUBE, HENRY LEDERER, EX_WHOLSTER, WESTEND61, ATIT PHETMUANGTONG, PETER CADE/GETTY IMAGES; KELLY CAMPBELL/ALVIN BRAGG CAMPAIGN

Our statutory and constitutional obligations to turn over evidence is something we take profoundly seriously.

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ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW ELECTION PREVIEW

By Sahalie Donaldson

WITH A NEW YEAR underway, New York City Council members are gearing up for another primary season just two years after the previous one, thanks to a redistricting process that shuffled the district lines. Many council members will first face a primary on June 27 and then the general election on Nov. 7. And while the majority of the 51 members are unlikely to face much in the way of competitive challengers, a smaller number are poised to potentially face dramatic contests this summer. And it’s possible other opportunities will open in the months ahead if incumbents decide not to run for reelection. Eighty candidates

have registered with the New York City Campaign Finance Board as of Dec. 29. Here are a few of the big primary races to watch, with more on Districts 9 and 43 in this feature.

BROOKLYN’S DISTRICT 47, REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

New York City Council Member Ari Kagan drew no shortage of ire from his colleagues when he announced in early December that he’d be switching to the Republican Party, claiming that Democrats have moved too far left. While the most dramatic showdown probably won’t come until November when Kagan and fellow Brooklyn Council Member Justin Brannan could go head

to head, Kagan still may face at least one serious challenger in the Republican primary. Michael Ragusa, a former New York City Fire Department emergency medical technician and civil servant endorsed by former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, is also running for the southern Brooklyn district.

STATEN ISLAND’S DISTRICT 49, DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

While defending her North Shore seat for the first time, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, chair of the Public Safety Committee, will once again go up against Amoy Barnes two years after defeating her and a slate of other candidates. Barnes, a community advocate, came in second of the nine

candidates with 43.1% in the final round of ranked choice voting to Hanks’ 56.9%. With Hanks having made progress on many of the goals she set, such as her focus on the revitalization of the North Shore waterfront, she’ll probably hold on to the seat. Still, a rematch between the two longtime community advocates is likely to prove interesting.

MANHATTAN’S DISTRICT 9, DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Council Member Kristin Richardson Jordan looks to defend her seat against a tough and crowded primary field – including Assembly Members Al Taylor and Inez Dickens along with Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five. Richardson Jordan’s opposition to the One45 development will

play a central role in the race.

For more, turn to page 10.

BROOKLYN’S DISTRICT 43, DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Lacking an incumbent running for reelection, this newly crafted majority-Asian seat will likely be a wide open race with many candidates. The seat linking parts of Sunset Park, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst will be a showcase for the community’s increasing voting power.

For more, turn to page 13.

GENERAL ELECTION RACES TO WATCH

As noted, with southern Brooklyn seemingly shifting more conservative, Bran-

nan could face another tough race in the general election in District 43. A competitive rematch will likely also play out in District 19 in northeastern Queens, between Council Member Vickie Paladino and Tony Avella, a former Democratic state senator and council member. First-year Council Member Marjorie Velázquez could also be vulnerable in the Bronx’s District 13 given the growing Republican presence in the area. While the district still has a large Democratic voter enrollment advantage, Republican New York City mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa triumphed there in 2021, and the Republican gubernatorial candidate Rep. Lee Zeldin seized 47% of the vote in November.

THE ART OF THE DEAL

By Sahalie Donaldson

NEW YORK CITY Council Member Kristin Richardson Jordan is once again fighting a familiar foe. Standing before several dozen supporters at a busy Harlem intersection on the night of Jan. 3 – her birthday – she condemned a real estate developer’s plans for West 145th Street and Lenox Avenue. What had originally been proposed as a controversial rezoning to build a two-tower complex devolved into something nobody wanted. Months after Richardson Jordan’s opposition to the One45 rezoning effectively put a stop to the plan, developer Bruce Teitelbaum said he’d open a truck depot on the block instead. Residents – already living in a district with the highest rate of childhood asthma in Manhattan and a high volume of environmental hazards – were outraged.

What Teitelbaum had originally pitched as a blend of retail and residential space faced significant political headwinds from the start. Though he eventually agreed to make half of One45’s proposed 915 apartments subsidized to varying degrees, Richardson Jordan, Manhattan Community Board 10 and other locals fought hard against the proposal, arguing that the units still wouldn’t be affordable to most households and that gentrification would displace longtime residents. For

months, Richardson Jordan held firm in insisting all the apartments should be rent regulated, with 57% set aside for the lowest-income New Yorkers. Now with no affordable housing on the table and the truck depot moving forward after Teitelbaum retracted his plan in May before it went to the City Council for a vote, she’s bearing the brunt of the fallout.

“I did something really drastic and I said ‘no.’ Some may even call it political suicide,” Richardson Jordan said into the megaphone. She paused for a moment.

“No, not as long as we can help it,” a woman’s voice rose above the swell of clapping. “We’ve got your back, we’ve got your back,” a man said from somewhere in the crowd.

“But here’s the bigger thing: It wasn’t me. It was all of us. It was a community. I see people who were here with us last year, and you are here again,” the council member continued. “God bless you.”

Although much about the council’s June primary elections has yet to take shape, one question circulating is whether Richardson Jordan, a proud Black socialist, will lose her reelection bid. Given the strength of the candidates who’ve already announced their intention to run for the District 9 seat, the way she handled One45 could be one nail in the coffin of her first term. However, it could be exactly the opposite:

the fact that she didn’t waver in demanding truly affordable housing demonstrates her commitment to the community.

Several other progressive council members, albeit probably to lesser degrees given that the projects ended up moving forward, are also likely to take political hits in the months ahead for their initial opposition to real estate proposals. Developers have always had a major influence on local politics – but now the dynamics may be changing amid a growing sentiment that more housing needs to be built.

CAT AND MOUSE GAME

As the city wrestles with a severe lack of housing, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams all have plans to encourage housing production and set lofty goals for the next decade: Hochul with 800,000 units and Eric Adams with 500,000. Building more affordable housing is necessary because recent city numbers show a vacancy rate less than 1% for the city’s most affordable units. But while city leaders argue the crisis can’t be solved without private development and every neighborhood doing its part, battles have long waged between City Hall and council members acting on behalf of constituents worried that new development would raise prices or change their neighborhood’s character.

Several City Council members’ reelection bids could depend on their development decisions.

There are a few exceptions in which a proposal has been greeted with a swell of community support from the onset, though this is rare and typically only when developers propose 100% affordable housing or units specifically for seniors, veterans and other vulnerable groups, according to George Fontas, a political consultant who has real estate firms among his lobbying clients.

“There’s always been this cat and mouse game when it comes to rezonings between the development team and the elected official. The elected official is also pushed and pulled by their local community,” Fontas said. “It’s that dance that typically delivers more than what was proposed in the beginning if it passes. That’s OK. A win-win is what we are striving for.”

Because of the City Council’s tradition of member deference, the body almost always lets the local representative decide whether or not a real estate project requiring council approval moves forward. Richardson Jordan is far from the first elected official to unofficially veto a real estate proposal in their district. But now there are indications that some elected officials’ frequent opposition to real estate development proposals in their districts is beginning to lessen.

Pushback against Richardson Jordan has been fierce. Her Twitter mentions were hit by a barrage of pro-development accounts criticizing the role she played in stopping the One45 rezoning and blaming her for the developer’s plan to open a truck depot. Her personal Twitter account appeared to have been deactivated some time after she shared plans for the Jan. 3 rally. Several high-profile candidates, including Assembly Member Al Taylor, criminal justice advocate Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five and Assembly Member Inez Dickens, have also declared their intentions to primary her. Incumbents are rarely unseated, but Richardson Jordan was already vulnerable as a socialist in a relatively moderate district who has taken heat for her comments defending the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine, among others. Her unwillingness to compromise on a rezoning to build housing could be yet another major factor.

“She was already a target for people in that community to be challenged before any decisions that she made on real estate. She made a very public decision to oppose that project,” Fontas said.

When asked whether the One45 proposal had anything to do with him deciding to run, Taylor said he was motivated by wanting to bring resources to the community as well as not wanting to “leave anything on the table” that longtime residents could benefit from. If he’d been the district’s council member when the project was first proposed, Taylor said, he’d have sat at the table with Teitelbaum to work out a compromise that would still bring housing to the community.

“I think if we’re at the table talking, it’s different than when you’re talking at each other. When you take the helium out of the room and everybody is back down and sitting in the space, what is it you want? What is it you hope for? It may not be any one person’s way of what they walked into the room expecting to get,” he said.

Richardson Jordan declined to answer any questions about the election, beyond saying “the old guard that sold us out will never be for us.”

Rezonings may get more attention in the upcoming elections for another reason: The council hasn’t done much yet. Thanks to a two-year election cycle, first-term incumbents don’t have a long voting record to run or be targeted on yet, potentially further throwing any stances they took into the spotlight.

Council Member Julie Won of District 26 will also probably be criticized for her initial opposition to a local housing project. She received pushback from labor unions and other pro-housing groups as she withheld her support from the $2 billion Innovation QNS mixed-use development in Astoria, Queens, for months. Many of Won’s constituents and community organizations rallied repeatedly against the proposal, arguing that the luxury buildings would drive up rents and force residents out. After intense negotiations with developers to get them to bolster their affordable housing commitment – and more than a little pressure from the speaker’s of-

THERE AREN’T MANY OPEN SEATS, BUT RECRUITING SEASON FOR THE JUNE CITY COUNCIL PRIMARIES IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.

By Jeff Coltin

How did sitting council members get pulled off the sidelines and into campaigns? City & State asked some of them to share their recruitment stories, in their own words, so readers can feel inspired – or annoyed. Got a problem? Everyone’s up for reelection this year.

ALTHEA STEVENS

… I was talking to the kids, and they basically challenged me to run for office because they felt there weren’t enough people in office who cared about what they cared about. … The only question was which office. And then I talked to my mentor, (Council Member) Diana Ayala and she said ‘City Council, obviously.’”

‘I HAD TO HEAR IT AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES.’

“I worked with young people for 20 years and did a lot of work around civic engagement.

Council Member Kristin Richardson Jordan got flack for opposing a project in her Harlem district.

CHI OSSÉ

“A lot of my friends that I was out there with (at the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020), within the span of a couple weeks, came up with a plan of – at the time, crazily –signing myself up to run for office. And I did just that. And here we are now. … I’ve really got to give my full credit to my aunt. She was the first person to tell me to do it. And then within 48 hours I threw my hat in the race. It moved very quickly. I’m surprised I’m here still. (Laughs.)”

JENNIFER GUTIÉRREZ

“I had (thenCouncil Member Antonio Reynoso) who was a mentor. Early on, maybe from like 2017, he was like, ‘Have you thought about it?’ And was very like hands off about it. But planted the seed. … I had to hear it at least seven times for me to feel confident. Like, all right, let me file, let me put this together.”

The scrapped One45 proposal in Harlem included two towers and more than 900 apartments.

fice and other stakeholders – Won agreed to terms in November.

No competitive challengers have emerged yet in that race, but many council watchers are keeping an eye on the district, with the Innovation QNS negotiations serving as a possible catalyst for a run.

CHANGING WINDS

The housing shortage and lack of affordable options may be pushing the council to embrace a more pro-housing direction. In addition to Won, a string of other progressive City Council members approved projects that they might have previously rejected.

One of those was a rezoning on Bruckner Boulevard in the East Bronx, in which half of the proposed 350 homes would rent at below-market rates. Although Council Member Marjorie Velázquez initially opposed the proposal, as did many outspoken residents in the area, she gave it her support, with some encouragement from the mayor’s office and the speaker’s office, after the developer said they would add housing for seniors and veterans.

“I didn’t shift my stance, the project changed. No one benefits if we aren’t willing to negotiate, and that’s what this was, conversations and negotiations that created a project that fits the community and will benefit local residents,” Velázquez said.

Another project in Central Brooklyn eventually earned the backing of Council Member Crystal Hudson, who had shut the project down when she first took office last January, citing concerns about gentrification, and that she hadn’t been involved in reviewing the proposal. The original plan

for the two-tower, 400-apartment proposal would have rented 25% of its units at below-market rates, but Hudson, pushing the developer for 50%, ultimately agreed to 35%.

And when developers approached socialist Council Member Tiffany Cabán about a project that would bring around 1,300 apartments to the East River waterfront in Astoria, many expected her to refuse. Instead, after initial reservations, Cabán negotiated to lower the income levels for 335 affordable units at the site. She told The New York Times that while she would prefer public housing or locally owned housing, not approving the Hallets North development would run the risk of the land instead being used as a truck depot or a parking lot for delivery vehicles.

“There’s a real understanding starting to go further and further out across all five boroughs that housing production can’t be taken on by just one part of the city – it has to be a citywide effort,” said Ryan Monell, the Real Estate Board of New York’s city vice president of government affairs.

He said many people in the real estate industry feel Adrienne Adams has stepped up to demonstrate the council’s priorities – so much so that her pro-housing stance has begun “trickling down throughout the rest of the council.” He pointed to her leadership as well as Eric Adams’ receptiveness toward development as big reasons why some controversial projects ended up winning council backing toward the second half of 2022.

VARIED LANDSCAPE

Although the organized constituency for development is relatively new and growing, those who stand against more housing – be

SHOP ARCHITECTS; WILLIAM ALATRISTE/NYC COUNCIL; RAMON PEBENITO; NYC DISTRICTING COMMISSION

UP FOR GRABS

By Annie McDonough

it concerns about displacement or NIMBYism – certainly continue to wield influence.

Many New York City housing activists don’t believe that private development is capable of effectively and equitably creating affordable housing because housing that rents for less doesn’t generate enough money for profit-driven developers.

“The only way we are going to really make any new housing be affordable is if both the city and the state do their part to fund that widely available rental assistance for low-income people,” said Cea Weaver, campaign coordinator for Housing Justice for All.

A lot can happen between now and June in the District 9 race. Richardson Jordan said the rally against the truck depot was just a start.

Some, like Carlos Menchaca, a progressive former council member in Brooklyn, felt people too often forget about council members’ deep relationship with their community. His strong opposition to a proposal to rezone Sunset Park’s Industry City to promote development led to its defeat in 2020. He sees Richardson Jordan’s opposition as a strength – the trick will be effectively conveying her reasons for doing so to her constituents.

“I think she’s demonstrated incredible leadership in really confronting very powerful interests,” Menchaca said. “With such a short reelection cycle, I think she has one of the stronger stories to tell about what it takes to stand up and how she wants to reframe the engagement between a district like hers and the city of New York and developers. That’s going to benefit anyone whether you are pro or against the project.” ■

OVER THE COURSE of months and multiple drafts of New York City Council maps, one thing stayed constant through the redistricting process last year: the push to create a new majority Asian American district in Brooklyn.

The New York City Districting Commission’s mandate was to redraw the City Council district lines based on changes from the 2020 census, which saw the addition of 345,000 Asian Americans to the city over the past 10 years. Through hours of public hearings and commission deliberations, there wasn’t always agreement among Asian American community groups and advocates on how best to bolster the community’s voting power. But after several revisions, the Districting Commission landed on a map that linked together parts of Sunset Park, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst in southern Brooklyn, creating a district with a near-

ly 54% majority-Asian population, according to data compiled by the Center for Urban Research at the CUNY Graduate Center. The end result: a long and somewhat narrow district that unites Asian American communities in those neighborhoods.

That end result has still received some minor objections. Yiatin Chu, president of the political club Asian Wave Alliance, advocated for the final map to include more of the fast growing Chinese American population in Sunset Park. Liz OuYang, coordinator of the Redistricting Task Force of APA VOICE (Asian Pacific Americans Voting & Organizing to Increase Civic Engagement) said she would have liked to see more of Bensonhurst kept together in the district. But Chu, OuYang and several advocates City & State spoke to said they were generally happy to see the creation of the majority Asian American district.

That’s partly because the new District 43 offers the best advantage at electing the first Asian American City Council member in Brooklyn, a borough that is home to roughly 370,000 Asian Americans, according to the 2020 census. In an election year that features familiar names and contests between colleagues-turned-competitors, District 43 is a rare seat without an incumbent.

Three candidates have declared so far, though the field will likely expand. The early entrants are all Democrats and all first-time candidates.

There’s Wai Yee Chan, the executive director of Homecrest Community Services, a social services nonprofit based in the district. Chan previously served as

A new majority-Asian seat in Brooklyn will showcase the community’s increasing voting power.

NANTASHA WILLIAMS

“I ran for the Assembly, and I was kind of over it. But there were so many people that kept saying you’ve got to run again. … I was like OK, I guess I should do this. Then I always think about (political strategist) Donna Brazile. I went to one Caucus Weekend, she was talking about people running for office, and it’s just a basic comment that everyone says, but she’s like, ‘If not you, who? If not now, when?’”

INNA VERNIKOV

“I think what was really the straw that broke the camel’s back for me was the ‘defund the police’ movement. … There have been people telling me to run for office for years. But I never wanted to do it. I was very happy being a lawyer. I ran my own law practice for eight years, did divorce and immigration law. … But when I saw what was happening I said, OK, now I’ve got to get involved.”

community engagement director for Council Member Justin Brannan and entered the race with the support of former Assembly Member Peter Abbate Jr. and state Sen. Iwen Chu, who recently became the first Asian American woman elected to the state Senate after a narrow victory over her Republican opponent in November. Chan moved to Queens from Brooklyn 10 years ago, but she is looking to move back to the district now.

Susan Zhuang, a Bensonhurst resident and the chief of staff to Assembly Member William Colton, is also running with the support of some familiar local names, including Colton and former Council Member Mark Treyger. Zhuang and Chan both told City & State that they’ve already met the fundraising threshold to qualify for the Campaign Finance Board’s matching funds program.

Stanley Ng, the third declared candidate, said he will set himself apart from the competition as a candidate from outside the political system, not having worked for elected officials before. “I’m kind of tired of politicians, and the people working for them, not representing

our community properly,” Ng said. Ng is a former member of Community Education Council 20 in southern Brooklyn and a longtime education advocate. He sued the city in 2007 alleging discrimination against Asians in a specialized high school test preparation program. A retired computer programmer whose more recent work includes volunteering at and running food pantries across the city, Ng said he briefly lived in Florida for his work between 2016 and 2017 but has otherwise lived in Brooklyn since the late 1980s and in Dyker Heights for the past 26 years.

It’s a Democratic primary field that’s already filled with candidates who have experience serving the community. But the field could continue to grow. That’s partially because it’s a rare open seat in a council full of incumbents running for reelection. But it’s also because of the opportunity it represents. “The Asian American community in Brooklyn specifically has built up a lot of civic engagement over the years, and this will likely be the first ever Asian American council member from Brooklyn,” said Trip Yang, a Democratic consultant who is not currently working

City Council District 43 candidate Wai Yee Chan

for any of the candidates. “There’s a lot of folks who have been doing the work on the ground who may want to throw their hat into the ring with nothing to lose.”

Jimmy Li, a Democratic candidate in last year’s primary for the new 10th Congressional District spanning lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, told City & State that he is mulling a potential run for the council seat. Despite finishing in seventh place in the congressional primary, Li outperformed all other candidates in the southern half of Sunset Park, which overlaps with City Council District 43.

But unlike the majority of City Council races in the overwhelmingly blue city, the Democratic primary is not the only important race in this district. This City Council district has a history of voting Republican in recent elections. In the 2021 mayoral election, Republican Curtis Sliwa won over half of the nearly 11,000 votes in the district. And though Gov. Kathy Hochul won Brooklyn in November, Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin outperformed Hochul in southern Brooklyn.

Though no Republicans have declared yet, some observers suggested that the dis-

trict could see a Republican primary too. Based on turnout in the previous mayoral election, getting out the vote in this year’s City Council elections – a nonmayoral year – will be a challenge. “It’s going to be really tight. It’s going to be small numbers,” said Yiatin Chu, who added that her organization is planning voter education and getout-the-vote efforts. “I think the action will definitely be in the general (election).”

Southern Brooklyn as a whole received renewed attention after the November elections, which saw several incumbent Democratic legislators lose to Republicans. In addition to renewing concerns about the Democratic Party not devoting enough resources to southern Brooklyn in general, the results also revived questions about whether the Democratic Party was paying enough attention to Asian American communities as parts of the electorate shifted to the political right. State Sen. Iwen Chu, who recently wrote an op-ed on this disconnect, said that voters in her district were not looking for the Democrat or Republican candidate on the ballot. “Voters here really do not go by party loyalty,” she said. “It really is about the issues.”

The Democratic candidates so far largely

agree on the top issues for voters. Education, small-business services and affordable housing were each mentioned as priorities, but one issue is likely to take center stage. Each candidate mentioned public safety as either a top priority or the top priority, citing a wave of anti-Asian hate crimes as well as more general concerns about crime in the city. “Hate in our community is hate against everyone,” Zhuang said, adding that more needs to be done to educate residents about how to report hate crimes. “No matter if you’re Jewish, Chinese or Italian or Muslim, it’s hate for everyone.”

Chan, along with the other candidates, said she supports the city’s Gifted and Talented accelerated education program and the Specialized High School Admissions Test. Chan suggested that attempts by former Mayor Bill de Blasio to phase out Gifted and Talented and eliminate the test as the means of entrance to specialized high schools, where students are largely white or Asian American, is part of what has alienated Asian Americans from the Democratic Party. “I believe that we can build again from a grassroots level to get their trust back (and show that) we’ve delivered services and our policies fit the community as a whole,” Chan said. “We want to earn back their trust to our party.” ■

Candidate Susan Zhuang speaks at a rally against crime.

Longtime education advocate Stanley Ng is running for City Council.

A MORE PARTISAN GOVERNING BODY EMERGES

By Jeff Coltin

TWO DAYS AFTER defecting to the Republican Party in December, New York City Council Member Ari Kagan gave a short speech on the floor in the chamber, explaining his reasons, like how he “became sick and tired of these soft on crime and tough on police policies.” Sitting next to him was Council Member Althea Stevens, whose facial expressions were caught on camera – first stifling laughter, then as eyes widened in shock, and disdain, at each new piece of his statement.

A party switch like Kagan’s is rare, historically. But this one comes amid a new atmosphere in the City Council, of growing partisanship and open rancor among members. The City Council, like a minor league version of the U.S. Senate, has traditionally prided itself on a spirit of comity – no doubt benefited by the Democrats’ overwhelming numerical dominance in the body. But now the conservative contingent is growing and may even grow more following this year’s elections. There’s a sense that the council isn’t quite a one-party legislature anymore. Along with that, some conservatives are carrying culture war battles into

the council and meeting there a growing socialist contingent that doesn’t hesitate to push back. And partisanship seems to have only escalated over the past year.

In fact, when 2022 began, the Women’s Caucus was bipartisan. The City Council was majority-women for the first time in history, and all 31 of them were members of the caucus. But the three Republican women who started the year as members asked the chair to be removed from the caucus on July 14. That was the same day the Women’s Caucus was credited with helping pass an abortion rights legislative package responding to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade.

The Republican women didn’t make a big deal of it – they didn’t release a statement, and in fact, their collective resignation has apparently gone unreported until now. But spokespeople for Council Members Joann Ariola and Vickie Paladino separately told City & State that the women felt that the caucus’ Democratic leadership was releasing pro-abortion statements without consulting all the members first.

Don’t be surprised this is taking place in a majority-women, female-led legislature – re-

City Council Member Ari Kagan tells the press why he switched from Democrat to Republican.

search shows women who serve as elected officials are just as partisan as men. And in fact, it seems to be the women leading the way, when it comes to open criticism of colleagues. Ariola appeared on Fox News in October in a segment slamming Council Member Tiffany Cabán. Ariola called her Democratic colleague a “chaos inciter” and didn’t push back when host Jesse Watters called Cabán “dumb” and “gang affiliated.” Cabán told The New York Times she received violent online threats after the interview.

Paladino, too, more than anyone, has fanned flames by picking up criticism of drag queen story hours, much of it based in anti-LGBTQ hate, and running with it, calling it “child grooming.” She also showed her opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates by refusing to show proof of vaccination to enter the council chamber for the first few meetings of the year. She attended virtually, before she was granted a waiver. Months later, she claimed she was a victim, telling a story that colleagues threw things at the screen when she appeared remotely at a meeting. The Daily News found no proof that ever happened.

Paladino denied she’s leading the charge,

The New York City Council, known for maintaining a harmonious atmosphere, saw more partisanship and rancor among its members this past year.

ANNIE MCDONOUGH; EMIL COHEN/NYC COUNCIL; JUSTIN PERSAUD

saying “that’s a sad thing,” and that members just need to get to know her personally, and they’ll be surprised. “I’ll do whatever I can to make this city go tick-tock,” she said. “But we’ve got to meet in the middle. So that means compromise has got to come from the left. As well as compromise – I think the right bends a lot, because we’re such a minority.”

Council Member Chi Ossé, a progressive gay Democrat, was the target of online hate from Paladino’s followers in June. She didn’t discourage it, and doubled down, saying she’d been targeted too, by being called a “nazi” for her opposition to drag queen story hour. Her Twitter account later criticized him as “private school kid who’s never had a job.” He fired back, calling her “a vile bigot.” Asked this month about Paladino saying people need to get to know her better, Ossé didn’t seem interested. “She’s a lunatic,” he told City & State.

TO START, BLAME POLITICS AFTER TRUMP

Many insiders point to the national political atmosphere, after the presidency of Donald Trump, when explaining the shift. “I think

we’ve always prided ourselves on having a more collaborative spirit than other places,” said Council Member Keith Powers, the majority leader. Sure enough, Ariola, a member of the minority party, chairs a committee. Council Member Joe Borelli, the minority leader, sits on the budget negotiating team. And Republican votes are sought after in the speaker race. None of this happens in Albany, or in Washington. “But I think the tone all across the country now is very electrified,” Powers continued. “And I think it’s not a surprise that would take place a bit here on the City Council as well.”

With a four-year election cycle and the power of incumbency, it may have taken longer for the council to reflect larger political trends, like Trumpism and the rise of the Democratic Socialists of America. Now it’s here, and, there’s a sense of change, from the former centrist Republicans to a new guard. As one lobbyist who asked for anonymity told City & State, “Jimmy Oddo is a different Republican than Vickie Paladino.” Oddo, who served in the council through 2013, now works in Democratic Mayor Eric Adams’ administration.

Others cite different reasons for the

LYNN SCHULMAN

I ran in 2001, I was in my community. I’ve been in politics since I was 16. The first campaign I ever volunteered on was Bella Abzug when she ran for mayor in 1977. … I think women should be a part of government. And there were people in the community who said you should run.”

KEVIN RILEY

“Carl (Heastie, the Assembly speaker) believed in me. Jamaal (Bailey, Bronx County Democratic Party chair) believed in me. I knew Jamaal for over two decades; we go to the same church. I knew Carl for over a decade; he was my mentor. But really it was the people in my community that pitched me. People like Ms. Elizabeth Gill, Ms. Shirley Fearon, Mr. Al Decastro and Ms. Rogers. There’s a lot of people in the community pushing, ‘Hey Kevin, when are you going to step up and take care of the next generation?’”

“When

growing partisanship. More social media-savvy members, playing to Twitter. COVID-19 limiting opportunities for the members to get to know each other at the beginning of the term. Or to political consultant Ryan Adams, the factionalism is a result of people trying to find their place amid turnover in the governor and mayor’s offices. “People are going to trust their friends and the organizations that came out for them in the face of a power vacuum,” he said. “Socialists aren’t only going to back socialist electeds and causes, but they are definitely going to go to bat for their friends in the face of attacks.”

While far-right members like Paladino have been elected, so have a handful of democratic socialists, meaning the ideological diversity of the council as a whole is arguably wider now than it has been at any time in modern history. There’s a revitalized Progressive Caucus, eager to push against the moderate Mayor Adams. And the Republicans have even more power than their numbers suggest. The Common Sense Caucus is now eight members strong, including nominal Democratic Council Members Bob Holden and Kalman Yeger, who most often align with Republicans.

A LITTLE PARTISANSHIP

MAY NOT BE SO BAD

This growing sense of partisanship isn’t inherently a problem. A little more political debate could even be a good thing for the body, where public debate is rare, and bills are only brought to the floor if they’re guaranteed to pass (with one random recent exception).

The speaker, however, seems to disagree. Adrienne Adams has shared a draft of rule changes with the members, as Politico first reported. Among them is a rule that would raise the threshold of votes needed to move a bill over the speaker’s objections, in some

As Ari Kagan explained why he was switching parties, Althea Stevens didn’t hide her chuckles, or disdain.

rare cases, from seven to nine. Members of both the Common Sense Caucus, and some of the most progressive members, saw that as a move to limit their influence. Another change would prohibit members from calling each other out on the floor, to discourage personal attacks.

Adams downplayed the proposed rules and suggested that the partisanship is just a reflection of the wider world. “Certainly we have differences, that’s to be expected,” she said at a December press conference. “But as far as particularly partisan, this council looks like the country looks, in a lot of different ways. There are ways that the country comes together, and there are ways that the country has their differences.”

But no observers actually want the council to reach the levels of rancor found in, for example, the U.S. House of Representatives. And Minority Leader Joe Borelli said he has tried to avoid that. Since city government is more focused on service delivery, you can’t be quite as partisan and ideological as you could be in Washington, the Republican leader told City & State: “There’s no shouting at clouds and punting in municipal government.”

Still, there’s no question the council’s character has changed. “You have a more empowered conservative bloc and a more empowered progressive bloc. The only outcome is essentially more partisan fracture,” he said.

But cross-party relationships aren’t gone yet from the council – especially when it comes to Borelli, who has worked hard to be friendly, even if his support for Trump or Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin was shocking to most of his colleagues. While City & State was interviewing the Republican leader on the floor of the council chamber, Democratic Council Member Diana Ayala walked up to Borelli. “You going around trying to snatch our member in the middle of the night? Trying to grow the GOP?” It was all in good fun, followed with a hug and a kiss on the cheek. ■

“I think the tone all across the country now is very electrified,” and I think it’s not a surprise that would take place a bit here on the City Council as well.”

– New York City Council

Member Keith Powers

The top communications gurus and masters of spin in New York politics.

THE 2023 POLITICAL PR POWER 50

IN POLITICS, some elected officials are such effective communicators that they are essentially their own spokespeople. For the rest of the political world, however, there is almost always a need for seasoned communications experts – and there are plenty of them here in New York. Whether it’s running for elected office, building support for a policy change or even responding to an unexpected scandal, savvy politicians often turn to outside public relations firms to achieve their goals. City & State’s Political PR Power 50 highlights the leading communications shops that are

active in the sphere of politics and government in New York, including those that specialize in interconnected sectors like nonprofits and real estate. The list features a wide range of firms, from one-person operations to national or even international outfits with hundreds of staffers. Some are strictly focused on communications, while others offer related services like campaign consulting or lobbying. Many are based in Manhattan, although a number of outer borough, Long Island and upstate operations also made the cut. We’re pleased to present this year’s Political PR Power 50.

1SKDK

MIKE MOREY, KERRI LYON, MARISSA SHORENSTEIN & MORGAN HOOK

Partner; Partner; Principal; Managing Director and Head of Albany Office

Other key employees: Loren Riegelhaupt, Stephanie Reichin, Javier Lacayo

Notable clients: Win, Mount Sinai Health System, ChargePoint, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, NextEra Energy

Change is afoot at SKDK, with Doug Thornell taking over as CEO, Josh Isay moving to a senior adviser role and government affairs veteran Marissa Shorenstein joining the team as a principal. Yet, much remains the same at the high-powered Democratic media and political consulting firm, which produced over 600 ads this past campaign cycle and notched a number of victories all across the country, including the reelection of Reps. Joe Morelle and Brian Higgins in New York. The team also promoted Loren Riegelhaupt as a principal; Mike Czin, Kendra Barkoff Lamy and Devon Puglia to be managing directors; and Alex

Bloom, Stephanie Reichin and Liz Kenigsberg as executive vice presidents. In addition to Shorenstein, the firm also brought on Aoife McCarthy, Sarah Lyons, Mariel Sáez and Justin Goodman.

2RUBENSTEIN

STEVEN RUBENSTEIN

President

Other key employees: Alice McGillion, Iva Benson, Chris Giglio, Gary Lewi, Wiley Norvell, Kate Blumm

Notable clients: NewYorkPresbyterian, New York Yankees, Partnership for New York City, Tishman Speyer, The Broadway League

Steven Rubenstein leads not one but two venerable New York institutions –the communications firm Rubenstein and the Association for a Better New York. His public relations firm boasts over 400 clients, including a long list of wellknown businesses, nonprofit organizations and cultural attractions ranging from the Museum of Modern Art and “Saturday Night Live” to The Durst Organization, the Hospital for Special Surgery and Uber. The firm supported the launch of new initiatives in 2022, such as the opening of the Museum of Broadway, and helped clients navigate critical challenges, including working with the Center for Reproductive Rights in its planning and response to the leaked U.S. Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade.

GLOBAL STRATEGY GROUP

JON SILVAN & JUSTIN LAPATINE

Founding Partner and CEO; Partner

Notable clients: New York Safety Net Hospital Coalition, RXR Realty, MGM Resorts, New York Health Foundation, Pratt & Whitney

Global Strategy Group boasts a mix of skilled communicators with a wealth of experience in public affairs and corporate reputation. With revenues rising, the firm has gone from 95 employees at the end of 2020 to more than 150 today. In April, the firm announced a partnership with SEC Newgate, an international strategic communications company headquartered in Milan, Italy. In addition to its work with health care institutions like Maimonides Medical Center and New York Health Foundation,

SKDK; RUBENSTEIN; COREY TORPIE; BERLINROSEN

and

SKDK helped Reps. Joe Morelle and Brian Higgins in Rochester and Buffalo.

Far left, Kerri Lyon of SKDK, and below, Steven Rubenstein of Rubenstein

on

corporate clients like MGM Resorts and RXR Realty, GSG handled polling for several Democratic winners, including Gov. Kathy Hochul and Reps. Pat Ryan, Jerry Nadler and Joe Morelle. The firm also launched THE L@B, an inhouse creative team offering creative direction, full-service video and content production, digital media strategies and planning and buying capabilities.

4PYTHIA PUBLIC

EVAN THIES & ALEXIS GRENELL

Co-Founders

Other key employees: Becky Stern, Ben Branham

Notable clients: New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Safe Horizon, Common Cause New York, Earthjustice, Related Cos.

Pythia Public doesn’t have hundreds of staffers like some communications agencies, but it did help get New York City Mayor Eric Adams elected. The firm went on to advise the Adams administration’s transition team and played a role in the city’s new plan for a 25,000-seat soccer stadium at Willets Point alongside a massive entirely affordable housing development. In Albany, the firm helped pass the Adult Survivors Act and a first-in-the-nation moratorium on crypto mining. Pythia welcomed former Port Authority Chief Communications Officer Ben Branham as chief operating officer and managing director, former state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi’s chief of staff Ana Hall as director and Claire Wixted from former Assembly Member Sandy Galef’s office as an associate. Becky Stern was promoted to vice president and Marissa Solomon was promoted to senior strategist.

5BERLINROSEN

VALERIE BERLIN & ISAAC GOLDBERG

Principal and Co-Founder; Executive Vice President

Notable clients: New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, Rep. Dan Goldman, Rep. Pat Ryan, state Sens. Michelle Hinchey and Sean Ryan

Pythia Public cofounders Evan Thies and Alexis Grenell

BerlinRosen is one of the biggest PR firms in New York politics, and unlike some competitors, communications and marketing is the primary focus. That said, it handles PR for many different types of clients, including nonprofits, cultural institutions, real estate developers – and, of course, candidates for elected office. While longtime client Bill de Blasio has apparently left electoral politics, the national firm notched big wins in its home state with New York City Comptroller Brad Lander and Reps. Pat Ryan and Dan Goldman. The firm saw campaigns leader Alex NavarroMcKay depart at the end of the year, with Isaac Goldberg moving up to take his place. Rick Fromberg also joined BerlinRosen from The Win Company as a senior adviser for public affairs and campaigns working across politics, advocacy and government.

6

METROPOLITAN PUBLIC STRATEGIES

NEAL KWATRA

CEO and Founder

Notable clients: Ørsted, Resorts World, Maimonides

Pythia Public is working

plans for a new soccer stadium at Willets Point.

Valerie Berlin of BerlinRosen

Medical Center, Bally’s, New York Health Plan Association

In addition to its push into more climate action related work, Neal Kwatra’s Metropolitan Public Strategies has also been doing more work in the health care space. One of the clients Kwatra has been working especially close with is Maimonides Medical Center, while increasingly taking on other clients in the health care space as well. Among the issues the firm is tackling is the Medicaid reimbursement rate in New York that several safety net hospitals say is jeopardizing their financial health. Kwatra, who is known for taking on some of the toughest issue campaigns, has also helped Ørsted become a literal power player in New York’s burgeoning offshore wind industry.

RISA HELLER COMMUNICATIONS

JAMES YOLLES, LINDEN ZAKULA, GWEN ROCCO & CARLY HOLDEN

Managing Director, Managing Director; Managing Director; Senior Vice President

Notable clients: Airbnb, DoorDash, Jeff Zucker, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, The Howard Hughes Corp.

Risa Heller, a former communications director for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, has made her firm a fixture since its launch 13 years ago. In 2022, her firm advised private equity firm Marblegate, announcing

that its public-private partnership with the Adams administration, Schumer and the New York Taxi Workers Alliance delivered more than $225 million in debt relief for taxi drivers. It helped secure approval for the Champlain Hudson Power Express – a clean energy infrastructure project that will supply 20% of New York City’s power –which recently broke ground with Gov. Kathy Hochul. The firm also advised Westchester Medical Center Health Network as it expanded its services. And James Yolles’ team worked with the Real Estate Board of New York on a media campaign around housing issues and announced two green-building milestones: New York City’s first net-zero community, for L+M Development Partners, and Alloy Development’s plans to fully power the city’s first all-electric skyscraper with local renewable energy.

Newcomers to the firm include Gwen Rocco, Carly Holden and Vincent Novicki.

8MARINO

CEO; President

Other key employees: Tom Corsillo, Sam Goldstein

Notable clients: McDonald’s, New York City Hospitality Alliance, Innovation QNS, American Chemistry Council

As Marino marks its 30th anniversary this year, the agency’s public affairs team celebrated several rezoning victories. In November, the New York City Council zoning subcommittee voted to approve Innovation QNS, the largest private affordable housing development in Queens history. The $2 billion investment will create over 3,000 homes in Astoria, with

LAURA JANE BRETT; DON NIXON

FRANK MARINO & JOHN MARINO

Marino got a firm record three major land use approvals done last year.

Senior Vice President Carly Holden

Metropolitan Public Strategies CEO and founder Neal Kwatra

more than 1,400 of them affordable. The vote came just weeks after the City Council approved two other major rezonings: one in Throggs Neck that will add hundreds of new homes to an East Bronx neighborhood that has created very few in the past two decades and another that will create 1,400 homes on Astoria’s Hallets Cove peninsula. Marino led communications for all three projects – a significant milestone for the agency as the first time in its three decades of land use experience that it won three such approvals in one year.

Above, John Gallagher and, below, Kuae Noel Kelch

DKC

9CHRIS PIGOTT & KATE BRICKMAN Senior Vice Presidents

Other key employees: Joe DePlasco, John Griffin, Anna Feiner, Jordan Lawrence, Mike Giardina Notable clients: Citi, RXR Realty, The Business Council of New York State, DoorDash, Kaufman Astoria Studios

Led by Joe DePlasco and John Griffin, DKC’s public affairs group had a strong 2022, launching campaigns focused on immigration and refugees, antisemitism and the Holocaust, and the 40th anniversary of Citymeals on Wheels. DKC also won a 20‑year legislative fight around ambulance services for the Firefighters Association of the State of New York and helped NYU Langone Health maintain its ranking as the top hospital in New York state. The firm hired Kate Brickman,

the former communications director for Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges; former New York City Department of Social Services spokesperson Ian Martin and former New York City Department of Transportation spokesperson Alana Morales.

10

ACTUM

RACHEL NOERDLINGER & MIKE MCKEON

Partners

Other key employees: Ruben Diaz Jr., Anthony Thomas, John Tomlin, Chapin Fay, Cara Noel, Tai Johnson, Wanda Silva, Barry Caro Notable clients: The Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network, Conference

of National Black Churches, Jennifer Jones Austin and FPWA, Hard Rock Cafe Inc., Show

Up Turn Out

A year ago, a group of ex Mercury executives launched Actum, a national consulting firm with a similarly bipartisan approach. Led by Michael McKeon and Rachel Noerdlinger, the New York office has 19 employees providing media strategy, crisis management, communications and coalition building services for political, nonprofit, corporate and health care clients, with a special focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. In November, the firm coordinated a PR and voter education campaign with FPWA to back three groundbreaking racial justice ballot proposals. Actum also helped the Coalition for Fairness in SoHo and NoHo secure a rare mayoral veto and promoted “Loudmouth,” the Rev. Al Sharpton’s documentary. Former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. also came on as a co chair and Chapin Fay rejoined his old Mercury colleagues as well.

11MERCURY

JOHN GALLAGHER, KUAE NOEL KELCH & MICHAEL HARDAWAY

President; Vice President of Media Relations; Managing Director

Other key employees: Dan Bank, Eric Bloom, Jake Dilemani, Greg Drilling, Eric Hersey, Karen Mustiga, Will Miller, Michael Nitzky, Jon Reinish, Carolyn Riggs, Kim Winston

Notable clients: Somos Community Care, Rebuild New York Now, Tax Equity Now New York, African American Mayors Association

Mercury’s New York media relations and communication practice continues to expand under the leadership of John Gallagher, who was named president of the firm last year. Kuae Noel Kelch joined Mercury last summer after a career as a producer at CNN, “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and ABC News. Michael Hardaway,

Actum supported three groundbreaking racial justice ballot proposals.

DKC Senior Vice President Kate Brickman

who has worked for Barack Obama and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, joined Mercury as a managing director, while Kim Winston was promoted to senior vice president. Mercury ran the statewide public affairs campaign for the Environmental Defense Fund to pass a $4.2 billion clean water bond act.

eponymous communications firm a decade ago. Among the key staffers at the growing firm are Robert Familiar, who works with many of the firm’s tech clients, and Maria Navarro, a Capalino veteran who also works in the tech and politics practice. The firm lost Jennifer Blatus to Rubenstein, but brought on former CBS White House correspondent Tim Perry and former Hamodia reporter Sara Marcus.

communications director. The firm, which does everything from lobbying to communications to legislative and regulatory campaigns, has been run since 2021 by veteran consultant Chris Coffey. Eric Soufer, a state government veteran, has built the firm’s crypto practice into a leader in New York and nationally. The firm over the past year brought on Shontell Smith, the former chief of staff and chief counsel to the state Senate Democrats, and Cristobal Alex, a former White House deputy cabinet secretary who now leads the firm’s Washington office.

14MOWER

ERIC MOWER & STEPHANIE CROCKETT

Chair and CEO; President and Chief Operating Officer

Other key employees: Gary Holmes, John Lacey, Mary Gendron, Brad Rye, John O’Hara, Stephen Sementilli, Brendan Kennedy, Matt Parry, Jill Konopka, Austin Philleo

STU LOESER & CO.

ROBERT FAMILIAR & MARIA NAVARRO

Vice President, Media Strategy; Senior Media Strategist

Other key employees: Stu Loeser, Will Chabot, Jeane MacIntosh, Sara Marcus, Stephanie Miliano, Tim Perry, Madeline Saunders, Grace Smoker, Owen Stone

Notable clients: Google, Tech:NYC, Revel, James for New York, Uber

Stu Loeser, the bespectacled spokesperson for Mayor Mike Bloomberg and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, has continued to deal with political heavyweights since he founded his

13

TUSK STRATEGIES

CHRIS COFFEY & ERIC SOUFER

Partner and CEO; Partner

Other key employees: Shontell Smith, Alex Sommer, Jake Sporn, Erika Tannor, Cristobal Alex, Matt Munsil

Notable clients: McDonald’s, LVMH, Walmart, Crypto Council for Innovation, Paxos

Tusk Strategies is a political consulting firm founded by Bradley Tusk, who served as Mike Bloomberg’s mayoral campaign manager and U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer’s

FRANK GUTIERREZ; TUSK STRATEGIES; MIKE WHEELER; CINDY BELL

Mower Chair and CEO Eric Mower as well as President and COO Stephanie Crockett

Notable clients: Carhartt, LG Electronics USA, National Grid, Northwest Bank, Westchester County

Syracuse-based Mower operates from 10 cities along the eastern U.S and west to Chicago, including New York City, Albany, Buffalo and Rochester in New York. In New York, Mower’s public relations and public affairs group represents utilities, renewable energy developers, banks and credit unions, travel and tourism companies, industrial manufacturers, consumer packaged goods companies, health care institutions and interest groups. The firm made headlines this year for transferring its ownership to its employees, with CEO Eric Mower retaining his leadership role. The firm also won awards and accolades over the past year from PRNews, PRWeek, the Association of National Advertisers and The Business Council of New York State.

15

KIVVIT

TOM MEARA & RACHEL ROSENECK

Managing Director, New York; Director

Other key employee: Arielle Goren

Notable clients: Vote Yes for Clean Water & Jobs, New York League of Conservation Voters, Invenergy, New York City District Council of Carpenters, Anbaric

Kivvit’s New York team is led by Tom Meara, an experienced communications professional who specializes in developing and leading strategic public affairs campaigns for clients across an array of industries, including labor, energy, environment and criminal justice. He recently served as lead strategist for the Vote Yes for Clean Water and Jobs Coalition, which included

Managing Director Tom Meara

over 200 of New York’s most prominent environmental businesses and unions and saw the Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act pass with a 67% vote. Rachel Roseneck, who co-leads the firm’s energy practice in New York, leads communications for Kivvit’s renewable energy clients and also worked on bail reform in the state. Kivvit recently published a report on the environmental, social and governance space, “ESG Has Gone Mainstream – What’s Next?”

16

ANAT

ANAT GERSTEIN & JEFF SIMMONS

President; Executive Vice President

Other key employees: Jake Oliver, Zac Roy Notable clients: AARP New York, Girl Scouts of Greater New York, The Fortune Society, GreenWood Cemetery, Brooklyn Community Foundation

Anat Gerstein continued to expand in 2022, entering the higher education space with Manhattan College, expanding nationally with clients like Barter Theatre, Virginia’s state theater, and expanding its social services and advocacy practice areas with JCCA, the Municipal Art Society and Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter. Anat hired Matt Sollars from the New York City Campaign

Finance Board, Hochul press staffer Lauren Mannerberg and national nonprofit public relations veteran Stephanie Millian. The staff led several winning campaigns, including assisting the Associated Medical Schools of New York in doubling its diversity in medicine pipeline programs and positioning The Bronx Community Foundation at the forefront of the push for equity in New York's cannabis industry.

17

MARATHON STRATEGIES

PHIL

SINGER & LIZ BENJAMIN

Founder and CEO; Managing Director, Albany

Notable clients: New York Independent System Operator, New York State Bar Association, State University of New York, New York Medical Cannabis Industry Association, New York Housing Conference

Phil Singer, who founded Marathon Strategies in 2008, is one of several public

KIVVIT; JEAN-PIERRE UYS PHOTOGRAPHY; ANAT GERSTEIN; MARATHON STRATEGIES

Kivvit

Kivvit just published a report on the environmental, social and governance space.

relations professionals on this list who had a stint running communications for U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer. In 2019, he brought on veteran Albany journalist Liz Benjamin, who brings encyclopedic knowledge of the players and policy issues in the state Capitol. Marathon recently launched its biennial Meet The Freshmen website, which provides a digestible, nonpartisan overview of the positions that incoming members of Congress have taken on key issues.

18

THE PARKSIDE GROUP

LEE, TESS MCRAE & AMANDA HENNING SANTIAGO

Managing Director; Vice President; Communications Account Executive

Notable clients: SCO Family of Services, Jewish Community Relations Council, Teens for Food Justice, Allied Building Metal Industries Inc., Apicha Community Health Center

The Parkside Group, a top lobbying firm and the lead political consultant for the state Senate Democrats led by Harry Giannoulis and Evan Stavisky, has also built up a strong public relations operation. Spearheaded by Managing Director Spencer Lee and Vice President Tess McRae, along with former City & State staffer Amanda Henning Santiago, the team handles everything from social media branding to crisis communications to press strategy. This year’s projects included a national

call to action urging the Biden administration to move forward with federal clean car standards and a statewide COVID-19 vaccination public awareness campaign.

19

RED HORSE STRATEGIES

DANIELE DE GROOT & CHRIS FLEMING

Senior Communications and Campaigns Associate; Managing Director, Washington, D.C., and Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Media Affairs

Other key employees: Michael DeLoach, Ryan Rudominer

Notable clients: Americans for Contraception, Climate Power, The Nature Conservancy, Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute, Jobs With Justice

Like several other firms on this list, the Brooklyn-based Red Horse Strategies has earned a reputation as a top political consultant in New York – and it also brings an effective public relations component to many of its campaigns. The team – including Daniele de Groot in New York and Chris Fleming in Washington, D.C. –helped launch Americans for Contraception to educate the public about lawmakers’ efforts to deny Americans access to contraception. The group launched a multimilliondollar ad campaign in districts of Republican House members who voted against the Right to Contraception Act and helped defeat Republican incumbents in Ohio, New Mexico and Texas.

EFFECTIVE MEDIA STRATEGIES

LUPE TODD-MEDINA President

Notable clients: Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries

Lupe Todd-Medina’s firm –Effective Media Strategies – is aptly named. The experienced communications consultant has worked for some of the most prominent and successful politicians in New York, including new House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and Gov. Kathy Hochul, who Todd-Medina helped guide to electoral victory this past cycle. She has also expanded her business to include national mail services and consultancy through a partnership with Blue Wall Mail, which helped the Biden-Harris ticket get to the White House.

Editor’s note: Lupe ToddMedina is a member of City & State’s advisory board.

NEW DEAL STRATEGIES

REBECCA KATZ & CAMILLE RIVERA

Founding Partner; Partner

Other key employee: Kipp Hebert

Notable clients: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, state Sen. Gustavo Rivera

For New Deal Strategies, one key strategy is that general consulting, communications and coalition-building go hand in hand. The firm, which is led by founder Rebecca Katz and former labor operative Camille Rivera, was behind some of the biggest wins in New York the past two election cycles,

SPENCER

Daniele de Groot of Red Horse Strategies

New Deal Strategies flipped the only U.S. Senate seat last year for John Fetterman.

assisting Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s insurgent primary election victory in 2020 and winning another term for state Sen. Gustavo Rivera after a tough primary election battle against an opponent backed by the Bronx Democratic Party. The firm was also a driving force behind John Fetterman’s win in Pennsylvania, flipping the only U.S. Senate seat in the country.

BOLTON-ST. JOHNS

JUANITA SCARLETT

Partner

Other key employees: Emily Giske, Mike Keogh, Giorgio DeRosa, Anne Marie Anzalone, Teresa Gonzalez, Dylan Tragni, Nia Williams

Notable clients: Brooklyn Kindergarten Society, Coinbase, Quest Diagnostics, United Way of New York City Juanita Scarlett is a jackof-all-trades at Bolton-St. Johns, bringing a wealth of governmental and private sector experience to her multifaceted

lobbying, consulting and communications endeavors. Among her clients are key players in health care, energy, economic development and education – as well as nonprofits like United Way of New York City, whose former leader, Sheena Wright, is now first deputy mayor in the Adams administration. Scarlett has also held leadership positions at Park Strategies and McKenna Long & Aldridge, and served in the administrations of former Govs. Andrew Cuomo, Eliot Spitzer and Mario Cuomo. Editor’s note: Juanita Scarlett is a member of City & State’s advisory board.

23

CMW STRATEGIES

in Education Roundtable, American Museum of Natural History, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Michael Woloz’s CMW Strategies is one of a number of government affairs firms on this list who provide a number of services to clients, from lobbying to community engagement to communications. CMW Strategies, which recently expanded its physical office space at the Woolworth Building, saw Jeff Rodus depart for a job in the Adams administration. But Woloz brought on Robert Goldrich, former economic development specialist in the Bloomberg administration, as senior vice president for strategic initiatives and Regina Poreda Ryan, former deputy budget director for the New York City Council, as a senior vice president specializing in education, nonprofits and culture.

24

CORNING PLACE COMMUNICATIONS

PAUL LARRABEE & JOSH POURPORE

Managing Director and Executive Vice President; Senior Vice President

Other key employees: Chyresse Wells, Nicole Stachnick

Corning Place Communications, which has been led since 2011 by Paul Larrabee, is known for running advocacy campaigns in the state capital. The public relations firm, a strategic partner of the law firm Hinman Straub, has an in-house digital video team led by Chyresse Wells that augments its strategic communication and marketing efforts. Larrabee, a former state government official, has served as president of the Public Relations Consultants Group, while Josh Pourpore serves on the Public Relations Society of America’s national board of directors. Among its recent campaigns are helping the Grow NY Farms Coalition make its case with the Farm Laborers Wage Board and assisting Realities of Single Payer in blocking the New York Health Act.

KIRTZMAN STRATEGIES

ANDREW KIRTZMAN & DAVID WEINER

Founder and President; Chief Operating Officer

MICHAEL

WOLOZ & DANNA DEBLASIO

President and CEO; Managing Director

Notable clients: National Supermarket Association, Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade, New York City Arts

Notable clients: New York State Conference of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, Association of Proprietary Colleges, New York State Professional Fire Fighters Association, Northeast Dairy Producers Association, New York State Police Investigators Association

Andrew Kirtzman has long been a recognizable name in New York politics, and he only boosted his profile with a timely and well-reviewed biography, “Giuliani: The Rise and Tragic Fall of America’s Mayor,” which The New Yorker named one of the best books of 2022. The former NY1 host and Global Strategy Group veteran has seen his firm’s crisis management practice balloon in 2022, nearly becoming its largest practice area. Competitors in the PR space should keep an eye on Kirtzman Strategies in

Andrew Kirtzman's new book on Rudy Giuliani was named a top book of 2022.

BoltonSt. Johns Partner Juanita Scarlett

early 2023, as the New York City-based firm is planning to announce major news about its expansion plans.

Editor’s note: Andrew Kirtzman is a member of City & State’s advisory board. 26

THE BERMAN GROUP

SARAH BERMAN

Founder and President

Other key employees: Melinda Crump, Paul Dunn, Karyn Houde

Notable clients: BXP, Columbia Property Trust, RXR Realty, Howard Hughes Corp., Fisher Brothers

Sarah Berman’s public relations firm specializes in construction and real estate, with high-profile clients such as RXR Realty, Fisher Brothers and BXP, which was formerly known as Boston Properties. The Berman Group has helped to publicize the “Back to Work” barometer, a major economic indicator launched by Kastle to provide visibility into national office markets that has been used by numerous corporations and government authorities as they gauge office building occupancy and related economic activity in downtown markets around the country. The firm is also working on new hospitality and amenity programs to

27

EDELMAN

ANDREA HAGELGANS & ERIC PHILLIPS

Managing Director, U.S. Social Issues Engagement; Executive Vice President and Group Head, Crisis and Reputation Risk Advisory

Notable clients: Axel Springer, Unilever, Craig Newmark, NewYorkPresbyterian Hospital, Project Unloaded

Edelman is a global communications firm serving corporate clients and organizations – and an increasingly critical service is educating clients on the risks of action or inaction on societal issues. Andrea Hagelgans, who was an adviser to then-New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and serves on the city Commission on Gender Equity, leads Edelman’s U.S. social issues engagement efforts, which helps companies navigate U.S. Supreme Court decisions, elections, corporate responses to mass shootings and online activist campaigns. Digital public affairs and online activist support is led by political veteran Nicole

Haber, and Lauren Gray, a former senior communications adviser with the National Center for Lesbian Rights, oversees crisis and risk preparedness as well as LGBTQ brand guidance. Eric Phillips leads Edelman New York’s crisis and reputation risk advisory practice. 28

NICHOLAS & LENCE COMMUNICATIONS

CRISTYNE NICHOLAS & GEORGE LENCE

CEO; President

Other key employees: ShinJung Hong, Joshua Knoller, Wendell Jamieson, Nick Nicholas

Notable clients: City Experiences by Hornblower, Times Square Alliance, The Fireman Hospitality Group, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts, St. Barnabas Health System

Nicholas & Lence

Communications has been working closely with City Hall and Albany, as well as with

business and community leaders, on New York’s comeback. The firm, which represents clients in travel and tourism, real estate, hospitality and theater as well as business improvement districts, helps pen and place op-eds, essays and letters in publications around the country. The firm also has carved out a niche with military, veteran and other charitable support organizations such as the Friends of Firefighters, the Gary Sinise Foundation and LiveOnNY. CEO Cristyne Nicholas also hosts a Friday night radio show on AM 970, focused on tourism and highlighting the companies and nonprofits that are revitalizing New York. 29

SENECA STRATEGIES

MONICA KLEIN

Founding Partner

Notable clients: Fiscal Policy Institute, New York Caring Majority, New York Birth Control Access Project

support the evolving commercial office sector.

Left, Andrea Hagelgans, and, right, Eric Phillips, both of Edelman

Seneca Strategies won $7.7B in new state funding for home care workers last year.

Nonprofits are the of New York.

Congratulations to all the honorees!

Hannah Arnold, President & CEO Lisa Linden, Media Strategist lakpr.com

Monica Klein’s Seneca Strategies broke onto the scene in 2018, when it consulted for several highprofile progressive female candidates, including Cynthia Nixon, Jessica Ramos and Liuba Grechen Shirley. Over the past two years, Seneca Strategies ran communications for the New York Caring Majority, helping win $7.7 billion in new state funding for home care workers, and ran communications for Invest In Our New York, helping to win over $4 billion in new state revenue through higher taxes on millionaires and corporations.

care, economic development, energy, financial and transportation industries.

THE MARTIN GROUP

ANDREW MANGINI

Senior Director and Public Affairs Practice Lead

Other key employees: Leanne Politi, Brittany Kenny, John Mackowiak

Notable clients: New York State Restaurant Association, Homeowners for an Affordable New York, PaintCare, New York State Society of Physician Assistants, Samaritan Medical Center

The Buffalo-based Martin Group, which acquired Gramercy Communications in 2021, saw its public affairs department play a key role on the winning side of two high-profile legislative fights in Albany last year – the passage of to-go alcohol and the defeat of “good cause” eviction legislation. Specializing in the handling of strategic messaging and media relations around issue advocacy campaigns and legislative battles, The Martin Group has a growing roster of association and nonprofit partners as well as notable clients in the food and beverage, sport, health

31

BLUEJACKET STRATEGIES

PETER KAUFFMANN

Founder and Principal Notable clients: Blue Collar Coalition, CVS Health, Time’s Up Legal Defense Fund, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Family Equality

Peter Kauffmann founded Bluejacket Strategies nearly a decade ago, after five years serving in the Navy and holding key communications roles for then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and then-U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. As vice chair of VoteVets, Kauffmann is now a frequent columnist and contributor on national security issues. This election cycle, VoteVets was one of the top outside spenders on the Democratic side, playing a role in every U.S. Senate swing race and key front-line House races. In New York, VoteVets was the only Democratic outside group in Rep. Pat Ryan’s special election win.

32BUTLER ASSOCIATES

THOMAS BUTLER & MICHAEL CLENDENIN

President and Chief Strategist; Senior Strategist

Notable clients: Siebert Williams & Shank Co., Davidoff Hutcher & Citron, Building Trades Employers’ Association, Carver Federal Savings Bank, American Triple I

Butler Associates, which has long represented a number of organized labor and financial services clients, bolstered its environment, energy and infrastructure practice in 2022 with the addition of Michael Clendenin, the longtime Con Edison spokesperson. The firm was also behind a green energy policy push, New York’s 9/11 Notice Act and efforts to expand diversity

and economic opportunity in construction. Butler also helped launch several key legal cannabis players into the New York and New Jersey market.

33

THE LAKPR GROUP INC.

HANNAH ARNOLD & LISA LINDEN

President and CEO; Media Strategist

Notable clients: Clearview AI, Spitzer Engineering, Hotel Association of New York City, Rego Restaurant Group (Quiznos)

The LAKPR Group is one of the best in the business when it comes to crisis communications. Washington, D.C.-based Hannah Arnold,

Bluejacket Strategies founder and Principal Peter Kauffmann

The Martin Group notched victories last year with to-go alcohol and on "good cause."

and New York-based Lisa Linden both handled press for then-state Sen. Roy Goodman before moving to the private sector, where both spent over two decades at LAK Public Relations, the predecessor of LAKPR Group. The growing firm provides strategic leadership and organizational communications, crisis communications and public relations, and has recently expanded its work with private equity-backed companies.

34

SYKES GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS

MICHAEL OLIVA & RONNIE OLIVA

President; Founder and CEO

Notable clients: iBrain, W. E. B. Du Bois Museum Foundation, Harlem Times

In 2022, Sykes Global Communications positioned iBrain, the International Institute for the Brain, as a premier school for children and young adults with brain injuries. The firm publicized its annual fashion show, where students worked with professional fashion designers to develop their own outfits that they themselves modeled on the runway, raising funds for brain injury research. The public relations firm also partnered with philanthropist Daniel Rose and the W. E. B. Du Bois Museum

Foundation to help launch the development of a multimilliondollar museum honoring the historian, civil rights activist and scholar W. E. B. Du Bois, in Ghana, West Africa.

35

J STRATEGIES

JULIE MOSLEY, ADAM MOREY & CARLY ANDERSEN

Managing Partner and CEO; Managing Director, Public Affairs and Advocacy; Vice President, Brand and Media Communications

Other key employees: Jaime Venditti, Minda Conroe, Ashlee Palmieri, Francisca Cruz, Jeff Quain, Tess Morissey, Erin Hearn, Rob Rigo

Notable clients: PhRMA, Compassion & Choices, Unchained at Last, ACLU, Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York

J Strategies, which was founded by upstate government affairs veterans Julie Mosley and Jaime Venditti in 2010, has expanded its reach throughout the Northeast and the midAtlantic, with offices in Albany, New York City and Massachusetts. Among its recent successes on the media and public affairs front is passing legislation on health equity, consumer protection and women’s rights. The firm, which has clients in

the life sciences, health care, tech, financial services and nonprofit sectors, recently hired Peter Monaco as vice president overseeing research and copywriting.

36

RELENTLESS AWARENESS

JOE BONILLA & MELISSA KEES

Managing Partner; Director of Accounts and Media Strategy

Other key employees: Mike Allen, Sabrina Flores, Rich Fazio

Notable clients: Deloitte, Amtrak, New York Oncology Hematology, Port of Albany, Bow Tie Cinemas

For over a decade, Relentless Awareness has expanded its footprint in Albany and beyond. Lately, it has been supplementing its creative services department with investments in live production for client press conferences and media tours. The firm is also emphasizing its diversity, equity and inclusion and environmental, social and governance work, led by TaChelle Lawson and new team member Adrienne Bonilla. Joe Bonilla, the indefatigable co-founder who previously served as communications director for Assembly Member Patricia Fahy, has also launched a craft coffee company, co-hosts a podcast and helps run an entertainment startup.

37

GEORGE ARZT COMMUNICATIONS INC.

GEORGE ARZT, BOB LIFF & SABRINA REZZY

President; Senior Vice President; Vice President

Notable clients: Kings County Democratic Committee, Hilary Gingold for Surrogate, Carolyn Maloney for Congress, Lynn Schulman for New York City Council, Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York

George Arzt, a seasoned New York City political adviser whose résumé includes a stint as spokesperson for Mayor Ed Koch and 18 years at the New York Post, focused his consulting practice this past election cycle on his work with the Kings County Democratic Committee. In 2021, Arzt helped Lynn Schulman win a New York City Council seat and guided Judge Hilary Gingold’s successful run for Manhattan Surrogate Court. Veteran Bob Liff heads up the team’s campaign work, and recently teamed up with Sabrina Rezzy, who

From left, Sabrina Rezzy, George Arzt and Bob Liff

has worked with Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the Brooklyn Democratic Party boss.

City mayoral campaign and at New Deal Strategies. Among her clients are Open New York, a pro-housing development group that’s gaining traction, and the White House Community Violence Intervention Collaborative. In 2022, the firm also brought on former New York Post reporter Sam Raskin.

SLINGSHOT STRATEGIES

ALYSSA CASS

Partner

Notable clients: Rep. Pat Ryan, Carlina Rivera for Congress, Open New York, Open Plans, Community Violence Intervention Initiative

Pat Ryan’s triumph over Marc Molinaro in an upstate special election that showed the overturning of Roe v. Wade could boost Democrats – and it was a big win for Alyssa Cass, who led Ryan’s media and messaging. Slingshot Strategies, founded in 2017, brought on Cass in 2021 after her stints on Andrew Yang’s New York

39

SUNSHINE SACHS MORGAN & LYLIS

KEN SUNSHINE

Founder

Before he launched a communications agency that has amassed a long list of celebrity and corporate clients, Ken Sunshine was active in politics, serving as a delegate for George McGovern’s presidential campaign and becoming chief of staff to then-New York City Mayor

David Dinkins. Last year, Sunshine and longtime CEO Shawn Sachs marked their 30th anniversary by elevating Keleigh Thomas Morgan and Heather Lylis to serve as copresidents while renaming the firm Sunshine Sachs Morgan & Lylis. Sunshine himself has long remained a player in New York politics, forging friendships with former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Commercial Services LP; The Tiegerman School

In October, Brad Gerstman and Nicole Epstein Schwartz left Gotham Government Relations to launch the law firm Gerstman PLLC. The firm is dedicated to providing government relations as well as media and communications services at the city and state level in New York. Epstein, who handled communications at Gotham alongside Gerstman for eight years, also serves as chair of the Nassau County Bar Association’s Government Relations Committee.

41

GOTHAM GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

DAVID SCHWARTZ, ARTHUR AIDALA, DENNY SALAS & IMRAN ANSARI

Founder and President; Chair; Vice President of Government Relations; Vice President and Legal Counsel

Notable clients: AARP, Red Apple Group, New York Association of Wholesalers and Distributors, People United to Protect Pet Integrity

GERSTMAN PLLC

BRAD GERSTMAN & NICOLE EPSTEIN SCHWARTZ

Managing Partner; Partner and Vice President of Government Relations

Notable clients: New York School Bus Contractors Association; Empire

Gotham Government Relations went through a significant transformation last fall, reshuffling its leadership and teaming up with the Law Offices of Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins PC, a litigation firm. David Schwartz, who founded Gotham 15 years ago, is staying on in a new role as president, while Arthur Aidala is the new chair and Denny Salas and Imran Ansari were named vice presidents. Schwartz has billed the changes as providing more avenues to advocate on behalf of clients, whether it’s in a court of law, lobbying elected officials or shaping public opinion. Another recognizable name on the team is former Rep. Gary Ackerman.

Clockwise from top left, David Schwartz, Arthur Aidala, Imran Ansari and Denny Salas

JOAN

THE HAYES INITIATIVE

ANTHONY HAYES & TAÍNA BORRERO

Founder and President; Senior Vice President

Other key employees: Jeffry Pennock, Cecilia Rodriguez, JT Ennis, Harrison Rose

Notable clients: Blade Urban Air Mobility, Google, Montefiore Einstein Medical Center, New York City Football Club, Schmidt Futures

New to this year’s list is The Hayes Initiative, founded in 2017 by Anthony Hayes. Hayes, who worked on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign and at GMHC, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the Human Rights Campaign, brought on communications and consulting veteran Taína Borrero in 2021. The LGBTQowned public affairs firm continued to grow in 2022 while serving such clients as the New York City Football Club, which will be building a 25,000-seat stadium in Willets Point, Queens. The firm also was a strategic adviser on Latino affairs for the state Democratic Party during Gov. Kathy Hochul’s primary win.

43

SKELLY STRATEGIC SOLUTIONS

MICHAEL SKELLY

President

Notable clients: New York City Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, Florida Police Benevolent Association, SubwaySurface Supervisors Association, Suffolk County Association of Municipal Employees, New York State

From top, Anthony Hayes and Taína Borrero of The Hayes Initiative

Supreme Court Officers Association

Michael Skelly, a go-to communications pro for organized labor, began 2022 with a media campaign for Suffolk County’s largest public sector union, Suffolk AME, focused on boosting the starting pay of school crossing guards. Skelly’s firm also helped the New York City Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association draw attention to sexual assaults against female correction officers. Outside of New York, the firm ran a traditional and digital media campaign on

behalf of the Florida PBA to help recruit and retain law enforcement officers by advocating for pay raises and better benefits.

44

GREENBERG PUBLIC RELATIONS

STEVE GREENBERG

Owner

Notable clients: Siena College Research Institute,

Compassion & Choices, New York State Industries for the Disabled, New York eHealth Collaborative, UFC

Steve Greenberg has provided communications expertise to clients in Albany for nearly two decades. The former press secretary for two Assembly speakers and a state comptroller is now the public face of the Siena College Research Institute, which partnered with The New York Times on polling this past cycle. Greenberg also teamed up with Stanhope Partners to help New York State Industries for the Disabled pass legislation to expand job opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities. He also assisted Compassion & Choices in its push for medically assisted suicide legislation.

45

STANHOPE PARTNERS

BOB BELLAFIORE Owner

Notable clients: Archdiocese of New York, PhRMA, New York State Industries for the Disabled, New York eHealth Collaborative, Chicago Archdiocese Catholic Schools

Bob Bellafiore, a former Associated Press reporter and Pataki administration official, has spent the past 11 years running his own communications firm, Stanhope Partners. Bellafiore, who works with clients at the state and national level, is an expert in crisis management and developing short- and long-term stakeholder communications strategies. One recent victory was helping New York State Industries for the Disabled, which facilitates jobs statewide for people with disabilities, to secure legislation modernizing the Willowbrook-era Preferred Source Program.

DOWNFIELD

ERIC KOCH

Founder

Notable clients: Suraj Patel for Congress, Met Council, 32BJ SEIU, Action For Democracy, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Eric Koch brings plenty of experience to Downfield, having handled press for legislators at the city, state and federal levels and having worked at such well-known firms as BerlinRosen, Hiltzik Strategies and Precision Strategies. Downfield, which Koch launched in 2021, had 20 different clients last year – including “Action For Democracy,” an election effort opposing Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.

47

TODD SHAPIRO ASSOCIATES PUBLIC RELATIONS

TODD SHAPIRO

President and CEO

Notable clients: Uniformed Firefighters Association, Uniformed Fire Officers Association, George Pataki Leadership Center, Bitcoin Foundation Chair Brock Pierce, Rep. Andrew Garbarino

Todd Shapiro has worked for a range of well-known political figures, government entities and labor unions, many of them on Long Island. Among the clients Shapiro’s eponymous public relations firm has worked for are state Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs, the villages of Hempstead and Freeport, the Suffolk and Nassau Police Benevolent Associations and WABC Radio. Shapiro is also opening The War Room restaurant and Todd’s Back Room

Cigar Lounge on Eagle Street above a new Albany office – his first outside the New York City metropolitan area. Shapiro also joined former Gov. George Pataki on two humanitarian trips to Ukraine.

48

STUART MARQUES COMMUNICATIONS

STUART MARQUES

Founder and President

Stuart Marques, a former Daily News editor, doesn’t have the most clients, but he handles communications for one of New York’s most powerful unions: 1199SEIU. Marques, who launched his Brooklynbased firm over a decade ago, has helped the union in its battles for budget hikes, better contract terms and

policy changes benefitting its members. He has also been credited for being “diligent and thoughtful” and able to capitalize on his extensive contacts.

49

WALL TO WALL COMMUNICATIONS

ROSS M. WALLENSTEIN

Founder and CEO

Notable clients: Operation Benjamin, Center for Jewish History, Crain’s New York Business, Homeowners for

an Affordable New York, Sid Jacobson JCC

Ross Wallenstein’s one-man operation has only been in business since the middle of 2021, but the PR veteran has retained some notable clients. Among them are Operation Benjamin, a nonprofit that replaces headstones of Jewish American service members mistakenly buried under Latin crosses, which was featured this year in The New York Times and other outlets.

Wallenstein got his start in several governmental and campaign roles, then worked at firms including Marino, Marathon and J Strategies before launching his own shop.

50

NORTHSIDE RESEARCH + CONSULTING

JONATHAN DAVIS

Managing

Director

If the George Santos fiasco has illustrated anything, it’s the importance of oppo research. And one of the best at digging up oppo is Jonathan Davis, although he won’t acknowledge much of anything on the record. In response to a request for basic details, he responded: “Northside Research does not disclose its clients, employees, network of informants, or physical location. Nothing in the previous sentence should be construed as an admission that the firm even exists.” A review of recent public filings, however, shows the firm worked for congressional candidates Alessandra Biaggi and Carlina Rivera as well as New York City mayoral candidate Scott Stringer.

ANDREA GAIL

Wall to Wall Communications founder and CEO Ross M. Wallenstein

Todd Shapiro is planning to open a restaurant and cigar lounge in Albany.

Notice of Qual. of CABRERA CAPITAL, LLC Auth. filed with SSNY on 11/08/2022. Office location: New York. LLC formed in DE on 11/30/2021. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 600 MAMARONECK AVENUE #400, HARRISON, NY, 10528. Arts. of Org. filed with DE SOS. Townsend Bldg. Dover, DE 19901. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of EXCEL NONPROFIT, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/09/2022. Office location ONONDAGA SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 6850 KNOLLWOOD ROAD, FAYETTEVILLE, NY, 13066. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of CARBON SPHERE NY LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 09/26/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 10 MONTIETH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11206. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of FORTUNE BUILDING & W LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/28/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 474 GATES AVE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11216. Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF 290 Manhattan LLC. Articles of Org. filed with NY Secretary of State (SSNY) on 11/14/22. Office loc.:NEW YORK County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail service of process against LLC at 329 W 112th St, NY, NY 10026. Princ. business addr. of LLC:329 W 112th St, NY, NY 10026. Purpose: any lawful purpose

Notice of Formation of 771 GRAND STREET, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/08/2022.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 111 BAY 49TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11214. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Porous Walls LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/27/22. Office location: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Attn: Eden Wurmfeld, 329 Sackett St, Brooklyn, NY 11231. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of UMPIRE ROCK LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 09/12/2022.

Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 451 6TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11215. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of TEN31 VENTURES LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 10/24/2022.Office location: Richmond SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 2047 VICTORY BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY, 10314. Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of professional service limited liability company (LLC). Name: Kaishian & Kline LLC. Articles of Organization filed with Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 11/01/2022. Office location: Kings County. SSNY has been designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC at its principal business location: 55 Washington Street Suite 728, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Purpose: Law practice.

Notice of Formation of 4006 14 LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/02/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 4006 14TH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11218. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of LOCKSTEP VENTURES MANAGEMENT, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/22/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 09/22/20. Princ. office of LLC: 712 Fifth Ave., 7th Fl., NY, NY 10019. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, Attn: Marcus Glover at the princ. office of the LLC. DE addr. of LLC: Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of WESTMINSTER VILLAGE ACQUISITION, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/02/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of PUERTO MORELOS PROPERTY LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/15/2022.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 241 EAST 32ND STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11226. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of AMERICAN TILE WORKS, LLC. Articles of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State (DOS) on 0822-2022. Office location: Schenectady County, NY Sec. of State (SSNY) is designated as agent upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail service of process to 1705 Norfolk Ave Schenectady, NY 12303. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 42 BROAD STREET, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/18/2022.Office location: Montgomery SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to ONE COMMERCE PLAZA, 99 WASHINGTON AVE., SUITE 805-A, ALBANY, NY, 12210. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 143 CALYER LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/18/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 105 MAXESS RD, SUITE 124, MELVILLE, NY 11747. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of CRESLAND REALTY LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/21/2022. Office location Fulton SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to PO BOX 669, JOHNSTOWN, NY, 12095. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of SWIFT RIVER BOOKS LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/18/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 285 5TH AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11215. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MNPW PACT ML LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/07/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: c/o The Community Builders, Inc., W. 38th St., Ste. 1102, NY, NY 10018. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Ownership, leasing and operation of real estate.

Notice of Formation of MRR 38 PROPERTIES LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/14/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 38 15TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11215. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of NASMI GROUP LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/28/2022. Office location: Richmond SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 1930 RICHMOND RD, STATEN ISLAND, NY, 10306. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of LE LEGACY PROPERTIES LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/23/2022. Office location Rensselaer SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 103 HOLBRITTER ROAD, VALLEY FALLS, NY, 12185. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qual. of JL HORNELL 1697, LLC Auth. filed with SSNY on 11/18/2022. Office location: New York. LLC formed in DE on 11/14/2022. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 600 MAMARONECK AVENUE #400, HARRISON, NY, 10528. Arts. of Org. filed with DE SOS. Townsend Bldg. Dover, DE 19901. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of OLIVER AND FRIENDS, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/21/22. Office location: Kings County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 345 14th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qual. of HOUSE OF FLOW LLC Auth. filed with SSNY on 11/22/2022. Office location: Kings. LLC formed in AZ on 11/18/2020. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 250 CLARKSON AVENUE, #810, BROOKLYN, NY, 11226. Arts. of Org. filed with AZ SOS. 1700 W Washington St Fl 7, Phoenix AZ 85007. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MKTD HOLDINGS, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/28/2022. Office location Cayuga SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 110 GENESEE ST., 200, AUBURN, NY, 13021. Any lawful purpose.

KPS Licensed Behavior Analyst PLLC filed w/ SSNY 10/1/22. Off. in Nassau Co. SSNY desig. as agt. of PLLC whom process may be served & shall mail process to the PLLC, 49 Flagstone Lane Westbury, NY 11590. Purpose: Licensed Behavior Analyst Work.

Notice of Formation of LIAM SKY LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/22/2022. Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 31 MONROE STREET, APARTMENT 11A, NEW YORK, NY, 10002. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qual. of NHC GP LLC. Auth. filed with SSNY on 12/1/22. Office location: New York. LLC formed in DE on 3/8/21. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 600 Mamaroneck Ave, #400, Harrison, NY 10528. Arts. of Org. filed with DE SOS. Townsend Bldg. Dover, DE 19901. Any lawful purpose.

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORKCOUNTY OF KINGS

U.S. BANK NA, SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO WELLS FARGO BANK, NA, SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NA, AS TRUSTEE, FOR CHASE FUNDING LOAN ACQUISITION TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSET-BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-OPT1,

V.

ISTLYN LEWIS, ET AL.

NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure dated May 1, 2019, and entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of Kings, wherein U.S. BANK NA, SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE TO WELLS FARGO BANK, NA, SUCCESSOR TO WACHOVIA BANK, NA, AS TRUSTEE, FOR CHASE FUNDING LOAN ACQUISITION TRUST, MORTGAGE LOAN ASSETBACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-OPT1 is the Plaintiff and ISTLYN LEWIS, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction RAIN OR SHINE on the COURTHOUSE STEPS OF THE KINGS COUNTY COURTHOUSE, 360 ADAMS STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11201, on January 12, 2023 at 11:20AM, premises known as 616 EAST 42ND STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11203: Block 4975, Lot 31:

Notice of Formation of LV 20 AVE REALTY PROPERTY LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 10/27/2022.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 111 BAY 49TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11214. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qual. of ATL III ADVISOR L.P. Auth. filed with SSNY on 12/7/22. Office location: New York. LP formed in DE on 3/21/22. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 600 Mamaroneck Ave, #400, Harrison, NY 10528. Arts. of Org. filed with DE SOS. Townsend Bldg. Dover, DE 19901. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qual. of BHB AMERICA, LLC. Auth. filed with SSNY on 12/5/22. Office location: New York. LLC formed in FL on 3/15/21. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 225 N.E. Mizner Blvd., Suite 510, Boca Raton, FL, 33432. Arts. of Org. filed with FL SOS. 500 S Bronough St, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Any lawful purpose.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 515317/2016. Philip Kamaras, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing.

*LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

Notice of Formation of JKPE ENTERPRISES, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 07/20/2022. Office location Rensselaer SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 3 E INDUSTRIAL PKWY, TROY, NY, 12180. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 948 PROSPECT PL LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/25/2022.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 522 LEFFERTS AVENUE, 4E, BROOKLYN, NY, 11225. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Mansion And River, LLC filed with SSNY on November 11, 2022. Office: Kings County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 234 North 7th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of PPP PROPERTIES LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 03/02/2020. Office location Rensselaer SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to PO BOX 640, WYNANTSKILL, NY, 12198. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Gorkul, LLC filed with SSNY on 6/6/22. Office: New York County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 21 Jay Street, Apt. 4W, NY, NY 10013. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of formation Totec LLC filed with SSNY on NOVEMBER 02, 2022. Office: Richmond county. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 9 doty ave Staten Island nyc 10305 ny Purpose: any lawful act or activity

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1355205 for liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at: 140 E 74TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10021 and New York County for on premises consumption.

CHEZ FIFI LLC 140 E 74TH ST, NEW YORK, NY 10021

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1343000 for beer/ wine/cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer/wine/cider at retail in a Tavern/bar under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at: 228 MOTT ST, NEW YORK, NY 10012 and New York County for on premises consumption.

THE ELK MOTT LLC 228 MOTT ST, NEW YORK, NY 10012

Notice of Formation of 3YC, LLC filed with SSNY on 11/29/2022. Office: Kings County. LegalInc Corporate Services Inc, 1967 Wehrle Drive, Ste. 1-086, Buffalo, NY 14221, is designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of L 65 REALTY PROPERTY LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 10/25/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 111 BAY 49TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11214. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MADHURA YOGA LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/13/2022. Office location: New York SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 600 MAMARONECK AVENUE #400, HARRISON, NY, 10528.Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of ORIGIN CONSULTING, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/30/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 10/28/09. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with DE Secy. of State, 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of SPITFIRE STRATEGIES

LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/28/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in District of Columbia, United States on 07/03/02. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 2300 N St. NW, Washington, DC 20037. District of Columbia, United States addr. of LLC: 2300 N St. NW, Ste. 610, Washington, DC 20037. Cert. of Form. filed with The Superintendent of Corps., Dept of Licensing and Consumer Protection, Corps. Div., Digital Service Center, 2nd Fl., 1100 4th St. SW, Washington, DC 20024. Purpose: Strategic consulting services for nonprofit, foundations and other organizations.

Notice of Formation of Wang Capital LLC , filed with SSNY on 11/17/2022. Office: New York County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 555 W 23rd St, #N12C, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, WITH THE BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON ERECTED, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING IN THE BOROUGH OF BROOKLYN, COUNTY OF KINGS, CITY AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Notice of Form. of LYNCOURT MINI GOLF, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/05/2022. Office location: Onondaga SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 230 BERWICK ROAD NORTH, SYRACUSE, NY, 13208. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MADISON OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY NYC PLLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/05/2022.

Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 90 STATE ST, SUITE 700 BOX 10, ALBANY, NY, 12207. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of NEW YORK REMOTE MEDICAL CARE PLLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/02/2022.

Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 1827 NEW YORK AVE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11210. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of NORTH CAMPUS DEVELOPER MANAGER LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/23/2022.

Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 13 GREENE AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11238. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of TAVERN TOO, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 09/14/2022.

Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 567 HUDSON STREET, NEW YORK, NY, 10014. Any lawful purpose.

PROBATE CITATION - File No. 2020-900 - SURROGATE’S COURT - NEW YORK COUNTY CITATION - THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, By the Grace of God Free and Independent - TO Enrique Leung Fernandez, if living and if dead, to his heirs at law, next of kin and distributees whose names and places of residence are unknown and if he died subsequent to the decedent herein, to his executors, administrators, legatees, devisees, assignees, and successors in interest whose names and places of residence are unknown and to all other heirs at law, next of kin and distributees of Juan Fernandez, the decedent herein, whose names and places of residence are unknown and cannot, after diligent inquiry, be ascertained. An amended petition having been duly filed by Maria Fernandez, who is domiciled at 32 Mulberry St Apt 1 New York NY 10013 YOU ARE HEREBY CITED TO SHOW CAUSE before the Surrogate’s Court, NEW YORK County, at 31 Chambers Street, New York, on January 30, 2023, at 9:30 o’clock in the FORE noon of that day, why a decree should not be made in the estate of Juan Fernandez a/k/a Juan Fernandez Chia a/k/a Juan Fernandez-Chia lately domiciled at 180 South St Apt 2I New York NY 10038 admitting to probate a Will dated April 11, 2012, (Codicil(s) dated n/a), a copy of which is attached, as the Will of Juan Fernandez a/k/a Juan Fernandez Chia a/k/a Juan Fernandez-Chia deceased, relating to real and personal property, and directing that [X] Letters Testamentary issue to: Maria Fernandez (State any further relief requested) * To all Parties: No in person appearances shall be made at the return date. If you wish to object to this matter, you may do so in writing in accordance with the annexed New York County Surrogate’s Court Notice to the Cited Parties HON. Rita Mella Surrogate Diana Sanabria Chief Clerk Dated, Attested and Sealed December 2, 2022 Joseph Yau, Esq. Attorney for Petitioner 347-788-8304 Telephone Number 139 Centre St Suite 816 New York NY 10013 Address of Attorney jyau@ jyaulaw.com E-mail Address of Attorney [NOTE: This citation is served upon you as required by law. You are not required to appear. If you fail to appear it will be assumed you do not object to the relief requested. You have a right to have an attorney appear for you.]

SURROGATE’S COURT OF THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK 31 CHAMBERS STREET NEW YORK, NY 10007 (646) 386-5800 NOTICE TO CITED PARTIES You have been served with a citation for a matter that is scheduled to be heard at a New York County Surrogate’s Court calendar. Please be advised that pursuant to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Orders and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks’ Administrative Orders now in effect in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, this court is serving the public and court users primarily through virtual or electronic appearances; in-person appearances are limited at this time. The citation that you have received contains a return date. Please do not appear in the courthouse on that date. The following choices are available to you: If you do not object to the relief requested, you do not need to contact the court or do anything else. If you do object to the relief sought on the citation, you or your lawyer must send a document to the court signed by you or your lawyer indicating that: 1. You object to the relief or you are requesting discovery; OR 2. You are requesting the opportunity to appear in person or by using Skype for Business or by telephone conference; OR 3. You are requesting an adjournment to consult with or retain counsel. Your written response must be received by the court three (3) business days before the return date and must include either an email address or telephone number, or both, where you or your lawyer can be reached during business hours. Your communication to the court may be sent by email to: Probate_General@nycourts.gov or by mail addressed to the Probate Department of this court at the address listed above. The attorney for the petitioner must be copied in your communication. If your written communication to the court indicates that you would like to proceed as described in choice number 1 above, your case may be referred to a court attorney-referee for a conference. The case will be adjourned to a future date, if you request the opportunity to appear in person or by electronic means or to consult or retain counsel (choices number 2 and 3). If you do not contact the court by the date on the citation, the record will reflect that you do not object to the relief requested. If an attorney plans to appear on your behalf, he or she must file a Notice of Appearance. This Notice may be filed by mail addressed to the Probate Department of this court at the address listed above or through the e-filing system (NYSCEF), at www.nycourts.gov/efile. If you have questions about responding to the citation, you may contact the Probate Department at Probate_General@nycourts.gov. Please note that court staff are prohibited from giving legal advice but they are available to answer any question about procedure. The Probate Department of the New York County Surrogate’s Court

Notice of Formation of NIDO PROPCO LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State: 12/6/22. Office location: NY County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: 132 E. 62nd St., NY, NY 10065, principal business address. Purpose: all lawful purposes.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

CANASTOTA CREEK STABLE LLC Art. Of Org. Filed Sec. of State of NY 10/27/2022. Off. Loc. : Madison Co. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY to mail copy of process to The LLC, 2801 State Route 5S, Little Falls, NY 13365, USA. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of Ikon Medical Supplies, LLC filed with SSNY on 9/7/2022. Office: Richmond County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 944 Annadale Rd, Staten Island NY 10312. Purpose: any lawful act or activity

LEGALNOTICES@CITYANDSTATENY.COM

Notice of Formation of AMVI LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/07/2022. Office location: Broome SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 3139 KNAPP ROAD, VESTAL, NY, 13850. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 161 PART 2 LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 09/09/2022. Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 161 WEST 23RD STREET, NEW YORK, NY, 10011. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 180 REMSEN ELIAS LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/05/2022. Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 400 EAST 67TH STREET, PH30, NEW YORK, NY, 10065. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 645 MEDICAL ASSOCIATES, PLLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/10/2022. Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 645 MADISON AVENUE, NEW YORK, NY, 10022. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of GREEN-ARM ENTERPRISES, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/30/2021.

Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 650 HAWTHORNE STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11203. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Form. of LYNCOURT COMMONS, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/08/2022. Office location: Onondaga SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 230 BERWICK ROAD NORTH, SYRACUSE, NY, 13208. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MBH CAPITAL LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 04/22/2022.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 1101 PUTNAM AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11221. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MHR 8862 REALTY LLC . Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/06/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 8862 15TH AVE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11228. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of O’BRYAN LOGGING, LLC . Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 11/10/2022.Office location: Schoharie SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 2560 CREEK ROAD, ESPERANCE, NY, 12066. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of VW 1688 REALTY LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/08/2022.

Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 439 49TH STREET, BROOKLYN, NY 11220. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of L&C US GROUP LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 10/26/2022.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 1224 83RD STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11228. Any lawful purpose.

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF KINGS, WILMINGTON SAVINGS FUND SOCIETY, FSB, D/B/A CHRISTIANA TRUST, NOT INDIVIDUALLY BUT AS TRUSTEE FOR PRETIUM MORTGAGE ACQUISITION TRUST, Plaintiff, vs. YOELLY RODRIGUEZ, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to an Order Confirming Referee’s Report and Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on June 14, 2019, and an Order Pursuant to CPLR 2004 Extending the Time to Set Sale duly entered on July 12, 2022. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on the outside of the courthouse steps of the Kings County Supreme Court, 360 Adams Street, Brooklyn, NY on January 12, 2023 at 11:55 a.m., premises known as 282 Hemlock Street, Brooklyn, NY 11208. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Brooklyn, County of Kings, City and State of New York, Block 4147 and Lot 53. Approximate amount of judgment is $485,489.15 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 501581/2016. Cash will not be accepted. COVID-19 safety protocols will be followed at the foreclosure sale. Jeffrey Miller, Esq., Referee Knuckles, Komosinski & Manfro, LLP, 565 Taxter Road, Suite 590, Elmsford, NY 10523, Attorneys for Plaintiff

ALL HANDS STORAGE LLC. App. for Auth. filed with the SSNY on 09/08/22. Originally filed with Secretary of State of Delaware on 08/25/22. Office: Kings 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, 7214 Royce Place, Brooklyn, NY 11234. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of ABSTRACT STRATEGY LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/09/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 1430 Broadway, 12th Fl., NY, NY 10018. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of 78 BANK STREET LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/27/11. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 150 E. 58th St., 28th Fl., NY, NY 10155. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Joshua Benaim, LLC at the princ. office of the LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of BAYO CAPITAL, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/05/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: c/o Hartz Capital, Inc., 500 Plaza Dr., 6th Fl., Secaucus, NJ 07094.

SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Timothy P. Terry, The Hartz Group, Inc., 667 Madison Ave., 24th Fl., NY, NY 10065. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Fahami Valdez Learning Services LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 04/22/2022. Office: 66 St. Nicholas Avenue apt 1H New York 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, 66 St. Nicholas Avenue apt 1H New York County. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qual. of NEW HOLLAND SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FUND L.P. Auth. filed with SSNY on 12/1/22. Office location: New York. LP formed in DE on 6/8/21. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 600 Mamaroneck Ave, #400, Harrison, NY 10528. Arts. of Org. filed with DE SOS. Townsend Bldg. Dover, DE 19901. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of WINCHESTER GARDENS ACQUISITION, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/02/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of SEABURY AND SONS LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 08/24/2022. Office location Rensselaer SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 32 OTSEGO AVE, TROY, NY, 12180. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qual. of CPG VINTAGE ACCESS FUND VI, LLC Auth. filed with SSNY on 11/30/2022. Office location: New York. LLC formed in DE on 11/02/2022. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 125 WEST 55TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY, 10019. Arts. of Org. filed with DE SOS. Townsend Bldg. Dover, DE 19901. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 141 28TH AVENUE LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/02/2022.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 143 28TH AVENUE, BROOKLN, NY, 11214. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 143 28TH AVENUE LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/02/2022.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 143 28TH AVENUE, BROOKLN, NY, 11214. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 7354 MAPLE AVENUE, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 08/13/2021. Office location Genesee SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 1160-A PITTSFORD-VICTOR ROAD, PITTSFORD, NY, 14534. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of BP344 LORIMER LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 09/02/2020. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 1222 AVENUE M, SUITE 302, BROOKLYN, NY, 11230. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 314 39TH ST LLC . Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/07/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 8220 COLONIAL ROAD, BROOKLYN, NY, 11209. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 2532 PITKIN LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/09/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 23 SUNNYSIDE CT, BROOKLYN, NY, 11207. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of EAST LAKE DESIGN & BUILD, LLC . Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/13/2022. Office location: Madison SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 5262 EAST LAKE ROAD, CAZENOVIA, NY 13035. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of JIM GOODFELLOW CABINETRY, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/13/2022. Office location: Madison SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 5325 NELSON ROAD, CAZENOVIA, NY, 13035. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of ZHL TRADING LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 09/29/2022.Office location: Richmond SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 469 HYLAN BLVD, STATEN ISLAND, NY, 10305. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of Seeking Solutions Consulting L.L.C, filed with SSNY on August 8th, 2021. Office: New York County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 168-63 119th ave, Jamaica, NY 11434. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of 14-16 107TH, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/07/2022. Office location Rensselaer SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 3102 7TH AVENUE, TROY, NY, 12180. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 941-949 HOOSICK, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/07/2022. Office location Rensselaer SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 3102 7TH AVENUE, TROY, NY, 12180. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of BAREFOOT TUESDAY LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/07/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 43 DEVOE STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11211. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of LM THREE NYC LENDER LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/08/2022. Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 535 FIFTH AVENUE 17TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY, 10017. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Form. of HM EXPRESS TRANSPORTATION, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/05/2022. Office location: Onondaga SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 3200 SOUTH SALINA STREET, SYRACUSE, NY, 13205. Any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1352143 for wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell wine at retail in a Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at: Times Square Pedestrian Plaza New York, NY 10036 and New York County for on premises consumption.

Snackbox Bisbees LLC Times Square Pedestrian Plaza New York, NY 10036

Notice of Formation of CITE&LINK LLC filed with SSNY on 11/07/2022. Office: KINGS County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 1147 50TH ST, BROOKLYN, NY, 11219, USA. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Qual. of MINKA LIGHTING, LLC Auth. filed with SSNY on 12/12/2022. Office location: New York. LLC formed in CA on 01/19/1982. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 600 MAMARONECK AVENUE #400, HARRISON, NY, 10528. Arts. of Org. filed with CA SOS. 1500 11th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of LEVER FAMILY RESTORATION, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/16/2022.

Office location: Wayne. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 985 MACEDON CENTER RD, MACEDON, NY, 14502. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 23 SUNNYSIDE LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/09/2022.

Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 23 SUNNYSIDE CT, BROOKLYN, NY, 11207. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of UD RPR PACT LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/19/2022. Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 135 MADISON AVENUE, 8TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY, 10016. Any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1343092 for liquor/wine/beer/cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor/wine/beer/ cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at: 55 WYTHE AVE BROOKLYN, NY 11249 and Kings for on premises consumption.

ISLA & CO WILLIAMSBURG LLC 55 WYTHE AVE BROOKLYN, NY 11249

Notice of Formation of LEESON CONSULTING, LLC filed with SSNY on December 2, 2022. Office: New York County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 105 East 24th Street, Apt 1B, New York, NY 10010. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

Notice of Qual. of PALLADIUM HERITAGE (PARALLEL) FUND, L.P. Auth. filed with SSNY on 12/19/2022. Office location: New York. LLC formed in DE on 11/28/2022. SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to: 3411 SILVERSIDE ROAD, TATNALL BUILDING #104 WILMINGTON, DE 19810. Arts. of Org. filed with DE SOS. Townsend Bldg. Dover, DE 19901. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of LMS NYC APT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/13/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Benjamin Friedman, Cozen O’Connor, 3 WTC, 175 Greenwich St., NY, NY 10007. Purpose: Own real estate (co-op apartment).

Notice of Formation of Aims Newburgh Management LLC filed with SSNY on December 23, 2021. Office: Orange County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 5 Lakeside Road Newburgh NY 12550. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of JULIA JO STUDIO LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/16/2022.

Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 1936 HEMPSTEAD TPKE SUITE 116, EAST MEADOW, NY, 11554. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of HOLDING SPACE COACHING &CONSULTING

LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/15/2022. Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 260 MADISON AVENUE, 17 FL, NEW YORK, NY, 10016. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of CASA TUA NYC, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/14/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Florida (FL) on 05/05/21. Princ. office of LLC: 244 NW 35 St., Miami, FL 33127. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, 500 S Bronough St., Tallahassee, FL 32399. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of 885 3RD AVENUE FEE-LEASEHOLD JV

LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/15/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/07/22. Princ. office of LLC: One Vanderbilt Ave., NY, NY 10017. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of IMC Enterprises LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/19/2022. Office location Westchester County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: the LLC, c/o Isaac Cohen, 330 Oxford Rd., New Rochelle, NY 10804. Purpose: Any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Qualification of 30HY RELATED SUBLANDLORD LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/15/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/14/22. Princ. office of LLC: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. 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 of DE, Corp. Div., John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of Hey Pete Productions, LLC filed with SSNY on 4/20/22. Office: NY County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 853 7th Ave, Studio2A, Room7. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of TOMPKINS TERRACE HOUSING, L.P. Cert. of LP filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 10/03/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LP: 30 Hudson Yards, 72nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. Latest date on which the LP may dissolve is 12/31/2121. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of LISA CORSON PHOTOGRAPHY

LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/08/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 218 JEFFERSON AVE. #3, BROOKLYN, NY, 11216. Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF FORMATION of LAW OFFICE OF CHANNA M. GORDON LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of New York (SSNY) on 1/24/2022. Location: Westchester. SSNY designated as agent for service of process on LLC. SSNY shall mail a copy of process to: Channa M. Gordon, 44 South Broadway, Suite 100, White Plains, NY 10601, 716-508-0123. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of 4 FOUR JS LLC filed with SSNY on 10/24/2022. Office: WESTCHESTER County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: 132 Pearl Street, Port Chester, NY 10573. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of RIVER ROAD STEWARDSHIP LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/21/2022. Office location: New York SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to BRESSLER, AMERY & ROSS, P.C., 17 STATE STREET, 34TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY, 10004. Any lawful purpose.

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1355541 for wine has been applied for by the undersigned to sell wine at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at: 30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA NEW YORK , NY 10111 and New York County for on premises consumption.

PUYA ROCKEFELLER CENTER LLC 30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA NEW YORK , NY 10111

Notice of Formation of EASTERN RIVER NY LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/27/22.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 1325 80TH ST. FL 1, BROOKLYN, NY 11228. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of ZOOM N GROOM LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 08/27/2021.

Office location Genesee SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 3804 PEARL STREET ROAD, BATAVIA, NY, 14020. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Form. of Little Pink House Property Group, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/23/2022. Office location: Onondaga SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 5083 WENTWORTH DRIVE, JAMESVILLE, NY 13078. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of MOORE FAMILY PROPERTIES, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/19/2022. Office location ONONDAGA SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 116 PINE RIDGE ROAD, FAYETTEVILLE, NY, 13066. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of DIVERSIFIED EQUIPMENT, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 06/15/21. Office location: Ontario SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 5855 TWEED TRAIL, FARMINGTON, NY 14425. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of OUTAGETECHS HOLDINGS, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/16/22. Office location: RENSSELAER SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 2 CAMPBELL AVENUE, TROY, NY 12180. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of VOLTMEN ELECTRIC, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/21/22. Office location: Warren SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 63 YORKSHIRE DRIVE, QUEENSBURY, NY 12804. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of STUDIO 201 LLC filed with SSNY on 12/08/2022. Office: BRONX County. SSNY designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to LLC: STUDIO 201 LLC 15 CANAL PLACE, #201 BRONX, NY, 10451, USA Purpose: any lawful act or activity.

Notice of Formation of 183 MONROE STREET, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/09/2022. Office location Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 183 MONROE STREET, BROOKLYN, NY, 11216. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of RUNNING BEAR, LLC. Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/02/2022. Office location New York SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 235 EAST 96TH STREET, APT. 10A, NEW YORK, NY, 10128. Any lawful purpose. LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1355555 for LIQUOR has been applied for by the undersigned to LIQUOR at retail in a TAVERN under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at: 171 CHRYSTIE ST NEW YORK, NY 10002 and New York County for on premises consumption.

189 DRINKS LLC 171 CHRYSTIE ST NEW YORK, NY 10002

Notice of Formation of RIVER ROAD STEWARDSHIP LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/21/2022. Office location: New York SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to BRESSLER, AMERY & ROSS, P.C., 17 STATE STREET, 34TH FLOOR, NEW YORK, NY, 10004. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of SEVERN 202 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/23/22. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 184 Woodland Ave., River Edge, NJ 07661. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of EXTRA BRUT LLC . Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 12/20/2022.Office location: Kings SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served SSNY mail process to 810 NOSTRAND AVENUE, BROOKLYN, NY, 11216. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of CAFALONE REALTY LLC . Arts. Of Org. filed with SSNY on 05/09/22.

Office location: Ontario SSNY desg. As agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 5855 TWEED TRAIL, FARMINGTON, NY 14425. Any lawful purpose.

DIVORCE SUMMONS

BY PUBLICATION AND MAILING Docket No. WO22D1896DR Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Lourdes Washington vs Desjuana Washington To the Defendant: Worcester Probate and Family Court 225 Main Street Worcester, MA01608

The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for irretrievable breakdown

The Complaint is on file at the Court. An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would negatively impact the current financial status of either party. SEE Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411. You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon: Lourdes Washington Restricted Information your answer, if any, on or before 03/07/2023. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer, if any, in the office of the Register of this Court. ITNESS, Hon. Leilah A Kearny, First Justice of this Court. Date: December 12, 2022

Public Notice

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to collocate wireless communications antennas 78-feet on an 84foot building rooftop at the approx. vicinity of 150 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY, 11215. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Meagan Henderson, m.henderson@trileaf. com, 1395 South Marietta Parkway, Building 400 Suite 209, Marietta, GA 30067, 678-653-8673.

Public Notice

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) is proposing telecommunications installations at various locations in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Verizon Wireless proposes to replace existing public lighting/traffic control structures and install telecommunications antennas and associated equipment at a top height of 38 feet at the following locations: the approx. vicinity of Tillary Street CM 3E of Jay Street, 11201; the approx. vicinity of Flatbush Avenue @ NWC of Atlantic Avenue, 11217; at the approx. vicinity of Adams Street CM 1N of Fulton Street, 11201. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to:  Trileaf Corp, Benjamin Allen, b.allen@trileaf. com, phone: 678653-8673, 1395 South Marietta Parkway, Building 400, Suite 209, Marietta, GA 30067.

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1355997 for liquor, has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor at retail in a Tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at: 101 Park Ave New York , NY 10017 and New York County for on premises consumption.

FIVE IRON GOLF NYC LLC 101 PARK AVE NEW YORK , NY 10017

Notice of Formation of River Rd A&B Holdings, LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State: 12/2/22. Office location: NY County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Jesse Halliburton, 98 Park Ave., Hoboken, NJ 07030, principal business address. Purpose: all lawful purposes.

Notice of Auction Sale is herein given that Access Self Storage of Long Island City located at 2900 Review Avenue, Long Island City, N.Y. 11101 will take place on WWW. STORAGETREASURES.

COM Sale by competitive bidding starting on January 24, 2023 and end on February 7, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. to satisfy unpaid rent and charges on the following accounts: Contents of rooms generally contain misc. #527 -Elizabeth Daniels; plastic bags & boxes, sled, dollhouse, tennis racket & pillows #532- Lakota Robinson; Shelves & wood panels #604- Brandon Vanwert; Plastic bags, suitcases, boxes, mattress, 2 skateboards, bike, plastic tote, rugs, folding chairs, couch cushions, table #1417- Izzat Nazer; Cooler, suite case, bookbag, sneakers, clothes, bags, and a costume

The contents of each unit will be sold as a lot and all items must be removed from the premises within 72 hours. Owners may redeem their goods by paying all rent and charges due at any time before the sale. All sales are held “with reserve”. Owner reserves the right to cancel sale at any time.

Notice of Qualification of ACTIVE STAFFING OF GEORGIA LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/22/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/06/19. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 41 W. 33rd St., 2nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

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LEGALNOTICES@ CITYANDSTATENY.COM

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to build a 135-foot Monopine (Monopole) Communications Tower at the approx. vicinity of 954 Old Post Road, Bedford, Westchester County, NY 10506. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Benjamin Allen, b.allen@trileaf. com, phone: 678653-8673, 1395 South Marietta Parkway, Building 400, Suite 209, Marietta, GA 30067.

Public Notice

Cellco Partnership and its controlled affiliates doing business as Verizon Wireless (Verizon Wireless) proposes to collocate wireless communications antennas at a top height of 80 feet on an 84-foot building rooftop at the approx. vicinity of 305 East 34 th Street, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY 11203. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Laura Elston, l.elston@trileaf. com, 1395 South Marietta Parkway, Building 400, Suite 209, Marietta, GA 30067, 678-6538673.

Future Search II LLC. Filed with SSNY on 12/8/22. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent for process & shall mail to: 217 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011. Purpose: any lawful.

NOTICE IS HEREBY given that a license, (serial# 1345745) for liquor, wine and beer has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, wine and beer at retail in a restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 1195 Castleton Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10310. Tu Tipico Dominicano Corp.

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Notice of Formation of Boen & Fig LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with NY Dept. of State: 12/23/22. Office location: NY County. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: c/o Citrin Cooperman, 50 Rockefeller Plz., 4th Fl., NY, NY 10020, principal business address. Purpose: all lawful purposes.

Notice is hereby given that a license number 1345220 for liquor, wine, beer and cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, wine, beer and cider at retail in a Restaurant under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at: 298 Graham Ave Brooklyn, NY 11211 and Kings County for on premises consumption.

PALENQUE HOME MADE COLOMBIAN FOOD INC 298 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Notice of Form. of QUINTESSENTIAL QUATTUOR LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with SSNY on 01/03/2023. Office location: Nassau SSNY desg. as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY mail process to 28 GLENBY LANE, GLEN HEAD, NY 11545. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of ACTIVE STAFFING TEXAS LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/22/22. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/23/15. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 41 W. 33rd St., 2nd Fl., NY, NY 10001. DE addr. of LLC: c/o Vcorp Services, LLC, 108 W. 13th St., Ste. 100, Wilmington, DE 19801. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SUNGAIN LLC , Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 01/05/2023. Office loc: Richmond County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Musheg Saakyan, 144 Simonson Ave, 1st Floor, Staten Island, NY 10303. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.

Notice of Formation of IMPULSIVELY AWARE LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/28/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The Limited Liability Company, 200 East 36th St., Ste. 6D, NY, NY 10016. Purpose: any lawful activities.

Notice of Formation of 200 E 28TH STREET 6E LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/17/22. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: 200 E 28TH Street 6E LLC, 252 West 30th St. Apt 5A, NY, NY 10001. Purpose: any lawful activities.

PUBLIC AUCTION NOTICE OF SALE OF COOPERATIVE APARTMENT SECURITY

By virtue of default in a security agreement dated June 9, 2006, executed by Dallas Rhodes, Debtor, and in accordance with its rights as holder of the Security, M&T Bank, by Victor Rawner, Auctioneer, DCA # 1224356 will conduct a public sale of the security consisting of 330 shares of common stock allocated to Apt. 5E in Fordham Hill Owners Corporation and all rights title and interest in and to a Proprietary Lease between said corporation and debtor for APARTMENT 5E in a building known as and by the street address, 4 Fordham Hill Oval, Bronx, NY 10468, together with fixtures and articles of personal property now or hereafter affixed to or used in connection with said apartment on the 3rd of February, in the year 2023 at 2:30 PM at the East 158th Street entrance stairs of the Bronx County Supreme Court, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451, in satisfaction of an indebtedness in the principal amount of $99,000.00 plus interest, late fees, attorney’s fees, maintenance in arrears and all other advanced charges, an accounting of which will be provided upon request. Such sale shall be subject to the terms of sale, any existing tenancy, and the consent of and payment of all sums due, if any, to Fordham Hill Owners Corporation, and/ or their attorneys. The secured party reserves the right to bid. Closing within 30 days. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC File # 21-10406NY 420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840 New York, New York 10170 Attorneys for Secured Creditor

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Albany had its dysfunction up and running for the very first day of the new legislative session. But in a strange turn of events, Washington wound up outdysfunctioning the state Capitol as Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy lost not one, not two, but 13 (at last count) floor votes to become speaker. At least in Albany, legislative leaders were able to move on to the real controversial issues like the Court of Appeals chief judge nomination.

WINNERS

OUR PICK

HAKEEM JEFFRIES

House Democrats are consistent. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn got the support of every one of them for speaker of the House time and time again as Republicans failed to pick a leader. The Democratic conference took a page out of Jeffries’ playbook: Remain cool and calm. Don’t make a scene. Have you ever heard your name spoken by 212 people 13 times? Sounds pretty darn boring in a good kind of way.

THE BEST OF THE REST ANDREA STEWART-COUSINS & CARL HEASTIE

Haven’t you heard the saying: New year, new pay? Congratulations are in order for the two legislative leaders. Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a bill giving state lawmakers a $32,000 pay raise from their annual $110,000 salary, making them the highest paid state legislators in the country.

STACEY PHEFFER AMATO

Maybe she was just waiting until all this nepo baby coverage to blow over? But Stacey Pheffer Amato, the daughter of the Assembly member who used to hold the seat, was finally declared the victor two months after the election, by just 15 votes.

LOSERS

OUR PICK

ERIC ADAMS

Someone at the New York City health department has got it out for Mayor Eric Adams. Either that, or Adams is just really, really bad at getting rid of rats – a promise on which he has staked a not insignificant piece of his legacy. The mayor received two additional tickets for signs of a continued rat infestation at the Brooklyn home that he owns, though he plans to fight them.

THE REST OF THE WORST

ASHWIN VASAN

Whether or not there was ever arsenic in the water at NYCHA’s Jacob Riis Houses shouldn’t be such a mystery. But the question was raised again when elevated arsenic levels were found in a now-dead tenant’s blood. Now the city health department is back in the spotlight.

NICHOLAS SCALZO

There’s absolutely no defending New York City police officer Nicholas Scalzo who was suspended without pay after he was caught in a video repeatedly punching a 14-year-old girl as he and another officer attempted to stop an after-school fight on Staten Island.

WINNERS & LOSERS is published every Friday morning in City & State’s First Read email. Sign up for the email, cast your vote and see who won at cityandstateny.com.

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