FIELD DAY
Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced that 25 shelters, including the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at Floyd Bennett Field, are slated to close in the coming two months. See Stories on Pages 2
Photo Courtesy of Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office
City to Shutter 25 Migrant Shelters, Including Floyd Bennett Field
By Michael V. Cusenza
Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced that 25 shelters, including the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at Floyd Bennett Field, are slated to close in the coming two months.
The number of asylum seekers in City shelters has decreased for 22 straight weeks and is now at its lowest point in over 17 months. The State, which was paying the costs of sheltering migrants at Floyd Bennett Field, will continue to reimburse the Big Apple for costs for equivalent care incurred at other sites across the city.
Four borough shelters will be closing: The Essence at JFK; JFK Respite Center; Quality Inn JFK, and the Voyage Hotel.
“Thanks to our smart management strategies, we’ve turned the corner, and this additional slate of shelter closures we’re announcing today is even more proof that we’re managing this crisis better than any other city in the nation,” Adams said. “Our intensive case management, paired with 30- and 60-day policies, have helped more than 170,000 migrants take their next steps on their journeys, because migrants don’t come here to live in our shelter system — they come here to pursue the American Dream. We’re going to continue looking for more sites to consolidate and close, and more opportunities to save taxpayer mon-
Pheffer Amato also noted that she is “demanding the return of the $2.4 billion in State funding that was earmarked for this in order to fund policies to further improve our state.”
City Councilwoman Joann Ariola (ROzone Park) was party to an ultimately unsuccessful attempt to petition a court to disallow the use of federal park land at Floyd Bennett Field in the Gateway National Recreation Area to house a camp for asylum seekers.
The closure of the Floyd Bennett Field shelter, Ariola said on Tuesday, “brings an end to a long, dark chapter in our city’s history. This camp has caused incredible difficulty for the communities it borders, and it has placed undue hardship upon the inhabitants placed there.
ey, as we continue to successfully manage this response.”
Area elected officials said it was about time that Adams ended the Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center at Floyd Bennett Field.
“With so many circumstances regarding this issue, I am pleased to see that the City listened to our repeated objections and is closing the migrant shelter at Floyd Bennett
Field in January 2025!!” Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach) said. “No one person was responsible for this reversal in policy, but rather a collective group of State and federal legislatures, and community groups. We never stopped fighting to make our objections clear! I have said from the beginning, it is inhumane to house anyone in a flood zone—and I have never stopped working for what was right.”
“I am glad to see that this period has finally come to an end. The 450 families currently residing within the camp will be sent into the NYC shelter system. Those with children grades K to 6 will be given priority placement so that they can reside closer to their kids’ schools.
“This is a win for all New Yorkers—both the taxpayers who no longer have to see their money funneled into this ill-conceived project, and the migrants themselves, who no longer will be forced to live in tents on wind-swept runways.”
City Council Passes Bills Aimed at Combating Flooding
By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Council on Thursday passed a legislative package introduced by Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows) and aimed at combating flooding across the five boroughs.
Introduction 814-A would require that the City Department of Environmental Protection update the sewer backup prevention plan by 2025 and conduct regular updates thereafter. DEP regularly conducts field investigations in response to complaints of sewer backups, but the outcome of those investigations is not always shared. Therefore, the bill would also require DEP to provide timely notice to residents and complainants when it determines that certain sewer backups have occurred.
Introduction 815-A would require DEP, in consultation with the City Department of Buildings and the Office of Long-Term Planning and Sustainability, to create and regularly update an interim flood risk map identifying areas at risk of flooding due to 10-year rainfall events and sea level rise (as projected for the year 2050), as well as coastal flood areas with a 1 percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year (including the impacts of sea level rise as projected for the year 2080).
“I am proud to introduce Intro 0814 and Intro 0815 – two potentially lifesaving bills that will provide a comprehensive framework for building a safer and more resilient New York City,” said Gennaro, chairman of the Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency, and Waterfronts. “Intro 814 requires the Department of Environmental Protection update its plan to prevent sewer
backups at least once every 5 years and alert residents when it determines that a sewer backup may have been caused by an issue in a privately-owned sewer. This bill will reduce the frequency of sewer backups, saving New Yorkers from costly damage to their homes and exposure to raw sewage. Intro 815 creates a special designation for ‘inland flood hazard areas’ – a measure that is long over-
due. This bill provides the tools and data we need to protect New Yorkers in areas outside traditional flood zones. By mapping inland flood hazards, we enable smarter planning and more effective emergency responses. Introduction 815 also creates a coastal flood risk map that, unlike FEMA flood maps, anticipates the impact of sea level rise. As extreme weather becomes more frequent, we must increase our city’s resilience to flooding from coastal storm surge and rainfall. Intro 815 helps to achieve that goal.”
Biblical weather events like Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Ida have had a generational impact on The World’s Borough. Sandy’s storm surge hit NYC on Oct. 29, 2012, flooding streets, tunnels and subway lines and cutting power in and around the city. Damage in the United States amounted to $65 billion.
Widespread flooding, courtesy of 2021’s Ida, shut down much of the city subway system as well as large portions of the NJ Transit, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad commuter rail systems and Amtrak intercity services. Eighteen storm-related deaths were also reported in New York. Most people who died in the Big Apple, including a family of three in Woodside, lived in basement apartments that flooded. Overall, Ida wrought $7.5–$9 billion in New York.
Photo Courtesy of Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office
Mayor Adams visits a Humanitarian Emergency Response and Relief Center set up at Floyd Bennett Field in November 2023.
File Photo
Gennaro called Intros. 814-A and 815-A “potentially lifesaving bills.”
‘City of Yes’ now a Reality
Among the bills passed by the council on Thursday is Introduction 1128-A, which would set forth eligibility and design requirements for Accessory
By Michael V. Cusenza
The City Council on Thursday passed a historic citywide zoning reform.
A majority of the council voted in favor of the City of Yes: Zoning for Housing Opportunity text amendment. According to Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Together with an agreement to invest $5 billion in the council’s City for All housing plan to support affordable housing, homeownership, and neighborhood infrastructure improvements, the councilmodified zoning changes represent one of the most significant advancements of housing solutions in Big Apple history.
The council also passed legislation to provide complementary legal frameworks to the zoning reforms for Accessory Dwelling Units and basement apartments, as well as to better track approved affordable housing developments.
The City of Yes zoning text amendment initiated by the Department of City Planning and modified by the council, to change residential height, density, parking requirements, affordability, urban design, and other aspects within City zoning regulations.
The council modified the proposal in three primary ways: to make new housing development more contextual with existing neighborhoods, particularly for blocks of small homes; to increase the amount of affordable housing that will be created and make sure it reaches New Yorkers with lower incomes; and to protect existing tenants and homeowners.
Introduction 1127-A, sponsored by Councilwoman Pierina Ana Sanchez (D-Bronx), would establish a basement and cellar dwelling unit legalization program in certain community districts. The Department of Buildings would inspect such units prior to issuing an authorization and, if issued, the building owner would be permitted to do any necessary construction on the unit to legalize the unit and apply for an amended or partial certificate of occupancy. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development would be
required to provide technical assistance and outreach to owners of eligible basement or cellar residences.
Introduction 1128-A, also sponsored by Councilwoman Sanchez , would set forth eligibility and design requirements for ADUs in one- or two-family dwellings, including utility systems and fire-prevention requirements. This bill would prohibit basement and cellar ADUs in coastal and inland flood hazard areas, to mirror such prohibitions in the City Zoning Resolution. In localities where ADUs are legalized, homeowners have used them in variety of ways including supplementing their income, downsizing while renting out the primary residence, and sustaining multigenerational living.
The City of Yes plan has plenty of support—and a vocal opposition.
“The passage of ‘City of Yes’ marks the end of single-family neighborhoods. Period,” said Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Fresh Meadows). “Single-family homeowners are now empowered to construct so-called ‘accessory dwelling units’ – which are rental apartments – in basements, attics, and even converted garages into mini free-standing houses. This is insanity under the guise of creating more housing, which it will do, but at what cost? Answer: destruction of the American dream of owning a single-family home in a singlefamily zoned community with a little elbow room in the form of a backyard and side yards. Some believe single-family neighborhood homeowners possess an unfair ‘privilege’ that is now being revoked by government fiat in the name of ‘fairness.’ In addition to ADUs with their increased population density, single-family neighborhoods now will have decreased minimum lot sizes, decreased setback requirements, and an increase by 50 percent in the size of homes that can be built on the smaller lots. Much smaller building lots, much larger structures, more people, and less open space. No thanks. City of Yes completely fails to safeguard the qualities that make our low-density neighborhoods unique. It’s a travesty.”
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File Photo
Dwelling Units in one- or two-family dwellings, including utility systems and fire-prevention requirements.
Woman Indicted for Evading U.S. Export Controls for Russia
By Forum Staff
A 12-count indictment was unsealed on Tuesday in federal court in Brooklyn charging Natalya Ivanovna Mazulina, also known as “Natasha Mazulina,” for her alleged involvement in a scheme to circumvent U.S. export laws and sanctions on Russia.
Mazulina, 41, the Western regional manager of a freight forwarding company based in Jamaica which operated out of John F. Kennedy International Airport, and SeattleTacoma International Airport in Washington State, was arrested Tuesday morning in Seattle and will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.
As alleged in the indictment, from at least December 2022 through December 2024, Mazulina conspired with Russian freight forwarding companies and others to unlawfully ship controlled items, including industrial oil and gas equipment from the United States to Russia, through intermediary countries. At one point, in June 2023, Mazulina told colleagues that her clients were paying through bank accounts in third party countries because “[m]ost of [her] clients [were] currently sanctioned with USA.” Mazulina attempted to conceal the unlawful scheme by submitting and causing the submission of false export documents to the U.S. government, documents which should have revealed that the
exported goods were destined for Russia.
“As alleged, Mazulina used her position as a manager of a freight forwarding company to facilitate unlawful exports to Russia through JFK Airport,” said Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “Evading U.S export regulations presents a danger to our national security, and we will continue to use all of our law enforcement and national security tools make sure these enablers, both individuals and corporations, cannot
operate in our district.”
Mazulina is charged with conspiracy to export controlled goods to Russia without a license, conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to commit money laundering, exporting controlled goods to Russia without a license, filing false export documents with the U.S. government, and smuggling goods contrary to U.S. law. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of conspiring to
export or exporting controlled goods to Russia without a license; up to 20 years in prison for conspiring to commit money laundering; up to 10 years in prison for each count of smuggling; and up to five years in prison for each count of conspiracy and filing false export documents with the U.S. government.
“The defendant exploited her knowledge of the export business to falsify documents and circumvent U.S. sanctions by illegally shipping oil and gas products to Russian customers,” said Matt Olsen, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “American companies like the freight forwarder where Mazulina worked play a critical role in the global supply chain and movement of goods. The National Security Division will not tolerate individuals who seek to abuse their positions in these companies for financial gain at the expense of national security.”
James Guanci, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement, Boston, added, “Collaborating with foreign actors to evade U.S. export controls is a serious national security violation. The Office of Export Enforcement, alongside its law enforcement partners, will continue to aggressively investigate efforts to illicitly fuel Russia’s wartime economy.”
File Photo
Mazulina is a regional manager of a freight forwarding company based in Jamaica which operated out of JFK Airport.
Section of Jackie Robinson Parkway to be Resurfaced
The governor has allocated $4 million to resurface a section of the Jackie Robinson Parkway.
By Forum Staff
Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced that, with help from the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, $100 million has been allocated to enhance the resiliency of State highways in 70 locations across New York impacted by extreme weather.
The sole project slated for New York City is $4 million to resurface the westbound Jackie Robinson Parkway between Central Avenue in Brooklyn and Grand Central Parkway/Van Wyck Expressway—also known as the Kew Gardens Interchange—in Queens.
“Between extreme heat in the summer, devastating winter storms and the ongoing saga of freeze-thaw cycles, New York’s roads take a pounding from extreme weather in all seasons, and this investment takes direct aim at rejuvenating some of the State highways most impacted by extreme weather,” Hochul said. “Keeping our infrastructure in a state of good repair is a sound investment that not only increases resiliency but spurs economic development and tourism across New York.”
The State Department of Transportation is already responding to snow and ice events all across the Empire State. Paving investments in the face of extreme weather help ensure that state highways remain in good repair and have the added benefit of making it easier for DOT staff to perform snow and ice operations more effectively and efficiently.
“Targeted infrastructure investments not only enhance public safety, but the resiliency and sustainability of New York’s vast network of roads and bridges. With a record $33 billion capital plan for the Department of Transportation, Governor Hochul is investing more in New York’s
infrastructure than ever before,” State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said. “Smart transportation investments have the ability to bring people and communities together, and that’s just what this investment in our critical infrastructure will do across New York State.”
With $16.5 million spread across four projects, the Mid-Hudson Region received the largest allocation of funds.
“Extreme freeze-thaw cycles and devastating flooding like we witnessed last year in the Hudson Valley already lay waste to our roadways, and with these once-in-a-lifetime weather catastrophes only increasing in frequency, we need to strengthen our infrastructure now,” U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law created historic investments to improve the resiliency of our roads. I’m proud that these funds will make roadways smoother and safer for Hudson Valley families while creating good-paying jobs along the way. I’ll keep fighting every day to bring more of these landmark investments home to NY-18.”
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer added, “$10 million from our Bipartisan Infrastructure & Jobs Law is literally paving the way for improved safety and good-paying jobs repairing cracks and modernizing highways across New York. This is especially timely with winter approaching. Investing resources to keep our highways maintained to the highest safety standards is crucial to safe travel for residents and visitors, and efficient movement of goods for our businesses. I’ll never stop fighting to make sure that our roads are as safe and efficient as possible, and I’m thankful for Governor Hochul’s work putting these federal dollars to good use.”
The Pharmacist’s Corner
Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph
ADVANCES IN DIABETES LETTING TECHNOLOGY HELP
Pharmacists share the same responsibility as doctors who need to keep reading and studying to keep up with medical advances for the good of their patients. On of the most prominent diseases that face a majority of our patients is diabetes. The monitoring of glucose is a critical component for these patients and as diabetes technology continues to advance, more and more tools are becoming available to patients to help them manage their disease. Glucose monitors, insulin pens or pumps are all available on the market and advances in these devices are helping patients deal with the stresses of keeping diabetes under control. One such device introduced by Abbott in 2017 was the FreeStyle Libre Glucose Monitoring System, a cutting edge device that uses a sensor placed on the upper arm allowing patients to trace their blood glucose levels throughout the day. Market executives expect that more patch pumps will hit the shelves over the next few years as well. Another innovative technology is the ability to electronically track patient data. Patients and health professionals can keep diaries and logs for insulin, diet, activity and blood glucose levels through the use of wireless glucose meters which
are compatible with their Smartphone’s. Patients will be able to keep better records through the use of smart insulin pens that track time, date and insulin doses delivered. The role of pharmacists is expected to increase with the advent of these new technologies, helping patients navigate their way through a bevy of treatment options that can make their lives much more livable while providing safe, effective and cost conscious options for living with diabetes. In the future medical experts expect that their industry will advance toward what are known as closed loop systems or artificial pancreas systems whose goal is to copy the activity of a normal, healthy body. Technologists are working on non invasive ways to monitor glucose and Apple is included in the industry giants said to be working on this type of device, although no plans have been disclosed as of yet. If you have questions on any of these technologies and would like to find out how one or more of them may fit into your lifestyle, you are welcome to bring your questions to us. Counting on your local pharmacist for management of your diabetes is something you should not be afraid to take advantage of. Until next week...
Addabbo Drops off More Supplies to Vets
Earlier this month, State Sen. Joe Addabbo, Jr. (D-Woodhaven) dropped off a second round of clothing and supplies to the St. Albans Veterans Affairs Community Living Center.
Addabbo presented this round of donations to Victoria Townes, a specialist with the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement.
“These men and women served our country and sacrificed so much for our freedoms, the least we can do is help them with some basic supplies,” the senator said. “I would like to thank all the donors for being so generous. I really appreciate it. We will continue this collection drive until all needs are met, no matter how long it takes.”
Photo Courtesy of Sen. Addabbo
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia/Jim.henderson
Prize-Winning Powerball Tickets Sold in Queens
By Michael V. Cusenza
It seems that, overnight, Flushing has become the get-rich-quick capital of the Big Apple.
The New York Lottery has announced that the sole Saturday Powerball jackpot-winning ticket was sold at Hua Lian Supermarket located at 25-03 Parsons Boulevard. The ticket is worth $256 million.
Additionally, NY Lotto announced on
Sunday that one $50,000 third-prize-winning ticket for Saturday’s Powerball was sold at Stop & Go Convenience located at 42-39 Main Street.
The winning numbers for the Powerball game are drawn from a field of one to 69. The red Power Ball is drawn from a separate field of one to 26. The Powerball drawing is televised every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.
This isn’t the first time a ridiculous amount of money was won in
The World’s Borough. In 2023, Howard Beach resident Johnnie Taylor, 71, claimed a record-setting $476 million Mega Millions jackpot. It is the largest Mega Millions prize won in New York since the game launched in the Empire State in 2002.
Taylor bought the winning ticket at Liberty Beer & Convenience in Ozone Park. The store received a $10,000 bonus from the New York Lottery for selling the jackpot-winning ticket.
Taylor opted to take the cash value of the annuitized prize, a lump-sum payment totaling $157,288,402 after required State and federal withholding.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” Taylor said, noting that his wife didn’t believe him when he told her that he knew who won the jackpot and then announced he had won the top prize. She was skeptical, so he went online to prove that the numbers on his ticket matched all the winning numbers.
Hochul Proposes Sending 8.6 Million New Yorkers an Inflation Refund Check
By Forum Staff
Governor Kathy Hochul on Monday proposed New York State’s first-ever Inflation Refund, which would deliver about $3 billion in direct payments to around 8.6 million New York taxpayers statewide—3.65 million in NYC—in 2025.
This new refund would send a payment of $300 to single taxpayers who make up to $150,000 per year, and a payment of $500 for joint tax fi lers making up to $300,000 per year.
Hochul said she is proposing this new Inflation Refund to help address the impacts of inflation on the cost of everyday goods in the years following the COVID pandemic.
“Because of inflation, New York has generated unprecedented revenues through the sales tax — now, we're returning that cash back to middle class families,” Hochul said. “My agenda for the coming year will be laser-focused on putting money back in your pockets, and that starts with proposing Inflation Refund checks of up to $500 to help millions of hard-working New Yorkers. It's simple: the cost of living is still too damn high, and New Yorkers deserve a break.”
In recent years, New York State has experienced growth in sales tax revenues that exceed historical averages. This growth has
been driven largely by price inflation. Hochul’s proposal will use that surplus growth to provide a one-time payment to New Yorkers. This payment would be granted to New York State taxpayer fi lers regardless of homeownership or parental status.
New Yorkers who recently fi led tax returns will be eligible for the payment. Taxpayers who are single, head of household, or married fi ling separately, will be
eligible if their income was no greater than $150,000. Resident couples fi ling jointly will be eligible if their income was no greater than $300,000.
“We must seek out solutions that address the ever-increasing gap in income and wealth between the super-rich and the rest of us, and this proposal is a good first step,” said New York State United Teachers President Melinda Person.
If this proposed Inflation Refund is passed by the State Legislature, payments will be made starting fall 2025.
“It is clear from the many conversations with our members that the rising cost of living remains the greatest challenge facing working New Yorkers,” District Council 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido said. “Governor Hochul understands this deeply — and it’s exciting to see her put forth innovative ideas like New York’s first-ever Inflation Refund, which will create new ways to address the impacts of inflation and deliver much-needed financial assistance to New Yorkers. I look forward to working with the governor to advance this important proposal and I am grateful for her continued focus on the issue of affordability.”
Social services institution FPWA CEO Jennifer Jones Austin added, “I applaud Governor Kathy Hochul for leading New York State and the nation, for seeing that like millions of people throughout our country, hard-working New Yorkers are struggling to get by, get ahead and stay ahead, and for doing something about it.
The recently released, first-ever national True Cost of Economic Security measure, tells us that what is keeping individuals and families from thriving economically is insufficient resources that haven’t kept up with modern-day, essential costs of living.
Photo Courtesy of the Office of the Governor
“My agenda for the coming year will be laser-focused on putting money back in your pockets,” Gov. Hochul said.
Photo Courtesy of Google
The $256 million jackpot-winning Powerball ticket was sold at Hua Lian Supermarket on Parsons Boulevard.
Photo Courtesy of Google
The $50,000 third-prize-winning Powerball ticket was sold at Stop & Go Convenience on Main Street.
Some City Agencies Remain Understaffed: Comptroller Report
By Forum Staff
The City’s government workforce reached more than 300,000 employees in June of 2024, the first year-over-year increase since the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, some city agencies remain understaffed, resulting in critical services being impacted, according to a new report released on Friday by State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
The analysis is based on data from DiNapoli’s office’s Agency Services Monitoring Tool, which launched in November 2023. The tool uses the performance indicators (“tracked services”) that are included in the Mayor’s Management Report, but also displays funding, staffing levels and service performance for 36 city agencies. This data is updated regularly and provides additional insight and context to 144 unique services and 238 service goals established by agencies.
The City’s public workforce stood at 306,248 employees at the end of City Fiscal Year 2024, but staffing at the city Law Department (1,396), Fire Department (17,095), Administration for Children’s Services (6,455), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (5,372) and Department of Investigation (270) remain below pre-pandemic levels. A decline in staffing since 2019 at these agencies coincides with
a reported decline of at least 50 percent of tracked services. For example, the Law Department saw the number of cases pending in state courts grow from 22,611 in June 2019 to 32,873 in June 2024, a 45-percent increase. While the Department of Investigation saw case times balloon from 145 days in June 2019 to 297 days in June 2024, a 105-percent increase.
Critical indicators are defined by the city as necessary for an agency’s operations. Twelve agencies delivered improved critical services, including the Departments of Citywide Administrative Services, Home-
less Services, Correction, Probation, Parks and Recreation and the Taxi and Limousine Commission. For example, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services is processing civil service exam results more quickly, from 323 days in June 2019 to 276 days in June 2024, 15-percent faster. However, 11 of 36 agencies covered in the monitoring tool saw at least 50 percent of their critical indicators decline, including the Chief Medical Examiner, the Department of Transportation and the Administration for Children’s Services. For example, the median time to complete au-
topsy reports increased by 90 percent from 48 days in June 2019 to 91 days in June 2024 at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
DiNapoli recommends the City improve transparency by:
• Enhancing the quality of the data it collects by ensuring agencies have reported in a timely, accurate and complete manner.
• Including an agency’s divisionlevel staffing and funding information alongside service performance in management reports to best evaluate goals and programming.
• Creating classifications for performance indicators, including 311 services, based on whether they measure service demand, workload capacity or performance outcomes.
“My office developed a comprehensive data tool to increase transparency and accountability, while advancing innovation in government data availability and accessibility,” DiNapoli said. “Looking at performance management and service delivery at city agencies is critical when serving more than 8 million New Yorkers. City officials can use our findings to inform and improve managerial decisions and resource allocation, and the public can see what progress is being made with City services.”
Forum Photo by Michael V. Cusenza
Staffing at the FDNY remains below pre-pandemic levels.
*HOWARD BEACH 11414*
4th Annual Family Christmas Tree Lighting
Saturday December 21st 3:30PM Rain Date Sunday December 22nd
Entertainment -- 50/50 -- Cash raffle—Fun For All Ages
Children must be present to receive a gift from Santa
Hosted by Howard Beach Assembly Of God 158-31 99th Street Howard Beach 11414
We are also hosting a toy drive so please bring a new unwrapped toy for boys/girls
Borough-Based 18th Street Gang Leader is Final Defendant to Plead Guilty to Racketeering Conspiracy
By Forum Staff
On Monday, Junior Zelaya Canales, also known as “Terco,” a Jamaica-based regional leader of the 18th Street gang, pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges in connection with his participation in the Sept. 12, 2016 murder of 15-year-old Joshua Guzman in Hempstead, L.I., according to federal prosecutors.
Zelaya Canales, 28, is the ninth and final defendant to plead guilty under a seventh superseding indictment in connection with a sprawling racketeering conspiracy that also involved the Oct. 25, 2017 murder of 20-yearold Jonathan Figueroa in Saugerties, N.Y.; the Feb. 2, 2018 murder of 20-year-old Oscar Antonio Blanco Hernandez in Jamaica; and multiple shootings and other gang activity.
Zelaya Canales’ co-defendants Walter Fernando Alfaro Pineda, Jose Douglas Castellano, Yanki Misael Cruz Mateo, Israel Mendiola Flores, Yoni Alexander Sierra, Jose Jimenez Chacon, Carolina Cruz and Eric Chavez previously pleaded guilty. Cruz Mateo, Sierra, and Chavez were borough-based 18th Street members.
Flores and Chacon were previously sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment and 22 years’ imprisonment, respectively. At sentencing, each remaining defendant faces up to life imprisonment.
According to the indictments, the defendants committed multiple acts of violence in
order to promote and enhance the prestige and reputation of the gang, and to maintain and increase their own membership and status in the gang, including:
On July 9, 2017, Zelaya Canales led a shootout in Woodhaven, with assistance from at least two additional 18th Street gang members, over a territorial dispute with a rival gang. At approximately 10:35 p.m., NYPD officers responded to the area after numerous calls were made to 911 concerning multiple gunshots. Multiple witnesses reported hearing gunshots and seeing ap-
proximately three to four men run towards Woodhaven Boulevard. After a canvas of the area, police officers recovered nine 9-millimeter shell casings among other evidence.
NYPD subsequently went to Zelaya Canales’s apartment in Jamaica to execute two arrest warrants unrelated to the shooting. During the execution of the warrants, NYPD recovered a 9-millimeter Ruger with a defaced serial number, 4 rounds of 9-millimeter ammunition, 56 rounds of .357 magnum ammunition, 34 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition and 23 rounds of .38
ammunition. Subsequent forensic ballistics examination revealed that the Zelaya Canales’s 9-mm Ruger was the same weapon that fired the 9-millimeter shell casings found at the crime scene of the July 9, 2017 shootout in Woodhaven.
On Feb. 2, 2018, several gang members killed Blanco Hernandez because they believed he was a member of the rival MS-13 gang. Chacon had met Blanco Hernandez weeks earlier through their mutual employer, a New Jersey-based house painting company. On the morning of the murder, Cruz and Chacon picked up Blanco Hernandez at his home in New Jersey under the guise of going to smoke marijuana as friends. Cruz and Chacon drove Blanco Hernandez to Queens where they met 18th Street gang members including Cruz Mateo and Sierra who entered the rear passenger seat of Cruz’s car on opposite sides, sandwiching Blanco Hernandez between them. Cruz drove Chacon, Cruz Mateo, Sierra and Blanco Hernandez a short distance to a quiet residential neighborhood. Cruz Mateo, Sierra and Blanco-Hernandez got out of the car and started walking, while Cruz and Chacon stayed behind with the car. After walking for a few minutes, Cruz Mateo drew a .380-caliber semiautomatic handgun and shot Blanco-Hernandez in the back of the head, killing him instantly. Blanco Hernandez’s body was discovered on a residential street in Jamaica Hills.
Long-Term Investigation Earns Indictment of Reputed Gang Members
By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz on Thursday announced that a three-and-ahalf-year investigation—dubbed “Deadliest Catch”—into gang violence in Southeast borough communities has led to the indictment of 11 alleged members of “Whole Blocc Boys” and “Score On Anything” – two subsets of the “8 Trey Movin Crips” street gang.
The defendants, who are accused of causing indiscriminate violence for the simple mission of protecting their home territory from perceived enemies, allegedly are connected to nine shooting incidents dating back between March 2021 and December 2022. Five victims have been identified as part of this investigation, one of whom is paralyzed from the waist down.
Five defendants were apprehended and arraigned last Tuesday on a 57-count indictment charging them variously with conspiracy in the first degree, attempted murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, reckless endangerment in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. The Hon. Bruna DiBiase remanded the defendants and ordered them to return to court in December and January.
One co-defendant was arrested Tuesday while bedside at a hospital due to an unrelated incident.
Three co-defendants are currently in custody on other matters and will be arraigned at a later date. Two additional co-defendants remain at large.
Whole Blocc Boys operates roughly in the Hollis area and includes defendants Trevor Bailey, Isaiah Raymond, Raynaldo Lynch, Shawn
Cole and Tavion Scott; and Score on Anything operates roughly in the South Jamaica area of Queens and includes defendants Alphati Tanis, Seth Johnson, Hiswan Simmons, Amir Harris, Isiah Garcia and Tajh Parker John.
As alleged in the indictment, WBB and SOA worked in tandem against their gang rivals such as members of Folk Nation, Money World, Mac Ballers, Dream Team and others.
Numerous crimes charged in the indict-
ment arose out of gun fights and shootings that took place in broad daylight, often in the presence of innocent bystanders. At least one incident occurred inside a public playground while another took place at Roy Wilkins Park in St. Albans. An additional shooting incident took place one block from Sutphin playground and PS 223 in South Jamaica.
In addition to reckless shootings amid civilians in broad daylight, the indictment charges that the defendants routinely traveled to the geographic territory controlled by their rivals for the sole purpose of shooting and killing them on sight. The defendants are further accused of utilizing social media, including Snapchat, to provoke and lure rival gang members so that violent acts could be committed against them.
Eleven guns were seized in the course of the investigation.
“The defendants are accused of causing frenzied violence in their own communities by trying to kill their gang rivals as part of an ongoing turf war,” Katz said. “Violent gang activity places countless lives in danger and we cannot and will not surrender our streets to reckless gang warfare.”
If convicted of the top count, three of the defendants face a potential maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and two of the defendants face a potential maximum of life in prison.
Photo Courtesy of Google
On July 9, 2017, Zelaya Canales led a shootout in Woodhaven.
Photo Courtesy of DA Katz
“The defendants are accused of causing frenzied violence in their own communities by trying to kill their gang rivals as part of an ongoing turf war,” DA Katz said.
Hundreds of Borough Children Enjoy Festive PAL
Holiday Party
By Forum Staff
On Saturday, hundreds of children, ages 5 to 12, from Police Athletic League after school programs, including PAL’s Pathways Prep in St. Albans, Goldie Maple Academy in Far Rockaway, and Edward Byrne Center in Jamaica, enjoyed a festive holiday party at PAL’s Harlem Center.
The PAL Holiday Party was hosted by John and Margo Catsimatidis and cosponsored by Goya Foods, with Ernie Anastos and Dominic Carter serving as emcees for the event. Adding to the joy of the holiday season were performances by the NYPD’s La Jara Band, PAL’s Pathways Drum Corp and Majorettes, PAL’s EBC dancers, and PAL Dance Specialists.
“I liked the silent DJ disco party the best! I hope to get toys for Christmas, and I can’t wait to see Santa,” said Ryan, 8, of PAL’s Goldie Maple Academy.
“For over 40 years, John, Margo, and their friends have come together to really make the holiday season special for our PAL kids, and they never forget it. Some of our staff members were PAL
kids from the ’80s and ’90s, and they look forward to this event every year as adults because they’re having a ‘full circle’ moment. It’s nice to have these faithful donors for this long and we’re grateful for support from WABC, Goya, and BronxCare Health System this year to provide an even bigger event for our kids,” said PAL Executive Director Carlos Velazquez.
City has Cleaned up 165 Acres of Polluted Land
By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced that since he took office in 2022 the City has successfully cleaned 165 acres of contaminated land.
The remediated parcels have been redeveloped into new uses, including 28,000 units of housing — 12,000 of which are affordable — as well as 16 new schools, 2.9 million square feet of community space, and 6.1 million square feet of commercial space.
Established in 2008 as part of the PlaNYC sustainability initiative, the Mayor’s Office of Environmental Remediation designs and operates municipal programs to promote cleanup and redevelopment of vacant contaminated land. Nearly 70 percent of OER’s projects are in environmental justice areas. After the cleanups are completed, projects are eligible for a Green Property Plaque, indicating that the site’s successful cleanup protects public health and the environment, and the building is safe to work and/or live in.
“New York City’s most valuable resource is our land — and our Office of Environmental Remediation does incredible work to make sure we can use every square foot safely and in a healthy manner,” Adams said. “The 165 acres we’ve cleaned
up have allowed us to house tens of thousands of our neighbors, put thousands of students in school seats, and build new plazas, parks, and open spaces across the city. I’m grateful to the tireless public servants and hardworking New Yorkers who have turned these spaces into the gems they are today.”
Recently completed borough projects include:
• The Tommy L. Agee Educational Campus: 111-10 Astoria Blvd. in East El-
mhurst was developed into the Tommy L. Agee Educational Campus, a 646-seat school that serves students from grades six through eight. The development team worked with OER to remove contaminated soil and install a depressurization system to protect students, teachers, and staff from any residual contaminants.
• OER also remediated land under the 14-story, 145-affordable-unit Halletts Point Building 7, a new building within the NYCHA Astoria Housing
Campus that provides housing for lowincome families and the formerly homeless.
“Remediating our polluted land is critical for a sustainable future and opens a wealth of opportunities for developing vital housing and infrastructure,” said Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (DWoodhaven). “Today, we celebrate a historic milestone of over 1,000 cleanups remediating 165 acres — the equivalent of over 120 football fields. This has freed up space for us to build 12,000 much-needed affordable housing units, 16 schools for our children, and 2.9 million square feet for community space. I am proud of my work with Mayor Adams to produce this infrastructure faster, passing legislation to expedite the contracting process and cosponsoring the bill authorizing progressive design build. Together, we will utilize every square inch of land and implement every policy to produce the infrastructure we need in a New York Minute.”
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. added, “The OER has helped make the city a better place by removing dangerous contaminants and enabling the redevelopment of formerly contaminated land for important and beneficial uses. Let's continue this important work to create a cleaner, healthier, and more vibrant city.”
Photo Courtesy of PAL PAL Pathways Prep Drum Corps
Photo Courtesy of PAL PAL Holiday Party participants from Pathways Prep
Photo Courtesy of Google
The Tommy L. Agee Educational Campus in East Elmhurst
CHESS INTELLIGENCE LLC Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 11/04/2024. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: ZENBUSINESS INC. 41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112, ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
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BEAUTIFUL 1 FAMILY HOME IN THE HEART OF FOREST HILLS. SEMI-DETACHED WITH PRIVATE DRIVEWAY AND GARAGE. PROPERTY SIZE IS 20X83. THIS HOME FEATURES A FULL BASEMENT, FIRST FLOOR OVER SIZED LIVING ROOM, FORMAL DINING ROOM AND EIK.
3 FAMILY HOME! FEATURES 3 APARTMENTSA 3 BEDROOM & TWO 1 BEDROOMS. GREAT CONDITION! GREAT LOCATION!
AND A BACKYARD PERFECT FOR OUTDOOR LIVING. MOVE-IN READY AND WAITING FOR ITS NEW OWNERS TO CALL IT HOME!
STEP INTO THIS BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED 2-BEDROOM, 1-BATH COOP THAT'S MOVE-IN READY AND DESIGNED FOR COMFORT. IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, THIS HOME OFFERS A WARM AND INVITING ATMOSPHERE PERFECT FOR ANY LIFESTYLE. CONVENIENTLY LOCATED CLOSE TO SHOPPING, DINING, TRANSPORTATION, AND MORE, YOU'LL ENJOY EASY ACCESS TO EVERYTHING YOU NEED. DON'T MISS THE CHANCE TO MAKE THIS WONDERFUL SPACE YOUR OWN!
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