BOOM OR BUS?
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MTA Releases Update to Proposed Final Borough Bus Network Redesign
By Michael V. Cusenza
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Tuesday released an update to the Queens Bus Network Redesign, outlining revisions to the Proposed Final Plan as published in December 2023.
Two changes will affect the area: the QM15 Lindenwood—Midtown Express to Cross Bay Boulevard via Woodhaven Boulevard and to Midtown via 6th Avenue; and The redesign improves service to John F. Kennedy International Airport on the new Q80 Limited, and to LaGuardia Airport on the Q33 and the new Q90.
Tuesday’s announced changes were based on further public engagement, balancing community input with operational and resource constraints. Queens is the largest borough in New York City with a bus network that carries nearly 800,000 daily riders. The redesign modernizes the decades-old bus network by focusing improvements and dedicating resources in areas with greater transit needs, introducing new routes and improved connections to better match the growth and travel patterns the borough has seen over the years.
The new redesign consists of 124 total routes (vs. 113 existing): 94 Local routes (vs. 83 existing), and 30 Express routes (vs. 30 existing). There will be a virtual
town hall meeting before the MTA Board votes on the Plan during the winter of 2025. The date of the virtual town hall will be announced at a later date. If the MTA Board approves the plan, the Authority will launch a large-scale marketing and public education campaign to inform riders of the upcoming changes. If approved, the new bus network will be implemented in two phases on dates to be announced later.
Highlights of the proposed Final Plan Addendum:
New Routes
• Four more new local routes are introduced in the proposed Addendum Network, bring the total of new routes in the plan to 17:
• Q74 Limited connects Forest Hills to points in eastern Queens including Queens College, Queensborough Community College, and many major high schools
• Q80 Limited provides more frequent service on Lefferts Blvd along the path of the existing Q10 Limited
• Q89 Rush provides service along the path of the existing Q85 Green Acres branch
• Q90 Limited connects Flushing to LaGuardia Airport via Willets Point
Improved All-Day Frequent Network
• There are 29 routes that provide 10 minutes or better service from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays.
• There are 20 routes that have either increased frequency or expanded hours of operation. Key streets throughout the borough would see frequency increases, including Union Turnpike, Merrick Boulevard, Guy R. Brewer Blvd, and the western section of Northern Boulevard.
More Direct Routing, Faster Travel
• There are 25 Rush routes that pick-up passengers locally on one end and then have greater stop spacing to improve travel times to the other end of the line, stopping at major transfer points and key destinations.
• Increased bus stop spacing speeds up buses and improves reliability for customers; 84 percent of riders will continue to use the same stop that they do today.
The MTA said new and modified routes expand the reach of the bus network, making interborough travel easier.
FDNY Praises Passage of Federal Lithium-ion Battery Legislation
By Forum Staff
City Fire Commissioner Robert Tucker on Wednesday hailed the passage of the federal Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act.
“For the last three years, the FDNY has been sounding the alarm about the dangers of uncertified lithium-ion batteries. We have worked tirelessly to stop the injuries, deaths, and extraordinarily dangerous fires that have become all too common with these devices,” Tucker wrote in a statement.
“Tuesday night, Congress took a major step towards passing a bill that will help prevent unregulated and uncertified batteries from entering the country, and New York, by requiring the Consumer Product Safety Commission to create a national safety standard for these batteries. It will allow the CPSC to issue recalls for unsafe devices and conduct enforcement of uncertified batteries coming in through our ports.
“This is incredible news, and we applaud our partners in the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate for their strong leadership in passing this critical legislation. Since 2019, 929 fires have been caused by lithium-ion batteries in New York City, injuring 507 people, and resulting in 33 deaths. We know this legislation, once signed into law, will save lives.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schum-
er, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx) pushed to pass bipartisan legislation.
“This is a major step forward in our efforts to keep bad batteries off our streets,” Schumer posted to Twitter on Wednesday morning.
Schumer, Gillibrand, and Torres insisted that the CPSC needs to enact a final consumer safety standard for lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and e-scooters. No
federal consumer safety standard currently exists for such batteries, which has helped allow the cheap, faulty, China-made batteries that have been the cause of most of the NYC fires to remain available.
“[F]ederal action is needed to protect consumers and also our brave firefighters who are on the front lines of this new paradigm in fire prevention spurred by these unpredictable, and oftentimes, very dangerous batteries,” Schumer said in April 2023.
According to FDNY, lithium-ion batteries are used in various devices. These batteries are commonly used in cell phones, laptops, tablets, electric cars, and scooters. Lithium-ion batteries store a large amount of energy and can pose a threat if not treated properly. Like any product, a small number of these batteries are defective. They can overheat, catch fire, or explode.
Be careful when using any devices powered by lithium-ion batteries:
• When purchasing devices, be sure that the equipment has the Underwriters Laboratories Mark. The UL mark shows that the product has been safety tested.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage.
• Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
• Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device.
• Keep batteries/devices at room temperature. Do not place in direct sunlight.
• Store batteries away from anything flammable.
• If a battery overheats or you notice an odor, change in shape/color, leaking, or odd noises from a device discontinue use immediately. If safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 911.
Courtesy of MTA
The map shows the route of the QM15 bus.
South Ozone Park Cop Shooter
Convicted
By Forum Staff
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced on Tuesday that Marco Mosquera has been convicted by a jury for threatening his then wife, an off-duty City cop, with her own service weapon during a harrowing domestic violence incident in September 2021 inside their South Ozone Park home.
Mosquera, 46, was convicted on Monday of attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree, attempted assault in the first degree, kidnapping in the second degree, two counts of attempted aggravated assault upon a police officer and four counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree.
According to the charges and trial testimony, on Sept. 14, 2021, at approximately 6 a.m. the victim, Stacy Mosquera, a City police officer, arrived at her home. Despite the early hour, the defendant, Marco Mosquera, her then husband, was awake in the home, had bloodshot eyes and was drinking alcohol.
Upon arriving home, the defendant engaged the victim in a verbal dispute. During the argument the defendant broke household objects. The victim attempted to calm the defendant down and clean up. While she was cleaning, the defendant went into the victim’s bedroom where she kept her service firearm and an offduty firearm in a safe. The defendant emerged from the victim’s bedroom and pointed the firearms at her and said, “We are about to change the game up.”
The defendant told the victim that they were going to die that day, and it that if the cops came “things would not end well.” Despite his threats, the victim made several calls and reached 911 for emergency assistance.
Officers from the 106th Precinct and the NYPD Emergency Service Unit responded to the home and discovered the front entrance barricaded. The defendant then fired multiple shots, with one shot shattering the glass door panel and striking a uniformed police officer in the boot.
A responding officer established contact with the victim by telephone and told her to exit the house. The victim jumped out of a second-floor bedroom window as the defendant approached her with a gun in his hand. She fell onto the concrete below, fracturing her left knee.
An officer immediately ran over to protect the victim with a large ballistic blanket designed to deflect gunfire. The defendant then approached the window, pointed the black firearm in the direction of the victim and a uniformed police officer holding the ballistic blanket, and discharged the firearm. He then backed away from the window and continued to fire multiple times in the direction of the responding officers. During the exchange, the defendant sustained a gunshot wound to his forearm.
After an extended period of exchanging fire with responding NYPD officers, the defendant ultimately tossed the firearms out of a window, as instructed by police. He then surrendered and was subsequently taken into police custody.
After the defendant’s arrest, officers recovered the firearms next to the house and ammunition — including a quantity of 9mm cartridges as well as nine 9mm casings, both inside and outside the home.
The victim was taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated for multiple fractures which required surgeries to place plates and screws in her left knee. Mosquera faces up to 80 years in prison.
File Photo
On Sept. 14, 2021, Mosquera shot at several cops, striking one in the boot.
MTA Announces Additional Bus Service during Rockaway Resiliency Project
By Forum Staff
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority recently announced additional service to support riders during the Rockaway Resiliency Project, which requires a 17week outage of A subway service to/from the Rockaways. Beginning Friday, Jan. 17, service changes will be in effect to accommodate the project. During the outage, in addition to previously announced service alternatives, select QM15 express buses will be extended to Arverne and will make QM17 stops beyond its regular terminus in Howard Beach. The QM15 will continue to make all regular stops in Queens and Manhattan.
The QM16 (western Rockaway/Broad Channel) and the QM17 (eastern Rockaway/Broad Channel) express buses will each add one peak roundtrip during this time. The regular $7 express bus fare will be charged on the QM15, QM16 and QM17.
This is in addition to previously announced service alternatives including free shuttle buses, steep discounts on fares to/ from the Long Island Rail Road’s Far Rockaway Station, and a free subway shuttle, which will serve all stations on the Peninsula between Far Rockaway and Rockaway Park.
The select extended QM15 trips will run as follows for the duration of the ser-
vice outage. Customers are advised to use the “plan trip” feature of the MTA app, on mta.info and refer to bus schedules to plan trips.
36 Extended Weekday Trips:
• Manhattan bound: 6:30 a.m. –5:30 p.m. (except between 7:25 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. During this time, customers are advised to take a free shuttle bus to Howard Beach, or the QM16 or QM17)
• Queens bound: 10:00 a.m. –11:15 p.m.
20 Extended Saturday Trips:
• Manhattan bound: 6:30 a.m. –
5:30 p.m.
• Queens bound: 12:40 p.m. – 7:40 p.m.
QM 15 Express Buses will make the following additional QM17 stops to/from Arverne:
• Beach Channel Dr & Beach 54 St
• Beach Channel Dr & Beach 67 St
• R ockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 77 St
• R ockaway Beach Blvd & Beach 92 St
• Cross Bay Blvd & 16 Rd
• Cross Bay Blvd & Noel Rd
• Cross Bay Blvd & 163 Av
• Cross Bay Blvd & 158 Av
“This announcement reflects what can be achieved when agencies like the MTA and local leaders work together to meet the needs of the community," said State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-South Ozone Park).
The Rockaway Line, which carries the train and Rockaway Park Shuttle and serves as a vital link between the Rockaway Peninsula and the rest of New York City, experienced extensive damage from Superstorm Sandy. While emergency repairs restored service seven months after the storm, Hammels Wye Viaduct and South Channel Bridge that carry trains across Broad Channel require extensive rehabilitation and repair work to ensure these structures withstand future extreme weather events.
“ The temporary expansion of express bus service through the QM15, along with the QM16 and QM17, is a great victory and a welcomed addition to our transportation needs,” said Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Howard Beach). “This will further help connect our community to the rest of our City and minimize interruption during the upcoming Rockaway Resiliency Project. I appreciate the MTA working with us to add new stops and bus times while continuing to address the ongoing issues.”
Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann/MTA
The Rockaway Line experienced extensive damage from Superstorm Sandy.
State Secures $6.5M Settlement with Landlord
By Forum Staff
State Attorney General Tish James on Friday announced a $6.5 million settlement with Lilmor Management, LLC and its principal, Morris Lieberman, for repeated and egregious lead paint, mold, and housing maintenance code violations. Lilmor also engaged in deceptive business practices when leasing units by misrepresenting the building’s condition to current and prospective tenants.
Lilmor is a property management company that owns or manages at least 49 buildings with over 2,500 rent-stabilized units in Rockaway, Elmhurst, and Brooklyn. Lilmor and its agent, Jason Korn, were among the top offenders on the City public advocate’s “Worst Landlord” list in 2019 and 2020.
As a result of the settlement, Lilmor and Lieberman will pay $6.5 million to the Office of the Attorney General and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of NY, including over $2.9 million in restitution that OAG will distribute to impacted tenants. Lilmor must also improve its units to resolve all outstanding condition issues, a process which will be overseen by an independent housing specialist, James noted.
The OAG opened an investigation into Lilmor in June 2021 after receiving complaints from tenants and advocates reporting extremely poor conditions and elevated lead levels found in children who lived in Lilmor buildings. Lilmor’s portfolio has had more than 30,000 Housing Maintenance Code violations from the New York City Housing Preservation and Development, the most serious of which include chronic and recurring water leaks, mold, lead paint, and vermin infestation. All of these hazards pose severe health risks for tenants, especially young children.
The OAG’s investigation determined that Lilmor violated several provisions of
New York City’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. Specifically, Lilmor:
• R epeatedly failed to adequately determine if a child under the age of six lived in any of its apartments;
• Failed to conduct annual inspections in apartments and buildings where it knew a child under the age of 6 lived; and
• Failed to undertake legally required measures to inspect for and address any lead paint hazards in between tenancies; Lilmor’s non-compliance resulted in residents’ exposure to lead-based paint hazards, including more than 100 children under the age of six who tested positive for elevated lead levels in their blood. Lilmor also repeatedly and persistently violated local laws related to proper abatement of mold and vermin. The OAG’s investigation found that Lilmor addressed mold and vermin issues only in response to the placement of city and state housing code violations and failed to take any of the legally required proactive and ongoing steps to inspect for or prevent these hazards. Specifically, Lilmor:
• Failed to ask all tenants about mold and pests every year, as required by law;
• Did not annually inspect all apartments for indoor allergen hazards (mice, roaches, rats, and mold);
• Did not document compliance with law that requires that vacant units be thoroughly inspected and properly cleaned before new tenants moved in; and
• Failed to demonstrate that it established an Integrated Pest Management plan, not just to exterminate for pests in a single unit, but to address extermination throughout the buildings.
Current tenants will be entitled to partial rent abatements while remediation and repair work is being conducted in their units. Any rent increases that occur while repair work is ongoing will only be collectable once the work is complete.
The Pharmacist’s Corner
Presented by Frank Pantina, R.Ph
WHEN THE SWELLING GETS TOUGH DEALING WITH EDEMA
Many people suffer from swelling of the feet and ankles, a painful and difficult chronic condition. While there are many reasons for such swelling, some of them can be treated through the use of compression socks and/or medications and supplements, while others could signal serious medical problems involving the heart, lungs, kidneys or thyroid. Make sure you investigate the source of the edema you are facing and work with your doctor and your pharmacist to relive the swelling and prevent it from recurring. Swollen feet can be caused by excessive accumulation of fluid in the tissues, generally painless, usually found in older people, overweight persons, pregnant women or a consequence of long periods in standing or sitting position. Here are some of the actions that you can take to reduce the swelling: --Put a pillow under your legs when resting to keep the feet in a higher position than the rest of the body --Wear elastic stockings that your pharmacist can help you choose according to measurements and degree of compression --Do not spend too much time seated or staying in the same position --Exercise can reduce
swelling of the legs. Blood flows naturally from the legs to the heart. Exercises stimulates normal blood circulation. --Raising the legs above the heart- -promotes blood circulation to the brain --Weight loss-obesity slows blood circulation in the entire body. Losing weight helps blood to circulate better and can reduce inflammation in the extremities. --Reduce salt intake and adopt a balanced diet Finally you can try these two fairly successful home remedies: Applications with vinegar – alternation, one hot, another cold is an alternative treatment for leg swelling. Mix two equal parts of water and vinegar soak a towel, and apply for 7-10 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times. --Boil 250 ml water, 1 / 2 tablespoon molasses 1 tablespoon anise. Keep it boiling until only a half of the mixture will remain. Drink this mixture in three or four rounds during the day as it can reduce swelling of the feet, provided it is not triggered by a chronic disease. Remember if the swelling persists or is accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath or any discomfort in the chest, seek medical help immediately.
Cops, Civic Lead Toy Giveaway
File Photo
State Attorney General Tish James
Mayor has ‘Productive’ Meeting with incoming U.S. Border Czar
By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced a set of proposals following a “productive initial conversation” with the federal government’s incoming Border Czar Tom Homan, and Biden administration official Kenneth Genalo at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The proposals — which will continue to be updated and informed in collaboration with local, state, and federal government partners, law enforcement, advocates, and the immigrant community — include:
• Continuing to advocate for bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform, which includes a national resettlement strategy, work authorization and legal pathways for asylum seekers already in cities, funding for municipalities, and securing of the border.
• Exploring lawful processes to remove from New York City individuals who have been convicted of a major felony and lack legal status to remain in the United States.
• Encouraging immigrant New Yorkers to come forward if they have been a victim of a crime or witnessed a crime without fear of deportation.
• Establishing a “Safe Communities Working Group,” consisting of local, state, and federal officials, immigrant community stakeholders, legal experts, and faith and business leaders to make recommendations on new policy interventions to keep both
longtime New Yorkers and immigrants safe.
• Launching an awareness campaign to combat misinformation and to encourage immigrants and asylum seekers to continue to feel safe engaging with essential city services, including public schools, hospital systems, and public safety agencies.
A major topic of conversation at Thursday’s meeting included the 500,000 migrant children who have come into the United States with sponsors but whose location is currently unknown.
In addition to discussing proposals that will hold violent repeat offenders accountable, Adams is also proposing:
• A border resettlement strategy: Ongoing advocacy for a national resettlement strategy led by the federal government, aimed at aligning asylum seekers with cities and counties across the nation experiencing workforce shortages so that the limited resources of a handful of cities are not being overburdened.
• Funding: Need for federal funding, as cities should not be financially responsible for a national issue as New York City has already spent more than $6.65 bil-
lion to date on asylum seeker response efforts since April 2022.
• Work authorization: Granting work authorization to immigrants, which provides economic benefits, both for the individuals and households involved and for the broader U.S. economy. Additionally, providing expedited work authorization pathways for those already here.
• Bipartisan agreement: Support for a bipartisan deal that would provide a legislative solution for Dreamers, provide increased border and security measures, and take meaningful steps to modernize the country’s broken immigration system, among providing other solutions.
• Restrictions at the Southern Border: Support for the ongoing implementation of policies restricting entry at the Southern Border.
• Temporary Protected Status: TPS has allowed a majority of shelter residents to obtain work authorization and exit shelter. The Adams administration supports expansion of TPS in these ways: redesignate and extend current protections for Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras, and Venezuela (past July 31, 2023); for new arrivals, designate TPS for Ecuador, Guinea, and Mauritania.
“We are a city of immigrants, and we will always be true to those roots, but we also have to be honest and be clear that our immigration system is broken and a small number of repeat, violent offenders are taking advantage of that broken system,” said Adams.
City Comptroller Calls Court’s Medicare Ruling ‘Huge’ Win for Big Apple Retirees
By Michael V. Cusenza
The New York Court of Appeals on Tuesday rejected shifting retirees to a Medicare Advantage plan, prompting City Comptroller Brad Lander to call the ruling a “huge” victory.
As a result, 250,000 seniors will continue to have access to all providers who accept Medicare.
“The City’s Medicare Advantage plan would have constrained our retirees to a smaller network with more restrictive requirements on care. Many public servants entered the municipal workforce with the promise of middle-class wages, pensions, and a retirement plan. The shift to anything less than that full promise was a hard pill to swallow,” Lander said.
When the Aetna’s Medicare Advantage contract was submitted to Lander’s office last year, he declined to register it. Lander said he “was seriously concerned about the privatization of Medicare plans, overbilling by insurance companies, and barriers to care under Medicare Advantage.”
Lander said in June 2023, “The Comptroller’s Bureau of Contract Administration
carefully reviewed the City’s contract with Aetna and returned the contract to the Office of Labor Relations without registering it. Pending litigation calls into question the legality of this procurement and constrains us from fulfi lling our Charter mandated responsibility to confirm that procurement
rules were followed, sufficient funds are available, and the City has the necessary authority to enter into the contract.
“I appreciate the work of the Municipal Labor Council and the Office of Labor Relations to negotiate improvements to the Aetna contract to address some of the concerns raised by retirees. However, the broader Medicare Advantage trends are worrisome. Recent investigations identified extensive allegations of fraud, abuse, overbilling, and denials of medically necessary care at 9 of the top 10 Medicare Advantage plans, including CVS Health, which owns Aetna.
In April 2022, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General wrote in a report that its “case fi le reviews determined that Medicare Advantage Organizations sometimes delayed or denied Medicare Advantage beneficiaries' access to services, even though the requests met Medicare coverage rules. MAOs also denied payments to providers for some services that met both Medicare coverage rules and MAO billing rules. Denied requests that meet Medicare coverage rules may prevent or delay beneficiaries
from receiving medically necessary care and can burden providers. Although some of the denials that we reviewed were ultimately reversed by the MAOs, avoidable delays and extra steps create friction in the program and may create an administrative burden for beneficiaries, providers, and MAOs. Examples of health care services involved in denials that met Medicare coverage rules included advanced imaging services (e.g., MRIs) and post-acute facility stays (e.g., inpatient rehabilitation).”
The OIG report “also found that MAOs reversed some of the denied prior authorization and payment requests that met Medicare coverage and MAO billing rules. Often the reversals occurred when a beneficiary or provider appealed or disputed the denial, and in some cases MAOs identified their own errors.
“As health care activist Ady Barkan wrote last month, noting that half of Medicare enrollees nationwide have been transferred from traditional Medicare to private Medicare Advantage plans: ‘Once corporations privatize every inch of the public provision of health care, we may never get Medicare back,’” Lander added.
Photo Courtesy of Marc Hermann/MTA City Comptroller Brad Lander
Photo Courtesy of Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office
“It is a privilege to live in this incredible city,” Mayor Adams said.
Borough President Recommends Approval of Metropolitan Park Plan—with Conditions
By Forum Staff
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. on Monday announced his recommendation to approve with conditions the proposed Metropolitan Park sports and entertainment complex slated for what is currently the Citi Field parking lot in Corona.
As proposed, the Metropolitan Park plan includes the construction of a casino and entertainment center, a 2,300-room hotel, a 5,000-seat music hall, a “Taste of Queens” food hall, 25 acres of public park space, a redesigned Mets-Willets Point 7 train station and a $163 million community benefits fund.
The recommendation to approve Metropolitan Park with conditions comes less than two weeks after Richards held a Dec. 5 public hearing to hear from and question the developers of the proposal, as well as dozens of residents from across Queens who offered testimony.
Specific conditions laid out in Richards’ recommendation include:
• The creation of a Community Advisory Board that will meet regularly and act as a watchdog to ensure that all promised community benefits are enacted;
• The creation of a framework around ensuring that some of the proposed
through the installation of solar panels, rain gardens, green roofs, native plantings and permeable pavement;
• A requirement that the development team supply a list of communitybased organization it has partnered with around gambling addiction awareness education.
Richards also recommends that the development team submit a written letter to his office committing to all the community benefit terms they laid out during the Uniformed Land Use Review Procedure process, as well as the conditions laid out by the borough president.
development’s revenue be earmarked for maintenance and capital projects within Flushing Meadows Corona Park and the Flushing Promenade;
• The creation of a “CommUNITY Passport” system for entertainment complex guests, with the central goal of promoting and supporting local businesses across Queens;
• Dedicated programmatic plans for the 30,000 square feet set aside for community space and a commitment to outreach in the surrounding communities to fi ll the space with locally-based tenants;
• A commitment to a minimum of 30 percent minority- and women-owned business hiring and contracting;
• The submitting of quarterly reports on local hiring to the surrounding community boards, the local council member and the borough president;
• The conducting of culturally competent outreach to Queens street vendors, assisting them in securing space within the proposed Taste of Queens food hall;
• Sustainability being at the forefront of every element of the project
“Many recent studies have cited mixed economic outcomes when casinos are built, often not translating to long-term success. However, the Applicant Team has done a commendable job of creating a plan that would enrich local constituents’ lives with a 25-acre public park, community facility space, transportation improvements, a food hall designed to elevate Queens-based eateries and a nine-figure community benefits fund, among other aspects,” Richards wrote in his recommendation.
Following Richards’ recommendation to approve with conditions, the Metropolitan Park proposal will now be voted on by the City Planning Commission before being voted on by the City Council.
Rendering Courtesy of MetropolitanPark.com
*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
Genovese Crime Family Member Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison for Racketeering
By Forum Staff
On Friday, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Carmelo Polito, a former acting captain and soldier in the Genovese organized crime family, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for racketeering in connection with operating an illegal gambling business at the Gran Caffé in Lynbrook, L.I., and attempting to extort an individual who owed him money stemming from a separate online sports betting business.
Polito, 64, a resident of Whitestone, is a longtime, inducted member of the Genovese organized crime family. For years, numerous members and associates of the Genovese and Bonanno organized crime families operated several illegal gambling operations in Queens and on Long Island. Beginning in at least May 2012, the Genovese and Bonanno families jointly operated a lucrative illegal gambling parlor concealed inside a coffee shop called the Gran Caffé. Polito and co-defendant Joseph Macario, 69, also known as “Joe Fish,” on behalf of the Genovese crime family, and Anthony Pipitone, also known as “Little Anthony,” on behalf of Bonanno crime family, successfully negotiated a profit split for the gambling location, which ensured that each crime family benefited from the il-
legal gambling operation. In addition to the Gran Caffé, the Genovese crime family—through Polito, Macario, Joseph Rutigliano, also known as “Joe Box,” Salvatore Rubino, also known as “Sal the Shoemaker,” and others—operated illegal gambling parlors at establishments called Sal’s Shoe Repair and the Centro Calcio Italiano Club. Rutigliano, 65, and Rubino, 60, collected the proceeds for the Genovese crime family and distribut-
ed them up to higher ranking members, including Polito and Macario. Polito was surveilled distributing proceeds to higher ranking members on numerous occasions.
Polito and co-defendant Mark Feuer, 61, also operated an illegal online gambling scheme in which bets were placed on sporting events through a website called “PGWLines.” In connection with his operation of PGWLines, Polito attempted to extort an
individual who lost several thousand dollars in bets using death threats and other threats of violence. For example, during a September 2019 call concerning the debtor, Polito instructed another individual to tell the debtor that Polito would “break” the debtor’s “face.” When the debtor still did not pay Polito, Polito instructed the same individual to relay a new message to the debtor: “Tell him I’m going to put him under the f------g bridge.”
As detailed in earlier court fi lings and in facts presented at the guilty plea hearings, members of the Genovese and Bonanno organized crime families operated several illegal gambling operations in the Eastern District of New York—including La Nazionale Soccer Club in Glendale and Glendale Sports Club.
Brooklyn U.S. Attorney Breon Peace said that Friday’s sentence “makes clear to the defendant that the outcome for participating in illegal gambling and making extortionate threats is the loss of something very valuable — your freedom.”
Polito is the first defendant sentenced in this case and a related case against four members and associates of the Bonanno organized crime family of La Cosa Nostra. Macario, Rutigliano, Rubino and Feuer are awaiting sentencing. All have pleaded guilty.
City has Removed 73K Ghost Cars, Illegal Vehicles from NYC Streets in Past Two Years
By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Hochul recently announced the City Police Department and Department of Sanitation have removed more than 73,000 illegal “ghost cars” – cars that are virtually untraceable by traffic cameras and toll readers because of their forged or altered license plates – and illegal and unregistered motorized scooters, bikes, and allterrain vehicles from the streets of the five boroughs since the start of the Adams administration.
This year alone, NYPD and DSNY have removed more than 7,500 ghost cars and 27,000 illegal motorized vehicles. And since the launch of a joint task force between the two departments in September more than 5,000 ghost cars have been removed. This task force targets parked ghost cars and contributed to the more than 20,000 ghost cars and more than 53,000 illegal and unregistered motorized vehicles seized since the start of the Adams administration.
Ghost cars and other illegal vehicles pose significant public safety risks and are increasingly being used in violent crimes, including shootings and robberies, as well as in traffic offenses like hitand-runs, Adams noted. Ghost cars also deprive law-abiding taxpayers of millions
of dollars in unpaid tolls and fees that could otherwise be invested in critical government services.
“Our kids, families, and all New Yorkers must feel safe and be safe in our city, but ghost cars contribute to the feeling of disorder, and that’s why our administration has pumped the brakes on the use of these illegal vehicles,” said Adams.
“While outlaws use fraudulent, defaced, or non-existent license plates and other
illegal vehicles to commit and evade accountability for serious crimes, including shootings, robberies, and hit-and-runs, thanks to our partnership across city and state agencies, we have taken more than 73,000 ghost cars and illegal vehicles off New York City’s streets since the start of our administration. We are not going to stand by while people break the law, defraud our city, and endanger the public.”
In September, Adams announced a
new interagency task force in which 15 NYPD officers were assigned strictly to parked ghost car removal under the direction of DSNY. In the 12 weeks since the task force began regular operations, it has already removed 5,119 ghost cars – freeing up space for New Yorkers who follow safety and regulatory requirements. The NYPD has removed an additional 2,415 ghost cars this year, for a total of 7,534 ghost cars cleared from city streets in 2024 already.
In 2023, the NYPD confiscated 18,430 illegal and unregistered motorized scooters, bikes, and ATVs – the highest number in city history – representing a 128 percent increase from 2022. In 2024, the NYPD has already bested 2023’s complete year tally, removing 27,040 illegal vehicles.
“Ghost plates and the vehicles that use them have long been a plague on the streets of New York City,” newly minted City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch added. “But the days of motorists getting away with it are over. When you are caught driving or parking a ghost vehicle, you will be stopped and, when necessary, arrested. Your vehicle will also be impounded. I assure everyone that all of our interagency task forces are fully dedicated to this critical work of ensuring public safety.”
Photo Courtesy of Google
Genovese and Bonanno organized crime families operated several illegal gambling operations in Queens and on Long Island—including Glendale Sports Club.
Photo Courtesy of Mayoral Photography Office
“We are not going to stand by while people break the law, defraud our city, and endanger the public,” Mayor Adams said.
City has Climbed out from Economic Downturn, Disruption of Pandemic: Report
By Michael V. Cusenza
The state of New York City’s economy and finances is stronger than many would have predicted four years ago when the city was approaching the first holiday season of the COVID-19 pandemic and the last presidential transition, according to City Comptroller Brad Lander, who, on Tuesday, released his office’s annual State of the City’s Economy and Finances report.
According to the report, the city’s labor participation rate has reached a record high, with city employment above its pre-pandemic level. This year, the commercial real estate sector has finally begun to show signs not only of stabilization, but recovery. Tourism to the city has rebounded strongly, and Broadway attendance just surpassed pre-pandemic levels this fall.
Additionally, the city’s population has declined over the past three years, and although there are reasons to believe that the drop may be somewhat overstated, it is a genuinely concerning trend. The City’s housing market remains exceedingly tight, with housing affordability a top issue for New Yorkers.
Report highlights include:
• The City has climbed out from the economic downturn and disruption of the pandemic – with stronger economic growth than projected last year. But we face new economic and budget challenges from an incoming Trump administration. Cuts to federal aid, tariff , and immigration policies threaten to reverse recent growth and imperil the very fabric of New York City.
• The Adams administration inflated projections for asylum seeker services by billions of dollars. The Comptroller’s Office projects that total spending on asylum seekers will be lower than assumed by $1.35 billion in FY 2025, $2.30 billion in FY 2026, and $1.90 billion in FY 2027.
• “The Adams Administration has scapegoated migrants and distracted New Yorkers with unnecessary fights about cuts to libraries and parks. Meanwhile, they continue to under-budget $3 billion every year in areas they know we will spend more on, like uniformed overtime and rental subsidies. And they have failed to contribute to the Rainy Day Fund, despite increased tax revenues,” Lander, a 2025 mayoral candidate, wrote.
Lander also noted that the policies of the incoming Trump administration will directly impact the Big Apple. If substantially brought to bear, these policies would reverse recent growth and imperil the very fabric of New York City. The broad expansion of import tariff s would be borne by U.S. firms and consumers, increasing inflation and raising prices. While tax cuts could off set price increases, these would likely be targeted at corporations and higher-income earners. What’s more, the restrictive immigration policies proposed, coupled with the mass deportations being threatened, would reduce the city’s labor supply and tax base and exacerbate the city’s population decline.
“It's prett y simple: New Yorkers deserve better than budget gimmicks. We deserve honest and fi scally responsible budgeting,” Lander added. “Our city has finally recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, but we still face the high cost of rent and daily living – and now face an incoming Federal administration bent on inflationary tariff s and reducing aid to municipalities.”
The Office of the Comptroller is charter-mandated to publish the report each year.
City has won $40M in EPA Grants to Electrify Heavy-Duty Vehicles, School Buses
By Forum Staff
Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced that the City and its partners have won approximately $40 million in competitive grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2024 Clean Heavy Duty Vehicles Program. The City Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ $17.3 million award will allow the city to replace 55 diesel trucks with electric vehicles, as well as to add 10 additional fast chargers across the city and expand EV training for city mechanics. Additionally, with city support, the New York City School Bus Umbrella Services, Inc. won an approximately $32 million grant to purchase an additional 109 electric school buses for city students.
Vehicles being replaced with new zero emission models include:
• Diesel-powered food delivery trucks that deliver hot food and supplies to correctional facilities.
• Refuse haulers and mechanical brooms that contribute to the collection of 24 million pounds of recyclables, trash, and compostable material annually citywide.
• Rack trucks, which carry equipment for road repairs and maintenance and traffic control, and attenuator trucks designed to improve work zone safety on roads and highways during road work and construction activities.
• Utility, tapping, valve, and attenuator vehicles, which are used to maintain the infrastructure that provides drinking water and processes wastewater and runoff citywide, including 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels, and aqueducts, 7,500 miles of sewer lines, and 153,000 miles of catch basins.
Beyond the 55 new heavy duty zero emissions vehicles, DCAS will also invest in new workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charg-
ing, fueling, and operation of zero-emissions vehicles. This will include driver, mechanic, and other essential personnel training related to the maintenance and operation of new technologies and electrician training to install electric vehicle supply equipment. Ten additional fast chargers will be installed to support City Department of Transportation electric vehicles citywide, expanding DCAS’s largest-in-the-state charging network of more than 2,100 chargers. To date, over
76 percent of the city’s fleet — more than 21,000 vehicles — now use sustainable alternative fuels, including electric, hybrid electric, solar, and biofuel.
“Today we make a commonsense investment in our children, our health, and our sustainability,” said Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Woodhaven). “We have secured $40 million in grants to electrify our fleet, allowing us to add 109 school buses, 55 trucks, and 10 charging stations. That is 164 fewer vehicles spewing exhaust, including from idling buses exacerbating children’s asthma. This is part of the success of our Federal Infrastructure Funding Task Force under Deputy Mayor [Meera] Joshi, through which we have secured $2.3 billion to invest in our city. I am proud to contribute to this effort, helping to secure half a billion dollars to purchase zero-emission school buses. Together, we are going to make emissions history and give New Yorkers the clean air they deserve.”
The City has secured more than $2.3 billion in grants — $1.3 billion of which were through competitive applications — to support upgrades to Big Apple infrastructure and prepare for the impacts of climate change, including $117 million to construct the next phase of the Queensway, a new linear park being built on a vacant corridor of the former Long Island Rail Road Rockaway Beach Branch.
Courtesy of Comptroller Lander
City Comptroller Brad Lander this week released his office’s annual State of the City’s Economy and Finances report.
Photo Courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office
The City will also invest in new workforce development and training to support the maintenance, charging, fueling, and operation of zero-emissions vehicles.
SIGNATURE LIMO LLC, Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 11/11//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.
ATTUNING DIGITAL LLC, Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 09/16/2024. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: THE LLC, 55 REID AVE, BREEZY POINT, NY, 11697, USA. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
PARKER TAXI LLC, Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 11/07/2024. Office loc: Queens County. SSNY has been designated as agent upon whom process against the LLC may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: Stavros Gounaris, 43-23 35th Street, Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any Lawful Purpose.
Notice of Formation of 29-10 Thomson Avenue LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with NY Dept. of State: 7/17/24. Office location: Queens County. Princ. bus. addr.: 31-10 Thomson Ave., Rm. E409E, LI City, NY 11101. Sec. of State designated agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served and shall mail process to: Cogency Global Inc., 122 E. 42nd St., 18th Fl., NY, NY 10168, regd. agent upon whom process may be served. Purpose: any lawful activity.
LIFE IS A PARTY LLC Arts of Org. fi led SSNY 11/20/2024 Queens Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: General Purpose
Hatchio LLC Arts of Org. fi led SSNY 09/11/2024 Queens Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to Xiaoyue Hong 4321 161st St, Flushing, NY 11358 General Purpose
LEGACY DELIVERY SERVICE LLC
Arts of Org. fi led SSNY 11/13/2024 Queens Co. SSNY design agent for process & shall mail to ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: General Purpose
Notice of Formation of Pasos Rosados LLC Article of Organization filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 09/25/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Ming Lou E. Rosado at 169-19 81st Avenue, Jamaica, NY, 11432, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Legal Notices
Notice of Formation of MT LONGFIELD LLC Article of Organization fi led with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 11/20/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to MT. LONGFIELD LLC, 131-02B 40TH ROAD, #11V, FLUSHING, NY, 11354, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of AZG RENOVATIONS LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/07/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: ANGEL I AZOGUE, 33-41 89TH ST. Apt 2fl, Jackson heights, NY, 11372, USA. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
Notice of Formation of COLORMETOTS PUBLISHING LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/25/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: General Purpose.
Notice of Formation of LaundryBee Gates LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/15/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: The LLC, 22111 Kingsbury Ave, Oakland Gardens, NY 11364, laundrybeeinc@gmail.com. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
Notice of Formation of YOUR FAMILY HANDYMAN LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/27/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA Purpose: General Purpose. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
Notice of Formation of EVERGREEN QUANT VENTURES LLC Article of Organization fi led with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/03/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of IT WAS WRITTEN ACQUISITIONS LLC Article of Organization fi led with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/04/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of OD ROYALE LLC Article of Organization fi led with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/02/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to ZENBUSINESS INC.41 STATE STREET, SUITE 112 ALBANY, NY, 12207, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
101 OZONE HOUSE LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 11/26/24. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 64-86 83rd Place, Middle Village, NY 11379. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of VERA ALBERCA LLC Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 11/30/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail/email process to: JONATHAN VERA ALBERCA, 2721 MCINTOSH ST, EAST ELMHURST, NY, 11369, USA Purpose: General Purpose. Purpose: any lawful act or activity.
Notice of Formation of Spear Bayside LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State (SSNY) on 9/17/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to: The LLC, 31 E 32nd St, 4th Fl, NY, NY 10016. Purpose: any lawful activity.
NY PADS LLC notice of formation of limited liability company (llc). Name:NY PADS LLC. Articles of organization fi led with secretary of state of new york (ssny) on march 5, 2024. Ny office location: queens county. SSNY has been designated as agent of the llc upon whom process against it may be served. The post office address to which the ssny shall mail a copy of any process against the llc served upon him/ her is 16419 Hillside Ave., Jamaica, NY, 11432. Purpose/character of llc: any lawful purpose.
B.B.A.S HOLDINGS LLC. Arts. of Org. fi led with the SSNY on 06/20/23. Office: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to the LLC, 59-56 58th Road, Maspeth, NY 11378. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of COMPLEX SECURITY & TRAINING LLC Article of Organization filed with the NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 12/04/24. Office in Queens Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to USPS 14506 243RD ST, ROSEDALE, NY, 11422, USA. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.
Notice of Formation of AARA CLEANSE COLLC Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 11/28/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the AARA CLEANSE CO LLC, 117-25 141ST STREET, JAMAICA, NY, 11436, USA. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
Notice of Formation of FEED DOG CAFE LLC Arts. of Org. fi led with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 08/14/24. Office location: Queens County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC, 37-38 31st St., Long Island City, NY 11101. Purpose: Any lawful activity.
P. Addabbo, Jr.
New York State Senator District 15
Joseph
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