James Pushes Legislation To Assist Seniors With Snow Removal
Public Advocate Letitia James was joined yesterday by City Council Members and advocates on the steps of City Hall to rally support for the passage of legislation to assist seniors and people with disabilities with snow removal.
The legislation would require the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to establish a program to assist seniors and people with disabilities with snow removal, and cut fines for failure to remove snow from sidewalks by at least fifty percent for these individuals.
With winter right around the corner, the bill (Intro 714) will help prevent some of the 10,000+ tickets that homeowners received from DSNY in the past year for failure to clear snow.
“Our government is responsible for ensuring all people in New York City are safe, and during the winter months, that entails the timely and efficient removal of snow from our public sidewalks,” said James. “However, there are thousands of elderly and disabled New Yorkers who are not capable of removing heavy snow and ice from the sidewalks outside their homes. Snowfall should not make an avalanche of fines for the elderly or disabled, and it is up to us to create programs that help those in need and ensure all our public walkways are safe.”
The bill would also increase payments to volunteers aiding with snow removal by contracting with nonprofit organizations. With the current programs, single-day workers have to wait between 4-8 weeks to receive payment for their work – disincentivizing many from helping those who need it most.
“This bill simply makes sense. As all New Yorkers can attest, snowfall during old man winter in New York City can be brutal. For the elderly and disabled especially, shoveling and maintaining their property during this time can be extremely debilitating,” said Bay Ridge City Council Member Vincent J. Gentile. “With the help of the DSNY, the elderly and disabled will benefit from the snow removal service both physically and emotionally. Thank you Public Advocate James for sponsoring this legislation and my fellow co-sponsors for supporting this legislation.”
De Blasio, City Congressional Delegation: Don’t Cut Transit Funds
Mayor Bill de Blasio and the entire New York City Congressional delegation urged Congress to invest – not disinvest – from New York City transportation and infrastructure needs, including to pass a reauthorization transportation bill that increases federal funding support for our transportation systems, including subways, buses, streets, bridges, rail, and ferries to meet growing needs.
In a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the city’s lawmakers specifically called for the members of the conference committee to prevent an $80 million annual cut to transit in New York City – which would total $480 million over the six years of the bill – and instead ensure provisions that increase funding for projects in New York City are included in a final transportation bill.
If Congress fails to pass a long-term transportation bill that significantly increases investment for New York City, subway delays may increase from the current 15,000 a month and commutes may grow from the 74 hours a year the average New York City commuter spends in traffic.
Adams Hosts Forum On Verizon FiOS Rollout
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams announced that he will host a public forum next week on the rollout of Verizon FiOS in Brooklyn, allowing residents and businesses to discuss their concerns with the service.
Adams, a member of the Franchise and Concession Review Committee (FCRC), discussed the importance of expanding high-speed telecommunications service in Brooklyn as well as holding City franchisees accountable to agreements.
“High-speed access is a prerequisite to progress in 21st century Brooklyn, and we cannot accept roadblocks to progress in any of our communities,” said Adams. “It is important that we hear from Brooklynites about their experiences with the rollout of Verizon FiOS in an effort to see the results that residents and businesses expect.”
Under a franchise agreement signed with the City of New York in 2008, Verizon FiOS is guaranteed to all New Yorkers, though an audit by the New York City Department of Information Technology & Telecommunications (DOITT) in June noted that the company has failed to live up to its obligations. Under the deal, a complete fiber-optic buildout of the city was supposed to have been accomplished by November of 2014.
Representatives from Verizon will be present at the meeting, which will take place on from 7-8:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 17 in the community room of Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street.
Richardson Hold Big Brothers Big Sisters Info Session
Crown Heights/Lefferts Gardens Assemblywoman Diana Richardson is hosting a Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City Volunteer Information Session next week.
“The future of our communities will be shaped by our youth. It is important that as concerned residents we make an effort to reach out, and assist in guiding the young boys and girls of our district on a path toward success and fulfillment. Each of us has unique experiences and perspectives to share, and the bond built in mentorship offers great rewards not only for the child, but for the mentor as well,” said Richardson.
The information session is slated for 7 p.m., Wednesday, November 18, at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, 331 Hawthorne Street.
