MANH Lawmakers on the Move, Nov. 7, 2019

Kallos to Take Part in Voting Panel Discussion

Council Member Ben Kallos (D-Yorkville, Lenox Hill) will be a panelist at a forum on the voting process next Monday.

The design, location and operation of polling sites can often influence how voters participate in elections. Monday’s forum, hosted by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), will have the panelists discuss their own professional experiences with polling sites. Afterwards, the panelists will allow attendees to break into groups and discuss their own ideas for improving poll site design.

The event will take place on Monday, Nov. 11 from 6-8 p.m. at the AIA New York Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Pl.

O’Donnell to Host Flu Shot Giveaway

Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell (D-Manhattan Valley, Morningside Heights) will be hosting his annual free flu shot event today.

O’Donnell’s office will be hosting the event in collaboration with the Mobile Ryan Health Center. All flu shots are free, but supplies are limited, so those who seek to attend must RSVP in advance.

The event will take place today from 1-4 p.m. at Straus Park, West 106th and West End Avenue. To RSVP, call 212-866-3970.

Hoylman, Glick Introduce Bill to Ban Overnight Parking for Garbage Trucks

Last Friday, State Senator Brad Hoylman (D-Chelsea, Midtown) and Assemblymember Deborah Glick (D-East Village, West Village) introduced legislation prohibiting overnight garbage truck parking on City streets.

Hoylman and Glick introduced the bill over a year after Department of Sanitation vehicles started parking nightly on East 10th Street. Since then, the surrounding residential community has had to contend with both the stench and the disruptive noise caused by these vehicles.

“For far too long, the Department of Sanitation has used East 10th Street as its personal parking lot, forcing residents to endure rotten smells and extreme noise pollution,” said Hoylman. “This legislation, which I’m proud to co-sponsor with my colleague Deborah Glick, will finally end this ridiculous practice. We must ban garbage trucks from parking overnight on residential streets so we can protect the quality of life in every corner of our city. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, Councilmember Carlina Rivera and Community Board 3 for their ongoing advocacy on this issue that has had a devastating impact on our residents and small businesses.”

Espaillat on Sondland Testimony: “This Could Be a Smoking Gun”

Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights, Sugar Hill) appeared on CNN yesterday to discuss Ambassador Gordon Sondland’s testimony in the impeachment inquiry.

In a surprising turn of events, Sondland’s testimony contradicted his previous statement about the absence of a quid pro quo. In his new testimony, he recalled a September 1 conversation during which he confirmed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the security aid was dependent on their willingness to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden (D).

“This could be a smoking gun,” said Espaillat. “Sondland is a credible witness. He’s someone who has been in communications with the President, back and forth. He amended his testimony; I was in the room when he testified before the committees. I think maybe he’s looking at what could happen to him, and he wanted to be as transparent as possible.”