[BwayDems] January 2010 - Monthly Update from Assembly Member O'Donnell

[Daniel O'Donnell]

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O'DONNELL NEWS -- JANUARY 2010
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Community Office: 245 West 104th Street  •  (212) 866-3970

O'DONNELL CALLS FOR BAN ON HEAVY HEATING OILS
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In November, Assembly Member O'Donnell re-introduced legislation which 
would prohibit the burning of the more dense grades (#4 and #6) of 
heating oil in residential buildings. The bill, A9253, is an expansion 
of his 2008 legislation which would have banned only grade #6.

A recent city survey on air quality found the highest levels of 
pollutants in neighborhoods where buildings burn grade #4 or #6 heating 
oil. In addition, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) recently issued a 
report showing that only 1 percent of New York City's buildings create 
87 percent of particulate pollution from the burning of heating oil.

The findings in both documents lend strong support to Assembly Member 
O'Donnell's legislation.

For more information, please review the city's survey at www.nyc.gov/doh 
or visit EDF's site at www.edf.org/dirtybuildings.



O'DONNELL REQUESTS INTERVENTION AS COLUMBIA MOVES TO DEMOLISH HISTORIC 
ROWHOUSES
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Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Columbia University filed demolition 
permits for 408, 410 and 412 West 115th Street. These historic 
rowhouses, built in 1898, are among the earliest buildings constructed 
in Morningside Heights. Assembly Member O'Donnell immediately asked the 
city's Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) to intervene. LPC is the 
only city agency with the authority to prevent the impending demolition. 
 From O'Donnell's letter:

"The demolition will leave an indelible scar on the architectural fabric 
of Morningside Heights. The row stands only feet from the western edge 
of Morningside Park which was recently designated a scenic landmark. I 
believe it is crucial to preserve the historic streetscapes that 
surround and provide context for this beautiful park.

"The razing of these rowhouses will serve as a glaring example of the 
Landmarks Preservation Commission's inaction and inability to fulfill 
its mission. I strongly urge intervention by the Commission on behalf of 
these worthy buildings and the neighborhood as a whole."

O'Donnell will continue to advocate for the creation of a comprehensive 
historic district in Morningside Heights and work closely with the local 
block association and other elected officials to compel the preservation 
of these buildings.



O'DONNELL CALLS FOR REMOVAL OF ANTI-CHOICE LANGUAGE FROM NATIONAL 
HEALTHCARE REFORM LEGISLATION
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Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell has called for the removal of 
anti-choice language from any final federal healthcare reform 
legislation. From O'Donnell's letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry 
Reid and New York State Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand:

"[The Stupak-Pitts amendment] would make it virtually impossible for 
private insurers participating in a new healthcare system to offer 
abortion coverage, even to women interested in purchasing coverage with 
their own money. This will effectuate a gross decrease in access to a 
basic medical procedure and have drastic effects on women across the 
country, with especially grave consequences for lower-income women who 
cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket for the procedure.

"To include language that explicitly excludes healthcare needed only by 
women and girls is discriminatory at best and dangerous at worst. 
Stupak-Pitts represents a blatant attempt to legislate morality through 
poor public policy, and it must be excluded from any bill language going 
forward."

O'Donnell is a strong supporter of healthcare reform and will continue 
to be a fierce advocate for a woman's right to determine her own 
healthcare needs.



ASSEMBLY MEMBER O'DONNELL'S UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
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CELL PHONE DRIVE
A donated cell phone can be a lifeline for domestic violence survivors 
when faced with an emergency situation. CALL TO PROTECT is a national 
campaign to collect cell phones to support organizations that provide 
needed services to domestic violence survivors. Please bring your used 
cell phone to Assembly Member O'Donnell's Community Office; 245 W. 104th 
Street (bet. Broadway and West End). For more information, and to learn 
how to erase your personal data prior to donating, please visit 
www.calltoprotect.org.

**January 1 –31, 2010**



FREE LEGAL CLINIC FOR TENANTS
An opportunity for constituents with housing issues to consult with a 
volunteer attorney. Call (212) 866-3970 to make an appointment.

**Thursday, January 28th**



THANK YOU!
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Assembly Member O'Donnell's New York Cares Coat Drive collection was a 
great success. The Community exceeded the office's goal by donating 143 
coats—nearly 25% more than last year! Thank you to everyone who donated 
a coat and participated in this important community event.



NEW TAX PENALTY AND INTEREST DISCOUNT (PAID) PROGRAM
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Enacted as part of the recent deficit reduction measure, the PAID 
program will allow a brief opportunity for state taxpayers to clear up 
delinquent tax bills while receiving a substantial reduction in accrued 
penalties and interest. (Penalty and interest accrued on unpaid tax 
bills issued on or before December 31, 2003 will be reduced by 80% and 
50% on unpaid tax bills issued on or before December 31, 2006. Please 
note that bills issued after December 31, 2006 are not eligible for this 
program.)

The program starts January 15, 2010. In order to realize savings, 
eligible taxpayers must make all payments by the program's expiration 
date, March 15, 2010.

If you think you may be eligible for this program, please visit 
www.nystax.gov after January 15, 2010 or call 518-457-1726 or 
888-272-9697 for further information and instructions.



COMMUNITY BOARD APPLICATIONS DUE
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Applications to serve on one of Manhattan's 12 Community Boards are due 
on January 15, 2010. Community Board members advise their elected 
officials on the City budget, land use, service delivery and a host of 
other issues that impact their neighborhood.

To learn more, visit www.mbpo.org



LEARN ABOUT SUMMER PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES
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Parents and caregivers of children and teens with disabilities can plan 
ahead for summer with the wealth of information offered at the 25th 
annual free Special Camp Fair. Representatives from 70 NYC day and 
sleepaway camps in the northeast will be on hand to help parents and 
professionals plan productive summer experiences for children with 
disabilities. Spanish and sign language interpreters available. Visitors 
will receive a free copy of Camps (2009-2010) Directory. For more 
information, please visit www.resourcesnyc.org.

Saturday, January 30, 2010; 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
405 W 59th St.; Church of Saint Paul the Apostle (Enter at Columbus Ave. 
& W. 60th St.)



FREE CPR TRAINING
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The New York City Fire Department is offering free CPR training to the 
public at department facilities and other participating locations 
throughout the five boroughs. These free, hour-long classes do not 
provide certification but will teach you how to save the life of an 
adult or child. In addition, trainees will take home a CPR training kit.

Classes scheduled from January 5 – March 31, 2010 at various locations 
and times. Call 718-281-3888 or click the "CPR TO GO" button at 
www.nyc.gov/fdny.



ATENCIÓN!
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La oficina comunicaría del Asambleísta Daniel O'Donnell ahora tiene 
empleados que hablan español para asistir al publico, tiempo completo de 
lunes a viernes desde 9:00 AM -5:30 PM. La Oficina comunicaría esta 
localizada en el 245 West 104th, con la calle Broadway. También pueden 
contactar la oficina en horario de trabajo al (212) 866-3970.

Assembly Member O'Donnell's community office has full-time 
Spanish-speaking staff available to assist you, Monday through Friday 
from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm. The office is located at 245 West 104th Street, 
just off Broadway. You can also call during business hours, (212) 866-3970.


--
Office of Assembly Member Daniel O'Donnell
245 W. 104th Street
New York, NY 10025
p (212) 866-3970
f (212) 864-1095
odonned at assembly.state.ny.us
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=069


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