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

[Daniel O'Donnell]

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*O'DONNELL NEWS -- MARCH 2010*
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Community Office: 245 West 104th Street  .  (212) 866-3970

*O'DONNELL LEGISLATION ENHANCES COMMUNITY REVIEW OF CHARTER SCHOOL SITING
*During recent community discussions, many area residents and local 
school community members have expressed deep concern about the 
decision-making process when New York City Department of Education 
authorizes charter schools to use public school space. Assembly Member 
O'Donnell strongly believes that the community deserves an opportunity 
for meaningful input in these decisions that most impact schools and 
local families.

To address this issue, he and his colleague Assembly Member Keith Wright 
have introduced A9845 which would require full compliance with the 
city's Universal Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) before a charter 
school can be located in New York City owned property, including a 
public school.

ULURP is currently required when city-owned properties are to be sold, 
transferred, or leased. The ULURP process includes a specific timeline, 
review by the local community board, and approval by the City Council. 
Whereas current law excludes New York City public school buildings from 
the ULURP process, O'Donnell's bill would require the ULURP process to 
be applied before changes are made that affect charter school placement 
in public school buildings or other city-owned properties.

A9845 would in no way preclude charter schools from using, leasing, or 
purchasing a Department of Education or other city-owned property, but 
it would allow parents, the community board and the City Council their 
proper role in reviewing and approving these changes.

As a member of the Assembly's Education Committee, Assembly Member 
O'Donnell will continue to follow this important community issue.

*APPLIANCE REBATE PROGRAM EXTENDED!*_
_New Yorkers who buy an energy-efficient replacement appliance and 
recycle the old appliance by April 30th may qualify for a rebate of up 
to $105. This incentive will help New Yorkers save money while reducing 
the environmental impact of older appliances and decreasing New York's 
overall energy consumption.

The program, New York's Great Appliance Swap Out, allows the state to 
issue more than 170,000 rebates totaling nearly $17 million. The rebates 
are funded by last year's federal stimulus act.

For more information on eligible appliances, how to apply for the 
rebate, and recycling your old appliances, please visit 
_www.nyapplianceswapout.com_, call 877-NYSMART, or call Assembly Member 
O'Donnell's Community Office at 212-866-3970.

*_~ASSEMBLY MEMBER O'DONNELL'S UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS~_
THE FUTURE OF **MANHATTAN** **VALLEY**: A VISIONING EVENT
*/co-sponsored with Columbus/Amsterdam //BID//, Pratt Institute, and 
Municipal Art Society

/***Saturday, March 6th; **3:00*--*5:00 PM****
Red Oak Apartments / Community Room
**135 W 106th St** (bet. **Amsterdam** and **Columbus**)
*/(Doors open @ //2:45 PM//)

/Assembly Member O'Donnell is convening a conversation about Manhattan 
Valley and needs your input! Discuss your community, its many strengths, 
and what improvements you'd like to see. The information will be 
compiled to get a clear picture of what we can all do together to make 
Manhattan Valley even stronger. Community members of all ages are 
welcome. Young people are especially encouraged to participate -- all 
perspectives are important!

/Please RSVP to 212-866-3970. Spanish translation services will be provided.
/
*SENIORS **AND** THE LAW: A DISCUSSION ABOUT WILLS, HEALTHCARE PROXIES, 
**AND** MEDICAL DIRECTIVES
*/co-sponsored with Assembly Member Keith L. T. Wright
/*
**Friday, March 19th; **11:30 AM****
**Harlem** Branch Library
**9 West 124th Street** (bet 5th and Lenox)
*
Come hear a seasoned attorney speak about topics of special interest to 
senior citizens, including:
. Do I need a will?
. What information goes into a will?
. Where should I keep my will and/or valuables?
. Do I need a healthcare proxy?
. Do I need a medical directive?

/Refreshments will be served. //Harlem// Branch Library is wheelchair 
accessible./

*FREE** LEGAL CLINIC FOR TENANTS
*O'Donnell hosts regular opportunities for constituents to consult with 
a volunteer attorney regarding housing issues. Please call Joyce at 
212-866-3970 to make an appointment.

***Thursday, March 25th**
*
*_~FOR YOUR INFORMATION~_*
*GRAFFITI **FREE** NYC*_
_The New York City Economic Development Corporation is proud to offer 
free graffiti removal services. The program removes over 10 million 
square feet of graffiti each year.

To access Graffiti Free NYC, please report graffiti to 3-1-1 or visit 
_www.nycedc.com/graffiti_.*

**MANHATTAN** DA SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM*_
_The Manhattan District Attorney's Office invites High School students 
to apply for the 2010 Summer Internship Program. To apply, students must 
reside in Manhattan. Qualified students should send a résumé and essay 
explaining their interest in law postmarked no later than Friday, April 
16, 2010 to: Community Affairs Unit, New York County District Attorney's 
Office, Attn: Ms. Carol Ragsdale, One Hogan Place, Room 824, New York, 
NY, 10013. Interviews are scheduled through April 30, 2010.

For more information, call (212) 335-9082.*

**NEW** TAX PENALTY **AND** INTEREST DISCOUNT (PAID) PROGRAM*
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.

*REGISTER YOUR CHILD FOR KINDERGARTEN*
For families interested in enrolling their children in kindergarten for 
September of 2010, they must apply in person by March 12th at every 
school they are interested in having their child attend. Schools will 
send assignment offers to families beginning March 22nd.

For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/schools or call 3-1-1.

*NEW** **YORK** **STATE** TAX FORMS*
The NYS Department of Taxation and Finance is no longer mailing personal 
income tax forms. You may obtain your forms by visiting www.nystax.gov 
or picking them up at your local library. If you can't visit the web 
site or a public library, please call 800-462-8100. Be sure to obtain 
your forms in time to meet the April 15, 2010 filing deadline!

*NYC SEEKS LIFEGUARDS*
Qualifying tests are now being given to individuals interested in a 
well-paying public service position that helps keep millions of New 
Yorkers safe. Public beaches are open from Memorial Day weekend through 
Labor Day, and the pools are open from late June through Labor Day. 
Lifeguards work 48 hours/week and first-year lifeguards earn at least 
$12.55/hour.

For more information, please visit the "Jobs at Parks" section of 
www.nyc.gov/parks.

*FREE** TAX ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
*Several locations will be serving as sites where IRS-trained volunteers 
will help prepare basic income tax returns free of charge. These 
services are provided through AARP, RSVP, and VITA/TCE.

West Side Campaign Against Hunger; 263 W. 86th St.; 212-362-3662/ Tues. 
10-12; 1-3
NYPL/Morningside Heights Branch; 2900 Broadway; 212-666-5099/ Mon. 11-3; 
Sat. 10:30-2:30

*ATENCIÓN!*
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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