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

[Daniel O'Donnell]

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


O’DONNELL CALLS FOR MORATORIUM ON HYDROFRACKING
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In an October 1st letter to Governor Paterson, Assembly Member O’Donnell 
called for a moratorium on the drilling practice of hydraulic fracturing 
or "hydrofracking."

The letter was in response to recent news that Department of 
Environmental Conservation (DEC) staff will be drastically cut.  In his 
letter, O’Donnell stressed the already questionable nature of drilling 
oversight in New York, saying:

"This week’s news of probable Department of Environmental Conservation 
(DEC) staff reductions underscores the need for a halt to all drilling. 
  Even with full staffing at DEC, it remains unclear whether the agency 
can properly oversee any increase in drilling applications."

O’Donnell continued:

"Until all matters of DEC funding are resolved and proper oversight of 
any future drilling is ensured, a moratorium is essential to the health 
and well-being of all New Yorkers and key to the protection of our 
natural resources…  One cannot simultaneously expand a new, relatively 
untested form of drilling and cut funding for the regulatory agency and 
then expect people to rely on any assurances of safety."



HISTORIC DISTRICT DESIGNATIONS MOVING FORWARD
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On September 15th, Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) held an 
owners’ meeting to discuss the proposed West End Avenue Historic 
District.  As detailed by the request for evaluation submitted by the 
West End Preservation Society, LPC’s proposal included expanding 
existent districts along West End Avenue to create one unbroken historic 
district.  Assembly Member O’Donnell is thrilled that LPC’s proposed 
district stretches from West 70th to as far north as 109th, even taking 
in side streets along the Avenue, and applauds the West End Preservation 
Society for its effective advocacy on behalf of this worthy designation.

On September 20th, over 100 residents of Morningside Heights attended an 
LPC owners’ meeting on the designation of a Morningside Heights Historic 
District.  Overwhelmingly, the assembled residents thanked LPC for the 
opportunity to comment but lamented the small size of the proposed 
district.  While Assembly Member O’Donnell was pleased that LPC is 
finally moving forward on the designation process after nearly fifteen 
years of advocacy from the Morningside Heights Historic District 
Committee, of which he was a founding member, he also feels strongly 
that the district boundaries presented by LPC omit architecturally 
significant parts of the neighborhood and should be expanded.

LPC is now accepting letters from residents of Morningside Heights who 
feel their building should be included in the proposed district.

LPC-designated historic districts provide property owners throughout the 
district with numerous protections.  One of the most notable protections 
is that inclusion in a historic district ensures the community has a 
voice in development decisions throughout our neighborhood, such as 
where and how new construction on vacant or other "soft" sites can take 
place.

For more information on how to advocate for the inclusion of your 
building, you can contact Kate Daly, LPC Executive Director, at 
212-669-7926 or kdaly at lpc.nyc.gov.



OCTOBER IS NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
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According to the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month organization 
(http://www.nbcam.org), breast cancer is the most common cancer in women 
in the United States, aside from skin cancer.  Get valuable information 
and services at the community events and resources listed below.



ASSEMBLY MEMBER O’DONNELL’S COMMUNITY EVENTS
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FREE MAMMOGRAMS
Sponsored by Assembly Member O’Donnell
Co-sponsored by Douglass Residents Association President Jane Wisdom & 
Project Renewal

**Saturday, October 16th**
9:30 AM to 12:00 NOON
Children’s Aid Society – Frederick Douglass Center
885 Columbus Avenue @ West 104th Street

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 
800-564-6868.



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

**Thursday, October 28th**



ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL BREAST HEALTH AWARENESS DAY
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This free conference will take place on Saturday, October 30th from 8:30 
AM to 1:00 PM.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided, as well as a gift 
bag with magazines, makeup, and breast literature. Speakers include St. 
Luke’s breast surgeons, a genetic counselor, and breast cancer 
survivors.  Workshops on healthy living will be taught and opportunities 
to obtain mammograms will be available.

For more information or to enroll in the conference please call 
212-523-4799 or 212-636-1857.



SHARE BREAST CANCER HOTLINE
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If you are dealing with breast cancer, SHARE can help you deal with the 
shock of your diagnosis, think through your choices, and find hope. All 
calls are confidential.

NYC Breast Cancer Hotline: 212-382-2111
Toll-free in English & Spanish: 866-891-2392



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.

Attention!
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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 212-866-3970 during business hours.



-- 
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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