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

[Daniel O'Donnell]

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


GOVERNOR SIGNS SIGNIFICANT O'DONNELL LEGISLATION INTO LAW
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Numerous significant pieces of legislation sponsored by Assembly Member 
O’Donnell were recently signed into law by the governor, including Ian’s 
Law (A9243) which would prevent insurance companies from canceling 
entire categories of coverage in order to dump high-cost patients; A5537 
which repeals unconstitutional loitering provisions that were 
historically used to target the homeless, gay men, and panhandlers; and 
A2365 which protects the housing rights of domestic violence victims 
forced to flee rent regulated apartments.

Most recently, the Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) was signed by 
Governor Paterson. DASA (A3661) aims to prevent harassment and bullying 
in schools.  It is a major victory for the LGBT community and is one of 
the first New York State laws that directly addresses gender identity 
and expression.  When fully implemented, DASA will afford all public 
school students an environment free of harassment and discrimination. 
The law covers, but is not limited to, the broadest categories of 
students who are the victims of bullying based on actual or perceived 
race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, 
disability, sexual orientation, gender, or sex.


IMPORTANT OWNERS’ MEETING FOR MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS HISTORIC DISTRICT
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Assembly Member O’Donnell’s office recently received word that the NYC 
Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) is considering designating a 
Morningside Heights Historic District.  The LPC will be holding an 
informational owners’ meeting on Monday, September 20, at 6:00PM.  The 
meeting will be held at the Riverside Church, Room 10-T (entrance 
located at 91 Claremont Avenue).

An LPC-designated historic district would provide property owners 
throughout the district with numerous protections.  One of the most 
notable protections is that inclusion in an 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.

This meeting is a very important opportunity for community members who 
want to demonstrate support for a Morningside Historic District, as it 
is one of the few meetings in the designation process. It is also one of 
the final opportunities to influence the size of the district considered 
by LPC. At the meeting, LPC staff will discuss the details of an 
historic district, including how the Commission’s designation and 
regulatory processes work.  There will also be an opportunity for 
community members to ask questions.  To learn more about the LPC and its 
designation process beforehand, you can visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/lpc/.


ASSEMBLY MEMBER O'DONNELL'S UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS
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HEALTH AWARENESS DAY
Assembly Member O’Donnell will be sponsoring a health awareness day in 
October!  Receive important health information and services, including 
free mammograms. Keep your calendar free on October 16th and watch out 
for further details in the near future!

**Save the Date: Saturday, October 16th**


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, September 30th**


FREE ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT
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NYC residents (no businesses) can responsibly recycle unwanted or broken 
electronics on Sunday, September 19th, from 10AM to 4PM, on Morningside 
Avenue between W113th and 114th Streets. No appliances such as 
microwaves or refrigerators. Find a list of acceptable materials at 
www.lesecologycenter.org. Sponsored by the Lower East Side Ecology Center.


FREE EVENTS IN NYC PARKS
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Find upcoming events sponsored by the NYC Department of Parks & 
Recreation at “Things To Do” tab at www.nycgovparks.org


BIG APPLE SENIOR STROLLER WALKING CLUBS
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Through the Big Apple Senior Strollers Walking Clubs, seniors enjoy the 
health benefits of participating in organized walking. Walking helps 
strengthen muscles and bones, improves stamina and balance, helps weight 
control and promotes sleep. Walking is also a great way to get fresh air 
and make new friends!
To locate a club near you or to find out how to start a chapter of the 
Big Apple Senior Strollers, please call 212-442-8962.


TAXI DISPATCH FOR PASSENGERS THAT USE WHEELCHAIRS
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The NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) has launched a pilot 
dispatch program to match passengers who use wheelchairs with accessible 
taxis. This project will test dispatching technology and measure the 
demand for accessible vehicles. Passengers should call 3-1-1 to take 
advantage of this pre-arranged service. Fares charged for Accessible 
Service are the same as the metered rate of all NYC yellow cabs.
If you or someone you know can benefit from this program, please call 3-1-1.


FREE FALL PROGRAMMING AT LIBRARY BRANCHES
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New York Public Library branches are hosting many free events and 
activities this fall.
To find out the schedule for a library near you, please visit 
http://www.nypl.org.


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 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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