Statement on the Proposed MTA Cuts

Please read below for a statement I issued today regarding the MTA's proposal to cut two subway lines, eliminate or reduce 21 bus routes and charge students for the MetroCards:

Councilman Gentile Urges Mayor, Albany to Take Up Commuter Tax (12.16.09)

In our neighborhood, our local bus routes are threatened. Many of us can't afford to lose them - our train platforms aren't accessible for disabled riders, and our local buses provide safe and convenient access to local stores and services.

A year ago, I collected thousands of signatures from people in our community to oppose cuts to local trains (like the M) and bus routes (like the X27, X28 and B37). And we won! I'm ready to take the fight up again. I'll let you know what steps we plan on taking and am looking forward to hearing from all of you - let me know what you want to see saved in the comments section below.

Jobs Available with the US Census 2010

Jobs collecting data for the United States 2010 Census are available! This work can be part-time or full-time, and the time frame lasts anywhere from three to eight weeks.

Testing centers are available in our neighborhood for those of you interested in applying - both office and field positions are available, and pay anywhere from $14 to $21 per hour. You must be at least 18 years old to apply.

To apply or for more information, click here or call 1-866-861-2010.

My 'Heads Up' Bill was Signed into Law

On Monday, December 7, Mayor Bloomberg signed my bill to require community notification before changes are made to parking meters into law.

Now, the Department of Transportation must let know community boards and council members about changes in parking meter rates 30 days before any changes go into effect. Remember last spring when a quarter no longer got you 30 minutes at a meter, but just 20? I heard from a lot of you who had no idea rates had been changed until you put the usual 50 cents into a meter, came back an hour later, and saw that orange ticket on your windshield.

Under the new law that I sponsored, you'll get the 'heads up' that you deserve. Plus, communities will be given the opportunity to protest changes they think are unnecessary or unfair before they're implemented. The DOT will have to notify your community board and council member by first-class mail, E-mail and with a posting on their Web site 30 days before changes are made.

It's all part of making sure communities are kept in the loop and treated like partners when it comes to the rules of the road.

Keep Up-to-Date on Local Emergencies

Notify NYC is a new program that lets residents sign up - for free! - to be notified about emergencies in zip codes that affect them most. As a subscriber, you'll get real-time information about emergencies in whichever zip codes you select by either E-mail, text message or a recorded phone call.

Click here to register and for more information - Notify NYC is a great, convenient resource for those of you who want to be updated quickly on disruptions that might affect your commute, neighborhood and safety.

Support Your Soldiers

My office is collecting items for soldiers who are serving in isolated locations and who have limited access to American facilities. I need your help to give them a piece of home as they serve our country and protect our safety.

The following items can be dropped off in my office, at 8703 3rd Avenue:

Toiletries
- Shaving cream
- Razors
- Baby wipes
- Baby powder
- Soap and sanitizer
- Deodorant
- Lip balm or Vaseline
- Sunscreen
- Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- Eye wash and mouthwash
- Q-Tips
- Toilet paper
- Insect repellent

Food and Snacks
- Slim Jims or Jerky
- Instant tea, coffee or hot chocolate
- Candy or granola
- Pop Tarts
- Breakfast bars or power bars
- Applesauce or fruit cups
- Ramen noodles
- Baked beans
- Cans of soup
- Peanut butter or jelly
- Crackers
- Tuna or chicken packs
- Mac & Cheese

General Comfort Items
- Phone cards
- Envelopes and stamps
- Pens, pencils and paper
- Batteries (AA, AAA and D)
- Paperback books
- DVDs and CDs
- Tube socks (green or black)
- Boxers and briefs
- Long underwear
- Tan and green t-shirts
- Playing cards
- Crossword and sudoku puzzles
- Dominoes, checkers and chess games

Don't hesitate to call my office at (718) 748-5200 with questions or for more information. Dec. 1, 2009 is the final drop-off day for our soldiers - please donate to show our soldiers they are not forgotten!

Taking a Stand Against Unfair Parking Tickets

As all motorists in New York City know, parking tickets have gone from a way to enforce public safety laws, to a way for the city to increase revenue. The City Council unanimously passed Intro 1076-A yesterday, a bill that I introduced, as well as three other parking reform bills introduced by other council members.

I am incredibly proud to have introduced this bill which will help bring fairness back into the way that our parking system runs. This law will require the Department of Transportation to notify community boards and council members before they change parking meter rates or install a new kind of parking meter.

Earlier this year, parking meter rates were changed, with a quarter purchasing just 20 minutes, rather than 30 minutes. Drivers only found out about the rate change when they returned to their car to find an orange ticket under their windshield wiper. Notification by ticketing is unfair and this bill makes it a thing of the past. Community boards will be kept in the loop when it comes to changes on local streets and residents will be better able to protect themselves from unfair ticketing.

Photo credit: New York City Council Photographer William Alatriste

Grant for Block Improvements Available

The Citizens Committee for New York City has block improvement grants available for community groups - the grant will allow them to request a wide range of services from City agencies like the Department of Sanitation, Parks and Transportation. Along with expedited access to City services, the winning groups will also be given a $500 grant!

The deadline application is coming up - it's November 30, 2009. You can download the application at the Citizens Committee for New York City Web site, or request a hard copy from the group directly. Call Alicia Rouault at (212) 822-9558 or E-mail her at arouault@citizensnyc.org for more information, and good luck!