QUALITY OF LIFE
There’s never been a better time to live in New York City. Law enforcement, citizens
and government have combined to make our streets safer and more enjoyable
then ever. Millions of tourists a year bring needed revenue to our businesses
and tax dollars to our city. Our arts scene is rivaled by no other city in
the world, our parks are beautiful, and we are the beneficiaries of the myriad
cultures that enhance our five boroughs.
How do we retain and build upon our recent successes? I believe that all
positive actions grow locally. That is why, as Manhattan Borough President,
I will encourage and seek to start local awareness programs like the following:
Adopt-a-Tree
Trees are good for the environment and for our health, and they look great.
Organizations like Trees New York are wonderful resources for learning
how ordinary citizens can plant their own trees, either by purchasing them,
or by requesting that the city plant trees. Once these trees are planted,
the quality care comes from local citizens. When I am Manhattan Borough
President, I will work with the Community Boards and local citizens groups
to strategize how we can increase the number of trees and the care they
receive.
Litter Disposal and Receptacles
In other cities around the US and cities around the world, and even in some
parts of NYC, the trash receptacles that are available for the public are
contained, solid, sometimes even small works of art. Most of Manhattan,
however, is still using small, mesh containers for street corners. These
receptacles are unsightly and do not do a very good job of holding onto
the trash that’s put into them. As caring communities, we should
explore ways, through public/private partnership, that our receptacles
can be transitioned so that each street has appropriate public disposals
that do the job properly.
Trash Reduction and Pick-Up
Approximately 25,000 tons of refuse is picked up in NYC every day by public
and private collectors. This makes us the trash capital of the world. As
Manhattan Borough President, I will lobby for an awareness campaign so
that citizens become educated about responsible packaging and recycling,
in an effort to reduce overall trash production. In addition, I will lobby
the Department of Sanitation, which lags behind other US cities, to explore
increasing its efficiency.
Dog Runs and "Curb Your Dog" Enforcement
As Manhattan Borough President, I will urge the Parks Department to add dog
runs to existing parks and new park development to allow pet lovers to
have spaces for their dogs to exercise. I will also ask that fines for
not picking up after dogs on our sidewalks be enforced.
Bike Lanes/Outdoor Life
NYC is an outdoor metropolis. Millions of people take to the streets every
day for transportation and exercise. As the nation, and our city, struggle
with issues of physical fitness and growing waistlines, we should encourage
the safety and expansion of our outdoor activities. This is especially
true for bikers and rollerbladers, who are the most vulnerable of outdoor
enthusiasts. Widening and increasing bike lanes, as well as adding bike
lock-up areas, should be a primary focus of all communities in Manhattan.
This will encourage more and more people to get out there safely and enjoy
their neighborhoods -- and have the added benefit of reducing the number
of bikes and rollerblades on sidewalks.
Anti-Graffiti
New York experienced a dramatic decrease in graffiti in the last two decades.
But graffiti is coming back, and we must take action. As your Borough President,
I will sponsor anti-graffiti weekends through the support of the City’s
anti-graffiti programs to help landlords and business establishments remove
the graffiti from their buildings. In addition, I support increasing fines
for those who vandalize people’s property together with mandatory community
service that involves removing graffiti. And finally, I will launch an educational
anti-graffiti strategy at public schools.
Noise
While living in the greatest City in the world has its advantages, it also
poses some problems such as the on-going noise. Noise is one of the biggest
complaints from local residents to community boards, 311 and even our local
Democratic Association. Noise can be reduced through enforcement by the proper
authorities. As your Borough President, I will work closely with police precincts,
local residents and community boards to enforce the city’s noise code.
