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  April 29, 2002
www.nyc.gov

Working Together in Tough Times
By Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg


New York City is in the middle of some tough economic times. But that doesn't mean that your City government isn't working hard - every day - for the people of New York. We are just having to do more with less. By stressing citizen service and public education, we are making New York City a world leader in governmental efficiency and excellence.

Last week, I unveiled three examples of such people-oriented service. They are: the Department of Finance's NYCServ technology; a citywide effort to increase organ donation; and a public education campaign to reduce shaken baby syndrome in New York City.

NYCServ is a state-of the-art computer system that is revolutionizing the way New Yorkers interact with city government. It allows you to do things like pay parking tickets and locate towed cars over the Internet, through the Department of Finance's website: www.nyc.gov/finance. And if you go to one of New York's borough business centers, in one quick visit, you can pay your water bill, property taxes, and numerous types of fees and fines - all on one bill. In the coming months, NYCServ will be continuously upgraded, making life easier for millions of New Yorkers.

If we have learned anything over the past few months, it is that there is nothing more precious than the gift of life. Organ donation is something we can all do to help our fellow New Yorkers. There are simply not enough organ and tissue donors in our area. Of the 80,000 people on the national wait list for organ donation, 8,000 live in New York. It is estimated that a new name is added to the national wait list for organ donation every 13 minutes, and 15 people - men, women and children of all races and ethnic backgrounds - die every day because of the shortage. That's why I signed the New York Donor Registry and my driver's license to show that I am willing to be a donor. I also included donor registry information and enrollment brochures with the paychecks of over 200,000 City employees. City workers give so much to this City, and I'm certain they will also do their part to inspire other New Yorkers and end this dangerous threat to the health of this City. Confidential enrollment can be done online at www.health.state.ny.us or by calling 1-800-GIFT-4-NY.

Shaken Baby Syndrome is a serious problem in New York City - between 1999 and 2001, the Administration for Children's Services investigated 44 victims, eight of whom died as a result of their injuries. An estimated 50,000 cases occur nationwide every year, a quarter of those resulting in the death of a child. To prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome, the City is distributing a video that describes the damage this form of abuse can cause and presents strategies that parents and caretakers can employ to cope with the stress related to dealing with young children. Public education targeted at Shaken Baby Syndrome has proved effective in other cities, and this campaign should make important gains in protecting New York's most precious resource - its children.

These three projects are only some of the ways your government is trying to make New York a safer, healthier, and happier place. And we'll continue to do so. New Yorkers deserve a responsive, effective, and compassionate government, and the City's commitment to public education and citizen service will give it to them.


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