Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
There are four bills before me for consideration this afternoon.
The tremendous increase in popularity of these devices has led to more skaters sharing our streets and sidewalks than ever before, and thus, reckless operation has become an enormous problem in many of our communities. Many pedestrians, particularly seniors, have been afraid to walk our streets for fear of being injured by careless skaters. In addition, skaters have frequently contributed to automobile accidents involving pedestrians and skaters themselves.
It remains a central goal of my administration to improve these quality of life and safety issues for residents and visitors of New York City. This bill will promote the safety of pedestrians and skaters alike by regulating the operation of roller skates, in-line skates and skateboards. The bill defines "reckless operation" of these devices as "operating roller skates, in-line skates or a skateboard on a public street, highway or sidewalk in such a manner as to endanger the safety or property of another."
Under the provisions of this bill, skaters will be required to observe similar standards of conduct as bicyclists. Failure to comply with these provisions shall constitute a traffic infraction, punishable in accordance with Section 1800 of the Vehicle and Traffic Law. The Department of Transportation, the New York City Police Department and the Department of Parks and Recreation will be authorized to enforce these provisions.
This bill constitutes a continuation of the collaborative effort between the City Council and my administration that resulted in the enactment of Local Law 6 of 1996. Local Law 6 protects the safety of pedestrians by ensuring that bicyclists operate safely. In particular, Local Law 6 authorizes police officers and employees of the Departments of Transportation, Parks and Sanitation to confiscate and impound bicycles when ridden on sidewalks. While it was already unlawful to operate bicycles on sidewalks, Local Law 6 further enhances the safety of pedestrians by vesting city agencies with sufficient enforcement authority and the ability to impose meaningful legal and administrative remedies.
In short, I am confident that Introductory Number 660-A will further ensure the safety of New York City residents from the reckless operation of these devices.
I will first turn to the sponsors of this bill, and then to any other elected official wishing to speak. Now I will turn to the general audience. Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in opposition? Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in support? There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.
The next bill before me, Introductory Number 771-A, was sponsored by Council Members Clarke, DiBrienza, Watkins, Henry, Lasher, Pagan, Powell IV, Warden, White, Koslowitz and Linares.
The bill extends Local Law 45 of 1992 for another year. Local Law 45 addresses the need to assure the safety and quality of family day-care. It requires the Department of Health to ensure that all newly registered family day-care homes are pre-inspected, and further ensure that Inspectors visit these homes no less than eight times each year.
New York State provides a portion of the funding for family day-care inspection and monitoring on an annual renewal basis. Because this funding is not guaranteed in the state budget, the inspection and monitoring program has been extended by local law each year. In anticipation that state funding would continue in Fiscal Year 1997, Intro. 771-A was enacted to extend the family day-care inspection program until June 30, 1997.
Without state funding, this bill would become another well-intentioned but burdensome mandate. I support the extension of this important day-care inspection program as long as the necessary state funding continues.
I will first turn to the sponsors of the bill, and then to any other elected official wishing to speak. Now I will turn to the general audience. Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in opposition? Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in support? There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.
The next bill before me, Introductory Number 757, sponsored by Council Member Sabini and Speaker Vallone and Council Members Abel and Foster, would add the name " Sgt. John J. Ranieri Corner" on the southwest corner of Van Loon Street and Queens Boulevard, in the Borough of Queens.
John J. Ranieri was born on January 6, 1931 to Esterina and Francesco Ranieri, who had emigrated from Italy in the early 1900's. He graduated from John Adams High School in Queens and his first job was with the Electrolux company. There he met Betty Vantriera and they were married in 1952.
John became a New York City Police Officer on January 1, 1955. During his first fourteen years of service, he worked in the 28th, 110th, 112th and 108th Precincts. In 1959, he was decorated with a Police Department Commendation. He was then assigned to the Patrol Borough Queens Community Affairs Unit where he performed administrative and community affairs duties. In 1983, after 28 years in the Police Department, he was promoted to sergeant. He continued his service with the 102nd Precinct and Neighborhood Stabilization Unit #17 before being assigned to the Missing Persons Squad in 1985. In 1992, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant-Detective Squad Commander.
During his career, John Ranieri attended John Jay College, earning an Associates Degree in Police Science, a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters Degree in Public Administration. When the Police Department eliminated the mandatory retirement age of 63, John enthusiastically sought to remain on the job because he loved his work.
John was also very active in promoting a positive public image of Italian-Americans. He was an active member of the NYPD's Columbia Association and served as an officer of the board and later as President. He became President of the National Council of Columbia Associations in Civil Service and held this position until his death. His love of Italian heritage earned him the nickname "Mr. Columbia" from his fellow officers. He also co-chaired the Italian Earthquake Fund that was organized to help the areas of Southern Italy that were devastated by an earthquake in 1980.
John was also active in his neighborhood and served as a member of Community Board 11 in Bayside. He was an active parishioner of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament Church where he served as a lector in the parish liturgies. He also served as an Editor for the Columbia News, and was active in the Cub and Boy Scouts.
On June 27, 1995, John J. Ranieri died of a heart attack at the age of 64 while participating in a meeting of the Columbia Association. He is survived by his wife Betty, his sons, Anthony, John and Douglas, his daughter Theresa, and five grandchildren.
As a forty year veteran, John was a role model for his fellow police officers and served as a valuable asset and inspiration for the community. Accordingly, in memory of Sgt. John J. Ranieri, this legislation adds his name to the southwest corner of Van Loon Street and Queens Boulevard, the corner closest to the building which houses the Columbia Association and serves as the meeting hall of the National Council of Columbia Associations in Civil Service.
I will first turn to the sponsors of the bill, and then to any other elected official wishing to speak. Now I will turn to the general audience. Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in opposition? Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in support? There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.
The final bill before me, Introductory Number 774, sponsored by Council Members Marshall, Sabini and Foster would name the park at 90th Street and Astoria Boulevard, in the Borough of Queens, "The One Room Schoolhouse Park."
This small unnamed park is the site of the last one-room schoolhouse in Queens. Until the 1930's, this school, P.S. 10, accommodated 26 to 29 students each day. Also known as the Old Frogtown School, it was founded in 1879 and torn down after it closed. Over the past ten years, the Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association has turned this park into a beautiful, serene oasis by planting spring bulbs and blossoms. From early spring to late summer, the park is in bloom with flowers tended by the Association. The park enhances the character of the neighborhood and is a welcome sight for the many drivers and pedestrians on Astoria Boulevard. Accordingly, in memory of the site's historical significance, this legislation names the park at 90th Street and Astoria Boulevard "The One Room Schoolhouse Park."
I will first turn to the sponsors of the bill, and then to any other elected official wishing to speak. Now I will turn to the general audience. Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in opposition? Is there anyone in the general audience to be heard in support? There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons previously stated, I will now sign the bill.