Fwd: Legislative Priority for 2013

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dave 'paco' abraham

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Dec 30, 2012, 9:22:05 PM12/30/12
to transaltbrooklyn, TA Queens Committee, taeastsidecommittee, tastatenisland, ta-bronx-...@googlegroups.com
I sent the below message to a half dozen of my local elected officials as a reminder of work to be done in the new year. Take a look, and if you feel so inclined, please send something similar yourself. 

If you don't know your elected representatives, just ask me or simply use this site... http://www.lwvnyc.org/TRY_find.html

here's to safer streets in 2013. 
happy new year all. 

Paco

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: dave 'paco' abraham <dave.pac...@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Dec 29, 2012 at 7:19 PM
Subject: Legislative Priority for 2013

Elected officials and representatives,

As we close the door on 2012, I am sure you are all wishing friends and family much health and happiness in the year ahead. Though we are still reeling from Hurricane Sandy and the devastation wrought by the Sandy Hook shooting, I have no doubt that you're also looking ahead as to what your offices can, and will, do to improve our city's safety when January 1st comes around. And so, I urge you all to keep up the fights you've already started on behalf of your constituents... whether its affordable housing, stop & frisk policy, or improving our children's public education system.

However, I ask that you remember to also hold a steady eye and demand swift action to curb the most rampant, unchecked, and overlooked killer in our city. TRAFFIC FATALITIES.

While today's newpaper boasts the city's lowest murder rate in modern times, traffic fatalities were at their highest level since 2008 while NYPD moving violations summonses were at a 10-year low. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

NYPD issued fewer moving violations summonses in the past year than at any time since 2002. Summonses for cell phone use while driving fell to their lowest level since 2005.
THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

There were over 14,000 bicycle/pedestrians injuries reported alone in NYC. The baby steps of progress made since last February's City Council hearing on Traffic Enforcement are appreciated, but still do little to bring killers to justice or bring comfort to grieving families.  It has been nearly four years since my own hit and run when I nearly became another statistic. Did NYPD send the accident investigation squad out to investigate the intersection? No. Would there even have been AIS detectives available if someone had made the suggestion? Not likely. 

I am one of the lucky ones to have recuperated fully. However, many suffer life altering injuries, and this year... sadly over 100 suffered life ending ones.... victims who ranged from age 2 to 92. I do not want to live in a city where these deaths are ordinary 'accidents' not worth investigating. I don't think you do either. When a single crane falls at a construction site, or a lunatic opens fire by the Empire State Building, or a set of madmen hide bombs in their shoes at an airport, our legislators take swift action to change the laws. Why does the same not happen to the most common occurrence of reckless driving?

Below is a list of reported fatalities.  It is hard to read, but important to see.   Also below is a link to a full article summarizing the year in traffic fatalities, with images of many of these New Yorkers who all lost their lives to reckless drivers and a system that does not consider killing someone with a car a crime even worth ticketing. With your help, I'd like to put the brakes on such a concept. 



Dawn Affoumani, 42, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; Hit-and-Run (Post)

Roman Alavez, 26, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” (DNA)

Lizardo Aldama, 89, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; Driver Sentenced to Probation (Streetsblog)

Clara Almazo, 56, Pedestrian, Killed in Staten Island; Driver Charged With Leaving Scene (Post)

Ken Baker, 26, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; Driver Not Charged (Streetsblog)

Amjad Barakat, 33, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Hit-and-Run (Post, Bay Ridge Journal)

Rubin Baum, 80, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Maleka Begum, 54, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; Driver Not Charged [NICE Bus] (Streetsblog)

Emma Blumstein, 24, Cyclist, Killed in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (Gothamist)

William Boney, 49, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Driver Charged With Manslaughter (Streetsblog)

Roxana Sorina Buta, 21, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; Hit-and-Run, No Known Charges [NYC DOT] (Streetsblog)

Francisco Camacho, 59, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; “No Criminality Suspected” (DNA)

Shaquille Cochrane, 18, Cyclist, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” [Yellow Cab] (Streetsblog)

Terence Connor, 24, Cyclist, Killed in Brooklyn; Hit-and-Run (News)

John Cook, 34, Cyclist, Killed in Brooklyn; Hit-and-Run (ABC)

Tchaka Cooke, 39, Cyclist, Killed in Queens; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Ignacio Cubano, 69, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Chenugor Dao, 60, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Raoul De La Cruz, 35, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; One Driver Charged With Leaving Scene, One Driver Not Charged (Streetsblog)

Sorel Depas-Medina, 70, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; No Known Charges (Streetsblog)

Colleen Mallon Dizeo, 48, Pedestrian, Killed in Staten Island; No Known Charges (Advance)

Dante Dominguez, 45, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; Hit-and-Run (Streetsblog)

Suying Du, 56, Pedestrian, Killed in Staten Island; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Jessica Dworkin, 58, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; Driver Summonsed for Failure to Yield, Careless Driving (Streetsblog)

Jermaine Elliott, 26, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; Hit-and-Run (Streetsblog)

David Ellis, 18, Cyclist, Killed in the Bronx; Hit-and-Run (Streetsblog)

Luis Enriquez, 62, Killed in Manhattan; No Known Charges (Streetsblog)

Victor Felix, 57, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; Driver Charged With DWI (Streetsblog)

Dan Fellegara, 29, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” [Yellow Cab] (Streetsblog)

Victor Florio, 76, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; Driver Charged With Leaving Scene (Streetsblog)

Donna Fountain, 38, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Hit-and-Run (Gothamist)

Noah Foxman, 58, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; One Hit-and-Run, One Driver Not Charged (Bklyn Daily)

Kwok Fu, 82, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; No Known Charges [National Guard] (Streetsblog)

Henry Garcia, 13, Cyclist, Killed in Brooklyn; Hit-and-Run (Streetsblog)

Mary Gater, 60, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; Driver Not Charged (Streetsblog)

Ghana Ghalley, 24, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; Driver Summonsed for Failure to Yield, Failure to Exercise Due Care (Streetsblog)

Mireya Gomez, 50, Cyclist, Killed in Queens; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Willie Gonzalez, 25, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; No Known Charges [MTA Bus] (DNA)

Peter Guastamacchia, 53, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; Hit-and-Run (DNA)

Thackoo Hargobin, 52, Killed in Queens; Driver Not Charged [School Bus] (Streetsblog)

Frankie Hernandez, 17, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; Driver Charged With Manslaughter (News)

Gabriel Hernandez, 24, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; Driver Charged With Manslaughter [Livery Cab] (Post)

Lepoldo Hernandez, 57, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Roger Hernandez, 37, Cyclist, Killed in Queens; Driver Charged With Manslaughter (Sunnyside Post)

Christopher Hutchinson, 39, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Driver Charged With Manslaughter (Streetsblog)

Jean Jeanniot, 71, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; One Hit-and-Run, One No Known Charges (News)

Davonte Jeffers, 14, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Driver Sentenced to Six Months (Streetsblog)

Meilan Jin, 22, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; No Known Charges [MTA Bus] (Post)

Gitzella Katz, 92, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Ebrahim Kebe, 4, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; Driver Not Charged (Streetsblog)

Timothy Keith, 5, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Driver Not Charged [Yellow Cab] (Streetsblog)

Margaret King, 81, Pedestrian, Killed in Staten Island; Driver Summonsed for Failure to Yield (Streetsblog)

Kyle Larson, 20, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

“Lorii,” Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; Driver Not Charged (Streetsblog)

Alexander Martinez, 37, Cyclist, Killed in Queens; Hit-and-Run (Streetsblog)

Daniel Martinez, 27, Cyclist, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” (DNA)

Justin Murray, 49, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; Driver Not Charged (Post)

Margaret Myers, 69, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Driver Charged With Manslaughter (Streetsblog)

Joseph Nelson, 54, Cyclist, Killed in the Bronx; No Known Charges (Streetsblog)

James Neverson, 63, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Gargano Nicoletta, 76, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

David Oliveras, 18, Cyclist, Killed in the Bronx; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Pietro Palumbo, 76, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Leighton Parnham, 19, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Driver Not Charged [Livery Cab] (New York Shitty)

Phyllis Pitt, 64, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Julian Ramos, 17, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; Hit-and-Run (Post Blotter)

Juan Rivera-Quintana, 42, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; Driver Charged With Manslaughter (Streetsblog)

Tamon Robinson, 27, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; No Known Charges [NYPD] (Streetsblog)

Isabel Rodriguez, 88, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Driver Charged With Leaving Scene (Post)

Kevin Rodriguez, 3, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Driver Not Charged [Ambulette] (Streetsblog)

Mike Rogalle, 58, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Daniel Rosado, 40, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; No Known Charges (Streetsblog)

Luis Rosado, 75, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; Hit-and-Run [Livery Cab] (Post)

Juanita Rosario, 59, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; No Known Charges (News)

Luis Ruiz, 81, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; One Hit-and-Run, One Driver Not Charged (Streetsblog)

Ramon Russel, 37, Cyclist, Killed in Queens; “No Criminality Suspected” (Post)

Abraham Samet, 68, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; No Known Charges (Streetsblog)

Dashane Santana, 12, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; Driver Not Charged (Post)

Andrew Schoonover, 31, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” [Sanitation Truck] (Streetsblog)

Alberto Serrano, 31, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Driver Charged With Manslaughter (Streetsblog)

Rohan Singh, 47, Pedestrian, Killed in Queens; Hit-and-Run (Times Ledger)

Arnold Slater, 75, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; Hit-and-Run (Villager)

Lori Stevens, 70, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; No Known Charges [Yellow Cab] (Streetsblog)

Jason Tavarez, 24, Pedestrian, Killed in the Bronx; Driver Charged With Manslaughter (DNA)

Jusheem Thorne, 25, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Hit-and-Run (Streetsblog)

Ronald Tillman, 29, Cyclist, Killed in Staten Island; Hit-and-Run (Post)

Maria Tripp, 47, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” [Secret Service] (Streetsblog)

Amos Veloz, 21, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” [MTA Bus] (News)

Priscilla Wells, 56, Killed in Brooklyn While Riding Mobility Scooter; Driver Not Charged (News)

Jason Williams, 23, Pedestrian, Killed in Brooklyn; Hit-and-Run (Streetsblog)

Pelagia Zingatan, 65, Pedestrian, Killed in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” [Yellow Cab] (Streetsblog)

Unidentified Pedestrian, Killed Dec. 26, 2011 in the Bronx; Hit-and-Run (NY1)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 67, Killed Feb. 13 in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (DNA)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 40, Killed Feb. 29 in Queens; Driver Not Charged (DNA)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 65, Killed March 8 in Queens; Hit-and-Run (DNA)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 2, Killed March 27 in the Bronx; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Unidentified Cyclist, Killed April 4 in Queens; “No Criminality Suspected” [Livery Cab] (Streetsblog)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 75, Killed April 25 in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 23, Killed May 4 in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” (Gothamist)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 75, Killed May 8 in Manhattan; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 20, Killed May 28 in Brooklyn; “No Criminality” (Streetsblog)

Unidentified Cyclist, Killed July 19 in Brooklyn; Hit-and-Run (News)

Unidentified Cyclist, Killed August 26 in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” (Streetsblog)

Unidentified Pedestrian, Killed Oct. 21 in Brooklyn; Hit-and-Run (Streetsblog)

Unidentified Pedestrian, Killed Oct. 26 in Brooklyn; No Known Charges (DNA)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 78, Killed Dec. 18 in Brooklyn; “No Criminality Suspected” [School Bus] (Streetsblog)

Unidentified Pedestrian, 31, Killed Dec. 19 in Queens; Hit-and-Run (Streetsb

With a heavy heart and hope in your leadership, 
Paco


Paul.Ga...@kbcc.cuny.edu

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Dec 31, 2012, 1:54:19 AM12/31/12
to TAState...@googlegroups.com, in...@jhl.com, in...@transalt.org
Dear Dave (et.al.),
 
Thank you so much for your well-crafted "awareness" letter to our electeds.  It is a noble "lobby" effort that will hopefully save many lives, should our elected legislators stay on the concept of enhancement-to-safety legislation.
 
One key to such safety enhancement would be many more bicycle lanes, particularly on the heavily travelled thoroughfares.  Just one example is Emmons Avenue in the Sheepshead Bay area, where solid-painted or herring-bone-pattern lanes (not merely solid white painted border stripes) would save lives.   Other known thoroughfares are sections of Richmond Terrace, Hylan Blvd, and Victory Blvd on Staten Island.  Every city block of solid paint lane would represent a future life saved. 
 
A few complacent or even resistant Community Board members should not thwart safety promo efforts, perhaps because of an individual bad experience with a bicyclist some time in the past.
 
Even the intoxicated motorists (who cause a disproportionately high percentage of the problematic accidents) probably make some sort of attempts at reaction control with solid lane markings which help visibility, at least at night and in less-than-ideal weather conditions.
And so with all the progress that DOT has made in the recent years, there are many more areas /streets which would become safer with such solid lane markings--as bus lanes now are on many streets. 
 
As stated before, such safety paint is one of the very wisest uses of tax money possible, as this contrast paint marking stays on the asphalt for many seasons of better safety.  As a fellow multiple-time survivor of on-the-bike street knockdowns and injuries, than you again for your letter, with hopes for positive public sector action as an outcome...
Best,
Paul
 
(Prof.) P J Gammarano, M.A., J.D.
Author: "HUMAN SEXUALITY SCENARIOS 101+" ISBN: 1-4257-2853-7
"QUICK JUSTICE" ISBN:1-4257-4003-0
"TEACHING: NOT FOR DUMMIES..." ISBN:978-1-4363-0968-4
and other titles
Publisher orders tel# 888-795-4274 or ORD...@XLIBRIS.com
Prof P J Gammarano
========================================================
 
 

-----TAState...@googlegroups.com wrote: -----
To: transaltbrooklyn <TransAlt...@googlegroups.com>, TA Queens Committee <TA...@googlegroups.com>, taeastsidecommittee <taeastsid...@googlegroups.com>, tastatenisland <TAState...@googlegroups.com>, ta-bronx-...@googlegroups.com
From: "dave 'paco' abraham"
Sent by: TAState...@googlegroups.com
Date: 12/30/2012 09:22PM
Subject: Fwd: Legislative Priority for 2013


I sent the below message to a half dozen of my local elected officials as a reminder of work to be done in the new year. Take a look, and if you feel so inclined, please send something similar yourself. 

If you don't know your elected representatives, just ask me or simply use this site... http://www.lwvnyc.org/TRY_find.html

here's to safer streets in 2013. 
happy new year all. 

Paco

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: dave 'paco' abraham <dave.pac...@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Dec 29, 2012 at 7:19 PM
Subject: Legislative Priority for 2013

Elected officials and representatives,

As we close the door on 2012, I am sure you are all wishing friends and family much health and happiness in the year ahead. Though we are still reeling from Hurricane Sandy and the devastation wrought by the Sandy Hook shooting, I have no doubt that you're also looking ahead as to what your offices can, and will, do to improve our city's safety when January 1st comes around. And so, I urge you all to keep up the fights you've already started on behalf of your constituents... whether its affordable housing, stop & frisk policy, or improving our children's public education system.

However, I ask that you remember to also hold a steady eye and demand swift action to curb the most rampant, unchecked, and overlooked killer in our city. TRAFFIC FATALITIES.

While today's newspaper boasts the city's lowest murder rate in modern times, traffic fatalities were at their highest level since 2008 while NYPD moving violations summonses were at a 10-year low. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE.

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Alanna Feinsod

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Jan 2, 2013, 2:20:44 PM1/2/13
to dave 'paco' abraham, transaltbrooklyn, TA Queens Committee, taeastsidecommittee, tastatenisland, TA Bronx Committee
Excellent e-mail Paco.  All those names listed in succession are shocking and powerful.

I encourage others to remind their electeds what is at stake in 2013.




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dave 'paco' abraham

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Jan 2, 2013, 3:38:00 PM1/2/13
to transaltbrooklyn, TA Queens Committee, taeastsidecommittee, tastatenisland, ta-bronx-...@googlegroups.com
If you didn't already contact your electeds about safer streets, here's yet another reason.
In separate crashes in Queens, Manhattan and the Bronx, city motorists killed five pedestrians between Christmas and New Year’s Day
THIS MUST STOP, and I think its a goal all volunteer committees can help with in 2013. 

Paco

On Sun, Dec 30, 2012 at 9:22 PM, dave 'paco' abraham <dave.pac...@gmail.com> wrote:
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