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NEWS
17 MEMBER PANEL APPOINTED TO REVIEW MAYOR'S CONGESTION PRICING PROPOSAL AND OTHER PLANS TO REDUCE TRAFFIC
Two Influential Long Islanders Appointed to Panel Will Provide Balanced Views
Mayor Michael Bloomberg today joined Governor Eliot Spitzer, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn to announce appointments to the New York City Traffic Mitigation Congestion Commission established by the Governor and Legislature as part of the congestion pricing legislation.
Mayor Bloomberg appointed three people to the commission: Gene Russianoff from the New York Public Interest Research Group and the Straphangers Campaign, New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Kahn and Civil rights attorney and Executive Director of UPROSE Elizabeth Yeampierre
"Today we are continuing to move forward and work with our partners in State government and in the Council to relieve congestion in New York City," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Together, we’ll reduce traffic, improve New Yorkers’ health and strengthen the City’s economy."
Governor Spitzer’s appointments include former First Deputy Mayor Marc Shaw, Port Authority Executive Director Anthony Shorris, and Metropolitan Transportation Commission Executive Director and CEO Elliot "Lee" Sander. Mr. Shaw will be nominated to be the head of the commission.
Governor Spitzer said, "Putting the congestion pricing commission in place is an important step towards creating a healthier, cleaner environment for our children and generations to come. The Commission has a vital task to ensure the ability of New York City’s continued growth, and do so in an environmentally responsible manner. My nominees all have extensive transportation and public policy experience that will ensure that the congestion pricing plan is well thought out in terms of the impact on the transportation system, the economy, and the environment of the City of New York. My thanks go to the Mayor and his staff for their hard work on this crucial issue."
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver appointed Assemblyman Herman "Denny" Farrell, Jr., Assemblyman Richard L. Brodsky, and Assemblywoman Vivian E. Cook.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said, "The traffic congestion mitigation legislation signed into law by the Governor last month outlines a process for a thoughtful and in-depth discussion of the most effective means to address traffic congestion and related health and environmental issues. I am pleased with the nomination of Marc Shaw to head this effort. His demonstrated experience and ability to build consensus on difficult issues will be a great asset to this Commission."
Senator Bruno appointed New York City Central Labor Council President Gary LaBarbera, SUNY Chairman Thomas F. Egan and Nassau County Council Chamber of Commerce President Richard Bivone to commission.
"We are pleased to join Mayor Bloomberg and others in announcing the Senate Majority’s appointments to the New York City Traffic Congestion Mitigation Commission. By naming the members of this important commission, we have taken another step forward in our efforts to make New York a national leader in reducing traffic congestion, modernizing mass transit and improving the quality of the air we breathe," Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno said.
Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith appointed Counsel and Project Director of Arverne By the Sea, Gerard Romski, to the Commission.
"Mr. Romski will be a strong asset for members of the Senate Democratic Conference in working to address New York City's long-term transportation needs," Senator Smith said. "His appreciation of public transit's role in that process as well as his open mind about the structure of any traffic congestion mitigation plan will serve our Conference well."
Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco appointed Environmental Defense New York Regional Director Andy Darrell to the Commission.
"Andy Darrell’s track record on environmental and health-related issues is second to none," said Assembly Republican Leader Jim Tedisco. "His input and ideas will be invaluable as we look for answers to New York City’s traffic congestion problems. I am honored to appoint him to this crucial commission."
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has appointed Drum Major Institute Executive Director Andrea Batista Schlesinger, Greater Allen Cathedral CFO Edwin Reed and Partnership for New York City President and CEO Kathryn Wylde to the Commission.
"New York City anticipates adding nearly one million new residents over the next two decades, and we must have a forward-looking plan in place to handle such substantial growth," said Speaker Christine C. Quinn. "We are confident that the Commission will carefully consider the different proposals and find a responsible and impartial solution to reduce traffic congestion in our City. The Council’s appointees are extremely familiar with moving and shaping public policy in our diverse communities. They bring a broad range of experience that will enable the Commission to come up with a plan to make New York a cleaner, greener, more livable city."
Richard Bivone is the President of the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce and the President and Founder of RMB Drafting Services, the largest research/drafting/expediting firm on Long Island. Richard played a key role in forming the Nassau Business and Community and Planning Coalition (NBCPC), a unique partnership between the Nassau Council of Chambers of Commerce, the Nassau Village Officials Association, Vision Long Island, and environmental and civic groups. He is a retired member of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
Gary LaBarbera is the President of the New York City Central Labor Council and has nearly 25 years of progressive labor leadership with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, including currently serving as Joint Council 16 President, which represents over 100,000 members in the New York Metropolitan area. He also serves as a Vice President for the New York State AFL-CIO, the Long Island Federation of Labor AFL-CIO, and the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council.
These Long Island-based leaders will provide balanced views of the congestion pricing discusiion. Strong representation for Long Island ensures a fair and balanced plan for the interests of Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
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