Community Magazine June 2014

118 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE NY Toll Violators Could Face Registration Suspensions Motoristswhorepeatedlyspeed through NewYork state toll booths without paying could see their vehicle registrations suspended, brooklynews.com reported. Legislation proposed by State Sen. David Carlucci would allow officials to suspend the registration of anyone who racks up five toll violations within 18 months. The state would also be able to refuse new registrations to chronic evaders. Governor Andrew Cuomo supports the idea and had proposed it in his initial budget recommendation to lawmakers, but it was left out of a nearly $140 billion budget deal worked out last month. Toll dodgers run up more than $30 million in unpaid tolls and fines each year, and have failed to pay $150 million in tolls in the past five years in New York State, according to Deputy Transportation Secretary Karen Rae. Under current law, toll evaders are contacted by a collection agency and only face registration suspensions if they commit multiple violations within the same locality, and then only after an order from a court or tribunal. Regulations On E-Cigarettes Take Effect In New York Laws in NewYork making electronic cigarettes subject to the same regulations as tobacco took effect Tuesday, April 29, CBS NewYork reported. The Smoke-Free Air Act was signed into law during Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s last month in office. The law prohibits e-cigarettes in all areas where regular cigarettes are banned. Proponents of the bans said they are aimed at preventing the reacceptance of smoking as a societal norm, particularly among teenagers who could see the tobacco-free electronic cigarettes, with their candy-like flavorings and celebrity endorsers, as a gateway to cancer-causing tobacco products. Dr. Thomas Farley, who served as New York City Health Commissioner under Mayor Bloomberg, said allowing electronic cigarettes in bars and restaurants would undermine existing bans on tobacco-based products. Mayor Announces Plans to Update City’s Air Pollution Control Code Mayor Bill de Blasio and other city officials announced the most sweeping update to New York City’s Air Pollution Control Code since 1975. The proposed revisions, a goal of the city’s PlaNYC sustainability blueprint, will update emission standards and focus on pollution sources that currently have little or no emission control requirements. The emissions subject to these changes include tiny particulates generated by commercial char broilers, fireplaces, food trucks, and refrigeration vehicles, which are a leading contributor to asthma. The NewYork City Council Committee on Environmental Protection will hold a hearing on Intro 271, legislation authored by Council Member Donovan Richards that would codify the revisions to the Air Code. The changes, developed in close consultation with stakeholders, affirm New York City’s commitment to remaining a national leader in protecting its air and water quality. To simplify compliance, the proposed revisions to the Code will eliminate outdated elements, reduce work permit turnaround time and allow online permitting. The changes will integrate the work permit and Certificate of Operations process, and allow inspectors to use mobile hand-held devices in the field. New York City Municipal Schedule Occasion Day Date Alt Side Garbage Collection Parking Banks & Post Offices Shavuot Wednesday - Thursday June 4-5 Suspended Normal Normal Open Independence Day Friday July 4 Suspended Suspended Holiday Closed Observance Monday - Wednesday June 28-30 Suspended Normal Normal Open Life in the Big City