Tony Avella for Mayor

Following the second fatal crane accident in months, Tony blasted the Department of Buildings (DOB) on Friday for its continued failure to ensure safety at construction sites.

“The Mayor and DOB need to act immediately to shut down every site that currently employs these cranes until a full inspection is conducted. It is unbelievable that DOB’s new policy to inspect and monitor these cranes was only a temporary effort. How absurd is that! These cranes need to be monitored on a continuing basis.”

“A citywide halt of all crane construction activities is essential until the City can truly make sure that all work is occurring in a safe and proper manner. Clearly, DOB failed its mandate to do so during their recent citywide sweep after the last accident.”

By 7:00 Friday evening, the Bloomberg Administration halted all crane construction activities, Citywide.

“When is City government finally going to ensure that New Yorkers are safe – how many people have to die before the City reins in the out-of-control development?”

As Mayor, Tony will make safe, sustainable development in our city a top priority.

Okay, it’s true, we are either nearly 6 months past the Holiday season or a little more than 6 months away from the Holiday season, depending on your point-of-view. That doesn’t make this topic any less important.

The New York City Department of Education (DOE) has a holiday display policy in public elementary and secondary schools that allows for the display of the Menorah and the Star and Crescent. Yet, for Christians during this important time of year, the only symbol DOE will allow is a Christmas tree.

Tony felt that DOE’s policy was discriminatory towards Christians. He believes, as many Christians do, that a Christmas tree is not representative of the religious significance of Christmas.

As a result, as a Council Member, Tony introduced Resolution 930-2007 in the City Council which calls upon DOE to amend their policy and allow for a Nativity Scene to be displayed in the same manner as is now permitted for the Menorah and Star and Crescent.

As Mayor, Tony will instruct DOE to allow the Nativity Scene to be displayed in schools.

On Thursday, May 15th, Tony held a press conference on the steps of City Hall, calling for the city to adopt a “Cents Per Gallon” Gas Sales Tax Rate and for the creation of an Energy Volatility Task Force.

Since 2006 a State Law has allowed the city to abandon a “percentage per gallon” gas tax (which generates higer revenue as the price of oil rises) in favor of a flatter “cents per gallon” sales tax rate.

“The cost of oil has increased tremendously over the past year, soaring to records of $127 a barrel. The City of New York needs to realize that by failing to opt into a “cents per gallon” gas tax, it is reaping a huge windfall in sales tax revenue while average New Yorkers get hurt at the pump,” stated Avella. “Although the City cannot change the price of oil, we can offer New Yorkers a break by correcting the sales tax inequity and rate.”

In August of 2005, as Council Member, Tony introduced Resolution #1149 urging the State Legislature to allow the City to opt into a “cents per gallon” sales tax rate. Unfortunately, despite the Resolution being passed unanimously by the City Council and the New York State Legislature amending New York’s Tax Law, Mayor Bloomberg never elected to abandon the “percentage per gallon” sales tax rate.

During the press conference, Tony also called for the creation of an Energy Volatility Task Force, which would propose changes in city policies and procedures to mitigate the effects of huge fluctuations in price and the availability of oil.

“As a City we must begin to realize that rising oil prices are not just an
aberration and will only continue to worsen. It is absolutely necessary that we create this task force to begin to formulate real solutions and contingency plans for anticipated price increases in oil in the next decade to over $200 and possibly $300 per barrel,” stated Avella.

“Cities including Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, California have already created energy task forces and are proactively addressing these extremely important issues. New York city should join Portland and San Francisco at the forefront on implementing plans for the future.”

As Mayor, Tony would take proactive steps to change the gas sales tax to a “cents per gallon” model and would immediately, upon taking office, form an Energy Volatility Task Force.

On Saturday, May 3rd, Tony joined the Council of Brooklyn Neighborhoods (CBN), Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn (DDDB), and Brooklyn Speaks at their rally, calling upon Governor David Paterson to call a time out on the Atlantic Yards Project. Tony has made Preventing Overdevelopment a major issue in his campaign for Mayor.

For photos from the event, click here.

Tony Avella is the leading advocate of animal rights and welfare in City government. As a City Council Member, he authored several important pieces of legislation to protect animals.

In the 2007 the League of Humane Voters of New York City (LOHV-NYC) “New York City Council Humane Scorecard” Tony received a 100% rating with two of his bills highlighted in their report: Reso. 497 “Humane Education” and Intro. 13 “Pets in Housing”.

In 2007, Tony received an award from the LOHV-NYC for his efforts on behalf of animals. In May 2008, Tony was honored by In Defense of Animals with a “Companion Animal Guardian Award.”

A brief description of key pieces of animal rights/welfare legislation authored by Tony follows:

Horse Drawn Carriage Ban

The purpose of Tony’s proposed Horse Drawn Carriage ban is to repeal all provisions within the administrative code that authorize the operation of horse-drawn carriages within New York City.

On September 14, 2007, yet another horse was killed after being startled on the street. The horse died after bolting across Central Park South, colliding with a tree and breaking her leg. At the same time, another horse waiting in the area was startled by the commotion and also bolted down the block, ending up on the hood of a car stopped in traffic. Luckily this horse caused only physical damage to the car and not to itself or the drivers of either the carriage or the car. This most recent death was preceded by two others in January and September of 2006, bringing the total number of carriage horse deaths to 3 in less than two years.

These horses are exposed to traffic conditions that are so congested, it is extremely likely that more accidents will occur, more horses will die and the public will continue to be put at risk.

Tony believes that the time has come to ban the operation of these businesses within New York City. The romanticized idea of enjoying a carriage horse ride through the streets of Manhattan can no longer justify the inhumane treatment and risk of serious injury or death to these animals or to the public at large.

Pets In Housing Bill

This legislation would clarify the rights of pet owners in New York City multiple dwellings.

Currently, tenants who have had pets for years in the same apartment with the owners’ knowledge are not protected when they get a new pet. This is an extreme hardship for many tenants whose quality of life is greatly enhanced by pets, and who have been forced to give up a pet or move.

This legislation would restore, in part, the right of rental tenants in multiple dwellings to ensure that once the no-pet clause is waived for one pet, the rental tenant may replace that pet or pets without being subject to eviction for violating the no-pet lease clause.

HEART Resolution

This Resolution calls upon the New York City (NYC) Department of Education (DOE) to follow the New York State Education Law, which requires instruction on the humane treatment and protection of animals. Tony’s resolution directs DOE to require all NYC elementary schools to teach humane education as part of the yearly curriculum.

<b>Photo:</b>Tony Avella; Mr. Tony Chiappelloni, Presidents of Fido Brooklyn, and various participants at the Fido Coffee Bark.