A Response by NYC for Change to Hurricane Sandy Bipartisan Senatorial Task Force
To see the Senate Bipartisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy Report.pdf, go to link:
http://www.nysenate.gov/file/pdfs/Hurricane%20Sandy%20Preliminary%20Report.pdf (32 page .PDF report)
Dear Paul (Nichols),
Thanks so much for meeting with me this morning. Although I regret that emergencies kept my colleagues from our discussion, I nevertheless feel we covered considerable ground regarding the enormous problems confronting displaced families in the Rockaways post-Sandy. As I indicated, the many groups that are working with us are most specifically concerned with the thousands of families and individuals still living without heat and/or electricity and subjected to health-threatening mold infestation, as well as those living in distant hotels under conditions that are often difficult and destabilizing.
We respect Senator Smith's position as Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Senate Task Force on Sandy Recovery, and I enjoyed hearing how much he shares our concern for the present and future of our neighbors. Please know that we are more than willing to help, either by providing on-the-ground assessments and information or by participating in public forums on post-Sandy relief and recovery. I would greatly appreciate receiving the Task Force's first report, as offered today, to share with my colleagues.
We'll be sure to send you more information on mold and other conditions as we receive it. I look forward to keeping in touch.
Sincerely,
Kate Linker for
Greater NYC for Change
Groups:
Key Findings - Bipartisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy Recovery
nysenate.gov - February 6, 2013
Less than three months after Senate leaders launched the New York State Senate Bipartisan Task Force on Hurricane Sandy recovery, the Task Force has released its preliminary report and recommendations on Sandy relief and storm planning. The preliminary report and recommendations come after Task Force members toured storm damaged communities across the New York City Metro Area, including Freeport, Island Park, Oceanside, The Rockaways, Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Hudson Valley.
Following each tour, the Task Force held roundtable discussions with over one hundred community, private sector, and government stakeholders, including major insurance carriers and senior members of the Cuomo administration. The preliminary report outlines the Task Force’s key findings from these roundtables and sets forth 10 preliminary recommendations. The Task Force will release a final report in the coming weeks.
The Task Force’s key findings and preliminary recommendations include:
· Developing certification and licensing procedures for mold remediation contractors.
· Supplementing existing business loan programs with direct grants to businesses severely impacted by Sandy.
· Working with the Department of Financial Services to expedite insurance claim check processing to ensure that homeowners get the resources they need to rebuild their homes as soon as possible.
· Developing better statewide protocols for gasoline distributions so that the energy needs of first responders and other critical service providers are properly prioritized.
· Exploring the use of soft barriers as a means of mitigating future storm damage.
Senator Jack M. Martins, a member of the task force, stated, “We have had the opportunity to visit the areas most affected by Superstorm Sandy and to listen firsthand to the concerns of our communities. We are now moving forward on legislation that will meet the needs of our communities and better prepare us for future storms.”
http://www.nysenate.gov/press-release/senate-bipartisan-task-force-hurricane-sandy-recovery-issues-preliminary-report