Treyger predicts Sandy task force will make big difference
Councilmember Mark Treyger, who attended the City Hall ceremony at which Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a bill to help residents in coastal communities prepare for the next Sandy-type of natural disaster, predicted that the new law will make a big difference in the lives of New Yorkers.
On March 3, de Blasio signed two bills sponsored by Treyger dealing with the city’s response to hurricanes and other natural disasters. One bill calls for the creation of a special task force to look into ways the city can assist houses of worship and charitable organizations that helped Sandy victims in the aftermath of the 2012 superstorm. The task force, which is expected to release a report eight months after its formation, will also look at ways religious institutions and charities can play a role in recovery efforts in the next emergency.
The other bill that de Blasio signed into law mandates the city’s Office of Emergency Management to distribute preparedness materials to residents in coastal communities that are tailored specifically to those neighborhoods, as opposed to generic pamphlets that could be given out anywhere in the city.
“As we continue the recovery from Sandy, it is imperative that we do not forget about the charitable organizations and houses of worship that opened their doors to storm victims and played a vital role in the hours, days and weeks after the storm hit our city. It is also critical that we learn from this experience and find ways to better connect residents in vulnerable communities with information that is specific to their neighborhood,” Treyger (D-Coney Island-Gravesend-Bensonhurst) said.