City Council Survey (District 19): Tom Cooke

Political Party:
Democratic Party

http://cookeforcouncil.com

Candidate Submitted Biography:

When I was 18 years old I joined the U.S. Army. I didn't do it for glory and I certainly didn't do it for the money. My first monthly check in basic training was for under $500. I joined the Army because I wanted to belong to something greater than myself, to make sure that whatever I was doing with my time was helpful to my country and to my community. Unfortunately, only one year after joining I was paralyzed by a drunk driver while serving overseas. I was 19 years old.

Following the accident I spent 15 months rehabilitating in the Bronx VA Medical Center. But far from letting my paralysis ruin my life I've fought hard to once again become a contributing member to society. Since being injured I have:

· Earned my Bachelor's Degree

· Earned my Master's Degree

· Worked preparing high school students for the SAT

· Served on the board of the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association

· Been elected Vice-Chairman and now Chairman of the Board of the United Spinal Association (www.UnitedSpinal.org)

· Run for a seat in the New York State Legislature

· Become involved in the local political and civic community

· Managed Nora Marino's campaign for the New York State Senate

With these developments I bring a combination of budgetary, military and political experience that puts me in an excellent position to return to public service -- to serve my city as I once served my country.

I will bring intelligence and integrity to the New York City Council. I will make sure we balance our budgets and make the right choices during this difficult economic time -- protecting essential services, eliminating non-essential ones. We cannot continue the current levels of funding for agencies like the Department of Design & Construction, which gives out millions of dollars to recognize architectural excellence, when we are underfunding law-enforcement, education, and the fire department. We have to have the right priorities in this difficult economic time. I hope you'll find that I do.

City Council Survey (District 19): Tom Cooke

Question 1:
What is the most important transportation need in your district? As a Council Member, how would you work to address this need?

District 19 experiences above average but inconsistent public transportation. While the 7 line
scored the highest of any NYC subway line, it only scored 1.55 out of 2 in terms of dollar value,
and with the recent 25 cent fare hike, the discrepancy in value received and cost is even greater.
Buses in Flushing are also nothing to brag about, as the Q58, for example, is perennially rated
one of the slowest buses in Queens. One plan that could help this situation is the Bus Rapid
Transit (BRT.) After a successful test run on the Bx12 line, where travel time dropped 19%, the
BRT should be implemented in the District 19 area, especially along some of the busier routes,
to reduce travel time and improve service to riders. Also, District 19's compactness, relative
flatness and high population-density makes it an ideal community for commuter biking. By
creating more bike lanes and bike parking, the people will benefit greatly from reduced
automobile congestion, cleaner air, and healthier lifestyles.


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Question 2:
The intersection of 23 Avenue and Bell Blvd is one of the most dangerous in your district, where 0 people died and 18 people were injured between 1995-2005 (NYS DOT). As a City Council member, what traffic enforcement policies or physical changes to the intersection infrastructure would you support to make this intersection safer for everyone who uses it (pedestrians, cyclists and drivers)?

The intersection of Bell Boulevard and 23 Avenue is serviced by 4 different bus lines, the Q13,
Q28, QM2, and the X32. If bus service was increase on those bus lines, it would reduce traffic
and congestion, helping to make the streets safer. Also, installing automatic speeding and red
light cameras will help enforce the driving laws designed to protect public safety. Finally,
installing bike lanes would complement other measures to help improve public safety and
health. In addition, I would support constructing pedestrian footbridges. Footbridges would make foot traffic safer and also speed up traffic.


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Question 3:
According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles' most currently available data, in 2007 speeding was a contributing factor in over 3,000 motor vehicle crashes in New York City. Furthermore, the same data showed that the top human contributing factor to the 264 fatal crashes in New York City during 2007 was also speeding. Given these figures, what measures, if any, do you support to redress this problem? Finally, do you believe that New York City’s current speed limits are safe?

According to Britain's Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) only 5% of pedestrians struck by a
vehicle traveling 20 mph die, whereas 45% die at 30 mph and 85% die at 40 mph. This fact
highlights the importance of speed limits and places the NYC limit in a questionable position,
as it seems a modest reduction would greatly increase public safety. Another problem is the lack
of enforcement of the speed limit. As stated above, a mere 10mph increase in speed can lead to
deadly results, making strict enforcement of the marginally safe speed limit paramount to public
safety. To the end of protecting public safety, automatic speed enforcement cameras should be
placed around the city, particularly in dangerous intersections, to assure that speed limits are
obeyed. Another more uncoventional and less costly measure would be to demand that official
city vehicles strictly follow the speed limit. In many situations, having just one car following
the speed limit can force several cars behind it to travel at an equal or lower speed. A well coordinated
execution of this plan should greatly reduce traffic accidents and deaths.


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Question 4:
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's website reports: "In New York City, obesity is epidemic: more than half of adult New Yorkers are overweight (34%) or obese (22%). Data show that obesity begins early in life: nearly half of all elementary school children and Head Start children are not a healthy weight. In New York City, 1 in 5 kindergarten students, and 1 in 4 Head Start children, is obese." Do you believe that increasing walking and biking in New York City would improve public health? If yes, how would you work to increase walking and biking in your district?

It is well-known that walking and biking are excellent ways of losing weight and improving
health. In order to increase walking and biking, several measures can and should be taken to
complement each and improve the public welfare. Firstly, biking lanes with ample width should
be inserted throughout the district to give those who already want to bike a safe and enjoyable
path. Secondly, traffic law enforcement must be prioritized to ensure that streets are safe for
pedestrians and drivers alike. Thirdly, the leaders of the district and city must speak out and
communicate the importance of exercise and how it can improve health, save you money, and
help the environment. Finally, creative plans like congestion pricing, automated traffic
enforcement cameras and strictly obeyed city vehicle speed limits must be discussed seriously
as ways of meeting the health, traffic, and environmental crises that have converged on the city.


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Question 5:
Road pricing, including such measures as non-stop tolling, fees based on vehicle miles travelled or entry into a highly congested zone, has been the source of much discussion in New York City and other major metropolitan areas. London famously uses a congestion charge to fund its transit system, Oregon recently piloted a program to replace the gas tax with a fee for miles driven and Seattle recently studied how road pricing could be introduced on a regional basis. Seattle's study, “Traffic Choices Study" (http://psrc.org/projects/trafficchoices/index.htm), found that introducing new tolls on major corridors during peak traffic hours influenced drivers’ behavior and projected that a region-wide road pricing scheme could significantly reduce vehicular traffic congestion. Do you think that introducing a road pricing strategy would change New Yorkers’ travel choices? Do you think that this would be an effective way for the City to reduce backups on high-traffic roadways like the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, the Gowanus Expressway or the Long Island Expressway? Finally, do you believe there are additional benefits in the surrounding neighborhoods which could be realized from the reduction of vehicular congestion on these routes?

Mayor Bloomberg unsuccessfully pushed for congestion pricing in Manhattan, still giving much
credibility and visibility to the idea. In London, congestion pricing has led to significant and
sustained reduction in vehicles entering the congestion zone, leading to reduced pollution and
travel times. The idea of a fee for mile seems troubling though, as it would punish owners of
efficient vehicles and reward owners of gas guzzlers.However, tolls on major thoroughfares
such as the BQE and the LIE could provide funds for increased public transit service while
reducing traffic congestion and pollution.


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Question 6:
Do you believe that reducing residential parking requirements as set forth within NYC zoning regulations would affect neighborhood traffic congestion, and if so, in what way?

Data has shown that residential parking requirements makes it more likely that communters will
drive instead of using public transportation. By this mechanism, residential parking
requirements serves to increase motor vehicle traffic and congestion. By reducing residential
parking requirements, especially in densely populated neighborhoods, the city can encourage
the use of public transportation and bicycling, which will reduce traffic congestion and improve
publich health.


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Question 7:
The NYC Department of Transportation's Public Plaza Program, Pedestrian Street Program and Summer Streets events are intended to diversify the use of public space and provide more places for New Yorkers to recreate and socialize. Do you support the temporary or permanent repurposing of street space for pedestrians and cyclists?

I personally have enjoyed repurposed street space in areas such as Times Square and my
experience was quite enjoyable and relaxing. Having a similar space in our area might not be as
ideal, since District 19 has access to much public space already in the form of parks, etc. But in
select places, pedestrian street programs could prove quite beneficial, especially in places where
streets are not heavily used for vehicular traffic, but are centrally located and could benefit
many citizens as public open spaces.


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Question 8:
The City recently released plans for Bus Rapid Transit and expressed interest in bringing a bike share program to New York City. Do you think these new projects would enhance the city's transportation network? Please explain.

The NYC Select Bus Service (SBS) has already undergone several successful pilots on bus lines
such as the Bx12, which saw a 19% reduction in travel time. The initial successes of the SBS
indicates that it should be expanded, particularly to certain busy routes in the Flushing area.
Also, a bike share program would greatly benefit the district, by providing citizens an
inexpensive and healthy alterative to driving. By encouraging citizens to bike, the city will
improve the public health, traffic and the environment.


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Submitted by cookeforcouncil on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 19:04.
Submitted by cookeforcouncil on Mon, 07/27/2009 - 14:21.
Submitted by cookeforcouncil on Wed, 08/12/2009 - 19:04.