Political Party:
Democratic Party
http://www.koppell2009.com
Candidate Submitted Biography:
About the Councilman
Council Member Oliver Koppell was born in New York City. His parents, who were refugees from Nazi Germany, moved to the Bronx when Oliver was two and he has lived there continuously, presently owning a home in the borough.
He is married to Lorraine Coyle Koppell, a lawyer and real estate broker, and has three children, all of whom were raised in the Bronx and attended Bronx public schools, and five grandchildren.
EDUCATION
Oliver attended Bronx elementary schools, the Bronx High School of Science, Harvard College and Harvard Law School, from which he graduated Cum Laude. After law school, Oliver received a post-graduate fellowship to study in India from the Maxwell School of Public Administration at Syracuse University.
GOVERNMENTAL/COMMUNITY SERVICE
New York State Assembly Member
Oliver was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1970 on a reform ticket, where he served for 23 years, representing the Northwest Bronx. While serving in the NYS Assembly, he wrote and sponsored 280 laws, including the Utility Consumers Bill of Rights, the Returnable Bottle Law and the Automobile Lemon Law. He was Chair of the Environmental Protection, Corporations and Judiciary Committees of the Assembly.
During his tenure as Assemblyman, Oliver initiated several important programs that continue to serve the community. Among these, are the Kingsbridge/Riverdale/ Van Cortlandt Development Corporation, the Association of Riverdale Cooperatives and the Citizens' Court Monitoring Project.
New York State Attorney General
In 1994, Oliver was selected to become New York State Attorney General when Robert Abrams resigned. As Attorney General, Oliver actively prosecuted consumer fraud, discrimination on the basis of race, family status and disability, environmental pollution and business crime. He acted as special prosecutor in a number of criminal proceedings and personally argued on behalf of the State of New York before the Supreme Court of the United States.
President, Community School Board District 10
Oliver was elected President of the Community School Board in District 10. As head of the School Board, he fought for more resources, repairs and new equipment. He strongly advocated for the creation of the Riverdale/Kingsbridge Academy (MS/HS 141) and for the construction of a new middle school/high school in Kingsbridge, MS/HS 368, (the IN-Tech Academy). During Oliver's tenure as President of the School Board, the Chancellor singled out District 10 as one of the three most improved districts in the city.
New York City Council Member - District 11
Oliver was elected to the City Council in 2001. He is currently Chair of the Committee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services, and a member of the Finance, Education, Transportation, Consumer Affairs, Environmental Protection, Technology in Government and Community Development Committees. As Chair of the Mental Health Committee, he was instrumental in obtaining increased funding in the city budget for two major mental health initiatives, "Geriatric Mental Health Services" and "Children Under Five Mental Health Initiative."
As a Council Member, Oliver authored two important environmental and public safety laws: the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Bill, which mandates the recycling of rechargeable batteries in order to keep them out of the landfills, where they cause serious pollution and contamination and; the Fire Safety Bill, which protects New Yorkers from being trapped by fire in public places by requiring that fire exits be conspicuously marked in the places of assembly and that an announcement be made 10 minutes prior to any performance, notifying the audience of the location of these exits.
Oliver has also brought millions of dollars into his Council district for major capital projects and to support senior centers, youth programs, schools and cultural activities.
He is a member of the Fund for Modern Courts and serves as volunteer Arbitrator of the Civil Court of the City of New York.
Question 1:
What is the most important transportation need in your district? As a Council Member, how would you work to address this need?
We have general good transportation resources. However, improvements are always possible and welcome. The following are needs:
1. Better east west access...most transit lines run north south. Faster access to Fordham area would be welcomed.
2. Increase in service in non rush hour on 7, 10 and 20 lines
3. Better access to west side of Manhattan by creating a west side commuter route along the Hudson tracks to Penn station area
4. Use of Hudson and Harlem River for ferry service
5. Bicycle access across the Henry Hudson Bridge and along the Hudson River
Question 2:
The intersection of W 230 Street and Broadway is one of the most dangerous in your district, where 2 people died and 29 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 is a five way intersections. A study should be conducted to see if better traffic light system would help. Better cross walks for pedestrians are needed.
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?
I support the installation of speed bumps where speeding is a problem in local streets. Substantial penalties should be given to speeders. I have not studied current speed limits.
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