MESSAGE
| DATE | 2005-11-09 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [NYLXS - HANGOUT] [infsanto@council.nyc.ny.us: E-Update for the Committee on Technology in Government]
|
----- Forwarded message from Michael Santorelli -----
Date: Tue, 08 Nov 2005 13:26:15 -0500
From: Michael Santorelli
Reply-To: Michael.Santorelli-at-council.nyc.ny.us
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To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
Subject: E-Update for the Committee on Technology in Government
Hello All,
On Friday, October 28, 2005, the Committee on Technology in
Government held a hearing entitled, "Oversight: Circuits and Seniors:
Assessing the Technology Needs of Senior Citizens." The goal of the
hearing was to explore the "digital divide" between senior citizens and
their use of technology and to see what programs are being offered
around the city to address the technology needs of older adults. To read
the briefing paper, go to:
http://webdocs.nyccouncil.info/attachments/69251.htm?CFID=906930&CFTOKEN=51560507
.
Witnesses who testified included Deputy Commissioner Caryn Resnick from the
Department for the Aging, Chris Baker, senior policy analyst from the
American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), representatives from the New
York City nonprofit community who specialize in training seniors to use
technology, and seniors who have participated in these programs. I would
like to thank Tom Kamber from Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) for
helping me put together this hearing. The hearing was successful in
initiating a dialogue on this crucial issue. We are working with the New
York City Council's Committee on Aging to follow up with the Department for
the Aging as we continue towards providing our seniors with the technology
they need.
The next hearing will be a joint hearing with the sub-Committee on
Public Housing, chaired by Council Member Diana Reyna. It will take
place on Monday, November 14 at 1 P.M. in the Public Hearing Room on the
14th Floor, 250 Broadway (b/w Park Place and Murray St.), and is
entitled, "Oversight: Updating Technology in New York City Public
Housing." The goal of the hearing is to focus on the state of technology
in New York City public housing. Nearly 420,000 authorized tenants live
in 342 public housing developments provided and maintained by the City.
However, most of the buildings are over 30 years old. The New York City
Housing Authority (NYCHA), the government entity charged with overseeing
and maintaining these developments, has made great strides in
modernizing many of these buildings. NYCHA has outlined its plans
(http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/nycha/pdf/Final2006Annual%20Plan.pdf) to
rewire many of its buildings to improve security and streamline
maintenance processes. However, little has been said about bringing
useful technologies and services directly to the residents of their
public housing developments. At this hearing, we will examine what is
being done to update the technology infrastructure in public housing
around the City. As always, this is a public hearing and open to the
public. No RSVP is necessary.
*****
Upcoming Hearing Schedule
1. Monday, November 28, 2005. Topic: TBD
2. Monday, December 12th at 1 P.M., Council Chambers, City Hall. A
second hearing on Int. No. 625. Int. No. 625 creates a broadband
task force that will look at how to bring affordable broadband to
all New York residents, nonprofits and businesses. The
legislation
(http://www.nyccouncil.info/issues/report_act.cfm?mtfile=Int%200625%2D2005)
is in the process of being substantially revised. The aim of the
revisions would be to make the proposed task force permanent,
public and transparent, reporting to the Mayor and the City
Council as well as the general public.
*****
Announcements
The New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has created a
website dedicated to the telecommunications industry of New York City
http://www.newyorkbiz.com/Industries/Telecommunications/index.html, as
well as the Mayor's Telecommunications Policy Advisory Group
(http://www.newyorkbiz.com/Industries/Telecommunications/TPAGMemberList.pdf).
This group advised the EDC, the Department of Information Technology and
Telecommunications (DoITT), and the Department of Small Business Services
(SBS), in creating the City's telecommunications "action plan". This "action
plan" was released in March 2005
(http://www.newyorkbiz.com/About_Us/TelecomPlanMarch2005.pdf). We applaud
the EDC for making this information public and available online. We will
continue to work with them to make the process of telecommunications
policymaking transparent and open to the public.
*****
About the New York City Council's Committee on Technology in Government
The primary goals of the Committee on Technology in Government are
(1) to expand digital equality by increasing access to broadband in
underserved communities of New York City (2) to increase the strategic
use of technology in government, thereby, increasing efficiency in
government and enhancing the quality of public services, and (3) to
promote the openness and transparency of government by making sure that
public information is accessible to every New York City resident.
Through its ability to hold oversight hearings over City agencies and
introduce and hear legislation, the Committee on Technology in
Government works to achieve its goals in partnership with the private,
public and nonprofit sectors.
More information about the Committee and the Chair of the Committee,
Council Member Gale A. Brewer, can be found at the following link:
>http://nyccouncil.info/issues/committee.cfm?committee_id=106<sbdkey=5121
.
All Committee briefing papers from the current session (beginning in
January 2004) are also available at this link.
If you know of people who would be interested in the Committee on
Technology in Government's activities, please feel free to forward this
e-mail to them. If you know of anyone who would like to receive these
e-mails, just have them e-mail me, and I will be put them on the list.
Finally, feel free to post this information on any listserve you may
belong to or on any website you are affiliated with.
Thank you. I look forward to seeing you at one of Committee's
hearings or events.
Regards,
Michael Santorelli
--
Michael Santorelli
Legislative Policy Analyst, Committee on Technology in Government
New York City Council
250 Broadway, 14th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Work: 212.788.9109
Fax: 212.788.9168
E-mail: michael.santorelli-at-council.nyc.ny.us
----- End forwarded message -----
--
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