TESTIMONY
Norris Raymaker, Jersey City Resident on the Impact of Nonessential Helicopter Traffic on Quality of Life in the New York City Metropolitan Area
2:47:59
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133 sec
Norris Raymaker, a 30-year resident of Jersey City, New Jersey, testifies in support of regulating nonessential helicopter traffic.
- Raymaker expresses gratitude to the NYC Council for sponsoring legislation to address the issue
- Nonessential helicopter traffic disrupts quality of life in Hudson County and Jersey City
- Residents endure noise and vibrations from tourist, commuter, and charter helicopters flying overhead
- The noise prevents enjoyment of parks, homes, streets, schools, and places of worship
- Helicopter traffic degrades landmarks like Central Park, New York Harbor, Statue of Liberty, and bridges
- Raymaker urges the Council to seize this opportunity to dramatically reduce nonessential helicopter operations in the greater NYC area
Norris Raymaker
2:47:59
Hi.
2:47:59
I'm Norris Raymaker, and I am from Jersey City, New Jersey, and I have lived there for 30 years.
2:48:06
And I want to thank you so much for your legislation for sponsoring and writing this legislation.
2:48:13
Because you are paving the way for New Jersey.
2:48:18
Know that our elected officials and the residents in Hudson County support your legislation.
2:48:23
Nonessential helicopters, of course, are ruining our quality of life.
2:48:28
We are subjected to tourist, commuter, and charter helicopter traffic that flies over or 2.
2:48:34
New York City, to JFK, to Newark, LaGuardia, and Long Island.
2:48:38
We cannot enjoy our parks.
2:48:40
Our homes are they vibrate, and the noise is heard inside and outside.
2:48:45
It's very just stirbing.
2:48:46
You cannot have a conversation with people when you're on the street, and the helicopters are flying over.
2:48:52
They fly over our schools.
2:48:53
They fly over our places of worship.
2:48:55
They fly over Hoboken.
2:48:57
They disrupt learning and services.
2:49:01
It also impacts our enjoyment of New York City.
2:49:05
So last summer, I was at Lincoln Center, and I saw and heard helicopters hovering over Central Park.
2:49:10
And New York City is a world class city, but unlike Paris and London, which have banned helicopter traffic, Helicopter Corporations here continue to degrade our beautiful New York City, the New York Harbor, Ellis Island, and Governors Island, Liberty State Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn And Washington Bridges, and other sacred Metropolitan landmarks.
2:49:35
It's ironic that we have banned plastic bags in New Jersey, but our hands are seemingly tied when it comes to banning nonessential helicopters.
2:49:43
We have legislation and committee at the state level that has not made it to the floor.
2:49:48
We have been advised that federal legislation will solve the helicopter problem, but that 2 has not advanced.
2:49:54
So you have a unique opportunity to dramatically reduce non essential helicopters and I'm urging you please take the opportunity to regulate nonessential helicopter traffic in the greater New York City area.
2:50:09
We are indebted to you.
2:50:11
Thank you.
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Susan Lee, Executive Director of the Hudson Classical Theater Company, on the Disruption of Outdoor Performances by Helicopter Noise in Riverside Park
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Kate Madigan, Government Affairs Coordinator of The Public Theater on Helicopter Noise Disrupting Shakespeare in the Park Performances
