PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by George Pakenham, Director of Idle Threat: Man on Emission, on Bill Intro 941 and Public Health
3:23:35
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127 sec
George Pakenham, director of the documentary "Idle Threat: Man on Emission," testifies against Bill Intro 941, emphasizing the importance of the Citizens Air Complaint Program for public health. He shares his personal health struggles, which he attributes to his years of anti-idling activism.
- Pakenham helped launch Intro 717-A, which allowed citizens to enforce idling laws
- He argues that the true value of the program lies in its focus on public health and clean air
- Pakenham reveals he has developed heart disease, had brain surgery for an aneurysm, and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, which he links to his exposure to vehicle emissions
George Pakenham
3:23:35
My name is George Packingham.
3:23:38
Good afternoon, city council members.
3:23:39
Let's talk about bill 941 and public health.
3:23:44
As some of you may know, I'm producer director of the documentary film idle threat, man on emission.
3:23:50
The film helped launch the intro bill 717a, which once passed gave the green light to citizens to enforce idling laws, which is DEP, and NYPD had basically ignored since 1971.
3:24:04
So we get out here today to pick apart that law and perhaps destroy its essence.
3:24:09
I hope not.
3:24:12
Yes, a few activists are being chastised for being overzealous about clean air.
3:24:18
A few are being scolded for making too much money.
3:24:21
But be that as it may, I believe the Adams administration is missing the point on Bill 941.
3:24:27
The true value of the systems air conflict command campaign lies in its focus on public health.
3:24:34
In this case, public health translates into clean and breathable air.
3:24:39
Simple fact is that needless engine idling is a toxic poison that can affect the well-being of all New Yorkers.
3:24:46
Yet public health issues sooner or later boiled down to an individual's personal health.
3:24:52
I started my own campaign on this ancient island matter in 2006, That's 18 years ago.
3:24:59
From 2006 till now, I've spent thousands of hours on the streets on sidewalks gathering data, acquiring evidence on idling trucks and buses all the time surrounded by poisonous stench What was this effect on me personally?
3:25:14
In 2019, I learned I had developed heart disease.
3:25:19
I now have 6 dents in my heart.
3:25:23
The year later, I learned I had a bulge in a blood vessel in my brain behind my left eye, and on December 1 2022, I had brain surgery to cap an aneurysm.
3:25:35
2 years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.
3:25:38
Like, condition that's left knee with near constant tremor, my right arm and leg.
James F. Gennaro
3:25:41
Here's what I'm gonna do.
