PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Sarah O'Brien, Member of the Public
3:31:41
·
120 sec
Sarah O'Brien, a 22-year-old who grew up in Queens and Staten Island, shares her personal experiences with the Citizens Air Complaint Program and opposes Intro 941. She describes how the program helped her father enjoy his retirement without constant vehicle idling near his home, and how it helped her address idling issues during her teaching experience.
- O'Brien emphasizes that the program works well, with drivers becoming more mindful and reducing idling.
- She argues that Intro 941 is a step backward and urges the committee to hold companies accountable for their actions.
- O'Brien's testimony highlights the positive impact of citizen participation in reducing air pollution and improving quality of life.
Sarah O'Brien
3:31:41
Good afternoon.
3:31:42
Thank you, Chairman, everyone, for the opportunity.
3:31:45
My name is Sarah O'Brien.
3:31:46
I grew up on Queens and Staten Island.
3:31:48
I'm currently twenty two years old, and I'm here today to share my experience in a a posed intro 941.
3:31:55
I've been reporting for about a year now.
3:31:56
I have two stories for you.
3:31:58
First, picture this.
3:31:59
You work relentlessly for 30 years.
3:32:02
City employee, trying to afford your American dream, a home, maybe with the porch if you're lucky, one that you can relax on once you finally retire.
3:32:11
The only problem is your one strength of Oasis is transformed into a pollution zone.
3:32:18
This was my dad's reality.
3:32:19
He retired from the city after working 30 years and wanted nothing more than to sit on his front porch and peace.
3:32:25
But trucks pulled up day after day and idled right in front of him, forced to come inside.
3:32:30
So then what?
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Maybe you call 311 day after day to no avail.
3:32:34
You're helpless.
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If only there were a program that allowed citizens to make an impact, good news, there is.
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And that's exactly what my dad did.
3:32:43
Within a matter of weeks, he saw his landscape transform from literal black clouds to clear skies.
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Turvin, the program works well.
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Drivers become more mindful and don't idle.
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Finally, he gets to enjoy his retirement and peace, and I get to stop hearing about it.
3:32:57
I had a similar experience.
3:32:59
I was I was a student and working as a teacher providing free classes through the parks department.
3:33:04
At one specific site, the class happened to be at the same time as the commercial garbage pick The exhaustion noise was unbearable for the children, many choosing to leave early, and as their teacher, I felt helpless.
3:33:14
I would kindly ask the driver to move or turn off the engine and he would laugh.
3:33:18
As soon as I made it clear that I started to report his actions, silence, the engine went off.
3:33:24
And the issue is solved just like that.
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Chairman, please remember me and my dad.
3:33:28
We are 2 examples of how the program works well.
3:33:30
Multiply this by the number of participants we have, and that's a lot of wins for the people, city, and environment.
3:33:35
Intro 941 is a step backward.
3:33:37
Please hold these companies accountable for their actions.
3:33:40
Thank you.
