Tuesday, 25 September 2012
Friday, 1 June 2012
Debate continues over proposed drink ban in New York City
Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK -- Mayor Michael Bloomberg is proposing a ban on the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks in the city's restaurants, delis and movie theaters in the hopes of combating obesity - an expansion of his administration's efforts to encourage healthy behavior by limiting residents' choices. INTERACTION: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
The proposal - formally announced Thursday in a City Hall briefing - would take 20-ounce soda bottles off the shelves of the city's delis and eliminate super-sized sugary soft drinks from fast-food menus. It is the latest health effort by the administration to spark accusations that the city's officials are overstepping into matters that should be left in the hands of individual consumers.
City officials say they believe such a ban would prove popular with residents and start a national trend. But it already has opponents."There they go again," said Stefan Friedman, spokesman for the New York City Beverage Association, who called the proposal "zealous" in a statement. "The New York City Health Department's unhealthy obsession with attacking soft drinks is again pushing them over the top. The city is not going to address the obesity issue by attacking soda because soda is not driving the obesity rates."
But City Hall officials, citing a 2006 study, argue that sugary drinks are the largest driver of rising calorie consumption and obesity. They note that sweet drinks are linked to long-term weight gain and increased rates of diabetes and heart disease.
The administration's proposal would impose a 16-ounce limit on the size of sugary drinks sold at food service establishments, including restaurants, movie theaters, sports venues and street carts. It would apply to bottled drinks as well as fountain sodas.
The proposal drew strong reaction from the Coca-Cola Co.
"The people of New York City are much smarter than the New York City Health Department believes," the company said in a statement. "We are transparent with our consumers. They can see exactly how many calories are in every beverage we serve."
"New Yorkers expect and deserve better than this. They can make their own choices about the beverages they purchase. We hope New Yorkers loudly voice their disapproval about this arbitrary mandate."
The ban would apply only to drinks that contain more than 25 calories per 8 ounces. It would not apply to diet soda or any other calorie-free drink. Any drink that is at least half milk or milk substitute would be exempted.
The ban, which could take effect as soon as March, would not apply to drinks sold in grocery or convenience stores that don't serve prepared food. Establishments that don't downsize would face fines of $200 after a three-month grace period.
The proposal requires the approval of the city's Board of Health - considered likely because its members are all appointed by Bloomberg.
Under the three-term mayor, the city has campaigned aggressively against obesity, outlawing trans-fats in restaurant food and forcing chain restaurants to post calorie counts on menus. The mayor has also led efforts to ban smoking in the city's bars, restaurants, parks and beaches.
Bloomberg often cites the city's rising life expectancy numbers as proof the approach is working, but his efforts have drawn criticism from others who accuse him of instituting a "nanny state."
His administration has tried other ways to make soda consumption less appealing. The mayor supported a state tax on sodas, but the measure died in Albany, and he tried to restrict the use of food stamps to buy sodas, an idea federal regulators rejected.
City Hall's latest proposal does not require approval beyond the Board of Health, although public hearings will be held.
INTERACTION: WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more New York News »new york city, obesity, michael bloomberg, new york news
Thursday, 10 May 2012
Brooklyn residents upset over proposed hotel
Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK (WABC) -- Residents in Brooklyn are upset about plans to build a hotel along East 59th Street and Foster Avenue. They say it is not exactly a tourist destination, and wonder what kind of hotel it would be.
The area is lined with salvage yards, scrap metal yards, auto repair shops and gas stations, with apartments across the street. It's not exactly a prime location for a new hotel. The company building the project hasn't released many details so far, and residents are nervous.
The empty lot where the hotel is slated to be built is currently filled with a pile of dirt and old tires. Community groups are demanding answers and plan to begin a letter-writing campaign to send to Mayor Michael Bloomberg's office.Residents say they are not anti-business, they just want more information.
"It's the worst thing you could ever have in the neighborhood," resident Sidney Lawrence said. "It contaminates the area.There are children involved. There's churches involved. I've been on the block here for the past 33 years, and this is the worst thing I've ever heard coming to the neighborhood. We can't see anything positive coming from it."
Councilman Jumaane Williams is also opposed to the project, but there is nothing that can be done legally. The area is zoned for mixed use.
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(Copyright ©2012 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more New York News »new york city, brooklyn, new york news
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Thousands rally against proposed firehouse closings
The march began at Engine 205 in Brooklyn Heights and culminated with a rally outside City Hall.
With just four weeks to go until the fire companies could be shuttered, firefighters organized their biggest protest yet.
More than 1,000 firefighters marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall, where they joined up with 5,000 others to rally against the proposed closings, which critics say could affect response times in every borough."It will put lives in jeopardy because it will extend the response time of the FDNY," Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz said.
Markowitz has called the proposed cuts an outrage, as eight of the 20 fire companies on the chopping block are in his borough. Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has said that according to his analysis, response times in 18 neighborhoods would rise above the national standard of four minutes.
"Under a plan like this, more lives would be lost," de Blasio said. "It's also fundamentally unfair to say to people in some neighborhoods, you get less. You know, just grin and bear it."
The Uniformed Firefighters Association took out this newspaper ad to announce the rally. It depicts the mayor dressed as the grim reaper. But Bloomberg has insisted the closings, which would save the city about $55 million, won't put anyone in danger.
He's suggested that fewer firefighters are needed because buildings are now safer, and he's pointed out that even though six firehouses closed in 2003, response times and fire deaths are at a new low.
City officials stress the list is preliminary and that no final decision has been made. The budget for fiscal 2012, which begins July 1, is still being negotiated between the City Council and the mayor.
(Copyright ©2011 WABC-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more New York News »new york city, fdny, marty markowitz, michael bloomberg, new york news, dave evans