Staten Island – Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate for Public Advocate, called on the FDNY yesterday to quickly move or remove a hazardous fire alarm box on Amboy Road, near Saccheri Court in the Great Kills section of Staten Island.

After new residential development was built on Colon Avenue that led to the widening of Amboy Road, a fire alarm box was left literally in the middle of the street, causing a hazard to drivers and pedestrians. The box has already been hit by a car, evidence by the damage it shows.

Taking action recently, Alex Zablocki called the city’s 311 helpline and was transferred to the Fire Department fire alarm box division. Alex was told that the FDNY is aware of the problem and that the city is either going to start a project to relocate the box or install “bumpers” to prevent the box from being hit. When asked why it couldn’t just be removed, the Fire Department representative said that wires and circuit boards prevented them from easily removing it.

In September of 2005, a developer filed a builders paving plan, known as a BPP, under job number 500800145. It was permitted and approved in October of 2006. Three years later, the hazard still exists, the sidewalk ends in the middle of Amboy Road and no action has been taken by the city to correct the problem.

Alex Zablocki said: “This is just one example of the left hand not knowing what the right is doing. The Fire Department should have been notified when the builders paving plan was filed for this job so the residents of this community wouldn’t have to live with this hazard for three years. Simply coordinating with agencies and the builder before the widening of Amboy Road could prevent a tragedy. The fire alarm box should be removed.”

Utility accessories left as hazards after a street widening is not uncommon in the outer boroughs. Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro spent years trying to move a fire hydrant from the middle of Forest Hill Road in the borough and was finally successful last year. Similarly, across Staten Island, roads have utility poles left in the middle of streets after development requires the widening of streets.

Because of this fact, Alex Zablocki proposed simple legislation that would require either the Department of Buildings or Department of Transportation to review the surrounding area outside of a street widening to identify potential hazards before a street is widened or improved. This would help agencies such as the Fire Department, Parks Department, Department of Environmental Protection or companies like Con Edison fix problems before they become a hazard and a liability.

Alex Zablocki said: “We need either the Department of Buildings or the Department of Transportation to send people out into the field and look at an area before a builders paving plan is approved. If elected Public Advocate, I would submit this legislation and work with all the stake holders to better coordinate street widening approvals so the public’s safety isn’t at risk after the fact.”

Alex Zablocki launched the Action Center earlier this year along with a ‘311’ type hotline number, 718-569-0311. Residents of New York City that have a problem with a city agency, issue in their community or have a solution on how government can function better, can call the hotline. An email was also setup at actioncenter@alex2009.com and more information can be found at www.alex2009.com/actioncenter.

One of the main duties of the Public Advocate is to assist constituents with complaints or problems they are having with city agencies. The Public Advocate also has the power to submit legislation.

Alex Zablocki has been unanimously endorsed by all five Republican county organizations in New York City. Alex is the youngest candidate to ever run for Public Advocate and has over six year’s experience working in city and state government as well as being a small business owner since 2001. Alex is a lifelong New Yorker and currently resides in the borough of Staten Island where he has owned a home in the Tottenville section for the past three years.

More information about Alex Zablocki and his candidacy for Public Advocate can be found at www.alex2009.com or by calling his campaign at 718-734-1093.

A picture of the FDNY fire alarm box in question is attached to this email.

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