Staten Island – Alex Zablocki, Republican candidate for Public Advocate,
claimed victory today as the FDNY quickly answered his call to 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 was hit by a car, evidence by the damage it showed.

Taking action last week, Alex Zablocki called the Fire Department fire alarm box division. Alex was told that the FDNY was aware of the problem and that the city was either going to start a project to relocate the box or install “bumpers” to prevent the box from being hit. Just today, the box was removed.

Alex Zablocki said: “I want to thank the Fire Department for their quick action in getting this issue resolved. This alarm box clearly posed as a
hazard to all drivers along Amboy Road and I am grateful that my Action
Center hotline has been put to good use to get it removed.”

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 existed and no action had been taken by the city to correct the problem.

Alex Zablocki said: “Helping the residents of this city with problems they
are having is one of the prime responsibilities of the Public Advocate. Once elected, I will continue to help every New Yorker navigate the bureaucracy and get them results.”

The current Public Advocate handled over 12,000 constituent complaints last year.

Last week, this hazard led Alex Zablocki to propose 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. Alex beleives a campaign for public office should not only be focused on getting elected, but help people as well.

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 before and after picture of the FDNY fire alarm box in question is attached to this email.
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