Assemblyman N. Nick Perry Assemblyman
N. Nick
Perry

reports to
the people

Winter 2005


Dear Constituent,

Happy New Year. 2006 has arrived, and as we welcome this New Year, I’m sure you’ll agree with me that being alive is enough to be thankful for. Hopefully, 2006 will include more than just being alive. I sincerely wish you and your loved ones happiness and prosperity throughout the New Year and beyond. May all your efforts be blessed with success, and may you, your family and friends enjoy good health, and be safe from all harm.

2006 begins my fourteenth year as your representative in the New York State Assembly. I want you to know that I am sincerely thankful for you and your consistent support, and for keeping me working for you. Serving you is a job I really enjoy doing, and I look forward to another year of hard work to ensure that all who live in the 58th Assembly District receive the best representation in Albany.

The 2006 legislative session will deal with many challenges, especially completing a timely budget while making sure that we preserve and enhance the essential state programs that add quality to the lives of all citizens of the Empire State. Having announced his decision to not seek reelection, this will be Governor Pataki’s last budget, and he will be unveiling it with all the increased powers sanctioned by last year’s court decision. Repeating our successful 2005 on time budget will not be easy unless the Governor also makes it his goal.

As always, I solicit and encourage your support and involvement in the budget process. Your calls, your letters and your visits to Albany will help ensure that the final budget is fair and that the interests of your neighborhood and community are protected. Please let me hear from you on important and controversial issues such as: the death penalty, gay marriage, driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants and reforming and improving our public education system. I also wish to hear your positions about how we should shape public policy to make higher education affordable to all New Yorkers who want to pursue a college degree. I’ll be happy to take your call, read your letter, or meet and talk with you.

May God bless and prosper you and keep you safe as you endeavor to make 2006 a really happy new year.

Working For You,
signature

New Year's Eve Hat
HAPPY NEW YEAR
From
ASSEMBLYMAN
NICK PERRY



ASSEMBLYMAN PERRY KEEPS HIS PROMISE
East 105th Street Station $6.5 MILLION Overhaul Nears Completion
East 105th Street Station
$6.5 MILLION
Overhaul Nears Completion

photo Job Well Done: Assemblyman Perry recently took a tour of the under renovation East 105th Street Station and met with the work crew at the station to check on the progress of the overhaul
When Assemblyman Nick Perry promised to get the East 105th Street Subway Station completely rebuilt after visiting the station in the early 1990s, he had no idea the MTA would drag its feet and take so long, but Perry did not waiver. He remained persistent in demanding that the station, which for so many years remained in terrible disrepair, be fully renovated to provide commuters the safety and quality of service his constituents deserved.

“While awaiting the major overhaul that I was demanding, the MTA did make some minor improvements in 1994, but this $6.5 million capital project was long overdue,” said Assemblyman Perry. The East 105th Street subway station was one of many that Assemblyman Perry visited during 2005, when he launched his ‘Fix Up Brooklyn Subway Stations’ campaign.

The new East 105th Street station will get everything shiny and new, from the ultra-modern electric pigeon deterrent system — which doesn’t harm the birds, but simply deters them from nesting in the cubbyholes of the station — to reliable wooden platform benches. Colorful glass mosaics will now greet commuters as they enter the platform area, as opposed to the drab and common station exteriors straphangers have grown accustomed to. According to the site foreman, the project is expected to be completed well ahead of schedule, and will be ready by March 2006.

“The improvements to this station will bring us closer to the standard of service we deserve for our $2 fare,” said Assemblyman Perry. The East 105th Street Station is now off the repair list, but Assemblyman Perry is committed to keeping the pressure on the MTA, to not only fix up Brooklyn’s Subway Stations, but also to make them safe for all passengers, 100% of the time.

Please call Assemblyman Perry if you have any questions about the ‘Fix Up Brooklyn’s Subway Stations’ campaign.




Assemblyman Perry Urges High Risk
Constituents to Get a Flu Shot

photo Assemblyman Perry prepares for his flu shot at Kings County Hospital on a recent trip to the medical institution to raise awareness of the need for central Brooklyn residents in high risk groups to obtain flu vaccinations.
Referencing the old adage, that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, Assemblyman Perry recently received a flu shot at Kings County Hospital, and urges all his constituents in high risk groups to do the same.

Flu vaccination rates in Central Brooklyn are significantly lower than citywide rates. According to a recent study by the Department of Health only 27% of residents aged 50 and over in Flatbush received the flu shot, as opposed to the citywide rate, which was 48%. As such, high risk residents in our community over age 65 are more likely to die due to complications from the flu. Other high risk groups include all children 6-23 months of age, all persons age six months and older with chronic medical conditions, including heart disease, pulmonary disorders (including asthma), diabetes, kidney disease, and compromised immune systems, and pregnant women.

A recent community meeting at Kings County Hospital cleared up many prevalent misgivings about flu shots. Flu shots will not give you the flu, or get you sick; at most, you may have minor soreness from the shot.

Contact Kings County Hospital at (718) 245-3422 to set up an appointment for a free flu vaccination.




photo
Assemblyman Nick Perry Salutes
TEENS ON THE RIGHT TRACK...

Michael Romeo, lifelong resident of East Flatbush, is certainly on the right track. The senior at John Dewey High School is set to graduate in the top three of his class, and has scored so well on his SATs that he has his choice of top tier universities. Michael, a former intern at Assemblyman Perry’s district office, plans to pursue a career in law, and promises never to forget his roots.




CONGRATULATIONS
2005 Community Awareness Scholarship Winners

Assemblyman Perry also wishes to congratulate the winners of his 2005 Community Awareness College Scholarship. Lea Peters and Ogechi Egbuchulam, who are currently attending Vassar College and Brooklyn College respectively, both exhibited the character, qualities, and academic record required to merit selection as a scholarship recipient. “I commend both of these young women, who appear to be on the right track toward success,” said Assemblyman Perry.

“I am happy I could do my part to assist in keeping them firmly planted on that track. I look forward to great achievement from both winners in the future.”




Tenant Heat and Hot Water Complaints Call 311

Assemblyman Perry Helps Seniors Be Aware of
New Medicare Prescription Plan D

You May Be Entitled To “Extra Help”

Medicare eligible recipients who have limited income and assets will automatically qualify for the Medicare ‘Extra Help’ program. For those who qualify, Medicare will pay almost all your drug cost and you will receive unlimited coverage throughout the year. To know if you qualify for ‘Extra Help’ please call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. For further information, please call Assemblyman Nick Perry at (718) 385-3336.

Approximately 1.1 million New York senior citizens and people with disabilities are eligible for Medicare’s new prescription plan, called Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D will provide Medicare eligible seniors an opportunity to enroll in a Medicare approved prescription insurance plan. The plans will require enrollees to pay a monthly premium and co-pays for each prescription. Out of pocket costs will vary depending on drug plans. Seniors who currently have state Medicaid prescription drug coverage will automatically be enrolled in a Medicare prescription plan. All other seniors who want prescription drug coverage must enroll in a plan.

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans will offer seniors typical prescription drug coverage. These plans work like other prescription insurance plans, whereby the enrollee will pay a monthly premium and a co-pay or co-insurance for each prescription they fill. On January 1, 2006 coverage began for people who joined the program by Dec. 31, 2005. You can apply up until May 15, 2006 to join a plan offering coverage for 2006.

To be eligible for the Medicare Prescription Drug plans, an individual must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident for five continuous years AND meet one of the following criteria:

  • 65 years or older and eligible to receive Social Security

  • Under 65, permanently disabled and have received Social Security disability insurance payments for at least 2 years

  • Receive continuing dialysis for permanent kidney failure or need a kidney transplant

  • Have Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS - Lou Gehrig’s disease)

You can enroll in a Medicare prescription plan on the phone by calling Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.


District Office: 903 Utica Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11203 • (718) 385-3336
Albany Office: Room 452, LOB, Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-4166

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