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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2009
Contact: Paul Newell, Communications Director, paul@newellnyc.org, 347-351-7285
PETE GLEASON DECRIES UNSAFE STORAGE OF DIESEL FUEL IN TRIBECA
Pete Gleason, a former FDNY Firefighter and Arson Investigator running in next month's Democratic primary for the Lower Manhattan's 1st City Council District, called today for action on unsafe storage of diesel fuel in residential neighborhoods. Gleason also criticized incumbent Alan Gerson's inability to achieve solutions on the issue.
Over 80,000 gallons of diesel fuel are unsafely stored at 60 Hudson Street in Tribeca - much of it above ground.
"Residents have been voicing concerns on this issue for six years. Where has our leadership been?" asked Gleason. "Despite his seat on the Fire & Criminal Justice Services
Committee, Alan Gerson lacks the will to truly solve this dangerous situation. In the City Council - I'll find real solutions" Gerson's one attempt at legislation on the issue, a bill he introduced four years after learning of the danger, has failed to address the safety of residents or solve the problem.
This is not the first time Pete Gleason has used his expertise to propose solutions this issue.
At a community meeting in 2003, Gleason suggested, "The simple solution to the problem is, put a tank in the basement, put a generator in the basement,
and allow each tenant to run cable down there to supply the generator, and the problem is over - the problem is solved." Gleason pointed out that the FDNY often uses this procedure to keep dangerous fuels away from where people work and live.
Since then, volumes of diesel fuel have only increased at the site. Pete Gleason, a 9/11 first responder, spoke in grave terms of the danger presented. "We all saw the danger posed by above-ground diesel storage in the collapse of 7 World Trade. We need leadership at City hall to keep that danger from our residential areas."
Pete Gleason has been endorsed by Fernando Ferrer, the Downtown Independent Democrats, The New York Community Council and the New York Metro Area Postal Union and is widely seen as a frontrunner in the race.
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