1990-04-16
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Legislators ush' on. building safety
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By DONNA LIQUOR APR' ; 1 4 90' Legislation co-sponsored by Assemblyman William J.
Staff Writer . Larkin Jr., R-New Windsor, and state Sen. Eugene Levy,
COLDENHAM - A letter rom parents of children R-Spring Valley, that was proposed earlier this month,
Rilled in the Nov. 16 collapse of the Coldenham school wall would provide special state aid for structural inspections
.mobilized : legislators into action to prevent ,a similar of all school buildings. ,
occurrence. . ,To date, the response parents have received from
. Rut from Gov. Mario M. Cuomo. the parents still hear Cuomo'is a registered mail receipt, stamped March 19 by
on~ silence. . " the governor's office acknowledging receipt of the letter.
letter from Assemblyman Lawrence Bennett, D-New- Terry Lynam, spokesman for the governor, said the gover-
burgh, tells the parents that he is working with Assembly nor still has not responded.
Majority Leader James Tallon and Assembly Education
Committee Chairman Angelo Del Toro to draft legislation "Probably next week," Lynam said. Lynam said it is
that "we believe will effectively address the particular taking Cuomo a long time to respond because the office
issues put forth in your letter."- wants togive pa~ents some "concrete answers."
The letter from the parents urging lawmakers to boost "We haven't heard from him," said John Lichtler, whose
state building requirements and inspections has added a 7-year-old daughter, Joanna, was killed by the collapsed
sense of urgency for legislation, Bennett said. wall. "He hasn't introduced one iota of legislation."
Bennett'is calling for a public hearing at the East Col-
denham Elementary 'School next month to help formulate
the legislation. ' , :
_ "What we're trying to do in our legislation, if it hope-
fully pllsses, is ensure the safety of all buildings in -the
state of New York," he said.
"I am confident that your testimony, with its statewide
ramifications; will assist this bill as it travels through the
legislature and hopefully, into state, law," he wrote to
the parents. ' ,
He said it is important to hold hearings throughout the
state: "Right across the state, west of Buffalo and north
right to the Canadian border ... We're working on a
draft bill that will address concerns' across the state of
New York." ..
The state's role i!l vitlll !linc-e loc-al buildine: insoectors.
b law have no authorit over school build in s.
e s a e epartment of Education is the only body that
has authority over plans for new schools. In 1959, state
education officials recommended that less glass be used
in the wall of the Coldenham school. It was the concrete
bricks used in place of glass that collapsed on the chil-
dren as they ate their lunch in 1989.
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r-IRE PREVENTION BUR8\U
TOWN OF WAPPINGER
20 MIDDLEBUSH ROAD
POST OFFICE BOX 324
WAPPINGERS FALLS, N.Y. 12590
(91.1) 297 -1 ~73
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APR 1 6 1990
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