Coalition to Ban Horse-Drawn Carriages

April 10, 2010

We are asking that  -- regardless of where you live -- you write letters to your Council Members, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Speaker Christine Quinn.  See links below.  

As of this date the following bills concerning the carriage horse issue are in the Consumer Affairs Committee of the City Council:

Intro 35A - the industry bill

Intro 86 - a bill to phase out the carriage industry and replace it with hybrid  classic cars

Intro 92 - a bill to ban the carriage horse industry and provides for the "humane disposition" of the horses

Click on the links above to read the text of each bill on the Council web site.  

The most important message to everyone who wants to see the end of this inherently inhumane industry and to assure the horses will be placed in responsible loving homes, is to see that Intro 35A, the industry bill,  is defeated by contacting their Council Members.  Keep the pressure on.  

The carriage industry has professional paid lobbyists.  We do not.  

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

Contact your Council Member to oppose Intro 35A and to   
support Intro 86/92. 

·    Find the contact information for your Council Member by going to the  council web site .   If you do not know who he or she is, you can enter your address to find out.  

·    Snail mail is the preferred means of communication and is best sent to the District, not Legislative, office.  The reason for this is that not all Council Members staff their legislative offices.

·    If you want to use e-mail, it is not recommended that you use the e-mail listed for that office.  Many bounce and it is not likely anyone will read it.  HOWEVER, it is recommended that you call the office and ask who the Legislative Aide is and get their direct e-mail address. 

·    Faxes are the next best suggestion sent to the District office.

·    E-mails are discouraged.  Some of those listed may bounce and it is less likely that your letter may be read.  However, if this is the only method of communication you have, take the chance that some of the communications will be read.

·    Consider writing to all the members of the City Council, not just your representative. 

·    For a sample letter click here.     You will see a sample letter and all the council e-mail addresses separated into four groups.  It is suggested that you send your e-mail in these four groups.  It might aid in delivery.  

·    Do not use the exact text in the letter.  To have maximum impact with legislators, you should rewrite the sample letter.

·    Call your council office after you send in your communication.  Ask to speak with the legislative person or the Chief of Staff.  Find out how your council member plans to vote.  Don’t allow them to put you off.  Call back until you speak with someone and are satisfied with their response.

·    Meet with your Council Member or their representative on this issue.  If you would like someone to go with you, please contact us at coalition@banhdc.org.  We will try to accommodate you. 

·    Contact your Council Member even if he/she has signed on to one of the bills.  They often change their minds. 

·    For those who live outside NYC, write to all the Council Members. 

·    Everyone should write to Speaker Christine Quinn.  She is available either through snail mail or through the web site.   Click here.  
Speaker Christine C. Quinn
250 Broadway
Suite 1856
New York, New York 10007

·    Everyone should write to Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  He is available either through snail mail or through the web site.  Click here.  
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY  10007    
Fax (212) 312-0700
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WRITE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Neighborhood papers are more likely to publish letters that are not in response to a particular article.  It is best to e-mail the letter to the address indicated, to keep within the word limit and to provide your address and phone number for confirmation.  Keep letters to approximately 150 words although some of these papers allow more. 

Please click here to see letters that have been previously published

Downtown Express
news@downtownexpress.com

The Villager
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Gay City News
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Chelsea Now
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Queens Ledger
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Riverdale Press
letters@riverdalepress.com

Bronx News
bronxnews@optonline.net

Brooklyn Paper
http://www.brooklynpaper.com/about/contact/letters/

Staten Island Advance
http://www.silive.com/mailforms/advanceletters/

Our Town
West Side Spirit
Chelsea Clinton News
Westsider
editorial@manhattanmedia.com