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Passing the torch Sitting down with Meet AARP NY’s new president, James O’Neal Mayor-elect Adams �� COURIER LIFE, D 20 ECEMBER 17-23, 2021 BY SKYE OSTREICHER New Yorkers 50-plus helped build our city and make it the great place that it is: and city leaders must be dedicated to addressing the challenges this population experiences. Tune in to PoliticsNY. com to learn how Mayorelect Adams will raise the issue of ageism and make sure his administration confronts it head on. As a leader in Age Friendly policies, how will Mayor-elect Adams broaden this work throughout NYC? Beth Finkel, State Director of AARP New York, shared with Mayor-elect Adams, “one of our thoughts is actually renaming NYC’s Dept of the Aging – not a very forward-thinking name – and I’m thinking it’d be right up your alley to come up with a stronger, better name.” To which Adams replied, “we’re looking for Seniors to come up with the best name for it… We are open. The name should be more active than the Department of Aging. I say it’s the Department of Living. Whatever name our seniors come up with, we’re gonna put it out to you.” Adams is known for making Brooklyn the fi rst agefriendly borough, and now will be able to orchestrate an age-friendly NYC. Part of this plan will offer restaurant, theater and transportation discounts for seniors, he shared. Adams will be rolling out his 100-day plan and at the heart of it is how NYC becomes more inclusive, especially of its seniors. AARP New York will also be delivering a plan to the new administration with some ideas from its membership. This interview is sponsored by AARP New York, which represents 750,000 members in New York City. Watch the full video at PoliticsNY. com. BY EMILY DAVENPORT AARP New York has appointed aging expert and dedicated community health care advocate James C. O’Neal as its next State President. In this position, O’Neal will chair the AARP New York Executive Council, a select leadership group of AARP New York members with an outstanding record of service and a commitment to the goals of the Association. As State President, O’Neal will help shape AARP New York’s strategic priorities, build community partnerships with key decision makers and serve as volunteer spokesperson for the organization. “We’re excited to welcome James and his wealth of expertise to AARP’s fi ght for New Yorkers 50-plus,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “James brings a comprehensive knowledge of aging and health care that will make AARP New York even stronger as we navigate the ongoing pandemic and into the future.” O’Neal, an independent consultant on older adult issues, has spent over a decade in the community health care industry, fi rst with Oxford Health Plans, followed by the Visiting Nurse Service of New York and Beth Abraham’s CenterLight Health Care, where he held the position of Director of Community Outreach until his retirement in January 2015. “AARP’s incredible strength comes from its members and volunteers, and I’m so proud to help lead this dedicated group,” O’Neal said. “I look forward to continuing the important work of making New York State a healthier, more livable and more affordable place to live and age.” O’Neal currently serves as a Board Member of the State Society on Aging of New York, Neighborhood SHOPP and the Washington Heights/Inwood Interagency Council on Aging, and is President of the Bronx Interagency Council on Aging. His past appointments include advisory and leadership roles with the Adult Immunization Coalition of the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene of New York City and the U.S. Department of Housing and Development-sponsored “Healthy Homes, Healthy Seniors” Community Study. In 2016, O’Neal was appointed a Member of the governor’s Advisory Committee for the Aging, and since 2018, he has served the UN’s International Federation on Ageing. O’Neal holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin & Marshall College and a Master of Arts from New York University. He resides in Harlem. O’Neal succeeds Leo Asen, who will complete his maximum term of six years as AARP State President at the conclusion of 2021. James O’Neal. AARP ��