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Translation of city’s Web site stirs Republican opposition

By Matthew Monks

City Councilman Dennis Gallagher (R-Middle Village) said translating nyc.gov into Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Arabic, Haitian Creole and Korean would be opening a “Pandora's Box” that could force the translation of every official city document and pamphlet.”It's not only a fiscal problem, it's a logistics problem,” Gallagher said. “Where does it stop and how can we afford it? How can we afford all the translation services? I think that people have to start realizing that we should make English our official language.”Gallagher's colleague, City Councilman James Oddo (R-Staten Island), was even harsher in his critique of the bill Gioia introduced May 26. Oddo released a statement that bordered on ridicule. “Are we heading down the road where some day soon the next silly legislative idea will be a mandate that city government offers assistance to folks when they wipe after they do their 'business' in the restroom?” Oddo asked. “I can see it now: The 'Colo-Rectal Assistance Program (C.R.A.P.) bill.' Rest assured, I am certain that the Council would ensure that the directions on the toilet paper would be provided in six or more languages.” Gioia could not be reached for comment by press time but said in a press release that seven other diverse cities translate their Web pages into other languages: Philadelphia, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Rochester, N.Y. and Dayton, Ohio.”The city of Philadelphia translates its Web site into 12 languages for a mere $3,399 a year,” Gioia said. “New York City is the capital of the world. About 170 languages are spoken here.” His bill was lauded by several immigration advocates including Doug Israel of the Citizens Union, Ana Archilla of the Latin American Immigration Center and Joseph Scelsa, acting vice president of Queens College and president of the school's Italian-American Museum. “Knowing full well the issues facing immigrants and their ability to access city services, translating the city's Web site into the native language would greatly facilitate access to information and services,” Scelsa said in a statement. “It would seem to be a fair and just thing to do.”Reach reporter Matt Monks at news@timesledger.com or 718-229-0300, Ext. 156.