Here's my last complaint about a politician this year.
I'm sure you've all heard about the blizzard we on the East Coast had on Sunday. Even though the plow missed my house and I was snowed in for two days, I thought it was beautiful.
Unfortunately, the mayor of New York City dropped the ball. If you lived in Manhattan everything was fine. The other boroughs didn't fare too well. Mayor Bloomberg has done a worse job of clearing the snow than Mayor Lindsey did back in 1969. Back then, Mayor Lindsey only neglected the people and streets of Queens, Mayor Bloomberg managed to ignore Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx.
On Monday evening he actually suggested that New Yorkers should carry on as usual, maybe even take in a Broadway show. The only problem with that is that only those living in Manhattan would have been able to get to a show. The buses and subway were barely operating. He seemed to have no idea of the problems of the outer boroughs.
Ambulances couldn't get through. In some cases, the EMT's left their ambulance and walked to their patient. In spite of the efforts of the EMT's, two people died.
There was no reason for these problems. The mayor was aware there would be a storm, he should have been better prepared. When he saw the snow on Sunday, he should have declared a state of emergency immediately. Instead, he stood aside and claimed that everything was OK even though a train with passengers was stalled on frozen tracks for several hours.
Only now is he starting to take responsibility for the problems in the outer boroughs.
Contrast that with Mayor Cory Booker of Newark, NJ. Granted, Newark is smaller than NYC, but Mr. Booker has gotten involved with the clean-up. He is using Twitter to find areas or people who need help. He has helped dig out a stuck car. He even brought diapers to new parents who couldn't get out. If someone tweeted him about an unplowed street, he either sent the plows or went himself to shovel some snow.
I really don't expect the mayor to actually shovel the snow or dig out stalled cars, but it is nice to know that he got personally involved in getting his city working.
Showing posts with label Mayor Bloomberg. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mayor Bloomberg. Show all posts
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Strange News
I just got home from a Board Meeting in the community. It deteriorated into a shouting match. Fortunately, I had some off-the-wall news that gave me a good laugh.
You've probably heard already about the Iranian cleric who is blaming promiscuous women who wear revealing clothing for the many earthquakes around the world this year. He claims that women who don't dress modestly lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society which increases earthquakes.
Then, last month a decorated Gulf War hero receivd a letter from the Veterans Affairs Administration that said, "We are working on your claim for menstrual disorder". That's very nice of them, but the claim was submitted for fibromyalgia and was submitted by Glenn McBride a 40 year old man from Roanoke, VA. The VA is notorious for bungling health care benefits. Because of Mr. McBride's experience with the VA, he was very explicit on the form for SERVICE CONNECTION FOR FIBROMYALGIA.
Mayor Bloomberg of New York isn't content with playing food policeman with the citizenry. Now, he wants to increase their appreciation of art. First, there were the Gates, a succession of orange cloths flapping in the breeze. Then, he tried to rival Niagara Falls by having an 80 foot high waterfall under the Brooklyn Bridge. Unfortunately, the drifting saltwater it churned up ruined the River Cafe's garden and ravaged mature trees by the score.
By far the worst that I can think of is the latest. The mayor, in his infinite wisdom, has allowed Antony Gormley to put cast iron men in Gormley's likeness on building tops and ledges in the city. One such figure was perched on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. It looked so much like a suicide attempt that it drew many police to the area. They could have been put to better use fighting criminals, not trying to save a suicidal statue.
The mayor seems to think that orange sheets, fake waterfalls and suicidal statues will draw tourists to the city. With all the wonderful sites in the city, the museums, architecture, zoos and shows there is no need for such "art" It adds nothing to the stature of NYC.
You've probably heard already about the Iranian cleric who is blaming promiscuous women who wear revealing clothing for the many earthquakes around the world this year. He claims that women who don't dress modestly lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society which increases earthquakes.
Then, last month a decorated Gulf War hero receivd a letter from the Veterans Affairs Administration that said, "We are working on your claim for menstrual disorder". That's very nice of them, but the claim was submitted for fibromyalgia and was submitted by Glenn McBride a 40 year old man from Roanoke, VA. The VA is notorious for bungling health care benefits. Because of Mr. McBride's experience with the VA, he was very explicit on the form for SERVICE CONNECTION FOR FIBROMYALGIA.
Mayor Bloomberg of New York isn't content with playing food policeman with the citizenry. Now, he wants to increase their appreciation of art. First, there were the Gates, a succession of orange cloths flapping in the breeze. Then, he tried to rival Niagara Falls by having an 80 foot high waterfall under the Brooklyn Bridge. Unfortunately, the drifting saltwater it churned up ruined the River Cafe's garden and ravaged mature trees by the score.
By far the worst that I can think of is the latest. The mayor, in his infinite wisdom, has allowed Antony Gormley to put cast iron men in Gormley's likeness on building tops and ledges in the city. One such figure was perched on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building. It looked so much like a suicide attempt that it drew many police to the area. They could have been put to better use fighting criminals, not trying to save a suicidal statue.
The mayor seems to think that orange sheets, fake waterfalls and suicidal statues will draw tourists to the city. With all the wonderful sites in the city, the museums, architecture, zoos and shows there is no need for such "art" It adds nothing to the stature of NYC.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
The Nanny State
Nanny Bloomberg is still trying to convince us that only he knows what's best for us.
Now his public health crusade is taking on the baby bottle. Usually, when a new mother leaves the hospital with her baby, she receives a gift bag containing various baby supplies including free formula samples. Now, the Health and Hospitals Corp. has decided that their 11 hospitals will no longer give out formula, instead the bag will be stuffed with disposable nursing pads and a mini-cooler for breast-milk bottles. They seem to think that breast milk is the only thing that babies should drink and that's the only way to bond. A mother can bond with her baby just by holding him and feeding a bottle.
The other case involves the 9/11 Tributes. Mayor Bloomberg has decided that it wouldn't be safe because of the construction at Ground Zero, and that the ceremonies will take place in a park next to the site. I'm sure that on that day, construction will stop. After all, you can't have all the noise of construction while the names of the victims are being read. I don't think the park is large enough to accommodate all the family members who will be there. I also think it would be good to show that we are coming back from that attack. We are rebuilding.
Now his public health crusade is taking on the baby bottle. Usually, when a new mother leaves the hospital with her baby, she receives a gift bag containing various baby supplies including free formula samples. Now, the Health and Hospitals Corp. has decided that their 11 hospitals will no longer give out formula, instead the bag will be stuffed with disposable nursing pads and a mini-cooler for breast-milk bottles. They seem to think that breast milk is the only thing that babies should drink and that's the only way to bond. A mother can bond with her baby just by holding him and feeding a bottle.
The other case involves the 9/11 Tributes. Mayor Bloomberg has decided that it wouldn't be safe because of the construction at Ground Zero, and that the ceremonies will take place in a park next to the site. I'm sure that on that day, construction will stop. After all, you can't have all the noise of construction while the names of the victims are being read. I don't think the park is large enough to accommodate all the family members who will be there. I also think it would be good to show that we are coming back from that attack. We are rebuilding.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
He did it again!
A few weeks ago Mayor Bloomberg joined the "green" bandwagon by complaining about the amount of bottled water consumed. He felt that the amount of plastic being used for those bottles was putting a drain on the ecology. He then said New Yorkers should drink more tap water, it's the best. On that I agree with him, tap water in New York is very good. However, about a week later the news came out that the City was thinking about raising the water rates.
For the last two weeks, he's been pushing his congestion pricing plan to discourage citizens from driving into the City during the day. His plan is to charge around $8.00 for each car coming in. His answer to critics is that those drivers should use mass transit. The transit system in NYC is able to handle all the increased ridership. He even said his train is not too crowded. On that I disagree with him. Now, there is talk that the MTA is threatening to raise fares again.
Does the mayor think that New Yorkers have minds like a sieve and they don't remember what he says from one week to the next, or does he think they're just too dumb to realize what he's doing? One week he wants us to drink more tap water and take mass transit and the next he's planning on raising water rates and transit fares.
And this is the man who is being suggested as a possible independent candidate for president.
A few weeks ago Mayor Bloomberg joined the "green" bandwagon by complaining about the amount of bottled water consumed. He felt that the amount of plastic being used for those bottles was putting a drain on the ecology. He then said New Yorkers should drink more tap water, it's the best. On that I agree with him, tap water in New York is very good. However, about a week later the news came out that the City was thinking about raising the water rates.
For the last two weeks, he's been pushing his congestion pricing plan to discourage citizens from driving into the City during the day. His plan is to charge around $8.00 for each car coming in. His answer to critics is that those drivers should use mass transit. The transit system in NYC is able to handle all the increased ridership. He even said his train is not too crowded. On that I disagree with him. Now, there is talk that the MTA is threatening to raise fares again.
Does the mayor think that New Yorkers have minds like a sieve and they don't remember what he says from one week to the next, or does he think they're just too dumb to realize what he's doing? One week he wants us to drink more tap water and take mass transit and the next he's planning on raising water rates and transit fares.
And this is the man who is being suggested as a possible independent candidate for president.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Homeland Security Money
USA TODAY recently ran a story telling us that most of the money earmarked for security has not been spent. New York has only spent 47% of its total, while it's senators and representatives are complaining that our money has been cut.
One of the radio personalities contacted the offices of these elected officials for comment and no one commented, nor did anyone return the calls. It's no surprise that Senator Schumer did not comment, there was no TV camera involved, only a microphone.
Possibly the reason that this money has not been touched is that deliveries of needed materials have not yet been made, but it would have been common sense to go before a microphone and explain the situation. Mayor Bloomberg did attempt this explanation on Friday.
One of the radio personalities contacted the offices of these elected officials for comment and no one commented, nor did anyone return the calls. It's no surprise that Senator Schumer did not comment, there was no TV camera involved, only a microphone.
Possibly the reason that this money has not been touched is that deliveries of needed materials have not yet been made, but it would have been common sense to go before a microphone and explain the situation. Mayor Bloomberg did attempt this explanation on Friday.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Crowded Subway
A few days ago the MTA announced that some subway lines are operating over 100% of capacity.
Mayor Bloomberg disputed that fact and said that he takes the Lexington Ave. line most days and it's not that crowded. I think he wants to downplay the train crowding so that his congestion pricing plan will go through. Imagine the subways if even half of the people driving into the city decided to take the subway.
When I worked, I took the Lexington Ave. line. Some days the station was so crowded, I felt it was unsafe. The lines waiting for a train are usually five deep and you usually have to let one or two trains go by, then you have to hope the crowd behind you doesn't start pushing and that you land on the tracks.
Obviously, the mayor doesn't ride the subway between 8:30 am and 9:00 am. That's when it's most packed, and of course again at 5:00 pm. Or maybe he has a private subway car.
Mayor Bloomberg disputed that fact and said that he takes the Lexington Ave. line most days and it's not that crowded. I think he wants to downplay the train crowding so that his congestion pricing plan will go through. Imagine the subways if even half of the people driving into the city decided to take the subway.
When I worked, I took the Lexington Ave. line. Some days the station was so crowded, I felt it was unsafe. The lines waiting for a train are usually five deep and you usually have to let one or two trains go by, then you have to hope the crowd behind you doesn't start pushing and that you land on the tracks.
Obviously, the mayor doesn't ride the subway between 8:30 am and 9:00 am. That's when it's most packed, and of course again at 5:00 pm. Or maybe he has a private subway car.
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