Divert food and generators from Staten Island so the New York City marathon can go on.
While the NYC Marathon is still on for this Sunday, many (including runners who planned on participating) are hoping the city will cancel or postpone in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. But the city is moving full speed ahead. As we noted earlier, those urging the city to halt the run believe that the thousands of Marathon volunteers could direct their efforts towards post-Sandy relief and cleanup, “and they also argue that the event will divert thousands of police from important hurricane-related duties.” But despite petitions circulating, work started up again yesterday on the Marathon route.
A tipster, who wishes to remain anonymous, told us there were lots of workers in and out of the park today, who had “started before the storm and then came back starting yesterday.” Trailers are lined up from around 71st to 66th Streets on Central Park West, a food truck was set up today, and “generators have been sitting there at least a week.” The tents that were taken down prior to the storm have also been set back up, and there is a stage set up near 73rd Street.
Considering all the volunteer help and NYPD attention that’s already being diverted to the Marathon, the added sight of generators and food being channeled to the event is probably going to strike some New Yorkers as a little misplaced—we’re thinking of the ones who are currently lined up waiting for the National Guard to ration out MREs and bottles of water.
I guess, like TEA Partiers, Koch Brothers and Rush Limbaugh, the residents of Staten Island aren’t real Americans.
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Related — Utility crews from the South travel to New Jersey to lend a hand, but are turned away because they are non-union.
When the storms went through Ohio this summer, utility crews were getting standing ovations. People were making signs and banners thanking them. I don’t recall anyone asking to see their stinking union card.
Unbelievable. Suddenly, people are reminded on Bloomberg’s failure at snow removal after the 2010 blizzard. Best put away your “Bloomberg 4 Prez” signs for now.
Here’s a test for Obama: how will YOU assist those stranded in NY &NJ without power? Situation Room photo ops and bomber jackets aren’t going to get the power back on, the subway system running, food and gas delivered to residents.
I don’t think this can help Obama.
Also, this can’t help. They aren’t kidding.
This is funny, though.
Obama’s going to convene a panel of experts, break them down into work groups, assign them specific tasks, and then hit the links while they work out the details, secure in the knowledge that he’s done his bit.
There are at least four golf courses on Staten Island. So he can stay close to the juxtaposition of world-class photographic equipment and tragedy, without sacrificing his golf game.
Not only is this diverting resources, it is causing hotels to evict NY residents in order to honor reservations for runners & others in town for the marathon. Stupid
Fucking unions.
One of the best things about moving south (for me) was never having to deal with union dumbasses again at work.
It’s amazing how those CO2 molecules are smrt enough to steer a storm into NY/NJ. At high tide yet.
It’s worse than stupid. Think of how many cops it’s going to take to monitor the course. These guys probably have messes of their own to see to, when they’re not busy helping keep the peace.
baracky doesn’t really do “community organizing” do he?
Think of how many cops it’s going to take to monitor the course.
I don’t care if Nanny Bloomberg reassigns every NY cop to the course — if I’m a runner, I’m not running there. Call it an act of solidarity with those still digging out, or call it a refusal to participate in a farce, or call it an act of self-preservation from anticipated flying masonry. I don’t care. No way I’d run through that particular shitshow at this time.
Well, maybe not exactly. THE FREAKING STARTING POINT of the marathon is on Staten Island. Fort Wadsworth.
They’ve got checkpoints set up to ensure that nobody drives into the city with less than 3 people in the car because traffic is a diaster. Meanwhile, they’re BARRICADING CITY STREETS for the freaking marathon. Insanity.
Thanks for the fortuitous timing on the Obama endorsement, Bloomie. Nice of you to prove that you’re an idiot while you’re proving that you’re an idiot.
Bloomberg must know his base and is playing to them. There’s probably at least a few dozen. He sees them at parties.
Obama sure got his base fired up in Jersey with his appearance. Solidarity forever.
Runner’s safety was not my point. Not at all.
Some NYC marathon runners dropping out of race, volunteering to help instead
Call them the Ted Kennedy special editions.
Governor Cuomo, please report to the red courtesy phone.
Runner’s safety was not my point. Not at all.
Oh, I know. I’m just remarking that the situation makes as much sense from a runner’s point of view as it does from a resident’s or an elected official’s. Which is to say, none at all.
I do have some fear that if the race goes as planned, there may be a lot of bad vibes (though hopefully not too many bricks) directed at the runners, as opposed to the Mayor where they belong.
For the runners, they could be interpreted as demonstrating that their marathon is more important than the needs of the NYC citizens in distress. With shortages of everything, any resource consumed or service given to a visiting runner is in effect taken/diverted from a resident. I’d be surprised if anyone shows up for the marathon.
And if there’s anybody left in here, that doesn’t want to be out there…I predict a riot.
A Zoot-Suit riot? That could be cool.
I think the marathoners should be encouraged to run. After all, having a food source that delivers itself is a bonus. And marathoner is nice and lean, so even Nanny Bloomberg should be happy.