For some reason the mayor of NYC has decided that the annual New York City Marathon will go on as scheduled Sunday. This marathon covers all 5 of New York's buroughs-Staten Island, Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan. As of yesterday Staten Island, which was the epicenter of Hurricane Sandy, was in dire straights with no power, no gas, flooded and demolished homes. Stories were being told of residents scrounging through dumpsters in search of food.
Now generators and food trucks will be headed for the Marathon instead of neighborhoods which could really use them. The race is being billed as a "Race to Recover". Many see this as bad optics while others think it may help residents psycologically. If you're freezing in your house, are forced to sit in miles long lines for a couple gallons of gas, have no way to get groceries, the psycological boost may not be so much.
Wonder where the MSM is at on reporting this tragedy? Kind of reminds you of New Orleans and Katrina, except the race of those impacted is generally different.
Bloomberg has to get the boob of the year award for this one.
Posted by: Ron | November 02, 2012 at 08:35 AM
The decision was not reached capriciously, and I'd support them either way it went. The NYC Marathon is the most unifying event held in the city, and the support it gets from its residents is unparalleled. The marathon will generate $340 million in revenue (you think local businesses are interested in that?) and the NYRR and ING have already donated $2.6 million toward relief efforts. Tough call to make, but I know the mayor, with input from Mary and David, is making an informed decision.
Posted by: KUKIMBIA | November 02, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Apparently their decision wasn't as informed as I hoped it would be. Publicizing that the event was still on and then canceling less than 48 hours before it was set to begin is very poor public relations.
Posted by: KUKIMBIA | November 02, 2012 at 06:53 PM
Cancelling this late reaffirms Blomberg's boob of the year award. Now, thousands of runners flying and driving into the city will be greated with oops, sorry.
They will still run the event. Just a little later.
Posted by: Ron | November 02, 2012 at 08:25 PM