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City Council Wants Bloomberg to "Sign Out" When in Bermuda
By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 7, 2011
Modified Feb 7, 2011
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By
John Del Signore
Published Feb 7, 2011
Modified Feb 7, 2011
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Mayor Bloomberg has billions of dollars and five vacation homes and lives on an entirely different plane than the filthy rabble, who would probably bitterly whine if they knew how many miserable winter weekends he passes poolside in Bermuda. During his reign he's militantly hush-hushed his frequent pleasure trips, and his spokesman Stu Loeser tells the Times, "Whether he’s in Bayside, Bay Ridge, or visiting his mom in the Bay State, he’s always reachable and always in charge." Well, to paraphrase John McClane, from up here during the blizzard it didn't look like Bloomberg was in charge of jack shit. And now some members of the City Council want the peevish plutocrat to let New Yorkers know when he skips town.
The Times's sources have all but confirmed that Mayor Bloomberg was relaxing in Bermuda when Blizzageddon struck, and as a result there was confusion over who had the authority to declare a snow emergency. Hundreds of buses and other vehicles were left stranded in the streets, blocking the way for emergency vehicles and snow plows. Because of this, people died, but Bloomberg still refuses to disclose where he was during the blizzard's first crucial decision-making hours. "Leadership and decision-making powers of the mayoralty remain with the person who was elected mayor," Loeser insists.
Bloomberg has tried to placate the City Council by signing an executive order stipulating that his first deputy mayor, Patricia E. Harris, is in charge whenever he's away. But Councilman Peter F. Vallone Jr. is considering legislation that would require the mayor to let New Yorkers know whenever he leaves town for more than just a quick jaunt, and to name his designated fill-in each time. "No time should be wasted trying to figure out who is in power" in the event of an emergency, says Vallone. And such a bill could find support on the council; the Times reports that Council Speaker Christine Quinn "has signaled openness to the concept." What do you think—is it time to equip our globe-trotting mayor with a GPS ankle monitor?
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John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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