Choreographing a Snowplow Ballet

[elleng]

Much of Manhattan, with its concentration of arterial streets, gets quicker attention. . .

Snow removal has been laced with political overtones since 1969, when an outcry from Queens over the pace of street clearing after a blizzard knocked the administration of Mayor John V. Lindsay on its heels. In 1996, Howard Golden, then the Brooklyn borough president, accused Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of devoting more resources to Staten Island, which had been important to Mr. Giuliani’s election.

On Monday, Peter F. Vallone Jr., a City Council member who represents Astoria, Queens, said his neighborhood was being treated poorly. . .

He laughed off a question about whether political concerns played a role in setting road-clearing priorities.

“No,” Mr. Doherty said. “Because if you play politics, you get fired very quickly. You have to do your job, and you have to treat everybody the same.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/28/nyregion/28plow.html?hp

[blondeatlast]

1. I was once asked on an exam if everything was political. I answered yes

and was quite shocked at how few joined me in that response.

My regards to all of you who are struggling through that bitter cold. Even though I'm in AZ now I did some growing up in Montana. It's gorgeous, but not fun when it hits like a tornado (which I've also experienced).

Stay warm and safe, gang.