Mayor Bloomberg is moving forward with his asinine plan to hold the New York City Marathon in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Yet, one Staten Island hotel is turning away runners, and is instead giving the rooms to hurricane victims.
Long-distance runners are coming from all over the globe Sunday, and some secured reservations months in advance. However, a Hilton on Staten Island, is telling them to find accommodations somewhere else.
"How do I tell people that have no place to go, that have no home, that have no heat, that you have to leave, because I need to make room for somebody that wants to run the marathon?" said hotelier Richard Nicotra.
How can you argue with this man? Sure, these athletes have trained countless hours for the NYC marathon, and for some, it's even the source of their livelihoods. Nevertheless, people on Staten Island are hurting immensely due to Hurricane Sandy, and their healthy and safety must always trump a sporting event.
The bottom line is, Michael Bloomberg needs to call off the marathon. This fellow is completely of touch with ordinary people. He's more obsessed with Big Gulps, and salt in restaurants, than with the serious issues facing residents. And now, Bloomberg won't even cancel a road race because of Hurricane Sandy.
Photo: Wikipedia
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Comments: 6
Super. I don't ever expect to have any reason to patronize that hotel, but I sure would if I ever did have a reason.
The marathon should have been canceled. It is putting too much of a burden on NYC at the worst possible time.
At least NYC told O to go packing. That saved thousands of wasted manhours needed to get the city back up and running.
I'm sure that's not how it was done, but I concur~"The marathon should have been canceled."
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York City Marathon was canceled Friday by Mayor Michael Bloomberg after mounting criticism that this was not the time for a race while the region is still recovering from Superstorm Sandy.
It should never have even been a question - when people are exposed to diseased water, with none to drink and dumpster diving to eat, with no shoes, and no shelter ..................... I mean really!
It does much good for my heart to hear of this Hilton standing up and doing what is right - in spite of what it costs them!