De Blasio tours Far Rockaway; discusses long-term Sandy recovery plan
Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio toured Far Rockaway Sunday to discuss his long-term Sandy recovery plan with residents and community leaders.
As part of his plan, de Blasio calls for supporting community-based disaster preparedness, expanding natural storm barriers and protections, strengthening the city’s infrastructure, adopting green and flood-resistant technologies, improving resiliency of power systems and creating living wage jobs as part of the rebuilding process.
“Eleven months after Sandy, our challenge to rebuild and recover remains greater than ever,” he said in a statement. “Recovery must come faster in these neighborhoods and I’m committed to listening to the needs of working families and vulnerable communities.
His visit and plan, however, received criticism from Republicans.
“We’re glad Mr. de Blasio found his way out to the Rockaways today, but his visit in the height of campaign season is insulting to the residents who have suffered during his failed time in office. Where was Bill when people truly needed an advocate in government? Once again, Bill de Blasio’s rhetoric does not match his record. The people of the Rockaways won’t be fooled by his blatant political maneuvering in pursuit of a promotion,” his GOP opponent in the race, Joe Lhota said in a statement through campaign spokesperson Jessica Proud.
Republican Congressmember Michael Grimm a Lhota supporter, blasted de Blasio’s plan calling it “completely asinine.”
MORE HEADLINES FROM AROUND THE WEB
Vote count completed for primary in New York
More than two weeks after New York City’s primary for mayor, election officials have finished counting votes, and Bill de Blasio has officially avoided a runoff. Read more: New York Times
NYC mayor wannabes Joe Lhota, Bill de Blasio pay lower property taxes than many
Mayoral hopefuls Bill de Blasio and Joe Lhota live in high-end homes — but both pay less in property taxes than many homeowners in hardscrabble corners of the city, records show. Read more: New York Daily News
High-cost runoff for public advocate’s post prompts calls for reform
The numbers are attention-getting: on Tuesday, New York City will spend about $13 million to hold a runoff in the Democratic primary for an office, public advocate, that is budgeted only $2.3 million a year. Read more: New York Times
Bloomberg says ‘it would be a sin’ to block health care reform now
Mayor Michael Bloomberg this morning scolded Washington for holding “the country hostage” to the politics surrounding health care reform, something he said the country desperately needs. Read more: Capital New York
Hurricane Sandy beach rebuilding to continue if government closes
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says Hurricane Sandy beach rebuilding efforts will continue even if the federal government shuts down Tuesday. Read more: NBC New York
Blame game rife as Dems, GOP try to avert shutdown
Republicans and Democrats blamed each other Monday as they took the federal government to the brink of a shutdown in an intractable budget dispute over President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. Read more: AP
