The historic New York City Marathon was canceled.
Originally scheduled for this past Sunday, November 4th, runners from around the world packed into NYC ready to partake in the famed race — and then Hurricane Sandy happened!
Devastation beyond belief engulfed the New York Tri-State area. Major flooding, power outages and dozens of deaths thrust residents of the city into survival mode and not at all in the mindset of a race. Yet somehow, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg missed the memo.
Late last week, while New Yorkers were still without power and heat (but generators were being provided for race participants), Bloomberg announced that the race would go on as planned. That’s when a 2nd “hurricane” — AKA “the wrath of an angry city” — almost overtook the Mayor and Manhattan.
Although Mayor Bloomberg backpedaled and eventually canceled the race after announcing it would still take place, his reasons for wanting to proceed were valid to some. The devastation of New York was vast, not only to properties but to businesses. The financial losses to many small business owners in the city were considered vital. Bloomberg believed the city needed a global event like the marathon to lift their spirits and the wallets of business owners who could go bankrupt following the aftermath. Hmmm, ok.
However, as residents of Staten Island reminded Bloomberg, the race always begins on the Verrazano Bridge, which connects Staten Island to the mainland. Closing the bridge for a race meant necessary supplies and services would be delayed getting into perhaps the hardest hit area of the city. Also, the start of the race would have disrespectfully been only a few hundred feet from where the bodies of 2 young boys were found, after being swept from the arms of their mother during the devastation. Hmmm… makes sense.
So what do you think?
TODAY’S QUESTION: Was Mayor Bloomberg correct to cancel the marathon, or should it have proceeded as planned?
This was the right thing to do. I don't know what the Mayor was thinking about to approve it in the first place. These people are hurting. A race is unimportant.