Friday, December 14, 2007

Michael Flaherty -- perhaps trying to justify his #1 ranking on my list of mayoral contenders? -- just issued a press release about the city's woeful response to yesterday's snowstorm. Without calling Mayor Tommy out specifically, Flaherty is clearly pointing fingers at the man in charge.

Those with long memories may recall that Maura Hennigan briefly tried to make this an issue in '05, when Hurrican Katrina led to the realization that Boston's emergency evacuation plan was somewhat non-existent. Menino supposedly solved that problem, mostly by putting up those nifty blue-and-white signs with arrows you see all over the place. Judging by yesterday's fun-filled commute, those signs might not be enough.

(Although they do solve a great Boston dilemma: How to help out-of-towners leave our unwelcoming city, without providing them useful information for navigating the Hub? But now, unfortunately, Boston's legendary inhospitability to visiting drivers is under new and mortal threat -- from GPS systems. Is anyone at City Hall working on a way to foil these wretched devices, or are we simply giving in and allowing any Kansas family in a rental car to find their way from point A to point B in this town? But I digress....)

Here is Councilor Flaherty's press release:

FLAHERTY: CITY UNPREPARED - WITH EXTENSIVE IMPLICATIONS FOR A REAL
EMERGENCY AND CITYWIDE EVACUATION, FLAHERTY
IMPLORES CITY TO LEARN FROM ITS MISTAKES

(Boston) - At-Large City Councillor Michael Flaherty voiced serious
concerns about the city's poor response to yesterday's snow storm.

"Thursday morning I had the impression we were adequately prepared for
the coming storm," said Flaherty.   "Yet countless reports from
constituents either stuck in traffic or waiting until 10pm to have their
kids come home from school have told me otherwise."

"Keeping the streets safe for drivers requires timely and efficient
plowing with a well staffed operation, prepared to handle any type of
storm.   Yesterday, the city had its first bad storm of the season and
an even worse response.  We need to hold ourselves accountable by
learning from yesterday's lessons." 

"Improving communications and coordination between relevant offices is
essential, as is identifying better ways to alleviate congestion and
divert traffic during a snow storm - or worse, a real emergency that
requires evacuation.  For me, Thursday's storm is an indication of how
much work the city has to do on its emergency preparedness," said
Flaherty.  


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12/14/2007 3:31:21 PM by David S. Bernstein | Comments [1] |  
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