Politics & Government

Avella Chides MTA, Mayor on Storm Response

Senator-elect Sends Letters to Bloomberg, Transit Agency

State Senator-elect Tony Avella has criticized Mayor Michael Bloomberg's response to the massive blizzard that swept through the five boroughs last weekend. We have printed in full a letter written by Avella to the mayor as well as another to Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman Jay Walder for that agency's response to the snowstorm.

Here are the letters: 

Dec. 28, 2010

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Hon. Michael R. Bloomberg
New York City Mayor
City Hall
New York, NY 10007

Hon. John J. Doherty
Commissioner
Department of Sanitation
125 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013

Dear Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Doherty,

While the amount of snow resulting from the storm was significant, the lack of attention to secondary streets is shocking. (Even Main Street by the U.S. Post Office has not been plowed).

This lack of attention brings to mind the Lindsey snow storm of years ago when Queens was abandoned.

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In past severe snow storms local streets were plowed at least once within a 24-hour period. It is now Tuesday and side streets have not been touched. This is unacceptable.

Please let my office know immediately when the side streets will be plowed.

Following the snow removal efforts, I would like a full report on how sanitation resources were allocated by borough and by district.

Clearly, someone dropped the ball.

Respectfully,

Tony Avella
Senator-Elect
11th Senatorial District 

December 28, 2010

Mr. Jay H. Walder
Chairman & CEO
Metropolitan Transportation Authority
347 Madison Avenue
New York, NY 10017

Dear Chairman Walder,

I am writing in regard to the failure of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to provide adequate notification to riders on the Port Washington line regarding service availability more than 24 hours after the recent snow storm passed.

As of 10 a.m. this morning, the LIRR reported on the website that service on the Port Washington line was restored and was running a tw0-hour service in both directions. Based on this information, hundreds of riders went to train stations only to be left standing on the platforms for more than two hours with absolutely on information forthcoming from LIRR officials as to the expected arrival of the next train nor any other information regarding service for the remainder of the day.

Several riders reported that they arrived at the very busy Bayside station at 7:15 a.m. and within a three-hour period only one train passed through the station without stopping. At the time, LIRR officials said they had no idea when the next train would arrive.

While many riders can understand the disruption due to the amount of snowfall they can not understand the misinformation or complete lack of information that was forthcoming from the MTA and the LIRR.

I find this lack of information shocking and unacceptable.

The MTA will be raising its rates within the next seven days and yet cannot provide even a basic level of customer service in advising riders of the actual state of train service available.

Following the resumption of regular service, I would like a full report on how MTA and LIRR resources were allocated to address snow removal from LIRR tracks and facilities. 

Sincerely,

Tony Avella
Senator-Elect
11th Senatorial District 


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