A report by the Department of Investigation found no evidence of a slowdown during the December blizzard that brought life in the outer-boroughs .
An unusually after the initial 30-inch snowfall left some streets in the outer-boroughs impassible for days.
After a rumor had circulated among some city workers that the cleanup had been prolonged by Department of Sanitation workers on purpose, Council Member Dan Halloran, R-Bayside, went public with allegations that workers came to him, professing that they were told to be in their efforts.
The motivation, Halloran alleged, was the slated demotion of 100 DSNY supervisors—of which only 50 were ultimately demoted.
"Obviously, some of the information the sources told Halloran wasn’t what they told the DOI," said Halloran spokesman Steven Stites.
A DOI review of video footage from around the city found that approximately 30 of the city’s 265 plows were observed with blades in upright position, eight of them found to be because of “minimal” snowfall.
In Northeast Queens, many people reported seeing snowplows travel with their blades upwards, while roads remained covered and impassible to emergency vehicles. Community Board 11 Chair Jerry Iannece was one of them.
"While we are happy that there was no wrong doing, it still doesn't take away from the fact that the Department of Sanitation did a terrible job,” said Iannece, who does believe the DOIs findings.
“The report highlights some serious deficiencies, mismanagement, and employee misconduct, such as drinking on the job," said Halloran, referring to an incident in Brooklyn. "The fact that it doesn’t come to any definite conclusion that rises to the level of a concerted action is a reflection of the DOI’s imperfect data."
"As the report states, the DOI was unable to track employees and get the quality of testimony it would like to have," Halloran added.
He also said that his constituents look to him to shed light on problems and he is "going to do that even when it makes the powers that be uncomfortable."
Editor's Note: This report was updated with comments from Halloran and his spokesman at 4:40p.m., on June 3. Check back with Patch for further updates.
