They say “Imitation is the Best Form of Flattery”

During the “Snowpocalypse of 2010” the 5 Boroughs of NYC struggled to dig itself out of the 20 or so inches of snow.  Many New Yorkers let it be know that they were not happy and Mayor Bloomberg was heavily criticized for the lack of response.  Snow plows were nowhere to be found on the streets during or hours after the blizzard had passed.

While New Yorkers took out their frustration with the Mayor and snow on Twitter; Cory Booker the Mayor of Newark (New Jersey) took to the streets with his a shovel in one hand and his Twitter feed in the other.

While Mayor Bloomberg struggled to control the perception of how he and his administration was handling snow removal, Cory Booker used the power of Twitter to stay connected with his constituents.  Through twitter Booker asked the people of Newark to let him know where there were snow issues.  Tweet after tweet Booker responded to those in need asking them where they were located and letting them know help was on the way.  In one instance someone tweeted that they needed diapers and Booker hand deliver the diapers himself.

Needless to say Booker received praise locally and nationally for his work; while Bloomberg is still being criticized from every angle.

So with a new snow storm hitting the NYC area, it looks like others are following the example of Cory Booker.

Anthony Weiner

Just this afternoon Representative Anthony Weiner (D-NY) tweeted…

“Not to go all Cory Booker on you or anything, but I’m inviting Bk/Q residents to file snow removal beefs here.”

I applaud Weiner for his efforts and I hope it works for him; it will be interesting to read the complaints he will receive.  There will be legitimate complaints but I guarantee that his account will be smashed with nonsense; I am sure it will be entertaining.

But in all seriousness I hope people utilize the services Weiner is providing, this is government working for you at your finger tips.

With that said I hope this time around I see some toughness out New Yorkers, the amount of whining I heard and read about was out of control and I expect better from NYC.  As a New Yorker we pride ourselves on our toughness, in all honesty I didn’t see that toughness.  Growing up in Queens it was no shock when it snowed that Queens was the last borough plowed.  On my block neighbors helped each other; we cleared the sidewalks for the older folks on the block and we all chipped in to dig each others cars out.  I was embarrassed by some of the b*#ching I heard… I know the city’s response was unsatisfactory but MAN UP!!