Across the River from NYC; A Different Story in Newark, New Jersey

As I reported yesterday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was and still is the victim of much criticism because of the lack of preparation and efforts to clean up New York City. On the other side of the Hudson River in Newark, New Jersey; it was a completely different story. Mayor Corey Booker took to the streets with shovel in hand and was Twittering to his people and ready to help anyone who needed it.

Newark has been through a fiscal crisis as of late and Mayor Booker is no slacker when it comes to his city of Newark. Using Twitter he was able to help out a mother who had no diapers for her baby and take another expectant mother to the hospital because she had no way of getting there. He sent his crew to clear a street for a young lady who had no way of getting to her elderly grandmother who was alone for a considerable time.

Mayor Booker is a rising star in the Democratic Party and this blizzard will surely give him the notoriety he surely deserves. Unlike the Republican Governor Chris Christie who spent his vacation at Disney World on a family holiday while the worst blizzard in years hit his state and surrounding states in the Middle Atlantic area.

Booker has been instrumental in the cleanup efforts of his city. News programs are comparing him to Mayor Bloomberg of New York, although he was fighting a cold and his voice was noticeably hoarse, one would doubt that he is any physical match to 41 year old Booker. Booker has personally dug out people's cars and ordered his crews to clean streets that were blocked. He is suffering from some aches and pains from all his work, but he is a true example of a working mayor and one who cares about his city and its people!

I worked in downtown Newark for many years; most of the time before Cory Booker was elected mayor. I remember that during the winter snow, it was difficult to get around. Fortunately, we had a parking garage where we parked our cars, but unfortunately, it was almost a three block walk to our building. The maintenance people in our building did a good job keeping the perimeter of our building and the crosswalks clear, but the rest of the walk was not quite as easy to maneuver. It is on days like these that I rejoice in my retirement and not having to drive twenty miles each way is a true blessing. My hat is off to Mayor Booker for his hands-on efforts in Newark. I truly wish him a happy new year and hope his efforts in reducing the crime rate in Newark are as successful in 2011.

Sources:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-12091176

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cory_Booker