Unable to pull himself away from the golf course at a resort in Bermuda, the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, was absent from the scene of the train derailment in the Bronx that killed four people and injured 60 others on Sunday.
When asked by reporters why he did not show up to give support, the Mayor replied, “What can I do? I’m not a professional firefighter or a police officer. There’s nothing I can do.”
This is not the Mayor’s first nonattendance in a major crisis. In December 2010, one of the largest snowstorms on record hit the east coast, dumping almost three feet of snow. Mr. Bloomberg took to traveling to his multimillion-dollar mansion in Bermuda while the blizzard swiftly moved into New York City. This time, when questioned about his absence during the initials stages of the storm, he responded that no matter where he is n the world, he is “always in charge.”
Known for intense secrecy about his vacations, he avoids telling any officials when and where he is going. This prompted one reporter to tell the Mayor that even the President of the United States lets it be known where he goes on vacation. Bloomberg replied, “The problem is the mayor would have no private life, couldn’t be with his kids when you have the press following you around all the time. President’s job is different.”
At least when the Mayor was made aware of the storm in 2010, Bloomberg made the right decision and hurried back to tend to the city’s needs. However, on Sunday, it is unclear whether Bloomberg made any plans to shorten his stay at the resort. One person who saw Mr. Bloomberg on the golf course said the mayor remained at the resort for at least three more hours after the derailment. Bloomberg has not been seen publically since he attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
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