8 The Queens Courier • FEBRUARY 6, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com For some, it’s NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESS BY MAGGIE HAYES AND LIAM LA GUERRE ed itorial@queenscourier.com For Susan Biramin and the Raindew True Value in Bayside, snowflakes equal cash. “We’ve sold sleds, salts, shovels. As long as it’s snowing, we’re selling it,” she said. “We just try to cover the supply for the storm so the customers have it.” Hardware stores in the borough have worked to stay well-stocked for customers seeking snow removal help and also for those looking to have fun in the seemingly unending winter weather. The Clearview Home Center in Whitestone has seen its salt supply fly off shelves both before and during several snow storms. “We get a steady flow of customers; it of course increased with the snow storm,” said Dorothy Giorgianni. The store’s sales in shovels, scrapers and snow blowers has also significantly increased, Giorgianni said, though exactly how much was not known. Employees at Key Food in Jamaica also try to ease the snow woes. Manager Fernando Rodriguez said his employees get together to clear the sidewalks during the snow storms. “It’s annoying, but somebody’s got to do it,” he said. On the plus side, Rodriguez said that people tend to go to the Hillside Avenue supermarket to buy more items the day before the storms. “We sell more milk, rice, dairy products and meat,” he said. “People are scared.” But borough restuarants have been hit hard by the snowstorms. Portofino Ristorante on Ascan Avenue in Forest Hills saw a dramatic decline in customers on snowy days. According to part-owner Carmine Polico, the eatery lost more than 90 percent of normal business during the snowstorm on Monday, February 3. His employees showed up and helped clear sidewalks, but customers didn’t return until the day after. “The idea that there is no business is terrible. it’s an unbelievable feeling,” Polico said. “There is no business, but you have to pay bills. Con Ed doesn’t want to hear that.” Millions spent keeping streets safe BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA ctumola@queeenscourier.com The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) spends millions of dollars on salt each year to keep drivers from slipping and sliding -- and officials say the city will probably go over budget this year. Millions more are spent in overtime for the men and women who clear the city’s roads. The DSNY’s current budget for the 2013-2014 snow season is $57.3 million, and is spent on salt, vehicle and equipment parts, maintenance, cleaning, plows and motor vehicle fuel, according to a department spokesperson. The 2011-2012 budget was $51.7 million. Each year’s budget is calculated by averaging the snow budget of the past five years, excluding the most recent year. “I don’t have the most up-to-date figures, but I can say we’re within the parameters of what’s budgeted,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a press conference on Tuesday, February 4. DSNY Commissioner John Doherty, in an interview with “Good Day New York” on Wednesday, February 8, said the department would “no doubt” exceed its budget this year. Every snow season, the DSNY starts with approximately 250,000 tons of rock salt, the department spokesperson said. This year it cost the city about $13.4 million. But with three major snowfalls already this season, that amount is gone, according to the spokesperson. The DSNY, however, “can replenish the supply at any time.” Though the amount is likely to go up, more salt has been used in past years, according to city statistics. For fiscal year 2011, 61.5 inches of snow fell, and 353,769 tons of salt was utilized. During that period, $62.4 million was spent on snow overtime. When deployed to clear snow and ice, DNSY employees are on special 12-hour shifts. Last season, 24 inches of snow fell and 183,597 tons of salt were utilized, with over $16 million in overtime, according to a DSNY performance report. THE COURIER/Photo by Melissa Chan The city spends millions to keep its streets salted and plowed during the winter. More winter storms? SNOW NO! BY CRISTABELLE TUMOLA ctumola@queenscourier.com For the second time in a week, the city experienced a bout of nasty winter weather. After a Monday storm dropped eight inches of flakes in the borough, a system that hit late Tuesday night, February 4 brought snow as well as sleet and freezing rain. “It’s frustrating. I’m furious,” said Mike Siegel of Bayside. “It feels like the world is coming to an end.” Siegel, a Queens restaurant delivery driver, said he lost $300 so far in this week alone from early closures and lack of business. “It makes it very difficult to do my job,” he said. “It’s hard to make the money I need to make.” Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency Wednesday morning, February 5, saying that a salt shortage, which includes areas of New York City and Long Island, has complicated storm mitigation efforts. He said that 3,500 tons of the state’s supply of salt will be sent to those communities. To expedite the salt deliveries, Cuomo said the DOT has waived federal restrictions on hours for salt truck drivers, and the MTA has waived weight restrictions on bridges. At a press conference that afternoon, however, Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city has the “salt resources for this storm and for the next storm as is projected.” The mayor said the city is experiencing a blood shortage and encouraged New Yorkers to donate by calling 800- 933-Blood or visiting www.nybloodcenter.org. The snow, which started Tuesday night, changed over to a mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain by early Wednesday morning and eventually to just freezing rain. NWS reported 4 inches of snow in Central Park by 5 a.m. and 2.4 inches at LaGuardia Airport by 7 a.m. “This is how winter weather is supposed to be. For me, it beats the heat and humidity,” Jackson Heights resident Kimberly Rene Oser said. On Tuesday, de Blasio warned city residents to “be ready for a difficult morning commute,” and urged everyone to use mass transit when possible. The MTA canceled Fastrack maintenance on the A and C lines in Brooklyn for the rest of the week. The storm caused few disruptions for the city’s public schools. Chancellor Carmen Farina announced early that schools were open Wednesday. “The mayor and chancellor opted to keep public schools open,despite the warning of hazardous travel,” said John Amato. “It is beyond comprehension where these two people get their common sense. Safety should and must be first and foremost. There is absolutely no reason why the schools should not be closed -those that travel are doing so at their own risk.” Not everyone, however, is tired of the constant snow. “I love this year’s weather. It’s winter,” said Monika Slominska. “The only minus is, I have no driveway, therefore it’s difficult to find a parking spot with all the snow around.” — Additional reporting by Melissa Chan THE COURIER/Photo by Melissa Chan
QC02062014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above