We were really lucky because both cars happened to have full gas tanks when the hurricane hit. So we didn't drive anywhere unnecessarily after the storm hit and the power went out. Eventually I got nervous about not having too much gas, so I happened to see a gas line at the station I usually buy from, and so I got in line. I was lucky - it only took me about 45 minutes to get gas. A great relief to have a full tank. That was about 4 days ago. This morning, riding my bike over to the bagel store, I passed by two gas stations, and there were no lines at all! What a relief to not have to worry about gasoline any more.
Long Islanders were waiting as long as 3 and 4 hours on gas lines after the storm. Some slept in their cars, hoping they could get gas as soon as the station was opened, or just on speculation that there might be a delivery. New Jersey's govenor was smart enough to mandate the odd-even gas rationing, cutting the time it took to buy gasoline. Days later, New York officials finally got on board and did the same thing - this after telling residents erroneously that the tankers were coming and they wouldn't have to wait for gas. Our elected officials need to be voted out of office for letting Long Island fall apart and be so vulnerable to a superstorm. Some Long Islanders have been without power for more than 2 unbearable weeks. We waited on lines for gas, paranoid there wouldn't be enough, until they finally declared the odd-even ruling. People in the Long Beach/Lindenhurst/Massapequa areas, especially, feel abandoned. Those of us who were much luckier, who had to contend with no power - a minor inconvenience compared to what others went through - feel the stress and anxiety that has gripped this Island because we now realize that the people we've elected over the years have not done their jobs in protecting us. Our local officials, too, could have helped to prevent the massive power outages that occurred. Instead of trimming trees so they would not interfere with power lines, LIPA and the towns basically ignored all but the worst cases of dangerous trees, foolishing trying to save money from their budgets that are funded by taxpayers. There are so many other things that officials have neglected for decades - drainage, sewage, power lines - too many things to mention, but all will affect us in the future. Why do we pay some of the highest property taxes in the country? Apparently, it has more to do with patronage and golden parachutes than protecting the people of Long Island. Sorry for the rant on your blog, but too many people are still suffering for things they've had no control over.
ReplyDeleteAnarchy is better than no government at all, right
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