New York, NY – Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, who icily pointed the finger at top cop Ray Kelly for not declaring a snow emergency after the Christmas blizzard, outrageously overstepped her boundaries and didn’t answer for her own department’s failings in the storm, scores of city officials charged yesterday.
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Sadik-Khan targeted NYPD Commissioner Kelly in Sunday’s Post, saying, “The Police Department could have called a weather emergency, and Ray Kelly wasn’t there.”
She made the comments after being asked if she’d skated responsibility during grueling council hearings — when she wasn’t questioned once.
It was an “outrageous” move by Sadik-Khan, said City Council Transportation Committee Chairman James Vacca (D-Bronx), who led the marathon hearing on the city’s response to the blizzard.
“I was surprised and taken aback. To blame Ray Kelly goes beyond outrageous. She was wrong, period,” an angry Vacca told The Post.
The NYPD had no official comment, but cops on the street bristled at the blame game.
“Maybe if she left her office and came up to The Bronx, she would have seen cops delivering babies, driving people to the hospital and digging cars out,” one bitter officer replied.
“She was trying to pass the buck,” said City Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-Brooklyn). “It was ironic, because she was the one responsible.”
Another council member said Sadik-Khan was shielded by the Bloomberg administration.
“She’s been protected throughout this whole process,” the member said.
Bloomberg spokesman Stu Loeser defended Sadik-Khan, saying, “The mayor has full faith in his team and his commissioners.”
At a five-hour hearing Jan. 10, council members grilled Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty and Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, but Sadik-Khan was not questioned.
Meanwhile, Staten Islanders can sound off at tonight’s council hearing — the first that allows the public to speak.
“The storm was totally mishandled,” says Dee Vandenburgh, Staten Island Taxpayer’s Association president, who plans to speak at the 7:30 p.m. session at the Michael J. Petrides School at 715 Ocean Terrace.
We have a new REAL problem in NYC! It is called “Bike Maniacs” and Mike is at its head. The bike lanes on Ocean Parkway were cleaned but EMS vehicles could not get through. Mike your priorities are all screwed up. Proteczia should not be extended to the woman who was ultimately responsible for this mess.
Elections have consequences
put an ice skate on each bike tire.
this DOT Commish has no clue .
Someone needs to either teach her that fire engines and ambulances should ahve a lane of their own rather than a bike lane.
if there is a fire and traffic is messed up i want to see the fire engines plow through those bike lanes.
she is responsible for all transportation issues but seemed to think shoveling bike lanes was more important then getting NY residents to work but the buck stops at bloomberg’s feet he appointed her and lied for her recall bloomberg now