Tornado brings out the best

By Matthew Lysiak
The Brooklyn Paper

Sometimes government can work. That was the rare conclusion of this columnist, whose libertarian politics range somewhere in that tight anti-government space between Frederic Bastiat and Milton Friedman. But after the remarkably quick and efficient response by our local government officials in the wake of last Wednesday’s tornado, even I have to tip my hat.

It wasn’t easy. Yellow Hooker is naturally cynical of people deciding what I should eat, smoke and how to spend my paycheck (damn those never-ending Ratner subsidies!), never mind entrusting the same people who gave us the Department of Motor Vehicles with protecting me in a time of crisis (one word: FEMA).

Still, local officials deserve credit for an organized and well implemented plan in quickly getting Bay Ridge back on its feet and minimizing the effect of the first tornado to touch down in Brooklyn in over a century.

In short, it was an example of government at its best — at a time when the community was most in need. After all, Bay Ridge was hit by a tornado!

The rare twister that ripped through our community came like a thief in the morning.

Residents were awakened between 5:30 and 6 am by the sound of car alarms, thunder, and trees crashing down to the ground as the powerful wind attacked.

Tornadoes have hit New York City before, but not often. The National Weather Service had records of at least five, but none was as strong as Wednesday’s twister, which had winds as high as 135 mph. The last reported tornado sighting in Brooklyn was in ’89 — 1889, that is.

Given that roofs were ripped off houses and trees were flying all over the place, you’d think residents would be in a state of sheer panic. But actually, they weren’t. Most residents could be found calmly waiting for emergency personnel to arrive. Some were going door-to-door to check on their neighbors, while others waited next to their smashed-up cars in their housecoats and robes drinking their coffee.

Perhaps residents knew something about local emergency crews that this columnist did not. It was a thing of beauty.

Fire trucks and police cars immediately arrived at the hardest-hit spots.

Workers were in a state of constant motion, first making sure people were safe, then clearing debris and directing traffic. A full-blown symphony was taking place right before my eyes with the entire community in full harmony.

By 2 pm, almost all the streets were cleared and life in Bay Ridge was beginning to have a feel of normalcy again.

Of course, for residents who no longer have a roof to sleep under, it may take some time before normalcy really takes hold, but Bay Ridge was quickly back in business.

At the risk of losing some of my libertarian street cred, this columnist must admit a newfound confidence in those commissars of local government.

But then again, I didn’t have to use public transportation that morning.

The Kitchen Sink
The Red Cross is now accepting donations for those in need after last Wednesday’s tornado. Stop by Councilman Vince Gentile’s office, located at 8703 Third Ave., for more info. …

Take comfort, women. Rep. Vito Fossella (R–Bay Ridge) called on the Japanese government to apologize to the 200,000 “comfort women” who were forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Army in the 1930s and ’40s. …

Our pal Chiu Tran was just named to the Dean’s List at SUNY Binghamton. …

So, you think you can dance? Check out the guy in the wheelchair. Local legend Carmine Santa Maria may find it hard to walk, but that hasn’t stopped him from his work as a dance instructor. “I can’t walk too well, but I know how to teach it,” said Santa Maria. For more info, call (718) 946-0234. …

The Brooklyn Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is helping homeowners whose properties were damaged in last week’s tornado to find architects to do the repairs. Call (718) 259-0070. But before doing any work, get a permit from the Department of Buildings, which can be reached at (718) 802-4035. …

State Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge) hosted a public hearing at Fort Hamilton Army base on Wednesday to discuss local homeland security issues, such as the safety of the Buckeye jet fuel pipeline that runs through the neighborhood. Community Board 10 Chairman Dean Rasinya was also there.


©2007 The Brooklyn Paper