NYC to get disaster funds for December blizzard

STATEN ISLAND -- New York City Mayor Michael Bloombeg says President Barack Obama has signed a disaster declaration for Staten Island for last year's Christmas weekend blizzard, meaning the federal government will reimburse some costs for the snow cleanup.

Bloomberg said in a statement Friday that requests for disaster declarations for Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx were denied. He said the boroughs were hard-hit and deserved the designation.

But the mayor welcomed the declaration for Staten Island, saying the federal money would bring relief to the city's finances.

Residents critized Bloomberg and his Sanitation Department for their handling of the snow cleanup efforts after the blizzard. The mayor admitted the city's performance was "unacceptable."

The blizzard was followed by a series of snow storms. The city had 36 inches of snow this January.

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new york city, holiday blizzard, michael bloomberg, barack obama, new york news

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