What do you think of the response by the City government on handling Sandy's effects and aftereffects?
All right.
Any thing the city failed to do?
Considering where I live it worked out all right. But, around here certain places weren't so lucky.
What do you think of the bank operations in the City after the storms effects took hold?
It needs work. Some people need their money after a storm even if Wall Street is down. We are always told; don't keep your money under the mattress. But, you can't get access to money when you need it. I saw an elder on two canes who was unable to get his retirement funds from the bank. He told me he would start putting his funds back under the mattress. I felt bad for him.
What do you think of the business and store operations? I mean the relationship to the community.
If you don't have a community grocer you will not get community credit, especially in my community. Most of the businesses in my community are Arab run and don't give credit to people of color. If you don't have money or cash or can't get it out of the ATM you can forget it, if you are of color.
What about the businesses that were closed?
They are all corporate, you can tell, and they don't work for the community. The Arab stores are open but their workers while they live in the community do not help.
What about the schools being closed? In terms of parents?
I am sure they wanted the schools open from this past Monday. That was not going to happen and that is how children get ill a lot, traveling through situations that require them being home, and having their parents take care of them.
In terms of transportation? Should kids be bused out of their community?
Children should be zoned into their community.
Does that make it easier for teachers and parents?
Yes, it does. The parents and teachers get to know each other.
The photos were taken by the answerer in the morning of October 30th 2012 in Harlem, before 9 am, after the worst of Hurricane Sandy. I questioned the Harlem resident on the street.
