Heavy rain and wind caused major flooding throughout parts of the tri-state area, on Sunday, April 15, 2007. For the most part, warned residents were able to prepare their homes as well as arrange their commute for the intense weather conditions. However, there were plenty of residents who were unable to stay indoors and were forced to get around their communities in the storm.
The concern here is not only large cities, but also small areas such as South Beach, Staten Island. Towns that are constantly deserted during the snow storms, with small blocks not being cleaned for up to a week after the hit; but aside from the size of these areas, there is another factor which makes this weather condition especially dangerous-these towns also happen to be on the water.
The rain storm on Sunday can be looked at as a nightmare for the South Beach community, since most of the homes are located on or by the water. If you were to leave your house Sunday night, you would be in for one very rough ride. One of the main streets in South Beach, was flooded so bad that if you were to open your car door in certain parts, water would actually flow into the car. The fact that it is a small neighborhood, with uneven roads is bad enough, but the waterfront factor in a rain storm made it that much worse.
The Office of Emergency Management advised the public to stay inside and have emergency supply kits on hand while the Red Cross urged the residents to stay tuned to radio and TV reports for more information. But after seeing the neighborhood on Sunday, and all the people stuck or struggling to get around, my question is whether or not that’s the best our city can do?
A debate erupted when Staten Island residents learned that another place they loved and appreciated is being distorted in order for the city to raise income. The City has approved the plan of The LaTourette Golf Course, Staten Island to build a catering hall on the property. While the plan sounds harmless and profitable to the city, the residents are upset about the fact that they are losing yet another property for which Staten Island is known. It seems that not only will this addition cause a disruption to the neighborhood, it will also take away another calm and serene area.
The natural and wooded areas of this borough are being rapidly urbanized throughout the last decade; and it is difficult for the residents to come to terms with this change. Aside from the traffic problems and evening commotion this project will present to the community, the residents see a larger issue at hand. This replacement is one of many–where land and environment is being replaced with buildings, business and disturbance; and the residents only see the problem increasing.
“This is a small thing,” said Julia Arshin, a near by resident, “but these small things start to add up.”
           Since we are concentrating on businesses in the neighborhood, there has been a particular place which has been getting a lot of attention, even media coverage in South Beach, Staten Island. A prestigious hotel, where the guest are treated like royalty, an on site hospital and rooms with themes. However, you and I can not stay there –only our pets can.
          The Bay Street Animal Hospital’s Dog Hotel and Catnip Chalet, is considered one of the best pet hotels in the tri-state area, and it is located in the very small, not too familiar part of Staten Island. The hotel is extremely well kept, and the animals are well taken care of, being walked and fed three times a day, with a 24 hour on call veterinarian, and plenty of staff to offer companionship. However what this particular hotel is being praised for; is their Themed Suits. The hotel has suites which are decorated to fit a particular theme, so the pet can feel as though he/she is on vacation too. The suits include a Beach room, filled with beach chairs, tropical print towels and pillows. Among many other themes, there is a Princess room, a pink room filled with fluffy pillows and blankets and a Grand Prix room, where the walls are decorated with steering wheels.
           So the next time you are hesitating to go away while leaving your beloved pets behind. Know that there is a vacation spot for them, right here in Staten Island. A hotel, which to them might be better then your own.  Â
           If you told someone a few decades ago that we would be spending $1 or even $2 on a bottle of good old H2O they would be flabbergasted. Yet there are dozens of distributing companies making a fortune from selling just that-water.
           With negative media involving the dangers of unsanitary tap water, going up against all the glamorous advertisement (filled with mountains, rivers and purifiers) of spring water. It’s understandable that the public would want to take the safe way out. However, if we only took the time to look at the facts, we would realize that New York tap water is one of the cleanest in the country. Our water might be cleaner then some of the bottled water being advertised, since it is also coming from the different mountains and lakes not too far from New Yorkhttp://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/celebrate.html
           Today there is a real market out there for bottled water, and it is getting to be a bit ridiculous. Voss, a high end water bottle distributor, is primarily offered in hotels and restaurants for the price of $8 for 800ml. So the next time a high end restaurant asks you tap or bottled water (which would cost an arm and a leg), give that question a little more thought.Â
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