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Mayor Bloomberg wants New Yorkers to get less salt in their food. He wants it reduced 20% over the next five years. His supporters believe it’s “the greatest public-health threat facing the city.” No new regulations are expected with this voluntary measure. Don't count on that though once the nanny-staters get the power.IMPORTANT NOTE: This blog is a quick comment on an older New York City news headline. Unforeseen NYCo website development delays prevented it’s publication before now. For readership continuity, 100’s of older headlines are to be posted in chronological order until this blog is current. Though some of the stories may no longer be as relevant as they once were, they remain interesting news items worthy of this site’s mention and viewer comments.
[This is a copyrighted editorial, originally published on http://www.NEWYORKCITYonline.com/NYC-Online/blog.php. We invite you to post your comments and reply to others! This piece may be duplicated or printed with permission.]
City health officials are still looking to force some fast food restaurants to post calorie counts on their menu boards. They recently lost a similar case in Federal court. Undaunted by that defeat, they’re pressing forward now with a new plan to make these demands on chain eateries of only 15 or more outlets. I wonder if city-run food programs for the poor and homeless are as meticulously managed.
Admittedly, too large a percentage of New Yorkers are overweight or obese (government employees especially … or is that just my imagination?). It would be a healthful thing for many of us to lose some weight, I agree. But, do we really need government involved here to unfairly compel fast food establishments alone to list calories? To my knowledge, not a single upscale restaurant with “white linen” on the table will be affected. Seems unfair and besides, we eat more at home than outside anyway. If their honest goal is for us to lose weight, then when will they begin to lay down the law about posting calorie counts on our cabinets and refrigerators?
Toxic chemicals in the Gowanus Canal and its surrounding areas remain because of “scheduling conflicts” between city officials and the Army Corps of Engineers. This bureaucratic mess is delaying vital cleanup of the 1.5 mile long canal and slowing much of the area’s planned development and growth. Worse still, thousands of homes may be completed before work on the canal is done. This may require additional decontamination efforts in years to come. Who’ll be responsible for future rehab costs and associated health problems? Let’s have names!
Here's a name. 231 years ago, George Washington courageously stood up in a boat while crossing the Delaware River. He inspired his troops, led them to victory and buoyed a young nation’s spirit. Is there nobody now willing and able to stand up to take control of this ecological disaster to get the job done? If not, could it be that there’s fear among our “leaders” about falling off a boat into toxic waters? Government workers and military officials would do well to keep in mind that there are families with children who presently live by the shores of “Lavender Lake.” Many more will be arriving. Action is needed NOW … not ineffectiveness from those who can’t even manage their Day-Timers.Do your jobs NOW people, or in the words of an old Brooklyn philosopher, "Take a long walk off a short pier!" (I’m sure you can guess where that pier might be located.)
