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FBN’s Gerri Willis on the Long Island Power Authority’s handling of the power outages caused by Sandy.
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In Washington the debate over the fiscal -- between Republicans and Democrats.
Is really about the role of government.
How big should it -- How much of our live should -- control.
But if you have any questions about the effectiveness of government look no further than a Long Island power authority or -- as folks here call it.
The authority is one of some 2000 publicly owned utility serving 46 million Americans in this country.
Pretty big deal.
Life is run by the government via a board of directors that calls the shots the members are chosen by New York's governor's.
Now like -- has called attention to itself in the wake of hurricane sandy and not a good way.
The power authority's performance in getting the lights back on in hard hit Long Island has been saved but past.
That's according to most sources.
The monopolies performance -- at best.
Never -- Governor Cuomo that is called out the authority.
I think they were not prepared.
I think they were non communicative.
In their response.
I think the non communicated and that's actually exacerbated the situation.
You don't people understood that they went through storm New Yorkers were listening -- people but just tell me the facts tell me when.
Tell me how give me an idea.
It.
Well it's hard to argue with that two days after the storm an overwhelming 90% of life -- one point one million customers work without power five days later.
Power was to restored.
But just to 600000 people leaving another half million without power and last Friday a 100000 people still without power a 100000.
Almost two weeks after the storm.
And today sixteen days later still 46000 people have no electricity.
I can't tell you how many people I work with who live on Long Island who said they felt like they lived in a Third World country.
And this isn't the first time like that has had trouble -- -- shot.
Last year's tropical storm Irene left 523000.
People on Long Island without power for nine days.
Similar outrage followed.
To be sure Citi was a massive storm analyze this task huge but new details are emerging the shed light on just how troubled this authority hits.
News reports reveal -- company hampered by a crony -- board of directors and one that often failed in its efforts to communicate with customers.
When officials and -- post storm news conference suggested customers download information from their website.
Well angry residents responded it would be impossible to do that because they don't have any electricity to fire up their computers.
Anger at the utility is firing a stream of invective on Twitter and email Chris writes this.
-- -- I got my power back but I still -- will hate you I feel for those who still don't have power.
Shot agrees life is incompetent clueless not utilizing their resources correctly.
And like that has failed.
And that story.
Ironically -- always formed by former governor Mario Cuomo to answer critics who complain the company's response to hurricane Gloria was inept.
That was two decades ago today -- son Andrew is highly critical of likely -- we just showed you calling for an investigation post sandy.
But he is left at least three spots on the board unfilled.
In fact since life is an arm of state government who do we blame for -- short comings.
Government.
Government isn't the solution to this problem or others and makes me cuisine at think health -- is next on the list.
