Top Five Grumpy Questions Post-Sandy: Cell Phones/ Water Quality/ Con Ed Timetables/School Cancellations/ Open Safe Schools

After I woke up grateful and full of thanks on the morning of Tuesday, October 30 (see my previous shmaltzy post), I hit Wednesday. 

Car breaks down, and while my marvelous --sincerely marvelous - mechanic at A.N.R. Auto goes out of his way to fix it so I can get to the office, I spent some time enjoying coffee, electricity, heat,  and conversation with all sorts of folks at Good Life Gourmet/Black Cat/Red Barn/and Cupcake Kitchen. 

We are thankful, but we can be grumpy and ask questions, right?  So here are the top five Grumpy Post-Sandy Questions of the Day:

1)CELLPHONE SERVICE: ATT went AWOL very early and Verizon is spotty now.  Is it true that this is because the cellphone towers are off the grid and the batteries on top of them have run out?  If so, why hasn't there been a public service announcement about this?  Is it true that with no service you can't even call 911? Some people say so.  If our cell companies (which are happy to text us with offers to sell us crap) won't tell us, the governor or local officials should send out the info. Yes, I can drive to Ardsley to get reception, but not everyone can.

2) WATER QUALITY: because of the announcement about Hudson River water quality and about failing local "sewer pump stations" people are worried about their own drinking water.  Is the drinking water safe? Is it at risk? Authorities should send out information clarifying safety of drinking water.

3)CON ED TIMETABLES:  Yes they can't tell us what the time tables are. And the local officials are trying to keep in touch.  But why can't we get a daily progress report? Can't the authorities regularly update us on any progress at all?  Even my local house of worship is emailing everyone at 5:00 p.m. everyday to tell the congregants about any progress on opening for worship.  I think we deserve the same consideration in telling us what progress is being made by Con Ed in our towns. 

4) SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS:  Many districts have announced school closures for the full five days.  Why are some districts pussyfooting around? Just have done with it; you know you can't safely open till next week at least, so make the announcement in advance and let us plan in advance.  

5)OPEN SAFE SCHOOLS: Many villages have at  least one functioning school with power.  Why can't public school teachers who can safely travel to a safe school be asked and paid to do so by the districts? Keep the school open, let kids come in and sit in multi-age groups, and provide enrichment activities for kids that fit within the license of the teachers (all of whom are licensed to teach more than one year).  It's warm, it's lit, it's safe, and in this year of insane assessments and standardized testing, it's a good idea.  

That's all.  Hope you will comment.  If we can't do this for Sandy, let's think about doing it for the next 100 year storm (which come twice a year nowadays).

Stay safe.