January 15, 2025
The Never-To-Be Forgotten 'Newsom Fires'
By Robin M. Itzler
Have you heard of the “Lindsay Snowstorm?” It will soon have a companion story called the “Newsom Fires.”
Republican John Lindsay was New York City’s mayor from 1966 to 1974. Lindsay, like Gavin Newsom, was tall, handsome and had great hair. Like Newsom, Lindsay often relied on his looks to compensate for what was lacking between his ears. And, like Newsom, Lindsay thought he would make a great president.
Until a blizzard hit the Big Apple.
On Sunday, February 9, 1969, New York City was expecting rain but was suddenly overwhelmed with a blizzard that brought 15 inches of snow. (Personal note: my childhood recollection was being thrilled schools would be closed for several days.) New Yorkers weren’t blaming Lindsay for the snowstorm, but they did blame him for what they saw as a lack of leadership in the aftermath of the storm.
The city that never sleeps was sleeping because there were few to no snowplows clearing the streets, highways, or bridges, as 15 inches of snow created snowbanks and icy roads. For three days and, in some instances, up to one week, the city was immobilized. People were stuck in airports. The New York Stock Exchange was closed. Grocery store shelves were empty as trucks couldn’t make deliveries, leaving people without food. Depending on the location, schools were closed from one to several days. The subways that went above ground weren’t moving, leaving some riders stuck underground. And the buses? Fuhgeddaboudit!
Without snowplows to clear the roads, highways, and bridges, no one could get around the city. That included ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks. With a slow mobilization, there were 42 deaths and 288 injuries.
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2025/01/the_never_to_be_forgotten_newsom_fires.html
