NBC’s Al Roker is decidedly not on board the Bill de Blasio bandwagon after his controversial decision to keep schools open today.
In a flurry of Twitter posts this morning, the prominent morning weather anchor, who is currently posted in Sochi for the winter Olympics, took Mr. de Blasio to task and even predicted the new mayor’s long-term “forecast”: “1 term.”
“Why are schools all around NYC closed?” Mr. Roker asked, calling the snow policy “ridiculous.” “It’s going to take some kid or kids getting hurt before this goofball policy gets changed.”
Mr. Roker, who said he has a daughter in public school, joins a chorus of other critics who have said Mr. de Blasio’s decision was unsafe, including the city teachers’ union president and elected officials.
Update (12:12 p.m.): Asked about Mr. Roker’s criticism at a storm briefing today, Mr. de Blasio held his ground:
“I respect Al Roker a lot. I’ve watched him on TV for many, many years. It’s a different thing to run a city than to give the weather on TV. So I am comfortable with our decision-making.”
Update (12:22 p.m.): Mr. Roker responded to the mayor on Twitter:
Mr. Mayor, I could never run NYC, but I know when it’s time to keep kids home from school
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
View Mr. Roker’s other tweets on the subject below:
How dare @NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools throw NWS under the school bus. Forecast was on time and on the money
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
@NYCMayorsOffice says snow was faster/heavier than expected. No, Mr. Mayor. It came as predicted. Don’t blame weather for YOUR poor policy
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
I knew this am @NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools would close schools. Talk about a bad prediction. Long range DiBlasio forecast: 1 term
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
@NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools Please, so we understand, make known weather-related school closing policy. Of course, assuming you have one.
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
@NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools Maybe the Mayor and School’s Chancellor should let us know when they would actually close schools?
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
@NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools snow policy is ridiculous. Tell people to stay off the roads. Stay home. But send your kids/teachers/staff in?
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
Why are schools all around NYC closed? It’s going to take some kid or kids getting hurt before this goofball policy gets changed
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
So now my daughter’s NYC public school is being let out early. @NYCMayorsOffice @NYCSchools Is it worth putting kids’ safety at risk?
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
And how about all the parents and caregivers who have to scramble to get their kids home? Is there no one there with any common sense?
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
@NYCSchools Chancellor says Macy*s is open, schools should be open. They’re also open on Thanksgiving, nights and Sundays. Are you kidding?
— Al Roker (@alroker) February 13, 2014
