Pedro Rivera: We're joined now by Mayor Eric Adams. Thank you so much for being here with us. Let me ask you. What's your message to New Yorkers this morning who are deciding– Okay, do I get outside? Should I stay indoors? What's your message for them?
Mayor Eric Adams: Stay home. This is a good baby making day. Enjoy the weather. 2,700 sanitation workers have been out there [working] 12-hour shifts. You know, as my son would say, just do Netflix and Chill– that's all and just enjoy the day.
Rivera: So what is it in May or June we're expecting a baby boom according to the mayor.
Mayor Adams: We want to improve the population. But, you know, in all seriousness, really hats off to the Department of Sanitation, FDNY, and our other emergency response [teams]. Zach Iscol, the commissioner of OEM, and our extreme weather coordinator, my chief of staff.
Because, you know, we were expecting 11 inches and really we got about four inches and by 6 a.m., 6 a.m., all of our streets had at least one pass from our plows. So a really great job.
Toni Yates: Yeah, but the thing, again, is the ice that we're concerned about. People slipping, cars sliding out there. When do you guys think it's like a safe time for people to really start getting out when it's okay, when you guys are pretty much done with getting everything safe?
Mayor Adams: Great question. And this is a real partnership. It's our job to do the roads and remove the snow, and we're out there now. The team in DSNY, they're doing 12-hour shifts. But the other part of the partnership belongs to our everyday residents and homeowners. We have to clean out the snow and ice.
Whenever you fall, you never forget it. So we want to make sure that folks are safe as they move through the streets. So probably around about 9-10-ish, we're going to see the roads fairly clear.
Rivera: You know, it's interesting because New Yorkers, we're used to this kind of snow. It's been four years. It's been a while since we had it, but we have so many tourists in our city this time of year. How do you guys get the message out, you know, working in conjunction with the other departments to make sure that the message can get to those tourists that, “Hey, you know, please be safe.”
Mayor Adams: Yeah, that's a great question because you're right. But although we're used to it each year, each year we get new drivers and I was hearing one of the reporters talk about how to drive on the road, how to slow down, not to speed.
You need that muscle memory, because every year there are new folks who come to the city, move to the city, and some people have never had snow in their place or their home country or town.
And so it is an adjustment, but it's a lot of fun also, you know, once you get past the initial traffic, [to] just get out and walk in the snow, shop in the snow, it's a lot of fun as well. Christmas and New Year's in New York is one of the best places to be.
Rivera: It really is. In Central Park, [there’s] four inches of snow, so it's gonna be a great time there. I gotta ask you, mayor, because, you know, you love your city, you love New York, but are you thinking about where you're traveling to next? I'm just saying, you know, it's cold here right now.
Mayor Adams: Yes, Jan 1, I will be taking a trip, just, you know, enjoying life. I'm gonna go somewhere hot, looking forward to it. You know, Jan 1, moving forward to a nice, hot location.
Yates: Yeah, I mean, but this is like a full circle moment for you. I mean, it's the end of Christmas, New Year's coming up, you got this snowstorm, you've kind of herald these things before in the past, are you gonna miss it?
Mayor Adams: You know, when you did it right and you enjoyed it, I enjoyed every moment. Anyone who covered me would know that I had so much fun being mayor. It's a real honor and privilege. Looking for the next step of the journey. You don't climb a mountain to sit there, you look for the next mountain to climb.
It's been 40 years, 40 years of doing this uninterrupted. And I had a plan A, I had a plan B. It was God's plan A, and I'm looking forward to it and I'm excited about what I'm going to do in many different areas.
Rivera: Well, I think his plan B is gonna be the Dominican Republic. All right, that's my prediction. You let me know, I got my people in DR, we can set something up, mayor. I appreciate you so much for joining us this morning and stay safe out there.
Yates: Many, many blessings. Thank you, mayor.
Mayor Adams: All right, take care.
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