At The Forum, in this space, we’ve written about issues both big and small. On the “small” side, we’ve talked about the personality quirks that irk us the most, and we’ve advised you on how to stick to your New Year’s resolutions. These musings, even harpings, might seem silly to the casual observer – but even the silliest of issues can become important if it negatively affects more than a handful of people.
We are a diverse staff, coming from regimented offices and more relaxed ones. We’ve worn suits, and we’ve worn jeans. Our differences have become an overall strength, because we compensate for each other’s failings and support each other’s endeavors whenever possible. Some of us here are good at time management, and others are not. But in the news biz, you can’t be late to press and you can’t be late to tweet. People practically want their news before it happens, and as technology progresses and the world becomes more connected, we get closer to being able to deliver that. So at this paper, we don’t tolerate lateness, and we never have.
Now, politicians and other over-scheduled VIPs are often late. We get it. They’ve got things to do and usually large staffs of people involved in helping them do them. Too many cooks spoil the broth, and, broadly speaking, too many aides spoil the schedule. Presidents are late, particularly if they shake every last hand on the rope line or answer every press person’s query. So does notorious lateness make for a better leader?
Some politicians have a reputation for lateness, and if they’re popular enough, 20 minutes here or 10 minutes there usually gets laughed off, merely teased about. Bill Clinton was one of the late ones, but he also worked into the wee hours and got little sleep. George W. Bush made sure to factor in a solid night’s sleep, along with a midday nap whenever possible, but he kept to a rigid schedule and was rarely late for engagements.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has developed a reputation for tardiness, but the jury is still out on whether his productivity and success as a leader benefits from or depends on it. Last weekend, he showed up late for the Queens County St. Patrick’s Day Parade, held in Rockaway, and was greeted by resounding displeasure, heard in the chants of “Worst mayor ever!” from the angered crowd. One could make the argument that he wasn’t very late, just enough for the procession to be delayed 10 minutes. But when the parade did begin, it proceeded 14 blocks before he was able to join it and march behind his own giant banner. Unfortunately, this was a key event for a lot of people. It was the 40th annual of such parades, and last year de Blasio boycotted it, saying it wasn’t “inclusive.” So, really, he kind of needed to be there this year. With bells on.
And Peninsula residents were already upset with the Mayor. The parade marks the second time he’s been late to an important event there. In November, he missed the moment of silence at a Flight 587 memorial service in Belle Harbor. It’s disrespectful to show up late to a parade, but to a memorial service? The month prior, he had discontinued the Rockaway ferry, angering locals. But he took a boat to the memorial service, as he did to the St. Patrick’s parade. So the Mayor appears to appreciate the benefit of water travel to the Rockaways, yet doesn’t want to give the ferry back to the local commuters who need it — until 2017.
But that’s ok, because they’re used to waiting.
