Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at Staten Island Groundhog Ceremony

February 2, 2014

Mayor Bill de Blasio: I was about to say, tough act to follow – Ed Burke. But he’ll be in Vegas doing a show later on tonight – let me tell you. Thank you, Ed, for everything you do for Staten Island, for what you do for this great event; to Staten Island Zoo, for hosting this wonderful event; to our Public Advocate Tish James – you know, Tish and I are from Brooklyn and she said, in Brooklyn, we bite back.  

[Laughter] 

So, Chuck has been forewarned. Assemblyman Cusick, Council Member Matteo, former Council Member Domenic Recchia – we have an all-star team here because this is one of the great events every year on Staten Island. And we are all very interested in what we’re going to learn from Chuck. Now, I have to tell you, it is my pleasure to be here because this zoo is renowned – this is one of the gems of Staten Island. In fact, I’m going to quote here, the Wall Street Journal recently named the Staten Island Zoo the best small zoo in New York City. Let’s give them a round of applause for all they do.

[Applause]

First – the first zoo in the country specifically devoted to education. When it was formed and it was founded, it was specifically to educate – particularly, our children. Now, the zoo also boasts an extraordinary snake collection. I want to tell you, I have nothing against snakes, but I’m glad they don’t know much about meteorology. I think Chuck – despite Chuck’s personality, I rather have Chuck than a snake telling me about the weather.

Chuck and my predecessor didn’t always get along – let’s be honest about that. But I’m hoping we can start a new day, a new relationship here. I’m reaching out a hand to Chuck and I hope he will consider shaking it, rather than doing other things. 

Now, we’re going to know – from consulting with Chuck – whether we have six more weeks of winter or not. I think we are all hoping that Chuck doesn’t see his shadow today. We all know where we are. And I have to tell you, we went through the polar vortex. We didn’t really like the polar vortex that much. It was a great novelty and we’re happy to see it go. I think we’re ready for the tropical convergence now. 

[Laughter] 

So, with Chuck’s help, we’ll get there. Now, he has an 80 percent accuracy rate, as you heard. So, this is something that we’re going to be watching very, very carefully. But enjoy this extraordinary moment. Enjoy this beautiful tradition – something that makes Staten Island great. And now, brace yourselves. Without further ado, let’s see what New York’s fuzziest meteorologist has in store for us for the next six weeks. And now, with trepidation, I step forward. 

[Laughter] 

Luckily, there’s gloves and then there’s gloves. Now, these – these are gloves. Staten Island Zoo official gloves here. Try getting through these, Chuck.