N.Y. Emergency Boss Fired After Tree Controversy

Steve Kuhr (State Of New York)
Steve Kuhr (State Of New York)
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Updated: 11/08/2012 8:43 am
MICHAEL GORMLEY
Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A state official says New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo fired his emergency management director for diverting crews to remove a tree from his driveway during Superstorm Sandy.

The official says Director of Emergency Management Steven Kuhr was let go after the governor was told Kuhr called a Suffolk County crew to remove a felled tree from his driveway on Long Island.

Kuhr was working in Albany at the time last week, shortly after Sandy hit.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the personnel decision wasn't announced. The New York Times first reported the action.

Kuhr was paid $153,000 as executive deputy commissioner of the state Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

A phone number listed in Kuhr's name was not working Wednesday night.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of WKRC-TV :: Cincinnati Weather and Forecasts, Cincinnati News, Breaking News, and Sports for the Cincinnati area, Ohio, northern Kentucky, Indiana, and the tristate area

Lee62 - 11/8/2012 11:36 AM
1 Vote
@hitechgranny, some trees are too big for a residential chainsaw; but you are right in that the responsibility and cost of getting that tree cleared was his and his alone. Glad he was caught.

Ammys2Cuties - 11/8/2012 11:30 AM
1 Vote
well, they say God helps those who help themselves - but the Govt?...not so much...

Lee62 - 11/8/2012 10:20 AM
3 Votes
Oh, ok; after clearing out my eyes this morning, I re-read the story; I thought he moved a tree from the Gov'nuh's driveway. It was his OWN driveway. Bad man... baaaad man.....I need coffee....

Lee62 - 11/8/2012 10:18 AM
1 Vote
Protecting your own a$$ is one thing, firing this guy seems a bit harsh. He was undoubtedly in a 'danged if ya do/danged if ya don't' position...

Gunney - 11/8/2012 9:00 AM
2 Votes
His misuse of his position is clearly wrong, however, with approx 150 miles between Albany NY and Long Island, That would have to be one helluva chain saw... Ha! :-)

hitechgranny - 11/8/2012 8:49 AM
4 Votes
This is how you do it: you take a chainsaw, cut up the tree, and move it YOURSELF. That's how the common people do it.
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