New York City mayor delays start of Italy vacation
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks about Hurricane Arthur’s impact on the metropolitan area on Thursday, July 3, 2014, at City Hall in New York. Arthur, the first named storm of the Atlantic season, threatened to upend Americans’ plans for Friday’s Independence Day holiday. AP
NEW YORK — New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has postponed his much-discussed family vacation to Italy by a day.
Mayoral press secretary Phil Walzak says de Blasio moved the nine-day trip’s departure date from Friday to Saturday “to attend to city business.”
The mayor’s announcement came shortly after he addressed the Thursday death of a man in police custody.
Mayoral aides say de Blasio wanted to stay overnight to consult with officials and community leaders about Eric Garner’s death.
The Democratic mayor was supposed to leave with his wife and two children Friday night. He’d previously said he’ll return if there’s a crisis.
De Blasio faced criticism from political pundits and TV comedians for his decision to travel before a potential Long Island Rail Road strike was averted.
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