The Czarina will strike
Perhaps after the Mayor’s building was cited three times for lack of rat control, something had to be done. New York City has named its first-ever “Rat Czarina” to tackle the Big Apple’s growing rat population, which has become a “major quality-of-life and health issue.” New York City Mayor Eric Adams appointed former school teacher Kathleen Corradi on Wednesday as the city’s first director of rodent mitigation. “New York City has done a lot recently when it comes to fighting public enemy number one: Rats. But it was clear we needed someone solely focused on leading our rat reduction efforts across all five boroughs, and today I’m proud to announce Kathy Corradi as New York City’s first-ever ‘rat czar'” (Czarina, She/Her), said Mayor Adams. “Kathy has the knowledge, drive, experience and energy to send rats packing and create a cleaner more welcoming city for all New Yorkers,” Adams added. Apparently, this comes from her experience disciplining NYC school children.
Corradi, who will be paid $155,000 in the newly-created gig, said she’s already familiar with the pests having spent several years spearheading the DOE’s rat reduction efforts, she will be coordinating city agencies to detect rats, cut off their food sources and exterminate them. New York City records show rat sightings increased dramatically last year; An increase of 74% over the same time period in 2020. While rats flourished during the lockdown, they persist because people do not keep the food waste and garbage in sealed cans and leave bags on the curbs for days at a time. Waiting for the city to pick them up.
In addition to Corradi’s appointment, the mayor announced a $3.5 million investment to go toward 19 full-time staff and 14 seasonal staff, in addition to bait, traps, sensors and fumigation machines. “As the first director of rodent mitigation, I’m excited to bring science — and a systems-based approach to fight rats. New York may be famous for the Pizza Rat, but rats, and the conditions that help them thrive, will no longer be tolerated — no more dirty curbs, unmanaged spaces or brazen burrowing,” Czarina Corradi added. “I look forward to sending the rats packing.”
Rat Patrol
The one rat asked the other rat if he’s had the vaccine yet?
Nope, they’re still testing it on humans.
What do rich folks and rats have in common?
They’re leaving New York City.
What did one lab rat say to the other?
“I’ve got my scientist so well trained that every time I push the buzzer, he brings me a snack.”
Guy in a bar reading the newspaper: “Wow. Listen to this! A ‘highly regarded research laboratory’ was just found to be using lawyers instead of rats.”
Barman: “Why would they do that? Aren’t lawyers a lot more expensive?”
Guy: “Sure, but there are some things even a rat won’t do.”
April 14th Birthdays
1994 – Skyler Samuels, 1977 – Sarah Michelle Gellar, 1996 – Abagail Breslin, 1866 – Anne Sullivan
1988 – Chris Wood, 1995 – Adam Dimarco, 1995 – Baker Mayfield, 1974 – Adrian Brody