The devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy along the Eastern Seaboard has dominated news coverage over the past five days, and one cannot see or read about it without being shocked and saddened by the loss of life; destruction of homes, businesses and infrastructure; and the disruption to millions of lives, travel and commerce. One doesn’t doubt the resolve behind the brave words of mayors, governors and ordinary citizens who all firmly state that they will rebuild and come back from this stronger than ever, but one also cannot ignore the enormous challenges that everyone in that region faces in doing so.

In the past few days, one of the biggest controversies to arise in the aftermath of the storm revolved around the running of the 2012 ING New York Marathon, scheduled for tomorrow. Mayor Bloomberg and the New York City Road Runners Club, sponsor of the race, grappled with an issue that others involved in horrific catastrophes have struggled with in the past: How soon do we try to return to “normal” activities and planned events? How do we balance the needs and feelings of locals impacted by disaster with the need to restore and support the local economy as quickly as possible? (Think of Rudy Giuliani’s encouragement to tourists and shoppers to return to post- 9-11 New York, or the resuming of tourism and cruises to Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.)

Initially, Bloomberg affirmed that the race would be run as scheduled, citing the $340 million in revenue the event brings to the city each year. “There’s an awful lot of small businesses that depend on these people. We have to have an economy,” he stated. Additionally, the NY Road Runners Club pledged a $1 million donation to relief efforts, as did the Rudin family, a marathon founding member, while sponsor ING pledged $500,000. However, there was also an outcry to cancel the race, with individuals noting that the generators devoted to press coverage of the race, police hours, water, food and other supplies should be devoted to aiding those who had lost everything to the storm.

On Friday, Mayor Bloomberg reversed his decision and canceled the race, noting that “it has become clear that it has become a source of controversy and division.” Perhaps he realized it was just too much, too soon, while so many were still homeless or without power, and bodies were still being recovered from the wreckage on Staten Island, where the race was to begin. Soon, though, the dollars of businesspeople, tourists and travelers will be needed to re-energize the economy of this vital and vibrant part of our nation and help it move forward again.

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor