De Blasio Defends Gym Routine Against Critics

NEW YORK (AP/Hamodia) —

Mayor Bill de Blasio defended his daily gym routine against critics who called it a distraction from his job.

De Blasio lives in Gracie Mansion, which is on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. But he still commutes many days to the gym near his former house in Park Slope, Brooklyn. That’s a 12-mile drive that can take well more than 30 minutes in traffic. Afterwards, he then has another four-mile drive to City Hall.

The mayor drew criticism Friday when he remained at the gym during an armed standoff on Staten Island in which a firefighter was shot.

He said on Tuesday that he is “on duty all of the time” and is constantly in touch with aides wherever he is.

De Blasio also suggested that many CEOs stress the need to create time to work out.

“If you don’t get exercise, you’re not going to be as effective as you can be,” he said.

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