Gov. Cuomo fires Emergency Management chief over Sandy tree removal: sources

The states emergency-management chief knew whom to help after Superstorm Sandy himself.

Office of Emergency Management boss Steven Kuhr was fired after allegedly sending workers to clear a tree in his Long Island driveway as other victims of the storm suffered, sources said yesterday.

As crews struggled to clear wreckage throughout the area after the storm hit last week, Kuhr called Suffolk County officials and asked for the favor, a source said.

Kuhr, who was in Albany at the time, also had a subordinate call on his behalf, another source said.

KUHR

A state employee alerted Gov. Cuomos office, which conducted a preliminary investigation and spoke to individuals with direct knowledge of what had happened.

That was sufficient to demonstrate the terrible judgment made, an administration official said. It is staggeringly inappropriate for a public servant to direct resources to a private residence when so many people are in trouble.

After learning on Monday of the incident, Cuomo axed Kuhr, sources said.

Kuhr, who earned $153,000 annually, was director for about one year.

Kuhr has had a series of jobs with New York City including as deputy director for operations and planning for the citys Office of Emergency Management.

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Gov. Cuomo fires Emergency Management chief over Sandy tree removal: sources