Domenic Recchia Jr. (Photo: NYC Council)

In spite of the impact of Hurricane Sandy still being felt around the city, the New York City Marathon is still scheduled to proceed as planned on Sunday. However, you can now add Councilman Domenic Recchia to the growing list of critics who disagree with Mayor Michael Bloomberg's contention the race won't disrupt emergency workers from their vital post-storm duties. In a statement released a few minutes ago, Mr. Recchia, who represents Coney Island, Gravesend, Bensonhurst and Brighton Beach, which were all hit hard by the storm, called continuing with the marathon "just wrong."

"To host the New York City Marathon in the middle of what is complete devastation and a crisis in parts of this City is just wrong. There are people in Coney Island, Sea Gate, and Brighton Beach who are without food, water, and electricity. This crisis is expected to continue through the weekend and into next week," Mr. Recchia said.

Mr. Recchia asked anyone considering participating in the race to instead focus on helping with the relief effort in his district.

"I am calling on all who were planning on running and volunteering in the marathon to direct their energies to helping us pass out food and water in my district, particularly to seniors who are currently trapped in their homes on high-level floors," he said.

Mayor Bloomberg has argued the marathon generates hundreds of millions in revenue for the city. In a press conference this afternoon, he said the race won't "redirect any focus" of the city's first responders.