N.Y. mayor does about-face on tickets

NEW YORK, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has changed his position on parking tickets issued to snowbound cars and forgiven the violations.

Bloomberg has remained immovable in past instances of public disapproval, The New York Times reported, but a public outcry over his decision to ticket snowbound cars forced him to reverse his position Friday -- and even offer an apology.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience to people, but you know you have to make decisions, and each of these storms is different," he said.

While city officials said enforcing parking regulations would benefit the snow cleanup, many New York drivers complained that their cars were immovable after being plowed in.

Many New Yorkers were incensed Thursday when Bloomberg offered what the Times called a much harsher stance on the parking violations.

"We want to get the snow and ice off the roads as quickly as possible so emergency vehicles can get through, so that you can get to work, so that the kids can get to school," he said. "And if we all do it together rather than griping, we'll be better off."