STAN L. BROOKS: Good morning.
It's 42 degrees at 10:30 on this Thursday, October 15.
I'm Stan L. Brooks, and here's what's happening.
It's day 18 of the garbage strike.
With 10,000 tons of garbage piling up every day,
even the nicest sections of the city are looking like slums.
Health Commissioner Edward O'Rourke
is declaring a citywide state of emergency
for the first time in decades.
EDWARD O'ROURKE: There's no need to wait
until somebody dies or comes down with typhoid fever.
It's already a serious situation.
STAN L. BROOKS: It's something that
affects almost everyone in the city, no matter who they are
or where they live.
MAN: You can't go down no-- no one avenue
without seeing nothing but garbage and rats.
MAN: It's starting to affect my business when
customers can't get in here because of the garbage
situation.
WOMAN: I'm not out there alone to smell it.
But I think to look at it, it's terrible.
MAN: It don't affect me except for the very bad smell here.
It's horrific.
WOMAN: It's a mess.
I've been in this country for 50 years,
and I've never seen anything like it.
What is this world coming to?
MAN: Put them in a room, let them sit there
and talk till they get it over with.
24 hours, 48 hours, how long it takes.
MAN: The idea of the National Guard moving in and cleaning up
is a good idea.
STAN L. BROOKS: In other news, the building industry
and landlords today expressed concern over the latest increase
in heating oil prices.
Renters in the metro area are certain to feel the pinch.
[UPBEAT PIANO MUSIC]