GROUNDHOG'S REVENGE
Tragic SI Chuck’s cousin sniffs out DeB at City Hall
Maybe he’s eyeing a mayoral run in 2017.
A plucky groundhog showed up at City Hall on the same day that critter-killing Mayor de Blasio left for his Italy vacation — and insiders say Hizzoner has reason to worry about the wily woodchuck.
De Blasio’s first Groundhog Day in office ended in tragedy when he dropped Staten Island “Chuck” on its head in 2014. The winter prognosticator, which was really Chuck’s stand-in, Charlotte, died a week later.
“We Staten Islanders know a little about retribution,” said City Councilmember Joe Borelli, a Republican from the borough. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Staten Island Chuck’s family was trying to send a message.”
The City Hall groundhog arrived on Sunday, when the de Blasio family headed to Europe, and has been roaming the grassy areas for three days while generating buzz inside building.
“The knife he was carrying with the name ‘Charlotte’ inscribed on it was purely an unfortunate coincidence,” said Assemblyman Matthew Titone (D-SI).
Staten Island Borough President James Oddo referenced “The Godfather,” warning that the mayor better watch out when he returns from his trip.
“If anyone overhears a groundhog say in Bill de Blasio’s direction, ‘You have to answer for Chuck, Mayor,’ I might worry if I were Hizzoner,” he said.
The Parks Department said there was only one man for the job of removing the furball.
“We’re looking to see if we can get Bill Murray to handle this one for us,” a spokesperson said.
Parks Department officials later released a statement saying, “Groundhogs are fairly common in NYC parks — we see them in The Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island on a regular basis.”
City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito tweeted about the groundhog, saying she’d been asked by reporters if she’d seen it.
“Is that that Pokémon thing?” Mark-Viverito responded.
Since de Blasio’s fatal fumble — first reported by The Post — Staten Island Zoo officials no longer let mayors put their claws on soothsaying rodents.