Keelung Mayor George Hsieh (謝國樑) of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday issued an apology after complaints that he did not cancel work and classes yesterday amid continued flooding in the city, despite calling two days off earlier in the week, including on Wednesday, which saw minimal rain and wind.
The former legislator is facing a recall vote on Oct. 13, initiated by civic groups who say he has failed in the role since he won the mayoral race in 2022.
Recent surveys have shown that a recall vote would be close.
Photo: CNA
Although southern Taiwan bore the brunt of Typhoon Krathon’s impact, its outer bands also brought heavy precipitation to Keelung, which set a one-day rain record of 359mm on Thursday.
The rains led to extensive flooding, which had not yet receded as of yesterday.
Hsieh said he made the decision jointly with the mayors of Taipei, New Taipei City and Taoyuan to announce a return to a normal work and school day yesterday, following two days off.
He also said the decision was made based on Central Weather Administration data.
“It could be due to extreme weather conditions that resulted in disparity from actual precipitation figures… We will find better ways in the future,” he added.
Speaking to reporters, Hsieh apologized for inconveniencing city residents.
“We are sorry for that, but Keelung did see the highest single-day rainfall in 78 years. It was quite different from the forecasted amount, and we hope residents understand,” he added.
Keelung, Taipei, New Taipei and Taoyuan cities often coordinate when deciding whether to cancel work and school, as many people commute between the different municipalities.
Initiators of the recall have accused Hsieh of abusing his power to benefit the Breeze Group, which is run by the family of his ex-girlfriend Michelle Liao (廖曉喬), by ordering police to break into Keelung E-Square Mall to complete a handover.
The Keelung mayor has said the right to recall is being used as a tool to overturn elections and urged Keelung residents to vote to prevent continued abuse of recall elections.
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