New York Gym Under Fire For Offering Special Deal To First Responders

First responders are furious at New York Sports Club for offering a special deal to 9/11 first responders.

They charged the promotion is nothing more than a shameless way of using a national tragedy to make money.

“There are certain things you should never advertise from,” said James Ryder, 47, a retired police officer who spent four years using DNA to identify remains at Ground Zero. “It’s disgusting.”

Ryder also took issue with the timing of the promotion: It runs from Aug. 11 to Sept. 11, the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

The club says it meant well.

“We wanted to do something unique and special,” said Robert Giardina, CEO of Town Sports International, which operates NYSC. He noted that four NYSC branches were closed down after the 9-11 attacks and one, at 30 Wall St., was turned into a comfort station for first-responders.

The idea for the promotion was suggested by first-responders, Giardina said, after the club offered reduced rates to teachers and students.

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.