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Mayor Michael Bloomberg, complete with workman's gloves, managed to coax the reluctant groundhog out from his home Tuesday in the Staten Island Zoo in West Brighton.

The mayor says Chuck did not see his shadow, meaning an early spring for us this year.

"It's warmer in there than it is out here and even though he did predict an early spring, it doesn't feel so much like that right now,” said Peter Laline of the Staten Island Zoo. “The mayor believed the groundhog was a little scared and shy to come out and apologize, but he did."

There were no repeats of last year, when Chuck bit the mayor's finger. The mayor was given a pair of boxing clubs, but he did not have to use them.

"Last year, I was willing to put that finger right here, in the ways to protect the people of this great borough. The only thing that stood between Chuck and you getting bitten was my finger," said the mayor. "And I have a scar to prove just exactly how much I love one of the five best boroughs we have."

Chuck somehow learned the mayor's birthday is coming up on February 14, so he gave Bloomberg a combination birthday-Valentine's Day-apology card.

In Pennsylvania, Chuck's groundhog friend, Punxsutawney Phil, did see his shadow, meaning six more weeks of winter.

The two often have a difference of opinion, including last year, but Staten Island organizers say Chuck has been right in 22 out of the past 29 years.