Staten Island residents got a chance to weigh-in Tuesday night on the local response to last month's blizzard.

About 60 people showed up at the Michael J. Petrides School at 715 Ocean Terrace in Emerson Hill for the public hearing.

It was the first of five that will be held, one in each borough, to examine how the city responded to the December 26th snowstorm that dumped about two feet of snow on some parts of the city.

Council Speaker Christine Quinn attended personally. The Department of Sanitation also sent a representative who told the crowd he was only there to listen, not to take questions or give answers. He did, however, issue an apology on behalf of the department.

At times, angry residents dug into the Sanitation Department, especially Commissioner John Doherty -- a Staten Island resident himself.

"He's not gonna be able to answer any questions. He just sent somebody...says 'Look, read this page and don't answer any questions. So that's what the city is gonna have," said Staten Island resident Francisco Ojeda.

"I'm telling you that there's a problem with me when worshipers can't come to worship. There's a problem with me when they can't come to worship because the city of New York is negligent in their duties and their responsibilities," said Reverend Lloyd Land of Staten Island.

City Councilwoman Debi Rose said a combination of fatigue and frustration was the likely reason for such a low turnout when the anger has been running so high.

"I think people are just tired. They just wanna be able to get to work and come and go with their daily lives without being encumbered by snow," Rose said.

Written testimonials were also collected and will be added to the public record.

The next Council hearing will be held Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at Brooklyn Borough Hall.