Jan 1, 2009 1:30 pm US/Eastern
Bloomberg Thanks New Year's Bash Sanitation Crews
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Former President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton celebrate the beginning of the year 2009 during the ceremony to lower the Times Square New Year's Eve ball in Times Square on Jan. 1, 2009, in New York City.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images
The party is over and now so's the cleanup.
Close to a million people had an arctic blast as they ushered in 2009 at the crossroads of the world, and over 100 sanitation workers turned out the morning after to pick up over 41 tons of trash.
Piles and piles of confetti and food wrappers were all removed within the first nine hours of the new year, and Mayor Bloomberg visited Times Square to thank city sanitation workers for a job well done.
Mayor Bloomberg was scheduled to make an appearance at 9:45 a.m. to thank the workers for a job well done.
Free goodies were grabbed up by a chattering Time Square crowd last night, and handouts included hats to go on top of hats, as the weather to start the new year demands lots of layers.
"Three, hand warmers and two hats on and two scarves," said Victor Tate, Virginia resident, describing how he beat the cold.
More than a ton of confetti and 1,000 balloons washed over the party goers as midnight struck. Just moments before, the Jonas Brothers sang in the new year, and Bill and Hillary Clinton led the final 60 second countdown.
The party started early and close to a million people waited more than six hours in the subzero temperature to put 2008 behind them. In this economyy, many liked the idea of a free party even if it was outdoors.
"I am glad it's over with, ready to start a new year," one party goer said. "It's not so bad we can't celebrate," another declared.
Even the thousands of cops on patrol were chilled to the bone. "It's really cold. It's brutal," one said.
Along with the resolutions, New Yorkers will have the new, improved ball. It's double in size with twice the star power and is capable of creating billions of patterns. Starting Thursday, it will be a year-round attraction, a permanent reminder of New Year's Eve and just how cold we were that some had to dance to just keep warm.
"Got to keep the blood flowing. You know, all these to keep the fingers warm. It's working, it's great," said Philadelphia resident Melissa Talleda.
As of Thursday morning, the NYPD reported only one arrest in Times Square made for disorderly conduct.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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