By msnb.com staff and news services
The great Toilet Paper Crisis of 2012 -- at least for the city of Trenton, N.J. -- is over after the mayor authorized an emergency order of the indispensable material for city buildings.
The local crisis became an international sensation, and that wasn't lost on council members, the Trenton Times reported Wednesday.
"Today all over the world we are the laughingstock not only of this nation but of the world and that, in and of itself, should send us a message that we need to get our act together," Council President Kathy McBride said at Tuesday night's council meeting.
Mayor Tony Mack's administration placed the order Tuesday and some supplies were supposed to have arrived that afternoon, with the rest on Wednesday.
The situation had become dire on Tuesday at police headquarters.
The men's rooms were completely bare and just a few rolls were left in the women's rooms, Detective George Dzurkoc said after filing a health complaint on behalf of the Policemen's Benevolent Association.
"The bottom line is they have a health issue knocking at the door," Dzurkoc said.
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The crisis started in September, when the council rejected a $42,000 contract for paper products because of concerns about the $4,000 price tag for coffee cups.
The emergency order provides $16,000 for toilet paper, paper towels and toilet-seat covers.
A city official said the search for a long-term provider continues.
Budget spat wipes out toilet paper
Public works director Harold Hall, who had earlier warned the council of supplies running low at senior centers, police headquarters and city hall, blamed the city council for not approving the contract when it was presented to them last year.
"You, as adults, know that we need these items in these buildings," he said.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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