Monday, May 13, 2013
Senate bill 2601 would also allow the county to exercise the power of eminent domain in order to erect dunes to protect lands, property and facilities near the beaches
The Ocean County Freeholders oppose a Senate bill that, if approved, would permit counties to take over the operation of beaches within its jurisdiction. A resolution stating that Ocean County would be “actively impacted” by this legislation was unanimously passed at a Freeholders meeting May 1. “If Ocean County were to take over and maintain the 44 miles of just oceanfront beaches in Ocean County, it would not only be cost prohibitive but would also require taxpayers who don’t use the beaches to pay for them,” Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari said. The bill (S2601, A3891), sponsored by Sen. Bob Smith and Assemblywoman L. Grace Spencer, would authorize any county of the fifth or six class — Atlantic, Monmouth, Ocean and Cape May — to assume …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
"Discrepancies" were found in some of the charges submitted by AshBritt, the debris removal firm contracted by the state after Superstorm Sandy
AshBritt, Inc., the firm hired by the state to haul debris after Superstorm Sandy, benefited from an “ambiguous” contract that resulted in at least tens of thousands in extra charges, according to a report released on Wednesday. Ocean County Administrator Carl Block handed the Freeholders a thick report at Wednesday’s pre-board meeting. The report, done by state-hired monitor The Louis Berger Group, Inc., reviews the mileage billed to Ocean County by AshBritt. “The director contacted me after some articles had been written about the clean up efforts,” Block said. Freeholder Director John P. Kelly had asked for a report to be done breaking down the process of debris hauling as well as the charges in relation to distance. “Discrepancies” had…
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Beach communities are inviting visitors back this summer, but even as they continue to rebuild they face misconceptions about lingering destruction.
It’s an enduring image of Hurricane Sandy’s destruction of the Jersey Shore and its coastal communities. The Jet Star roller coaster, rising out of its saltwater foundation, is a representation of the sheer force of nature, one seen in publications around the world in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Every day the ride has spent in the Atlantic Ocean since is a reality of just how long recovery can actually take. Eventually it will be removed, and likely soon, but what it represents, like every tattered boardwalk, every crushed house, and flooded business, is likely to linger much longer. And it's what the Jersey Shore, and the people trying to maintain its tourism appeal, are fighting against. As New Jersey’s beach towns ready …
Monday, May 6, 2013
Stacy Lewis donated $20,000 to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Southern Branch in the days following the storm.
In the days following Superstorm Sandy, the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Southern Chapter received many donations, but few were bigger than the one from professional golfer Stacy Lewis. Lewis quietly contributed $20,000 to the food bank, based in Egg Harbor Township. On Monday, May 6, the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce showed its appreciation for her in a public way. Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sam Young presented Lewis with the a Community Hero Award for her contribution. Galloway Councilwoman Whitney Ullman and Councilman Jim McElwee presented Lewis with a plaque declaring May 6 “Stacy Lewis Day.” “She stepped up and we truly appreciate it,” Young said during Monday’s Media Day for this year’s ShopRite LPGA …
Saturday, May 4, 2013
The funding will be used to pay back portions of expenditures incurred as a result of Hurricane Sandy.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded more than $15 million in federal Public Assistance grants for shore communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy in a latest round of funding, according to a release from Gov. Chris Christie's office. The aid will be used to reimburse municipalities and counties for costs incurred in the aftermath of the late-October storm, whether that be for rescue efforts, cleanup, or reconstruction. The more than $15 million in grant funding has been awarded to Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, Monmouth County, Middlesex County, and Woodbridge Township. Monmouth County will receive federal funding to reimburse the Sheriff's Department, which supplied security at shelters following Sandy and performed…
Friday, May 3, 2013
A group of 30 is volunteering their time for Sandy relief
When it comes to disasters, Scott Harding has seen his fair share. As the CEO of National Relief Network, Harding has helped to get eager volunteers to the devastated areas where they're needed. This week, they're at the Jersey Shore, helping locals recover from Superstorm Sandy. "It's about as bad as it gets when you're talking about a hurricane," Harding said. A group of 30 volunteers from Michigan is staying at the Silverton Emergency Medical Services building while they help out. The 30 students, faculty and staff from the University of Detroit Mercy was organized by Mike Rogers, a group coordinator who works with the ministry there. Organizers had considered an overseas relief project this spring, but ultimately decided to help …
It is estimated that $940,000 in federal funds from CDBG and HOME programs will be dispersed to Ocean County municipalities and public agencies in 2013
Ocean County expects to distribute approximately $200,000 for Superstorm Sandy relief and recovery. The freeholders authorized the submission and execution of the county's Fiscal Year 2013 Action Plan Wednesday. The plan outlines recommended municipal projects and how funding will be allocated through the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and how HOME programs will be distributed. It is estimated that $940,000 in federal funds will be dispersed to the county's municipalities and public agencies for housing rehabilitation and municipal and public service projects, a news release from the county said. “Many great projects have resulted from the distribution of these funds,” said Freeholder Gerry P. Little, liaison to the …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Some municipalities, such as Sea Bright, desperately need the additional funds from Community Disaster Loan applications.
The impact of Superstorm Sandy continues to be felt by the State of New Jersey as it embarks on its first fiscal year following one of the biggest storms in state history. For various reasons, many towns have been forced into a holding pattern, waiting as the state approves their budgets. Indeed, 32 towns impacted by the storm have applied for Community Disaster Loans, which are reviewed by officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and must ultimately be approved by the state Department of Community Affairs' Division of Local Government Services. Some towns, such as Sea Bright in Monmouth County, see this loan as an absolute must. The borough applied for about $1.25 million in the loan, and has not even introduced its budget …
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Adoption of the 2013-14 county budget, which does not raise taxation, postponed
Although Freeholder John C. Bartlett could not say what impact the 2013-14 county budget would have on the average homeowner, he announced that there is no increase in the amount to be raised by taxation from 2012. “The 2013 budget cannot be compared in any way shape or form with last year’s budget,” Bartlett said Wednesday when a public hearing on the budget was held. There is no average this year. The whole tax base has changed.” The budget was not yet adopted as the Freeholders await approval from the State. Since Hurricane Sandy, the county’s tax base has been slashed by an estimated $9 to $10 billion — $3.6 billion due to the storm and $5.4 billion due to a loss of market value. The numbers continue to change and will be certified by …
Public can vote for favorite CNN iReport nominee daily until Monday, May 6
A yellow house with nearly half the structure missing. A boardwalk and ride torn from the ground it sat on. These are some of the photos that have been nominated for a CNN iReport award. Two weeks following Hurricane Sandy, Clifford and Susan Rumpf of Little Falls ventured to the Jersey Shore to begin a lengthy process of documenting the devastation. After taking thousands of photos from Union Beach to Atlantic City, the couple has been nominated for a CNN iReport award in the category of Compelling Imagery. A CNN panel selected 36 citizen journalists out of almost 11,000 iReports published in 2012. There are six categories including breaking news, original reporting, compelling imagery, commentary, personal story and in-depth storytelling…
George
4:35 pm on Monday, May 13, 2013
And the lack of dunes allowed the ocean to breach the barrier island, flood the bay and flood mainland homes. Somebody PLEASE build dunes! Use eminent domain to get easements to build dunes -- for the safety of the public and tens of thousands of homes. The selfish oceanfront hold-outs can elevate their houses to see over them and keep their precious views. With adequate dunes, the rest of us … more ›