UPDATE: Christie In Point Beach: Shore Recovering Well; More Work To Do

Governor Christie appeared in Point Beach Thursday and acknowledged that although recovery along the Jersey Shore has varied from town-to-town, people should extend their summer vacations into September.

Christie, who strolled the Boardwalk during his visit, said some those towns that were able to rebuild quickly have been recovering faster.

He made a note of thanking Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Vincent Barrella, and noted that local residents' efforts helped get the boardwalk and beaches open in time for summer. He added that none of the state's beaches were closed for water quality issues this summer.

But unlike during a press conference he held in Long Branch earlier this week where he expressed frustration at the pace of federal funding, Gov. Christie today didn't address questions local officials like Barrella have had about Hurricane Sandy recovery aid.

More than $22 million in federal money has come to Ocean County to help rebuild the Shore after Hurricane Sandy devastated the beach communities. But local officials from Toms River and Belmar have said it's a drop in the bucket compared to what they've asked for.

Christie also discussed his visit to Long Beach Island earlier Thursday and listening to residents who are distressed that they still haven't returned to their homes, nine months after the storm.

"When we celebrate the boardwalk and people visiting these areas, that doesn't mean we think everything is done. We have a lot more work to do," Christie said, echoing a message he has been delivering throughout the week at stops along the shore.

Point Boro resident Cynthia Capiris echoed that sentiment.

"It's good we see him here but we need to see more progress," she said, Adding the entire community including area businesses have been affected and are down this year in Point.

Christie said officials are working on tallying sales tax revenue figures to help them determine how local businesses were affected. He noted hearing anecdotal reports of lower revenues in areas like Wildwood and Seaside.