Saturday, May 25, 2013
Buildings still in tatters, empty lots where homes once stood
The kick-off ceremonies may be taking place. But many are far from starting over at the Jersey Shore this Memorial Day weekend. As the Shore on Friday celebrated the rebirth of the Seaside Heights boardwalk following its destruction in Hurricane Sandy, the situation remained grim just minutes away on Ocean County's northern barrier island. In Mantoloking, the epicenter of a massive ocean breach during the Oct. 29, 2012 storm, homes remained off their foundations, awaiting the arrival of demolition crews. Oceanfront lots that once contained houses are empty, and the entire town remained exposed to Mother Nature with its duneline destroyed. In Brick Township, the charred remains of homes from the Camp Osborn neighborhood greeted motorists …
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Harry, Christie survey the damage and have some fun
JERSEY SHORE -- Britain's Prince Harry did what most people would do on a sunny, spring day in Seaside Heights—take in the ocean views, then play some boardwalk games. Harry came to Seaside Heights with Gov. Chris Christie Tuesday morning after the two toured destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy in Mantoloking. The pair drove south on Route 35 and entered the boardwalk at Grant Avenue where crowds of people were waiting for their arrival. "Prince Harry, we love you," shouted one small girl who was holding a welcome sign. Standing next to her was an Elvis Presley impersonator, hoping to attract some attention of his own from the prince. Harry and Christie were greeted by local officials, who escorted the pair out to Casino Pier, the site …
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Security will be tight, however, report says
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
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Tuesday, May 7
Britain's Prince Harry will visit Mantoloking and Seaside Heights during a May 14 visit to New Jersey to survey damage from Superstorm Sandy, a report from The Associated Press said Monday. Mantoloking Mayor George Nebel said Gov. Christie will accompany the prince on a brief walk down Barnegat Lane – which runs along Barnegat Bay – and then head to Seaside Heights, according to the report. Security will be tight and local residents will most likely not be able to see the prince, the news organization reported. Christie's office told Patch Monday that the details of the prince's visit were being handled by the British consulate in New York City. Patch contacted and left a message with the consulate's press office on the matter. Christie, …
But state will work on drainage, pump stations during summer
The state is postponing Route 35 reconstruction until after Labor Day, a welcome relief to local officials and business people who feared that the work would cause massive traffic delays all summer. "I'm very happy," said Bay Head Mayor Bill Curtis. "This is more than enough of a change, even if they start the day after Labor Day." He and other Bay Head officials and business owners had also been concerned the state Department of Transportation (DOT) road work would kill parking spaces on Route 35, just as businesses are hoping a robust summer tourism season can help them recover from Superstorm Sandy. Point Pleasant Beach Mayor Vincent Barrella had more of a mixed reaction. "I'm pleased, but disappointed they didn't let me know," said …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Intact home has been in the bay since Superstorm Sandy struck
The Mantoloking house that was swept, intact, into Barnegat Bay and has since been wedged against an island will be gone by Friday afternoon, demolition experts said Thursday. A crew from CrowderGulf, the contractor hired by the state Department of Environmental Protection to clear waterway debris from northern Barnegat Bay, began work to remove the two-story house Thursday. State and local officials held a ceremony to mark the occasion. The home, sitting in the water about 200 feet from the edge of the bay, is one of eight nearly intact homes that Sandy pushed into the water statewide. Two other virtually intact Mantoloking homes were swept into Barnegat Bay, while one home in Monmouth County's Union Beach was pushed into Raritan Bay. …
A state DEP crew is starting to work on the house swept into the bay by Sandy
If you can possibly avoid driving on Route 35 south through the Bay Head-Mantoloking area this morning, it would probably be a good idea. A crew is starting to work on a house that needs to be demolished and moved out of Barnegat Bay. Traffic continues to be heavy on the state highway and it's not yet known when it will clear up, Mantoloking police said on Thursday morning. "Two road jobs" and the state work on the house press are contributing to the congestion, police said. The state Department of Transportation is holding a press conference about the state's plan to begin dismantling a house that Superstorm Sandy flung into Barnegat Bay. A press release issued on Wednesday states: "Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Condemnation now on the table as dune deadline looms; In Brick, easement language changes
- THE NEIGHBORHOOD FILES
- Daniel Nee
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Wednesday, April 24
With only a few holdouts expected to decline signing easements that will allow a federal dune and beach replenishment project to move forward, Mantoloking has hired an attorney to deal with those who refuse to cooperate. Borough officials at a council meeting Tuesday said that eminent domain – the public taking of the easement parcels – will be on the table. Council President Steve Gillingham described the four to five holdouts as "selfish and short-sighted" and said the borough will begin to consider legal action and – like Long Beach Township – will publicly release the names of those who do not sign by the borough's deadline, which is Friday. The council voted in favor of hiring attorney Paul V. Fernicola, of Red Bank, to handle "…
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
FEMA video focuses on how one home survived while neighbors did not
Ed Wright's home, now, is one of few standing. But prior to Hurricane Sandy, it was one of the few standing on pilings on his street in Mantoloking. So many others were at ground level, and a recent FEMA video implies it was the foresight to raise the home years ago that helped Wright's home see less damage from Hurricane Sandy. In a dramatically damaged area of Mantoloking, FEMA found one homeowner's house had survived, and produced a video about Wright's plans years ago to raise his house, and how it impacted the home during Hurricane Sandy. FEMA's video, titled "Elevation Helps a Home Survive Hurricane Sandy," features interviews with Wright and pictures before and after the storm.
Monday, April 15, 2013
FEMA video focuses on how one home survived while neighbors did not
Ed Wright's home, now, is one of few standing. But prior to Hurricane Sandy, it was one of the few standing on pilings on his street in Mantoloking. So many others were at ground level, and a recent FEMA video implies it was the foresight to raise the home years ago that helped Wright's home see less damage from Hurricane Sandy. In a dramatically damaged area of Mantoloking, FEMA found one homeowner's house had survived, and produced a video about Wright's plans years ago to raise his house, and how it impacted the home during Hurricane Sandy. FEMA's video, titled "Elevation Helps a Home Survive Hurricane Sandy," features interviews with Wright and pictures before and after the storm.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
DEP Commissioner: sand could be piped over Route 35 to oceanfront
The ongoing process of removing debris from the floor of Barnegat Bay will eventually evolve to the next step in the overall cleanup effort: removing sand that got pushed into the waterway. That phase of the project should begin in the next four to eight weeks, said New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Martin during a conference call with a number of reporters Tuesday. "While we do the debris removal, we are already putting plans in place and getting permitting with the Army Corps of Engineers to do the dredging activity," said Martin. "I'm hoping within the next month or two we can start doing that dredging as well." The bay is steadily being cleared of large pieces of debris left over from Superstorm …
Ortley Joe
1:45 pm on Saturday, May 25, 2013
WHY? They are holding us Hostage I paid My taxes for 56 years there and I deserve to have my town do repairs when they are needed. They cleaned up the other side of the bridge didn't they with Ortley Beaches Money. more ›