Hurricane Sandy

Local Officials Describe Sandy's Widespread Devastation, 'Human Misery' to Senate Panel

State Senate looking to improve infrastructure, hear from local mayors, police chiefs on Hurricane Sandy specifics

Local officials described in dramatic detail the work of rescue and rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy, as state senators listened to how the Jersey Shore is grappling with widespread devastation and how to improve for the future. “This is flooding, devastation, I’d never have imagined in my lifetime,” said Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy, one of the first panelists detailing specific anecdotes and financial spending in response to Hurricane Sandy. The panelists were called by the state Senate Budget Committee, held in Toms River Monday. It was the first of several meetings aiming to equip senators with a better understanding as the state figures out how to fund the rebuilding of a collapsed infrastructure and to improve it in …

•  56 Comments
• Photos (9)

10th District Senate, Assembly Seats Up For Grabs

With Ciesla retiring, a long-time assemblyman looks to move to the upper house of the legislature

Next Tuesday will mark the first election day since 1992 when voters will not be able to cast their ballot for Andrew Ciesla to represent the tenth district in the New Jersey State Senate. The longtime GOP legislator from Brick's Herbertsville section announced in February that he would retire at the end of his term. That announcement prompted Ciesla's longtime Assembly running mate, James Holzapfel, also of Brick, to run for the open seat. Holzapfel, a Republican, is being opposed by frequent Democratic candidate Charles Tivenan, another Brick native. But while the players on the Senate side of the race are well-known to voters district-wide – with Holzapfel having the advantage of both incumbency and a heavily Republican district behind …

•  11 Comments
• Photos (1)