CHART: Sandy Relief Aid: Who's Received Money, And How Much?

Wanda January 30, 2013 at 01:13 pm

My church in PPB received a $25,000 grant from Robin Hood Foundation. We are using it to install facilities, showers, etc in order to house volunteers from Lend A Hand, a group from PA, who go to homes with skilled labor to make repairs for free. You only have to buy materials. This is on-going for as long as needed, years if need be. There are many people, organizations, and churches reaching out to help all of you who need it.

ortleysmellslikebunker January 30, 2013 at 01:15 pm

I express it through the way i feel about ortley, and thanks for the spelling correction, You should get on the board with that 1.also if i bought a Ford and it was a piece of crap and i didn't like it i sure as hell wouldn't buy another 1! More proof of ortley mentality.

charlotte January 30, 2013 at 01:45 pm

Martin - do you have a website for "Save our Community 2013"?

Poppy January 30, 2013 at 02:56 pm

Midletownredisent, yes Unon Beach has recieved ALOT of donations however this does not mean the Goverment is off the hook. These residents pay taxes and flood insurance as well. Under your logic if you recieve food from the food bank the Goverment should stop your unemployment. I agree with you Middletown needs that money they recieved they are entitiled to it, their loss was spread over a larger geographic area and caused more expense to local goverment. They probably deserve more however dont attack Union Beach because they have recieved an outpouring of support.

Michelle V January 30, 2013 at 04:03 pm

When I said hand-outs I was not talking about giving free money to regular people...I was talking about politicians who line their own pockets first and then help their friends and relatives. Politicians take on this job for what they can get out of it....look at Menendez on the news this morning getting funds from a Florida Dr and a little action on the side with underage girls -- these are the people that control our lives right now. No one will help you unless you help yourself. If this is your secondary home, change your spouses primary to your shore house address so you can vote in TR...FYI..your primary is considered where you vote, not whre you say you live. For those in need of furniture, there is a "Habitat for Humanity" type store that opened in Wayne and a "Goodwill" store that opened in Pompton Plains that sell everything very reasonable to those in need. I too am waiting for my insurance money and have not even received the proof of loss yet to apply for the ICC; and yes, I have a mortgage so my bank gets to hold the money. The summer may happen in Lavallette and Seaside but not in Ortley! Don't be surprised if the powers that be are hoping people walk away from the beach blocks so they can build hotels for more ratables...little Wildwood is what we will be called. Also, lets not forget our President's inaugural ball where they ate lobster and drank champagne while people still live in tents and shelters...welcome to America.

KRaz January 30, 2013 at 04:59 pm

Looks like Stafford Townships politicians are doing the same as TR. NOTHING! Over 5,000 homes in disarray and nothing!

KRaz January 30, 2013 at 05:21 pm

Stafford is slowly forcing the middle class out of the township. Most residents in BHW (especially the elderly/widowed) cannot afford higher taxes, etc. Stafford probably didn't apply ... figure the residents will pay! All politicians are full of ****!

Mark O January 30, 2013 at 05:23 pm

Just sent this letter to Governor and Senators (Broken up into 3 posts due to length)
I am writing this letter to express my serious concerns regarding the new FEMA maps and the devastating impact they will have on coastal communities throughout the state as well as neighboring states. While Sandy was an unprecedented storm, the reaction by FEMA with regard to new flood elevation maps and ridiculously high potential flood insurance premiums, will do more lasting damage to our communities than the storm ever could. Most residents and property owners understand that doing everything they can, including if possible, raising their homes, will ultimately provide them with a better level of security from damage from future storms. However the actions of FEMA, including raising flood elevations to levels higher than even Sandy reached, expanding the V zone to affect literally thousands of existing homes, and then jacking up rates for flood insurance to astronomical levels, are sure to result in defaults, short sales, foreclosures, lower property values and lower tax revenue. Mayors of affected communities know this and will hopefully fight back, but help from State and Federal representatives are needed to give us all voices in Washington.

Mark O January 30, 2013 at 05:24 pm

How can FEMA make any sense of the following:
• The need to wait for up to 2 years until new maps are revised and adopted. • The raising of base flood elevations for a 100 year storm in some areas to 3 feet higher than Sandy’s surge. • The expansion of the V zone (3 ft. breaking waves) to mainland areas while less than 1 block off the ocean remains an A zone. • The requirement for piling type foundations under existing homes that have flooded maybe once in the last 50 years. • The charging of $7,000 per year for $250,000 of coverage, even if all of the above are somehow complied with, and up to $30,000 per year if not. (FEMA’s numbers , not mine) While I understand the Governor’s desire to get things moving and not wait for these issues to be resolved, forcing property owners to comply with worst case scenarios is not the answer. You can not take a densely developed area and suddenly impose draconian requirements to the existing property owners because of one freak storm that may be considered a 300 year event. Who, in their right mind, would spend thousands of dollars trying to comply with V zone foundation requirements and elevations (if it is even possible without the total removal and rebuilding of the home), and then be held hostage to a minimum 10 fold increase in insurance premiums.

Mark O January 30, 2013 at 05:25 pm

Yet failure to comply will put the homeowner in breach of contract with his bank, and make the property value plummet due to the insurance premiums that potential buyers would face.
Contrary to popular belief, most shore homes are not mansions, and most property owners are not millionaires. FEMA is apparently trying to balance its budget and correct past shortcomings on the backs of the northeast. As the only game in town, who can stop them? They are acting as judge, jury and executioner for the coast. The rezoning of the flood maps and the imposing of huge insurance premiums will certainly be a death sentence for the shore. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Deborah "Debbie" Venedam January 30, 2013 at 05:26 pm

I was thinking the same things? Why did Middletown get the bulk of the money so far. What did they have to rebuild?

mememe January 30, 2013 at 05:28 pm

If you have flood insurance you need to put in a claim. It doesn't matter if it is primary or second home. To collect from FEMA (no flood insurance, it must be primary home). And yes, you will have to elevate your home in order to afford flood insurance in the future. There should be a rider to your insurance policy for $30k in ICC grant money to elevate your home. I live in OB2 and this is my second go around, Irene and now Sandy.

mememe January 30, 2013 at 05:47 pm

Beach communities (Ortley, Ocean Beaches, Chadwick, Silver) taxes would go down significantly if they were able to secede from TR, There would be no school systems to support (school children would be tuition based and could go to Lavallette and then to PPB for HS). I believe there is a maximium of around 20 children from the TR section of the barrier island that go to school in TR.

Michelle V January 30, 2013 at 06:34 pm

Mark O....great points...however, to add to that, many of these 50+ year old slab homes cannot be raised. If anyone tries to raise them without a floor system they will have a problem and 2, the houses can fall apart like "pick up sticks" (if you are old enough to remember what they are). Not to say that many of these older people cannot climb flights of stairs to get into raised homes. Another genius thing I heard was about the height restriction: if you raise your existing 2 or 3 story house and it goes above 35 ft, they expect you to cut the roof and lower it to comply with the height restrictions. Another issue not addressed is setback lines. If you raise your house and it now needs steps, do we need a variance to go over the front setback ? or do we have to shrink our miniture bungalows to accommodate? or put the steps under the house? Alot of unanswered questions that TR officials cant answer, insurance agents cant answer and FEMA certainly cannot answer.

Rebecca January 30, 2013 at 06:37 pm

If the insurance companies would give us our money already, it would be nice to go home. Still displaced, home 100% destroyed and i have gotten 3 months rent from fema so far. Which i am happy about,because i cant pay mortgage and rent. We arent asking for any handouts,but Union Beach was slammed,6 homes in my family destroyed beyond repair, we would like the president to get on them! But he doesnt help....all the volunteers help and Obama didnt send them. And I cant take advantage of the free knock down program because insurance hasnt given their final reports, home owner insurance will probably want to delay after flood! We are going modular though and i also have been labeled a v zone and have to be raised 14ft. So that will be fun grocery shopping for my family of 6 anf climbing a million stairs, ugh. Not to mention my insurance and taxes going through the roof. Union Beach is going to be non existant after all this, because noone wants to deal with all the crap of raised taxes and living near water. If everyone banded togther against the government, instead of fighting with each other, then maybe something could/would get done!

Senior Citizen January 30, 2013 at 06:37 pm

ortleysmellslikebunker
What is your problem with Italians .I am an Italian American. What gives you the right to call us idoit.So you owned a house in Ortley and sold it for six times what you had paid for it. Because you new Sandy was coming. Are you a ROCKET SCIENTIST or a BRAIN SURGEON..It seems like your enjoying all the pain this has caused.So stop looking up tax records moron.

Mark O January 30, 2013 at 06:48 pm

Those are all great points as well. The hits keep coming. And for those who don't have these issues or can afford them, eventually you will be affected due to the death spiral caused by vacant properties, declining values and tax appeals. If only we could get some common sense to the equation, but I guess that is asking too much from our government.

Bill Strohkirch January 30, 2013 at 06:54 pm

The government is who put the dike there. I believe it is only right that the problem be corrected to reduce the risk for everyone and not be selective on who drowns and who don't. My home has been in port monmouth since the thirties. My family has lived in it since the fifties and current. The dike was built in the sixties after hurricane Donna. And ever since the streets flood on a normal full moon tide.

Chief Wahoo January 30, 2013 at 07:05 pm

it sure is not going to be fun, sleeping on pins and needles , every time some dark clouds form in the sky.......tonights storm, should be a good warm up for the spring NorEasterns
Anarcho-Capitalism

shorecorruption January 30, 2013 at 10:20 pm

Was just reading the WSJ and the US is going to give Mali $96 million.

Union Beach Resident January 30, 2013 at 11:29 pm

All of these areas need the money we have all been impacted by this storm! Arguing and complaining that this town had little this town had a lot will solve nothing. I must say I am proud to be a resident of Union Beach! The town has done so much to help the residents as far as Sheetrock and insulation but most of all the towns people have all come together to help one another!

Rich January 30, 2013 at 11:30 pm

How in the world does Jackson get more more funding than Toms River?? Jackson is so far inland, what the eff??

Michael Capo January 31, 2013 at 01:09 am

I mentioned before that Seaside Park, a well run town ,unlike Toms River, has already suspended height, rear and front setback restrictions. They did this because they know that residents will face these prior restrictions as they raise their homes. Seaside Park wanted to be proactive and take one more hurdle out of the way of their people. They care about their people. Toms River on the other hand has done nothing in this regard. They dont want to lose out on the variance and permitting fees.

Michael Capo January 31, 2013 at 01:15 am

Thanks , I'll take that advice under advisement.

Jenn January 31, 2013 at 05:24 am

You all seem to be asking....WHY MIDDLETOWN? HAVE YOU PEOPLE EVEN LOOKED AROUND TO SEE THE DAMAGE THAT WAS DONE TO MIDDLETOWN? BELFORD, PORT MONMOUTH, LEONARDO, NORTH MIDDLETOWN...OPEN YOUR EYES PEOPLE! I WAS A RESIDENT OF PORT MONMOUTH AND LOST EVERYTHING...INCLUDING A FAMILY MEMBER AND MY DOG WHO WERE FOUND TWO WEEKS AFTER THE STORM...UNDER A HUGE PILE OF SAND! WHEN VOLUNTEERS ARRIVED...THEY WERE TOLD BY FEMA TO GO SIGHT SEEING FOR FOUR DAMN DAYS...THOSE PEOPLE COULD HAVE LOOKED FOR THE MISSING...HELP THE PEOPLE WHO WERE STRUGGLING TO LITERALLY KEEP THEIR HEADS ABOVE WATER!!! TRUST ME WHEN I TELL YOU....THE MONIES GIVEN TO MIDDLETOWN HAS NOT GONE TO THE RESIDENTS! OBVIOUSLY, YOU PEOPLE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO BITCH...TRY TAKING A RIDE AND SEE THE DEVESTATION IN MIDDLETOWN! TRY LOOKING UP THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO WERE TAKEN FROM THIS WORLD WAY TOO SOON BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF HELP! AND YES...I HAVE LOOKED AROUND TOMS RIVER, THATS WHERE I HAD TO RELOCATE FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS! IT JUST DOESNT COMPARE! I'M STILL UNABLE TO EVEN BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING...AND FEMA STUCK US RIGHT UP THE BUTT WHILE WE'RE DOWN AND OUT...LET'S RAISE YOUR FLOOD RATES...AND THEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO THE "BLAME GAME"! SO AGAIN...COME OUT FROM BEHIND YOUR COMPUTER SCREENS PEOPLE AND TAKE A GOOD LOOK AROUND MIDDLETOWN...PERHAPS SHUT YOUR MOUTHS AND LEND A HELPING HAND! MY ENTIRE LIFE SITS IN A PILE ON WHAT USED TO BE MY FRONT LAWN!

Stephanie Sevastakis January 31, 2013 at 01:32 pm

Other than the fact that it isn't your primary home, our situations are extremely close. My house has had additions and is totally on a slab. You didn't mention what flood zone you are in which makes a huge difference, as of now anyway. Since you have another home to live in, I would not continue to rebuild until 1) they dredge the bay as well as build dunes, sea walls etc, because right now another bad storm will cause major flooding again. Give it a few months to see if easier resolutions become available. If they don't you could always have your home sheetrocked and finished within 60 days and in time for the summer. The requirements should only get less restrictive not more.

barbara February 1, 2013 at 01:17 am

Thanks TR Voice, we in the A zone, off fischer blvd. even though my "secondary" home, we rented it to my son 5 years ago, plan was he buys it in 5 years or we sell it. We moved to retirement village, plan was to become snowbirds to Naples, Fla once we got rid of that house. we are renovating right now, another month or so should be done. Basically, hubby and family doing most of the work. just so sad, but yes, it has flooded in that area in the past, we purchased the home in 83. Did apply for the ICC, but at this point, we not going to raise. Hope we can just get rid of it. Property is resedential/commercial, will see what happens. I freak when i hear of "flooding" ugh. but thanks for the support. Been very hard on us, not looking for sympathy, cause i know there are many out there going thru the same thing. All my kids homeless, my daughter from sshts hoping she can get back this coming week, in laws in V zone, right on bay, they elderly and don't want to go back. shame. they were also here with us, but luckily renting next door to us for a few months. now they want to buy here. just so sad, they worked so hard to get that property years ago, they were comfortable, now just so confusing, but, taking it day by day...there has to be a light at the end of this horrible tunnel.

Michelle V February 2, 2013 at 02:50 am

Barbara,
My 2nd home is in Ortley and understand totally the "plan"...we were in the process of selling our North Jersey home to move to Ortley full time when the storm hit. So now I still have 2 mortgages, no insurance money any time soon and no idea how to proceed because we don't know what we are getting. Can you give me an idea of where your in-laws house is? I am looking to sell both my homes and buy one house on the water. I am also a realtor and have investors looking to buy as well. (I know there will be alot of "thieves" coming down looking to steal homes, my clients are not them) If your in-laws need help finding a home (maybe they want to go inland?) I will be happy to help with that also. I don't want to sound like an ambulance chaser, but I do follow this blog and contribute to it often. I wish you all luck, we will all need it to have some sort of normalcy anytime soon.

barbara February 2, 2013 at 01:40 pm

Michelle, Bayside Terrace, please email me your information and maybe we can talk. campergirl307@comcast.net Thanks.

Melissa February 3, 2013 at 06:50 pm

Yes, why isnt Seaside Heights even on the list?