Column as submitted by Toms River Mayor Thomas Kelaher:
I want to remind all Toms River residents that plans are currently underway for barrier island residents to get back into their homes as soon as feasibly possible.
I don't know that our residents fully understand the devastation that Hurricane Sandy has had on our beach community. Ortley Beach is known as Ground Zero. I think our residents need to mentally prepare themselves for what they'll see. Landmarks are not there anymore. Parking lots have had their asphalt ripped apart and literally thrown to the other side of the street. Houses have no staircases. Many homes were pulled from their foundation and are leaning on the dirt. Many homes are not structurally sound to even enter. Add to the fact that the roads are cluttered with enormous piles of debris, over 20 sinkholes and several dislodged homes are blocking the pathway to several roads.
We understand that other towns have allowed residents into their homes. We cannot comment on what other towns are doing, but we have been told, as per the NJ Department of Transportation, State Office of Emergency Management Officials and Public Safety personnel, that we are not allowed access until their assessments are completed. We need to abide by their orders for the safety of all residents. We have been blessed in the fact that there were not any fatalities or major injuries. I'm not going to overrule the DOT's safety procedure to appease outspoken individuals.
Arrangements are underway for a safe re-entry plan and residents will be updated on our township website the moment that information becomes available. You will be given ample notice and multiple opportunities to visit your homes, get belongings and winterize.
Thank you for your continued patience during this difficult time.
Tax Questions
Tax Payments
Due to Hurricane Sandy, the Toms River Township Council will be passing a resolution at its next public meeting that will authorize the extension of the grace period for the payment of real estate taxes through December 31, 2012.
This resolution will waive any late payment interest fees relating to the fourth-quarter 2012 real property taxes.
My house is damaged or non-existent. Do I still need to pay my taxes?
The Township is awaiting advice from the New Jersey Division of Taxation regarding real estate taxes for homes affected by the storm. These taxes are regulated by the State of New Jersey and not Toms River Township, and all local plans must be approved. Updates will be posted on the website.
Ray Coolidge
I am sorry you do not have flood insurance, but the insurance companies needed to know this was not just a a flood but also it was a hurricane with winds up to 90 miles per hour and your homeowner policy should cover part of this if not alI. I do not know what these insurance company are smoking these days. I heard that other here In Staten Island were told the same thing from Allstate and Liberty Mutual. Somewhere along the line the Federal Governent must step in and help. I know FEMA and the SBA will not help anyone if the Barrier Island is not there permenant home Good luck I also have a home there that my wife and I purchase for our grandchildren to enjoy and keep off the city streets.
None of this makes any sense.The insurance companies are making up there own rules.We all have homes on the Barrier Island. Are they saying it was a Cat1 and when it hit the beach it became a topical strom are they kidding or what.The GOV. and the PRES.must get these insurance companies to step up and do the right thing we pay for this insurance what the does it cover.Ortley beach pays higher taxes than Toms River resident because we own beach property yet we have no sewer system and everytime it rains hard our streets and corners are flooded, that always a problem I wonder if this had anything to do with the Sinkholes.Cicel If your parents and sister are permenant residents they can apply to FEMA and Sba for a low interest rate loan, I think the rate is 1.68%.
With all his connections he should have taken a news crew with him and shot actual footage for us. All I can say is we should not put these NFL stars on a pedestal, buy their vodka, watch there dumb a.s shows or listen to them. I only have respect for those who help others and goose is not one to respect!
"Christie said the state will allow residents controlled access to assess damage, retrieve belongings and permit repopulation of the island for residents whose homes are safe and habitable. People should procede with caution as there is still a lot of work going on and dangerous conditions in many areas". Work is continuing in LBI, while the residents return. They have not electric and must boil their water. And without signing waivers! Why is this not the same for Ortley and the surrounding area. They have been working in Ortley for 10 days. Rope off the worn, torn beach area and the part of Bay Blvd . Sink hole should be rope off by now. To familys who lost homes, on both sides of the bridge. To homes owners and renters. This is not about someone who has 1 house in TR or someone who has a house at the shore and 1 elsewhere. Some of us work very hard for what we have. This is about our Governor listening to OUR LOCAL POLITICIANS KEEPING US FROM OUR HOMES. FOR REASONS OF THEIR OWN. And that's against EVERYONE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.
http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=em-share_video_user&v=-g7MYfleX-o&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-g7MYfleX-o%26feature%3Dem-share_video_user
By definition, "Ground Zero" describes the point on the Earth's surface closest to a detonation or the point of mass destruction... Yes, the term was used to reference the damage to Lower Manhattan on 9/11 but the term was NOT created for that catastrophic event just rightfully used to describe it. The Mayor does not need to apologize for using the term and if you think so, you are misinformed and totally missing the point.
Worry about what matters - getting the barrier islands safe for re-entry, cleaned and re-built.
Hey Get out a My Way on the roads.. people drinkin beer and smoking pot on the beach. the beach staff was nice and the fishin pretty good but the residents and visitors especially the Joey crowd they missed the beauty of the beach..which is still there... but the big attitude houses and every inch development got whooped I do empathise with all the loss that was taken but hopefully its future will be made by people ie contractors trying to make a living(not a fortune) and owners trying to enjoy the place instead of trying to make an impression.