Community Corner
Gov. Christie Tours Boardwalks in Anticipation of Memorial Day
In Lavallette Monday, Governor said he wants to highlight that the Jersey Shore is recovering
Gov. Chris Christie was in Lavallette Monday to help the borough celebrate the reconstruction of its boardwalk and promote tourism as Memorial Day Weekend nears.
Like many Jersey Shore towns, Lavallette's boardwalk was ravaged by Superstorm Sandy. The governor traveled to the borough to spread the word that New Jersey continues to recover.
"This is the first symbol, for us, of making sure this week that everybody across the state, across the region, and across America knows that the Jersey Shore is open for the summer and ready to receive our customers," Christie said in remarks there Monday.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The ceremonial "last board" in Lavallette was nailed down by borough officials. Numerous local business owners contributed attended the event, contributing their time and food, according to Lavallette Business Association President Mark Speaker.
Christie said that he plans travel along the entire Jersey Shore this week and into the Memorial Day Weekend to see the progress of boardwalks and beaches.
Find out what's happening in Toms Riverwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"We’ll have every boardwalk up and down the Jersey Shore open and ready for business on Memorial Day Weekend," the governor said. "And if I had predicted that to you when I came here the first week in November, for the first time, when everything looked the way it looked, we all would have wondered if that could be possible."
Toms River's devastated boardwalk in Ortley Beach won't be ready for Memorial Day Weekend — a portion is expected to open on June 1 — but the beach should be open by Memorial Day, according to officials.
In Point Pleasant Beach, officials have said that the entire boardwalk should be usable by Memorial Day Weekend. Portions of the boardwalk were damaged by Sandy, while other areas survived the storm unscathed.
Belmar plans to celebrate the re-opening of its boardwalk during a May 22 ceremony, according to officials. In Manasquan, a May 23 boardwalk opening is planned.
Working together and fighting for each other is making recovery efforts work, Christie said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
