They will build a boardwalk ... they will build a shower ... they will build a parking lot.
The BS that been thrown around are all excuses for the fear of losing a view - putting people in harms way to retain a view. "Bulls***", said Governor Chris Christie, to a standing room only crowd today in Long Beach Township.
On the eve of the deadline to sign the remaining easements, Christie warned he will use every power in his arsenal - just short of eminent domain - to obtain those needed easements for dune access.
Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Notable in attendence were John Spodofora, Mayor Stafford Township, and Mayor Mancini of Long Beach Township - who has also been proactive in getting the dunes and beach easements signed. He has said time and time again "when the deadline's up and there remains unsigned easments, these names will be made public."
Funny thing happened on my way to the town hall meeting. Taking advantage of having just launched our boat for Sailors for Sandy to evacuate the bay first hand, my trustee whaler overheated.
Find out what's happening in Barnegat-Manahawkinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Luckily I was able to get it started, but while out I caught the Southern Sailing Team enjoying practice in Ship Bottom on the waters south side of the bridge, which was a perfect example of the great job Ash Britt did cleaning the bay.
Christie also remarked on the bridge grants and hazard mitigation grants that will soon be released - noting we are waiting now for the new FEMA maps - which will be out in the next few weeks. Hopefully these are the the ones that include dunes, houses, highways etc. The current maps do not. This, Christie assures will affect the new V zones and feels the new maps will be "less aggressive." Help is on the way folks.
Christie gave direct answers and personal cards to contact his office to many who asked questions today. There was a notable senior crowd showing exactly how many retired families this storm has affected.
Upon making it to shore again my good friend Richard Corbet gathered me and cameras in hand and headed to St.Francis for the town hall meeting. Security and parking was at a premium and even though I was on the press list the wall of police and five blocks walk we opted to watch the meeting on NJTV. We will catch the next one where we will see if all the grants are released and getting to right people .
Sailors for Sandy is currently talking with AOL Alliance for a Living Ocean of merging efforts of all the many groups and try to organize mass cleaning events.
One site at a time. The next planned is Cedar Bonnet Islands forgotten marshes that are on the north side of the bridge. With Green Marine leading the way. We just can't afford to wait any longer for the contractors to catch up salt hay and meadow grass is sprouting now under all this debris.
As well Mallard Island still needs much cleaning as well as Cedar Fox Island in front of the Mallard island Yacht Club. This last weekend we saw a combined effort of 50 or so volunteers who filled and piled up 60 yards of debris.
Supporters included Mud City Crab House, Save Barnegat Bay, Clean Ocean Action volunteers Southern Ocean County Medical Center employees (Meridian) MATES student volunteers, Surfrider Foundation volunteers and theNew Jersey Association of CPA's.
More events will be announced this week here. Otherwise, next time you take a walk take a can a bag and pick up on your walks be it bayside of beach our waters depend on you.
