Brick Sandy Victims Ripped Off By Contractors Urged To Contact Mayor

BRICK, NJ — Brick Township residents who are mired in Sandy recovery issues due to contractors who took their RREM grant money and haven't completed the work are being urged to contact Mayor John Ducey.

“We are constantly hearing about more and more people facing penalties for taking advantage of Sandy victims and grant programs," Ducey said. "We want to help people who were victimized and I am asking anyone who was to call my office.”

Ducey is working with the state Department of Community Affairs and the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office to provide assistance to Brick residents who received RREM grants with an approved contractor who then scammed them or ripped them off.

Ducey is putting together a database of residents who have been approved for RREM grants and whose approved contractors have not completed work. The information will be shared with the DCA and the Prosecutor’s Office for an assistance/information meeting with the agencies.

“We all know how devastating Sandy was. Grant programs have been established to help people and families get back home. Unfortunately, some people have seen this as an opportunity to make money by taking advantage of people and grant programs,” Ducey said.

Any resident who was approved for RREM funds and whose contractor has not completed work can call Ducey’s office at 732-262-1240. A date for the meeting will be established in the future and all people who contact the office will be informed once the meeting date is set.

Bob Steimle was the victim of a contractor, Jeffrey Colmyer, who since has been indicted on charges of taking money from several Sandy victims and not completing the work. Photo courtesy of Bob Steimle