Residents of Woodbridge's flood-prone areas were polite, but the patience was becoming threadbare. That was the sentiment at Tuesday's council meeting from the dozens of homeowners who marched down Main Street to Town Hall to keep the pressure on after years of having their flood-battered homes ignored.
Most are members of the ad hoc Woodbridge Flood Zone - a group begun by Monique Coleman, who expanded their efforts into a meeting and a frequently updated website - own some of the more than 600 homes in the township that experienced moderate or severe devastation from Hurricane Sandy.
The township administration was prepared for the marchers. Mayor John McCormac gave a speech to update residents on progress being made to get the residents state and federal relief, as well as local efforts to address the flooding issues.
Council President Charles Kenny adroitly fielded questions from frustrated homeowners and expressed his own belief that the governing body was moving as quickly as it could to get some resolution to the flooding problems.
The appointment of an engineer specific to Woodbridge to deal with flooding was a sticking point, as was having a board of citizens from flood areas appointed with council-level access. The council passed a resolution asking for flood insurance premiums to be retained at earlier, lower levels. Kenny also said that an engineering firm with whom the township has worked previously will be investigating the flooding issues.
The Woodbridge Flood Zone group will be meeting again on Monday, March 25, at the First Presbyterian Church on Rahway Avenue.
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Get the facts at StopFemaNow.com or Facebook.com/StopFemaNow. Come to an informational meeting and protest rally SUNDAY, March 24th, 12 noon to 2 PM, at the Brick Twp. Municipal Building (all NJ towns welcome), 401 Chambersbridge Rd., Brick NJ 08723. Bring a friend. Our voices will be heard from Trenton to Washington. We had over 200 at our last rally.
GIVE them Tax Exempt Status! One could almost feel sorry for John McCormac, Charley Kenny, Kyle Anderson and others on the council if it were not for the fact they paid little more than years of lip service to the growing flood problems the township is endearing. If fact, many believe their lack of foresight (or might it have been greed) in allowing so much constriction in and near the wetlands is a major contributor to the flooding problems! And how long must residence listen to Mac and Co tell them: we couldn't do anything because we need permits from one agency or another to clean up the waterways? Well Mac and Co, if you knew how long the permitting process takes, why didn't you start it earlier. Even today, folks are hearing that you still have to file permits. (Mac, how did you get the DEP to approve opening a capped landfill for the miniature golf course so quickly? Didn't you personally write to the DEP, to push that agenda?)
Let's cut to the chase. Everyone knows, or soon will, that despite all the political speak from the politicos and bureaucrats, it will be months. if not years, before FEMA gets its act together, that the flood elevation are finalized, that people have their insurance money and know their new flood insurance rates. In the interim, the pain and suffering of the flood victims will continue, and God forbid, could even worsen. So what can be done now, or in short order, to help alleviate some of their pain? Well, how about the McCormac Administration, its Town Council, the BOE and the Fire Districts all grant "TAX EXEMPT" status to each property owner in the township that are being held from moving forward on repairing or selling their properties, owing to government bungling, at all levels. Sales taxes on those homes should also be suspended by state and federal authorities! Government sure "bailed out" the fat cats of industry, banking, investing and insurance, so why can't it help the people who give those entities a reason for being in the first place! Politicians have no problem find ways to take money from the people, the working and retired, so they can spend it. Now let's see how they give it back! Mr. Mayor, suspend those property taxes, until the government gets its act together. Surely, you can do that for your friends and neighbors!
www.StopFemaNow.com www.youtube.com/StopFemaNow twitter # StopFemaNow
Protest rally today, SUNDAY, March 24th, 12 noon to 2 PM, Brick Munic. Bldg., 401 Chambersbridge Rd. (all towns welcome). Mayor and others will answer your questions. Details at StopFemaNow.com and at Facebook.com/StopFemaNow. Our voices will be heard from Trenton to Washington. Save our Shore communities!
We need to ge the word out to everyone affected. A large percentage of people affected are seniors. Explain the facts to them and let them know they are not ALONE. Secondly we need to join groups. Politicians will act when large blocks of VOTERS demand changes. Get the word out. www.facebook.com/StopFemaNow www.StopFemaNow.com