As mayor of Long Beach Township, I want to take this opportunity to note that the portion of our township that received the federal beach-replenishment project earlier this year suffered minimal damage. The oceanfront properties, as well as the homes, structures, and businesses to their west, withstood the destructive components of Hurricane Sandy. The project worked.
Unfortunately, beaches that had not been included in the Army Corps of Engineers project due to lack of easements from property owners proved vulnerable to the vast devastation caused by Sandy. Damage assessment continues here in our community, but it appears few structures remain unaffected in these areas. In fact, most buildings, homes, businesses and churches not in proximity to the replenished beach area have suffered significant damage from those nonparticipating oceanfront properties.
Utilities are slowly and painstakingly being restored. Streets are being cleared and debris is being removed. At the current time, the total cost of recovery is incalculable. We feel it only fair to the taxpayers of Long Beach Township that the cost of cleanup and restoration in sections of our town not protected by the beach-replenishment project be borne by those oceanfront property owners who refused to join in the project.
I assure you that the Board of Commissioners of Long Beach Township will continue to work tirelessly to restore our community and our island. We look forward to working with each of you as we rebuild our cherished town.
JOSEPH MANCINI
Mayor
Long Beach Township
