Sandy blew apart most of our boardwalk in Ocean Grove. Nov. 1, 2012. Paul Goldfinger photo ©
FROM THE NEW JERSEY COMMONS “LOCAL BEAT:”
Charlie Kratovil, editor of New Brunswick Today, writes, “Contrary to claims made by the Christie administration, a developer granted $4.8 million in Sandy recovery funds to accelerate the construction of luxury apartments in New Brunswick, has never before created affordable housing in the State of New Jersey.”
Kratovil posted the story on February 6, in which multiple sources relate that the developer in question requested and received affordable housing funds, but later decided against offering affordable units. The story followed on another from Friday, Jan. 31, identifying the fact that the luxury development was the recipient of $4.8 million in Sandy aid.
BLOGFINGER EDITOR’S NOTE:
This story contains information about two construction projects that were awarded Sandy relief aid upon the recommendation of the Christie administration. Other Sandy funds were used for a publicity campaign that featured the Christie family. And how about Seaside Heights and Seaside Park that received Sandy money twice? The second time was for a fire (not Sandy damage) and was used mostly to rebuild for-profit businesses on those boards.
These reports are especially worrisome in Ocean Grove where Blogfinger has been repeatedly reassured that the Governor’s office is working to get us Sandy relief to rebuild the boardwalk, but Christie has never come to visit our destroyed beachfront despite numerous visits to the area including Bradley Beach and Asbury Park. He even came to Ocean Grove for the annual police memorial, but he posed for one photo with the Together Fund group and then he simply got out of town . He is Mr. Sandy Relief, but why didn’t he take a stroll down the Pathway to our Sandy Strip?
Do you think he doesn’t want to be seen associating himself with our Sandy issues? Do you think that our problems do not fit his political narratives? Do you think he doesn’t want to go where some believe that anti-Christian attitudes or gay politics might be in play?
The Weekly Standard wrote two pieces about possible political influences that were causing Ocean Grove to be deprived of post-Sandy financial aid, and the Star Ledger raised similar questions. And now we are supposed to be reassured by FEMA’s announcement that we are eligible for help, but so far there is no check in the mail.
At this point, we in Ocean Grove have to sit up straight and pay close attention to these developments.
–Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger