Hurricane Sandy (1 Viewer)

[Rovers]

Point was, you said segregated. That is almost always understood to be a racial demographic. It isn't race based in the minutest.

If you have the money, you can live anywhere you want to on Long Island. It is not a racial thing at all. You want to live in a rich area? Guess what? You have to be rich. You make a middle class wage? Guess what? You can live in any middle class area you choose to. My town is VERY ethnically and culturally diverse. We have perhaps 35% Indi-Paki, 20% latin, 10% black, and it's middle class.

Since when did rich folk decide to build a mansion next to public housing? Since when could section 8 apartments be built in an area that has $20,000 property tax bills?

When people can advance themselves and become economically viable middle class, they can move out of the drug infested Wyandanches of this Island. If you won't or can't earn at least $80,000 as a combined household income here... you will live in a slum with the illegal immigrants and the non working wefare recipients. If those areas happen to be heavilly domiated by ethnic minorities, it isn't because of race.

If you think rich should live next to poor... go to Somalia. Tell me how that werks out. This is capitalism, not communism. Most rich folk don't want to live next to an abandoned addict infected drug house. Crazy, I know, right?

 

[Koya]

Point was, you said segregated. That is almost always understood to be a racial demographic. It isn't race based in the minutest. If you have the money, you can live anywhere you want to on Long Island. It is not a racial thing at all. You want to live in a rich area? Guess what? You have to be rich. You make a middle class wage? Guess what? You can live in any middle class area you choose to. My town is VERY ethnically and culturally diverse. We have perhaps 35% Indi-Paki, 20% latin, 10% black, and it's middle class. Since when did rich folk decide to build a mansion next to public housing? Since when could section 8 apartments be built in an area that has $20,000 property tax bills? When people can advance themselves and become economically viable middle class, they can move out of the drug infested Wyandanches of this Island. If you won't or can't earn at least $80,000 as a combined household income here... you will live in a slum with the illegal immigrants and the non working wefare recipients. If those areas happen to be heavilly domiated by ethnic minorities, it isn't because of race. If you think rich should live next to poor... go to Somalia. Tell me how that werks out. This is capitalism, not communism. Most rich folk don't want to live next to an abandoned addict infected drug house. Crazy, I know, right?

Well, I speak at conferences around the country, listen to countless others far more expert than I.Long Island is segregated.Perhaps not by law (well, not directly), but very much so.BTW, you want to know one way you segregate indirectly, but through law? Euclidean zoning. And ensuring that nice tony area's of the North Shore don't allow multi-family, nor even smaller scale single family. Just large lots. By ensuring that any subsidized housing is conglomerated in certain areas - away from the power base and the wealthy.Yes, if you make enough money can you buy whatever house you want (well, if you get through the still prevalent redlining and other Realtor shenanigans)? Sure.But that does not mean long island is not, physically, economically, socially, segregated.As I mentioned, it's the most segregated non-urban area in the nation.To your point about rich living next to poor. Somalia? Really? Ooof. Interesting choice there.How about we get with the U.S. and the times. Try Stapleton in Denver, or other new neighborhoods, some with strong multi family stock, some primarily single family, though still often more walkable than traditional suburbia. You will find exceptionally successful mixed-income settings. Sometimes within an apartment building or condo, where someone may have a subsidized unit next to one that is three times the price at market rate. You know what? You couldn't tell the difference. And that's the point. Neither can the kids growing up, so no stigma, no continuation of that economic segregation leading to physical segregation. In other examples, including stapleton, you have two market rate homes - one much smaller around say, 150-200k, and one much larger at say 800k or more. Those are some of the best communities in the nation and are serving as a model for development moving forward. You no longer have gluts of "poor communities" that get less service, see more crime and a resulting negative economic and social spiral. Basically, the wealthy actually do better through this mixed-income environment, as do those without as much means.So, you may posture all you want. You may LMAO all you want. I study this as part of my life and career. We build these communities and better know what the market wants - and they want mixed-income, inter-generational, truly diverse communities. Not everyone, but a whole bunch of folks, led by millenials and boomers as well.While you may be guessing here, Im not. These are trends and realities nationwide. And I'd suggest that by suggesting that Long Island, widely recognized as the most or one of the most segregated non urban areas in the country, is not exactly propelling your standing on the subject.

 

[djmich]

Neighbor told me their power came back on today so I'm hoping ours too, will know tomorrow am.....please, please, please.

Interesting discussion on long island and diversity. The insanity of housing prices on Long Island certainly drives neighborhoods drawn based on income lines which then correlates to ethnicity. Towns like Hicksville which has some diversity tends to be more the exception than the rule. Seems like it will only change slowly with changes in income disparity because I cant see the design of most of these towns changing.

Koya, in the mixed income environment you mention that the wealthy do better...based on what metric?

 

[BassNBrew]

Koya, in the mixed income environment you mention that the wealthy do better...based on what metric?

Cheaper landscapers and babysitters.

 

[El Floppo]

I hope this warmer weather is a nice reprieve for you guys who are still without power. After a week with power and open stores, back at work and the kid back at school, it feels like a million years ago that we were in the dark. I feel for you guys that are still without.

As an aside-

My childhood best friend is now a documentary/art photographer, and IMO, he's amazing. He's done a couple of series on the Sandy- one in and around lower Manhattan (Dark Monoliths) capturing the contrast of man-made valleys without people or light, and one out and about documenting the relief efforts in harder hit areas- more about the people and damage. Here's his website for those of you interested.

 

[Koya]

Neighbor told me their power came back on today so I'm hoping ours too, will know tomorrow am.....please, please, please.Interesting discussion on long island and diversity. The insanity of housing prices on Long Island certainly drives neighborhoods drawn based on income lines which then correlates to ethnicity. Towns like Hicksville which has some diversity tends to be more the exception than the rule. Seems like it will only change slowly with changes in income disparity because I cant see the design of most of these towns changing.Koya, in the mixed income environment you mention that the wealthy do better...based on what metric?

I should qualify that by saying my experience here has been more anecdotal although I have seen some studies. Basically, by crating ghettos and pockets of poverty crime increases as do a number of other costs, economically and socially to society at large. Less educated students, less prepared employees etc.Mixed income neighborhoods allay some of these issues. Now, I'm not proposing that you shouldn't have any enclaves for the wealthy, but you can't have the segregation we face onong island without negative impacts. Furthermore, the market, certainly for downtown environments, often prefers a range of incomes. Think high end condos next to workforce housing for teachers and some subsidized mixed throughout in a a manner where you don't even know its there.

 

[Koya]

Koya, in the mixed income environment you mention that the wealthy do better...based on what metric?

Cheaper landscapers and babysitters.

While you joke, it's actually on point. By not separating the workforce from the employers, you decrease driving. Lessen dependence on the auto. Don't have huge gas lines or the extra miles of sprawl and above groud utilities.It not only all ties in, but is demonstrated by Sandy how I'll prepared sprawling suburbia is for natural ( or man made) disasters. Can you imagine if Long Island had to be evacuated? Especially in short order? Would be a real disaster

 

[djmich]

Neighbor told me their power came back on today so I'm hoping ours too, will know tomorrow am.....please, please, please.Interesting discussion on long island and diversity. The insanity of housing prices on Long Island certainly drives neighborhoods drawn based on income lines which then correlates to ethnicity. Towns like Hicksville which has some diversity tends to be more the exception than the rule. Seems like it will only change slowly with changes in income disparity because I cant see the design of most of these towns changing.Koya, in the mixed income environment you mention that the wealthy do better...based on what metric?

I should qualify that by saying my experience here has been more anecdotal although I have seen some studies. Basically, by crating ghettos and pockets of poverty crime increases as do a number of other costs, economically and socially to society at large. Less educated students, less prepared employees etc.Mixed income neighborhoods allay some of these issues. Now, I'm not proposing that you shouldn't have any enclaves for the wealthy, but you can't have the segregation we face onong island without negative impacts. Furthermore, the market, certainly for downtown environments, often prefers a range of incomes. Think high end condos next to workforce housing for teachers and some subsidized mixed throughout in a a manner where you don't even know its there.

Thanks for the explanation.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

Hallelujah! Finally! Day 12. Miracles can happen.

 

[Rovers]

Koya... you want a homework assignment? I'm moving to PA. I ruled out Monroe county, it has to be Pike. Lower crime rate. Fewer school kids on the free lunch program. Gee... wonder what the demographics say about that? That must mean Pike is more diverse and a better place to live, right? Diversity is a higher goal than quality of life and the safety to walk the streets at night?

Even my town of Hicksville has multi-family dwellings in the downtown area. Many have twenty or so unrelated occupants. That is where the crime is, around the train staion, near those illegal boarding houses. So do the "segregated communities" you mentioned. Wyandanch? Bloods, Crips and MS13. It isn't safe to walk around there at night. Having said that, the Indi-Paki population also often has three generations or even an illegal apartment in a larger house. (not downtown, not full of illegal immigrants)But those neighborhoods are safe to walk into at night. Heck, I just described my immediate neighborhood.

People who are financially able to live away from drug infested crime ridden neighborhoods will continue to do so. Maybe we should start busing the druggies around, ya know, sorta spread em out a little. Maybe our society would pay more attention then.

Yes, I have a real issue with labels like "segregated". It smacks of racism. In fact, it's an accusation. It isn't about race. It's about wanting to live in a safe place, no more, no less. Hicksville is much less safe that it was when I grew up here. I'm leaving. Go ahead and "diversify" my old hometown, but do it without me, thanks.

You will never get Hempstead to recapture it's old, storied, economic vibrance of successful businesses and commerce and quality suburban life style until you get rid of all the crack houses and the gangs, and the criminals, and unfortunately, that isn't going to happen. It's a suburban slum. Like Wyandanch. Some small areas can house the lower income people in a moderately (relatively speaking) safer environment, but it's been tried before. It didn't work then, it won't work now.

Adjoining towns do all they can to put a fence around these kinds of towns to prevent the spread of the disease. If that is segregation... call me a fan. But not a racist.

OK, I just have to.... LMAO... my next door neighbor is a black muslim named Mike and we get along great. There, I said it. LOL...

 

[NYCelt]

Kota I would love to talk to in depth about the Hempstead project and more so high density housing built into suburbia. I have a great interest in this. Can you start a new thread or PM me thanks. Let's get this thread back on track though.

 

[NYCelt]

Well the stakes have been raised. Armed home invasions. A rash of them in my village and a few blocks outside. I count 7 the last two nights just by word of mouth. Village cops won't release all the info but I obtained an internal email to the mayors office and leaked it to Newsday this morning. They just posted the article. I have returned to my home still submit power in night #12. No flood. No trees down. The main staging area for our area is around the block with 30+ plus trucks since last Friday. Still no power. Why??

My family is Sade and secure at a relatives home. Fourth place we have stayed. I came back because of all the break ins and home invasions one on my corner. Freezing by the fire with bote of Malbac and a baseball bat. First time in my life I wished I owned a gun. Should be another good night's sleep.

- the south shore here is like the Thunderdome. These poor poor people.

 

[Koya]

Kota I would love to talk to in depth about the Hempstead project and more so high density housing built into suburbia. I have a great interest in this. Can you start a new thread or PM me thanks. Let's get this thread back on track though.

Will set it up in good time. Terribly sorry to hear the deteriorating conditions. Stay safe.

 

[glock]

Glock, I think you are missing the boat here. Yes, everyone is bashing LIPA, all 220 of them, all office workers. LIPA is a holding company that got rid of all the middle managers (thru National Grid) who work the jobs and get things repaired. NO one is bashing the workers. It's STRICTLY a management issue, a management that has no control over operations. National Grid is the culprit. They are the ones who have no middle managers to direct the crews to what to do and where to do it. I haven't heard either Francessa or government officials complain about the people who do the repairs. How can you bring in thousands of out of state linemen just to have them sit and wait? I sdaw it myself. At the Sears in Hicksville, no fewer than 15 out of state cherry pickers lined up for hours in a neat line, doing NOTHING. The guy from Cape Cod who got me back on had two guys from Illinois on a cherry picker and him in his truck. No nonsense dude. Told LIPA what to do instead of sitting. Went right to the headquarters himself and told THEM what he was doing, turned around, walked out, and did it. I treated this guy from Cape Cod like a gift from heaven, which he was. Give us another hundred like him and we'll all back on line a couple of days. I've always been a kiss my buttocks guy, lets get it done and argue about the details later. LIPA argues about the details, gets nothing done, and threatens workers who take the initiative like my hero from Cape Cod did. Guy was a mini-George Patton. We need more like him.

Yeah, after a week to 10 days the management issues came to the fore. I just couldn't understand how Cuomo was banging LIPA after a couple of days. I'm guessing that after LIPA's performance last summer, he was ready to ut their feet to the fire immediately. I have had zero contact with any of the workers. My neighbor is a prior chief of the local FD and he was telling me how we had several crews from Canada staying at the Centerport firehouse. Unreal.I came home all set to fire up the generator.. and we had juice! START THE POWER!!11!! 11 nights. Freezing temps.No heat No power. No hot water. And we are among the lucky ones in my eyes.

 

[NJDawgPound]

Glock, I think you are missing the boat here. Yes, everyone is bashing LIPA, all 220 of them, all office workers. LIPA is a holding company that got rid of all the middle managers (thru National Grid) who work the jobs and get things repaired. NO one is bashing the workers. It's STRICTLY a management issue, a management that has no control over operations. National Grid is the culprit. They are the ones who have no middle managers to direct the crews to what to do and where to do it. I haven't heard either Francessa or government officials complain about the people who do the repairs. How can you bring in thousands of out of state linemen just to have them sit and wait? I sdaw it myself. At the Sears in Hicksville, no fewer than 15 out of state cherry pickers lined up for hours in a neat line, doing NOTHING. The guy from Cape Cod who got me back on had two guys from Illinois on a cherry picker and him in his truck. No nonsense dude. Told LIPA what to do instead of sitting. Went right to the headquarters himself and told THEM what he was doing, turned around, walked out, and did it. I treated this guy from Cape Cod like a gift from heaven, which he was. Give us another hundred like him and we'll all back on line a couple of days. I've always been a kiss my buttocks guy, lets get it done and argue about the details later. LIPA argues about the details, gets nothing done, and threatens workers who take the initiative like my hero from Cape Cod did. Guy was a mini-George Patton. We need more like him.

Yeah, after a week to 10 days the management issues came to the fore. I just couldn't understand how Cuomo was banging LIPA after a couple of days. I'm guessing that after LIPA's performance last summer, he was ready to ut their feet to the fire immediately. I have had zero contact with any of the workers. My neighbor is a prior chief of the local FD and he was telling me how we had several crews from Canada staying at the Centerport firehouse. Unreal.I came home all set to fire up the generator.. and we had juice! START THE POWER!!11!! 11 nights. Freezing temps.No heat No power. No hot water. And we are among the lucky ones in my eyes.

We were without power for 8 days and then a little bit after the snowstorm but didn't complain once. We're thankful and lucky to have a home to be living in.

 

[NYCelt]

Day 13.

 

[otb_lifer]

Back on the grid since Wednesday ...

... then in the face of the Nor'easter, power went down again for a solid 2 hours

Restored in time to heat the joint up for bedtime

Life somewhat returning to normal for the 3 of us. Gotta say, I really miss being in Manhattan ... life is always swirlin' about, no matter what the circumstance ... but it was definitely "Desolation Boulevard" out here in Queens for the most part. Many of our neighbors up and bugged out after a couple days. I decided to stick it out with my girls (GF and daughter) ... and there was nary one peep or complaint outta them the whole time. The temperature plummeted, and we ran out of batteries and candles come the 7th day ... but they hung in there ... very proud of them.

I made a point of reminding them how lucky we were to not have suffered any severe structural damage to our home; and was quick to show them the pics from the Post and the News of the devastation others encountered. Especially Breezy Point ... good lord, one overhead shot looked like Nagasaki after the blast. So amazingly sad to see. My heart goes out to all of those poor folks, and to all who were so severely impacted by this.

Holy isht. Wow.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

Well the stakes have been raised. Armed home invasions. A rash of them in my village and a few blocks outside. I count 7 the last two nights just by word of mouth. Village cops won't release all the info but I obtained an internal email to the mayors office and leaked it to Newsday this morning. They just posted the article. I have returned to my home still submit power in night #12. No flood. No trees down. The main staging area for our area is around the block with 30+ plus trucks since last Friday. Still no power. Why??My family is Sade and secure at a relatives home. Fourth place we have stayed. I came back because of all the break ins and home invasions one on my corner. Freezing by the fire with bote of Malbac and a baseball bat. First time in my life I wished I owned a gun. Should be another good night's sleep. - the south shore here is like the Thunderdome. These poor poor people.

A friend said there have been a rash of burglaries on the south shore of Nassau as well. If you are posting from your phone NYCelt don't bother but if you are at a computer, can you link the Newsday article?

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Well the stakes have been raised. Armed home invasions. A rash of them in my village and a few blocks outside. I count 7 the last two nights just by word of mouth. Village cops won't release all the info but I obtained an internal email to the mayors office and leaked it to Newsday this morning. They just posted the article. I have returned to my home still submit power in night #12. No flood. No trees down. The main staging area for our area is around the block with 30+ plus trucks since last Friday. Still no power. Why??My family is Sade and secure at a relatives home. Fourth place we have stayed. I came back because of all the break ins and home invasions one on my corner. Freezing by the fire with bote of Malbac and a baseball bat. First time in my life I wished I owned a gun. Should be another good night's sleep. - the south shore here is like the Thunderdome. These poor poor people.

A friend said there have been a rash of burglaries on the south shore of Nassau as well. If you are posting from your phone NYCelt don't bother but if you are at a computer, can you link the Newsday article?

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/south-shore-residents-complain-of-looting-1.4194366

 

[Carolina Hustler]

Some nonunion Ala. crews turned away from Sandy recovery

by Mark Thornhill

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY (WAFF) - The hurricane-ravaged east coast has been receiving north Alabama help, but crews from Huntsville Utilities learned they'll be doing work in Long Island, New York instead of in New Jersey.

Crews from Huntsville, as well as Decatur Utilities and Joe Wheeler out of Trinity headed up there this week, but Derrick Moore, one of the Decatur workers, said they were told by crews in New Jersey that they can't do any work there since they're not union employees.

The crews that are in Roanoke, Virginia say they are just watching and waiting even though they originally received a call asking for help from Seaside Heights, New Jersey.

The crews were told to stand down. In fact, Moore said the crew from Trinity is already headed back home.

Understandably, Moore said they're frustrated being told "thanks, but no thanks."

At least Huntsville has now found someone who wants their help.

 

[Tremendous Upside]

Some nonunion Ala. crews turned away from Sandy recoveryby Mark ThornhillSEASIDE HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY (WAFF) - The hurricane-ravaged east coast has been receiving north Alabama help, but crews from Huntsville Utilities learned they'll be doing work in Long Island, New York instead of in New Jersey.Crews from Huntsville, as well as Decatur Utilities and Joe Wheeler out of Trinity headed up there this week, but Derrick Moore, one of the Decatur workers, said they were told by crews in New Jersey that they can't do any work there since they're not union employees.The crews that are in Roanoke, Virginia say they are just watching and waiting even though they originally received a call asking for help from Seaside Heights, New Jersey.The crews were told to stand down. In fact, Moore said the crew from Trinity is already headed back home.Understandably, Moore said they're frustrated being told "thanks, but no thanks."At least Huntsville has now found someone who wants their help.

Debunked a week agohttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57544237/ala-utilities-our-crews-not-turned-away-from-n.j/

 

[El Floppo]

Some nonunion Ala. crews turned away from Sandy recoveryby Mark ThornhillSEASIDE HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY (WAFF) - The hurricane-ravaged east coast has been receiving north Alabama help, but crews from Huntsville Utilities learned they'll be doing work in Long Island, New York instead of in New Jersey.Crews from Huntsville, as well as Decatur Utilities and Joe Wheeler out of Trinity headed up there this week, but Derrick Moore, one of the Decatur workers, said they were told by crews in New Jersey that they can't do any work there since they're not union employees.The crews that are in Roanoke, Virginia say they are just watching and waiting even though they originally received a call asking for help from Seaside Heights, New Jersey.The crews were told to stand down. In fact, Moore said the crew from Trinity is already headed back home.Understandably, Moore said they're frustrated being told "thanks, but no thanks."At least Huntsville has now found someone who wants their help.

Debunked a week agohttp://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57544237/ala-utilities-our-crews-not-turned-away-from-n.j/

Damn- people just WANT to believe that story... so strange.GL NYCelt and whoever is still without. THese stories of looting... ####.

 

[FlapJacks]

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-plays-golf_662260.html

 

[Carolina Hustler]

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-plays-golf_662260.html

Not sure how this is relevant..

 

[Todd Andrews]

Some nonunion Ala. crews turned away from Sandy recoveryby Mark ThornhillSEASIDE HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY (WAFF) - The hurricane-ravaged east coast has been receiving north Alabama help, but crews from Huntsville Utilities learned they'll be doing work in Long Island, New York instead of in New Jersey.Crews from Huntsville, as well as Decatur Utilities and Joe Wheeler out of Trinity headed up there this week, but Derrick Moore, one of the Decatur workers, said they were told by crews in New Jersey that they can't do any work there since they're not union employees.The crews that are in Roanoke, Virginia say they are just watching and waiting even though they originally received a call asking for help from Seaside Heights, New Jersey.The crews were told to stand down. In fact, Moore said the crew from Trinity is already headed back home.Understandably, Moore said they're frustrated being told "thanks, but no thanks."At least Huntsville has now found someone who wants their help.

KooK Alert!

 

[Carolina Hustler]

KooK Alert!

Nice of you to introduce yourself as you enter a thread

 

[Rovers]

I went down to LIPA headquarters in Hicksville to join the protest and it was over already, before noon. Apparently, our over paid cops dispersed the crowd to protect our over paid utility company.

I ask again... has Cuomo even set foot on Long Island? I know the answer. He hasn't. This debacle is on him, and he will do his best to distance himself from a situation he helped create. Cuomo is ghost-like in his "involvement" in making no attempt to fix the problem.

Remeber this about Cuomo... and if he ever runs for president, do not vote for a guy who has now proven he cannot handle a crisis.

 

[Apple Jack]

I went down to LIPA headquarters in Hicksville to join the protest and it was over already, before noon. Apparently, our over paid cops dispersed the crowd to protect our over paid utility company. I ask again... has Cuomo even set foot on Long Island? I know the answer. He hasn't. This debacle is on him, and he will do his best to distance himself from a situation he helped create. Cuomo is ghost-like in his "involvement" in making no attempt to fix the problem. Remeber this about Cuomo... and if he ever runs for president, do not vote for a guy who has now proven he cannot handle a crisis.

Cuomo's career in state and national politics will be over after this. Book it.

 

[Uruk-Hai]

Jesus, guys. Seriously, if any of you can get out and don't mind driving to VA I am more than willing to host you.

 

[Smack Tripper]

Down the shore for the first time. Jesus guys, you've probably all generous if you're sti reading this but keep givIng if you can. I can't believe how bad it is several blocks inland even.

I haven't gotten emotional during this time too much. Too much work to do living in it to assess and I have it so easy compared to the powerless. But I almost lost it in union beach looking at the kids ALL of these kids out, gathered, playing, I mean riding scooters between debris piles the size of trucks. Laughing, joking, playing. Not broken by this moment, and doing what kids do. I admire and love their spirit. Kids can be a burden in times like this but my god they can absolutely lift you up too.

More crews from Texas at work, we owe you a big one Tejas!

And I have to say, the grassroots and neighbor to neighbor relief is an amazing thing to be part of. I had 3 red hook folks in my small apartment for a week and you simply can't find anyone helping out in some way great or small. Huge out of state presence for utilities guys and national guard. Not a big FEMA red cross presence. I hope and I think this will change all of us around here for the better, forever. No one had to tell us to be good to each other, it just happened spontaneously. I'm sure there are looters and opportunists here and there but on a very real, local level, people are organizing to get the help Ot there. A beautiful thing.

And I have to say this, I can not WAIT for summer 2013. It is going to be a PARTY, for everything you do at the shore is going to be 99 times sweeter than ever. It won't be the same but the jersey ahore was never about the places to me, it's the people. And people will be ready for some FUN. I hope theres a structure, method or means for those helping jersey at our worst can come back and have their work repaid when we are at our best.

 

[Gawain]

Still without power as well. An apartment in my complex was looted a couple nights ago. Just found out that the place I work won't be opening for six months, if ever again, so i join the ranks of the unemployed as well. Good luck to all of those still suffering as well.

 

[PinkydaPimp]

In Atlantic City for the night. I am going to do my part to help resurrect this town. By do my part, i mean stimulating the local economy by spending money in debaucherous ways.

 

[FlapJacks]

I went down to LIPA headquarters in Hicksville to join the protest and it was over already, before noon. Apparently, our over paid cops dispersed the crowd to protect our over paid utility company. I ask again... has Cuomo even set foot on Long Island? I know the answer. He hasn't. This debacle is on him, and he will do his best to distance himself from a situation he helped create. Cuomo is ghost-like in his "involvement" in making no attempt to fix the problem. Remeber this about Cuomo... and if he ever runs for president, do not vote for a guy who has now proven he cannot handle a crisis.

maybe Cuomo can join the President for golf

 

[identikit]

I went down to LIPA headquarters in Hicksville to join the protest and it was over already, before noon. Apparently, our over paid cops dispersed the crowd to protect our over paid utility company. I ask again... has Cuomo even set foot on Long Island? I know the answer. He hasn't. This debacle is on him, and he will do his best to distance himself from a situation he helped create. Cuomo is ghost-like in his "involvement" in making no attempt to fix the problem. Remeber this about Cuomo... and if he ever runs for president, do not vote for a guy who has now proven he cannot handle a crisis.

maybe Cuomo can join the President for golf

@ a course on Long Island.Would be epic.

 

[shadyridr]

Still without power as well. An apartment in my complex was looted a couple nights ago. Just found out that the place I work won't be opening for six months, if ever again, so i join the ranks of the unemployed as well. Good luck to all of those still suffering as well.

where did you work and what did ou do? amazing how one storm affected so many peoples lives

 

[Rovers]

The out of state workers ahve been freakin awesome, in so far as I have ineracted with them. I spoke with two of the linemen who were working to restore my power. They were from Illinios. Twice they worked 18 hour shifts here, and slept in thier trucks those two nights. Said they had finally been given rooms in some flea bag hotel. Granted, they are making huge overtime bucks, but still... they are sacraficing.

FEMA and the Red Cross. Worthless. The Red Cross will NEVER see a dime from me. When they gave out blankets after 9-11 at ground zero, and then sent bills to the people they gave them too... they and their 1200 6 figure administrators can kiss my buttocks. The Red Cross is a federally approved scam, always has been. Now the Salvation Army... different story. They quietly help people and do it without expecting anything in return. Even my old man said so based on his experiences in WWII. When I served the country, I found the same thing.

Find ways to donate and help OUTSIDE of the Red Cross. The sad thing is that 99% of the Red Cross volunteers are hard working well intentioned people who are betrayed by the Red Cross as much as the victims they claim to serve are.

Yes, I have whined a bit. I pay the highest utility rates in the country, and don't have a viable company to provide that service. I have a right to complain, and the fact that others have suffered far worse does not diminish my right to be outraged.

I have not forgotten those who have lost everything. However, I did not choose to build a house on sand. Having said that... I have always felt those who are willing to live on a beach know the risks. The quality of life is great, but there IS risk. One hopes that living on a barrier beach or island never does bite them in the buttocks, but...

I DO feel horribly for the shore line home owners. The sad truth is you take that risk, you may pay for it some day. Hurricane Sandy was that day. I have always resented the amount of $$$ the feds through the Army Corp of Engineers has spent every single year on Long Island, dredging, rebuilding the sand bars, reinforcing the sand dunes... it's freakin sand. There is a LOT of money in the Hamptons and Fire Island. Houses built on sand. It's gonna move, sooner or later.

IMO, it boils down to this in most of the beachfront communities: it costs a lot to live there, that money buys them an inordinant amount of influence and money spent to defend those properties, and money just isn't enough to keep a house built on stilts safe.

It's sand. It shifts, it moves, it gets flooded. Don't build a house there and complain when the inevitable eventually happens. Be well insured, and prepared lose everything and to rebuild WHEN, not IF the time comes.

The homes lost in the NE here was not the 9th ward. Those homes in NOLA were below sub standard housing, a refuge for the poor. Most of the homes destroyed here were homes that cost a pretty penny. Sections, like parts of the Rockaways were not affluent, but these homes for the most part were owned by people with means. Middle class and higher.

What am I trying to say? The people mad ehomeless by Sandy are far more able to recover their lives than the poor refugees of Katrina. We DO need to help them as much as we possibly can to rebuild their homes and lives. I would suggest some of them consider higher ground, or accept the idea that this WILL happen again. Sooner or later. You want to live on a beach... the ocean will eventually once again become an uninvited guest.

 

[identikit]

Thanks for the inside information, Rovers.

Red Cross is off my list.

 

[shadyridr]

The out of state workers ahve been freakin awesome, in so far as I have ineracted with them. I spoke with two of the linemen who were working to restore my power. They were from Illinios. Twice they worked 18 hour shifts here, and slept in thier trucks those two nights. Said they had finally been given rooms in some flea bag hotel. Granted, they are making huge overtime bucks, but still... they are sacraficing.

FEMA and the Red Cross. Worthless. The Red Cross will NEVER see a dime from me. When they gave out blankets after 9-11 at ground zero, and then sent bills to the people they gave them too... they and their 1200 6 figure administrators can kiss my buttocks. The Red Cross is a federally approved scam, always has been. Now the Salvation Army... different story. They quietly help people and do it without expecting anything in return. Even my old man said so based on his experiences in WWII. When I served the country, I found the same thing.

Find ways to donate and help OUTSIDE of the Red Cross. The sad thing is that 99% of the Red Cross volunteers are hard working well intentioned people who are betrayed by the Red Cross as much as the victims they claim to serve are.

Yes, I have whined a bit. I pay the highest utility rates in the country, and don't have a viable company to provide that service. I have a right to complain, and the fact that others have suffered far worse does not diminish my right to be outraged.

I have not forgotten those who have lost everything. However, I did not choose to build a house on sand. Having said that... I have always felt those who are willing to live on a beach know the risks. The quality of life is great, but there IS risk. One hopes that living on a barrier beach or island never does bite them in the buttocks, but...

I DO feel horribly for the shore line home owners. The sad truth is you take that risk, you may pay for it some day. Hurricane Sandy was that day. I have always resented the amount of $$$ the feds through the Army Corp of Engineers has spent every single year on Long Island, dredging, rebuilding the sand bars, reinforcing the sand dunes... it's freakin sand. There is a LOT of money in the Hamptons and Fire Island. Houses built on sand. It's gonna move, sooner or later.

IMO, it boils down to this in most of the beachfront communities: it costs a lot to live there, that money buys them an inordinant amount of influence and money spent to defend those properties, and money just isn't enough to keep a house built on stilts safe.

It's sand. It shifts, it moves, it gets flooded. Don't build a house there and complain when the inevitable eventually happens. Be well insured, and prepared lose everything and to rebuild WHEN, not IF the time comes.

The homes lost in the NE here was not the 9th ward. Those homes in NOLA were below sub standard housing, a refuge for the poor. Most of the homes destroyed here were homes that cost a pretty penny. Sections, like parts of the Rockaways were not affluent, but these homes for the most part were owned by people with means. Middle class and higher.

What am I trying to say? The people mad ehomeless by Sandy are far more able to recover their lives than the poor refugees of Katrina. We DO need to help them as much as we possibly can to rebuild their homes and lives. I would suggest some of them consider higher ground, or accept the idea that this WILL happen again. Sooner or later. You want to live on a beach... the ocean will eventually once again become an uninvited guest.

sorry you dont know what youre talking about. Midland Beach and New Dorp in Staten Island are NOT rich areas with expensive houses. Tottenville is a rich area. the houses that got destroyed werent even beachfront homes. the storm surge came inland quite a bit. you couldnt be more wrong about your description of the houses lost. these were bungalows and blue collar families. your whole post couldnt be more wrong and ill just chalk it up to you not having any power and being cranky or not getting whole picture but evrything u said makes me very upset.

 

[Rovers]

The out of state workers ahve been freakin awesome, in so far as I have ineracted with them. I spoke with two of the linemen who were working to restore my power. They were from Illinios. Twice they worked 18 hour shifts here, and slept in thier trucks those two nights. Said they had finally been given rooms in some flea bag hotel. Granted, they are making huge overtime bucks, but still... they are sacraficing.

FEMA and the Red Cross. Worthless. The Red Cross will NEVER see a dime from me. When they gave out blankets after 9-11 at ground zero, and then sent bills to the people they gave them too... they and their 1200 6 figure administrators can kiss my buttocks. The Red Cross is a federally approved scam, always has been. Now the Salvation Army... different story. They quietly help people and do it without expecting anything in return. Even my old man said so based on his experiences in WWII. When I served the country, I found the same thing.

Find ways to donate and help OUTSIDE of the Red Cross. The sad thing is that 99% of the Red Cross volunteers are hard working well intentioned people who are betrayed by the Red Cross as much as the victims they claim to serve are.

Yes, I have whined a bit. I pay the highest utility rates in the country, and don't have a viable company to provide that service. I have a right to complain, and the fact that others have suffered far worse does not diminish my right to be outraged.

I have not forgotten those who have lost everything. However, I did not choose to build a house on sand. Having said that... I have always felt those who are willing to live on a beach know the risks. The quality of life is great, but there IS risk. One hopes that living on a barrier beach or island never does bite them in the buttocks, but...

I DO feel horribly for the shore line home owners. The sad truth is you take that risk, you may pay for it some day. Hurricane Sandy was that day. I have always resented the amount of $$$ the feds through the Army Corp of Engineers has spent every single year on Long Island, dredging, rebuilding the sand bars, reinforcing the sand dunes... it's freakin sand. There is a LOT of money in the Hamptons and Fire Island. Houses built on sand. It's gonna move, sooner or later.

IMO, it boils down to this in most of the beachfront communities: it costs a lot to live there, that money buys them an inordinant amount of influence and money spent to defend those properties, and money just isn't enough to keep a house built on stilts safe.

It's sand. It shifts, it moves, it gets flooded. Don't build a house there and complain when the inevitable eventually happens. Be well insured, and prepared lose everything and to rebuild WHEN, not IF the time comes.

The homes lost in the NE here was not the 9th ward. Those homes in NOLA were below sub standard housing, a refuge for the poor. Most of the homes destroyed here were homes that cost a pretty penny. Sections, like parts of the Rockaways were not affluent, but these homes for the most part were owned by people with means. Middle class and higher.

What am I trying to say? The people mad ehomeless by Sandy are far more able to recover their lives than the poor refugees of Katrina. We DO need to help them as much as we possibly can to rebuild their homes and lives. I would suggest some of them consider higher ground, or accept the idea that this WILL happen again. Sooner or later. You want to live on a beach... the ocean will eventually once again become an uninvited guest.

sorry you dont know what youre talking about. Midland Beach and New Dorp in Staten Island are NOT rich areas with expensive houses. Tottenville is a rich area. the houses that got destroyed werent even beachfront homes. the storm surge came inland quite a bit. you couldnt be more wrong about your description of the houses lost. these were bungalows and blue collar families. your whole post couldnt be more wrong and ill just chalk it up to you not having any power and being cranky or not getting whole picture but evrything u said makes me very upset.

Sorry if you misunderstood. I in fact simply stated that many areas were middle class, and some depressed, like parts of the Roackaways. I don't lump in people whose houses were inland that got flooded either. I rather specifacally talked about houses built on sand. So, contarilly, I will chalk up your response to being beyond just upset, but having your life turned upside down and ruined from a point of having lost so much. There are MANY others all across the south shore of LI who are not in the least wealthy, nor do they live on a freakin canal or even within blocks and blocks of the shore line. I'm NOT talking about those unfortunates. I'm talking about freakin Fire Island, th Hamptons, million dollar homes built on the water.

Long Beach is hardly affluent but it's a FREAKIN beach, OK? Even though it's a middle class area, it's a freakin beach. Put a house on sand... and roll the dice, because the ocean put that sand there, and the ocean will some day come back to try and reclaim it. That doesn't mean I don't feel terribly, I don't have compassion for those folks. I do. In spades.

People who had their homes float away are swearing hey will return and rebuild. All I'm sayin is I don't think that's such a good idea... unless you are willing to go through this nightmare all over again.

 

[Apple Jack]

Maybe look into stilts, like they do in NC.

 

[Rovers]

Many of the beach houses here are on stilts, especially on Fire Island and the Hamptons. EVERY year the east end of LI (Hamptons, Fire Island etc, mucho $$$ areas) lose house to the sea, and the Army Corp of engineers come back every stinking year to rebuild the breakers to protect these homes... but in fairness, also to protect the natural beaches as well. I just see it as a gluttonous waste of tax payer money for a very few people.

These beaches were created naturally, and nature wants to change her mind, often. We built on that sand, and want to impose our will on the ocean, that wants to do what it's alaways done... move barrier beaches from one place to another and back again.

To restate, I'm NOT down on people near the shore who had homes in locations that were never expected to flood. My heart goes out to those folks. If you are a doctor with a beach house (maybe your 3rd house) on Fire Island, well, not so much.

 

[Apple Jack]

Every year they lose houses to the sea? You have a very dramatic writing style. How do they lose houses to the sea every year? Is the south shore of LI much more weathered than other beaches around the country? And how are tax dollars "wasted?"

 

[Rovers]

Every year they lose houses to the sea? You have a very dramatic writing style. How do they lose houses to the sea every year? Is the south shore of LI much more weathered than other beaches around the country? And how are tax dollars "wasted?"

I've lived on Long Island my whole life, and yes, it seems that every year the end end beach houses- sometimes lots of them, sometimes maybe none at all get washed into the sea after a nor'easter. Dune road has been washed away I can't even count how many times. New inlets get created, and they get refilled by barges every year. Virtually all of LI's south coast has barrier beaches. Every year, the Army Corp of Engineers comes in to replensih those barrier beaches at great expense. Every winter it's in our local news. Never the national news mind you, these houses are vacated in the winter months. The larger mansioins like Sienfeld's are on higher ground of course, but that's his year round residence. Nature has always kept the southern shore of LI a dynamic, always shifting shore line. In the past 50 years, we have been spending good money after bad in an attempt to stabilize what nature has always had her way with, because we built houses on the sand. Those houses are owned by very wealthy people. It's called the Hamptons. Name a celebrity, they have a house there. From Sienfeld to Billy Joel to Barbara Streisand to Bette Midler. They have the money and the political punch to make sure that this inequitable spenditure of tax payer money will continue. My annoyance with such things will be largley mitigated soon... I'm moving to PA.PS: Thanks for the compliment on my writing style... unless that was just a nice way of saying you think I'm full of baloney! It's all good. LOL

 

[shadyridr]

The out of state workers ahve been freakin awesome, in so far as I have ineracted with them. I spoke with two of the linemen who were working to restore my power. They were from Illinios. Twice they worked 18 hour shifts here, and slept in thier trucks those two nights. Said they had finally been given rooms in some flea bag hotel. Granted, they are making huge overtime bucks, but still... they are sacraficing.

FEMA and the Red Cross. Worthless. The Red Cross will NEVER see a dime from me. When they gave out blankets after 9-11 at ground zero, and then sent bills to the people they gave them too... they and their 1200 6 figure administrators can kiss my buttocks. The Red Cross is a federally approved scam, always has been. Now the Salvation Army... different story. They quietly help people and do it without expecting anything in return. Even my old man said so based on his experiences in WWII. When I served the country, I found the same thing.

Find ways to donate and help OUTSIDE of the Red Cross. The sad thing is that 99% of the Red Cross volunteers are hard working well intentioned people who are betrayed by the Red Cross as much as the victims they claim to serve are.

Yes, I have whined a bit. I pay the highest utility rates in the country, and don't have a viable company to provide that service. I have a right to complain, and the fact that others have suffered far worse does not diminish my right to be outraged.

I have not forgotten those who have lost everything. However, I did not choose to build a house on sand. Having said that... I have always felt those who are willing to live on a beach know the risks. The quality of life is great, but there IS risk. One hopes that living on a barrier beach or island never does bite them in the buttocks, but...

I DO feel horribly for the shore line home owners. The sad truth is you take that risk, you may pay for it some day. Hurricane Sandy was that day. I have always resented the amount of $$$ the feds through the Army Corp of Engineers has spent every single year on Long Island, dredging, rebuilding the sand bars, reinforcing the sand dunes... it's freakin sand. There is a LOT of money in the Hamptons and Fire Island. Houses built on sand. It's gonna move, sooner or later.

IMO, it boils down to this in most of the beachfront communities: it costs a lot to live there, that money buys them an inordinant amount of influence and money spent to defend those properties, and money just isn't enough to keep a house built on stilts safe.

It's sand. It shifts, it moves, it gets flooded. Don't build a house there and complain when the inevitable eventually happens. Be well insured, and prepared lose everything and to rebuild WHEN, not IF the time comes.

The homes lost in the NE here was not the 9th ward. Those homes in NOLA were below sub standard housing, a refuge for the poor. Most of the homes destroyed here were homes that cost a pretty penny. Sections, like parts of the Rockaways were not affluent, but these homes for the most part were owned by people with means. Middle class and higher.

What am I trying to say? The people mad ehomeless by Sandy are far more able to recover their lives than the poor refugees of Katrina. We DO need to help them as much as we possibly can to rebuild their homes and lives. I would suggest some of them consider higher ground, or accept the idea that this WILL happen again. Sooner or later. You want to live on a beach... the ocean will eventually once again become an uninvited guest.

sorry you dont know what youre talking about. Midland Beach and New Dorp in Staten Island are NOT rich areas with expensive houses. Tottenville is a rich area. the houses that got destroyed werent even beachfront homes. the storm surge came inland quite a bit. you couldnt be more wrong about your description of the houses lost. these were bungalows and blue collar families. your whole post couldnt be more wrong and ill just chalk it up to you not having any power and being cranky or not getting whole picture but evrything u said makes me very upset.

Sorry if you misunderstood. I in fact simply stated that many areas were middle class, and some depressed, like parts of the Roackaways. I don't lump in people whose houses were inland that got flooded either. I rather specifacally talked about houses built on sand. So, contarilly, I will chalk up your response to being beyond just upset, but having your life turned upside down and ruined from a point of having lost so much. There are MANY others all across the south shore of LI who are not in the least wealthy, nor do they live on a freakin canal or even within blocks and blocks of the shore line. I'm NOT talking about those unfortunates. I'm talking about freakin Fire Island, th Hamptons, million dollar homes built on the water.

Long Beach is hardly affluent but it's a FREAKIN beach, OK? Even though it's a middle class area, it's a freakin beach. Put a house on sand... and roll the dice, because the ocean put that sand there, and the ocean will some day come back to try and reclaim it. That doesn't mean I don't feel terribly, I don't have compassion for those folks. I do. In spades.

People who had their homes float away are swearing hey will return and rebuild. All I'm sayin is I don't think that's such a good idea... unless you are willing to go through this nightmare all over again.

maybe I did misunderstand but you did say the homes in the NE which implied all of them. and also, i didnt lose anything. didnt want anyone thinking i did. i live in staten island but NOT in an evacuation zone.

 

[Rovers]

The out of state workers ahve been freakin awesome, in so far as I have ineracted with them. I spoke with two of the linemen who were working to restore my power. They were from Illinios. Twice they worked 18 hour shifts here, and slept in thier trucks those two nights. Said they had finally been given rooms in some flea bag hotel. Granted, they are making huge overtime bucks, but still... they are sacraficing.

FEMA and the Red Cross. Worthless. The Red Cross will NEVER see a dime from me. When they gave out blankets after 9-11 at ground zero, and then sent bills to the people they gave them too... they and their 1200 6 figure administrators can kiss my buttocks. The Red Cross is a federally approved scam, always has been. Now the Salvation Army... different story. They quietly help people and do it without expecting anything in return. Even my old man said so based on his experiences in WWII. When I served the country, I found the same thing.

Find ways to donate and help OUTSIDE of the Red Cross. The sad thing is that 99% of the Red Cross volunteers are hard working well intentioned people who are betrayed by the Red Cross as much as the victims they claim to serve are.

Yes, I have whined a bit. I pay the highest utility rates in the country, and don't have a viable company to provide that service. I have a right to complain, and the fact that others have suffered far worse does not diminish my right to be outraged.

I have not forgotten those who have lost everything. However, I did not choose to build a house on sand. Having said that... I have always felt those who are willing to live on a beach know the risks. The quality of life is great, but there IS risk. One hopes that living on a barrier beach or island never does bite them in the buttocks, but...

I DO feel horribly for the shore line home owners. The sad truth is you take that risk, you may pay for it some day. Hurricane Sandy was that day. I have always resented the amount of $$$ the feds through the Army Corp of Engineers has spent every single year on Long Island, dredging, rebuilding the sand bars, reinforcing the sand dunes... it's freakin sand. There is a LOT of money in the Hamptons and Fire Island. Houses built on sand. It's gonna move, sooner or later.

IMO, it boils down to this in most of the beachfront communities: it costs a lot to live there, that money buys them an inordinant amount of influence and money spent to defend those properties, and money just isn't enough to keep a house built on stilts safe.

It's sand. It shifts, it moves, it gets flooded. Don't build a house there and complain when the inevitable eventually happens. Be well insured, and prepared lose everything and to rebuild WHEN, not IF the time comes.

The homes lost in the NE here was not the 9th ward. Those homes in NOLA were below sub standard housing, a refuge for the poor. Most of the homes destroyed here were homes that cost a pretty penny. Sections, like parts of the Rockaways were not affluent, but these homes for the most part were owned by people with means. Middle class and higher.

What am I trying to say? The people mad ehomeless by Sandy are far more able to recover their lives than the poor refugees of Katrina. We DO need to help them as much as we possibly can to rebuild their homes and lives. I would suggest some of them consider higher ground, or accept the idea that this WILL happen again. Sooner or later. You want to live on a beach... the ocean will eventually once again become an uninvited guest.

sorry you dont know what youre talking about. Midland Beach and New Dorp in Staten Island are NOT rich areas with expensive houses. Tottenville is a rich area. the houses that got destroyed werent even beachfront homes. the storm surge came inland quite a bit. you couldnt be more wrong about your description of the houses lost. these were bungalows and blue collar families. your whole post couldnt be more wrong and ill just chalk it up to you not having any power and being cranky or not getting whole picture but evrything u said makes me very upset.

Sorry if you misunderstood. I in fact simply stated that many areas were middle class, and some depressed, like parts of the Roackaways. I don't lump in people whose houses were inland that got flooded either. I rather specifacally talked about houses built on sand. So, contarilly, I will chalk up your response to being beyond just upset, but having your life turned upside down and ruined from a point of having lost so much. There are MANY others all across the south shore of LI who are not in the least wealthy, nor do they live on a freakin canal or even within blocks and blocks of the shore line. I'm NOT talking about those unfortunates. I'm talking about freakin Fire Island, th Hamptons, million dollar homes built on the water.

Long Beach is hardly affluent but it's a FREAKIN beach, OK? Even though it's a middle class area, it's a freakin beach. Put a house on sand... and roll the dice, because the ocean put that sand there, and the ocean will some day come back to try and reclaim it. That doesn't mean I don't feel terribly, I don't have compassion for those folks. I do. In spades.

People who had their homes float away are swearing hey will return and rebuild. All I'm sayin is I don't think that's such a good idea... unless you are willing to go through this nightmare all over again.

maybe I did misunderstand but you did say the homes in the NE which implied all of them. and also, i didnt lose anything. didnt want anyone thinking i did. i live in staten island but NOT in an evacuation zone.

Fair enough, and perhaps I did not make my points clear. Yes, I'm annoyed with the rich who own beach houses. Yes, I think people who built houses in Belle Harbor or Long Beach accepted the risk of living on what amounts to a barrier beach. Not ritzy places, not cheap either. I'm sure most of those folks never thought they would experience a tidal surge like the one Sandy brought, but frankly, they should have. Flooding in those areas has occurred before. Many times, in fact. They should have understood the risks. Further east, places that never flooded before did flood. I really feel for those folks. People living 1/4 to a 1/2 mile away from the water never could have expected an event like this.

Maybe I'm just nuts, but I have looked at exactly how many feet above sea level my house actually is. 24 feet, and miles away from the water, like 8 or 9. If I were living within a mile of the coast and only 8 feet above sea level...well, one has to understand a catastrophe could occur. I'm just saying that it should not have been the surprise it was for a lot of people. They should have made themselves more aware of their individual risk, however unlikely.

Spilt milk. It happened, and it's awful. But if you insist on rebuilding where it flooded... when you could choose a safer place to live, I'm just not sure you have a functioning brain.

 

[Jojo the circus boy]

90k still without power in nyc boroughs as of 5PM Friday, what is the count in Long Island?

I thought I read all of NJ should be lit by now, does that include the Jersey Shore and LBI?

 

[NJDawgPound]

90k still without power in nyc boroughs as of 5PM Friday, what is the count in Long Island?I thought I read all of NJ should be lit by now, does that include the Jersey Shore and LBI?

No. Ortley Beach still waiting for the go-ahead to go back to their homes and LBI is without power and natural gas. Tony Siragusa lives on Ortley Beach and his crew was taking a boat back there until the National Guard put a stop to it.

 

[The Big Guy]

90k still without power in nyc boroughs as of 5PM Friday, what is the count in Long Island?I thought I read all of NJ should be lit by now, does that include the Jersey Shore and LBI?

No. Ortley Beach still waiting for the go-ahead to go back to their homes and LBI is without power and natural gas. Tony Siragusa lives on Ortley Beach and his crew was taking a boat back there until the National Guard put a stop to it.

Jersey towns are having the same problems that LIPA is giving Long Island with wanting to have homes re-certified before turning on the power switch. I know the mayor of my town (Brick) is trying to get the governor involved and force the power back on. On the one hand, I understand that a house that has been underwater is probably not safe to re-energize now that the water has subsided, but they are keeping entire towns and sections off and that is just wrong.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Volunteer family from arizona came to our church with an 18 wheeler stocked full of supplies and donations. We are doing our best to help each other down here. Its slow going but its going.

 

[comfortably numb]

The out of state workers ahve been freakin awesome, in so far as I have ineracted with them. I spoke with two of the linemen who were working to restore my power. They were from Illinios. Twice they worked 18 hour shifts here, and slept in thier trucks those two nights. Said they had finally been given rooms in some flea bag hotel. Granted, they are making huge overtime bucks, but still... they are sacraficing.

FEMA and the Red Cross. Worthless. The Red Cross will NEVER see a dime from me. When they gave out blankets after 9-11 at ground zero, and then sent bills to the people they gave them too... they and their 1200 6 figure administrators can kiss my buttocks. The Red Cross is a federally approved scam, always has been. Now the Salvation Army... different story. They quietly help people and do it without expecting anything in return. Even my old man said so based on his experiences in WWII. When I served the country, I found the same thing.

Find ways to donate and help OUTSIDE of the Red Cross. The sad thing is that 99% of the Red Cross volunteers are hard working well intentioned people who are betrayed by the Red Cross as much as the victims they claim to serve are.

Yes, I have whined a bit. I pay the highest utility rates in the country, and don't have a viable company to provide that service. I have a right to complain, and the fact that others have suffered far worse does not diminish my right to be outraged.

I have not forgotten those who have lost everything. However, I did not choose to build a house on sand. Having said that... I have always felt those who are willing to live on a beach know the risks. The quality of life is great, but there IS risk. One hopes that living on a barrier beach or island never does bite them in the buttocks, but...

I DO feel horribly for the shore line home owners. The sad truth is you take that risk, you may pay for it some day. Hurricane Sandy was that day. I have always resented the amount of $$$ the feds through the Army Corp of Engineers has spent every single year on Long Island, dredging, rebuilding the sand bars, reinforcing the sand dunes... it's freakin sand. There is a LOT of money in the Hamptons and Fire Island. Houses built on sand. It's gonna move, sooner or later.

IMO, it boils down to this in most of the beachfront communities: it costs a lot to live there, that money buys them an inordinant amount of influence and money spent to defend those properties, and money just isn't enough to keep a house built on stilts safe.

It's sand. It shifts, it moves, it gets flooded. Don't build a house there and complain when the inevitable eventually happens. Be well insured, and prepared lose everything and to rebuild WHEN, not IF the time comes.

The homes lost in the NE here was not the 9th ward. Those homes in NOLA were below sub standard housing, a refuge for the poor. Most of the homes destroyed here were homes that cost a pretty penny. Sections, like parts of the Rockaways were not affluent, but these homes for the most part were owned by people with means. Middle class and higher.

What am I trying to say? The people mad ehomeless by Sandy are far more able to recover their lives than the poor refugees of Katrina. We DO need to help them as much as we possibly can to rebuild their homes and lives. I would suggest some of them consider higher ground, or accept the idea that this WILL happen again. Sooner or later. You want to live on a beach... the ocean will eventually once again become an uninvited guest.

sorry you dont know what youre talking about. Midland Beach and New Dorp in Staten Island are NOT rich areas with expensive houses. Tottenville is a rich area. the houses that got destroyed werent even beachfront homes. the storm surge came inland quite a bit. you couldnt be more wrong about your description of the houses lost. these were bungalows and blue collar families. your whole post couldnt be more wrong and ill just chalk it up to you not having any power and being cranky or not getting whole picture but evrything u said makes me very upset.

Sorry if you misunderstood. I in fact simply stated that many areas were middle class, and some depressed, like parts of the Roackaways. I don't lump in people whose houses were inland that got flooded either. I rather specifacally talked about houses built on sand. So, contarilly, I will chalk up your response to being beyond just upset, but having your life turned upside down and ruined from a point of having lost so much. There are MANY others all across the south shore of LI who are not in the least wealthy, nor do they live on a freakin canal or even within blocks and blocks of the shore line. I'm NOT talking about those unfortunates. I'm talking about freakin Fire Island, th Hamptons, million dollar homes built on the water.

Long Beach is hardly affluent but it's a FREAKIN beach, OK? Even though it's a middle class area, it's a freakin beach. Put a house on sand... and roll the dice, because the ocean put that sand there, and the ocean will some day come back to try and reclaim it. That doesn't mean I don't feel terribly, I don't have compassion for those folks. I do. In spades.

People who had their homes float away are swearing hey will return and rebuild. All I'm sayin is I don't think that's such a good idea... unless you are willing to go through this nightmare all over again.

maybe I did misunderstand but you did say the homes in the NE which implied all of them. and also, i didnt lose anything. didnt want anyone thinking i did. i live in staten island but NOT in an evacuation zone.

Fair enough, and perhaps I did not make my points clear. Yes, I'm annoyed with the rich who own beach houses. Yes, I think people who built houses in Belle Harbor or Long Beach accepted the risk of living on what amounts to a barrier beach. Not ritzy places, not cheap either. I'm sure most of those folks never thought they would experience a tidal surge like the one Sandy brought, but frankly, they should have. Flooding in those areas has occurred before. Many times, in fact. They should have understood the risks. Further east, places that never flooded before did flood. I really feel for those folks. People living 1/4 to a 1/2 mile away from the water never could have expected an event like this.

Maybe I'm just nuts, but I have looked at exactly how many feet above sea level my house actually is. 24 feet, and miles away from the water, like 8 or 9. If I were living within a mile of the coast and only 8 feet above sea level...well, one has to understand a catastrophe could occur. I'm just saying that it should not have been the surprise it was for a lot of people. They should have made themselves more aware of their individual risk, however unlikely.

Spilt milk. It happened, and it's awful. But if you insist on rebuilding where it flooded... when you could choose a safer place to live, I'm just not sure you have a functioning brain.

Really no need for this in this thread.People have lost a lot and are using this thread for support and help.

Telling someone they "don't have a functioning brain if you insist on rebuilding where it flooded" is pretty disrespectful.