5093 Still Without Power In Monmouth County

5093 Monmouth County customers are still without power as of noon on Friday.

Joan’s power at the Toll Bros Riviera in Freehold Township came on overnight, but she is not happy.  “JCP&L’s performance and communications were dispicable.  I hope the Governor does something about it,” said Joan.

132 customers are still without power in Highlands.   Meals will be distributed to Highlands residents without power this after noon between 3:30 and 6:30 at the community center on Snug Harbor Ave.  Mayor Frank Nolan will hold a public information meeting at the community center at 7PM.

Estimated Customers Out For
MONMOUTH County
As of Sep 2, 2011 11:56 AM

Total Out = 5093

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Little Positioning Herself To Join Perry Campaign

Anna Little spent Hurricane Irene in Texas singing her own praises to Governor Rick Perry.

Upon her return, Little proceeded to inform supporters that she will be the number 2 person in Perry’s 2012 presidential campaign in the Garden State and that her “ass will be the one to kiss” in the NJ GOP.  Little wouldn’t disclose to her supporters who Perry’s number 1 will be.

Multiple published reports have indicated that Governor Christie has asked NJ Republican donors and operatives not to commit to a presidential candidate.  I guess Little will no longer have front row seats at the Governor’s town hall meetings.

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Keep Your Pants On

Gateway National Recreation Area advises that Gunnison Beach will be closed this weekend due to flooding.  All other Sandy Hook beaches are open, but you must wear a swimsuit.

Yesterday 28 acres of Gunnison were under water.

The structure in the photo is the concession stand, which was knocked over in the storm.

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Monmouth County Left Off Federal Disaster List

Kyrillos and Handlin Appeal For Monmouth County Relief

Governor Chris Christie requested that President Obama declare all of New Jersey eligible for federal disaster relief as a result of Hurricane Irene.  Obama  responded by declaring a “major” disaster in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Morris, Passaic and Somerset counties.

Individuals affected by Hurricane Irene in those counties are eligible for grants and loans to cover temporary housing, home repairs, and other programs for individuals and businesses.

Governments and non-profits in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties can apply for cost sharing funding to repair or replace facilities damages by Irene.

Federal funding is available for hazard mitigation throughout the state.

FEMA said that damage assessments would continue throughout New Jersey and that other counties could become eligible for federal relief as the surveys are completed.

Senator Joe Kyrillos and Assemblywoman Amy Handlin both dispatched letters to FEMA Administrator Craig  Fugate urging that Monmouth County be added to the list of New Jersey counties eligble for federal funding.

“Last weekend’s storm wreaked havoc on the entire state, including Monmouth County, causing power outages, sever flooding and extensive property damage,” Kyrillos stated. “Public infrastructure such as roads and bridges were closed for days, families and businesses were without power and the extensive damage to trees, buildings and power lines will be a huge cost to the public. We need the same federal assistance that other New Jersey counties are receiving.

Published reports indicated that Monmouth Countysheltered 2,200 people in the Colts Neck, Holmdel and Wall high schools, and provided 4,500 meals. Governor Christie has also called on the President to declare that a major disaster area exists statewide in order to provide federal  financial assistance to governments, residents and businesses.

“I urge in the strongest possible terms that the Administrator of FEMA add Monmouth County to the list of New Jersey’s disaster areas,” Kyrillos continued. “This is an accurate designation given what residents, business owners and municipalities endured during this devastating storm.”

“Hurricane Irene’s damage was not limited to five counties in New Jersey,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “Communities in Monmouth County suffered extensive damage to their roads and infrastructure. And, it has been quite costly to area residents and businesses who have gone several days without power.”

County roads also sustained major damage, including a sinkhole on Hubbard Avenue in Middletown that took out a portion of the southbound lane near the Shadow Lake dam.

Governor Christie requested a federal disaster declaration for the entire state on Tuesday and on Wednesday President Obama approved the declaration, and relief, for Bergen, Essex, Morris, Passaic and Somerset counties.

“Governor Christie has shown tremendous leadership throughout this catastrophe and the federal government has been willing to work with New Jersey as we recover,” Handlin said. “Federal officials have indicated they could include more counties in the disaster declaration and I urge them to add Monmouth County because our local communities cannot fix the damage inflicted by Hurricane Irene on their own.”

The Federal Government has set up a website that allows people to apply online for assistance: http://www.disasterassistance.gov

This website consolidates the application process across several Federal agencies, including FEMA and the Small Business Administration. The website also reduces the number of forms you will ultimately have to fill out, shortens the time it takes to apply and allows you to check the progress of your applications online.

If you want to apply by phone rather than the Internet, you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (1-800-621-3362).

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Hurricane Irene: The Governor wasn’t a prick this time. Well, maybe just a little bit…

By Dan Jacobson, also published in the September 1, 2011 edition of the triCityNews

A couple months ago, the Star-Ledger – the state’s largest newspaper – quoted Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney calling Republican Governor Chris Christie a “prick”.

In a front page story, no less!

Obviously, that means the p-word is now fair game to attach to our state’s Chief Executive. A big event in New Jersey journalism history. Who’s to argue with the Star-Ledger?

So with Hurricane Irene now past, let’s look at the Governor’s handling of the crisis. But that actually starts with Christie’s response to the December 2010 blizzard.

In that case, the Governor was a prick. A complete and total jerk-off. Christie was on vacation in Florida – in Disneyworld, appropriately enough – and he refused to come back until he was good and ready.

Meanwhile, the rest of us were trapped here by a disastrous emergency management response. Roads weren’t cleared for days. The whole system collapsed. Monmouth County couldn’t move. It was downright scary.

Christie’s actions were a disgrace. We called on the Democrats in the state legislature to hold hearings on this prick’s conduct, complete with subpoena power, to determine who did exactly what. Man, we were pissed. Seriously. This was a matter of life and death.

Because an even more severe natural disaster, or – God forbid – a terrorist attack with weapons of mass destruction, would have made that December blizzard look like a beautiful day on the beach in Asbury Park.

Of course, the legislature – even one controlled by the opposition Democrats – did nothing. What a bunch of bozos.

But now it’s time to give the Governor credit: he was excellent during Hurricane Irene. Gone was the prick who wouldn’t cut short his Florida vacation. (Then again, Christie wasn’t on vacation when Irene hit.)

This Publisher was tremendously impressed by the Governor’s command of detail during his Irene press conferences. For the first time I saw that he’s actually a very smart guy. I didn’t know he was at that level. At one point, I even thought to myself that I could never handle the situation that well.

But then I quickly got a hold of myself: Of course I could do it.

Anyway, my capabilities are irrelevant. I’m not Governor. I’m just a wildman local Publisher running for the state Assembly as an Independent. (And in a race that’s almost impossible to win. Only one Independent in the past 50 years has won an Assembly seat in New Jersey.)

But I digress.

The Governor earned his paycheck last week. Thankfully, we never saw how Christie would have reacted if Irene hadn’t weakened – and smashed into New Jersey with twice the force as a Category One hurricane. That would have been something. Still, we got to give the guy credit.  Based on his overall command of the Irene situation, it sure seemed that the Governor could have handled it.

Of course, despite his excellent performance, Christie did find some way to be a bit of a prick. His “get the hell off the beach in Asbury Park” rant during one press conference – about 24 hours before the storm was to hit – was a bit much. Typical theatrics from a guy who gets off a little too much on being a bully. 

Don’t get me wrong. I generally like the Governor’s economic policies. I would have voted with him on his state government reforms. But there’s just something about the guy that bugs me. His petulant instincts not to come home from Florida demonstrates it. Same with some other shit he’s pulled.

But at least with the Hurricane Irene situation it appears the Governor learned some lessons. I hope.

If not, I look forward to going to Trenton as an Independent beholden to no one – and telling the Governor to cut the crap when necessary.

Of course, I’ll do the same to the Democrats who control the state Assembly and Senate. After all, Governor Christie may be a bit of a prick, but those people are downright clowns.

(The 11^th District where I’m running includes: Asbury Park, Long Branch, Red Bank, Ocean Township, Neptune, Neptune City, Interlaken, Deal, Allenhurst, Loch Arbour, West Long Branch, Eatontown, Shrewsbury Borough, Shrewsbury Township, Tinton Falls, Colts Neck, Freehold Township and Freehold Borough.)

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8,037 Still Without Power in Monmouth

JCP&L got the power turned on for 11,277 customers, 30,000-40,000 people since 6:30 this morning.  That’s a far cry from the 8900 per hour Governor Christie said all utilities in the State were doing from Sunday through Wednesday.

Joan’s power is still out at the 55+ Riviera community in Freehold Township.  Yesterday a JCP&L rep told Joan, “You are not a priority.”  Today she was told, “There are only 10 houses out on your grid.  We can’t get to it.”

In Highlands, the Paradise Park trailer park survived the storm but is still without power. On the opposite end of town, the Wyndmoor Condos, 125 units on Portland Rd. are still out.  Trees fell at Wyndmoor breaking two utility poles.  Word around the complex is that JCP&L and Verizon were squabbling over which utility was responsible.  Whoever won that squabble, here we are on Thursday, the poles have been replaced and there is no power.

Paradise Park is surrounded by power.  The adjacent marina and and county park have power.  The residents do not.

Estimated Customers Out For
MONMOUTH County
As of Sep 1, 2011 7:50 PM

Total Out = 8037

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“You’re Not A Priority”

Joan (not her real name) from Freehold Township just called. She lives in the 55 and over Riviera development in Freehold Township.

Joan says that half of the development is still without power.  She called JCP&L as was told, “You’re not a priority.”  I don’t think that is what BPU President Lee Solomon had in mind when he advised JCP&L to have their people “tell the truth.”

Joan has evacuated to her son’s home in Camden County.  Yet she is worried for her neighbors and friends, many of whom are invalids she says.  “People are really suffering, their lives and health are at risk.  Who can I call?”

I suggested calling the Freehold Township Police. “They’re too busy.  We called for a man that needed medical attention and they said to take him to the emergency room.  We called an ambulance and it never came.”

“Christie said on 101.5 to contact his office for anything, do you have his number?”  I gave it to her.

Joan, who moved her from New York, says she has frequent power outages since she moved to Riviera.  “JCP&L said they were aware of the problem, but nothing has improved.  Their equipment is too old.”

Joan’s experience too common in the JCP&L service area.  Her immediate emergency as well as her long term experience. 

Power outages are an expected occurance in the JCP&L service areas.  In the 17 years I have lived in a JCP&L service area I chalked it up to living on the ocean or or atop of a hill. 

That is obviously not the case.  Atlantic City Electric has only 92 active outages effecting only 148 customers.

JCP&L’s management and lack of infrastructure investment is the problem.

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19,314 Still Without Power In Monmouth County

It was nice to wake up in air conditioning and not have to head off to Starbucks or McDonalds for power and Wifi.

I spent more time inside McDonalds this week since, well since ever.  I would have had to work at a McDonalds to have spent more time inside one than I did this week.  Perhaps it is an indication of the state of the economy.  Perhaps it is a indication of McDonalds’ recruitment and training. Perhaps it is an indication of my prejudices. Perhaps all of the above.  It seems to me that the people working at the McDonalds on Route 35 in Middletown and the one on Route 36 in Leonardo are decidedly more middle class than I expected.   They are friendly, articulate, accommodating and industrious.  No one asked me, “Would you like fries with that?”  I learned what a McFlurry is.

Governor’s Conference Call

Last night I was invited to listen into a conference call Governor Christie held with his cabinet and elected officials throughout the State.  Christie has been holding these calls at least daily since the days before Irene hit.

Despite the mixed reviews I had heard about these calls from several elected officials who had been on them during the week, I was impressed.

I am impressed with the quality of the team that Governor Christie has assembled to manage our State government.  Over the course of my career I have participated in or been privy too several executive level conferences in both the private and public sector. In very large enterprises and small.  Christie’s team stands out. They are extraordinarily competent and focused on getting the job done.

There was quite a bit of conversation about JCP&L.  Monmouth County is not the only place suffering with JCP&L’s inadequate and disingenuous response to the storm.  Mayor Timothy McDonough of Warren County’s Hope Township reported frustrations with JCP&L that are very similar to what we’ve experienced in Monmouth County. 

BPU President Lee Solomon recounted a conversation with JCP&L executives who asked him what more he thought they should be doing. “Tell your people to tell the truth,” Soloman said, “if your people are talking to a mayor or councilman, tell them the truth.  Don’t tell them what you think they want to hear or what you think will make them go away.”    Imagine that.

Christie and Solomon said they’d be talking further about JCP&L after the call last night.  Solomon said BPU was focused on getting all the power up and that JCP&L was on his radar for further work after the crisis has past.

Christie said that since Sunday the utilities have been restoring power at a rate of 8900 customers per hour.  JCP&L has obviously been dragging down that average.  Overnight last night they restored power at a rate of little over 1000 customers per hour just in Monmouth County.

The contrast between PSEG’s response to Irene and JCP&L’s response is like comparing the Yankees to the Mets.  Sorry Governor.

PSEG vs. JCPL

As of early this morning, PSEG has 15,000 customerswithout power in their entire service area.  There service area includes Bergen, Hudson, Essex, Union, Passaic, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset Counties.

JCP&Lhas 19,314 customers without power just in Monmouth County. They have 13,834 customers without power in Morris County, 9934 in Sussex County, 5941 in Hunterdon County, 6732 in Somerset County, 3643 in Union County, 3324 in Essex, and 3124 in Warren.  If I missed any…so did JCP&L.

A loyal MMM reader provided an antedotal contrast between PSEG and JCP&L:

My father was a construction super for PSE&G for 40 years.  I am literally first person in my family who came to this country who not to work for PSE&G— great grandfather when it was a trolly car company, my grandfather, my father and uncles, etc. all worked for PSE&G.  Every time there were events like this my father would be living in portable trailers at job sites for months at a time.  He always said JCPL sucked and never invested in infrastructure since they were bought by First Energy out of Ohio.  PSE&G would have to bail them out all the time.  PSE&G is a New Jersey company with more than 100 year history here.  Most of its employees all live here too. Note where First Energy’s executive’s live:  https://www.firstenergycorp.com/about/leadership_team.html.

That story is consistent with the graphic that greets visitors to PSEG’s website:

Contrast that to the lunatic who says he’s a JCP&L lineman that has been harassing me and Mike Halfacre in the comments here and on facebook.  I hope that rectum crater is not really a JCP&L lineman blogging during this crisis, but given the JCP&L response and the info he has given me to contact his union office, I wonder.  I’ll be contacting his union and continuing to delete is his comments here.

Estimated Customers Out For
MONMOUTH County
As of Sep 1, 2011 6:29 AM

Total Out = 19314

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Governor Christie On Federal Funding For Disaster Relief

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The Increase The Lt. Governor’s Public Profile Campaign Resumes

Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno will be on the radio with NJ 101.5’s Jim Gearhart tomorrow morning at 7:35 AM and again with John Gambling on 710 AM at 8:05 AM.

Last Monday MMM noted that the front office was working to increase Guadagno’s profile.  I don’t know what it means.  I think it means that Governor Chris Christie is getting ready to run for President, despite his most recent denials.  I think he feels it.

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