Rep. Chris Smith Calls for House to Pass Sandy Relief

For the text of Smith’s remarks:

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Hurricane Sandy Survivors Will Have Temporary Housing At Fort Monmouth

MMM has learned that FEMA and Department of Community Affairs housing inspectors have given “high marks” to buildings at the former Fort Monmouth for potential use as long term temporary housing for Monmouth County residents displaced by Superstorm Sandy.

In an email to board members of the Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority (FMERA) forwarded to MMM by Freeholder Lillian Burry, a member of the board, Executive Director Bruce Steadman said that FEMA and DCA is working on a plan to use 7 lodging buildings in along the Shrewsbury River in Oceanport to house 600-900 people in 300 units, as well as 21 “McGill” units at the golf course which could house 42 families.  These units could be used as temporary housing for up to 18 months, according to FEMA guidelines.

Gibbs Hall, the commissary building, the gymnasium and the prep school have been deemed not suitable for housing.

Steadman told the board that FMERA has informed the Army that they want to expedite the purchase of the Howard Commons area, the historical housing area of the main post, and the golf course, to support post-Sandy housing needs.

Burry said that there could be up to 10,000 residents of Monmouth County in need of temporary housing as a result of the damage caused by Sandy.  Union Beach, Highlands, Sea Bright and the low lying areas of Middletown…Belford, Leonardo, Port Monmouth and North Middletown…were struck with storm surges that exceeded 8 feet, leaving homes in the wake uninhabitable.  Additionally, the Two River towns of Little Silver and Oceanport have several displaced residents due to flooded homes, according to Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon.

In addition to the former Fort Monmouth, federal, state and county officials are evaluating the Bradlee’s parking lot on Route 36 in Hazlet, the former Bell Labs property in Holmdel, and the Hartshorne Woods County Park in Highlands/Navesink as possible sites for FEMA trailer cities.

O’Scanlon said that he is impressed and grateful for the level of cooperation between the various government agencies working on evaluating the former Fort Monmouth for temporary housing.

“I am very  encouraged to know everyone is working together to assess the resources at  Fort Monmouth that might be able  to help us house our displaced residents,” said O’Scanlon,  “We will continue to push for  quick answers but the level of cooperation amongst the agencies involved is  encouraging. The Fort Monmouth Economic Revitalization Authority the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are taking all the right steps to vet out this option. The Monmouth County  Prosecutor, Christopher J. Gramiccioni, has also been a key part of this  process and I appreciate his active involvement. On behalf of my constituents, I am grateful for the effort.”

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Menendez spokesperson denies boss stiffed Dominican hookers, calls story the product of a “right wing smear machine”

Kyrillos spends the day focus on supporting victims of Hurricane Sandy

US Senator Bob Menendez’s campaign manager told PolitickerNJ that his boss didn’t pay for sex while on a trip to the Dominican Republic last spring and that the story first reported by The Daily Caller is a product of the “right wing smear machine.”

The Menendez camp is blaming the Kyrillos camp for planting the story:

“It is disgusting that on a day when New Jerseyans are focused on responding to  one of the worst disasters to ever hit the state, Joe Kyrillos and the right  wing smear machine are peddling lies about Bob Menendez,” Soliman said.   “Let’s be clear: the accusations Kyrillos and his friends in the right wing  media are peddling are absolutely false.  This unsubstantiated, untrue  attack is a new low, and we hope that Kyrillos will pull his campaign out of the  gutter and join us and other leaders in helping get this state back on its feet.  Bob Menendez is going to continue to focus on helping New Jersey recover from  the devastation wrought by Hurricane Sandy and will not be distracted by  desperate smears from a flailing campaign in the final days before an election.”

Democrats are furious with Kyrillos for responding to The Daily Caller’s article by asking Menendez to release his schedule and travel documents, and for even trying to win the election in the face of Hurricane Sandy’s devastation.

“Kyrillos’s career is over,” a angry Democratic operative said on the condition of anonymity, “Obama and Christie did the right thing, and he’s (Kyrillos) talking about prostitutes.  While his legislative district is in shambles from the storm, he’s off campaigning in Bergen and Ocean Counties.  Even my Republican friends are disgusted with him.”

Kyrillos visted with residents and local officials in Middlesex, Bergen and Passaic counties today.  He stopped at the Peterpank Diner in Sayreville, the Police Athletic Leaue in Wayne where hot meals were served to those without power, and the Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff.

“This infamous storm has caused more destruction and devastation among our residents than anything I’ve witnessed or care to see again,” Kyrillos said.“This process of physical and emotional mending will certainly be arduous. But as my meetings continue, I’m starting to notice a sense of ‘Jersey strong’ resilience coming out of residents and community leaders, saying we will get through this. We will rebuild and be stronger from it.”

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